Game Of The Year......Part Two

This week's NFL lineup is packed with pivotal contests that will determine divisional winners, as well as help to sort out the playoff picture for both conferences. With so many intriguing matchups, it is time to break down the games and provide my loyal fan base with winners.

Jets +6 over Steelers. This game was a no touch until news broke Thursday afternoon that Steelers all world safety, Troy Polamalu, will not be active for this contest. In addition to wreaking havoc on opposing offenses, Polamalu is a game changer who often times causes turnovers that lead to scores, whether directly or indirectly. According to my mathematical analysis, his absence is worth three points alone. Furthermore, this allows Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez a little more room for error, without having to account for Polamalu on every single play.

While games of this magnitude are often determined by turnovers, they are also won by the more desperate team. Although Pittsburgh has owned the Jets at Heinz field, this is a different Jets team. Even with the swagger waning, the Jets are still a capable bunch. With so much on the line, I expect a spirited effort on the part of the Jets, especially their defense. This game has all the trappings of a last minute field goal victory by either team. Therefore, I strongly recommend taking the Jets and the points (+6). Tomorrow's Game of the Year part two release: Jets +6.

Ravens -1.5 over Saints. Classic overreaction game. The Saints have started to click offensively during the past six weeks and are now back as one of the sexy picks to come out of the NFC. What gets lost is how lucky the Saints were to beat both the Cowboys and Bengals in two of the past three weeks. Defensively the Saints are giving up way too many points. After falling asleep at the wheel in last weeks win over the Texans, one should expect to see a more focused Ravens defense. I expect this to be a statement game where the Ravens impose their will and smack the Saints around. Ravens -1.5 over the Saints.

Post Party.......

In an effort to regain my sanity following last night's abomination, I am embarking upon operation crash and burn. Recent history suggests that following heartbreaking defeats, such as last night, Propick responds like a champion. With the help of Big Guy I present to you Friday's winners.

Fairfield +5 over Siena. According to the Big Guy, this isn't your father's Siena squad. With alot of young players on this years team, Siena has struggled mightily. While the line is begging you to take Fairfield with the five points over a 2-5 Siena team (0-3 at home), this is one instance where you should follow the common man. Old habits die hard and despite their NCAA tournament success in recent years, Siena is a rebuilding squad. Tonight's release....Fairfield +5 over Siena.

Wizards +4 over the Knicks. Despite their recent success on the road, I would hardly start referring to the Knicks as "road warriors". While the Knicks have made great strides over the past year, do not buy into the hype just yet. If there was ever a time for the Knicks to lay a proverbial egg, tonight is the night. As putrid as this Wizards squad might be, take the points and thank me in the morning. Wizards +4 over the Knicks.

Kudos to Marxy for another solid outing last night. While yours truly was experiencing vertigo courtesy of the Titans backdoor cover, Marxy decided to take the downtown party scene by storm. After hitting an open bar reunion event, Marxy decided that all you can drink was a "little low brow". As a result, Marxy headed to an undisclosed location in the meatpacking district with several lady friends and proceeded to take down some top shelf champagne. Unfortunately for Marxy, women in New York appear to take offense when you call them by the wrong name. Furthermore, when you continually call them by the wrong name, they eventually leave. No harm, No foul.

Prison Raped......

There is no gentler way to phrase what transpired tonight. After jumping out to a 21-0 lead, I felt secure that the struggling Colts would find a way to hold off the Titans and easily cover the 3 points. However, what I forgot to take into account was the fact that Peyton Manning and his cast of losers are the worst team against the spread (ATS), in the history of professional sports. What really irks me is the fact that this dopey horse face will be lauded for beating a crappy Titans team. You want to know the difference between Brady and Manning(aside from the obvious multiple Super Bowl rings and smoking hot wife)? How about the fact that Brady is a covering machine. I swear if I see another dopey commercial featuring Peyton Manning I will throw my television set down 72nd street. This guy was a stats compiler in college and has haunted my house ever since. As for the Colts defense, they just suck. Giving up a touchdown with four seconds left makes me despise this whole organization even more.

Butler lost by 2 points and I was catching 1.5. If this is a foreshadowing of how the holidays are gonna shape up- just shoot me now. Whatever was done to offend the gaming gods I apologize a thousand times over. On a positive note, at least the girl I am seeing isn't banging the mailman.

Big Guy's Been Smooth....

Since days of underoos. Congratulations to our resident mid major college roundball maven, Big Guy. Last night's inuagural Propick Sports Services release featured the Tarheels of North Carolina over Evansville. In typical Big Guy fashion, the game was over by halftime and he was able to get a little "honeymoon hump" in before focusing on tonight's lines. After logging in a congratulatory phone call following this blowout release, I was told: "Propick I appreciate the thanks but remember, lets act like we've done this before". Well said.

Admittedly tonight's college hoops card is lackluster at best. After perusing through a few lines, Big Guy texted me back "tonights action is weak, I will gear up for my weekly Friday Night MAAC lock of the week". However, within five minutes a follow up text appeared "Butler +1.5 at Xavier". Despite all attempts to adhere to his strict discipline, Big Guy went crackhead on us and decided to shower the loyal Propick fanbase with some Thursday night love. Remember, this is the same guy who has nailed the Iona College vs. Siena game ten straight times(including games played despite blizzard conditions outside the arenas). According to BG's proprietary model, Butler is a 5.5 favorite but with Xavier's decided home court edge this brings the line down to 2.5. With the current line at Butler +1.5 points, this represents deep value. Tonight' release....Butler +1.5 over Xavier.

