Tampa (-2.5) at Houston
Both teams are battling injuries, but it now appears that the Texans are hurting worse with QB Matt Schaub out, Ahman Green on injured reserve, Ron Dayne nursing a sore ankle, and the offensive line banged up and left with little depth. Meanwhile, Bucs QB Jeff Garcia is a game-time decision. Nonetheless, I'm hoping that Jeff Garcia is rusty and turns the ball over a bunch of times. Against better judgment, I'm sticking with my initial hunch and picking Houston.
St. Louis at Cincy (-4.5)
I'm going to stubbornly follow suit here and back the Rams even though QB Marc Bulger suffered a setback in practice Thursday and won't play. With Gus Frerotte also injured, the Rams will start third-stringer Brock Berlin. Cincy's defense is so bad that it won't matter: RB Stephen Jackson should get 25-30 carries, allowing the Rams to control the clock and open up play action for Berlin. Look for St. Louis to win a shootout 34-31.
New York (-2) at Philly
Eli Manning's perennial second-half swoon continues and the Eagles win a close one at home.
San Diego (-3) at Tennessee
The Chargers will roar past the slumping Titans and win going away, 35-13.
Cleveland (-4) at New York Jets
The Browns get back on track, while the Jets crash back to reality after blowing out Miami last week.
Saturday, December 8, 2007
Sunday, December 2, 2007
Unlucky Week 13: Black Cat JInx
dp frantically posted Flick Picks early Sunday morning and then, instead of settling into the sofa for a Sunday football teletrifecta, dp and lady flick fled the coop in pursuit of two (partially) black (and tan) cats. A wild kitty chase led us to the bowels of Central MA, where we rescued these two Himalayan kitties, dp's dynamic Persian duo, Samson (below right) and Delilah :
Aren't they adorable? Their only apparent downside is their subversive effect on certain NFL games. Surprise, surprise! Longhaired riddler Samson and queen of nag Delilah hexed dp's picks this day. That's right, flicksters: dp donkey punched his way to a 1-4 record in Week 14. Doh! Hey kitties!
Worse, dp went 0-3 in fantasy football this week, thanks in large part to the double whammy of Brett Favre's injury. (Not only did Favre get knocked out of a game for only the seventh time during his record 249-game (269 counting playoffs) consecutive start streak, he amassed negative fantasy points for all three of dp's X Country Packbacking fantasy squads.) dp had already locked up first place in the Koopa Troopa League, but he could have clinched playoff berths in Vick's K-9 Kennels and the peerless Empyreal Dynasty, respectively.
Instead, Tony Romo's four touchdowns eliminated dp from Vick's 6-team playoff dog fight; and dp now faces a must-win Week 14 showdown with GSS's Brady-to-Moss Death Machine, the scary message-board menace and league-leading Empyrealest at 11-1, in order to assure a spot in the semifinals.
Worst, dp went 8-8 and finished second-to-last in this week's FLICK PICKS competition, plummeting him from third to ninth for the season. Another week like this, and dp's postseason fantasy hopes will lie in the (giant corporation-sponsored) Toilet Bowl.
Bonus Old Testament factoid: Sampson was so sweet that honey coated the carcass of the lion he tore apart with his bare hands (Judges 14.5-9)!
Bonus Old Testament factoid #2: The Biblical Samson once slew 1000 men with an ass's jawbone (Judges 15.15)!
Bonus factoid 3: Did you hear the Good Wuerd? The Suited Connector knows football. Value his comments highly. Meanwhile, dp vows to dig productively for Week 14 Upset Specials.
Week 13: 1-4 (8-8 overall pending Pats (-20.5) over Baltimore Monday night)
Season: 32-24 (126-66)
Aren't they adorable? Their only apparent downside is their subversive effect on certain NFL games. Surprise, surprise! Longhaired riddler Samson and queen of nag Delilah hexed dp's picks this day. That's right, flicksters: dp donkey punched his way to a 1-4 record in Week 14. Doh! Hey kitties!
Worse, dp went 0-3 in fantasy football this week, thanks in large part to the double whammy of Brett Favre's injury. (Not only did Favre get knocked out of a game for only the seventh time during his record 249-game (269 counting playoffs) consecutive start streak, he amassed negative fantasy points for all three of dp's X Country Packbacking fantasy squads.) dp had already locked up first place in the Koopa Troopa League, but he could have clinched playoff berths in Vick's K-9 Kennels and the peerless Empyreal Dynasty, respectively.
