Tis the Season:

Week 14 started off with a bang as the homer nailed the Steeler game for 4 stars combined on the under and the line. My only regret is that I didn't post the parlay that I played and cut the deficit even more. The deficit now stands at a negative 26.4 stars on the year. What other prognosticators would willingly admit such futility? Only the gurus ride the ups and downs of the gambling world and take the grief that comes. Lotion has been a great addition this year to the Gurus and we appreciate him giving out a pick a week for free. I have been in touch with another great prognosticator who may be making some playoff selections on the board. Negotiations are heating up to say the least. Now on to week 14:

Oak @ Cinci

Oakland has killed this guru all year. He says take them and they lay eggs. He says lay the points and they show up. Now they are on the road at the equally enigmatic Bungles. Cinci appears to have found their offense and defense of late. They have given up just over a TD / game in their last three games and have a turnover ratio of +8 during these games. Could it be the youngsters are getting more comfortable with their roles? The Raiders meanwhile laid an egg last week at home against the lowly Texans. However, they are 5-2 against the spread in their last seven games. Their defense has been keeping them in games despite their lack of O.

I know the Bungles are going to be double digit favorites at home and I know I am going to pick them and I know they won't cover and I know I will get a new arsehole torn because I keep picking heavy favorites. So what is a guru to do? Let's check the final line. The total should be in the low 40's...and I wouldn't touch the total unless it is reall out of whack.

"The Man" has Cinci giving 11 and the total at 39. I woudln't touch this game, but would lean towards the Bungles and the over.

Vikes @ Detroit

The Mediocre meet the really bad. I want to see the pictures Matt Millen has of the Ford family. You thought the gurus were futile, what about the Lions? Will this team ever get back to respectability? I have serious doubts. The good news for the Vikes is that Brooks Bollinger hurt his shoulder...therefore, the QB controversy is gone for a week. I would hate to live in one of these cities and have to watch this game.

I am guessing the Vikes are small road favorites. Their D continues to play decently, but the O is horrible. I think the Lions find a way to win this game, but if you play it than you have more problems than Anna Nicole Smith. The total should be in the mid-30's, which I wouldn't touch either.

"The Man" has Detroit giving 1.5 and the total at 39.5. I will stick with my prediction for a Lions win and under the total, but I wouldn't touch.
Baltimorons @ KC

The Ravens travel to KC after a long week after a tough road loss to the division rival Cinci Bungles. KC comes off a bad loss in Cleveland after leading by 14 in the 4th quarter. Trent Green has been OK since coming back, but not necessarily lighting it up. The Ravens are in the hunt for a bye and and home field throughout the playoffs. The Chiefs are fighting for their playoff lives. Arrowhead is a tough place to play, where the Chiefs are 5 - 1 thus far this season.

I am guessing this is a pick 'em game and the total in the mid-30's...I will wait to see the final line before making any calls here.

"The Man" has KC giving 3 and the total at 36. I like the Ravens to bounce back and wreak havoc on Trent and company. I would also tend to go under the somewhat small number...but no official plays.

NE @ Miami

Miami ended its four game winning streak by losing last week to the desperate Jaguars. There is nothing they would love more than to send the Pats home wondering where their season is heading. I look for the Fins to play this game tough, but Joey should make enough mistakes for the Pats to roll in this one.

I am guessing the Pats are small road favorites and the total around 42...the Pats and over are intriguing, but let's see the final numbers.

"The Man" has the Pats giving 3.5 and the total at 37. This total looks way too small to me. I would lean toward the more talented Pats, but would ultimately stay away from the line.

NYG @ Carolina

Chris Weinke looks like he is going to get the start in this game for the injured Jake Delhomme. Throw in an injured Nick Goings and Ken Lucas and the injuries are mounting for the Panthers...as their playoffs lives slowly start to dwindle away. The G-men will be without Petitgout, Strahan and Webster, but they are starting to get healthier. The Giants gave a good fight last week against the Cowboys and showed they aren't folding the tents just yet.

I am guessing with Weinke starting, the Giants are small road favorites and the total is around 40. The Giants are very intriguing as the Panthers just haven't been able to get anything going and now are facing some tough injuries.

"The Man" has this as a pick 'em game and the total at 38. I am very intrigued by the G-men. The under would be my call based on Weinke not starting in over four years.

Philly @ Skins

Philly travels to Washington to continue their fight towards the playoffs. The Skins have handed the reigns to Jason Campbell and it hasn't been going too bad. Philly's hopes rest on the arm of Jeff Garcia. I look for Jimmy Johnson and the defense to confuse and blitz the new starter early and often.

Philly should be a small road favorite and the total around 37. The Eagles are very interesting as they are desperate and need the win. The total could be a play as well as these NFC East matchups tend to be close tight low scoring affairs.

"The Man" has Philly giving 1 and the total at 40.5...I would lean towards Philly but ultimately wouldn't play it. The under here is very intriguing to me...

Atlanta @ TB

Well, Bruce's homecoming wasn't too friendly after all. He got beat up, but he certainly wasn't helped by 2 dropped TD's. The Bucs come into the game with a healthy 53 man roster...but I am not sure that is a good sign as they have not been very good this year. The Dirty Birds meanwhile are more up and down than elevator on speed. They play two incredible games against the Steelers and Bungles then lay eggs for four consecutive weeks. Last week they finally turned it around.

