Well, this is it: the last week of the regular season. The playoffs begin a week from today and a month from now the season will truly be over with the completion of Super Bowl XLVIII. But we'll cross that bridge when it comes. For now, here are my stats and predictions for the final week.
Week 16 Total: 11-5 (.688)
Total Record: 151-87 (.634)
1. Carolina Panthers at Atlanta Falcons
Thoughts: Fun fact: the Panthers haven't won in Atlanta since 2007. Of course, the Falcons are the drizzling shits this year, so I think that fortunes will change this year.
Pick: Panthers
2. Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals
Thoughts: Despite the Bengals' less than stellar record against divisional opponents since 2011, they've played great at home (7-0 this year). Want another fun fact? This is the fourth season in a row where the Ravens and Bengals wrapped up their seasons against each other and it's the third year in a row the game has been played in Cincinnati.
Pick: Bengals
3. Jacksonville Jaguars at Indianapolis Colts
Thoughts: The Jaguars have played their divisional opponents extremely hard this year (barring their last game against the Colts anyway), which makes me think there may be an upset in the works. Tough call actually, but I'll go with the home team nonetheless.
Pick: Colts
4. New York Jets at Miami Dolphins
Thoughts: This is another potential upset waiting to happen. Say what you will about Rex Ryan, but the Jets play very hard for him. But I'm still going with the safe pick and the home team.
Pick: Dolphins
5. Detroit Lions at Minnesota Vikings
Thoughts: Honestly, with the way the Lions have played the last few weeks, do you really think they'll suddenly turn it on for one game? I don't. By the way, this will be the last ever game played at the Metrodome. So that's neat at least.
Pick: Vikings
6. Washington Redskins at New York Giants
Thoughts: All I can say is "congratulations to the St. Louis Rams for your shiny top 2 draft pick."
Pick: Giants
7. Cleveland Browns at Pittsburgh Steelers
Thoughts: I know this has been the story since 1999, but wait until next year Browns fans. Teams don't usually send five players to the Pro Bowl for no reason. Of course, that won't be of much consolation against the Steelers. (The Steelers are going to finish at .500 after an 0-6 start? Who do they think they are? The 2009 Titans?)
Pick: Steelers
8. Houston Texans at Tennessee Titans
Thoughts: Speaking of the Titans, they'll win tomorrow.
Pick: Titans
9. San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals
Thoughts: Man, the Cardinals have been great this year. Bruce Arians should win Coach of the Year for the second straight year (if that prediction comes true, he's be the first coach to win the award in consecutive seasons since Joe Gibbs did it from 1982-83). The 49ers had to fight tooth and nail to beat a terrible Falcons team, and now they're on the road against the first team to beat the Seahawks in Seattle since 2011? Not gonna be a good day for you, Niners fans.
Pick: Cardinals
10. Green Bay Packers at Chicago Bears
Thoughts: Aaron Rodgers is back, which freaks me out. But damn it, I'm going with the Bears.
Pick: Bears
11. Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots
Thoughts: Bill Belichick is a really great coach. That's all I'll say about that.
Pick: Patriots
12. Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints
Thoughts: The Saints are at home, which means they'll actually play well.
Pick: Saints
13. Denver Broncos at Oakland Raiders
Thoughts: Watch this game if you can, if only to watch Peyton Manning shatter damn near every significant single-season passing record.
Pick: Broncos
14. Kansas City Chiefs at San Diego Chargers
Thoughts: The Chiefs will continue to limp to the postseason with a loss tomorrow.
Pick: Chargers
15. St. Louis Rams at Seattle Seahawks
Thoughts: Last week notwithstanding, always bet on the Seahawks at home.
Pick: Seahawks
16. Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys
Thoughts: Kyle Orton will take Tony Romo's place as the signal caller for the Cowboys. And it would be the most Cowboys thing ever if they won this game tomorrow. Still, it's the Eagles' turn to secure a division title by way of a Dallas meltdown.
Pick: Eagles
If all of these predictions hold true (and they won't), this is what the playoff picture will look like:
AFC
1. Denver Broncos
2. New England Patriots
3. Cincinnati Bengals
4. Indianapolis Colts
5. Kansas City Chiefs
6. Miami Dolphins
NFC
1. Seattle Seahawks
2. Carolina Panthers
3. Philadelphia Eagles
4. Chicago Bears
5. New Orleans Saints
6. San Francisco 49ers
Plus, the Texans would have the number one pick in the 2014 draft, and while Washington would have the number two pick, it'll be the Rams' pick thanks to the RG3 trade. Regardless of what the outcomes are tomorrow, things won't be boring.
Saturday, December 28, 2013
Sunday, December 22, 2013
NFL WEEK 16 PREDICTIONS
Week 15 Record: 9-7 (.563)
Total Record: 140-82 (.631)
1. Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills
Thoughts: Buffalo already beat Miami once this year and it's incredibly hard to sweep a division rival. I could see the Bills playing spoilers for the Dolphins' playoff hopes because the only thing the Bills are playing for right now is pettiness. But I think the Dolphins will win.
Pick: Dolphins
2. New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers
Thoughts: So the Saints suck on the road. They are on the road, ergo, they will lose. Plus, the Panthers probably want to whip their asses after they got thumped in the Superdome.
Pick: Panthers
3. Minnesota Vikings at Cincinnati Bengals
Thoughts: The Vikings aren't in the same division as the Bengals, so the Bengals will probably win. (Since 2011, the Bengals are 21-8 (.609) against opponents outside the AFC North, but are decisively mediocre 7-10 (.412) within the division. Also, they are 2-4 (.333) in nationally televised games during that same span. Good thing there is absolutely no pressure on them for this game.)
Pick: Bengals
4. Denver Broncos at Houston Texans
Thoughts: The Texans might put up a little fight before having their necks snapped under the heels of the Broncos.
Pick: Broncos
5. Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars
Thoughts: Tough call. The Jaguars have only lost by double digits once since coming off of their bye (and have only lost two games total in that span). I think the Jags will outlast the Titans.
Pick: Jaguars
6. Indianapolis Colts at Kansas City Chiefs
Thoughts: The Chiefs aren't imploding like the Texans, so I expect them to spank the Colts in Arrowhead.
Pick: Chiefs
7. Cleveland Browns at New York Jets
Thoughts: A game pitting two teams having nothing seasons; quite the toss-up. Home field advantage, go!
Pick: Jets
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers at St. Louis Rams
Thoughts: This might be a pick 'em as well. The Rams are at home and theoretically are a more talented team, so advantage St. Louis.
Pick: Rams
9. Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins
Thoughts: As mediocre and flaky as the Cowboys are, do you really expect them to lose to Washington of all teams? I know the answer is "yes", but I'm still going with the Cowboys.
Pick: Cowboys
10. New England Patriots at Baltimore Ravens
Thoughts: The Ravens should win since they seem to have the Patriots' number and the Pats are so thin due to injuries. But I think the Patriots will pounce and take advantage of Joe Flacco's mildly sprained MCL.
Pick: Patriots
11. New York Giants at Detroit Lions
Thoughts: The Giants defense actually played pretty well against the Seahawks and the Lions are turnover prone. So I fully expect the Lions to continue to piss away their playoff chances this week.
Pick: Giants
12. Pittsburgh Steelers at Green Bay Packers
Thoughts: No Aaron Rodgers? No problem against the Steelers. I think. Maybe. Oh hell, I don't know!
Pick: Packers
13. Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers
Thoughts: After flirting with slight respectability at certain points this year, the Raiders are back to being a hot mess. A revived Philip Rivers will likely carve up the defense all day.
Pick: Chargers
14. Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks
Thoughts: Never bet against the Seahawks at home.
Pick: Seahawks
15. Chicago Bears at Philadelphia Eagles
Thoughts: Oh God, this game. The Eagles' pass defense is retched which gives the Bears a clear advantage, but I expect the Eagles to win with some offensive magic of their own.
Pick: Eagles
16. Atlanta Falcons at San Francisco 49ers
Thoughts: Last game ever at Candlestick Park for the 49ers, and fittingly, it's against a former division rival (the Falcons were in the NFC West from 1970 until 2001, despite the fact that they weren't, you know, located anywhere near the west). Also fittingly, this game will probably be like watching a Falcons/49ers game from the 80s where the 49ers just destroyed the Falcons most of the time.
Pick: 49ers
Total Record: 140-82 (.631)
1. Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills
Thoughts: Buffalo already beat Miami once this year and it's incredibly hard to sweep a division rival. I could see the Bills playing spoilers for the Dolphins' playoff hopes because the only thing the Bills are playing for right now is pettiness. But I think the Dolphins will win.
Pick: Dolphins
2. New Orleans Saints at Carolina Panthers
Thoughts: So the Saints suck on the road. They are on the road, ergo, they will lose. Plus, the Panthers probably want to whip their asses after they got thumped in the Superdome.
Pick: Panthers
3. Minnesota Vikings at Cincinnati Bengals
Thoughts: The Vikings aren't in the same division as the Bengals, so the Bengals will probably win. (Since 2011, the Bengals are 21-8 (.609) against opponents outside the AFC North, but are decisively mediocre 7-10 (.412) within the division. Also, they are 2-4 (.333) in nationally televised games during that same span. Good thing there is absolutely no pressure on them for this game.)
Pick: Bengals
4. Denver Broncos at Houston Texans
Thoughts: The Texans might put up a little fight before having their necks snapped under the heels of the Broncos.
Pick: Broncos
5. Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars
Thoughts: Tough call. The Jaguars have only lost by double digits once since coming off of their bye (and have only lost two games total in that span). I think the Jags will outlast the Titans.
Pick: Jaguars
6. Indianapolis Colts at Kansas City Chiefs
Thoughts: The Chiefs aren't imploding like the Texans, so I expect them to spank the Colts in Arrowhead.
Pick: Chiefs
7. Cleveland Browns at New York Jets
Thoughts: A game pitting two teams having nothing seasons; quite the toss-up. Home field advantage, go!
Pick: Jets
8. Tampa Bay Buccaneers at St. Louis Rams
Thoughts: This might be a pick 'em as well. The Rams are at home and theoretically are a more talented team, so advantage St. Louis.
Pick: Rams
9. Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins
Thoughts: As mediocre and flaky as the Cowboys are, do you really expect them to lose to Washington of all teams? I know the answer is "yes", but I'm still going with the Cowboys.
Pick: Cowboys
10. New England Patriots at Baltimore Ravens
Thoughts: The Ravens should win since they seem to have the Patriots' number and the Pats are so thin due to injuries. But I think the Patriots will pounce and take advantage of Joe Flacco's mildly sprained MCL.
Pick: Patriots
11. New York Giants at Detroit Lions
Thoughts: The Giants defense actually played pretty well against the Seahawks and the Lions are turnover prone. So I fully expect the Lions to continue to piss away their playoff chances this week.
Pick: Giants
12. Pittsburgh Steelers at Green Bay Packers
Thoughts: No Aaron Rodgers? No problem against the Steelers. I think. Maybe. Oh hell, I don't know!
Pick: Packers
13. Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers
Thoughts: After flirting with slight respectability at certain points this year, the Raiders are back to being a hot mess. A revived Philip Rivers will likely carve up the defense all day.
Pick: Chargers
14. Arizona Cardinals at Seattle Seahawks
Thoughts: Never bet against the Seahawks at home.
Pick: Seahawks
15. Chicago Bears at Philadelphia Eagles
Thoughts: Oh God, this game. The Eagles' pass defense is retched which gives the Bears a clear advantage, but I expect the Eagles to win with some offensive magic of their own.
Pick: Eagles
16. Atlanta Falcons at San Francisco 49ers
Thoughts: Last game ever at Candlestick Park for the 49ers, and fittingly, it's against a former division rival (the Falcons were in the NFC West from 1970 until 2001, despite the fact that they weren't, you know, located anywhere near the west). Also fittingly, this game will probably be like watching a Falcons/49ers game from the 80s where the 49ers just destroyed the Falcons most of the time.
Pick: 49ers
Saturday, December 14, 2013
NFL WEEK 15 PREDICTIONS
Total Record: 132-75 (.638)
1. Washington Redskins at Atlanta Falcons
Thoughts: Kirk Cousins will get the start for Washington, but I think the road disadvantage will hurt them against the Dirty Birds.
Pick: Falcons
2. Chicago Bears at Cleveland Browns
Thoughts: The Browns are an absolute mess on offense and their defense hasn't played well. Jay Cutler will start for the Bears and he'll probably be rusty, but I don't think Cleveland is talented enough to capitalize on that.
Pick: Bears
3. Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts
Thoughts: Indy's at home and the Texans are a tire fire. But teams that replace their head coach usually win the very next game as a way for the players to deflect blame from themselves for the crappy play. So even though the Texans have never won a game in Indianapolis, I'm calling for the unlikely upset.
Pick: Texans
4. Buffalo Bills at Jacksonville Jaguars
Thoughts: This is such a pick 'em game. Home field advantage wins again.
Pick: Jaguars
5. New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins
Thoughts: The Patriots have lost so many pieces this year and will be shorthanded again in South Florida. I expect the Dolphins to take advantage of their hurting division rival.
Pick: Dolphins
6. Philadelphia Eagles at Minnesota Vikings
Thoughts: The Eagles are hotter than they've been since about 2010 while the Vikings are just plain sad. I expect Adrian Peterson to play and for his team to look pretty awful.
Pick: Eagles
7. Seattle Seahawks at New York Giants
Thoughts: The Giants are such a pain to predict. Damn it, I'm going with the better team and I'm not turning back!
Pick: Seahawks
8. San Francisco 49ers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Thoughts: Tampa's won four of its last five games, but the 49ers aren't exactly like the Bills. They're more like the Panthers. And how did that go for the Bucs?
Pick: 49ers
9. New York Jets at Carolina Panthers
Thoughts: The Jets played well last week, but they're facing a Panthers team that's coming off of an emasculating loss to the Saints. This will not be a fun week for Gang Green.
Pick: Panthers
10. Green Bay Packers at Dallas Cowboys
Thoughts: No Aaron Rodgers again this week (and unless the Bears AND the Lions both lose this week, I don't expect to see number 12 again this year). The Cowboys are just good enough to beat a hurting Packers team. And I mean every bit of that back-handed compliment.
Pick: Cowboys
11. Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland Raiders
Thoughts: The Chiefs are going to eat the Raiders' lunch.
Pick: Chiefs
12. New Orleans Saints at St. Louis Rams
Thoughts: The Saints are on the road, but in a dome. The last time the Saints were in St. Louis, they got embarrassed by a Rams team that won two games that whole year. I don't expect that to happen this time.
Pick: Saints
13. Arizona Cardinals at Tennessee Titans
Thoughts: The Titans play hard, but the Cardinals are simply a better team (by the way, I've used a lot of "buts" in this article). That fact will eventually take the game over for the Cards.
Pick: Cardinals
14. Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers
Thoughts: I picked a lot of road teams this week and if there's one game where I expect the road team to lose, it's this one. But I still think the Bengals will win. Because the Steelers are not good.
Pick: Bengals
15. Baltimore Ravens at Detroit Lions
Thoughts: The Ravens are hot, the Lions are not. And neither team will be playing in a blizzard this week. Good for them, but that kind of makes me sad.
Pick: Ravens
1. Washington Redskins at Atlanta Falcons
Thoughts: Kirk Cousins will get the start for Washington, but I think the road disadvantage will hurt them against the Dirty Birds.
Pick: Falcons
2. Chicago Bears at Cleveland Browns
Thoughts: The Browns are an absolute mess on offense and their defense hasn't played well. Jay Cutler will start for the Bears and he'll probably be rusty, but I don't think Cleveland is talented enough to capitalize on that.
Pick: Bears
3. Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts
Thoughts: Indy's at home and the Texans are a tire fire. But teams that replace their head coach usually win the very next game as a way for the players to deflect blame from themselves for the crappy play. So even though the Texans have never won a game in Indianapolis, I'm calling for the unlikely upset.
Pick: Texans
4. Buffalo Bills at Jacksonville Jaguars
Thoughts: This is such a pick 'em game. Home field advantage wins again.
Pick: Jaguars
5. New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins
Thoughts: The Patriots have lost so many pieces this year and will be shorthanded again in South Florida. I expect the Dolphins to take advantage of their hurting division rival.
Pick: Dolphins
6. Philadelphia Eagles at Minnesota Vikings
Thoughts: The Eagles are hotter than they've been since about 2010 while the Vikings are just plain sad. I expect Adrian Peterson to play and for his team to look pretty awful.
Pick: Eagles
7. Seattle Seahawks at New York Giants
Thoughts: The Giants are such a pain to predict. Damn it, I'm going with the better team and I'm not turning back!
Pick: Seahawks
8. San Francisco 49ers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Thoughts: Tampa's won four of its last five games, but the 49ers aren't exactly like the Bills. They're more like the Panthers. And how did that go for the Bucs?