Instead, Tony Romo's four touchdowns eliminated dp from Vick's 6-team playoff dog fight; and dp now faces a must-win Week 14 showdown with GSS's Brady-to-Moss Death Machine, the scary message-board menace and league-leading Empyrealest at 11-1, in order to assure a spot in the semifinals.Worst, dp went 8-8 and finished second-to-last in this week's FLICK PICKS competition, plummeting him from third to ninth for the season. Another week like this, and dp's postseason fantasy hopes will lie in the (giant corporation-sponsored) Toilet Bowl.
Bonus Old Testament factoid: Sampson was so sweet that honey coated the carcass of the lion he tore apart with his bare hands (Judges 14.5-9)!
Bonus Old Testament factoid #2: The Biblical Samson once slew 1000 men with an ass's jawbone (Judges 15.15)!
Bonus factoid 3: Did you hear the Good Wuerd? The Suited Connector knows football. Value his comments highly. Meanwhile, dp vows to dig productively for Week 14 Upset Specials.
Week 13: 1-4 (8-8 overall pending Pats (-20.5) over Baltimore Monday night)
Season: 32-24 (126-66)
Week 13 Flick Picks: Articulate your Toes
Well, Dallas donkey punched da Packers 37-27 last night, defying dp's prediction of Packer dominance in Big D. dp's analysis depended in part on the strong play of two key Packers defenders, cornerback Charles Woodson and sack-happy defensive end Kabeer Gbaja-Biamila. Both players were listed as questionable with injuries, but unfortunately both were declared inactive just before kickoff. Clearly, Green Bay could not contain T.O. and Tony Romo without them. dp, the good doctor predictor, has been downgraded accordingly to donkey picker.
Worse, the Cowboys added further injury to insult in the second quarter, when cornerback Nathan Jones blitzed and nailed Brett Favre's throwing arm, causing an interception and knocking Favre out of the game with an injured elbow. (Favre also separated his other shoulder at some point in the game, quite possibly on the same play or perhaps during his first interception, when he unleashed a deep pass only to be crushed by Stephen Bowen.)
Thursday's game serves as a perfect example of the increasing degree of difficulty in navigating the NFL crosswinds. As the regular season wears on in December, each game's X factor keeps gettting bigger because of the unpredictability of injuries, worsening weather (witness the Miami at Philly rain-dance debacle last Monday night), and the fluctuating motivations of teams that have either been eliminated from or clinched playoff berths. While dp gambled and lost with the injury bug Thursday night, he is confident that, much like a finely tuned Yogi, he can articulate his toes to derive maximum benefit from exercising NFL Flick Picks. Indeed, the downward-phasing dog dp's Sunday predictions are still in play.
New York Jets at Miami (-1.5)
Miami nearly pulled off a huge upset at Philly last week, and the Dolphins realize this game represents their best chance to avoid a winless season. Head coach Cam Cameron feels that desperation just as acutely as his players, so look for Miami to effectively execute his game plan (a heavy dose of Jesse Chatman on the ground to control the clock and limit turnovers) and play with more passion and purpose than we'd expect from an 0-11 team.
Atlanta at St. Louis (-3)
Even though QB Marc Bulger has been ruled out with lingering symptoms from last week's concussion, the Rams will get by on the strength of a fully healthy Stephen Jackson.
Cleveland at Arizona (-1)
It seems as though the Cardinals should be able to run and shoot with the high-flying Browns, as Cleveland's "defense" couldn't stop a botttle with a cork. Yet karma tips the scales in Cleveland's favor: the Browns have given up more points than any team in the NFL, but QB Derek Anderson, WR Braylon Edwards, and TE Kellen Winslow keep making enough big plays to help the Browns win. That momentum continues here. Long-suffering Browns fan and original Flickster Eli "FJ" Shibowitz deserves as much. Cards QB Kurt Warner is likely to amass a ton of yards, but he'll find a way to lose the game in the end- even if he has fumble away the winning touchdown in his own endzone in overtime.
Tampa Bay at New Orleans (-3)
Bucs QB Jeff Garcia may play, but it won't matter. The Saints continue their playoff push by gaining ground on Tampa in the NFC South.
Denver (-3.5) at Oakland
Someone has to win, right? The Broncos still have life, while the Raiders can't steal much more than a shred of pride in this lost season.
