And finally, let me say that I was glad Troy Smith got a decent game in for the Ravens — not good, but decent for a first start, by which I mean he didn't throw an interception or make a fool of himself. He performed much better than the first overall pick JaMarcus "the Giant" Russell. If Billick is smart we'll get to see Troy Smith again this week, so we probably won't get to see Troy Smith again.
Spread Picks (spreadsheet)
We now enter the Week of Shame. The week when the causal link between quality and victory is turned on its head. The week when the mighty paragons of honorable competition happily mail it in. It's even worse this year since so much is already decided. The hated Titans are favored over the Colts, the Redskins are favored over the Cowboys, Carolina is favored over Tampa Bay, Houston over Jacksonville, even Atlanta is favored over Seattle. All this on the assumption that the superior teams are just going to roll over to get their stomachs tickled instead of risk and injury. Interestingly, Green Bay is still favored over Detroit. I'm not entirely sure how to read that, but I suspect it's just another swipe at Matt Millen.
So we have five instances of a vastly superior team getting points because it is expected they will lie down. That is quite a shameful week. But what are we to make of it? Let's start with the Titans and the Redskins since they are both "win and in."
We know we are going to get a heavy dose of Sorgi time in Indy. In all honesty I have not seen much of Sorgi — has anyone? — but he has seemed like a serviceable QB. But who else on Indy gets to mail it in? What about Jeff Saturday? Whether Sorgi is good or bad, Albert "Riverdance" Haynesworth against a second string center is asking for trouble. On the other hand, by week 17 the Colts usually have nothing to play for and they are 4-1 in the last five years. I guess when you can get the Colts and points, you gotta take it. Pick: Indianapolis +6.5
Article comments
1 - Matthew T. Sussman
Since it's Week 17, and you're ahead, shouldn't you be resting your picks and just put in the backup?
2 - RJ Elliott
Vince Young has no guts.
3 - david mazzotta
Well, it could have been worse. Looks like I break even on the point spread and drop around half my cushion on the money line.
You're right Suss. I should have just taken the week off.
4 - david mazzotta
Yes RJ. Which QB was it that had to have his linemen carry him to the line of scrimage in a key game a few years back?(Was it McNabb?) Doubt we'll be seeing aything like that from Vince.
On the other hand, if Young can't run, he just guy in pads who throws like a girl.
Now I hate the Titans even more.