Mendrinos on Sports

Week 17

2005-01-01T23:22:00.000-08:00

I sucked last week, so here's a chance to redeem myself. For the year I'm at 74% picking the games straight up (177-63), 73% against the spread (174-54), and 64% on the over / under (152-85). Here's the picks for a week where not much matters.

At New England -13.5 San Francisco 37

This game means absolutely nothing. The Pats have their playoff position set, and the 49rs get the 1st pick in the draft. Still, a 13.5 line for a team that never blows anyone out, and will be playing back ups this week?

Straight Up: Patriots
Against the Spread: 49rs
Over / Under: Under

At Buffalo -9 Pittsburgh 34

The Bills need the game, and the Steelers will be resting most of their starters. However, Maddox is a pretty good back up, and I don't see the Bills running for over 120 on the Steelers. This one will be a lot closer.

Straight Up: Bills
Against the Spread: Steelers
Over / Under: Under

At Baltimore -11 Miami 34

The Dolphins stink. Take the Ravens all the way.

Straight Up: Ravens
Against the Spread: Ravens
Over / Under: Under

Minnesota -4 At Washington 41

Gibbs plays very hard, and he will hate to end the season on a loss. The Vikes win and they are in. Should be a good game

Straight Up: Vikings
Against the Spread: Vikings
Over / Under: Over

Jim's Crazy Pick of the Week -- Cincinnati -3 At Philadelphia 39.5

Nobody wants to go into the playoffs on a 2 game losing streek. The Eagles will play their starters longer.

Straight Up: Eagles
Against the Spread: Eagles
Over / Under: Over

At Chicago -3 Green Bay 34

This game means nothing, and Green Bay has fits against the Bears. It might be a good one if the Pack plays their starters for more than one series.

Straight Up: Packers
Against the Spread: Packers
Over / Under: Over

At Carolina -7.5 New Orleans 46

This game means something. I think the Panthers can gut this out, but they won't cover the spread.

Straight Up: Panthers
Against the Spread: Saints
Over / Under: Under

Detroit -3 At Tennessee 45

Neither team is good, but the Titans might just suck a little less.

Straight Up: Titans
Against the Spread: Titans
Over / Under: Over

NY Jets -3.5 At St. Louis 43

Both teams need it, but the Jets are a better team. Still, I have to go with my gut and take St. Louis versus the spread.

Straight Up: Jets
Against the Spread: Rams
Over / Under: Over

At Houston -10 Cleveland 39

Always pick against the Browns.

Straight Up: Texans
Against the Spread: Texans
Over / Under: Over

At Arizona -3 Tampa Bay 38

I can't trust Arizona, so the Bucs are my pick.

Straight Up: Bucs
Against the Spread: Bucs
Over / Under: Under

At Seattle -5.5 Atlanta 42

Seattle will not cover the spread.

Straight Up: Seahawks
Against the Spread: Falcons
Over / Under: Over

At Denver -8.5 Indianapolis 45

If Denver wins, they're in. I'd be surprised if the big three plays a full half for the Colts. I still think Plummer is due to choke in a big game.

Straight Up: Colts
Against the Spread: Colts
Over / Under: Over

Jacksonville -1 At Oakland 44

The silver & black is black and blue. Take the Jags.

Straight Up: Jaguars
Against the Spread: Jaguars
Over / Under: Over

Kansas City -3 At San Diego 54

The Chargers have something to prove, even though they're set for the playoffs. I think this game will be a shoot-out.

Straight Up: Chiefs
Against the Spread: Chargers
Over / Under: Over

At NY Giants -2.5 Dallas 37.5

Sorry Eli, but I think Vinny wins his last game, and you have to wait until next year to win your first.

Straight Up: Cowboys
Against the Spread: Cowboys
Over / Under: Under

And on to the playoffs...

NFL Week 16

2004-12-24T07:15:00.000-08:00

Last week was very average. I went 10 -6 straight up, to bring my year to date record to 168 - 56 (.750). Against the spread I was 7 -8, which makes me 166 - 57 for the year (.744). It was a good points week, where I went 11 - 5 to bring the year to 147 -76 (.659).

This week there’s a lot of great games over 4 days!

Friday

At Minnesota -3 Green Bay 56.5

The division is up for grabs. Farve and the Pac are woefully uneven, but the Vikings are once again in a December swoon. Who to take? I’ll start the week with an upset.

