racingmeridian.com

The drama is vital and intense as the NFL kicks off its final week of regular season play. Jobs are on the line in locales like Dallas, Philadelphia, New York, San Diego and Denver. But hell yeah, this is also bettors paradise, a day I love for it’s wildness, inconsistency and potential for those big boxcar scores…the trials and tribulations of the week 17 gambler are legendary, apoplectic responses as some coaches pull starters while others leave their stars in. I love the challenge of predicting who will play hard today and who won’t. Consistently, the Pittsburgh Steeler franchise will perform with intensity as a tribute to their blue collar reputation. Other teams I like today, and this is an endorsement for today only, are the Jacksonville Jaguars getting a whopping 12 points from the Baltimore Ravens, the Green Bay Packers only minus ten against the Detroit Lions, Minny over a New York Giants team that is certain to rest starters today (in contrast to their brave position last year), Washington plus a field goal over San Francisco and Denver getting 8.5 from a San Diego Charger team that bookies seem to have overrated all season…I’ll hit the under on the New England - Buffalo match (and as the winds swirl you best move quickly; what was 42 this morning is dropping below 39) and the over 32.5 on the Steelers - Browns…after the controversy that has followed the Green Bay franchise this year I expect a full throttle effort against the 0-15 Detroit Lions. No way will anyone associated with the organization want to cap off this season with a loss to the inept Motown squad…the St Louis Rams have signed a petition, submitted to management, asking that current coach Jim Haslett be retained for next year. Those overpaid, underachieving rascals have some nerve, but, could their little project translate into a superior effort today? Getting two touchdowns from the Atlanta Falcons makes them at least a consideration…could be the last time Brett Favre is seen on the gridiron as his New York Jets look to keep their playoff hopes alive against the Miami Dolphins. But we’ve heard that before, haven’t we?…desperate news for New England Patriots fans has Tom Brady “well behind” in his rehab, according to The Sporting News. The whispers have the immaculate ones 2009 season now at risk…shocker from St Louis has Paul Kariya, rumoured to be about to rejoin the Blues, now out for the season after hip surgery…Eric Staal has twelve points in his last ten games for the Carolina Hurricanes. The fortunes of the team are inextricably tied to the play of their highest paid player. When he is hot, the Canes are a very tough team to beat…head case Tyler Arnason is now, through attrition, the number one centre for the Colorado Avalanche. Really not a good sign for the floundering franchise. Maybe Ryan Smyth could indulge fans and, y’know, actually try to earn those phat wages… the Chicago Blackhawk’s have won eight in a row. The days when this flourishing franchise could sneak up on opponents are rapidly coming to a close…hope Toronto Maple Leaf fans, stuffed full of cheer and merriment, don’t become foolish and bet their storied franchise in Washington tonight. The Caps are an exhilarating 14-1-0-1 at home and will feast on the wandering strangers…there are still a stunning 37 Type A or B baseball free agents available. The Toronto Blue Jays have expressed nary an interest in even one…spent another night on Justin TV watching streaming of classic fights. On the menu were Roberto Duran - Carlos Palomino, Evander Holyfield - Dwight Braxton, Fernando Vargas - Ike Quartey and Larry Holmes - Osvaldo Ocassio…….on the NTRA site you can watch Bob Black Jack’s emphatic win in the Venturas Stakes from Santa Anita Friday. The favoured Into Mischief was second in his final start. Of course local punters can only imagine how local hero Fatal Bullet would have fared if he had not been injured in his preparations for the opening day stakes…