Monthly Archives: December 2009

Week 15. Now, it’s Getting Serious.

Posted on December 17, 2009 by Scott Taylor| Leave a comment

Week 15 in the National Football League starts tonight with the unbeaten Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville. 7:20 on Rogers SportsNet.

This is a big week for a number of NFL teams. If the San Diego Chargers beat Cincinnati, they clinch a playoff berth. If they win and Denver loses to Oakland, the Chargers lock up a first round bye. With a win over San Diego, the Bengals lock up the AFC North title. Green Bay clinches a playoff berth with a win at Pittsburgh and a loss by either the Giants who play Washington or Dallas who plays New Orleans. And Arizona is NFC West champion with a win at Detroit and a 49ers loss to Philly.

Meanwhile, with just three weeks to go, only three teams have clinched playoff berths: Minnesota and New Orleans in the NFC and Indianapolis in the AFC. However, if the playoffs started today here’s how it would look:

In the AFC, Indy and San Diego would have the first-round byes while Jacksonville would play at Cincinnati and Denver would play at New England. In the NFC, New Orleans and Minnesota would have the byes while Dallas would play at Philly and Green Bay would play at Arizona. Wouldn’t be a bad thing if the standings didn’t change.

Meanwhile, I love Indianapolis Colts head coach Jim Caldwell. That’s because Caldwell made it pretty clear yesterday that he’s going after a 16-0 season.

Caldwell said that if his players are healthy they will play. In other words, if Reggie Wayne, Peyton Manning, Austin Collie, any of them, can start the game they will play to win and they’ll do it from now until the end of the season. This team is trying to go 16-0 and good for them.

Those who think resting star players for the playoffs is a good idea have not been paying attention. It just doesn’t work. And, historically, coaching scared is a lot worse for a team that coaching recklessly.

As Herman Edwards always said: “You play to win the game.” You don’t play to rest your quarterback. And what the hell, in the NFL of 2010, the officials make sure that today’s quarterback is wearing a skirt, anyway.

Let’s take a closer look at Week 15.

THURSDAY NIGHT

Indianapolis Colts 13-0 at Jacksonville Jaguars 7-6 (+6.5)

These Colts-Jaguars games are always close, 13 of the past 15 meetings have been decided by eight points or less. However, despite the tightness of those games, Indianapolis has prevailed 11 times.

Dr. Sports: Colts to win and cover.

The Coach: Colts to win and cover.

SATURDAY NIGHT

Dallas Cowboys 8-5 at New Orleans Saints 13-0 (-6.5)

The Saints barely escaped against the Redskins and Falcons, but that was on the road. They are so much better at home. As hosts, they’ve beaten every opponent this year by eight or more points. The Superdome will be rocking and will be as loud as ever Saturday night. The choking Cowboys, who have shown no sense of urgency after Snowmo returned from his unwarranted post-Thanksgiving trip to Vegas, won’t know what hit them.

Dr. Sports: Saints to win and cover.

The Coach: Saints to win and cover.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON

Chicago Bears 5-8 at Baltimore Ravens 7-6 (-9.5)

Chicago hasn’t covered since Nov. 1. That trend will continue, especially after the huge emotional loss to the Packers after leading at half time.

Dr. Sports: Ravens to win and cover.

The Coach: Ravens to win and cover.

New England Patriots 8-5 at Buffalo Bills 5-8 (+6.5)

Tom Brady might have a broken finger. His ribs could be cracked. And if that wasn’t enough, he now has an unhappy receiver.

Dr. Sports: Patriots to win, but not cover.

The Coach: Patriots to win and cover.

Arizona Cardinals 8-5 at Detroit Lions 2-11 (+10.5)

Arizona has shown that they slack off in December if they don’t need to win. Even after a loss to the 49ers, this game is pretty meaningless for the Cardinals.

Dr. Sports: Cardinals to win but not cover.

The Coach: Cardinals to win and cover.

Cleveland Browns 2-11 at Kansas City Chiefs 3-10 (-1.5)

The Browns are coming off a win over the defending Super Bowl champs, teams in that type of scenario usually don’t perform well. However, the Chiefs absolutely stink and should not be favoured. The Browns, meanwhile, have played a lot better since their bye and have covered four consecutive games.

