'Dogs over the hump
There are 20 weeks in our charity pro football underdog game, and the first 10 are now in the history books. The last three weeks are playoff weeks, when movement in our standings is limited, and so it's time for the laggards in our ranks to get moving. Now we unveil this coming weekend's 'dog prospects. And so, without further ado, as Archie Bell once said, "this is the music we tighten up with":
14.5 KANSAS CITY at New England
14.5 TAMPA BAY at Green Bay
9.5 ARIZONA at San Francisco
7.5 WASHINGTON vs. Dallas
7 CAROLINA at Detroit
7 CINCINNATI at Baltimore
6 TENNESSEE at Atlanta
4.5 DENVER at vs. New York Jets (Thursday 5:20 p.m. Pacific)
3.5 SAN DIEGO at Chicago
3 PHILADELPHIA at New York Giants
2.5 BUFFALO at Miami
2 SEATTLE at St. Louis
1.5 MINNESOTA vs. Oakland
1 CLEVELAND vs. Jacksonville
Only one home 'dog in higher ranks. Good luck, pickers!
| Posted at 4:29 PM | Permalink |
|
Comments (11)
A lot of #1 QB injuries affecting this week's prospects. Luckily for the Texans & Steelers, they have their bye week now.
Meanwhile, Eagles QB Michael Vick probably can't bear to laugh, sneeze, or breathe with his two broken ribs -- hey MIke, maybe give Tony Romo a call and see what brand of recliner he slept in with his two same ribs broken the same way -- and KC's backup Tyler Palko has a tall order going into Foxboro to face a rejuvenated Patriots defense. Maybe, just maybe.....
"Palko has been waiting for this moment"
http://www.kansascity.com/2011/11/14/3266837/palko-has-been-waiting-for-this.html
Take a close look at the Bengals clash with the discombobulated Ravens for 7 clicks in this udog contest. And, could the Buccaneers possibly be the ones to stop the Packers' unbeaten streak?
Posted by Mojo | November 15, 2011 5:57 PM
Fyi: Denver is playing at home vs the Jets.
Posted by NoPoGuy | November 15, 2011 11:05 PM
Add the Lions star QB to the casualty list -- looking up for the Carolina Panthers' chances. Stafford's back-up is Shaun Hill, a capable #2, though. Lions were humiliated by the Bears and need to roar back this week and beat the Panthers to stay in playoff contention. The division-leading, undefeated (so far) Packers come to town next week for the big Thanksgiving Day game.
If the Lions do well Sunday against an underpowered but dangerous opponent, they could feel enough of a surge to beat Green Bay who will be coming into town also on just 3 days' rest and preparation, but after playing the young and vigorous Tampa Bay team who may give them some stress.
"NFL analysts see Matthew Stafford's finger injury as an issue for Lions"
http://www.freep.com/article/20111116/SPORTS01/111160397/NFL-analysts-see-Matthew-Stafford-s-finger-injury-an-issue-Lions
"Lions still fine, but next 11 days will define the season"
http://www.detnews.com/article/20111114/OPINION03/111140397/1126/sports0101/Lions-still-fine--but-next-11-days-will-define-the-season
The Lions still have a playoff berth in their hands, but they need an immediate cure. There is no time to seek second and third opinions. They need to heal themselves — starting with Sunday’s home game against the skidding Panthers.
Posted by Mojo | November 15, 2011 11:37 PM
Denver is playing at home
Thank you for the correction!
Posted by Jack Bog | November 16, 2011 7:38 AM
I'm halfway to a perfect 0-for-the-season!
Posted by Broadway Joe | November 16, 2011 7:44 AM
"I'm halfway to a perfect 0-for-the-season!"
You're still tied with mojo....
Posted by john dull | November 16, 2011 5:29 PM
Now, that's almost uncharitable, johnnie. Maybe you're just having a tough time handling your fade on the backstretch and need a hug.
Posted by Mojo | November 16, 2011 6:33 PM
And very sorry about the Bills folding in Dallas on Sunday -- eight of us didn't get thru the doggie door with you on that one either, john. Better luck this week! All in fun, for sure.
Posted by Mojo | November 16, 2011 7:31 PM
Well, tonight's game might attract some gamblers. It's a tricky one to recommend, but in addition to the Jets secondary not known for its tackling & run-stopping, consider this interesting insight:
"John Fox: Tim Tebow would be ‘screwed’ in a normal offense"
http://sports.yahoo.com/nfl/blog/shutdown_corner/post/John-Fox-Tim-Tebow-would-be-8216-screwed-821?urn=nfl-wp11923
Excerpt:
So yes, it's true -- Tim Tebow cannot play in a traditional NFL offense. The solution to that problem for about 100 of 100 other NFL coaches would be to play someone other than Tim Tebow. The solution for John Fox? Blow the whole damn thing up and try something new.
