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

THE INTRO

Happy Thanksgiving everyone! Welcome to the special Thursday morning addition of the Dime, brought to you due to the Thanksgiving games that take place today. Interestingly enough, the better I get at picking winners, the more people start asking me to remove them from my list (2 this week). But thats okay; I know I still have about 3 – 7 loyal readers out there. Maybe its safe to actually start betting on my picks (God forbid)? Since getting the Zen book, I’m 48 – 35 – 3 (57.8 win %) and 16 – 9 – 2 money picks (64 win %). Last week, after starting off 4 – 6, I had a 5 – 1 stretch to salvage another winning week. In any case, enough praising myself – lets just get this over with so we can all get back to stuffing our faces with whatever food is within arms reach (after all, if we actually MOVED MORE THAN OUR ARMS to get to food, we’d be burning extra calories, and that wouldn’t be the American way)!

THE RECORD

Last Week
With the spread: 9 – 7 – 0 (.563)
Without the spread: 10 – 6 – 0 (.625)
$$Money Picks$$: 3 – 3 – 0 (.500)
^^Zen Picks^^: 2 – 1 – 0 (.666)

Season
With the spread: 82 – 74 – 4 (.526)
Without the spread: 99 – 61 – 0 (.619)
$$Money Picks$$: 18 – 16 – 3 (.530)
^^Zen Picks^^: 11 – 5 – 0 (.688)

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

Arizona 38 2 – 7 (+10.0) @ St. Louis 28 4 – 5 (-10.0)
This is just stupid, and this is also why St. Louis can not be taken seriously.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: LOSS – St. Louis
ICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: LOSS – St. Louis

Carolina 3 7 – 2 (-2.5) @ Chicago 13 6 – 3 (+2.5)
A high powered defense with a low powered offense that doesnt get any credit from anyone but experts, despite massive winning streak… reminds me of a team from Baltimore a few years back…
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: LOSS – $Carolina
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: LOSS – Carolina

Detroit 7 4 – 5 (+8.0) @ Dallas 20 6 – 3 (-8.0)
“I don’t think there’s any question that Dallas is going to win. However, can they win by 8? Initially I was going to say no, but re-zoning in to my Zen training, I say that after Dallas got away with one and essentially stole the game last week, they will come home and put on a show for the home crowd, and actually earn this one.” – Huge Zen pick here, helped keep my morning within reason.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: WIN – ^Dallas
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – Dallas

Jacksonville 31 6 – 3 (-4.5) @ Tennessee 28 2 – 7 (+4.5)
Shouldn’t have been anywhere near this close, but to Jacksonville’s defense, a win is a win.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: LOSS – $Jacksonville
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: LOSS – Jacksonville

Miami 0 3 – 6 (+1.5) @ Cleveland 22 3 – 6 (-1.5)
“Saban is running a great program in Miami, he just doesn’t have the talent on his team to win too many games. Fortunately, you don’t need talent to beat the Browns.” – Clearly you do.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: LOSS – *Miami
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: LOSS – Miami

Oakland 16 3 – 6 (+5.0) @ Washington 13 5 – 4 (-5.0)
The one week I pick against my Raiders, they go out and beat a great team at home. They always find a way to torture me, but damn it, I still love em.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: LOSS – ^$Washington
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: LOSS – Washington

Philadelphia 17 4 – 5 (+7.0) @ N.Y. Giants 27 6 – 3 (-7.0)
“Both teams are coming of demoralizing losses, but theres a difference; New York is much better, and they are at home. They will take care of the Eagles.”
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: WIN – $N.Y. Giants
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – N.Y. Giants.

Pittsburgh 13 7 – 2 (-3.5) @ Baltimore 16 2 – 7 (+3.5)
This is why even the best pick at only around 60%. Credit me for not money picking it.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: LOSS – Pittsburgh
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: LOSS – Pittsburgh

Seattle 27 7 – 2 (-12.5) @ San Francisco 25 2 – 7 (+12.5)
San Fransisxo has been playing well lately, but don’t have the talent to back it up just yet.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: LOSS – Seattle
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – Seattle

Buffalo 10 4 – 5 (+9.5) @ San Diego 48 5 – 4 (-9.5)
“The league’s worst rushing defense VS. the league’s best running back. Reggie Bush’s incredible performance may be challenged in this one” – Actually, it was Brees’ turn to do the damage, but a massive win no less.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: WIN – $San Diego
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – San Diego

Indianapolis 45 9 – 0 (-4.0) @ Cincinnati 37 7 – 2 (+4.0)
“Could this game go Cinci’s way? Most definitely. They are at home, and have a great team. Still, Indianapolis has a better team, and I’m not sure I can pick against them this year until they falter.” – As good a game as anyone could have reasonably asked for.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: WIN – Indianapolis
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – Indianapolis