Pick: 49ers
9. New York Jets at Carolina Panthers
Thoughts: The Jets played well last week, but they're facing a Panthers team that's coming off of an emasculating loss to the Saints. This will not be a fun week for Gang Green.
Pick: Panthers
10. Green Bay Packers at Dallas Cowboys
Thoughts: No Aaron Rodgers again this week (and unless the Bears AND the Lions both lose this week, I don't expect to see number 12 again this year). The Cowboys are just good enough to beat a hurting Packers team. And I mean every bit of that back-handed compliment.
Pick: Cowboys
11. Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland Raiders
Thoughts: The Chiefs are going to eat the Raiders' lunch.
Pick: Chiefs
12. New Orleans Saints at St. Louis Rams
Thoughts: The Saints are on the road, but in a dome. The last time the Saints were in St. Louis, they got embarrassed by a Rams team that won two games that whole year. I don't expect that to happen this time.
Pick: Saints
13. Arizona Cardinals at Tennessee Titans
Thoughts: The Titans play hard, but the Cardinals are simply a better team (by the way, I've used a lot of "buts" in this article). That fact will eventually take the game over for the Cards.
Pick: Cardinals
14. Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers
Thoughts: I picked a lot of road teams this week and if there's one game where I expect the road team to lose, it's this one. But I still think the Bengals will win. Because the Steelers are not good.
Pick: Bengals
15. Baltimore Ravens at Detroit Lions
Thoughts: The Ravens are hot, the Lions are not. And neither team will be playing in a blizzard this week. Good for them, but that kind of makes me sad.
Pick: Ravens
Thursday, December 12, 2013
NFL WEEK 15 THURSDAY GAME PREDICTION
Week 14 Record: 12-4 (.750)
Total Record: 131-75 (.636)
Game: San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos
Thoughts: Despite the 28-20 score for their last meeting (a Broncos win) the Broncos dominated the Chargers pretty much for the whole game until the waning minutes. And that was in San Diego. I expect the Broncos to again make mincemeat of the Bolts, especially since the game will be on the Broncos' turf.
Pick: Broncos
Total Record: 131-75 (.636)
Game: San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos
Thoughts: Despite the 28-20 score for their last meeting (a Broncos win) the Broncos dominated the Chargers pretty much for the whole game until the waning minutes. And that was in San Diego. I expect the Broncos to again make mincemeat of the Bolts, especially since the game will be on the Broncos' turf.
Pick: Broncos
Sunday, December 8, 2013
NFL WEEK 14 PREDICTIONS
Total Record: 120-71 (.628)
1. Minnesota Vikings at Baltimore Ravens
Thoughts: The Ravens are at home and have a great defense, which will be more than enough to deal with the Vikings.
Pick: Ravens
2. Indianapolis Colts at Cincinnati Bengals
Thoughts: If ever there was evidence on how great Reggie Wayne is, look no further than the Colts after he got hurt. They've struggled to beat the Texans and Titans, and their two losses were by a combined score of 19-78. Now they're on the road taking on the Bengals. I don't like their chances.
Pick: Bengals
3. Atlanta Falcons at Green Bay Packers
Thoughts: It's cold as a mother in Green Bay today. The Falcons have won one game this year on the road, so I don't expect them to perform an upset in Lambeau Field.
Pick: Packers
4. Cleveland Browns at New England Patriots
Thoughts: Browns on the road? Against the Patriots? No good.
Pick: Patriots
5. Oakland Raiders at New York Jets
Thoughts: You know what I expect from this game? Turnovers and minimal passing yards (Joe Namath and Daryle Lamonica aren't exactly suiting up for either team). I expect New York to throw and fumble the game away. Avert your eyes, football viewing public.
Pick: Raiders
6. Detroit Lions at Philadelphia Eagles
Thoughts: Philly's gonna win. (Of course, the last time I wrote a message like this, the Rams beat the ever loving crap out of the Colts, so take this for what it's worth.)
Pick: Eagles
7. Miami Dolphins at Pittsburgh Steelers
Thoughts: Pitt's gonna win.
Pick: Steelers
8. Buffalo Bills at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Thoughts: The Bills lost to the Falcons at home. Do you really expect them to pull one out on the road against the Bucs?
Pick: Buccaneers
9. Kansas City Chiefs at Washington Redskins
Thoughts: Kansas City is going to destroy Washington, and that'll probably be all she wrote for the Mike Shanahan era in the capital if this report is to be believed.
Pick: Chiefs
10. St. Louis Rams at Arizona Cardinals
Thoughts: Tough call, but the Rams already beat Arizona once this year and they did it in St. Louis. I think this'll be a spit.
Pick: Cardinals
11. Tennessee Titans at Denver Broncos
Thoughts: No thoughts necessary. A recurring theme this week (via the waning weeks of football).
Pick: Broncos
12. New York Giants at San Diego Chargers
Thoughts: HEY, DID YOU HEAR THAT ELI MANNING AND PHILIP RIVERS WERE TRADED FOR EACH OTHER ON DRAFT DAY IN 2004 AND NOW THEIR TEAMS ARE FACING OFF TODAY?! The Chargers are at home, but the Giants are an annoying team that wins when it shouldn't. So advantage: Empire State.
Pick: Giants
13. Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers
Thoughts: Everything about this game points to the 49ers winning, but I just think the Seahawks will pull it out. Call it a hunch.
Pick: Seahawks
14. Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints
Thoughts: The Panthers are red hot and a win would give them control of the NFC South, even for a week. Unfortunately, they're on the road, and the Saints haven't lost in the Super Dome this year.
Pick: Saints
15. Dallas Cowboys at Chicago Bears
Thoughts: This'll probably be a shootout, and I've just got to believe that the Bears can win in that instance. Blind devotion, go!
Pick: Bears
1. Minnesota Vikings at Baltimore Ravens
Thoughts: The Ravens are at home and have a great defense, which will be more than enough to deal with the Vikings.
Pick: Ravens
2. Indianapolis Colts at Cincinnati Bengals
Thoughts: If ever there was evidence on how great Reggie Wayne is, look no further than the Colts after he got hurt. They've struggled to beat the Texans and Titans, and their two losses were by a combined score of 19-78. Now they're on the road taking on the Bengals. I don't like their chances.
Pick: Bengals
3. Atlanta Falcons at Green Bay Packers
Thoughts: It's cold as a mother in Green Bay today. The Falcons have won one game this year on the road, so I don't expect them to perform an upset in Lambeau Field.
Pick: Packers
4. Cleveland Browns at New England Patriots
Thoughts: Browns on the road? Against the Patriots? No good.
Pick: Patriots
5. Oakland Raiders at New York Jets
Thoughts: You know what I expect from this game? Turnovers and minimal passing yards (Joe Namath and Daryle Lamonica aren't exactly suiting up for either team). I expect New York to throw and fumble the game away. Avert your eyes, football viewing public.
Pick: Raiders
6. Detroit Lions at Philadelphia Eagles
Thoughts: Philly's gonna win. (Of course, the last time I wrote a message like this, the Rams beat the ever loving crap out of the Colts, so take this for what it's worth.)
Pick: Eagles
7. Miami Dolphins at Pittsburgh Steelers
Thoughts: Pitt's gonna win.
Pick: Steelers
8. Buffalo Bills at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Thoughts: The Bills lost to the Falcons at home. Do you really expect them to pull one out on the road against the Bucs?
Pick: Buccaneers
9. Kansas City Chiefs at Washington Redskins
Thoughts: Kansas City is going to destroy Washington, and that'll probably be all she wrote for the Mike Shanahan era in the capital if this report is to be believed.
Pick: Chiefs
10. St. Louis Rams at Arizona Cardinals
Thoughts: Tough call, but the Rams already beat Arizona once this year and they did it in St. Louis. I think this'll be a spit.
Pick: Cardinals
11. Tennessee Titans at Denver Broncos
Thoughts: No thoughts necessary. A recurring theme this week (via the waning weeks of football).
Pick: Broncos
12. New York Giants at San Diego Chargers
Thoughts: HEY, DID YOU HEAR THAT ELI MANNING AND PHILIP RIVERS WERE TRADED FOR EACH OTHER ON DRAFT DAY IN 2004 AND NOW THEIR TEAMS ARE FACING OFF TODAY?! The Chargers are at home, but the Giants are an annoying team that wins when it shouldn't. So advantage: Empire State.
Pick: Giants
13. Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers
Thoughts: Everything about this game points to the 49ers winning, but I just think the Seahawks will pull it out. Call it a hunch.
Pick: Seahawks
14. Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints
Thoughts: The Panthers are red hot and a win would give them control of the NFC South, even for a week. Unfortunately, they're on the road, and the Saints haven't lost in the Super Dome this year.
Pick: Saints
15. Dallas Cowboys at Chicago Bears
Thoughts: This'll probably be a shootout, and I've just got to believe that the Bears can win in that instance. Blind devotion, go!
Pick: Bears
Thursday, December 5, 2013
NFL WEEK 14 THURSDAY GAME PREDICTION
Week 13 Record: 10-6 (.625)
Total Record: 119-71 (.626)
Game: Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars
Thoughts: I have zero thoughts about this game. And frankly, if anyone has thoughts about this game, they should feel very bad about themselves.
Pick: Jaguars
Total Record: 119-71 (.626)
Game: Houston Texans at Jacksonville Jaguars
Thoughts: I have zero thoughts about this game. And frankly, if anyone has thoughts about this game, they should feel very bad about themselves.
Pick: Jaguars
Sunday, December 1, 2013
NFL WEEK 13 PREDICTIONS
Okay, this post is late because my computer is on the fritz. The entire column of keys from 'F2' down to 'C' doesn't work, and you'd be surprised how many words need an 'E' a 'D' or a 'C' in order to spell it out. So I'm confined to the crappy, old laptop I've had since I was in high school as far as writing articles is concerned. For that reason, we're going back to "Busy College Student" type predictions for the foreseeable future until my computer is fixed. Sorry for the delay.
Total Record: 112-65 (.633)
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers
2. Jacksonville Jaguars at Cleveland Browns
3. New England Patriots at Houston Texans
4. Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts
5. Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings
6. Miami Dolphins at New York Jets
7. Arizona Cardinals at Philadelphia Eagles
8. Atlanta Falcons at Buffalo Bills
9. Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs
10. Cincinnati Bengals at San Diego Chargers
11. St. Louis Rams at San Francisco 49ers
12. New York Giants at Washington Redskins
13. New Orleans Saints at Seattle Seahawks
Total Record: 112-65 (.633)
1. Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers
2. Jacksonville Jaguars at Cleveland Browns
3. New England Patriots at Houston Texans
4. Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts
5. Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings
6. Miami Dolphins at New York Jets
7. Arizona Cardinals at Philadelphia Eagles
8. Atlanta Falcons at Buffalo Bills
9. Denver Broncos at Kansas City Chiefs
10. Cincinnati Bengals at San Diego Chargers
11. St. Louis Rams at San Francisco 49ers
12. New York Giants at Washington Redskins
13. New Orleans Saints at Seattle Seahawks
Wednesday, November 27, 2013
NFL THANKSGIVING GAME PREDICTIONS
Week 12 Record: 6-7 (.462)
Total Record: 109-65 (.626)
1. Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions
Thoughts: No Aaron Rodgers for the Packers, but the last time Matt Flynn started against the Lions, he threw for elevendy-billion yards. But that was at Lambeau and the Pack's coming off of a short week and a long, exhausting game. Detroit being at home will likely help them, even though they've been completely lackadaisical the last couple weeks. I wouldn't be surprised if Green Bay wins, but I don't expect it.
Pick: Lions
2. Oakland Raiders at Dallas Cowboys
Thoughts: This game could either be really fun or really horrible (it'll likely be both at the same time). The Raiders are decisively mediocre, but the Cowboys are, well, decisively mediocre. I'm going with Dallas and they should win, but the Raiders, if they're anything, they're spunky. So I wouldn't be shocked if the Raiders make a game of it.
Pick: Cowboys
3. Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens
Thoughts: Both of these teams are mediocre at best (noticing a trend?), but I think home field will play a part in the result. Plus the Ravens already lost to the Steelers this year, and it's very difficult to sweep a division opponent. This will likely be a defensive minded game.
Pick: Ravens
Total Record: 109-65 (.626)
1. Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions
Thoughts: No Aaron Rodgers for the Packers, but the last time Matt Flynn started against the Lions, he threw for elevendy-billion yards. But that was at Lambeau and the Pack's coming off of a short week and a long, exhausting game. Detroit being at home will likely help them, even though they've been completely lackadaisical the last couple weeks. I wouldn't be surprised if Green Bay wins, but I don't expect it.
Pick: Lions
2. Oakland Raiders at Dallas Cowboys
Thoughts: This game could either be really fun or really horrible (it'll likely be both at the same time). The Raiders are decisively mediocre, but the Cowboys are, well, decisively mediocre. I'm going with Dallas and they should win, but the Raiders, if they're anything, they're spunky. So I wouldn't be shocked if the Raiders make a game of it.
Pick: Cowboys
3. Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens
Thoughts: Both of these teams are mediocre at best (noticing a trend?), but I think home field will play a part in the result. Plus the Ravens already lost to the Steelers this year, and it's very difficult to sweep a division opponent. This will likely be a defensive minded game.
Pick: Ravens
Sunday, November 24, 2013
NFL WEEK 12 PREDICTIONS
Total Record: 104-58 (.642)
Byes: Bills, Bengals, Eagles, Seahawks
Note: This is the last week for byes in the NFL. Starting next week and continuing until the 17th and final week, everybody plays.
1. New York Jets at Baltimore Ravens
Thoughts: The Jets have won every other game they've played this season and are coming off of a loss. Unfortunately for them, only one of those victories happened on the road (taking the Falcons game out of the equation, they are 0-4 on the road and have lost by double digits all but once). The Ravens might be improving at the right time. Don't be surprised if they challenge for a wild card spot in the coming weeks.
Pick: Ravens
2. Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns
Thoughts: The Browns are at home, so if Jason Campbell plays well, they should win. Either way, this is a pick 'em situation. I don't know why I keep going with Cleveland in these predictions, but I do (I don't think the Steelers' offensive line will have a lot of success against the Browns' under the radar defense).
Pick: Browns
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions
Thoughts: The Bucs are hot, the Lions are not, but the Lions are at home which I think will tilt the game in Detroit's favor.
Pick: Lions
4. Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers
Thoughts: I think after ten games it's been well established that the Vikings are terrible, but the Packers without Aaron Rodgers are honestly not much better (how sad is it that Detroit has the best defense in that division?). This is so tough because the Packers are at home and their running game has been great. But I think Scott Tolzien will make the difference (in a bad way).
Pick: Vikings
5. Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans
Thoughts: A less than compelling match-up of teams that have won a combined 15% of their games. Houston is the comparatively less pathetic team at this point so I'll give them the nod.
Pick: Texans
6. San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs
Thoughts: The Chiefs are coming off of a loss but the Chargers haven't won a game since they came off of their bye week. The Bolts also have only beaten one team this year that currently has a winning record. A road game in Arrowhead probably won't cure their ills.
Pick: Chiefs
7. Carolina Panthers at Miami Dolphins
Thoughts: The Dolphins' offensive line against the Panthers' front seven? I wouldn't want to be Ryan Tannehill this week.
Pick: Panthers
8. Chicago Bears at St. Louis Rams
Thoughts: The Rams are coming off of a bye and a drubbing of the Colts. Plus they're at home and have played well the last few weeks. As much as it pains me, I'm going with the Rams this week.
Pick: Rams
9. Indianapolis Colts at Arizona Cardinals
Thoughts: Andrew Luck and Bruce Arians get reacquainted with each other this week. I think Arians' knowledge of Luck and what he does well/not so well will give the Cardinals a tremendous advantage. Plus, that Cardinals defense is pretty damn good.
Pick: Cardinals
10. Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants
Thoughts: The Giants are red hot. I don't think they'll get swept by the Cowboys this year.
Pick: Giants
11. Tennessee Titans at Oakland Raiders
Thoughts: This is a pick 'em if ever there was one, so I'm going with the home team.
Pick: Raiders
12. Denver Broncos at New England Patriots
Thoughts: The Patriots' defense won't have Brandon Spikes, so Denver's run game will likely have a strong outing. Even though Peyton Manning usually struggles in cold weather games, I think the running game and defense can take care of things this week.
Pick: Broncos
13. San Francisco 49ers at Washington Redskins
Thoughts: Say what you will about the 49ers' offensive struggles, but their defense is still playing well. Washington's locker room might be coming apart at the seams and I don't think they have the leadership to overcome that kind of adversity (they certainly don't have the leadership to avoid crap like that in the first place).
