50-year old Dan Marino saw his once NFL record 5,084 passing yards record broke last night by Drew Brees of the Saints.  The record stood for 27 years, but records are made to be broken.  I hear a lot of people saying that Dan Marino is the best QB to never win a Super Bowl.  That’s a bunch of crap as he was a lot better than a lot of QBs that won the Super Bowl (Doug Williams, Jeff Hostetler and Trent Dilfer come to mind).  In his historic season of 1984, Marino played in 16 games (all starts) for the Dolphins and he completed 362 of 564 passes (64.2%) for 5,084 yards with 48 TD passes (#3 all-time) and 17 interceptions (108.9 QB Rating).  His Dolphins were 14-2 during the regular season in 1984 and they lost the Super Bowl 38-16 to Joe Montana’s 49ers.  Marino played 17 seasons (all with the Dolphins) and he played in 242 games (240 starts) in which he completed 4,967 of 8,358 passes (59.4%) for 61,361 (#2 all-time) with 420 TD passes (#2 all-time) and 252 interceptions (86.4 QB Rating).  He also carried the ball 301 times for 87 yards (0.3 ypc) with 9 TD runs.  Marino was elected into Pro Football’s Hall of Fame in 2005.  Marino played in 9 Pro Bowls in his career and he compiled a 147-93 (61.3%) as the Dolphins’ starting QB.  His records might be starting to fall, but Dan Marino was one of the 5-10 best QBs in NFL history.

This could be the weekend of the underdog in the NFL this weekend….as far as covering the pointspread goes.  Here is how I see this weekend’s games against the spread:

STEALING MONEY:

Carolina Panthers (-7.5) over the Tampa Bay Buccaneeers - The Buccaneers have packed it in already this year.  That is not good news for them today as the Panthers are playing their best football of the season right now.  I like the Panthers to win this game 34-10!

Green Bay Packers (-11) over the Chicago Bears - The Packers are going to take this game very seriously, because the Bears are their most heated rival.  The Bears will be starting QB Josh McCown and RB Kahlil Bell tomorrow night, enough said.  I like the Packers to win this game 38-16.

NEXT BEST:

Philadelphia Eagles (+1) over the Dallas Cowboys - The “Dream Team” has finally shown up as the Eagles are playing well right now.  This is about the time that Tony Romo implodes as he never seems to play well when the games get big.  I like the Eagles 27-23 in this game and I would bet the money line.

Kansas City Chiefs (-2.5) over the Oakland Raiders - The Chiefs look like a new team with Romeo Crennel as the head coach and Kyle Orton as the starting QB.  The Chiefs popped the Raiders 28-0 in Oakland earlier this year.  This game is going to be closer though, with the Chiefs winning 27-20.

Washington Redskins (-6.5) over the Minnesota Vikings - The Redskins have been playing well lately, while the Vikings look lost.  The Redskins are going to win this game 27-16 today.

Atlanta Falcons (+7) over the New Orleans Saints - This is going to be one of the best games of the week in the NFL.  I like the Saints to win this game 33-30, but I like the Falcons to cover the pointspread.

NOT BAD:

Seattle Seahawks (+1.5) over the San Francisco 49ers - The Seahawks amazingly still have a chance to make the playoffs.  The 49ers could be in for a letdown after last Monday Night’s punishment of the Pittsburgh Steelers.  I like the Seahawks to pull an upset and win this game 16-14.

Tennessee Titans (-7) over the Jacksonville Jaguars - It’s do or die time for the Titans as far as the playoffs go.  They won’t overlook the Jaguars this weekend after what happened to them in Indy last week.  I like the Titans to win 23-13.

San Diego Chargers (+2) over the Detroit Lions - No one is playing better than the San Diego Chargers right now.  I see them winning a shootout 31-30 over the Lions in the best game of the day.

CLOSE CALLS:

Pittsburgh Steelers (-10.5) over the St. Louis Rams - Sure, the Steelers are starting Charlie Batch at QB.  It won’t matter as the Steelers are going to run all over the Rams’ D and they are going to shut down the Rams’ O today.  I like the Steelers to win this game 20-7.