N.Y. Jets 0 2 – 7 (+12.5) @ Denver 27 7 – 2 (-12.5)
“And then theres the Jets, who I love, and the Broncos, who I hate. Does it matter? The Jets are on par with the Raiders this year (they have an excuse at least – they are injured), and the Broncos are near the tops in the league. The verdict? Another Jets pounding.” – Only regret here is that it wasn’t money.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: WIN – Denver
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – Denver

Kansas City 45 5 – 4 (-6.5) @ Houston 17 1 – 8 (+6.5)
After dropping a game to Buffalo last week and seeing their division rivals playing in easy games, the Chiefs NEED a win this week, and I think they can get one without a problem against awful Houston.” – Right again
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: WIN – $Kansas City
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – Kansas City

Minnesota 20 4 – 5 (+3.5) @ Green Bay 17 2 – 7 (-3.5)
Crucial win for the all of a sudden hot Vikings, and my week needed it big time (9 – 7 VS 8 – 8). Who cares about the
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: WIN – *Minnesota
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: LOSS – Green Bay

DAMN, I’M GOOD

New Orleans 17 2 – 7 (+10.0) @ New England 24 5 – 4 (-10.0)
Yes, New Orleans sucks pretty darn bad. That much has been established. They are on a 5 game losing streak, and now they are heading into the defending Super Bowl Champion’s stadium. If you can’t get pumped up for this, you might as well hang up the cleats now. I don’t think they will win, but I do say they play their hearts out this week.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: WIN – ^*New Orleans
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – New England
– A risky pick, and it paid off.

Tampa Bay 30 6 – 3 (+6.0) @ Atlanta 27 6 – 3 (-6.0)
My first instinct said that the Falcons would win, but upon further review, I don’t think they will. Tampa has the defense to contain them, and after coming off of a huge exhilarating win against Washington, I think the momentum is going to carry over into this one.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: WIN – *Tampa Bay
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – Tampa Bay
– A true upset pick, and a damn good one.

THE PICKS

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

Today’s Games

Atlanta 6 – 4 (-3.0) @ Detroit 4 – 6 (+3.0)
Sorry for getting the picks out late, but please trust me on this one. I had Atlanta picked, I swear. Coming off of a disappointing loss last week, Atlanta needed to have a huge game this week, and I picked them to do so. It would appear so far that they are doing so. I was actually going to make it a money pick, but that much I’ll hold off in due to having seen the score.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: Atlanta
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Atlanta

Denver 8 – 2 (+2.0) @ Dallas 7 – 3 (-2.0)
This one, I will take the money pick on. While it is Dallas tradition to win on Thanksgiving, Denver is a very very good team this year, and Dallas is due for a letdown. Denver should win this one by about a touchdown.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: *$Denver
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Denver

Rest O’ The Weekend

Carolina 7 – 3 (-4.0) @ Buffalo 4 – 6 (+4.0)
I have a gut feeling about Buffalo winning this game, but absolutely nothing in the stats allows me to justify picking them. So I’m going to go with the significantly better Carolina team in this one.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: Carolina
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Carolina

Baltimore 3 – 7 (+9.0) @ Cincinnati 7 – 3 (-9.0)
This is a Zen pick through and through. Baltimore coming off an impressive win against Pittsburgh can certainly win WITH 9 points, right? Wrong. They are due for a let down, and Cincinnati will want to bounce back strong after last weeks emotional loss. At home, they take care of Baltimore without trouble.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: ^Cincinnati
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Cincinnati

San Fransisco 2 – 8 (+7.0) @ Tennessee 2 – 8 (-7.0)
Over the last few weeks, SF has been playing wonderfully, but good play minus talent still equals losses. The Titans, however, are just as talentless. SF is hungrier, and I’ll take the TD spread as well as the straight up pick in this one.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: *San Fransisco
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: *San Fransisco

New England 6 – 4 (+3.0) @ Kansas City 6 – 4 (-3.0)
One of the few picks I’m confident with this week. The Patriots can not stop the Chiefs, thats pure and simple. While this game may very well be a shootout, I’m confident that KC will last just a bit longer than New England, and edge out the victory.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: $Kansas City
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Kansas City

Cleveland 4 – 6 (+4.5) @ Minnesota 5 – 5 (-4.5)
Statistically, Cleveland is the favorite here. But that doesn’t matter. For whatever reason, the Vikings have just been winning every game they’ve been playing. Motivated my a bad division and super bowl champion QB Brad Johnson, the Vikes are hot, and Cleveland shouldn’t be able to slow them down.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: ^Minnesota
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Minnesota

