STONE COLD LEAD PIPE DOCKS OF THE WEEK

We're BACKKKKKK!!! What's going on everyone? Is everyone as excited about the football season as we are here at DSS!?!?! Man, this year is going to be great, and I can't wait until the next kickoff on Sunday. Yesterday's Steelers Titans game was off the hook, and this Sunday games are going to be even better.

Also, as some of you may know, I'm getting married soon. The big date is actually on 9/28, which is right around the corner. Unfortunately, because of this, I won't be blogging much during these next few weeks. And even though my girl loves the blog, I don't think she will love the idea of me on my laptop during an Indian wedding ceremony or during one of it's many functions. Let's just say if I blog over the next few weeks, there might not even be a wedding.

That being said, I'll definitely try to stop in as much as possible. For the next few weeks, my buddies Suman and IP will be making the weekly Stone Cold Lead Pipe Dock Picks of the WEEK!!! Try saying that fast five times! And although they are not as good as I am, they are pretty decent. And if you get a chance, definitely check out what they have to say every week, because they do win money! I'm actually working on my picks for this weekend as we speak, so I'll try to get them up by Saturday.

Lastly, since my life is pretty much over soon(jk Rosh, in case you read this), I will be embarking on a wild MAN/ SPORTS weekend, which will be taking place from Friday to Sunday. It will include a lot of sports, and a lot of drinking!

Tonight I will be heading over to the DWade charity Event at TenPin, which should be sick. A ton of athletes and Chicago ballers are going to be there, so you know I will be in heaven. There is also an open bar I think, so it might get rowdy. I also wanted to take a quick second to say thanks to my friend Tammy for setting me up with this awesome opportunity!

Then when that's over with, and I finally wake up Saturday, the mission will continue. I'm going to go play golf with some of my good friends in the morning. After that, my buddy IP was able to set us up with two vip passes to the BMW Championships at Cog Hill! I can't wait to go see Tiger and the Lefty play Saturday. And no joke, but golf has been my life since I've started playing. I'm fascinated by the game now, and I can't wait to see just how good these Pro players are. This is going to be amazing! Also, a big shout out to Shahir and my buddy IP for setting this up for me.

And when that is all said and done, the grand daddy of my weekend will be here. It's going to be Bears vs the FUDGE PACKERS in GB, at Lambeau Field!!! I got these tickets a really long time ago, and have been counting down the days ever since. It's going to be the season opener on Sunday Night football. The Bears vs Packers. AR vs Cutler. Both teams have high hopes this year, so who will win?!?! For my MAN/SPORTS weekend, can it get better than that? I'm banking on my man/ sports weekend bonanza ending with a Bears W over the GB. This game will send me off happily ever after, so I know it's going to happen!

Here are my picks for today...

Vik's Pix:

Jags at Colts - Jags+7

I love the Jags in this situation here today. Everyone sees this as the great Colts vs the lowly Jags from last year, but I see this as a great value bet in the game. I don't know if you remember this, but the Jags always play the Colts tough. In addition to that, the Jags last year were terrible because their oline was struggling. Injuries killed them, and that took away from their powerful running game. If you guys remember, the Jags were one of the sexy picks to make the Super Bowl last year. Everyone pointed towards their running game and defense as to the reasons why. Well guess what, that defense is still there, and their running game is going to be a lot better this year. The Jags revamped their offensive line through the draft and via free agency, which will be huge for them. I see DG having a big year too, and MJD will definitely keep this game close today. The Colts are going to be good, but I want to see how they play under their new Head Coach. I also want to see how the Colts running game is. Will Addai show up? Is their OLine too old and slow now? Also the Colts are missing the Head of their defense, Bob Sanders. They are a totally different team without him. Imagine the Steelers without Troy, but to a lesser degree. The Colts will always be dangerous because of Peyton, but there are just too many question marks for me here, and it's a division game. Division games are always a slugfest. That is why I will take the 7...

