In nothing short of shocking news, Tom leads the pack after 3 weeks of the playoffs.  Only Dick has a chance to catch him.  So, how does Tom prepare for the final picks of the year?  Go to Maui and bask in the sunshine of course.  While the rest of the Savants toil in wet and cold Dallas, will Tom’s change of latitude come back to haunt him?  Will new rules for picks instituted by a slight quorum of the Savants while someone was in Maui help or hinder the contest?  Dick can possibly finish first or tied for last - which will it be?  Can Rand and Frank make up ground - and possible tie for 2nd place.  Note that if the last place guys move up it is called a tie for second, but if the second place guy moves down it is called a tie for last.  Lots of excitement this weekend - and there are still commercials to watch as well.   Congrats to Tom.

The Guest Picker Playoff Challenge:  After Doug Howe and Marcia Mayes both put up +50 weeks in the Conference Finals, the two other Guest Pickers couldn’t stand up to their hot picks.  Rumor has it that Scott Holtzman actually left one of the Savants his picks that would have been +50 for the weekend - but NOOOOOOO, Scott has to find the satellite internet and change his picks.  At least he missed them all so he doesn’t have to worry about being close - pretty much like Dallas against Minnie.  On the other hand, Greg Hobbs has pretty much owned the regular season and post season against the other GPs.  Unfortunately, he did his own Minnie impersonation - that is Minnie turning over the game against the Saints not the dismantling of the Cows.  Oh well, Scott and Greg, we enjoyed having you. So we’re left with two GP’s who rumor has it have spent the greater part of the last two weeks preparing their picks.  Will we be able to tell?  What will their strategy be in the finals - spread the wealth or go all in on one pick?  The excitement is almost too much to endure - but you have to, as the answers to all these questions lie further down in the post.  What is this week’s tiebreaker?  Peyton Manning passing percentage - to the first decimal point - and note that there was even some pretty big strategy differential here as well. Good luck. Congrats to Marcia.

Playoffs
Dick  +50 -50 = 0
Tom  +90 +20 = +110
Rand  -50 +50 = 0
The Goracle -50 -50 = -100

This Week’s Guest Pickers

Doug Howe -50XXX  and Marcia Mayes -50+++  

 This Week’s Picks
Dick: $50 on Indy/New Orleans Over 56.5. Dick stays true to his playoff affair with the over/unders.  Will this be the shootout that everyone is predicting?  Or, will the Colt Defense show they are the unsung heroes of the Super run? XXX This pick was doomed early, and doomed late as well.  Oh well, a tie for thirdsecond. 

 Tom:  $10 on New Orleans Under 25.5.  Picking last, Tom loses his desired pick of Indy -5, so he goes to the 4-corner defense of first place.  This pick is contrary to most of the pickers on this site this week, but watch out for that Indy D. XXX Thanks for Frank for taking Indy off the board - Who Dat picking against the Saints. 
          $10 on Indy Rushing Under 100.5 yards. Tom likes Indy to throw on every down - they’re really good at it - so why run at all? +++ After rushing for 99 easy yards, the Colts call a halt to the running game just in the nick of time.  
          $10 on Jeremy Shockey Under 3 Catches. If you need a rooting interest, who better to root against than Shockey? Push - technically Shockey won since one of his 3 was a TD.  
          $10 on Total Field Goals Over 2.5. Tom likes the defenses to bend - but not break - leading to some FGs. +++ Tom gets the field goal-fest right.     
          $10 on Time of Possession - NO +1:30. Will either one of these teams play ball control - of course not.  So, who will take the least amount of time to score.  Tom likes the Colts for that. +++ Thanks to the 2nd Quarter, this pick cruises in as well.
           
        Rand: $50 on New Orleans +5.  Rand goes with the darling of the ball.  Will the Saints be ready for the big stage?  Does Rand know something by using the first pick in this week’s contest to take the Saints off the board for the rest of us? +++ Rand uses the first pick to his advantage picking the Super Bowl winner. Rand’s big victory nets him a tie for secondthird.    
 
         Frank: $50 on Indy -5.  Frank was downright unhappy that Rand took the Saints off the board.  So, what is his response?  Take the opposite pick.  Now that is what our former president (W) would call strategery. Of course at least one other Savant and one of our GPs really like this pick. XXX is it true Frank officially hates picking against the line after this season?  Of course not. He just hates picking the wrong team each week.
             
This Week’s Guest Prognosticators - Doug Howe  and Marcia Mayes 

Doug:  $50 on Indy -5.  Doug stays with Indy for the third straight week.  And, what has it gotten him so far - well, into the finals.  A lot of strategy went into Doug 50′ing up after Marcia - picking first this week - put the whole 50 on her pick. XXX Let’s see, Frank was at lunch, Frank picked Indy, and Doug still picked Indy.  But it didn’t matter as Marcia struck out as well.  So how’d the completion percentage fare - never mind - 2nd place earned in a fine showing by Doug.  
                     Peyton’s Completion %: 50.1 XXX

       Marcia: $50 on New Orleans/Indy Over 56.5.  Marcia joins Dick on this one - do they know something.  Actually, both of them have seen these 2 offenses, and there is definitely an advantage to that side of the ball in this game.  XXX It could have been a close miss - but it was a miss from early on.  However, Marcia walks away with the crown after being the closest to Peyton’s completion percentage.  Congrats to Marcia.
                    Peyton’s Completion %: 73.1 +++

                 Note: The Sports Savants do not gamble with real money and do not endorse, recommend or promote doing so. The dollar figures above are in “pretend” money, as a way of measuring our success in the game. Not only is gambling illegal in many jurisdictions, it is also pretty dumb. In the end, the house always wins. That’s why the house has gold plated ceilings, dancing girls, magic shows and enormous fountains out front.

*Unlike last year, the guests will compete against each other.  The winner between the guest pickers each week will continue to pick the next week.  If they win that week, they keep going.  There is one asterisk to that sentence - we are attorneys you know - if a guest picker buys lunch for the Savants at the regular pick’em lunch, they will continue to the next week whether they beat the new guest picker or not.

** Perhaps the Savants have been spending a bit too much time concerning themselves with country club law, private clubs and resorts law, membership law, and related hospitality law matters.

Talk about a group of guys who need to wipe the slate clean - yes, the one and only Savants head into the Playoffs with the tally reset to zero.  We’ve been doing this for years to make the playoffs just as exciting as the regular season.  It is wide open, and anyone can win.  Will we have some positive scores for the playoffs - GUARANTEED. Put that in 3-inch headlines.  And, how do I know this?  Not based on our current track record, but instead on our years of good playoff picks.  And, The Goracle unveiled Savant Shirts for us to wear during the Playoffs - I think our mamas used to say looking good is the first step to picking good.  There is a chance that the photo may make its way around - that is unless we broke the camera.  As there are fewer games to chose from in the postseason - expect to see lots of strategy in who picks first, and how much to weight the picks.  Of course startegy in picking correctly should probably be the focus. We also unveil a new playoff for the GP’s this weekend.  It looks like some fun as our top regular season pickers are back.

The Guest Picker Playoff Challenge:  We enjoyed having the GP Competition this year, so we put Rand to work devising just the right tournament for our best regular season GPs.  The top regular season GPs are as follows (note 1 point for a win and .5 point for a tie):  Greg Hobbs - 3; Doug Howe - 2.5; Don Sweeting - 2.5; Scott Holtzman - 1.5; and Marcia Mayes - 1.5.  Yes, all you had to do was win 1-week and tie the next to make it into this illustrious group.  So, how does the tournament work?  Well, each week the GP with the lowest total that week is eliminated from the group.  The remaining GPs advance to the next round - with a clean slate.  As you can see below, each GP took the strategy to just beat one competitor as they all have at least 2 picks.  What about ties?  Each round will have a tie-breaker that will send someone packing.  This week it is the number of Tom Brady passing yards.  Good luck, and let the games begin.