The Falcons should be favored by about a FG and the total around 38. The Birds and under could be a play...let's see the final lines.

"The Man" has Atlanta giving 3 and the total at 37.5. I ultimately would stay away from the enigmatic Dirty Birds, but would certainly lean towards them and the under.

Colts @ Jags

Could the Jags defense be getting healthier just in time to make a playoff run? Well, they better be with the Colts coming to town. The Colts will not have Dallas Clark for the game, which will hurt some of their formations and takes a valuable weapon out of Peyton's arsenal. Every time these two teams play it is a dog fight and the Jags need this to stay in the chase for the wild card. In addition, we know they don't want to see the Colts clinch again on their home field.

The Colts are probably favored by about a FG and the total around 44. I think the Jags find a way to win this one and stay alive by controlling the clock with their running game, which makes the under real intriguing. Let's see the final lines.

"The Man" has the Colts giving 1 and the total at 44. These games tend to be slugfests. The under could be a play. I would lean towards the Jags, but would ultimately stay away from the line.

TN @ Houston

The upstart Tennessee Titans come into this game playing pretty good football. Vince Young is starting to avoid mistakes and is proving to be a legit leader in the huddle. The Texans come into this game winning on the road with negative passing yards...talk about something that doesn't happen every day.

TN should be favored by about a FG and the total around 40...I wouldn't touch this game with Trump's money.

"The Man" has Houston giving 1 and the total at 42. I wouldn't touch, but I would lean towards TN and the over.

Pack @ 49ers

The Pack got smacked hard at home last week by the Jets. The 49ers ran into the buzz saw known as the Aints on this board. SF is still in the playoff hunt, but looking slimmer and slimmer by the week. GB is just terrible.

SF should be favored by about 4 and the total around 42...but I wouldn't touch this game.

"The Man" has SF giving 4 and the total at 44. I wouldn't touch this game, but would lean towards SF and the under.

Seattle @ AZ

The Hawks are getting healthy and may be peaking at just the right time. The Cards...well they suck. I like the Hawks to win this one big, but I hate the heavy road favorite.

Hawks should be favored by at least a TD and the total around 44. I wouldn't touch the line, but the over could be interesting as the Hawks start rolling and the Cards continue to worry about the 2007 draft.

"The Man" has Seattle giving 3 and the total at 45. I really like the Hawks in this one. I would lean towards the over, but would ultimately stay away. I thought this could have been a double digit line.

Denver @ SD

Jake Cutler must be wondering why Mike changed QB's. He has not given them the spark they were hoping for to push them into the post season. The Botls meanwhile continue to roll along nicely and should get another piece back on D with Castillo returning this week. Not looking good for that playoff run for the Broncos. Throw in a beat up Al Wilson and the D will need some serious help to stop LT.

The Bolts should be favored by about a TD and the total around 43. I like the Bolts a lot on anything under a TD and maybe be willing to give as many as 10. Let's see the total as the over could be a play.

"The Man" has the Bolts giving 7 and the total at 41.5. I am very intrigued by the Bolts and the over...

Bills @ Jets

J. P. still sucks. Mangini has the Jets believing they can make the run to the post season. The Jets manhandled the Packers while the Bills were keeping it close with the Bolts at home. I like what Mangini is getting out of his team and how Chad is managing the game.

The Jets should be favored by about 7 and the total around 42. Let's check the final lines before we go any further on this one.

"The Man" has the Jets giving 3.5 and the total at 37. I would lean toward the Jets and the over here, but probably would ultimately stay away. Buying the half point to ensure a 3 point game would be intriguing...

Aints @ Dallas

Romo continues to roll and the Boys are on fire. The Aints seem to have no problem with the bad teams, but can't seem to get it rolling against the good ones. A win here helps either team tremendously on their quest for a bye and getting closer to a playoff spot. The Aints haven't beaten a team with a winning record all year. Their 4 losses are all to teams with winning records except the Steelers.

The Cowboys should be favored by about 9 and the total around 45. I am very intrigued by the Boys and maybe the over. We shall see what the final lines are first.

"The Man" has the Boys giving 7 and the total at 48. I would lean toward the Boys and the under, but wouldn't touch either as of now...although the injuries to Horn and Colston make the Boys an interesting pick.

Bears @ Rams

The Rams have been terrible as of late with a bad loss last week to the Cards at home. I guess Orlando Pace is that important. The Rams might have a chance this week as the Vikes were able to run all over the Bears after Tommie Harris left the game. The Bears meanwhile continue to stick with Rex, but I think the leash is getting shorter. Rumor is that Griese got more reps in practice this week than he has the past several, which should add to Rex's pressure. I think these guys will bring the heat on Marc Bulger and add to his sack total which currently ranks 3rd in the NFL.

The Bears should be favored by abotu a TD and the total around 39. The greatest show on turf isn't what it used to be and the Rams have been bad since Pace is gone. The under could be a play if the total is still indicative of the "Greatest Show on Turf" Rams.

"The Man" has the Bears giving 6 and the total at 41. I am really liking this under as the Bears will bring it and contain the show. I also like the Bears, but wouldn't make them an official pick.