Santa Claus is coming to town

Hyman Rubin vaults into second place with a 12 win week, even picking against his own Carolina Panthers (more on that game below). But it was his selection of the Eagles and the Bucs that went against the majority and earned him the victory. Now with two weeks to go he finds himself in the same position as the Buffalo Bills -- longshots at pulling off the surprise and making the playoffs; needing help to do so; but not out of it yet (and having won their last seven against the spread). Still Norm's 10 win week, his fifth straight of 9 or better, enabled him to maintain a 7 game cushion. If he had been betting for real it would be a very Merry Christmas for Tracey.

I want to say a few words about the LotW pick of the Panthers. I forgot that Chris Weinke was starting for the Panthers and that apparently (and I say this as a DeAngelo Williams fantasy owner) the Panthers are unaware that you can advance the ball by running it -- having abandoned the run in their last two contests. Needless to say, like Miss USA -- Tara Conner -- LotW is asking for a second chance. LotW will be entering a rehab program soon, like in February when all we have is the NBA, hockey and College Hoops (and don't forget the EPL).

Last night was the start of the College Bowl season, and I want to say how disappointed I am about the lack of interest in ESPN College Bowl Mania. I suspect it reflects our disillusionment with the bowl system which, like so much of American Higher Education, seems to reward mediocrity. Sure we'd prefer a playoff system, but, to paraphrase Donald Rumsfeld (to quote Bill Murray in Ghostbusters, "I'm gonna miss that guy") sometimes you have to pick the games you have, not the games you would like to have.

So take a break from your Holiday shopping -- she's just going to return whatever you bought anyways -- and get your College Bowl Picks in. You've only missed one game, so you are only starting minus one point. A small price to pay.


ESPN College Bowl Mania

Group: Godfather's College Days
Password: Canes


Some interesting games this week. And games being played all weekend. Starting tonight at Lambeau Field (a game all of us non-NFL Networkers will miss) Then Saturday night, All day Sunday and, best of all -- two games Christmas day (5 and 8:30) so we are not all forced to watch Christmas movies or the NBA when we are sick of dealing with our families and our exhausted children who have been up since 5.

The Bears only favored by 4.5 against the Lions seems just plain wrong, but is it even fair to pick against the Lions once again? The Lions have the inside track on the Number Pick in the 2007 draft (sorry Dwayne Jarrett) and will not want to risk a TB loss in that big game against Cleveland and losing that pick.

I hope that everyone has a very Merry Christmas and if you don;t observe or celebrate Christmas, a nice weekend and a day off on Monday.

Jono

College Bowl Mania

That's Right - it is that time of year again. Children are hanging their stockings (or lighting their Menorah). Parents are knifing each other for the last Sony PS3 so their kids will not hate them -- at least for another a year. Students are taking final exams and professors are grading them. PJ is praying for snow like we did when we were kids -- though what he really wants is cars crusted in Salt like seared Yellowfin Tuna. I lose in the first round of the Fantasy Football Playoffs

And College teams that can win six games get to play in a bowl game. There are 32 bowl games which means 64 D-I teams are playing in bowls this year. People think too many teams make the playoffs in hockey and the NBA but this is ridiculous. And don't start on the lack of a playoff -- a system that would decide on the field if Michigan or Florida deserved to play Ohio State for the mythical National Championship.

Toward that end I have, once again created a ESPN College Bowl Mania group. You can follow the link here. The password is Canes.

ESPN College Bowl Mania link

The first game is on Dec. 19 -- that TCU vs. Northern Illinois tilt that fans have been salivating over. But picks don't lock until Dec. 28 so there is time to make picks as you go along.

As for this weeks Pro Picks Jeff finds himself on top with 11 wins, myself, Hyman and Otero close behind with ten. Of course, like me, Jeff couldn't parlay his pick'em success into Fantasy Football victory either. Norm's nine picks ended his streak of double digit weeks (and by the way he would have won 10 if he had just bet against the Lions, but nooooo he had to try and show how smart he is. Norm -- the Lions never make anyone look smart) but was enough to keep him comfortably in first place, with me (really) in second with Hyman, Otero and Craig Marcus right behind me


The Titans and Vince Young needed overtime to make all of us look smart, while Reggie Bush and the Saints beat up on the Cowboys in Prime time. Atlanta did enough to cover, but Mike Vick did not do nearly enough to get me even competitive in fantasy football.

2006 First Round update -- how many highlights have you seen of Reggie Bush? Vince Young (his TD run in overtime will be like Vick's similar scamper against the Vikes a few years back)? Mario Williams? -- who is he you ask? He's the guy taken first -- the Sam Bowie of the 2006 NFL draft if you will.

As for the NFL playoffs as there even been more flawed teams. The Chargers look like the best team right now, but Marty Schottenheimer's teams often do in December, it's January where he struggles, and he has a first year starter at QB. And quite frankly, if you are Indy isn't SD in January about as close to a dome as you are going to find? Of course, LT could run for 400 yards against the Colts "defense". The Ravens don't have enough offense. The likely AFC wild card teams -- Jags and Cinci look like they might be the 2nd and 3rd best teams in the league -- if Cinci can keep enough players out of jail to field a full roster. But the Jags are a different team on the road, where they would be for the full playoff season. The conclusion then is that the Pats are going to the Super Bowl. Sure they looked awful in South Florida last week, but do you want to bet again Brady and Bill B.?

This week finds 3 double digit spreads on the Board, as the Pats, Bears and Ravens are all big favorites. LotW has struggled with a pick this week, but we will keep the good times rolling with Carolina getting 2.5 at home to the Steelers.

As you can tell -- classes are over and my exams are not until Friday. Ahh the academic life.

Make it a good week.
Jono

NORM!

Norm wins for the second straight week and now has a Turkey -- 3 straight weeks with Double digit wins. Coupled with Craig's tough showing, he has opened a 7 win lead over the pack. He was especially rewarded by his faith in the Steelers and his recognition that Lambeau has lost some of its mystique (and I don't mean the strippers which have to be pretty rough looking in Green Bay).

And I would be remiss without saying welcome back to Adam "Big Daddy" Kane, who submitted picks after missing several weeks. I hope several of out other missing players will return for the home stretch as well.

Overall the Giants and Eagles surprised most of us as did Detroit and Cleveland.

Let's take a quick peek at some Christmas Wish Lists from around the league.

Lovie Smith -- Trent Dilfer's phone number
Peyton Manning -- another shot at the Super Bowl
Kurt Warner -- his soul back since it has been taken over by Tony Romo
Joe Gibbs -- a time machine to go back to 1991
Edgerrin James -- An Offensive Line

The Falcons trailed early but came back to make LotW a winner once again. This week you can pick against the Lions and get points. Even though that means taking the Vikings, do it.

Don't forget there is a game tonight (Thursday) -- not that many of us will get to see it as it is once again on NFL Network -- curse you Time Warner. Am I really going to have to think about getting a dish??

Make it a good week