Straight Up: Packers
Against the Spread: Packers
Points: Over

Saturday

At Kansas City -8 Oakland 59

The Chiefs don’t want to make Vermiel cry again. They should be a lock.

Straight Up: Chiefs
Against the Spread: Chiefs
Points: Under

Jim’s Crazy Pick of the Week – Denver -4 At Tennessee 50

Denver is in the hunt for a wild card spot. The Titans are playing out the string with a back-up QB. Should be a mismatch, but with playoff pressure on him, count on Plummer to choke.

Straight Up: Titans
Against the Spread: Titans
Points: Over

Sunday

At Pittsburgh -5.5 Baltimore 34.5

Big Ben and company will avenge the Steelers’ only loss this season. This game IS football.

Straight Up: Steelers
Against the Spread: Steelers
Points: Under

At Detroit -6 Chicago 36

Two bad teams in what should be a bad game. The Lions should win, but not by much.

Straight Up: Lions
Against the Spread: Bears
Points: Over

At Cincinnati -6 NY Giants 43

The Bengals’ are very good, and coming fast, but Eli looked great last week, and he’s due for a win.

Straight Up: Giants
Against the Spread: Giants
Points: Under

At Indianapolis -7 San Diego 57

If it is a point fest at the dome, logic says take Indy. If you think Manning is in for another 2 TD game, take the Chargers. I think Manning is due to have a record breaking Christmas.

Straight Up: Colts
Against the Spread: Colts
Points: Over

At Jacksonville -7 Houston 37.5

The Jags are still in the hunt, and Leftwhich is VERY good, but a full TD is a big line for a team that wins most of their games in the 4th quarter.

Straight Up: Jags
Against the Spread: Texans
Points: Over

At Tampa Bay -3 Carolina 39.5

What a bad game we have in store. Look for the Panthers to take out their frustrations on the Bucks.

Straight Up: Panthers
Against the Spread: Panthers
Points: Under

At New Orleans -4.5 Atlanta 45

Atlanta sees blood in the water with no TO in Philly. Even though the Saints are playing for their lives, and this game means nothing to the Falcons, look for Atlanta to come on strong.

Straight Up: Falcons
Against the Spread: Falcons
Points: Under

New England -2.5 At NY Jets 43

The biggest loser on Monday when Miami stunned Brady & Company might be the Jets. Can anyone remember the last time the Patriots were bad on back to back weeks?

Straight Up: Patriots
Against the Spread: Patriots
Points: Under

Buffalo -11 At San Francisco 43

The Bills win, but mercifully, not by 11.

Straight Up: Bills
Against the Spread: 49ers
Points: Over

Washington -2 At Dallas 37

Gibbs will win the Old Coach Bowl.

Straight Up: Redskins
Against the Spread: Redskins
Points: Over

At Seattle -7 Arizona 43

Just because I want confusion in the NFL, Arizona will upset Seattle so that next week there’s a chance that they could win the division.

Straight Up: Cardinals
Against the Spread: Cardinals
Points: Under

At Miami -7.5 Cleveland 38.5

The "We Suck Bowl" goes down to the wire, but I’m confident the Browns will find a way to lose.

Straight Up: Dolphins
Against the Spread: Browns
Points: Over

Monday

At St. Louis -3 Philadelphia 45

Philly will find a way to win, and this should end the Mike Marts era in St. Louis.

Straight Up: Eagles
Against the Spread: Eagles
Points: Over

Have a good Christmas / Football weekend!

NFL Week 15

2004-12-15T23:17:00.000-08:00

Another NFL week to contend with. Last week I took a loss on the Over/Under for only the third time this season. Let’s see if I can pick things up.

Saturday's Games

Pittsburgh -10 At NY Giants 34

Poor, poor Eli; last week the Ravens, this week the Steelers. The boy will be in some serious trouble. Take the Steelers and the over.

Straight Up: Steelers
Versus the Spread: Steelers
Over/Under: Over

Washington -4 At San Francisco 37

Washington looked very good last week. So did the Redskins. Dennis Erickson is going to be calling the AD at Old Miss after this one.

Straight Up: Redskins
Versus the Spread: Redskins
Over/Under: Under

At Atlanta -3.5 Carolina 42.5

The Panthers need this one. The Falcons are playing for pride. This will be the best game of the week, as both teams air it out defensively.