Playoffs
Dick  +50 
Tom  +50  
Rand  -30
The Goracle -50

This Week’s Guest Pickers

Greg Hobbs, Doug Howe, Don Sweeting, Scott Holtzman, and Marcia Mayes  

This week’s picks
Dick: $50 on Green Bay/Arizona Over 47.5. Dick’s fine regular season has him picking after Frank and Tom to start the Playoffs.  With both Dallas and Green Bay off the board, Cassidy turns to an over/under. Did the fact that the leading regular season GP has that game factor into the pick - we’ll never know. +++ Dick wants extra credit for the 96 total. 

 Tom:  $50 on Dallas -4.  Tom is bullish on the Cowboys.  Will they show they can’t be trusted yet again, or is this the new look team that pounded Philly last week and is out to pound them again this week? +++ Tom’s jump on the Super Bowl bound Cowboys pays off.
           
        Rand: $20 on Dallas/Philly Under 45.  The “for-real” Dallas Defense can get Rand started off on the right foot.  Of course, the homerun hitting Eagles could show up this week and make it a bit more tense.  XXX Garbage time TD by Philly sinks this under.
          $10 on Cincy/Jets Under 34. Word is out that they’ve agreed to play an extra 15 minutes of football - and the Under still won’t be in danger. XXX Even with Cincy leaving points on the field, this one goes over.  
          $10 on New York Jets +2.5. Rand knows Cincy stinks.  This pick looks good as long as Sanchez isn’t needed to pass. +++ Hail to the Jets - at least for another week.
          $10 on New England -3.5. Two flawed teams square off in this one.  I suppose it makes sense to take the one that is 11-0 in home playoff games with Tom Brady starting. XXX Which QB looked like they weren’t ready for the playoffs? Tom Brady.
                   
         Frank: $50 on Green Bay +1.  Frank takes the consensus great pick - should he be worried about that consensus.  And, what about the rule:  never, ever, pick against Kurt Warner in the playoffs. XXX Frank was winning at the end of regulations - just not at the end of OT.
             
This Week’s Guest Prognosticators - Greg Hobbs +50, Doug Howe +30, Don Sweeting -50, Marcia Mayes -10, and Scott Holtzman -10

Greg:  $20 on New York Jets +2.5.  Greg agrees that Cincy is bad and done.  Besides, we all want another week of Rex Ryan newsconferences. +++ A surprisingly good game - Rex Ryan and the Jets continue on another week. 
          $30 on Green Bay/Arizona Over 47.5. This looks like an easy one - unless of course that Packer defense really is as good as it is starting to look.  XXX Always helps when both teams almost make it over the number.
           Brady Yards: 199

                               Doug:  $30 on Dallas -4.  Another hometown drinker of the silver and blue Koolaid.  Being on the same pick as Tom has to be worrisome. +++ Doug believes what he sees.  
                          $10 on Green Bay +1. Doug goes with Frank on this one.  Doesn’t he know not to go the same as the Savants - oh right, they’re better in the Playoffs. XXX Oh so close.  
                    $10 on New York Jets +2.5. Doug is with Rand and Greg on this one.  I’m for taking a nap with during this one. +++ a good win for the Jets. 
          Brady Yards: 272

Don:  $30 on Cincy -2.5.  Don steps out where no one has gone before - showing those Bengals some love.  This will sets up some big separation in the GP competition. XXX But for the kicker Shane Graham, they should have had a chance. 
          $20 on New England -3.5. Don also buys into the fact that NE doesn’t lose at home in the playoffs - and that Baltimore is not the Baltmore we remember. XXX Both division champs crash ends Don’s season as well.
           Brady Yards: 180

       Marcia: $20 on Green Bay +1.  A popular pick this week.  Should we go ahead and mark it down as correct- nah. XXX Another one goes down with the Pack. 
          $20 on Baltimore +3.5. Marcia likes the good running team in the cold weather.  Maybe, but that is Tom Brady over on the other side. +++ Too much too fast for the underwhelming Pats.
          $10 on Cincy -2.5. Marcia joins Don on this one.  Can the Bengals really pull out of their tailspin? XXX Nope, not this year. 
           Brady Yards: 257

       Scott: $20 on Green Bay +1.  A stonecold lock on this board.  Scott stays in step with the competition. XXX And yet another pick fails with the Pack. 
          $20 on Baltimore +3.5. Scott and Marcia go 2 for 2 with their first two picks - what will separate them? +++ The Ravens look to cause problems next week as well. 
          $10 on Dallas/Philly Under 45. Scott and Rand share the low scoring view for tonight’s game at the Jerryworld. XXX Another victim of garbage time. 
          Brady Yards: 264         

          Note: The Sports Savants do not gamble with real money and do not endorse, recommend or promote doing so. The dollar figures above are in “pretend” money, as a way of measuring our success in the game. Not only is gambling illegal in many jurisdictions, it is also pretty dumb. In the end, the house always wins. That’s why the house has gold plated ceilings, dancing girls, magic shows and enormous fountains out front.

*Unlike last year, the guests will compete against each other.  The winner between the guest pickers each week will continue to pick the next week.  If they win that week, they keep going.  There is one asterisk to that sentence - we are attorneys you know - if a guest picker buys lunch for the Savants at the regular pick’em lunch, they will continue to the next week whether they beat the new guest picker or not.

** Perhaps the Savants have been spending a bit too much time concerning themselves with country club law, private clubs and resorts law, membership law, and related hospitality law matters.

The Guest Picker Update:  Doug Howe showed consistency by using his second -10 in a row to catapult him on to another week with his win over Scott Holtzman.  To keep this competition fair, we’ve added two competitors for him this week.  Jim McTeigue of Triumph Golf and Andrea Huguely of American Airlines.  Jim goes way back with the Savants and with Doug as a left coast guy.  His understanding of those west coast teams should have taken any advantage that Doug had away.  But, alas it didn’t.  Andrea, the best of the picking Huguelys, was brought on to show off her skills on a worldwide basis.  OK, so this probably doesn’t even qualify as local, but it is public.  After all their picks, Doug prevailed with a win.  What is in store for the GP competition for the playoffs?  A new and improved competition sure to keep us all at the edges of our seats.   

This Week’s Headlines:  The Savants Regular Season Picks Officially Pronounced Dead.  What a season! None of the Savants finished above zero.  Dick lost every pick for 7 straight weeks, and he ends up tied for first.  Rand has a 100 point lead with two weeks left and managed to limp to a tie.  Tom turns a -30 with 4 weeks left in the season into a -230.  And the newest Savant, Frank Gore (fka The Goracle) fit right in with a tidy -150 for the year.  The good news - they can’t get any worse (oh, we can only hope).  Congratulations to Rand and Dick for their first place tie.  A trophy presentation will be announced shortly.  What will we see in the playoffs?  Can Dick stay hot by picking the Cows?  Will Rand abandon the 4 corners defense?  Will Tom ever get another pick right?  Will Frank regain his nickname in time for the offseason? On to the playoffs.

Final Regular Season Standings
Dick  -100 +50 = -50
Tom   -180 - 50 = -230
Rand    -20 -30 = -50
The Goracle -100 -50 = -150

This Week’s Guest Pickers

Doug Howe +30 versus Jim McTeigue -30 versus Andrea Huguely +10  

This week’s picks
Dick: $50 on Dallas -3. Dick rides to the top of the pick list by coming home to roost with his Cows.  Will the confidence carryover into the playoffs?  +++

 Tom:  $50 on Dallas/Philly Over 48.  Tom choosing the whatever vacation pick works the same as his other picks.  XXX.
           
        Rand: $10 on San Diego -4.  The Chargers show that even a non-caring team can beat the Redskins - but they can’t cover.  XXX.
          $10 on Tennesee -4.5. Rand’s Titans win, but not enough for his pick to cover. XXX 
          $10 on Philly/Dallas Under 48. Rand is right on top of the Cows dominant defense as the total was never in doubt. +++.
          $10 on Denver -13. Let’s see, suspend your only playmaker before a must win game to get into the playoffs.  Youth - you gotta love it. XXX.
          $10 on Jacksonville +1.5. Rand who successfully picked against the pathetic Jaguars for the last few weeks suddenly decides to tie his lot with them this week.  XXX.
                   
