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

THE INTRO

Last week marked the 3rd straight time that I took a 7 – 6 record into Monday night football, but for the first time in 3 weeks, the Monday night team did not cover the spread and I ended up with a 7 – 7 record. Not very good, but then, I suppose it’s better than having a losing record (I guess this goes under the tie is like kissing your sister category?). Maybe my off week had a little something to do from the fatigue of going crazy at both the Kings AND the Trojan’s game on the same day? Well, if thats the case, prepare for another mediocre week, as I did the same thing this Saturday. Exciting shootout win for the Kings, awesome blowout win for the Trojans. That coupled with a pair of false fire alarms going off at 1:30am and 4:30am requiring us here at Parkside to evacuate the building twice Friday night/Saturday morning could mean bad news for my picking abilities.

Then again, no one reads this for my “abilities”. Until I break the .500 barrier, I can’t refer to them as that. On the bright side, if you wanted professional insight, you’d have to pay top dollar. For mediocre insight, you get it for free!

Again not much new on the Trojan front, came out and did exactly what we had to do against Stanford, putting them away early. The bigger news is that previously undefeated UCLA got destroyed by petty Arizona, 52 – 14. The “Aww, I wanted them to be undefeated when they played us” thing does not fly with me. They have played down to the level of a lot of mediocre teams, and yet have recieved national attention with their high ranking due to their excellent ability to close out games. They deserved this loss. Trust me, one loss is not going to compromise the intensity of our game against them. They won’t be coming back from any 21 point deficits on a team as good as the Trojans, and if its even going to be interesting, they are going to have to play all four quarters, something they have not done very well at all.

Oh, and before I move on, let me point out that I do realize that we haven’t played all 4 quarters every game, either, and have gotten off to some slow starts ourselves. This is true, and has led to some frustration. The difference, however, is skill. The Trojans have a pro offense that is perfectly capible, once finding its rhythm, of scoring at will on anyone. The Bruins have an impressive offense, but they don’t have a team close to the calibur of the Trojans, and this is why they have played so many close games against teams that should result in blowouts. With V-Tech losing to Miami, it looks like its a 2 horse race between the Trojans and the Longhorns, and baring some major slip up by one of us, it should make for a damn good rosebowl.

THE RECORD

Last Week
With the spread: 7 – 7 – 0 (.500)
Without the spread: 9 – 5 – 0 (.643)
$$Money Picks$$: 1 – 2 – 0 (.333)
^^Zen Picks^^: 2 – 2 – 0 (.500)

Season
With the spread: 57 – 58 – 1 (.496)
Without the spread: 69 – 47 – 0 (.595)
$$Money Picks$$: 10 – 11 – 1 (.476)
^^Zen Picks^^: 8 – 3 – 0 (.727)

LAST WEEK’S RECAP OF DAVE’S BRILLIANCE AND FOOLISHNESS
(Usually Foolishness)

Arizona 13 2 – 4 (+7.5) @ Dallas 34 4 – 3 (-7.5)
“Now, comfortably back at home against a weak team, I think they are definitely going to cover the spread and take care of the Cardinals handily.” – Always nice to start off strong.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: WIN – Dallas
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – Dallas

Chicago 19 3 – 3 (+3.0) @ Detroit 13 3 – 3 (-3.0)
This is the only game of the week I wish I could take back. I knew Chicago would win, but went with Detroit because I like them better. Not very zen like.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: LOSS – Detroit
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: LOSS – Detroit

Jacksonville 21 4 – 2 (-3.0) @ St. Louis 24 3 – 4 (+3.0)
This game was stupid – Jacksonville is better than this, and they really disappointed me in this one.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: LOSS – Jacksonville
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: LOSS – Jacksonville

Minnesota 13 2 – 4 (+7.0) @ Carolina 38 4 – 2 (-7.0)
“WWZD? Or, what would ZEN do? Dave would pick the Vikings with the TD to cover the spread, coming off that awesome game last Sunday. But this isn’t Green Bay, and this isn’t at home. Carolina is a much better team than the Vikings, and whether I like them or not, they are probably going to lose this game convincingly.” – Hooray for Zen!
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: WIN – ^Carolina
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – Carolina