Pick: 49ers
Byes: Bills, Bengals, Eagles, Seahawks
Note: This is the last week for byes in the NFL. Starting next week and continuing until the 17th and final week, everybody plays.
1. New York Jets at Baltimore Ravens
Thoughts: The Jets have won every other game they've played this season and are coming off of a loss. Unfortunately for them, only one of those victories happened on the road (taking the Falcons game out of the equation, they are 0-4 on the road and have lost by double digits all but once). The Ravens might be improving at the right time. Don't be surprised if they challenge for a wild card spot in the coming weeks.
Pick: Ravens
2. Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns
Thoughts: The Browns are at home, so if Jason Campbell plays well, they should win. Either way, this is a pick 'em situation. I don't know why I keep going with Cleveland in these predictions, but I do (I don't think the Steelers' offensive line will have a lot of success against the Browns' under the radar defense).
Pick: Browns
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions
Thoughts: The Bucs are hot, the Lions are not, but the Lions are at home which I think will tilt the game in Detroit's favor.
Pick: Lions
4. Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers
Thoughts: I think after ten games it's been well established that the Vikings are terrible, but the Packers without Aaron Rodgers are honestly not much better (how sad is it that Detroit has the best defense in that division?). This is so tough because the Packers are at home and their running game has been great. But I think Scott Tolzien will make the difference (in a bad way).
Pick: Vikings
5. Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans
Thoughts: A less than compelling match-up of teams that have won a combined 15% of their games. Houston is the comparatively less pathetic team at this point so I'll give them the nod.
Pick: Texans
6. San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs
Thoughts: The Chiefs are coming off of a loss but the Chargers haven't won a game since they came off of their bye week. The Bolts also have only beaten one team this year that currently has a winning record. A road game in Arrowhead probably won't cure their ills.
Pick: Chiefs
7. Carolina Panthers at Miami Dolphins
Thoughts: The Dolphins' offensive line against the Panthers' front seven? I wouldn't want to be Ryan Tannehill this week.
Pick: Panthers
8. Chicago Bears at St. Louis Rams
Thoughts: The Rams are coming off of a bye and a drubbing of the Colts. Plus they're at home and have played well the last few weeks. As much as it pains me, I'm going with the Rams this week.
Pick: Rams
9. Indianapolis Colts at Arizona Cardinals
Thoughts: Andrew Luck and Bruce Arians get reacquainted with each other this week. I think Arians' knowledge of Luck and what he does well/not so well will give the Cardinals a tremendous advantage. Plus, that Cardinals defense is pretty damn good.
Pick: Cardinals
10. Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants
Thoughts: The Giants are red hot. I don't think they'll get swept by the Cowboys this year.
Pick: Giants
11. Tennessee Titans at Oakland Raiders
Thoughts: This is a pick 'em if ever there was one, so I'm going with the home team.
Pick: Raiders
12. Denver Broncos at New England Patriots
Thoughts: The Patriots' defense won't have Brandon Spikes, so Denver's run game will likely have a strong outing. Even though Peyton Manning usually struggles in cold weather games, I think the running game and defense can take care of things this week.
Pick: Broncos
13. San Francisco 49ers at Washington Redskins
Thoughts: Say what you will about the 49ers' offensive struggles, but their defense is still playing well. Washington's locker room might be coming apart at the seams and I don't think they have the leadership to overcome that kind of adversity (they certainly don't have the leadership to avoid crap like that in the first place).
Pick: 49ers
Thursday, November 21, 2013
WEEK 12 THURSDAY GAME PREDICTION
Week 11 Record: 9-6 (.600)
Total Record: 103-58 (.640)
Game: New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons
Thoughts: This could be a tricky game simply because it's in Atlanta. I've said it for weeks now but it remains true: the Falcons' O-line and defense are terrible. The Saints' are always great on offense and their defense has played well (it's not great, but compared to last year's bunch, they're like the '91 Eagles). The Falcons' two wins this year came in the Georgia Dome. Steven Jackson will play and is, presumably, healthy. But Drew Brees playing in a dome- any dome- is the biggest factor for me.
Pick: Saints
Total Record: 103-58 (.640)
Game: New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons
Thoughts: This could be a tricky game simply because it's in Atlanta. I've said it for weeks now but it remains true: the Falcons' O-line and defense are terrible. The Saints' are always great on offense and their defense has played well (it's not great, but compared to last year's bunch, they're like the '91 Eagles). The Falcons' two wins this year came in the Georgia Dome. Steven Jackson will play and is, presumably, healthy. But Drew Brees playing in a dome- any dome- is the biggest factor for me.
Pick: Saints
Saturday, November 16, 2013
NFL WEEK 11 PREDICTIONS
Total Record: 95-52 (.646)
Byes: Cowboys, Rams
1. New York Jets at Buffalo Bills
Thoughts: The Jets are coming off of a bye week and the Bills haven't had a break since the season started. Besides the fact that the Bills haven't played well, the fatigue factor is probably going to tilt the game in Gang Green's favor.
Pick: Jets
2. Baltimore Ravens at Chicago Bears
Thoughts: The Ravens haven't been consistent on offense this year, but their defense has played very well. The Bears' defense isn't good, but I think the fact that they're at home will help them considerably.
Pick: Bears
3. Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals
Thoughts: Speaking of teams that aren't consistent on offense, the Bengals everybody! The Browns are coming off of a bye and Jason Campbell has played well. The battle of Ohio will go to the eastern side of the state in this tilt.
Pick: Browns
4. Oakland Raiders at Houston Texans
Thoughts: Terrell Pryor is out, which makes an already flawed Raiders team that much more vulnerable. Case Keenum will get his first win as a Houston Texan.
Pick: Texans
5. Arizona Cardinals at Jacksonville Jaguars
Thoughts: The Jaguars got their first win an promptly lost their best player on defense, Paul Posluszny, for at least a week with a concussion. Even when something goes right for the Jags, something else punches them in the balls.
Pick: Cardinals
6. San Diego Chargers at Miami Dolphins
Thoughts: The Dolphins are imploding, so even though the Chargers have to travel to the east coast, I don't think that's going to hurt them much with a revitalized Philip Rivers at the wheel.
Pick: Chargers
7. San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints
Thoughts: Colin Kaepernick has returned to Twitter to find inspiration. Unfortunately for him, he picked a bad week for it. The Saints are damn near unbeatable in the Super Dome.
Pick: Saints
8. Green Bay Packers at New York Giants
Thoughts: Aaron Rodgers still isn't ready to come back, and the Packers have had trouble in the last few seasons against the G-Men even with number 12 under center. The Giants have won three in a row and will likely make it four this week.
Pick: Giants
9. Washington Redskins at Philadelphia Eagles
Thoughts: Tough call, what with Washington playing poorly and the Eagles having yet to win a game at home. Nick Foles has been great since taking over the starting job, so I have to think that the bird's home losing streak will likely come to an end with a sweep of their division rivals.
Pick: Eagles
10. Detroit Lions at Pittsburgh Steelers
Thoughts: Speaking of streaks that will likely be snapped this week, the Lions haven't beaten the Steelers in Pittsburgh since 1955 (!). If I'm Ben Roethlisberger, I'd be incredibly rich. But I'd also be worried about facing the Lions' D-line with an offensive line as bad as the Steelers'. Also, you may have heard, but Calvin Johnson and Reggie Bush are really good.
Pick: Lions
11. Minnesota Vikings at Seattle Seahawks
Thoughts: Never bet against the Seahawks at home.
Pick: Seahawks
12. Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Thoughts: If this game was in the Georgia Dome, I'd probably go with the Falcons. But Atlanta's on the road this week and they don't play well in the open air. Two in a row for Tampa Bay.
Pick: Buccaneers
13. Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos
Thoughts: I already gave my thoughts on Peyton Manning here, and that leads in to what I feel will be the deciding factor. The Chiefs' defense is going to get to Manning, hit him, and likely cause a good number of turnovers. The Chiefs' offense doesn't make many mistakes. Plus, Andy Reid's teams are an astounding 13-1 coming off of byes. Even though they're on the road, advantage goes to Kansas City.
Pick: Chiefs
14. New England Patriots at Carolina Panthers
Thoughts: The Panthers are actually favored in this game, which could be good news for the Pats. But probably not against that front seven of the Panthers. I predict a long night for Tom Brady.
Pick: Panthers
Byes: Cowboys, Rams
1. New York Jets at Buffalo Bills
Thoughts: The Jets are coming off of a bye week and the Bills haven't had a break since the season started. Besides the fact that the Bills haven't played well, the fatigue factor is probably going to tilt the game in Gang Green's favor.
Pick: Jets
2. Baltimore Ravens at Chicago Bears
Thoughts: The Ravens haven't been consistent on offense this year, but their defense has played very well. The Bears' defense isn't good, but I think the fact that they're at home will help them considerably.
Pick: Bears
3. Cleveland Browns at Cincinnati Bengals
Thoughts: Speaking of teams that aren't consistent on offense, the Bengals everybody! The Browns are coming off of a bye and Jason Campbell has played well. The battle of Ohio will go to the eastern side of the state in this tilt.
Pick: Browns
4. Oakland Raiders at Houston Texans
Thoughts: Terrell Pryor is out, which makes an already flawed Raiders team that much more vulnerable. Case Keenum will get his first win as a Houston Texan.
Pick: Texans
5. Arizona Cardinals at Jacksonville Jaguars
Thoughts: The Jaguars got their first win an promptly lost their best player on defense, Paul Posluszny, for at least a week with a concussion. Even when something goes right for the Jags, something else punches them in the balls.
Pick: Cardinals
6. San Diego Chargers at Miami Dolphins
Thoughts: The Dolphins are imploding, so even though the Chargers have to travel to the east coast, I don't think that's going to hurt them much with a revitalized Philip Rivers at the wheel.
Pick: Chargers
7. San Francisco 49ers at New Orleans Saints
Thoughts: Colin Kaepernick has returned to Twitter to find inspiration. Unfortunately for him, he picked a bad week for it. The Saints are damn near unbeatable in the Super Dome.
Pick: Saints
8. Green Bay Packers at New York Giants
Thoughts: Aaron Rodgers still isn't ready to come back, and the Packers have had trouble in the last few seasons against the G-Men even with number 12 under center. The Giants have won three in a row and will likely make it four this week.
Pick: Giants
9. Washington Redskins at Philadelphia Eagles
Thoughts: Tough call, what with Washington playing poorly and the Eagles having yet to win a game at home. Nick Foles has been great since taking over the starting job, so I have to think that the bird's home losing streak will likely come to an end with a sweep of their division rivals.
Pick: Eagles
10. Detroit Lions at Pittsburgh Steelers
Thoughts: Speaking of streaks that will likely be snapped this week, the Lions haven't beaten the Steelers in Pittsburgh since 1955 (!). If I'm Ben Roethlisberger, I'd be incredibly rich. But I'd also be worried about facing the Lions' D-line with an offensive line as bad as the Steelers'. Also, you may have heard, but Calvin Johnson and Reggie Bush are really good.
Pick: Lions
11. Minnesota Vikings at Seattle Seahawks
Thoughts: Never bet against the Seahawks at home.
Pick: Seahawks
12. Atlanta Falcons at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Thoughts: If this game was in the Georgia Dome, I'd probably go with the Falcons. But Atlanta's on the road this week and they don't play well in the open air. Two in a row for Tampa Bay.
Pick: Buccaneers
13. Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos
Thoughts: I already gave my thoughts on Peyton Manning here, and that leads in to what I feel will be the deciding factor. The Chiefs' defense is going to get to Manning, hit him, and likely cause a good number of turnovers. The Chiefs' offense doesn't make many mistakes. Plus, Andy Reid's teams are an astounding 13-1 coming off of byes. Even though they're on the road, advantage goes to Kansas City.
Pick: Chiefs
14. New England Patriots at Carolina Panthers
Thoughts: The Panthers are actually favored in this game, which could be good news for the Pats. But probably not against that front seven of the Panthers. I predict a long night for Tom Brady.
Pick: Panthers
ADRIAN PETERSON WON'T GO FOR 2,000 YARDS; HE'S STILL HAVING AN AWESOME YEAR
The Minnesota Vikings are one of the most disappointing teams in the NFL this year. As of this writing, they're 2-7 on the year and are all but guaranteed to finish the year in the NFC North's basement. How much of a difference a year makes; they eked out a playoff spot last season with a 10-6 record. They got those ten wins in no large part thanks to Adrian Peterson having one of the single best seasons a running back has ever had in the history of the game.
These are Peterson's numbers for the 2012 season: in 16 games he ran 348 times for 2,097 yards (second most all time), with 12 touchdowns. He averaged 6.0 yards per attempt, 131.1 yards per game and 21.8 attempts per game. A phenomenal year if ever there was one. Going into this season, Peterson felt he could be even better, to put it lightly.
Trough the first nine games, Peterson's numbers look like this: 173 ATT, 786 YDS, 9 TD (leads the league), 4.5 Y/A, 87.3 Y/G, 19.2 A/G. He's not exactly on pace for 2,500 yards. He's also nearly 200 yards behind his numbers from last year after the same number of games. This is actually pretty common for running backs that rushed for over 2,000 yards; the next year tends to be a down one in comparison to their greatest triumphs. I profiled every 2,000 yard rusher back in this article, but let's expand on the analysis. Here are all of their total stats for those years:
O.J. Simpson*, 1973, Buffalo Bills, 332 ATT, 2,003 YDS, 12 TD, 6.0 Y/A, 143.1 Y/G, 23.7 A/G
Eric Dickerson, 1984, Los Angeles Rams, 379 ATT, 2,105 YDS, 14 TD, 5.6 Y/A, 131.6 Y/G, 23.7 A/G
Barry Sanders, 1997, Detroit Lions, 335 ATT, 2,053 YDS, 11 TD, 6.1 Y/A, 128.3 Y/G, 20.9 A/G
Terrell Davis, 1998, Denver Broncos, 392 ATT, 2,008 YDS, 21 TD, 5.1 Y/A, 125.5 Y/G, 24.5 A/G
Jamal Lewis, 2003, Baltimore Ravens, 387 ATT, 2,066 YDS, 14 TD, 5.3 Y/A, 129.1 Y/G, 24.2 A/G
Chris Johnson, 2009, Tennessee Titans, 358 ATT, 2,006 YDS, 14 TD, 5.6 Y/A, 125.4 Y/G, 22.4 A/G
Adrian Peterson, 2012, Minnesota Vikings, 348 ATT, 2,097 YDS, 12 TD, 6.0 Y/A, 131.1 Y/G, 21.8 A/G
*O.J.'s the only one on the list to accomplish these feats in a 14 game schedule. Like the others, he played every game that year.
Now here are their stats for their followup seasons:
O.J. Simpson*, 1974, Buffalo Bills, 270 ATT, 1,125 YDS, 3 TD, 4.2 Y/A, 80.4 Y/G, 19.3 A/G
Eric Dickerson*, 1985, Los Angeles Rams, 292 ATT, 1,234 YDS, 12 TD, 4.2 Y/A, 88.1 Y/G, 20.9 A/G
Barry Sanders, 1998, Detroit Lions, 343 ATT, 1491 YDS, 4 TD, 4.3 Y/A, 93.2 Y/G, 21.4 A/G
Terrell Davis**, 1999, Denver Broncos, 67 ATT, 211 YDS, 2 TD, 3.1 Y/A, 52.8 Y/G, 16.8 A/G
Jamal Lewis^, 2004, Baltimore Ravens, 235 ATT, 1,006 YDS, 7 TD, 4.3 Y/A, 83.8 Y/G, 19.6 A/G
Chris Johnson, 2010, Tennessee Titans, 316 ATT, 1,364 YDS, 11 TD, 4.3 Y/A, 85.3 Y/G, 19.8 A/G
Adrian Peterson^^, 2013, Minnesota Vikings, 173 ATT, 786 YDS, 9 TD, 4.5 Y/A, 87.3 Y/G, 19.2 A/G
*Played in 14 games.
**Played in 4 games.
^Played in 12 games.
^^Season in progress, 9 games completed.
As you can see, all of their numbers were down, in some cases significantly. But that doesn't mean that they necessarily had bad years. In fact, with the exception of Terrell Davis, who destroyed his knee four games into his 1999 season and was never the same after that, they all had what can be classified as good seasons at the very least. Peterson is no different. In fact, he's actually on pace to have one of the best followup seasons for a 2,000 yard rusher ever.
Let's assume that Peterson continues to average 4.5 Y/A, 87.3 Y/G and 19.2 A/G through the last seven games of the season. He would finish the year with 1,397 yards on 307 attempts. He's also averaging a touchdown a game at this point, but for the sake of sanity, I'll say he'll run in another four. Let's bring back the followup stats and see how a projected season like that would shake out in comparison with the others.