         Frank: $50 on Philadelphia +3.  Frank can’t ride the Eagles to victory over Dick’s Cows. XXX. 
             
             
This Week’s Guest Prognosticators - Doug Howe, Jim McTeigue and Andrea Huguely

Doug:  $30 on Chicago -3.  Doug seems to have taken this pick from the Cassidy school of I see dead people.  +++.
          $10 on Atlanta -2.5. Atlanta cares enough to play the last week of the season. +++. 
           $10 on Tennessee -4.5. Doug joins Rand in going down with this pick.  XXX.

           Jim:  $30 on San Diego -4.  The Curse of the Redskins sends Jim home.  XXX. 
          $10 on San Francisco -7. Jim does use some local knowledge on this easy pick. +++. 
           $10 on Philly +3. Don’t ever pick against Cassidy’s Cows and expect to win. XXX.
           
        Andrea: $20 on Dallas -3.  That is the best way to get on Cassidy’s best side.  +++.
          $10 on Denver -13. If only the line would have been +21 instead. XXX 
          $10 on St.Louis/SF Under 40. Andrea takes a page out of Rand’s playbook with an O/U win. +++.
          $10 on Jax/Cle Under 38.5. Mangini’s Brownies close the season with 4 straight wins - and a little offense to sink this pick.  XXX.

Note: The Sports Savants do not gamble with real money and do not endorse, recommend or promote doing so. The dollar figures above are in “pretend” money, as a way of measuring our success in the game. Not only is gambling illegal in many jurisdictions, it is also pretty dumb. In the end, the house always wins. That’s why the house has gold plated ceilings, dancing girls, magic shows and enormous fountains out front.

*Unlike last year, the guests will compete against each other.  The winner between the guest pickers each week will continue to pick the next week.  If they win that week, they keep going.  There is one asterisk to that sentence - we are attorneys you know - if a guest picker buys lunch for the Savants at the regular pick’em lunch, they will continue to the next week whether they beat the new guest picker or not.

** Perhaps the Savants have been spending a bit too much time concerning themselves with country club law, private clubs and resorts law, membership law, and related hospitality law matters.

Last Week’s Guest Picker’s Results

Scott Holtzman -30 versus Doug Howe -10

The Guest Picker Update:  Doug Howe showed Scott Holtzman he understands the game - you don’t need to be good, just better than or in this case equal to your opponent.  So, who’d have guessed that Doug’s and Scott’s tie at -10 would have tied for the 2nd best result of the weekend. We welcome them back to break the tie this weekend.  What can they do to top their tie from last week - well, Scott bought lunch, so you’d think the Savants might have a slight rooting interest there - except for the shocking development we witnessed in Doug’s picks.  Wow, you’d think he knows better than going with the same picks as 3 Savants who have managed to put up a mere -330 total for the year.  How does Scott top that?  Well, his waiter at Fridays was at his best picking all the games.  Unfortunately for Scott, Tom got the list first and disclosed it to the whole table.  Will that throw Scott off his game?  Will Doug soon regret going with the Savants?  What were the waiter’s picks (see below). Let the games begin. 

This Week’s Headlines:  The Savants Move Back to Critical Condition.  Only Frank Gore managed to go positive last week among the Savants.  Frank is +100 over the last two weeks earning back his nickname:  The Goracle is Back. With confidence that we haven’t seen from Frank since September, The Goracle has his sights on taking first place from Rand this week.  Will Rand be up to the challenge?  Tom joined Dick in the death spiral down.  It has been 7 weeks since Dick won, so how does he break the dry ice cold streak?  Back home with his Cows.  Will they break his heart again? Will Tom confirm that he remains a week behind on his decisions to jump on a bandwagon?  Prediction:  a very positive week from the Savants.

Season through Week 16
Dick  -150 +50 = -100
Tom   -130 - 50 = -180
Rand    -10 -10 = -20
The Goracle -50 -50 = -100

This Week’s Guest Pickers

Doug Howe -10 versus Scott Holtzman -30  

This week’s picks
Dick: $50 on Dallas -7. With no relief in sight for a winning pick, Dick comes home with the Cows just in time for the holidays.  Please, please, please - don’t let those Cows break his heart one more time.  +++ The Pathetic Redskins allow the Cows to snooze through this win.  Cassidy’s cold streak is officially over.

 Tom:  $50 on New York Football Giants -7.  If it worked for The Goracle, it should work for Tom.  No picking against the football gods this week - just a pick on a team that needs to win to keep its playoff hopes alive.   XXX The Giants Stink, The Giants Stink, The Giants Stink - maybe a bit of an overreaction - not when the favored team loses by 32 at home.
           
        Rand: $10 on Miami -3.  Rand goes with those stout Fins.  Will Believing in Big Bill pay dividends? XXX Miami goes down in an important one.
          $10 on Minnesota -7. Rand’s trust in Brett was slapped down last week.  But, no worries here as Rand is back with Brett.  XXX yikes, losing to the Bears on national TV.
          $10 on Pittsburgh -2.5. Rand’s Titans hope for a playoff spot looks to be slipping away - so why not take the Steelers against the nemisis Ravens? +++ The Steelers hang on, barely.
          $10 on New England -8. Rand is going with the other Big Bill here - of course it is the hated Big Bill Belichick.  The Pats seem stabilized. +++ Rand continues to make a living going against Jax.
          $10 on Indy Colts -5.5. Rand knows that history is too tempting for Peyton and Co.  On to 16 and 0. XXX Jim Caldwell takes this one down for Rand.
                   
         Frank: $50 on Philadelphia -7.  Frank jumps back from one NFC East team to his tried and true Eagles this week.  Expect this to be an automatic win as The Goracle is Back. XXX Back, but apparently not all the way back. 
             
             
This Week’s Guest Prognosticators - Doug Howe and Scott Holtzman

Doug:  $20 on Dallas -7.  Doug joins Dick on this one.  Why?  Simple:  did you see the Redskins play last week.  They are already done for the season. +++ Doug is right on with the hometown Cows.
          $20 on Philly -7. Doug joins The Goracle for this one.  Frank is feeling good with this vote of confidence. XXX a close one, but Denver doesn’t let Philly score the easy TD at the end to try for overtime. 
           $10 on New York -7. Doug joins Tom on this one.  Go Giants.  XXX Never go with Tom’s pick.

           Scott:  $20 on Indy -5.5.  Scott shows no sign of concern about the Colts resting this week.  Looks like a good pick. XXX Another Jim Caldwell casualty. 
          $20 on Baltimore +2.5. Scott goes opposite Rand with this one.  After last week’s show against da Bears, they should be ready to match points with the Steelers. XXX A tough half point loss sinks Scott’s weekend. 
           $10 on KC/Cincy Under 40.5. Scott thinks the Cincy defense will wake up and prove they are a playoff team.  Will that same Chief offense from last week wreck this one? +++ These teams show that they are not any good.  
          

Note 1: The Waiter with the inside knowledge picked all the games except Monday night.  Here are the winners:  Falcons, Bengals, Browns, Packers, Dolphins, Giants, Patriots, Saints, Eagles, Steelers, Cardinals, Niners, Colts, and get this one:  The Redskins!

Note 2: The Sports Savants do not gamble with real money and do not endorse, recommend or promote doing so. The dollar figures above are in “pretend” money, as a way of measuring our success in the game. Not only is gambling illegal in many jurisdictions, it is also pretty dumb. In the end, the house always wins. That’s why the house has gold plated ceilings, dancing girls, magic shows and enormous fountains out front.

*Unlike last year, the guests will compete against each other.  The winner between the guest pickers each week will continue to pick the next week.  If they win that week, they keep going.  There is one asterisk to that sentence - we are attorneys you know - if a guest picker buys lunch for the Savants at the regular pick’em lunch, they will continue to the next week whether they beat the new guest picker or not.

** Perhaps the Savants have been spending a bit too much time concerning themselves with country club law, private clubs and resorts law, membership law, and related hospitality law matters.

