The 'dogs are starting to smell the finish line. We're almost to solstice, when things start to get really serious among some of the Big Daddies of the NFL, and the players in our charity pro football underdog pool have made their selections for another week. Here's who they are predicting can win their games outright (without benefit of the point spread):

14 OAKLAND at Denver - genop's mom, Andy [and Michael W., whom I originally missed]
12.5 ST. LOUIS vs. Houston - Gary
11 CHICAGO at Baltimore - Kevin, Flynn, Robert
9 CAROLINA vs. Minnesota - Hank
9 SAN FRANCISCO at Philadelphia - genop, Bad Brad, Doug
7 BUFFALO vs. New England - Mark, Sidney, Dan
7 DALLAS at New Orleans (last night's winner) - Annie, George, Rick
6 ATLANTA at NY Jets - jmh, Michael K.

It has been a crazy week around here, and it is entirely possible that I have missed something, but I see no pick from Gordon or Michael W., which means that barring an error on my part, they sit he sits out this week. Here are the orphan 'dogs -- too much risk, too little reward, or both:

12 DETROIT vs. Arizona
6.5 TAMPA BAY at Seattle
6.5 CINCINNATI at San Diego
4 MIAMI at Tennessee
3 JACKSONVILLE vs. Indianapolis (Thursday, not a winner)
3 WASHINGTON vs. NY Giants
2 CLEVELAND at Kansas City
2 GREEN BAY at Pittsburgh

The standings as the week began were posted here, but don't forget to add 7 points for Annie, George, and Rick, who won last night. Enjoy the games and good luck, everybody (especially the Bears)!