Category Archives: Features

2011 NFL Week 9 Picks Against the Spread (Online Sportsbook Odds)

NFL Week 9 is almost here so that means its tie for our NFL Week 9 Picks Against the Spread. Let’s find out who I like against the spread in Week 9.

Week 8 Recap: Not my best week as I finished at 6-7. Looking at this week, I’m loving the underdogs. Let’s see how I do.

Home teams are in CAPS. Feel free to mock my picks the comments or challenge me by posting your own picks. The lines are courtesy of the online sportsbook TopBet. Click here for more information.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (+8.5) Over the Atlanta Falcons

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+8.5) over the NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

HOUSTON TEXANS (-10.5) over the Cleveland Browns

New York Jets (+2) over the BUFFALO BILLS

Miami Dolphins (+4.5) over the KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

San Francisco 49ers (-4.5) over the WASHINGTON REDSKINS

DALLAS COWBOYS (-11) over the Seattle Seahawks

Denver Broncos (+7.5) over the OAKLAND RAIDERS

TENNESSEE TITANS (-2.5) over the Cincinnati Bengals

St. Louis Rams (+2.5) over the ARIZONA CARDINALS

New York Giants (+9) over the NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (+6.5) over the Green Bay Packers

Baltimore Ravens (+3.5) over the PITTSBURGH STEELERS

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (-8) over the Chicago Bears

Last Week: 6-7

Year-to-Date: 59-51-5

2011 NFL Week 8 Picks Against the Spread

NFL Week 8 is almost here so that means its time for our NFL Week 8 Picks Against the Spread. Let’s find out who I like against the spread in Week 8.

Week 7 Recap: I finished 8-4-1 against the spread. That’s two straight good weeks. Let’s see if I can make it three.

Home teams are in CAPS. Feel free to mock my picks the comments or challenge me by posting your own picks. For tickets to any of these games check out LavaTickets.

Indianapolis Colts (+8.5) over the TENNESSEE TITANS

Jacksonville Jaguars (+9) over the HOUSTON TEXANS

CAROLINA PANTHERS (-3) over the Minnesota Vikings

ST. LOUIS RAMS (+14) over the New Orleans Saints

Arizona Cardinals (+13) over the BALTIMORE RAVENS

Miami Dolphins (+10.5) over the NEW YORK GIANTS

Washington Redskins (+6.5) over the BUFFALO BILLS

Detroit Lions (-4) over the DENVER BRONCOS

New England Patriots (-3) over the PITTSBURGH STEELERS

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (-9.5) over the Cleveland Browns

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (+3) over the Cincinnati Bengals

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (-3) over the Dallas Cowboys

San Diego Chargers (-4.5) over the KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

Last Week: 8-4-1

Year-to-Date: 53-44-5

2011 NFL Week 7 Picks Against the Spread

NFL Week 7 is almost here so that means its time for our NFL Week 7 Picks Against the Spread. Let’s find out who I like against the spread in Week 7.

Week 6 Recap: I had a good week finishing 7-4-2 with my picks. Let’s see if I can keep that momentum going this week.

Home teams are in CAPS. Feel free to mock my picks the comments or challenge me by posting your own picks. The lines are courtesy of Betus.com. For tickets to any of these games check out LavaTickets.

Chicago Bears (-1.5) over the Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Washington Redskins (+3) over the Carolina Panthers

NEW YORK JETS (-1) over the San Diego Chargers

CLEVELAND BROWNS (-3) over the Seattle Seahawks

TENNESSEE TITANS (-3) over the Houston Texans

MIAMI Dolphins (+1) over the Denver Broncos

Atlanta Falcons (+3) over the DETROIT LIONS

Kansas City Chiefs (+4.5) over the OAKLAND RAIDERS

Pittsburgh Steelers (-4.5) over the ARIZONA CARDINALS

DALLAS COWBOYS (-14) over the St. Louis Rams

Green Bay Packers (-11) over the MINNESOTA VIKINGS

New Orleans Saints (-13.5) over the INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (+10) over the Baltimore Ravens

Last Week: 7-4-2

Year-to-Date: 45-40-4

The Mantasy Man on Love

I watch football. Like, on a television. It is one day out of my busy week (wink-wink), but I make it because that is what we do for the ones that we love.

