Mrs. Wager

Weekly Wager: Week 1

2012-09-09T10:00:00.000-04:00

After finishing last season 43-27-3 (10-10-1 on college games, 33-17-2 on NFL games), the Weekly Wager is off to a disappointing 0-1 start thanks to the New York Giants second half let down Wednesday night. With that said, here are the remaining picks for this week:

Seattle @ Arizona (+2.5) - SUN 4:25PM - FOX
Sunday marks the beginning of the Russell Wilson era in Seattle, and I'm feelin' it. After signing Matt Flynn for good coin this offseason, Wilson was a long shot to get the starting nod. Let's face it, he not only had to outplay Flynn in the preseason, but he had to outperform Flynn off the field in order to get Coach Carroll to go to bat for him. Wilson is a gamer with a chip on his shoulder. Reminds me of Drew Brees when he was first starting out. Arizona wishes they had this drama. Instead, the Cardinals have a couple QBs that shouldn't be starting NFL quarterbacks. Too bad for Larry Fitzgerald. Whether Marshawn Lynch plays or not (back spasms), I think Seattle comes out fired up with Wilson at the helm. It only helps Seattle has a respectable defense going up against what should be one of the worst offenses this year...Seattle 24, St. Arizona 14

Pittsburgh @ Denver (-1.0) - SUN 8:20PM - NBC
Can you ask for a better Sunday night game? I don't know a single NFL fan who isn't eager to see what Peyton Manning will do in Denver this year. Peyton's signing with the Broncos has taken Denver's Super Bowl odds in Vegas from 50-1 to 10-1. While skeptics point to Peyton's increasing number of INTs over the years and general decline in productivity, he couldn't have walked into a better situation. Peyton has two solid WRs in Demaryius Thomas and Eric Decker in addition to an offensive line that blocked its way to lead the league in rushing with 165ypg. At the same time, Pittsburgh is facing an uphill battle with the run game thanks to injuries, and Big Ben is playing catch up with Mike Wallace who finally decided to focus on playing football. Look for a strong showing from Denver on both sides of the ball with Eric Decker and Willis McGahee helping Peyton to his first W in over a year...Denver 27, Pittsburgh 24

Cincinnati @ Baltimore (-7.0) - MON 7:00PM - ESPN
Expect the Ravens to come out and play with a purpose as they remember their late owner Art Modell and the role he played in the franchise's history. It doesn't hurt that the Bengals have lost 3 of the last 4 against the Ravens and haven't managed to win in Baltimore since '09. Cincinnati is hoping Andy Dalton and AJ Green can reestablish what Carson Palmer and Chad Johnson had years ago, but time will tell. In the meantime, the Ravens will be trying to avenge their disappointing loss in last year's AFC Championship. Look for a more aggressive offensive attack from Joe Flacco and a defense that realizes the clock is ticking for its leaders...Baltimore 27, Cincinnati 17

Weekly Wager: Opening Day

2012-09-05T20:14:00.003-04:00

Dallas Cowboys @ New York Giants (-3.5) - WED 8:30PM - NBC

Peter King is usually on point, but his call on the Cowboys winning the NFC East this year is highly questionable. The Giants might not win the Division, but they ain't losing to the Cowboys, at home. This season is likely Tony Romo's last chance to lead his team to the post season before Jerry Jones goes Dr. Jekyll on him. No playoffs probably spells another direction for JJ. Unfortunately for Romo, Jason Pierre-Paul, Osi Umenyiora, and Justin Tuck will be in his face all night long ala Tom Brady and the drama in Dallas will start back up. While Jason Witten is supposedly active for tonight's game, I don't see him being much of a difference maker, even if he gets on the field.

The only chance the 'Boys have tonight will be if their O-Line manages to withstand the pressure upfront and allows Romo to slice and dice the Giants secondary. However, Mrs. Wager doubts this. Eli will likely face a tougher D than last year's squad, as Rob Ryan has had more time to teach his complex scheme. It won't make a difference in the Giants balanced attack though. Look for a little extra fire from the G-Men tonight as last year's Super Bowl ring didn't get a lot of love thanks to Linsanity taking America by storm the same weekend...Giants 27, Cowboys 20

In the words of Justin Tuck..

2012-09-05T10:33:00.004-04:00

Hope you all had a great summer and welcome back to another football season...ahh, it feels like Christmas.

Big Blue vs. America's Team. Manning vs. Romo. Jerry Jones vs. the Defending Superbowl champs. Lawrence Tynes vs. Dan Bailey. Ok, that was a stretch....but you get the point. 8:30PM on NBC.

Who will win? Well we have a prediction for this one. Stay tuned for the first weekly wager of the 2012-13 season!

NY Giants: World Champs

2012-02-07T14:08:00.001-05:00

Congats to the NY Giants and their fans worldwide on being 4th time World Champs!!!

Weekly Wager: Super Bowl Pick

2012-02-05T15:33:00.000-05:00

For the season, Weekly Wager is 42-27-3. 10-10-1 on college games, 32-17-2 in NFL. With that said, see below for this week's picks:

New York Giants @ New England (-2.5) - SUN 6:29PM - NBC
There is a lot of history to be made today. Tom Brady can join Terry Bradshaw and Joe Montana as only the third quarterback in NFL history to win four Super Bowls, and he can also pass Joe Montana for most playoff wins with his 17th. A win for Eli would give him more Super Bowl rings than big brother Peyton, and another Giants Super Bowl trophy for Tom Coughlin probably gets him in the Hall of Fame and catapults him past Bill Parcells as the best coach in Giants history.

The matchups to focus on are up front. Brady will need his O-Line to step up and give him time to make big plays, while the Giants O-Line will have their hands full with Vince Wilfork. You can bet Belichick will be focused on shutting down Victor Cruz in the slot, which magnifies the importance of blocking Wilfork and getting solid production from Bradshaw and Jacobs on the ground. The Pats Defense was terrible all year, but they have stepped up when it's counted. The fact the Pats are favored should surprise most given the matchups across the board favor the Giants. However, as we saw in Super Bowl XLII, the intangibles are what make the difference in the Super Bowl.

