Week 8 Against the Spread: D'OH!

One word to describe last week: D'OH!  Simply terrible.

Okay, now that we described last week (3-8-2) (1-4 on dunks), let's move to next week, shall we?  We have taken a much more conservative approach, even backing the Jags (getting 13 on the road).  

Away Team	Home Team	Spread (home team)	SbG's Pick
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Minnesota Vikings	-6.5	MIN
New England Patriots	St Louis Rams*	7	STL
Indianapolis Colts	Tennessee Titans	-3.5	IND
Jacksonville Jaguars	Green Bay Packers	-13	JAX
San Diego Chargers	Cleveland Browns	2.5	SD
Atlanta Falcons	Philadelphia Eagles	-2.5	ATL
Seattle Seahawks	Detroit Lions	-2.5	DET
Miami Dolphins	New York Jets	-2.5	NYJ
Carolina Panthers	Chicago Bears	-7.5	CHI
Washington Redskins	Pittsburgh Steelers	-4.5	WAS
Oakland Raiders	Kansas City Chiefs	-2	OAK
New York Giants	Dallas Cowboys	1.5	NYG
New Orleans Saints	Denver Broncos	-6	NO
San Francisco 49ers	Arizona Cardinals	6.5	ARZ
	Season	49-51-4
	Last Week	3-8-2

*Game in London

Slam Dunks (1-4 last week) (10-14 season): Yikes.  No need to hit the panic button yet.  Plenty of time to establish profit, and there are some good opportunities here.

1. New Orleans Saints (-6) @ Denver Broncos: It's hard to consider Drew Brees and that offense a six-point underdog to anyone, and especially not to a very beatable Denver Broncos team that (as @davegot loves to point out) constantly spots opposing teams 14 points.  As it turns out, you can spot my Chargers 24 points, and Norv and the boys will still find ways to find a gun to shoot themselves in the foot with.  Talk about turrible....  Anyway, The Saints are on a two-game winning streak and it would not surprise me at all if they make it three here, but we're playing it safe this week. Saints 28, Broncos 30.
2. San Diego Chargers (-2.5) @ Cleveland Browns: Speaking of the Chargers...if they can't beat the Browns by more than a field goal, they may not even make the 7-9 prediction I had for them at the beginning of the year.   Rivers should have a big day for fantasy owners and have at least 265 yds, 2tds, 1int.  Anything more than that is gravy and anything less is unacceptable.  Espeically coming off a bye.  Chargers 31, Browns 20
3. Chicago Bears (-7.5) vs. Carolina Panthers: Sweetheart, I don't think the Panthers have a chance in this one.  I have backed them multiple times in the past and have been burned.  The Bears defense is the last defense you want to see right now.  They force you into undisciplined plays, and Cam Newton has found himself under a microscope this year making undisciplined plays.  The Panthers should get some garbage time points to make it look closer than it will be, but back the Bears.  Bears 26, Panthers 16 
4. New York Giants @ Dallas Cowboys (-2.5): The difference maker in the first game for Dallas to open the season was DeMarco Murray.  He's out.  Sean Lee also had a tremendous game on the defensive side of the ball making sure everyone was where they should be and making plays individually.  He's out.  The Giants also have added motivation to make sure they are not swept by the Cowboys, which would give the Cowboys the drivers seat towards winning the division.  Plus, the Jerrydome is not much of a home field advantage.  Giants 20, Cowboys 15
5. Atlanta Falcons (+2.5) @ Philadelphia Eagles: I know, Andy Reid's record is really, really good coming off of a bye, but I think that this good record, like Reid's career in Philly, goes down this year. And it's not his fault (entirely). See below: Falcons 24, Eagles 23

The Inaugural Right Brothers: 2012 World Series Predictions

Welcome to the newly established "Right Brothers" segment where my brother (@davegot) and I (@SportsByGotti) will debate in our own unique fashions.  We are called the Right Brothers because one of us is correct (me) and the other is just a Republican (him).  Don't believe me?  See how this joker spouts opinions and ridiculousness compared to stats and reasoning by me.  Granted, my picks are horrendous, but his are typically worse and I at least have much more sound reasoning.