Dr. Sports: Browns to win.

The Coach: Browns to win.

Atlanta Falcons 6-7 at New York Jets 7-6 (-5.5)

The Jets are riding a three-game winning streak, and they didn’t even have the services of QB Mark Sanchez (knee) for last week’s win over Tampa Bay. Sanchez is expected to practice this week and could be back for this game.

Dr. Sports: Jets to win and cover.

The Coach: Jets to win and cover.

San Francisco 49ers 6-7 at Philadelphia Eagles 9-4 (-8.5)

If Philly is expecting an easy game here, they’re mistaken. The 49ers are playing well and have tons of momentum off their victory over Arizona. However, the Iggles are at home.

Dr. Sports: Eagles to win but not cover.

The Coach: Eagles to win and cover.

Green Bay Packers 9-4 at Pittsburgh Steelers 6-7 (-1.5)

The Packers are red-hot while the Steelers have major problems in all phases. Pittsburgh offensive line is porous; without Troy Polamalu, their secondary is a shadow of its former self; and the kickoff coverage surrenders huge returns every week. But they’re still defending Super Bowl champions.

Dr. Sports: Packers to win.

The Coach: Steelers to win and cover.

Houston Texans at St. Louis Rams 1-12 (+9.5)

The Texans are a pretty easy team to figure out. When the pressure’s on, they choke, and when they play crappy teams, they win and cover. There definitely won’t be any sort of pressure here in an empty Edward Jones Dome. With the Rams hobbled with injuries on offense and defence, this should be a Houston blowout.

Dr. Sports: Texans to win and cover.

The Coach: Texans to win but not cover.

Miami Dolphins 7-6 at Tennessee Titans 6-7 (-2.5)

Without using the Wildcat formation for the past two games, Dolphins Ricky Williams rushed for his fourth 100-yard game in the last five. The Titans could be without QB Vince Young, who is listed as day-to-day with a hamstring injury. If Young is not able to play, Kerry Collins will start (expect Young to play). The Titans could continue to lean on RB Chris Johnson, but might have to throw more often since the Dolphins’ defence has been solid against the run.

Dr. Sports: Dolphins to win.

The Coach: Titans to win and cover.

Oakland Raiders 3-10 at Denver Broncos 9-4 (-12.5)

The Broncos are obviously the better team, but this just seems like a lot of points. Outside of a blowout over Kansas City, Denver has scored 16, 26, 3, 17, 10 and 7 points since their bye. How can the Broncos cover 13 points if they may not even score 13 points?

Dr. Sports: Denver to win, but not cover.

The Coach: Denver to win, but not cover.

Cincinnati Bengals 8-5 at San Diego Chargers 10-3 (-6.5)

Chargers are red hot and the Bengals are still crying in their beer after getting thumped by the Vikes. Now with the death of teammate Chris Henry in that accident in North Carolina, we don’t really know where the Bengals heads will be. The second straight road game doesn’t help the Ohio Tigers either.

Dr. Sports: Chargers to win and cover.

The Coach: Chargers to win and cover.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 2-11 at Seattle Seahawks 5-8 (-6.5)

Matt Hasselbeck finished with 247 yards and one touchdown against the Texans last week, but due to subpar protection, he was hit nine times, three of them sacks. Don’t expect the Bucs to get to him once.

Dr. Sports: Seahawks to win and cover.

The Coach: Seahawks to win and cover.

SUNDAY NIGHT

Minnesota Vikings 11-2 at Carolina Panthers 5-8 (+7.5)

The Vikings secured themselves a spot in the playoffs last week with a win over the Bengals, and this week, they can clinch the NFC North and potentially a first-round bye if they beat the Panthers. Adrian Peterson ran for 97 yards on 26 carries and scored two touchdowns against a solid Bengals defence last week. He’ll try to improve upon that against a Panthers defence that is No. 26 in the NFL against the run.

Dr. Sports: Vikings to win and cover.

The Coach: Vikings to win and cover.

