Thursday, December 17, 2009

Picks of the Week



In honor of the NFL's Thursday night game, I am going to go ahead and make my picks for the entire week. I asked for a winning week last week, and I got it, so I am going to try to keep up the momentum for the last few weeks of the season.

As a refresher, I use the same website for the betting lines for consistency. If they are different than your lines, too bad. Standard 100 bet with a 10% vig for losing. For one game each week, I will "bet" $250. Totals for the season will be tabulated.

On to the picks ...

Indianapolis Colts -3 at Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jaguars beat the teams they should, but they usually lose to good teams. The Colts are definitely a good team this year.

Dallas Cowboys +7 1/2 at New Orleans Saints
Tony Romo has actually played well in the last few games. The Cowboys lose this one, but only by a touchdown.

Chicago Bears +11 at Baltimore Ravens
I was impressed with the Bears loss last week, well, impressed enough to take the 11 points. They still lose.

Tennessee Titans -4 1/2 v. Miami Dolphins
I am taking the Titans. Four separate sites all have no line, so I may update this pick later. I found the line. For some reason, I am still sold on Vince Young (at least for this year).

Houston Texans -14 at St. Louis Rams
I am taking the Texans. Four separate sites all have no line, so I may update this pick later. I found the line. The Rams are Null and Void.

Philadelphia Eagles -9 v. San Francsico 49ers
The 49ers defense was impressive against the Cardinals last week, with Patrick Willis being possibly the best defensive player in the league. But, the Eagles have been equally impressive offensively.

Atlanta Falcons +6 at New York Jets
I am taking the Jets. Four separate sites all have no line, so I may update this pick later. OK, I found the line and I am changing my pic. I'll take the six with Ryan and Turner both playing.

Cleveland Brows +1 at Kansas City Chiefs
Both teams playing better as of late, but I am going to go with the points, and the new running game of the Browns behind Chris Jennings.

Arizona Cardinals -12 1/2 at Detroit Lions
Injuries have depleted the Lions, and they didn't have much with which to start.

New England -7 at Buffalo Bills
Might be interesting to see the Moss versus Owens blow-up contest, as in which one will blow up first. (Literally, not figuratively).

Oakland Raiders +1 at Denver Broncos
The Raiders players have shown that they have heart and they are playing like they care. Of course, that is much easier to do when you have a quarterback that can complete more than 7.4% of his passes. The question is, is Charlie Frye more Bruce Gradkowski than JaMarcus Russell?

Cincinnati Bengals +6 1/2 at San Diego Chargers
Emotion keeps this game close. So does the Bengals running game. Even during the loss last week to Minnesota, Benson still gained 96 rushing yards.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers + 6 1/2 at Seattle Seahawks
Only because the Bucs played the Dolphins close at Miami. It has really been my only exposure to the team this year.

Minnesota Vikings -9 at Carolina Panthers
The Vikings defense is tough to run against, and that is Carolina's specialty. If the Vikings keep DeAngelo Williams in check, this could be a blowout. Carolina might actually be jealous of the Raiders quarterback situation.

Washington Redskins +3 v. New York Giants
I actually just changed my pick on this one. The Redskins have been playing tough, and Vinny Cerrato's firing might be enough to put them over the top against a division rival.

BIG BET OF THE WEEK

Green Bay Packers +1 at Pittsburgh Steelers
The Packers defense is what the Steelers defense is supposed to be. The Packers are getting points here? I'll take 'em.


Previous Week's Record: 11-5 (1-0 Big Bet)
Year to Date: 86-64-1 (5-4)
Previous Weeks Winnings (Losses): $700
Year to Date Winnings (Losses): $1635

Sunday, December 13, 2009

Picks of the Week



Finally back after a brief hiatus. Here are this week's, "Picks of the Week".

As a refresher, I use the same website for the betting lines for consistency. If they are different than your lines, too bad. Standard 100 bet with a 10% vig for losing. For one game each week, I will "bet" $250. Totals for the season will be tabulated.

On to the picks ...

Pittsburgh Steelers -9 1/2 at Cleveland Browns
I thought for sure that the Browns were exactly what the Steelers needed to halt their slide. I was wrong.

New Orleans Saints -10 at Atlanta Falcons
The Saints are just cruising, and Atlanta is experiencing way too many important injuries.

New York Jets -3 1/2 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Without Sanchez, the Jets are going to do what they do best, and that is run the ball with Thomas Jones. Should be a recipe for success.

Carolina Panthers +13 at New England Patriots
The Patriots are in disarray. The Panthers running games should keep the ball out of Brady's hands. Brady seems to be doing his best to keep the ball out of Randy Moss's hands.

Minnesota Vikings -6 v. Cincinnait Bengals
The Bengals continue to surprise everyone, but the Vikings defenses should contain Cedric Benson enough for the Vikings to win.

Buffalo Bills -1 at Kansas City Chiefs
Who cares?!

Jacksonville Jaguars -3 v. Miami Dolphins
If the Dolphins had Ronnie Brown, this could have been one helluva game.

Denver Broncos +6 1/2 at Indianapolis Colts
The Colts cannot keep winning forever, can they?

Houston Texans -7 v. Seattle Seahawks
Houston's offense is just too strong, while Seattle's, isn't.

Baltimore Ravens -14 v. Detroit Lions
For Detroit, at least they are better and more exciting that last year.

Tennessee Titans -13 v. St. Louis Rams
Matt Forte ran all over the Rams. Matt Forte is no Chris Johnson.

Washington Redskins -1 at Oakland Raiders
The Redskins have been much imporved of late, as have the Raiders. This is a much more interesting game than anyone would have guessed even 3 weeks ago.

San Diego Chargers +3 1/2 at Dallas Cowboys
San Diego is probably the least recognized good team in the league. Dallas, however, is the most publicized average team in the league. I'll take the points.

Philadelphia Eagles -1 at New York Giants
Both teams seem to be going in opposite directions. I'll take the team going up.

Arizona -3 1/2 at San Francisco 49ers
The Niners usually play Arizona tough and close, so I am glad to see the spread only 3 1/2 points. I can give those.

BIG BET OF THE WEEK

Green Bay Packers -4 at Chicago Bears
I am not at all high on my Bears.


Previous Week's Record: 9-10 (1-0 Big Bet)
Year to Date: 75-59-1 (4-4)
Previous Weeks Winnings (Losses): ($50)
Year to Date Winnings (Losses): $935