Worse, the Cowboys added further injury to insult in the second quarter, when cornerback Nathan Jones blitzed and nailed Brett Favre's throwing arm, causing an interception and knocking Favre out of the game with an injured elbow. (Favre also separated his other shoulder at some point in the game, quite possibly on the same play or perhaps during his first interception, when he unleashed a deep pass only to be crushed by Stephen Bowen.)
Thursday's game serves as a perfect example of the increasing degree of difficulty in navigating the NFL crosswinds. As the regular season wears on in December, each game's X factor keeps gettting bigger because of the unpredictability of injuries, worsening weather (witness the Miami at Philly rain-dance debacle last Monday night), and the fluctuating motivations of teams that have either been eliminated from or clinched playoff berths. While dp gambled and lost with the injury bug Thursday night, he is confident that, much like a finely tuned Yogi, he can articulate his toes to derive maximum benefit from exercising NFL Flick Picks. Indeed, the downward-phasing dog dp's Sunday predictions are still in play.New York Jets at Miami (-1.5)
Miami nearly pulled off a huge upset at Philly last week, and the Dolphins realize this game represents their best chance to avoid a winless season. Head coach Cam Cameron feels that desperation just as acutely as his players, so look for Miami to effectively execute his game plan (a heavy dose of Jesse Chatman on the ground to control the clock and limit turnovers) and play with more passion and purpose than we'd expect from an 0-11 team.
Atlanta at St. Louis (-3)
Even though QB Marc Bulger has been ruled out with lingering symptoms from last week's concussion, the Rams will get by on the strength of a fully healthy Stephen Jackson.
Cleveland at Arizona (-1)
It seems as though the Cardinals should be able to run and shoot with the high-flying Browns, as Cleveland's "defense" couldn't stop a botttle with a cork. Yet karma tips the scales in Cleveland's favor: the Browns have given up more points than any team in the NFL, but QB Derek Anderson, WR Braylon Edwards, and TE Kellen Winslow keep making enough big plays to help the Browns win. That momentum continues here. Long-suffering Browns fan and original Flickster Eli "FJ" Shibowitz deserves as much. Cards QB Kurt Warner is likely to amass a ton of yards, but he'll find a way to lose the game in the end- even if he has fumble away the winning touchdown in his own endzone in overtime.
Tampa Bay at New Orleans (-3)
Bucs QB Jeff Garcia may play, but it won't matter. The Saints continue their playoff push by gaining ground on Tampa in the NFC South.
Denver (-3.5) at Oakland
Someone has to win, right? The Broncos still have life, while the Raiders can't steal much more than a shred of pride in this lost season.
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Green Bay's Tenacious D will Stop Dallas in Big D
That's right! Pick the Packers to win and bet the moneyline! Turn your beer-brats-and-cheese change into a Packers Super Bowl Fun fund, payable Feb. 3, 2008 in Phoenix!
Yes, the Cowboys are fully loaded with weapons: Tony Romo has T.O. and Jason Witten through the air, while Marion Barber III and Julius Jones deliver gains on the ground. But Brett Favre is the master of both the slant and the bomb. He's got multiple quick-strike options deployed, including WRs Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, James Jones, and TE Donald Lee. RB Ryan Grant has brought toughness to the Packers' lightly regarded rushing attack, running for over 100 yards in three of the last five games and averaging 120.8 yards/game combined rushing/receiving overall. The difference in this game? Green Bay's tenacious defense. CBs Al Harris and Charles Woodson will challenge T.O., Aaron Kampman and KGB will pressure Romo, and Green Bay's outstanding interior line and linebacking corps will contain Barber and Jones. Green Bay wins, 41-31.
Last week: 2-2 (11-5 overall)
Season: 31-20 (118-58 overall)
Yes, the Cowboys are fully loaded with weapons: Tony Romo has T.O. and Jason Witten through the air, while Marion Barber III and Julius Jones deliver gains on the ground. But Brett Favre is the master of both the slant and the bomb. He's got multiple quick-strike options deployed, including WRs Greg Jennings, Donald Driver, James Jones, and TE Donald Lee. RB Ryan Grant has brought toughness to the Packers' lightly regarded rushing attack, running for over 100 yards in three of the last five games and averaging 120.8 yards/game combined rushing/receiving overall. The difference in this game? Green Bay's tenacious defense. CBs Al Harris and Charles Woodson will challenge T.O., Aaron Kampman and KGB will pressure Romo, and Green Bay's outstanding interior line and linebacking corps will contain Barber and Jones. Green Bay wins, 41-31.
