A sports blog by and for Midwest Sports Fans
Update: The late-arriving spreads have arrived! All picks are in.
So maybe I’m the Tim Tebow of picking games?
Obviously this is a ridiculous analogy, because the pious Tebow surely would never indulge in such hedonistic pursuits as gambling or, in my case, analyzing spreads and picking games for sport with no monetary investment.
But the evidence of my Tebowness as a handicapper is building.
I surely do not need to remind you what the biggest game of Week 15 is.
The Patriots and Broncos take the field together Sunday afternoon in what is being billed as Tom versus Tim but really is a battle of a great (though one-dimensional) offense against a good-to-great defense and a good-for-one-quarter offense against a can’t-stop-the-pass defense.
I am skipping an introduction this week because I’m too mad at fantasy football.
In my league of 14 teams, I finished right in the middle of the pack in terms of points…but because I had the third most points scored on me, I missed the playoffs…by a lot.
I finished second to last.
Lame.
Sometimes, fantasy football goes that way. I will spare you my three heart-breaking losses of the year because, quite frankly, we all have them…and nobody else cares.
Big week, obviously, as we get one more week of clarity with regard to the playoff picture.
Among the pivotal matchups this week with major playoff implications: divisional matchups Indy-Jacksonville, Philly-New York, Chicago-Minnesota; plus other important games like San Fran-San Diego, Baltimore-New Orleans, Green Bay-New England, and many more.
Update 12/14: I posted the spreads and picks for a few more games that are now on the board. Still a few more to go.
I believe the term is “humble pie.” I should know, because I have been fed a couple of nice helpings of that over these past two weeks.
After my terrific 10-4-1 mark in Week 12, I went 6-9 in Week 13 and am currently at 5-9 in Week 14 with the Ravens leading the Texans 28-7 on Monday Night Football. Who do I have? Gulp. Houston +3.
[Update: Looked like Houston might cover or at least push there for a while when the game went into OT, but then Schaub threw the damn Pick 6. Crap. 5-10 for the week it is.]
My current record on the season is 104-85-8. It looked a hell of a lot better two weeks ago.
Regardless, I’ve always gotten more right than I’ve gotten wrong picking games my way – first impression based on early lines – so I’ll keep doing it that way. I never put a dime on sports, but for anyone who uses these picks for such purposes, trust that I take these picks seriously even if my performance the last two weeks hasn’t shown it.
Editor’s Note: AJ Kaufman’s weekly MNF coverage on MSF is sponsored by Sadler’s Smokehouse, a producer of premium pit smoked meats that are best described by Sadler’s slogan: Legendary since 1948.
Sadler’s premium meats are perfect for tailgating on Saturday, for grilling out at home on Sunday, or for when you are hosting a group of friends, or even just the family, on Monday night.
With a variety of delicious choices (beef, pork, ribs, turkey, brisket, and more) and availability at grocery stores throughout the U.S., Sadler’s meats are the tasty, convenient choice when you want to watch the big game and eat well while you’re doing it.
Check out Sadler’s Monday Night Football Recipe of the Week: Sadler’s Smokehouse Sadler’s Smokehouse Pulled Pork Asian Wraps
Visit the Sadler’s Smokehouse website: Sadler’s Smokehouse
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If Cowboy fans think they’re team is desperate for a big win, they can look to New York for “empathy.” Few teams have been as porous as the Giants the past two months. Once 5-0 and benefiting from a weak schedule, they’ve gone 2-6 since, and now find themselves clinging to the final playoff spot alongside Dallas, Atlanta and San Francisco.
Update: The NFL Week 17 TV schedule, point spreads, and picks post is up.
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Update 12/19: All spreads and picks have been entered below except for the Jets-Falcons game, which still is not on the board.
I am now officially treading water.
After going .500 during Weeks 13 (9-7) and Week 14 (7-9) I currently sit at 7-8 heading into tonight’s Cardinals-49ers matchup on Monday Night Football (I have Arizona -3). So while I’m still 23 games over .500 for the year (111-88), I don’t like this feeling that I’m limping towards the finish line.
Of course, when one of the games I missed was taking the Steelers (-10) over the Browns, and then the Browns actually won, I guess I can’t be too upset. Josh Cribbs was right when he said that fans would pretty forgive everything if the team beat the Steelers.
I, however, do not have one game Super Bowls that I can count on. My goal is to get to at least 30 games .500 by the end of Week 17. That means I need a good showing this week.
Let’s roll through the Week 15 TV schedule, point spreads, and picks.
It’s been a couple of weeks since we have posted a sleepers and steals article, and with so much riding on this week it seemed like the perfect time for another one.
Plus, while scouring the waiver wire in one of my leagues last night I stumbled upon Quinton Ganther of the Washington Redskins, which surprised me for two reasons: 1) that I hadn’t picked him up yet, and 2) that I was in a league with that many other owners who apparently had taken their eyes off of the road.
Ganther needs to be on your roster folks, especially with a nice matchup this weekend against a New York Giants defense that has given up 17 rushing touchdowns this season.
And speaking of the Redskins, Jason Campbell is another guy possibly sleeping on your waiver wire who could help you win your Week 15 matchup.
Who are some other sleepers and waiver wire steals for Week 15? Let’s take a look.