O.J. Simpson, 1974, Buffalo Bills, 270 ATT, 1,125 YDS, 3 TD, 4.2 Y/A, 80.4 Y/G, 19.3 A/G
Eric Dickerson, 1985, Los Angeles Rams, 292 ATT, 1,234 YDS, 12 TD, 4.2 Y/A, 88.1 Y/G, 20.9 A/G
Barry Sanders, 1998, Detroit Lions, 343 ATT, 1491 YDS, 4 TD, 4.3 Y/A, 93.2 Y/G, 21.4 A/G
Terrell Davis, 1999, Denver Broncos, 67 ATT, 211 YDS, 2 TD, 3.1 Y/A, 52.8 Y/G, 16.8 A/G
Jamal Lewis, 2004, Baltimore Ravens, 235 ATT, 1,006 YDS, 7 TD, 4.3 Y/A, 83.8 Y/G, 19.6 A/G
Chris Johnson, 2010, Tennessee Titans, 316 ATT, 1,364 YDS, 11 TD, 4.3 Y/A, 85.3 Y/G, 19.8 A/G
Adrian Peterson, 2013, Minnesota Vikings, 307 ATT, 1,397 YDS, 13 TD, 4.6 Y/A, 87.3 Y/G, 19.2 A/G
As you can see, Peterson's numbers look great. If these numbers shake out, he'd finish with the best Y/A average for a 2,000 yard followup season. He'd also have the second most rushing yards and the most touchdowns.
Why am I going through this rigamarole in the first place? I guess just because I'm fascinated by just how good Adrian Peterson is. I mean, he could go down as one of the best running backs ever when it's all said and done. He's already well on his way as far as forcing himself into the conversation with his play. Hell, he only needs 365 more yards before he reaches 10,000 for his career. That all but guarantees that unless something goes terribly, horribly wrong, he's going to be in the hall of fame in about 15 or so years.
So don't assume Adrian Peterson is having a bad year. He's on a bad team, yes, but he's having a great season nonetheless. He compares quite favorably to some of the most impressive running backs in the game's history. So no, he's not going to reach 2,000 yards this year. But don't think that failing to reach 2,000 means that he's having a disappointing season.
These are Peterson's numbers for the 2012 season: in 16 games he ran 348 times for 2,097 yards (second most all time), with 12 touchdowns. He averaged 6.0 yards per attempt, 131.1 yards per game and 21.8 attempts per game. A phenomenal year if ever there was one. Going into this season, Peterson felt he could be even better, to put it lightly.
Trough the first nine games, Peterson's numbers look like this: 173 ATT, 786 YDS, 9 TD (leads the league), 4.5 Y/A, 87.3 Y/G, 19.2 A/G. He's not exactly on pace for 2,500 yards. He's also nearly 200 yards behind his numbers from last year after the same number of games. This is actually pretty common for running backs that rushed for over 2,000 yards; the next year tends to be a down one in comparison to their greatest triumphs. I profiled every 2,000 yard rusher back in this article, but let's expand on the analysis. Here are all of their total stats for those years:
O.J. Simpson*, 1973, Buffalo Bills, 332 ATT, 2,003 YDS, 12 TD, 6.0 Y/A, 143.1 Y/G, 23.7 A/G
Eric Dickerson, 1984, Los Angeles Rams, 379 ATT, 2,105 YDS, 14 TD, 5.6 Y/A, 131.6 Y/G, 23.7 A/G
Barry Sanders, 1997, Detroit Lions, 335 ATT, 2,053 YDS, 11 TD, 6.1 Y/A, 128.3 Y/G, 20.9 A/G
Terrell Davis, 1998, Denver Broncos, 392 ATT, 2,008 YDS, 21 TD, 5.1 Y/A, 125.5 Y/G, 24.5 A/G
Jamal Lewis, 2003, Baltimore Ravens, 387 ATT, 2,066 YDS, 14 TD, 5.3 Y/A, 129.1 Y/G, 24.2 A/G
Chris Johnson, 2009, Tennessee Titans, 358 ATT, 2,006 YDS, 14 TD, 5.6 Y/A, 125.4 Y/G, 22.4 A/G
Adrian Peterson, 2012, Minnesota Vikings, 348 ATT, 2,097 YDS, 12 TD, 6.0 Y/A, 131.1 Y/G, 21.8 A/G
*O.J.'s the only one on the list to accomplish these feats in a 14 game schedule. Like the others, he played every game that year.
Now here are their stats for their followup seasons:
O.J. Simpson*, 1974, Buffalo Bills, 270 ATT, 1,125 YDS, 3 TD, 4.2 Y/A, 80.4 Y/G, 19.3 A/G
Eric Dickerson*, 1985, Los Angeles Rams, 292 ATT, 1,234 YDS, 12 TD, 4.2 Y/A, 88.1 Y/G, 20.9 A/G
Barry Sanders, 1998, Detroit Lions, 343 ATT, 1491 YDS, 4 TD, 4.3 Y/A, 93.2 Y/G, 21.4 A/G
Terrell Davis**, 1999, Denver Broncos, 67 ATT, 211 YDS, 2 TD, 3.1 Y/A, 52.8 Y/G, 16.8 A/G
Jamal Lewis^, 2004, Baltimore Ravens, 235 ATT, 1,006 YDS, 7 TD, 4.3 Y/A, 83.8 Y/G, 19.6 A/G
Chris Johnson, 2010, Tennessee Titans, 316 ATT, 1,364 YDS, 11 TD, 4.3 Y/A, 85.3 Y/G, 19.8 A/G
Adrian Peterson^^, 2013, Minnesota Vikings, 173 ATT, 786 YDS, 9 TD, 4.5 Y/A, 87.3 Y/G, 19.2 A/G
*Played in 14 games.
**Played in 4 games.
^Played in 12 games.
^^Season in progress, 9 games completed.
As you can see, all of their numbers were down, in some cases significantly. But that doesn't mean that they necessarily had bad years. In fact, with the exception of Terrell Davis, who destroyed his knee four games into his 1999 season and was never the same after that, they all had what can be classified as good seasons at the very least. Peterson is no different. In fact, he's actually on pace to have one of the best followup seasons for a 2,000 yard rusher ever.
Let's assume that Peterson continues to average 4.5 Y/A, 87.3 Y/G and 19.2 A/G through the last seven games of the season. He would finish the year with 1,397 yards on 307 attempts. He's also averaging a touchdown a game at this point, but for the sake of sanity, I'll say he'll run in another four. Let's bring back the followup stats and see how a projected season like that would shake out in comparison with the others.
O.J. Simpson, 1974, Buffalo Bills, 270 ATT, 1,125 YDS, 3 TD, 4.2 Y/A, 80.4 Y/G, 19.3 A/G
Eric Dickerson, 1985, Los Angeles Rams, 292 ATT, 1,234 YDS, 12 TD, 4.2 Y/A, 88.1 Y/G, 20.9 A/G
Barry Sanders, 1998, Detroit Lions, 343 ATT, 1491 YDS, 4 TD, 4.3 Y/A, 93.2 Y/G, 21.4 A/G
Terrell Davis, 1999, Denver Broncos, 67 ATT, 211 YDS, 2 TD, 3.1 Y/A, 52.8 Y/G, 16.8 A/G
Jamal Lewis, 2004, Baltimore Ravens, 235 ATT, 1,006 YDS, 7 TD, 4.3 Y/A, 83.8 Y/G, 19.6 A/G
Chris Johnson, 2010, Tennessee Titans, 316 ATT, 1,364 YDS, 11 TD, 4.3 Y/A, 85.3 Y/G, 19.8 A/G
Adrian Peterson, 2013, Minnesota Vikings, 307 ATT, 1,397 YDS, 13 TD, 4.6 Y/A, 87.3 Y/G, 19.2 A/G
As you can see, Peterson's numbers look great. If these numbers shake out, he'd finish with the best Y/A average for a 2,000 yard followup season. He'd also have the second most rushing yards and the most touchdowns.
Why am I going through this rigamarole in the first place? I guess just because I'm fascinated by just how good Adrian Peterson is. I mean, he could go down as one of the best running backs ever when it's all said and done. He's already well on his way as far as forcing himself into the conversation with his play. Hell, he only needs 365 more yards before he reaches 10,000 for his career. That all but guarantees that unless something goes terribly, horribly wrong, he's going to be in the hall of fame in about 15 or so years.
So don't assume Adrian Peterson is having a bad year. He's on a bad team, yes, but he's having a great season nonetheless. He compares quite favorably to some of the most impressive running backs in the game's history. So no, he's not going to reach 2,000 yards this year. But don't think that failing to reach 2,000 means that he's having a disappointing season.
Thursday, November 14, 2013
PEYTON MANNING IS GETTING OLD
I was formulating my thoughts for my predictions for this week's slate of games, and came to the Chiefs/Broncos game. I had a lot to say about it, mostly pertaining to what I've noticed about Peyton Manning this year. So I'm spinning that off into its own column, and hopefully, it'll be coherent.
Peyton Manning is having one of the best seasons, if not the best season of his career. He already has 3,249 passing yards. He's already thrown 33 touchdowns to just six interceptions. His 71.0 completion percentage is the best of his career. But I've seen signs that he's slowing down.
I read Jeff Peralman's book on Walter Payton (which you should all read by the way), and in the last couple years of his career, Payton had a real problem securing the football. After more than a decade of playing in the NFL at a high level, I don't think Walter Payton suddenly forgot how to properly hold on to a football. I just don't think he had the ability anymore. Pearlman attributed the fumbling problem for Payton to the fact that his body had taken a real beating throughout his career and it was beginning to catch up with him. Payton was also not as strong as he was in his younger years (he was in his thirties when his fumbling problem began, and that's when just about every running back in football history starts to fade fast), so the problem with ball security was also due to his fading power.
Now what does this have to do with Peyton Manning? Manning's career high for fumbles in a season is seven back in 2001. He has seven already this year, after just nine games. I've also read numerous articles and listened to a bunch of analysts during Broncos games (I think I've seen all but one Broncos game this year), and almost all of them have mentioned that Manning isn't throwing the ball with quite the same zip as in years past. This all points to Manning losing some strength, just like Walter Payton before him. Now obviously, Peyton Manning and Walter Payton played different positions in different eras. But they share an important similarity: they were both fortunate enough to play at such a high level, that they were allowed to get old.
Manning is 37. This is technically his fifteenth season (he missed all of the 2011 season due to his offseason neck surgery). My point is, he's been around the block a few times. He isn't as strong as he was in his prime, nor is he as durable. One of the big storylines going into the Chiefs/Broncos game is that Manning is coming off of an ankle injury from his game against the Chargers. He's sat out of practice a couple times this week. When was the last time you remember reading about Peyton Manning being hurt? Barring that season-ending-before-it-began neck surgery, he's been freakishly durable. Manning has played every possible game of his career (233 as of before week 11), again, barring his lost 2011 season. But now, the signs are all there that he's not as spry as he was. Again, that points to his age.
And yet, he's having maybe the best season of his entire slam dunk, hall of fame, one of the best of all time career. This reminds me so much of Brett Favre's 2009 season. Favre, in case you were wondering, is also one of the best to ever play. He was in his nineteenth season and turned 40 in the middle of it. And yet, he threw 33 touchdowns, just seven interceptions (!) (the only time in his career where he started a significant number of games and threw single-digit picks). He threw for the third most yards of his career (4,202) with a career high completion percentage (68.4) and passer rating (107.2). He led the Vikings to a 12-4 record and came within a last minute interception from leading the Vikes to their first Super Bowl appearance in over thirty years.
The next year, after much hemming, hawing, and cajoling from teammates, Favre decided to come back for a twentieth season. And the wheels came off. A year after having the best season of his career, Favre had, without question, the worst season of his career. He had an 11/19 TD to INT ratio, his vaunted consecutive games started streak came to a pitiful end, and the Vikings missed the playoffs with a 6-10 record. He was both staggeringly ineffective and distressingly brittle during the lost campaign.
Favre admitted later to only coming back due to the money and the camaraderie of the locker room. But another aspect that contributed to his miserable final season was the fact that he was 41, wasn't as strong as he once was, and the durability he was lauded and respected for was gone. He was just some weird old guy playing football poorly, not one of the best of all time, which is what he was/is. His career ended, as T.S. Elliot once wrote, not with a bang but a whimper.
I'm not saying Manning's career will end in a similarly disappointing fashion. But the signs are there that he's not the same player he was even three years ago. His stats are jaw-dropping, but his arm and his body aren't nearly as impressive. Even if the Broncos go to the Super Bowl, they don't even have to win it, the 2014 season will likely not go well. This Broncos team is great, but the flaws are there. The defense is playing decisively meh and ever since Ryan Clady went on injured reserve, the offensive line has been the opposite of sturdy. Manning's historic play is covering up some of these deficiencies, but next year he will be another year older and another year closer to the dreaded four-oh. He's already showing signs of slowing down, another season will likely exasperate those signs into full blown flaws. He'll likely retire after either this season or the next. All this is inevitable. It is for every athlete, even the greatest. They all get old, and eventually, they all walk away.
That's the most depressing thing about these signs. It just reminds me that I won't be seeing Peyton Manning throw the football for much longer. And that makes me sad.
Peyton Manning is having one of the best seasons, if not the best season of his career. He already has 3,249 passing yards. He's already thrown 33 touchdowns to just six interceptions. His 71.0 completion percentage is the best of his career. But I've seen signs that he's slowing down.
I read Jeff Peralman's book on Walter Payton (which you should all read by the way), and in the last couple years of his career, Payton had a real problem securing the football. After more than a decade of playing in the NFL at a high level, I don't think Walter Payton suddenly forgot how to properly hold on to a football. I just don't think he had the ability anymore. Pearlman attributed the fumbling problem for Payton to the fact that his body had taken a real beating throughout his career and it was beginning to catch up with him. Payton was also not as strong as he was in his younger years (he was in his thirties when his fumbling problem began, and that's when just about every running back in football history starts to fade fast), so the problem with ball security was also due to his fading power.
Now what does this have to do with Peyton Manning? Manning's career high for fumbles in a season is seven back in 2001. He has seven already this year, after just nine games. I've also read numerous articles and listened to a bunch of analysts during Broncos games (I think I've seen all but one Broncos game this year), and almost all of them have mentioned that Manning isn't throwing the ball with quite the same zip as in years past. This all points to Manning losing some strength, just like Walter Payton before him. Now obviously, Peyton Manning and Walter Payton played different positions in different eras. But they share an important similarity: they were both fortunate enough to play at such a high level, that they were allowed to get old.
Manning is 37. This is technically his fifteenth season (he missed all of the 2011 season due to his offseason neck surgery). My point is, he's been around the block a few times. He isn't as strong as he was in his prime, nor is he as durable. One of the big storylines going into the Chiefs/Broncos game is that Manning is coming off of an ankle injury from his game against the Chargers. He's sat out of practice a couple times this week. When was the last time you remember reading about Peyton Manning being hurt? Barring that season-ending-before-it-began neck surgery, he's been freakishly durable. Manning has played every possible game of his career (233 as of before week 11), again, barring his lost 2011 season. But now, the signs are all there that he's not as spry as he was. Again, that points to his age.
And yet, he's having maybe the best season of his entire slam dunk, hall of fame, one of the best of all time career. This reminds me so much of Brett Favre's 2009 season. Favre, in case you were wondering, is also one of the best to ever play. He was in his nineteenth season and turned 40 in the middle of it. And yet, he threw 33 touchdowns, just seven interceptions (!) (the only time in his career where he started a significant number of games and threw single-digit picks). He threw for the third most yards of his career (4,202) with a career high completion percentage (68.4) and passer rating (107.2). He led the Vikings to a 12-4 record and came within a last minute interception from leading the Vikes to their first Super Bowl appearance in over thirty years.
The next year, after much hemming, hawing, and cajoling from teammates, Favre decided to come back for a twentieth season. And the wheels came off. A year after having the best season of his career, Favre had, without question, the worst season of his career. He had an 11/19 TD to INT ratio, his vaunted consecutive games started streak came to a pitiful end, and the Vikings missed the playoffs with a 6-10 record. He was both staggeringly ineffective and distressingly brittle during the lost campaign.
Favre admitted later to only coming back due to the money and the camaraderie of the locker room. But another aspect that contributed to his miserable final season was the fact that he was 41, wasn't as strong as he once was, and the durability he was lauded and respected for was gone. He was just some weird old guy playing football poorly, not one of the best of all time, which is what he was/is. His career ended, as T.S. Elliot once wrote, not with a bang but a whimper.
