Thanksgiving LOCKS of the Week: Part 5

It's time to give thanks, break out the Turkey and hope for some good football on the THANKSGIVING...

Dave's (gobble)
LOCKS (sizzle)
of the Week (chop!)

I've been looking forward to writing these picks all week. I have a really good feeling about all three teams in Week 12. What better way to feast on success than on Thanksgiving, the ultimate eating holiday this side of Independence Day! Here's what we have for Thanksgiving in the NFL:

In Detroit: I'm going Packers solidly to win and cover -6.5. While the game is on the road, and while the Packers struggle defensively lately, I think that's a pretty small point spread for a team that is magnificent at scoring points. It's Rodgers, it's Jones, it could be Jennings, and more. While Stafford, Johnson, and Smith may be a good counter, I also think the Packers eat the Lions alive. Pack -6.5.

In Dallas: We've often struggled with this game with the results being less than stellar, but in recent years we've seen some pretty good games in Texas. I would give the Dolphins a fair shot, but overall I think the Cowboys STILL cover the spread of -7. Dallas in a semi-close one.

Finally, in Baltimore: the Crab city hosts the hotter than fire 49ers with an old defense that's still going strong. The Ravens' Joe Flacco is erratic but is also facing some breaks: He's playing at home, he's going against a team that's traveled a long way on short rest, and he's got the momentum of having beaten Cincinnati the week before. I like the Ravens to win outright and give the -3.

Gobble up for your Thanksgiving action on

Dave's (zzzzzz!)
LOCKS (ding!)
of the Week (conk)

Enjoy your Thanksgiving everyone, and hope it's a good time for you and your family.

Week 17: Dave's Swan Song of the Week

It's time to say goodbye my friends...

to

Dave's (clack)
LOCKS (fwish)
of the Week (creak)

Dave's final LOCKS of the Week this year
Week 17

It's always tough to say goodbye. All those weeks living on every play, butt on the edge of its seat from September to now. Now it's all coming to an end. So sad... But let's finish the season strong! To the picks!!

First, to LAMBEAU FIELD in Green Bay. *This* is a place that should get all the clip shows and tear-filled memoirs. Remember the big hoopla about "Texas Stadium's last year?" Oh please, its Texas Freakin' Stadium!! This is like Three Rivers Stadium closing... the place was a dump. Texas Stadium was sterile, dull, unimaginative, and frankly, boring. Good Riddance!

But here we're at the Frozen Tundra where the Packers are facing the 0-15 Lions. It's a chance at history!! In fact, going in Green Bay's favor is that the Lions haven't won in Green Bay since 1991! Whoof! Thats especially frustrating knowing both teams are in the same division.

But an air of change is afoot. The Packers were so tantalizingly close to finally winning a game in the final minutes but still folded. Look for the Packers to "pack" it in and lay down against the still fightin' Lions. Lions cover the (+9.0) spread EASILY.

Onward, to the Steel City... hahaha, the Steelers don't play in 3 Rivers any more. Instead we're looking LIVE at Heinz Field, the land of ketchup and weirdly constructed sandwiches. On Sunday the Steelers host the lousy Browns in a warmup game before the playoffs begin.

Can you believe the Browns are (+10.5) dogs? That's a mistake! First of all, the weather forecast calls for Rain and Snow with 10 mph wind. Next, the Steelers for all intents and purposes have a first round bye clinched. The result is the Steelers ought to be resting many of their starters. Cleveland will be making this much more of a game than many think. Besides, it's a rivalry game, and rarely are these games blowouts. Browns to cover.

Finally to San Diego, where the Chargers and Broncos play a winner take all duel to determine the Winner of the AFC West, and the right to get pounded by the Colts in the first round! The Chargers are favored by 8.5? Whaaa? You have to think the game will be closer than you think. These two teams are made for each other. The Bolts and Broncos wrote the book on underperforming (or being overrated, if you will). Watch this one decided by a field goal as the Buckin' Broncos Buck the experts and ride those (+8.5) points, cover the spread and keep the game close!

It's been fun, but it all has to come to an end sometime.. That's all for

Dave's (slap!)
LOCKS (clank)
of the Week (fwoosh!)

Aw... thats it for my picks, but stay with us when we roll out the quick PLAYOFF LOCKS of the Week. Enjoy Week 17 everyone!


Recap: Lions (+9.0) cover at Packers; Browns (+10.5) cover at Steelers; Broncos (+8.5) cover at San Diego

Week 14: Dave's BLOCKS of the Week

Dave's (swish!)
LOCKS (fwish!)
of the Week (splish!)

Dave's LOCKS of the Week
Week 14

No big introduction this week, as we get right into the thick and the skinny! Ever notice how folks will say "we'll get to the thick of it" or "here's the skinny". Imagine, two opposite terms describing the same thing!

This is going to be a big week of desperation... TO THE PICKS!!

First let's go to Detroit, where the Lions have been tamed to play like little pussy cats. Oof... not good times for Detroit Fans... that is until they go to Joe Louis or the Palace. The Lions are at home to play the Vikings, and I think Vegas knows something we don't know. How is there no line for the game?? The game has been taken off the board!! Wow!!!!!!!!! All I can say is, if anybody's losing to the Lions it's the Minnesota Vikings. They have to be the most inconsistent team in the NFL, they have almost no passing game, and they really should have lost the first meeting with the Lions. That game was played in the Metrodome... THIS ONE will be played in the motor city. Take the Lions to win outright baby (no line)!!!

From cold and windy Detroit we go to... cold and windy Green Bay. The Packers are getting (-5.5) against the usually lousy Texans. The Packers really need this game. It's as simple as this: if they lose here, they're out of the playoffs. You can bet Green Bay will play the game of its life. No defense? No problem! The Texans will turn the ball over for them. Pack to cover (-5.5).

