NFL Picks from The Popcorn Trick - Week 4

OK, so this has nothing to do with the NFL except that Moreno's gonna be a stud NFL back and Musberger used to be great on the CBS NFL pre-game shows. Also, I think he banged Phyllis George during commercial breaks.

But beyond the sick leap into the endzone, check out the chick in the red tank top's reaction, Musberger's slyly lecherous, yet professional reference to it, and Kirk Herbstreit's inability to avoid the giggling.

But enough jocularity, let's assume that my record last week was a fluke and I will come crashing to earth this week. It's the only plausible explanation.

Here are my picks (in CAPS) for Week 4 in the league where they play...

...FOR PAY!

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CLEVELAND at Cincinnati (-3.5)

Too bad the Chiefs and Cardinals Rams aren’t playing so we make sure Ohio & Missouri each have a win. I predict Anderson struggles in the first quarter and the Brady Quinn era by throwing 4 TDs to Braylon Edwards. The fact that Edwards is key member of my Fantasy team has almost nothing to do with that prediction/wish.

In reality, this will probably be a 6-6 tie.

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Minnesota at TENNESSEE (-1.5)

Tennessee’s recycled QB is better than Minnesota’s, so I go with them at home.

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DENVER (-11.5)at Kansas City

Making another Thigpen joke would just be piling on.

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San Francisco at NEW ORLEANS (-3)

One of my favorite all-time names, Hokie Gajon is an announcer for the Saints. That’s now why they’re going to win easily, but it doesn’t hurt.

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Arizona at NY JETS (PK)

If I applied my “Awesome Announcer” theory from the previous game, I’d have take the Cards. Why? Ron Wolfley, announcer for the Cardinals. Goose & I got to partake of his genius riding back from Sectionals a few years back. Phrases like “Spankety-spank-spank” and “... got lit up like Bin Laden at a Bar Mitzvah” were used. Genius.

But when in doubt, take the home team and never bet on the Cardinals.

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GREEN BAY (-3) at Tampa Bay

No way Griese has another day like last week. Also, any reason the Pats wouldn’t offer TB a conditional pick (Rd. 2-4, maybe) for Jeff Garcia?

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Atlanta at CAROLINA (-4)

Not saying the Falcons won’t be frisky this year, but not on the road against a good team.

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Houston at JACKSONVILLE (-7)

I miss the days of Smith & McCardell, especially Smith. If he had a better name, he would have been a huge star. Just saying.

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SAN DIEGO (-8) at Oakland

Could the Raiders be rallying behind Kiffin? Nah.

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Buffalo (-9) at ST. LOUIS

BIG DOG COVER SPECIAL: Nailed the Bengals last week, and this week I’m going with the to-this-point-putrid Rams to gather their pride, put it into a pile and remember that they still have Stephen Jackson & Torry Holt. Plus I don’t necessarily buy the Bills to cover a big # on the road when they barely beat the Raiders at home last week.

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Washington at DALLAS (-7)

LOCK OF THE WEEK: Even if Washington makes a game of this, Dallas has too many weapons to not tack on a TD to cover this late.

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PHILADELPHIA (-7) at Chicago

I’ll take the Philly defense vs. Kyle Orton, plain and simple. Especially since he doesn’t have the neck beard, but does have Brandon Lloyd who suddenly looks like he’s capable of all that he wasn’t in SF.

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Baltimore at PITTSBURGH (-1.5)

Roethlisberger & Parker injuries aside, there’s no way Joe Flacco’s going 3-0. Not happening.

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The records and profit/loss so far:

Cline: 11-5 (.688) and $440 in the black*.
Goose: 15-15-1 (.500) and $300 in the red*.

*Note how I tie it all back to Georgia.