Happy New Years...

Hope everyone's 2010 is better than their 2009. Remember...no matter how bad this year was, it gave us the greatest reality show EVAHHHHH: Jersey Shore. Fist pump 2009 out and 2010 in, beyatches...

Week 17 picks: The Herm Edwards Corollary

We've reached the final week of the NFL Regular season. The last two weeks of the regular season are always two of the toughest weeks of the year to pick. Why? Because of the Herm Edwards Corollary. What's that you say? You don't know the Herm Edwards Corollary? It's simple. Teams play to win the games. Except in the last two weeks. Then, some teams approach the games as painful exercises in attrition, which they hope to survive without losing any players.

The best example of this, is all the hubbaballu we've heard since Indianapolis Colts Head Coach Jim Caldwell pulled Peyton Manning last week in the 3rd quarter, with his team up by one point versus the Jets. As you know, the Colts promptly turned the ball over and lost to the Jets. The rest of us have been subjected to a week full of pretentious pundits and radio hosts telling us that Colts fans who are upset with Caldwell's decision are idiots and that the only thing that matters is winning the Super Bowl.

We agree that it don't mean a thing if you don't get that ring. But the thing is, who the hell knows how to protect a player from injury? I assume the Colts practiced all this week. Hell...what guarantee was there that Manning wouldn't blow out his knee in practice? Or in the first quarter last week? Or on the first snap this week? There isn't. So it's ridiculous to act like pulling him was a surefire way to guarantee he'd stay healthy throughout the rest of a Super Bowl run.

But even worse for the Colts now, Caldwell has now angered the football gods. And not just them, but he's angered his own QB. You don't think Peyton Manning wanted a shot at doing what the Pats and Brady couldn't? He already has a ring...he wanted a shot at history. At football immortality. And Caldwell cost him that. Mark my words: that decision last week cost the Colts a championship. They will not win now.

Having gotten that off our chests...on to the picks.

BILLS (+3) over Colts

BROWNS (-1) over Jaguars

Bears (-3) over LIONS

Falcons (-2.5) over BUCS

RAMS (+7) over Niners

DOLPHINS (+3) over Steelers

Giants (+9) over VIKINGS

PANTHERS (-3) over Saints

TEXANS (-8) over Patriots

Packers (+3.5) over CARDINALS.

Redskins (+4) over CHARGERS

SEAHAWKS (+4.5) over Titans

RAIDERS (+10.5) over Ravens

Eagles (+3) over COWBOYS

Chiefs (+13) over BRONCOS

Bengals (+10) over JETS

Last Week: 5-8-1 Upset specials 0-0-1
Season to date: 113-110-7 Upset Specials 7-9-2

Blasphemy!

What has John Kreese so upset? It's not that some motel maintenance man has wandered into the Kobra Kai dojo. No...it's that someone dares soil the memory of one of the greatest movies of all time. As if that's not bad enough, these shameless people are doing so with young Jaden Smith taking the place of the great Ralph Macchio.

In case you have missed the news, the idiots in Hollywood who can't come up with any new ideas have decided to tackle one of the Mt. Rushmore '80s Movies of Alltime: the Karate Kid. As if the disaster that was Karate Kid #4 did not warn them of the perils they face in trying to recreate the magic that was Morita-Macchio, they're now gonna try it with Jaden Smith and Jackie Chan. Hey, dipshits...the Karate Kid was a perfect storm of '80s bliss. Macchio hitting his Tiger Beat apex; Billy Zabka in all his villainous glory; a young, Lolitta-like Elisabeth Shue; and Joe Esposito at the top of his game (You're the best around...).

First they bastardized Can't Buy Me Love. Now the Karate Kid. Soon...we'll have to deal with Tom Cruise's kid in Red Dawn 2010. Give it up, Hollywood. Keep your hands off of our memories!

Quick pick

Psychos seize Santa's Workshop...

And only Lee Majors can stop them!

The BTPC wishes you and yours a very Merry Christmas. If you'd really like to know the reason for the season, we suggest you check out this holiday classic. From the same people who brought you Mary Lou Retton as Tiny Tim and programming for cats comes the story of one Santa who's going out the front door.