While there are only 8 Pats left from Super Bowl XLII on today's team, Brady is one of them and they are playing for the late Myra Kraft. At the same time, the Giants have their own motivations and are undoubtedly standing behind Tom Coughlin and Eli Manning as their leaders. Two weeks ago I said the Giants were the most balanced team left in the playoffs and my favorite til the end. I'm standing by my words and taking the Giants, who are 8-1 ATS in their last 9 playoff games to win their second Super Bowl in five seasons. Oh yea, it's also Mr. Wager's birthday and the Giants are his team, so I'm sticking with the G-Men to win it all...New York Giants 31, New England 27

Weekly Wager: AFC & NFC Championship Picks

2012-01-22T12:26:00.002-05:00

For the season, Weekly Wager is 40-27-3. 10-10-1 on college games, 30-17-2 in NFL. With that said, see below for this week's picks:

Baltimore @ New England (-7.0) - SUN 3:00PM - CBS
Much like last week's Saints vs Niners matchup, this is going to be a game between a top offense and a top defense. Ravens fans better hope Joe Flacco took some notes on Alex Smith's performance, because much like Smith, Flacco will be the difference. Ray Rice shouldn't have a tough time on the ground against a defense that gives up alomst 120ypg, so it comes down to Flacco's ability to spread the ball and throw for a few hundred yards. Tom Brady had an impressive outing last week, but when a QB of his caliber does not get sacked and is only hit twice on 34 drop backs, what do you expect? Look for the Ravens defense to get to Brady and rattle the Golden Boy. Baltimore's defensive coordinator Chuck Pagano is well aware of the threat Gronkowski and Hernandez pose, but he knows his squad needs to stay focused on Brady's safety net, Wes Welker. Something tells me if Ricky Williams is talking about hitting the Pats in the mouth, the Ravens are hungry and ready for this game. Just another badass Harbaugh doing his job. Don't forget the Ravens smoked the Pats 33-14 in Foxboro in the playoffs two years ago. I'm taking Baltimore to cover and think they pull out the upset. Don't feel bad for the Golden Boy, I'm sure he'll enjoy the off-season in his new mega mansion...Baltimore 27, New England 24

New York Giants @ San Francisco (-2.0) - SUN 6:30PM - FOX
The Giants, aka the "Road Warriors," are the most balanced team left in the playoffs and my favorite to win it all. Alex Smith seemed to have erased all the negativity of the past 6 years with last week's comeback win. Good for him, but it's back to reality this week. If the weather is as bad as expected, it's probably an advantage for the Niners who have one of the best running games in the league. However, the Giants defense is playing lights out right now and I don't see that changing. The Niners defense has been great all year and last week's win was awesome, but let's be clear, they gave up 32 points to the Saints on grass, outdoors. Eli(te) is playing the best football of his life right now and his players believe in him more than ever. The running game is coming around, Hakeem Nicks is back to his old self, and Victor Cruz is the cherry on top. What Jim Harbaugh has done in his first year as a head coach in the NFL is beyond impressive, but Coughlin's players have bought into his message and he's on the cusp of going down as the best coach in New York Football Giants history. I'm taking the Giants, who are 7-1 ATS in their last 8 playoff games, to win on the road once again....New York Giants 24, San Francisco 20

Weekly Wager: Divisional Playoffs

2012-01-14T15:00:00.014-05:00

For the season, Weekly Wager is 36-27-3. 10-10-1 on college games, 26-17-2 in NFL. With that said, see below for this week's picks:

New Orleans @ San Francisco (+3.5) - SAT 4:30PM - FOX
As everyone knows by now, this is a game between a top offense and a top defense. The Saints average just under 35ppg while San Fran is allowing less than 15ppg. The Saints are a different ball club on grass. The last time they played outdoors on grass was against Tennessee and they struggled against an average team at best (won 22-17). While the Saints offense has been on a roll as of late, averaging 45ppg in their last 3 games, I don't trust their defense and their split personality outside of the dome. Alex Smith isn't one of the best quarterbacks in the league, but he's efficient completing better than 60% of his passes with only 5 INTs. Don't forget the Saints give up 5 yards per carry, so Alex Smith doesn't have to be an All-Pro to beat New Orleans. San Fran is 7-0-1 ATS at home, while the Saints are 4-4 ATS on the road. This is the first time in 15 years the home team in this round of the playoffs has been an underdog. I know Brees has a chip on his shoulder from last year, but Harbaugh has something special brewing in the Bay area. If San Fran doesn't win this game, I expect them to cover...New Orleans 24, San Francisco 27

Denver @ New England (-13.5) - SAT 8:00PM - CBS
Sorry folks, Tebowmania will be coming to an end today. Last week's performance by Tim Tebow was All-World and the kind of stuff legends are made of, but he is not going into Foxboro and beating the Patriots. I understand the Steelers are one of the top defenses in the league and the Pats have one of the worst defensive squads giving up 411ypg and a league worst 294ypg in the air, but the element of surprise is gone. The only prayer Denver has rests on the shoulders of their defense. The key for Denver will be for Elvis Dumervil and Von Miller to pressure Tom Brady. Denver has kept 6 of their last 11 opponents to 15 points or less, but as we saw in their last matchup at Mile High Stadium, Mr. Brady found a way to shred Denver's defense and will do so again. It also doesn't hurt the Pats will have Josh McDaniels back on their side. The Patriots will be prepared for the gimmicks and will move on to the next round...Denver 24, New England 38

Houston @ Baltimore (-7.5) - SUN 1:00PM - CBS
The pressure is on Joe Flacco. The Ravens could easily end up in the Super Bowl or lose this weekend. This is an incredibly balanced match up with both teams averaging 24ppg and defenses that are each giving up just under 290ypg and 17ppg. The Texans came out last week and impressed. TJ Yates has been good enough to win thanks to the second best running game in the league led by Arian Foster and the best overall defense in the league. However, they have to travel to Baltimore where the Ravens are 8-0 at home and rookie QBs don't typically fair so well. Flacco has averaged 239 passing yards and thrown for 15 TDs versus 6 INTs in the team's 12 wins, while averaging 200 yards passing and throwing just 5 TDs versus 6 INTs in their four losses. The Ravens have Ray Rice and the third best defense in the league, but Flacco needs to step up if Baltimore wants to keep this thing going. Baltimore is a different team at home and will likely win, but Houston keeps it close and covers...Houston 17, Baltimore 21

New York Giants @ Green Bay (-7.5) - SUN 4:30PM - FOX
The Giants displayed a lot of confidence this week in the media, which only adds to Green Bay's motivation after the shocking and sudden death of offensive coordinator Joe Philbin's son, Michael Philbin. Greg Jennings also made it clear after the Giants win over the Falcons via Twitter that the Packers haven't forgotten about their playoff loss at home to the Giants in January '08. However, the Giants know they should have won against the Packers earlier this year, and they know they are one of the best teams in football right now. The Giants defensive and offensive lines are playing extremely well, which is contributing to tons of pressure on opposing QBs and the ability to run the ball on offense. Aaron Rodgers has had only one game to show what he's made of since losing to KC, but it was against an emotionally defeated Chicago Bears team. Rodgers will appreciate having Greg Jennings back in the lineup, but he will have his day cut out for him as the Giants' defensive line will cause havoc. I'm confident the Packers Achilles' heel will be their defense. The Giants' running game is dead last in the league, but when they run for over 100yds, they win. Aaron Rodgers might be the AP Athlete of the Year, but Eli(te) Manning is 'trending' and I like his chances against the worst defense in the league...New York Giants 38, Green Bay 35

