Degenerate gamblers will look back upon 2007 as a Golden Year for NFL picking.  Not since 1985 when the Giants, 49er's and yes, da Bears ran rough-shod over the meager competition have bettors had such a decided advantage.   When the disparity between the upper echelon teams and the scrubs is greatest, the opportunities for Harry the Horse and Good Time Charlie progresse in an almost Malthusian check on the bookies fortunes.  This year will go down as one for the ages:  the Patriots were a lock for 3/4 of the season, and the Dolphins were too, although they were a lock to lose and not cover.  If you hung with the Packers and Cowboys at the beginning of the year and bet against the 49er's, Jets, and Detroit in the 2nd half of the season, you can probably skip your coupon clipping this winter.

  The wise player should be able to sail through the playoffs pocketing profits as the line-up includes only a handful of solid clubs and a gaggle of pretenders just eking out one more paycheck before they get bounced.  It's one and out for the teams that wobbled into their berths.  Here is your primer to bookie wallet extraction this playoff season:

  Tennessee at San Diego -9:  Despite the fact that the genuises in San Diego passed on Drew Brees to keep Phillip (Wounded Duck) Rivers, the Chargers have righted the ship and stopped taking on water.   While we're not high on the Chargers at all this season, what with the team chemistry of the Soviet Politburo and a head coach in his last job in pro football, the Titans are a wasted draft choice or two away from being unable to score a touchdown in the playoffs.  I know you Titan fans think Vince Young is the greatest thing since Michael Vick: well so do I.  He has no more business being an NFL quarterback than. say, Kerry Collins.  14 touchdowns and 30 interceptions?   Jeff Fischer is probably on his knees at night praying for Young to beg off this one, so Collins can ride to the rescue as he did against the Colts in meaningless game 16.   The Titans lost at home to the Chargers 23-17 in overtime early in December, but won't be able to exact revenge as they are nearly incapable of scoring.  San Diego 29-Tennessee 7.

  Jacksonville at Pittsburgh +1.5:   There must be tons of  latent, automatic Steeler money out there for the handicappers to make the Jags such a short favorite.   The Jaguars literally beat the snot out of the Steelers in Pittsburgh on December 16, outgaining them 421 yards to 217.  The Jaguars are actually the NEW Steelers, usurping the old Steel Curtain's reputation for physical football characterized by a hard-hitting defense and a powerful running attack.   And David Garrard is no-Big Ben: he protects the football a lot better.   Wise bettors know that football is a game of emotion and Jack Del Rio will have the Jags sky high for this one.  I have a feeling Pittsburgh's heart won't be in it after the first few pops.    Get a 2nd mortgage on the house and put it all on the Jags:  Jacksonville 27 -Pittsburgh 10.

 And in the lightweight division:

  New York Giants at Tampa Bay-3:  Tom Coughlin and his struggling Giants deserve our heartfelt thanks for the determined effort they  put up against the Patriots in week 16.  We are sorry they lost, but the Pats won't be playing in the Super Bowl and that will be the sweetest of desserts.   Looks like Eli has his game on again with Plaxico back, but the absence of Jeremy Shockey will hurt against this solid Bucs defense.  (Now when I say solid, I mean NFC solid.  On October 7 against the Colts, the Bucs got ripped 33-14 and the Colts played without Joseph Addai and Marvin Harrison, among others. Just ask Jon Gruden about how the Colt's offense toyed with his defense:  ergo the "lightweight" moniker.)  I like Eli, but he's certainly no Peyton and the Bucs should fool him with the Cover 2 and intercept several of his offerings.   Garcia is a good ball-control quarterback, albeit a 2nd tier one, and he will protect the ball enough to get Tampa to the next level.  Tampa 22-New York 19.  Looks like the books got this one pegged on the nose.  Better pass on it. 

  Washingon at Seattle -3:  Wow! Talk about your marquis match-ups!  I know America can't wait to watch Tod Collins battle Seneca Wallace this week.  Or will Hasselback be fit to play?  Does that make it any more interesting?   Washinton has all the feel-good press and a bit of momentum going in to this meaningless tune-up for the victor's destruction at the hands of the Cowboys or Packers.   Unless your Lunesta has run short, I suggest you pass on this sleep inducer.   The word "under" comes to mind for both teams:  Under-achieving, under-performing and under-interesting for starters.   Find the over/under number from your local book and ride the under on a short play:  Washington 16-Seattle 14.

Tune in next week when it really starts to get interesting.  The Jaguars will be opening  a 30 gallon drum of whup-#### in Foxborough and I will be glad to walk you though it!