MONDAY NIGHT

New York Giants 7-6 at Washington Redskins 4-9 (+2.5)

This is a huge game for the Redskins. It’s Monday night, so they’ll feed off the crowd’s emotion just like the 49ers did last week. Washington obviously can’t make the playoffs, but beating the Giants here and the Cowboys next week is what the players are focusing on. Defeating their divisional rivals will really build momentum for next year. Of course, the Giants MUST win, too. Should be a great game.

Dr. Sports: Redskins to win.

The Coach: Giants to win and cover.

The Doc is 139-69 overall and 110-98 against the spread. The Coach is 131-77 straight up and 108-100 against the spread

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Preds in Trouble. That Makes Five Admissions. Time to Give an NHL Franchise to Winnipeg.

Posted on December 12, 2009 by Scott Taylor| 1 Comment

TAMPA — It’s one thing to be in trouble. It’s another thing to admit it.

In the National Hockey League, there are more admissions every day.

The New York Islanders, Columbus Blue Jackets, Florida Panthers, Atlanta Thrashers and the Phoenix Coyotes have all admitted that they are having financial problems in their markets. The Tampa Bay Lightning have admitted ownership troubles and the Dallas Stars will likely have to be sold because of the recession’s effects on owner Tom Hicks’ fortune. Hockey is in trouble in many U.S. markets and. of course, Winnipeg sits patiently and waits for the NHL to decide its own future.

This week, members of Nashville’s Metro Sports Authority admitted they were worried about the future of the Preds at Nashville’s Sommet Centre.

“We are sort of hostage to somebody that comes along and makes a better deal in terms of another city,” Sports Authority member Steve North told Nate Rau of the Tennessean.

The source of the worry began when it was revealed that Preds majority owner David Freeman has a personal $3.5 million tax lien against him.

According to Rau, the lien against Freeman was the latest development in a series of financial bombshells. Last month the team filed suit against the Sommet Group to terminate the naming rights agreement at the downtown arena. Six weeks ago, CIT Group, which lent the local ownership group $85 million, filed for bankruptcy protection. And, of course, there is William (Bootsie) Del Biaggio , a minority owner, who filed for bankruptcy after he was jailed for fraud. His 27 percent stake in the franchise is now tied up in bankruptcy court.

Meanwhile, if the Predators show a $20 million cumulative loss (beginning in 2007) and if attendance falls below an average of 14,000 paid per game, the owners can exercise an opt-out clause from their lease beginning on May 1, 2010. That would allow the team to leave Nashville.

So now, with Phoenix, Columbus, Nashville and Atlanta officially in trouble, there is a good chance Winnipeg will be in line for an existing team soon.

In fact, the sooner it happens, the better off the NHL will be.

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Week 14: It’s Time for the Pretenders to Take a Stand

Posted on December 10, 2009 by Scott Taylor| Leave a comment

TAMPA, Fla. — We’ll be in Tampa this Sunday to watch the Sanchez-less Jets take on the Freeman-led Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Remember, last week Josh Freeman threw five interceptions in the red zone? This game will be fun — just for the laughs.

As we head into Week 14, here are three things to keep in mind:

1) Some teams are just destined for greatness. The New Orleans Saints seem like a team of destiny.

Last Sunday in Washington the Saints were often sloppy and lethargic and with three minutes remaining in regulation, the 11-0 Saints trailed the Redskins 30-20. But a couple of breaks, one great pass from Drew Brees to Robert Meacham and finally an 18-yard field goal by Garrett Hartley in overtime gave New Orleans a 33-30 win and a 12-0 record. Yep, that’s a team of destiny.

2) Want to know how to beat the Tennessee Titans? Force them into turnovers.

When the Titans were going 0-6, they turned the ball over 18 times. The Titans then won five straight and turned the ball over three times in total. Then last Sunday, in a 27-17 loss to Indianapolis, Tennessee turned the ball over twice, including a Vince Young interception that the Colts converted into a touchdown. If the Titans win the turnover battle, they win the game. If they turn it over too often, they lose. Simple as that.