I love football, so I make the time to be with it. Yes, I am usually in a bar, and no, I do not typically know how many refreshments I have purchased, but that’s what I do to enjoy the company of my Sunday love, the NFL-brand of Football. That’s Football, with a capital F. I love you.

Ah, love. What complex thing that it is. Former Fantasy Playwriting Legend William Shakespeare pointed out that, “The course of true love never did run smooth.” Dude was correct. I drafted Shakespeare in the first round of my Fantasy Playwriting League in 1903, fresh off his completion of Othello. I saw the upside that would eventually be realized, but all I got that season was Timons of Athens, a proverbial cock tease of a play.

The point is that like Fantasy Playwriting, Fantasy Football is a devastating roller coaster ride of emotions. What is worse, once it has bitten you with its insidious fangs and loaded your veins with its nasty venom, you become stubbornly irrational, lashing out the very thing that you had proclaimed to care for so deeply when only moments earlier when Cedric Benson decided to land in the end zone, raising his yards per carry from 2.9 to 3.1. Such is life when you rest in a den of snakes or draft bar-brawling Bengals running backs.

Is this what love looks like?

I would be a fool to pick on one man, however, so allow me to shout out some other players who played tunes with our heart strings in week 6:

Ahmad Bradshaw: Let me be the ten thousandth Giants fan to proclaim that the jump-spike is the sexiest celebration in all of sports, and Shawmad Bradah has me all twisted up doing it three times in one game. His detractors will say something about Brandon Jacobs being out leading to more goal line carries, but perhaps this will be a message to the world (which occasionally includes Tom Coughlin) that Brandon Jacobs is not a goal line back.

Look, I like Jacobs, but he does nothing better than Bradshaw, save for destroying grown men in the open field. I’m sort of cool with Bradshaw running around defenders, though, so I’ll take this guy getting carries all day, every day. Ready for the punch line? Bradshaw is a giant sell high. Pun intended.

Glorious.

Ryan Torain: I badly wanted Torain to be successful this week, and as such, add his name to a growing list of running backs to have Ashton Kutcher the Eagles run defense. Everything goes dark. A beam of light from the heavens comes down and illuminates a man sitting on the edge of an old spring bed with a dirty old man.

The man looks weary, his forehead resting in palms, his elbows on his knees. He looks beaten, defeated even. The crowd waits with bated-breathe. He sits up ever so slightly, looking out upon his audience. A grin creeps upon his wind-cracked cheeks. It is Mike Shanahan. You have been punk’d

Rex Grossman: I knew this guy was awful. You knew he was awful. What went wrong here? When did we let this guy move his stuff back into our Fantasy Frat House? I just threw up in my mouth. Gross, man. Gross man. Whatever. Can we be done with this guy forever?

Josh Freeman: Welcome back. I’m not going to say I saw this rebound coming because I’ve always suspected that he was not as good as unnamed major sports network told me that he is, but I also knew that he is not as bad as he has been. Hi, my name is The Fence, you should be on me in your thinking about this guy as a fantasy quarterback.

Fred Jackson: Drop Dead Fred is either a terrific movie or terrible movie, depending on whether you have stayed up all night smoking crack. I must have stayed up all night Saturday and hit the rock because this guy is the truth serum and he is dosing us all. Wowie!

Typical Fred Jackson owner.

Michael Turner: For everything there is a season, Turner, Turner, Turner…A time of love, a time of hate…A time of war, a time of peace…but generally speaking, every single time is a time for Michael Turner to score touchdown after touchdown. Hate if you want, but he is exactly as advertised: A money-making touchdown machine.

Frank Gore: Tim Gunn spent the weekend at the Gore household. After a lovely meal and some extremely haughty comments about Frank Gore’s first two weeks, he spent the rest of the time learning that Frank is a wizard with a sewing machine and that bad offensive line, broken hip or not, the 49er centerpiece is making it work.

I Love Project Runway, but don’t tell my Dad or he’ll beat some sense into me.

