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

THE INTRO

In baseball, a .313 batting average is really solid. Hell, any time you can bat in the .300s, you have to be pleased with yourself. A 3.13 ERA in baseball is fantastic, too. Hockey, a 3.13 Goals Against Average, and your a damn good goaltender. So is my .313 as glorious as the aforementioned? Not quite. Mine stands for 5 games picked correctly last week, and 11 picked incorrectly. Sports are my life, and my life having a terrible losing record is NOT cool.

But, in pro football, it is always difficult to predict the outcome of games. And week one is particularly difficult, for you have no idea of what to expect from any of the teams heading out there. Hopefully this week will calm down a little bit, and I can reign supreme (well, reign average) once again.

Oh, before I begin, I want to make a point on the Trojans. I am coming outright right now and saying that I believe that the Trojans will not have a game within 2 TDs this year. This is very cocky, I know, but I genuinly believe it. We have a college level defense that can be scored upon, but our offense is truly functionable at an almost-pro level. Leinart and Bush and even our WR core could be having success in the NFL right now, no question. And yet we are playing a bunch of kids. Just wanted to throw this out there so if I’m right I look really good, and if I’m wrong, well, its a good thing no one really reads this column anyways.

THE RECORD

Last Week
With the spread: 5 – 11 – 0 (.313)
Without the spread: 7 – 9 – 0 (.438)
$$Money Picks$$: 1 – 1 – 0 (.500)

Season
With the spread: 5 – 11 – 0 (.313)
Without the spread: 7 – 9 – 0 (.438)
$$Money Picks$$: 1 – 1 – 0 (.500)

APOLOGIES, COMPLAINTS, AND GLOATING

Oakland 20 (+7.5) @ New England 30 (-7.5)
Eh, this ones an apology. Sorry New England, you are the world champions, and my team is lowly. Shame on me for picking against you.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: LOSS – *Oakland
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: LOSS – *Oakland

Chicago 7 (+6.5) @ Washington 9 (-6.5)
Quoting myself here – “Both teams boast impresive defenses, but leave much to be desired on the offensive side of the ball. Still, I have to assume that the more offensively talented Redskins will win. I’m iffy on giving the Bears 6.5, but I don’t see them scoring at all, so I guess I have to.” They scored one more TD than I expected them to… thats about it.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: LOSS – Washington
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – Washington

Cincinnati 27 (-3.0) @ Cleveland 13 (+3.0)
“I’m predicting Ex-Trojan Carson Palmer to have a field day in this one.” – Funny how I’m only choosing quotes that make me look good, isn’t it?
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: WIN – $Cincinatti
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – Cincinatti

Denver (-4.0) 10 @ Miami 34 (+4.0)
…The Broncos are an absolute embarassment to themselves, the city of Denver, and the sport of football. Or is Miami for real this year? (I dont think so…)
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: LOSS – Denver
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: LOSS – Denver

Houston 7 (+4.0) @ Buffalo 22 (-4.0)
I’m sorry, Buffalo, the offseason screwed up my memory. Willis McGahee is a stud!
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: LOSS – *Houston
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: LOSS – *Houston

New Orleans 23 (+6.5) @ Carolina 20 (-6.5)
Story of the week here, New Orleans overcoming the better team and all of their emotions to win this one. More power to them!
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: LOSS – Carolina
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: LOSS – Carolina

N.Y. Jets 7 (+3.0) @ Kansas City 27 (-3.0)
The Jets looked uncomfortable in their new offensive scheme, but they will sort it out. I’m not apologizing to the Chiefs, not until they can beat MY guys this week.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: LOSS – *NY Jets
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: LOSS – *NY Jets

Seattle 14 (+3.0) @ Jacksonville 26 (-3.0)
When your right, your right. Even if its less than 40% of the time.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: WIN – Jacksonville
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – Jacksonville

Tampa Bay 24 (+6.0) @ Minnesota 13 (-6.0)
Huge upset here! Sorry Minnesota, I forgot that I can never count on you guys for a slam dunk.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: LOSS – Minnesota
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: LOSS – Minnesota

Tennessee 7 (+7.0) @ Pittsburgh 34 (-7.0)
Sorry for giving you any kind of chance, Tennessee. Gonna be a looonnngggg year for you guys.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: LOSS – *Tennessee
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – Pittsburgh