Oakland 34 2 – 4 (-2.0) @ Tennessee 25 2 – 5 (+2.0)
“Tennessee Titan’s Coach Jeff Fisher referred to the Raiders as the “Best 2 – 4 team I’ve seen in 10 years”. While I don’t have an elaborate enough knowledge of 2 – 4 teams to tell you whether or not that statement is true, I can tell you that the Raiders are a better team than the Titans. The passing games should be plentiful, and LaMont Jordon should have another strong week to start a (and I can’t believe I’m saying this) Raider’s winning streak.” – I’ve picked the Raiders as money picks 3 times, and am 3 – 0 in doing so. As a fan, should I just keep doing it even when I know its not right?
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: WIN – $Oakland
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – Oakland

Washington 0 4 – 2 (+3.0) @ N.Y. Giants 36 4 – 2 (-3.0)
I do not regret this pick, even if I did have the Giants typed in, I really did thing Washington would pull it off. The Giants played an outstanding game, I have no problem giving credit where it’s due.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: LOSS – ^*Washington
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: LOSS – *Washington

Kansas City 20 4 – 2 (+4.5) @ San Diego 28 3 – 4 (-4.5)
“San Diego is coming off an absolute heartbreaker in Philidelphia… LaDanian Tomlinson was rendered completely useless for the first time in ages. In front of the home crowd, San Diego has a ton to prove today. The numbers don’t matter – San Diego needs to just come out and pound the Chiefs. And I assume they will.” – 8 points isn’t a pounding, but they took the lead early and never lost it.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: WIN – ^San Diego
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – San Diego

Miami 21 2 – 4 (+2.0) @ New Orleans 6 2 – 5 (-2.0)
Rarely do I get a New Orleans pick right, but I guess they are getting easier; Pick against.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: WIN – *Miami
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – Miami

Philadelphia 21 4 – 2 (+3.0) @ Denver 49 5 – 2 (-3.0)
“I was getting ready to type Denver into the box, as they are at home and always win at home. But I stopped and looked at the numbers, and I do not see anything that suggests that the Broncos can stop the Eagles’ passing game. The Eagles have a great run defense, so they could very well hold Denver’s rushing yards down. This could be the beginning of the Broncos’ yearly slide, and I’m going to go against my original instinct and say that it will be.” – Don’t think the Zen book could forsee the Broncos jumping out to a 28 – 0 lead early in the game.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: LOSS – ^*Philidelphia
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: LOSS – Philidelphia

Tampa Bay 10 5 – 1 (-10.0) @ San Francisco 15 1 – 5 (+10.0)
These last three games make me really angry. I’m still in disbelief over this one. Are you kidding me?
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: LOSS – $Tampa Bay
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: LOSS – Tampa Bay

Buffalo 16 3 – 4 (+7.0) @ New England 21 3 – 3 (-7.0)
Heres another one. The Raiders just got done destroying these guys. This is their second straight road start, and your fresh off a buy WITH your emotional leader AT home. And you just squeak by?
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: LOSS – $New England
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – New England

Baltimore 19 2 – 4 (+8.5) @ Pittsburgh 20 4 – 2 (-8.5)
I wasn’t particularly thrilled with the spread here… still, Pittsburgh should not have had this much trouble with such a sub-par team.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: LOSS – Pittsburgh
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – Pittsburgh

DAMN, I’M GOOD

Cleveland 16 2 – 4 @ Houston 19 0 – 6 (Pick’em)
The numbers add up in Cleveland’s favor, but when your dealing with the worst team in the league, the numbers will always add up against them. This is Houston’s 3rd game at home in 4 weeks, and this crowd and city is just itching for a win. I think they are going to come out with the same intensity that they did against the Colts, and considering that the Browns are about 10 times weaker, actually pull off their first win here.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: WIN – Houston
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – Houston
– Any time you can pick a winless team to get its first victory successfully, you might as well take props for it, even if it wasn’t far too difficult.