BTPC's Man of the Year: Bill McGuire

While his picture to the left may not be big, we've chosen to honor South Carolina attorney Bill McGuire as our Man of the Year based in large part on size: the size of his heart in defending those who many feel do not deserve a defense and the size of his cojones in standing up against the system itself while fighting for those same clients.

For those who did not follow the story, Bill McGuire is an attorney for the Capital Defense section of the South Carolina Office of Indigent Defense. Back in September of this year, McGuire began the defending Colin Broughton in a Berkley C0unty death penalty case. Broughton was eventually convicted, but a mistrial was declared during the death penalty phase of the trial, resulting in Broughton receiving a sentence of life in prison. Before anyone starts complaining about tricky lawyers and technicalities, Broughton had offered to forgo a trial and plea guilty in exchange for life. The State refused. He then offered to plea guilty and skip the guilt/innocence phase of the trial and deal strictly with the death penalty phase. The State refused. So in the end, after all the brouhaha, McGuire got the result of his client he had been trying to get all along. As impressive as that is, that's not why we choose to honor Bill McGuire.

McGuire is our man of the year for what happened during the trial.

The saga began when McGuire was offered help from Charleston lawyer Beattie
Butler. A circuit judge ruled that Butler could only pass notes and whisper in
McGuire's ear during Broughton's trial.

McGuire fought that ruling, claiming it stemmed from some personal
issues the judge had with Butler. Adams, who is McGuire's boss, then requested
that McGuire drop his effort to expand Butler's role in the courtroom, according
to an affidavit McGuire filed in the case.

McGuire not only didn't heed Adams' advice but also folded it into his defense. McGuire said he understood that Adams' request was initiated by the judge and relayed to Adams through S.C. Supreme Court Justice Jean Toal.

"The moment Mr. McGuire was forced to choose between ethically
representing his client or 'taking a dive,' the die was cast for Mr. Broughton,"
McGuire said in a pleading.

And:

The mistrial ended a death-penalty trial that had hit several snags even
before it began. Circuit Judge Deadra Jefferson recused herself a month ago,
shortly after McGuire raised an issue about her ruling prohibiting defense
attorney Beattie Butler from speaking during the trial.

S.C. Supreme Court Justice Jean Toal showed up at a pre-trial hearing
in which McGuire tried to get the possibility of a death sentence set aside.
Toal never took the witness stand, but McGuire said his boss, S.C. Commission on
Indigent Defense Director Patton Adams, had relayed a message from Jefferson via
Toal that McGuire should drop his attempts to allow Butler to speak.

And:

Rauch Wise, a Greenwood lawyer on the board of the National Association of
Criminal Defense Lawyers, said the order banning Butler from speaking could be
fertile ground for an appeal, particularly because the order didn't come in
response to any disruptive behavior by Butler in the case.

"I just think it goes against American tradition to tell a defendant
that you can't be heard by competent counsel who is there to defend you in the
courtroom," Wise said. "It just simply makes no sense."

Rauch was right. It did go against American tradition. Lucky for Mr. Broughton, he had his very own Atticus Finch.

At one point, Judge Nicholson, in ruling on whether or not McGuire should be relieved (a request McGuire filed on behalf of his client due to the inherent conflict McGuire felt the actions of Adams and the Chief Justice had created) stated that Mr. Broughton should hold Mr. McGuire on a pedestal considering the lengths McGuire had gone to in representing him. We concur.

In November, Bill McGuire received the first ever "Champion of Justice" award from the South Carolina Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers. SCACDL created this award to specifically acknowledge and honor the courage McGuire showed in not only standing up for his client, but in doing so at great peril to his own career. Consider for one moment the fact that Bill McGuire subpoenaed his direct boss and the Chief Justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court into court for the purposes of having them take the stand so that they could be questioned about conduct which McGuire was arguing was unethical. As SCACDL's President Drew Carroll remarked: "There are a lot of lawyers who talk about the lengths they would go in defending their client. Bill, he did it."

