I think the weekend's hopes will hinge on the outcome of these propositional bets. These are provided for entertainment purposes only, unless you'd like to gamble illegally on them, in which case they are provided for that purpose. I'll be dropping some coin with my couch-mates before kickoff, and you could improve the quality of your weekend life by doing the same.
Patriots Coach Bill Belichik meets Dolphin emperor Bill Parcells in one of the best games of the weekend, and Belichik's brain is perhaps the most compelling thing to consider. On September 21, Miami unveiled the Wildcat formation against New England, and the Pats were carved up for 119 yards and 4 touchdowns on 6 plays. Now, after weeks of wildcat usage against the rest of the league, how much will Belichik be tested?
Total number of plays the Dolphins run out of the Wildcat against New England: O/U: 6
Give me the over...with continuous variations and endless possibilities, Miami continues to trot it out; it's a part of their identity.
How effective will that Wildcat be? Has Belichik figured it out?
Total number of Dolphins yards gained on plays from that formation: O/U: 50
Give me the under...the Pats can learn from what the Baltimore Ravens did in changing up the 3-4 scheme to deal with it; Belichik will not be embarrassed again. Patriots win.
There are several other great games in the league, including the Panthers in Atlanta. Atlanta's Michael Turner is 3rd in the league with 971 yards, and Carolina's running game has exploded, behind the great duo of Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams. The Panthers passing game has been brutal in the meantime though, as Jake Delhomme has completed a total of 17 passes in the last 2 games. My impressive math skills average that out to 8.5 per game, and that ain't gonna cut it.
Total number of passes completed for Carolina in Atlanta: O/U: 13
Give me the over, and a continued return to reality for the once division leading Falcons.
The Ravens run defense got embarrassed against the Giants last week, giving up 207 yards. It was the first time the Baltimore D gave up 200+ yards on defense since 1997. The Eagles are a nice panacea for that though, with their running game ranking 9th worst in all of football. Andy Reid is allergic to running the ball.
Total number of Eagles running yards against an angry Baltimore D: O/U: 70
Give me the under. Maybe the better question is what Donovan McNabb will embarrass himself by admitting he does not know...my money's on the tuck rule.
The undefeated Titans go for win #11 against the explosive Jets. Teams have shut down the Tennessee running game the last 2 weeks, but Kerry Collins has stepped up with back-to-back 100+ QB rating performances. He's never, in his long career, had 3 games of 100+ QB rating in a row. He'll surely be tested again and again the rest of the way...has he found some sort of newfound consistency?
Kerry Collins QB rating against the Jets in Nashville: O/U: 90
Give me the over. Collins will respond again, in another win, to perhaps officially enter his name into the MVP discussion.
The New York Giants were the recipients of the Team of The Moment on Wednesday, so you know I think they're the best in the game. The pass defense has been an oft-overlooked part of the equation, with their young and physical secondary holding opponents to 174 yards per game, 2nd best in the league. Now they get a fabulous test, at least for us fans, in Phoenix against the Cardinals' Kurt Warner and the best receivers in football. Warner may deliver a turnover or three, but you know he'll keep gunning.
Total number of passing yards for Arizona against the Giants: O/U: 300
Give me the over, as Warner will not be contained. The Cardinals pull the upset, in the NFC Championship game preview.
In the NBA, Greg Oden is playing, and hasn't been hurt all week long...awesome. I root for the guy to be healthy, because he's likeable, and because I want to see how good he might be. Saturday night, we get a match up that would be more fun if it were 4 years ago, but is still pretty damn cool - Oden vs. Shaq.
Total number of Greg Oden points and rebounds vs. Phoenix on Saturday: O/U: 15 and 10
Give me the under. Shaq is moving surprisingly well, and he'll be motivated to push the still gimpy Oden around with all his brawn. Love it.
Your little sister is losing her mind this weekend, with the arrival of a teen vampire movie to steal her heart. She's psyched beyond words about Twilight, and she won't shut up about the dreamy bloodsucker dude, some jamoke named Robert Pattinson. He will suck her allowance dry, if nothing else. This movie is going to be massive.
Total number of millions in ticket sales for Twilight: O/U: 70.4
That's the Quantum of Solace number from last week...and I'll take the over. Your sister's gonna go twice. Between that and the cartoon dog thing called Bolt, avoid movie theaters like the plague this weekend people...the shorties will run the place.
Agree with these? Got some of your own? Email mattyspiegs@yahoo.com.