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Payne's Picks

Again, I'll take my lumps but let us look back at last week's results:

Utah St./Ohio over. Loss. Bleh.

TB +270. The part of this I got right was the point spread didn't matter. Unfortunately it went the other way.

Oakland -1. Great coaching Hue Jackson. Blocked FG on top of that which I would have given a 50/50 chance to be good had it not.

New England -6.5. Winner, winner chicken dinner.

Chicago -3.5. I get the feeling Caleb Hanie won't be in the windy city this time next season.

SD 10:1 to win the division, pending. So you're sayin' there's a chance? They're the only team in the division with a positive point differential. SD is down to +450 if you take the same bet this week.

NY Giants +300 to win the division, pending. They could lose this week and still win it. The same bet (this was done a few weeks ago) is now +250.

Picks for this week:

THE BUFFALO BILLS +3. I'd love to hear a plausible explanation as to why this spread is only 3 (it started at 2.5). The Bills haven't been within 3 points of a final score |STAR|in 7 games|STAR|. Naturally, I placed a nice bet on Buffalo.

NY Giants +3. Here's what this game comes down to for me: Mark Sanchez vs. Eli Manning. Give me Eli all day, this isn't close. The Jets are not the same team they were the past two seasons and will be lucky to make the playoffs.

Cincinnati -4. They haven't covered this in their last 6 games. Arizona has won their last 4 and 6 of 7. Naturally, I'll take the Bengals. I'd also go over on Skelton picks at 2 if there's a line for that.

Nevada +290. The favorite has won the last two bowl games. Call this the Christmas miracle.

Dallas +160 over the Heat. They are home and are the defending champs, right?

Boston +4.5 over the Knicks. The Knicks can score and Boston can play D. Which one will give?

Have a great holiday weekend.