The battle for mediocrity

There was no possible way this week that I could rest my starters for the playoffs with a record like the one I'm sporting. I need to get ten games right this week to hit the .500 mark but that's without figuring in ties to the equation. As if I'd do the math on that; I got into writing for a reason. Although it is strange that numbers and equations still do play a huge part of my life in sports. As for the picks, let's hope I'm clutch this time around.

Patriots (-13.5) over GIANTS

With the entire world seemingly watching, the Patriots will finish the season with a convincing win over the Giants. It doesn't even matter if New York plays its' starters, Tom and Co. will be playing too, trying to get him the passing TD record as well as make it to 16-0

Bills (+7.5) over EAGLES

How about now? Can we see Kevin Kolb now? Please? For a quarter at least?

BUCS (+2) over Panthers (-2)

The Bucs have nothing to gain but resting their starters and semi-injured guys doesn't mean that Matt Moore will pick them apart.

Bengals (-3) over DOLPHINS

Here's to hoping that Ocho Cinco comes through for me in my fantasy title game.

Cowboys (+9) at REDSKINS

The Redskins are fighting for the last NFC playoff spot and Dallas will be in full-on rest mode but you have to figure in the fierce rivalry between these two teams will keep it competitive.

PACKERS (-4) over Lions

Aaron Rodgers proved he wasn't that bad when he stepped in against Dallas a few Thursdays ago. The Lions are no Cowboys.

Jaguars (-6.5) over TEXANS

Another case of a team resting their players and the line only semi-reflects that. Surprisingly, I have confidence in Quinn Gray and the Jags second-stringers.

Saints (-2) over BEARS

With the playoffs on the line, I would think the Saints would be favoured by a bit more. More importantly, how many of the three current Bears QBs will even have jobs next year. They need to shore up that committee something fierce.

Steelers (-3.5) over RAVENS

I used my last move on Najeh Davenport to start in place of the banged up and resting Joe Addai. Here's hoping it pans out.

FALCONS (-3) over Seahawks

Seattle has nothing to really play for here and aren't as good as anyone could lead you to believe.

Niners (+10) over BROWNS

If the Niners win, they play spoilers and ruin the Browns feel-good season. They also would give the Pats a worse pick in the upcoming draft. And 10 points is a bit much.

COLTS (+6.5) over Titans

I don't care if it's the backups or not. If I see the Titans giving points to the Colts, I'm taking them.

Vikings (-3) over BRONCOS

AP and CT will run rampant over the Broncos D while trying to secure their spot in the big dance.

Chargers (-8) over RAIDERS

Jamarcus Russell playing against the white-hot San Diego Chargers? Sorry kid, but I look forward to seeing you next year.

CARDINALS (+6) over Rams

Kurt Warner is playing for a job somewhere next year. He should continue his fine season against this weak Rams' defence.

Chiefs (+6.5) over JETS

What an ugly match up. Has there every been a least interesting match up? There's no fantasy guys involved, no playoff ramifications; just plain bad football.

Last week: 3-11-1
This season: 103-110-1

Boxing Day shopping

The Padres certainly got a Boxing Day deal when they inked Mark Prior to a one-year, $1 million deal. Prior may be oft (read: always) injured but has a ton of potential that he could tap in a place like San Diego. Seriously though, craptastic pitchers like Josh Towers make more money than a guy with huge upside like Prior? This is a risk/reward deal for sure but at a low price of $1 million in this day and age, there's no loser to be seen. If he hits all of the incentives in the deal, he can make up to $3 million which would be an even better bargain when you consider that he would be pitching well enough to earn that return. That is unless Prior bombs horribly, but then it's just a few games a few dollars lost. In his career, he's 42-29 with an ERA of 3.51; far better than any other pitcher to earn a contract of the little amount Prior signed for. And kudos to the Padres and Prior for giving me something to write about on an otherwise slow day.

Kobe racks up 20,000

Black Mamba is now the youngest player to score 20,000 points in the NBA. Now that's saying something. If you think about it, he has a chance to become the highest scoring player in NBA history if he stays healthy throughout the rest of his career. 20 years down the road, I'm going to look back and remember how dominant Kobe Bryant was. It's not an overstatement to say he's reached legendary status already, before he's even turned 30.

As for the future, it'd be tough to not see Lebron taking the "youngest to 20,000" mantle from Kobe in a few years time. I'd even put money on it if I could.

Merry Christmas!

For Christmas this year I’ve gotten all readers of this site a very special present: a reason to hate the New England Patriots even more. Now, I’m sure we’ve all noticed and heard about the murder of Washington Redskins safety Sean Taylor and the various tributes around the league. One of these tributes happened to be every team in sporting a number 21 decal on the back of their helmets. Just thought that you should know that the first team to do away with the patch was the Patriots on Sunday. These arrogant jerks are too consumed with themselves and their potential perfect season that they refuse to honour a slain comrade. Shame on you New England Patriots; if I saw any of you in the streets (especially Tom Brady) I would spit in your face.

Thanks to Brett Favre and the Packers falling apart against the Bears, Dallas now has home-field advantage throughout the playoffs and an inside track to a Super Bowl berth. Let’s all remember now that Brett Favre, in his illustrious career, has never won in Texas Stadium. I’m feeling better about this Cowboy season every day.

With only a week left to play, only a few teams have something left to play for. New Orleans, Washington and Minnesota are all still fighting for the last playoff spot in the NFC. In the AFC, Cleveland and Tennessee are the only two teams who don’t know whether to book plane tickets to playoff destinations or to holiday escapes. In the end, it doesn’t really matter who makes it in. Playing against well-rested four seeds on their home turf the week after next doesn’t bode well for teams that struggle to even make it in.

This week: 3-10-1 (with Denver +8.5 tonight)
This season: 103-109-10

Fantasy fall out

What a debacle.

Is there anything worse than having to root against your favourite team? It has to be one of the worst parts of playing fantasy football, especially at this time of year where your fantasy team is in the playoffs and your NFL squad is fighting for a spot or position. Last night's Dallas-Carolina tilt was the first time I've truly had to deal with the possible scenario of routing for the 'Boys not to score. You see, my opponents happened to be the number one ranked team in the league and were standing between me and a date with the finals. This week, he decided to start Tony Romo, Patrick Crayton, Nick Folk and Dallas defence & special teams. While it surely could've been worse, I was happy with the outcomes of the night (Dallas wins 20-13, Whitefish only down 11 with entire lineup playing Sunday).

And also, I'm glad that T.O. will have plenty of time to rest his high ankle sprain before playing a meaningful game any time soon.