"I don't think anybody has ever done it quite to the extent we're doing it," said Fox, again referencing the current-day NFL option.
It's beautiful. How many NFL coaches have lost their jobs through the years because they have a specific way of doing things, and they will not deviate from that way, no matter what the talent around them dictates? Fox has not only been flexible, he's taken it to an absolute extreme. It's such a massive change of pace from the traditional copycat nature of the NFL....
Kooky as the Broncos are, and as unbearable as their obnoxious fans are, I'm rootin' for them in this game. But, I'd pass on this one and look instead at either Tennessee (+6) over Atlanta, or Cincinnati (+7) over Baltimore.
P.S.: If the Bronc's do upset the Jets, you don't want to miss Rex Ryan's post-game press conference!
Posted by Mojo | November 17, 2011 10:07 AM
"Mojo's Best Bets"
Indian Summer Edition
"Best Bets"
(Last week: 0-2; overall 11-13, counting the fantastic self-destruction by the Jets against the Broncos on Thursday night)
SEATTLE (+2) at St. Louis -- This is an easy pick to make. Here's two teams going in opposite directions, though it will be fun to watch two quality RBs square off: Seattle's Marshawn Lynch and the Rams superb ex-Beaver, Steven Jackson.
"Running To Punish"
http://missourisportsmag.com/?p=41362
TENNESSEE (+6) at Atlanta -- The Titans are resurging and come into Atlanta looking to smash through the stuttering Falcons and position themselves to overtake the Houston Texans for the division lead and stay positioned to perhaps sneak into the playoffs as a wild card. Would've been the "Upset Special" but missed the cut as 6 pts vs. 7 pts for this week's special upset pick.
"Upset Special"
(Last week 0-1; overall 2-8)
CINCINNATI (+7) at Baltimore -- Tune into this one! The Bengals defense is for real and will pick up where they left off last year against Joe Flacco and the Ravens offense. Meanwhile, the Bengals have a bona fide Rookie-of-the-Year candidate in QB Andy Dalton, with a good running game and capable multi-phase passing attack, even though star WR A.J. Green is out for the game (as is CB Leon Hall). Ravens defensive captain, Ray Lewis, has a seriously injured toe and will not be a factor in this game, if he even plays. His back-up is an undrafted rookie. The Bengals will keep the ball away from Ravens soon-to-be Hall of Famer, Safety Ed Reed, and run, slice, and cut their way downfield with precision plays and some power running. Cincinnati is intent on winning this division, with a showdown yet to come against the Steelers in Pittsburgh in 2 weeks, where historically the Bengals pull off upsets. This game could end up making Joe Flacco a head case for the rest of the season.
"Bengals Jennings eager to show he can do"
http://www.daytondailynews.com/blogs/content/shared-gen/blogs/dayton/big_c_nfl_blitz/entries/2011/11/18/bengals_jennings_eager_to_show.html
"Gamblers Corner"
KANSAS CITY (+14.5) at New England -- KC QB Tyler Palko's a nice kid and a capable backup, but good grief, he's going to have a tough time unless he gets off to a quick start and the Chiefs can force and capitalize on some turnovers. Palko could have either 4 TDs or 4 TOs today. Definitely a gambler's choice.
TAMPA BAY (+14) at Green Bay -- Lots of people would just love to see that happen. Tampa's defense needs to rise to the occasion. The Bucs are a bit inexperienced or weak at some key positions on both sides of the ball -- especially at RB -- and have been disappointingly inconsistent. Maybe next year.
ARIZONA (+9.5) at San Francisco -- The Cardinals are going to leave their hearts, and a lot of blood, in San Francisco. The 49ers have a crew of beasts on their offensive and defensive lines. Can't wait to see the Thanksgiving night game between the 49ers and the Ravens. SF may be the team to end Green Bay's streak this year.
WASHINGTON (+7.5) at Dallas -- Can't see this one happening. Romo's recovering from a rocky 1st half of the season, back to throwing TD's, and the Dallas D is coming through. Meanwhile, the Black-and-White-Redmen don't have a QB, can't tackle well, and haven't had hardly any fun this year at all. Why? One word: Shanahan.
CAROLINA at Detroit (+7) -- This would be a good gamble and was a close second for the "Upset Special." The Panthers have been one of the surprises of the NFC, along with the 49ers. The Lions were, but after their roaring start, they're heading for the shade. Too bad. With the Tigers having gotten crushed and no Pistons to distract the citizens, now that the Lions are slumping into reality, the only thing people in Detroit can console themselves with is that they're not Portland.
Posted by Mojo | November 19, 2011 9:53 AM
1-1 & 0-1 today. Darn Bungles! Laid off the right ones, anyway; but, it's hard work. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ReoKQlOF4XY
And hey, here's an enlightening graphic -- if the playoffs started later today:
http://www.cbssports.com/nfl/standings/playoffrace
Posted by Mojo | November 20, 2011 4:32 PM