NFL Week 10: Camelia

Well, this picture just warms the heart, doesn't it? This is where the course becomes familiar to many of us. From here on out, we know the holes, the history, the tradition behind the back 9 of the Masters.

At this point, the field of golfers where the winner will come from starts to get winnowed down. I still don't believe that "the tournament begins" here, but it does start to get defined.

No one remembers shots in the final round of the Masters from the front 9 - but the shots on the back 9 will live in infamy. There are plenty of good and bad memories of this hole:

- Crenshaw's putt in 1984
- Nicklaus's birdie to keep it going in 86

- Plenty of errant shots to the left - Norman always seems to spring to mind - that results in a bogey, at best

(and - by the way - Masters playoffs should always start on 10. None of this "go back to 18" crap. When you think playoff at Augusta, you always think #10. I wish they would go back to this....)

Likewise, the NFL season start to define itself and winnow down its opponents at this time. We've already found out that the Bears are not going to represent the NFC. The loser of the Jets/Jags game is probably out of the playoffs. Another Atlanta loss cripples their hopes. The loser of the Eagles/chargers game is in real trouble. Green Bay needs win, or else. So does Seattle. And - if the Bengals win this week, it's a franchise defining moment - like Crenshaw's putt in 84.

In many ways, the 10th hole defines the round for any golfer. I remember the 1986 State Qualifier, played at Rocky Point. Back then, I hit a 210 yards banana slice off the tee. I somehow birdied 6 and 7 to get to 2 under - 2 under!!!!! - in the state qualifier. A routine bogey on 8 and a par on 9 sent me to the 10th hole at 1 under.

My only thought on the entie walk from the 9th green to the 10th tee was: "Don't hit it in the bay. Don't hit it in the bay". The 10th hole was a longish par 4 that hugged the Chesapeake Bay, with the Bay all down the right side.

With my pulse racing, I teed off --- the ball started down the right hand side of the fairway....and kept going right. I think I made 7.

(However, I did eventually qualify for the State with a smooth 89.......which then led me to be escorted to the State Championship in a police car with 5 Dulaney assholes. But that's another story for another time.)

On to the picks:

Den 23, Was 16. I think the Skins are a cure for what ails any team in the NFC (The Browns are the elixir for AFC teams).

Ten 27, Buf 20. I think this will be a surprisingly entertaining game.

NO 34, StL 16. The Saints will want to have an easy game for once - get on top and stay ahead for a while. None of this comeback stuff this week.

Pit 27, Cin 17. I am already hearing Steelers' fans excuses for this game. "It's not fair we have to play them on a short week! Boo hoo!"

NYJ 24, Jax 13. I refuse to believe that the Jaguars are good enough to win this game.

Min 30, Det 17. The late pick-6 against Detroit killed me last week. This is the classic back door cover - Minnesota will be up 23-0 at half; Tavaris Jackson will come in, and the Lions will score lots of garbage points.

Mia 27, TB 13. Do you realize how many points the Packers GAVE the Bucs last week? The Bucs are no good. No good at all.

Car 27, Atl 20. I think the real 2009 Falcons have shown themselves over the last 2 games.

KC 20, Oak 17. May rival the Browns-Bills classic as "worst game of the year". However, we still have Browns-Raiders week 16 and Browns-Chiefs Week 15, so stay tuned! This award is not over yet!

Phi 24, SD 23. I give up on both these teams.

Dal 29, GB 17. The Packers are overrated.

Az 24, Sea 20. There's some desperation here for the Seahawks.

Ind 31, NE 24. Something just isn't right for the Patrioits this year. They are good, but not dominant. I think the Colts win by 7.

Bal 27, Cle 13. The nation will be subjected to wathcing the dreck I have to watch every week. I predict record high ratings for Leno on Modnay night.

Best bets: 13 of them. Last week: 4-12 (ugh). Overall: 55-61-2.

Den -3.5

Buf/Ten over 41

NO -13.5

Pit -7

NYJ -6.5

Det +16.5

Mia -10

Car +1.5

KC +2

Dal -3

Sea +8.5

Ind -2.5

NE/Ind over 48.5

7 favorites and only 4 dogs. I don't like that.