Calvin Johnson: Where for art thou, Megatron? This is obviously not a big deal, but anytime he fails to score between two and four touchdowns, I think it is notable. Calvin Johnson’s congealed blood can be used to shape diamonds.

DeAngelo Williams: I want to end on a happy note. I’m not going to, but I want to. Instead, I will point out that DeAngelo Williams is not a playable fantasy running back. Possible trade targets for DeAngelo Williams: 1) A mostly used D battery. 2) Your friend’s toothbrush. 3) The 1997 Fleer set of all San Diego Padres infielders. Hey, DeAngelo, go F yourself, with a capital F. I hate you.

Morpheus knows about DeAngelo Williams.

Good luck in week 7 and remember: It’s your fantasy, it’s my fantasy, but it’s our Mantasy.

The Mantasy Man on Buying Low

Standard leagues have 13 regular season matchups. The Cuban Missile Crisis was 13 days. Coincidence? Absolutely, don’t be ridiculous, but just because the two points are entirely unconnected, does not mean that a missile scare cannot teach us a thing or two about how to manage our fantasy teams.

Bear with me.

I fell asleep in history class, but I love the Food Network.

See, on the fifth day of the Cuban Missile Crisis, John F. Kennedy sat down with Soviet Foreign Minister, Andrei Gromyko, to sort things out. Aside from looking liking Emiril Lagasse and the father from The Wonder Years, Gromyko knew that there was no time to waste, lest he risk catastrophic tragedy.

Well, five weeks into the football season, there is no time for patience or complacency. Let me be your Andrei Gromyko; let us talk about this before it is too late. It’s time to negotiate, and that means perfecting the art of buying low.

Buying Low. What does this mean? Well, it does not mean that you can guiltlessly offer horrible trades for Darren McFadden because “he is definitely going to get hurt.” Similarly, you have to be honest about what “low” means.

If you actually want the player, it is likely that the current owner does as well. Buying low involves a clear and undeniable fear about a player, perhaps injury, age, team situation, or general performance. Unless you are dealing with bad owners, it is hard to convince someone that his first round pick is in trouble after a down game.

I take it back. That is pretty awesome

Take Frank Gore as an example. After two weeks, he sported a yards per carry average under three and there were questions about his hip surgery, his gimpy ankle, his offensive line, and even his age (a hardened 28.) Gore owners would have traded him for a Kyle Turley bobble head or a dirty washcloth.

Gore’s value was so low that people didn’t even see him for what he was – a truly amazing buy low. Then, one week, 15 carries and 127 yards later, here come the offers with e-mails citing the first two weeks as a reason to give Gore up for some wide receiver depth.

That is actually what we call, “Buying High.” It is like seeing Lost in Translation and thinking you are the first person to notice that Scarlett Johannson is hot. FYI, she was hot in Ghost World, but you and I are likely too old to admit this, let alone put it in writing…

So who are some buy-lows that can help you? Here you go:

1. Mike Williams: His pedestrian start to 2011 makes me wish that he spelled his name Myke, so that there is something interesting about this guy. If his owners have been rolling him out there every week of this season, those owners are likely sick of him and desperate to be out of the bad relationship.

To boot, Tampa just got dragged from their beds, blindfolded, forced into a van, driven out to the desert, executed, and fed to wild pigs by the 49ers. There is some real concern that Freeman and the Bucs have offensive issues, and better yet, that those issues will negatively impact Williams.

Perhaps they will, but for a guy who was being drafted in the early rounds with the hope that he improve upon his 11 touchdown season, there is some real opportunity here. Don’t go crazy, but each passing week might be your last to benefit from the growing hate and fear.

2. Dallas Clark: It may have never made sense that a guy with an adult film actor’s name has had a successful NFL career, but perhaps it made perfect sense. The strangest part about the whole thing is that Dallas also looks like a porn star. Still, for fantasy purposes, the guys we own do not have to look like or be named like porn stars.

On the other hand, like any good male porn star, performance is key and Mr. Clark has been an enormous bust in 2011. So why buy this guy? One reason is that his owner is probably dying to get rid of him in order to pick up a bye week defense or handcuff RB.