New York Giants (+3) over the New York Jets - This is going to be a very entertaining slugfest as these two teams don’t like each other.  I like the Jets to win this game 21-20, but for the Giants to cover.

Cleveland Browns (+11.5) over the Baltimore Ravens - The Browns aren’t going to win this game, but they are going to put up a good fight.  I like the Ravens to win this game 24-14.

Arizona Cardinals (+4.5) over the Cincinnati Bengals - The Cardinals have been playing outstanding football lately as they are making a late season playoff push.  The Bengals are pretty tough at home in the Jungle.  I look for the Bengals to win this game 20-17, but for the Cardinals to cover.

Miami Dolphins (+8.5) over the New England Patriots - The Dolphins are going to keep this game close due to the Patriots’ awful defense.  I like the Patriots to win this game 34-26.

PUSH CITY:

Denver Broncos (-3) over the Buffalo Bills - I look for Tim Tebow to pull some tricks out of his hat today.  I like the Broncos to win this game 20-17…..making it a push.

There are no games that look like locks to me.  Tread carefully this weekend as the linesmakers have done a good job with the pointspreads.  Here is how I see the games on Sunday and Monday this weekend against the spread:

SOLID PLAYS:

Seattle Seahawks (+3.5) over the Chicago Bears - The Bears have been horrible with Caleb Hanie at QB and I see no reason to think that will change tomorrow.  The Seahawks will stay hot and beat the Bears 17-13 in Chicago tomorrow afternoon.  Bet the money line if one is offered in this game.

Detroit Lions (-1) over the Oakland Raiders - The Lions and Raiders don’t play much defense.  I will go with the QB less likely to make mistakes and that is for sure Matt Stafford of the Lions.  I like the Lions to win this game 31-23.

New England Patriots (-7.5) over the Denver Broncos - The Patriots aren’t going to give Tim Tebow a chance to comeback tomorrow afternoon.  I like the Patriots to win this game 34-20.

New Orleans Saints (-7) over the Minnesota Vikings - The Saints have played really well indoors this year and that’s bad news for the Vikings tomorrow.  I like the Saints to win this game 33-20 over the Vikings.

Cincinnati Bengals (-7) over the St. Louis Rams - The Rams are going to start Kellen Clemens at QB tomorrow, and I don’t see that going well.  Look for Cedric Benson to have a huge game for the Bengals tomorrow as they are going to win 23-10.

CLOSE GAMES:

Tennessee Titans (-6.5) over the Indianapolis Colts - The Titans need this game if they are going to have any chance of making the playoffs.  I like the Titans to win this game 24-13.

Miami Dolphins (+1) over the Buffalo Bills - The Dolphins are going to sweep the hapless Bills, beating them 23-20 tomorrow.

Pittsburgh Steelers (+1) over the San Francisco 49ers - The Steelers are going to be a little too much for the Niners in a slobberknocker.  I like the Steelers to win this game 16-13.

Washington Redskins (6.5) over the New York Giants - The Redskins thumped the Giants 28-14 in the first meeting between these two teams.  I like the Redskins to keep it close, but lose 30-27 to the Giants.

Carolina Panthers (+6) over the Houston Texans - The Texans aren’t good enough offensively to run away from the Panthers tomorrow.  I like the Texans to win 20-17, but I like the Panthers to cover.

Kansas City Chiefs (+14) over the Green Bay Packers - The Chiefs are going to be playing at home under new head coach Romeo Crennel.  They will also have Kyle Orton under center instead of Tyler Palko.  For those reasons, I like the Chiefs to stay close enough to cover the spread.  I like the Packers to win this game 31-20.

Cleveland Browns (+6.5) over the Arizona Cardinals - This is going to be the backup QB Bowl with Seneca Wallace starting for the Browns and John Skelton for the Cardinals.  I think the Cardinals are the better team, but I like the Browns to keep things close tomorrow.  I like the Cardinals to win 24-20, but for the Browns to cover.

