NFL Week 8: Yellow Jasmine

OK, I'll say it: this hole is porbably the most boring hole on the course. An uphill par 5 with one fairway bunker on the right and a blind shot to teh green which is well guarded by - mounds. Mounds! When you think par 5's at Augusta, you think Water. Rae's creek. The Sarazen bridge.

Here? You think of a big mound to the right of the green - which today's players, with their creativity and prowess, can handle very well.

This is a perfect hole for the players to catch their breath; eagles are extremely rare, and you won't be passed by the field if you par. Just don't make a big mistake and move on.

That's what this week is in the NFL - another "big" bye week, with 6 of the teams sitting out (including my second favorite team this year, the Kansas City Chiefs). There is one marquee game - the Packers-Vikings showdown - but this is so overhyped it's sad. It's like Tiger and Phil walking through #8 - in the 11th group off the tee. Yeah, it's big, but there's so much more going on out there (like the World Series, NBA, the big NY-23 Special Election.....)

It's a boring hole representing a boring NFL week. It was hard for me to remember any 8th holes that are par 5's and fit this bill. The only one I could think of is the 8th at Moraine CC in Dayton, which of course probably none of you have played. It's a downhill, open, 580 yard par 5 that is devoid of any distinguishing characteristics. It's a space filler to get you from the 7th green to the 9th tee.

It's 4 in the morning. I can't do much better than that right now. On to the games:

Bal 27, Den 17. This should be an interesting game; I have to believe the Ravens will come out ready to play for this one.

Chi 28, Cle 10. Ugh.

Hou 24, Buf 16 The Ryan Fitzpatrick tour for the Bills has got to come to an end, right? And it's Houston's turn for a good week.

Ind 33, SF 16. Really - who can stop the Colts right now? Anyone?

Mia 24, NYJ 21 The Dolphins will force Sanchez to try to beat them - and he can't. That's how the saints won last week against Miami - through the air; the Jets don't have the passing game righ tnow to do that. They are very one-dimensional. Miami will take advantage and sweep the series.

StL 27, Det 26. I just can't believe the love the Lions are getting. They still are a 1 win team, you know. People see the Lions as one of the "better" bad teams in teh league. They still have no defense - and the Rams have weapons. I'm calling the upset.

Dal 28, Sea 20. Two teams I have no handle on.

NYG 27, Phi 20. I just don't think the Eagles are that good. I mean, they are good - but not at a high level. And the Giants will be pissed.

SD 27, Oak 10. I don't trust the Chargers to cover this large spread here.

Jax 23, Ten 13. Vince Young returns! please form a line if you are picking him up for your fantasy team.......

Min 28, GB 24. Just a hunch here. Allen vs the Packers' young offensive line, take 2.

Az 27, Car 10. Wow - I do not fathom how the panthers are this awful.

NO 31, Atl 26. Atlanta is a good team. They won't be embarrassed for a second straight week - especially not on Monday night.

Best bets: 12 of them. Bad week last week: 5-8-1; overall: 44-44-1

Bal -3.5
Hou -3

Ind -13

Mia +3.5

StL +4

StL/Det over 43.5

NYG -1

Jax +3

Jax/Ten under 44.5

Min +3

Az -10

Atl +11