Weekly Wager: BCS Championship

2012-01-09T18:08:00.002-05:00

For the season, Weekly Wager is 35-27-3. 9-10-1 on college games, 26-17-2 in NFL. With that said, see below for our final college football pick of the season:

BCS Championship: Alabama @ LSU (+2.5) - Jan 9 @ 8:30PM - ESPN
The NCAA really needs to step in and do something about the ridiculous gap between the final regular season game and the BCS Championship. We're in the second week of January and have heard all about the players and the crazy stats these teams have put up, so I'll keep it short. Les Miles has more to lose (millions of dollars) than Nick Saban, but I don't think Saban lets his team lose twice to LSU. Despite having the number one defense in Alabama (8.8ppg / 191ypg) up against the number two defense in LSU (10.5ppg / 252ypg), I expect this game to be much different than the 9-6 game on November 5th and cover the Over (41.5). I think the long gap since each team's last game will benefit the offenses, which should take advantage of defenses that are a step slow. Alabama won't need to rely on the kicking game as much and ultimately covers...Alabama 24, LSU 20

Weekly Wager: Wild Card Weekend

2012-01-07T14:38:00.004-05:00

For the season, Weekly Wager is 34-24-3. We're 9-10-1 on college games and 25-14-2 on pro games. With that said, here are the picks for this week:

Cincinnati @ Houston (-4.0) - SAT 4:30PM - NBC
It's a weird year in Cincy, which starts with Mike Brown looking like a decent GM. Cincy essentially made the playoffs without an upset win all season and struggled mightily in close games. However, I think they win their first big game all season on Wild Card Weekend. The Bengals have two things going for them; they have the confidence they can beat Houston after a last second defeat in Week 14, and Andy Dalton is going up against another rookie QB. It's worth noting Dalton missed some practice this week because of the flu, but the coaches are saying he's up to speed and it's a non-issue. Cincy wins in a close game as Andy Dalton and AJ Green have solid performances in their first nationally televised game...Cincinnati 24, Houston 20

Detroit @ New Orleans (-10.5) - SAT 8:00PM - NBC
Detroit has improved since their 31-17 loss at the Superdome on December 4th and they're healthier now, but it won't be enough to beat the Saints. The Lions have enough firepower to stay close with the Saints' offense, but Drew Brees is simply too good for the Lions' defense, which made Matt Flynn look like an All-Pro last week. The Saints have won 8 straight, scored over 40 points in their last 3, and haven't loss at home since last season. This should be the best game of the weekend. The Saints have covered in 8 straight, but I think Detroit covers here in a solid effort against my Super Bowl favorite...Detroit 34, New Orleans 42

Atlanta @ New York Giants (-3.0) - SUN 1:00PM - FOX
The Giants are feeling good right now and I expect that continue into next weekend. Victor Cruz has stepped up in a big way and his play has led to increased confidence for the entire squad. The Giants offensive line has started to come together which should help the 32nd ranked running game when they need it most; The Giants are 7-0 when they rush for over 100 yards. The Falcons have been an inconsistent team this year and are 4-4 on the road. The Roddy White-Julio Jones combo should be concerning for Giants fans, but I think the best defensive line in the league prevents Matt Ryan from getting the time he needs for big plays. As in '07, the Giants hit the playoffs with some momentum after losing a close and winnable game to the 'best' team in the league. Don't be surprised if the Giants make it to Indy...Atlanta 27, New York Giants 31

Pittsburgh @ Denver (+8.0) - SUN 4:30PM - CBS
Despite all the injuries (coaches included) around the Steelers over the last couple weeks, I expect them to handle Denver with ease. Denver will likely throw in some gimmicks on offense (Brady Quinn), as Tim Tebow doesn't have a prayer of beating the top ranked defense in the league doing what he's been doing recently. Big Ben has played with injuries his whole career and shouldn't have a problem doing it again. I think Issac Redman will have a bigger game than people are expecting, while Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown should continue their strong seasons into atleast the second round of the playoffs. Pittsburgh covers in a game that's probably not as close as the final score indicates...Pittsburgh 21, Denver 10

Weekly Wager: BCS Edition Part II

2012-01-03T18:36:00.004-05:00

For the season, Weekly Wager is 34-23 with 2 pushes. 9-9 on college games, 25-14-2 in NFL. See below for our special Weekly Wager BCS edition Part II:

Sugar Bowl: Michigan @ Virginia Tech (+3.0) - Jan 3 @ 8:30PM - ESPN
Unfortunately, this year's Sugar Bowl will likely take the Big Ten to 0-2 in BCS games and lead to another year of skepticism around the entire conference next season. After receiving a butt whooping from Clemson in which Hokies star running back and ACC player of the year David Wilson had just 32 yards on 11 carries, Va Tech has a lot to prove. The Hokies' defense, which ranks 8th in the nation allowing just 17.8ppg, will be focused on making Denard Robinson a pocket passer. Robinson has big-play ability on the ground, but he is inconsistent as a passer completing just 56% of his passes and throwing 14 INTs on the year. I expect David Wilson to have a big game and solidify his case for going pro a year early...Michigan 27, Virgina Tech 28

Orange Bowl: West Virginia @ Clemson (-3.0) - Jan 4 @ 8:30PM - ESPN
I'm betting Clemson has regained some of the swagger they had earlier this year after winning their first ACC title in over 20 years. West Virginia averages 35ppg behind one of the best passers in the country in Geno Smith who threw for 463 yards against LSU earlier this year. While Geno is the real deal, the same can't be said for the West Virginia team who's record is largely a result of a weak schedule in a weak conference. Clemson has begun to right the ship, and after holding Virginia Tech to just 13 total points in two games, people are taking notice. Look for Clemson's Sammy Watkins, who is only the third true freshman in NCAA history to win first team All-American honors, to have his national coming out party and light up the Mountaineers' secondary...West Virginia 24, Clemson 31

Weekly Wager: BCS Edition Part I

2012-01-02T15:02:00.001-05:00

For the season, Weekly Wager is 33-22 with 2 pushes. 8-8 on college games, 25-14-2 in NFL. As promised, see below for Part I of our special Weekly Wager BCS Edition:

Rose Bowl: Wisconsin @ Oregon (-6.0) - Jan 2 @ 5:00PM - ESPN
On paper, this is a phenomenal matchup. Oregon is averaging 46ppg and 515ypg versus Wisconsin's 45ppg and 467ypg. Russell Wilson has been phenomenal this year with 31 TDs and just 3 INTs, while Darron Thomas is not far behind with 30 TD passes and just 6 INTs. The Ducks biggest challenge will be stopping Montee Ball who has an NCAA best 1,759 yards rushing and 32 rushing TDs behind a massive offensive line that could pose problems for the Ducks. LeMichael James has rushed for just 113 yards less than Montee Ball in two less games. The Ducks defense, which ranks 45th against the run, has only allowed 12 rushing TDs in 13 games. The Badger defense surprisingly ranks 6th in the nation giving up 17ppg, but it won't be enough in this year's Rose Bowl. After losing two straight BCS bowl games, I think Oregon's offense is too good for Wisconsin's defense and ultimately leads them to their first BCS bowl victory under Chip Kelly...Wisconsin 41, Oregon 49