Last week: 2-2 (11-5 overall)
Season: 31-20 (118-58 overall)
Thursday, November 22, 2007
NFL Thanksgiving Pickings: dp's Poker Profit Parlay
dp killed the $1-$2 no limit hold 'em table at the Venetian Wednesday night, turning a $200 buy-in into an $851 windfall in three hours while he waited for his bro Zeke (the suited connector) to get off work. Zeke got an early out at 10 p.m., giving dp a few more hands until his big blind came up. As so often happens, dp got involved in a monster pot in his last hand, making a full house on the river to beat two flushes and more than double his stack. dp tipped the dealer ten bucks (any less and Zeke, a dealer himself, would have been embarrassed), and the p boys bounced over to the sportsbook.
To celebrate (and as added incentive to wake up before 9:30 a.m. to watch Green Bay beat Detroit, dp made two $20 bets on Turkey Day football games.
First, he made a 3-leg 6-point Teaser, taking Green Bay to +3, the Jets to +21, and the Colts to - 5.5 for a potential $28 win ($48 payout). Second, he made a 4-leg parlay, taking Green Bay (-3), the Packers-Lions under (47.5), the Cowboys-Jets over (47.5), and the Colts-Falcons over (41) for a potential $200 win.
If nothing else, the added action may prevent dp from succumbing to a tryptophan coma at halftime of the Cowboys game. Check back Saturday for dp's usual Upset Specials column.
But if you're really anxious to get some action down for the weekend, here's a sneak peek at dp's early picks: Denver at Chicago (-2.5), Seattle (-3) at St. Louis, New Orleans (-1) at Carolina.
To celebrate (and as added incentive to wake up before 9:30 a.m. to watch Green Bay beat Detroit, dp made two $20 bets on Turkey Day football games.
First, he made a 3-leg 6-point Teaser, taking Green Bay to +3, the Jets to +21, and the Colts to - 5.5 for a potential $28 win ($48 payout). Second, he made a 4-leg parlay, taking Green Bay (-3), the Packers-Lions under (47.5), the Cowboys-Jets over (47.5), and the Colts-Falcons over (41) for a potential $200 win.
If nothing else, the added action may prevent dp from succumbing to a tryptophan coma at halftime of the Cowboys game. Check back Saturday for dp's usual Upset Specials column.But if you're really anxious to get some action down for the weekend, here's a sneak peek at dp's early picks: Denver at Chicago (-2.5), Seattle (-3) at St. Louis, New Orleans (-1) at Carolina.
Tuesday, November 20, 2007
NBA 11% Quick Flick: Milwaukee Bucks
Milwaukee Bucks (5-4, 3-game winning streak, 2nd in the Central, 5th in the (L)East)
Milwaukee won a big road game at Cleveland tonight, 111-107. Michael Redd and Lebron James posted nearly identical stat lines, as each star scored 34 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. Lebron had 7 assists to Redd's 6, but Redd also posted 3 steals and 2 blocks. The Bucks' first victory away from the Bradley Center moved them over .500 for the first time this year.
If the season ended today, Milwaukee would be in the playoffs. And Yi Jianlian could very well be the Rookie of the Year. Yi is averaging about 10 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.75 blocks. Sure, Kevin Durant is averaging 19 points (on 37% shooting), but Yi fills out a fuller stat line and plays for a "good" (allow me the early optimism) team. Both players will contend for most dunks allowed. Durant's other claim to fame? He's the only rookie besides teammate Jeff Green who has already lost 10 games.
Meanwhile, if we continue with the ramifications of extrapolation, Yi and Durant will contend for most times getting dunked on. At season's end the Bucks will finish with an NBA best ever 41-0 at home. (Until beating Cleveland tonight, the Bucks were in contention for a worst ever 0-41 away record.)
Yi won't have to beat out Greg Oden for top rookie honors. The tragic news of Oden's season-ending microfacture surgery was offset somewhat by Portland's unexpectedly strong 4-3 start, but a four-game losing streak has since dampened the Blazers' spirits.
Milwaukee won a big road game at Cleveland tonight, 111-107. Michael Redd and Lebron James posted nearly identical stat lines, as each star scored 34 points and grabbed 7 rebounds. Lebron had 7 assists to Redd's 6, but Redd also posted 3 steals and 2 blocks. The Bucks' first victory away from the Bradley Center moved them over .500 for the first time this year.
