Last week was a strange one in the National Football League. It was the lowest scoring first weekend since 1977, and 1983 was the last year that an opening week featured 11 games won by the visiting team.
As a result, the right side of the parlay card really was the right side, as 10 underdogs covered the point spread, and 12 games went Under the total. Six road underdogs won outright.
ESPN's Monday Night Football doubleheader was a rousing success, setting a cable ratings record. Other than the lopsided nature of the second game, and having to listen to arrogant commentator Joe Theismann during the first one, things went well.
ESPN did find a good match for Theismann, however, with Pardon the Interruption host Tony Kornheiser. His folksy approach is unique and gives him the opportunity to excel in the MNF booth, especially next to a jackass like Theismann. Ex-Sunday Night partner Paul Maguire is a good announcer, but he never sounded good or ever seemed to win an argument with "Mr. Know It All" Theismann.
The only other noticeable difference last weekend was that the referees were wearing different uniforms. The problem is, the same guys were wearing them.
Last Sunday a New York Giant wide receiver got called for offensive pass interference for sticking out his elbow, while a Jacksonville receiver was allowed to rip a defender down to the ground before making a touchdown catch. This is just one example of the horrible inconsistencies everyone will have to endure all season long with the worst officiating group in all of professional team sports.
Note - Last week my prediction for the AFC West champion was accidentally omitted. Oops!
Even though they lost last Sunday at St. Louis, the pick is the Denver Broncos. It's hard to remember the last time Denver didn't make the playoffs.
NASCAR
This Sunday marks the beginning of NASCAR's third annual Nextel Cup Chase for the Championship. Only the top ten points drivers are now allowed to compete over the final ten races in order to determine this year's champion, in what amounts to a playoff system.
The most notable name missing from the top ten list is two-time and defending champ Tony Stewart. The controversial Stewart certainly had an eventful first 26 races this season, even overcoming a broken shoulder blade to finish 11th and one spot out of the Chase. During the season when Stewart lost control of his temper and purposely wrecked other cars, many drivers and their fans wished they could break his shoulder blade. Maybe he just didn't deserve to qualify for the Chase. Do you believe in karma?
Of the ten drivers still vying for the title, the sentimental choice is veteran Mark Martin. He has finished second four times and was supposed to be retired. Martin is the longest shot left on the betting board.
Prediction - Kasey Kahne. This year Kahne has already won at three of the remaining ten tracks, and his odds of 9 to 1 are worth a shot.
Note - Odds are available for every race on the winners, propositions, match-ups, parlay cards and win, place and show wagering.
RYDER CUP
Next weekend the United States and Europe will battle in Ireland for golf's hotly contested Ryder Cup. A preview will come in next week's column, but Friday would be too late to make a wager.
Prediction - Europe, as usual, defeats the United States.