No question: We own these 'dogs
The latest pack of mutts is available for inspection by the players in our charity pro football underdog game. Here they are, in caps:
10.5 ARIZONA at Seattle
10.5 OAKLAND vs. Denver (Thursday, 5:20 p.m. Pacific)
10 MIAMI at San Francisco
7 DETROIT at Green Bay
7 PHILADELPHIA at Tampa Bay
6 NEW ORLEANS at New York Giants
5.5 TENNESSEE at Indianapolis
5.5 KANSAS CITY at Cleveland
4 HOUSTON at New England (Monday night, pick still due Sunday morning)
3.5 CAROLINA vs. Atlanta
3 ST. LOUIS at Buffalo
3 DALLAS at Cincinnati
3 SAN DIEGO at Pittsburgh
2.5 JACKSONVILLE vs. New York Jets
2.5 MINNESOTA vs. Chicago
Baltimore/Washington is a pick 'em and therefore out of play.
We see some intriguing possibilities there. Remember, though, that to win points, our players' chosen 'dogs must win their games outright, without the benefit of the point spread.
The regular season goes for three more weeks after this one, followed by the playoffs. Our game continues through Week 20 -- the conference championships -- but once we reach Week 18, the slate of games gets smaller, and the point spreads tend to be smaller as well. Some of our players have already begun the ritual Launching of the Hail Marys, while others have stayed the course with modest picks. Good luck to all of them as things start to get serious.
UPDATE, 6:12 p.m.: We just added the customary note about the Thursday night game -- this week it's home 'dog Oakland. If you want that one, players, your pick is due by kickoff time, 5:20 p.m. Thursday Pacific. For all other games (including the Monday nighter), the deadline is 10:00 a.m. Sunday, also Pacific.
| Posted at 11:47 AM | Permalink |
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Comments (3)
In the "Gamblers' Corner" (>+7) I'd pass on Thursday's long shot and go with Arizona at Seattle.
Seattle CB Brandon Browner suspended 4 games
The Associated Press – 4 hours ago
http://sports.yahoo.com/news/seattle-cb-brandon-browner-suspended-204546018--nfl.html
Arizona's WR Larry "No Words" Fitzgerald should have a good game on Sunday:
John Skelton named starting quarterback for Cardinals vs. Seahawks
http://www.azcentral.com/sports/cardinals/articles/20121205ken-whisenhunt-names-john-skelton-quarterback-vs-seattle.html
Plus, the Cardinals still have an excellent defense -- ranked #7 overall. If they can keep the Seahawks strong rushing game in some reasonable degree of control, especially on 1st & 3rd downs, the Cardinals may very well surprise us this weekend. After starting the season 4-0, the Cards are 0-8. High rollers should bet against the streak.
Posted by Mojo | December 5, 2012 8:59 PM
Mojo's Best Bets
No More Signing Dogs "Jingle Bells," Puh-leeze Edition
Dave Brubeck ~ Winter Wonderland (1996)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a7Y7fpEfmC4
Best Bets
(Last Week: 2-0; Overall: 9-9 (.500))
MINNESOTA (+2.5) at Chicago -- Everybody's picking this upset tomorrow because of the list it is the best bet. Some might take Dallas at Cinci, but I can't justify that gamble. The Bengals are one of the most underrated of the second tier teams in the NFL this season and they're picking up some momentum. While the Vikes' occasional superstar WR/KR Percy Harvin is out, they still have a formidable running game with their OL shoving people out of the way of the amazing Adrian Peterson.
With the Bears' defensive keystone, LB Brian Urlacher out of this game, the Vikings have an excellent opportunity to pick up a win. The Bears are 7-15 without Urlacher, and Christian Ponder is on Cloud 9 after announcing his engagement to ESPN Reporter Samantha Steele. Minnesota is just one game out of a playoff spot and have everything to play for. That provides the edge in this game.
Some will be tempted to take the Chargers over the Steelers in Pittsburgh, but that's certainly not a Best Bet. Big Ben's back in action, along with Polamalu, and the Steelers are geared up for securing a playoff spot and an upcoming showdown when the Bengals come to town. Meanwhile, the Chargers have been short-circuiting for two years now and the don't even have the power of a joy buzzer left in them.
REPORT: Chargers Will Fire Norv Turner and A.J. Smith at the End of the Season
A report from Kevin Acee says that Dean Spanos has already set the wheels in motion for the firing of both the Chargers Head Coach and General Manager. Dean Spanos disagrees.
http://www.boltsfromtheblue.com/2012/12/6/3737630/report-chargers-will-fire-norv-turner-and-a-j-smith-at-the-end-of-the
Mojo's Mumble: They should've fired Turner and his staff last year. Phillip Rivers' chances at making a Super Bowl are down to vapors. He should put up pictures of Favre & Elway and Moon & Marino in his locker. Could go either way for him now. Still recalling that heroic AFC Championship game he had in a loss to the Patriots in January 2008. You can only feel sympathy for the players, especially the great RB LaDanian Thomlinson, who ended up moving on from San Diego after that bitter loss.
Upset Special
(Last Week: 0-1; Overall: 6-7 (.462))
HOUSTON (+4) at New England -- Really, isn't everybody going to jump on THIS one? Of course, all of the sports media talking heads are going with the Patriots as the favorites, but we're talking gambling on an underdog here. Houston has all of the offensive weapons to give the Patriots and Belichick fits all day. The Patiots best chance is to try and go with a ball-control offensive game plan. Watch for lots of no-huddle and mix 'em up play calling by Brady & Belichick utilizing Welker and Woodhead a lot.
This is where we find out between these two teams who's got the right stuff to make it to the Super Bowl for the AFC this season.
KEY STAT: Over the last two seasons, Schaub has compiled an 18-4 record as a starter, including 9-2 on the road. In his last 16 starts, Schaub is 15-1. During that stretch, the Texans average 30.1 points and allow 16.4. During his 15-1 run, Schaub has 24 touchdown passes and 10 interceptions. During that 16-game stretch, Schaub has helped the Texans go 8-0 on the road. He has 13 touchdowns and five interceptions.
(Lindy's Sports, 12/7/12).
FUN FACT: There's never been a meeting of two teams with better records than the Texans (11-1) and the Patriots (9-3) this late in the season on Monday Night Football.
Gamblers' Corner
ARIZONA (+10.5) at Seattle -- See Dec. 5 comment above.
Update/Insight: In his blog presenting his views on the keys to this game, Danny O'Neill of the Seattle Times points out: The Cardinals have one of the league's most dangerous punt returners in the league in cornerback Patrick Peterson, who has yet to run a punt back for a score this year after scoring four touchdowns as a rookie.
Pixar's Short Film For the Birds w/The Dave Brubeck Quartet (3:29)
Academy Award Winner, Best Animated Short Film, 2001
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3dq2dJcZBJA
Posted by Mojo | December 8, 2012 10:13 AM
Cowboys’ Jerry Brown dead, teammate Josh Brent charged
http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2012/12/08/cowboys-jerry-brown-dead-teammate-josh-brent-charged/
Posted by Mojo | December 8, 2012 3:01 PM