The Office 09.18.08: NFL Week 3

Posted by Ken Schmidt on 09.18.2008

The Sports Kid is back again to tell you who to gamble on as well as the update on who is out in front of the Office standings early. Do you need knowledge to win this office pool? Melissa Fox is out to prove the answer is no.

Back from the worst writing day of my life the Office is still in full swing. Monday was pretty much the worst day I've had at a professional standpoint. After putting out the worst column I've ever written in my life I got home that night to find a piece of paper in the mail from a literary magazine that I was sure would give me my first big break into the world of paying gigs as a writer. Sure enough, I just missed the cut and once again got the old thanks or no thanks which sent me off on a self and reader deprecating tirade. I am usually wound to tight. Than I remembered, there is always tomorrow and of course, there is always Sunday. Speaking of which have any readers made big money yet this season? Has anyone had a huge bet or fantasy sleeper pay off? I sure have, I told you to bank on DeShawn Jackson and man was I right. It feels good to be right. Speaking of one of the rare things I do well, let's get to talking about some gambling because I thrive on talking money.

Sports Kid Units

Last week we went a decent 6-10 in Sports Kid Unit but +2 isn't such a bad thing and add that my perfect week one and we are 16-20 so far this year for a solid 80% of our picks hitting. That is better than any gambling website and you can read me for free! Week 3 is a really tough week loaded with some giant spreads. There is nothing you hate to see more than a hot team like the Bills getting a 9-point line. You hate to see that because in one hand, you've got a world beater like the Bills playing at home. Than on the other hand we're looking at a weak offense GIVING 9 points away. That is a lot. We are going with two picks this week, a big pick and a gut feeling. Hopefully we get back on the winning track and keep up the winning ways.

Texans @ Titans

Ok now this is a game that I would put a lot of money on if it weren't for one thing. Remember in the wake of the Saints natural disaster in their backyard and they became the kings of the NFL even though once New Orleans got cleaned up they became a mediocre mess? Well I don't think that will happen to the Texans. Although most consider the Texans a playoff contender their week 1 performance fell short of contender, as a matter of fact it fell short of a good football team. I believe the Texans are not who we thought they were at the beginning of the season while the Titans have been the best looking team in football, they haven't struggled in either week, especially with Kerry Collins under center, they look like the real deal. They are also 2-0 ATS (against the spread learn that acronym) this season and if there is one thing I know about gambling it is ride the hot hand. That is why I am putting 6 Sports Kid Units on the Titans –5

Steelers @ Eagles

Ok so I may be a bit of a homer but this pick is another one where I see a lot of glaring signs that point me to the Birds and it's another 2-0 ATS team that I am sticking on the bandwagon of. The Eagles had a disappointing week in a game where they had their archrivals buried and McNabb made a terrible turnover and all of a sudden instead of 2-0 the Birds find themselves 1-1 and 0-1 against the NFC East. This is a statement game. Not only is it the Birds I have confidence in, it is also a good idea to ride against a team with an injured quarterback. With Big Ben hurt it is going to be Willie Parker getting the ball a whole lot and the Eagles big men have been doing a great job shutting down the run, barring two big Marion Barber carries. I know it is a bad idea to bet on your hometeam because your heart says it but I see a lot of things shifting in the Eagles favor so I am putting 4 Sports Kid Units on the Eagles –3.

The Office

Last week was brutal for most of us here at the office except for a few. My brother Dan came up with a good victory as he was two ahead of the second place members. Even with Dan Schmidt picking up the win Melissa Fox continues to DOMINANT the overall standings (I did that for you Wyatt). Let's get the standings, Dan's pick of the weeks, and what everyone else is thinking for week 3 of the NFL.

Standings

Melissa Fox 19-11
Debbie Schmidt 19-11
411 18-12
Sat 17-13
Charlie Von Plato 16-14
Dan Schmidt 16-14
Ken Schmidt 15-15
Rizz 15-15
Dan Owen 14-16
Dustin James 14-16
Sean Garmer 14-16
Shawn Lealos 13-17
John Curry 13-17

Dan Schmidt's Pick of the Week: Eagles (-3) at home vs steelers. Eagles are gonna be fired up to be back at home after that and Pittsburgh hasn't looked spectacular in beating Houston and Cleveland and they both suck. McNabb needs a big win.

