NFL Week 7: Singapore

Hello from somewhere over the Sea of Okhotsk! I hate these cross-pacific flights where I can’t sleep; it truly is sobering to find out exactly how long 14 hours is when you are trapped in a seat but can’t sleep to make the time pass faster.

Anyway, we are at Week 7 in the NFL season – and that brings us to Singapore! We went here two winters ago for a long weekend between Christmas and New Years – it was intended as a chance to get some Western culture as a break from China. And it worked!

First off, the highlight of the trip was the hotel. As a stockholder in LVS (72 and rising!), I wanted to see the Marina Bay Sands in person. It did not disappoint! The hotel room itself was nothing special, but the rooftop pool on the 57^th floor was spectacular. Every day- in the afternoon at first, and then in the morning (more on that later), we went up there. Palm trees and a large, wide infinity pool greeted the guests. The kids had plenty of fun just sitting on the edge of the pool and looking out the sides into the city. They even had a kids’ infinity pool up there where Martin jumped in and out for an hour.

And yes, of course, the hotel had a casino. No craps when I was there, however. We played a lot of the Texas Hold Em bonus poker. An immaculate casino – modern design, clean, and fresh.

First of our tourist activities was to go to the science center and Snow City. The Science Center was good – nothing spectacular; we bought Martin a shirt that he is STILL too small for, but he wears it all the time. Snow City is an indoor sledding place; it’s a big barn with a hill inside made from artificial snow. The kids (and I!) were missing the snow and the cold – so we gave it a try.

Now, Singapore is 90 degrees year round. (Or, more correctly, it is 90 in the winter and 95 in the summer). They had a changing area before the entrance to the barn where you can rent the winter gear and change. It was quickly apparent that I had to think about the logistics here.

 What’s the plan to change clothes? Either:

-          You (the adult) putting on your snow pants, boots, and sweater, and then putting the clothes on the kids (while you swim in your own sweat, wearing all of that in 90 degrees?), or

-          Or you put all the kids stuff on first – and try to have them sit there in 90 degree temps, not move, while you change (and hope they don’t have to go to the bathroom)?

We chose option 2 – semi successful, with a moderate amount of whining. The whining came when Martin’s glove fell off 5 minutes into to – that was a 20 minute crying spree of “I can’t feel my hand! It’s too cold!”. Other than that, it was a big hit, and we hope to do it again soon.

 We explored downtown one of the days – it’s hard to describe where “downtown” is in a city-state of 25 square miles – and you can feel the European/British influence. I have never been to London – but my impression is that the city grid was set up by the English. Very orderly, financial buildings on each side of the street, regal names for the avenues (Victoria, Edward, …). It’s a different feel than Hong Kong – much more “Western” or “Civilized” than Hong Kong.

We did the big Ferris Wheel, we went to the night zoo, did a movie at one of the malls – and then realized – that’s it! That’s the country right there! Downtown is in the south part of the island, the zoo was in the way north, Snow City was on the Western Tip – bingo! Done!

One more word about the weather – you can set your watch to the afternoon storms that roll in. Every day – about 3:00 pm – the grey clouds would come and dump about 1/2 inch of rain on the city; it lasts for about 30-45 minutes, and it’s over. It was impressive to see this storm roll in from the rooftop pool at the Sands…..but we realized after that to do any outside activities in the morning.

Which is a good transition to Brandon Weeden. He’s like the Singapore rain squall that is coming – he may look good for a while, but the critical mistake is always out there, lurking – and it will happen. (Usually in the 4^th quarter). You can set your watch to it. We saw it in the Miami game, and then the Detroit game with the God-awful underhanded interception he threw. I did not see this live last weekend – not sure what I was watching or playing when this happened – but I can only shake my head when I was the highlights.

 Not sure how he is going to fare vs. the Green Bay defense, but I expect a close game, simply because our defense (and Joe Haden) should be able to hold GB in check. Maybe 20-27 points allowed? That would be a moral victory of sorts. It would be a stretch to think Weeden can lead the team to 20-27 points in GB.

On to the games:

Atl 20, TB 13. Who can figure out the Falcons? The injuries are taking a toll.

Car 27, StL 14. Just because you win a hole in match play because your 6 was better than your opponent’s 7, that doesn’t mean you are now a scratch golfer. The Rams are still bad.
 

Det 27, Cin 20. I just don’ t like this spot for Cincinnati – going to Detroit after two tough games.

SD 31, Jax 27. It would not surprise me to see Jax win this game. The Chargers defense got lucky as the Colts dropped many passes on Monday night.

Mia 23, Buf 17. I like Thad Lewis. There, I said it.

NE 22, NYJ 17.  It’s not that hard to see the Jets winning this game, is it? At home, against a Pats team with a hangover?

Dal 37, Phi 31. Philly has no defense; Dallas can only pass. Dallas has injuries in their secondary. Sounds like a fun shootout!

Was 24, Chi 20. Just a gut instinct. Chicago – I still maintain – is overrated. Their defense is not that good.

Ten 23, SF 19. The Titans have a solid team on both sides of the ball – and should be able to contain the Niners’ limited passing attack.

KC 19, Hou 16. If only I knew if Case Keenum can make less mistakes than Matt Schaub…….this will be a close game regardless.

Bal 20, Pit 13. Let’s not celebrate the Steelers just yet. They beat up a Jets team with a rookie quarterback off a bye. They still have issues all over the place.

Den 30, Ind 17. The only way Indy wins is by doing a ball control offense – to eat the clock. It won’t work.

NYG 27, Min 17. Eli vs Minnesota’s horrid pass D! Which will prevail?

Best bets: 15 of them. Last week: 11-4; overall: 46-42-2.

TB/Atl under 42.5

Car -7
Det -2
Jax +7 1/2
SD/Jax over 45.5
Dal +3
Dal/Phi over 54.5
Was +1
Ten +3 1/2
Hou +6 1/2
Bal +2 1/2
Bal/Pit under 41
Den -6 1/2


Den/Ind under 56.5
NYG -3
 

Supercontest: Last week : 4-1. Overall: 13-15-2

Car -6 1/2
Jax +7 1/2

Was -1

Ten +4

Bal +2