My lock teases, torments

My lock of the week last week was Detroit.

The line was 31/2, and the first score I saw was Cleveland 24, Detroit 3.

So, all the Lions had to do was score 25 quick points and I was golden.

The lock business is tough.

I'm tempted, when I get hot, to leave my job and drive to Las Vegas and live in a hotel and hang out with my younger son, who lives there, and bet on football games.

But if I had, I would have bet on Detroit. And this one would have devastated me.

I would have blamed myself, of course. I also would have blamed the city of Detroit.

Detroit has enough problems.

The game beckoned because Detroit is a good bad team. Cleveland, meanwhile, is terrible even for a bad team. The lesson I learned is never invest faith in a good bad team.

I love lessons. I wish I could remember them.

The Lions did rally late to win, but they won by only a point. So I missed my lock.

For the season, my locks (picking against the line) are 7-4.

I did get my upset of the eek. I'm 7-3 picking underdogs to win.

I went 12-4 overall. For the season, I'm 112-47.

This week's picks, with the home team in CAPS.

Upsets of the week

Carolina 2 over NEW YORK JETS: Carolina has played well in its past two road games.

If the Panthers come close to replicating their performances against Arizona and New Orleans, they roll.

Also, the Jets are terrible.

New England 2 over NEW ORLEANS: What is it with New England's insistence on playing undefeated teams on the road?

They lost a close one to the Colts, and on Monday night, they take on New Orleans.

I love the Saints. But the Patriots finally have developed a running game, and their defense seems to get younger, and more effective, every week.

The timing is right for them. This is a great matchup, and it will be a great game.

Games of the week

CINCINNATI 50 over Cleveland: This is what the Browns get for conspiring with the Lions last week.

It is karma time, baby. I believe karma exists. It does not apply, however, to me.

TENNESSEE 3 over Arizona: Man, has Vince Young been good. He's a great runner, but unlike Michael Vick in Vick's Atlanta days, Young runs only when he has a reason.

He had several runs on Tennessee's winning drive Monday against Houston.

I don't like to pick the team that played the previous Monday on the road. But after losing their first six, the Titans have won their past four. This is a good team.

The rest

Miami 6 over BUFFALO

Seattle 3 over ST. LOUIS

ATLANTA 14 over Tampa Bay

Indianapolis 3 over HOUSTON

PHILADELPHIA 9 over Washington

SAN DIEGO 10 over Kansas City

SAN FRAN. 3 over Jacksonville

BALTIMORE 9 over Pittsburgh

Lock of the week

MINNESOTA, an 11-point favorite, 14 over Chicago: Chicago offensive line is soft. Minnesota defensive line will handle it and handle quarterback Jay Cutler.

Have a beef with Tom Sorensen? Let him know at blogs.charlotte.com/tom_talks/.

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