Green Bay 14 1 – 5 (+7.5) @ Cincinnati 21 5 – 2 (-7.5)
Cincinnati is not going to be upset again – at least, I hope not. At home again, they should definitely be able to get the win against a reeling Green Bay team. I don’t think it is going to be a blowout, though – I will take the touchdown spread.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: WIN – *Green Bay
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: WIN – Cincinnati
– Short, sweet, and right; no complaints here.

THE PICKS

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

Atlanta 5 – 2 (-2.5) @ Miami 3 – 4 (+2.5)
Atlanta is a much better team than Miami, simple as that. Even in Miami, the Dolphins should be getting more than 2.5 points. Maybe I’m wrong, but I think Atlanta winning by at least a field goal is most certainly in the cards.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: $Atlanta
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Atlanta

Carolina 5 – 2 (+1.0) @ Tampa Bay 5 – 2 (-1.0)
Out of nowhere, the Tampa Bay Bucs have lost 2 of 3 (both to lousy teams) and the Panthers have won 4 straight. Still, Green Bay, Arizona, Detroit, and Minnesota aren’t exactly wins to write home about. But a win is a win. As much as I want to pick the Bucs, I don’t think QB Chris Sims has what it takes to exploit Carolina’s weakness (its passing defense), so Carolina should win this in a close one.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: ^*Carolina
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: *Carolina

Cincinnati 6 – 2 (-3.5) @ Baltimore 2 – 5 (+3.5)
Cincinnati has the better offense and defense. Probably special teams, too, but I didn’t look up the stats on that. Cinci shouldnt have too big of an obstacle in tackling the spread this week.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: Cincinnati
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Cincinnati

Detroit 3 – 4 (-1.5) @ Minnesota 2 – 5 (+1.5)
It seems that the only way to beat Detroit is with a good defense, as their 3 wins came against weak defensive teams. Good defense? Minnesota has far from that. I really hate to see them slide, but I think they will continue to do so.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: Detroit
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Detroit

Houston 1 – 6 (+11.0) @ Jacksonville 4 – 3 (-11.0)
Jacksonville doesn’t blow teams out, and Houston has seemingly found some sort of a sync after starting the season off hideously. That being said, I’m going to go Zen here. There is no reason Houston should have to give up that many points coming off of 2 straight strong games, and Jacksonville is coming off of a pretty weak loss. Yet, 11 points it is. Houston seems like the easy pick. Vegas must be setting a trap. I need to avoid it.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: ^Jacksonville
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Jacksonville

Oakland 3 – 4 (+4.5) @ Kansas City 4 – 3 (-4.5)
I’d really love to pick Oakland, but these two teams match up awfully well, and considering that the Cheifs have won in our last 5 meetings and are at home, I can’t pick against them. I do think however it will be a field goal that decides it, and will take the Raiders with the points.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: *Oakland
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Kansas City

San Diego 4 – 4 (-5.0) @ N.Y. Jets 2 – 5 (+5.0)
This game I’d put the house on, but I’ve already lost you a house this year, so maybe I’m wrong. The injured Jets are far inferior to the Chargers, and on top of that, they were the ones that eliminated the Chargers from the playoffs this year. San Diego will be looking for revenge and really shouldn’t have too much trouble exacting it.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: $San Diego
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: San Diego

Tennessee 2 – 6 (+3.0) @ Cleveland 2 – 5 (-3.0)
It is awfully difficult to pick Cleveland, who has lost three straight including last week to the league’s worst team, but that is partially why I am picking them. They owe it to their home crowd to go out and have a big game, and I think they’ll do just that against an equally weak Tennessee.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: Cleveland
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Cleveland

Chicago 4 – 3 (-3.0) @ New Orleans 2 – 6 (+3.0)
Chicago has made a believer out of me. With an offense that does just enough and a killer defense, they seem to find ways to win football games. Against a New Orleans team that seemingly loves to lose, they should get the win.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: $Chicago
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Chicago

