Omni,
Wanna watch the Monday night game at Hooters?
Mr. C
** Libertarian**, OMNI picks are your best 5 picks against the spread, inspired by an annual pool OMNI participates in.
Now, here’s my picks:
Sunday Games
Carolina at Green Bay (12:00pm), Green Bay -7.0
Let’s see, the Pack is giving up 30+ a game, and almost lost to the Falcons and the Lions. Favre is the only thing going for them at this point. With Glenn and Walker out, even he’ll struggle. Pack wins but barely, allowing the Panthers to cover.
Chicago at Buffalo (12:00pm), Buffalo -3.0
The loss of Ted Washington for the Bears is huge, and McQuarters being out doesn’t help either. That said, the Bears will try to control the clock with A-Train. I could easily see it pushing, but I’ll give the nod to the home team to win and cover.
Cleveland at Pittsburgh (12:00pm), Pittsburgh -6.0
The Brownies should be 3-0 and finally have a receiving crew that allows them to use their best weapon, Couch. Kordell is back to his old ways of spraying the ball all over the place, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see Maddox get in this game. Fantasy players take note - Plaxico will not see the coverage he’s seen so far and should have a good game. Cleveland wins straight out.
Dallas at St. Louis (12:00pm), St. Louis -11.0
Something’s awfully wrong with Warner’s arm, he was tossing ducks all over the place on Monday. My analysis is that he adjusted his motion because of the thumb, but now that the thumb is ok he’s lost his mechanics. No idea what to think of Dallas, it’s in the dome so I say the Rams win and cover on a defensive or special teams TD.
Houston at Philadelphia (12:00pm), Philadelphia -20.0
The only question here is, at what point do the Iggles start pulling the starters? My guess is once they have a 35 point lead in the third quarter. And that’s your final score – 35 to zip.
Miami at Kansas City (12:00pm), Miami -3.0
Two of my preseason favorites. Funny thing about this game. An injury to the Chiefs’ 2nd-string TE (Dunn), may decide the outcome. Gonzo will have to stay in to block more because of Dunn’s injury. Miami wins and covers, pulling away big time in the 4th quarter.
New Orleans at Detroit (12:00pm), New Orleans -7.5
I can’t believe that spread, and can’t believe even more that it didn’t really jump out at me more when I was placing some wagers. Saints win and cover double the spread.
N.Y. Jets at Jacksonville (12:00pm), Jacksonville -3.0
This afternoon, a friend asked me if the Jets were really that bad. I said, “no, they’re worse. They shouldn’t even have one win.” Frankly, I think the J-E-T-S should scrap this season and start giving Jordan and Pennington some experience. Fantasy players with Martin - remember E.George last year? You’re in for the same thing. Trade him now. Jags win and cover.
N.Y. Giants at Arizona (3:05pm), N.Y. Giants -3.0
I could see this game going either way or being a push, I’ll go with the trends and say the Giants win and cover.
Tampa Bay at Cincinnati (3:05pm), Tampa Bay -7.0
Remember when Akili beat the Browns and showboated because he was still upset that he wasn’t picked ahead of Couch in the draft? Even he doesn’t think that way anymore. Bucs win big.
New England at San Diego (3:15pm), New England -3.0
I’m going to have to try to look this up, buy I’m pretty sure Marty owns Bellichick in head to head games as head coaches. For that reason, I’m calling the upset and taking the 'Bolts to win outright.
Tennessee at Oakland (3:15pm), Oakland -7.0
I like the over in this one, no matter who wins. No C.Woodson means Mason and Dyson should both have good games. Fantasy players take note - trade George now. He’ll never be the same again. Just like Earl Campbell, too many carries, too many collisions with DEs and LBs. I’ll take OAK to win, TEN covers.
Minnesota at Seattle (7:30pm), Seattle -3.0
Wow, did you see how Moss fought through the coverage against that Traffic Official? Maybe that’s a sign of things to come. The 'queens are in disarray, but the Seattle defense is so bad I think MIN wins outright.
Monday Night Football
Denver at Baltimore (8:00pm), Denver -7.0
They really should allow either the league or ABC to change the MNF schedule at some point during the season so we get good match-ups. As I’ve said a hundred times, the announcers have absolutely no bearing on the ratings. I can’t think of a single game I’ve ever watched or turned off because of the boys in the press box. Get the good games and you’ll get the ratings. Broncos roll, and I’m in bed at half time.
