Games of WEEK 03

We try to avoid taking road teams. It's not a rule, but we feel most no-shows happen on the road like they did yesterday with Frisco. So we were looking at ANYTHING that would suggest a play on the hometown Hawks. The weather? Perfect. Injuries? They would seem to support Green Bay. A good pass rush might disturb Rodgers but the Seahawks only got to Romo once last week, and that was when Dallas was a no-show. The Pack is a good team with a good defense. They'll have to play tough against the run in Seattle, but Green Bay's quick-strike offense should be too much for the Seahawks to keep up with. We're definitely keeping this play small, especially since the Vegas Hilton has decided to up the juice for the Pack, taking 6/5 odds. In our case, that's 1.2 chips to win 1.

Packers -3 N/A Computer Projection MISS: Seahawks 14 Packers 12

Last week we hit the Ravens even though they lost. There were some questionable calls, some bad luck and some bad bounces that cost them the game, but the Ravens did cover. In other words, they are who we thought they were - one of the very best teams in the league. They're going against another one of the very best teams in the league, but if the AFC championship game last year was any indication, they are a little stronger up front on offense, and a little stronger in the defensive backfield. We'll need the receivers to catch the ball in that reserved Baltimore passing attack, and we'll need those calls and bounces to even out - as we always do - but this one's worth one chip. It should be a great game.

Ravens -2 1/2 N/A Computer Projection MISS: Ravens 31 Patriots 30

There's not much to say about this one. Frisco scores slow, but that's their way of reducing turnovers, and they give away points so begrudgingly that their opponents often feel like that 6 point deficit is more like 16. The Vikes have had problems with execution ever since Farve retired. Ponder, the new QB, is a decent passer but when we've seen him he's chosen to bail backwards out of the pocket when he should step up, or at least go sideways. That tendency, if it hasn't been corrected, can be deadly against the 49rs pass rush. The scary thing about this game is the jet lag factor. They'll be playing at 10am Frisco time, an hour that no one should be expected to play - or even be awake on a Sunday. It could be a white knuckle 1st half until they get their legs under them. The Vegas Hilton lists this game at 6 1/2 but we understand that most outlets are listing 7. At any rate, it's a minimum play. C'mon Frisco, rise and shine.

49rs -6 1/2 N/A Computer Projection MISS: Vikes 24 49rs 13

You don't bet against Denver at Mile High stadium and you don't bet against Peyton Manning, but it's getting to the point where you shouldn't bet against Matt Shaub, either. These are two good teams, but while Denver is still trying to find themselves - trying to find out who and what they can rely on - Houston is already there. We'll risk a chip in that thin air in Denver on what we think is a team that's ready to challenge the big boys.

Texans -1 1/2 N/A Computer Projection HIT: Texans 31 Broncos 25

The last time we bet the Giants they were not ready to start the season. We can't guarantee they'll be ready tonite, either. We know the Pants will be ready, we're just hoping the Giants will be, too. If they are, that defensive line should make the difference. When it's hitting on all cylinders it's the best in the game. That's really all we have to go on. We think there's a difference between Cam Newton going where he wants, and him going where he has to. It should be a clear night with no wind in Pantherland, and running back Ahmad Bradshaw is out for the Giants. That probably has a lot to do with the Giants getting a couple of points, but as we said, we're betting on that D-line. Call it a minimum play on the slight road dog.

Giants +2 1/2 N/A Computer Projection HIT: Giants 36 Panthers 7

Good Luck Everyone!