This weekly wagering contest will reward the best football prognosticator with a $100 gift certificate from a steak company. New guys can still join in any time and you don't have to make a pick every week. You can post your plays any time, but they must be posted before a game you are playing kicks off. You must make your picks in this thread and you must provide at least one reason for each pick.

The winner will the guy with the best record after the NFL regular season and college bowl games are concluded (last game is Natl. Championship game). You must have at least 50 picks by January 9 to win the prize. Please use and post the prevailing lines at the time of your picks from one of the two largest offshore casinos: thegreek.com or pinnaclesports.com. Post your NFL picks here and your college bowl picks in the college bowl thread.

Overall, the board had another profitable week, going 56-46-2 (55%). Included in this week's calculations are the NFL picks from Week 16 and all the college bowl games already played through Monday, 12-25. The overall board record for the season is 52.5% at 598-541-31.

................................Last Week....................Season.............................%
Not in the Biz................0-0...............................8-3..............................73
Nas...............................8-2..............................34-20...........................63
Hawkeye Vince.............4-2..............................40-28...........................59
the gooch.....................0-0..............................27-21-1........................56
Mr. Belvidere.................2-4-1..........................14-11-1........................56
Chus.............................6-7............................100-80-5........................56
donspiracy....................5-2..............................66-53-2........................55
Coast............................5-3..............................81-68-5........................54
Doug.............................0-0................................8-7-2..........................53
Matt Murton's Beard.....0-1..............................22-21-1........................51
Good dolphin................8-6..............................53-51-1........................51
Mitch Cumstein.............3-3..............................33-33...........................50
Woodridge Ryan...........0-0...............................9-9..............................50
Rocks and Blows...........0-0.............................29-30-3.........................49
Bud Dude......................6-5............................61-62-5..........................49
reents...........................4-5............................88-101-5........................47
sabu.............................5-5-1.........................34-39-2..........................47
BD.................................0-0..............................3-10.............................23
Coach Crapowski..........0-1...............................0-1................................0

Middle Tennessee State +8.5 against Central Michigan

As detailed in bowl section.

Florida State +3.5 against UCLA
UNDER 39.5

I like this one a lot. Get yourself some seed money for New Year's Day with this one

Oklahoma State -2 against Alabama

I LOVE this game. Be smart and play it where relevant.

Rutgers -7.5 against Kansas State
UNDER 44.5

Got to stick with my scarlet knights. I like the under better but do not love either

Texas A and M +4 against Cal
UNDER 52.5

Redskins +2.5 against Giants

Did I hear correctly that Brandon Jacobs said it would be better if the Giants didn't make the playoffs. Did Coghlin really switch O coordinators for the last game of the season? And they are on the road. The Giants are toast and I think the Redskins will win this one straight up.

Bears -2.5 against the Packers

I have a feeling this will be a meaningless game for both teams before kickoff. If that is the case, there are several key Packers who will play limited minutes including Driver and Green. I think the Bears will have a comfortable lead by halftime and run the ball in the second half. I LOVE the Bears.

Pittsburgh +6 at Bengals

Am I the only one who has noticed the Bengals playing poorly in the second half of the season. It would be absolutely no suprise to me to see the Steelers pull of the straight up win in this semi rivalry game.

Houston -4 against Cleveland

Houston has been coming on of late and the Browns are down to #3 QB Dorsey. I didn't even know Dorsey was still in the league.

Saints +3 against Carolina

I have never seen a #2 team in its conference so underrated by Vegas. The Saints play hard and can beat you many ways. A rusty Delhomme will probably start

Seattle +3.5 at Tampa Bay

This one seems like a trap. Bucs are without their top RB and have not been the TB of old on D. Seattle is an unimpressive team but I think they have enought to win this one outright.

49ers +10.5 at Denver

I don't think Cutler is good enough to put any team away by double digits yet. Denver D is way overrated so Gore should have a nice week.

Kentucky +10 against Clemson

Missouri +3.5 against Oregon State

South Carolina -5.5 against Houston

Maryland +1 against Purdue
OVER 53.5

Texas Tech -7 against Minnesota

BC -7 against Navy

Texas -9 against Iowa

Virginia Tech -2.5 against Georgia

Nevada +3.5 against Miami

I have been going so poorly I may just call it quits after this one. No reason for me to log on here before 10 a.m. tomorrow just so I can stay above 50% for the year.