Straight Up: Falcons
Versus the Spread: Falcons
Over/Under: Under

Sunday's Games

At NY Jets -6 Seattle 41

The Seahawks impressed me last week, however I’ve been betting against them all season, and I’m not gonna change now.

Straight Up: Jets
Versus the Spread: Seahawks
Over/Under: Over

At Philadelphia -12.5 Dallas 46

Had Dallas done anything in their game last week this would have been my crazy pick of the week. They didn’t, and so the Eagles will go 13-1.

Straight Up: Eagles
Versus the Spread: Cowboys
Over/Under: Under

Minnesota -3 At Detroit 48.5

Mike Tice will be a good coach with his next team. For now, he’ll be hard pressed to win the game. Thankfully, he’s got the Lions.

Straight Up: Vikings
Versus the Spread: Vikings
Over/Under: Under

San Diego -10 At Cleveland 43

This game will suck early and often. The Browns will lock up a top 3 draft pick after this week.

Straight Up: Chargers
Versus the Spread: Chargers
Over/Under: Under

Buffalo -1 At Cincinnati 44

Great game, great teams. Look for this to be a point war.

Straight Up: Bengals
Versus the Spread: Bengals
Over/Under: Over

At Green Bay -3.5 Jacksonville 40

This should be another great game with one of the all-time great QBs facing off against a young QB who looks like he might be something special. If this game were in Jacksonville, I’d take the Jags. It’s not.

Straight Up: Packers
Versus the Spread: Packers
Over/Under: Over

At Chicago -1 Houston 35.5

Two teams playing out the string. Should be a sloppy one.

Straight Up: Texans
Versus the Spread: Texans
Over/Under: Over

At Tampa Bay -7.5 New Orleans 44

Tampa still has a shot, and the Saints aren’t capable of pulling an upset two weeks in a row.

Straight Up: Bucs
Versus the Spread: Saints
Over/Under: Under

St. Louis -1.5 At Arizona 41.5

This one is also going to be sloppy. I’d take the Cards at home, but after losing to the 49s last week...

Straight Up: Rams
Versus the Spread: Rams
Over/Under: Over

At Kansas City PK Denver 53

At Arrowhead, this one might not be as easy for Denver as you might think. I’m going Chiefs.

Straight Up: Chiefs
Versus the Spread: ----------
Over/Under: Over

Jim’s Crazy Pick of the Week – At Oakland -2 Tennessee 47.5

I don’t think I’m taking the Raiders again until next season.

Straight Up: Titans
Versus the Spread: Titans
Over/Under: Over

At Indianapolis -8 Baltimore 49

Manning is so good that the great Ravens D is a dog by more than a touchdown. Marino should go to the dome, because the torch will be passed this week.

Straight Up: Colts
Versus the Spread: Colts
Over/Under: Over

Monday Night Football

New England -9.5 At Miami 41

The Patriots never blow anybody out. They will win, but not by 10.

Straight Up: Patriots
Versus the Spread: Dolphins
Over/Under: Over

We’ll talk on Tuesday.

Week 14 Results

2004-12-14T07:31:00.000-08:00

This was a good week straight up, but mediocre against the spread, and sub-par on the over/under. Damn that powerful 49er offence! I was 12 -4 in the games, 8-8 verses the spread, and for only the second time this season, I’m posting a losing record verses the over/under with a 7-9 week.

So my year to date record is: Straight up 158 -50 (.760), against the spread 159 - 49 (.764), and verses the over/under I’m 136 -71 (.657).

Next week should be fun!

NFL Week 14

2004-12-11T01:34:00.000-08:00

The Weekly Picks

Each week I pick the games and give you my thoughts on the game. So far this season, a particularly good one I might add, I am 146 - 46 (.760) straight up, 151 - 41 (.786) against the spread, and 129 - 62 (.672) in the over/under.

Here are this week’s games, and how I think it will go.

At New England -11 Cincinnati 44

New England is on a roll, and the Bengals can score some points. There’s no doubt that the Pats will win, but giving 11 is too large a spread for a team that rarely blows anybody away. This one is a field goal or a late touchdown at the most. Both teams have secondary issues, so 44 might be too low for this game.