Now we fly from the Green Bay to the Rocky Mountain High in Denver, CO. The Broncos, having dominated the Jets last week are home to host the Chiefs. The Broncos got torched in the first meeting over in Arrowhead. This time, the Broncos, and the elusive to pick against the spread Chiefs, go at it again. Nothing here would surprise me. If the game was decided by a field goal, I'd almost expect it. I could even see the Chiefs winning 58-10. But today is gut check time for the Broncs.

On Thanksgiving Night, the Cardinals really needed to make a stand and go out and CLOBBER a struggling team. They folded like the big wusses they are, but the Broncos will fare much better. Denver is favored to win by (-9.0), and I'm gonna give it to them. The Broncos better not blow this one... they need to really dominate in order to build credibility. And I think they're gonna do it. Broncos cover the whole (-9.0) yards.

All three teams are on their way to Building Block wins... here on

Dave's (trickle)
LOCKS (boink)
of the Week (fwip!)

Here's to a big time Week 14!


Recap: Lions win at home (no line), Packers (-5.5) cover at home, Broncos (-9.0) cover at home

Packers and Saints: playoff bound?

Monday Night Football was intriguing last night, if for no other reason than it showed two teams with potential to make the playoffs. Can either the Packers or Saints get to the 'offs? Let's break it down one by one:

The Packers

The Packers are really banged up on defense, with Nick Barnett the latest of victims, but if they could somehow patch it up, the Pack might be back!

The Packers have the Fifth WORST rush defense in the NFL, BUT they allow the 3rd fewest passing yards per game. The Packers, going into last night, were +7 in turnovers. They're fairly mediocre in passing AND rushing, but my guess is, Rodgers could recover from his shoulder injury and turn things around. Even now, Rodgers has a decent 94.5 QB rating. That's not bad for a guy in his first full year as a starter.

Best of all, the Pack have two things working for them. First of all, the rest of their division is a joke. The Bears are a mere 6-5 and still have to play the Saints themselves. The Vikings are flat-out LUCKY to be above .500 with their lousy +7 point differential and -2 turnover ratio. They're falling out quick. Secondly, the Packers have a very easy schedule down the stretch. They'll get to play Carolina, Houston, and Jacksonville all in a row. I like the odds.


The Saints

The Saints looked good last night, and offensively, they are very very good. The Saints lead the NFL in Passing Yards per game, plus they're the 5th best scoring team in the NFL (ironically, four of the top five are in the NFC!).

Unfortunately, NFL teams are required to play DEFENSE. The Saints are rather awful on defense: ranked 18th against the run and 24th against the pass. Let's face it, the Saints aren't fooling anybody.

To make matters worse, the Saints are -5 in turnovers going into tonight's game, and they're only +39 in point differential. For a team that is among the NFL scoring leaders, having a measly +39 point differential is down-right pathetic. For their six wins, that's equivalent to a lousy 6.5 point margin of victory per game. Note: The Packers have a similar point differential.

Finally, the Saints face a decently tough schedule down the stretch. The Saints play at Tampa Bay, vs Atlanta, and at Chicago in consecutive weeks.

On paper, it looks like the Packers have a better shot to make the playoffs. If somehow Green Bay can return most of its injured defense, they could be, *might* be, a dark horse in the playoffs. Frankly, I doubt either team has what it takes to get that coveted playoff spot. We'll see.

Dave's Chain-LOCKS of the Week... booooo!

Happy Haunting everyone...

The spooks and ghosts are out on the town tonight
America sits in and watches in fright
As the Cowboys, Lions, Dolphins, and Patriots start to fight
Do join us as we witness the wickedly flight...

of

Dave's (AAAAAHH!!)
LOCKS (EEEEEK!!!)
of the Week (NOOOOOO!!!)


Dave's LOCKS of the Week
Hallo-week 9

HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH, AAAAAH HAHAHAHAHAHAHAH... huhuhuhuhuhuhuhuhhuh, heheheheh, hahahahahahahahahahahhhhhhhhhhh (clomp)

-- The Famous Words of Vincent Price

Good Evening... you are about to enter the Dungeon of Doom... AND NEVER COME BACK!!! Time for another chilling good time on LOCKS of the Week.

Let's begin... Going.... DOWWWWNNN????

woohoohahahahahaha

Pipe Organ: "TWEEEEEE!"

First, to Chicago... where the Bears host the Lions coming off a bye week. 'Tis a mismatch of THRILLING proportions. So much so that the Bears own the Lions in many different ways. But this week the ghosts of Wayne Fontes and Barry Sanders will exorcise the hapless Bears and cover the humongous (+13.0) point spread.

Ashes to Ashes and Dust to Dust, up and away, to NASHVILLE we must! The Ghastly Titans are at home to play the Green Bay Flessssssh Packers. The Titans are due for a let down game... but not today! We shall be witness to a Tennessee Chainsaw Massacre on the Packers as the Titans (-5.5) win by at least a touchdown. BRRRRR-RUM-RUM-RUM!!!

Now we go Six Feet Unnnnder to the depths of THE BLACK HOLE. Welcome to Oakland, CA. The Oakland Raiders are up against the upstart Feasting Falcons. The Falcons are favored by a field goal (-3.0), and are sure to get that margin. Give the points to the Falcons.... IF YOU DARE, MUAHAHAHAHHH.

That covers this monster mash on

Dave's (zap!)
LOCKS (fwa-POW!!)
of the Week (BOOM!)


Happy Halloween everybody!!!


Recap: Lions (+13.0) cover at Bears; Titans (-5.5) cover at home; Falcons (-3.0) cover at Raiders