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

THE INTRO

“You DO suck Dave, but you seem like a nice guy…”

I got this email from one of my readers shortly after going 0-2 against the spread last weekend.

Couldn’t think of a much more fitting way to start the last Dime of the season.

I’m just glad I come off as a nice guy. I mean after all, I certainly don’t have any talent predicting games to fall back on. Imagine if I was a lousy guy too?

Will be some changes next year… still not exactly sure what I’m going to do. If you have any suggestions for the Dime moving forward, please share! It’s a blank canvas right now.

Obviously, the new Dime will meet the following criteria:

1) Me talking about football.
2) Me trying to be funny/clever, failing.
3) Me trying to prove I know sports, failing worse.

Other than that? Who knows. But as I’ve said before, the current format definitely needs a shakeup (or perhaps a new writer? Nick’s Nickel? Quinn’s Quarter? Fred’s Fifty Cent Piece?)

As usual, I can’t thank you all enough for your continued support. Even on my worst days, the Dime never feels like a chore to do because I know I have so many awesome readers. I have a very complicated love/hate relationship with football… but nothing but love for all of you.

Too cutesy for you? Tough. I’m a NICE GUY, remember?

Even if I DO suck.

Anyway, have an AWESOME time this Sunday! Drink, be merry, gain 5-10 pounds eating snack foods and BBQ, and good luck to whatever team (or drinking game) you are rooting for!

THE RECORD

Last Week
With the spread: 0 – 2 – 0 (.000)
Without the spread: 1 – 1 – 0 (.500)
OVER/UNDER: 1 – 1 – 0 (.500)

Playoffs
With the spread: 5 – 5 – 0 (.500)
Without the spread: 5 – 5 – 0 (.500)
OVER/UNDER: 6 – 4 – 0 (.600)

Regular Season (Final)
With the spread: 122 – 128 – 6 (.488)
Without the spread: 150 – 106 – 0 (.586)
^^Philosophy Picks^^: 17 – 20 – 0 (.459)

THE PICKS

* – Indicates Upset Pick

SUNDAY

#6 Green Bay Packers (-2.5) @ #2 Pittsburgh Steelers (+2.5)

The Green Bay Packers have two powerful forces in this game; one working against them, and one working in their favor.

WORKING AGAINST THEM: I’m rooting for them.

I challenge all of you to find anyone in the world that has a worse track record in the Super Bowl than I do. Remarkably, over the last 14 years, the team that I have rooted for has won only ONCE. That’s 1-13! This year, Green Bay has the unenviable position of being my rooting interest. I like Aaron Rodgers, Clay Matthews, and Charles Woodson… but more importantly, I’m just ready for someone new to win, since Pittsburgh has won two of the last five. But do my reasons matter? The Packers are doomed.

WORKING IN THEIR FAVOR: I’m picking the Steelers

Ah, maybe the Packers aren’t doomed after all! We all know how terrible I am at picking winners. And wouldn’t you believe it, the one time in Dime history that I picked against the team I was rooting for… was Chicago over Indianapolis. Yep, the single time the team I’ve rooted for has won in the last decade-and-a-half. So which will be stronger this year; THE CURSE, or MY AWFUL HANDICAPPING SKILLS?

WHY I’M PICKING THE STEELERS:

These are two great teams, obviously. They were also the #1 and #2 defenses in points allowed this season, so it shouldn’t come as any surprise that they’ve made it this far. It’s easy to make a case for Green Bay; shutting down Michael Vick, blowing out the Falcons, solving the Bears… all on the road? Their path has been more difficult (no disrespect to the Jets and Ravens), and they’ve looked stronger on a more consistent basis. Also, Pittsburgh’s bread and butter is rushing defense; and Green Bay can get by just fine without a running game.

So why am I leaning towards Pittsburgh? Two reasons. One, Aaron Rodgers did not look sharp against a tough Chicago defense, and while it didn’t come back to haunt the Packers because of Chicago’s weak offense, it may against Big Ben and the Steelers. But the main reason is experience. On paper, this game looks very evenly matched, which means it may come down to intangibles. And while we can only guess who will play their best or which way the bounces will go, which team is more likely to be nervous? Green Bay, by a substantial margin. Many of their star players will be playing in their first Super Bowl, and dealing with media week for the first time. Pittsburgh, on the other hand, is in their third Super Bowl in six years; this won’t phase them. I believe that this extra bit of experience will be the difference, especially if the game is close down the stretch.

PICK WITH THE SPREAD: Pittsburgh
PICK WITHOUT THE SPREAD: *Pittsburgh
OVER/UNDER 44.5: Under

Going to miss you guys! Keep in touch! Email me any time or hit me up on Facebook or Twitter!

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