Personally, I wouldn’t offer much, but if the Dallas Clark owner has another half decent option, you can probably talk him into a deal. The upside is there and my guess is that as Curtis Painter becomes more comfortable, The Colts stop keeping their star tight end in to block.

3. Peyton Hillis: I’m actually the most worried about this guy, but he was too valuable last year not to take a shot. Getting him off someone will take a perfect storm, so to speak, and the current owner would almost have to have RB depth and a glaring need somewhere else, but it is doable.

“Eric Decker, is that you?”

A specific strategy would be the good old lesser RB and WR combination. Think Marshawn Lynch and Eric Decker. Lynch coming off a strong performance is a great sell high – he isn’t in a good situation and he broke a long one, but only had 12 carries. Ugh. Decker might as well be wearing a ski mask and holding a sawed-off shotgun because he is primed to rob someone in your league. The guy has a pair of two touchdown games and any argument that Tebow hurts his value can be twisted to make it seem like Tebow will check down to his possession guy.

The bottom line is that the press around Hillis, his contract, and his agent make him smell like bad milk. Toss in Montario Hardesty being the future and you have a situation that scares owners. If the price is right, why not take the flyer on the Madden cover boy.

Remember, now is the time to prey upon the panic of others and make the necessary moves to compete down the stretch. If your league mates understand buying low, then you have an advantage; it is not the same thing as ripping someone off, it is an investment in the future value of a player. Take a look at the other teams and talk to the owners of players that have a steep depreciated value and then play the Gromyko to their Kennedy.

It’s your fantasy. It’s my fantasy. It’s our Mantasy.

-Tim Sacks

You can look, but don’t enjoy it unless you are still in middle school

2011 NFL Week 5 Picks Against the Spread

NFL Week 5 is almost here so that means its tie for our NFL Week 5 Picks Against the Spread. Let’s find out who I like against the spread in Week 5.

Week 4 Recap: I had my best week of the season and now have some breathing room above .500. Let’s see if I can have another good week this week.

Kansas City Chiefs (+1) over the INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

Arizona Cardinals (+3) over the MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Philadelphia Eagles (-3) over the BUFFALO BILLS

HOUSTON TEXANS (-4.5) over the Oakland Raiders

CAROLINA PANTHERS (+7) over the New Orleans Saints

Cincinnati Bengals (-2.5) over the JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

Tennessee Titans (+3.5) over the PITTSBURGH STEELERS

NEW YORK GIANTS (-10.5) over the Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (+3) over the SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

New York Jets (+7.5) over the NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

San Diego Chargers (-4.5) over the DENVER BRONCOS

ATLANTA FALCONS (+7) over the Green Bay Packers

DETROIT LIONS (-5) over the Chicago Bears

Last Week: 10-6

Year-to-Date: 33-29-2

Survivor Pool Pick of the Week:

New York Giants over the Seattle Seahawks

Teams Used: San Diego Chargers, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, Green Bay Packers

2011 NFL Week 4: Picks Against the Spread

NFL Week 4 is almost here so that means its tie for our NFL Week 4 Picks Against the Spread. Let’s find out who I like against the spread in Week 4.

Week 3 Recap: Went 8-8 last keeping my year-to-date at exactly .500. Let’s see if this is week that I finally break .500.

Home teams are in CAPS. Feel free to mock my picks the comments or challenge me by posting your own picks. The lines are courtesy of Betus.com

Note: This website does not promote or advocate gambling. This is solely for entertainment purposes.

Detroit Lions (PK) over the DALLAS COWBOYS

New Orleans Saints (-8) over the JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

San Francisco 49ers (+9) over the Philadelphia Eagles

ST. LOUIS RAMS (+2.5) over the Washington Redskins

CLEVELAND BROWNS (PK) over the Tennessee Titans

CINCINNATI BENGALS (+4.5) over the Buffalo Bills

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (+3) over the Minnesota Vikings

Carolina Panthers over the (+6.5) CHICAGO BEARS

HOUSTON TEXANS (-3.5) Pittsburgh Steelers

New York Giants (-3) over the ARIZONA CARDINALS

Atlanta Falcons (-6) over the SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

Miami Dolphins (+7) over the SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

GREEN BAY PACKERS (-13.5) over the Denver Broncos

New England Patriots over the (+6) over the OAKLAND RAIDERS

New York Jets over the (+3.5) over the Baltimore Ravens

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (-10) over the Indianapolis Colts

Last Week: 8-8

Year-to-Date: 23-23-2

Survivor Pool Pick of the Week:

Green Bay Packers over the Denver Broncos

Teams Used: San Diego Chargers, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers

NFL Power Rankings: 10 NFL Players Who May Be Sinking on the Depth Chart

The NFL is a cruel league. One week, a player looks like they are the next best thing and then before you know it, they are yesterday’s news and someone else has taken their place.

