If you followed me last week I cost you $10, sorry about that, we'll try to do better than this game, but in my defense, I thought Ponder was playing. If you take that out, I made you $100.

Recap:
I said take the Bengals straight up -$100
I start take the Vikings to cover -$110 (ugh, Ponder)
I said take the Ravens to cover +$100
and the Seahawks to cover +$100

This week here's who to cheer for and how to make money in the desert:

Baltimore at Denver (-9) Saturday 4:30pm

In this game you're obviously cheering for the good guys and Ray Lewis. I looked all over for to find solid reasons of hope, and here's what I came up with. This is the second week all year we have Ray Lewis, Ngata, Reed and Suggs in the line up at once. The defense is playing a lot better than the first match up, and so is the offense. But it's Peyton Manning, he knows how to beat the Ravens, He hasn't loss to Baltimore in over a decade. So here, we're just hoping against hope that the Ravens can upset the Broncos.

Pick: regardless of the lack of hope, the Ravens and Peyton Manning traditionally play close games in the playoffs. So I love the Ravens +9.

Green Bay at San Fran (-3) Saturday 8:00pm

Here, I'm pulling for the other Harbaugh. On the off chance we meet in the Superbowl, I feel better about playing against Kapernick than Rodgers.

Pick: ugh I'd feel better if the line was 2.5, but take the 49ers-3. I really think this game will end up as a push. But we'll see 49ers by a field goal sounds about right.

Seattle at Atlanta (-2.5) Sunday 1:00pm

If we're ever going to settle the Ryan/Flacco debate, why not in the Superbowl. So cheer for Ryan to meet us in the Superbowl. If we've all ready been eliminated, you're cheering for Seattle to do away with Ryan, to also help settle the debate.

Pick: Seattle is playing well, the money line is +110, so go ahead and take them to win outright against an Atlanta team that I haven't believed in all year. In fact I'd also take the over of 45.5. Make it a parley and you won't be mad at me come Monday

Houston at New England (-9.5) Sunday 4:30pm

Cheer for New England, I'd rather see Manning vs Brady again if we lose, that's just great TV there. And if we beat New England, I feel more confident going to New England and winning than I do going to Houston.

Pick: Wow, laying 9.5 is never fun. But that's exactly the right move here. Take New England to cover on the basis that you're picking the healthier defense here.