THE GOLD SHEET


Green Bay 34 - DETROIT 17—Expect a more competitive showing from
Detroit than first meeting at Lambeau October 18, when Lions were minus both
Matthew Stafford and Calvin Johnson and were down to 3rd-string QB Drew
Stanton at the end of 26-0 G.B beatdown. Stafford (check left shoulder injury) led
last week’s last-second win over Browns. But Detroit (no covers last 5) not taking
part in the recent renaissance of NFL underdogs. Dom Capers’ Packer 3-4
defense likely to cause fits for Lion OL, as it did last month, and G.B. + 14 in
turnover margin. TV-FOX
(09-G. BAY 26-Det. 0...G.23-10 G.30/107 D.18/78 G.29/37/1/328 D.11/25/3/71 G.1 D.0)
(08-G. Bay 48-DET. 25...G.19-15 G.30/123 D.12/49 G.24/38/0/324 D.23/45/3/262 G.1 D.0)
(08-G. BAY 31-Det. 21...G.20-19 G.27/211 D.29/96 G.21/31/0/273 D.22/42/2/220 G.1 D.0)
(09-G. BAY -14 26-0; 08-G. Bay -3 48-25, G. BAY -10' 31-21...SR: Green Bay 89-64-7)



DALLAS 22 - Oakland 13—While the NFL isn’t figure skating, style points
mean something in Dallas, and Jerry Jones must be wondering if he can justify
promoting his unofficial “coach in waiting”—offensive coordinator Jason
Garrett—to Wade Phillips’ hot seat after the Cowboys shot mostly blanks for the
second straight game last Sunday vs. Washington. Oakland yet to win (or cover)
in back-to-back contests TY. But the upset of Cincy confirms positives of the
switch to functional QB Bruce Gradkowski (2 TDP last week) over the
depressingly ineffective JaMarcus Russell. Raiders earning some covers on
road lately (7-5 vs. line last 12). TV—CBS
(2009 Preseason: Oakland -2' beat Dallas 31-10 at Oakland)
(05-OAKLAND -3 19-13...SR: Oakland 6-3)




*NY Giants 23 - DENVER 13—It’s officially time to hit the panic button in
Denver, as hobbled Kyle Orton (deemed more worthy by HC McDaniels on a bum
ankle than the misfiring Chris Simms) was unable to execute the Bronco ballcontrol
offense as effectively as he did the first six weeks of season, with Mike
Nolan’s defense becoming overworked and four straight losses the result. N.Y.
(no covers last 5) little more successful lately, and the availability of slamming
Brandon Jacobs a concern. But Eli’s career-high 384 YP vs. Falcons indicates
recent “bye” did his sore foot some good. Denver currently not likely to take
advantage of the leaks in G-Men defense. TV—NFL NETWORK
(05-NY GIANTS -2 24-23...SR: NY Giants 6-4)





Texas 35 - TEXAS A&M 20—Texas has the Big XII title game on tap Dec.
5. But it is sacrilegious in Austin to even consider that the Longhorns would
overlook the Aggies. A&M has covered the last two meetings in College
Station. This year, Mike Sherman’s youth-laden team has played with great
confidence at home, going 5-1 SU, 4-1-1 vs. the spread, and scoring 40 ppg
(albeit vs. mostly marginal opposition). QB Jerrod Johnson (24 TDs, 5 ints.)
has the receivers and can keep Ags within earshot if he keeps his poise. A&M’s
Von Miller leads the nation in sacks with 15˝. TV—ESPN
(08-TEXAS 49-Tex. A&M 9...U.24-12 U.43/216 A.22/M24 U.24/30/0/320 A.20/35/0/269 U.0 A.1)
(08-TEXAS -35 49-9 07-TAM +6 38-30 06-Tam +13' 12-7...SR: Texas 74-36-5)