I'm not saying Manning's career will end in a similarly disappointing fashion. But the signs are there that he's not the same player he was even three years ago. His stats are jaw-dropping, but his arm and his body aren't nearly as impressive. Even if the Broncos go to the Super Bowl, they don't even have to win it, the 2014 season will likely not go well. This Broncos team is great, but the flaws are there. The defense is playing decisively meh and ever since Ryan Clady went on injured reserve, the offensive line has been the opposite of sturdy. Manning's historic play is covering up some of these deficiencies, but next year he will be another year older and another year closer to the dreaded four-oh. He's already showing signs of slowing down, another season will likely exasperate those signs into full blown flaws. He'll likely retire after either this season or the next. All this is inevitable. It is for every athlete, even the greatest. They all get old, and eventually, they all walk away.
That's the most depressing thing about these signs. It just reminds me that I won't be seeing Peyton Manning throw the football for much longer. And that makes me sad.
Wednesday, November 13, 2013
NFL WEEK 11 THURSDAY GAME PREDICTION
Week 10 Record: 7-7 (.500)
Total Record: 94-52 (.644)
Game: Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans
Thoughts: The Titans are moderately talented, but the Colts are coming off of a humiliating loss. Never play a good team a week after they got owned.
Pick: Colts
Total Record: 94-52 (.644)
Game: Indianapolis Colts at Tennessee Titans
Thoughts: The Titans are moderately talented, but the Colts are coming off of a humiliating loss. Never play a good team a week after they got owned.
Pick: Colts
Saturday, November 9, 2013
NFL WEEK 10 PREDICTIONS
Total Record: 87-46 (.659)
Byes: Browns, Chiefs, Patriots, Jets
1. Seattle Seahawks at Atlanta Falcons
Thoughts: This is a scary game only because the Falcons are at home for this one. I know the Falcons have a bad defense and a bad offensive line. But that advantage in the Georgia Dome is palpable. Both of their wins this year have been at home and they haven't lost by more than a touchdown at home this year. The Seahawks also struggled at home against the Bucs. I'm still going to go with Seattle, but this game is going to be very close. I won't be surprised if the Falcons pull an upset.
Pick: Seahawks
2. Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens
Thoughts: The Ravens are a mediocre team. The Bengals are coming off of a mini-bye and despite the loss to the Dolphins (in fairness, they were on the road), they're still one of the best teams in the AFC.
Pick: Bengals
3. Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears
Thoughts: Cutler should be back for the Bears, which is good. The Lions are coming off of a bye, which is bad. The Bears' defense isn't that great and will still be without Lance Briggs. That's bad. The Lions' offense is really good. That's also bad. But the Lions are on the road. That's... probably good. Screw it, I'll go with the split.
Pick: Bears (sorry for last week)
4. Philadelphia Eagles at Green Bay Packers
Thoughts: This is another scary game. The Packers will be without Aaron Rodgers for the foreseeable future and Nick Foles had a great game against the Raiders last week (you can argue he had the best game he could possibly have against another team). I know the Raiders' defense isn't good, but the Packers' defense isn't exactly great shakes either, Clay Matthews or no Clay Matthews not withstanding. But that Lambeau advantage... (they've lost a whopping three games there since 2010 and have won 25).
Pick: Packers
5. St. Louis Rams at Indianapolis Colts
Thoughts: Indy's gonna win.
Pick: Colts
6. Oakland Raiders at New York Giants
Thoughts: I think the Raiders could be competitive again as soon as next year, but this year is going to be very up and down. Their D-Line doesn't get a lot of sacks (Lamarr Houston has four sacks, and he leads the team), so the Giants' O-Line might have a chance to look like a professional unit this week. Eli's still one of the better quarterbacks in the league and Victor Cruz is one of the better receivers. Plus, the Giants are at home. I think that will be the biggest advantage.
Pick: Giants
7. Buffalo Bills at Pittsburgh Steelers
Thoughts: E.J. Manuel returns for the Bills, and their defense has actually played fairly well. But I think Pittsburgh will pull one out.
Pick: Steelers
8. Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans
Thoughts: Do I really have to justify picking the Titans?
Pick: Titans
9. Houston Texans at Arizona Cardinals
Thoughts: This is another worrying game. Case Keenum has a lot of potential and has played extremely well in two Texans losses. But the Cardinals are a scrappy team. They've played only two games this year where they were completely outmatched (at the Saints and vs. the Seahawks for those of you wondering). Whenever it's a pick 'em, almost always go with the home team.
Pick: Cardinals
10. Carolina Panthers at San Francisco 49ers
Thoughts: A surprisingly scary game. I think the 49ers' defense will be too much for the Panthers' offense, but I'll be very interested in seeing how the 49ers' offense plays against the Panthers' extremely good front seven.
Pick: 49ers
11. Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers
Thoughts: Lots of scary games this week. The Chargers aren't going to the playoffs, but Phillip Rivers is having a comeback year. The Broncos' defense is also extremely flawed, but as long as Peyton Manning isn't slowed down considerably, I think they can win in a shootout with the Super Chargers.
Pick: Broncos
12. Dallas Cowboys at New Orleans Saints
Thoughts: Saints at home equals bad news for the Cowboys.
Pick: Saints
13. Miami Dolphins at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Thoughts: The Dolphins are the more talented team, but they're also dealing with the fact that their locker room is imploding. The Bucs played very well against the Seahawks (for one quarter, but still, they made it count) and are at home. I'm going with the upset.
Pick: Buccaneers
Byes: Browns, Chiefs, Patriots, Jets
1. Seattle Seahawks at Atlanta Falcons
Thoughts: This is a scary game only because the Falcons are at home for this one. I know the Falcons have a bad defense and a bad offensive line. But that advantage in the Georgia Dome is palpable. Both of their wins this year have been at home and they haven't lost by more than a touchdown at home this year. The Seahawks also struggled at home against the Bucs. I'm still going to go with Seattle, but this game is going to be very close. I won't be surprised if the Falcons pull an upset.
Pick: Seahawks
2. Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens
Thoughts: The Ravens are a mediocre team. The Bengals are coming off of a mini-bye and despite the loss to the Dolphins (in fairness, they were on the road), they're still one of the best teams in the AFC.
Pick: Bengals
3. Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears
Thoughts: Cutler should be back for the Bears, which is good. The Lions are coming off of a bye, which is bad. The Bears' defense isn't that great and will still be without Lance Briggs. That's bad. The Lions' offense is really good. That's also bad. But the Lions are on the road. That's... probably good. Screw it, I'll go with the split.
Pick: Bears (sorry for last week)
4. Philadelphia Eagles at Green Bay Packers
Thoughts: This is another scary game. The Packers will be without Aaron Rodgers for the foreseeable future and Nick Foles had a great game against the Raiders last week (you can argue he had the best game he could possibly have against another team). I know the Raiders' defense isn't good, but the Packers' defense isn't exactly great shakes either, Clay Matthews or no Clay Matthews not withstanding. But that Lambeau advantage... (they've lost a whopping three games there since 2010 and have won 25).
Pick: Packers
5. St. Louis Rams at Indianapolis Colts
Thoughts: Indy's gonna win.
Pick: Colts
6. Oakland Raiders at New York Giants
Thoughts: I think the Raiders could be competitive again as soon as next year, but this year is going to be very up and down. Their D-Line doesn't get a lot of sacks (Lamarr Houston has four sacks, and he leads the team), so the Giants' O-Line might have a chance to look like a professional unit this week. Eli's still one of the better quarterbacks in the league and Victor Cruz is one of the better receivers. Plus, the Giants are at home. I think that will be the biggest advantage.
Pick: Giants
7. Buffalo Bills at Pittsburgh Steelers
Thoughts: E.J. Manuel returns for the Bills, and their defense has actually played fairly well. But I think Pittsburgh will pull one out.
Pick: Steelers
8. Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans
Thoughts: Do I really have to justify picking the Titans?
Pick: Titans
9. Houston Texans at Arizona Cardinals
Thoughts: This is another worrying game. Case Keenum has a lot of potential and has played extremely well in two Texans losses. But the Cardinals are a scrappy team. They've played only two games this year where they were completely outmatched (at the Saints and vs. the Seahawks for those of you wondering). Whenever it's a pick 'em, almost always go with the home team.
Pick: Cardinals
10. Carolina Panthers at San Francisco 49ers
Thoughts: A surprisingly scary game. I think the 49ers' defense will be too much for the Panthers' offense, but I'll be very interested in seeing how the 49ers' offense plays against the Panthers' extremely good front seven.
Pick: 49ers
11. Denver Broncos at San Diego Chargers
Thoughts: Lots of scary games this week. The Chargers aren't going to the playoffs, but Phillip Rivers is having a comeback year. The Broncos' defense is also extremely flawed, but as long as Peyton Manning isn't slowed down considerably, I think they can win in a shootout with the Super Chargers.
Pick: Broncos
12. Dallas Cowboys at New Orleans Saints
Thoughts: Saints at home equals bad news for the Cowboys.
Pick: Saints
13. Miami Dolphins at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Thoughts: The Dolphins are the more talented team, but they're also dealing with the fact that their locker room is imploding. The Bucs played very well against the Seahawks (for one quarter, but still, they made it count) and are at home. I'm going with the upset.
Pick: Buccaneers
Thursday, November 7, 2013
NFL WEEK 10 THURSDAY GAME PREDICTION
Week 9 Record: 9-4 (.692)
Total Record: 87-45 (.659)
Game: Washington Redskins at Minnesota Vikings
Thoughts: Another marquee Thursday night game pitting teams with a combined 4-12 record. Washington is getting hot, and after quickly perusing their remaining games, I wouldn't be shocked if they finished the year at 9-7 (I also won't be surprised if that record ultimately wins them the NFC East as well). The Vikings quarterback situation is a mess. Their defense is a mess. And with all of those factors working against them, don't be surprised if they win this game. I'm still going with Washington.
Pick: Redskins
Total Record: 87-45 (.659)
Game: Washington Redskins at Minnesota Vikings
Thoughts: Another marquee Thursday night game pitting teams with a combined 4-12 record. Washington is getting hot, and after quickly perusing their remaining games, I wouldn't be shocked if they finished the year at 9-7 (I also won't be surprised if that record ultimately wins them the NFC East as well). The Vikings quarterback situation is a mess. Their defense is a mess. And with all of those factors working against them, don't be surprised if they win this game. I'm still going with Washington.
Pick: Redskins
Sunday, November 3, 2013
NFL WEEK 9 PREDICTIONS
Total Record: 78-42 (.650)
Byes: Cardinals, Broncos, Lions, Jaguars, Giants, 49ers
1. Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills
Thoughts: I can't foresee a scenario that doesn't end with the Chiefs clinching a winning record. There's not a whole lot I can add to that.
Pick: Chiefs
2. Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers
Thoughts: Atlanta is in free fall, but if any consolation can be gleamed from that statement, I also said the Dolphins were in free fall. But the Falcons' offensive line blows, and the Panthers have one of the best front sevens, which means bad times for Matt Ryan. The Falcons' defense also blows, which likely means good times for Cam Newton.
Pick: Panthers
3. Minnesota Vikings at Dallas Cowboys
Thoughts: Let me put it like this- Christian Ponder has been so bad, that he's going to make the Cowboys' defense look good.
Pick: Cowboys
4. New Orleans Saints at New York Jets
Thoughts: This is a tricky one since the Jets are at home and the Saints generally don't play well in the open air. Then again, against that secondary, it'll look like the Saints are playing in a dome this week.
Pick: Saints
5. Tennessee Titans at St. Louis Rams
Thoughts: This is Jeff Fisher's first game against the Titans (whom he coached for almost 17 seasons). It's also a rematch of Super Bowl XXXIV. This game won't be nearly as fun as that Super Bowl. The Rams are a mess (which probably means they'll win). Jake Locker has actually played very well so far this year.
Pick: Titans
6. San Diego Chargers at Washington Redskins
Thoughts: Washington is also a mess, but the Chargers are playing at 1:00 PM EST. I think that'll work out in Washington's favor.
Pick: Redskins
7. Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns
Thoughts: In hindsight, Ozzie Smith probably shouldn't have traded away Anquan Boldin. Even though the Browns haven't won since the beginning of October, I think they'll have the edge at home against a lackadaisical Ravens team.
Pick: Browns
8. Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots
Thoughts: The Steelers aren't good. The Patriots aren't the same, but the defense is playing very well (although they've lost seemingly everyone on that side of the ball this year) and Bill Belichick is an amazing coach. I think they'll punch the Steelers in the soul.
Pick: Patriots
9. Philadelphia Eagles at Oakland Raiders
Thoughts: Look at Terrell Pryor playing decently! The Raiders are pleasantly a middle-of-the-road team, which is a marked improvement from a mostly God-awful team they've been for much of the last decade. The Eagles are decisively meh.
Pick: Raiders
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Seattle Seahawks
Thoughts: Never bet against the Seahawks at home. (And even though I don't like to demand for jobs to be lost, can the Glazer family just get it over with and dump Greg Schiano already? What is gained by having him continue to keep his job? Really, can you give a credible answer to that question? I can't. Okay, rant over.)
Pick: Seahawks
11. Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans
Thoughts: This is such a tricky game. The Texans have won three straight home games against the Colts, but have been playing badly. The Colts have been on a roll for the most part, but haven't won in Houston since 2009. Left is right and up is down. Screw it, I'm going with Indy.
Pick: Colts
12. Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers
Thoughts: No Jay Cutler. No Lance Briggs. Depleted defense. On the road at Green Bay. Do. Not. Like.
Pick: Packers
That'll do it. I'm gonna go take a nap. I've been sleeping a lot lately. Sleep is good. So is football. I'll wake up in time for football. Sounds good! Bye.
Byes: Cardinals, Broncos, Lions, Jaguars, Giants, 49ers
1. Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills
Thoughts: I can't foresee a scenario that doesn't end with the Chiefs clinching a winning record. There's not a whole lot I can add to that.
Pick: Chiefs
2. Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers
Thoughts: Atlanta is in free fall, but if any consolation can be gleamed from that statement, I also said the Dolphins were in free fall. But the Falcons' offensive line blows, and the Panthers have one of the best front sevens, which means bad times for Matt Ryan. The Falcons' defense also blows, which likely means good times for Cam Newton.
Pick: Panthers
3. Minnesota Vikings at Dallas Cowboys
Thoughts: Let me put it like this- Christian Ponder has been so bad, that he's going to make the Cowboys' defense look good.
Pick: Cowboys
4. New Orleans Saints at New York Jets
Thoughts: This is a tricky one since the Jets are at home and the Saints generally don't play well in the open air. Then again, against that secondary, it'll look like the Saints are playing in a dome this week.
Pick: Saints
5. Tennessee Titans at St. Louis Rams
Thoughts: This is Jeff Fisher's first game against the Titans (whom he coached for almost 17 seasons). It's also a rematch of Super Bowl XXXIV. This game won't be nearly as fun as that Super Bowl. The Rams are a mess (which probably means they'll win). Jake Locker has actually played very well so far this year.
Pick: Titans
6. San Diego Chargers at Washington Redskins
Thoughts: Washington is also a mess, but the Chargers are playing at 1:00 PM EST. I think that'll work out in Washington's favor.
Pick: Redskins
7. Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns
Thoughts: In hindsight, Ozzie Smith probably shouldn't have traded away Anquan Boldin. Even though the Browns haven't won since the beginning of October, I think they'll have the edge at home against a lackadaisical Ravens team.
Pick: Browns
8. Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots
Thoughts: The Steelers aren't good. The Patriots aren't the same, but the defense is playing very well (although they've lost seemingly everyone on that side of the ball this year) and Bill Belichick is an amazing coach. I think they'll punch the Steelers in the soul.
Pick: Patriots
9. Philadelphia Eagles at Oakland Raiders
Thoughts: Look at Terrell Pryor playing decently! The Raiders are pleasantly a middle-of-the-road team, which is a marked improvement from a mostly God-awful team they've been for much of the last decade. The Eagles are decisively meh.
Pick: Raiders
10. Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Seattle Seahawks
Thoughts: Never bet against the Seahawks at home. (And even though I don't like to demand for jobs to be lost, can the Glazer family just get it over with and dump Greg Schiano already? What is gained by having him continue to keep his job? Really, can you give a credible answer to that question? I can't. Okay, rant over.)
Pick: Seahawks
11. Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans
Thoughts: This is such a tricky game. The Texans have won three straight home games against the Colts, but have been playing badly. The Colts have been on a roll for the most part, but haven't won in Houston since 2009. Left is right and up is down. Screw it, I'm going with Indy.
Pick: Colts
12. Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers
Thoughts: No Jay Cutler. No Lance Briggs. Depleted defense. On the road at Green Bay. Do. Not. Like.
Pick: Packers
That'll do it. I'm gonna go take a nap. I've been sleeping a lot lately. Sleep is good. So is football. I'll wake up in time for football. Sounds good! Bye.
Thursday, October 31, 2013
AS IT TURNS OUT, WINNING GAME ONE REALLY HELPS
The 2013 baseball season is over and the Boston Red Sox have won their third championship since 2004. The Red Sox won game one, which as it turns out, historically speaking, greatly helped them in winning their eighth overall championship.