In accepting the award, McGuire was incredibly humble noting that he felt it was an easy decision to make. He simply asked himself what was right and then did it. He made it seem as if any other criminal defense lawyer would have done the same thing.

We can tell you that while we would like to think all criminal defense lawyers would risk their careers as such in advocacy of their clients, we're not so sure they would.

So the BTPC salutes Bill McGuire, our Man of the Year.

Week 16 picks:

Chargers (+3) v. TITANS

BTPC pick = Chargers taking the points

FALCONS (-9) v. Bills

BTPC pick = Bills taking the points

Chiefs (+13.5) v. BENGALS

BTPC pick = Chiefs taking the points

BROWNS (-3) v. Raiders

BTPC pick = Browns laying the points

PACKERS (-14) v. Seahawks

BTPC pick = Seahawks taking the points

DOLPHINS (-3) v. Texans

BTPC pick = Dolphins laying the points

GIANTS (-7) v. Panthers

BTPC pick = Panthers taking the points

Jaguars (+7.5) v. PATRIOTS

BTPC pick = Jags taking the points.

SAINTS (-14) v. Bucs

BTPC pick = Saints laying the points

STEELERS (-3) v. Ravens = UPSET SPECIAL

BTPC pick = Ravens taking the points

Rams (+14) v CARDINALS

BTPC pick = Rams taking the points

Jets (+6) v. COLTS

BTPC pick = Colts laying the points

Cowboys (-6.5) v. REDSKINS

BTPC pick = Cowboys laying the points

BEARS (+7) v. Vikings

BTPC pick = Vikings laying the points

This week 1-0

Last Week: 5-8-1 Upset specials 1-0
Season to date: 108-102-6 Upset Specials 7-9-1

The Aughts: the Decade of TV

In 1990 Ned's Atomic Dustbin urged us all to kill our televisions. It's a good thing we did not. Little did we know that the next decade, the Aughts (2000-2009), would see this medium achieve perfection and take the place of movies as the preferred medium for storytelling. If we learned anything the past decade, it's that given creative rein and a decent budget, today's storytellers can make a compelling product that doesn't just entertain us, but it rewards viewers who put in effort with an even better experience.

Emily Nussbaum has an article out about the Aughts being the decade of TV. Her opening paragraph says it all:

On January 16, 2000, Big Pussy slouched up Tony Soprano’s driveway, hiding his
terrible secret. It was the first episode of the second season of The Sopranos,
and everywhere, on cable and network, artful programming was on the rise. In
April, HBO aired The Corner, the precursor to David Simon’s The Wire; in May,
Buffy the Vampire Slayer closed its fourth season with the dream-finale
“Restless.” In July, Freaks and Geeks completed its single perfect season. Sex
and the City was a national sensation, The West Wing had begun the previous
fall, Jon Stewart was finding his feet on The Daily Show, Adebisi was murdered
on Oz, and Curb Your Enthusiasm debuted, violating the premise that viewers
couldn’t tolerate a hateful protagonist. HBO was in its heyday; TiVo in its
infancy. As Sinatra crooned over The Sopranos’ opening scenes, it was a very
good year.

So as the year winds down and you're out looking for last-minute gifts, give a present that encapsulates the decade that is passing. Hook someone up with a season of The Wire, Deadwood, Lost or The Shield. It'll probably be one of the best gifts they get.

Week 15 picks: Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow

We did much better last week, coming in at 9-6. We definitely need to keep up a better pace these last three weeks if we want to finish the regular season at our goal. What is our goal? 56%. All you got to do to be in the black is hit 56%. Anything over that is gravy. Ummm....gravy. Anyway, the Jags made a game effort last night, but not quite enough to keep us from starting the week out in a 0-1 hole. Let's hope the Saturday night game gets us even and we run the table color-of-money style on Sunday. Meantime...the big story this weekend is the snowstorm moving up the east coast. One game, Chicago at Baltimore, has already been pushed from 1pm to 4pm and there were serious concerns of whether or not all the teams could get to their destinations on time.

