Thanks to the Panthers for coming through against the Cards. Thanks to Vegas for not setting the spread of the Colts-49ers game at 27, which it probably should have been. And thanks fuck you to the Chargers for not coming through in their first Monday night home game since John Madden weighed 180 pounds.

Here are the bets I think are strongest among the Week 6 lines.

(Home teams in CAPS)

Vikings (+3) over Bears
SI.com's Don Banks calls allegations that 17 Vikings held a sex party on boats "a new low" for Minnesota. I call it a missed opportunity for the other 34 players.

You think any of the missing guys were thinking, "Damn, why do they have to go and embarrass us like that?" No, they were asking, "Why the hell wasn't I invited to this ho bash?"

A lot of people are questioning what this means for the team in terms of public imagine and its quest for a new stadium. I question where are the cell-phone cam pictures you know exist? And did The Original Whizzinator make a cameo?

As for this game, you'll notice that one of these teams lost by 10 to the Browns last week, while the other had two weeks to prepare for said scrubs. Which is why they had a floating sex party in the first place. Who needs two weeks to prepare for the Bears and a rookie quarterback who threw for all of 117 yards on 26 attempts against Cleveland?

Besides that, laying points with the Bears hasn't been smart since 1989.

Patriots (+3) over BRONCOS
How's this for a stat? These teams are a combined 7-3 and have beaten the likes of the Steelers, Chargers, Falcons and Chiefs, yet they've allowed more points than they've scored (Denver +14; Patriots -18).

There's something about taking points with the Patriots that I like. I think it has something to do with the fact they almost always win. Call me crazy.

Then again, they did get blasted at home by San Diego when I stumped for them in this very space a couple of weeks ago. Thanks, fuckers.

STEELERS (-3) over Jaguars
As of PK.com press time, the public does not know whether Ben Roethlisberger or Hines Ward will be able to play for the Steelers. Neither had practiced at all this week through Thursday.

However, I've just received a tip from NFL insider "Just A. Hunch," and he tells me Big Ben will be healthy enough to hand off 45 times.

Visiting football teams win in Pittsburgh in only two situations: 1) They're the Patriots; or 2) They're facing Dave Wannstedt and his Panthers. Neither of those conditions are in effect here.

Last Week: 2-1
Season: 7-8

Related: Dr. Z: The Odds Are Against You

Please post your own best bets in the comments section.