Your Favorite Uncle’s NFL Week Two Picks Against the Spread

Under the most poignant moment in NFL history (see photo), your Uncle Spleefy will break down the games for you and make the hard choices that each week provides.

My advice to you? Bet hard and bet often. Call DiTech, refi that humble abode of yours, and let’s turn it into a castle. We can do this…Got a hunch? Bet a bunch!

Last week I went 10-6. You’ll have to trust me on that because I hadn’t started this gig as of yet, but I did in fact go 10-6. A great accomplishment? Yeah, but not really.

Vegas likes to set the spreads a little easier the first week so people get reeled in, letting them think it’s child play and then as the season goes on they start betting heavy. Which of course is my advice to you as well. Bah bah bah bet? Yes yes yes yes!

There really is no better way to test your NFL knowledge than to try to beat Vegas. These guys don’t give money away, so if you come out +50 percent, you’re really doing something. It would really be something to establish a +75 percent, but that’s dreaming.

If a guy could do that, he’d sell everything and move to the desert. Which of course, is exactly what I recommend to you, dear reader…

With no further fluff, here’s your unk’s picks with short reasoning…

ATL cover CAR (-6.5)

Home game for Atlanta; Jake Delhomme has 11 turnovers in his last 51 attempts. Can Carolina afford to keep him in the game, much less pay that crazy contract they gave him after single-handedly throwing all post season aspirations out the window last year? My only trepidation is why is this line only 6.5?

When that happens, Vegas knows something and they are suckering you in. I’m going to bite on this, however. I see Jake getting benched after turnover three and AJ Feel-me mopping up the loss. Give the points, take the home team.

MIN cover DET (-10)

Ten points is a big spread against a divisional rival at their home. More times than not you are going to take the points and usually walk away with the money. However, Stafford’s a rook, Kevin Smith ran for only 20 yards last week against a weak defense, and the Vikings are going to run, run and run for TDs.

The last two games were nail biters against Detroit, but the Vikings won’t let that happen this year. Give the points, take Minny.

CIN cover GB (+9)

Going against the reasoning in the Minnesota game, the points are too great in this one. The Bengals have a very good defense, their offense is used to the 3-4, and they have two dynamic WRs in Ocho and Henry.

If Palmer can stay upright, and his two WRs stop dropping balls, the Bengals have a good chance at winning, no less covering. Take the points, watch your friends call you a lunatic. Cash in Monday.

TEN cover HOU (-6.5)

This is another classic case of Vegas begging you to take the points. Do they know something? They might. The line started -7 and dropped a half point Wednesday. The Titans by all means should crush Houston Sunday. They played very well against the Steelers, and Houston was embarrassed and beaten hard by the Jets.

Why this wouldn’t be more like a -10 spread is what has me worried. But I’ve never understood why the Texans are getting as much positive press as they have lately. I really don’t like Schaub, and their defense is less than spotty. I’m calling Vegas on this sucker bet and taking it.

It’s the case where they’re making it easy so the bettors gain confidence. Give the points, take the Titans.

OAK cover KC (+3)

I can’t believe I’m saying this, but the Seymour trade looks like it might be a good idea. While they’ll have to give him a contract extension, at least they know what they’re getting. Signing another top ten pick that should have been a fourth-rounder to $40 million has got to be killing Al Davis.

Give it to a proven vet, because you obviously can’t draft with the rest of the league. I get it, I like it…for the Raiders this year anyway. In addition, Russell looked good in spots last Monday. McFadden might just pan out. They don’t need Heyward-Bey this year, which is a good thing. Take the points, pick Oakland.

NYJ cover NE (+3.5)

I ought to have my head examined for this one. I just have a gut feeling. I like the Junior Ryan’s mouthy approach to this, and I think the Pats are licking their wounds from last Monday. They were absolutely lucky to get that win, and a more disciplined team takes it from them.