3) So what’s happened to the Pittsburgh Steelers? Obviously, the defending Super Bowl champions are 6-6 and have suffered at least six fourth-quarter collapses, but the biggest problem is the absence of Troy Polamalu.

The Steelers have been very weak on the back end of the defence and without Polamalu, they won’t win many football games. Luckily, they get the Browns this week.

All set? let’s take a closer look at Week 14…

THURSDAY NIGHT

Pittsburgh Steelers 6-6 at Cleveland Browns 1-11 (+9.5)

Mike Tomlin said he would “unleash hell” in December. Well, not so much last week, but they’ll be ready Thursday night. This is an absolute must-win for the Steelers, but if anyone is worried about that “road team” thing, the Pittsburgh to Cleveland commute isn’t a long one, and you can bet that there will be more Steelers fans in the stands than Browns supporters. This will essentially be a home game for Pittsburgh.

Dr. Sports: Steelers to win and cover

The Coach: Steelers to win and cover.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON

New Orleans 12-0 at Atlanta 6-6 (+9.5)

Think Drew Brees will have any problems shredding the Falcons’ defensive backfield with his collection of weapons?

Dr. Sports: Saints to win and cover.

The Coach: Saints to win and cover.

Detroit Lions 2-10 at Baltimore Ravens 6-6 (-12.5)

The Ravens looked like they couldn’t care less on Monday Night. They didn’t look like they even want to get out of the huddle let alone run the offense. The Ravens need to win in order to remain in the AFC Wildcard race. If they have proven anything in 2009, it’s that they perform well against lesser competition.

Dr. Sports: Ravens to win and cover.

The Coach: Ravens to win and cover.

Green Bay Packers 8-4 at Chicago Bears 5-7 (+2.5)

This is a difficult one for the Packers. They are traveling on a short work week to battle a Bears team that will be playing its Super Bowl. Chicago has no chance at the playoffs, but it can at least knock arch rival Green Bay out of a wild card spot. That being said, the Bears stink and will ultimately find a way to lose. Football games are won in the trenches, and that’s an area where Chicago is incredibly weak right now.

Dr. Sports: Packers to win and cover.

The Coach: Packers to win and cover.

Seattle Seahawks 5-7 at Houston Texans 5-7 (-5.5)

Houston’s fourth-ranked passing offense challenges the Seahawks 25th-ranked passing defence. The Seahawks are also 1-5 on the road.

Dr. Sports: Texans to win and cover.

The Coach: Texans to win and cover.

Denver Broncos 8-4 at Indianapolis Colts 12-0 (-6.5)

Denver’s chances against Peyton are slim and none. Slim is out of town.

Dr. Sports: Colts to win and cover.

The Coach: Colts to win and cover.

Miami Dolphins 6-6 at Jacksonville Jaguars 7-5 (-2.5)

The Jaguars are one of the league’s best home teams at 5-1. Even though they play in front of sparse crowds. The Dolphins are 2-4 on the road. Both teams have rushing attacks that are in the top 25 per cent of the NFL. The differences between the two teams’ run defences are negligible. Home field will be the advantage here.

Dr. Sports: Jaguars to win and cover.

The Coach: Jaguars to win and cover.

Buffalo Bills 4-8 at Kansas City Chiefs 3-9 (PK)

This Chiefs are reeling right now after two losses as big underdogs to their divisional rivals. After getting blown out against the Broncos and Chargers, the Chiefs are done. But the Bills ain’t much better.

Dr. Sports: Bills to win.

The Coach: Chiefs to win.

Cincinnati Bengals 9-3 at Minnesota Vikings 10-2 (-6.5)

The Bengals are getting seven points and sport one of the league’s top five defences. The Vikings strength of schedule has come into question with losses against Pittsburgh and Arizona. It should be a close game.

Dr. Sports: Vikings to win, but not to cover.

The Coach: Vikings to win and cover.

Carolina Panthers 5-7 at New England 7-5 (-13.5)

The Patriots seldom lose two in a row, and they never lose three in a row. The last time Belichick and Brady dropped two consecutive games, they rebounded with a 35-0 victory over the Packers in 2006.

Dr. Sports: Patriots to win and cover.