I hinted that I'd explore the success rate of winning the first game in the World Series waaaaaay back in July. Well here it is.
There have been 109 World Series and, obviously, 109 teams won the first game of their respective series. 69 of those teams went on to win the championship, a success rate of 63.3%. So yeah, bullet points for future World Series teams- you should probably win game one. (I could write the "Keys to the Game" blurbs for Fox with that kind of analysis).
Now obviously, it's not paramount that you win game one. After all, one game in a (usually) seven game series is a drop in the hat. A team can dig itself out of a one game hole. Hell, the first World Series champions in 1903 (fittingly, the Red Sox, then the Boston Americans) lost game one and came back to win.
But what happens if a team puts up a two game lead to start off a World Series? 52 teams in World Series history have opened the series by winning the first two games. 41 of those 52 teams ended up winning the whole thing, giving 2-0 teams a staggering 78.8% success rate in the Fall Classic.
The more consecutive wins a team piles on, the greater the chance that team will be hoisting a Commissioner's trophy come series' end. A 1-0 lead works a bit better than 2/5 of the time. A 2-0 lead works a bit less than 4/5 of the time. No team has ever overcome a 3-0 deficit in the World Series. (It's happened once in a seven game series, by the Red Sox in the 2004 ALCS. The Red Sox are having all the fun in this article.)
So how about some firsts and other interesting things? I mentioned earlier that the 1903 Americans were the first team to overcome a one game deficit and win the World Series. The 1905 New York Giants were the first team to win the World Series after winning game one.
The 1907 Chicago Cubs were the first team to start a series 2-0 and win the whole thing. Well, technically. Game one of the 1907 World Series ended in a tie (and yes, way back in the day, World Series games could end in ties), but the Cubs went on to win games two and three (they technically swept the series 4-0 in five games). The 1908 Cubs were the real first team to put up a 2-0 lead and win (in the first two games, no ties).
The first team to overcome a 2-0 deficit and win the World Series were the 1921 New York Giants, storming back to beat those pesky Yankees (although at that point in history, I guess the Giants were the asshole team from New York that always won pennants (six in the World Series era to that point) while the Yankees had just won their first).
Oddly enough, the Yankees have a really annoying habit of coming back from 2-0 deficits to win championships. They've done it four times (!), in 1956, 1958, 1978 and 1996.
These 2013 Red Sox are the latest team to win game one and the championship. The 2012 San Francisco Giants were the last team to put up a 2-0 lead in their eventual sweep of the Tigers. The 2009 Yankees were the last team to overcome a 1-0 deficit and win. The aforementioned 1996 Yankees were the last one to overcome a 2-0 deficit.
So there you go. It feels weird writing an actual article for this blog and not football predictions. I hope it was interesting. Now I need to sleep so the monster in my chest can take a damn dirt nap.
I hinted that I'd explore the success rate of winning the first game in the World Series waaaaaay back in July. Well here it is.
There have been 109 World Series and, obviously, 109 teams won the first game of their respective series. 69 of those teams went on to win the championship, a success rate of 63.3%. So yeah, bullet points for future World Series teams- you should probably win game one. (I could write the "Keys to the Game" blurbs for Fox with that kind of analysis).
Now obviously, it's not paramount that you win game one. After all, one game in a (usually) seven game series is a drop in the hat. A team can dig itself out of a one game hole. Hell, the first World Series champions in 1903 (fittingly, the Red Sox, then the Boston Americans) lost game one and came back to win.
But what happens if a team puts up a two game lead to start off a World Series? 52 teams in World Series history have opened the series by winning the first two games. 41 of those 52 teams ended up winning the whole thing, giving 2-0 teams a staggering 78.8% success rate in the Fall Classic.
The more consecutive wins a team piles on, the greater the chance that team will be hoisting a Commissioner's trophy come series' end. A 1-0 lead works a bit better than 2/5 of the time. A 2-0 lead works a bit less than 4/5 of the time. No team has ever overcome a 3-0 deficit in the World Series. (It's happened once in a seven game series, by the Red Sox in the 2004 ALCS. The Red Sox are having all the fun in this article.)
So how about some firsts and other interesting things? I mentioned earlier that the 1903 Americans were the first team to overcome a one game deficit and win the World Series. The 1905 New York Giants were the first team to win the World Series after winning game one.
The 1907 Chicago Cubs were the first team to start a series 2-0 and win the whole thing. Well, technically. Game one of the 1907 World Series ended in a tie (and yes, way back in the day, World Series games could end in ties), but the Cubs went on to win games two and three (they technically swept the series 4-0 in five games). The 1908 Cubs were the real first team to put up a 2-0 lead and win (in the first two games, no ties).
The first team to overcome a 2-0 deficit and win the World Series were the 1921 New York Giants, storming back to beat those pesky Yankees (although at that point in history, I guess the Giants were the asshole team from New York that always won pennants (six in the World Series era to that point) while the Yankees had just won their first).
Oddly enough, the Yankees have a really annoying habit of coming back from 2-0 deficits to win championships. They've done it four times (!), in 1956, 1958, 1978 and 1996.
These 2013 Red Sox are the latest team to win game one and the championship. The 2012 San Francisco Giants were the last team to put up a 2-0 lead in their eventual sweep of the Tigers. The 2009 Yankees were the last team to overcome a 1-0 deficit and win. The aforementioned 1996 Yankees were the last one to overcome a 2-0 deficit.
So there you go. It feels weird writing an actual article for this blog and not football predictions. I hope it was interesting. Now I need to sleep so the monster in my chest can take a damn dirt nap.
Wednesday, October 30, 2013
NFL WEEK 9 THURSDAY GAME PREDICTION
Okay, and without further ado, we return to my more in depth picks. But first, the stats through Week 8.
Week 8 Record: 10-3 (.769)
Total Record: 78-41 (.655)
Game: Cincinnati Bengals at Miami Dolphins
Thoughts: This year's slate of NFL Network games hasn't been a kind to the road team (or television viewers). The Bengals' awesome defense is going up against the Dolphins' piss poor offensive line. Do you remember when Wile E. Coyote would get crushed by something and he'd walk around, bouncing up and down like an accordion? That's probably what Ryan Tannehill's going to look like after this game. Not helping matters is that second year right tackle Jonathan Martin has apparently "gone AWOL." The line wasn't good with him. Imagine how bad it will be if he doesn't play. The Dolphins' are in total free fall after a strong start. The Bengals keep rising.
Prediction: Bengals
Week 8 Record: 10-3 (.769)
Total Record: 78-41 (.655)
Game: Cincinnati Bengals at Miami Dolphins
Thoughts: This year's slate of NFL Network games hasn't been a kind to the road team (or television viewers). The Bengals' awesome defense is going up against the Dolphins' piss poor offensive line. Do you remember when Wile E. Coyote would get crushed by something and he'd walk around, bouncing up and down like an accordion? That's probably what Ryan Tannehill's going to look like after this game. Not helping matters is that second year right tackle Jonathan Martin has apparently "gone AWOL." The line wasn't good with him. Imagine how bad it will be if he doesn't play. The Dolphins' are in total free fall after a strong start. The Bengals keep rising.
Prediction: Bengals
Sunday, October 27, 2013
NFL WEEK 8 PREDICTIONS
Alright, this week, with all my major work done for the most part, I was going to return to my more in-depth (for me) analysis for the game picks. Then, as luck would have it, I got sick for the first time in about eight months. So this post, which I planned on writing and posting yesterday when I got home, I'm now writing and posting about four hours before the start times for the early games. I'm truly sorry for this, and hopefully I'll be fine in time for the Thursday prediction (I may also have another post about the World Series, but don't hold me to that).
Anyway, on with the predictions.
Total Record: 69-38 (0.645)
Byes: Ravens, Bears, Texans, Colts, Chargers, Titans
Dallas Cowboys at Detroit Lions
San Francisco 49ers at Jacksonville Jaguars
Cleveland Browns at Kansas City Chiefs
Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots
Buffalo Bills at New Orleans Saints
New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles
Atlanta Falcons at Arizona Cardinals
New York Jets at Cincinnati Bengals
Washington Redskins at Denver Broncos
Pittsburgh Steelers at Oakland Raiders
Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings
Seattle Seahawks at St. Louis Rams
Anyway, on with the predictions.
Total Record: 69-38 (0.645)
Byes: Ravens, Bears, Texans, Colts, Chargers, Titans
Dallas Cowboys at Detroit Lions
San Francisco 49ers at Jacksonville Jaguars
Cleveland Browns at Kansas City Chiefs
Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots
Buffalo Bills at New Orleans Saints
New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles
Atlanta Falcons at Arizona Cardinals
New York Jets at Cincinnati Bengals
Washington Redskins at Denver Broncos
Pittsburgh Steelers at Oakland Raiders
Green Bay Packers at Minnesota Vikings
Seattle Seahawks at St. Louis Rams
Thursday, October 24, 2013
NFL WEEK 8 THURSDAY GAME PREDICTION
Week 7 Record: 9-6 (.600)
Total Record: 68-38 (0.642)
Prediction Tonight: Panthers over Buccaneers
Total Record: 68-38 (0.642)
Prediction Tonight: Panthers over Buccaneers
Saturday, October 19, 2013
NFL WEEK 7 PREDICTIONS
My Total Record: 60-32
Byes: Saints, Raiders
Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons
St. Louis Rams at Carolina Panthers
Cincinnati Bengals at Detroit Lions
San Diego Chargers at Jacksonville Jaguars
Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins
New England Patriots at New York Jets
Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles
Chicago Bears at Washington Redskins
Cleveland Browns at Green Bay Packers
Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs
Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers
San Francisco 49ers at Tennessee Titans
Denver Broncos at Indianapolis Colts
Minnesota Vikings at New York Giants
Thursday, October 17, 2013
NFL WEEK 7 THURSDAY GAME PREDICTION
Week 6 Record: 8-7 (.533)
Total Record: 59-32 (.648)
Prediction Tonight: Seahawks over Cardinals
Total Record: 59-32 (.648)
Prediction Tonight: Seahawks over Cardinals
Saturday, October 12, 2013
NFL WEEK 6 PREDICTIONS
This week's article is going to be rather quick as college work is starting to pile up. Sorry about that, but unfortunately, it happens.
Current Record: 52-25 (.675)
Byes: Falcons, Dolphins
***my prediction is in bold.
Green Bay Packers at Baltimore Ravens
Cincinnati Bengals at Buffalo Bills
Detroit Lions at Cleveland Browns
Jacksonville Jaguars at Denver Broncos
St. Louis Rams at Houston Texans
Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs
Carolina Panthers at Minnesota Vikings
New Orleans Saints at New England Patriots
Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Jets
Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers
Tennessee Titans at Seattle Seahawks
Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys
Indianapolis Colts at San Diego Chargers
Current Record: 52-25 (.675)
Byes: Falcons, Dolphins
***my prediction is in bold.
Green Bay Packers at Baltimore Ravens
Cincinnati Bengals at Buffalo Bills
Detroit Lions at Cleveland Browns
Jacksonville Jaguars at Denver Broncos
St. Louis Rams at Houston Texans
Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs
Carolina Panthers at Minnesota Vikings
New Orleans Saints at New England Patriots
Pittsburgh Steelers at New York Jets
Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers
Tennessee Titans at Seattle Seahawks
Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys
Indianapolis Colts at San Diego Chargers
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
NFL WEEK 6 THURSDAY GAME PREDICTION
I am now 51-25 on the year through week 5 of the NFL. Very briefly, here are my thoughts on the Giants/Bears game: the Bears will win because the Giants suck in a myriad of ways. And with one exception, the Bears have played very well this season. Sorry it's short, but sometimes, there's just not a lot I can say about a game.
Saturday, October 5, 2013
NFL WEEK 5 PREDICTIONS
I'll be completely honest, I was going through Thursday night fatigue before the Buffalo/Cleveland game. Every game on the NFL Network to that point had been either incredibly dull or sloppy or an unholy combination of both. So I was expecting more of the same this past Thursday. ...And the Browns and Bills played probably the best game I've seen this year so far. Couldn't have come at a better time.
Anyway, on with the predictions.
Byes: Vikings, Steelers, Buccaneers, Redskins
1. New Orleans Saints at Chicago Bears
Thoughts: The Bears being at home will likely tilt this in Chicago's favor. The Saints are never quite as potent on the road and the Bears' defense, despite last week's hiccup, will slow down Drew Brees enough to secure a win.
Pick: Bears
2. New England Patriots at Cincinnati Bengals
Thoughts: Tricky game. Andy Dalton has been below average and the run game got stuffed last week. New England is inexplicably winning games that they shouldn't be (you say this Bill Belichick person is a good coach, eh?). Cincinnati's been pretty good against the run, so the LeGarrette Blount show will probably be preempted this week, which means more Tom Brady throwing to random guys. It'll be close, but I'll go with the home team.
Pick: Bengals
3. Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers
Thoughts: The Lions haven't won at Lambeau Field since the Bush administration (the first one, in case you were wondering). The Packers are coming off of a bye and thus, should be healthier. Even though the Packers have seemed to take a step back this year, I don't think It'll really matter this week.
Pick: Packers
4. Seattle Seahawks at Indianapolis Colts
Thoughts: This should be fun. Seattle is one of the best teams in the NFL, but they aren't the same on the road as they are at home. Indy meanwhile has played great this year here, there, and everywhere. I'll be bold and go with the upset.
Pick: Colts
5. Baltimore Ravens at Miami Dolphins
Thoughts: Both teams are coming off bad losses (is there such a thing as a good loss?). Baltimore (and by Baltimore, I mean Joe Flacco) has really struggled on offense this year, but their defense has looked improved over last season's squad. Tannehill has been sacked 18 times (!) and has a fumbling problem but like the Ravens, Miami's defense has played very well this year. Another tough call, so I'll go with the home team again.
Pick: Dolphins
6. Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants
Thoughts: Geez, who gives a damn? The Eagles' defense is God-awful and the Giants aren't anything to write home about to put it nicely. Once again, home field advantage will probably be the deciding factor.
Pick: Giants
7. Jacksonville Jaguars at St. Louis Rams
Thoughts: Will Justin Blackmon's return from his suspension be the deciding factor in a Jaguars win? No. No it will not.
Pick: Rams
8. Kansas City Chiefs at Tennessee Titans
Thoughts: Now here's an intriguing match-up. Alex Smith is coming off of probably his worst game since the last time he faced the Giants, but hasn't thrown interceptions this year except for the aforementioned Giants game. The Titans meanwhile, are without Jake Locker for the time being and will start Ryan Fitzpatrick in his stead. Fitzpatrick has had stretches of good play in his career, but he's rarely, if ever, been consistently good through a long stretch. With both teams fielding great defenses, I think Fitzpatrick's skills (or lack thereof) will be the key.
Pick: Chiefs
9. Carolina Panthers at Arizona Cardinals
Thoughts: The Cardinals had to fight to win against the Buccaneers last week. Let's just say that Arizona wasn't exactly going up against Tampa's 2002 team, so how will they handle the Panthers? Carolina's coming off of a bye and before that, an absolute dismantling of the Giants. But I'm not sure what played more of a factor. The Panthers playing well, or the Giants being horrible. Coin flip = home team prediction.
Pick: Cardinals
10. Denver Broncos at Dallas Cowboys
Thoughts: Von Miller still hasn't come back from his suspension. The Broncos lead the league in points scored and total offense. Peyton Manning is doing his best Brett Favre on the 2009 Vikings impression. Imagine what this team will look like when Miller can play. Oh, and the NFC East is the worst division in football by leaps and bounds.
Pick: Broncos
11. Houston Texans at San Francisco 49ers
Thoughts: Matt Schaub is actively holding the Texans back with his crappy play, but those in charge of the organization love him. I'm worried that Schaub will play great and screw up my prediction, but come on, it's the 49ers. Matt Schaub against the 49ers' defense < Colin Kaepernick against the Texans' defense.
Pick: 49ers
12. San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders
Thoughts: A bonus prime time game on the NFL Network thanks to the Oakland Athletics making the MLB playoffs. This puppy has an 11:35 PM EST kickoff. You couldn't pay me to watch this game.
Pick: Chargers
13. New York Jets at Atlanta Falcons
Thoughts: The Falcons could stop the Patriots' offense and it was the freaking Patriots' offense. Luckily, they're facing an interception prone rookie this week.
Pick: Falcons
That'll do it. Now I'll spend the rest of the day screwing around on the internet.
Anyway, on with the predictions.
Byes: Vikings, Steelers, Buccaneers, Redskins
1. New Orleans Saints at Chicago Bears
Thoughts: The Bears being at home will likely tilt this in Chicago's favor. The Saints are never quite as potent on the road and the Bears' defense, despite last week's hiccup, will slow down Drew Brees enough to secure a win.
