Neither rain nor snow nor sleet keeps these 'dogs from playing
Here are the lines for this Sunday's games in our charity pro football underdog pool. This is the last week of the regular season, and as is usual at this juncture, there are some teams who must win to make the playoffs; some teams that have nothing to win or lose because they've been so weak all season; and others that are coasting because they've clinched a top spot in the post-season. It may make for a difficult week for our prognosticators, and it's a crucial one. When the playoffs get here a week from now, there will be far fewer games and likely much closer point spreads.
Anyway, as usual, the object of our game is to pick an underdog (in caps) that will win its game outright, without the benefit of the spread:
13 KANSAS CITY at Denver
10.5 OAKLAND vs. Baltimore
10 CINCINNATI at NY Jets
8.5 NY GIANTS at Minnesota
7.5 NEW ENGLAND at Houston
7 INDIANAPOLIS at Buffalo
7 ST. LOUIS vs. San Francisco
4 SEATTLE vs. Tennessee
3.5 WASHINGTON at San Diego
3 DETROIT vs. Chicago
3 MIAMI vs. Pittsburgh
3 PHILADELPHIA at Dallas
3 GREEN BAY at Arizona
2 TAMPA BAY vs. Atlanta
1.5 JACKSONVILLE at Cleveland
No New Orleans at Carolina just yet -- but it may join the slate if a money line is available by Thursday.
Our standings are here. Readers, let's have some choice advice -- it's needed now more than ever. And good luck, players.
| Posted at 5:27 PM | Permalink |
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Comments (11)
Well, by the logic that almost had me pick TB over NO last week (hot division rivalry) I'll go with KC over Denver.
Posted by George Anonymuncule Seldes | December 29, 2009 5:38 PM
I don't care if the Patriots sit Brady and bring back Steve Grogan, I'm going with New England to win.
Posted by hank Stern | December 29, 2009 5:50 PM
I will take INDY. The Bills could not beat the Indianapolis Pacers
Posted by sidney | December 29, 2009 6:15 PM
For those of you playing... Cincy or Philly would be the teams I think are most likely to pull it off
Posted by LucsAdvo | December 29, 2009 6:56 PM
Philadelphia lost its center last week which would be big trouble for any team. But Andy Reid is a great coach and he has the situation patched up.
I'm seeing Philly winning against the Cowboys and earning the #2 slot in the NFC with the following week off.
Minnesota lost a hell of a lot last night in Chicago. There's a chance they will be dispirited and the Giants will play loose and get them.
The biggest recent shock for the Vikings is seeing that Winfield is way less than 100%.
Posted by Bill McDonald | December 29, 2009 9:08 PM
I will take Kansas City.
Posted by annie | December 30, 2009 8:52 AM
I'd take NE, too. #3 seed at stake for them. Cinci will lay down, esp. if NE wins earlier in the day.
Posted by Mojo | December 30, 2009 1:42 PM
I'll take CINCINNATI, even though they will likely rest their starters at some point in the game, it's a road game for the Bungles, and the New York Football Jets are playing for a playoff spot. I think the Bungles are going to be pissed that they didn't get a single player picked for the Pro Bowl. Plus, EightFive is talking serious smack about the Jets CB.
Posted by Kevin | December 30, 2009 1:43 PM
I'm going for double-or-nothing. Give me KC over Denver.
Posted by Mark | December 30, 2009 8:31 PM
Ok, give me Cincy or give me death. At least as far as my standings in the pool are concerned.
Posted by jmh | December 31, 2009 10:25 AM
To the extent we think there is some rationality to picking a winning pooch, the prospect of teams not playing starters muddies the water. When it comes to dogs, we all know they rarely eschew a little mud in their water dish though. Thus, if New England loses, like they should, Bengals get the 3 seed(Chargers) rather than the 4 seed (Colts). Will they play starters longer to secure that outcome? I'm betting yes. (Bengals over Jets)That's my faux rational choice. genop
Now, genop's mom through a sense of loyalty feels she should walk her most productive dog, and once again leash up the Raiders over the Ravens. She's away right now at the beauty shop having the "Kiss" face mask applied to sport for the game.
May all you dogs win outright in 2010.
Posted by genop | December 31, 2009 12:56 PM