The Coach: Patriots to win and cover.

New York Jets at 6-6 Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1-11 (+3.5)

This seems like a really horrible spot for the Jets. This is their last “easy” game before taking on the Falcons, Colts and Bengals. Following a win over the Bills, I don’t think they’ll be focused for the Buccaneers, especially with Kellen Clemens replacing the injured Mark Sanchez at quarterback.

Dr. Sports: Buccaneers to win.

The Coach: Bucs to win.

St. Louis Rams 1-11 at Tennessee Titans 5-7 (-12.5)

Little known fact, the Rams are a feisty 4-1 against the spread in their past five games. In fact, they haven’t lost by more than 10 points since battling the Colts on Oct. 25. The Titans have a conservative offense, so asking them to cover a 13-point spread is too much.

Dr. Sports: Titans to win, but not cover.

The Coach: Titans to win and cover.

Washington Redskins 3-9 at Oakland Raiders 4-8 (+1.5)

A team that has had so many close calls with stronger teams should be able to overcome a below average Raiders team, shouldn’t they? Don’t count on it. The Redskins have to travel cross country and the Raiders have momentum from defeating the defending champions. With the way 2009 has gone, the Skins will stumble against the Oakland Raiders. The Eagles did when they traveled west.

Dr. Sports: Raiders to win.

The Coach: Raiders to win.

San Diego Chargers 9-3 at Dallas 8-4 (-2.5)

Dallas starts December with… a loss! After losing 31-24 to the Giants, the Cowboys look like they may continue their December trend of losing their way out of the playoffs. The Chargers come into Dallas with a seven game winning streak and are looking to secure a bye week over the Cincinnati Bengals. The Cowboys are 5-1 at home. The Chargers are 5-1 on the road. But since it is December and the Chargers don’t lose in December.

Dr. Sports: Chargers to win.

The Coach: Chargers to win.

SUNDAY NIGHT

Philadelphia Eagles 8-4 at New York Giants 7-5 (-1.5)

The Eagles enter the game on a three game winning streak. In week 8, the Eagles defeated the Giants 40-17. The Eagles do play well on the road. The Giants must win to remain in the heart of the NFC Wildcard race. One week, the Eagles can look like the elite of the NFC. The next, they are losing to the Raiders.

Dr. Sports: Giants to win and cover.

The Coach: Eagles to win and cover.

MONDAY NIGHTER

Arizona Cardinals 8-4 at San Francisco 49ers 5-7 (+2.5)

The 49ers will be pumped to host their first Monday night game since Week 1, 2007. This will be their chance to show everyone that they are a legit team.

Dr. Sports: 49ers to win.

The Coach: Cardinals to win and cover.

The Doc is 128-64 overall and 104-86 against the spread. The Coach is 121-71 straight up and 100-90 against the spread.

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Nobody in Tampa, Nobody in Jacksonville and Jason Whitlock Gets it Right Again

Posted on December 7, 2009 by Scott Taylor| Leave a comment

TAMPA, Fla. — Sitting in the press box at the St. Pete Times Forum wondering where the hockey fans went…

I remember coming to Lightning games and seeing at least 15,000 people inside this beautiful building in downtown Tampa, cheering and screaming and urging on their hockey heroes.

But not anymore.

Tonight, the Lightning will probably announce a crowd of 13,000 or 14,000, but the reality is, this building is not half full. And the truly sad part is that Alexander Ovechkin and a very good Washington Capitals team is playing a Lightning club that struggles on defence but has every weapon on offence — Marty St. Louis, Vinny Lecavalier, Steven Stamkos and Ryan Malone. If you live in Tampa and you don’t like this Lightning team, you just don’t like hockey.

Of course, it could all just be part of a recession that few people want to admit is seriously affecting professional sports. I was in Jacksonville yesterday as the Jaguars took another step toward an AFC wild card berth with a 23-18 win over Houston, but fewer than 43,000 people were in the  stands. It was the smallest crowd in Jaguars history.

