This week I managed to turn the tables on the bookmaker, only to give some of it back on both Sunday and Monday Nights. This week’s SNF game was one that I am afraid will haunt me the whole season. All Peyton Manning had to do was take 3 knees to run out the clock and end the game 38-7 for an UNDER (48 pts.) All he has to do is kneel. Instead, the Colts hand-off for a fumble and Eli drops a 32-yard pass into the arms of Hakeem Nicks at the goal line. TOUCHDOWN!! OVER! ARGHH.

There was a time when I would have thrown something at my TV, which is one of the reasons why I bet small-time now. Funny thing is, I went out to walk my dog ‘cause I thought this one was “in the bag.” Never saw the fumble and did not see the TD that ruined my weekend of wagering. But I did see my account dwindle. That meaningless touchdown cost me $44, yet still left my total for the weekend at a profit of over sixty bucks.

Green Bay was my darling of week 2. Sometimes, I get a little nuts with a team that I REALLY love. Sometimes my darling ‘o the week wins and sometimes I get creamed. This week, I cashed on ‘em. I had the Pack -12.5 for $44, the Pack in a 2-team parlay with the Under in the Steelers game, which cashed for $52.90 and the Pack (now at -13) with the Houston Texans (-3, EV). I loved all of these plays. And I got my money’s worth. But, a HUGE Packer payday was negated by Donovan McNabb and the ‘Skins.

I watched the end of the Redskins game like it was the Super Bowl. The Skins are up for most of the game and looking good doing it. But wait, here come the Texans!! The game ends up in a tie, and of course, I have Texans -3. But a push still means that the Pack cashes for me. Thinking at least it’s not a loss, and far more interested than I was at the half, I hunker down for overtime. Houston gets the coins toss (yes), receives the ball and moves down to the around the 35 (big yes). Long field goal or punt? Houston punts (no). I groan. Then McNabb, who looks like he is ready for the Pro Bowl, drives the ‘Skins down to field goal range. Dude kicks the field goal and it’s good (NOooo), I really groan. But Wait . . .timeout was called by the Texans at the snap. The announcer says “I hate that” and I think “I LOVE that”. Dude comes back and misses the field goal (YESssss). Hope returns! With that, the Texans manage to get close enough for a field goal and at least they push, 30-27. But, going from a $56 winner and a sweep with the Packers, my bankroll got a little deflated when that last parlay cashed as a single bet. An $18.18 winner.

Still, I am up 119 bucks before dinner and lovin it. Then, Sunday Night Football, where it seems like last-second pointspread/OU games always seem to occur, bit me again. Since I was up for the weekend, in addition to the Under play, I parlayed the under with the Giants to win SU at +185. Bet was $10 to win $44 and was deployed as kind of a longshot play. No such luck on either. At least I gave up on the parlay in the 3rd quarter . . .

On to Monday Night, with a profit of $65 and change, I am feeling pretty good. Everybody seemed to like the Saints at -5, and I did too. I speak with my one buddy about every MNF game. It seems when we BOTH like a play, it cashes more often than not. At some point I should probably make a spreadsheet, but it seems like our two heads are better than 1. So, Saints -5 for $33. Another Loser. After a great SunDAY both Sun. Nite and Monday Nite whittle my winnings down to just $32.08.

What a bummer. When I add this week’s winning to last week’s losses, I am down $4. I have shown my book $300+ worth of action in two weeks and built some reward points, but being down after two weeks after coming so close to cashing big in a couple of key games is frustrating. As my one friend said, “You’re still even after two weeks. That’s better than the last two years.” Yeah . . . thanks dude. That makes me feel better. Still, the thrill of victory and almost victory are outweighing the agony of defeat, so far. Therefore, with almost my entire bank roll in-tact, I head to week 3.

Week 3 features an awful lot of home dogs. A good friend and fellow bettor once told me that as a rule, “Never bet against the home dog”. If that is the case, 5 games are off the board. But, Washington giving three and a half to St. Louis at home, sure looks tempting . . .

Check back with next week’s Confessions mid-week. Good Luck to all of us this weekend!