Sorry, no golf this week but I really do appreciate the huge positive response from my article. Maybe I will do more in the future, but my thoughts now are on NFL Week 15 and how things are coming together for the playoffs.
In the National Conference North, it is a two horse race between “DA” Bears and Packers but the QB’s have taken a real hit. Both teams will be on the road with the Packers playing the red hot Patriots in Foxborough and “DA” Bears supposedly in Minneapolis to play the Vikings.
If Chicago can get a win over the “Vikes,” they will be in the driver’s seat as I just don’t see Green Bay beating the Patriots right now in New England.
In the NFC East, it is another two horse race between the Eagles and Giants with the big advantage going to Philadelphia. The Eagles must travel to East Rutherford, N.J. (just a short bus ride from Phily) to play the Giants who really got the worst of it with all the snow, travel delays and site switch to Detroit.
This will be a nice Christmas present for the hardcore Detroit fans who will get free tickets to the game at Ford Field, which will be the site of the Little Caesars Pizza Bowl between Florida International and Toledo on Sunday, Dec. 26.
In the NFC South, we have another good race between the “HOTLANTA” as our headline read in last week’s issue of GT and the charging New Orleans Saints. These two teams will meet next week at the Georgia Dome. We are looking at the Falcons to win this division, especially with a win this week in Seattle. The Saints will have their hands full in Baltimore against the Ravens.
In the NFC West, the winner could actually be under 500 with the Seahawks and Rams tied for the lead at 6-7 and 49ers lurking and looking for a miracle. If the Seahawks lose to the Falcons and the Rams lose to the Chiefs and the 49ers could somehow upset the Chargers (that won’t happen), we could see all three at 6-8. Any of the three will probably lose the first playoff game.
In the AFC North, the Steelers (I have a nice little future bet on them at 20-1) have taken full control and are a cinch at getting at least a wild card. They will win the North, finishing the season with the Jets and Panthers at home and resting up to allow the Browns to win the finale at Cleveland.
The Steelers have been winning with mirrors and their one man show of Troy Polamalu and more Polamalu. He seems to be in several places at the same time. Big Ben (I heard he is not a big tipper if at all) should be giving Polamalu a nice Christmas present this year.
In the AFC East, I would not want to be playing the Pats right now, especially in cold, bad weather where Tom Brady is at his best. New England has been almost unstoppable since losing to the Browns in Cleveland 34-14. I still can’t figure how that happened.
The Jets have lost their last two games scoring just 9 points and likely will lose this week in Pittsburgh. If so, put a fork in them next week at Chicago. Right now, New England is the team to beat in the Super Bowl.
In the AFC South, it’s the Jags and Colts. Jacksonville has won 5 of 6 in surging to a one game lead over Indy, who forgot how to play defense and the not so accurate arm of the great Manning. The Jags visit Indy this week and you can make a nice bet on the OVER.
In the AFC West, the Chiefs are hanging on to a one game lead over the Chargers, but got a bad break last week when losing their QB Matt Cassel. K.C. will be in a desperate need of the win this week in St. Louis as the Chargers look to have an easy game on Thursday at home against the 49ers.
I will be getting my hedge money ready to get off my Pittsburgh bet when the playoffs start but we do have some bowl games this week and some NFL games I like.
Saturday, Dec. 18
We have the New Mexico Bowl in Albuquerque with BYU a -12 point favorite against UTEP with the total around 51. Bet OVER for sure and we will use BYU in some teasers starting with the CHARGERS on Thursday.
Northern Illinois is a -3 point favorite over Fresno Sate in the Humanitarian Bowl on the blue carpet in Boise. Looks like a solid play on the dog. FRESNO knows the blue carpet well. Take the +3 and use the Bulldogs in our teaser.
In the New Orleans Bowl, Troy is a slight -1½ against Ohio U played. We’ll side with OHIO U in our teaser getting more than a TD. My best NFL play is EAGLES, catching Giants in a perfect scenario.
Next week: Our Christmas issue. Hopefully we will be putting some betting presents under your tree with a ton of bowls, key NFL games and maybe a little holiday story.
last week since Oct. 25 PCT
1-5 32-24-2 57.2