Coast by my count I was 4-2

Wins: bears - 4.5 (had them lost when board crashed)
tn/buf over
tb/clev under
cinci +3
losses
sd/sea under
no/nyg over

Sorry Vince. It's corrected now.

Detroit +13
The Lions are trying to blow the number one pick, as evidenced by them looking like an NFL team against the Bears. Kitna should be able to chuck the ball around against a suspect defense and keep this within two TD's.

_________________
Good people drink good beer - Hunter S. Thompson

<º)))><

Waiting for the time when I can finally say
That this has all been wonderful, but now I'm on my way

Thanks Coast - I can't let Nas run away with this!

Carolina @ New Orleans over 35.5
This number is way too low. The Saints main offensive players will probably play at least one half. With the bye week in the playoffs, they will want to avoid the rust factor.

Seattle +3.5
They are locked in the 4th seed, but they do not want to limp into the playoffs having lost four straight games. Alexander looked like he did last year, against the Chargers last week. I think the Chickenhawks will play a strong game against a bad Buc team.

_________________
Good people drink good beer - Hunter S. Thompson

<º)))><

Waiting for the time when I can finally say
That this has all been wonderful, but now I'm on my way

Coast, last week you had me at 7-6, but i was actually 6-7.

_________________
Good people drink good beer - Hunter S. Thompson

<º)))><

Waiting for the time when I can finally say
That this has all been wonderful, but now I'm on my way

yes you were, Chus. Thanks for your honesty.

Giants-1 vs REdskins- This is a pick where I say I just can't see the Giants lose this game, gotta think they win this one. One thing for Sunday, if the Giants lose, you could with dogs and feel confident on Sunday.

greek

Wash +2 over NYGiants

Washington still playing tough while the Giants are free fallin. Washington wins this one and keeps the Giants out of the playoffs.

Browns +5 vs Texans- This is a pick for another thing where I said the Texans wins would under 5.5 and there at 5 now.

Chiefs-1 vs Jaguars- The Chiefs play good at home and I think the Jaguars have a hex on them right now after losing to the Titans the way they did and then getting beat by the Patriots.

Titans -3.5 vs Patriots- The Patriots know they will be the fourth seed and the Titans still have something to play for.

After a dismal showing in college yesterday, let's get to work on the NFL:

Lines from pinnaclesports.com

New England @ Tennessee - OVER 41
Both teams are starting to hit on all cylinders on the offensive side of the ball. The Titans probably want a do over on waiting to start Vince Young this year. With the #2 seed up for grabs still, New England will be going all out and Tennessee will be building on this for next season.

Miami @ Indianapolis UNDER 44
This might be the best defense Indy has faces all year. The Fins haven't folded tents for Saban but the offense is playing like with Cleo Lemon getting a ton of reps. They may be able to run the ball this week, but that willbe good enough for a handful of points.

Jacksonville @ Kansas City -1
Playing the last game of the year for the Arrowhead faithful will prove to be a winner for the Chiefs. They have been up and down all year but are 5-2 at home overall(losing to Cinci and Baltimore). Jax has been 2-5 ats this year on the road.

Arizona @ San Diego OVER 44
With the #1 seed in the AFC up for grabs with the Baltimore Ravens playing at the same time, SD will be using this as a must win and a big tune up for the playoffs. Arizona has been scoring in bunches the last few weeks. I can see a 31-21 type game. I don't like the number with a team as bad as the Cardinals but I can see the total being hittable.

Seattle +3 @ Tampa Bay
I find this number unbelievable - almost too good to be true. Seattle will be playing their starters the whole game trying to get ready for the playoffs. They are coming off their best game of the year in a near miss against San Diego. They do not want to go into the playoffs with 4 losses in a row, especially against the likes of SF, AZ and TB.

Houston -5
This looks crazy to have the Texans favored by this many, but the Browns are in shambles. From offensive line woes to their inconsistent defense play.

St. Louis -2.5
The Vikings have been exposed. Their not that good.

Chicago -2.5
Bears have nothing to play for, but there's still good enough to win.

