WOW! I had it bad on Sunday. Sure, I finished with a 4-3 record in my Free Picks – but oh how it could have been so much better. I know I lost the Lions/Skins game, but what can I say? I definitely warned you to stay away from that one. After that, the Ravens and Packers both absolutely screwed me by playing not-to-lose; also known as, screw the handicapper. All in all, after a couple bad-beats, I busted a 4-3 winner out, and I guess I’ll have to take it. This is how it went down.
Cleveland Browns @ New England Patriots (-16): win
(Line: Tuesday, 2:00pm EST: Bookmaker)
Talk about heart-attack central. The Patriots didn’t care much about covering, and their pathetic excuse for a 3rd quarter showed it. However, with just seconds left in the game, up 10, the Patriots stripped Kellen Winslow and took the rock 20 yards to the house for a 17 point victory… I was jumping out of my seat – but wait, what’s this? I only switched the game to the Jets and Giants for a second, and now I’m back, and the Brownies have one more shot at the end zone? A pass to Kellen Winslow for a touchdown! My good God… Wait, ah, yes, his foot was on the line. Game over. I cover. Big spreads suck.
Detroit Lions (+3.5) @ Washington Redskins: loss
(Line: Monday, 1:00pm EST: Bookmaker)
“Tough game to call, both the Redskins and Lions have played above what I expected this year. Detroit’s defense played better last week, but they were going up against a pathetic Bears offense, so I don’t know how much can be said about that.” That’s what I said, and I’m sticking to my good advice in this one. I’ll take the loss, but I have to stick by my warning label, I had no idea what to expect from either team.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers @ Indianapolis Colts (-10) win
(Line: Monday, 1:00pm EST: Bookmaker)
“The way I see it, Indy has a tough time against lesser opponents, and the Bucs seem to be one of the better teams in the NFC this season. With that in mind, and the fact that John Gruden came into Tampa taking Tony Dungy’s job, you’d have to think that the Colts players try to come out and embarrass the Bucs organization. I’m not sure Tampa, as well as they’ve played this year, is ready for that.” Ah, they weren’t ready for that. The Colts came out and put up points at will against the Bucs, even without Joseph Addai. In fact, Kenton Keith could have been the star of the game, rushing for 123 yards and two touchdowns. Anyway, Dungy looks like he didn’t get such a raw deal after all – where would you rather be coaching?
San Diego Chargers (+1.5) @ Denver Broncos: win
(Line: Monday, 1:00pm EST: Bookmaker)
Nice. I can finally shave my neck beard. I promised myself, after the Chargers were embarrassed by the Patriots, that I would grow a neck beard like LT until he won. Little did I know that would take so damn long. Actually, I kind of came accustomed to my NB, and am sad to see it go. However, with the lovely lady promising she’d hold me to my promise or turn to celibacy, see you later neck beard, go LT and the big bad Chargers.
Baltimore Ravens (-3) @ San Francisco 49ers: loss
(Line: Monday, 1:00pm EST: Bet-Jam)
I hate the Niners but not nearly as much as I hate those Ravens. Baltimore had all the opportunity in the world to put this game away, but they just can’t score. Offensively, I think they might be the worst team in football (maybe the Chiefs and Bills could argue that). I’m sick of them screwing me, and I don’t know which way to turnover. I hate when they beat me, but even more so when I lose betting on them. 9-7 was the score in this one. But really, the Ravens got a very friendly spot on their 3rd down plunge late in the 4th, or I’d probably be talking about how Matt Stover’s late field goal gave me the win here. Either way, I wish the Ravens just lost and at least made me happy on that front.
Chicago Bears @ Green Bay Packers (-3): loss
(Line: Monday, 1:00pm EST: Bookmaker)
Honestly, the Packers should have been up about 24-0 at half time. But they only managed a 17-7, and I knew that would come back to bite them in the butt. 5 turnovers by the Packers, including a terrible interception by Favre, and the Packers lost in a tight one. It wasn’t the turnovers or the missed opportunities in the 1st half. Honestly, it was the “playing not to lose” play calling in the 3rd and early 4th quarters that did me, and the Packers, right in. Brett missed 1 pass in the first half (2 of his 3 incompletions were spiking the ball at the end of the half); but that didn’t seem to bother the Packers’ offensive coordinator. No, he wanted to run the ball. So much so that Brett only threw the ball 5 times from the start of the 3rd to midway through the 4th… Nice work. Prevent offense – gotta love that.
Seattle Seahawks @ Pittsburgh Steelers (-5.5): win
(Line: Tuesday, 2:00pm EST: Bookmaker)
“Despite what I think about the Hawks, (they are very good), the fact is that they aren’t a very good road team, and seem to struggle against the AFC (like every NFC team). Also, this isn’t Trent Dilfer and the 49ers offense, this is the Steelers, a unit that is coming off a huge upset at the hands of their former coach. They are going to come out pissed and ready to go. Everything is working against the Hawks in this one, there’s no sense of urgency on their part, they’re away from Seattle, and that whole Super Bowl refereeing stick in the spokes is history. Look for Willie Parker to have a day.” Willie only had 102 yards, which isn’t bad against the Hawks defense, but everything else I said came true. Hawks didn’t do jack, didn’t seem to care, and the Steelers ran the show. 21-0 mad me look like a smart man, and gave me a much needed winning week after a couple tough beats throughout the day.