Pick: Bears
2. New England Patriots at Cincinnati Bengals
Thoughts: Tricky game. Andy Dalton has been below average and the run game got stuffed last week. New England is inexplicably winning games that they shouldn't be (you say this Bill Belichick person is a good coach, eh?). Cincinnati's been pretty good against the run, so the LeGarrette Blount show will probably be preempted this week, which means more Tom Brady throwing to random guys. It'll be close, but I'll go with the home team.
Pick: Bengals
3. Detroit Lions at Green Bay Packers
Thoughts: The Lions haven't won at Lambeau Field since the Bush administration (the first one, in case you were wondering). The Packers are coming off of a bye and thus, should be healthier. Even though the Packers have seemed to take a step back this year, I don't think It'll really matter this week.
Pick: Packers
4. Seattle Seahawks at Indianapolis Colts
Thoughts: This should be fun. Seattle is one of the best teams in the NFL, but they aren't the same on the road as they are at home. Indy meanwhile has played great this year here, there, and everywhere. I'll be bold and go with the upset.
Pick: Colts
5. Baltimore Ravens at Miami Dolphins
Thoughts: Both teams are coming off bad losses (is there such a thing as a good loss?). Baltimore (and by Baltimore, I mean Joe Flacco) has really struggled on offense this year, but their defense has looked improved over last season's squad. Tannehill has been sacked 18 times (!) and has a fumbling problem but like the Ravens, Miami's defense has played very well this year. Another tough call, so I'll go with the home team again.
Pick: Dolphins
6. Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants
Thoughts: Geez, who gives a damn? The Eagles' defense is God-awful and the Giants aren't anything to write home about to put it nicely. Once again, home field advantage will probably be the deciding factor.
Pick: Giants
7. Jacksonville Jaguars at St. Louis Rams
Thoughts: Will Justin Blackmon's return from his suspension be the deciding factor in a Jaguars win? No. No it will not.
Pick: Rams
8. Kansas City Chiefs at Tennessee Titans
Thoughts: Now here's an intriguing match-up. Alex Smith is coming off of probably his worst game since the last time he faced the Giants, but hasn't thrown interceptions this year except for the aforementioned Giants game. The Titans meanwhile, are without Jake Locker for the time being and will start Ryan Fitzpatrick in his stead. Fitzpatrick has had stretches of good play in his career, but he's rarely, if ever, been consistently good through a long stretch. With both teams fielding great defenses, I think Fitzpatrick's skills (or lack thereof) will be the key.
Pick: Chiefs
9. Carolina Panthers at Arizona Cardinals
Thoughts: The Cardinals had to fight to win against the Buccaneers last week. Let's just say that Arizona wasn't exactly going up against Tampa's 2002 team, so how will they handle the Panthers? Carolina's coming off of a bye and before that, an absolute dismantling of the Giants. But I'm not sure what played more of a factor. The Panthers playing well, or the Giants being horrible. Coin flip = home team prediction.
Pick: Cardinals
10. Denver Broncos at Dallas Cowboys
Thoughts: Von Miller still hasn't come back from his suspension. The Broncos lead the league in points scored and total offense. Peyton Manning is doing his best Brett Favre on the 2009 Vikings impression. Imagine what this team will look like when Miller can play. Oh, and the NFC East is the worst division in football by leaps and bounds.
Pick: Broncos
11. Houston Texans at San Francisco 49ers
Thoughts: Matt Schaub is actively holding the Texans back with his crappy play, but those in charge of the organization love him. I'm worried that Schaub will play great and screw up my prediction, but come on, it's the 49ers. Matt Schaub against the 49ers' defense < Colin Kaepernick against the Texans' defense.
Pick: 49ers
12. San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders
Thoughts: A bonus prime time game on the NFL Network thanks to the Oakland Athletics making the MLB playoffs. This puppy has an 11:35 PM EST kickoff. You couldn't pay me to watch this game.
Pick: Chargers
13. New York Jets at Atlanta Falcons
Thoughts: The Falcons could stop the Patriots' offense and it was the freaking Patriots' offense. Luckily, they're facing an interception prone rookie this week.
Pick: Falcons
That'll do it. Now I'll spend the rest of the day screwing around on the internet.
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
NFL WEEK 5 THURSDAY GAME PREDICTION
There was a point at the half of the early games on Sunday where I would have been 4-5 if they had ended at that moment. But most of my original hunches paid off and I ended going up 6-3 through the one o'clock games and went 11-4 overall for week 4. I'm 42-21 on the year so far due to genuine smart picking and quite a bit of luck, but I'll take it.
For this Thursday's game, I'll go with the Browns over the Bills. Beyond the fact that the Browns are at home, they also have a very good defense and despite my trepidation, Brian Hoyer has played pretty well in his first two games. The Bills have a lot of good pieces and are also coming off a big win, but they're still not good against the run (which likely won't matter this week anyway) and E.J. Manuel is going to go through growing pains. Against that defense, I think he'll have a rough night. Same for the combination of C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson.
For this Thursday's game, I'll go with the Browns over the Bills. Beyond the fact that the Browns are at home, they also have a very good defense and despite my trepidation, Brian Hoyer has played pretty well in his first two games. The Bills have a lot of good pieces and are also coming off a big win, but they're still not good against the run (which likely won't matter this week anyway) and E.J. Manuel is going to go through growing pains. Against that defense, I think he'll have a rough night. Same for the combination of C.J. Spiller and Fred Jackson.
Saturday, September 28, 2013
NFL WEEK 4 PREDICTIONS
Another week, another set of predictions. On we go!
(Before we start, two teams have their bye weeks this time around. No Panthers or Packers this week.)
1. Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills
Thoughts: The Bills aren't good against the run and aren't good when faced with a tough defense. Not a good combo this week.
Pick: Ravens
2. Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns
Thoughts: Round one in the annual battle for Ohio! The Browns did well against the Vikings last week, but the Bengals are a much better team. Even though the Browns' defense is really good, their offense will have ups and downs for the rest of the season.
Pick: Bengals
3. Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions
Thoughts: No Nate Burleson for the Lions for the rest of the year. The Bears also boast the toughest defense Detroit has faced to this point. I think 4-0 is a perfectly reasonable expectation for Chicago.
Pick: Bears
4. Seattle Seahawks at Houston Texans
Thoughts: Seattle is the best team in football right now. Matt Schaub's going to have a long day tomorrow.
Pick: Seahawks
5. Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars
Thoughts: I predicted that the Jaguars would finish the season at 3-13 and I think I may have overrated them. If they win one game this year, it should be cause for celebration.
Pick: Colts
6. New York Giants at Kansas City Chiefs
Thoughts: Scary game. The Giants have played beyond horrible this year and will be without most of their usual starting offensive linemen tomorrow. The Chiefs meanwhile have the look of a very balanced, good team and are at home to boot. It's too early for trap games, right? Ah, the hell with it: I'm going with the home team.
Pick: Chiefs (By the way, if this prediction holds true, it'll be the first time the Giants started a season at least 0-4 since 1987.)
7. Pittsburghe Steelers "at" Minnesota Vikinges
Thoughts: Merry old England gets to watch two win-less teams. That's what they'd call "rubbish" I'm sure. Matt Cassel gets the start for the Vikings due to Christian Ponder suffering from bad ribs and worse aim. If Cassel learned anything from last year's time with the Chiefs, then the Vikings have this in the bag.
Pick: Vikings (Speaking of bad starts, if this prediction holds true, it'll be the first time the Steelers started 0-4 since 1968 (!). Holy crap!)
8. Arizona Cardinals at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Thoughts: Mike Glennon makes his first NFL start for a Bucs team that may not have Vincent Jackson or Mike Williams. Greg Schiano sure is an awesome coach. Even if both receivers do play, I still think Arizona has its way with them.
Pick: Cardinals
9. Philadelphia Eagles at Denver Broncos
Thoughts: I have zero thoughts on this game. Except for my prediction.
Pick: Broncos
10. Washington Redskins at Oakland Raiders
Thoughts: Tough call. The Redskins' defense is terrible, but RG3 has played progressively better since the season started. If Terrell Pryor can't play, then Matt Flynn will be the Raiders' quarterback, and in every game I've seen Flynn play he looked like a perfectly acceptable quarterback. You know what, I'll go with Washington.
Pick: Redskins
11. Dallas Cowboys at San Diego Chargers
Thoughts: Another toss up, but I'll go with the home team.
Pick: Chargers
12. New York Jets at Tennessee Titans
Thoughts: Man, the late games don't have a lot of "obvious" winners. Again, I'll go with the home team. If the Titans win, I'll have already predicted their final standings wrong (I picked them to go 2-14, dumb move in hindsight).
Pick: Titans
13. New England Patriots at Atlanta Falcons
Thoughts: It's official: no Gronk or Amendola for the Patriots. The Falcons also boast the best offense the Pats have gone up against this year and are at home. First Patriots loss of the season.
Pick: Falcons
14. Miami Dolphins at New Orleans Saints
Thoughts: 3-0 against 3-0. Unfortunately, the Dolphins are playing the Saints in the Super Dome, which most likely means this isn't going to end well for them.
Pick: Saints
I picked a lot of road teams this week (eight road to seven home), so this could either go very well or very poorly for me. My fingers will be crossed all day.
(Before we start, two teams have their bye weeks this time around. No Panthers or Packers this week.)
1. Baltimore Ravens at Buffalo Bills
Thoughts: The Bills aren't good against the run and aren't good when faced with a tough defense. Not a good combo this week.
Pick: Ravens
2. Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns
Thoughts: Round one in the annual battle for Ohio! The Browns did well against the Vikings last week, but the Bengals are a much better team. Even though the Browns' defense is really good, their offense will have ups and downs for the rest of the season.
Pick: Bengals
3. Chicago Bears at Detroit Lions
Thoughts: No Nate Burleson for the Lions for the rest of the year. The Bears also boast the toughest defense Detroit has faced to this point. I think 4-0 is a perfectly reasonable expectation for Chicago.
Pick: Bears
4. Seattle Seahawks at Houston Texans
Thoughts: Seattle is the best team in football right now. Matt Schaub's going to have a long day tomorrow.
Pick: Seahawks
5. Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars
Thoughts: I predicted that the Jaguars would finish the season at 3-13 and I think I may have overrated them. If they win one game this year, it should be cause for celebration.
Pick: Colts
6. New York Giants at Kansas City Chiefs
Thoughts: Scary game. The Giants have played beyond horrible this year and will be without most of their usual starting offensive linemen tomorrow. The Chiefs meanwhile have the look of a very balanced, good team and are at home to boot. It's too early for trap games, right? Ah, the hell with it: I'm going with the home team.
Pick: Chiefs (By the way, if this prediction holds true, it'll be the first time the Giants started a season at least 0-4 since 1987.)
7. Pittsburghe Steelers "at" Minnesota Vikinges
Thoughts: Merry old England gets to watch two win-less teams. That's what they'd call "rubbish" I'm sure. Matt Cassel gets the start for the Vikings due to Christian Ponder suffering from bad ribs and worse aim. If Cassel learned anything from last year's time with the Chiefs, then the Vikings have this in the bag.
Pick: Vikings (Speaking of bad starts, if this prediction holds true, it'll be the first time the Steelers started 0-4 since 1968 (!). Holy crap!)
8. Arizona Cardinals at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Thoughts: Mike Glennon makes his first NFL start for a Bucs team that may not have Vincent Jackson or Mike Williams. Greg Schiano sure is an awesome coach. Even if both receivers do play, I still think Arizona has its way with them.
Pick: Cardinals
9. Philadelphia Eagles at Denver Broncos
Thoughts: I have zero thoughts on this game. Except for my prediction.
Pick: Broncos
10. Washington Redskins at Oakland Raiders
Thoughts: Tough call. The Redskins' defense is terrible, but RG3 has played progressively better since the season started. If Terrell Pryor can't play, then Matt Flynn will be the Raiders' quarterback, and in every game I've seen Flynn play he looked like a perfectly acceptable quarterback. You know what, I'll go with Washington.
Pick: Redskins
11. Dallas Cowboys at San Diego Chargers
Thoughts: Another toss up, but I'll go with the home team.
Pick: Chargers
12. New York Jets at Tennessee Titans
Thoughts: Man, the late games don't have a lot of "obvious" winners. Again, I'll go with the home team. If the Titans win, I'll have already predicted their final standings wrong (I picked them to go 2-14, dumb move in hindsight).
Pick: Titans
13. New England Patriots at Atlanta Falcons
Thoughts: It's official: no Gronk or Amendola for the Patriots. The Falcons also boast the best offense the Pats have gone up against this year and are at home. First Patriots loss of the season.
Pick: Falcons
14. Miami Dolphins at New Orleans Saints
Thoughts: 3-0 against 3-0. Unfortunately, the Dolphins are playing the Saints in the Super Dome, which most likely means this isn't going to end well for them.
Pick: Saints
I picked a lot of road teams this week (eight road to seven home), so this could either go very well or very poorly for me. My fingers will be crossed all day.
Thursday, September 26, 2013
NFL WEEK 4 THURSDAY GAME PREDICTION
Week 3 netted me another 11-5 prediction record, which puts me at 31-17 on the year.
Tonight's game really gives me pause (the San Francisco 49ers at the St. Louis Rams for those wondering). On the one hand, the 49ers haven't played well in the last couple weeks and had just four days to prepare for a tough road game against a division rival. The Rams also went 1-0-1 against the 49ers last year and both clubs aren't remarkably different compared to their 2012 counterparts.
The Rams have also had their fair share of problems, with their defense not playing perhaps to their potential and the offensive line not being good despite the acquisition of Jake Long in the offseason.
This game is a tossup and usually that would mean I'd go with the home team. But I'm going to buck that mindset and pick the 49ers. They're still extremely talented despite their struggles and I think they can pull off their first win against the Rams since 2011.
By the by: I've picked the road team in every Thursday game this year to this point. I'm 1-2 in those instances, so we'll see if the 49ers can put me at 500 tonight.
Tonight's game really gives me pause (the San Francisco 49ers at the St. Louis Rams for those wondering). On the one hand, the 49ers haven't played well in the last couple weeks and had just four days to prepare for a tough road game against a division rival. The Rams also went 1-0-1 against the 49ers last year and both clubs aren't remarkably different compared to their 2012 counterparts.
The Rams have also had their fair share of problems, with their defense not playing perhaps to their potential and the offensive line not being good despite the acquisition of Jake Long in the offseason.
This game is a tossup and usually that would mean I'd go with the home team. But I'm going to buck that mindset and pick the 49ers. They're still extremely talented despite their struggles and I think they can pull off their first win against the Rams since 2011.
By the by: I've picked the road team in every Thursday game this year to this point. I'm 1-2 in those instances, so we'll see if the 49ers can put me at 500 tonight.
Saturday, September 21, 2013
NFL WEEK 3 PREDICTIONS
The Chiefs made me look like a genius, so let's see how the rest of the league will treat me in the next couple days.
1. Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens
Thoughts: Ed Reed's first game as a Texan will be against his former team. But the main factor that will determine who wins this game will be the health of Ray Rice. If Rice plays, the Ravens will win. If he can't, the Ravens lose. I think he'll play.
Pick: Ravens
2. New York Giants at Carolina Panthers
Thoughts: The Panthers better hope for a blowout because close games aren't exactly their forte under Ron Rivera. They're an appalling 2-14 in games decided by seven or fewer points since 2011. Even though the Giants look anything like a competent football team right now, I still like their chances against the Panthers.
Pick: Giants
3. Green Bay Packers at Cincinnati Bengals
Thoughts: Aaron Rodgers is so distressingly good. The Packers don't even have to throw their defense out there and they'd still win because Rodgers makes it all seem so easy.
Pick: Packers
4. St. Louis Rams at Dallas Cowboys
Thoughts: This is a tough call. On the one hand, the Cowboys have a great deal of talent, especially on offense. On the other hand, they're incredibly flaky. I think they'll just eek out a victory against a good, scrappy Rams team. This will probably be the most fun game in the early slate.
Pick: Cowboys
5. Cleveland Browns at Minnesota Vikings
Thoughts: No Brandon Weeden (injured, won't play) and no Trent Richardson (on a better team) makes this Browns team go crazy. In the bad way.
Pick: Vikings
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New England Patriots
Thoughts: This game petrifies me, because New England should beat the Bucs. Should. But wouldn't it be so typical that for one week the Bucs figure themselves out and beat a team they have no right in beating? I'm still taking New England. Fingers crossed.
Pick: Patriots
7. Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints
Thoughts: Almost never bet against the Saints in the Super Dome.
