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

THE INTRO

Well, for those of you that still read the Dime in color, the first thing you’ll notice is the festive Christmas decor this week. Happy Hanukka and Happy Kwanzaa as well, but I’m in the Christmas mood, so sue me. Kwanzaa… do I have any readers that celebrate Kwanzaa? Being politically correct is so hard these days… As for the other reason I changed colors this week, my Oakland Raiders’ team colors are just too depressing; we suck, but not quite enough to be in the hunt for Leinart. Go figure; we can’t even get sucking right. On the bright side of things (unless you root against me, of course, which recent studies show is the case for 74% of you – you know who you are), I had a strong week last week to rebound from the hideous showing of a few weeks back. So lets hop right into it; surely there’s some last minute shopping or wrapping or cooking that you should be doing instead of reading this thing.

USC TROJANS VS. TEXAS LONGHORNS

Current Spread: USC (-8.0) Texas (+8.0)

Pick and analysis… coming next week!

*Lets try a poll!*

Email me back; Who do you take with the points, and who do you take without them?

THE RECORD

Last Week
With the spread: 10 – 6 – 0 (.625)
Without the spread: 11 – 5 – 0 (.688)
$$Money Picks$$: 4 – 0 – 0 (1.000)
^^Zen Picks^^: 5 – 1 – 0 (.833)

Season
With the spread: 120 – 98 – 6 (.550)
Without the spread: 145 – 79 – 0 (.647)
$$Money Picks$$: 30 – 21 – 4 (.588)
^^Zen Picks^^: 23 – 11 – 0 (.676)

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

Tampa Bay 0 9 – 4 (+4.5) @ New England 28 8 – 5 (-4.5)
Yeah… umm… can I just take this one back?
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: LOSS – *Tampa Bay
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: LOSS – *Tampa Bay

Kansas City 17 8 – 5 (+3.0) @ N.Y. Giants 27 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?” – Indeed.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: WIN – N.Y. Giants
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – N.Y. Giants

Denver 28 10 – 3 (-7.5) @ Buffalo 17 4 – 9 (+7.5)
Damn you Zen… sure, I went 5 for 6 with Zen picks, but of all the games to be wrong on, why Denver?
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: LOSS – ^*Buffalo
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – Denver

Arizona 4 – 9 (-1.0) @ Houston 1 – 12 (+1.0)
Wait, so now they are trying to win? I’m really confused…
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: LOSS – Arizona
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: LOSS – Arizona

Carolina 27 9 – 4 (-7.5) @ New Orleans 10 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.” – Told ya.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: WIN – ^$Carolina
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – Carolina

Philadelphia 17 5 – 8 (+3.0) @ St. Louis 16 5 – 8 (-3.0)
A wins a win, even if no one cares.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: WIN – *Philadelphia
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – Philadelphia

San Diego 26 8 – 5 (+7.5) @ Indianapolis 17 13 – 0 (-7.5)
Well, so much for the perfect season. That’s okay, Colts; you still get the Super Bowl trophy as your consolation prize.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: WIN – ^*San Diego
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: LOSS – Indianapolis

Seattle 28 11 – 2 (-7.5) @ Tennessee 24 4 – 9 (+7.5)
‘”even a half hearted effort should be enough to cover the spread here.” – No, apparently it isn’t.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: LOSS – Seattle
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – Seattle

San Francisco 9 2 – 11 (+14.5) @ Jacksonville 10 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.” – Spread easily covered this one, huh?
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: WIN – ^*San Fransisco
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – Jacksonville

Cincinnati 41 10 – 3 (-7.0) @ Detroit 17 4 – 9 (+7.0)
“After having far too close a game with Cleveland last week, look for the Bengals to come out and really pound the Lions in this one.” – Is 24 points a pounding? I think so.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: WIN – $Cincinnati
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – Cincinnati

