Just like last year, we are heating up in December. Our 5-2 record last week got us closer to our goal of 56% on the season. For this week’s edition of picks, we want to wish a happy birthday week to Mike Bublitz. Nothing but winners for his birthday week.

Atlanta -12.5 (Thursday) – Don’t let Jacksonville’s big win last week fool you. They are not a good team. Their secondary is terrible, so look for Matt Ryan to have a field day. Jacksonville’s only offense is MJD, and Atlanta gives up less than 3 ypc at home this season. This line opened at 11 and keeps going up. Confirmation that this is an obvious play. Win

Dallas -7 (Saturday) – Typically road favorites aren’t a good play in the NFL. Dallas has all their weapons healthy on offense and Tampa hasn’t been able to stop anyone the past few months. The Bucs don’t have the offensive firepower to stay with Dallas.
Win
New Orleans/Minnesota over 51 – The Saints were going to be my big play due to Minnesota’s secondary being so bad. However, being on the road, I decided the over was the safer play here. Minnesota has been over 20 points in all home games. The Saints should score at least 30 against the Vikings secondary. Win

Indianapolis +6.5 The Colts have to win sometime don’t they? They’ve played pretty good the past few weeks against some very good teams (New England and Baltimore). I don’t think you’ll need the points, but in case Chris Johnson has a big day and Tennessee pulls out the close victory, take the points. Win

Carolina +6.5 – The Panthers defense has let them down lately. Houston is on a roll, but now that they clinched a first round bye, this game doesn’t mean as much to them. Houston’s been winning with defense, and they will be without their guru (Wade Phillips) this week. I think this game will be decided by a fg, so take the points.
Win
Detroit -1 Raiders are another team with a weak secondary. Palmer has been an interception machine. The way to beat detroit is to run outside and wear out their defensive line. Michael Bush is a between the tackles runner, which plays into Detroit’s hands. Watch the Lions win and hear us roar! Push

New England -6.5 All our cappers had this as a play, so it’s our play of the week. I’m having some doubts because of New England’s failure to stop the run. If Denver can run the ball effectively, they have a chance. However, we are not afraid of Tebow! He’s still the worst passing qb in the league. It works to his advantage, because the other team can’t catch his passes either. So far, nobody has been able to get up at least 14 on Denver. New England has the offense to do so. This could be a blowout, but McGahee will probably keep it within 14. Win

Baltimore -2.5 The Chargers have shown to be a bad team this year. They’ve beat up on some of the worst teams in football the past few weeks. The Ravens will have Rivers running for his life and I’m sure turnovers will be a plenty. Baltimore is by far the better team, and with this low number, it’s a good play. Loss

This week: 6-1-1
Season: 48-37-4 (56%)

With exams going on, the college basketball schedule is slow this week.

Princeton -5.5 (play of the day) Loss

Denver -3.5 Win

Ohio St -30.5 Loss

Today: 1-2
Season: 93-81-4
POTD: 15-14-2

Another POTD goes down. Ouch. Still at 54% overall which is winning, but we strive for 57% so there’s work to do.

Wyoming -14.5 Loss

San Diego +9 Win

Central Michigan +17.5 (play of the day) Loss

Today: 1-2
Season: 92-79-4
POTD: 15-13-2

Our overall record is still very good, but the POTD’s are in a funk with 4 straight losses. Time to buck the trend.

Siena -7 (play of the day) Loss

Arkansas Little Rock +8 Win

Today: 1-1
Season: 91-77-4
POTD: 15-12-2

Scrooge was out yesterday, but there were plenty of exciting games to watch. It’s NFL Sunday, but that doesn’t mean you can’t get your fill of college hoops as well.

Detroit +14 Win

Tulane -13 (play of the day) Loss

Today: 1-1
Season: 90-76-4
POTD: 15-11-2

Back to a full slate of games today. Time to get your action fix and win some holiday shopping money.

Creighton -1.5 (co play of the day) Loss

St Peters +16.5 Loss

Ohio St -3 Loss

Princeton +5.5 Win

Manhattan +4 WIn

Purdue -25.5 Loss

Michigan -6 Win

Kentucky -5.5 (co play of the day) Loss

Long Beach St +16.5 Win

Miami Fl +6.5 Loss

Today: 4-6
Season: 89-75-4
POTD: 15-10-2

It’s been an unusually down NFL season for us. We’re still over .500 and have 4 weeks to get up to our goal of 57%.

Philadelphia +3 - Vick is back and they need it. Not being able to stop the run, they need offensive production to win. Miami is decent at running the ball, but I don’t think Reggie Bush is enough to beat the Eagles. Maclin is also back, putting the offense back at full speed. Might be some early rust, but look for them to take care of business in the 2nd half. Win

Houston +3 – Texan have been winning by running the ball and playing great defense. Cincinnati has been struggling lately against division foes. I look for their struggles to continue. Despite their qb injuries, the Texans remain one of the top 3 teams in the AFC in my opinion. Win

KC/NYJ under 36.5 - With no QB, I don’t expect the Chiefs to score more than 6 points. The Jets don’t have a good enough offense to score 30. So to me, the under is the obvious play here. Loss

Detroit -10 – Minnesota has no secondary left. Their top RB is hobbled and now their only QB has a hip pointer. If Tebow can throw for 200+ yards against this secondary, imagine what Stafford and company will do!
Loss
SF/Ariz over 39 – the 49ers defense won’t be as stout without Willis. Arizona likes to throw the ball which is the way to move the ball against SF. It won’t be a shootout, but I definitely feel the game will go over this total. Win

San Diego -7 – Are the Chargers finally out of their season long funk? If so, they are starting the run late. THis is more a fade against the Bills terrible defense. They haven’t been scoring a lot of points, so the Chargers 30+ points should be plenty to cover this. Win

NY Giants +3.5 – Two up and down teams that I normally like to stay away from. I feel the Giants pass rush will be the difference. Romo, like most qb’s, struggles under pressure. The team that gets the better pass rush will win. I vote Giants. Win

This week: 5-2
Season: 42-36-3

Didn’t have any strong plays yesterday. Another small slate today, but there are a few that I think are good plays.

Colorado -4.5 (play of the day) Loss

Idaho +13 Win

Today: 1-1
Season: 85-69-4
POTD: 15-8-2

One point away from a perfect 7-0 day. St Nick filled your stockings, but we filled your bank account!

Toledo +12 Loss

Georgia -5 Loss

Alabama -5 Loss

Vanderbilt -1 (co-play of the day) Win

Loyola MD +5.5 Win

Wichita St -3.5 Win

Mid Tenn St -5 Loss

Xavier -6 (co-play of the day) Win

Today: 4-4
Season: 84-68-4
POTD: 15-7-2

First time we’ve had a blowout loss on our POTD. That will change tonight.

Marshall +15.5 WIn

Kent St -2 WIn

TCU -6.5 Loss

Villanova/Missouri over 149 Win

Washington +7.5 (play of the day) WIn

Appalachian St +15.5 Win

Memphis +2 Win

Today: 6-1
Season: 80-64-4
POTD: 13-7-2