Gator, whats happening? I think I got back on track in a big way last week. Its been a while so lets let you get right to the Bean countin'....Oh, and by the way I got you an early Christmas gift. Its called a butt whoopin' now you can count those beans
I'm sure you noticed I didn't go outside to tan, because I'm still so red from the embarrassment. I went 6-10, which isn't too far off of my norm, but you went 11-5. Bait has tied it up 7-7. The winner of this week will be only 1 week away from clinching their 2nd Gator-Bait title. Overall on the season the differences is now 54-46-2 in Bait's favor, so it looks like he will win that at least. On the season I am 90-114-3, and Bait is 98-105-3. Lot can change this week as we disagreed on 11 out of the 16 games this week. This should be a very fun week. Good luck! You are already up 1-0 on me after the Thursday night game.
vs. 
Playoff implications: Gator says: This is an interesting battle between 2 of the top picks from 2 years ago. So I guess you can say it's somewhat intriguing to me and I care about it. Mario Williams is only a half sack away from his first 10 sack season, while Jay Cutler has been off and on during his first full season as a starting QB. Both teams have been fairly Jekyll and Hyde, but the Broncos seem to have a more complete team, so I'll go with the
Broncos to beat the spread.
Bait says: Gator who cares about this game, I mean really? The Texans and the Bronco fans? The Texans are giving up 1 point at home and have a mathematical, if not realistic chance at making it to the post season, well if you want it, go earn it.
Texans Cover. 
vs. 
Playoff implications: None Gator says:So during the week after the Heisman trophy ceremony, the Niners decide to take a shot with Chris Weinke. The Bengals season has been about as disappointing as possible and they are 8.5 point favorites? ON THE ROAD?
Niners to beat the spread Bait says: Who-Dey gonna' care who win dis game?
Go with the Bengals at least they still have a quarterback.
vs. 
Playoff implications: 
Gator says:The Jaguars typically play the Steelers pretty tough and they normally play the best teams extremely tough. Steelers have also done very good against the better teams, but have struggled against the good teams, so I'll go against the Steelers again to pick the
Jaguars to beat the spread Bait says: Here are two teams that unless the wheels fall completely off are pretty set to appear in the post season, and of the two the Jags have a history of losing a wheel. Look for Pittsburgh to want this one more.
Take the Steelers. 
vs. 
Playoff implications: (can still improve their seeding) Gator says: One crappy team losing their coach vs. one good team. This is easy money.
Bucs to beat whatever the spread is Bait says: Bucs need to right the ship. Atlanta's ship has sunk. take the
Falcons to cover (even though the Bucs will win)
vs. 
Spread: -7 
Playoff implications: (can still improve their seeding) Gator says: Seattle really hasn't beaten anyone noteworthy, unfortunately for them Carolina isn't noteworthy either. Panthers to beat the spread
Bait says: Seattle is on a roll, Carolina is a cream puff, which is a type of a roll...you do the math, then take the Seahawks.
vs. 
Spread: -9.5 
Playoff implications: (mathematically they could still improve their seeding) Gator says: This should actually be much closer than people expect, especially if Bulger ends up making the start. If Brock Berlin has to start again it could get very ugly.
Rams beat the spread Bait says: This could be a let down game for the Pack, mathematically they could improve but its a long shot. The Rams on the other hand are slowly getting healthier, albiet, too late...I think the Pack will eeek this one out but
the Rams will cover the spread trying to be the spoiler (sort of)
vs. 
Spread: -3.5 
Playoff implications: None Gator says: The quest for the "perfect season" will continue for Miami.
Ravens easily cover the 3.5 spread Bait says: Here it is gator, I want to make sure I get it right when I say,
"FINS WIN!" 
vs. 
Spread: -23.5 
<---not a typo Playoff implications: (control their own destiny) Gator says: Yeah, this one will be a blowout. I'm not sold on a 23.5 point blowout though.
Jets beat the spread Bait says: Banking on an assist from mother nature when I say, it WILL be closer than 23 points, take whoever it is and that many points...
Jets! 
vs. 
Spread: -3.5 
Playoff implications:
(the winner still has a playoff dream) Gator says: Both of these 2 teams are in the chase for the final playoff spot for the NFC and are only 1 game out. Both teams are banged up as Arizona's 2 elite WR's might/might not play and New Orleans 2 RB's won't play. I'll go with the
Cardinals to beat the spread Bait says: Chokes.....errr I mean Cards they are more banged up than the Saints,
take the Saints to have playoff aspirations after this week.
vs. 
Spread: -5.5 
Playoff implications:
(the winner still has a playoff dream) Gator says: If someone told you before the season that there would be big playoff implications in this game you would have laughed in their face. Cleveland and Buffalo are laughing back right now.
Browns cover Bait says: Weird and magical, somewhat frustrating season for both, take the
Browns to cover in this one
vs. 
Spread: -4 
Playoff implications: (fighting for a wildcard) Gator says: Arrowhead is always one of the toughest places to play as their fans are crazy, unfortunately for them they won't have much to cheer about with their Chiefs.
Tennessee to cover Bait says: Fisher is a hard nosed coach, one of the best in the league,
the Titans will beat the "Herminites" in this one
vs. 
Spread: -10.5 
Playoff implications: (Can solidfy, lock, or improve their seeding) Gator says: I agree with you that it will be a shootout. I really like what Fargas has been doing for the Raiders ever since he got the starters spot. He certainly hasn't been disappointing. I'll go with Fargas and the
Raiders to lose by 9 and beat the spread.
Bait says: The Colts will give up some points in this one, due to injuries the OLDEST starter on the defensive line is 26 this week....Bethea their best deep coverage safety is out for this one too...Fargas will run, and whoever will pass and the
Colts will win a shoot-out that will be right at 10 points one way or the other. Take the Colts, barely
. 
vs. 
Spread: -10 
Playoff implications: 
(both still fighting to make or improve their seeding) Gator says: Shawne Merriman needs to worry about getting to the QB and not getting himself lit up on blocks.
Lions to beat the spread Bait says: Just want to go on record as saying both of these squads can sabotage themselves at any time for any reason. Or no reason at all for that matter. So all things being equal, it is the Chargers turn for a self inflicted wound this week,
take the Lions and the points. 
vs. 
Spread: -10.5 
Playoff implications: (control their own destiny) Gator says: It's a rivalry game, so don't expect to see the Cowboys phone this one in, especially with a man named Terrell Owens on the sideline against his former team.
Cowboys cover Bait says: Dallas could be phoning this one in, and McNabb wants to prove something, although I feel he has nothing to prove, he sees it differently.
Take the Eagles to cause the Romoians to stumble
vs. 
Spread: -5.5 
Playoff implications:
(both still fighting to make or improve their seeding) Gator says: Skins dominated the first half in their first meeting and didn't show up for the 2nd half. Todd Collins looked sharp when he came in for Jason Campbell. If he can get any kind of protection I expect him to have another good week.
Skins beat the spread Bait says: Insert Coughlin choke job here, wait they are playing the Gibb chokinators? hmmm wow! tough choice they both cant lose right? thats what I thought, ok, then take
the Giants. 
vs. 
Spread: -10 
Playoff implications: (still working for the wildcard weekend) Gator says: Hey Bait, did you forget that it was against the Bears that AP almost ran for 224 yards and 3 TD's in his coming out party? I expect more of the same here.
Vikings cover Bait says: Is it just me or is this a ripe scenario for a Bears win? I mean come on, the Bears can "contain" the running of the best two back tandem and that would mean Trapezoid Jacksons arm would have to beat them....with a double digit spread I like the
toothless Bears to at least keep it closer than that.
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