Cashing In

Your "Bad Beat" for Saturday is on:

Alabama (plus 5 1/2) vs, Purdue.

A hearty consolation prize to any Richmond Spider backers as the small dog led by 9 at the break and folded up shop in the second half and got whacked in the end. Also anybody who played the under in Portland and Milwaukee needs a hug right about now thanks to some overtime sessions.

Your "Bad Beat" for the day comes from Alabama where the Crimson Tide jumped out to the huge 16 point lead in the second half over the number five team in the nation. All hope appeared to be snuffed out for Matt Painter's Boilermakers.

But then bam!

Chris Kramer set the tone with some amazing defense and Purdue rallied all the way back. Robbie Hummel went for 23 and 10 and the visitors led 73-65 with about 15 seconds to go. Alabama missed a dunk, Purdue grabbed the rebound and then the Tide did not foul.

What an unreal unreal comeback win for Purdue!!!!



Your winners for Sunday are on:

3* Cowboys (minus 3 1/2) vs. San Diego.

2* Bears (plus 4) vs. Green Bay.

A 1-1 small losing day as the 3* Indiana Hoosiers fell short but the 2* boys from Army covered by a point in the end.



This is one of my least favorite slates of the entire NFL season as I really do not see all that much value out there.

Yes I know all about how great Ladainian Tomlinson and the Chargers have been in the month of December and how pathetic the Cowboys have played this time of the year. Tony Romo has shriveled up at times when it counts most and Jerry Jones' squad certainly has been an underachieving team recently in the latter stages of the season.

With all of the above said I just think the worm is about to turn today. Philip Rivers and the Chargers have not lost in forever but they are going into a tough spot here as the small chalk. The Chargers are certainly an upper level team but I do not see them as elite and the road is always extremely difficult. Shawn Merriman is not the same guy as in the past and even with the recent resurgence LT is not as well.

I believe that the pokes are going to play some smash mouth football, finally and really get Marion Barber and Felix Jones along with Tashard Choice going.

This may not be a blowout but I do expect the boys from Big D to cover the game.



I don't know anybody on this planet who gives da Bears a chance here and that is exactly why I will back them. Jay Cutler has not been very good and Lovie Smith's team is in the midst of finishing up a very disappointing season. Matt Forte has not been the same guy as last season and without Brian Urlacher this team has had no leadership at all this season.

Green Bay meanwhile is rolling into Soldier Field winners of four in a row and are clearly the better of these two teams today. Aaron Rodgers is becoming a stud and the Pack are expected to just show up and get a fifth straight win with ease. After all the line has moved from 3 to 4 which is an immense line move as those two numbers are very very crucial.

It is never a bad call to back a home dog and especially when everybody and their brother seems to love the road chalk.

I don't know how the inferior Bears will get it done here but in typical NFL fashion I expect them to.