It was a rough one, yesterday. Not only was I on the wrong end of two blowouts in the NFL, but my 12 Plays For Christmas suffered another loss, bringing them down to 2-2. Sheesh! And I thought Christmas was depressing!
STL -10? @ DET 45
Begrudgingly, I gotta give some respect to the Rams. They never look nervous and seem to make more big plays than any other three teams combined. Now, they're one win away from having home-field throughout the playoffs. I don't wanna get carried away with the importance of this fact, but the last two times St. Louis had it, they went all the way to the Super Bowl. And they have the best home record in the NFL over the past five seasons (37-7, including playoffs), including 8-0 at home in the 2003 regular season. This remains a team built for speed, and for a fast track like the Edward Jones Dome.
So, how come I don't like 'em? Two words - Mike Martz. I think it is unwise, as a rule, to trust a professional sports team that is coached by an egomaniac. I could go on, but I know I'm pretty much swimming in an empty pool on this. All I'm saying is, the Rams'll play this game with the playoffs in mind. As a result, they won't be at their best. Not to worry, though. Winning tight, competitive games are what Coach Martz would have us believe he does best.
DETROIT LIONS +10? Power Pie
UNDER 45
CLE +7? @ CIN 41
A flat effort by the Bengals, after a very disappointing 17-point loss last week, wouldn't surprise me a bit. In fact, I guess you could say I'm expecting it.
CLEVELAND BROWNS +7? Power Pie
TB +7 @ TEN 41
I think this line is a joke! Hopefully, the World Champions feel the same way.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS +7 ***Premium Power Pie***
Speakina jokes, how 'bout that Drew Bledsoe? Apparently, the sale of his home has been delayed because of a plumbing problem. I hear the buyer is waiting for him to get his career out of the toilet.
JAX +3 @ ATL 44
I'll bet this is a pretty good game, but the Cow Power figures tell me that the Jagoffs are the ones what oughtta be the three-point chalk. Hmmm, maybe my Vick adjustment is inadequate.
Nope.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS +3 Power Pie
DAL pick 'em @ NO 38?
I like this home dog for several reasons. Perhaps the most compelling being my distaste for the recent wave of Tuna ass kissing outta the press. And it seems to be worsening! I'm afraid that it could become untenable if the 'Pokes get by New Orleans, but trust me... it ain't gunna happen.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS PK ***Premium Power Pie***
CHI +8? @ KC 44?
The Bears are playing better ball than many of the playoff teams, and need one more win to reach .500.KC will be eager to get back home, where they are a perfect 7-0 this year. It's safe to say the Chiefs ain't too worried about their offense, so I'm expecting more of a field position sorta game plan from them. If I'm wrong, I think I still gotta chance, but if I'm right, this oughtta be a piece of cake.
CHICAGO BEARS +8?
UNDER 44?
MIN -7? @ AZ 45?
I see Minnesota as an improving, but immature team, and very likely to have a perceptible letdown following an emotional victory. Besides, they don't look ready to lay this kinda wood on the road. In fact, in their last 7 games, Minny ain't won on the road or lost at home. Acourse, over that same time span, Arizona ain't won a game, period. Still, with all things considered, I believe the best play could be the Cards on the dough-line, but for now...
ARIZONA CARDINALS +7?
CAR -5 @ NYG 34?
In one of my notebooks that I use for handicapping the NFL, I have this sign that I made several years ago that I never freakin' look at. Oh, hell, that ain't right. I look at it all the time, but I don't never see it! All it is meant to be is a reminder. Dig. Never underestimate the pride of a professional.
I've bet directly into the face of the sign twice, this year (that I can remember), losing both times. I need the sign, too. I mean, as late as Wednesday I was squarely on the Pants. Finally, though, I read the sign and thought about it. The conclusion I came to was a shocker (NY will play their Giant asses off), but I'm confident it's a winner, too.
NEW YORK GIANTS +5 Power Pie
BARTENDER!
STL -10? @ DET 45
Begrudgingly, I gotta give some respect to the Rams. They never look nervous and seem to make more big plays than any other three teams combined. Now, they're one win away from having home-field throughout the playoffs. I don't wanna get carried away with the importance of this fact, but the last two times St. Louis had it, they went all the way to the Super Bowl. And they have the best home record in the NFL over the past five seasons (37-7, including playoffs), including 8-0 at home in the 2003 regular season. This remains a team built for speed, and for a fast track like the Edward Jones Dome.
So, how come I don't like 'em? Two words - Mike Martz. I think it is unwise, as a rule, to trust a professional sports team that is coached by an egomaniac. I could go on, but I know I'm pretty much swimming in an empty pool on this. All I'm saying is, the Rams'll play this game with the playoffs in mind. As a result, they won't be at their best. Not to worry, though. Winning tight, competitive games are what Coach Martz would have us believe he does best.
DETROIT LIONS +10? Power Pie
UNDER 45
CLE +7? @ CIN 41
A flat effort by the Bengals, after a very disappointing 17-point loss last week, wouldn't surprise me a bit. In fact, I guess you could say I'm expecting it.
CLEVELAND BROWNS +7? Power Pie
TB +7 @ TEN 41
I think this line is a joke! Hopefully, the World Champions feel the same way.
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS +7 ***Premium Power Pie***
Speakina jokes, how 'bout that Drew Bledsoe? Apparently, the sale of his home has been delayed because of a plumbing problem. I hear the buyer is waiting for him to get his career out of the toilet.
JAX +3 @ ATL 44
I'll bet this is a pretty good game, but the Cow Power figures tell me that the Jagoffs are the ones what oughtta be the three-point chalk. Hmmm, maybe my Vick adjustment is inadequate.
Nope.
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS +3 Power Pie
DAL pick 'em @ NO 38?
I like this home dog for several reasons. Perhaps the most compelling being my distaste for the recent wave of Tuna ass kissing outta the press. And it seems to be worsening! I'm afraid that it could become untenable if the 'Pokes get by New Orleans, but trust me... it ain't gunna happen.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS PK ***Premium Power Pie***
CHI +8? @ KC 44?
The Bears are playing better ball than many of the playoff teams, and need one more win to reach .500.KC will be eager to get back home, where they are a perfect 7-0 this year. It's safe to say the Chiefs ain't too worried about their offense, so I'm expecting more of a field position sorta game plan from them. If I'm wrong, I think I still gotta chance, but if I'm right, this oughtta be a piece of cake.
CHICAGO BEARS +8?
UNDER 44?
MIN -7? @ AZ 45?
I see Minnesota as an improving, but immature team, and very likely to have a perceptible letdown following an emotional victory. Besides, they don't look ready to lay this kinda wood on the road. In fact, in their last 7 games, Minny ain't won on the road or lost at home. Acourse, over that same time span, Arizona ain't won a game, period. Still, with all things considered, I believe the best play could be the Cards on the dough-line, but for now...
ARIZONA CARDINALS +7?
CAR -5 @ NYG 34?
In one of my notebooks that I use for handicapping the NFL, I have this sign that I made several years ago that I never freakin' look at. Oh, hell, that ain't right. I look at it all the time, but I don't never see it! All it is meant to be is a reminder. Dig. Never underestimate the pride of a professional.
I've bet directly into the face of the sign twice, this year (that I can remember), losing both times. I need the sign, too. I mean, as late as Wednesday I was squarely on the Pants. Finally, though, I read the sign and thought about it. The conclusion I came to was a shocker (NY will play their Giant asses off), but I'm confident it's a winner, too.
NEW YORK GIANTS +5 Power Pie
BARTENDER!
we got raked on jax play. they had there chances. i like ravens as well, but do have a play on the under.gl