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In an effort to help stimulate his state’s economy, Gov. Jack Markell has reportedly announced plans to introduce a bill sometime soon that would legalize sports gambling in Delaware.

The bill would allow people to put down parlay bets on sporting events and it would be the first time in 30 years that sports betting would be legal anywhere east of the Mississippi River. It could be legal by the time the big gambling season, also known as the National Football League, starts up in September.

Understandably, the bill has supporters and detractors. Eric R. Bodenweiser, a 50-year-old resident of Georgetown, DE, told Delaware Online: “To me it’s a moral thing: Gambling is a sinful thing. I’m sorry that the government has gotten involved in it as we have.”

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I’ve been turning football picks into an impressive level of futility in recent weeks, especially in games involving the Arizona Cardinals.

But I’m sticking to my guns. Pittsburgh is simply a better team than Arizona. The Cardinals got hot at the right time, rediscovering a running game that had been missing all season. And the defense is firing on all cylinders right now.

But I think the Pittsburgh pass rush will help neutralize Kurt Warner enough to give the Steelers a chance to get ahead. The Cardinals will score points in this game – I’d be looking at the over 46.5 if I were in Vegas right now.

I’m not as confident that Pittsburgh covers the seven point spraad, but if I were forced to put money down, that’s what I’d bet on.

It was another 2-2 week during the divisional round of the playoffs – given the way some of these games have gone, I’ll take that.

Still, as good as Arizona has looked thus far and as much as Sir Whoopass likes to come on here and rip on my picking against them, I still apparently haven’t learned my lesson.

I just don’t think the Cardinals are that good – yet. Or, maybe I just can’t picture them in the Super Bowl.

My picks for this week? An All-Pennsylvania Super Bowl.

Philadelphia (-3) at Arizona: This is the week the bubble bursts – although I am convinced that if the Cardinals continue to emphasize the run they’ll not only make this a game, but they’ll be damn good next season as well.

Baltimore (+6) at Pittsburgh: This is a tough one. I’d be more comfortable betting the under 34. But in the game itself I think the battle-tested Steelers stop the run and rattle the rookie Flacco just enough to hang on for the win, something like 13-6.

Hmm. Getting going a little late this afternoon, but so it goes. Here are my picks – both straight up and against the spread (Last week’s record 2-2):

Baltimore at Tennessee: Baltimore
I like the way the Ravens were playing at the end of the season. The defense should largely bottle up the Titans’ potent run game. It’ll be a low scoring game decided in the fourth quarter.

Arizona at Carolina: Carolina
Arizona mysteriously discovered a run game last week and it helped surprise and beat Atlanta. That won’t happen this week. The Panthers will be the dominant ground team and they’ll pull away in the second half to win handily.

Philadelphia at New York Giants: Giants
I think this is the most compelling game of the weekend. Both teams are playing well. In another low-scoring battle, I expect home field will win out in the end. The Giants’ three-headed run attack will wear down the Eagles just enough to pull it out.

San Diego at Pittsburgh: Pittsburgh
San Diego has been on a roll of late, but they’re heading into the cold weather minus a full-strength LaDainian Tomlinson. Not that Sproles isn’t a solid replacement, but the Steelers defense is too good for the Chargers to win at less than full strength.

So I managed to close the season with a 3-1 mark, bringing my Best Bets total to 20-18. With the vig it’s probably not enough to break even in Vegas, but it’s better than going 1-3.

So, I’m going to make playoff picks too. Why not. (All of these picks are both straight up and against the spread)

1. Atlanta at Arizona: Pick ‘em
Arizona has not been playing well the last month. Their last five wins have been against Seattle twice, St. Louis twice and San Francisco. Atlanta has the strongest running game in the NFL. And Matt Ryan, rookie of the year quarterback, has been strong at home and on the road. Winner: Atlanta

2. Indianapolis at San Diego (+1):
Both teams have quarterbacks playing extremely well and both teams went on winning streaks to get where they are. Indy won in San Diego earlier in the season and while the Chargers are constructed to beat the Colts, they really miss Shawne Merriman against a quarterback like Peyton Manning. Plus LaDainian Tomlinson enters the playoffs hurting. Winner: Indianapolis

3. Baltimore at Miami (+3.5)
Miami is the comeback story of the season. But the run ends here. The Dolphins aren’t going to be able to run against Baltimore and they can’t win on passing alone. It’ll be a low-scoring game but the Ravens will use their three-headed running attack to pull away in the  end. Winner: Baltimore

4. Philadelphia at Minnesota (+3)
The Eagles play in one of the two toughest divisions in football and the Vikings don’t. The Eagles blitzing pass rush will either confuse Tarvaris Jackson or pummel Gus Frerotte. With Pat Williams looking less and less likely to play for Minnesota Philadelphia might even get the run game going. The Eagles will make it a clean sweep for the road teams. Winner: Philadelphia