This can happen for a variety of reasons including injuries, age, ineffectiveness or a combination of things.

It’s a tough pill to swallow for players, but it comes with the game. Take for example Arian Foster.

Foster burst onto the NFL landscape last season thanks to injuries by guys ahead of him on the depth chart, mainly Ben Tate. Now this season, the tables have turned and Tate is the primary back as Foster is battling injuries.

Now, that’s not to say Foster won’t reclaim his starting spot, but it wouldn’t be the most outrageous thing if it happened and I think it would be fair to say Tate has earned himself a share of the backfield workload.

That’s the way of life in the NFL.

Here are 10 players who could find themselves sinking down the depth chart sooner than later.

1. Arian Foster

It’s been a frustrating start to the season for Arian Foster.

He injured his hamstring on the first day of training camp only to return in the second preseason game, where he ran for two touchdowns. He re-injured himself in the third preseason game, causing him to miss Week 1.

He made his season debut only to re-injure his hamstring again in the second half. Foster didn’t play in Week 3 and it’s not yet known if he will be available next week.

In his absence, Ben Tate has been taking full advantage, running for over 300 yards with an average of 4.6 yards per carry. Hamstring injuries have a tendency to linger and this could be a season-long problem Foster may have to fight.

Remember, Tate was going to be the starter last year before suffering a season-ending injury in training camp so you know the coaching staff has high hopes for him.

2. Donovan McNabb

The Minnesota Vikings acquired another veteran quarterback this offseason in Donovan McNabb.

McNabb was coming off a rough stint with the Washington Redskins, but there was no way he could be worse than Brett Favre was last year, right?

Not so fast. McNabb was putrid in the season opener, throwing for a miserable 39 yards. He has rebounded somewhat in the past two games, but there was really nowhere to go but up.

McNabb has shown no mobility in the pocket and hasn’t been accurate with his passes. With the Vikings at 0-3, it’s looks like we will be seeing Christian Ponder sooner than many people expected.

3. Hines Ward

Hines Ward has been a valuable member of the Pittsburgh Steelers for 13 seasons. Now in his 14th year, the 35-year-old might be better off playing a reduced role.

Ward is still an efficient receiver and a devastating blocker, but he is not the target he once was.

The Steelers have two young pass catchers who are oozing with potential in Emmanuel Sanders and Antonio Brown. Both have flashed greatness at times, but don’t get enough playing time as they are low on the totem pole.

Don’t be surprised to see these two players get more playing time at the expense of Ward as the season progresses, showing what they are capable of.

4. Shonn Greene

“This is finally the week Shonn Greene is going to break out.” I feel like I’ve heard someone utter that phrase a hundred times. It’s now three games into his third season and we’re still waiting.

Greene was supposed to be the lead back last season, but has been overshadowed by LaDainian Tomlinson. Going into this season, the coaching staff made it clear Greene was going to be the bell cow and even Tomlinson admitted he was accepting a reduced role.

Greene, however, has failed to rise to the occasion.

He had a great opportunity this past Sunday in Oakland, but looked slow hitting the hole and showed no explosiveness. Once again, he is being outplayed by the 32-year-old Tomlinson.

Many questioned the Jets when they drafted Bilal Powell, a running back, in the fourth round of April’s draft, but it makes a lot more sense now with Greene struggling. Don’t forget they also have Joe McKnight in reserve as well.

If Green continues to falter, expect to see the other backs get some playing time.

