How does that old saying go?
"When the tough gets ..."
"When the going is ..."
Oh, I remember.
"When the going gets tough, the tough typically don't run for their lives to Arkansas."
But that's what Atlanta's Bobby Petrino did this week when he took a job with a rival pro league, the Southeastern Conference.
So we say goodbye to Bobby, wish him a PETA-free remainder of his life and turn our attention to the rest of the NFL season. After all, only 16 more days remain until the NFL Network prevents most of the country from seeing the Patriots go 16-0.
CIN -8 at SF: Bengals by 7. Dear Bobby: Do the Razorbacks need a defensive coordinator? Sincerely, M. Nolan.
ARI +3½ at NO: Saints by 7. We traveled into the future and found this trivia question: In 2007-08, who did Bobby Petrino lose to before losing to Alabama, Kentucky, Auburn, Tennessee and Florida? Answer: Saints.
ATL +13½ at TB: Buccaneers by 14. Here's hoping the Falcons don't lie down and quit on Petrino, er, quit on interim coach Emmitt Thomas.
BUF +5½ at CLE: Browns by 7. Can't think of any more Petrino jokes. And Romeo is 8-5. Pass.
GB -9½ at STL: Packers by 14. Dear Bobby: Do the Razorbacks need an offensive coordinator? Sincerely, S. Linehan.
JAC +3½ at PIT: Jaguars by 3. The Steelers are 7-0 at home, 2-4 on the road and 0-1 when a complete moron guarantees victory over the best team in NFL history.
NYJ +23 at NE: Patriots by 74. Dear Bill: Um, sorry about starting that whole Spygate thing. Hope all is well. Sincerely, E. Mangini. ... Dear Eric: On Dec. 8, 1940, the Washington Redskins lost to the Chicago Bears 73-0 in the NFL title game. It was the most humiliating loss in league history ... until this week. In your face, B. Belichick.
SEA -7½ at CAR: Seahawks by 10. To speed things up, we ask that you insert your own wisecrack about Vinny Testaverde's age. Thank you.
TEN -4 at KC: Titans by 6. It's tough to win at Arrowhead. Except when the Chiefs are completely awful. Their only victories at home this season: Cincinnati and the Vikings. Still wondering why that Purple bandwagon was slow to fill up?
IND -10½ at OAK: Colts by 14. Dear Bobby: Do the Razorbacks need a ballboy? Sincerely, L. Kiffin.
DET +10 at SD: Chargers by 3. Dear Bobby: Do the Razorbacks need a minister? Sincerely, J. Kitna.
PHI +10½ at DAL: Cowboys by 14. Dallas can clinch home-field advantage in the NFC with a victory, a Green Bay loss and one more body blow to Bill Parcells' legacy.
WAS +4½ at NYG: Giants by 7. The Giants can secure a playoff spot with a victory and one more body blow to Joe Gibbs' legacy and/or job security.
CHI +10 at MIN: Vikings by 8. Bandwagon, homeboy! (Fine print: Author reserves the right to jump wagon if the Vikes go Lambeau and lie down like mutts again.) UPSET SPECIAL
BAL -3½ at MIA: Dolphins by 3. South Beach will be buzzing as Cam Cameron moves one-third of the way toward matching Bobby Petrino's NFL career victory total.
Last week: Rams over Bengals. Result: Bengals 19, Rams 10. Record: 5-9. SEASON TRACKER
Last week
12-4 / 4-12 vs. spread
Season record
123-84 / 86-110-11 vs. spread
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