NFL Week 6: Dog the Bounty Hunter

We did it! A division win! I can't believe we went two full years without a division win. That's just pathetic. There were years where I would realistically hope for a 3-3 or 2-4 record in the division - and get it. Now? A win against the Ravens is a reason to have a big celebration. (And I think the Ravens are pretty damn good!). We must have gotten serious and hired someone to go search out and capture our first win …. someone like....a Bounty Hunter!

Show: Dog the Bounty Hunter

Network: A&E

Times: Weekdays, 8-10 am 

Main Characters: Dog, Beth, Leland, Tim, Duane, Baby Lyssa

This is a show that has filled a lot of my mornings in the spring and summer. A&E had this on as a staple starting at 8 am every weekday. I'd get Martin on the bus at 8:05 and relax in the recliner with my coffee and watch Dog until I had enough energy to get back out of my chair and take a shower. (When I had the IV attached, I didn't need a shower, so I could watch uninterrupted episodes!)

Dog started on A&E in 2004 and lasted 8 seasons. Most of you probably know the story of Dog; Dog was convicted of murder in the 70s and went to jail in Texas; he was a model prisoner (turned his life around) and actually assisted in capturing a possible escapee in an escape attempt at the prison. He was paroled in 1979 and started his own Bounty Hunting company - trying to capture those people who have skipped bail/court appearances.

Not sure how he ended up in Hawaii -but he did - and had a successful company when the reality series "Take this Job" came a-calling. That show profiled those in odd/interesting jobs, and one episode profiled Dog. He was so popular that the network decided to spin it off and start another show starring Dog - and the show was born.

Dog runs the place with his wife Beth, brother, two eldest sons and his eldest daughter. He's had 3 marriages (I think) so not sure who is the mother for all the kids. There are other small kids running around that Dog had with Beth - some episodes center on those kids - I usually turn on Match Game for those episodes.

The 30 minute show is formulaic; we are introduced to the fugitive; he usually is a "bad guy" or "dangerous dude". About 15 minutes in, there's a close call at the Honolulu 7-11 or K Mart where they just miss him; then they finally capture him (with some assistance from the fugitive's snitching friends) and Dog drives him to the sheriff's station. The fugitive is always offered a cigarette in the car and Beth tries to get him/her to turn around their life and find God.

The show ended in 2012 and unfortunately now Beth has throat cancer so Dog and the family are supporting her in her struggle.

Let's continue the hunt for wins and for ugly game-winning field goals this week against the Chargers! This game should show off two of the all-time worst special team units. Over/under for missed field goals in the game? 3.5?

On to the games:

Atl 34, TB 27.  I can't help myself here in falling for the Falcons. I don't trust Jameis in his first start back, even after the bye.

Pit 26, Cin 23. I except an el-foldo from the Bengals again in the 4th quarter when playing the Steelers.

Hou 24, Buf 10. I do not see how Buffalo scores any points here, absent turnovers. Hou will shut down McCoy and I am supposed to believe that Allen will get 14-17 points? no.

Mia 23, Chi 13. Quiet - Mia has a pretty good defense. I don't trust Trubisky on the road - yet. Should be a low scoring game.

Min 24, Az 13. Another low scoring game here. Arizona has a good defense and Minny is turning into a one-dimensional team, which is dangerous.

Ind 23, NYJ 20. Just a hunch here. I'm impressed that the Colts can move the ball even with zero receivers; the Colts D is good enough to limit the Jets' run game.

Sea 28, Oak 26. Both of these defenses are trash. I expect a shootout here, and both teams have he weapons to do that. this game is in London, so of course it will probably be a 9-6 game.

Was 27, Car 20. Another defense I don't respect - Carolina. Alex Smith is a perfect opponent for this defense and will dink and dunk his way to scores. I'm worried about McCaffrey vs. the Wash run D.

Den 24, LAR 23. Should be snow in Denver today. Love the matchup of the #1 Den run offense vs. the weak Rams run D. Can Den slow down Goff at all???

Jax 20, Dal 17. Dal will be able to stop the Jags run game - so the Jags will have to win with Bortles passing on the road? Yikes. But the Cowboys can't move the ball.

Bal 23, Ten 17. Tennessee has yet to score over 20 in any game, and that will continue here. I think Baltimore can get to 23.

NE 27, KC 20. Belichick special. He will take the air out of the ball(ha ha! I'm so funny) and eat clock. He'll figure out something to slow down Mahomes just enough.

GB 31, SF 20. Ugh. So disappointed in the Niners last week - they can move the ball, and the Pack D is weak. But Rodgers at home Monday night?

Best bets: 13 of them. Last week: 5-7-1; overall: 33-36-2.
Atl -3
Pit +1.5
Hou -10
Buf/Hou under 40
Mia +4
Az/Min under 44
Ind +2.5
Sea/Oak over 48.5
Was +1
Den +7
Bal -2.5
NE -3.5
KC/NE under 60 (60!!!!! 60!!!!! anyone ever seen that???)

Supercontest picks: Last week: 2-2-1; overall: 13-10-2
Hou -9.5
Mia +3
Ind +2.5
Was -1
Den +6.5