Last Week’s Guest Picker’s Results

Scott Holtzman -10 versus Doug Howe -10

The Guest Picker Update:  Scott Holtzman burst onto the scene with an impressive +30 to +10 win over Marcia Mayes.  Scott rode to victory with a tip from our waiter at last week’s pick’s lunch.  And that tip was:  SF over AZ on Monday night for the win.  Well, Scott better be ready for this week as we are adding a little class to the competition.  Doug Howe joins us from his day job as a Partner at Century Golf Partners.  They run the Arnold Palmer Golf Management brand, so you may have heard of one of those names at some point.  Doug pretty much worked every job that existed during his years at ClubCorp as well as working with all the Savants and his GP competitor.  We’ll see that experience has readied him for his debut on the Savant’s webpage.  So, what is in store for us this week?  Will Doug show his true calling is picking NFL games?  Will Scott be able to maintain his momentum without help from the waiter at Friday’s?  Or, did Scott actually stop in at Friday’s and get a tip for this week as well?  Let’s see if we can have two straight weeks of positive results.  Good Luck. 

This Week’s Headlines:  The Savants Show Life - Moved from Critical to Stable Condition. The Savants combined for a plus 40 week.  While not earthshattering, these guys are just one week removed from a minus 200 week.  Led by Frank’s and Rand’s +50 week, things are starting to look up.  Tom blames his minus 10 on bad luck - not bad picks.  And, Dick … well, let’s see where to start.  He claims that he has changed his pick holder and only good things are to come.  Off 7 straight minus 50 weeks, the tide has to turn, right?  Perhaps Dick will follow his Cows for another losing December.  For another week none of the Savants go with the Cassidy Hammer pick.  Why not?  There is a rumor that another Savant actually wanted the same pick - and there was general approval of this week’s pick.  Should we award him the win today?  Oh, let’s let’em play.

Season through Week 14+
Dick  -100 -50 = -150
Tom    -80 -50 = -130
Rand        0 -10 = -10
Frank Gore      -100 +50 = -50

This Week’s Guest Pickers

Doug Howe -10 versus Scott Holtzman -10 

This week’s picks
Dick: $50 on Arizona -12. After going 0 fer 2 on New Orleans the last couple of weeks, he abandons the Saints just as the Cows arrive.  Does he have inside information that the Cows want to win this one?  More likely, Detroit is awful, so take the sure thing in whoever their opponent is.  So, Cassidy jumps on the the inconsistent Cardinals expecting them to open up a can on the hapless Lions this week?  XXX Only one thing can wake up the hapless Lions - knowing Cassidy picked against them.  The Cardinals escape with the lives in a shocker. 

 Tom:  $50 on San Diego -6.5.  Tom risks the Chargers on a letdown week playing a team trying to win one for their dead teammate.  Why challenge the football gods this way?  Read his lips:  Cincy is overrated. XXX Never bet against a team with a cause.  The Bengals tried to win one for their lost friends, didn’t, but kept the Chargers from the covere.  
           
        Rand: $10 on Green Bay +2.  Rand stays on the hot Pack, especially against the ice cold, divided lockerroom, possibly packing it in Steelers. +++ Pittsburgh suddenly decides to show up this week - who’d figure that - but only by 1 point.
          $10 on Minnesota -9. Rand trusts in Brett.  And why not, have you seen who the Panther QB is? XXX Losing to the Panthers either shows Brett has a December swoon of his own, or old guys don’t like cold weather.
          $10 on Baltimore -11. Rand takes another easy pick here.  The league is starting to notice a trend - the Bears are bad on offense with their “great” QB, and their defense is worse. +++ The pick of the week as the Bears played up to their pedigree.
          $10 on Washington +3. Rand gets in the grill of Frank this week by taking the Redskins.  It seems like smoke and mirrors, but the Skins have been playing well as of late. XXX A stinker of a pick - perhaps +33 was the correct line.
          $10 on Seattle -6.5. Rand takes the lesser of two weaklings as he looks for the Seahawks to show they don’t belong in the downtrodden class that the TBucs occupy. XXX Another head scratcher - the TBucs winning a game.
                   
         Frank: $50 on New York Football Giants -3.  Frank jumps from one NFC East team to the another this week.  After only giving up 45 to the Eagles, Frank thinks that the Giant defense is ready.  Well, maybe not ready, but the better team with a chance for the playoffs has to win, right?  +++ Frank’s rise from the ashes continues as his NFC East knowledge proves correct again.  Will he get his nickname back?  Stay tuned for next week?
             
             
This Week’s Guest Prognosticators - Doug Howe and Scott Holtzman

Doug:  $10 on San Diego -6.5.  Doug also likes the Chargers in this one, and shrugs off the potential negative vibe of Tom picking them as well. XXX a quick lesson for Doug - don’t pick anything that Tom or Dick like.
          $10 on New Orleans -7.5. What is this? Another GP not afraid to go opposite Cassidy’s Cows.  Perhaps the highly effective offense versus the not so effective offense may have something to do with this. XXX Doug learns that the Cows aren’t to be trusted - good or bad - as they somehow handle the 13-0, now 13-1, Saints. 
           $10 on Seattle -6.5. Doug agrees that the TBucs stink - so he goes with the slightly less stinky Seahawks. XXX Seattle decides to stink it up more than the TBucs.  
          $10 on Baltimore -11. Doug joins Rand on this one.  They should almost get credit for this one in advance - that’s how easy this game looks. +++ Doug takes the easy game of the week - why didn’t we all see this was the easy game of the week?
          $10 on Philly -8.5. Well, if you’re going to diss one Savant by picking against his team, you might as well go against a second by picking the Eagles laying a big number against Frank’s 49ers.  Will they have any offense left after last week? +++ The Eagles show up and the 49ers can’t repeat last week’s heroics against the Cardinals.

           Scott:  $20 on New England -7.  Scott likes Brady and Company so show rumors of their demise are greatly exaggerated.  We’ll see. Push - This one lands on the Pats winning by 7 - no harm, no foul.
          $20 on Minnesots -9. Scott shows no sign of concern that a Farve swoon is about to take place.  He’s probably right about that.  XXX Minnesota doesn’t play well in the cold - Bud Grant just rolled over in his grave.  
           $10 on Baltimore/Chicago Under 40.5. Scott shows he can get back on the horse that threw him.  After missing the under by a mere 38.5 points last week, Scott crawls under this one.  Will Chicago participate?  If so, watch out. +++ As expected, Chicago doesn’t participate and the Ravens stay under - barely.  
          

Note: The Sports Savants do not gamble with real money and do not endorse, recommend or promote doing so. The dollar figures above are in “pretend” money, as a way of measuring our success in the game. Not only is gambling illegal in many jurisdictions, it is also pretty dumb. In the end, the house always wins. That’s why the house has gold plated ceilings, dancing girls, magic shows and enormous fountains out front.

*Unlike last year, the guests will compete against each other.  The winner between the guest pickers each week will continue to pick the next week.  If they win that week, they keep going.  There is one asterisk to that sentence - we are attorneys you know - if a guest picker buys lunch for the Savants at the regular pick’em lunch, they will continue to the next week whether they beat the new guest picker or not.

** Perhaps the Savants have been spending a bit too much time concerning themselves with country club law, private clubs and resorts law, membership law, and related hospitality law matters.

Last Week’s Guest Picker’s Results

Scott Holtzman +30 versus Marcia Mayes +10

The Guest Picker Update:  Marcia Mayes ended Don Sweeting’s run as champ by doing just enough to get by.  Marcia picked had the only correct pick from the Savants and the Guest Pickers, so she advances -10 over -50 for the weekend.  So, how do we change the tide of negative picks?  We’ve brought in a true picking savant - well, at least a true fantasy golf picking savant - how do I know?  He had YE Yang in the PGA pool - you gotta be kidding.  So, we welcome Scott Holtzman, another financial consultant extraordinaire for golf properties that goes back a few years with both the Savants and his GP competitor, Marcia.  Will Scott’s arrival bring some much needed skill to the table?  Or, will the Savant crappy-pick vortex swallow him up with the rest of us?  Good luck, and let’s see some positive scores for the week. 

