Week Eight Picks

As the season nears the half-way mark, the games get easier to pick. Or so you would think. But our performance last week would seem to indicate otherwise. Hopefully, week 8 will bring great improvements. Here are some observations:

Unanimity

There are three unanimous picks this week, as the Bears, Chargers, and Steelers are seen by all as easy winners. A frequent past recipient of unanimity, the Indianapolis Colts are in for a battle this week as they head to the Mile High City to face a tough Bronco defense.

Solo Acts of Bravery

While a couple of games are picked by two contestants this week, there is only one that fits in this category, as Dave Samples believes that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers can beat the Giants on their home field. I'm afraid that they will need at least twelve points from Ronde Barber to pull this off, and I dont' think they can count on the younger Manning to throw him the ball. And a 62-yard field goal would be a tall order in the swirling winds of the Meadowlands.

Upset Special Pick of the Week

I'm actually surprised that no one else picked the Arizona Cardinals to beat the hapless Packers this week, but I'm confident they can do it. Sure, the Cards have had a tough couple of games, but Matt Leinart has learned some tough lessons, and it should make for a very interesting matchup. It does make me a little nervous, however, that I'm the only one in this contest that seems to think so...

Thanks, as always, for being a part of the fun.

Week Seven Picks

Again, my apologies for not getting this up earlier. I know it's tough to have time to find my mistakes when I don't get it posted until Saturday afternoon. I'll try to do better. Here are some week 7 observations:

Unanimity

Though there are several strong majority picks, unanimity is less prevalent this week. Hopefully, that means we'll do better than we did in the disaster that was week six. As it stands, we are in agreement about the upcoming domination of both the Colts and the Broncos, which means that at least one, and possibly both, will be humiliated, if last week is a predictor.

Solo Acts of Bravery

There are three contestants who find themselves alone on a limb this week. "Tank" McPheeters went where even Tampa-area pastor Tom Bryant refused to tread, picking the lowly Buccaneers to upset Philadelphia.

Geoff Baggett, for reasons known only to himself and to God, picks the Raiders over the Arizona Cardinals. For this to happen, the Raiders will need their defense to emulate the Bears from last week by scoring all the points. Not likely.

And finally, sentimentality again trumps logic as Joel Bezaire picks the Lions to win on the road against the New York Jets.

Upset Special Pick of the Week

I couldn't bring myself to cast a vote for the Redskins or the Browns this week, so I'm sharing this pick with Tim Sweatman and the aforementioned Joel Bezaire and picking the New York football Giants to triumph in Texas Stadium on Monday night, while Tony Kornheiser continues his embarrassing and uncomfortable argumentation with Joe Theismann. Am I the only one weary of the awkwardness Kornheiser brings to the booth? The switch from ABC to ESPN was jarring enough for me, but Kornheiser's presence in the booth is just too much. Kornheiser must go.

Good luck to all, and thanks for taking the time to share in this diversion with me.

Week Six Picks

My wife has abandoned me for a ministers' wives retreat, leaving me with our two preschoolers. Now that they're sleeping, I can get my important work done. Here are some observations on this week's picks:

Unanimity

We are united on four games again this weeks. Our unanimous losers: The Titans, the 'Niners, the Raiders, and the Cardinals.

Solo Acts of Bravery

Dave Samples is alone in his belief that the Dolphins can beat the Jets in the Meadowlands. Tom Bryant thinks the Buccaneers can beat Cincinnati. Actually, I think he knows better, but can't bring himself to pick against Tampa Bay.

Upset Special Pick of the Week

I feel more confident about this one than about any of my previous (and disastrous) upset specials: The Texans will win on Sunday.

I think.

Well, a Texas team will win, witnessed by thousands of Texans, in Texas Stadium.

Many of the Cowboys are, in fact, Texans, in that they've moved their residence to Texas.

Either way, I'll be claiming victory here.

Good luck to everyone. Thanks for being a part of the contest.

Week Five Picks

This has been a busy week, so please accept my apologies for not getting these up before Saturday afternoon. Good thing there weren't any Thursday games this week.

Just a couple of reminders: First, by popular demand I've opened these posts up for comments, so you won't have to wait for the Tuesday wrap-up at the main blog to talk some smack, if you feel so led. Second, remember that you can click on the two pictures to view them full-size, so the names are all legible. Also, in case you're ever wondering, you can look at the list of names on the unanimous picks to see the order I received the picks for the week. Strive for that top spot! This week's observations:

Nail-biters?

Only once before have we divided our picks, six for the home team and six for the visitors. It happened last week, when we split 6 and 6 in the Miami-Houston game. The final there was 17-15 in favor of the homestanding Texans.

This makes me wonder if we have perhaps predicted not one but two close contests this week, as we divided evenly in picking both the Rams at the Packers and Monday night's contest with the Broncos hosting the Baltimore Ravens.

Unanimity

There were several games this week that seemed obvious to everyone, and probably none more so than the Titans at the Colts. The Titans will probably score in the mid-teens, but they will lose by three touchdowns anyway.

Other obvious losers: The Bills, the Browns, and the Dolphins. Think we'll regret any of these?

Solo Acts of Bravery

Dave Samples believes, alone, that the Buccaneers will prevail against the 'Aints. Robin Foster sees New York jetting past the Jaguars. And, Joel Bezaire thinks, for some reason, that the Lions can handle the Vikings, and the noise in the HHH Metrodome. Possibly, there is no small amount of sentimentality clouding the judgment of the Windsor, Ontario native. We shall see.

Upset Special Pick of the Week

After declining to step out and predict an upset last week, I am comfortable saying that, in perhaps the ugliest matchup of the week, the Raiders can hold off the Forty-Niners in this Bay Area battle. Probably, I'll regret this pick, but it's worth a shot.

Good luck to all, and thanks for joining this little adventure. Look for the wrap-up on Tuesday.