I see that team in the Jets. Plus, you get 3.5 points for the home team. Of course, the Pats could always go off to shut the Jets mouths up for this past week. Nah, take the points, take the Jets.

PHI cover NO (pick)

New Orleans is not playing the Detroit defense this week. I also am not a fan of their own defense. I liked the offseason additions of Vilma and Greer, but Sharper is way past his prime. Payton has had Reid’s number the last few years, which is a little unnerving, but it’s at Philly.

Even if Kolb does start, I like the Eagles D to trim the offensive production and swarm Brees.  Everyone is taking the Saints based on McNabb’s injury, but I’m picking Philly’s D over the Saints O. A straight up winner here, I like the home team.

STL cover WAS (+10)

These are the picks I hate making. You know the Redskins are going to win, just not by how much. St Louis is just an awful team, one that makes you wonder how a franchise gets this bad this fast. My survivor pick, the Redskins, could very well cover this week, but I see them running the ball over the Rams.

They were right in courting other QBs. Campbell is not the answer. And unless you have Adrian Peterson on your team, you’re looking at a low-scoring, win by a touchdown/FG victory here. I usually will tell you to bet your wife’s car, but on this one take it easy. If you must, take the points, and take the Rams to cover.

JAC cover AZ (-3)

Hangover. 38-year-old QB with a bad hip on a passing team. Mighty Mite. Passes will stop deflecting off Fitzes’ hands soon enough, but Boldin is really hurt this time. His routes were sloppy and slow, and he should not be on the field this weekend. Give the points, take the home squad.

BUF cover TB (-5)

Another tight one; Buffalo is coming off a huge emotional letdown. Tampa is a very young team led by a capable Leftwich. In games like this I look for the better defense to prevail. I like where Buffalo is going and if they don’t let last week affect them this week, they’ll win going away.

Even though I’m not a fan of Jauron, or Wilson for that matter, give the points and take the home team.

SEA cover SF (+1.5)

Don’t get me wrong here, I like where Frisco is going with Singletary, even though he dropped his drawers last year in front of 75 grown men. San Fran is an unglamorous sleeper that is very underrated at this point. It’s just that Hasselbeck isn’t hurt yet.

The early reports that Houshmandzadeh was out seem to be wrong and looks like he’s going to suit up. Keep your eye on that right to the line. Take the points, pick the Seahags.

CHI cover PIT (+3)

Obvious = no Troy. Chicago is at home, and they’re coming off being embarrassed—wait, no—Cutler is coming off being embarrassed against the Pack. Even though Chi fans don’t like his attitude after the game, I do.

It’s the same kind of “oops, oh well” Eli Manning spouts off after making terrible decisions. But a bad memory is a good thing when you were that bad. I like Chicago for my upset special this weekend.

Take Chicago at home, and take the three.

DEN cover CLE (-3)

The home team usually automatically gets a three-point gimme, and that’s what this is here. A quick look at the QB situations for both teams, and you have to give the edge to Orton. At least he’s serviceable.

“Noodles” Quinn last week attempted no less than five downfield passes before the fourth quarter, and Mangina’s game plan was absolutely horrible. Give the points, take the home team.

BAL cover SD (+3)

I’m a little concerned about Baltimore’s defense. Maybe they’re feeling the loss of Rex Ryan. Letting KC score at all last week was a surprise to me. I’d tread lightly on this pick, and if you have to bet, bet low.

I know, I know, no balls.

OK, bet the f’n farm, big boy. San Diego played a late Monday night game, and I look for the Ravens to bounce back defensively. Take the points, take the visitors.

NYG cover DAL (+3)

If the Giants are going to live up to their NFC expectations, there is no time like the present. Going to the new Taj Mahal of stadiums in Big Texas, they need to get after Romo early and often. Romo is an incredible 8-1 in September, but not against this team. Take the points, take the Giants.

