Sal’s Celebrity Football Picks

Who will win the Golden Nerf?

Sal DeFilippo

Maybe it's time for Brett Favre to call it quits after all.


Even though he's only 36— that's 29 in Vinny Testaverde years —the Packers quarterback has been fending off retirement rumors for a couple of seasons.


His Hall of Fame credentials have long been secured—Favre is the NFL's only three-time Most Valuable Player, is second all-time with 391 touchdown passes and 51,584 passing yards, and on Sunday will start his 213th consecutive regular-season game, a record for quarterbacks.


But this season has been a nightmare for the 14-year star. Green Bay fell to 1-6 last weekend after losing at Cincinnati. Favre had one of his worst days as a pro, tossing five interceptions, something he had never done in a regular-season game.


But that's not the worst part. Despite playing catch with the Bengals defensive backs for much of the afternoon, the Packers were still in a position to tie the game in the final minute, trailing by only a touchdown and on the 28.


The Packers hustled to the line of scrimmage and snapped the ball with 23 seconds left.


Suddenly, a referee blew his whistle, stopping the play.


But not because of a penalty. At this crucial moment, a fan ran onto the field, approached Favre from behind, and snatched the ball. He took off toward the other end of the field and was finally tracked down and tackled by security guards.


Either Favre's skills have deteriorated to the point where the average fan is confident he can get out there and make a play, or this guy was a Packers fan trying to protect Favre from a possible embarrassing sixth interception.


After play resumed, Favre was sacked for a two-yard loss on the ensuing snap, and on the game's final play, Favre ran past the line of scrimmage before passing the ball. The play came up short of a touchdown anyway, and the Bengals held on, 21-14.



My picks: The Falcons -2 12 at Miami, the Giants 10 at the 49ers and the Eagles +2 12 at Washington.



Celebrity update: Mr. Las Vegas, Wayne Newton, has opened up a four-game lead over the other celebrities in the battle for the Golden Nerf. His thoughts at the midway point:


"I have been participating in this football pool for years and have never been in the running. Suddenly this year, I am in first place with a comfortable lead. The reason for this is that I have been purposely throwing the contest until Mayor Goodman finally won. When I receive the Golden Nerf, I want it to come from him. In reality, I have not picked very well over the years, so this year I decided to let my 3 year old mark the paper with her crayon, and what she marks, I pick. If she keeps it up, she could be supporting us, in the manner to which we have become accustomed, by the time she's 5!"



Lance Burton (9-15)


Chargers -6 1/2 at Jets


Falcons -2 1/2 at Dolphins


Colts -3 1/2 at Patriots



Danny Gans (10-14)


Lions -1 1/2 at Vikings


Texans +13 1/2 at Jaguars


Colts -3 1/2 at Patriots



Oscar Goodman (8-16)


Chargers -6 1/2 at Jets


Bengals -3 at Ravens


Colts -3 1/2 at Patriots



Clint Holmes (10-13-1)


Falcons -2 1/2 at Dolphins


Redskins -2 1/2 vs. Eagles


Chargers -6 1/2 at Jets



Kevin Janison (13-11)


Packers + 6 1/2 at Steelers


Chiefs-Raiders over 51 1/2


Falcons-Dolphins under 40 1/2



Mark & Mercedes (9-14-1)


Lions -1 1/2 at Vikings


Bears -3 at Saints


Seahawks -4 at Cardinals



Wayne Newton (17-7)


Giants-49ers under 42 1/2


Bengals -3 at Ravens


Seahawks-Cardinals over 44



Penn & Teller (9-15)


Eagles +2 1/2 at Redskins


Steelers -6 1/2 at Packers


Colts -3 1/2 at Patriots



Rita Rudner (11-11-2)


Falcons -2 1/2 at Dolphins


Giants -10 at 49ers


Bears -3 at Saints



Sal DeFilippo once tried out to be a Cowboys cheerleader, but kept cheering for the Jets.

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