Fiesta Bowl: Stanford @ Oklahoma State (-4.0) - Jan 2 @ 8:30PM - ESPN
As long as Mike Gundy has Oklahoma State focused on this game, and not grumbling about missing out on a shot at the title, I expect Oklahoma State to handle Stanford with relative ease. The Cowboys season will likely most be remembered by the double-overtime loss to Iowa State, which ultimately prevented them from getting to the BCS championship. Brandon Weeden has led a high octane offense completing over 73% of his passes and throwing for over 4,300 yards. He's had the good fortune of throwing to Justin Blackmon who has over 3,000 yards receiving and 35 TDs over the last two seasons, but the Cowboys also have a solid running game led by Joseph Randle (1193 yds rushing and 23 rushing TDs). Andrew Luck has had an impressive career and will likely be the number 1 pick in the upcoming NFL draft, but his team simply isn't good enough to beat the elite teams. In matchups against USC and Oregon, Stanford gave up an average 50.5 ppg. Stanford finished the year 2-1 against Top 25 teams, while Oklahoma State went 4-0 against Top 25 opponents, including an impressive beat down of the Sooners after their loss at Iowa State. It will be a high scoring affair in which Oklahoma State ultimately increases the cries for a college football playoff system...Stanford 41, Oklahoma State 52

Weekly Wager: Week 17

2011-12-31T17:32:00.003-05:00

For the season, Weekly Wager is 30-21 with 2 pushes. 8-8 on college games, 22-13-2 in NFL. Keep an eye out this weekend for a special Weekly Wager: BCS edition. With that said, here are the picks for this week:

Washington @ Philadelphia (-8.5) - SUN 1:00PM - FOX
Has anyone noticed that the calls for Andy Reid's head have gotten much quieter? I think the Eagles finish the season at 8-8 with a win at home against the 'Skins on Sunday. While the Eagles haven't played their best ball at home, going 2-5 on the season, I expect LeSean McCoy and Michael Vick to lead the Eagles to victory. The Eagles are 7-8 ATS this year and only cover when they win. I expect this game to continue the trend in sloppy fashion - Eagles are tied for the most turnovers on the season with 36 and the 'Skins are third with 34. Look out for the Eagles next year, they will have a chip on their shoulder all season...Philadelphia 31, Washington 17

Carolina @ New Orleans (-8.0) - SUN 1:00PM - FOX
This one is a bit risky because Sean Payton could pack it in early, but I think the Saints get their eight straight win in convincing fashion as they fight for the #2 seed in the NFC and try to make sure Brees stays ahead of Brady in setting a new record for most passing yards in a season. Payton may see the #2 seed slipping away during the game depending the score of the 49ers game, but I think Brees will play long enough to make sure he's beat out Brady for the record. While Cam Newton has had a ridiculous season and exceeded almost everyone's expectations, the Panthers defense doesn't have a chance against the Saints offense on turf and in a dome. The Saints have won ATS in each of their last seven games and are 9-0 ATS in their last 9 on turf. Look for the Saints to put up +40 points for the third straight game...New Orleans 41, Carolina 28

Pittsburgh @ Cleveland (+6.5) - SUN 4:15PM - CBS
Look for Big Ben to return and lead the Steelers to a comfortable victory over the Browns. With a W and a Ravens loss, the Steelers would enjoy a bye in the first round of playoffs. While the Browns' record doesn't show it, they have been playing teams close and were it not for a late 79-yard touchdown against the Steelers last time around, the game would have ended as a 7-3 loss. This might lead some bettors to take Cleveland, but the last matchup caused the Steelers some trouble with Big Ben's ankle sprain taking him out of the game for part of the 2nd quarter and returning with mediocre play in the 2nd half. If Roethlisberger can't go, Charlie Batch has proven he can win as a starter who is now 5-2 as the Steelers' starting QB. The Steelers should win by a TD and get their 3rd 12-win season in four years...Pittsburgh 17, Cleveland 10

Dallas @ New York Giants (-2.5) - SUN 8:20PM - NBC
This one makes me a little nervous because I know Tom Coughlin has struggled in getting his players to come out fired up for big games, but I think this team has learned its lesson after getting caught flat footed against the 'Skins a few weeks back. I expect the Giants to go 3-0 against the Ryan brothers this year after beating the bigger mouthed Ryan last week in the battle of NY. While the 'Boys defense stacks up well against the weak Giants running game, the secondary is one of the worst in the league and should get torched by Eli and Company. NBC finally got it right by putting the best game of the week on Sunday night ...New York Giants 31, Dallas 28

Weekly Wager: Week 15

2011-12-16T19:47:00.000-05:00

For the season, Weekly Wager is 29-19 in total. 8-8 on college games, 21-11 in NFL. We'll pick back up with the college next week once the bowl games are underway. With that said, here are the picks for this week:

Cincinnati @ St. Louis (+7.0) - SUN 1:00PM - CBS
It might be too little too late, but my money is on Andy Dalton leading the Bengals back to victory and keeping hopes of landing the last wild card spot in the AFC alive. Cincy's defense has struggled as of late giving up atleast 20 points in each of the last 5 games, but I place little weight on that given St. Louis is dead last in points scored per game at 11.8. Cincinnati is 8-2 ATS in their last 10 games, while St. Louis has failed to cover in 14 of their last 17. The Bengals win this one in convincing fashion and keep their playoff hopes alive for one more week...Cincinnati 24, St. Louis 14

Carolina @ Houston (-6.0) - SUN 1:00PM - FOX
These two teams couldn't be coming off more different outcomes this past weekend. Ultimately, with Houston's defense giving up just 16ppg, I think this match-up strongly favors Houston. Cam Newton and Co. continue to put up points and come up short, while TJ Yates just finds a way to win. Like I've said before, offense sells tickets, defense wins championships. A top 10 offense has resulted in a 4-9 record for Carolina, while a top 10 defense has produced a 10-3 team in Houston. Despite Wade Phillips being away from the team this coming Sunday, I think the Texans keep the wins coming and cover...Carolina 17, Houston 28

New Orleans @ Minnesota (+7.0) - SUN 1:00PM - FOX
It appears Adrian Peterson will play after nursing his high ankle sprain for weeks, but I don't see it changing the outcome. The Saints will be back indoors on turf and should light up the Vikings defense, which is ranked 26th against the pass giving up 249ypg. After a slow start in Tennessee, I expect the Saints to once again look like the team that is averaging almost 32ppg against a flailing team in the midst of a 5-game losing streak. The Saints know they can clinch the division with a win and an Atlanta loss. Given the team's struggles on the road, I expect Drew Brees to get the troops up for this one and handle their business resulting in atleast one home game in the playoffs...New Orleans 34, Minnesota 21

