Games of WEEK 02

As we said in yesterday's game capsule, San Francisco suffers No-Shows as much as any team, and last night was just another instance. It's hard to believe the NFC champ's are susceptable to that malady, but they are. In regards to the afternoon game, which we won, it should be mentioned that Peyton Manning was due to meet with old number 18, Frank Tripucka, for the game, but the circumstances had him meet with his sons on Saturday. Tonite's game is unusual in that Pittsburgh is listed as a 6 1/2 point underdog. The Steelers being listed as the dog to any team is unusual. We're more accustomed to seeing them listed as the favorite in the Super Bowl. How the mighty have fallen. Ordinarily, we'd load up on the Steelers and expect them to bust out of their shell any minute. Their preseason offensive woes mean nothing, and their offensive woes in last week's home opener was a freak occurence. We were ready to buy it up to 7 and start yellin', "C'mon Ben!" The thing that tilted us Cincy's way were the Steeler injuries, It's not so much about the physical dropoff in talent at center - that can be overcome - it's the ergonomic issues that are troublesome. A QB really has to be comfortable with that exchange, not to mention his protection. If the Steelers are to break out of their funk, they'll have to do it at the point of origin. As for the Bengals, they're a real team playing in their home opener. They don't always execute, but when they do, they score. It's a team that we expect to play well at home.

Bengals -6 1/2 N/A Computer Projection HIT: Bengals 20 Steelers 10

We finally get a chance to make a scientific pick and, much to our chagrin, there's simply no data. It's only Week 02. We can look at last season's forecast and at least get a start with these two very good teams. That forecast basically said these are the same teams, with the Hawks a little better at pass D, the Niners better against the run. Last Christmas in Seattle, for whatever reason, the 49rs were a No-Show. It can happen again - we've been trying to figure out No-Shows for 30 years and haven't done it yet - but we have to operate under the assumption that the pros will approach their potential every game. The Niners are as susceptible to No-Shows as much as any team, having at least 3 last year, more if you count the game before the blackout in the Super Bowl. Still, we can't discount the overwhelming feeling that this should be a good, hard fought game. It's been said that the crowd in Seattle is the Seahawk's 12th man. With thunderstorms on the horizon, we might add that the weather can be considered Seattle's 13th man. In this case, the storms bode well for GRIDLINE. As we have always said: If the weather dominates, take the points. Taking the full 3 points on the road-dog, again for the minimum, one chip play this early in the season.

49RS +3 N/A Computer Projection MISS: Seahawks 29 49rs 3

Broncos -4 N/A Computer Projection HIT: Broncos 41 Giants 23

We want to apologize beforehand for this game capsule because it's admittedly emotional and void of any scientific basis. The Manning Bros. are both super quarterbacks and while Denver appears to be a decent road favorite, we don't see any rational reason to lay the points. Now for the irrational one. When an athlete loses someone very close to them, they tend to play well. They dedicate their performance to them. It happened to Trevor Pryce when he lost his father. We saw him singlehandedly dominate the line of scrimmage in a playoff game one year for Denver. And who can forget Brett Farve's performance shortly after his father passed? It was probably his best game ever. Buster Douglas knocked out an undefeated and a seemingly invincible Mike Tyson just after his mother passed. So who lost whom? Thursday the Denver Broncos lost the franchise's original QB, the great Frank Tripucka. You can bet the whole team gathered around his picture that hangs in the Bronco's headquarters, and you can bet that the team is dedicating this game to him. Consider that the Broncos had retired his jersey years ago. Still not enough to yield an inspired performance? Consider that Tripucka's jersey number was 18, and that Peyton Manning would not wear that number in Denver until he was personally contacted by Frank himself, who told him that he would be honored to have Peyton wear his number for Denver. Yes, we think the team will be a little inspired, and we think Peyton Manning will be a lot inspired. We are dedicating this pick to Frank Tripucka. Hit or miss, we'll always remember him as one of great pioneers of the game. See our obit for Frank on our 2013 ADT.

It's hard to figure this game. The 11 1/2 pts is like last year and the 43 point Total is like last week. We really don't have a good bead on these teams. It's certainly reasonable to assume the Pats will be the dominant team based on last year, just as it's fair to believe the Jets are still a bit disorganized. Still, we believe in change from season to season. That's why we developed the Churn Chart. Churn Chart or not, nothing stops the weather, and it may get dicey in Foxboro tonite. With the Teaser, we're basically forcing the Patriots to rout the Jets. To beat us, they'll have to do it in the rain and possibly - the answer to our prayers - wind. We're adding 6 to the spread and 6 to the Total to win at 11/10, like a flat bet. If either bet misses, we miss.

6 pt TEASER: Jets +17 1/2 & UNDER 49 N/A Computer Projection HIT: Patriots 13 Jets 10

Good Luck Everyone!

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