Arizona 19 (+1.5) @ N.Y. Giants 42 (-1.5)
This one was kind of bizarre. I was actually right about Warner out QBing Eli, but obviously that didn’t really factor into the decision. The Giants’ special teams and running game one this one for them.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: LOSS – *Arizona
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: LOSS – *Arizona

Dallas 28 (+4.5) @ San Diego 24 (-4.5)
Bledsoe looked good, even if he is 78 years old (roughly). I thought Brees could overcome not having his allstar TE Antonio Gates, but, I was wrong.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: LOSS – San Diego
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: LOSS – San Diego

Green Bay 3 (+3.0) @ Detroit 17 (-3.0)
Farve sucks, new Detroit doesn’t.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: WIN – Detroit
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – Detroit

St. Louis 25 (-4.5) @ San Francisco 28 (+4.5)
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha
Sorry for the lack of professionalism, but yeah, thats all I have to say here.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: LOSS – $St. Louis
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: LOSS – St. Louis

Indianapolis 24 (-3.0) @ Baltimore 7 (+3.0)
Great game here. Only 254 yards and 2 TDs for Peyton, and they still beat one of the AFC’s best? Look out, league.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: WIN – Indianapolis
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – Indianapolis

Philadelphia 10 (-2.0) @ Atlanta 14 (+2.0)
Vick really didn’t need to “lead to victory” as I predicted he would… just scored a few points in the 1st quarter, and that was all he needed. A win is most certainly a win.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: WIN – *Atlanta
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – *Atlanta

DAMN, I’M GOOD

I’m actually going to refrain from using this section this week. You can’t double your wins with losses and than brag about a game or two. Well, you CAN, but I won’t.

THE PICKS

* – Indicates Upset Pick
$ – Indicates Money Pick

Baltimore (-3.5) @ Tennessee (+3.5)
I can’t quite put a finger on why, but I get a gut feeling that Tennessee is going to pull off the upset here. I think its a combination of Raven’s QB Boller being injured (not that he’s any good), Tennessee being at home, and Norm Chow’s hopeful effect on McNair, Brown, Calico, and Bennett. The Raven’s will probably win this game, but I’d be kicking myself later if I didn’t go with my instincts here. Besides, its alot more impressive to actually pick the upset than to say “Oh, I thought so” later.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: *Tennessee
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: *Tennessee

Buffalo (+2.5) @ Tampa Bay (-2.5)
Two young teams coming off strong wins, either teams game. I decided that the intangibles are Tampa Bay’s home field advantage and Buffalo’s Willis McGahee. I’m taking Willis.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: *Buffalo
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: *Buffalo

Detroit (-1.0) @ Chicago (+1.0)
I think I hold Detroit in too high regards, and Chicago in too low regards, because I’m pretty damn sure Detroit will win this. They will have trouble scoring on Chicago’s stingy defense, but in the end, I think they are the more talented team.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: Detroit
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Detroit

Jacksonville (+9.0) @ Indianapolis (-9.0)
Vegas suckered me right in with this one. I am sure that Indianapolis is going to win the game, and a blowout is totally possible and maybe even likely. But I respect the Jaguars a little too much to give them 9 points. Look for both QBs to have a big game, and Jacksonville to make it interesting.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: *Jacksonville
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Indianapolis

Minnesota (+3.0) @ Cincinnati (-3.0)
These are two wonderfully matched up teams, both with awesome quarterbacks and tons of young talent. I’m picking Cincinatti only because they have the home field, but if I had my way, I wouldn’t pick this one at all, and would just sit back and enjoy. (Actually, I’m not getting paid, so I should do that…… but….. I can’t break my loyal fans’ hearts)
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: Cincinnati
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Cincinnati

New England (-3.0) @ Carolina (+3.0)
New England doesn’t lose football games. Maybe someday they will, but that day isn’t today. Carolina is going to have a strong season, but they are going to have to do it after starting their season off 0 – 2.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: $New England
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: New England

Pittsburgh (-6.0) @ Houston (+6.0)
Heres probably my most controversal pick of the week, but I’m gonna stick with it. Pittsburgh is beat up right now – Staley, Bettis, and Roethlisburger are all less than 100%, and in football, that often shows. Houston should be playing with alot of intensity for the home crowd after last week’s loss, and I think their going to pull the semi-shocking upset and hand Big Ben his first ever regular season loss.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: *Houston
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: *Houston

