PUTTING ALONG WITH NFL WEEK 13

PUTTING ALONG WITH WEEK 13 NFL PICKS

You know the sports media in Canada is going through serious hockey withdrawal pains when three looooong days are spent debating the elimination of the belly/anchored putter from golf.

Those reporters could probably invest that valuable time in covering other human-interest stories and sports, but that might make too much sense for news outlets desperately searching for readers or listening/viewing audiences.

My wife, the brains of our household (wink, wink) figures if they are going to eliminate things from golf, it should start with the rodeo clown clothes, grandpa-like sweaters and the holier-than-thou attitudes of many of those whacking a white ball thinking they are better than most people put on this planet. Yep, she doesn’t beat around the bush, unless she's golfing.

And speaking of teed off, leave your socks on her coffee table just once and somebody’s going to get hurt real bad!

Speaking of below par, let’s talk about her New York Jets and other Week 13 matchups on the National Football League schedule:

Jacksonville Jaguars at Buffalo Bills

Buffalo is favoured by 6.5 points. The Jags’ defence has given up a ton of yards. The majority of the pigskin pundits predict Buffalo will win a close game. So is 6.5 points too much? I think not.

Pick: Bills by 7 points, at least.

Seattle Seahawks at Chicago Bears

Bears are favoured by 4.5 points. Seahawks are unbeaten at home and undeniably bad on the road, Bears rarely lose at Soldier field, especially when the weather cools down and the visitors are from Washington.

Pick: Da Bears, by 6 points or more.

Indianapolis Colts at Detroit Lions

The Lions are favoured by 4.5 points.  And that seems fair given their tough defensive line and overall improvement of late.

Pick: Lions by at least 6 points.

Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers

Wow, the odds makers have given Green Bay a 9.5-point spread. That’s huge. The Pack will pick apart the fading Vikings, but 9.5 points is a lot at this stage of the season to cover.

Pick: Packers by 10. Might have to sweat a bit about this one.

Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans

The Texans are 6.5-point favourites. I like the Houston squad, but I keep waiting for them to have a day where they mail it in to save wear and tear on their playoff-bound bodies. I don’t think this will be the week the Titans get a cheap one.

Pick: Texans by 10.

Carolina Panthers at Kansas City Chiefs

The Panthers are favoured by 3.5 points. While some might call this the Who Cares Bowl for Sunday, it should be a safe bet that the Panthers prevail.

Pick: Panthers by at least 7.

San Francisco 49ers at St. Louis Rams

San Fran is favoured by 7.5 points. And this is one game I’m willing to bet the farm on the Rams getting slaughtered.

Pick: 49ers, by a whole bunch, no matter who plays quarterback.

New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins

New England is favoured by 7.5 points. And while I’m not a fan of the Pats, they will dunk the Dolphins.

Pick: Patriots by 10 or more.

Arizona Cardinals at New York Jets

The Jets are 4.5 favourites. Both gawd-awful teams are 4-7 and make golf sweaters look good. Someone has to win this, right?

Pick: Jets, by six points. It might be a 6-0 game!

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Denver Broncos

Denver is 7.5-point favourites. I say the Broncos win, but just barely covering the spread.

Pick: Broncos by 8 points.

Cleveland Browns at Oakland Raiders

Oakland is favoured by 1.5 points.  I pick the Browns to tear apart the defence and make suffering Raider Nation scream for changes and executions!

Pick: Browns by 3, at least.

Cincinnati Bengals at San Diego Chargers

The Bengals are 1.5-point favourites. And considering how fast and far the Chargers have fallen, that’s about right.

Pick: Bengals by at least 3 points.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens

Baltimore is favoured by 1.5 points. And I think this game will be the toughest and closest of the day.

Pick: Ravens by 3, maybe even in overtime.

Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys

Dallas is favoured by 7.5 points, which is incredible given their inconsistent play. I think they win but am nervous to give 7.5 points.

Pick: Dallas by seven points, won’t cover spread.

MONDAY NIGHTER

New York Giants at Washington Redskins

Giants are 3.5 point favourites and I believe they’ll need every one of those points to get the job done.

Pick: Giants by six in a very tough, entertaining game.