IND cover MIA (-3)

While I’ve been picking a lot of visiting teams this week, I think this one has merit. Miami isn’t as bad as last week, and the Colts aren’t as good as they were last year with their new coach. Manning will miss Gonzalez, but they just made a great move in getting Baskett, and of course they have Wayne. Take the visitors and give the points.

Now remember, these are FOOL-PROOF PICKS. You CAN’T LOSE. Mortgage, sell, liquidate, raise that cash and get on the horn.

Run, don’t walk.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

A Look at Minnesota’s Football Ownership and Its Dedication To Success

The NFL’s 14th franchise, the Minnesota Vikings first had its roots in the AFL. The three businessmen’s attempts (Boyer, Winter and Skoglund) at bringing back professional football to the area since the Minneapolis Red Jackets were in town started with the trio being awarded a team in the upstart American Football League.

They forfeited that award 5 months later to take membership in the NFL. In turn they gave Ole Haugsrud a 10% share of the franchise to fulfill a promise the NFL made when he sold the Duluth Eskimoes back to the league in the 1920’s.

It was this ownership foundation that built the formidable defense “The Purple People Eaters”, which included Allen Page, Jim Marshall, and Carl Eller. The Viking’s front office rode this defensive line into the late 1970’s and appeared in 4 Superbowls.

The 1980’s saw Max Winter step down as team president, and pass the torch to Wheelock Whitney. The Board of Directors expanded to include Jaye Dyer (a close, personal friend of mine), Irwin Jacobs, Carl Pohlad, John Skoglund, Jack Steele, Mike Lynn, Sheldon Kaplan, and in 1989 Gerald Schwalbach replaced Max Winter.

It were these 9 board members that made the fateful decision to trade for Herschel Walker. Quite possibly the worst trade in professional sports in retrospect, it must be mentioned because it was a faithful attempt at the time. The Vikings were seen as being one great player away from contending for another Super Bowl berth, and they  handed over the future of the organization’s next 3 years of draft picks.

In 1991, the Board would see another shake up and expand its membership to 10. Roger Headrick became team president, and Dennis Green from Stanford was hired as head coach.

It was said that Denny Green spent all his money on offense, and wasted the rest on defense in his 10 seasons with Minnesota.

With pressure from the NFL to have a majority owner, the Board of Directors sold their shares to San Antonio’s used car dealer Red McCombs.

McCombs is viewed in Minnesota as stripping the coaching staff to the bare minimum, and scrimping on his franchise to save money, even refusing to maintain the Viking’s ship outside Winter Park.

In his early tenure however, Red paid Randy Moss the highest contract offered to a wide receiver, and made Daunte Culpepper the richest QB in the game at that time. 1998 was the most dynamic Vikings offense to take the field in franchise history with Cunningham, rookie Randy Moss, Chris Carter, Robert Smith and Jake Reed. That offense was responsible for scoring a then record 556 points in the regular season.

After several unsuccesful attempts at having a stadium built for him by the Minnesota voters, it was then that Red started stripping the team of its coaching staff and failing to maintain franchise structures.

While Dennis Green was busy paying for an abortion and writing a book about a hostile take over, Red would show up at training camp wearing a purple ten gallon hat and proclaim “Purple Pride”.

This was all while the fan base was being held hostage with repeated threats of moving the team to its owner’s home town, San Antonio.

The fanbase and perhaps the team’s players had grown tired of Dennis Green, and his contract was bought out. In almost a slap in the fan’s faces, Red appointed the team’s tight ends coach Mike Tice as the next headcoach. Mike was given the lowest head coaching salary in the league. Red would keep the Vikings perennially $30 million under the salary cap in his waning ownership years.

Thankfully for Minnesota and followers of the franchise, Red mercifully sold the Vikings to a group headed by Zygmunt Wilf. It was immediately clear to all, Zygi and his brother Mark would make any financial investment for the team to be competitive on the field. Mark and Zygi fired Mike Tice immediately after the 2005 season and expanded the coaching staff to a modern day professional level.