Pre-Argument Weigh-In: We look like this

@SportsByGotti
12:03 PM
Okay, Dave. We're here because you think that you have the correct pick in the World Series despite not picking a winner before the playoffs started.

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@davegot
12:04 PM
It's not that I think I have the correct pick. I actually know who is going to win and I can tell you the exact number of games. I'm just that good

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@SportsByGotti
12:05 PM
I would like to point out the first useless fact of the day: In 2006, the Detroit Tigers had six days of rest before facing the "inferior" St. Louis Cardinals. The Tigers then lost in five games.

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@davegot
12:06 PM
It had nothing to do with the rest and everything to do with being able to make a throw to 1st base from the mound

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@SportsByGotti
12:07 PM
A break in routine creates a break in discipline

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@davegot
12:08 PM
and as chuckie Knoblauch can tell you, once you get the yips, it's hard to shake
Don't give me this break crap
it's not like these players are sitting on a beach in Cabo while they wait
...unless you're Tony Romo and Jason Witten

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@SportsByGotti
12:08 PM
..yet another reason why "captain" Derek Jeter is overrated. His captaincy couldn't help ARod, Knoblach, Pavano, J. Wright, Javy Vazquez (twice)

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@davegot
12:08 PM
No arguments there, Yanks should have traded Jeter when they got A-Rod

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@SportsByGotti
12:08 PM
anyway, why are we talking about the Yankees
the World Series has to be more interesting, right?
..maybe..

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@davegot
12:09 PM
because them and the Red Sox are the only reason baseball makes money

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@SportsByGotti
12:09 PM
..and the Dodgers
DODDGHHASS...Discount Double Check!

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@davegot
12:09 PM
only when the Lakers are bad

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@SportsByGotti
12:09 PM
..just wait...that will happen

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@davegot
12:10 PM
but who would you have from the Dodgers in the commercial? I bet you the majority of baseball followers still think Joe Torre manages them

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@SportsByGotti
12:10 PM
you can put magic johnson on the commercials

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@davegot
12:10 PM
Are they the west coast Nets?
let's use the smallest % owner as the face of the franchise

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@SportsByGotti
12:10 PM
that would be the Angels

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@davegot
12:11 PM
at least the Angles have Pujos.

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@SportsByGotti
12:11 PM
the Nets had Jason Kidd when he was good
and Deron Williams and Joe Johnson now

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@davegot
12:11 PM
Just saying, using Magic to promote the Dodgers is like the Nets using Jay-Z for promotion

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@SportsByGotti
12:12 PM
anyway, World Series Talk!

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@davegot
12:12 PM
and no one except hard-core basketball fans could pick Joe Johnson out of a lineup
Joe could walk down the streets of Brooklyn without being stopped once

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@SportsByGotti
12:12 PM
The STL bullpen (2.22 ERA) has both Lefties and Righties that can matchup against the Detroit lineup...can Detroit say the same?

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@davegot
12:13 PM
who cares, Detroits 3-4-5 hitters are awesome
Miggy did win the triple crown

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@SportsByGotti
12:13 PM
until this year, delmon young has been a joke (cue throwing bat at umpire video)

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@davegot
12:14 PM
so he must have been able to hit against all ptichers
Big Macs and HGH do wonders
Too bad Melky wasn't smart enough to take untraceable drugs

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@SportsByGotti
12:15 PM
quick..name an effective Tigers bullpen pitcher not named Phil Coke (who has only been effective twice)

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@davegot
12:15 PM
Doesn't matter when your starters go 8 innings and leave with a 4 run lead

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@SportsByGotti
12:16 PM
so that is your assumption
for four games out of 7
that's asking a lot

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@davegot
12:16 PM
quick..name a Giants hitter who the Tigers fear

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@SportsByGotti
12:16 PM
Pablo Sandoval
Buster Posey

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@davegot
12:16 PM
please
singles hitters

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@SportsByGotti
12:17 PM
buster posey: 24 hr/103 rbi .336 avg

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@davegot
12:17 PM
those are cute numbers
I said fear

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@SportsByGotti
12:18 PM
hunter pence, too
but he is more of a doubles hitter in that ballpark
SEGUE

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@davegot
12:18 PM
who was so feared that the Giants are is 3rd team in 3-4 years

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@SportsByGotti
12:18 PM
ATT Park will be the great equalizer
for the Giants lineup

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@davegot
12:18 PM
Fielder will have a field day
at AT&T park

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@SportsByGotti
12:19 PM
and the bitter cold weather late october/early november bring in the paradise that is the Detroit Metro area

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@davegot
12:19 PM
remind those tree-huggers of Bonds on HGH

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@SportsByGotti
12:19 PM
..cuz Melky Cabrera didn't...

