Ben's Picks

Wildcard

        I LOVE NFL FOOTBALL and I have devised a power rating system that has picked 57% winners ATS (Against The Spread) since 1999. In fact this numerical system has gone 412-316 ATS the last six years. I call this system Ben’s Power Rating (BPR for short). The BPR (Ben’s Power Rating) has also produced 69% winners in the playoffs, going 22-10-1 ATS, including a 4-0-1 record in the last six Superbowls (No selection in 2003). The BPR is simple, it works and you can have access to these numbers and more for $3.00 per week, that’s a $40 savings and

ONLY $60.00 FOR THE WHOLE YEAR!

        What is this BPR you say? The BPR is a formula that uses some very basic game statistics. This formula allows us the ability to compare the relative strengths and weaknesses of the two teams in each NFL match up. Now I can sit here and tell you that this is some big badass formula that takes hours of calculations and a massive computer to produce some magical numbers, but that’s bull. It usually takes about an hour of my time and a good calculator to compute these figures. It sounds so simple and too good to be true, but it works.

Don’t be a fool    ---    57% Winners ATS    ---    the last six years!

        This is the 9^th year I will be using these numbers and the first two I wasted, sitting on the sidelines, because I just couldn't believe something so simple could come up with such consistent winners. Now, I don't want to sound like one of those idiot touts that says you're going to be a huge winner every week, that's impossible and if you're dumb enough to believe them, you deserve the bath you're going to take. This system works over the long haul. Most weeks you will win or break even, but there will be some losing weeks too. The BPR works, but the trick to cashing is to use good money management. Each week the BPR produces 5 to 10 potential plays, your job is to narrow these potential picks down to a few select favorites in any way you see fit. It can’t get any simpler than that. You make your picks from a pool of selections that are a proven 57% winner. WARNING, DO NOT BET AGAINST THE BPR! If you don’t like the side the Power Rating picks, stay away from that game. I learned my lesson the hard way on that one.

        If you still don’t believe the BPR works, you can mail or bring in the coupon below and I will provide you with a free copy of my Newsletter, “Ben’s Picks”, at no charge. You can also request a free copy at my web site, www.benspicks.com. There you can track the weekly results of the BPR and my personal picks. Each week I will post the previous weeks Newsletter and the results of my picks and the BPR. My website, www.benspicks.com is all you need to stay on top of the NFL. There you’ll find FREE links to Stats, Odds, Line Sheets, Weather, Injuries, and up to date NFL News. Check it out, It’s FREE!

    Remember compare the BPR [Ben’s Power Rating] to the spread and if there’s a difference of 4 points or more, in your favor, then that’s a potential play. Below are the potential plays for this week; I have already added the 4 points. (Check individual game BPR's for any  line movements):

• CLEVELAND +5.5 or greater

• BUFFALO -3.5 or less

• Chicago +5 or greater

• SAN DIEGO -7.5 or less

• BALTIMORE EVEN or +

• SAN FRAN +6 or greater

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Closing Lines and Final Scores

All trends are ATS (Against The Spread) unless otherwise specified.

Loser - 5* Arizona v GIANTS --- Payback is a bitch. The Giants kicked ex-MVP Kurt Warner to the curb last year a bit prematurely. Coach Tom Coughlin couldn’t wait to usher in the Eli Manning era and the impatience cost the G-Men a playoff berth. Eli settled in the last 2 games, but it was a case of too little too late. Warner took the high road and didn’t really complain, although you know it had to eat him up inside, the he was given his walking papers. Enter Denny Green and the Arizona Cardinals. Green brought some respectability to the Cards in 2004 and he despises young QB’s. Arizona has some studs at the skill positions RB and WR and they have been lacking is a reliable QB. Warner would like to revive his career and was signed to make things happen in the desert and he will. He’s a perfect fit for Green’s offense and will make everyone around him better. Back in New Jersey, Manning had to miss 2 weeks of practice, with a bum elbow, and word is Eli’s still not ready for prime time. I’ll take the cagey veteran with a grudge every time. Revenge is sweet.