For those who don't know the order of the list goes, me (the man) and than the rest of the Office in order of the standings, so basically, it's the top 7 of 13. Breaking into the top 7 for the first time now that he is 15-15 is my boy, the Rizz, who is already climbing out of a hole. Last year he dug himself a grave so deep he went .700 down the stretch just to be at 50%.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Game	Ken Schmidt	Melissa Fox	Debbie Schmidt	Sat	Charlie Von Plato	Dan Schmidt	Rizz
Chiefs @ Falcons (-5)
Raiders @ Bills (-9)
Texans @ Titans (-5)
Bengals @ Giants (-13.5)
Cardinals @ Redskins (-3)
Dolphins @ Patriots –12.5
Buccaneers @ Bears (-3)
Panthers @ Vikings (-3.5)
Rams @ Seahawks (-9.5)
Lions @ 49ers (-4)
Saints @ Broncos (5.5)
Jaguars @ Colts (-5.5)
Steelers @ Eagles (-3)
Browns @ Ravens (-2.5)
Cowboys @ Packers (+3)
Jets @ Chargers (-9)

Game	Dan Owen	Dustin James	Sean Garmer	Shawn Lealos	411
Chiefs @ Falcons (-5)
Raiders @ Bills (-9)
Texans @ Titans (-5)
Bengals @ Giants (-13.5)
Cardinals @ Redskins (-3)
Dolphins @ Patriots –12.5
Buccaneers @ Bears (-3)
Panthers @ Vikings (-3.5)
Rams @ Seahawks (-9.5)
Lions @ 49ers (-4)
Saints @ Broncos (5.5)
Jaguars @ Colts (-5.5)
Steelers @ Eagles (-3)
Browns @ Ravens (-2.5)
Cowboys @ Packers (+3)
Jets @ Chargers (-9)

Suicide

AND I'M OUT! The runner-up of last year's suicide, yours truly, fell at the hands of a O'Sullivan two minute drill and my suicide season is over. As a matter of fact, a lot of suicide pools around the world have seen a steep drop with a lot of ‘Super Bowl Contenders' starting 0-2, not to mention the Bears upset of the Colts in week 1. Here are last weeks picks followed by a write up for this week:

Ken Schmidt New England, Seattle
Debbie Schmidt Pittsburgh, NYG
Sat Arizona, NYG
Dustin James Philadelphia, NYG
Shawn Lealos New England, NYG
Dan Owen Baltimore, Tennessee
Dan Schmidt Jets, NYG
Charlie Von Plato Broncos, Seattle

The common theme was if you picked the Giants last week you are in, while this week everyone but Dan Owen used the Giants. Well Dan didn't want to be left out so he picks the Giants to beat the Bengals. For D.O. this is the third week in a row he's picked against the Bengals. The most popular picks this week was the Bills to handle the Raiders, something I can't disagree with and I think Debbie Schmidt will go another week defending her title and Dustin James should be right along side her with the Bills at home. Dan Schmidt is going with a surefire pick with the Patriots to beat the Dolphins at home, that won't be an issue and Sat is gambling a bit on the team that knocked me out last week, the Seahawks against the Rams (than again I'd take USC in my suicide over the Rams). The only pick I don't like this week is Shawn Lealos taking the Cowboys. There is going to be a better time to pick the Cowboys! On the road against the Packers might pay off but it is to big of a gamble, especially in a week with SO MANY BIG LINES!

Time to Punt

For those who care out there, and I am sure it is not many of you, 411 has a fantasy league this year that I have chosen not to do a write up for this year, I am sure you all disappointed. Perhaps that is my good luck charm, not bringing it to the readers attention, but I am 2-0 to start the season behind my team of amazing WR and my late round RBs who I love this season (Edge and Orange Julius Jones). For those who listened to the podcast and disagreed with how I picked my team (Dan Owen) just wanted to throw out there that I called it. I called Julius Jones (so far) and I called DeShawn Jackson. Woot woot. I take on Sat this week who is a 2-0 pretender so not only will I be 3-0 the next time I write the Office, but there will be one less unbeaten team. Sorry Sat, but I have to do it.