Pennsyltucky Dave stiffs me

I was going to watch Michigan State-Penn State with Pennsyltucky Dave, but he cancelled on me because his wife wanted him to clean something, and because his sac is kept in her purse. I treated it like he'd forgotten our anniversary, though in a silent, sulky way, rather than in a whiny female way. I feel like our bromance is on a creepy new level. The Cable Guy has nothing on me.

It's tough to find anybody else who gives a crap about the outcome of MSU-PSU in the middle of Texas. Eventually I called up N-Trail, since he is a Spartan Alum like myself, though I think he's been in California so long that he is relatively oblivious.

Time to get some bets down on the NFL. Yay.

ATLANTA(-2)over greenbay. Does this mean I'm finally drinking the Falcon Kool-Aid? More like the Falcons at home Kool-Aid, since they haven't lost in the Georgia Dome in awhile. Of course, the Packers have torched their last few opponents, and are one of the teams we can reasonably expect to have a decent shot at overcoming Atlanta's home field advantage. In fact, these two are on the short list of teams who may be the best in the NFC, along with the Eagles and 49ers.

Speaking of the 49ers, it looks like I'm taking the week off from betting against them, since the last time I backed the Cardinals at home against a crappy team, the Seahawks turned out to be not crappy enough.

Speaking of not crappy enough, the Seahawks are getting points at home. While I've been pulling for the Chiefs all year, this has not led them to win any games on the road. SEATTLE(+2)over kansascity.

In other games involving teams that suck, I like OAKLAND(-3)over miami. Teams that just got blown out (like Oakland, 35-3 at Pittsburgh) tend to bounce back the next week. Does getting shut out (like Miami, 16-0, home vs. Chicago) have the same effect? This line wasn't up a few minutes ago for some reason. I'd better bet it right now, before they pull it down again. The Dolphins are a mess right now. Traveling to the West coast is unlikely to help.

The Falcons line is down to 1.5. Should I bet it again?

I like the Bills getting 7 at home vs. Pittsburgh, and the Bucs getting 7.5 at Baltimore. Is this just because I have Steve Johnson and Mike Williams on my fantasy team, the Ol' Yogurt Slinger? Bill Simmons is probably right when he says the Bucs are the bad team you can count on to beat other bad teams. If I hadn't found other games I like I might bet these, but I'm staying away.

I actually got into a shouting match with a Bears fan at Old Chicago a few weeks ago about how much they suck, but I may take them hosting the Eagles. This is the sort of game the Eagles should win if my bet on them to win the Super Bowl is justified. Also it's the sort of game they should win if their receivers don't drop easy touchdown passes. If last week was what we can expect from the Eagles in a down week, they'll be fine. If it's true that you've got to lose to know how to win, this could be a rung on Philly's Super Bowl ladder. CHICAGO(+3.5)over philadelphia. Make that CHICAGO(+4)over philadelphia. I just paid the extra vig.

Houston keeps losing heartbreakers. Do they do it again this week? Against Titans QB Rusty Smith? Seriously, Rusty Smith? There's a reason bodog waited all week to but up a line. HOUSTON(-6)over tennessee. I find it a little strange that I can go all week without finding any lines I like, then find a ton on Sunday Morning. I think this week I can chalk most of this up to having to wait for this line to come out. And my reluctance to fade the Eagles and Chiefs.

If I'm going to bet the Chargers, now is the time, as the vig is heavy on their side. If bodog doesn't move the line to 2.5 (and they probably won't) the vig will just get even heavier. -130 is enough. sandiego(+3)over INDIANAPOLIS.

I've paid extra vig to get the Falcons down to ATLANTA(-1)over green bay. Not sure if this 1/2 point is worth it, but it feels more worthwhile to get this, since I already have ATL(-2).