Finally! For the first time all season, I had a positive week. It would have been better, but that darn over/under killed me again!

• Atlanta 17 (-2), Miami 10 (40 O/U) [P: $8.47, S: $10.00, O/U: $9.62, T: $28.09]: Michael Vick can actually play quarterback! He had over 200 yards passing and got a TD. Not too bad, but Miami isn't all that good of a team really. They're struggling with the lack of a decent quarterback, and that's hurting their running game too.
• Carolina 34 (-1), Tampa Bay 14 (36.5 O/U) [P: ($10.00), S: ($10.00), O/U: ($10.00), T: ($30.00)]: Despite the fact that Greise isn't a great quarterback, losing him is really hurting the Bucs. With the focus being on Cadillac Williams, he's not performing like he was at the beginning of the season. I'm sure an injury and a huge workload doesn't help either! Carolina is slowly moving from a defensive team to having a decent offense. Steve Smith is a great receiver, and Stephen Davis can run. Delhomme is a serviceable quarterback - good enough to win, but doesn't try to do too much. He knows his limits.
• Chicago 20 (-3), New Orleans 17 (34 O/U) [P: $6.76, S: $0.00, O/U: ($10.00), T: ($3.24)]: This season especially, backup running backs have been important. They always are, but this year seems to be more so than usual. Thomas Jones went out in this one, and Benson was able to step in and take over. Save for Smith for New Orleans - he had a 100+ yard day, despite the loss. I didn't see this one, but looking at the stats, I'm sure it was ugly. Having watched Chicago play, I'm sure it was!
• Cincinnati 21 (-3), Baltimore 9 (36 O/U) [P: $7.04, S: $10.00, O/U: ($10.00), T: $7.04]: The "Jamal Lewis Bench Watch" has to be starting soon, right? He's been horrible this year. Of course, it doesn't help that no defense is scared of the passing threat that is Anthony Wright. Cincy continues to roll against the bottom tier of the league - they need to prove themselves soon against a top tier team.
• Detroit 14, Minnesota 27 (0) (37 O/U) [P: ($10.00), S: ($10.00), O/U: ($10.00), T: ($30.00)]: How can Detroit lose to a team who just lost their starting quarterback? Well, it's the Lions. They have many things in their arsenal that helps them lose. This week, it was Joey Harrington. If he can't learn to play QB the Right Way from Mariuchi, it's time for him to go.
• Houston 14, Jacksonville 21 (-13) (36.5 O/U) [P: $1.11, S: ($10.00), O/U: ($10.00), T: ($18.89)]: Houston's line is back to thier stellar play, giving up six sacks. They were doing better (2 the prior game), but apparently a defense like Jacksonville's is a little overwhelming to them. The Dom Capers Death Watch is back now.
• Oakland 23, Kansas City 27 (-4) (52 O/U) [P: $5.10, S: $0.00, O/U: $9.43, T: $14.54]: Gutsy, gutsy move by Vermiel, going for it at the end of the game. But really, if you can't rely on your offensive line to get enough push to gain one yard when you need them to, then you deserve to lose. There's nothing like a call like this to show your team that you have confidence in them, and that confidence will prove valuable down the line. It looks like Holmes may be out for a bit, and they won't miss a beat with Larry Johnson in there. Again, a backup making a difference. Oakland, like I said, is fun to watch, but not quite there. Everyone's heard the T.O. stuff by now, and one of the destinations mentioned for him next year is Oakland. Are there enough balls to go around for Moss and Owens? Nope, which is why I hope it happens. It'd be fun to watch!
• San Diego 31 (-6), New York Jets 26 (41 O/U) [P: $3.92, S: ($10.00), O/U: $9.01, T: $2.93]: I think it's time for L.T. to expand his game and start kicking field goals. If he did so, he could have scored every point for the Chargers this week. By the way, he's got more TD passes this season than a handful of starting quarterbacks on opening day. He's 3-3 for 3 TDs. Not bad. The Jets - well, I'm surprised they were as close as they were. Without Pennington, their passing game is bad, and teams can just come into the box and focus on stopping Martin. He needs some support!
• Tennessee 14, Cleveland 20 (-3) (38.5 O/U) [P: $6.90, S: $10.00, O/U: $9.43, T: $26.33]: In the "who cares" category, the Browns get a win. Still, neither of these teams are going anywhere. Their only hope is to spoil the season of a rival down the line.
• New York Giants 24 (-10.5), San Francisco 6 (42 O/U) [P: $1.82, S: $10.00, O/U: $10.00, T: $21.82]: Nothing special here. Just a solid win over a bad team.
• Seattle 33 (-4), Arizona 19 (44 O/U) [P: $5.62, S: $10.00, O/U: ($10.00), T: $5.62]: If Kurt Warner was more accurate, he'd be dangerous - he had 330+ yards, but he had 3 picks. That hurts your team more than it helps. Of course, a running game would help too. Maybe something like the Seahawks - where Alexander had 170+ yards and two scores. Now that's how you do it!
• Pittsburgh 20 (-3.5), Green Bay 10 (39.5 O/U) [P: $5.62, S: $10.00, O/U: ($10.00), T: $5.62]: How bad are the Steelers missing Big Ben? You know things are bad when you're starting rejected Lion quarterbacks! Of course it's not as bad as losing to a team with a rejected Lion QB. By the way, Duce coming in and getting it done is yet another example of a backup running back having a big impact this year.
• Philadelphia 10, Washington 17 (-3) (40 O/U) [P: ($10.00), S: ($10.00), O/U: ($10.00), T: ($30.00)]: No T.O. - supposedly for the year, but we'll see. Owens is showing himself to be a spoiled brat, and is (in my mind) destined to be the NFLs version of a consultant. He'll go to the highest bidder for one year, help the team get as far as possible, and move on after the season's over. He'll make a good living as long as the injury bug stays away.
• Indianapolis 40 (-3.5), New England 21 (47.5 O/U) [P: $5.35, S: $10.00, O/U: $9.80, T: $25.15]: Fear the Colts this year. Manning gets over hurdles every year, and this year was his opportunity to win in Boston, which he did. If things go right, he won't be back this year, even if they were to meet in the playoffs. The emotional high of getting Bruschi back took a hit, but you had to expect that against a Colts team that is just dominant this year.

Results Summary

• Picks (this week): 11 - 3 (78.57%) - Winnings: $27.71: Wow. I did good this week! This is one of the best I've ever had (the best was 13-3 in 2003).
• Picks (season): 78 - 52 (60.00%) - Winnings: ($86.86): I'm working my way back to black. Still a couple of weeks to go, but I did get my percentage back up to 60 - now it's time to push for 65%
• Spread (this week): 7 - 5 (58.33%) - Winnings: $20.00: Two pushes this week - if those teams could have scored just one more point, I'd be up by $40 this week. Maybe next week!
• Spread (season): 54 - 73 (42.52%) - Winnings: ($190.00): Still down big, but the bleeding has stopped.
• Over/Under (this week): 6 - 8 (42.86%) - Winnings: ($22.70): Over/Under kills me again. I would have been up by almost $50 without over under.
• Over/Under (season): 60 - 68 (46.88%) - Winnings: ($112.19): The bleeding is still happening here!
• Total Weekly Winnings: $25.00: This is my first positive week. I should celebrate by taking my fake money and buying a fake dinner.
• Total Overall Winnings: ($389.04): Overall, I'm way down, but over the past few weeks, it's been slowing down.

I'll be back on Thursday with some picks!