N.Y. Giants 5 – 2 (-10.0) @ San Francisco 2 – 5 (+10.0)
Lightning will not strike twice here. The Giants have a much more potent offense than the Bucs, and just shut out the Redskins who have an offense superior to that of the 49ers. The Giants will safely return San Fran to their being blown out ways.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: $N.Y. Giants
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: N.Y. Giants

Seattle 5 – 2 (-4.5) @ Arizona 2 – 5 (+4.5)
Only reason that this isn’t a money pick is because Seattle is never a sure thing on the road. I’ll tell you who is money though; Shawn Alexander. He has done exceptionally well against Arizona in the past, and this game should be no different.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: Seattle
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Seattle

Pittsburgh 5 – 2 (-6.5) @ Green Bay 1 – 6 (+6.5)
Sometimes you just know it. There’s no rhyme or reason to it at all, so I won’t bother trying to justify it with any silly facts. This is one of those games. Green Bay takes the huge upset in front of their home crowd.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: *Green Bay
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: *Green Bay

Philadelphia 4 – 3 (-1.0) @ Washington 4 – 3 (+1.0)
Randy Moss or Terrell Owens? Owens goes to the team he WANTS to play for (thats right, he actually hand picked them) and goes all the way to the Super Bowl. However, he’s unhappy with his grossly large contract, so he asks for more money. He fights with the coach. He insults his QB in public. Now, he’s suspended indefinitely and will likely not play in an Eagles jersey again. I’ll take Moss – he may be a character but he isn’t as much of a cancer to a team as Owens is. Ironically, the only team I think that could deal with such an arrogant bastard as Owens IS the Raiders… but then, having the two of them on the same team would open up a whole new can of worms. Best recieving core and worst attitudes in NFL history.
There was a point to this tangent. With Owens’ suspension, I’d love to believe in the pick-me-up story of the team no longer divided overcoming their tough division rivals, but I can’t. Westbrook hasn’t been strong enough to carry the team, and McNabb doesn’t have any weapons anymore. Washington should take care of this one easily enough.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: $*Washington
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: *Washington

Indianapolis (-3.0) @ New England (+3.0)
New England always beats Indianapolis, they have their number. You know what else they had in past years? A better team. Thats not the case anymore – Indi is better on BOTH sides of the ball (yes, remarkably, the COLTS have a better defense than the Patriots. Must be awfully cold in Hell). It is long over due that they took some revenge on the Pats, and I think they will this week (Sorry Danielle).
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: $Indianapolis
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Indianapolis

Tons of money picks this week, I’m feeling extremely confident. The question is, is that a good thing?

KINGS HOCKEY

This just in – the shootout is great for hockey. I know some traditionalists would disagree, and I was actually on their side. Until I got to experience one yesterday. The atmosphere in the building was like that of a playoff game. When the forward took the puck, the entire crowd held its breath. When our goalie made the stop, the place went crazy, people jumping and hugging and screaming. Hold breath again. This time, the Kings scored, and that elation repeated itself tenfold. We’re only through one round. Another LaBarbara save, more madness. A Kings goal by Roenick to win it, and the crowd was acting like we’d just won the Stanley Cup. Traditional? Not in the least bit. But I guarentee you that anyone at that game is going to be coming back for more, and thats exactly what the NHL needs right now.

Two side notes; 1) I don’t know whether Coach Andy Murray read the Dime, or if he figured it out himself, but Jason LaBarbara has played every minute of every game since my last column was written. 2) I have been to 6 games this year, and the Kings have won all 6. That’s 6 – 0. Without me there, the Kings are 1 – 3 at home. Coincidence? Perhaps, but I don’t think so! GET ME SOME SEASON SEATS!

Enjoy your Sunday and the rest of your week! Love it? Hate it? Please send feedback! For past issues of the DIME, visit my website: Dave’s Dime

MY TEAMS RECORDS
OAKLAND RAIDERS: 3 – 4 – 0
USC TROJANS: 9 – 0 – 0
LOS ANGELES KINGS: 10 – 5 – 0

TROJAN OUTSCORING O-METER
Season:
TROJANS 449
OPPONENTS 185

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