5. Kerry Collins

The Indianapolis Colts brought in Kerry Collins during training camp as veteran insurance in case Peyton Manning couldn’t make a full recovery. They weren’t expecting him to be Manning, but hoped he could lead a playoff team from last year to a decent season.

The results have been ugly so far. Collins has completed less than 50 percent of his passes and is averaging under 5.0 yards per attempt.

Collins suffered a concussion during Sunday’s loss to the Pittsburgh Steelers and coach Jim Caldwell admitted he is considering a quarterback change even if Collins is cleared to play.

With this season looking all but over for the Colts, it makes sense to give backup Curtis Painter a shot.

6. Rashard Mendenhall

Rashard Mendenhall’s inclusion on this list might surprise you, but if you take a deeper look, it won’t.

Mendenhall has struggled this season, failing to average more than four yards per carry in any game.He hasn’t faced a murderers row of defenses either.

Looking back at the end of season, it has been five games since Mendenhall has averaged over four yards per carry and his last 100-yard game in the regular season came in Week 12 of 2010.

Mendenhall isn’t going to benched right now and probably won’t be anytime soon. However, the numbers are discouraging to see. The schedule does look brighter looking forward so Mendenhall has a chance to get back on track.

7. Reggie Bush

The Miami Dolphins made a splash in the offseason when they traded for Reggie Bush. The running back had his ups and downs with the New Orleans Saints, but now had a chance at a fresh start with the Dolphins.

The season got off to a rocky start and has gotten even worse since then. Bush is now averaging under three yards per carry. He is being completely outplayed by rookie Daniel Thomas, who has put together two straight games of over 100 total yards.

Bush is supposed to, at his best, catch the ball out of the backfield, but has only caught two passes in the last two games. He fumbled twice on Sunday, losing one of them.

Bush will be continued to be phased out of the offense as the Dolphins feature Thomas.

8. Lee Evans

Lee Evans picked the wrong week to be injured.

Playing in place of Evans on Sunday was rookie second-round pick Torrey Smith and to say he played well would be an understatement. Smith went off for 152 yards and three touchdowns against the St. Louis Rams.

The Baltimore Ravens brought Evans in to be a deep threat, but they already one on their roster. Smith toasted the Rams secondary for touchdowns of 71 and 41 yards in the first quarter.

Evans only managed two catches in his first two games with the Ravens. By the time Evans is fully healed, his starting job might be gone.

9. Ryan Grant

Ryan Grant turned back the clock on Sunday, rushing for 92 yards on just 17 carries against the Chicago Bears. Even with that performance, the arrow isn’t pointing up for Grant.

Through the first two weeks James Starks more than doubled Grant’s snap count and outproduced him in yards per touch. The tables turned in Week 3, but don’t expect that to be the norm.

Starks is more explosive, powerful and younger than Grant. The Green Bay Packers know this and will continue to give Starks more of the workload going forward. Consider this past week to be more of an aberration.

10. Nate Burleson

Nate Burleson has been a key cog on the Detroit Lions offense that has propelled the team to a 3-0 start.

The self proclaimed “Black Wes Welker” has been a nice complement to Calvin Johnson, averaging 55 yards per game. While Burleson isn’t playing bad by any stretch, his playing time might shrink going forward.

2011 NFL Week 3: Picks Against the Spread

NFL Week 3 is almost here so that means its time for our NFL Week 3 Picks Against the Spread.

Through just two weeks of the season, we already have seen a lot play out. Let’s look back to just a few weeks ago.

Remember when before the season started, everyone was saying to expect offenses to be sloppy throughout September because they didn’t have enough offseason practice together because of the NFL Lockout. Yeah, about that. Maybe it was a typo and they meant defenses? I don’t think so. Through two weeks there has been, 172 total TDs, 1,502 points, and 15,771 net passing yards.  All of those numbers are the most through 2 weeks of any season in NFL history.

It just goes to prove the NFL Lockout had absolutely no effect on the product were seeing. Rookies were supposed to suffer because they didn’t have OTAs and minicamps. Yet Cam Newton has the second most passing yards in history through two weeks and Andy Dalton is slinging it in Cincinnati. Teams with new coaching staffs were supposed to be a mess. Though only one team with a new coach (out of 6) is 0-2 (Ron Rivera; Carolina).