New York Jets (+3) over the Philadelphia Eagles - This is going to be a good football game as it could literally go either way.  I like taking the points in those situations.  I like the Jets to win this game 21-20.

Baltimore Ravens (-2.5) over the San Diego Chargers - I know!  The Chargers have been playing well lately.  But, they aren’t playing the Jaguars or Bills this week.  The Ravens will win this game 24-20.

With the 2011-12 NBA season ready to start next Sunday, I have decided to take a look at how I see things working out.  Here is how I see things:

EASTERN CONFERENCE:

ATLANTIC DIVISION:

1. New York Knicks - The Knicks did a great job in pulling off a sign and trade deal to add center Tyson Chandler to their front line.  The frontcourt of Chandler, Amare Stoudemire and Carmelo Anthony is going to be one of the best the NBA has to offer this year.  Therefore, I like the Knicks to win the Atlantic Division.

2. Philadelphia 76ers - The 76ers brought back center Spencer Hawes and Thaddeus Young, who were both restricted free agents.  The Sixers are a team on the rise and they have a very deep roster which should suit them well with all the back to back games they are going to have to play this year.

3. Boston Celtics - The Celtics are getting old and they don’t have a very deep roster.  This schedule is going to kill the Celtics this year.  They will still be good enough to win a lot of games, when they are rested.

4. New Jersey Nets - The Nets have been trying to make a big deal for Dwight Howard, but they are getting nowhere.  By waiting for that deal, a lot of free agents have signed elsewhere.  They look like a lottery team to me right now.

5. Toronto Raptors - The Raptors added Rasual Butler, Aaron Gray and Gary Forbes.  They are all decent backup type players, but the Raptors are the worst team in the Atlantic Division right now.

CENTRAL DIVISION:

1. Chicago Bulls - The Bulls’ only weakness last year was at shooting guard where they were starting Keith Bogans.  Well, the certainly fixed that by signing old nemesis Richard Hamilton to a 3-year deal.  The Bulls are going to be one of the teams to beat in the Eastern Conference when it’s all said and done.

2. Indiana Pacers - The Pacers have added George Hill and David West to a very solid nucleus.  That is going to spell trouble for the rest of the Central Division, as they are going to be pretty darn good in 2011-12.

3. Milwaukee Bucks - The Bucks added Stephen Jackson, Mike Dunleavy, Beno Udrih and Shaun Livingston in the off-season.  This should really give the Bucks a jumpstart offensively in 2011-12.  I like them to just miss the playoffs this year.

4. Cleveland Cavaliers - The Cavaliers aren’t going to be the worst team in the division this year.  That’s because Kyrie Irving and Tristan Thompson are going to make the Cavs look good for drafting them.  The Cavs will be on their way back to respectability starting this year.

5. Detroit Pistons - Instead of bringing in new talent, the Pistons re-signed a bunch of players from the lousy team last year.  They hope that first round pick Brandon Knight will give them the same kind of spark that Greg Monroe did last year.

SOUTHEAST:

1. Miami Heat - The Heat have brought most of their guys back for 2011-12.  Eddy Curry and Shane Battier are the only additions and I don’t see them taking the Heat to the next level.

2. Orlando Magic - The Magic have re-signed Jason Richardson and they dealt for Glen “Big Baby” Davis, so they could be better this year.  Look for Dwight Howard to carry this team on his back all the way to the NBA Finals.

3. Atlanta Hawks - The Hawks lost Jamal Crawford to the Blazers and that’s going to hurt.  The Hawks have signed Tracy McGrady, Jerry Stackhouse and Vladimir Radmanovic…..but none of those guys strike any fear in the competition.

4. Washington Wizards - The Wizards brought in Ronny Turiaf and Roger Mason in the off-season to teach the kids how to play.  The Wizards have a lot of good, young talent on the roster….but they aren’t ready to win consistently in the NFL quite yet.

5. Charlotte Bobcats -  The Bobcats are going to be really small with Boris Diaw likely starting at center.  They will have to score a lot of points to win as they are very undersized.