This Week’s Headlines:  The Savants Are Rumored to be losing their nickname. First, Frank Gore was stripped of his Goracle nickname.  Are the Savants next?  Editor’s Note:  probably not as long as one of the Savants continues to write this post. Last week was nothing short of a bloodbath.  Minus 200 combined by the Savants. Not a single positive pick in the group.  So, should we go the hammer pick?  2nd Editor’s Note:  the hammer pick is going opposite of a Savants’ pick on the belief that they are more likely to be wrong than right.  Well, at least no hammer picks this week as the Savants have vowed to turn this thing back to positive territory.  So which Savant will break out of the cold - or will we see a Plus 200 week?

Season through Week 13
Dick               -50 -50 = -100
Tom                -70 -10 = -80
Rand               -50 +50 = 0
Frank Gore     -150 +50 = -100

This Week’s Guest Pickers

Marcia Mayes +10 versus Scott Holtzman +30

This week’s picks
Dick: $50 on New Orleans -10.5. Dick was so pleased with his 50 on NO last week that he stays on the pick this week.  It looks like a better pick this week as Atlanta has its own health care crisis. XXX Cassidy stays in the ice box.  Even the Saints can’t carry him to victory.

 Tom:  $10 on Arizona -3.  Tom’s fantasy football team needs Kurt Warner to come up big this weekend - so that is reason enough for this pick.  And, the Cardinals are looking like they might make some noise in the playoffs again this year. XXX Arizona fumbles away Monday night - and Tom’s fantasy football team will watch the rest of the playoffs from the sidelines.
          $10 on New England -13.5. Has Belichick gone mad?  Sending home players for being late on a snow day?  Fortunately, Carolina may decide to go home early on Sunday allowing the Pats to break the losing streak in a big way. XXX A plodding day for Brady and Co.  A win, but no cover. 
           $10 on KC/Buffalo Under 37. Both teams are not good, but not awful either.  So, who in their right mind would go with an Under pick with T.O. involved? Tom. +++ These teams show they are bad, and get no where near the number.
          $10 on Minnesota/Cincy Under 43. Tom is not a believer in Cincy overall - but he thinks that the Bengal Defense is for real.  Is Brett in a December swoon like last year? +++ Tom was right about the Viking D, and that was good enough to slide by.  
           $10 on Seattle/Houston Over 44.5. Tom with his third over/under pick trys to figure out if he can be any better with this new strategy.  Don’t count on it.  XXX 31 at half, 41 after the 3rd, and no more points.  Ugh.
 
        Rand: $30 on Green Bay -3.  Rand leaves the comfort of his Titans for the road team Packers against the Bears.  As long as the Bears’ defense continues to stink it up, and Jeff George aka Jay Cutler is their QB, this pick looks solid. +++ Da Bears don’t disappoint and play as expected, and Rand picks up the easy win.
          $20 on Miami +2.5. Rand either likes the Dolphins or refuses to believe that Jacksonville may take the Titans’ rightful place in the playoffs.  Stick with the later explanation. +++ It wasn’t pretty, but Rand’s pick confirms Jack isn’t that good. 
                   
         Frank: $50 on Philadelphia +1.  Frank runs back to the safety of the NFC East after confirming that the division is not the problem with his picks.  Is this a signal that he’ll be flying high with the Eagles all the way to the playoffs? +++ Frank is back on top with the Eagles.  Now, will he stay on their bandwagon? 
             
             
This Week’s Guest Prognosticators - Marcia Mayes and Scott Holtzman

Marcia:  $20 on New York Jets -3.  Marcia is unfazed by the Jets starting their backup QB.  Are the TBuc’s really that bad?  +++ Marcia on the right side of the Jets wipe out of the TBucs.
          $20 on New Orleans -10.5. Marcia sticks with this pick even after hearing Cassidy take it.  Do they know something, or should Marcia have gone with the hammer pick? XXX Note to Marcia:  don’t pick the same as Dick.
           $10 on Green Bay -3. Marcia joins Rand with this pick.  Doesn’t she follow the results from the Savants’ picks?  This pick looks like a winner, so Scott will need to bring his “A” game. +++Marcia finishes the week in positive numbers with this solid pick.

           Scott:  $20 on Miami +2.5.  Scott also like Big Bill’s Fins against the overrated Jax Jags.  Which inconsistent team will show up on Sunday? +++Scott on the right side of the battle of Florida (TBucs don’t count).
          $20 on San Francisco +3. What is going on here? Is Scott going opposite Tom with a Hammer Pick?  Is Scott trying to get on Frank’s good side by picking the 49ers?  No.  The waiter suggested the pick, and that was good enough for Scott. +++ Scott (and the waiter) nail the Monday night pick as Scott takes the GP crown on an exciting Monday night.  
           $10 on Philly/NY Giants Under 44.5. Scott thinks these two teams will knock each other around - and not score in the process.  Makes sense, except have you seen the Giant defense backs cover fast receivers - not pretty.  XXX Never a good thing when one of the team passes the number, and the other one almost does.
          

Note: The Sports Savants do not gamble with real money and do not endorse, recommend or promote doing so. The dollar figures above are in “pretend” money, as a way of measuring our success in the game. Not only is gambling illegal in many jurisdictions, it is also pretty dumb. In the end, the house always wins. That’s why the house has gold plated ceilings, dancing girls, magic shows and enormous fountains out front.

*Unlike last year, the guests will compete against each other.  The winner between the guest pickers each week will continue to pick the next week.  If they win that week, they keep going.  There is one asterisk to that sentence - we are attorneys you know - if a guest picker buys lunch for the Savants at the regular pick’em lunch, they will continue to the next week whether they beat the new guest picker or not.

** Perhaps the Savants have been spending a bit too much time concerning themselves with country club law, private clubs and resorts law, membership law, and related hospitality law matters.

Last Week’s Guest Picker’s Results

Don Sweeting -50 versus Marcia Mayes -10

The Guest Picker Update:  The first GP tie in history - OK, history is only 12 weeks in this case, but a first is a first.  It was an interesting Monday night with both Marcia Mayes and Don Sweeting on New England.  However, Don had a 20 weight on the game while Marcia had a 10 weight on the game.  Marcia needed her pick to lose, so Don would lose his 20 pick and then end up tied  at -10 for the weekend.  That of course is what happened as the Pats were embarrassed by the Saints.  This week we have the rematch.  Don is pulling out all the stops so he can leave for vacation with a clear conscious.  Marcia trys to show last week’s negative score was a fluke.  Good luck, and let’s see that tie broken this week. 

This Week’s Headlines:  The Savants left to remembering the days when they were good at this pick’em game. How the mighty Savants have fallen.  Cassidy has gone from +250 to 0 in 5 weeks.  Rand becomes tied for the lead at 0, yep, ZERO.  Tom can’t seem to get his head above water.  And, Frank lost his nickname of the Goracle somewhere back in the wreckage of his recent picks.  This is the week where we’ll some changes.  The Savants each have put the load on one team.  Will they go 4 for 4?  Is the practice of private club law and selling memberships getting in the way of their picks?  Our luck is about to change - guaranteed (I hope).

Season through Week 12
Dick              0 -50 = -50
Tom              -20 -50 = -70
Rand              0 -50 = -50
Frank Gore   -100 -50 = -150

This Week’s Guest Pickers

Marcia Mayes -10 versus Don Sweeting -50

This week’s picks
Dick: $50 on New Orleans -9.5. Dick was impressed with the offensive machine residing in New Orleans.  He jumps on the bandwagon without hesitation.  But, is he a week too late? XXX Dick goes down again.  In a game only the Redskins could lose - yes, even Detroit would have pulled this one out - the Saints get a lucky win, but don’t cover.

 Tom:  $50 on Dallas -2.  Tom knows the New York Football Giants stink.  So, why not give the 2 points and go with the Cows.  Well, just ask anyone, the Cows can’t be trusted.  Rumor has it that Dick wanted to put the load on his Cows this week, but the pick was taken out from under him. XXX Tom has the lesson every Cow fan knows.  First they trick you into believing maybe, just maybe they are a good team.  Then, they rip your heart out and play like pigs.
 