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@davegot
12:19 PM
Melky doesn't jack it like Prince
they'll have to rename McCovey Cove to Prince's Pond after the series

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@SportsByGotti
12:20 PM
are you implying that the cove is small?

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@davegot
12:21 PM
Doesn't really matter, just means that Prince will deposit lots of home run balls there

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@SportsByGotti
12:21 PM
over/under prince home runs in SF 1.5

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@davegot
12:22 PM
over
he'll take zito out tonight
Tigers win by at least 3 runs tonight

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@SportsByGotti
12:24 PM
you do realize that Prince's OPS is .558 this postseason, right?
and that SF carries three lefties in its bullpen to add to the two lefties they start

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@davegot
12:28 PM
You overvalue this lefty-lefty thing. Weren't they calling Zito a huge bust in SF? And he's the game 1 starter. I don't care if he's a lefty, he has a tendancy to get shalacked
off topic a bit, but did you see that the Islanders are moving to Brooklyn

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@SportsByGotti
12:30 PM
yes
in 2015
back to Zito
this postseason
10.1 IP, 2er
against arguably the two best NL offenses (CIN and STL)

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@davegot
12:30 PM
still NL hitting
fortunately, we'll be able to find out shortly which Zito shows up

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@SportsByGotti
12:31 PM
Cincinnati has AL hitting
joey votto and jay bruce are good hitters
and brandon phillips
also...NL rules
which leads to only 8 hitters in the DET lineup

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@davegot
12:32 PM
DET's 8 hitters are better than SF's 8
and Det's starting pitching is better than SF's

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@SportsByGotti
12:32 PM
which is stupid...play by the same rules..don't give one league an institutionalized advantage over the others
DET's defense and bullpen are worse
and i will argue for a push on starting pitching

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@davegot
12:32 PM
When your pitchers get people to SO or hit lazy grounders and fly balls

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@SportsByGotti
12:32 PM
verlander is clearly the best pitcher

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@davegot
12:32 PM
anywone can play defeense

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@SportsByGotti
12:33 PM
but i will take matt cain and madison bumgarner 2 and 3

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@davegot
12:33 PM
no way
I('
I'll take fister and scherzer
make sure to delete these lines

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@SportsByGotti
12:33 PM
sure
i'll make sure to delete "and scherzer" as well
@SportsByGotti
1:35 PM
are you familiar with Eric Karabell

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Round 2: We're starting to look more like this: 

@davegot
1:36 PM
the fantasy dude
king of all annoyances

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@SportsByGotti
1:36 PM
yes
"The Giants can pitch, too, and they have the edge in defense, the bullpen and Marco Scutaro"
thoughts
he picked Giants in 6

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@davegot
1:40 PM
Over a 162 game season playing against a multitude of teams, the edge in bullpen and defense means something
however, Detroits starting pitching is terrific
has plenty of rest
they will be strong and therefore significantly lessen the importance of great defense and bullpen
You know I love numbers, but they only work over large periods of time

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@SportsByGotti
1:42 PM
then if you want short period of time nonsense
SF is the hot team

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@davegot
1:42 PM
no way, Detroit is

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@SportsByGotti
1:42 PM
not with 5 days off

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@davegot
1:42 PM
they're still super hot and super confident
they dismantled the Yankees

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@SportsByGotti
1:43 PM
i can argue they're super rusty and complacent
and that miggy will get another DUI
out of boredom
who are your X factors

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@davegot
1:43 PM
what do you mean?