Fact is, if you want to buy tickets to any sporting event in America these days, there are “plenty of good seats available.” My wife just bought a $50 ticket to the Pro Bowl from Ticketmaster. Nobody thought there would be Pro Bowl tickets available if the NFL moved the game from Honolulu to South Florida, but nobody thought the recession would kick the crap out of ticket sales the way it has.

Tonight, here in Tampa, Ovechkin is wheeling all over the rink while Lecavalier had had three great scoring chances in the first period. It’s a good hockey game. But if there are 6,000 people in this building, I’ll eat the seats.

(NOTE: Just watched Ovechkin score his 19th goal of the season on a one-timer after taking a great pass from Alexander Semin. Ovie is worth the price of admission and I can assure you that here in Tampa, the price of admission ain’t much.)

NOTE: There is only one mainstream media reporter who truly understands the Tiger Woods scandal. Read Jason Whitlock of the Kansas City Star at: http://www.kansascity.com/182/story/1613268.html?storylink=omni_popular.

After reading his column, the rest of the issue is moot.

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The Mainstream Media Strikes Again. Mike Judge was Right, it IS an Idiocracy.

Posted on December 5, 2009 by Scott Taylor| 2 Comments

LAKE BUENA VISTA,  Fla. – There was a wonderfully funny Mike Judge movie called Idiocracy released in 2007 starring Luke Wilson and Maya Rudolph. It was about an average guy who awakes from a 500-year sleep/coma only to find that the United States had been dumbed-down to such an extent that he was now, clearly, the most intelligent person on the planet.

If our North American mainstream media continues to dumb us all down the way it has in recent years, Idiocracy won’t be a far-fetched cult-comedy. Soon, it will be North America.

Let’s take a look at another week in the wonderful world of mainstream media lies, lunacy and lethargy.

1) Isn’t it great when the media runs a guy out of town? Just ask Winnipeg football fans who allowed their own local mainstream media knuckleheads to run Bomber quarterback Kevin Glenn out of town, only to listen to that listen to that same media mob lament Glenn’s departure when he came back to beat the Bombers in the final game of the 2009 season.

In Kansas City, the local media didn’t like Larry Johnson, didn’t like what he (allegedly) said to them and they certainly didn’t want him around. So they joined forces, created a media mob and convinced everyone in the Chiefs organization that Johnson called them all an offensive name and demanded that the Chiefs release him.

The Chiefs did, of course, bowing to the same local media pressure that has helped make the Winnipeg Blue Bombers a team that has had four coaches and hundreds of players (many of them quarterbacks) in just six years.

So what did Johnson do last Sunday? He rushed for 107 yards for the playoff bound Cincinnati Bengals. If the Chiefs never make the playoffs again, it will be too soon. When the media — people who have never played a down of actual real football — runs your team, you’re finished.

2) The mainstream media in Winnipeg has found a new method to help the board of directors of the football club make a decision to fire head coach Mike Kelly. The latest is to suggest that corporate sponsors will cancel their financial commitments to the club if Kelly is back as head coach next season.

As a person who works seven days a week in the corporate sponsorship field, I can assure the board and the local mainstream media story tellers that no corporate sponsor is leaving the football club because Kelly is or isn’t the head coach.

A sponsor might leave because there is a recession and money is tight. He might leave because he doesn’t feel a sponsorship with the club will give him the advertising bang he requires. He might not even want his brand associated with a dumpy stadium and a football club that hasn’t won a title in 19 years. But there is not one sponsor who, honestly, will pull his support because of the coach.

I’ve asked countess corporate sponsors if they plan to pull their financial support from the football club because Kelly is the head coach and not one has said anything of the sort. I’ve also asked more than one board member which sponsors might be leaving and they have no idea.

So let’s bury another mainstream media myth (lie?). There might be reasons why some corporate sponsors would pull their support from the Winnipeg Football Club, but it is NOT because Mike Kelly is or isn’t the head coach.

3) Why would any sports fan spend a dollar on a newspaper? By the time a newspaper gets a story, it’s not just 24 hours old, it’s often multiple-weeks old.

