Dear King- I'm new to your fine column. Are you guys playing the spread, or picking the team that is going to win the football game?

I agree with Crales, if you want to know who's likely to win the game, look at the Vegas line. How do they DO that?

"The Yankees fell four runs shy of averaging six per game . . ." So, does that mean they averaged 2 runs a game? That's not so great!

He's the Daddy, he's got to be the grown-up. It's not about defending his position, it's about taking care of his child. When she asks him what he thought about church, he can tell her that it was very interesting and he's glad she took him.

Cary- I recently started reading your Salon columns, and I have been very impressed with your practical and straightforward approach to relationships and other issues. Who are you, where did you come from? Keep up the good work---

But I can't help it. Tony Romo says: "I’d like to see what the outcome would’ve been if that fourth-and-1 holding hadn’t happened." Hey, Tony, you don't lose by 3 touchdowns at home because of a holding call. I think other forces might have been at work there . . .

They blew right by it on TV, and I understand why they didn't go back for a replay, what with the celebration and all, but was that an excellent fielding play by Tulowitzki to end the game? Or did it just happen so fast it seemed awesome? And did Helton make a saving scoop at the end? Thanks---

Peyton Manning holds the record for TD passes with 49, set in 2004. Tom Brady could top that.

But, in 2004 Manning threw only ONE touchdown pass in the 4th quarter when his team was leading by more than 10 points. Plus, Manning sat out a few 4th quarters (why risk him when the game's well in hand), and missed one game.

Brady, on the other hand, plays until the final gun in every game. So far, he's thrown FIVE TD passes in the 4th quarter when his team had at least a 17-point lead. (Wanna bet he'll do that a few more times?)

Are my stats correct? What's going on here? YOU make the call!

Bush wouldn't be getting away with what he's getting away with if the Democrats in Congress weren't letting him get away with it.

Democratic condidates are just assuming they'll be swept into office as a reaction to the current terrible Republican administration. I'm not so sure. The current Democratically-controlled Congress is now even less popular than our extremely unpopular President.

Why would I consider not voting for my local Democratic candidates? Because they're unprincipled pussies, that's why.

The Vikings need him on the field! If he breaks down and ruins his career, so what? Running backs are a dime a dozen, there's plenty more where he came from.

(P.S. I'm being sarcastic. Is there some sort of little emoticon dealie that indicates sarcasm?)

First, set up a short term date with a definite ending time, such as coffee, "but I have to leave at 4:00 to pick up my daughter."

When the date ends, if the guy's interested he'll ask if he can see you again, or call you. Tell him, "No, I enjoyed meeting you but I don't want to pursue it. Thank you for the coffee. Good luck." Shake his hand, then walk away.

The end. If the guy can't take that, he's not someone you want to date anyway.

I know, I know, it's easier said than done. But that's what you gotta do. If you can't do that, don't go out on dates. Dating is learning to reject and be rejected.

If a guy pitches in the big leagues for a while, and then blows out his elbow, is it natural to surgically repair him? Isn't it more "natural" to just say, sorry, these are the rigors of big league baseball, pal, some bodies can take it, yours couldn't, thanks for playing, you're done.

Doesn't grafting ligaments, digging out excess bone, etc. enhance a guy's performance? Is undergoing lasik surgery to change your eyesight from 20/300 to 20/20 "natural"?

Who cares? Genetic manipulation is right around the corner. Let's just breed 'em to play and enjoy the show. (But they shouldn't be citizens, and they'd have to be put down when they reach 40.)

There should be only one simple test to get into the HOF-- you have to be BETTER than the people already in there.

Won't somebody please think of the children!!?

I'm kind of new around here. I enjoy the posts almost as much as King's articles.

I learned something really interesting here today-- if the Chargers had only scored more points than the Pats, they would have WON THE GAME!

Now that's good football knowledge.

Maybe you all already discussed this- too many letters to read.

Anyway, I thought the challenge rule was for challenging calls made. Can it be used to challenge a call that was NOT made, like the Pats did on the non-call on "12 men on the field"? If that's allowed, why not challenge pass interference that the officials missed, or holding that the officials missed, or a punch in the face that the officials missed?

Or did I miss something?

Although, why can't a coach say to a ref: "That guy just punched my QB in the face"? If the official says, sorry didn't see it, well, let's look at the replay!

But thank you both for adding to my store of useless football knowledge. It's not your fault some of the rules make no sense.

Where the Neanderthal woman rubs peanuts on her tits to attract men? Did that actually happen? Or did I just imagine it?

Can someone confirm that?