The Thursday Three: TSZ Fans' Guaranteed Locks

It's official. The Spread Zone (TSZ) has the best followers in the world. Although it took a little bit of harassment and ultimately modeling, we have now received numerous e-mails (okay, maybe there were only six) from our knowledgeable, experienced fan base ranking their top three confidence picks of the week. Half a dozen is more than enough, however, when it comes to a lot of things in life - like gambling decisions and having kids, so don't knock the sample size.

Although we had some reservations that this new segment might dilute the illusion of brilliance we've created with our Friday Five, we decided it was more important to evolve The Spread Zone into an even more inclusive and informative resource for its readers. As Socrates once pondered, "If a blog entry is published and there's no one around to read it, isn't it just a girly journal?"

For those of you new to TSZ, we asked our readers to submit the NFL picks ATS which they are most confident in on the Week 11 schedule. Once we received all the entries, Marco and I created a grid, assigned point values to the rankings, created a combined score for each match-up, and ended up with three clear confidence picks according the TSZ fan base. Included with the picks are some thoughts, analysis, and occasionally bad words the authors used to justify their leanings.

We are also excited to include some analysis from three-time winner of our pool this year, the infamous Jimmy "The Weasel" who writes, "After a great deal of soul searching and careful deliberation I have decided to make myself available to the Interweb. If the great Billy Walters is willing to go on 60 Minutes, I should have the sack to go on The Spread Zone." 

Thank you, Mr. "The Weasel." We're happy to have you.

And now, without further adieu, we present to you The Spread Zone's inaugural Thursday Three.

Week 11 Thursday Three: TSZ Fans' Guaranteed Locks

#3. Baltimore Ravens (+3.5 or -2.5) over PITTSBURGH STEELERS

                                   

--With or without Big Ben, the Ravens offense has more weapons than the Pittsburgh Steelers. Defensively, all the talk is about how the Ravens D isn't what it used to be, but Dannell Elerbe has been playing stout defense in Ray Lewis's absence, and I think he makes them younger and quicker. Steelers will make a game of it, but the Ravens will pull away late and win by 10.

Arty Z
Austin, TX
Cleveland Browns fan

--Congratulations to Big Ben for nearly killing himself both with and without a helmet. The weasel is no MD but I'm pretty sure the potential of a punctured aorta is a bad thing. Leftwich is a serviceable back up against the Chiefs, but the Ravens are not the Chiefs. Not to mention that these teams are about to face each other twice in the next three weeks, the Ravens want to announce their presence with authority. And yes I realize that is a quote from a baseball movie but it's applicable to the NFL, merging in traffic, sweet love making, and dentistry.

Jimmy "The Weasel"
Here and There, USA
Fan of the Super Teaser



#2. Green Bay Packers (-3.5) over DETROIT LIONS

                            

--I know, it's a homer pick but I feel the Packers will be quite ready for the Lions.  GB has owned them as of late and they're always prepared after the bye under McCarthy.  The mounting injuries concern me but this short spread should not be a problem.

Beer & Brats for Breakfast
Green Bay, WI
Green Bay Packers fan

--Packers coming off a bye giving Mike McCarthy extra time to prepare for the Lions. He's 6-0 following a bye. If Rodgers can destroy the Texans D, and the Titans destroy the Lions D, this should be a pretty easy game for Rodgers and Co. The closest loss for the Lions was 3 points to the Titans! Aside from that game they have lost by 6 or more! 38-24 sounds about right.

Luis G.

Long Island, NY
Pittsburgh Steelers fan


#1. New Orleans Saints (-4.5) over OAKLAND RAIDERS: Almost everyone had something to say about this one.

                              

--The Saints are coming alive of late behind a semblance of a three headed running game, which as a whole is a nice mix of power and explosiveness (see Ivory, Chris). Who cares that the Saints have found a running game? Only Drew Brees and the whole offensive line. If the Saints can give even the slightest impression of a running game it prevents Oakland from pinning back their ears on the pass rush. Plus, when you're fighting for your playoff life you tend not to rest starters late in the game and try to put games away by large margins.

Jimmy "The Weasel"

--Baltimore made Oakland look like a peewee team, and the Saints are on fire.

Mysterio
London, Ontario Canada
Dallas Cowboys fan

--Um Raiders kinda suck.  In six career games against Oakland, Brees has gone 6-0 with a 120.7 passer rating (Thank you CBS). Yeah, Saints D isn't GOOD, but I think it comes down to Carson Palmer eventually throwing his famous pick six in the 4th quarter to seal the deal for the Saints. Bucs and Ravens exposed the Raider D, imagine what Brees will do against the 26th ranked defense against the pass. And apparently Raiders are 5-25 ATS at home vs. teams with losing records. Shootout in Oakland Saints 40-31.

Luis G.
Long Island, NY
Pittsburgh Steelers fan

--New Orleans Saints christen the Bad Boys of Oakland.  I'd give 10 points on this one. Carson Palmer wishes HIS name was Drew Brees. This one might even be worse than the Ravens beat down last week, although the Raiders might sneak one or two scores in there somewhere. I think Norlenz' D is getting better with every game, and should be able to handle the RunDMc-less offense of the Bad Bay Boyz. 

Minuteman Bob
Central Ohio
Cincinnati Bengals fan

So there you have it, faithful readers. Looks like the Oakland Raiders are going down according to the genius fans at The Spread Zone. Let us know what you think of the format of this new segment. We love feedback and you have our e-mail address now: vinnyandmarco@gmail.com. 

This week we were able to include a little bit from everyone, but that may not always be the case, so keep track of your Thursday Three as the year unfolds and let us know how you're doing from time to time. We may or may not always include these choices in our Friday Five - posted tomorrow - but I can assure you that you'll see at least one of them this week. 

We'll be posting reminders for the Thursday Three every Monday, and we look forward to reading your thoughts and insights. 

See you manana, fellow degenerates. 

Vinny and Marco

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