Kickers took the spotlight in week 7 as last second heroics catapulted the Bucs, Falcons, and Chiefs to victory in accounting for three of the 5 home team dogs that got the money. The Texans and the Raiders also exercised their demons, but did so in more convincing fashion as Houston annihilated the listless Jags 27-7, and the Raiders broke into the win column by taking advantage of Arizona’s Monday night hangover in disposing of the Cards 22-9.

In Tampa, Matt Bryant’s miracle 62 yard field goal gave the Bucs a wild 23-21 victory over the Eagles, who have made a habit of losing games in the waning moments as they dropped their 3rd game against 4 wins. Bryant’s boot sent the teasers bettors down in painful fashion with the masses who laid the 5.5 having already had their fate sealed prior to the kick. Speaking of teasers, those that used the Jags were also tearing tickets as the Texans dominated from start to finish. Side money saw one sided action on the favorite though the sharps were grabbing the generous spot, which fell below double digits by game day, the result of QB Leftwich’s iffy ankle. 

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Lawrence Tynes resuscitated the Chiefs’ season by drilling a 53 yard field goal with 6 seconds remaining and delivering KC a 30-27 victory over the Chargers. The Chiefs drove 47 yards in 4 plays to set up the winning kick after they relinquished a 14 point fourth quarter cushion. Once again, the public went down hard though the sharps split as they won with the Chiefs but were on the wrong side of the total which closed at 40.

In the lone OT contest of the day, Morten Andersen, who had earlier come up a few feet short in delivering a 51 yard game winner in regulation, dusted off his 46 year old bones and split the uprights on a 32 yard field goal in the extra session, giving the Falcons a 41-38 win over the Steelers, who fell 2 games under 500 in losing for the fourth time this year. QB Ben Roethlisberger, in the midst of a phenomenal performance on 16 of 22 for 238, was knocked out of the game after suffering a 3rd quarter concussion, the result of a helmet to helmet hit. Charlie Batch filled in admirably, but the Steelers could not overcome Michael Vick’s first 4 TD performance and the public went down the sinking Steeler ship.

The Raiders dominated the listless Cardinals, who were off their devastating Monday night loss to the undefeated Bears. Randy Moss stood tall with 7 catches for 129 yards while Matt Leinart was brought down to earth as he completed only 13 for 32 while throwing 2 picks and the public went down again as the Raiders broke into the win column.

Favorites that covered to the players liking were the Broncos yawner over the Browns 17-7, New England’ 28-6 stampede of the Bills and the resurgent Jets 31-24 win over the Lions., The good news for Denver fans is that the Broncos have surrendered a league low 44 points but they continue to struggle on offense in having put up only 79, which is second worst only to the Raiders who have managed but 72.

The Dolphins disappointed once again as heavy support drove Miami from a 4 to a 6 point favorite, but they proved unworthy in falling meekly to the Packers 34-24 as Joey Harrington went airborne 62 times. The Cheeseheads that invaded South Florida went home happy and the Dolphins dropped to a miserable 1-6.

Seattle’s 12 game home winning streak ended with a thud as Matt Hasselbeck went down with an injury and the Vikings improved to 4-2 as they defeated the Seahawks 30-13. Chester Taylor aided Minnesota’s cause in scampering for a 95 yard TD run, and once again, the results foiled the teaser players that banked on the Seahawks extending their Domination of Qwest Field.

Indy overcame a 14-13 halftime deficit as they defeated to visiting Redskins in pulling away to a 36-22 victory. Peyton Manning sliced and diced the Washington secondary for 4 TDs on 25 of 35 for 342 yards after shaking off the effects of a second quarter hit that dislodged his helmet and had him rubbing off a face full of turf pebbles. Washington got most of the play as the line came off the opening number of nine in closing at 8, though whatever teasers survived the day did have the Colts. Indy remains undefeated at 6-0 though they clearly have defensive liabilities and have now lost safety Mike Doss for the season.

The Bengals got the best of the Panthers in their 17-14 victory, in what was a solid push on the 3 point number. Carolina had a chance to win or tie as Carolina drove to the Bengal 9 yard line with just under 4 minutes remaining, but Jake Delhomme did his best impersonation of Drew Bledsoe in firing an ill advised pass to the back of the end zone that was intercepted by safety Kevin Kaesviharn.

Speaking of Bledsoe, the 14 year veteran was replaced at the start of the third quarter by Tony Romo as Dallas trailed the Giants 12-7 going into the break of the Monday night affair. Romo entered the game to cheers but proceeded to throw 3 picks including one on his first attempt that led to an early 3rd quarter Giant touchdown. The win gave the G Men sole possession of first place in the NFC east though the win was costly as they lost both Osi Umenyiora and LaVarr Arrington to injuries, the latter for the season with a ruptured Achilles tendon.

Seven was not a lucky number for the players on the sides or the teasers as the books continue to pad their bankroll. Half way point around the bend. Until that time.