OMNI Picks - NO, DEN, JAX, CLE, CAR
Gazoo, glad to get the commentary again, good stuff.
My OMNI picks are Oakland, Denver, Jacksonville, Cleveland, and New Orleans.
I have to say though, that I forgot about Woodson being hurt. Its making me consider going with another game since you could be right about Dyson and Mason. I was focusing on the fact that Tennessee won;t stop the Raiders passing game, but I suppose McNair could be in for a decent game too.
Well, I’ll stew on it tonite, if I see a better game I may flip flop that game.
Good stuff this week.
Oh, and “cap” means to summarize and predict the matchup. Sorta related to “handicap” or “recap”. Might not be a real word, but I’ve heard it used in the past in this context.
Broncos, Chiefs, Raiders, Chargers, Cowboys, Browns
Yeah, I know that’s six. I couldn’t decide which one to leave off.
5-0 going into the Monday night game. Oh yeah, baby! Go Broncos!
NOt too shabby this week. I blew a couple badly, but overall Im happy. Almost halftime on the Minn/Seattle game. It’s not looking good for the Vikings.
The Vikings just played arguably the most inept 2 minute stretch in NFL history. (i.e. late 2nd quarter vs. the Seahawks) Even the Bengals don’t give up touchdowns that quickly.
Another monster Sunday. Eagles storming to the top, Lions making a surprising turnaround, Rams choking in the final minutes, and Chargers suddenly finding themselves the lone unbeaten team. That reminds me, better get my earplugs for when Chris Berman and Tom Jackson do that ridiculous joke about the sound of the '72 Dolphins celebrating the last unbeaten team being beaten for what seems like the 5,000th time.
Doing surprisingly good on my bandwagon picks, I must say…most of them have been winners, and even the losers give it their all and keep it close (which is also worth points in my book). Yes, Stuffy, I know the Raiders might get fatigued down the road, but I’m talking about the here and now…that’s exactly what a bandwagon is. This means, unfortuantely, the necessary cutting loose of certain teams who have completely lost their way and look hopeless (see: Vikings, Minnesota and Rams, St. Louis).
Highlights/tidbits:
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Three teams other than the Eagles won by over 20 points, which just goes to show you that gamblers are no better at predicting the future than any of us are.
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Two games were won by a last-second field goal; another won on a missed last-second field goal. The Panthers right now are going through kickers like Charlotte Motor Speedway goes through tires, and this is probably the number one impediment to their playoff hopes. Again, how exactly does spotting the ball at the point of the kick greatly reduce the importance of field goals?
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Sheesh, a quarter of the season done and the Vikings are facing total meltdown. I don’t think even the Bengals were ever in such disarray.
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The only division frontrunners I see right now are San Francisco and Philadelphia. Cleveland isn’t up by much, and its way too early to be making any bold pronouncements on the AFC West (including whether it’s the “best” division in the NFL).
Lastly, in case you missed the aformentioned carnage (and I really wish I caught all of it while it was on, much like Berezhnya & Sikharlude’s complete performance), here it is…
3:09 - Seattle on their own 20. Trent Dilfer fires one to Shaun Alexander, who Linda Ronstandts everybody and gets the touchdown. EP good.
2:47 - Minnesota return man Nick Davis returns the ensuing kickoff to the 29…and fumbles. Recovered by Reggie Tongue.
1:57 - Shaun Alexander scoots 3 yards for a touchdown. EP good.
1:52 - Minnesota backup return man D’Wayne Bates returns the next kickoff to the 13…and fumbles. Alex Bannister recovers. (When coaches talk about “keeping the opposing offense off the field”, I don’t think this is how they expect to do it.)
1:48 - Shaun Alexander drives home yet another one from 14 yards out. EP good.
1:06 - Following a non-fumbled kickoff return (yay!) and a 1-yard plunge (uh…okay?), Daunte Culpepper, proving that it’s really not all that cretin Moss’ fault, tosses one right to Reggie Tongue…yeah, the same guy who caused the Vikings so much grief on that kickoff return not too long ago. Returned for touchdown. EP good (man, that Lindell was on fire today!).