HANG ON TO YOUR TROUSERS, SAINTS WILL WIN!

THURSDAY NIGHT NFL: Saints at Falcons

Sorry for the delay dear reader(s) in serving up tonight’s prediction for the New Orleans-Atlanta Falcons National Football League game, but I was out shopping (at Hillbillies-R-Us) for Justin Bieber-like overalls just in case Prime Minister Harper drops in unexpectedly to hand out a Diamond Jubilee Medal for this country-serving blog. Or make me a senator.

You might laugh at these silly suggestions, but ever notice how everything at election time becomes a photo-op or vote-buying gimmick for these shameless campaigners and their handlers? Senator Bieber? If it can deliver one million votes for Harper, consider it done.

I won’t pick on the Bieb’s fashion tastes or his musical talents because the one writer who did, Haley Petersen of The Daily Mail, was bombarded with hate mail from thousands and thousands of loyal “Beliebers” after calling him the White Trash Prince.

Which is kind of unfortunate, because we were going to call this blog White Trash Prints until we discovered it was already taken by the suits who send out your tax notices! 

Any way, moving right along to tonight’s lone NFL game.

The Saints are Octomom-like desperate. With a 5-6 record, one more loss will likely mean the end of playoff hopes down in the bayou. The Dirty Birds, with a 10-1 record, can move one step closer to wrapping up the NFC South title and will get to feast on a New Orleans team that lost Sunday against San Francisco in The Big Easy, while Atlanta trimmed Tampa Bay on the road.

Most of the experts are leaning toward the Falcons, suggesting the Saints have run out of time and miracles to save their season. Methinks the Saints have more to play for because the Falcons are playoff bound and there’s less urgency for them to get-r-done tonight.

I like New Orleans' quarterback Drew Brees in a win-or-go-home game. Despite a terrible 0-4 start to the season, the Saints have been one of the tougher teams recently while the Falcons have been winning ugly. Then again, ugly wins are better than pretty losses.

So, hang on to your trousers, but I’m picking the Saints to pull off the upset.

BURTON DOES O CANADA . . . DIFFERENTLY!

HERE'S YOUR CHANCE TO PLAY LIONS' GM

B.C. LIONS: Are they long in the tooth,

or still the cat's meow?

This story appeared in The Vancouver Sun, Page C10, on Wednesday, Nov. 28:

By Gord Kurenoff

Vancouver Sun

Will Wally Buono use his managerial kryptonite on Geroy (Superman) Simon this Canadian Football League off-season? Is Paul McCallum, who marks birthday No. 43 in January, going to be back kicking with the B.C. Lions, or just kicking back in 2013?

Is it time for colourful offensive lineman Angus Reid to be pushed toward his other natural calling — the broadcast booth — instead of trying at age 36 to keep seething defenders away from his quarterback? And, will the curtain fall on Arland Bruce Almighty to make way for younger receivers on the B.C. Lions’ roster?

Even if the Lions won Sunday’s Grey Cup there would have been roster changes, but losing to the Calgary Stampeders, at home, in the West Division Final, may speed up the evacuation plans for several on-the-bubble veterans, including some who have become household names and fan favourites.

Buono decided to keep the core of his 2011 Grey Cup champions together to take a shot at becoming the franchise’s first back-to-back champions. Despite finishing first in the West Division with a 13-5 record, beating a younger Calgary squad in the playoffs proved to be more difficult than Burton Cummings remembering the lyrics to Canada’s national anthem.

It was pointed out several times by local reporters this season how the veteran Lions were starting to suffer “old-man injuries” and “losing a step.” Kicker McCallum, who despite going five-for-five in the West Final, showed signs of being human and 42 following his record-setting 2011 season. The Lions imposed a limit on how far out he’d be allowed to attempt three-pointers after he hit a rare slump.

Simon and Bruce, both who battled injuries, didn’t have great campaigns by their lofty standards. In fact, most of the offensive excitement this season was generated by the younger receivers, who had a 5-0 record going before the veterans returned to the lineup.

Reid, who as co-host of the Lions Den on Team 1040, should be a shoo-in for a CFL broadcasting job with his knowledge and personality. If the team has some young studs raring to roll, Reid might be convinced to retire after being told 2½ years ago by Buono he was being “phased out” before winning a Grey Cup and following that up with an all-star season.