Colts -(3) v. JAGS = BTPC picked Jags taking the points.

Cowboys (+8) v. SAINTS = Wade Phillips is coaching for his job. Quick review: How has that worked out in the past? New Orleans, Denver, Buffalo, Atlanta. At all those stops, Wade had games where he was coaching for his job. Wade now coaches in Dallas. Answer: Apparently...Wade must lose a lot of those games. BTW, Wade's worst head coaching winning percentage? .250%, when he went 1-3 with the New Orleans Saints back in 1985.

The Cowboys ain't America's team anymore. The Saints are. And yes...I'm going to go ahead and jinx it: We could have two unbeaten teams facing each other in the Super Bowl.

BTPC pick = Saints laying the points.

RAVENS (-10.5) v. Bears = Seeing as how the Bears are having trouble even getting to Baltimore, this one seems pretty easy. How is it that the team from Chicago doesn't appear to know how to set up travel when the reports call for inclement weather?

For the Ravens, Michael Oher gets another start on the "blind side" and none other than Jonathan Ogden has weighed in saying the kid has the goods.

BTPC pick = Ravens laying the pick.

BILLS (+7) v. Patriots = Our Dolphins could really use the Bills help this weekend. Meanwhile, the Pats are looking for their first road win of the year. I think the Pats will look to get Moss off early. But can Brady make it happen? The rumor is that the early hit during the Dolphins game from Randy Starks broke a rib and he certainly has not looked the same since. Our heart is telling us to take the Bills and the points. We're going with our head. And this is in no way meant to be a reverse jinx *wink*

BTPC pick = Pats laying the points.

Cardinals (-12) v. LIONS = Dante Culpepper is getting the start. I repeat...Dante Culpepper is getting the start. At least that's the word. The last time that happened, Schwartz decided to roll with a hurt Matthew Stafford who had not practiced all week for the Thanksgiving game and that did not work out too well. Between Culpepper getting the start, Kevin Smith being out for the year and 'Zona blowing their revenge game against San Fran, the Cards look pretty good.

BTPC pick = Cards laying the points.

CHIEFS (-3) v. Browns = The big news out of Cleveland is that Mike Holmgren has been offered a Tuna-like position with the Browns. The second biggest news it that Holmgren said on his radio show that he would NOT rule out coaching. The more important news is that the week after his team's biggest win, Eric Mangini subjected his team to a 3.5 hour practice in full pads on Thursday. The pretty surely outgoing coach of a 2-11 team beating up his team with physical practices in December. I'm thinking the Browns players aren't ruling out Holmgren coaching either. They're probably praying for it.

BTPC pick = Chiefs laying the points.

Falcons (+6) v. JETS = UPSET SPECIAL. The folks in Atlanta at least know how to check the weather channel better than the Bears administration does. Atlanta flew in early to beat the the weather. Ryan may be back for the Falcons, while the Southern California Boy Wonder has been cleared to play and will get the chance to start in the snow. We're betting he doesn't play to well in the white stuff.

BTPC pick = UPSET SPECIAL: Falcons taking the points.

EAGLES (-8) v. Niners = Hell...them folks in San Francisco know crazy weather. That's why they flew into Philly on Friday.

Texans (-12.5) v. RAMS = As if being 1-12 wasn't bad enough, now the Rams have to figure out who's going to be their QB this week, what with Bulger being out and Kyle Boller being one of several players who were hit with the swine flu this week. Meanwhile, the Texans are out of the playoff hunt and the only question left for them this week is are they out of the running for Mike Shannahan. However, we tend to go with teams who actually know who their QBs are and who are not suffering from outbreaks.

BTPC pick = Texans laying the points.

TITANS (-4) v. Dolphins = The big story on this game was Chris Johnson saying Joey Porter started running his mouth down on South Beach this summer and it led to a Johnson and Ginn showdown race on the street which Ginn backed out of. No doubt, Johnson is bad. But so is Pocket Hercules, who the Dolphins shut down last week. The real story for the Titans is whether or not Vince Young will play and if so, will be be Vince Young. If you watch this game, check out two Dolphins players, DE Randy Starks and FB Lousaka Polite. Both deserve to go to the Pro Bowl this year, but probably won't.

