Down to 11 from 56 in my one pool and 27 from 56 in my other (rebuy). Wooo!

Dunzo due to the ****ing Eagles. Good luck the rest of the way everyone.

Is anyone looking at the Patriots? I know there are some X-factors in this game i.e. the game is across the pond and the Bucs is still looking for the first win but talent and coaching-wise, I don't see how the Bucs can hang here?

A quick peek down the Pats sched for rest of the season and there maynot be a better spot to take them.

Yes, the Patriots are my pick. Have already used Indy and if you haven't, use them later.

Where? The only really conceivable spot for them is week 13 vs. Tennessee, and that week has many other good options. Other than that, you're looking at a potentially meaningless week 17 matchup against Buffalo as the only other realistic spot to take them. Week 14 against Carolina is another very solid spot to take NE.

The point is moot for me anyway, I took the Pats in week 1.

I guess I was looking at Weeks 8, 9 and 13.

IND and NE are the only two real options here, as every other matchup is closer by at least a touchdown. Both are on the road, but only one of STL and TB are at "home". I think I'll save IND for week 13 and go with the Pats.

Week 8. Who else is there for week 8?

SD vs. OAK.
CHI vs. CLE.

i don't like sd vs oak.

i'm thinking chi vs cle
possibly ind vs sf
big gamble on det vs. stl

I've heard this could be one of the biggest spreads of the year.

I like this pick, too.

Not that I think IND will have a tough time with them, but there are a lot easier teams than the 49ers to take the Colts against.

Yes, it's a big gamble. If STL and OAK are equally bad, who do you like between DET and SD? Obviously the Chargers, right?

as inconsistent as those 2 teams have been, i have to say i'm somewhat worried. we'll see though

i don't think they are equally bad. i think stl is much worse. i also think the divisional matchup of sd/oak will be alot closer than det/stl. i mean oak has alot to play for. if they win they are 2nd in their division. same can obviously be said for sd as well, but i think the importance of the game will make it closer.

I would feel much more comfortable taking Arizona vs. Carolina in Week 8 than Detroit to beat St. Louis.

Remember if St. Louis loses again on Sunday against Indy and by all accounts, they should, the Rams will have their best chance to win a game this season in Detroit next week. I look at their schedule for rest of the year and basically if they don't compete in Detroit, they maybe looking at an 0-16 season.

Speaking of Indy, if you still have them for Week 8, they are a nice pick against the 49ers. I don't think San Fran is built to come from behind, a couple of quick strikes from Peyton is all that is needed to quiet Frank Gore and Shaun Hill. That and the 49ers will play at the early time slot.

Ho hum, another week, another set of favorites winning big.

For Week 8, I am looking at Indy against the 49ers or San Diego against Oakland.

P.S: let's go Buffalo, Miami and Washington to clean up a few stragglers.

8 will be IND v SF.
9 will be NO v CAR
10 will be MIN v DET.
11 will be PIT @ KC, ARI @ KC
12 will be ATL v TB, SD v KC
13 will be PIT v OAK, DEN @ KC, CHI v STL
14 will be BAL v DET.

that's the plan right now

I expect to see a decent mix of IND over SF (if anyone hasn't used IND yet), DAL over SEA, CHI over CLE, SD over OAK, ARI over CAR, and for the truly ballsy, DET over STL.

I'm on SD but I guess I'm not super confident. I was between SD and Chicago but after watching the bears play yesterday I guess I'll stick with SD.

This week and next week should get really interesting survivor wise.

the ML on SD is huge, might end up switching to them. oddsshark and sbgglobal have them at -1500, next closest is CHI at -740 and -800.

Is there any reason not to take IND if I still have them?

Not many people do have them left so I can use them and hope for a CHI or SD loss.

Week 13 is TEN@IND and that seems to be their best next match up, but there's also lots of other decent games that week.

Good point on Indy. San Diego has a couple more *winnable* games down the road when they host K.C. and play Cleveland.

I doubt a lot of folks still have Chicago at this point but if they do, this week and Week 13 when Da Bears host the Rams look enticing.

I am debating between Indy and SD, or I may just split them again among my pools. I will monitor the line changes and other developments throughout the week

Question for the strategists around here. I'm in two pools, one is down to 11 and the other 26, so they aren't massive, and they are one-strike-and-you're-out.

With that said, I've made it this far taking the same team in both pools. At some point should I diversify my picks? If so, should I have been doing that from the start?

You have made it this far mule, it's best to stick with your current strategy which is to pick the best team available for both pools. That being said, it doesn't hurt to have a quick look at what teams your competitors have left and see if it's worthwhile to take another one.

It also depends on the pot for the pool i.e. if you choose to split, it is certainly a no-brainer to use the best team for the pool where the winning payout is higher and use your second choice for the other one.

Well, this week was somewhat of a no-brainer. SD was the only slam dunk of the week. Next week won't be as clear cut. I guess I'll re-evaluate then. In the meantime, go Seahawks and 49ers.

And Browns.