Dave’s Dime
“Because Two Cents Just Isn’t Enough”

THE INTRO

Well, last week didn’t exactly go according to plan, as I got 2 of my picks wrong straight up, and 3 wrong with the spread. Then again, thats the beauty of pro football, isn’t it? All year I do well, then the first week comes along and shuts me down. Well, no more – I’m confident this week.

…Sort of.

I can’t remember the last time the playoffs featured four such fantastic matchups in a single week. Every game, while not necessarily evenly matched, is capible of being entertaining, exciting, and wild. I am looking very forward not only to picking these games, but watching them all as well.

So lets get to it.

USC TROJANS

Say goodbye to one of the best backfields in USC history. As expected, Reggie Bush and Matt Leinart left for the draft; but Lendale White was a toss-up. The decision was made final on my birthday, however (quite a gift), and Lendale White is entering the draft.

“I didn’t feel like my heart was with USC no more. My heart was with the team and those guys and I loved being there,” White said, “But I feel like it was time for me to move on and experience something better.”.

Well, theres no question that new experiences do lie ahead; as for better, only time will tell. I’d say 34 straight wins and two national championships was a pretty damn good run, and will be tough to beat in the NFL. But, I certainly wish all 3 of them the best, and hope they all get super bowl rings in the future. And while they may not be wearing Trojan jerseys on Saturdays “no more”, they will always be a part of our football team’s history and prestige.

THE RECORD

Season (Final)
With the spread: 138 – 111 – 7 (.554)
Without the spread: 167 – 89 – 0 (.652)
$$Money Picks$$: 33 – 22 – 5 (.600)
^^Zen Picks^^: 27 – 13 – 1 (.675)

Playoffs Last Week

With the spread: 1 – 3 – 0 (.250)
Without the spread: 2 – 2 (.500)
$$Money Picks$$: 0 – 0 – 0 (N/A)
^^Zen Picks^^: 0 – 1 – 0 (.000)

Playoffs

With the spread: 1 – 3 – 0 (.250)
Without the spread: 2 – 2 (.500)
$$Money Picks$$: 0 – 0 – 0 (N/A)
^^Zen Picks^^: 0 – 1 – 0 (.000)

LAST WEEK’S RECAP OF DAVE’S BRILLIANCE AND FOOLISHNESS
(Usually Brilliance?!?)

Saturday

Washington 17 10 – 6 (+2.0) @ Tampa Bay 10 11 – 5 (-2.0)
Make it 6 straight wins! The Redskins are just finding ways to win football games; despite the worst offensive performance in a winning effort in playoff football history (only 120 total yards!), the Redskins pulled it out with key plays on defense. Next up, Seattle. Credit coach Gruden for the great season he put together with a team that wasn’t supposed to do much.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: LOSS – Tampa Bay
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: LOSS – Tampa Bay

Jacksonville 3 12 – 4 (+7.0) @ New England 28 10 – 6 (-7.0)
“But numbers mean nothing in the playoffs against New England in New England, where this team just wins football games. Take Jacksonville with the points, but lets not expect any miracles.” – Emphasize the first sentence. The numbers don’t matter… every team in the league should fear these guys, even if they are better on paper. Jacksonville is young and talented; if they can add an every down running back (that isnt always injured), they will find themselves back in this spot next year.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: LOSS – *Jacksonville
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – New England

Sunday

Carolina 23 11 – 5 (+3.0) @ N.Y. Giants 0 11 – 5 (-3.0)
“They are in my humble opinion (and the unbiased opinion of the statistics) the better team, and I think they have what it takes to get the win on the road”, or beat the living snot out of them on the road. Either way, its a ticket to Chicago.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: WIN – *Carolina
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – *Carolina

Pittsburgh 31 11 – 5 (-2.0) @ Cincinnati 17 11 – 5 (+2.0)
Carson Palmer went down 2 plays into the game, and with him, so did my bets and the Bengal’s playoff dreams. Doctor’s are saying that the injury may be career ending; lets pray that that isn’t the case. As long as it isn’t, Cincinnati will be a force to reckon with in a few more years.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: LOSS – *^Cincinnati
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: LOSS – *Cincinnati

THE PICKS

* – Indicates Upset Pick
$ – Indicates Money Pick
^ – Indicates Zen Pick

Saturday

Washington 11 – 6 (+9.0) @ Seattle 13 – 3 (-9.0)
Ok, so Washington has been playing outstanding football, winners of 6 straight, and Seattle didn’t play last week and is liable to get caught of guard, right? Well, while there is some validity to that theory, I’m not quite buying it. Seattle got the bye for a reason, and they are the best team in the NFC and there is a 9 point spread for a reason. Seattle is outstanding, and they are even more outstanding at home. They will win this game… don’t be fooled by the hotness of the Redskins or all those points. Make no mistake, I respect the Redskins and their streak, but I’m just pretty damn sure its coming to an end tomorrow.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: $Seattle
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Seattle

New England 11 – 6 (+3.0) @ Denver 13 – 3 (-3.0)
I’m just not going to pick against New England in the playoffs, and if I get three points in the process, so be it. Denver is the “better team”… but New England has been an absolute playoff powerhouse for 3 of the last 4 years, and if anyone is going to stop them, it is going to have to be the Colts or the Seahawks, in my opinion. Should be closer than it was last week, but should be a Patriot victory anyways.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: *$New England
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: *New England

Sunday

Pittsburgh 12 – 5 (+8.5) @ Indianapolis 14 – 2 (-8.5)
Read the Seattle Washington game pick, and you’ve pretty much got this one. Yes, Pittsburgh is very hot. Yes, Indi is very rested. And yes, Indi is going to comfortably win in this one. I respect Pittsburgh and know they have the chance to grind this one out; but I don’t think their secondary has what it takes to stack up against the Colts.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: Indianapolis
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Indianapolis

Carolina 12 – 5 (+3.0) @ Chicago 11 – 5 (-3.0)
This is an exciting matchup… if you like defenses. I think Carolina has the better offense, but Chicago has the better defense. And playoff history tells me to go with defense. So thats what I’ll do. Look for a close, tight, low scoring game.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: Chicago
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Chicago

KINGS HOCKEY

Right when it looked like the injuries had finally caughten up to us, we go into Boston and beat them 6 – 0. This team’s resiliancy is nothing short of amazing; no matter whos wearing that jersey, the team finds ways to win games. With one of my favorite’s and a pivitol part to our 3rd line’s success, Eric Belanger, on schedule to return next week and Pavol Demitra right around the corner, look for the Kings to bounce back… from the slump they forgot to go in.

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Have a great weekend everyone!

MY TEAMS RECORDS
LOS ANGELES KINGS: 28 – 16 – 2
*USC TROJANS: 12 – 1 – 0*
*OAKLAND RAIDERS: 4 – 12 – 0*

TROJAN OUTSCORING O-METER
Season:
TROJANS 638
OPPONENTS 297

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