Week 2 Recap: I had an average week going 7-8-1 against the spread. That puts me at an even 15-15-2 through two weeks. I would have had the same odds if I flipped a coin!

Home teams are in CAPS. Feel free to mock my picks the comments or challenge me by posting your own picks. The lines are courtesy of Betus.com

Note: This website does not promote or advocate gambling. This is solely for entertainment purposes.

CINCINNATI BENGALS (-1.5) over the San Francisco 49ers

It’s been a rough year for gingers. First, an NFL coach questioned whether redheads could play quarterback and now the world’s largest sperm bank is denying redheads. Back to that first item. Andy Dalton is proving the naysayers wrong. Lost in the hype about Cam Newton, Dalton’s strong play is going largely unnoticed. He will get his due after the Bengals take down the 49ers, who are coming off an emotional loss and now have to travel to the east coast for a 1 p.m. start.

New England Patriots (-7) over the BUFFALO BILLS

I feel bad for Bills fans. There is finally something to cheer about, only it’s just a matter of time before the team moves to Canada.

Houston Texans (+4.5) over the NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

No one is talking about the work Wade Phillips has done with this Texans pass dense. Last year they dead last in the league in were one of the 10 worst pass defenses of all-time. Through two games they are first in the league in yards against and second in yards per attempt. That’s an amazing turnaround. It’s even more impressive considering the fact that there has been a record amount of passing yards, points scored, and total touchdowns through two weeks.

PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (-7.5) over the New York Giants

I’ll update this pick when we know if Vick will play.

CLEVELAND BROWNS (+1.5) over the Miami Dolphins

I feel sorry for anyone that has to watch this game.

Denver Broncos (+7) over the TENNESSEE TITANS

The Titans are a great example of why the NFL is a week-to-week league. In Week 1 they lost to the Jaguars, who have now benched their quarterback, and then went out in Week 2 and dominated the Ravens, who looked like a Super Bowl favorite. Now, they’re 6.5 favorites against a team that they should be 3 point favorites against. Take the points.

MINNESOTA VIKINGS (+4.5) over the Detroit Lions

The Lions have come a long way. They are now favored on the road against the division rival Vikings. It’s been a long time. 30 years long. Muhammad Ali was still fighting the last time the Lions were favored on the road in Minnesota. I’m drinking the Lions kool-aid, but not this week. I have to believe the Minnesota Adrian Peterson’s can cover at home.

Jacksonville Jaguars (+4.5) over the CAROLINA PANTHERS

Cam Newton is getting all the press right now, but what about their running game. Mainly, the guy they broke the bank for in the offseason when they handed DeAngelo Williams a five-year $43 million contract. How’s he doing so far? He has 43 yards though 2 games. 1 yard per every $1 million they spent on him. Good investment Carolina.

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (-14) over the Kansas City Chiefs

They couldn’t make this line high enough. If the Chiefs could only score 10 points in their first two games combined, how many will they score against the Chargers without Jamaal Charles? Fast forward a few months and Todd Haley will be unemployed and the Chiefs will be debating whether they should draft Andrew Luck or not.

New York Jets (-3) over the OAKLAND RAIDERS

Baltimore Ravens (-4.5) over the ST. LOUIS RAMS

The Rams are in serious trouble. If they lose game they fall to 0-3. Then their next four games are against the Packers, Cowboys, Saints, Redskins. They could be staring at 0-7 as they head to Arizona. The best part is though, they would still be in the division race. We thought the NFC West would get a little better this year, but it hasn’t. Looks like it’s first to seven, maybe eight wins again.

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (PK) over the Atlanta Falcons

The Falcons made a big splash during the draft trading up to draft Julio Jones. So far the move hasn’t worked out. I don’t know if Matt Ryan is trying to get the rookie’s confidence going or if the front office is telling him to throw it to Julio, but it’s like he forgot he had Roddy White. Through two games, Jones only has 4 less targets than White. This is a rookie and a guy who caught 115 passes last season! If the Falcons want to win, they need to pass the ball to Roddy.