        Rand: $50 on Tennessee +6.5.  Rand confirms his loyalty to the beloved Titans by putting the load on them against the rival Colts.  Does 11-0 worry him?  Not when he’s getting almost a touchdown from a team that has to come from behind in each of the last 5 games to win. XXX Rand goes down with his Titans.  At least they played a good game that just went the wrong way on a couple of plays.
        
         Frank: $50 on New England -3.  Frank runs away from the NFC East hoping to catch some of the Patriot magic.  This line seems a bit low - does Vegas know something, or did Frank find the gimme. XXX Frank goes down with the no defense Pats.  Vegas thought it knew something about Brady’s finger - as it turns out all they need to know was Belichick’s defense doesn’t exist.
             
             
This Week’s Guest Prognosticators - Marcia Mayes and Don Sweeting

Marcia:  $20 on New Orleans -9.5.  Marcia and Dick on the who dat train.  Will the Redskins overachieve for a 3rd straight week?  Is one of these teams due for a letdown? XXX Not only a letdown game, rumor has it Marcia knew this was a Cassidy pick and went with it anyway. 
          $20 on Denver -4.5. Marcia thinks the Broncos are back after taking down the NY Giants on Thanksgiving. Will KC jump up and bite another playoff hopeful during their Arrowhead visit? +++ Finally a winner.  The Broncos dismantle the Chiefs at Arrowhead - impressive.
           $10 on Atlanta +5.5. Marcia likes the home dog against the inconsistent Eagles.  But, will no Ryan or Turner doom this pick? XXX A bad pick ends up being a bad pick.  Atlanta can’t compete without 5 offensive starters.

           Don:  $50 on Dallas -2.  Don stays on Cassidy’s Cows for the second straight week.  Doesn’t he understand that the Cows will lure you in, then break your heart?  Actually, Don sees this as a win/win pick - if the Cows win his pick is right, if they lose, then all can celebrate the hated Cows going down in the Meadowlands.  Have fun on vacation Don. XXX Don’s hated Cowboys lose, but they also end his reign as GP Champ.  Enjoy the rest of your vacation.
          

Note: The Sports Savants do not gamble with real money and do not endorse, recommend or promote doing so. The dollar figures above are in “pretend” money, as a way of measuring our success in the game. Not only is gambling illegal in many jurisdictions, it is also pretty dumb. In the end, the house always wins. That’s why the house has gold plated ceilings, dancing girls, magic shows and enormous fountains out front.

*Unlike last year, the guests will compete against each other.  The winner between the guest pickers each week will continue to pick the next week.  If they win that week, they keep going.  There is one asterisk to that sentence - we are attorneys you know - if a guest picker buys lunch for the Savants at the regular pick’em lunch, they will continue to the next week whether they beat the new guest picker or not.

** Perhaps the Savants have been spending a bit too much time concerning themselves with country club law, private clubs and resorts law, membership law, and related hospitality law matters.

Last Week’s Guest Picker’s Results

Don Sweeting -10 TIED Marcia Mayes -10

WEEK 12

The Guest Picker Update:  Are we starting to see a trend?  Don Sweeting +10 dominated John Beckert -50 last weekend.  Of course the flameout of the Steelers and their defense may be the reason for that.  The Steelers season is pretty simple at this point:  No Palumalu - No Playoffs.   With Don seemingly unbeatable now, the Savants have a secret weapon to test his skills this week.  Marcia Mayes has agreed to grace our site this weekend.  Marcia is a noted golf industry financial person having done a bit of everything over the years.  Of course her being a sports fanatic will probably be more useful this weekend.  Can Don stand the heat, and will he continue his trend of going against Cassidy’s Cows with his Raiders this week?  We’ll see - and good luck. 

This Week’s Headlines:  How the Mighty have Fallen - Part II. The Savants need to change this headline - and fast.  Although Frank woke up last week and is back in the fray, the other Savants are on a fast track to nowhere.  The short weekend should play right into the Savants wheel house and prevent the overthinking that has caused the current swoon.  At least it provides some hope.  Will we have a new leader after this weekend?  Stay tuned.

Week 11 Plus Final Week 12 Results
Dick              +50 -50 = 0
Tom                -30 +10 = -20
Rand               -10 +10 = 0
The Goreacle   -50 -50 = -100

This Week’s Guest Pickers

Marcia Mayes -10 versus Don Sweeting -10

This week’s picks
Dick: $50 on Jacksonville +3. Dick brings in a ringer to help him this week - a lawyer to be nephew Davis.  Will this turn his luck? Or, as rumored to have been heard at the picks lunch from another Savant - that pick is horrible. XXX In hindsight, Dick agrees that this pick was horrible.  The free fall continues unabated.

 Tom:  $20 on Green Bay -10.5.  Tom thinks any team that gives up 37 to Cleveland is going to have problems against a real offense from Green Bay. +++ Tom is off to a hot start - and wishes he had put the load on this pick so he can sleep the rest of the weekend.
        $10 on New England +3.  Tom finally gets his Pats pick back from Rand - will they be as good to him as they have been to Rand? XXX The Patriot defense looks far from Super against the Saints that definitely are looking Super.
        $10 on New England/New Orleans Over 56.  Tom is looking for a Monday night offensive display.  With Belichick’s confidence in his own defense, and no Saints defense, is 56 possible? XXX Let’s see 38 + 17 = 55 - Vegas is good.  34 first half points weren’t enough as the teams stopped scoring in the 2nd half.
          $10 on Cleveland +14. Tom picking Cleveland - what next, Detroit?  No, this is simply a belief that Cincy isn’t 14 points better than anyone. +++ Tom knows his stinking teams - and Cle stunk it up, but they did cover.

Rand: $30 on Minnesota -10.5.  Rand moves from the Kurt Warner bandwagon to the Brett Farve bandwagon.  Minnesota’s defense should make this one an easy win. +++ The Greatness of Farve is confirmed.  Easy pick comes through - for a change.   
        $20 on Atlanta/Tampa Bay Over 46.  Rand has been following that poor Atlanta defense get steadily worse - but will Tampa help this week after electing to not to score much last week? XXX Atlanta’s late TD helped, but not enough.
        
         Frank: $50 on NY Football Giants -6.5.  Frank hot off a win with his Eagles pick stays in division with the Giants this week.  Other than the 14 points in the 4th quarter to Atlanta last week, nothing to worry about on the road in Denver - right? XXX Frank shows that consistency is out the window as he can’t put 2 wins back to back.  So much for worst to first.  And what about those Giants?  Cassidy’s Cows are licking their chops for them next week.
             
             
This Week’s Guest Prognosticators - Marcia Mayes and Don Sweeting

Marcia:  $20 on Minnesota -10.5.  Marcia and Rand are on board with the Vikes this week.  Hard to believe that Jeff George aka Jay Cutler can pull the Bears out of the ditch. +++ Believing in Brett is rewarded.
          $10 on Cincy -14. Marcia takes the best team in the Ohio bowl.  Is she about to learn what Dick and Frank know about picking the Bungals? XXX Marcia learns the don’t pick the Bengals lesson - will they ever learn? 
           $10 on New England +3. Marcia, Don and Tom all like Belichick’s Pats this week.  Monday on ESPN will be watched by at least 3 people. XXX in an odd twist, the Pats laying an egg helps Marcia tie Don this week.
          $10 on Atlanta -12. Marcia shows her confidence in her home state Buc’s by picking Atlanta giving up a mere 12 in this one.  Tampa should cure the Falcons ills of late. +++ Atlanta’s late TD gets them the win - unfortunately only only counted for 7 points, not 16.