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@SportsByGotti
1:43 PM
Who are the non-mainstream players that you feel will make the difference
the David Ecksteins if you will

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@davegot
1:49 PM
I don't have a good answer for that. I would say that if Det's 1 & 2 hitters are setting the table for Miggy
SF will be in trouble

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@SportsByGotti
1:49 PM
so Austin Jackson (former Yankee..involved in HGrandersonH trade
)

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@davegot
1:50 PM
yup
continue to show the Yanks they made a bad move trading him for PED Granderson

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@SportsByGotti
1:51 PM
Jim Bowden says, "The Giants will win teh World Series as I predicted before the postseason because their matchup bullpen will be the difference-maker"...thoughts?

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@davegot
1:51 PM
I'll add another X-Factor, since baseball refuses to adapt to 21st centure technology, the Umps can play a HUGE factor
so far they haven't had a strong playoffs
and I still applaud Atlanta fans for showing their disgust

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@SportsByGotti
1:52 PM
this is why you're a terrible person
that kind of behavior is unacceptable
that's hooliganism

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@davegot
1:53 PM
whatever, when baseball still continues to stick its head up its ass when it comes to utilizing technology and properly reviewing umpires, fans have little recourse

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@SportsByGotti
1:53 PM
how bout not going to games

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@davegot
1:53 PM
though, the Ravens fans chanting a full stadium BULLSHIT is pretty sweet

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@SportsByGotti
1:53 PM
also acceptable
not family friendly
but acceptable

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@davegot
1:57 PM
just like communism, not going to games is great in theorty
but doesn't work in practice
not enough people boycott games so basically you end up punishing yourself
Getting back to Bowden
the bullpen argument is irrelevant. Detroit's starters will probably to 7 or 8 innings and will probably have 3-4 run leads when they leave
Det's bullpen is not that horrendous
to = go
Tristan Cockcroft (bet he got teased with that name growing up): Justin Verlander is lined up for Game 1, the Tigers' rotation couldn't be much hotter, and the Giants have endured a potentially exhausting path just to get this far.
Keith Law: The Tigers' starting pitching advantage trumps Bochy's bottomless bullpen.
Anyway, are you prepared to hear the truth for the series:

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@SportsByGotti
1:58 PM
always

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@davegot
1:59 PM
Detroit will win in 5 games. The series will go, Det,SF,Det,Det,Det

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@SportsByGotti
2:00 PM
so you think that the giants will not win one game on the road

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@davegot
2:00 PM
Verlander will get MVP after two dominant performances where he will give up 1 run total

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@SportsByGotti
2:08 PM
the team that is 3-2 on the road so far this postseason
here is my truth (based on stats and fact):
Because the Tigers average 4.14 pitches per at bat (most in post season), that will jack up pitch counts. Because of the elevated pitch counts, that will force them to use their bullpen, which currently has Phil Coke pencilled in as the closer
Phil Coke: .802 career OPS against right-handed hitters
and what do you know...the Giants best hitters are switch or righties
throw in that the Tigers starters walk 4.6 percent of hitters, which was the second worst of all playoff teams (Baltimore being the worst)
and, this is pure nonsense, but if I were the video coordinator in SF, I would loop the video of all the 2006 DET pitchers (Verlander included) making throwing errors on routine plays
I say SF in 6: DET, SF, SF, DET, SF, SF
in what will be a very close series...but because the games will be close, that plays into the Giants favor
due to home field, rules, and bullpen

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@davegot
2:19 PM
If you look at the top 5 players in the series, Detroit has at least 4 of them
in a short time period, talent usually wins

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@SportsByGotti
2:20 PM
who is the fourth?

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@davegot
2:20 PM
Verlander, miggy, Prince and Delvin
I'll give you Posey

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@SportsByGotti
2:21 PM
...exactly...Delvin Young, the newest Tiger
will he be the defensive replacement for Delmon Young?