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (+3.5) over the Arizona Cardinals

The Seahawks have looked like one of the worst, if not the worst, teams so far this season. However, they haven’t played at Qwest Field yet. They are a different team at home, just watch last year’s playoff game to refresh your memory. Gotta love the home dog. On another note, this will show you how bad things are for the Seahawks.  In the 2009 NFL Draft, the Seahawks selected Aaron Curry. The guy was considered to be the safest pick of the draft and when the Seahawks got him at #4 many experts considered it the best pick of the draft. Two years later and he’s lost his starting job to a fourth round rookie.

Green Bay Packers (-4.5) over the CHICAGO BEARS

Right now the Bears look like a team that could go either way. Their defense could return to its dominating way, Devin Hester could be a lethal weapon on special teams, and Jay Cutler protects the football propelling the team to a 10-6 record, earning a wild-card berth. Or it could go the other way. The offensive line implodes, Jay Cutler becomes a rag doll, the defense shows its age and the Bears limp to a 6-10 finish. I can see either happening, but right now, I’d bet on 6-10.

Pittsburgh Steelers (-11.5) over the INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

NBC has to be pissed that this is their Sunday night game. I’m sure they didn’t envision the home team being an 11.5 point underdog when they decided on this game. While Peyton Manning’s injury can be to blame, some of the blame also falls on the Indianapolis Colts. They had to have known that Manning’s injury was way more serious than anyone was letting one, yet they covered the whole thing up. They had everyone going up until right before Week 1, then they drop a bombshell. They really should have been more up front about it, mainly so next time I don’t blow a fifth round pick on Manning in my fantasy draft.

Washington Redskins (+5) over the DALLAS COWBOYS

I’ll update this pick when we know Tony Romo’s status.

Last Week: 7-8-1

Year-to-Date: 15-15-2

Suicide Pool Pick of the Week:

Pittsburgh Steelers over the Indianapolis Colts

Teams Used: San Diego Chargers, New York Jets

Aaron Hernandez Injury: Who Can Replace Tight End on Your Fantasy Team

Fred Davis

If Fred Davis is still available in your league, stop what your doing and pick him up now.

Davis showed his 100-yard Week 1 performance was no fluke, following it up with 86 yards and a touchdown on Sunday against the Arizona Cardinals.

Chris Cooley is still around, but it is clear that he has passed Cooley on the depth chart. He played 20 more snaps than Cooley in Week 1 and Cooley received only two targets to Davis’ seven in Week 2.

Davis is a top-10 fantasy tight end going forward, and he still might be available in your league.

Ed Dickson

Consider picking up Ed Dickson if you are in a deeper league. After showing a lot of promise in Week 1, Dickson didn’t have a great showing in Week 2. Then again, neither did anyone in the Baltimore Ravens passing game.

While his stats weren’t great in Week 2 (two receptions, 25 yards), he remained one of Joe Flacco’s top options. He finished with six targets, second on the team next to Anquan Boldin’s seven.

Dickson should put up decent numbers this season, and he showed in Week 1 he is capable of having a big game every now and then.

Greg Olsen

With Cam Newton setting all types of rookie passing records, the beneficiaries are the fantasy value’s of the rest of the Carolina Panthers, including tight end Greg Olsen. Through two games, Olsen has 112 yards receiving.

The one thing hampering Olsen’s fantasy value though is Jeremy Shockey. The Panthers are using a lot of two-tight end sets with the both of them and seem to use them interchangeably. In fact, Shockey had more targets, catches and yards than Olsen in Week 2.

While Olsen remains a decent fantasy option, his upside is limited for now. However, if Shockey were to get injured, which he has a habit of doing, Olsen could be a fantasy gem.

Scott Chandler

Ryan Fitzpatrick has been a stud in the first two weeks leading the Buffalo Bills to a 2-0 start and torching opposing defenses. One of his favorite targets has been tight end Scott Chandler.

Chandler is a better option in touchdown heavy leagues. He won’t catch a lot of passes or rack up a lot of yards, but he will be a factor in the red zone. Chandler already has three touchdowns in the first two games of the season and looks like Ryan Fitzpatrick’s favorite target near the goal line.

While Chandler probably won’t win you your matchup, he can keep you competitive and is a fine fill in.