NFL Week 6: Hong Kong Cuisine

I have to admit, I have not had too much experience with true Hong Kong food. Whenever we get there, it's an escape from the life in China - so we head to the 24-hour breakfast diner to have pancakes and eggs, the Mexican restaurant for Vanilla Margaritas (cue Dan Hicks: "Expect anything different??" - ed), the Italian restaurant right next to our hotel, or the English fish and chips places on Stanley on the other side of the island.

It's rare that we walk the street trying to find food - but that's the situation we found ourselves in in February, when Freddie and I went to Hong Kong for his birthday. The father of his best friend from Cincinnati is a pilot for Northwest, and the dad and Freddie's friend came in for a quick 3 day weekend. It was wonderful, and a great treat for the four of us to run around Hong Kong - and to see the city through the eyes of 10 year olds.

Most of our meals were Western-based; Freddie's dinner the next night for his birthday was at the Italian restaurant above (where his poor friend couldn't keep his eyes open due to the jet lag), and the next night dinner was at Dan Ryan's Steakhouse, where I told Freddie: "You will get the Petit Filet Mignon and you will LIKE IT!"

However, when the plane landed, we got to the hotel, and it was 9 pm; Freddie was wide awake and excited to see his friend, so all of us went out walking the streets in search of.....nothing in particular.

And then we found a street stand that was selling fried foods. These 14 inch fried bread sticks caught our eye - "ooooooh, we must have them".

They didn't even need sugar. It was pure fried, airy dough for $7 HKD - less than $1 USD. Yes, it was leaking grease while we were eating - but no matter. It filled a need and seemed like comfort food for all of us - even though it was 100% Hong Kong.

God, I hope the Bengals are like the fried dough sticks for us. We need a win. We have been playing tough and hard over the past 5 weeks - with nothing to show for it. Yes, we are young, and yes, that means we will do dumb things (although shouldn't a coaching staff take care of that???). But we have been in every game (for the most part). However, if we don't get a win soon, I feel things will start to implode here. It's been 11 games since a win. 11.........and that win was a 14-10 ugly one vs. Jacksonville last year. We need the fried dough---- a satisfying win. Today. 28-20, Browns.

On to the games:

Atl 31, Oak 17. I know, too easy. But Oakland can not play on the road - and Atlanta has a decent defense.

Dal 23, Bal 21. Just a hunch here. Dallas off a bye, and they should be able to move the ball vs. the Ravens. The question is how many turnovers will Romo have?

Mia 24, StL 13. Bradford was horrible at home against the Cards last game. I don't see them competing well on the road.

NYJ 30, Ind 20. Indy is off a very emotional game (with their coach issues), and the Jets showed last week they can move the ball a bit.

Phi 21, Det 20. Which to pick? The offense that self destructs, or the defense that can't stop anyone? The offense that can only pass, or the D that can stop the pass?

TB 16, KC 13. Brady Quinn 2.0 begins! I didn't realize the Chiefs had Brian Daboll as well. Good luck with that!

Az 20, Buf 19. I think we need to discuss how good Arizona truly is. And the Bills can't throw three stink bombs in a row, can they?

NE 24, Sea 17. Yes, yes, a sucker pick. I just don't see Seattle being able to score if needed to keep up with the Pats.

Was 27, Min 20. Even with the status of RG3....Minnesota has not been tested on the road.

SF 31, NYG 27. How much revenge is on the Giants' mind?

Hou 30, GB 21. Green Bay has been a bit off, and this place - a rockin' Sunday Night crowd against a good D- is not the place to get better.

Den 24, SD 17. If not for the fumbles last week, the Broncos would have been in the game vs. the Pats.

Best bets: 14 of them. Last week: 8-6; total: 43-32-3.

Atl -9 1/2
Dal +3
Mia -5
NYJ -3
Ind/NYJ over 44
Det/Phi under 47
TB/KC under 40 1/2
Buf +4
NE -3 1/2
Was pk
NYG +7
NYG/SF over 46
Hou -3 1/2
Den pk
Den/SD under 48 1/2

Supercontest picks: last week: 4-1. Overall: 16-8-1
Mia -3 1/2
Dal +3 1/2
NYJ -3
Hou -3 1/2
Den +1 1/2