Last Night's dramatic win by the Knicks over the Raptors was significant on a number of levels. However, the real highlight of the night was getting to sit courtside with local favorite/cultural icon, Marxy. With a group full of stiff's looking to "be seen" sitting nearby, Marxy decided to take his game up a few notches by ordering beers aggressively. Following Felton's game wnning three point shot, Marxy ordered up the White limo and took us downtown. While this is par for the course on any given Wednesday night, it was more impressive considering that Marxy has a charity-reunion event tonight, followed by a date Friday, then an out of town wedding this weekend. When asked "what part of the wedding are you looking most forward to?" Marxy replied "the three hour downtime between the ceremony and the reception. Sitting around in a tux for three hours in an unfamilar city can only mean one thing: cougars and booze. What am I supposed to do, go back and take a nap in my hotel room?". Absolutely not my friend. We at Propick are expecting great things out of you this weekend. However, please no repeat performances of Florida 2005 when you almost landed on the wedding cake during the best man's speech.

Dream Team.........

After signing legendary hoops junkie M. "Big Daddy" Powell last week, I thought that Propick had managed to assemble the single greatest sports handicapping think tank known to man. However, rather than sitting on our laurels, we at Propick got aggressive and managed to sign one of the greatest mid major college handicappers of this or any other generation. In all fairness, the one minor chink in the armour over the past few seasons, has been the lack of a true presence within the smaller college basketball circles. As of December 8, 2010 this position has been filled in spectacular fashion.

Enter "Big Guy". As a result of his high profile throughout the tri state area(and his marriage to a pretty hot chick), we will refer to this mid major "Rain Man" only as Big guy. Despite possessing a near genius IQ, Big Guy prefers to focus on the big picture: sports handicapping. While many of his peers have set out to become masters of the universe, Big Guy prefers breaking down mismatches while aggressively taking down a meatball parm hero in his signature black velour tracksuit. Despite his near 70 percent hit ratio over the past four seasons in college basketball, Big Guy is somewhat shrouded in mystery when it comes to recognition amongst his peers. Some have compared him to a virtuouso who prefers to toil in anonymity, while the gaming hucksters shout from their rooftops. Once compared to Magic Johnson for his ability to "Dish out winners like confetti at the Puerto Rican Parade", Big Guy took slight offense noting that: he has a completely clean bill of health.

Last night Big Guy released St. Bonies outright over a lackluster St. John's squad who was laying 14 points. Due to a massage appointment I had, this play was never put up in lights. After a long dialogue this morning, I decided that rather than let another year pass, now was the time to get Big Guy on the Propick team. With a lack of anything truly appealing on tonight's dance card, I held the proverbial gun to his head and demanded a winner. In an effort to give the fans what they want, Big Guy's highly anticipated debut has arrived......UNC-9 at Evansville.

Shirt of The Year........

With Christmas a mere three weeks away, I am releasing my NFL Game of The Year this weekend, as a way of making sure my fans and their families are taken care of for the holidays. After a rough start to the week, I find myself in complete lockdown mode.

Game of The Year:
Tampa Bay +3 over Atlanta. Everyone and their brother is on the Falcons this week. At 9-2, Atlanta is widely regarded as the cream of the NFC crop. However, what gets lost in all this is how much better Atlanta plays at home versus on the road. Furthermore, the Falcons always seem to play close games. With this as a backdrop I will adhere to my core discipline and take the home division dog plus the points in this one. My time tested statistical model predicts Tampa Bay to win outright so you may want to consider throwing down some shekels on the moneyline as well.

Detroit +5 over Chicago. Same theme involving a home dog in a divisional game between old rivals. Despite sitting at 2-9 for the season, the Lions have played hard in every game. In addition, the Bears are one of the weakest 8-3 teams in recent memory. Although one must respect the Bears, one does not have to lay five points on the road. Remember last week when the world was in love with the Eagles? This is a similar scenario. The common man is all aboard the Bears express and can be seen at a bar near you, wearing a vintage Jim McMahon jersey. Fade the public and take the Lions +5 over the Bears.

Besides providing top notch handicapping advice, Propick has also carefully crafted an image that extends beyond the sports arena. However, last night that image took a "turn for the worse" so to speak. After being told by a lovely twenty three year old woman that: guys my age(mid/late 30's), are set in their ways, I decided to make amends. Unfortunately after a few too many pops, I found myself half naked on this woman's couch at 5:30 in the morning. Besides the obvious major headache, there was also the embarrassment factor that involved the potential of her roomate awakening to this "buffoonish scene". Not exactly the way for a nice southern girl to start her day.

On a side note, local fan favorite Marxy has taken his act up a few notches yet again. After a work week that rivals that of a sweatshop(good thing Marxy is not being paid by the hour), Marxy decided to head out last night and throw back a few.....and then some more for good measure! Upon realizing that it was casual Friday, Marxy decided to push the envelope so to speak, by donning one of his favorite party shirts. While the shirt is button down long sleave, it hardly constitutes "corporate", unless of course you are in the party promotion business. Upon a visit to the trading desk, Marxy was greeted with a room full of high fives and an exclamation from one over zealous trader "that is the shirt of the year". After graciously accepting the applause, Marxy let it be known that he has a closet full of these shirts and that co-workers can expect alot more of where that came from.