It should be noted that none of these players wants to leave, or retire. But in discussions about changes, their names have repeatedly surfaced because of their birth certificates. Which leaves the future in the hands of Buono, who has a history of cutting ties with all-stars, hall of famers and fan favourites when the time seems right for him, not the athletes.

So, while Buono contemplates who stays and who goes, we ask you to play manager and send us your thoughts. Was the Lions’ loss to Calgary just a bad day or a warning sign? Should this team stick together, or has it become long in the tooth? Who would you keep and who would you let go? Should Simon be allowed to leave on his timetable after all of his years of all-star service to the club? What are the Lions’ weaknesses and strengths going forward?

Send comments to: sunsports@vancouversun.com and we’ll share your insight with readers later this week.

THE MONDAY MORNING QUARTERBACK

BASHING BIEBS, FLASHING BABES AND ARGOS' RING BLING

Football fans in Toronto send a not-so-subtle message
to the NHL and NHLPA prior to Sunday's 100th Grey Cup.

Welcome to Monday Morning Quarterback, a new feature here that will start your day and week with some of the stuff expected to pop up in conversations, if people actually talk or listen to you!

So, with first of many coffees in hand, humming along to the Boomtown Rats' classic I Don't Like Mondays, here we go. Soft drum roll, please:

A.) We build hockey rinks, parks, rec centres, you name it because we supposedly want to keep kids out of trouble and away from drugs, gangs, booze, etc. So when a kid, like Justin Bieber, makes good, we boo him in Canada? WTF? Then again, people booed Wayne Gretzky, Celion Dion and Team Canada in 1972, too.

While the target audience for Sunday's halftime show was aimed at a lot younger crowd than those actually tuned in to see football, it was amazing how many older peeps (and crusty journalists showing their ripe age and short memories) were quick to bash Biebs, Carly Rae Jepsen and Marianas Trench for their Glee-like performances.

NHLer Jordin Tootoo cried "Uncle" and called the CFL's halftime show painful in reference to Bieber. Considering the source, and non-entertaining state of the NHL these days, Sunday's show was more interesting than watching the less-than-thrilling Tootoo Train play (out of position) most nights in the No Hockey League.
While it made no artistic sense putting Gordon Lightfoot and The Biebs on the same bill, or trying to jam four acts into a halftime, it says a lot for the actual game when the day after all the talk is about halftime and not football. Believe, indeed!

B.) TSN did its usual superb job of covering the Grey Cup, but at least one cameraman had the interesting job of focusing on cheerleader tushes, girls gone wild in the crowd, and tight-fitting clothes worn by females.
Not complaining, of course, but I'm sure that target audience was just a bit older than those waiting to hear Boyfriend and Beauty and the Beat.

C.) The Calgary Stampeders got their butts booted big time, and considering how they ran off at the mouth, and on Twitter, after eliminating the Lions and Roughriders earlier in the playoffs, it was awesome to witness.

The Stamps, who complained they got no respect outside of Cowtown en route to the CFL's Big Dance, went home without bling for their ring fingers after forgetting how to compete. And for that they deserve no respect. The game was over at halftime. At least Bieber and Lightfoot came to play! And all-star singer Johnny Reid, who played university football in Quebec, fired it up during the kick-off show with a brilliant performance. The guy is awesome. He could have done halftime by himself and got a standing O.

D.) I love Burton Cummings' music and we all know the Canadian music star and Order of Canada recipient has his own way to rock while standing tall, but that lounge rendition of O Canada with drum machine track, was very Milli Vanilli-Wedding Singer-ish. Only thing missing was the monkey with the tip jar. (Hello Nik Lewis!) Then again, it's not like the Winnipeg native has been getting a lot of practice singing for winners in Manitoba lately!

Hmmm, how do I break it to them gently? Next time the CFL needs a national anthem performed with different words than the original, they can call Burton, maybe.