San Francisco (+13.0) @ Philadelphia (-13.0)
9 – 2 – 1. Thats San Fransisco’s career record in Philadelphia since 1975, and that makes me really uncomfortable giving them 13 points. These sorts of streaks always seem to hold up in sports, regardless of the skill of the current teams. However, I will not be pursuaded by this. After losing last week due to his poor play, McNabb has a ton to prove, especially with the extra attention he’s been getting about playing injured. Terrell Owens has plenty to prove too, as he takes on his former team that he has had nothing but ill will with during and after he left. I think a 48 – 3 slaughter is in order, so hell, take your 13 points San Fransisco.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: Philadelphia
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Philadelphia

Atlanta (+1.0) @ Seattle (-1.0)
No idea, I’ll be honest. Both of these teams are more than capible of winning this game. General rule of thumb is that you go with the home team in a tossup, and considering that Seattle is pretty damn stellar at home, I’m gonna do just that.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: Seattle
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Seattle

St. Louis (+1.0) @ Arizona (-1.0)
I know that Mike Martz is a clown and that the front office is in shambles, but lets get back on the field. St. Louis is a better team that the Cardinals, pure and simple. And I’m going to go out on a limb here and say that lightning WON’T strike twice in this one.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: *St. Louis
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: *St. Louis

Cleveland (+6.0) @ Green Bay (-6.0)
Javon Walker out for the season is absolutely devastating to the Packers. Last week strengthened my beliefs that Favre is on the sharp decline, and I say Cleveland takes advantage of the floundering confidence and moral by heading into Green Bay and beating the superior team, suprising EVERYONE except for me and you, my loyal reader, because when is my word not gold? (…)
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: *Cleveland
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: *Cleveland

Miami (+5.5) @ N.Y. Jets (-5.5)
If Miami plays as well as they did last week, and the Jets play as poorly as they did, the Dolphins would be the simple favorite here. But, I don’t think either of these are gonna happen. At home against the Dolphins, it should be business as usual for the Jets, and they should notch the victory and begin to look more like the playoff calibur team that they are.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: N.Y. Jets
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: N.Y. Jets

San Diego (+3.0) @ Denver (-3.0)
Interesting that Denver is the favorite. Must be home field, because with Antonio Gates back, I’m quite sure that the Chargers are going to run all over the Broncos. Maybe I’m missing something, but regardless, this is my first upset money pick.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: $*San Diego
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: *San Diego

Kansas City (-1.0) @ Oakland (+1.0)
This should be a great game. All of the last 4 games played between these two teams have been within 7 points (sucky thing about that stat is that we’ve been on the losing end all 4). The keys to this game are Kerry Collins and the Raider’s ability (or lack thereof) to stop the run. If Collins plays well, even the Chiefs “new and improved” defense should have a ton of trouble stopping the Raiders high power offense. If the Raiders can’t find a way to stop the Chief’s running game however, the offense will never hit the field. This game can go either way very very easily, but I’m looking for the Oakland crowd to tip the scales ever so slightly in our favor.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: *Oakland
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: *Oakland

N.Y. Giants (-3.0) @ New Orleans (+3.0)
New Orleans is the team every year that kills me. I love their team, so I pick them, and they lose. Then I say “these guys suck”, pick against them, and they win. Theres no end to it. But hell, maybe a new year will provide new results? I think the Saints can outoffense the Giants here, and will do just that.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: *New Orleans
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: *New Orleans

Washington (+5.5) @ Dallas (-5.5)
Dallas is looking great, and I really wasn’t impressed with Washington’s week one performance. Their QB spot is still very shaky. They are a team capible of making the playoffs, but they are playing a team that I think much more likely WILL make the playoffs in the Cowboys.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: Dallas
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Dallas

9 upset picks this week! That can’t be good…

This will either be an extremely embarassing or ego-boosting week. Depending on the degree of which you like or dislike me, root for whichever suits you best. Have a great week everyone!

Oh, and send me some email! Are you liking? Hating? Not caring? Any requests or ideas for improvements? Let me know!

MY TEAMS RECORDS
OAKLAND RAIDERS: 0 – 1 – 0
USC TROJANS: 2 – 0 – 0
LOS ANGELES KINGS: 0 – 0 – 0 – 0

TROJAN OUTSCORING O-METER
Season:
TROJANS 133
OPPONENTS 34

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