Super Bowl XLII (42) will be played on February 3rd but the main attraction of the weekend will be on February 2nd. Playboy magazine will have their annual Super Bowl party at the Rawhide Pavillion. When I hear Rawhide, I picture playmates running around in cowgirl hats and chaps. That’s it. Just hats and chaps… Leave it to Donna Tavoso, division vice president of creative projects and special services for Playboy, to rain on my parade.

Donna Tavoso, who is part of the Playboy team putting on the super-exclusive Feb. 2 fete, said the theme of the party is being kept under wraps. But it definitely will not be Western.

“We looked at over 65 venues in area and we liked the freedom that the (Rawhide) space gave us. It was a raw space that gave us a blank pallete to work from . . . and the flexibility to be creative to come up with a theme.”

“We bring together what the brand represents, the fun and excitement of the game along with celebrities, athletes and beautiful women. We wrap it all up with a sexy fun theme, great food and great drinks. It’s the whole package of living the great life.”

From the looks of things, Donna and crew have their work cut out for them. I can’t see the NFL party crowd line dancing to Achy Breaky Heart. Of course, if the partygoers aren’t having fun, there’s always the petting zoo or a shotgun wedding.

Playboy to throw Super Bowl bash at Rawhide Pavilion. Courtesy of AZCentral.comTags: Playboy, Super Bowl Party, Phoenix, NFL, Pictures

If gambling was abolished, do you know who would suffer the most? The NFL and the NBA referees. Regardless of the NFL’s official stance on wagering, the reason the league is so popular is because of the violence, gambling, and video games. But I’m not here to call the NFL a bunch of hypocrites, I’m here to salute the gridiron gladiators. I am entertained and hopefully my picks do likewise.

I’m superstitious, so I never pick for or against my favorite team, the Philadelphia Eagles. The home team is in bold type.

Houston -3 over Kansas City: I didn’t see a lot of the Texans in preseason but I saw all of Hard Knocks.

Buffalo +3 over Denver: The Broncos are gonna have a nice season but it’ll get off to a slow start in upstate New York. Under 37 is tempting.

Pittsburgh -4.5 over Cleveland: The Browns aren’t gonna put it together over 1 summer.

Tennessee +6.5 over Jacksonville: The rule of thumb is to decide which team you think is going to win outright, and then bet on that team. I’m breaking the rule. The Jaguars win a close game.

St. Louis -1 over Carolina: If the Rams are gonna be who I think they are, they have to win this game.

Minnesota -3 over Atlanta: Joey Harrington is 1-4 lifetime vs. Minnesota. 0-4 at the Dome. The lone win came last year at home in Miami.

Miami +3 over Washington: I’m not expecting a lot from either of these teams this season but I like Miami a little more.

NYJ +6.5 over New England. I can make an argument for both teams in this game. That makes me think the game will be close.

Seattle -6 over Tampa Bay: Holmgren vs. Gruden. Hasselbeck vs. Garcia. I like the Seahawks in those matchups and the game.

San Diego -6 over Chicago: One of these teams will be almost as good as last year and the other’s qb is gonna end up costing them.

Detroit +1.5 over Oakland: It wouldn’t be Oakland if they didn’t start the season with a quarterback controversy.. Which should start about midway through the 2nd quarter.

Dallas -5.5 over NYG: The Cowboys offense gets all of the attention but that defense is gonna be really tough up front.

Cincinnati -2.5 over Baltimore: If the game was in Baltimore, I would pick the Ravens.

San Francisco -3 over Arizona: Every year is the year that the Cardinals are gonna turn it around. This might really be their time, but not this week.