E.) Finally, kudos to younger brother Ward Kurenoff whose first venture into blogging this football season was legendary. Bro was on fire for most of the CFL campaign and at one time was dubbed Mr. Perfect (by himself, of course). Like the Stamps, he finished second in his prediction for Sunday's final. He reasoned: "Even a broken watch is right two times a day!"

While yours truly picked the Argos, I expected a much closer game. Guess the Stamps wasted all their energy trying to force their horse, Marty, into a downtown hotel. Just like the players from Calgary, you can lead it to the Grey Cup, but you can't make him drink from it!

CFL PIGSKIN TAKES OVER IN HOGTOWN

Toronto has gripped Grey Cup football fever by setting up fan fun zones and festivals in The Big Smoke.

CFL PIGSKIN TAKES OVER IN HOGTOWN

By Ward Kurenoff
CFL Prediction Legend

So, after a one-week hiatus due to some R&R in Southern California, I was reminded who my friends were, as apparently the Riders were leading the now-West Division Champion Stampeders with under a minute to go. Once we somehow (cough, cough) let the game get away from us, my cellphone lit up like a Christmas tree as all my "good friends" mentioned to me that we (to put it politely) somehow lost.
Without having the means and game in front of me I accepted all the ridicule and comments that were thrown at me.

Fast forward to this past weekend. 

I actually predicted way back in Week 8 it would be a (obvious pick ) Rider vs. Toronto Grey Cup. So it came as no surprise to me that Toronto won as I thought, although Montreal was good, they seemed this year not to be the same dominating Montreal team we are used to seeing these past 5-7 years.
Now to the B.C. Lions/Stampeders game. Doesn't karma have a way of biting you in the backside? It seems that certain B.C. Lion fans (Ex: A Certain "Meat Brother") can dish it out but can't take it.
While my phone lit up when the Riders somehow lost, apparently he didn't "approve" when his phone lit up when I suggested the Lions should put this choking picture on the back of their jersey.

Must have some lion furballs causing him problems..

 (For the record, "Meat Brother" is a great person, except after B.C. Lion losses.) I hope his and Lulay's ice fishing expeditions go better for them this winter.

Guess which one is Cornish and which one
is the BC Lion Defense

 Now I also wish to comment on my Riders, one last time.  After taking the time to watch the last minute-and-a-half of the West Division Semifinal, I could not understand when the Riders were first down on the Stamps' 22-yard line with a minute to go and still possessing a time out that they would go for the deep touchdown pass immediately.
Yes, they scored and they needed a touchdown and even all the Rider media and management said that you have to get points when you can and then let the defence do their job. I get that. BUT. . . do you not run the ball on first down or throw a 21-yard out for the sole purpose to kill 20 more seconds before going for the touchdown? You still have a time out and only need one play to get it in the end zone.  Clock management 101.
In fact, if you are going to lose it as it were, wouldn't you want to be in control of the situation (i.e. your offence on the field) versus having your defence doing what they did with about 52 seconds left. Sorry, I think you run the clock down to 30-40 seconds, in the ideal world, before getting your winning points. Food for thought. 

My point - Riders' Last-Minute
Clock Mismanagement Loses West Semifinal!

Well, since its almost the end of Movember - I would like to take the time to acknowledge all the real men (and you too, Gord!) for taking a stance on men's health.

Was Elmo in hot water this week
cause  of his mo?

"Now who is the cutest Kurenoff in the family
Uncle Gordo," asks Rider fan and Ward's son Luc.

Excellent hockey player and friend Todd (a.k.a Spilly) and professional radio advertising sales expert in the local Vancouver area, and Lion fan (OK, he's not perfect, I am still working on him) shows his off his mo
... and will share his ice fishing skills with the B.C. Lions this winter.

  

Now on to the 100th Grey Cup . . .

Winterpeg just wishes they had
their quarter-back ...

GREY CUP SUNDAY

3 p.m., TSN, Rogers Centre, Toronto

WHY THE STAMPEDERS WILL WIN

<------See Jon Cornish. That's why Calgary will win!!!!