BTPC pick = Miami taking the points.

BRONCOS (-14) v. Raiders = Charlie Frye is in that house. With Gradkowski going down, you would think Tom Cable would go back to the #1 pick they invested millions in. You would be wrong. Apparently, even Tom Cable wants to save his job. My question is how does Davis sign off on Cable benching the superstar if Davis really thinks JaMarcus is going to be the guy next year? He certainly can't have Cable as the coach next year to turn JaMarcus around if he's willing to go with Frye, right?

BTPC pick = Broncos laying the points.

Bengals (+6.5) v. CHARGERS = The Bengals have been through some shit this year. First Defensive Coordinator Mike Zimmer's wife passes and now Chris Henry. If you saw the video of Chad Johnson talking about Henry, you saw how this has hit the team. Johnson has vowed to wear Henry's #15 and the NFL, being the wonderful, compassionate entity it is says it will fine him. The NFLPlayers union has vowed to pay the fine.

The Chargers seem more like the legit contender for the AFC crown right now, but you wonder if the Bengals will take their grief and once again use it to play inspired ball. We started out the season running with the Bengals. We're going back to that well again--take note Reino.

BTPC pick = Bengals taking the points.

Packers (+2) v. STEELERS = Pitt is in trouble. And they're not going to get Troy P back this game.

BTPC pick = Pack taking the points.

SEAHAWKS (-6.5) v. Bucs = The Seahawks have the best home field in the league. And Tampa Bay is a very long flight away.

BTPC pick = Seahawks laying the points.

Vikings (-9) v. PANTHERS =John Fox is fighting for his job and he's doing it without "his" guy, Jake Delhomme, as Matty Moore gets the start again. A week after calling out Randy Moss, the Panther's CBs get a crack at Sidney Rice. We think the former Gamecock isn't going to be criticized for not giving effort. Look for Rice to benefit from Favre being out to prove he does not suffer from a December swoon and Percy Harvin being hampered by migraines.

BTPC pick = Vikes laying the points.

REDSKINS (+3) v. Giants = Will Mike Shannahan officially be the coach of the 'Skins by kickoff? Normally, this would be a bad sign for a team, but let's face it...Daniel Snyder castrated Jim Zorn quite some time ago. Defensive Coordinator Greg Blache has reported "interviewed" for the job. Last time out, Blache's D only managed 1 sack on Eli Manning. We're thinking he's gonna be pretty motivated to turn in a better performance.

BTPC pick = Skins taking the points.

This week = 0-1
Last Week: 9-6 Upset specials 1-1
Season to date: 103-94-5 Upset Specials 6-9-1

Thursday night game

We'll take the Jags taking the 3 points.

An animated Eastwood

If you enjoyed the movies Gran Torino and Up, then you're going to love this Christmas' latest from Pixar. Warning...this movie is probably not as kid friendly as the the rest of Pixar's stuff. But it is a good vehicle for teaching your kids racism, redemption and crumudgeoness.

Enjoy. (Hattip Jaime).

Snooki gets Pwned!

We do not condone violence as an answer to any situation. We especially do not condone violence against women (and children and dogs). But it was awfully hard to see the tease for next week's Jersey Shore and not be utterly entertained when idiot Brad Ferro had enough of stupid, self-proclaimed guidette Nicole Polizzi, aka Snooki, and pulled a right-turn-Clyde on her.

The shame of it is, I feel like these two were meant to be Afterall, Snooki just wants to find a tan, juiced-up Italian guy and live in New Jersey. I think you may have found your man, Snooki.

BTW, let's give Pauly D and his hair product some propers too. Way to punch the dude as security is hauling him off in a half-nelson. Stay classy, Jersey Shore.

Crying...

Late add, hattip Levon.



Hattip, Victor.