           Don:  $20 on Dallas -13.5.  Don goes with Cassidy’s Cows one week after riding his Raiders to victory.  What is up?  Trying to make piece with Cassidy, or the realization that the Raiders stink will show through this week. +++ Don nails this pick going against his own Rahdahs.  This was an easy one - well, if Dallas played with any consistency this was an easy one.
          $10 on Chicago +10.5. Did Don not see Jay Cutler last week?  Does he not know who is the QB of the Vikes?  He’s about to learn - or at least he’s listening to his son this week. XXX Don pays for picking a Jeff George led team.  Oh, Jay Cutler leads the Bears - whatever.
           $20 on New England +3. Don joins Tom on this pick.  We’ll see if New Orleans’ Monday Night Super Bowl is enough to beat the mighty Pats. XXX The Pats take down another believer.  The uniforms are the same, but the defense isn’t.
          

Note: The Sports Savants do not gamble with real money and do not endorse, recommend or promote doing so. The dollar figures above are in “pretend” money, as a way of measuring our success in the game. Not only is gambling illegal in many jurisdictions, it is also pretty dumb. In the end, the house always wins. That’s why the house has gold plated ceilings, dancing girls, magic shows and enormous fountains out front.

*Unlike last year, the guests will compete against each other.  The winner between the guest pickers each week will continue to pick the next week.  If they win that week, they keep going.  There is one asterisk to that sentence - we are attorneys you know - if a guest picker buys lunch for the Savants at the regular pick’em lunch, they will continue to the next week whether they beat the new guest picker or not.

** Perhaps the Savants have been spending a bit too much time concerning themselves with country club law, private clubs and resorts law, membership law, and related hospitality law matters.

Last Week’s Guest Picker’s Results

Don Sweeting +10 over John Beckert -50

WEEK 11

The Guest Picker Update:  For the second straight week, we are reminded that the object of the game is just to be better than your opponent.  Don Sweeting took down Guy Boyle -10 to -50 last week.  Don claims we haven’t seen his best yet, but he is already planning his Thanksgiving holiday without retaining his GP title.  Why is that?  Well, he knows we’re bringing out a first team GP as his competition this week.  We welcome John Beckert - noted printer, board member, Salesmanship Club member, and general all-around great guy.  John and his Pittsburgh Steelers must try to right the ship after last week’s Bengals loss.  Will he (and his team) be able to flip the switch back on this week.  What does Don have in store for John, and does he dare pick against Cassidy’s Cows a second straight week?  We’ll see - and good luck gentlemen. 

This Week’s Headlines:  How the Mighty have Fallen. The Savants would rather not talk about last week’s combined -130 in picks.  As Cassidy’s MO ran away from him, it apparently took the rest of the Savants MO with it. Cassidy continued his downward spiral as the Broncos lost to the Redskins - that’s right, the Redskins. The Goracle is squarely in the never trust the Cows again camp.  Rand is wondering how his picking prowess has gone down just as his team, the Titans, have started winning.  And, Tom continues to just shake his head and mutter, I’m losing to these guys.  Who’ll be the first to find their MO and take charge of this competition? 

Week 10
Dick              +100 -50 = +50
Tom                0 -30 = -30
Rand              +20 -30 = -10
The Goreacle   -100 +50 = -50

This Week’s Guest Pickers

John Beckert -50 versus Don Sweeting +10

This week’s picks
Dick: $50 on Cincy -9.5. Dick has crowned the Bengals as for real after their second win this season over the Steelers.  Does no Cedric Benson bother him?  No - it’s the Raiders.  Does benching JaMarcus bother him?  A little.  It is worth noting that he didn’t pick against the Redskins for the 2nd straight week. XXX Cassidy learns the lesson Frank learned earlier this year - deep down, they’re still the Bungals.

 Tom:  $10 on New York Football Giants - 6.5.  Tom thinks the Turner-less Falcons are just what the Giants need to turn their season around.  Perhaps a secondary and running game would help them more. XXX Following a trend for Tom’s day, a certain winner after 3 quarters has the winning team barely holding on, but definitely not covering.
        $10 on Dallas -11.  Tom shines up the crystal ball and sees the two-week offensive swoon by the Cows will all be forgotten after they play the Redskins.  But, Sherm’s bingo boys are off a 27 point week - watch out. XXX This just in, the Cows’ offense really is bad.
        $10 on Tennessee +4.5.  Tom believes in VY and the reinvigorated Titans.  Of course, Andre Johnson also believes that the Titans were put in the league to help him gain All-Pro status. +++ The Greatness of VY is confirmed - 10-0 and the playoffs next? 
          $10 on Oakland/Cincy Under 36. Tom thinks Cincy will play it close to the vest and the new Rahdah QB won’t score any points for the Bengals - thus, an under pick looks good. XXX Sitting pretty with 1 minute to go in the game and the total at 27 just to see the Bungals kiss this one goodbye.   
        $10 on Green Bay -6.5.  Tom buys into the Packer bandwagon after they take down the mighty Cows - or at least he doesn’t like the 49ers on the road against them. XXX The Packers big lead evaporates to 6 at the end.  That is correct, half a point below the cover. 

Rand: $10 on Arizona -9.  Rand jumps on the Kurt Warner bandwagon this week.  Of course, Arizona on the road has been solid gold this year. XXX Kurt Warner leaving stopped the Cardinal offense, and thus the cover.   
        $10 on New England -10.5.  Rand goes with Tom’s Patriots for the second straight week - a trend seems to be developing here.  Of course the fact that the Jets stink does help. +++ Perhaps Belichick thought this week was worth two wins.  At least that’s what it looked like as he poured it on the Jets.
        $10 on Pittsburgh -10.  Rand attempts to get on the new GP’s right side by picking John’s Steelers.  Will Big Ben decide to win by more than 3 for a change? XXX The Steelers lose to the Chiefs on John Beckert week.  That is one bad omen.
          $10 on New Orleans/Tampa Over 51. Rand likes the collision of a couple of over teams in this one.  Of course anytime you can get New Orleans around 50 - they might score that themselves. XXX Tampa stays out of the scoring keeping the total under.  
          $10 on Detroit/Cleveland Under 38.5. Rand once again places his faith in the truly incompetent Lions and Browns.  Isn’t there some physics theorum about what happens when two immovable offensive objects meet two highly moveable defensive objects? XXX As the first quarter hit 34, this miss was inevitiable.
        
         Frank: $50 on Philly -3.  Two weeks removed from the Eagles letting Frank down against the Cows, Frank jumps right back on that horse with Philly against Chicago.  The Bears do stink, and they’re led by the next Jeff George aka Jay Cutler, so Frank may be headed back to the win column. +++ Frank saves the Savants this week by nailing the Eagles pick.  I think we know who rediscovered their MO.
             
             
This Week’s Guest Prognosticators - John Beckert and Don Sweeting

John:  $50 on Pittsburgh/KC Under 40.  John sees the league’s #2 defense moving into the top spot after this game.  As long as Pittsburgh stays under 35, this looks good. XXX Let’s see where to start.  Steelers lost.  Steelers gave up another kickoff return.  Steelers couldn’t stop the Chiefs with the game on the line.  Other than that, things are fine.   

Don:  $20 on Oakland +9.5.  Don and Dick take opposite sides of this one.  Will Don’s old favorite team do him right, or will Cassidy shake his cold streak and take down Don’s Rahdahs? +++ Don showing he is here to stay with a bold underdog pick that turns out to be an outright winner.
          $10 on Washington +11. Did Don forget that the Redskins are playing the almighty Cows this weekend?  Two straight weeks he goes against Cassidy’s Cows - what does he think he’s doing - winning? +++ Don is making a living picking opposite Dick’s Cows.  Only Redskin ineptitude kept this from a second straight dog outright win.
           $10 on Chicago +3. Don goes opposite Frank on this one.  Now did Don make the pick because he knew Frank would take the Eagles, or is because Don’s son likes the Eagles?  XXX Don goes down with the Cutler Bears - but I bet his son is happy about this one.  
          $10 on Pittsburgh -10. Not only does a Savant try to get on John’s good side, John’s GP competitor does the same thing.  Will John pay for not showing the same amount of confidence as Rand and Don? XXX So much for being nice to the GP competition.  But, it didn’t really matter this week.

