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

THE INTRO

Just two more weeks left in this bizarre season…

The playoffs are actually going to be pretty interesting, too.

Assuming the Patriots do finish up the season undefeated, they will have to face two very good AFC teams, as well as Dallas, Green Bay, or Seattle (most likely) out of the NFC… 3 tough games for a team that was pushed to the limit by 2 sub par squads.

Love them or hate them, seeing an undefeated team in this era would be really cool.

Seeing a 16 – 0, 17 – 0, or 18 – 0 team lose in the playoffs? That might be even cooler.

But before we can get to the Patriot Show 2007/08, we have to get through the last two weeks.

Merry Christmas to all of you that celebrate it, and a belated Happy Hanukkah to the rest of you.

If you don’t celebrate anything, um, happy December.

And if you celebrate Kwanzaa, please email me. I have oh-so-many questions!

THE RECORD

Last Week
With the spread: 8 – 8 – 0 (.500)
Without the spread: 10 – 6 – 0 (.625)
^^Zen Picks^^: 0 – 0 – 0 (N/A)
**Outright Upsets**: 2 – 1 – 0 (.667)

Season
With the spread: 108 – 107 – 9 (.502)
Without the spread: 136 – 88 – 0 (.607)
^^Zen Picks^^: 12 – 5 – 2 (.706)
**Outright Upsets**: 19 – 38 – 0 (.333)

THE PICKS

* – Indicates Upset Pick
^ – Indicates Zen Pick

THURSDAY

Pittsburgh (-8.0) @ St. Louis (+8.0)
After losing a tough one at home to Jacksonville, you knew Pittsburgh would come out and make a statement here.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: Pittsburgh (WIN)
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Pittsburgh (WIN)

SATURDAY

Dallas (-11.0) @ Carolina (+11.0)
Figured the Cowboys would also use this as a statement game after all of the media garbage this week; but they only just got by. Losing TO doesn’t help.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: Dallas (LOSS)
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Dallas (WIN)

SUNDAY

Cleveland (-3.0) @ Cincinnati (+3.0)
I’m all for the hated rival thing, and generally try to go that route, but there is NOTHING about Cincinnati I can take seriously enough to give them the nod here. They lost to San Fran!
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: Cleveland
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Cleveland

Green Bay (-8.0) @ Chicago (+8.0)
Pretty much exactly the same story as the one right above it. Winning the turnover battle +3 against the Vikings and still losing? The Bears are awful, and Green Bay is tiers above them.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: Green Bay
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Green Bay

Houston (+7.0) @ Indianapolis (-7.0)
Finally, a game I can go the other way on. With the 2nd seed wrapped up, Indy can sleepwalk and rest their way into their first round bye. The Texans, meanwhile, are a proud young team that would LOVE to pick up a win against the Colts. I think Indy will win this one, but barely.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: ^*Houston
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Indianapolis

Kansas City (+4.5) @ Detroit (-4.5)
Coming off of the most embarrassing game of the season, Kansas City at home is JUST what the doctor ordered for Detroit.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: Detroit
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Detroit

Miami (+22.0) @ New England (-22.0)
After seeing TO go down Saturday night, even Belichick has to consider pulling his starters when he grabs a 2 TD lead. In the snow and playing with all of the confidence coming off of their first win, plus trying so desperately to defend their 1972 forefathers, the Dolphins have to keep this game close… Or maybe I’ve just forgotten how good the Patriots are.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: ^*Miami
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: New England

New York Giants (-2.5) @ Buffalo (+2.5)
Who knows what to expect here? New York is the better team, but Eli has been awfully Eli lately. Still, at only -2.5, I’ve gotta take the Giants.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: New York Giants
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: New York Giants

Oakland (+13.5) @ Jacksonville (-13.5)
Jacksonville is the team with all of the pressure. A win clinches a playoff spot. They are coming off of a physically punishing game in Pittsburgh. This game just has letdown written all over it. On skill alone they will prevail; but fueled by their impressive effort against Indy last week, the Raiders give the Jags a good game this week.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: ^*Oakland
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Jacksonville

Philadelphia (+3.0) @ New Orleans (-3.0)
New Orleans has too much talent and gained too much confidence last year to let their playoff hopes end with a loss at home this week.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: New Orleans
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: New Orleans

Washington (+6.5) @ Minnesota (-6.5)
I never know what to expect from Washington, but what to expect from Minnesota these days is quite clear; a WIN.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: Minnesota
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Minnesota

Atlanta (+10.0) @ Arizona (-10.0)
Part of me thinks Atlanta is due for a big game, but it seems more likely that they are just trying to finish this season up at this point. I can’t really warrant picking them as bad as they have been.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: Arizona
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Arizona

Baltimore (+11.0) @ Seattle (-11.0)
Losing to Miami should be pretty good motivation to have a big game the following week, especially against a team that can rest its players having already clinched a playoff spot… but I got the chance to watch that Ravens game, and it is pretty clear to me that the team does not believe in their coach anymore. Seattle losing to Carolina last week also gives them a reason to play hard here; no sense in resting everyone and losing a home game and 2 of 3 heading into the playoffs. Seattle gets the nod here.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: Seattle
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Seattle

New York Jets (+9.0) @ Tennessee (-9.0)
I absolutely hate taking the Titans when they give up this many points, but if keeping your slim playoff hopes alive at home against an awful Jets team doesn’t produce a 10+ point victory, what will?
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: Tennessee
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Tennessee

Tampa Bay (-6.0) @ San Francisco (+6.0)
Shhh… don’t mind us. The Buccaneers have quietly clinched their division and are winning games the good old fashion way; tough defense. This is one of those teams that come playoff time, you know you are better then on paper but you do not want to face. Where does that leave San Francisco? Absolutely demolished.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: Tampa Bay
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: Tampa Bay

MONDAY

Denver (+8.5) @ San Diego (-8.5)
San Diego is finally cruising again, and there is just no way that Denver is going to stop LT with their 29th ranked rushing defense.
PICK WITH THE SPREAD: San Diego
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: San Diego

No straight up underdogs… hope this doesn’t kill me.

Have a great Sunday everyone!

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