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

THE INTRO

I’ll tell you what I am, ladies and gentlemen. A cranky loser. No, this isn’t a sad cry for help, its just the truth. Take a look at last weeks record if you don’t believe me on the loser part. And as for cranky, well, how would you feel if you had a sore throat and your father and brother chuckled and told you at 11 o’clock at night that there were games on Saturday this week, and that I had to type up the Dime TONIGHT? My confidence is shot! I can’t go on! Oh, woe is me! (/End dramatic whining)

Everyone is entitled to a bad week, but my showing was nothing short of embarassing. Thank God you aren’t paying for a subscription, or you would have cancelled. And thank goodness most of my “readers” don’t really even read the thing, otherwise they would stop “reading” all together. I kid, I know that you my loyal readers would not turn your back on me after one bad week (again keeping in mind that its a FREE column and most of you are my friends), but nonetheless I will try and win this week for everyone’s sake (mainly mine; confidence is at a premium here).

I know you’re all just dying for me to break down the big game, but patience! Good things come to those who wait (or, look past the adage; good things don’t come from those who are bitter and have sore throats).

Anyhow, lets just get on with the damn thing. If I’m anything like one of my Zen book teams, I should “bounce back with a big week” here.

THE RECORD

Last Week
With the spread: 6 – 9 – 1 (.400)
Without the spread: 11 – 5 – 0 (.688)
$$Money Picks$$: 0 – 4 – 1 (.000)
^^Zen Picks^^: 1 – 1 – 0 (.500)

Season
With the spread: 110 – 92 – 6 (.545)
Without the spread: 134 – 74 – 0 (.644)
$$Money Picks$$: 26 – 21 – 4 (.553)
^^Zen Picks^^: 18 – 10 – 0 (.643)

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

Chicago 9 9 – 3 (+4.0) @ Pittsburgh 21 7 – 5 (-4.0)
“This has all the makings to be a Zen upset. Struggling team thats lost 3 straight faces seemingly unstoppable team with 8 straight wins at home. Upset written all over it.” – Then why, oh why, didn’t I just pick it?
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: LOSS – *$Chicago
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: LOSS – Chicago

Cleveland 4 – 8 (+12.0) @ Cincinnati 9 – 3 (-12.0)
“While Cleveland does have a pretty good defense and part of me says that they can keep this game close…” – Again, I’m just setting myself up for failure.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: LOSS – Cincinnati
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – Cincinnati

Indianapolis 26 12 – 0 (-7.5) @ Jacksonville 18 9 – 3 (+7.5)
Barely inched this one out, but I’ll take em any way they come.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: WIN – Indianapolis
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – Indianapolis

Oakland 10 4 – 8 (-2.5) @ N.Y. Jets 26 2 – 10 (+2.5)
Well you see… the thing with this one is… I mean… you know… I… don’t want to talk about it.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: LOSS – $Oakland
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: LOSS – Oakland

St. Louis 13 5 – 7 (+7.0) @ Minnesota 27 7 – 5 (-7.0)
A month and a half ago, my old roomate Kai and I joked about how great it would be if his Vikings and my Raiders went on 6 game winning streaks and got back into the playoff hunt. We had a laugh. He’s still laughing. I’m crying.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: WIN – Minnesota
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – Minnesota

Tampa Bay 20 8 – 4 (+5.0) @ Carolina 10 9 – 3 (-5.0)
No, they don’t care that they are on the road. No, they don’t need your lousy points. And yes, they did make a damn fool out of me.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: LOSS – Carolina
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: LOSS – Carolina

N.Y. Giants 26 8 – 4 (-3.5) @ Philadelphia 23 5 – 7 (+3.5)
I’m at a loss for words (for me, thats awfully rare). How…? Why…? A win is a win, blah blah blah, but…
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: LOSS – $N.Y. Giants
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – N.Y. Giants

San Francisco 3 2 – 10 (+16.0) @ Seattle 41 10 – 2 (-16.0)
“San Fran seems like the right pick here with all these points. But I don’t think they are; Seattle is great, and even greater at home, and a 28 point victory seems perfectly reasonable here.” – 28? I meant 38, honest.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: WIN – Seattle
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – Seattle