Jets at Texans - Texans -4

I love the Texans every single year, so I hope they finally come through today. Schaub is ok, and with AJ and Slaton, they got a big three that is going to cause havoc this year. Also on the Jets side, Ellis and Pace are out. That is huge for them and a plus for Schaub and that offense there. The team is also learning and still getting accustomed to this new D. Also, Sanchez is making his first start on the road, and it's vs Ryans and Super Mario. I'm also not sold on Thomas Jones having another good season, so let's see just how affective this Jets running game is. They will definitely be chasing him around all game long. I just think the Texans win by at least a TD in this one...

Skins at Giants - Skins +7

I know the giants are going to be one of the best teams in football, and I love them this year, maybe even to make the Super Bowl, but I think 7 pts is wayyy to much in this division game. The Skins actually were a very improved team last year, and although I don't see them making the playoffs this year, I do see them playing the Giants tough today. I see this as a classic slugfest game, kind of how Tenn Pitt was on Thursday. Both teams will run the ball a lot, and keep it close. I don't see the game getting blown open on either side. I also think Haynesworth will really help this defense and Orakpo is going to be sick with him. I will take 7pts with two good defenses and two good running games, during a division game...

Niners at Cards - Niners +7

I don't know why, but I see the Cards having that Super Bowl hangover this year. I want to see if Fitz will get hit by the Madden curse. If Boldin's hammy will ever be a 100 percent, and if Warner can last the entire season. Also with Boldin out today, I just don't see the Cards lighting up the Niners in this one. I also am curious to see how the Cards running game plays out with Wells and Hightower. The Niners played amazing last year after Singletary was hired, so I am kind of banking on the team playing with the same intensity this year, as they did last year in the second half of the season. They did not win many games, but they were in every single game pretty much after Singletary started, and that is all you can ask for when getting 7. I also think Frank Gore is going to have a really nice game today, as the Cards are suspect vs the run. I see this as a game where the Niners try to dominate time of possession and just keep it close. I wouldn't be surprised if they did win this game straight up though, but I do see them keeping it close.

Dolphins at Falcons - Falcons -3

The Spread scares me a little bit, but I really think the Falcons come through today. They play in a tough place to play, and I definitely think that will help in the 2nd half. The Falcons offense is even better than last year to me, with the addition of TGO. Turner will open up the field for TGO, and vice versa. 8 in the box, boom Ryan will find TGO. 7 in the box, and Turner will run wild. Ryan was already solid last year, and I see him getting even better this year. Roddy White is a really underrated WR, and I see him having a huge game today because the Dolphins revamped their entire secondary. They are putting rookies and new FA's out there, and that is bad news vs this Falcons squad at home on that ground. The Fins were good last year, but I see them regressing this year. I also think their Wildcat is out of the bag now, so teams won't be surprised when they bust it out again. I'm not sold on the Fins offense otherwise, so I will take the Falcons at home in this one.

I also do like the Under in this game. Everyone is on the over, but that total is high, and I see the Fins trying to run the ball a lot, and trying to keep the ball out of the Falcons hands. Which means they will eat up a lot of clock....

Trap Game - Cowboys. How is everyone on the Cowboys, but the line has moved 1.5 pts in the wrong directions? I don't see how the Bucs keep it close, but I'm down on the Boys this year too. Maybe Vegas knows something we don't. Be careful here. Another easy layup seems like the Vikings, but with everyone on them, the line hasn't moved at all? I definitely don't see the Browns winning or covering, but this one scares me.

FYI - I bought the hooks and pts to get my spreads to where I wanted them...

IP's Pix:

Chiefs at Ravens- (Ravens -13)- So here we go….KC is coming off a inconsistent preseason which left them with more questions then answers. The QB situation is murky, the play calling situation has changed already, and the team’s identity is a mystery. The Ravens on the other hand are looking to build on last season’s success and seem very poised. Unflappable Flacco is the tough QB this team needs and even with out Tyrannosaurs Rex Ryan, the defense will be of elite caliber. Look for the Ravens to roll the Chiefs at home 28-10. Ravens to cover.