Chicago 7 – 3 (+3.0) @ Tampa Bay 7 – 3 (-3.0)
One of the biggest surprises of this season has been the Chicago Bears, who are now owners of a 6 game winning streak. Tampa Bay slipped up, but is now back on track with a 2 game winning streak. This should be a good game, but the Bears defense is just impenetrable right now, and I don’t see the Buccaneers finding a weakness.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: *Chicago
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: *Chicago

San Diego 6 – 4 (-3.0) @ Washington 5 – 5 (+3.0)
One of the main reasons why I’m so successful these days is because I’m not only looking at the numbers, but I’m looking at the emotions, too. Washington is coming off of a heartbreaking loss, and the Chargers are coming off of a blowout victory. They are ripe for a letdown game in Washington. While SD is the much better team, upsets make the NFL, and this is going to be one of them.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: ^*Washington
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: *Washington

St. Louis 4 – 6 (-3.5) @ Houston 1 – 9 (+3.5)
Even without Bulger, St. Louis should definitely be good enough to beat Houston, who can’t beat much of anyone. Especially after losing to Arizona last week, St. Louis should be hungry and excited to face such a bad team this week.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: St. Louis
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: St. Louis

Miami 3 – 7 (+7.0) @ Oakland 4 – 6 (-7.0)
Miami had a terrible loss last week, and Oakland had an emotional win. That means, by Zen standards, that Miami should win the game Sunday. I don’t think they are talented enough to do so, but I do think they can keep it close. And the Raiders on a winning streak? How sweet that would be.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: ^*Miami
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Oakland

Jacksonville 7 – 3 (-3.5) @ Arizona 3 – 7 (+3.5)
What is there to say? Jacksonville will probably win by like 2 and screw me over on the spread, but point is, they will win. And for 3.5 points, I’ll take my chances.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: Jacksonville
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Jacksonville

Green Bay 2 – 8 (+4.0) @ Philidelphia 4 – 6 (-4.0)
Here are two bad, disappointing teams this year. While statistically this game favors the Packers, I think that the Eagles are long over due for a team win. Without McNabb and without Owens, I still feel that they can beat this weak GB teams and give their fans a rare something to cheer about.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: ^Philidelphia
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Philidelphia

New York Giants 7 – 3 (+5.5) @ Seattle 8 – 2 (-5.5)
Out of nowhere, Seattle has the best record in the NFC. Many would argue, though, that the Giants are the team to beat. This game will say alot. I’m not giving up 5.5 points to a team as talented as the Giants, but I will say Seattle holds on to win it at home.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: *New York Giants
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Seattle

New Orleans 2 – 8 (+2.5) @ New York Jets 2 – 8 (-2.5)
What an awful, awful game this will be. I had New Orleans typed in, but I’m gonna change it to the Jets. Both teams are bad, but the Jets are at home, and they have played a lot of really tough opponents of late. I think they will be thrilled at the chance to play a team at their level, and they can notch the win in this one.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: ^New York Jets
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: New York Jets

Pittsburgh 7 – 3 (+7.0) @ Indianapolis 10 – 0 (-7.0)
Bet on Indianapolis as often as you can. They have proven Zen wrong time and time again, and they just consistantly win football games by alot. Will they go undefeated? Maybe, maybe not. But I certainly don’t think this is the week they are in jeopardy.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: $Indianapolis
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Indianapolis

KINGS HOCKEY

No news on this front; the Kings are still good. In fact, they are very good; They are winners of 5 of their last 6, and have gained 13 of a possible 16 points in their last 8 games (thats 6 wins, one loss, and one loss in overtime, which counts for a point).

Today, the Kings face off against Nashville, the team responsible for that one regulation loss stated above. And then, the weekend. Saturday, the Kings face Chicago, and I am going to be in attendence. Next, Monday, the Kings face the Red Wings, which I will also be in attendence for. Those of you keeping score know that the Kings are a perfect 6 for 6 with me there. Of course, Detroit has won their last EIGHT against the Kings. So which will break first, my streak, or Detroit’s? And can Chicago prevent me from heading into that game undefeated? Only time will tell.

Want my prediction?

End of Monday night: Consolazio 8 – 0, Detroit 8 – 1

Enjoy your Thanksgiving and the rest of your holiday weekend!

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For past issues of the DIME, visit my website: Dave’s Dime

MY TEAMS RECORDS
OAKLAND RAIDERS: 4 – 6 – 0
USC TROJANS: 11 – 0 – 0
LOS ANGELES KINGS: 15 – 6 – 1

TROJAN OUTSCORING O-METER
Season:
TROJANS 534
OPPONENTS 237

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