Geez, talk about a "Beauty Wardrobe Malfunction" - wrong jersey choices for both Casey and me last week. At least the Tout didn't do any better, so he won't have gloating rights unless it's to brag about The Mouth's 2 outta three last week. My Bills and Chargers were such a disappointment as well as did the teams I almost picked, (a.k.a Green Bay)! Now that the teams have settled in, these are my picks for the upcoming weekend (and I'm going back the method that allowed me to pick the correct parlay tickets for the playoffs last year):

Colts - 4 over Ravens

Jets - 6 over Bengels (Happy...Brett is back this week)

Giants - 8 at Browns

And just to make it even more fun, the Bears and Vikings.

(I ain't even gonna touch on the Chargers and Green Bay this week, we'll leave that pick up to the guys.)

Your psychic pal,
Mona

Casey's PICKS

There comes a time in every football prognosticator's existence when you have to say, "(Shucks), I blew it.   Mona, Mona, wherefore art thou Mona?  Lead us not into temptation, lead us instead, to the best possible picks this week, because baby, we're hurtin' right now.  I need a disclaimer for these picks, because I sure have sucked the last couple of weeks.   That being said, here we go!   Cincinnati + 6 will beat the Jets   I know, I know, Favre threw six (freakin' 6!) touchdowns in his last outing, but there's usually a letdown, especially after a bye week, and the Bungles are about to break out.  They played the Cowboys tough and they are overdue for a win.  (I still say Dallas is the most over rated team this millennium.)   Carolina +1½ over Tampa   Griese is good, but the Panthers are better than any of us think.  While they may be peaking a little too early, Carolina is on a roll right now and is really hard to stop, even on the road.   Washington -13½ over St. Louis   Gee, 'ya think?  There is danger here though, especially if you bet Redskins and give up the points.  The Lams have to get a clue sometime and a young, cocky Washington team could be the first victim.  I still think Redskins win, but I'm taking the points on this one.   The others:  New Orleans, Baltimore, Cincinnati, Carolina, Minnesota, Atlanta, Houston, Washington, Denver, Philly, Dallas, Seattle, San Diego, New York Giants. Casey Smith

The Beauties are going to need a “face lift” after going 2 and 4 this past Sunday…, falling further behind the Beasts who came in at 4 and 2. The Beasts (The Mouth and this Tout) put a little more air between themselves and the Beauties (Mona, ever Mystic and Casey, ever handsome), bringing the 5 wk. seasons  numbers in VCO’s Friday Football Forecast Contest to 19 wins and 8 losses* for, the two of us that don’t carry a mirror, to 15 wins and 15 losses for the Beauties…

*Ike the crows can rest easy, at least for another week………….. Speaking of birds, What’s with the Mouth? Again he picks the Lions! I know it’s the old home team, but come on,

At this rate, by seasons end the Lions will have one more loss than the Mouth…

My efforts to continue to keep us ahead of Mystic and Casey are

Ravens  + 4   at   Colts

Vikings  -13   vs.  Lions

Giants   - 8   at   Browns

Odd Sunday for the “Star” picks (as well as my 3 picks in the Beauty and Beast competition) Two of my four choices tied ATS….. What are the odds of that?

When the smoke cleared, the picks went 1-1-2  plus 1 ½ stars.

After 5 wks. We stand at 14-11  plus 12 stars. Last season, at this time, my ATS numbers where a little better, but where it counts (stars, i.e. units) I am at about the same pace.. Looking to improve with the below

These picks are rated from 1 to 5's with a point spread

	Ravens + 4	at	Colts
	Vikings - 13	vs.	Lions
	Giants - 8	at	Browns
½	Dolphins + 3	at	Texas
½	Chargers - 6	vs.	Patriots
	Cardinals +5½	vs.	Cowboys
½	Eagles - 4½	at	49ers
	Panthers + 1½	at	Buccaneers

Remember - Because a football takes funny bounces, don’t expect the money to keep “rolling” in………

The Tout

Feel bad for my fellow pundits as I can no longer use the Lions and keep them close in the competition (after all, my word is my bond). It’s too bad they didn't cover last week since I would love to use them again this week as they're in a great spot. Alas, no can do.

Jags +3½  Better team facing an overrated Bronco squad whose defense can't stop anything. I look for the Taylor, Jones-Drew tandem to have their way with the Denver boys.

Rams +13½  Redskins due for huge letdown after those two awesome wins over Dallas and Philly. There is one problem however, the Rams stink!! Let's hope the massive number pulls us through.

Eagles -4½   As usual this third pick was extremely difficult. I was torn between the Raiders, Texans and Philly. I decided to go with the better team of the three who need a win desperately (oh year also because the 49'ers stink!!).

Read between the lines and pluck a six pack of jewels from the mouthly picks. Good luck and Happy New Year to the tribesmen.

The Mouth of Motown

Past Weeks