Bills at Pats- (Pats -10.5)- The BRADY FACTOR……Tom Brady is on a mission this year. We haven’t heard too much from the East Coast juggernauts but rest assured a healthy Mr. Brady will light up the scoreboard. The Bills also have offensive coordinator issues and I’m not sold on Trent Edwards being able to sling it around against Brady. Look for New England to roll in this one 35-17

Chargers at Raiders- (Chargers -10)- The most helpless franchise in the league at the moment, the Raiders looked miserable in preseason, especially against the Saints. The saints ran and threw all over the Raiders like they were Craig Ehlo or something (congrats MJ on the H.O.F). I don’t see anything different happening against the Chargers. Phillip Rivers is one of the best passers in the league and they have a nasty running attack. This one is a BLOWOUT!!!!!!!! Chargers 42-14

Jets at Texans- (Jets +4.5)- A matchup of two teams looking to escape mediocrity. On paper both teams match up well. A healthy Matt Schaub is as dangerous as any QB in the league and Andre Johnson is just a beast. The Jets counter with a defense that has a new swagger compliments of their coach Rex Ryan. This game should be a clo9se one but I am going to go with my boy from USC Mr. Sanchez and say the Jets pull off the upset. Jets by a field goal 20-17.

Eagles at Panthers (Eagles -3) - LETS GO RON MEXICO!!!!!!!! Well he won’t be available for a few more weeks but I thought I would show the man some love NH. This game is going to be a back and forth battle. Carolina boasts a strong running attack and the Eagles has looked suspect on D. However, D McNabb is focused and ready to lead this team back to prominence in the NFC. Look for the Eagles to surprise Carolina at home with a 24-17 win.

Suman's Pix:

Bengals -4

I'm pretty sure Brandon Marshall is crying somewhere. I'm pretty sure Kyle Orton is kind of hurt. I'm pretty sure they don't know who the starting running back should be. And I'm pretty sure Josh McDaniels feels like a kid in a candy store right now (only the candy store is being robbed and the kid is being held hostage by a 6'4'' black wide receiver). The Broncos have nothing going for them. Assuming Carson Palmer plays in this game, which I think he will as they've been playing it safe with him, he should torch a porous Broncos D. Plus add to all this that the Broncos have acquired Andra Davis (and with him the Cleveland Curse). Cutler doomed the Broncos this year and the Bengals roll in this one.

Saints -13

I hate taking huge favorites like this. Especially against the Lions who seemed to cover every game last year. But I really don't see them stopping Drew Brees in this one. And while Matt Stafford will probably flash some signs of brilliance you know he's good for 2 picks and probably a fumble too. This is too easy which means that somehow the Lions will cover for sure. FML.

Ravens -13

Wish I would have gotten this game a long time ago at -9. I'm not exactly a believer in Matt Cassell, and now that he's injured that only makes it worse. I just don't see that offense doing much against this Ravens D in Baltimore on opening weekend. Especially since their offensive coordinator was fired last week. Meanwhile, the KC defense has some nice pieces but they are relatively young. I expect a blow out in this one.

Jaguars +7

I think this AFC South is the toughest division in football this year and this game will show it. Down to the wire face bashing, so I'll take the points. I believe Bob Sanders is out, but I'm too lazy to look this up. So look for MJD to rampage a nice one. David Garrard has been above average for the last 2 years so I don't see that changing. Peyton Manning has been above average for a decade so I don't expect that to change either. I think there will be 2 breakout stars in this game: Anthony Gonzalez for the Colts and Mike Sims-Walker for the Jags. The Jags squeek out a close one.

Patriots -10

Another game that seems too easy and will probably backfire. The Bills are really disorganized on offense right now without their coordinator. T.O. is making corny jokes on Twitter. And his show just got picked up for a second season. I don't know what any of this has to do with this game, but it doesn't have anything to do with football. Their line is extremely young and inexperienced. Even though they traded away their leader and top defender in Seymour, I'm guessing Bill Belichek performs a colonoscopy on the Bills and tears their shit up. Tom Brady's first game back on Monday night = touchdowns galore. I'm glad that my boy Joey Galloway finally has a real QB in his life. Too bad he is now older than Vik.