LAS VEGAS --
MERMAIDS have captivated audiences for years on the silver screen, and quite honestly, hold a special place in my heart. 'Splash' is at the top of my list with Daryl Hannah and Tom Hanks, but don't sleep on 'The Mermaid.' It came out in 2016 and was a YUGE hit in China. Why? Just listen to this synopsis.
"Shan, a mermaid, is sent by her people to assassinate Xuan, a playboy and big-wig property developer whose sonar technology is destroying underwater life. The assassination plan backfires, though, when the pair end up falling in love."
C'MON, a mermaid ASSASSIN! Does it get any better?
Actually, it does. Grab your SPEEDO and check this out. If you're coming to Vegas for a vacay or that little game with Roman numerals in February, how about MERMAID SCHOOL?
Head to the Silverton Casino which is maybe four miles from the center of the Strip. You will jump into a massive tank with sharks, rays, and professional mermaids. But the best part is, you get to wear your own TAIL! Kids get in for $175, while adults have to pony up $225. Mermaid or MERMAN, this guy is getting WET! If you wanna join, YELL!!!
OOPS!!! Do Your Research
If you're gonna cover the NFL, PLZ do your homework. A reporter got up in front of Todd Bowles in a Q & A session and asked how he was preparing Tampa Bay to come up to Detroit and play in the frigid weather. As most everyone knows, except maybe one reporter, the Lions have played at Ford Field for the last 21 years. And it's a DOME! And, before that, the Lions played at the SilverDOME, which, they tell me, is also INDOORS!
LOX & BAGELS!!!
We never make any promises. We never tell you that a game is a lock. But we do love LOX. Looking to stay perfect after last week's 2-0 Saturday sweep, we'll start the party in Baltimore. And gonna make the Ravens part of a delicious three team 10-point teaser. Not thrilled about laying nine points in this spot against the Texans and C.J. Stroud.
So, we grab Baltimore and after adjusting the line 10 points in our favor, we have the Ravens at +1. And if you remember, the Ravens SMOKED the Texans in the opening week, 25-9. Where? In Baltimore.
Then we move to Sunday and take the Lions from -6 to +4 points against Tampa Bay. Detroit had NO trouble with the Bucs in week six, beating 'em 20-6, IN Tampa.
Close up shop with the late game and will bump the Chiefs up from +2.5 to +12.5 points over the Bills. They lost to Buffalo 20-17 back in December, and we're expecting another tight fit. Why? With the exception of Super Bowl LV when the Chiefs lost to Tampa 31-9, Kaycee has not lost a playoff game by more than six points in the last EIGHTEEN games under Andy Reid.
Back to the late game on Saturday, and we're gonna ride with the Packers +9.5 points over the 49ers. Totally understand that San Francisco is well balanced, loaded with weapons and had a week off to heal. But the way that Jordan Love and the Packers are rolling, gotta take a taste of the underdog.
Love was MAGNIFICENT last week against a Dallas defense that was ranked No. 5 in the NFL. He was 16-of-21 for 272 yards with three TDs and ZERO INTs. His QB rating was 157.2 and just in case you're wondering, 158.3 is perfect. And if you look back at Love's last five games, his numbers are STAGGERING. How about 113-of-153 (74%) for 1,347 yards, with 12 TDs and ZERO INTs.
Green Bay coach Matt Lafleur is a brilliant offensive mind, and should be able to match brain power with San Francisco's defensive coordinator, Steve Wilks. Of course, if you can, buy the hook from +9.5 to +10 and get ready to make a deposit in the bank baabbbeee!
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Benjamin Eckstein is a nationally syndicated sportswriter/oddsmaker. His column, America's Line, with the Ecks & Bacon appetizer, has run in the New York Daily News and over 100 other papers since 1988. You can follow him online at www.americasline.com. He is beloved by most, when he picks winners, and detested by others, when he picks the occasional loser. If you wanna piece of Eck, hit his Email...ben@americasline.com.
