Chase for the Golden Nerf: Celebrity/Media NFL Picks Week 1

By Sal DeFilippo

Friday, Sept. 6, 2013 | 6 p.m.

My daughter had a school quiz last week, where she had to match characteristics with the corresponding seasons of the year.

“Dad, which season has the longest days and is good for taking vacations?” she asked.

“That’s easy, Sweetheart,” I replied. “The offseason.”

She challenged my response, claiming something about it not relating to weather patterns or a calendar or some other nonsense. But I was running late and didn’t have time to explain how seasons really work.

“Here, give me that. … OK, ‘flowers blooming’ — that’s the preseason. ‘Pumpkin patches’ — that would be midseason. The last one is postseason. That’s my favorite,” I continued.

That quiz was easy, but now it’s time for a tougher test — picking winners of these games. This weekend marks the return of the Chase for the Golden Nerf celebrity picks contest. We’ve drafted our own fantasy team of Las Vegas celebs, who will each pick three games against the spread each week in hopes of corralling enough victories to warrant ownership of a spray-painted foam football. Is there a finer accolade achievable?

Flamingo headliner Donny Osmond is back to defend his crown, and former Golden Nerf winners “Mr. Las Vegas” Wayne Newton and former Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman are back to try to dethrone him.

Also back to compete is the former mayor’s better half — current mayor Carolyn Goodman. Mirage comic impressionist/ventriloquist Terry Fator, Luxor comedian Carrot Top and Planet Hollywood hypnotist Marc Savard are also returning to resume their quest for Nerf immortality. Joining them are “Pin Up” star Claire Sinclair, “Raiding the Rock Vault” star Andrew Freeman, Stratosphere headliner Frankie Moreno, celebrity chef Carla Pellegrino and UFC President Dana White.

KMXB’s Mark & Mercedes in the Morning are also in the mix this year, as is Fox’s Jason Feinberg, KVBC meteorologist Kevin Janison and the Sun’s own media maven, John Katsilometes. I’ll also provide my picks, along with the laughter they generate for others who watch them fail.

Let the Chase begin!

Sal’s picks:.

Colts -9 vs. Raiders

Rams-Cardinals over 41

Eagles +3.5 at Redskins

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The media/celebrity picks:

Carrot Top, Luxor headliner (0-0)

Seahawks -3 at Panthers

Texans -4 at Chargers

Buccaneers -3 at Jets

•••

Terry Fator, Mirage headliner (0-0)

Seahawks –3 at Panthers

Texans -4 at Chargers

Chiefs-Jaguars under 41.5

•••

Jason Feinberg, KVVU-TV morning personality (0-0)

Eagles +3.5 at Redskins

Bills +10 vs. Patriots

Chiefs-Jaguars under 41.5

•••

Andrew Freeman, "Raiding the Rock Vault" performer at LVH (0-0)

Patriots -10 at Bills

Cowboys -3 vs. Giants

Buccaneers -3 at Jets

•••

Carolyn Goodman, mayor of Las Vegas (0-0)

Patriots -10 at Bills

49ers -4 vs. Packers

Colts -9 vs. Raiders

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Oscar Goodman, Las Vegas ambassador (0-0)

Seahawks -3 at Panthers

Bengals +3 at Bears

Giants +3 at Cowboys

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Kevin Janison, KVBC meteorologist (0-0)

Patriots –10 at Bills

Buccaneers -3 at Jets

Colts -9 vs. Raiders

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John Katsilometes, The Kats Report (0-0)

Seahawks –3 at Panthers

Bengals-Bears under 42

Saints –3 vs. Falcons

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Mark & Mercedes in the Morning, Mix 94.1 (0-0)

Seahawks –3 at Panthers

Giants +3 at Cowboys

Texans -4 at Chargers

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Frankie Moreno, Stratosphere headliner (0-0)

Patriots -10 at Bills

Colts -9 vs. Raiders

Bengals +3 at Bears

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Wayne Newton, "Mr. Las Vegas" (0-0)

Redskins –3.5 vs. Eagles

Patriots –10 at Bills

Cardinals +4.5 at Rams

•••

Donny Osmond, Flamingo Las Vegas headliner (0-0)

Patriots –10 at Bills

Buccaneers -3 at Jets

Lions -4.5 vs. Vikings

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Carla Pellegrino, celebrity chef and owner of Rao’s at Caesars Palace (0-0)

Patriots -10 at Bills

Colts -9 vs. Raiders

Buccaneers -3 at Jets

•••

Marc Savard, comedy hypnotist at Planet Hollywood (0-0)

Chiefs -3 at Jaguars

Seahawks -3 at Panthers

Falcons +3 at Saints

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Claire Sinclair, star of "Pin Up" at the Stratosphere (0-0)

Colts -9 vs. Raiders

Buccaneers -3 at Jets

Texans -4 at Chargers

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Dana White, UFC president (0-0)

Steelers -7 vs. Titans

Browns pick vs. Dolphins

Saints -3 vs. Falcons