Saturday, Nov. 9, 2013 | 12:24 p.m.
When it comes to the Chase for the Golden Nerf, the first family of Las Vegas doesn’t hold back.
“There are no ‘friendly’ bets between the Goodmans,” former Mayor Oscar Goodman said about competing against his wife and the current Las Vegas mayor, Carolyn Goodman. “We both go to the mat.”
The two have been wrestling within a game of each other all season long. Despite each picking different games every week, neither has had more than a one-game edge at any time during the first nine weeks, and heading into this weekend, Oscar’s 13-13-1 mark is a half-game better than Carolyn’s 13-14 record.
Both are still well within striking distance of winning the Golden Nerf, a fear Oscar accomplished as the mayor in 2004. In fairness to the current mayor, she only joined the competition upon taking office in 2011.
“Mayor Carolyn spends sleepless nights trying to figure out how to win the Nerf,” her predecessor/husband said.
When the Goodmans aren’t ruling over the city, they spend their time ruling over the remote control.
“We always watch the Chargers together and usually Sunday, Monday and Thursday night football,” Oscar said. “Plus, she’s a (San Francisco quarterback and UNR alum Colin) Kaepernick fan, and I won’t miss the Niners.
“We’ve been married over 51 years. We tell each other every day how much we love each other, but when Kaepernick throws an interception, the lovey-dovey comes to a screeching halt.”
Another love both Goodmans share, and one that isn’t affected by football, is their unquestioned love for the city of Las Vegas – matched only by their excitement about its future.
“Only good things are in store for Las Vegas. We love our town and take great pride in the strides that have been made,” Oscar said.
Sal DeFilippo’s picks (13-13-1):
Raiders +7½ at Giants
49ers -6 vs. Panthers
Broncos-Chargers over 57½
•••
The media/celebrity picks:
Terry Fator, Mirage headliner (16-11)
Jaguars-Titans under 41
Bengals -1½ at Ravens
Broncos-Chargers over 57½
•••
Wayne Newton, "Mr. Las Vegas" (15-12)
Cardinals -2½ vs. Texans
Broncos -7 at Chargers
Colts -13 vs. Rams
•••
Marc Savard, comedy hypnotist at Planet Hollywood (14-11-2)
Titans -13 vs. Jaguars
Cardinals -2½ vs. Texans
Broncos -7 at Chargers
•••
Andrew Freeman, Raiding the Rock Vault performer at LVH (14-13)
Giants -7½ vs. Raiders
Colts -13 vs. Rams
Seahawks -6½ at Falcons
•••
John Katsilometes, The Kats Report (13-13-1)
Cowboys-Saints over 53
Giants-Raiders under 43½
49ers-Panthers over 42
•••
Oscar Goodman, Las Vegas ambassador (13-13-1)
Seahawks -6½ at Falcons
Bengals -1½ at Ravens
Cowboys +7 at Saints
•••
Carolyn Goodman, mayor of Las Vegas (13-14)
49ers -6 vs. Panthers
Broncos -7 at Chargers
Dolphins -3 at Buccaneers
•••
Donny Osmond, Flamingo headliner (12-14-1)
49ers -6 vs. Panthers
49ers-Panthers over 42
Cowboys-Saints over 53
•••
Jason Feinberg, KVVU morning personality (11-16)
Colts-Rams under 43½
Saints-Cowboys over 53
Titans -13 vs. Rams
•••
Mark & Mercedes in the Morning, Mix 94.1 (10-14-3)
Bengals -1½ at Ravens
Seahawks -6½ at Falcons
49ers -6 vs. Panthers
•••
Claire Sinclair, star of "Pin Up" at Stratosphere (10-15-2)
Rams +13 at Colts
Bengals -1½ at Ravens
Chargers +7 vs. Broncos
•••
Frankie Moreno, Stratosphere headliner (10-15-2)
Saints -7 vs. Cowboys
Falcons +6½ vs. Seahawks
Cardinals -2½ vs. Texans
•••
Carla Pellegrino, celebrity chef and owner of Bratalian (10-16-1)
Seahawks -6½ at Falcons
Saints -6½ vs. Cowboys
Broncos -7 at Chargers
•••
Kevin Janison, KSNV meteorologist (9-17-1)
Raiders +7½ at Giants
Bengals -1½ at Ravens
Seahawks-Falcons under 44½
•••
Dana White, UFC president (8-19)
Broncos -7 at Chargers
Colts -13 vs. Rams
Seahawks -6½ at Falcons
•••
Carrot Top, Luxor headliner (7-18-2)
Saints-Cowboys over 53
Bengals -1½ at Ravens
Dolphins -3 at Buccaneers
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