"Free" Money: NFL Picks

Bengals on the road? FAIL

Raiders cover at home? FAIL

Saints crush the Jets? FAIL

Sportingnerd record slips to a paltry 3-7-1...why do I even bother?

Week 10 picks: Gonna have to upgrade the nerd effect.

Broncos @ Chargers Over 57: Broncos have hit the over all 8 times this season, while the chargers are 50/50. At home home though they've hit the over 2/3 times. Over the last 4 weeks these two teams have combined to be 5-1 for the over. The resurgent Chargers will be chasing the whole time...should be a big time shootout.

Jaguars @ Titans -11.5: Jags have only covered the spread once this season: the epic record-breaking spread against the Broncos. Historically double digit spreads have been no gos, but we've all been getting burned hard on these this year. Meanwhile the Titans have been strong against the spread and have beaten the spread at home every time.

Eagles +2 @ Packers: We can basically throw out the Packer's data against the spread as replacing Aaron Rodgers injury blows up everything. The momentum swing here is huge as we are basically pitting Nick Foles' coming out party (7 TDs, 0 picks, 406 yards, perfect passer rating...are you kidding me?) vs Seneca Wallace's attempt at closing his eyes and white-knuckling it through the game. Eagles are also 4-1 against the spread on the road. 

"Both teams played hard...goodnight and godbless."

Tweet of the Day: Imminent Mamba

After blacking out his twitter avatar @kobebryant tweeted "#blackout #bearhunt." Meaning? Well during his rant after popping his achiles Mamba did say "If you see me in a fight with a bear, pray for the bear." Alternatively, however the lakers are debuting their new black jerseys on 11/15...against whom? THE MEMPHIS GRIZZLIES!!! Blackout bearhunt fo sho. Kobe back in 10 days.

"Both teams played hard...goodnight and godbless."

Jersey Talk - Cut the Sleeves

One week has passed. The Heat have already lost twice. The Lakers are, in my opinion, more fun to watch than ever (except for Swaggy P,  whose recent demotion has spared me an early heart attack). Michael Carter-Williams is the new prepubescent star of the league (see Steph Curry).

But basketball storylines aside, let's talk about those jerseys!  

Sleeves = The Worst

I still cannot get myself to appreciate these poor excuses for a jersey update. First, the jersey instantly makes Eric Bledsoe's rapey look even rapier (above, left). Second, after reading a Grantland article on the NBA's new jerseys by Wesley Morris, who appears to be a fan of these misproportioned monstrosities, I was taken aback by one line in particular:

"The sleeves were actually pretty innovative. You could see what the league's clothier, Adidas, had in mind. The shirts appeared to weigh less than the tank tops. They brought the sport in line with rugby and soccer. "

Now, tell me: Why does the NBA need to be "brought in line" with rugby and soccer? Since its inception, the NBA and its stars have elevated the game of basketball to one of the most popular and lucrative sports in the world. The NBA has arguably influenced American pop culture more than any other professional sport, successfully blurring the lines between sport, fashion, music and movie. All joking aside, though, baseball has its classic buttoned shirts, and football its oversized t-shirts. The NBA has forged its own identity and done so with its own distinct look - the tank top jersey.

Has Kobe ever complained that his arms felt "too free" in his jersey? Has he ever thought he didn't look intimidating enough, and he wished he could cover his guns and tattoos with some tight sleeves?

I just can't see any justification for these hideous new jerseys other than the self-evident opportunity to make more money. But please leave some comments and enlighten me!

 .JJ
Self-Proclaimed Fashion Editor, TheSportingNerd

"Free" Money: NFL Picks

Oh SNAP! Rough week for the nerd. Had the money line right on the Lions and Seahawks, but being greedy and going for the spread sunk me. Got a push on the chiefs o/u as well.

Season record dropped to: 3-4-1, free money in question!

NFL Picks Week 9:

Bengals -3 @ Miami: Dalton has been killing it, especially with his suddenly deeper receiving core. Some of the luster has been knocked off of the Miami shine with Tannehill's questionable play of late. Remember the is Tannehill elite questions? Also this business with the starting O-lineman leaving the team suddenly last night because of a prank is strange. Locker room disarray? Bengals take their show on the road fo sho.

@ Raiders -2.5 vs. Eagles: Not hard to root against the Eagles here with their QB fustercluck and complicated offense. Raiders also benefiting from the circadian rhythm principle here.

Saints -6 @ Jets: NO has been Eazy Breezy Beautiful, and will almost certainly take an early lead on the road, forcing Geno to do a lot...enough said.

"Both teams played hard...goodnight and godbless"

Gross!

Well as gross as it is that the Sox are champs again, I can at least get behind Koji. He is one crafty closer, has an adorable little kid (see above), and most importantly didn't have a disgusting beard. Don't be racist, he is fully capable of growing a beard:

He was just cool enough not to. Gotta say that Sox/Dodgers trade seems even crazier now.

"Both teams played hard...goodnight and godbless."

Jim Schwartz Headphone Spike Now a Thing

Remember Schwartz spiking his headphones after the Lions vs. Redskins game? Well after the EPIC comeback victory over America's Team, Schwartz officially decided to make that his thing. Also:

"Both teams played hard...goodnight and godbless."

Clay Buchholz: WTF?

That is what he looks like. Should we prophylactically call the sex offender registry? Also Jake Peavey looks like Jeremy Renner.

Just Sayin.

"Both teams played hard...goodnight and godbless."

Tweet of the Day: Phil Jackson vs. Kendrick Lamar

That's right Phil vs. Kendrick. In response to Kendrick's line in "Control:" "If Phil Jackson came back, still coachin' me. I'm uncoachable, I'm unsociable." The Zen master of course could not let that slide:

“@KendrickLamar It’s okay to be cocky and sure, but we all need somebody to lean on. Let’s just call it mentoring.”

“That’s the wonderful world of Twitter, you can communicate with people who are complete out of your range of influence and your social grouping. The connection between rap and basketball is so deep, that many of the people who tweet back and forth to me were saying, ‘You got to come back at [Kendrick] Lamar after he gives you this.’” Says Jackson in the above interview.

Also Kendrick Lamar is Nick Young's Cousin.....WHAAAAAT?!?!?!

"Both teams played hard...goodnight and godbless."

"Free" Money: NFL Picks

Awwww yaaahhhhh: went 1 for 3 this weekend. Chiefs almost covered, but their fumble return TD was a foot short. Patriots almost got the push in OT, but then their literal push lost the game (weird call), at least the always reliable NY Giants dominated.

Season Record: 3-2, still free money!

Week 8:

Seahawks +10 @ Rams: Gonna take a chance with the hawks on the road. Sure their offense doesn't travel, but would you bet against Seattle's D taking it to Kellen Clemons? Sad to see Bradford's career in jeapordy without him ever getting a shot to ball.

Lions -3 vs. Dallas: Lions at home, megatron and Stafford rolling, big time shootout coming, but gotta think a Romo turnover in the clutch makes it a 2 score game

Browns/Chiefs under 40: 2 of the best Ds in the league, both teams have put up sub 40 totals against other legit D's (the Nati and Texans respectively).

"Both teams played hard...goodnight and godbless."