Celebrity/media NFL picks Week 3

By Sal DeFilippo

Saturday, Sept. 25, 2010 | 1:39 p.m.

I’ll admit, I was a little confused at first when the NBC cameras focused in on some people in the crowd arguing over possession of a player’s helmet during the third quarter of Colts-Giants game.

To my knowledge, “Helmet Night” is not a marketing ploy you will find at any NFL stadium. Certain promotions should be avoided at all costs, such as Helmet Night, Spiked Shoulder Pad Night, and JaMarcus Russell Bobblehead Night.

So how, then, did these people obtain an authentic NFL helmet and why were security members trying to take it?

Then came the answer. Giants running back Brandon Jacobs threw it up there. Naturally.

I’ve seen players throw jerseys, footballs, and even themselves (Lambeau Leap!) into the crowd during an NFL game – but never their helmets. Apparently, Jacobs lost his head, so to speak, after a not-so-effective running play and being subsequently sent to the bench.

The fan’s refusal to cough up his souvenir was entertaining (I wonder if this game were at Soldier Field, if Bears fans would have taken the lead from their Cubs brethren and yelled “throw it back!” the way they do when an opposing player hits a homer), but Jacobs is extremely fortunate that the only thing that got hurt was his wallet.

But forking over $10,000 is pocket change to Jacobs, and there is still something that bothers me about his statement the following day.

“I want to apologize one more time for accidentally tossing my helmet in the stands,” he said. (Link to the story here).

Accidentally? How do you “accidentally” toss a helmet six rows into the crowd?

The fan, Jeff Lasiter, finally was forced to return the helmet. All he got in replacement was a game ball – and the enjoying of watching his Colts whip the Giants in the Manning Bowl.

My other favorite quote about this incident was Colts CEO Pete Ward saying the team didn’t have a policy on helmets in the stands, but adding that it wasn’t finders-keepers. (Link to story here.)

But in this case, it certainly is losers-weepers, and perhaps it’s time for Giants coach Tom Coughlin to “accidentally” phase Jacobs out of his team’s long-term plans.

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Two weeks into the celebrity contest, and there’s one man laughing at the “Top” at 5-1 – Luxor headliner Carrot Top. By virtue of his 3-0 week, he takes a one-game lead over Recycled Percussion star Justin Spencer, who is alone in second at 4-2.

KVBC’s Kevin Janison is at 3-2-1, and several celeb contestants have .500 marks: Brad Garrett, Donny Osmond and Fantasy’s Lorena Peril are 3-3 and Wayne Newton is 2-2-2. Nobody is worse than 2-4, so everyone is certainly still in the hunt.

Sal’s picks:A 2-1 week has me off to a strong 5-1 start for 2010 (Someone has to keep pace with that Carrot Top fella). This week, I’ll take the Ravens -10½ vs. the Browns, the Raiders +4 at the Cardinals and the Packers-Bears over 46.

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The media/celebrity picks:

Lance Burton, master magician (2-4)

Bills +13½ at Patriots

Vikings -10½ vs. Lions

Packers -3 at Bears

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Anthony Crivello, star of "Phantom -- Las Vegas Spectacular" (2-4)

Bengals -3½ at Panthers

Texans -3 vs. Cowboys

Eagles -3 at Jaguars

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Carrot Top, Luxor headliner (5-1)

Redskins -3½ at Rams

Colts -6 at Broncos

Dolphins-Jets over 35

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Terry Fator, Mirage headliner (2-4)

Cowboys +3 vs. Texans

Steelers -2½ at Buccaneers

Eagles-Jaguars under 44½

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Brad Garrett, Tropicana headliner (3-3)

Dolphins -2 vs. Jets

Saints -4½ vs. Falcons

Eagles -3 at Jaguars

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Oscar Goodman, mayor of Las Vegas (2-4)

Titans +3 at Giants

Falcons +4½ at Saints

Raiders +4 at Cardinals

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Alicia Jacobs, KVBC entertainment reporter (2-3-1)

Ravens -10 ½ vs. Browns

49ers -2 at Chiefs

Saints –4 ½ vs. Falcons

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Kevin Janison, KVBC meteorologist (3-2-1)

Steelers-Buccaneers under 33½

Texans-Cowboys over 47

Falcons-Saints over 50

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Wayne Newton, "Mr. Las Vegas" (2-2-2)

Redskins -3 ½ at Rams

Cardinals -4 vs. Raiders

Colts -6 at Broncos

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Donny Osmond, Flamingo Las Vegas headliner (3-3)

Patriots -13½ vs. Bills

Vikings -10½ vs. Lions

Colts -6 at Broncos

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Lorena Peril, Vocalist, Fantasy at Luxor (3-3)

Giants -3 vs. Titans

Saints -4½ vs. Falcons

49ers -2 at Chiefs

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Justin Spencer, star of Recycled Percussion at MGM Grand (4-2)

Giants -3 vs. Titans

Packers -3 at Bears

Cardinals -4 vs. Raiders

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Frank Caliendo’s Fantasy Stud of the Week

Maurice Jones-Drew, Jaguars

All of the focus on the Eagles this week has been about the dogfight between Michael Vick and Kevin Kolb over who will be the starting quarterback. Forget the off-field stuff -- head coach Andy Reid how to handle his critics when it comes to what happens between the white lines. Reminds me of Paris Hilton.

But there’s a bigger problem in Philadelphia – the Eagles defense. Allowing 27 points to the explosive Packers in the season opener is one thing, but 32 last week to the Lions, without Matthew Stafford? Really? You know what Detroit used to call a 32-point effort? “October.”

Rookie Jahvid Best had a big-day running and receiving last week, so I’ll take Jacksonville all-everything back Maurice Jones-Drew to soar through the Eagles this weekend at home.

Last week’s result: TOUCHDOWN

Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers threw for 255 yards and two touchdowns, and ran for another score. His three-TD, mistake-free certainly day had fantasy owners smiling.