The Corner is taking Cardinals and over

While it was good to get away, it's also good to be back. I have to admit it was not easy being unable to watch the games for week 13 (save the game I attended) and also not having early access to the lines for week 14.

The week 13 Sunday night game, a.k.a. Jay Cutler's pathetic debut, was a sloppy game; there were six turnovers and two missed field goals (Cutler threw two interceptions and completed just 10 passes). Having chosen the over for the game it did not look good until, with two and a half minutes left, Broncos wide receiver Brandon Marshall broke a few tackles and sprinted 71 yards to tie the game at 20 sending the crowd into a frenzy that seemed to raise the temperature at INVESCO Field to 18 degrees. With only a few seconds left on the clock the Seahawks won on a 50 yard field goal.

This win was welcomed, since we had lost earlier in the day when the Chiefs blew a 14 point fourth quarter lead to lose at Cleveland. Not having made any picks for week 14 our season record now stands at 17-9.

With only three regular season weeks remaining, two teams, the Bears and the Chargers, have not only clinched a playoff spot they have won their division, and sit in the driver's seat for home field advantage for the conferences.

This week the Broncos head into the desert riding a four game losing streak to take on the Cardinals, in a game that will feature two rookie quarterbacks, Matt Leinart and Cutler. Since their bye week the Cardinals have won 3 of their 5 games and seem to be getting some rhythm on offense, averaging 29 points in their last three. The problem is the defense has kept the games interesting by allowing their opponents to score.

The line on this game favors the Broncos by 2 points with a total of 41.5. I have said before that I like the angle of a non-conference home underdog and this game falls into that category. The pick here is to take the Cardinals plus the points.

The second pick this week just happens to be in the same game. With both defenses allowing their share of points I will take the over in this game also. We only need each team to score three touchdowns to get past this number.

Next week the College Bowl season kicks off, so here's a tip. Historically you will do well if you take all the underdogs in December. Don't discriminate or think you can cherry pick the ones you think might do well, you have to take all of them. Last year the dogs went 12-8 against the spread in December, and we would all be happy with that again this year.

Jason Kolenut is the Casino Fandango Race andSports Book supervisor.