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

Week 13 picks

Due to a trip out of town, we're getting our picks in early this week.

Jets -3 over BUFFALO

Denver -4.5 over KC

STEELERS -13.5 over Oakland

HOUSTON PK over Jax

Titans +6.5 over INDY

ATLANTA +5.5 over Philly (Upset special)

CINCY -13 over Detroit

NO -9.5 over Washington

Tampa +6.5 over CAR

CHICAGO -9 over St Louis

SD - 13 over Cleveland

SEA PK over San Fran

MN -3 over Arizona

NYG +2 over Dallas

Miami +5 over NE



Last Week 8-6-2 Upset special 0-0-1
Season to date: 89-78-5 Upset Specials 5-7-1

Week 12 picks

Getting the rest of week 12 picks in. So far this week, we're off to a hot 3-0 this week. Let's see if we can keep it going. Laptop is still shot, so this will be quick.

FALCONS (-12) over Bucs

Dolphins (-3) over BILLS

BENGALS (-14) over Browns

TEXANS (+3.5) over Colts

JETS (-3) over Panthers

Redskins (+9) over EAGLES

Seahawks (-3) over RAMS

CHARGERS (-14) over Chiefs

Jaguars (+3.5) over NINERS

VIKINGS (-10.5) over Bears

Cardinals (+3) over TITANS = Upset Special

RAVENS (+3) over Steelers

Patriots (+2) over SAINTS

Last Week 7-9 Upset special 0-1
Season to date: 81-72-3 Upset Specials 5-7

Happy Thanksgiving.

Happy Thanksgiving to everyone. Hopefully, your Thanksgiving has been better than ours, as the old trusty laptop decided to crap out this morning. For those that care, we took the Pack -10.5 and Dallas -13.5. Right now, we're liking the Broncos +7 at home, but that may change.

Anyway... posts are liable to be scarce for a while. Enjoy your holiday.

Monday night rock out

A little Monday night rocking out for your pleasure. Enjoy.

WTF is a sidehug?

Apparently a sidehug is the latest idiotic invention of the folks who brought you abstinence as birth control. But perhaps I should let the christian rappers break it down for you. And remember, keep your genitals away from your boy's genitals...or go to hell.

Week 11 picks: Are you in or out?

It's time for the Week 11 picks. I had to make the Dolphins-Panthers pick on the run the other day, as a friend scored us some free tickets. I did get off my pick before gametime (not here, but we did "publicize" it via FB, so we're taking credit for taking our Dolphins and the points). Two cool things about that game. First, it's only the second pro game we've attended, the first being a Miami win over the Bengals we attended with Catfish up in the Jungle. So we're 2 & o cheering the Dolphins in person...which is nice.

Second, we finally got to meet a longtime pal, Danny - check his blog here, from the Dolphins listserv that we've "known" since 1995. In case you did not know, Phins.com is the oldest Miami Dolphins website in existence, and probably one of the oldest NFL sites around as well. It was created before the 1994 season by Curt Fennell. Curt's newsletter and listserv is responsible for what interest I did develop in computers and the internet. He has given folks like us a great forum to commiserate our dashed hopes and insurmountable anger year after year. On behalf of Dolfans everywhere, thanks Curt.

For this week, we figured we'd crib the Sportsguy's format of a post geared around movie quotes. So without further ado, here are the Week 11 picks. Enjoy.



Danny: You remember the day I went out for cigarettes and didn't come back? You must have noticed.
Redskins (+11) v. COWBOYS = You remember that time Tony Romo botched that snap? How about last week when the Cowboys rolled into Lambeau having just gotten a big win against the Eagles, feeling awfully good and facing a team that had just lost to the lowly Bucs? We all forgot we were getting into the latter part of November, where the pressure increases. And the only thing that bothers Tony Romo worse than the pressure of big games is Joe Simpson.

BTW, I'm really having problems believing in Tony Romo with that stupid hat I keep seeing on his noggin in interviews. Get a new lid, kid.

BTPC pick = Skins taking the points.