Week 14 picks: Don't call it a comeback

Wow...did we have a stinker last week. I suppose that's what happens when you post your picks so early in the week and don't get a chance to really dig in and prepare. We're gonna do better this week. As such, we're going ahead and posting this, but just with the Thursday game. We'll hit the books, whip up the research staff and come back later this weekend with the rest.

Steelers (-10) v. BROWNS =

Seven has to be wondering...I came back for this? Last week's stinker at home to Oakland has got to be burning a hole in Mike Tomlin. Is that the "hell" he was talking about unleashing? Meanwhile...the Browns seem game all of a sudden. Even without Polamolu and possibly Ward, I think Pitt pulls it out. But 10 points is too much

BTPC pick = Browns taking the points.

COLTS (-7) v. Broncos

Everybody seems to be saying if the Colts are gonna get a loss, this is the best chance left on the schedule. The theory is that the Bronco's have been running the ball well of late and we all know the best way to beat Peyton Manning is to keep Peyton Manning on the sideline. The problem with everyone knowing this is the Colts toughest game left on the schedule is that the Colts is part of "everyone."

BTPC pick = Colts laying the points.

VIKES (-7) v. Cincy = UPSET SPECIAL

So Cincy is finally good, but the odd thing is, Carson Palmer has not been playing that great. Palmer has not been the same since that knee injury and this week, he faces a Viking team that's getting Antoine Winfeld back allegedly. Meanwhile, ADP is coming off a pretty weak ass game and has something to prove. Personally...I think Cincy's young CB tandem make Favre look like the old man he is. Unfortunately for them, I'm giving the Bengals the kiss of death otherwise known as being my "upset special" pick. Be the ones who turn it around, fellas.

I don't want the points. I don't need the points. But I'll take the points.

BTPC pick = Bengals taking the points.

BUCS (+3) v. Jets =

You have one team with a rookie QB who is upset because his coach announced on Wednesday he would not be starting, the same rookie coach who has ran his mouth and come off like an idiot all season. You have another team who has rallied around their rookie QB after their rookie coach has seemed to not say much of anything at all. I'm gonna go with scenario two, although I warn you that part of this is me hoping the Bucs slap another loss on the Jets, Ryan and the Jet's playoff hopes.

BTPC pick = Bucs taking the points.

Bills (PK) v. KC =

The Bills have played well of late. That can't last.

BTPC pick = KC.

Pack (-3) v. BEARS =

Last week, the Bears stopped a skid by eeking one out against the Rams. The Pack won a rough and ugly one against the Ravens. Which win would you consider more impressive? Jake Cutler, meet Charles Woodson. He's the guy in the other team's jersey taking your pass in for a score. But look at the bright side...you threw that interception right into his gut harder than John Elway could.

BTPC pick = Pack laying the points.

Saints (-10) v. FALCONS =

Remember back in the day with the Falcons and Saints were both competing to be the most lovable dome-losers in the league? The Falcons finally broke out during the Dirty Bird era. But I'm thinking this Saints team is gonna be the first one to actually climb all the way out of the dregs to the top. (That's one reason why I believe New Orleans pushes for the undefeated season. Ain't no way Brees lets them pull their foot off the accelerator. Those fans and that city deserve to make history if they can).

BTPC pick = Who dat? Who dat? Who dat think they gonna beat those Saints, laying the points

Lions (+13) v. RAVENS =

Last week...we all got threw for a loop when they announced Ed Reed would not play at the last second. This week, I don't think it matters with such a rookie-dependent team headed into Baltimore for a road game, especially with that rookie team plays in a dome and this is a December game in Baltimore.

BTPC pick = Ravens laying an awful lot of points.

Dolphins (+3) v. JAGS =

Despite a crushing loss two weeks ago to Buffalo, Miami rallied in the playoff hunt last week by scrapping the Wildcat (which really misses triggerman Ronnie Brown) and letting Chad Henne go Marino on the Patriots. And you know what...Henne looked good. This week, Miami gets C Jake Grove back. I don't expect Miami to do much if they make the playoffs. But I really am looking forward to see how they respond the next 4 weeks. They're a young team, and this 4 week push to finish is every bit like a playoff run for a young team.