Washington 17 6 – 6 (-3.0) @ Arizona 13 4 – 8 (+3.0)
“Yes, Washington is the better team. Yes, Washington will win this game. No, no one will be watching or caring.” – Care or not, I’m still right.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: WIN – Washington
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – Washington

Baltimore 10 4 – 8 (+14.0) @ Denver 12 9 – 3 (-14.0)
Very icky game for Denver, but it gets the job done… for THEM, not for ME.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: LOSS – ^Denver
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – Denver

Kansas City 28 8 – 4 (+3.0) @ Dallas 31 7 – 5 (-3.0)
Oh KC, how I hate you so.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: TIE – *$Kansas City
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: LOSS – Kansas City

Miami 23 5 – 7 (+13.0) @ San Diego 21 8 – 4 (-13.0)
“Hell, they might not even MAKE the playoffs if they slip up.” – Slip up? How bout a landslide?
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: LOSS – $San Diego
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: LOSS – San Diego

Detroit 13 4 – 8 (+5.5) @ Green Bay 16 2 – 10 (-5.5)
The spread kills me? Thats a first.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: LOSS – Green Bay
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – Green Bay

New Orleans 17 3 – 9 (+10.0) @ Atlanta 36 7 – 5 (-10.0)
Wrong again, no close one here.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: LOSS – *New Orleans
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – Atlanta

DAMN I’M GOOD

Houston 1 – 11 (+6.5) @ Tennessee 3 – 9 (-6.5)
Ok, so Tennessee should win this game, at home, against the weakest team (and likely future home to Reggie Bush) in the league, but they are not a touchdown better than anyone. They’ll win, but not with the points. (De ja vu…)
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: WIN – *Houston
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – Tennessee
– The diamond in the rough that was last week.

New England 7 – 5 (-3.5) @ Buffalo 4 – 8 (+3.5)
Ok everyone, this is revolutionary, as it marks my maturity as a gambler/columnist/whatever it is that I am. Every week I just make a pick because I’m feeling it. And pretty much every week, I’m wrong. I feel that Buffalo is going to win. Know it in my blood. But, the numbers just don’t agree. And so, in a terribly disciplined move, I’m taking the Pats.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: WIN – ^New England
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – New England
– I’m just pleased with how much I’ve grow up.

THE PICKS

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

Saturday

Tampa Bay 9 – 4 (+4.5) @ New England 8 – 5 (-4.5)
Ooooh, no one can beat New England in the snow. That is, old New England. This team, however, is a mediocre team with a record inflated by it’s weak division. The stronger Bucs will “do the impossible” and “upset” the Pats in this one.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: *Tampa Bay
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: *Tampa Bay

Kansas City 8 – 5 (+3.0) @ N.Y. Giants 9 – 4 (-3.0)
Last week’s close call against the Eagles made the Giants look vulnerable, and they are likely going to want to rid themselves of that look. What better time to do it against a tough team at home?
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: N.Y. Giants
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: N.Y. Giants

Denver 10 – 3 (-7.5) @ Buffalo 4 – 9 (+7.5)
Buffalo is playing it’s second straight game at home, where they play well, and they are coming off of a blowout, meaning they are hungry for redemption. Zen pick? You got it. Buffalo won’t win, but they will make it a TD or closer… I hope.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: ^*Buffalo
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Denver

Sunday

Arizona 4 – 9 (-1.0) @ Houston 1 – 12 (+1.0)
If you saw the field goal that Houston’s kicker missed last week, you’d know that they don’t want to win anothe game this season. And thats fine. I like Reggie Bush, too. But I’m certainly not going to bet on a team that has no interest in winning.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: Arizona
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Arizona

Carolina 9 – 4 (-7.5) @ New Orleans 3 – 10 (+7.5)
Coming off of an extremely tough loss in Tampa Bay, look for Carolina to exact its revenge in a big way in this one.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: ^$Carolina
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Carolina

N.Y. Jets 3 – 10 (+7.5) @ Miami 6 – 7 (-7.5)
No way Miami can have the gas in its tank after that emotional win over San Diego to take on the always-pesky division rival Jets. They should win, but I don’t think they can do it in big-margin fashion.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: ^*N.Y. Jets
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Miami

Philadelphia 5 – 8 (+3.0) @ St. Louis 5 – 8 (-3.0)
I honestly have no idea. I’ll take the Eagles though, who showed a lot of heart against the Giants, and if they show that kind of intensity against the Rams, they will breeze to victory.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: *Philadelphia
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Philadelphia