That’s 28 POINTS in a span of two minutes and three seconds. And we were worried about the Redskins running it up? 
A wild and wacky week here. I got hammered in the confidence league but still leaped forward about 7 places. I had a huge week in FFL, but was overshadowed by the cat who had both Gannon and Alexander. My OMNI picks went suprisingly well, but for the third week my most confident choice was the one that burned me. Go figure.
Only 6-7 straight up, and 7-6 ATS. Bizzaro world.
If by lone you mean “as well as the Raiders and the Broncos”
Oops. You’re right.
Sorry. Too much cold medication. I’ll be better next week, promise.
Update: You can remove the Broncos from that short list. And let me be the first to say that I’m shocked that the Ravens, of all teams, now have a nearly untochable record.
[QUOTE]
*Originally posted by ShibbOleth *
Carolina at Green Bay
I really want to take Carolina in this. But again I have trouble picking against Favre on the lukewarm tundra. Plus Muhammed should miss the game. We’ll see how bad the GB defense is or how resurgent Lamar Smith is in this game.
Pack 24-21
Exact spread, right sentiment, wrong score.
Chicago at Buffalo
Could be a big mistake but I’m going to go with the bookies on this one.
Bills 35-31
Again right, and it was close all the way until the TD pass in OT.
Cleveland at Pittsburgh
Again, I’m fighting against my gut. Yeah, the Steelers have owned this lately but Cleveland has really looked like the better team. Maybe it’ll have a silver lining and Couch will get knocked out so that Cleveland can play their better QB.
Steelers 30-27
Exact spread, way wrong on the over.
Dallas at St. Louis
I don’t actually think the Boys will win, but it would be nice to pick against the Rams again. Here’s hoping that Faulk is back, I need a little (okay) a lot of Fantasy help.
Rams 28-21
Turns out I didn’t need that much fantasy help from Faulk. Wrong on result. Should have gone with my gut and the 'Boys. I would have cleaned up on pick’em. At least I got it right on the spread.
Houston at Philadelphia
Never bet a 20 point spread. …
Eagles 24-10
Not terribly far off, still perfect ATS.
Miami at Kansas City
…I think I’ll go for the upset here, KC in a shootout.
Chefs 38-35
Wow, not even that close. I’m liking my day ATS. Why don’t I ever bet real money?
New Orleans at Detroit…
Saints 35 - 17
Well, there was bound to be at least one clunker. There goes the perfect ATS run.
N.Y. Jets at Jacksonville
…
Jaguars 24-14
Cha-ching! Back on track.
N.Y. Giants at Arizona
…
Giants 21-20
Wrong result, but still good on the spread.
Tampa Bay at Cincinnati
…
Bucs 18-6
At the game there was a sense that Cincy might do something when they jumped up 7-0. It didn’t last long.
New England at San Diego
…
Patriots 24-17
When you’re wrong you’re wrong.
Tennessee at Oakland
Unless the Raiders implode this week, they should win this going away.
Raiders 28-21
Well, somehow I picked this as a push, at least by Gazoo’s spreads, but I took the Raiders in my Omni picks so I’ll be generous and count me as on against the spread on this one. That’s the nice part about grading your own work.
Minnesota at Seattle
…Seattle has struggled but this is one they should be able to win. Shaun Alexander should have no big problems against this line.
Hawks 21-10
I think this is the only pick I got correct SU but wrong ATS. At least it closes that gap.
Denver at Baltimore
…
Broncos 17-3
Yikes! That was a wake up call against overconfidence. Still, all in all a fine week if I do say so myself.
Straight up: 9-5
ATS: 10-4
Omni picks: 5-1
I’ll also point out I went 10-4 in the Pick’em league, which is straight up, but reversed myself on 3 games. I took the Cardinals and Chargers there, but went with Carolina against the Pack.
How exactly were you wrong on that Sunday night game? Not that I’m trying to pump you up even more considering how weak my week was.
PS - I’m gonna get this weeks thread going tonite.
Oops, Omni, you’re correct. I read my prediction last night as 21-20. My eyes are working better this morning.
Make that 11-3 ATS! 