Rusty: Did someone call for a doctor?
LIONS (-3.5) v. Browns = Both of these teams need a doctor, stat. But you've got to think if we were triaging them at this point, we'd send the Browns onto the table first, right? At this point, being underdogs to the Lions and having Holmgren coming out and publicly saying he's interested in talking to Lerner, can things get worse for the Mangini Browns? Yes...you could be going with a QB you emasculated the week after getting your best player injured at the end of a game you were out of. Eric Mangini...that blinking red light is employment termination warning indicator. And it just went into overdrive.

BTPC pick = Lions laying the points.

Rusty: Shane, you've got three pairs. You can't have six cards! You can't have six cards in a five-card game!
PACKERS (-6.5) v. Niners = This quote is for Aaron Rodgers. Aaron, my man...you cannot hold the ball for six seconds. You are killing the team with your sacks. Get rid of the ball, man.

BTCP pick = Packers laying the points.

Basher: Hang on a minute, hang on... we could use a pinch.
Danny: What's a "pinch"?
Basher: A pinch is a device which creates, like, a cardiac arrest for any broadband electrical circuitry. Better yet, a pinch is a bomb - now, but without the bomb. See, when a nuclear weapon detonates, it unleashes an electromagnetic pulse which shuts down any power source within its blast radius. Now that tends not to matter in most cases, because the nuclear weapon usually destroys anything you might need power for anyway. But see, a pinch creates a similar electromagnetic pulse, but without the fuss of mass destruction and death. So instead of Hiroshima, you'd be getting the seventeenth century.
Steelers (-10) v. CHIEFS = The only way the Chiefs could win this game, was if Big Ben was actually a cyborg and they had a pinch. They don't.

BTPC pick = Steelers laying the points.

Tess: You know what your problem is?
Danny: I only have one?
GIANTS (-6.5) v. Falcons = The Giants have not been able to answer Tess' question, at least so far. But they've got two things going for them. First, they had a bye week to figure things out. Second, the Falcons may only have one problem, but it's a big one: Michael Turner is out. The Giants have killed us this year. If they do it again, we're swearing them off. But if Tess can give Danny one more shot, so can we.

BTPC pick = Giants laying the points.

Rusty: You'd need at least a dozen guys doing a combination of cons.
Danny: Like what, do you think?
Rusty: Off the top of my head, I'd say you're looking at a Boeski, a Jim Brown, a Miss Daisy, two Jethros and a Leon Spinks, not to mention the biggest Ella Fitzgerald ever.
BUCS (+11) v. Saints
RAVENS (+1.5) v. Colts

Two games encapsulated by one great quote. This quote is awesome because it describes exactly what both of this season's unbeaten teams will need to make it through a season unbeaten. The Colts had to rely on the much-debated Bill Belichek 4 & 2 call from last week (which we loved, btw. NFL coaches are usually risk-adverse. They play to not be second-guessed. We loved Bill's call, even if it did not work). The Saints barely survived the Rams, which is just ridiculous. The '72 Dolphins want get to pop that champagne yet...but they'll be one step closer after this week.

BTPC pick = Saints laying the points and Ravens taking the points.

Saul: Tess is with Benedict now? She's too tall for him!
Bills (+8.5) v. JAGS = A quote for two of the tiny, powerhouse backs in the league. I will have to give Primetime credit, his nickname for MGD is pretty good: Pocket Hercules. Tough game to call, because of the Jauron firing. The one bright spot for the Bill this year has been the D, which has played pretty tough. I think they really show up to for their former coordinator.

BTPC pick = Bills taking the points.

Rusty: Saul, you're the best there is. What do you want?
Saul: Nothing. I've got a duplex now, wall-to-wall, goldfish. I'm seeing a nice lady who works the "Unmentionables" counter at Macy's. I've changed.
Rusty: Guys like us don't change, Saul. We either stay sharp or we get sloppy, we don't change.
VIKINGS (-10.5) v. Seahawks = Guys like HIM and Childress don't change. Sooner or later, if they can't stay sharp, they get sloppy. I don't think father time can stay sharp all season. Childress has simply been lucky that he hasn't been put in the position too often that he actually has to make decisions that could hurt his team. Give him time.