Detroit @ Oakland (+1.0) - SUN 4:05PM - FOX
After Carson Palmer's 4 INTs against Green Bay's subpar defense last week, I have no faith in Oakland. I fully expect Carson to improve on his terrible performance, but I also expect Matt Stafford to continue winning without much production from Megatron. In the last 10 games, the Lions are 5-5 and have lost each time they failed to score more than 20 points. With the Raiders' defense allowing 27ppg, I'm feeling confident the Lions score their points and take this one. The Lions should also get a boost from Ndamukong Suh who returns from his 2 games suspension on Sunday...Detroit 38, Oakland 24

Baltimore @ San Diego (+2.0) - SUN 8:20PM - NBC
The Chargers seem to be gaining momentum after a pair of wins over Buffalo and Jacksonville, but I think that comes to an end Sunday night. The Ravens defense is simply too good for Phillip Rivers and team. Look for this game to be a building block for Joe Flacco who has been struggling a bit of late. The Chargers are 2-6 ATS in their last 8 games and likely to be 2-7 after Sunday....Baltimore 24, San Diego 20

Week 14 One Liners

2011-12-14T23:20:00.000-05:00

Browns defense stopped Steelers run 4 times at 1 yd line

Packers have not trailed in the 4th quarter in 19 Consecutive games...just another stat for the record books.

Jets call timeout before their first snap at the start of the game, and went on to score a TD on their first possession.

Charles Tillman INT, great job at getting both feet down inbounds. Props

Ryan Succop managed to achieve the shortest kickoff of the year at just 3.5 yards during a horrible attempt at an onside kick

New England got some good practice against good Rexy this week. They barely squeezed by to win 34-27. May God be with the better team when they meet Tim Tebow and the Broncos this Sunday.

Julius Peppers blocks Prater FG. Broncos get 0 from a 60 yd drive. This effort proves to be futil once Marion Barber stepped onto the field.

Texans stage a comeback against the Bengals to clinch AFC South, their first playoff appearance in history of the franchise.

Bears fans still don't understand how they lost to ~~The Broncos~~ Tim Tebow on Sunday. I don't get it either. Divine intervention or glitch in the matrix?

Scrub time for the Packers started with 2 min left in the 3rd qtr when Aaron Rodgers was pulled out of game. Packers make other NFL teams look like they're playing college level

Tom Coughlin pulled a Jason Garrett Sunday night for a Giants W. Icing Dan Bailey still works like a charm. Giants remain undefeated (3-0) in Cowboy stadium.

Jason Pierre-Paul is a beast. Not too good in after the game interviews though. Its ok, interviews aren't what they pay him for. Pretty sure Chris Collinsworth would've made sweet love to JPP after Giants / Cowboys if given the chance.

A little confused by the trickery on seattle offense (half back option pass on 2nd & 1). You don't need any trickery when you're playing the Rams.

Enough with the Tony Romo talk. The Cowboys aren't winning because Rob Ryan is an overrated defensive coordinator with a terrible secondary.

Eli Manning is doing the most with the least

After throwing 3 INTs in each of his first two games back, Carson Palmer should be well beyond throwing 4 INTs in one game, let alone against a weak secondary in Green Bay.

Weekly Wager: Week 14

2011-12-09T21:09:00.000-05:00

For the season, Weekly Wager is 26-17 in total. 8-8 on college games, 18-9 in NFL. We'll be sticking with NFL games from here on out until the bowl games. With that said, here are the picks for this week:

Atlanta @ Carolina (+3.0) - SUN 1:00PM - FOX
Don’t expect this game to play out like October’s matchup, which Atlanta won 31-17 thanks to Michael Turner’s 139 yards and 2 TDs in addition to Cam Newton’s 3 INTs. Carolina’s offense is now ranked 8th in passing, 5th in rushing, 8th in scoring and is feeling good with back-to-back wins. Meanwhile, Matty Ice struggles to deliver consistently and this game is a must-win if the Falcons have any plans of playing in January. I expect Matt Ryan to pick up his fourth straight win against Carolina and Michael Turner to improve on his 109ypg average and 11 TDs in the teams' last six meetings...Atlanta 27, Carolina 21

New England @ Washington (+8.0) - SUN 1:00PM - FOX
New England can clinch their third straight division title with a win on Sunday and a loss by the Jets. A win would also mark the 9th straight season with 10 wins, which will be a league best now that the Colts’ streak has come to an end. To make things worse for the ‘Skins, the Pats aren’t happy with last week’s win against the Colts. They got off to a slow start on offense and saw their defense struggle (against one of the league's worst offenses) towards the end of the game. I don’t see the Pats having any problem this week as Rex Grossman and the 'Skins simply cannot keep up with the Pats' scoring. Even if the ‘Skins thought they had a chance, that has likely changed after the 4 game suspensions TE Fred Davis and Trent Williams face as part of violating the league's substance abuse policy. I wonder if Mike Shanahan has decided whether he’s going to fire his son at the end of the year or bite the bullet himself...New England 28, Washington 17

New Orleans @ Tennessee (+3.5) - SUN 1:00PM - CBS
Chris Johnson is playing well, but Drew Brees is playing better. The Saints are hitting their stride at the right time and are looking for their fifth straight win this weekend in Tennessee. Look for Brees to use Darren Sproles and Jimmy Graham to take advantage of Tennessee’s relatively slow and weaker-than-average defense, while Chris Johnson will work towards his fourth consecutive 100 yard game. It’s worth noting the Saints are just 3-2 on the road this season, but I’m putting my money on the Saints understanding the importance of that first round bye in the playoffs given last year’s trip to Seattle...New Orleans 31, Tennessee 21

San Francisco @ Arizona (+3.5) - SUN 4:05PM - FOX
I’m still trying to figure out what the Vegas odds-makers are thinking here. Arizona does not have a prayer against SF this week. Even though Arizona came up big with a win against Dallas last week, there’s no chance Jim Harbaugh will let his team come in flat after clinching a playoff spot last week. San Fran is still fighting for a first round bye and home field advantage in the playoffs. Look for the 49ers to cover with another impressive showing on defense...and you can be sure that Harbaugh won't be icing David Akers in Arizona...San Francisco 24, Arizona 10

New York Giants @ Dallas (-3.5) - SUN 8:20PM - NBC
Last week’s loss to the Packers is reminiscent of the Giant’s loss to the Patriots in the final regular season game of ’07. We all know that was the turning point for the G-Men in ’07, who eventually went on to upset one team after another in the playoffs before ending the Pats not so "perfect season" in the Super Bowl. The line on this one opened with the Giants as a 4 point underdog, but has since moved slightly with 88% of the money in Vegas taking the Giants ATS. This always concerns me, but I think the Giants are feeling confident and recognize if they beat the ‘Boys in their upcoming two matchups, they are headed to the playoffs. Look for Eli to make Nicks and Cruz shine and move the G-Men into a first place tie in the NFC East...New York Giants 27, Dallas 23

Week 13 One Liners

2011-12-07T15:48:00.001-05:00

Marshawn Lynch ran all over the Eagles Thursday night with 2 TDs in the first half.