Miami +9
While the Lemon Era has begun, that doesn't change the Colts run defense.

Jacksonville +3
Just when we think the Jags will lose this one, they'll win.

Arizona +14
Chargers want homefield throughout and probably will have a 14 point lead going into the fourth. Just enough time to pull starters and make it closer than it seemed.

Buffalo +9.5
This will be a close one as the Ravens are vying for a shot at homefield. The Bills aren't a team that gets blown out. Jauron's kids will give'em a game.

greek

Dallas -13 over Detroit

Dallas still with hopes of winning the division while Detroit gave everthing they had last week against the Bears. Dallas should win this one easy.

Cleveland +6 over Houston

Goin against Houston as a fav has made me money this year so why not try it again today.

Over 43 Stl/Min

Minny pass D not to good so Rams should be able to score. Minny at home should be able to move the ball against a not so good Ram D. I see both teams in the 20's.

last chance to get some respect

Bills +9' Ravens- Bills need to get this game, there is no scenario where Ravens do not get the bye, Billick will to quote Nacho Libre 'take it easy' with his starters

Bears- Pack OVER 37- with apoligies to the band U2, pride in the name of Farvre. Green Bays defense will let the Bear put up high 20s on them, Bears weaker secondary should give up 14 or more


JEts Raiders over 34- Will the raiders try to tackle anyone, this lame duck team will mail it in big time (raider)

49ers +10 @ Den- 49ers should stay with them. Ill try the niner one more time here

Eagles =9 v. ATL- Look for the Eagles to make a statement into the playoffs here.

_________________
Good people drink good beer - Hunter S. Thompson

<º)))><

Waiting for the time when I can finally say
That this has all been wonderful, but now I'm on my way

The Greek

Green Bay +3.5 Even if they don't have playoff implications Favre is too competitive to not pass up on a "who cares" win as the Bears rest their regulars

Atlanta +9 I see this being a close game, remember Vick coming into Philly and playing pretty well back a couple years in the playoffs.

St. Louis -2 no brainer, did you see the viqueens offense last week, oh yeah their pass defense sucks and St. Louis can sort of throw the ball I once heard

Seahawks +3 wow, Seahawks get nooo respect. With playoff implications and a battered up Tampa team this should be a blowout

Bengals -6 I've been on these guys bandwagon all year, although an outside shot they have a shot and should beat a disappointing steelers team by at least two touchdowns

Houston -6 Wish I jumped on this a couple days ago when it was 4, rumor has it Cleveland is starting a QB that was a short order cook at the same establishment DeNiro recruited his bank robber driver in the movie Heat

_________________
"Stay out of courtrooms-but if you must go in be Well Armed and Don't compromise. You are innocent, remember that. They are guilty" -- Dr. Gonzo

Here we go.................


Buffalo at Baltimore -9.5 (Baltimore)

I'm a believer in Baltimore and they can score. Lohsman may get killed. That defense wants to be the reason why that team wins and they can still get home field.


Green Bay at Chicago -3 (Green Bay)

Packers will play starters longer in possibly Favres last game. Lovie will treat this like the last preseason game.


Miami at Indy -9.5 (Indy)

Indy has to play strong going in the playoffs and Dungy's job is on the line. Saban's boys have an early New Years Day Tee time in sunny FLA


Arizon at San Diego o/u 44 (Over)

Warners last game EVER. He will throw. They will score. San Diego wants that home field throughout and may need to win.

greek

Denver -10.5 over SF

Denver has to win to get into the playoffs and they play a bad team from the NFC. As long as Denver doesnt let Gore go crazy they should win it by 2TD's.

Baltimore -9.5 over Buffalo

Balt D should contain the Buffalo O. Balt has covered 6 of 7 at home and I think they get this one by double digits.

Miami +9.5 over Indy

Indy has struggled the 2nd half of the year and Miami should be able to give em a game in Indy today.

greek

Green Bay +3.5 over Chicago

Even with all the talk of wanting to beat GB and going perfect in the NFC I gotta believe Lovie will play his main guys very little while GB should go with their main guys the entire game.

_________________
Good people drink good beer - Hunter S. Thompson

<º)))><

Waiting for the time when I can finally say
That this has all been wonderful, but now I'm on my way