Wee 12: What are the Odds?
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Well kiddies, what did we learn last week? We learned that the Colts’ offense cannot withstand a few key injuries; see Peyton Manning. We learned that the Giants are the best of the mediocre NFC teams; see Jon Kitna. We also learned that the AFC playoff races have tightened up; see Jay Cutler, Thomas Jones; Philip Rivers; Phil Dawson. Finally, we learned that Fatty and the Golden Boy were pathetic last week—likely because they were too focused on taking jabs at each other instead of providing that expert analysis you readers have grown to love.
In honor of the holiday this Thursday, we thought we would provide you with ten things to be thankful for this NFL season, which will be followed by our picks and fantasy plays.
NFL things to be thankful for:
1. Fantasy Football. There are so many reasons to give thanks for fantasy football, but maybe the most important is that fantasy football can make even the worst matchups worth watching. You just never know if/when Frank Gore might break out for 185 and two touchdowns later this season.
2. Vegas. How could we write this column and not give Vegas a shout out. Gambling makes every game worth watching and any game you have bet on ten times more exciting.
3. Tom Brady. Let’s give thanks to perfection. He is everything you want in a NFL quarterback. Accurate, strong armed, cool and calm but also a fierce competitor. Nothing fires up the Patriots and their fans more than when Tommy Terrific gets in the face of inept official or overmatched defender, and he lets them know his feelings.
4. The Little Guys (MoJo and Welker). Very few things are more exciting than seeing a 5’8 football player embarrass a plus 6 foot roided LB. Last week, when MoJo knocked Shawn “I don’t have much too celebrate without my roids” Merriman on his ass, the whole league took notice. The league is also quickly noticing how when Wes Welker catches the ball in the middle of the field 5 yards short of the first down, he still somehow finds a way to make 4 or 5 guys miss on his way past the chains.
5. Jesse Chatman. Yes, he plays for the miserable Miami Dolphins, but it is refreshing to watch a player play as hard as him for every game, every quarter and every carry he gets.
6. The Cleveland Browns. Picked by ESPN in their preseason power rankings as the worst team in football, the Browns have shocked the NFL to become one of the favorites to play in the playoff this year. FYI- The Browns’ schedule is so soft, they have a legit chance at finishing 12-4.
7. John Madden. What would an NFL season be without John Madden? Sure, we would probably have a livelier, English speaking announcer, but would we still have the annual discussion about the Turducken? Also, if you haven’t heard any of Frank Caliendo’s (Frank TV) impressions, please do so. His impression of Madden is unbelievable.
8. NY Jets’ Fans. Jets’ Fans at Gate D have been carrying on a “Girls Gone Wild” tradition before Jets’ home games, asking girls to flash them on their way into the stadium. (http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/20/sports/football/20fans.html?em&ex=1195707600&en=da6029e940e216f7&ei=5087%0A). Thank you Jets’ fans for giving us something to YouTube this week and for providing us with the most exciting storyline from your otherwise pathetic season.
9. Tight Ends. Not those tight ends, you dirty readers. The tight end position is no longer considered to be a 6th offensive linemen. The position has been modernized, and some of the league’s most athletic and skilled players play the position. Gates, Shockey, Winslow, Gonzalez, Cooley and Witten headline one of the deepest positions in the NFL.
10. Parity. Through 11 weeks of the NFL season, 25 NFL teams still have a realistic shot at the playoffs. All the nay-sayers will say that this just means there are tons of mediocre teams. Who cares?!!? It makes for tons of meaningful games throughout all of December.
Week 12 (home teams are underlined)
Green Bay 3.5 Detroit Lions Lounge Here in the Lounge we're thankful that you all came back for more after 2 bad weeks. We are not thankful for Shaun McDonald's hands or the Lions' remaining schedule. Everyone says Detroit always bring it on Thanksgiving, but obviously they haven't been watching the last 3 years. Since 2004, the Lions are 0-3, losing by a combined score of 95-26. Who was their last Thanksgiving victim, you ask? The Packers of Green Bay, who are a measly 5-11-1 against Detroit on the 3rd Thursday of November. It's put up or shut up time for the Lions, and if this really is a different Lions team than the one that finished the last 3 seasons 6-10, 5-11, and 3-13, they must win this game. PICK: they will - LIONS
Dallas 14 Jets With Crayton out for today look for a lot of touches for Witten and more focus on T.O by the Jets. The Dallas running backs are the best start today. PICK: JETS
Colts 11 ½ Atlanta Look for Peyton Manning to hook up with tight ends Dallas Clark and Ben Utecht for a touchdown each today. Addai should get two of his own. PICK: COLTS
Arizona 10 ½ San Francisco Look for the Arizona 3rd receiver Bryant Johnson to be the target for one of Warner’s three touchdown passes. PICK: ARIZONA
Chicago 1 ½ Denver Cedric Benson and Selvin Young will carry the respective loads for their teams this week with passing yards being at a minimum. PICK: DENVER
Cleveland 3 ½ Houston The Houston air attack will go off in a big way against the soft Cleveland secondary. Both Andres (Johnson and Davis) will have touchdown catches for Matt Schaub. PICK: HOUSTON
Jacksonville 8 Buffalo Another bad match up for any Bills’ offensive player. Look for the taller Jags wide receivers to take advantage of the shorter Buffalo defensive backs (see Randy Moss in week 11). Reggie Williams and Earnest Wilford will both catch touch downs. PICK: JACKSONVILLE
Kansas City 5 ½ Oakland With Priest Holmes at home for Thanksgiving and the rest of the season, you should be on your waiver wire picking up Kolby Smith who should carry the load for the Chiefs this week. PICK: OAKLAND
New England 22 Eagles Laurence Maroney will get in the end zone twice this week, and Wes Welker will get at least one touchdown. The Patriots linebackers will give up close to 80 yards receiving to L.J Smith. PICK: EAGLES
New Orleans 3 Carolina The Carolina D has not shown up all year. Look for Brees to take advantage and throw for three TDs. The New Orleans D should be on our waiver wire, and they should be picked up this week to feast on the Vinny “the Turnover” Testaverde. PICK: New Orleans
Giants 7 Minnesota Most of the Giants’ scoring should come through the air this week. Look for Shockey and Sinorice Moss to find pay dirt. Chester will be maintained but should still put close to 80 yards. PICK: Giants
San Diego 9.5 Baltimore Look for the Baltimore D to focus on Gates in the passing game, which should mean a TD for Chambers. The San Diego D should keep Willis under 100. PICK: SAN DIEGO
Seattle 3 St. Louis Bench both defenses this week because this game should be a shootout. Hasselback and Bulger will each throw for 300 yards. PICK: SEATTLE
Tampa Bay 3 Washington Expect a low scoring affair with both teams relying heavily on their running backs. Look for 80 all purpose from Michael Pittman, if you need a last minute pick up. PICK: TAMPA
Tennessee 1.5 Cincinnati Look for VY to pick up where he left off on Monday night, as he throws for another 250+ against the soft Cincy secondary. PICK: Tenneesee
Pittsburgh 16 Miami Miami D will be on the field for a long time Monday night. Pick up Wilson and Washington in the absence of Holmes. PICK: Miami
Well readers, happy Thanksgiving and happy betting.
- Golden Boy and Fatty at www.fleafanatics.com