Looks like Chris Johnson got his groove back. Might be a smart move on his part to "sit" out the beginning of the season given the injuries at RB around the league

I was excited to see Kyle Orton vs. Da Bears on Sunday, but my excitement was cut short when he broke a finger on his first snap in the game. So much for that, welcome back Tyler Palko.

Bears season could be done with Forte and Cutler both possibly out rest of season. I guess this is why they haven't paid Forte.

Tebow does it again. I also hear he turns gatorade into beer after wins.

Bend it like Beckum. The Meadowlands was treated to a Giants TD on their first possession of the game, something that hasn't happened since Week 5 against the Seahawks.

Packers receivers couldn't hold on to the ball on Sunday. They had 8 drops in the 2nd half alone...and still won.

Final score of Packers/Giants: 38-35. Same score as the Giants/Pats game in 2007, where the G-men then went on to Super Bowl XLII and .... you guys know the rest of this story.

Tony Scheffler's tool factor is through the roof. He got up to celebrate after a catch, and the Saints DB pushed him back down. Don't celebrate after a catch when you're down 24-10. You're supposed to catch the football Tony.

Nate Burleson had 3 offensive Pass Int penalties this week. You'd think a veteran receiver would know better.

Lions had 11 penalties for 108yds against the Saints on Sunday, and this is without Suh's antics. Jim Schwartz needs to start seriously disciplining his players.

Key NFC Losses this week: Bears, Falcons, Cowboys, Giants, Lions. These last 4 weeks of the regular season are about to get real interesting.

49ers and Packers clinch playoff byes

Jason Garrett ices Dan bailey to lose to the Cardinals. I wonder who apologized to who in the locker room later.

Broncos take the lead in AFC West. At this rate, I'd take them in the Super Bowl because the last time I checked, Aaron Rodgers didn't have Jesus on his team.

Badass moment of the week: MJD stonewalls Quentin Jammer and walks out of bounds afterwards.

Week 14: Midweek Roundup

2011-12-07T11:11:00.000-05:00

Playoffs should be starting for most of you this week. Best of luck

CHI - Coach expects RB Matt Forte to return this season
Source: Chicago Tribune - Vaughn McClure
Chicago Bears head coach Lovie Smith said he believes RB Matt Forte (knee) will be able to play again at some point this season.

While Forte is out we'll see Marion Barber and Khalil Bell split time in the backfield. Forte is expected to miss 2-4 weeks with his knee injury.

CHI - RB Matt Forte’s ACL fine
Source: ESPN - Adam Schefter
Updating previous reports, Chicago Bears RB Matt Forte’s (knee) MRI did not reveal any damage to his anterior cruciate ligament.

Forte could possibly return to the lineup for the playoffs, and is expected to miss 2-4 weeks.

HOU - WR Andre Johnson day-to-day
Source: Twitter
Houston Texans head coach Gary Kubiak said WR Andre Johnson (knee) is considered day-to-day because of a mild hamstring injury. Kubiak said Johnson is expected to return soon but the team will know more at practice Wednesday, Dec. 7.

Johnson may miss a couple of weeks because of this latest injury. In the meantime we'll see more from Jacoby Jones and Kevin Walter while Johnson is out.

MIN - RB Adrian Peterson getting close to returning
Source: 1500ESPN.com
Minnesota Vikings head coach Leslie Frazier said RB Adrian Peterson (ankle) is very close to returning but the team will know more on his status during practice Wednesday, Dec. 7.

There are some who feel Peterson could be in danger of missing the rest of the season. We'll see if he can return to practice on Wednesday. If Peterson continues to miss time then we'll see Toby Gerhart get the start.

NYJ - WR Plaxico Burress racking up first downs
Source: ESPNNewYork.com - Rich Cimini
New York Jets WR Plaxico Burress has converted 85.3 percent of his catches into first downs this season, which ranks third in the NFL in the category.

Burress hasn't garnered many headlines for it, but he looks like old Plax, even after two years of incarceration. The Jets will still be looking to groom a future #2 receiver, but for now, it's Burress's job.

Happy Birthday Aaron Rodgers

2011-12-02T17:12:00.001-05:00

Wishing Aaron a very happy 28th birthday today.

Everyone at Mrs. Wager hopes you have another great year.

We'd be happy to send you the T-Shirt below if you leave us your email in the comments. We know you're reading from somewhere..

Friday Updates

2011-12-02T17:02:00.002-05:00

Hope last night's game treated you all well. Despite LeSean McCoy's monster performance, I have to say sorry Eagles fans, your season is officially done.

SEA - WR Sidney Rice to be placed on IR
Source: The Seattle Times - Danny O'Neil
Seattle Seahawks WR Sidney Rice (concussion) will be placed in Injured Reserve, ending his 2011 season.

Two concussions over the last three weeks and now Rice is shut down for the year. This will open the door for WR Doug Baldwin to become the featured target in the Seahawks' passing game.

CHI - QB Jay Cutler could be done for year
Source: ESPNChicago.com - Michael C. Wright
Chicago Bears QB Jay Cutler (thumb) acknowledged that he could be lost for the season after undergoing surgery on his broken thumb last week. He is refusing to put a timetable on his recovery process. Three screws and two pins were put into his thumb to stabilize the fracture. Doctors could remove the screws and pins 'anytime after three weeks, (but they could stay) up to 10 weeks.' Cutler will have X-rays and scans over the next few weeks to see if his bone is healing properly.

I have a gut feeling that the re-engagement to Kristin Cavallari isn't a coincidence with his injury. Not holding my breath for Jay to come back this year. It's looking more and more like Caleb Hanie or bust for Chicago.

DET - RB Kevin Smith taking part in drills
Source: DetroitLions.com - Tim Twentyman
Detroit Lions RB Kevin Smith (ankle) was taking part in individual drills during practice Thursday, Dec. 1, and was working with the first-team offense.

According to the report Smith was not at full strength, but it looks as though he may be able to play in week 13 against the Saints.

MIN - RB Adrian Peterson does not have to be 100 percent to play
Source: Minneapolis Star Tribune - Mark Craig
Minnesota Vikings RB Adrian Peterson (ankle) said he has played injured before and does not have to be 100 percent in order to play in Week 13.

His playing status for the game against the Broncos is unknown at this time. Many close to the team expect Peterson to miss this week's game.