Friday’s official re-signing of Jonathan Toews, Patrick Kane and Duncan Keith by the Chicago Blackhawks was first announced in Winnipeg on 92-CITI-FM 18 days ago — on the same day the pending deals were announced by a couple of Chicago-area sports blogs. The Chicago Tribune had the rumours the next morning.

The pending contract signings were discovered as a response to a Sun Media “report,” out of Ottawa that claimed Toews, Kane and Keith were all on the trade block in Chicago because the Hawks had “salary cap issues.” As usual, that newspaper report turned out to be false.

Thursday at 92-CITI, we had the story on the contracts’ details and Saturday, the stories finally reached the local newspapers after the Hawks officially announced the deals (Toews and Kane each agreed to five-year. $31.5 million deals while Duncan Keith signed a cap-busting 13-year, $72 million contract).

And people actually pay money for old news? A lot of people are dumber than we thought.

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Week 13. Lucky 13, For Sure.

Posted on December 2, 2009 by Scott Taylor| Leave a comment

JACKSONVILLE — We’re in Jacksonville this week for the Texans and Jags. Everybody else will probably be watching the Vikings in Arizona or the Cowboys at the Giants.

Heading into lucky Week 13, there are two big stories:

1) Tennessee runningback Chris Johnson is clearly one of the finest young backs in football, but at the pace he’s set, Eric Dickerson’s single season record of 2,105 rushing yards is in jeopardy of being surpassed.

Johnson has 1,396 yards rushing in 11 games this season, which puts him on pace for 2,030 over the course of 16 games. But with five games left, and with all his speed and talent, Johnson could easily get to 2,200.

2) Brett Favre was the NFL’s player of the month for November. It’s the sixth time in his career he’s won the award. Based on what Favre did in November, this is no scoop.

In four games, beginning with his return to Lambeau Field on Nov. 1, Favre threw 130 passes, completed 91 of them for 1,193 yards. He threw 12 touchdown passes and not one interception. The Vikings went 4-0 and Favre turned 40. Nice month.

He can keep things going in Phoenix on Sunday night.

Let’s take a closer look at Week 13:

THURSDAY NIGHT IN TORONTO

New York Jets 5-6 at Buffalo Bills 4-7 (+2.5)

This contest will be played in Toronto, where barely anyone showed up last year. This is technically a home game for Buffalo, but I don’t see how the team can get any motivation when most of the fans won’t even be there. The Jets, meanwhile, are not as good as the New York-based TV media continues to suggest.

Dr. Sports: Jets to win and cover.

The Coach: Bills to win.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON

Philadelphia Eagles 7-4 at Atlanta Falcons 6-5 (+4.5)

A critical match for the NFC wild card. The Falcons are undefeated at home but they are without starting quarterback Matt Ryan.

Dr. Sports: Eagles to win and cover.

The Coach: Eagles to win and cover.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 1-10 at Carolina Panthers 4-7 (-6.5)

Just when you thought it was safe to believe in the Panthers, they go and lose to the Jets. Still, Tampa Bay is terrible. We could see about seven interceptions in this game, which could be fun. Panthers won by a touchdown when these two teams met in Tampa in October.

Dr. Sports: Panthers to win and cover.

The Coach: Panthers to win and cover.

St. Louis at 1-10 Chicago 7-7 (-8.5)

First of all, who are the Bears, to be laying nine points? They stink. Their offensive line can’t block and their defence can’t stop anyone. They haven’t won a game in more than a month. How can they beat a 9-point spread if they can’t even get a victory? After getting blown out by the Vikings, they might play a little better, but they won’t win by much. The only thing Chicago has going for it is the fact the Rams couldn’t even beat dog-ass Seattle in its own building.

Dr. Sports: Bears to win but not cover.

The Coach: Bears to win and cover.

Detroit Lions 2-9 at Cincinnati Bengals 8-3 (-12.5)

This is a really tough spot for Cincinnati for two reasons. First, this is a meaningless contest against a non-conference foe. The Bengals are three in front of the Steelers and Ravens (they have the tie-breaker), so they don’t need a victory. And second, they have the Vikings and Chargers after this “easy game.” Why would Cincinnati be focused here?

Dr. Sports: Bengals to win but not to cover.