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@davegot
2:21 PM
you know who I meant

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@SportsByGotti
2:21 PM
yes, but couldn't resist
and delmon young is not the fifth best player in this series
by a long shot
Matt Cain is

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@davegot
2:22 PM
I guess we'll know who's right in a week
Loser buys wings at Bub's (as long as it's a Wednesday)

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@SportsByGotti
2:22 PM
Indeed we will
sure
There you have it folks
a round of $.25 wings is on the line
this is big money stuff

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@davegot
2:22 PM
At least we can agree on somethin g

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@SportsByGotti
2:22 PM
anyway, that is all for now. We should probably get some real world work done

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@davegot
2:23 PM
unlike the NHL and NHLPA

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@SportsByGotti
2:23 PM
topic for another day

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@davegot
2:23 PM
definitely

Post-Match Results Look Like This: 

No one won and we both look like idiots (and yes, we're both wearing suits).  Also, who isn't totally wicked super pumped about Arrested Development returning?!?!?!?!?!

2012 NFL Week Six Against the Spread

Last Week I said to tread lightly, and I was right.  Eight of the lines were determined by three points or fewer, providing betters with heart pounding action until the very last second.  Last week was kind of a disaster, going 6-8 with a pitiful 1-4 in the dunks, but I did say that I had trouble coming up with five picks.  However, this is a new week and there are some good bets to make.  Just in case you have not read, I'm also terrible at MLB prognostication, as well.  I hope you all followed my advice and bet against me.  Anyway, this is a new week in the NFL and we are going to make some profit.  Enjoy the picks.

Home Team	Away Team	Spread	SbG's Pick
Tennessee Titans	Pittsburgh Steelers	Tennessee (+6)	PIT
Cleveland Browns	Cincinnati Bengals	Cleveland (+3)	CIN
New York Jets	Indianapolis Colts	New York (-2)	IND
Tampa Bay Buccaneers	Kansas City Chiefs	Tampa Bay (-4)	TB
Atlanta Falcons	Oakland Radiers	Atlanta (-9)	ATL
Baltimore Ravens	Dallas Cowboys	Baltimore (-4)	BAL
Philadelphia Eagles	Detroit Lions	Philadelphia (-4)	DET
Miami Dolphins	St. Louis Rams	Miami (-3.5)	STL
Seattle Seahawks	New England Patriots	Seattle (+4)	SEA
Arizona Cardinals	Buffalo Bills	Arizona (-5)	BUF
Washington Redskins	Minnesota Vikings	Washington (-1.5)	WSH
San Francisco 49ers	New York Giants	San Francisco (-3)	SF
Houston Texans	Green Bay Packers	Houston (-3)	HOU
San Diego Chargers	Denver Broncos	San Diego (-1.5)	DEN
	Season	39-36-2
	Last Week	6 - 8

Slam Dunks: 9-10 overall

1. Pittsburgh (-6) @ Tennessee: Tennessee has a habit of making opposing QBs have their season-best performance, and Big Ben will not have to depend on a late stat correction to get a TD pass in this one.  Pittsburgh's defense will be shorthanded, but has enough leftover talent to take care of the pitiful Titans offense who does not have a single dependable fantasy option.  Pittsburgh 33, Tennessee 20
2. St. Louis Rams (+3.5) @ Miami Dolphins: BrotherByGotti (@davegot) has been burned by the Jeff Fisher-led Rams every week this year that I think even he is going to come around on this one.  The Rams have the makings of a 9-7 team, which is the average record of every team Jeff Fisher coached.  In a game that doesn't feature too much talent anywhere, I'll take the combination of Bradford/Fisher in St. Louis over Tannehill/Philbin in Miami.  St. Louis 24, Miami 22
3. Atlanta Falcons (-9) vs. Oakland Raiders: Here's the only explanation you need for this game.  Oakland is terrible.  Even their inventions are garbage (I'm looking at you, Whistle Tips).  Atlanta 41, Oakland 17
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-4) vs. Kansas City Chiefs: The only reason I'm showing confidence in Tampa Bay is twofold: 1) The Bucs had two weeks to prepare and 2) Brady Quinn is the likely starter for Kansas City.  Backup QBs vs. defenses coming off of a bye does not a winning recipe make.  Tampa 17, Kansas City 10
5. Baltimore Ravens (-4) vs. Dallas Cowboys: This is not an indictment on the Cowboys, who I am not too impressed with, anyway.  Rather, it's an endorsement on how good Baltimore is.  Yes, they were terrible last week against KC, but they still won.  The offense will be better this weekend, and say what you will about stalwarts Ed Reed and Ray Lewis, but they make plays for the Balitmore defense when it is needed most.  Baltimore 24, Dallas 16 

2012 MLB Playoffs Predictions: Bet Against Me

We apologize for interrupting your regularly scheduled Football programming for a Baseball announcement: The playoffs start tonight.  That is all.  We now return you to your regularly scheduled NFL weekend.

