The Poinsettia Bowl is the most exciting game tonight in my mind, but then I’m a bowl junkie. While tonight’s NFL game isn’t as exciting, it is an interesting puzzle:

Pittsburgh (-7.5) at St. Louis – Normally, I would love to find a way to pick against the Steelers. They are playing poorly in recent weeks and I haven’t had a lot of faith in them all year. The problem, of course, is that they are playing the Rams. St. Louis has found all sorts of ways to be pitiful, their quarterbacking situation is one big uncertainty, and they don’t have a whole lot to play for. I look for Pittsburgh to seek redemption after two big losses. Pick: Pittsburgh.

UPDATE: It was close for longer than I thought it might be, and the Rams did some things well, but in the end they were just too flawed and the Steelers were too strong.

Post from: Ultra Sports Bet

New York Giants (-3) at Detroit – I know I said I was done with betting on the Lions, but I just can’t quit them. I don’t trust the Giants at all, and Detroit has been great at home, So the value lies in the Lions and the points. Pick: Detroit.

St. Louis (-3) at San Francisco – The Rams looked pretty good in winning last week, and I like their chances to do it again here. The Niners are in a deep, ugly funk. Pick: St. Louis.

Cleveland (-2.5) at Baltimore – This is an easy game for me to pick. I love teams that play with heart. Cleveland is playing with more than anyone right now, while Baltimore isn’t showing any of the heart that has made me like them for so long. Cleveland is in a good spot here. Pick: Cleveland.

UPDATE: 2-1 on the day. Cleveland and St. Louis didn’t win pretty, but at least they won and covered. Detroit, on the other hand, was a frustrating mess. I guess I should have meant it when I said I was done with them.

Post from: Ultra Sports Bet

• Marc Bulger has been benched to recover from injuries including broken ribs sustained because his line couldn’t stop my three year old cousin. He’s being replaced by Gus Frerotte. I had no idea that Frerotte was still alive. Bulger will likely be backup because the only other QB the team has is Brock Berlin, and he’s on the practice roster.
• Kwame Brown faces a misdemeanor charge in Georgia after he tried to interfere with a police investigation as his cousin was charged with DUI. So much for him finally growing up and maturing into a solid player.
• The Bucs have Michael Pittman and Earnest Graham to fill in for the injured Cadillac Williams, but they aren’t confident in those options. They have been shopping around, including Mewelde Moore from Minnesota.
• Though this incident seems like a misunderstanding that might go away, senior captain and safety Tony Joiner is the eighth Florida Gator in nine months to get arrested. Will discipline be an issue down the road for his team?
• Stanford QB T.C. Ostrander has suffered a seizure and will be out this weekend against USC. Sophomore Tavita Pritchard, 1 for 2 on the season, will be thrown to the wolves. Stanford’s offense will struggle, but it was probably going to anyway.
• Pat White will be a game time decision for West Virginia.
• Colt McCoy says he feels fine and is over the mild concussion that was partly to blame for his terrible performance against kansas State last weekend.
• The Bears will stick with Brian Griese at QB. I like this move. He wasn’t as bad as Grossman, and it wasn’t his fault that the results weren’t all everyone hoped they would be – the Bears are one broken team.

Post from: Ultra Sports Bet