BTPC pick = Miami taking the points.

Panthers (+13.5) v. PATS =

So...we all heard about Billy B sending players home and Brady calling out his teammates. Juxtapose that with the way the Dolphins handled two situations this season. One was the whole Matt Roth fiasco. The Dolphins didn't really comment on Roth, let him come back from injury, gave him a chance to show them something and when he didn't they said screw it and cut him. Then look at the whole Joey Porter situation, where Sparano sat him for that game and refused to discuss it publicly. So did Porter. And Porter is back in the fold and has actually made a play or two since.

Well...which Coach looks like he's got control of his team right now? Don't get me wrong, I don't think Sparano is anywhere near the Xs and Os coach Billy B is. But the Yoda of NE has lost his mojo in controlling his team. Just witness the whole Adalius Thomas saga, which goes a step further Sunday with rumors that Thomas will be inactive after having the gall to speak publicly against the hoodie's "motivational" tactics. This is a really tough game predict. In the past, there is no way anyone takes Carolina in this game, no matter how high the spread. But now...

It doesn't help that Miami showed the way to beat the Pats was to spread it out and chunk it around, not exactly the Panther's strength. It's gonna be cold and the Panthers are starting a QB who, for all intensive purposes, should be considered a rookie -- a rookie QB from California at that.

Damn...this is a tough one. Logic says take the Pats. But we're gonna let our heart slip in a little and hope the Panthers help out Miami's chances at repeating as division champs.

BTPC pick = Panther's taking an awful lot of points.

Seahawks (+6) v. TEXANS =

Now that they've blown some games...it's time for the Texans to do what the Texans do. I'm talking black gold...Texas Tease...

BTPC pick = Texans laying the points.

RAMS (+13) v. TITANS

Let's just keep moving on, shall we? Although I am curious how come we did not see more made out of the whole Fisher wearing Peyton's jersey last week. I suppose that just goes to show it was only a big deal because the Titans were getting their asses kicked every week. Guess Fisher should thank Bud Adams for bailing him out on that one.

BTPC pick = Titans laying the points.

Skins (-1) v. RAIDERS =

BREAK UP THE RAIDERS!

BTPC pick = Raiders taking the points!

Chargers (+3) v. COWBOYS =UPSET SPECIAL

Two pieces of news about Jerry Jones' plans that make me like the Chargers. First, they're gonna show the game 3D on the big scoreboard the second half of this game. Second, Jones has offered $25 million to have the Mayweather-Pacquiao fight. That just cements the fact that the product on the field ain't the most important thing in Dallas...it's how Jones can SELL the product on the field that's important.

BTW, Phillip Rivers would never volunteer to hold kicks. He'd walk over to the kicker and cuss his ass out, telling him to nut up, stop being a pussy and make kicks with whoever Rivers decides to let hold the kicks or he's gonna be cut. And it would work.

BTPC pick = Chargers taking the points and being UPSET SPECIAL #2 for the week.

Eagles (+1) v. GIANTS =

As much as we all have bagged on the Giants, guess what? They're only one game away from the division lead. They will go into this Sunday night game knowing that if Dallas lost to SD, they can force a 3-way tie by whipping Philly. Oh...and Philly extended Andy Reid through 2013. In my mind, the karma reversal from that cancels out Manning playing outside in the cold.

BTPC pick = Giants laying the points.

Cards (-3.5) v. NINERS =

The Niners shocked everyone a little opening weekend when they knocked off last year's NFC champs. They then lost a heartbreaker they should have won to the Vikes on a Favre Fluke last play. But even after that loss, at 3-1, it seemed the Niners had served notice they were the team to beat in the NFC West. Uh...no. The Cards are hot and can lock down the division with a win. With the Niners missing their best CB, Nate Clements, I like the Cards' chances.

BTPC pick = Cards laying the points.

This week = 1-0
Last Week: 5-10 Upset special 0-1
Season to date: 94-88-5 Upset Specials 5-8-1