Chicago can bear down as if the Monsters of the Midway were running its show again, but the homies won't beat Carolina Sunday -- even getting 2 1/2 points in the frigid Windy City air. So trumpeted players in the Las Vegas Hilton SuperContest, coming in loud and clear. Like most folks, the 505 entrants think the 5-2 Bears -- and their 2-game NFC North Division lead -- aren't for real, but, rather, a deception of the mind. In an NFC match between the Panthers' much-praised offense and Chicago's highly-vaunted defense, Hilton players opted for Jake Delhomme and his Carolina crew by a lopsided 220-60 consensus margin. That made it the competition's best Week 11 consensus wager. Top plays are 6-4-1 on the campaign, including one week when there were co-best bets. The yearlong consensus mark is 69-61-2. SuperContestants pretty much split opinions on 8-0 Indianapolis and 7-2 Cincinnati, which clash in an anticipated late game Sunday. The consensus count went against Manning, James, Dungy and Co. 134-110, a difference of just 24 nods. Overall, the consensus was similarly divided, with participants picking seven favorites and seven underdogs. The NFL has no byes in Week 11. Green Bay got an easy 125-31 call over rival Minnesota on Monday night at Lambeau Field. The Packers are laying 4 points. Cleveland-Miami rated the narrowest consensus nod of the week, with the 2 1/2-point road underdog Dolphins a 55-49 choice. The New York Giants, 6-2 and the NFC East Division leader, got rousing backing over nearby Philadelphia 123-41, even though the Eli Manning Group is giving up a touchdown. Other tallies were Jaguars, 93-7 over Titans; Saints 102-30 over Patriots; Cardinals, 56-38 over Rams; Buccaneers, 89-50 over Falcons; Raiders, 63-51 over Redskins; Lions, 75-55 over Cowboys; Seahawks, 73-46 over 49ers; Chargers, 69-52 over Bills; Broncos, 96-47 over Jets; Ravens, 88-49 over Steelers; and Texans over Chiefs, 71-60. Hilton entrants paid $1,500 per entry and choose five NFL games weekly. They get a point for a win and half-point for a push. The champion will receive $303,000. Prizes will be awarded to the Top 20 finishers. A "contest within a contest" will be held the last three weeks, extending to season's end on New Year's Day. Devils LLC has 35 1/2 points and a one-game lead over Maxillion and Foolish, Tormented and Blessed. |