I told my buddy Kevin that I had heard that Childress may get an extension. I said that as soon as Ziggy had committed to the guy who looks like a Fast-Food manager at the drive-in for more years, HIM would tear his shoulder up. Ladies and gentlemen, Brad Childress got extended through 2013.

Paging Dr. James Andrews. Dr. James Andrews. Dr. Andrews...you have a call at the front desk.

BTPC pick = Seahawks taking the points.

Turk Malloy: I'm gonna get out of the car and drop you like third period French.
RAMS (+9) v Cards = Kurt Warner is returning to where it all turned around for him. The game is in a nice, comfy dome. And the Rams suck.

BTPC pick = Cards laying the points.

Danny: Ten oughta do it, don't you think?
Rusty: [Stares of in silence, not looking at Danny]
Danny: You think we need one more?
Rusty: [Silence]
Danny: You think we need one more.
Rusty: [Silence]
Danny: All right, we'll get one more.
Jets (+10.5) v. PATS = Darrelle Revis exemplifies the problem with the BS, big-talk culture Rexy Ryan has created in Gotham. He does not know when to shut up. Revis is a damn fine corner. He didn't have to say anything about shutting down Moss. Everyone would have talked about it anyway. Instead he opens his mouth up and gives Randy Moss a reason to care. Ryan even fanned the flames, saying "All I can say is we've got the best corner in the league," the coach said, "and I don't think there's any dispute about that." At least one coach on the Jets squad realizes this is suicide, as Defensive coordinator Mike Pettine admitted Revis had help over the top a good bit. As someone who watched that game will tell you, that was when Brady was not Brady, missing some big plays that were open. That ain't happening Sunday.

Either way, it's never a good reason to give Randy Moss a reason to care. Even worse when Billy B is coming off a week of everyone second guessing his genius. I hate these two teams and wish a meteor would simply hit the field Sunday. But I can't help thinking Billy B is gonna use last weeks game as a rallying point to push this Pats team through the season.

The Pats will get that 11th one

BTPC pick = Pats laying the points.

Danny: There's a ninety-five pound Chinese man with a hundred sixty million dollars behind this door.
Linus: Let's get him out.
Bengals (-9.5) v. RAIDERS = Cincy...you are well on your way to the playoffs. Just get the ninety-five pound Chinese man from behind the door.

BTPC pick = Cincy laying the points.

Rusty: The Bellagio and the Mirage. These are Terry Benedict's places.
Danny: Yes they are. You think he'll mind?
Rusty: More than somewhat.
Chargers (-3) v. BRONCOS = Picking the Broncos may boil down to you going with Chris Simms. Pre-ruptured spleen...that did not seem so bad. Post-ruptured spleen, it looks scary.

Having said that, Mile-High is like a Terry Benedict casino. If you plan on coming in and stealing one from Mile-High, you better have one sharp fella leading your crew. Norv Turner ain't no Daniel Ocean.

But if you saw Phillip River's post-game comments after that Eagles game, you can tell he really, really wants this game.

BTPC pick = Chargers taking the points.

Danny: Now, they tell me I paid my debt to society.
Tess: Funny, I never got a check.
Eagles (-3) v. BEARS = UPSET SPECIAL! The Eagles are still waiting for that Michael Vick investment to pay dividends. Much like Tess...they ain't ever gonna get that check. But there is good news for Eagles fans: no more worrying about whether Brian Westbrook is gonna play, huh? Once you see the headline "______ to see concussion specialists" you can pretty much figure that player's days are numbered. Why we're on the subject, how come no player with concussion problems does not sport the foam-extension cap like that Bills WR used to wear?

As far as this game, Philly made LaDainian Tomlinson look alive last week. Matt Forte is a better back than LT right now. I know Cutler has looked abysmal. But he got killed in the media (and rightfully so) all this week for his attitude and his performance. Just like he did in that first night game he sucked it up at last week. Despite the fact that he acts like douche, I think the Bears rally around Lovie this week. I'll take the young, diabetic, moody QB over the old, injury-susceptible, moody QB.