SIKE!

Figured I would take a crack at the playoffs prediction thing in baseball because my uneducated guess is as good as an educated one.  Yankee fans rejoice: I'm not picking you to win the world series (so keep reading).  Let's get this madness started.

Wildcard Showdowns:

Texas Rangers def. Baltimore Orioles 5-1: Pitching is paramount to any playoff run, and the Orioles are starting Joe Saunders (9-13, 4.07) vs. Texas' Yu Darvish (16-9, 3.90).  Advantage: Texas.  Therefore, the win goes to Texas.  Oh yeah, look for Josh Hamilton to shut some people up after dropping a crucial fly ball against the A's.

Goodbye, Chipper.

St. Louis Cardinals def. Atlanta Braves 3-2: The pitching matchup in this one is significantly better, seeing St. Louis right-hander Kyle Lohse (16-3, 2.86) pitted against Atlanta's wunderkind Kris Medlen (10-1, 1.57).  Medlen's one loss came as a reliever, he has yet to lose as a starter.  Why pick against such a great record?  Because Medlen is not going to get the loss.  And neither will the Braves' stud closer Craig Kimbrel.  Rather, St. Louis will scrap its third run from a meddling middle reliever and send the Braves home.    

Division Series'

Detroit Tigers def. Oakland A's in 4 Games: I think I'm being generous by giving the A's one victory against the Tigers.  The Tigers arguably have the best pitcher (Justin Verlander) and hitter (Triple Crown Winner Miguel Cabrera) in the playoffs, and they are tough to beat.  Oakland is a great story, but not a great competitor on the big stage.  Detroit has been, and will continue to play big-boy baseball and crush the A's to advance.

Texas Rangers def. New York Yankees in 5 Games: Texas has been woken up by not winning the AL West.  Call it a hunch, but I think the Yankees pitching will be extremely disappointing, especially in the bullpen.  Mariano Rivera's postseason MVP votes should increase after seeing the Yankees blow a couple of leads in this series.

San Francisco Giants def. Cincinnati Reds in 4 Games: There are three reasons why the Giants will be very tough to beat in the playoffs: Matt Cain, Madison Bumgarner, and Tim Lincecum (the fact that he is the least scary of these three to face speaks volumes).  Throw in Hunter Pence and a healthy (ish) Pablo Sandoval and the Giants can go a long way.  The Reds have not played a meaningful game in a month.  The Giants will lose Lincecum's game, but will win Cain (x2) and Bumgarner's games.

St. Louis Cardinals def. Washington Nationals in 4 Games: Like Oakland, the Nationals are not ready for big-boy baseball.  The reigning World Series champs are.  It's that simple.  By the way, how's that 10-year contract for Pujols looking today, Angels?  

LCS:

Detroit Rangers def. Texas Rangers in 5 Games: The keys to this series will be the pitching performances of Max Scherzer and Doug Fister in support of Justin Verlander.  If they get solid performances, the Tigers will roll.  If not, it'll be more difficult.  Not going to try to overcomplicate this.

San Francisco Giants def. St. Louis Cardinals in 6 Games:  Once again, the starting pitching for the Giants continues to roll.  Simply too much for the Cardinals offense who will really wish that Albert Pujols was still in the middle of the lineup.

World Series:

San Francisco Giants def. Detroit Tigers in 7 Games: My least favorite thing in sports will rear its ugly head in determining the outcome of the world series: the fact that the NL and AL don't play under the same rules.  The Tigers are atrocious defensively, and they won't be able to hide one of their premier hitter's lack of defensive ability for the majority of this series because of another dumb baseball rule: that the winner of an exhibition game (the all-star game) gets home field advantage in the World Series.  What a joke.  Anyway, due to these two things, the edge goes to the Giants for they will have their pitcher-friendly confines host 4 of the 7 games.  No more, no less. 