By Ward Kurenoff
I could probably break this game down like I am sure my "smarter" brother and every other analyst has done already why his Argoooos ... (just caused you lived there once ... mind you, didn't you also live in Calgary too? Just saying!) will win and that they have (Mr. Tillman's gift trade ... not rigged in anyway I am sure ...) Ricky Ray and The Flyin' Hawaiian Chad Owens ... but this game with be about ball control and keeping Ricky off the field.
If the Argos can stop (see above) Mr. Top Canadian, New Westminster native Jon Cornish, they have a slight chance to win. If they can't, like the Lions and Riders in previous weeks, then the result will be Stamps over TO. By the way, Jon Boy received 54 out of 57 votes for the Top Canadian (who are the other three that don't know football and voted for Low Blow Shea Emery. What are you three smokin in the Big Smoke anyways, B.C. Bud?)

Nik Lewis, and Mr. "Lion Tamer" Romby Bryant of the Stampeders, will once again feed off the run and have a big game. Ex-Rider Kevin Glenn, possibly the most underrated player in the CFL, missed his chance in 2007 when he broke his arm in the East Final while in Winterpeg and didn't get the chance to play for the Cup. (By the way, the Riders won in 2007.) He will get his chance, ironically cause another ex-Rider (I sense a trend here) Drew Tate got a concussion ... officially he has a broken arm ... but that is another story.
It will a great day under the dome with sold-out numbers (is this the first time?) of people not from Toronto.

So like the 15-year-old brown stallion that marched through the Toronto Royal York Hotel this week ... the Stamps will also march on and win by 10 or more!!And then we will have Grey Cup 2013 in Regina!

WHY THE ARGONAUTS WILL WIN

By Gord Kurenoff

As most of Toronto’s media reacts to TSN’s exclusive deal with the CFL by purposely ignoring the 100^th Grey Cup pre-game news to focus on the locked out Leafs, next April’s baseball season and the Raptors’ hopeful pursuit of NBA respectability, the Argonauts are preparing for Sunday’s big game by focusing on shutting down Jon Cornish, containing Kevin Glenn and giving rival Nik Lewis a prepaid smartphone so he can Tweet all about his week in The Big Smoke.

The one thing that did draw citywide attention was Mayor Rob Ford’s faceplant as he welcomed fans and reporters to Hogtown. We’ve included that link here for those who need a good laugh.

See link at: MAYOR FORD FUMBLES FOOTBALL PRESSER

Rodney Dangerfield, Vanilla Ice and Canada Post got more respect than these Argos, a 9-9 regular season team that took some time to find its mojo under rookie coach Scott Milanovich, gift-packaged quarterback Ricky Ray and The Flyin’ Hawaiian Chad Owens, who set a CFL record this season for all-purpose yards with 3,863.

Nobody gave the Argos much chance against the rested Montreal Alouettes in the East Division Final.  For the record, I predicted the Argos would win by eight points and they won 27-20. So once in a while we’re bang-on here!

The Argos, underdogs in Sunday’s showdown, have adopted an Us-Versus-The-World mentality, often with little fanfare and less media attention. It has worked and will likely get a boost with Rogers Centre sold-out Sunday with football fans and socialites from across the country, albeit many who will need a program to identify most of Toronto’s players.

Lisa and Anita are in Toronto this week
as proven veterans of Grey Cup partying
and buying Rider stuff for the cutest Kurenoff in the family!
That honour now belongs to Luc. 
Thanks Auntie Lisa!!

One of those travelling fans is my wife, who has been to Grey Cups in every Canadian city except Regina, and next year she and her girlfriends are going to Saskatchewan to party on the prairies. I’m not bitter of course. Who would enjoy a Burton Cummings or April Wine concert? Or ziplining in Yonge-Dundas Square? Or singing in the streets every night with drunk women? Or seeing free concerts every hour?

I’m not bitter that every picture she sends me has smiling people in them. Or that she and her friends have quality seats in the 50,000-seat domed stadium, close to hot dogs, beer and snacks. But I digress.

I WANT the Argos to win Sunday because I love the Roughriders and like the Lions, the teams the Stamps beat and mocked en route to this championship final. I have always liked Ricky Ray as a cool-under-fire competitor (what the hell was Eric Tillman thinking in Edmonton when he traded this star?) and his penchant for making Mission Impossible possible.
I just hope the underdog Argos aren't content with just making it to the big dance, but actually want to finish the journey with some bling for the ring fingers.

