'Dogs never sleep
This is truly a historic time. Yes, I've picked winners in the pro football Underdog Pool in which I play five weeks out of nine, putting me in second place. My secret? I shamelessly beg for advice from my readers, and they offer great tips. The sage advice of Geek Squad led me to choose the Jets over Buffalo last weekend, and sure enough, old Brett Favre came through.
The season is still young, however, and the slates of games keep a-rollin' at us. Here's this coming weekend's schedule. See any underdogs in here (in caps) who can win their games outright? The number of points is relevant in the pool only in that that's how many I will earn if I pick that 'dog and it wins its game without the benefit of any point spread. (Last week, the Jets picked up 6 for me.) Here ye be:
15.5 KANSAS CITY at San Diego
10 SAN FRANCISCO at Arizona
9.5 OAKLAND vs. Carolina
9 SEATTLE at Miami
8 ST. LOUIS at NY Jets
7 DETROIT vs. Jacksonville
4 BUFFALO at New England
3.5 DENVER at Cleveland (Thursday)
3 CHICAGO vs. Tennessee
3 NY GIANTS at Philadelphia
2.5 GREEN BAY at Minnesota
1 NEW ORLEANS at Atlanta
1 HOUSTON vs. Baltimore
The Giants -- an underdog? Arizona -- a favorite? Will the Jets follow up a nice road win with a dud performance at home in front of the Jersey Meadowlands boo birds? Should be an interesting week. Please help me out -- I'm battling other pool contestants who have supernatural powers.
| Posted at 9:25 AM | Permalink |
|
Comments (8)
For a flat-out win I'd go with the Giants. I have no idea how they could be underdogs to the Eagles. If you want to gamble and try for some big points, I'd go with the 49ers. They've had one more week to adjust to Singletary's coaching style, and may be primed for an upset.
Posted by Dave J. | November 5, 2008 10:04 AM
In order of preference:
Giants
Packers
Rams
Bills
Broncos
Posted by Nate Currie | November 5, 2008 10:43 AM
Rams
Steven Jackson is back this week and has been running great since Haslett took over. Jets are still the Jets.
Posted by mp97303 | November 5, 2008 12:44 PM
What place are you in, Jack? How far back? Top 3 pay? As we get later in the year, that starts to influence what decisions are best to make.
Most likely, I'd recommend San Fran on Monday Night Football. 10 points is a good line there, and Frank Gore is one of the best backs in the league. As you've seen recently with Cincy > JAX, some crazy stuff can happen in the NFL.
Seattle, Detroit, and Oakland are also worth a look. I would stay away from STL this week as you're getting a bad line, but who knows.
Posted by Geek Squad | November 5, 2008 1:20 PM
As I said, I am in second place. I have 34 points. The leader has 42. Right behind me are players with 33.5, 31, 30, and 25. Top three players get paid.
Posted by Jack Bog | November 5, 2008 1:33 PM
St. Louis if you want the bigger points.
Giants if you want a win.
I would recommend Chicago, but I never recommend where my judgment is clouded by fandom.
Posted by Kevin | November 5, 2008 2:19 PM
While your 6 point win this week was good, the 7.5 points would have been better, had you only listened to me and took Cincinnati... *needle*...
To me, Buffalo is the slam dunk win this week. They're not going to lose 2 weeks in a row, and NE isn't THAT good.
I only wish it was worth more than 4 points.
Second most likely slam dunk is Denver. Cleveland sucks and is starting Quinn on a short week? Too bad that one is only worth 3.5 points.
Posted by Larry K | November 5, 2008 3:41 PM
You REALLY should listen to me. Sooner or later, I am gonna get one right.
Posted by mp97303 | November 6, 2008 12:41 PM