Week 17 Pix

I have $$ down right now on newengland(-6)overBUFFALO, and BostonCollege(-3)overVanderbilt. I suppose I regret not taking New England last week (-8 over Arizona). When was the last time a division champ was an 8 point dog to a team that might not make the playoffs? New England won, 49-9, so apparently Vegas' confidence was not misplaced. I don't generally like to give much in divisional matchups, but the Pats are money, especially when they are playing for their playoff lives, which they are. I could have had the Pats at 5.5, but I waited too long. I also waited too long on the Raiders, who I could have had at +13 at Tampa Bay. Everyone and his brother must have bet that line, because it dropped to 11.


I'm not crazy about BC's offense, or lack thereof, but their defense is rock-solid. As for Vandy, they lost to Duke, 10-7. If they can lose to Duke by three, they can lose to Boston College by three. Duke doesn't suck as much as usual, but they still suck.

I've also taken Texas(-8.5)overOhioState. I wouldn't be surprised if Ohio State surprised me, so to speak, but I think the 'Horns have them outclassed. The Bucks need to hope the layoff has made Colt McCoy less sharp, because they're not going to stop anybody who has 80% completions.

I'm tempted to take Texas Tech giving 5.5 over Ole Miss. This is an intriguing matchup of the two teams that beat the teams playing in the BCS Ch--oh yeah, Texas didn't get into that game.

I just tried to pay for a half point to get Oklahoma +3.5, and discovered that it wasn't for sale, whereas, I got BC (-3) by paying for the half point. Makes me wonder how they decide which games to offer the extra points. I suppose they are too scared of a middle on a huge game like that.

The early games have ended, and the only one I took ended with New England on top, 13-0. If I'd known the Pats would only score 13 I wouldn't have taken them. Earlier I flipped between the history making Lions-Packers game, and the halfway meaningless Giants-Viking game. Basically I watched the Lions until it became painful, then watched the Giants until they got ahead 19-10.

I went back to the Lions when they were tied 14 all. I ended up watching the Lions' collapse, at the expense of the Giants' collapse.

Since I wasn't watching, I can'r really say that the Giants collapsed. Maybe the Vikes played their asses off. I did watch David Carr get the Giants the lead in the early 2nd half. He looked really good. In fact, he looked better than Eli Manning, to be quite honest. I knew it would bit e the Giants in the ass when they finished Carr's second drive with their fourth field goal, giving them a nine point lead. Even Donovan McNabb knows that a touchdown and a field goal can win the game for you if you are down by nine. Or a field goal and a touchdown, for that matter.

I shouldn't rip on Donovan, especially now that the Eagles have scored again, putting them up 24-3 just before the half. I think the Eagles will actually get in if that score holds up, since the Bucs lost to Oakland, and the Bears lost to Houston.

Ick. Dallas fumbled the kickoff and just gave up an extra field goal before halftime. I'm going to love listening to the Waco ESPN Radio tomorrow. It'll almost make up for not getting to listen after the Cowboys get thumped in the playoffs, since they won't be going.

In the far more competitive Jets-Dolphins game, the 'Fins just snapped the ball over their punters head, giving the Jets excellent field position, inside the 'Fin 30. The Jets trail 14-9.

The Jets just scored, and then converted for two, making up for the one they missed earlier. 17-14.

Sadly enough, I'm rooting for the Jets so the Patriots can make the playoffs. While the Dolphins are scrappy and fun to watch, and Brett Favre's rebirth in New York is great drama (especially if you like Operas...or soap operas) the Pats are the most dangerous of the three, making them the most interesting team of the three to see in the playoffs....