Many hurdles needed to be overcome, mainly stemming from the previous regime’s draft day and trade blunders. Before Zygi could take control, Red stuck it to the state one last time by trading Randy Moss to Oakland for three used jock straps.

The team downgraded those jocks in the 2005 draft into the form of Troy Williamson, Erasmus James, Dustin Fox, and Marcus Johnson.

Staying true to his word, Mr. Wilf unleashed his pocketbook on the NFL’s free agent market, hiding the team’s inability to draft competently prior to his formation of the “Triangle of Authority”. The TOA included Brad Childress, Rick Spielman, and Fran Foley (who would later be unceremoniously replaced by Rob Brzezinski).

One of these free agents backfired on the team when Fred Smoot funded the “Love Boat” scandal. Overall however, the Vikings aggressive free agent signings have always focused on high profile players coming into their first year unrestricted free agent eligibility. The Vikings have rivaled the Washington Redskins and the Philadelphia Eagles in off-season spending since 2005.

Below is a list of current players on the Viking’s roster that were acquired via free agency. Oh and by the way, They’ve also done much better in the drafting department. Since hiring Childress and Spielman, draft picks include starters Chad Greenway, Cedric Griffin, Adrian Peterson, Sidney Rice, Tyrell Johnson, John Sullivan, Percy Harvin and Phil Loadholt.

Husain Abdullah 2008 Rookie FA
Jared Allen 2008 trade from K.C., 6 years $73 mil
Bernard Berrian 2008 FA from Bears 6 years $43 mil
Heath Farwell, 2005 Rookie FA, contract ext 2009 3 year $7.5 mil
Brett Favre, 2 year $24 mil
Eric Frampton signed off waivers from Detroit 2006
Erin Henderson rookie FA 2008
Anthony Herrera 2004 Rookie FA, contract extension 2007 5 years $13.75 mil
Artis Hicks traded from Philadelphia 2006
Steve Hutchinson signed the “poison pill” contract where the Vikings stole away the unquestioned NFL’s best OLG for a then record 7 year $43 million
Jimmy Kennedy resigned 2009
Chris Kluwe claimed off waivers from Seattle, signed to a 7 year $8.3 extension in 2007
Ben Leber signed a 5 year $20 million contract
Greg Lweis UFA (Patriots) 1 year contract undisclosed
Kory Lichtensteiger claimed off waivers 2009
Cullen Loeffler Rookie FA 2004
Ryan Longwell 5 years $10 mil from Green Bay
Jayme Mitchell Rookie FA 2006
Kenny Onatolu signed FA from CFL 2008
Karl Paymah 1 year $1.15, 2009 from the Broncos
Darius Reynaud Rookie FA 2008
Sage Rosenfels 3 year $9 mil 2009
Bennie Sapp FA from Chiefs 2007
Visanthe Shiancoe 5 year $18.7 million in 2007 UFA from Giants
Naufahu Tahi claimed off waviers from Bengals 2006
Chester Taylor 4 year $14 million 2006 from Baltimore
Madieu Williams 6 year $33 million 2008 from Bengals
Pat Williams signed from Buffalo in 2005 for $13 million and has since re-signed at a bargain rate $22 million through 2010
Antoine Winfield 5 year $36 mil in 2009, extending his original 6 year $34.6 mil where they sniped him from the Jets just before he signed his contract with him
Albert Young Rookie FA 2008

Zygmunt and Mark Wilf should be given their stadium in Minnesota based on their financial commitment to get a championship. There has been no other owner(s) in franchise history that has given so much to the state, in so little time.

The Wilf’s indeed should be the true heroes in Minnesota. When and if the Lombardi trophy gets hoisted in the air by Adrian Peterson, he should pass it to his employers and let them take share in the honors, because no one has made a bigger difference to the state of Minnesota and its love affair with professional football.

Read more NFL news on BleacherReport.com

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