Note: The Sports Savants do not gamble with real money and do not endorse, recommend or promote doing so. The dollar figures above are in “pretend” money, as a way of measuring our success in the game. Not only is gambling illegal in many jurisdictions, it is also pretty dumb. In the end, the house always wins. That’s why the house has gold plated ceilings, dancing girls, magic shows and enormous fountains out front.

*Unlike last year, the guests will compete against each other.  The winner between the guest pickers each week will continue to pick the next week.  If they win that week, they keep going.  There is one asterisk to that sentence - we are attorneys you know - if a guest picker buys lunch for the Savants at the regular pick’em lunch, they will continue to the next week whether they beat the new guest picker or not.

** Perhaps the Savants have been spending a bit too much time concerning themselves with country club law, private clubs and resorts law, membership law, and related hospitality law matters.

Last Week’s Guest Picker’s Results

Don Sweeting -10 over Guy Boyle -50

WEEK 10 Plus Final Results

The Guest Picker Update:  Guy Boyle showed us you don’t have to be good - just better than your opponent - as he edged Rodger Bubb -10 to -30 last week.  This week looks to be a great matchup as Don Sweeting, EVP of Golf and Club Operations at the Pinehurst Resort in North Carolina joins us.  Don has the tough duty of overseeing golf and club operations at the home of the 1999, 2005, and 2014 US Open site.  It is always a beautiful day in Pinehurst, so Don will have to find time to focus on football this weekend.  Will Don’s welcome be short-lived when Cassidy sees he picked against the Mighty Cows?  Will Guy’s confidence be shot after his Eagles folded against the Cows last Sunday night before a national TV audience?  We’ll see - and good luck gentlemen. 

This Week’s Headlines:  Did any of the Savant’s go +50 last week?  Well, one did - the most unlikely of the group at that - as Tom is the only successful Savant last weekend.  Can the rest of the Savants shake off this mid-season cold streak?  Have we seen the last of Cassidy’s MO this season?  Dick tried the 5 by $10 pick strategy last weekend, and suffered the death by a 1,000 cuts.  This week Dick will punt the wimpy pick 5 strategy and go back to putting the load on one game.  Frank who could be rising up the leaderboard if only he’d have stayed with the Cows last week.  But he didn’t, so he’ll try to put the jeannie back in the bottle this week.  Rand is in disbelief that while his Titans have renewed hope for the season, he is somehow only $10 ahead of the Tom.  Tom is basking in the glow after a rare winning week with renewed confidence for the rest of the season.  Who’ll take charge this weekend? 

Week 9
Dick              +150 -50 = +100
Tom               +20 -20 = 0
Rand              +30 -10 = +20
The Goreacle   -50 -50 = -100

This Week’s Guest Picker’s

Guy Boyle -50 versus Don Sweeting -10

This week’s picks
Dick: $50 on Denver -3.5. Dick knows the Redskins stink.  So, how is that Denver is only giving up 3.5 points in this one?  What does Vegas know?  This looks like a good pick - of course today is Friday and not Sunday so we’ll see. XXX The Redskins, they lost to the hated Redskins.  It is a sad day in Mudville, the Cows go down and Cassidy’s pick flames out.

 Tom:   $20 on New Orleans -13.5.  Tom expects the Rams to play like the Rams, and the Saints to quit messing around with the close games they’ve been playing lately. XXX Saints hang on and barely beat the Rams - that can’t be, can it?
          $10 on Atlanta -1.5. Tom stays on Atlanta the week after they reward him with a +50 pick.  But, can they win on the road in Carolina? XXX Some good news, Atlanta’s loss only cost Tom $10.
           $10 on Minnesota -17.  Only 17?  Surely Adrian Peterson without Brett the Great could cover 17 against the woeful Lions.   Push - the Vikings get to the number, and take out their starters.  Chances of Tavaris leading them to more points: ZERO.
          $10 on Arizona -8.5. Arizona stomped on the Seahawks in Seattle earlier this year as part of their 5-0 road start.  Can they stomp on them at home where they are 0-3? Tom thinks Kurt Warner and Company are back. +++ A 2nd half rally allows the Cardinals to win and cover.

Rand: $20 on Denver/Washington Under 37.  Rand has his two favorite under teams playing each other.  Of course Denver hasn’t been under the last couple of weeks, but they should find the Deadskins’ offense more to their liking this week. XXX The Redskins first time in the 20’s this year dooms this pick.   
        $10 on New England +3.  Rand goes with Tom’s Patriots in the AFC game of the week.  Is this confidence in the Pats, or is this punishment of Indy for not covering the last 2 weeks after Rand has picked them? +++ The Pats choke one away, but they still cover.
        $10 on NY Jets -7.  Rand jumps back on the Rex Ryan bandwagon - or at least notices that the Jack Del Rio trainwreck is on the way.  Which Jacksonville team shows up decides this one. XXX Beware of the Jags - and the Jet offense.
          $10 on Oakland/KC Under 36.5. Rand knows these two incompetent offenses will get no where near this number.  But, will the defenses and special teams score enough to go Over? +++ After scoring 23 in the first half, the teams show their colors with only 3 in the 2nd half.
        
         Frank: $50 on Cows -3.  The Goracle writes 100 times on the blackboard - I will not pick against the Cows, I will not pick against the Cows (you get the picture).  Can the Cows win on the road after the big Sunday night win also on the road? XXX Frank can now share the pain that Cassidy feels every season.  Add Frank to the list of non-Cowbelievers.
             
                This Week’s Guest Prognosticators - Guy Boyle and Don Sweeting

Guy:  $20 on Atlanta -1.5.  Guy and Tom agree on this one - Atlanta is better than Carolina. XXX Carolina puts it to the Falcons - at least after Michael Turner went out.
           $10 on Dallas -3.  Guy and Frank are all over the Cows against the no O-Line Packers. XXX The Cows forget to take the offense to Lambeau.
          $10 on Denver -3.5. Guy and Dick are all over picking against the team playing the Redskins - a very good play so far this season.   XXX Another NFC East fan watches the hated Redskins take their pick down.
          $10 on Philly +1.5. Guy is no fair weather fan as he show his confidence in the Eagles again this week. XXX The Eagles starting to show some consistency - unfortunately it is losing the game.  

Don:  $20 on Denver -3.5.  Both of our Guest Pickers are all over this anti-Redskin pick.  Will the Redskins rise from the dead his weekend?  XXX Hail to the Redskins.
          $10 on Green Bay +3. Did Don forget that the Packers are playing the almighty Cows this weekend?  Surely this is a mistake.  A pick against Cassidy’s ‘Boys and The Goracle.  The couple of Savants are partying in the streets over the perceived faux pas. +++ Don correctly predicts the demise of the Cows.
           $10 on New England +3. Don and Rand both go against the undefeated home team by jumping on the Patriot bandwagon.  It does look like the injured Colts don’t have enough to hang with the Pats this week. +++ Don on right side of this one as the Pat meltdown doesn’t cost the cover.   
          $10 on Pittsburgh -7. The Steelers won by an uncharacteristically large number on Monday night.  Will this game show us whether Cincy is for real, and are the Steelers Super? XXX Bengals take over control of the AFC North - and now they get the easy part of their schedule.

Note: The Sports Savants do not gamble with real money and do not endorse, recommend or promote doing so. The dollar figures above are in “pretend” money, as a way of measuring our success in the game. Not only is gambling illegal in many jurisdictions, it is also pretty dumb. In the end, the house always wins. That’s why the house has gold plated ceilings, dancing girls, magic shows and enormous fountains out front.

*Unlike last year, the guests will compete against each other.  The winner between the guest pickers each week will continue to pick the next week.  If they win that week, they keep going.  There is one asterisk to that sentence - we are attorneys you know - if a guest picker buys lunch for the Savants at the regular pick’em lunch, they will continue to the next week whether they beat the new guest picker or not.

** With the domination by Dick and Rand’s solid start, maybe the Savants don’t need to limit themselves to country club law, private clubs and resorts law, membership law, and related hospitality law matters.

Last Week’s Guest Picker’s Results

Guy Boyle -10 over Rodger Bubb -30