The 9th hole is where things start to get serious at the Masters. You start to settle in for the long haul - you get your bowl of radishes and the beer nearby - and when the leaders approach the 9th, that's the start of 3 hours where you don't move from the couch. It's the start of the stretch where you know the lay of the land for each hole - and where not to hit it.
For instance, who will leave it short on 9 and have it spin back off the false front? Who will be abvoe the hole and have a 60 foot putt where you aim 90 degrees away from the hole?
It's where the tournament starts to take shape. This is where Norman spun the ball off the green and made double to lose his lead in the 1996 Masters. It's where Nicklaus started his birdie barrage of 3 in a row in 86.
And - look at the games this week - this week is where the NFL season will start to really shape itself. Look at all the key games! Many games feature two contenders going head to head that will start to decide things. Mia-NE. Hou-Ind. Bal-Cin. SD-NYG. Dal-Phi. Pit-Den. We're starting to play important games here that will form the concrete memories of the 2009 season.
Talking about memories, one of the greatest golf lines ever was spoken on the 9th hole. Back in the late 90s, Steve, Kermit and I would meet in Columbus 5-6 times every spring and summer to meet up and play a round. One April day - it was cold and windy - we met at Bent Tree, just north of Columbus.
Steve and I were teammates - and we were playing Kermit and Ken ( I think). The weather being 45 degrees, Kermit was in hs customary T-shirt and shorts attire.
Anyway, we were playing our normal game - $2, 2-down auto presses - and a new bet started on the 9th hole. We get to the 9th, and I think Steve and I were both in with bogies.
Kermit had about a 9 footer left for par to win the hole and (at that time) a lot of money.
Steve and I tried to psych him out - "look out for that break! Mine broke left but Eric's broke right". Kermit would have none of it.
He rose from his crouch after reading the putt and said, loudly and clearly:
"This putt is as straight as my long, hard, erect dick".
There was no doubt in my mind that we lost at that moment. I think Kermit even putted it in left handed just for emphasis.
With that visual, the games for week 9:
GB 27, TB 10. I don't have a lot of faith in the Packers - with the young offensive line - but geesh, Tampa is horrid.
NE 31, Mia 16. I think this is a let down game for the Dolphins - and Belichick won't let the Pats forget last year.
Jax 20, KC 13. Yikes. How many people will show up for this one in Jacksonville?
Ind 34, Hou 17. It's time to go against the Texans again. And I think this is a statement game for the Colts - to make sure everyone know who's still boss in the AFC South.
Cin 27, Bal 24. I still have a lot of questions about Baltimore's pass defense. Palmer will be able to move the ball against them.
Az 23, Chi 16. Boy, for winning 30-6, the Bears were thoroughly unimpressive against us last week. And I have benched Forte for good.
Atl 24, Was 13. I keep being disappointed in the Falcons. Something tells me they should be better than they are.....but they aren't.
Sea 23, Det 20, OT. Just a wild hunch.
NO 27, Car 20. I think this is the real Carolina - they are not a bad team if Delhomme doesn't shoot them in the foot.
SF 27, Ten 13. Nope - not buying Vince against a decent 49ers team.
NYG 31, SD 20. I just can't see Norv coming to NY and beating a Tom Coughlin-coaached team that is angry and has lost 3 in a row.
Phi 26, Dal 17. I give up with the Cowboys. Going with my heart and sayign the Eagles' pressure will force too many mistakes by Romo.
Den 27, Pit 20. A high scoring game here, especially with Pittsburgh's offense. I think McDaniel will have them ready at home on Monday night. Just like next week, right? The home team will be ready to go next Monday night? Right? Right? Hello? Is this thing on?
Best bets: 16 of them this week. 7-5 last week; 51-49-2 overall.
GB -9.5
GB/TB under 43.5
NE -10.5
KC/Jax under 41.5
Ind -8.5
Cin +2.5
Bal/Cin over 44.5
Az +2.5
Det +10
Car +13
SF -4
NYG -4.5
Phi -2.5
Dal/Phi under 50
Den +2.5
Pit/Den over 40
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