Call it an upset, or call it justice, but the Argos win will Sunday in a nail-biter with a late touchdown. And I’ll be the first yelling Argoooos if Calgary goes back to Cowtown empty-handed and humbled.

But I will be less-than-thrilled if the wife comes home empty-handed from the men’s souvenir shop! Just saying!

Chad Owens celebrates victory in East Division Final over Montreal. And of him winning the CFL's Most Outstanding Player on Thursday.  He hopes to MOP up the Stampeders on Sunday! (But we all know he won't - Go Stamps!!)
Eh Gordo??? Go Riders!!!







PIGSKIN ON NFL 'LEFTOVERS' MENU

A DOZEN 'LEFTOVERS' ON TURKEY-FILLED NFL WEEKEND

With turkey trimmings and receipts from Black Friday shopping sitting in front of them, National Football League fans in the Excited States will sit down Sunday and Monday for a dozen “leftovers” on the Week 12 regular-season menu. The Thanksgiving Thursday offerings served up a real turkey in New York where the Jets got totally stuffed by the New England Patriots 49-19, while the visiting Houston Texans outlasted the Detroit Lions 34-31 in overtime. In Dallas, the Cowboys' defence took the day off and were gunned down 38-31 by the explosive Washington Redskins.
The highlight for New York football fans, besides the game ending, was a halftime show by Lenny Kravitz, who performed Like A Jet, but didn't bomb at MetLife Stadium like the NFL team. One has to wonder how long the Rex Ryan Show will run in Jetsville after that debacle.
By the way, Kid Rock sang in Detroit and Kenny Chesney performed in Dallas.
As for Sunday, there might be the occasional glance at the Sports Ticker on Sunday to see how their pigskin relatives in Hogtown – the Toronto Argonauts and Calgary Stampeders – are making out in the CFL’s 100^th Grey Cup game, but it won’t compare to the serious channel surfing football-loving Canadians will be tackling.

I imagine a number of young girls on both sides of the border will be tuning into the Grey Cup halftime show, though, as teen heart-throb Justin Bieber entertains the Rogers Centre crowd with his “classics.” (Mission’s Carly Rae Jepsen, singer-songwriter Gordon Lightfoot and pop-rock group Marianas Trench will also hit the big TO stage. Burton Cummings and Johnny Reid will headline a special pre-game kickoff show.) Selena Gomez is expected to watch Biebs . . . no she isn’t . . . yes she is . . . no she isn’t . . . whatever!

TMZ, the best entertainment website in my bookmarks, has a story on Olivia Manning (mom to quality quarterbacks Peyton and Eli) expressing her difficulty on deciding which son to spend Thanksgiving weekend with. Peyton and the Broncos play Sunday in Kansas City, while Eli’s Giants host the Green Bay Packers. Hmmm, she’s puzzled deciding between New York or Kansas City? Wonder if Olivia has a concussion history, too?

Methinks the Full Meal Deal on Sunday will be the Packers-Giants' matchup starting at 5:15 p.m. in Vancouver, although the 49ers-Saints  (1:30 p.m.) and Seahawks-Dolphins (10 a.m.) will be tasty appetizers, too.

So, to avoid a delay of predications penalty, here are Sunday’s picks:

Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears

The Situation: Bears’ quarterback Jay Cutler is unsure if he’ll play Sunday as the voices inside his concussed head still sound like flapping butterfly wings. Thirteen of the 14 pigskin pundits with ESPN.com say Da Bears will win no matter who plays quarterback (Paging Ryan Leaf and Rob Johnson, cleanup on Aisle 2 please)!

Gord’s Great Guess: Da Bears to sink the Wobbly Ship Vikings in a close game (six or less point spread) with defence being the difference at Soldier Field.

Oakland Raiders at Cincinnati Bengals

The Situation: I want to like the Raiders. Maybe it’s because a fan base that dresses like KISS on game day deserves some love. And I remember when we used to mock the Bingo Bango Bengals for being a sad-sack squad. Not anymore.