  

Week 5 Against the Spread

Does anyone else hear that sound?  It's the winds of change, except for the Raiders, they still stink.  Don't fret, Raiders fans, you can't lose this week!  Unlike the Raiders, it was another profit week last week (9-6 and 3-2 on the dunks).  With that being said, this week is TOUGH (like how it always is if you are a Raiders fan).  There are a large number of games this week that I would not bet unless there was a gun to my head, with New Orleans (-3.5) vs. San Diego topping the list.  I would tread lightly this week, for it was tough for me to even come up with five slam dunks.  The theme of this week will be the "The Luck of the Raiders" for, in order for success, too many things have to go right, and most likely won't.

Week 5 Picks:

Home Team	Away Team	Spread	SbG's pick
St. Louis Rams	Arizona Cardinals	St. Louis (+2)	STL
Washington Redskins	Atlanta Falcons	Washington (+3)	WSH
Pittsburgh Steelers	Philadelphia Eagles	Pittsburgh (-3.5)	PIT
Indianapolis Colts	Green Bay Packers	Indianapolis (+7)	GB
New York Giants	Cleveland Browns	New York (-9)	CLE
Cincinnati Bengals	Miami Dolphins	Cincinnati (-4)	CIN
Kansas City Chiefs	Baltimore Ravens	Kansas City (+6)	BAL
Carolina Panthers	Seattle Seahawks	Carolina (-3)	SEA
Jacksonville Jaguars	Chicago Bears	Jacksonville (+6)	CHI
Minnesota Vikings	Tennessee Titans	Minnesota (-6)	TEN
New England Patriots	Denver Broncos	New England (-7)	NE
San Francisco 49ers	Buffalo Bills	San Francisco (-10)	SF
New Orleans Saints	San Diego Chargers	New Orleans (-3.5)	NO
New York Jets	Houston Texans	New York (+9)	HOU
	Season	33-28-2
	Last Week	9-6

Week 5 Slam Dunks:

1. Pittsburgh Steelers(-3.5) vs. Philadelphia Eagles: The Eagles are an enigma.  They made me look pretty stupid in my slam dunks last week, but I'm going to pick against them again.  The Steelers should take this game in convincing fashion for the following reasons: Troy Polamalu and James Harrison appear to be on track to start for the Steelers.  Throw in the fact that the Steelers are coming off a bye week (and are at home) AND that the Eagles just came off a hard-fought division showdown, and it spells Steelers by approximately a TD.  Steelers 22, Eagles 16.
2. Houston Texans (-9) @ New York Jets: Does anyone else hear the Tebow Train coming?  BrotherByGotti (@davegot) is one of the noisiest Tebow fanatics I have ever heard not named Skip Bayless (@RealSkipBayless).  Unfortunately for them, that train will not arrive in the station early enough to prevent the Texans from POUNDING the Jets.  Texans 38, Jets 9.
3. Cleveland Browns (+9) @ New York Giants: By no means do I think that the Browns have a chance of winning this game.  However, the Giants are mediocre against the spreads at home (5-5 dating back to last year), and nine points is a lot to give to a team that has a good defense.  Throw in a decimated defensive backfield for the Giants, and the game should be more like a 5-7 point game.  Giants 20, Browns 13.
4. San Francisco (-10) vs. Buffalo Bills: Playing the 49ers after what has to have been a disappointing loss to the Patriots (losing 52-28 after being up 21-7 in the 3rd quarter) is not exactly a recipe for success.  I don't see the Bills defense nutting up after giving up six straight TDs to Tom Brady's bunch.  The only way the Bills cover is if the wind is whipping by the bay, causing no one to be able to throw or kick effectively.  49ers 30, Bills 16
5. Cincinnati Bengals (-4) vs. Miami Dolphins: Andy Dalton has looked like a potential QB1 in fantasy football thanks to the brilliance of AJ Green and the emergence of Andrew Hawkins and Armon Binns at the WR position.  As I said before the season started, if the Bengals were in any other division, they'd be a slam dunk to win more than 8 games, and possibly make the playoffs.  This is one of those games where the AFC North shows its depth and quality.  Bengals 31, Dolphins 17