Cleveland 9 4 – 9 (+3.0) @ Oakland 7 4 – 9 (-3.0)
Next.. just… skip… ahead… NEXT.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: WIN – *Cleveland
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – *Cleveland

Dallas 7 8 – 5 (+3.0) @ Washington 35 7 – 6 (-3.0)
“Dallas always beats Washington, regardless of the quality of each team, it is that simple.” – Simple? No, guess not.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: *Dallas
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: *Dallas

Atlanta 3 8 – 5 (+3.0) @ Chicago 16 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.” – No, they won’t.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: WIN – ^$Chicago
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – Chicago

Green Bay 3 3 – 10 (+3.0) @ Baltimore 48 4 – 9 (-3.0)
I seriously couldn’t have been more off on this pick if I had tried to be.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: LOSS – *Green Bay
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: LOSS – *Green Bay

DAMN I’M GOOD

N.Y. Jets 20 3 – 10 (+7.5) @ Miami 24 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: WIN – ^*N.Y. Jets
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – Miami
– Ah yes, the spread sure does make a difference.

Pittsburgh 18 8 – 5 (-3.0) @ Minnesota 3 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: WIN – $Pittsburgh
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – Pittsburgh
– Money picking against such a hot team? Gotta tip my cap to myself on that one.

THE PICKS

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

Saturday

Atlanta 8 – 6 (+3.0) @ Tampa Bay 9 – 5 (-3.0)
Atlanta is a good team, but they aren’t a great team. Not that Tampa Bay necessarily is, but they have the recipe to beat Atlanta; a strong running game and a strong defense. Not to mention, they have to be pretty angry after that Patriots game fiasco, and they should come out hungry in this one.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: ^$Tampa Bay
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Tampa Bay

Buffalo 4 – 10 (+13.0) @ Cincinnati 11 – 3 (-13.0)
Buffalo has nothing but pride to play for, while Cincinnati is fighting for a first round bye. Playoffs are a bit stronger in the motivational department, and at home, the Bengals should pound the Bills.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: Cincinnati
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Cincinnati

Dallas 8 – 6 (+5.5) @ Carolina 10 – 4 (-5.5)
Dallas has shown flashes of brilliance, and flashes of complete disaster all season. I don’t think they will beat the consistantly strong Panthers, but I do think they will make a game out of it.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: *Dallas
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Carolina

Detroit 4 – 10 (+2.5) @ New Orleans 3 – 11 (-2.5)
I’m really not sure at all in this one, but I just get the feeling that Detroit is going to win. I mean, they have to; it is really embarassing how bad they are, the least they could do is beat New Orleans.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: *Detroit
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: *Detroit

Jacksonville 10 – 4 (-6.0) @ Houston 2 – 12 (+6.0)
I always say that Jacksonville plays nothing but close games. Still, I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt in this one, and keep my fingers crossed that they win by the touchdown they need.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: Jacksonville
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Jacksonville

N.Y. Giants 10 – 4 (+3.0) @ Washington 8 – 6 (-3.0)
This is a toughy, and has the makings to be a damn good game. Both teams are riding 3 game winning streaks. While New York has the better team, Washington has 91,000 fans on their side; and they need this game a bit more than the Giants do. I say they take it.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: ^Washington
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Washington

Pittsburgh 9 – 5 (-6.5) @ Cleveland 5 – 9 (+6.5)
Pittsburgh is just a flat out better team than Cleveland. They play the same type of football, except Pittsburgh plays it better. So yeah, I’ll take them.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: Pittsburgh
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Pittsburgh

San Diego 9 – 5 (+1.0) @ Kansas City 8 – 6 (-1.0)
Here is an interesting game. I think the Chargers are a great team, better than the Chiefs, and they just beat the best team in the league last week. But that’s the thing; I don’t know if they have anything left. Both teams are going to want this win very badly, but in Kansas City, I think San Diego is ripe for a let down.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: ^Kansas City
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Kansas City

