
The Playground
Work is hard. Everybody needs recess.
November 29, 2008 · 11:22 AM
Celebrity NFL Picks: Among hot backs, Turner is the burner
By
Celebrity Picks
- Lance Burton, Monte Carlo master magician (21-15)
- Jets -7 ½ vs. Broncos
- Chiefs +3 at Raiders
- Texans -3 vs. Jaguars
- ****
- Anthony Crivello, star of Phantom -- Las Vegas Spectacular (22-14)
- Bills -7 vs. 49ers
- Redskins +3 1/2 vs. Giants
- Steelers +1 at Patriots
- ****
- Carrot Top, Luxor headliner (13-22-1)
- Jets -7 ½ vs. Broncos
- Dolphins -8 at Rams
- Colts -4 ½ at Browns
- ****
- Danny Gans, Encore headliner (20-16)
- Colts -4 ½ at Browns
- Jets -7 ½ vs. Broncos
- Bills -7 vs. 49ers
- ****
- Oscar Goodman, mayor of Las Vegas (18-18)
- Giants -3 ½ at Redskins
- Falcons +5 at Chargers
- Patriots -1 vs. Steelers
- ****
- Kevin Janison, KVBC meteorologist (16-18-2)
- Giants -3 ½ at Redskins
- Falcons +5 at Chargers
- Jets-Broncos over 47 ½
- ****
- Wayne Newton, "Mr. Las Vegas" (23-13)
- Giants -3 ½ at Redskins
- Jets-Broncos over 47 ½
- Texans -3 vs. Jaguars
It’s not too surprising that the featured back in this weekend’s Falcons-Chargers game is tied for the league lead in touchdowns and has surpassed the 1,000-yard mark in only 11 games.
The surprise, however, is that the featured back is not heralded LaDainian Tomlinson of the Chargers.
Instead of L.T., the best runner in this game – this season, anyway -- is M.T. That’s Michael Turner, Atlanta’s blooming star who spent a few seasons as L.T.’s backup before taking a starting role, and a starring role, with the Falcons.
M.T. is carrying a full load in Atlanta, with 1,088 yards and 13 scores, which compares favorably to L.T.’s 770 yards and five TDs. Not bad for a backup-turned-featured back.
Their roles aren’t the only things that are seemlingly reversed in this game. Atlanta, who was in shambles at the end of last season, is 7-4 and entertaining thoughts a postseason berth. The Chargers, the consensus choice to win the AFC West and considered among the conference’s elite teams heading into the season, is 4-7 and on the brink of elimination from playoff contention. Last week, Turner found the end zone four times in a win over the Panthers while Tomlinson was scoreless in compiling 84 yards against Indianapolis in a home loss.
So, since M.T. started getting some P.T., he’s fared better than L.T., who some people think may be hurt and keeping it on the Q.T. Whatever the case, It doesn’t take someone from M.I.T. to see that M.T. and the new-look Falcons are the real deal, so I’ll take Atlanta this week – in O.T.
A 2-1 week puts the season ledger at 23-12-1 against the number. This week, I’ll take Atlanta plus the 5 against the Chargers, the Jets-Broncos over 47 ½ and the Bills -7 against the 49ers.
-
Thursday
2009-01-08
Xania's Hot Spots
-
Thursday
2009-01-08
Xania's Hot Spots
-
Thursday
2009-01-08
The Strip
- More ›
-
Saturday
2009-01-10
UNLV
-
Saturday
2009-01-10
Primm
-
Saturday
2009-01-10
Xania's Hot Spots
- More ›
-
Monday
2009-01-12
Xania's Hot Spots
-
Monday
2009-01-12
The Strip
-
Monday
2009-01-12
The Strip
Almost Famous: The Ultimate Rock Band Tournament at Mist at TI
- More ›
-
Tuesday
2009-01-13
Xania's Hot Spots
-
Tuesday
2009-01-13
The Strip
-
Tuesday
2009-01-13
Central
- More ›
-
Wednesday
2009-01-14
Nobody leaves without hearin' the blues . . .
The Strip
-
Wednesday
2009-01-14
UNLV
-
Wednesday
2009-01-14
Yellow Brick Road performs at Ovation at Green Valley Ranch
Green Valley
- More ›
Most Popular
- Most Read
- Discussed
- E-mailed
- 1. Strip Scribbles: Olympic swimming ace Michael Phelps and girlfriend frolic in Lavo’s playground
- 2. Party like a porn star: Your guide to AEE and AVN after dark
- 3. Porn princess Jenna Haze is the 2009 AVN Awards show hostess with the mostess
- 4. Strip Scribbles: Rumor mill about Strip hotel changes continues to churn
- 5. Entertainment and sports celebrities are living the life of XS
- 6. Breaking News: MGM reveals cutbacks, delays in $13 billion CityCenter project
- 7. Restaurant Roundup: Switch moves walls and ceilings; Botero offers inside and outside dining; Guy Savoy opens Krug champagne parlor
- 8. Michael Jackson moves out of Vegas and into a $100K-a-month Bel Air mansion
- 9. Bored at the office? Consider sex work
- 10. Peggy plots your planets
SMS Alerts
Cocktail of the Week
Jan 8, 2009
by
Xania Woodman
Spellmaker Bottle Service
From 51 stories above the gritty city, the Voodoo Lounge is getting an upgrade, a unique twist on bottle service that starts you off with your choice of liquors, such ...
Read more...


Post a comment
Commenting requires registration.
Comments are moderated by Las Vegas Weekly editors. Our goal is not to limit the discussion, but rather to elevate it. Comments should be relevant and contain no abusive language. Full comments policy.