Loser - 4* Dallas v SAN DIEGO --- Dallas and Coach Bill Parcells never had a chance to contend for a playoff spot, in a very disappointing 6-10 season. The Cowboys were putrid on both sides of the ball and Parcells has cleaned house. QB Drew Bledsoe was signed to add a veteran presence and several additions were made to the defense through the draft and signings. The Cowboys will get better, but not just yet. The Chargers were the surprise of the league last year. QB Drew Brees was on his way out the door, with Philip Rivers waiting in the wings. He’s just going to have to wait a little longer. Brees had a tremendous year leading San Diego to a 12-4 record and RB LaDainian Tomlinson was his old steady self. Expect more of the same this season. The Cowboys are still a work in progress, the Chargers are ready to hit the ground running. Go with the home team that knows how to win. Take San Diego and lay the points.

WINNER - 4* Houston v BUFFALO --- The Texans, now in their 4^th year, have made a steady ascent in the W column. Coach Dom Capers is on the right track, albeit a slow one. QB David Carr is improving and will get much better as long as he gets some time to throw, the Texans allowed 49 sacks last year. The Houston defense has lost 4 starters and needs to improve their pass rush and pass protection. These deficiencies will play right into the Bills hands. Buffalo narrowly missed a playoff berth, in 2004, after a 0-4 start. This will be Coach Mike Mularkey’s second year and he has this team primed, especially the defense. The Bills defense was 2^nd in the NFL last year and only lost 1 starter. Their strength is attacking the QB and this will be a decisive advantage for the Bills. Buffalo QB J.P. Losman will be making his first start and, after a year’s worth of hype, he’s ready to make things happen. J.P.’s main weapon is RB Willis McGahee. McGahee entered the lineup, after a T. Henry injury, and never left. The Bills are hungry, after their near miss last year, and are clearly superior on both sides of the ball. It’s the home opener and the Ralph will be rocking, take Buffalo.

WINNER - 3* Green Bay v DETROIT --- The Pack is not back, in fact the Pack won’t be back for a long time. Bret Farve and the Packers begin the year with an adequate offense, but the Green Bay defense leaves much to be desired. The Pack has several question marks on the D-line, due to injuries, and their secondary is not very good. It’s going to be a long and moldy year for the Cheeseheads. QB Joey Harrington and the Lions have shown steady improvement under 3^rd year coach Steve Mariucci. This may be the year they actually contend for a playoff spot. The Lions offense is primed, at the skill positions, and only needs Mr. Harrington to take them to the next plateau. This contest will be a major test versus a previously dominant division foe. Will the Lions ace the exam, or will they be held back a year. This game may give us the answer. Detroit is 7-1 ATS at Home versus Green Bay. I like the home town Lions in a high scoring affair.

Loser - 3* St. Louis v SAN FRAN --- The Rams have slowly deteriorated since Coach Mike “The Idiot Savant” Martz took over 5 years ago. Martz can draw X’s and O’s but when it comes to managing a football game, his brain gets in the way. The Rams, as always, are strong on offense, with QB Marc Bulger a solid performer, their defense has always been the sticking point and it still is. The Niners look to rebound from their 2-14 season of a year ago. Mike Nolan may be the man to get the job done, but it’s not happening anytime soon. Nolan played musical QB’s with his starter in the preseason, first it was rookie Alex Smith, now it’s veteran Tim Rattay. Indecision can only single one thing, neither one is ready to start. Nolan will also be implementing a new defense and all these changes will take time before they are successful. A long, long time. The Rams have been there and done that, while the Niners are a work in progress. I don’t like Martz as a game day coach, but the Rams will be ready. Take St. Louis and spot the road wood.

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  (Teasers MUST include key numbers: 3, 7, 10, etc.)

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Closing Lines and Final Scores

Legend is available below.

Information Purposes Only - Not Intended For Anyone Under 21 Years of Age

ATS – Against Spread

aft - after

bfr - before

[BPR] - Ben’s Power Rating

B2B – Back To Back