Pittsburgh 8 – 5 (-3.0) @ Minnesota 8 – 5 (+3.0)
Its been a really good run for the Vikings; 6 wins to be exact. But other than the Giants, none of the teams they have faced have really been all that good. The Steelers are very good, and they are going to end the streak this week, just as they ended the Bear’s last week.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: $Pittsburgh
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Pittsburgh

San Diego 8 – 5 (+7.5) @ Indianapolis 13 – 0 (-7.5)
Last weeks Miami upset was the worst thing that could have happened for the Colts. Now, instead of being the game that it was “Okay for the Chargers to lose”, they are a must win opponent. Will San Diego pull it off? I don’t think so. But I do think they will give Indy their biggest test yet. Next week’s match up against the Seahawks is going to be huge too, but they’ve gotta beat the Chargers first, if they want to keep the undefeated season hopes alive.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: ^*San Diego
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Indianapolis

Seattle 11 – 2 (-7.5) @ Tennessee 4 – 9 (+7.5)
Seattle has won 9 straight, and probably can’t wait for the (super bowl preview?) matchup against the Colts next week. But, they do have to wait. Still, even a half hearted effort should be enough to cover the spread here.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: Seattle
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Seattle

San Francisco 2 – 11 (+14.5) @ Jacksonville 9 – 4 (-14.5)
Jacksonville doesn’t blow teams out. While San Fran may be an exception, I think they will be pretty emotionally drained from last week’s battle against the Colts, and they will probably take it easy. Taking it easy should still result in an easy win, but not a 14 point one.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: ^*San Fransisco
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Jacksonville

Cincinnati 10 – 3 (-7.0) @ Detroit 4 – 9 (+7.0)
After having far too close a game with Cleveland last week, look for the Bengals to come out and really pount the Lions in this one.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: $Cincinnati
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Cincinnati

Cleveland 4 – 9 (+3.0) @ Oakland 4 – 9 (-3.0)
This is DEFINITELY a “who cares?” game, but I kind of do. I just can’t pick Oakland with a straight face, even against lowly Cleveland; hopefully they prove me wrong?
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: *Cleveland
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: *Cleveland

Dallas 8 – 5 (+3.0) @ Washington 7 – 6 (-3.0)
Dallas always beats Washington, regardless of the quality of each team, it is that simple. Why? Thats like asking why’s a tree good? How’s a rainbow made? It just IS. (Kudos to those of you who know the movie I’m quoting). In any case, the numbers favor them too, and I’ll take em.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: *Dallas
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: *Dallas

Atlanta 8 – 5 (+3.0) @ Chicago 9 – 4 (-3.0)
Chicago is a better team than Atlanta, and on top of that, they are an angry team after taking a rare loss in Pittsburgh. They won’t lose this one at home.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: ^$Chicago
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Chicago

Monday

Green Bay 3 – 10 (+3.0) @ Baltimore 4 – 9 (-3.0)
Who knows, or cares? When Week 15’s Monday Night Football matchup has two teams that combine for 7 wins, you know your in for a bad game. I’ll take Green Bay, as their numbers are a bit better, and everyone knows how much Favre loves his monday night magic.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: *Green Bay
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: *Green Bay

KINGS HOCKEY

Not a whole lot to add from this standpoint, still hate Armstrong (though he did have a good game Friday) and Coach Murray. But, I guess I’m just going to have to come to terms with the fact that one of the best lines in hockey is permanantly disband. I could certainly get over it with alot more ease if the Kings continue playing with the tenacity that they did against the Ducks Friday night, where they won in a shootout 4 – 3. But I’m not getting too excited, they were coming off a loss against the league’s very worst in the Washington Capitals. Who knows what to expect? All I do know is, if Murray doesn’t learn how to coach before the end of the season, whatever playoff dreams I had built up in my head will quickly turn in to nightmares.

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Have a great weekend everyone!

MY TEAMS RECORDS
OAKLAND RAIDERS: 4 – 9 – 0
*USC TROJANS: 12 – 0 – 0*
LOS ANGELES KINGS: 19 – 13 – 1

TROJAN OUTSCORING O-METER
Season:
TROJANS 600
OPPONENTS 256

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