The Coach: Bengals to win and cover.

Tennessee Titans 5-6 at Indianapolis Colts 11-0 (-6.5)

Sure, the Titans are on a roll right now, but the Colts just keep finding ways to win and I don’t think the Tennessee defence can keep Manning and company out of the end zone.

Dr. Sports: Colts to win and cover.

The Coach: Colts to win and cover.

Houston Texans 5-6 at Jacksonville Jaguars 6-5 (PK)

The Texans are the better team, but that didn’t stop them from losing last time and we don’t like their chances here either. They just lost their Super Bowl. Once 5-3, they now sit at 5-6, meaning that their season is over.

Dr. Sports: Jaguars to win.

The Coach: Jaguars to win.

Denver Broncos 7-4 at Kansas City Chiefs 3-8 (+4.5)

Granted, the Broncos just demolished the Giants, but they shouldn’t be favored by this much on the road. They had lost four games in a row before Thanksgiving and were lucky enough to catch New York traveling on a short work week. The Chiefs have been blown out just twice since the beginning of October – and both times it was against San Diego. Remember, Kansas City just beat the Steelers two weeks ago.

Dr. Sports: Broncos to win, but they won’t cover.

The Coach: Chiefs to win.

Oakland Raiders 3-8 at Pittsburgh Steelers 6-5 (OFF)

The Steelers aren’t a great football team in 2009. Injuries to important players have seen to that. Fortunately for Pittsburgh, they’re playing a very bad football team. Then again, the Raiders only show up when playing good opponents.

Dr. Sports: Steelers to win (and cover).

The Coach: Steelers to win (and cover).

New Orleans Saints 11-0 at Washington Redskins 3-8 (+9.5)

The Redskins have decided in the past month that they’re ready to actually play football but do you really think Washington can keep the Saints from scoring at least 40 points?

Dr. Sports: Saints to win and cover.

The Coach: Saints to win and cover.

San Diego Chargers 8-3 at Cleveland Browns 1-10 (+12.5)

Anybody picking the Browns in this one? Anybody? Dr. Sports would  rather listen to Vic Grant for three hours than watch the Browns play football.

Dr. Sports: Chargers to win and cover.

The Coach: Chargers to win and cover.

Dallas Cowboys 8-3 at New York Giants 6-5 (+2.5)

After watching Romo and company destroy Oakland on US Turkey Day, and with reports that Eli Manning’s foot is worse than we’re being let on, how do you pick the Jints?

Dr. Sports: Cowboys to win and cover.

The Coach: Cowboys to win and cover.

San Francisco 49ers 5-6 at Seattle Seahawks 4-7 (PK)

Neither of these teams are very good, but the Seahawks still have a great home field advantage. With Hasselbeck under center, they are 3-1 at Qwest Field this year, losing only to Arizona. They also own this rivalry, having won nine of the past 13 meetings.

Dr. Sports: Seahawks to win.

The Coach: Seahawks to win.

New England Patriots 7-4  at Miami Dolphins 5-6 (+5.5)

To quote Mike Tomlin, New England will “unleash hell” in Miami.

Dr. Sports: Patriots to win and cover.

The Coach: Patriots to win and cover.

SUNDAY NIGHT

Minnesota at Arizona (OFF)

This isn’t really a major game for either team. A loss wouldn’t hurt the Vikings or Cardinals. Perhaps Arizona will want revenge after the trashing they took last year, but that’s not a major edge.

Dr. Sports: Vikings to win but by only a FG.

The Coach: Vikings to win.

MONDAY NIGHT

Baltimore Ravens 6-5 at Green Bay Packers 7-4 (-2.5)

Despite their best efforts, the Ravens managed to beat the Steelers on Sunday night. Baltimore’s pass rush should keep Aaron Rodgers from sleeping all week long as he plays behind a terrible, terrible offensive line. With that said, the Ravens will probably manage to lose the game on a botched field goal.

Dr. Sports: Packers to win but not cover.

The Coach: Packers to win and cover.

The Doc is 116-60 overall this season and 96-80 against the spread. The coach is 111-65 straight up and 90-86 against the spread.

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