The Office 09.26.08: NFL Week 4

Posted by Ken Schmidt on 09.26.2008

I worked on this column 4 more hours than Plaxico Burress will be working this work. All the important gambling tips for Week 4 inside.

The first three weeks of the NFL have really flown by, football season moves so damn quickly. I am looking forward to week 5 (especially because of all these tough spreads) when the Giants will play without Plaxico Burress (get Amani Toomer on your fantasy team if you can). He was suspended for not showing up to practice and Drew Rosenhouse had no trouble stepping into the spotlight (as always) when Plax did not offer much of an explanation. "Family matters," was all we got. Coming off a week three where Eagles center Jamaal Jackson's brother was tragically killed when hit by a drunk driver, I can understand family matters, but Jackson told the Eagles his brother was killed. As far as we know Plaxico Burress's family matters are his second cousin's rap album release party, I mean, if it was something as serious as the death of a family member shouldn't that information be given? And than, if it was something that serious you would NOT get suspended! I am not in the clubhouse or in Burress's head but from my point of view this looks like Plaxico is saying "I got my ring, I got my contract, I'm phoning it in."

Quote of the week: Mark Schlereth on the Mike and Mike Show: "How you guys doing?"
Mike Greenberg: "Better than Plaxico Burress because we have something to do the next 2 weeks."

Classic Greeney.

Sports Kid Units

Guess what Sports fans, the Sports Kid went 10 for 10 AGAIN last week so for those who aren't betting while the water is hot or picking against me, told you so. Even after hearing people in the comments tell me the Eagles was a dumb pick and that Big Ben wasn't hurt, I knew it would be a big bounce back for the Birds. This week is a whole lot tougher to pick because all the games I like are behind road teams, which is something I hate to do. Here are my next 10 units as I am 26-30 so far this season.

Eagles @ Bears

I am going to jump right back on the wagon of one of two teams in the NFL that are 3-0 against the spread so far this season. I know, I am giving a home team points and that is usually stupid but if Jim Johnson and the Eagles defense could absolutely confuse and destroy Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers than how is Kyle Orton going to fare? I see about three interceptions in the future and the Eagles pressure should keep the Bears under 17 points. Westbrook or no Westbrook I have 4 Sports Kid Units on the Eagles –3

Bills @ Rams

Really? Am I really going to take either the Rams or a road team giving away more than a touchdown? I am for one reason, Marc Bulger was not only NOT the problem but Trent Green hasn't won a game in a long time. I am expecting big things from Marshawn Lynch in this game (of course I'm against him in fantasy this week) and the Bills should control the ball enough to cover the spread with ease. 3 Sports Kid Unit of the Bills –8

Vikings @ Titans

Have I mentioned you should ride the hot hand? The Titans defense has not only created turnovers and scored points but they also have done a good job shutting down the run and as we know, the Vikings base their offense around a running attack. This will be the Titans biggest test but I believe Kerry Collins and the boys in Tennessee are the real deal and I am going to ride the OTHER 3-0 team against the spread when I take 3 Sports Kid Units on the Titans –3

THE OFFICE

I had a tough week 3 and week 4 does not look like it will be much better. I had trouble picking most of the games and my picks eventually strayed away from the research I did and I just had to follow my gut. Than again considering Melissa Fox still remains a top the standings than I guess following your gut has proved to be right.

Standings

Melissa Fox 27-19
Debbie Schmidt 25-21
411 24-22
Sean Garmer 24-22
Sat 24-22
Charlie Von Plato 24-22
Rizz 24-22
Dan Schmidt 23-23
Ken Schmidt 21-25
Dustin James 21-25
Dan Owen 20-26
Shawn Lealos 20-26

Sean Garmer won last week but did not have the time to do a pick of the week so we will bypass that and get right into week 4 picks.

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

Game	Ken Schmidt	Melissa Fox	Debbie Schmidt	Sean Garmer	Sat	Charlie Von Plato	Rizz
Vikings @ Titans (-3)
Broncos (-9.5) @ Chiefs
49ers @ Saints (-6.5)
Cardinals @ Jets (-3)
Packers @ Buccaneers (-1)
Falcons @ Panthers (–7)
Texans @ Jaguars (-7.5)
Browns @ Bengals (-3.5)
Chargers (-9) @ Oakland
Bills (-8.5) @ Rams
Redskins @ Cowboys (11.5)
Eagles (-4) @ Bears
Ravens @ Steelers (-3)

Game	Dan Schmidt	Dustin James	Dan Owen	Shawn Lealos	411
Vikings @ Titans (-3)
Broncos (-9.5) @ Chiefs
49ers @ Saints (-6.5)
Cardinals @ Jets (-3)
Packers @ Buccaneers (-1)
Falcons @ Panthers (–7)
Texans @ Jaguars (-7.5)
Browns @ Bengals (-3.5)
Chargers (-9) @ Oakland
Bills (-8.5) @ Rams
Redskins @ Cowboys (11.5)
Eagles (-4) @ Bears
Ravens @ Steelers (-3)

Suicide

Only one elimination came last week and it was Dan Schmidt who fell to something almost no one saw coming, Ronnie Brown's 5 TDs in the win over the Patriots.

Debbie Schmidt Pittsburgh, NYG, Bills
Sat Arizona, NYG, Seahawks
Dustin James Philadelphia, NYG, Bills
Shawn Lealos New England, NYG, Cowboys
Dan Owen Baltimore, Tennessee, NYG
Dan Schmidt Jets, NYG, Patriots

This week the final 5 are going to pick from just two games. Returning champion Debbie Schmidt, Sat, Dustin James, and Shawn Lealos are all going with the Denver Broncos to beat up on the pride of Coastal Carolina Tyler Thigpen and his struggling Chiefs while Dan Owen is going with the Bills over an over the hill Trent Green and the Rams. I like both this picks to win and really do not expect there to be less than 5 remaining the end of the week.

Time To Punt

I want to give everyone reading this a warning; I smell a trap game this week. The Packers were a clean sweep this week by every member of the office liked them to beat the Bucs this week. Everything about that game makes me think that the Packers cannot lose and that is why I smell a trap. During my researching of the spreads this week I found no reason not to make the Packers my big pick in the Sports Kid Units section and that is the scariest thing of all when researching. I am not betting on the Packers and I suggest that all readers out there do the same. If I was wrong about the trap than it won't hurt me at all but if I was right I could avoid some heavy damage.