NBA Blog

Before we get to the picks, here’s a quick recap of this week’s events. 

T.O. tried to commit suicided.  No, he didn’t.  Yes, he did.  No…he didn’t.  Yes…he did.  I have no idea, but I did learn some things this week.  His publicist sucks (Read the quote about 25 million reasons to live.  Who says that?).  His agent sucks (No comment).  His personality sucks.  His interviews and press conferences suck. 

But, the best thing to come out of this whole saga/ordeal/controversy/overblown story is Jeremiah Trotter.  His quotes about T.O. have been hilarious in the face of a sad attempted sucide, or was it a cry for help, or was it all a mistake?  I’m getting a headache here.  Anyway, Trotter said this, “Nobody loves themself more than T.O.  He even has a shirt that says ‘I love T.O.’”  Seriously.  I’ve got nothing on that.

On to the weekend:

NCAA (home teams in bold):

I’m not really digging a whole bunch of these games; the Tx Tech/TAMU line is driving me crazy because I don’t know which way to go.

1.  Mich. St. (-26) over Illinois - the Illini flat out stink, and if Rutgers can roll them by 33 at home, why can’t Michigan State’s offense do the same?
2.  Miami (-16.5) over U of Houston - this is wild.  Houston actually has an excellent quarterback, but I just don’t think they stand a chance against the athletes on the field for Miami, even if they look like the walking dead right now.  I think this is the game where they get pissed off and blow someone out of the water.  Let’s just hope that statement is not taken literally; it would be like watching the opening sequence of ‘Last Boy Scout’.
3 & 4.  Syracuse (-5) over Wyoming  - yeeeeeeesh.  What an ugly game.  Syracuse can’t score, but they can cause turnovers and I don’t think Wyoming is capable of too much offensively.  That’s why the second part of this is to take the under.
5.  Georgia (-18) at Ole Miss - Ole Miss cannot score ANY points.  Georgia doesn’t allow many points.  Not a good equation for the Rebels at home, especially coming off of Georgia’s stink-fest against the once formidable Colorado Buffaloes.  Keep in mind that CU’s athletic QB gave Georgia some fits and that is exactly what former Tennessee quarterback Brent Schaeffer will try to do as well.  All in all, this won’t be within 3 td’s.

NFL:
1.  Jets (+9) v. Colts - The Jets are fiesty enough to keep this close.  They’ll hog the ball on the ground to chew up clock and complete underneath stuff to Coles all game to keep it tight.  One TD win for the Colts on Sunday.
2.  Chargers (-2.5) at Ravens - Shawn Merriman and LaDanian Tomlinson are the best players on the field and they’re both wearing ‘Bolts.  With that being said, I think the Ravens will get their first loss on Sunday in a tough game.  The under is also tempting for this one.
3.  Vikings (+1) at Bills - AFC v. NFC and NFC team on the road should equal an AFC win.  I just don’t see it happening here.  The Vikes are tough, and I’d rather rely on Brad “I never throw a bad pass” Johnson than J.P. “I love Brett Favre a little too much in a Champ Kind sort of way” Losman.
4.  Cowboys (-9.5) at Titans - Kerry Collins v. Drew Bledsoe.  Wow, that would be exciting if they were still at Penn State and Washington State, respectively.  Now, it just sounds boring.  At least the T.O. talk may keep it interesting/insane/confusing.  I still don’t know what the hell went on there (One last note on that, did you hear what the sergeant for Dallas P.D. had to say about T.O. when compared to his officers.  That was great.  “They’re 10 times the person T.O. is.”  Good stuff.  Now, I’m done with that.  I feel like Sal Paolantonio.)
5.  49ers (+7) at Chiefs - If Dick Vermeil were coaching K.C. and Trent Green were at the helm, I’d be all over K.C. in this one.  Instead, we’ve got Herm Edwards and Brock Huard.  ‘Nuff said.
6.  Saints (+7) at Panthers - Something ain’t right in Panther’ville.  They nearly lost to a guy who was extremely close to passing out and/or dying last week.  And the Saints are looking really good with a solid QB, two tough running backs, and all the positive energy/karma coming out of New Orleans.  They’re riding a real high right now.  Even if they lose, it will be by less than 7.
7.  Falcons (-7) v. Cardinals - Atlanta should wake up after last Monday, and Kurt Warner is the perfect quarterback to face after a tough loss.  Their defense will pick up at least four sacks and 1-2 turnovers. 
8.  Dolphins (-3.5) at Texans - How bad has Daunte Culpepper been?  The once-trendy Super Bowl pick is barely a field goal favorite versus the worst team in the league not coached by Art Shell.  That’s real bad, but possibly good for us with a small line.
9.  Rams (-5.5) v. Lions - The Lions shaky D versus Stephen Jackson, Tory Holt and Marc Bulger at home.  I’m thinking a 6 point win for the STL.
10.  Pats (+6) at Bengals - Each of the last few years we’ve thought the Pats were done.  They’ve looked done, and then come out and beat a quality team on the road.  Seriously, look it up.  There is just enough craziness in Cincy right now to shake them up and let a tough Pats team stay close, or even pull out a ‘W’.
11.  Jaguars (-3) at Redskins - I don’t think Washington can move the ball against Jacksonville’s defense.  They’ve got the toughest defense surrounded by the best middle linebacker in the league (Mike Peterson).  They are so tough.  This too will be a low scoring affair.  Wait until gametime to watch the line move and if it goes up a point, take the under.
12.  Browns (-2.5) at Raiders - the only people watching this game have money on it.  There’s absolutely no other reason to watch.  But, if I had the money, I’d probably bet big on Cleveland.  They’re not that talented around the board, but at least they care.  Oakland doesn’t have talent or heart. 
13.  Seawhawks (+3.5) at Bears - I don’t know if the ‘Hawks can beat the Bears at Soldier Field without Shaun Alexander.  I do think they can keep it close enough with their offense and wait for their defense to cause a Rex Grossman mistake/injury.  I’m really torn about taking the ‘Hawks money line.  I think the safer bet is the points.
14.  Packers (+11) at Eagles - I have no clue.  This could be a hu - yuge Eagles blow out, or they could falter in the fourth and let Favre try to get back in it like the Giants were able to do.  I’m leaning towards the latter especially with Brett playing on MNF for one of the last times.  Heart over head here, and that’s how I’m justifying it.

Last week: 8-7 (I’m giving myself the bonus Pats-Broncos under).

Fantasy watch: I think Randy Moss may break out of his funk big time against Cleveland’s suspect secondary.  Unlike the Steve McNair bounce pass underneath, all Andrew Walters has to do is audible at the line (because the hotel manager probably called the wrong play) and throw a three-step go-route up the sidelines for Randy, who has to be livid right now with the mess that team is in.