BTPC pick = UPSET SPECIAL! Bears taking the points.

Danny: Why do they always paint hallways that color?
Rusty: They say taupe is very soothing.
Titans (+4.5) v. TEXANS = Quick tidbit noone has reported. They key to the resurrection of Vince Young is that Bud Adams ordered the hallways of the Titans practice facility painted taupe. And then he gave the painters the old, double-barreled salute.

BTPC pick = Texans laying the points.

Last week: 5-9 Upset special 0-1
Season to Date: 74-63-3 Upset Specials = 5-6.

The Wire 100 Greatest quotes in 10 minutes

I can't believe they don't have my favorite quote of all:
"The thing is, you only got to fuck up once. Be a little slow, be a little late, just once. And how you ain't never gonna be slow, never be late? You can't plan for no shit like this, man. It's life." - Avon Barksdale

Week 10 picks: Times are tough all over

If we have many more weeks like last week...we'll be riding the rails, eatin' hobo chili (boiling a shoestring with some Mr. Coffee). We definitely won't be winning that set of steak knives, let alone the fortune and fame if we keep that up. The good news is, we have started this week out the right way, picking the Niners over the Bears (posted Thurdsay). So here's this week's picks. Enjoy.

Bears v. NINERS (-3) = Uh...you think Mike Singletary is gonna have his guys ready after losing to the Titans last week and with his old team coming into town? I do.

BTPC pick = Niners laying the points.

Falcons v. PANTHERS (+1.5) = DeAngelo Williams may not go. That's not good, considering Williams is the Panther's best chance for a big play. At least the Panthers have Jonathan Stewart, but even he has not been that healthy. The Falcons' Michael Turner has been doing it all alone for the past several weeks, as Jerious Norwood has been out for a while. Can Turner keep that up? I don't know. But I'm gonna roll the dice a little here and bet that Fox knows he is most likely coaching his last games in Charlotte. And with Miami coming in on a short week then a trip to the Jets, Fox knows his guys need this one.

BTPC pick = Panthers taking the points.

Bucs v. DOLPHINS (-10) = Sparano has deactivate Joey Porter for this game. That doesn't mean much, because Porter has been pretty damn inactive this season other than running his mouth to the press. Parcells and Company are not big fans of that. Add in the fact that rookie Cameron Wake has more than outplayed Porter and it's easy to understand why the Dolphins would elect to sit Porter and let him "rest his injury."

BTPC pick = Dolphins laying the points.

Lions (+16.5) v. VIKINGS = This is a big spread, even given it's the Lions. Viking CB Antoine Winfield is out for the game, which is good news for Stafford and Calvin Johnson. What's not good news is the fact that Stafford and Johnson got into a heated sideline discussion last week and all the talk headed into this game has been about whether or not there's a "feud" between the two. Not for nothing, but if there is, both are idiots. The Lions traveled to the west coast last week, played in what is arguably the toughest home field in the game today, had their QB throw 5 picks and still had a chance to win that game. The Lions played Minny tough in their first matchup this season, leading 10-7 at the half.

Even with the bye week in between, I feel this is kind of a trap game for HIM, coming off his return to Lambeau. Based on that, I think 16.5 is a little too high.

BTPC pick = Lions taking the points.

Jags v. JETS (-7) = It's funny, both of these teams are 4-4. If Jack Del Rio had been standing at podiums after his last few games talking about good his team was, how he just knew they were a very good team, the media would be skewering him. Yet, for some reason, Rex Ryan continues to do just that. He gave his team 6 days off following their loss at Miami. I guess he felt he could do that, because afterall...they "won" that game. Completely outplayed Miami. Unfortunately for Rex and the Jets, special teams yards and points count.

What's funnier is Rex's comments this week. "I believe in being honest and telling the truth," Ryan said Friday. Ryan has said the Jets could be 6-2 if not for some foolish penalties and bad plays, while some of his players believe they could be 7-1. None of that matters at the moment to Ryan. Hey, Rex...here's the TRUTH. You are what your record says you are. You are a .500 team. Your BS ego has infiltrated down to the players, with Shaun Ellis calling this game a "must win." How sad is that? The mighty New York Jets have fallen to calling a game against the lowly Jags a "must win." Here's to hoping MGD runs it all up the middle on them.