PHI - QB Michael Vick ruled out
Source: KFFL.com
Philadelphia Eagles QB Michael Vick (ribs) did not participate in practice Wednesday, Nov. 30, and has been ruled out for Week 13.

Vick misses another game with this injury, and Vince Young will take his place as the starter on Thursday night against the Seahawks.
Read more »

Weekly Wager: Week 13

2011-12-01T16:39:00.001-05:00

For the season, Weekly Wager is 22-16 in total. 8-8 on college games, 14-8 in NFL. Since the college season is basically over, pending the conference title games, we're sticking to NFL games from here on out until the bowl games. With that said, here are the picks for this week:

Philadelphia @ Seattle (+3.0) - THU 8:20PM - NFL
Andy Reid is in the hot seat. What's new? No one can deny the Eagles season has been a complete debacle. While some Eagles fans think the squad still has a shot at the playoffs, their season is all but over and the players know it. Given that, I don't expect the team to get up for a Thursday night game in Seattle. Without Vick, Seattle's below average defense will sneak by as Marshawn Lynch should continue to help Tavaris Jackson get out of trouble. Seattle is 6-2-1 ATS in their last 9 games. Seattle will win this one...Philadelphia 21, Seattle 24

Denver @ Minnesota (-1.5) - SUN 1:00PM - FOX

If you haven't seen the E:60 Special that follows Tim Tebow around leading up to draft day, I recommend you put it on your To-Do List. Hate on Tim Tebow all you want, but he's a winner and his teammates respect him. The kid has worked his tail off to achieve all of his accomplishments and deserves all the accolades he receives. Christian Ponder might be the better NFL QB down the road, but Tebow is the better one today. Tebow is only completing 45% of his passes compared to Ponder's 54%, but Tebow has only thrown 1 pick versus 8 TDs and has an 80.5 QB Rating, while Ponder is throwing 1 pick for each TD at 6 and 6 with a 72.6 QB Rating. My bet is Adrian Peterson sits this one out, which leaves Ponder to fend for himself likely resulting in another loss for Minny. I expect the game to be close, which ultimately favors Denver...Denver 20, Minnesota 17

NY Jets @ Washington (+3.0) - SUN 1:00PM - FOX

Finally, the 'Skins won a game last week after losing six straight. However, don't expect them to make it two straight. Whether its Beck or Grossman at QB, the 'Skins offense, which is currently averaging less than 17ppg and 90yds rushing per game, is going to struggle. Add the Jets defense to the equation, and the 'Skins offense will struggle mightily. Rex Ryan has taken off the kid gloves with Sanchez at the same time the NY media is getting off the 'Sanchize' train. I've never been a huge believer in Sanchez, but I think he bears down this week, gets on the same page as his receivers, and comes back with a strong outing against the 'Skins...NY Jets 24, Washington 13

Atlanta @ Houston (+3.0) - SUN 1:00PM - FOX
Sorry Matt Leinhart, your 2011 season under center lasted less than one half of football. Since the Texans are 8-3 and sitting in first place of the AFC North, they have the luxury of giving rookie TJ Yates a shot at running the show. TJ might end up surprising some people, but with Atlanta's run defense only allowing a stingy 83.5yds rpg, TJ is going to have his hands full early. TJ has the weapons, but I don't see him winning or covering in his first NFL start. I expect to see a lot of short dumps to Arian Foster, but as long as Matt Ryan gets going early and spreads the field, I see Atlanta winning with relative ease...Atlanta 27, Houston 17

San Diego @ Jacksonville (+2.5) - MON 8:30PM - ESPN

A new coach and new owner as of the beginning of the week, does not bode well for Jacksonville. San Diego is having a rough go at it with 6 straight losses, but I don't expect Phillip Rivers to allow the Jaguars to give them a 7th straight loss. At some point, I think we'll hear a lot about how much Rivers' teammates couldn't stand him, but in the meantime, Norv Turner will take the heat. As long as Rivers doesn't turn the ball over, the Chargers should snap their losing streak this week...San Diego 24, Jacksonville 13

Week 13: Midweek Roundup

2011-11-30T13:30:00.000-05:00

Sorry folks for the lack of posting last week, but a lot of turkey got in the way. We're starting to get real serious over here at Mrs. Wager as the FF season is winding down. It's the last week of regular season for many of you...which means gotta start thinking ahead to the playoffs. By now, there's probably slim pickings on the Waiver wire due to injuries especially at QB and RB. So let's see where we stand...

IND - QB Dan Orlovsky to start
Source: Colts.com - Craig Kelley
Indianapolis Colts QB Dan Orlovsky will start over QB Curtis Painter in Week 13 versus the New England Patriots, according to head coach Jim Caldwell. Orlovsky has gone 14-for-21 with 122 yards this season.

The Patriots secondary is not good, so Orlovsky has a chance to put up some decent stats. We're not recommending Orlovsky as a fantasy addition, but he may be able to breathe life into this passing game.

JAX - Jack Del Rio fired
Source: ESPN - Chris Mortensen
Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio has been fired, according to team sources. Defensive coordinator Mel Tucker is the leading candidate to take over the team on an interim basis.

Defensive Coordinator Mel Tucker will take over as interim head coach. It wouldn't be surprising to see the team rally behind Tucker a bit. But as far as fantasy football goes, I wouldn't expect much change from what we've been seeing.

PHI - WR Jeremy Maclin likely to sit out
Source: The Associated Press
Philadelphia Eagles WR Jeremy Maclin (hamstring, shoulder) is likely to miss his third straight game in Week 13 as the team faces off against the Seattle Seahawks Thursday, Dec. 1.

Without Maclin in the lineup we'll see more from Riley Cooper and perhaps even Jason Avant.

HOU - QB Jake Delhomme to serve as backup
Source: The Associated Press
Houston Texans QB Jake Delhomme will serve as the backup to QB T.J. Yates. Delhomme's agent said he has been working out and staying in shape.

Delhomme is a savvy veteran, but he hasn't looked good under center in a few years. The Texans will move forward with Yates as their starter unless he completely falls apart.