If the season ended today, Milwaukee would be in the playoffs. And Yi Jianlian could very well be the Rookie of the Year. Yi is averaging about 10 points, 6.5 rebounds and 1.75 blocks. Sure, Kevin Durant is averaging 19 points (on 37% shooting), but Yi fills out a fuller stat line and plays for a "good" (allow me the early optimism) team. Both players will contend for most dunks allowed. Durant's other claim to fame? He's the only rookie besides teammate Jeff Green who has already lost 10 games.
Meanwhile, if we continue with the ramifications of extrapolation, Yi and Durant will contend for most times getting dunked on. At season's end the Bucks will finish with an NBA best ever 41-0 at home. (Until beating Cleveland tonight, the Bucks were in contention for a worst ever 0-41 away record.)
Yi won't have to beat out Greg Oden for top rookie honors. The tragic news of Oden's season-ending microfacture surgery was offset somewhat by Portland's unexpectedly strong 4-3 start, but a four-game losing streak has since dampened the Blazers' spirits.
Monday, November 19, 2007
NFL Week 11 Recap
Despite going 4-1 (13-3 overall) in Week 11, dp laments the Saints' 23-10 loss to Houston. Andre Johnson returned after 7 weeks to amass 120 yards receiving and a touchdown to lead the Texans' offensive surge, which also included 89 yards rushing from Ron Dayne.
dp wants to hear the music in N'ahleans, but it's all blues as the Saints are marching out of contention.
At least everything else in the NFL world according to dp developed predictably. David Garrard played mistake-free football and led Jacksonville to a 24-17 over Chargers. Cleveland beat Baltimore in overtime 33-30 after a wild fourth quarter in which the Ravens stormed back from a 13-point deficit to seemingly win the game 30-27 after Cleveland kicker Phil Dawson's 51-yard field goal attempt as the clock expired was initially ruled no good. Officials then conferred and determined the ball had bounced off the left upright and passed over the crossbar before bouncing back in front. The Ravens had to be summoned from the locker room to return to the field to take a bitter loss. There were no miracles in Detroit, just three Jon Kitna interceptions, and the Lions fell prey to the Giants 16-10.
If you believe Jon Kitna, he, like the mightly Aslan in THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA, miraculously came back from dead earlier this year. dp is sure it won't happen again.
In weeks past, dp has occasionally come under (friendly) fire for not ranking his upset specials high on the confidence index. dp responded by boldly backing Denver for 12 points this week, enabling him to catch all but cousin (and loyal Bronco fan) Adam on Monday night when Denver exploded for four touchdowns of 40+ yards to streak past the struggling Titans 34-20. This pick leapfrogged dp past many who either picked the Jaguars or backed Denver weakly with a low rank on the confidence index. dp's finishing flourish helped him secure second place for the week in the FLICK Picks League, which moved dp to third (of 22) on the season, trailing FatherFlicker by 18 points.
Week 11: 4-1 (13-3 overall)
Season: 29-18 (107-53)
dp wants to hear the music in N'ahleans, but it's all blues as the Saints are marching out of contention.
At least everything else in the NFL world according to dp developed predictably. David Garrard played mistake-free football and led Jacksonville to a 24-17 over Chargers. Cleveland beat Baltimore in overtime 33-30 after a wild fourth quarter in which the Ravens stormed back from a 13-point deficit to seemingly win the game 30-27 after Cleveland kicker Phil Dawson's 51-yard field goal attempt as the clock expired was initially ruled no good. Officials then conferred and determined the ball had bounced off the left upright and passed over the crossbar before bouncing back in front. The Ravens had to be summoned from the locker room to return to the field to take a bitter loss. There were no miracles in Detroit, just three Jon Kitna interceptions, and the Lions fell prey to the Giants 16-10.
If you believe Jon Kitna, he, like the mightly Aslan in THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA, miraculously came back from dead earlier this year. dp is sure it won't happen again.In weeks past, dp has occasionally come under (friendly) fire for not ranking his upset specials high on the confidence index. dp responded by boldly backing Denver for 12 points this week, enabling him to catch all but cousin (and loyal Bronco fan) Adam on Monday night when Denver exploded for four touchdowns of 40+ yards to streak past the struggling Titans 34-20. This pick leapfrogged dp past many who either picked the Jaguars or backed Denver weakly with a low rank on the confidence index. dp's finishing flourish helped him secure second place for the week in the FLICK Picks League, which moved dp to third (of 22) on the season, trailing FatherFlicker by 18 points.
Week 11: 4-1 (13-3 overall)
Season: 29-18 (107-53)
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