Straight Up: Pats
Against the Spread: Bengals
Over/Under: Over

At Buffalo -11.5 Cleveland 37

This will be a dog of a game. The Browns are already in the off-season, and Buffalo is one of the hottest teams in football. Only boredom or mercy can stop the Bills from covering the spread. With as bad as things are going for the Browns, the Bills might just score the over by their lonesome.

Straight Up: Bills
Against the Spread: Bills
Over/Under: Over

At Baltimore -10 NY Giants 33

Another game not worth watching. Manning will see most of this one from his back, but the Ravens can’t score either. The under is a good bet here.

Straight Up: Ravens
Against the Spread: Giants
Over/Under: Under

At Green Bay -9.5 Detroit 45

Detroit is a great cure for what ails the Packers. Farve gets healthy, and the points roll.

Straight Up: Packers
Against the Spread: Packers
Over/Under: Over

At Minnesota -6.5 Seattle 51

The Seahawks are toast. This line is too low. Even if they score on the Vikes, they haven’t stopped any deep passing threats this year. Randy Moss must have had this one circled on his calender for weeks.

Straight Up: Vikings
Against the Spread: Vikings
Over/Under: Under

At Atlanta -7.5 Oakland 45.5

Atlanta will win, but not big. Take the under.

Straight Up: Falcons
Against the Spread: Raiders
Over/Under: Under

Jim’s Crazy Pick of the Week -- At Jacksonville -7.5 Chicago 34.5

The Jags will be a great team next year. This year, they’re fighting for their playoff lives. This might be my craziest pick of the year, but the Bears will bring some misery into the sunshine state.

Straight Up: Bears
Against the Spread: Bears
Over/Under: Over

At Dallas -7.5 New Orleans 47.5

It’s just 4 more games until the Saints have a new coach. Parcells has a great second half record, and he can smell the playoffs in this miserable season for the NFC. New Orleans will have a miserable time against the run this week, as Parcells brings back vintage ball control to the NFC East. BTW: The line is way too high.

Straight Up: Cowboys
Against the Spread: Cowboys
Over/Under: Under

Indianapolis -10.5 At Houston 57

Colts win the game. Manning ties Marino. Neither team has a defense, so this shoot out might take a while.

Straight Up: Colts
Against the Spread: Colts
Over/Under: Over

At Pittsburgh -6 NY Jets 36

The Steelers need the game. The Jets, not so much. The Jets stink against the Steelers. Neither team is dynamic on offence, so I think the Steelers win the snooze fest.

Straight Up: Steelers

Against the Spread: Steelers
Over/Under: Under

At Denver -11.5 Miami 38.5

The Dolphins suck, but Denver isn’t that good. Sure they should have won the last 2 games, but they are just narrowly clinging to the 6 seed in the AFC. They win, but don’t cover.

Straight Up: Broncos
Against the Spread: Dolphins
Over/Under: Over

At Carolina -6.5 St. Louis 44

The Rams are banged up. The Panthers are getting healthy again. Nobody wants to win the NFC West. The Panthers win.

Straight Up: Panthers
Against the Spread: Rams
Over/Under: Under

At Arizona -6.5 San Francisco 37.5

If you throw an NFL game and nobody noticed, would the score count? This might be the worst game in NFL history. 37.5 might just be the number of people who care about the game.

Straight Up: Cardinals
Against the Spread: Cardinals
Over/Under: Under

At San Diego -5 Tampa Bay 43

I still don’t think the Bucs are good. Take The Chargers all the way.

Straight Up: Chargers
Against the Spread: Chargers
Over/Under: Under

Philadelphia -9.5 At Washington 38

The Eagles are the best team in the NFC. I’m not giving 9.5 to a home underdog. Eagles win, Redskins cover. Take the over, but this one is just a hunch.

Straight Up: Eagles
Against the Spread: Redskins
Over/Under: Over

Monday Night Game: At Tennessee -2.5 Kansas City 51.5

Most star players will be sidelined for this game. Take the Chiefs in a sloppy mess of a game.

Straight Up: Chiefs
Against the Spread: Chiefs
Over/Under: Over

Let’s talk Tuesday!

Mendrinos On Sports

2004-12-11T01:28:00.000-08:00

For years I've shared my views on sports with friends, family, and professionally as a writer for many sports shows. Here now is the blog dedicated to my views.