Weekly Wager: Thanksgiving Edition

2011-11-23T15:39:00.003-05:00

Happy Thanksgiving folks. We are in for a real treat this turkey day with the best lineup of games I remember in a long time. Tough picks though, but if you must wager, here are our picks for the week:

Green Bay @ Detroit (+6.0) - THU 12:30PM FOX

This is probably the toughest Thanksgiving Day game to pick. I genuinely believe Schwartz has lost a bit of respect from his players after the post-game incident with Jim Harbaugh last month, but his team showed me a lot last week. To come back from a 24-7 deficit before ultimately winning 49-35 largely without Megatron says a lot about the Lions. Look for Kevin Smith and his fresh legs to have another big game and help round out the Lions offense. Green Bay continues to win with one of the top offenses in the league averaging over 405ypg led by top rated Aaron Rodgers (128.8 QB Rating). Bob Costas mentioned this past Sunday night that it was 49 years ago when the Lions beat an undefeated Packers team on Thanksgiving Day before that same Packers team went on to win the Super Bowl. Deja vu? I'm not so sure. I expect Ford Field to be rockin’ on Thursday and Green Bay to squeak out a close win. I’m taking the Lions ATS...Green Bay 35, Detroit 31

Miami @ Dallas (-7.0) - THU 4:15PM - CBS
I expect Miami to keep rolling this Thursday in Dallas. After losing so many close games, the team had a free pass to fold. Instead, they've decided to show up in the back half of the season playing good football. This team has serious character led by Matt Moore and Reggie Bush stringing together a few solid games (maybe because Kim Kardashian is back on the market?). Sure, Miami’s three game winning streak has come against weak opponents in KC, Washington, Buffalo, but realize the Cowboys three game winning streak is against two of the same opponents in Washington and Buffalo, in addition to Seattle. As the Cowboys gain on the division lead in the NFC East, more people are jumping on the bandwagon. Don’t lose sight of who the ‘Boys have beaten this year though, they only have one quality win in San Fran. The Dolphins are clearly improving and Matt Moore has become a leader. It’s unlikely Moore’s play will keep Miami from exploring QB options in next year’s draft, but Moore has finally proven he can read defenses and make the right decisions with the ball. Tony Romo’s play is sparodic and the Dolphins have the fourth best run defense in the league allowing just 93ypg. I expect the Dolphins to cover on Thursday with a good chance of taking their 3-1 record against Dallas on Thanksgiving day to 4-1...Miami 28, Dallas 27

San Francisco @ Baltimore (-3.0) - THU 8:20PM - NFL
This game reminds me of the Thanksgiving night game a few years ago when Kurt Warner's Arizona Cardinals traveled to Philadelphia and completely fell down when clinching the division was on the line. It's unfortunate Jim Harbaugh is already complaining about the unfair shake his 49ers are getting with a short week and having to fly to the east coast, but he has a point. Despite Baltimore’s random losses to Seattle and Jacksonville, the Ravens are a solid team with the luxury of playing at home ahead of Thursday’s game. Don’t underestimate the advantage this gives Baltimore, much like it did Philly a few years back. I think it's going to be a great game between two top defenses and two offenses that are each averaging 25.6ppg. San Fran is 9-0 ATS this year and the better overall team on both sides of the ball, but in the first NFL game where opposing head coaches are brothers, I don’t expect big brother John to let little bro Jim come away with a victory...San Francisco 17, Baltimore 21

Week 11 One Liners

2011-11-22T11:30:00.000-05:00

The Bronco offense might not be pretty, but Tebow is sure fun to watch. I get excited every time they call a passing play.

Tebow leads game winning drive and wins with a 20yd rushing TD. Booyah.

Is Kevin Smith the next DeMarco Murray? He had 200+yds from scrimmage and 3 TDs (16 rushes for 140yds and 2 TDs)

Miami has won 3 straight. Can they get their 4th win in Big D on Thanksgiving?

Rivers 2nd INT comes late in the 4th when he was trying to throw the ball away. Cost the Chargers their chance at a comeback.

SD had 0 yds in the 4th qtr

Someone must have let Marshawn Lynch know he was approaching the back half of a contract year and had to do anything worthy of getting paid.

Norv Turner managed to blow two timeouts on one play in the fourth quarter...why am I not surprised.

Tony Romo proved once again he could win a close game, but it was the lowly Redskins

Wow, the Cowboys are the only team to have beaten the 49ers this week

Stafford has 5 TDs, none of which were to Calvin Johnson.

Philip Rivers is a whiny brat

Hugh Jackson and Carson Palmer got that special sauce flowing

Jake Locker probably has Matt Hasselback thinking about following his brother into the TV business next year

Desean Jackson's 50yd catch was called back after a taunting call. This is why the Eagles haven't given him the big contract he thinks he deserves. Jackson is a playmaker but needs to grow up.

Poll: Which will happen first? Packers Lose/Colts Win

2011-11-21T15:35:00.003-05:00

Please vote on top right hand side!

Weekly Wager: Week 11

2011-11-17T13:17:00.008-05:00

Oklahoma State @ Iowa State (+27.0) - FRI 8:00PM - ESPN
The Brandon Weeden and Justin Blackmon-led offense for the Cowboys is simply nasty. Weedon is completing over 73% of his passes while averaging 363ypg in the air. Justin Blackmon is a freak of nature and leads the nation in receiving TDs at 14. Oh yea, the Cowboys Sophomore running back, Joseph Randle, ain't too shabby either with 993 yards rushing and 21 TDs on the year. Iowa State has recently improved on defense, but they're still dead last in the Big 12 when it comes to average points allowed per game at 30. I would typically take the home team underdog to cover on a weeknight game, but something tells me Iowa State's Defense is going to struggle against the nation's second best offense which is averaging 52 points per game...Oklahoma State 56, Iowa State 24

Oregon @ USC (+14.0) - SAT 8:00PM - ABC

The Ducks handled their business in convincing fashion last Saturday night in Palo Alto and I expect them to do the same this weekend against the Trojans. Matt Barkley has led an impressive Trojans offense that is averaging 34ppg, but will likely struggle this weekend as star wideout Robert Woods is unlikely to play and the Ducks defense continues to step up in the clutch. Darron Thomas and LeMichael James are leading a Ducks offense that hasn't been stopped since the first game of the year against LSU and is currently averaging just under 500ypg and 48 points per contest. Look for the Ducks to run all over the Trojans and continue to make the case that they deserve a shot at the title...Oregon 52, USC 27

Oakland @ Minnesota (+1.0) - SUN 1:00PM - CBS

The Raiders are sitting at the top of the AFC West without their opening day starting QB and RB in the lineup and seem to just be getting better. Carson Palmer had his best week last week since joining the Raiders and Michael Bush's 263 yards from scrimmage were the most for a Raider since 1963. At the same time that the Raiders seem to be clicking, the Vikings are struggling mightily at 2-7 with their only wins coming against the Panthers and Cardinals. Christian Ponder seems to have potential but he's going to need some time before he's an impact QB in the NFL. With Minnesota's defense allowing 27ppg, second most in the NFL, I'm looking for Carson and Bush to continue improving and roll over the Vikings this weekend...Oakland 27, Minnesota 17

Seattle @ St. Louis (-1.0) - SUN 4:05PM - FOX

In a very unexciting game between two weak teams, I'm taking the Seahawks as they seem like they might be on to something with a shocking upset of the Ravens and Marshawn Lynch finally contributing to the offense. If the Rams were to win, it would be a surprising 3 out of 4 streak, but I expect Seattle's latest play to continue to impress. This game is simply about pride and padding the Weekly Wager's record...Seattle 24, St. Louis 17