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

NORTHWEST:

1. Oklahoma City Thunder - The Thunder didn’t add much talent wise in the off-season, but they didn’t had to.  Having Kendrick Perkins and Nazr Mohammed at center all year is really going to help them.  This is going to be the Thunder’s year, as I have them winning the NBA Title.

2. Portland Trailblazers - The Blazers have brought in free agents Jamal Crawford, Craig Smith and Kurt Thomas as well as dealing for Raymond Felton.  The Trailblazers’ roster is absolutely loaded for this year as they are set up to make a good playoff run.

3. Utah Jazz - The Jazz are way too talented to finish where they did last year.  I look for them to improve in 2011-12.

4. Denver Nuggets - Despite re-signing Nene’, the Nuggets are not going to be better than they were last year.  They have the look of a lottery team to me right now.

5. Minnesota Timberwolves - New Head Coach Rick Adelman is going to get the most out of his players in 2011-12, but they’re still going to finish in the basement in the Northwest Division.

SOUTHWEST:

1. Dallas Mavericks - A lot of names have changed since the Mavericks won the NBA Championship.  I still think they’re going to be really good, but they have a huge hole at center.   They are really going to miss Tyson Chandler in the playoffs.

2. Memphis Grizzlies - The Grizzlies are now at the big boy’s table.  They re-signed Marc Gasol and they have one of the best starting fives in the entire NBA.  They are a team to be reckoned with.

3. San Antonio Spurs - The Spurs are going to need to go deeper on the bench this year with all of the back to back games.  I think that is really going to hurt them this year.

4. New Orleans Hornets - The Hornets might have lost Chris Paul, but they still have a nice roster.  I really like the Chris Kaman and Emeka Okafor combo and power forward and center as the Hornets are going to win the rebounding battles quite a bit in 2011-12.

5. Houston Rockets - The Rockets are once again going to be the best team that doesn’t make the playoffs.  Put the Rockets in the Eastern Conference and they would be a playoff team.

PACIFIC:

1. Los Angeles Clippers - The Clippers are absolutely loaded right now.  A starting lineup of Chris Paul, Chauncey Billups, Caron Butler, Blake Griffin and DeAndre Jordan is one of the best starting units in the NBA.  They also have a solid bench.  I don’t know how this happened so quickly, but the Clippers are now the King of L.A. basketball wise.

2. Los Angeles Lakers - The Lakers are still going to be really good, but they are really going to miss Lamar Odom and Phil Jackson.  They will take a step back in 2011-12.

3. Phoenix Suns - The Suns have improved in the off-season, but they still aren’t a playoff team.  Having Marcin Gortat all season is going to be huge for the Suns as he is the only really physical player on the roster.

4. Sacramento Kings -The Kings have really loaded up for this year.  J.J. Hickson, Chuck Hayes, Travis Outlaw, John Salmons and Jimmer Frerdette have really improved the talent on the Kings’ roster this year.  The Kings problem is that they are in the Western Conference.  Keep an eye on them though as they are going to be exciting to watch.

5. Golden State Warriors - The Warriors have a solid roster, but they didn’t improve it as much as the other teams in the division.  The Warriors will be fun to watch, but in the end….they will be in the lottery once again next June.

PLAYOFFS:

EASTERN CONFERENCE ROUND 1:

Miami Heat over the Boston Celtics in five games

Chicago Bulls over the Philaldelphia 76ers in six games

New York Knicks over the Indiana Pacers in seven games

Orlando Magic over the Atlanta Hawks in six games

ROUND II:

Orlando Magic over the Miami Heat in seven games

Chicago Bulls over the New York Knicks in seven games

EASTERN CONFERENCE FINALS:

Orlando Magic over the Chicago Bulls in seven games

WESTERN CONFERENCE:

Oklahoma City Thunder over the New Orleans Hornets in five games

Los Angeles Clippers over the San Antonio Spurs in seven games

Dallas Mavericks over the Portland Trailblazers in seven games

Memphis Grizzlies over the Los Angeles Lakers in seven games

ROUND II:

Oklahoma City Thunder over the Memphis Grizzlies in seven games

Los Angeles Clippers over the Dallas Mavericks in seven games

WESTERN CONFERENCE FINALS:

Oklahoma City Thunder over the Los Angeles Clippers in six games

NBA FINALS:

Oklahoma City Thunder over the Orlando Magic in seven games

This doesn’t look like a good betting week in the NFL.  I know that isn’t going to deter you from making some wagers, so here is a look at how the games should go against the spread this weekend:

CLOSE TO LOCKS:

Baltimore Ravens (-16.5) over the Indianapolis Colts - The Patriots let off on the Colts in the 4th quarter last week.  That’s not how the Ravens operate, plus the fans are going to want them to kill the Colts.  The fans will get their wish as the Ravens are going to win this game 38-6.

Houston Texans (+3) over the Cincinnati Bengals - The Houston Texans just keep winning games.  The Bengals have faltered lately, and they won’t be able to move the ball much today.  I like the Texans to pull an “upset” and beat the Bengals 17-10.

SOLID BETS:

New York Giants (+4.5) over the Dallas Cowboys:  The Giants have had a rough schedule lately, losing to the Niners, Packers and Saints….but they played well in two of those games and they travel well.  The Cowboys have only beaten one team (the Niners) that have a winning record this year.  I like the Giants 30-27 over the Cowboys this weekend.

Detroit Lions (-10) over the Minnesota Vikings:  The Lions are going to look to whoop someone’s butt and the Vikings are going to be that team.  I like the Lions to win this game 34-17.

New England Patriots (-8) over the Washington Redskins - I don’t see the Patriots taking the pedal off the metal this weekend.  They did it last week against the Colts and let them back into the game.  I like the Patriots to win this game 31-17.

Seattle Seahawks (-10) over the St. Louis Rams - The Rams are in shambles as they are likely to start Tom Brandstater at QB in this game.  The Seahawks play much better at home and that’s why they are going to win this game 23-7.

Green Bay Packers (-12) over the Oakland Raiders - The Packers are going to be very focused at home this weekend against the Raiders.  I look for this to be a blowout with the Packers winning 37-20.

NOT BAD:

Atlanta Falcons (-3) over the Carolina Panthers - The Falcons are going to score a lot of points today.  I think their D will stop Carolina a couple times in this game.  I like the Falcons to win this game 30-23.

San Diego Chargers (-7) over the Buffalo Bills - The Chargers woke up last weekend and they usually play pretty well in December.  I like the Chargers to beat the Bills 34-24.

Chicago Bears (+3.5) over the Denver Broncos - The Denver Broncos are winning games left and right, but they aren’t winning them impressively.  This will be another one of those games as the Broncos will beat the Bears 17-16.

STAY AWAY FROM THESE GAMES:

Philadelphia Eagles (+3) over the Miami Dolphins - The Dolphins have been playing outstanding football lately, while the Eagles have been awful.  Michael Vick is going to start at QB this weekend, which should give the Eagles’ offense a jolt.  I like the Fins to win 23-21, but the Eagles to cover.

Arizona Cardinals (+4) over the San Francisco 49ers - The Cardinals have been playing well lately and Kevin Kolb is back at QB.  The 49ers will win this game 23-20, but the Cardinals will cover.

Kansas City Chiefs (+10.5) over the New York Jets -The Chiefs can’t score with Tyler Palko at QB, but their defense has been playing better lately.  The Jets need this game and they will get it winning 16-6.

Tennessee Titans (+3.5) over the New Orleans Saints - The Saints have not played well on the road and they have not played outside in 8 weeks.  The Titans are going to keep this game close.  I like the Saints to win this game 27-24, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see the score reversed with the Titans winning.

PUSH CITY:

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3) over the Jacksonville Jaguars - The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have a little better team than the Jaguars do right now.  I like the Buccaneers to win this game 20-17.