Gord’s Great Guess: Bengals to blitz the Raiders by at least 10 points.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns

The Situation: I think the parking attendant is playing quarterback for the Steelers with Ben Alphabet and his backup both banged up and unable to start. This is an opportunity for the low-scoring Browns to score just enough to record the victory. And, what’s up with the Steelers’ retro jerseys? They have established a new standard for ugliness. Even Anna Kournakova would look bad wearing one of those rugby-wannabe inmate jerseys that are an embarrassment to bumblebees everywhere.

Gord’s Great Guess: Browns win, barely, in an ugly game no matter what the Steelers are wearing.

Buffalo Bills at Indianapolis Colts

The Situation: Rookie quarterback Andrew Luck is the real deal for the Colts and he should get a chance to prove that, again, against the defensively suspect Bills, who are not the greatest road warriors.

Gord’s Great Guess: Colts will beat the Bills by at least 9 points. In other words the Bison won’t be risin’ to the challenge in windy Indy.

Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs

The Situation: Peyton Manning has the Broncos on a roll and insiders are already pointing in Denver’s direction when discussing potential Super Bowl sleepers.

Gord’s Great Guess: Whether the Chiefs are called KC or KFC, they’re plucked this weekend. Broncos to win by at least eight.

Seattle Seahawks at Miami Dolphins

The Situation: Both teams can’t afford to lose. The Seahawks are usually like Saskatchewan gophers on the road (guaranteed to be flattened), while Miami is 2-2 at home. My heart says the Hawks, my wallet says the Dolphins. But my gut says Seattle wants it more and the Dolphins’ offence produces less than Canada Post on weekends.

Gord’s Great Guess: Seahawks win, but barely. Maybe a late field goal decides it. For Pete’s (Coach Carroll) sake, I hope I’m right on this coin-flip decision.

Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The Situation: Even though the Dirty Birds are 9-1, their offence lately has been missing in action. Yet, on paper, they have way more stars than the Bucs. This game is dangerous for Atlanta because they are supposed to beat Tampa Bay and, therefore, it’s even tougher to get cranked up for that assignment.

Gord’s Great Guess: Matt Ryan will be on a personal mission to erase last week’s disaster (he threw five interceptions and no TD passes in a so-so win over Arizona). Falcons will win, by six points or more.

Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars

The Situation: Both teams can be hotter than a Victoria Secret model, and colder than your wife finding the Victoria Secret calendar in your pillowcase. (Bad hiding spot, according to my co-blogging brother!)

Gord’s Great Guess: Jags tip Titans in closest game of the day. Field goal will decide it, and maybe in overtime.

Baltimore Ravens at San Diego Chargers

The Situation: Don’t want to say the Chargers are desperate, but rumour has it they’re putting scarecrows in the end zones this weekend because the Ravens are in town. The smart money is on Baltimore, the unsure money is on San Diego. Some experts suggest this game is the upset special of the weekend and believe the Chargers can win.

Gord’s Great Guess: Chargers electric, for a change, and win by six points or more to win.

San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints

The Situation: Drew Brees and the Saints are hot, while the 49ers will start Colin Kaepernick at quarterback after he directed San Fran to a 32-7 victory over Da Bears last Monday in place of Alex Smith.

Gord’s Great Guess: Saints march past 49ers in a tight game, decided by six points or less.

St. Louis Rams at Arizona Cardinals

The Situation: Good time on Sunday to catch up on your sleep. Both teams are like fighters without a knockout punch. But at least the Cardinals have playoff hopes.

Gord’s Great Guess: Cardinals by six points or more to win.

Green Bay Packers at New York Giants

The Situation: To me this is Sunday’s finest offering, albeit the Giants have been flatter than pancakes for the past couple of weeks. Is this the weekend the Giants rise?

Gord’s Great Guess: Most of the experts are picking the Packers to prevail over the Giants. I have a hunch they won’t. I’m picking the Giants to rebound and win by 3 or more in a classic dogfight.

THE MONDAY NIGHTER

Carolina Panthers at Philadelphia Eagles

The Situation: When schedule-makers drew this one up in the off-season it had potential to be a top-rated showdown. Instead, it’s two under-achievers looking to rediscover some pride down the stretch.

Gord’s Great Guess: Because the game is in Philly, the Eagles will win, perhaps a 27-17 kind of game.