Games of WEEK 08

Yesterday afternoon we manufactured a HIT with the Teaser on the Dallas/New York game. That was one of only two games offered at that time and we didn't have strong indicators for either one. Tonight, it's much the same story and, as we have often said, it's the only game in town. These are two very good defenses going at it. We're not sure where the Cards points are going to come from. It's an anemic offense. We suspect Frisco's points will come from their running game but the 49rs, even if they win the game, are not ones to literally run up the score. The last time we bet against San Francisco they briefly covered with a late safety but Harbaugh took down the two points in order to run out the clock. The man knows the value of a win. We'll back our wager down to a single chip. The spread is 7 so we'll add 6 to make it 13, and the Total is 38 so we'll add 6 there to make it UNDER 44. Remember, for a 6-point Teaser you need to hit BOTH bets to collect as if it were one bet.

TEASER: Cards +13 & UNDER 44 49rs 20 Cards 14 Computer Projection MISS: 49rs 24 Cards 3

Broncos -6 1/2 Broncos 38 Saints 23 Computer Generated Best Bet HIT: Broncos 34 Saints 14

The air will be filled with footballs tonite as the two of the very best passing attacks are on display. The only difference offensively is the Broncs running game, which exists. In fact, it's pretty good. It's much the same on defense, the Broncos D exists, and it's pretty good. We think the Saints will be doing well to hang in there with Brees and the gang for awhile, but in the long run the Broncs will appear unstoppable to the Saints porous D. We'd actually bet more on this Best Bet but if you takeaway the Broncs rout of Oakland earlier this season or if you just take the recent games it's only a 10 point victory, down from 15. Going with the home team and laying some points.

TEASER: Cows +8 1/2 & OVER 42 Cowboys 24 Giants 23 Computer Projection HIT: Giants 29 Cowboys 24

We have varying forecasts over our three projections for this but they all are very close, and they all are about the same score. The Vegas linemakers feel the same way as we do. This could be another typical, exciting Giants/Cows game. Both teams know each other well. The Giants weren't ready to start the season in their first meeting in Giant-land but they should be ready to play now. Dallas still had to rely on big plays to win that game, nowadays they are more steady. If everything goes to form the Cowboys will slowly build a lead and then Giants will finish in a flurry to win or make it close. We need some late action. With only two games on the agenda this is definitely the game for us. Since we have to do something, we'll just place our faith in history and the oddsmakers and play a teaser. We'll up the the Dallas points by 6 and make it 8 1/2, an since it's a nice day in Dallas we'll go with the over, lowering the Total from 48 to 42.

Even in the rain we expect the Jets to be able to pass the ball. It's wind that hurts the passing game, not rain. The Dolphins can't pass even in good weather, so they'll rely on that run game. The Fins run game can be good, and the Jets run D can be had, but lately Miami's been having it's troubles on the ground. Call it a lite play on the home team.

Jets -2 Jets 23 Dolphins 19 Computer Projection MISS: Dolphins 30 Jets 7

Browns +3 Browns 25 Chargers 25 Computer Projection HIT: Browns 7 Chargers 6

We're not sure why the system points toward Cleveland but it does, whether we are looking at recent performances or disregarding old no-shows. Maybe the Browns can play some D at home. There are two things we like about this play aside from the stats: 1) The Chargers may get jet lag and b) there should be wind and rain. It's always good to have points if the weather dominates. Call it a lite play on the home doggie.

This should be a close game where both offenses can move the ball. Matty Ice may find the protection to his liking, much more so than Michael Vick, who again will be running for his life. Our trouble is that Vick is so good at it. The Eags should be able to run at home but we're counting on their air game not to be there. Two-chips on the road dog.

Falcons +3 Falcons 24 Eagles 20 Computer Generated Best Bet HIT: Falcons 30 Eagles 17

Again, we have a west coast team playing at 10am their time, and the Hawks have had their troubles traveling. The Lions had to eat the loss against the Bears last Monday but we're not sure the Lions weren't the better team. Someone needs to tell Detroit that they can win if they don't fumble. Another lite play on the home team.

Lions -2 1/2 Lions 21 Seahawks 17 Computer Forecast HIT: Lions 28 Hawks 24

Usually, we up our risk factor when we see a Best Bet playing at home, but we are concerned about the weather in Chi-town. Under good conditions we could point to the faltering Pants and the Bears resurgent defense. With the wind and the hook this is a tough play. Lets bet the minimum here and hope for the best.

Bears -7 1/2 Bears 27 Panthers 15 Computer Generated BEST BET MISS: Bears 23 Pants 22

Vikings -5 1/2 Vikings 27 Bucs 20 Computer Projection MISS: Bucs 36 Vikes 17

Last week, the GRIDLINE system bet against the Vikes and for the Bucs and lost both. That hurt, but in our retro-analysis both plays looked right. The Bucs lolligagged on what should have been a 96 yard TD pass, then blew a 1st and goal from the one, failing to even salvage a FG. The Vikes benefitted from a missed FG and a pick-six. They were good bets but our teams were, well, boneheaded. We can't cap that. We only hope to HIT games where both teams approach their potential, and let the other games even out. Tonight it looks like the Bucs can handle the Vikes run game and the Vikes are ill-equipped to exploit the Bucs pass D. However, when we eliminated the runaway games - the Vikes win over Tennessee and the Bucs win over the Chiefs - it appears that the Bucs strong run D might not be so insurmountable, after all, and the Vikes are just as good running the ball. We've got the home team and Ponder is starting to learn that he can win without pressing, and we have seen some daylight open up between the Vegas spread and ours, so we'll call this one a lite two-chip play.

Good Luck Everyone!