San Francisco 2 – 12 (+10.0) @ St. Louis 5 – 9 (-10.0)
St. Louis has no defense, but San Fran has no offense. And on the other side of the ball? Yeah, St. Louis should blow them out.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: St. Louis
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: St. Louis

Tennessee 4 – 10 (+5.5) @ Miami 7 – 7 (-5.5)
Miami is a real surprise this season, making a 2 -12 calibur team into a 7 – 7 team. In their last home game of the season, look for them to win their 5th (!!!) straight game against the weak Titans.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: Miami
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Miami

Philadelphia 6 – 8 (+1.0) @ Arizona 4 – 10 (-1.0)
After losing to the Houston Texans, Arizona is the laughing stock of the league right now. If that doesn’t get you motivated to try to redeem yourself this week, then not too much will.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: ^Arizona
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Arizona

Indianapolis 13 – 1 (+7.5) @ Seattle 12 – 2 (-7.5)
Indianapolis is benching all of its key players, as they have already clinched home field throughout the playoffs. The Seahawks haven’t. And they are at home. Against Indi’s practice squad, this one is going to be UGLY.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: $Seattle
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Seattle

Oakland 4 – 10 (+12.5) @ Denver 11 – 3 (-12.5)
Okay, okay, I know the Raiders suck very badly. But this game is going to be like a Super Bowl game to them; the chance to screw Denver up, screw them out of a bye or a game at home in the playoffs, that is going to drive the Raider’s to play their hearts out. Will they win? Very unlikely. But I think they can make a 10 point game out of it.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: ^*Oakland
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Denver

Sunday

Chicago 10 – 4 (-3.5) @ Green Bay 3 – 11 (+3.5)
Playing against a hated rival like the Bears has got to get the Packers all riled up. Plus, coming off of that huge loss Monday night, they are gonna come out strong this Sunday. Oh, you didn’t think I was actually going to pick them, did you? Regardless of how motivated they are, I don’t see Chicago dropping this one.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: Chicago
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Chicago

Minnesota 8 – 6 (-1.0) @ Baltimore 5 – 9 (+1.0)
Baltimore wins 48 – 3, and is strutting around town. Minnesota is coming off a streak crushing loss to Pittsburgh, at home no less. Hmmm… do I smell a Zen pick?
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: ^Minnesota
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Minnesota

Monday

New England 9 – 5 (-5.0) @ N.Y. Jets 3 – 11 (+5.0)
Beginning of the season, I’da guessed this game would play a key part in deciding the division’s winner. Fast forward to now, and the superior team is pretty clear cut. I’d love to see the Jets pull the big upset here, but it just isn’t going to happen.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: New England
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: New England

KINGS HOCKEY

Here’s something we haven’t seen in a few weeks; a positive update! The Kings have been playing very well, having won 5 of their last 7 despite injuries and tough teams on the road. It has been fun to see us actually score goals! Even though they lost Friday night, the big Frolov Demitra Conroy line was reunited… I hope it stays together this time, and Murray doesn’t stupidly break it up again.

Side note. I am in love with actress Elisha Cuthbert. First of all, she is stunningly beautiful, but secondly and even more importantly (yes, more important!), she is a KINGS fan! A serious one too! How exciting is that? I will marry this girl someday*! If you’re a single girl reading thing column, don’t be heartbroken; I’m still available for dating. You just have to understand that it can only be a short term thing, as I will eventually find true love with Elisha**.

*Yes, I know that its never going to happen in a million years.
**Again, I know, but leave me with my dreams.

Love the Dime? Hate it? Please send feedback!
For past issues of the DIME, visit my website: Dave’s Dime
Have a great weekend everyone!

MY TEAMS RECORDS
OAKLAND RAIDERS: 4 – 10 – 0
*USC TROJANS: 12 – 0 – 0*
LOS ANGELES KINGS: 22 – 14 – 1

TROJAN OUTSCORING O-METER
Season:
TROJANS 600
OPPONENTS 256

Comments are closed