BTPC pick = Jags taking the points.

Titans (-7) v. BILLS = How about that Bud Adams, huh? I guess he knows football a little better than the 'stache at this point. At what point do we start wondering how good a coach Fisher really is, huh? When the owner has to force your hand to make a change that obviously makes your team better, that takes a little shine off, no?

BTPC pick = Titans laying the points.

Bengals (+7) v. STEELERS = These two played a hell of a game in Week 3, that the Bengals won on a late TD pass 23-20. Polamalu was not there for that game, as he was getting his hair did. But he will play today. I think 7 points a high for this game, even if "somebody" sent the Steelers a whole bunch of mustard.

BTPC pick = Bengals taking the points.

Saints (-14) v. RAMS = Even without Darren Sharper (gametime decision), how can anyone believe the Rams can stay in this one?

BTPC pick = Saints laying the points.

Chiefs v. RAIDERS (-2) = Do we have to pick this game? Uh...ok...but let's get it over with and move on.

BTPC pick = Raiders laying the points.

Seahawks (+9) v. CARDINALS = UPSET SPECIAL! Nate Burleson has guaranteed a win. That's right, Nate Burleson. When a player like Nate Burleson starts guaranteeing wins, you listen. Why? Because who the hell is Nate Burleson? Why would he be running his mouth? I'll tell you why...because Nate knows the Cards are 1-3 at home this year. Plus, in the battle of old, injury-prone QBs, I'm gonna go with the less self-righteous one and the one that's comfortable with his aging (shaving the head instead of using the just for men).

BTPC pick = Seahawks taking the points.

Broncos (-3.5) v. REDSKINS = No Clinto Portis + No Chris Cooley + young head coach who is actually allowed to coach = win.

BTPC pick = Broncos laying the points.

Eagles v. CHARGERS (-1.5) = Man...Norv versus Reid. If this game comes down to clock-management or video challenges, it may be possible that both teams lose. The Eagles are getting Westbrook back this week, which will be big. But if the Chargers were able to handle the pressure of the Giants (his name is SPROLES), I think they'll be able to handle the Eagles pressure. In the end, with this pick, I have to go with the QB I believe in more. And that's Phillip Rivers.

BTPC pick = Chargers laying the points.

Cowboys (-3) v. PACKERS = As if losing to the creamsicle Bucs was not enough, McCarthy had to deal with a story about him having a groundskeeper fired for telling him not to lay an egg before HIM's return. When you're worried more about the groundskeeper than on doing something about the fact that your QB is on pace to set a new season record for sacks taken (currently at 37, record is David Carr's 76), something ain't right. It's even worse when Dallas and DeMarcus Ware comes a calling.

BTPC pick = Cowboys laying the points.

Ravens (-10.5) v. Browns = Eric Mangini is in trouble. All the folks he brought with him have been canned. Then, the veteran RB on his roster, Jamal Lewis, called him out and questioned his methods. A day later, players in the locker room started chanting Lewis' name. Now, Mangini has benched QB Derek Anderson and gone back to Qb Brady Quinn. Quinn lost his starting job at halftime of these teams' September 27th contest. It is awfully tempting to pick the Browns here. Lewis has said this is his last season, so this Monday night game against his old team will most likely be his last dance in the spotlight. I just can't go with the Browns. They are just way too dysfunctional.

BTPC pick = Ravens laying the points.

Pats v. COLTS (-3) = Big game in the AFC. Once upon a time, Bill Belichek owned Peyton Manning. That's all changed. The Colts have won 4 of the last 5. I still believe the way to beat the Colts is by running up the middle on them. I don't think the Pats can do that. This will be a close game and will tell the tale of whether or not this Pats team can do anything this year.

BTPC pick = Colts laying the points.

Last week: 4-8 Upset special 1-0
Season to Date: 69-54-3 Upset Specials = 5-5.