Pick: Saints
8. San Diego Chargers at Tennessee Titans
Thoughts: I know it's early in the season and making assumptions about teams now is beyond reckless. But it still bothers me that I can't get a good read on either of these teams. I'll go with Tennessee just because their defense is pretty good and physical. (In hindsight, my 2-14 prediction for them might have been a bit of an overreaction).
Pick: Titans
9. Atlanta Falcons at Miami Dolphins
Thoughts: This could be a pick-em game, which I never would have guessed before the season. The Falcons won't have Steven Jackson, their offensive line and defense are not good and the forecast calls for rain. Advantage, home team.
Pick: Dolphins
10. Buffalo Bills at New York Jets
Thoughts: Speaking of games that terrify me. Again, the way this game swings will depend on one specific player: Geno Smith. If he doesn't have many turnovers, the Jets will win. If he has another fourth quarter performance like he had against the Patriots, the Jets will lose. I go with home teams for the most part in pick-ems; I hope that doesn't come back to bite me.
Pick: Jets
11. Indianapolis Colts at San Francisco 49ers
Thoughts: When I was looking over the schedule, I'm ashamed to admit that I completely forgot that this will be the first time Andrew Luck squares off against his former college coach Jim Harbaugh. Even though I think the Trent Richardson deal will help the Colts in the long run, it's not going to do much this week. The Falcons-Dolphins game or this one will likely be the best game in the afternoon.
Pick: 49ers
12. Jacksonville Jaguars at Seattle Seahawks
Thoughts: Never bet against the Seahawks at home.
Pick: Seahawks
13. Detroit Lions at Washington Redskins
Thoughts: Robert Griffin III hasn't played well this season (to steal a line from the Onion, it's almost like he's coming back from a debilitating knee injury). The Redskins defense hasn't played well this season. This should be an easy win for the Lions, but if ever there was a team that could shoot itself in the foot better than the Lions, I'd like to see it.
Pick: Redskins
14. Chicago Bears at Pittsburgh Steelers
Thoughts: I know I said the Steelers suck last week, but it's still weird to see them... well, suck. Not that I'm complaining this week.
Pick: Bears
15. Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos
Thoughts: Do I really have to justify picking the Broncos in this one?
Pick: Broncos
And there you have it. Here's hoping for another double-digit correct pick count this week.
1. Houston Texans at Baltimore Ravens
Thoughts: Ed Reed's first game as a Texan will be against his former team. But the main factor that will determine who wins this game will be the health of Ray Rice. If Rice plays, the Ravens will win. If he can't, the Ravens lose. I think he'll play.
Pick: Ravens
2. New York Giants at Carolina Panthers
Thoughts: The Panthers better hope for a blowout because close games aren't exactly their forte under Ron Rivera. They're an appalling 2-14 in games decided by seven or fewer points since 2011. Even though the Giants look anything like a competent football team right now, I still like their chances against the Panthers.
Pick: Giants
3. Green Bay Packers at Cincinnati Bengals
Thoughts: Aaron Rodgers is so distressingly good. The Packers don't even have to throw their defense out there and they'd still win because Rodgers makes it all seem so easy.
Pick: Packers
4. St. Louis Rams at Dallas Cowboys
Thoughts: This is a tough call. On the one hand, the Cowboys have a great deal of talent, especially on offense. On the other hand, they're incredibly flaky. I think they'll just eek out a victory against a good, scrappy Rams team. This will probably be the most fun game in the early slate.
Pick: Cowboys
5. Cleveland Browns at Minnesota Vikings
Thoughts: No Brandon Weeden (injured, won't play) and no Trent Richardson (on a better team) makes this Browns team go crazy. In the bad way.
Pick: Vikings
6. Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New England Patriots
Thoughts: This game petrifies me, because New England should beat the Bucs. Should. But wouldn't it be so typical that for one week the Bucs figure themselves out and beat a team they have no right in beating? I'm still taking New England. Fingers crossed.
Pick: Patriots
7. Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints
Thoughts: Almost never bet against the Saints in the Super Dome.
Pick: Saints
8. San Diego Chargers at Tennessee Titans
Thoughts: I know it's early in the season and making assumptions about teams now is beyond reckless. But it still bothers me that I can't get a good read on either of these teams. I'll go with Tennessee just because their defense is pretty good and physical. (In hindsight, my 2-14 prediction for them might have been a bit of an overreaction).
Pick: Titans
9. Atlanta Falcons at Miami Dolphins
Thoughts: This could be a pick-em game, which I never would have guessed before the season. The Falcons won't have Steven Jackson, their offensive line and defense are not good and the forecast calls for rain. Advantage, home team.
Pick: Dolphins
10. Buffalo Bills at New York Jets
Thoughts: Speaking of games that terrify me. Again, the way this game swings will depend on one specific player: Geno Smith. If he doesn't have many turnovers, the Jets will win. If he has another fourth quarter performance like he had against the Patriots, the Jets will lose. I go with home teams for the most part in pick-ems; I hope that doesn't come back to bite me.
Pick: Jets
11. Indianapolis Colts at San Francisco 49ers
Thoughts: When I was looking over the schedule, I'm ashamed to admit that I completely forgot that this will be the first time Andrew Luck squares off against his former college coach Jim Harbaugh. Even though I think the Trent Richardson deal will help the Colts in the long run, it's not going to do much this week. The Falcons-Dolphins game or this one will likely be the best game in the afternoon.
Pick: 49ers
12. Jacksonville Jaguars at Seattle Seahawks
Thoughts: Never bet against the Seahawks at home.
Pick: Seahawks
13. Detroit Lions at Washington Redskins
Thoughts: Robert Griffin III hasn't played well this season (to steal a line from the Onion, it's almost like he's coming back from a debilitating knee injury). The Redskins defense hasn't played well this season. This should be an easy win for the Lions, but if ever there was a team that could shoot itself in the foot better than the Lions, I'd like to see it.
Pick: Redskins
14. Chicago Bears at Pittsburgh Steelers
Thoughts: I know I said the Steelers suck last week, but it's still weird to see them... well, suck. Not that I'm complaining this week.
Pick: Bears
15. Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos
Thoughts: Do I really have to justify picking the Broncos in this one?
Pick: Broncos
And there you have it. Here's hoping for another double-digit correct pick count this week.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
NFL WEEK 3 THURSDAY GAME PREDICTION
I was 11-5 for week 2 in the NFL as a whole. That puts me at 20-12 for the year so far. Let's see if I can ride that momentum further.
For tomorrow's game, I'll take the Kansas City Chiefs to beat the Philadelphia Eagles in Andy Reid's homecoming. Usually with Thursday games, the home team wins more times than not. In this instance I think the Eagles won't be able to do a whole lot. The Chiefs are a very balanced team, and the Eagles defense is horrible. Philadelphia's defense was also exhausted in their loss to the Chargers, and a short week isn't going to do them any favors especially against the Chiefs' offense.
For tomorrow's game, I'll take the Kansas City Chiefs to beat the Philadelphia Eagles in Andy Reid's homecoming. Usually with Thursday games, the home team wins more times than not. In this instance I think the Eagles won't be able to do a whole lot. The Chiefs are a very balanced team, and the Eagles defense is horrible. Philadelphia's defense was also exhausted in their loss to the Chargers, and a short week isn't going to do them any favors especially against the Chiefs' offense.
Saturday, September 14, 2013
NFL WEEK TWO PREDICTIONS
With the Jets loss two nights ago, I'm now 9-8 on the young year (most teams don't win games when they throw three interceptions in the fourth quarter no matter how good their defense plays, just saying).
But on to the near future. There are fifteen more games to played this week. Here are my predictions and brief thoughts on them.
1. St. Louis Rams at Atlanta Falcons
Thoughts: The Falcons' first game in the Georgia Dome this year. Even though the Rams' defense is better overall than the Saints', I can't believe the Falcons' offense will be as lackadaisical at home than they were at the Super Dome (which is always a tough place to play). I'm going with the home field advantage.
Pick: Falcons
2. Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens
Thoughts: I would assume the Broncos loss will light a fire under the Ravens and they play better in their second game than they did in their first. The Browns have some good pieces, but I think taking on the Ravens in Baltimore will be a bit much for them.
Pick: Ravens
3. Carolina Panthers at Buffalo Bills
Thoughts: The Panthers' defense is better than the Patriots' (I could say that about most teams, but the Panthers are really good) and I think that will be the deciding factor. The Bills' run game will likely be a non-factor again so E.J. Manuel will have to really step up his game if the Bills want to go 1-1. It's not impossible, but I think it's pretty improbable.
Pick: Panthers
4. Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears
Thoughts: I checked up on how Christian Ponder has done against the Bears in four previous tries against them. The result: middling to out right bad. I expect that trend to continue even if the Bears are going to be concentrating mostly on Adrian Peterson all day.
Pick: Bears
5. Washington Redskins at Green Bay Packers
Thoughts: The Packers are in a bad mood after losing to the 49ers last week, which probably doesn't bode well for Washington. I wouldn't want to be Robert Griffin III tomorrow.
Pick: Packers
6. Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans
Thoughts: The Titans reamed the Steelers, but the Texans are not the Steelers. This week's outcome will look very different for the former Oilers.
Pick: Texans
7. Miami Dolphins at Indianapolis Colts
Thoughts: This one might be an either/or kind of game, and in those instances I'll almost always go with the home team. This will probably be one of the more fun early games this week.
Pick: Colts
8. Dallas Cowboys at Kansas City Chiefs
Thoughts: I don't know if the Chiefs' performance last week was due entirely on how bad the Jaguars are (the Jaguars ARE really that bad), or if they are legitimately improved. This might be a pick 'em as well. Again, I'll go with the home team because if I've learned anything in the last five years, it's don't trust the Cowboys.
Pick: Chiefs
9. San Diego Chargers at Philadelphia Eagles
Thoughts: The Chargers have a 1:00 PM Est Kickoff (10:00 AM Pac) against a team that's coming off an impressive win (or at the very least, an impressive first half). I don't like the Bolts' chances.
Pick: Eagles
10. Detroit Lions at Arizona Cardinals
Thoughts: The Lions' D-line will likely have its way with the Cardinals' O-line. That's going to turn the game in the Lions favor, but this will likely be the most fun game in the late afternoon.
Pick: Lions
11. Denver Broncos at New York Giants
Thoughts: The Broncos are heading east which normally is bad news, but Peyton Manning has never broken a sweat against the Giants before and likely won't this time either. If my prediction holds true, this will be the first 0-2 start the Giants have gotten off to since 2007 (don't bring up the fact they won the Super Bowl that year, this isn't even the 2011 team).
Pick: Broncos
12. Jacksonville Jaguars at Oakland Raiders
Thoughts: If you're a Jaguars fan, I'm sorry.
Pick: Raiders
13. New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Thoughts: The Saints are on the road which is usually death for them, but with the Bucs doing their best Jets impression lately, I think that will be the difference.
Pick: Saints
14. San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks
Thoughts: Always go with Seattle at home.
Pick: Seahawks
15. Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals
Thoughts: The Steelers suck. It might be a little early to throw that out, but if you're a team coming off a bad loss, I don't know another team you'd like to go against more than the Steelers. Except maybe the Jaguars or Raiders, but they're both sharing a drink they call loneliness this week (but it's better than drinking alone).
Pick: Bengals
And that'll do it. Enjoy the games if you choose to watch them.
But on to the near future. There are fifteen more games to played this week. Here are my predictions and brief thoughts on them.
1. St. Louis Rams at Atlanta Falcons
Thoughts: The Falcons' first game in the Georgia Dome this year. Even though the Rams' defense is better overall than the Saints', I can't believe the Falcons' offense will be as lackadaisical at home than they were at the Super Dome (which is always a tough place to play). I'm going with the home field advantage.
Pick: Falcons
2. Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens
Thoughts: I would assume the Broncos loss will light a fire under the Ravens and they play better in their second game than they did in their first. The Browns have some good pieces, but I think taking on the Ravens in Baltimore will be a bit much for them.
Pick: Ravens
3. Carolina Panthers at Buffalo Bills
Thoughts: The Panthers' defense is better than the Patriots' (I could say that about most teams, but the Panthers are really good) and I think that will be the deciding factor. The Bills' run game will likely be a non-factor again so E.J. Manuel will have to really step up his game if the Bills want to go 1-1. It's not impossible, but I think it's pretty improbable.
Pick: Panthers
4. Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears
Thoughts: I checked up on how Christian Ponder has done against the Bears in four previous tries against them. The result: middling to out right bad. I expect that trend to continue even if the Bears are going to be concentrating mostly on Adrian Peterson all day.
Pick: Bears
5. Washington Redskins at Green Bay Packers
Thoughts: The Packers are in a bad mood after losing to the 49ers last week, which probably doesn't bode well for Washington. I wouldn't want to be Robert Griffin III tomorrow.
Pick: Packers
6. Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans
Thoughts: The Titans reamed the Steelers, but the Texans are not the Steelers. This week's outcome will look very different for the former Oilers.
Pick: Texans
7. Miami Dolphins at Indianapolis Colts
Thoughts: This one might be an either/or kind of game, and in those instances I'll almost always go with the home team. This will probably be one of the more fun early games this week.
Pick: Colts
8. Dallas Cowboys at Kansas City Chiefs
Thoughts: I don't know if the Chiefs' performance last week was due entirely on how bad the Jaguars are (the Jaguars ARE really that bad), or if they are legitimately improved. This might be a pick 'em as well. Again, I'll go with the home team because if I've learned anything in the last five years, it's don't trust the Cowboys.
Pick: Chiefs
9. San Diego Chargers at Philadelphia Eagles
Thoughts: The Chargers have a 1:00 PM Est Kickoff (10:00 AM Pac) against a team that's coming off an impressive win (or at the very least, an impressive first half). I don't like the Bolts' chances.
Pick: Eagles
10. Detroit Lions at Arizona Cardinals
Thoughts: The Lions' D-line will likely have its way with the Cardinals' O-line. That's going to turn the game in the Lions favor, but this will likely be the most fun game in the late afternoon.
Pick: Lions
11. Denver Broncos at New York Giants
Thoughts: The Broncos are heading east which normally is bad news, but Peyton Manning has never broken a sweat against the Giants before and likely won't this time either. If my prediction holds true, this will be the first 0-2 start the Giants have gotten off to since 2007 (don't bring up the fact they won the Super Bowl that year, this isn't even the 2011 team).
Pick: Broncos
12. Jacksonville Jaguars at Oakland Raiders
Thoughts: If you're a Jaguars fan, I'm sorry.
Pick: Raiders
13. New Orleans Saints at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Thoughts: The Saints are on the road which is usually death for them, but with the Bucs doing their best Jets impression lately, I think that will be the difference.
Pick: Saints
14. San Francisco 49ers at Seattle Seahawks
Thoughts: Always go with Seattle at home.
Pick: Seahawks
15. Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals
Thoughts: The Steelers suck. It might be a little early to throw that out, but if you're a team coming off a bad loss, I don't know another team you'd like to go against more than the Steelers. Except maybe the Jaguars or Raiders, but they're both sharing a drink they call loneliness this week (but it's better than drinking alone).
Pick: Bengals
And that'll do it. Enjoy the games if you choose to watch them.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
NFL WEEK ONE RESULTS, WEEK TWO THURSDAY PREDICTION
I forgot to put this up before the season, but I actually made predictions for week one in the NFL. I might as well put this up now even if it is late. And just to prove that I'm on the level here, I went 9-7 on the week. Here were my predictions and the outcome of those choices.
Ravens over Broncos (X)
Patriots over Bills (O)
Seahawks over Panthers (O)
Bears over Bengals (O)
Browns over Dolphins (X)
Vikings over Lions (X)
Colts over Raiders (O)
Chiefs over Jaguars (O)
Saints over Falcons (O)
Buccaneers over Jets (X)
Steelers over Titans (X)
49ers over Packers (O)
Rams over Cardinals (O)
Giants over Cowboys (X)
Redskins over Eagles (X)
Texans over Chargers (O)
As for week two, I'm not going to give my predictions in full until Saturday just so I can check for last minute changes as far as who's playing or not. But as for tomorrow's game, I'll actually be bold and pick the Jets over the Patriots in Foxborough. The Jets' defense is going to give Tom Brady trouble and if there's anything to ensure a victory over the Patriots, it's pressuring Tom Brady, which this defense can do. And no, I don't have consistent faith in anyone on that team who's name is not Tom Brady or Bill Belichick.
Ravens over Broncos (X)
Patriots over Bills (O)
Seahawks over Panthers (O)
Bears over Bengals (O)
Browns over Dolphins (X)
Vikings over Lions (X)
Colts over Raiders (O)
Chiefs over Jaguars (O)
Saints over Falcons (O)
Buccaneers over Jets (X)
Steelers over Titans (X)
49ers over Packers (O)
Rams over Cardinals (O)
Giants over Cowboys (X)
Redskins over Eagles (X)
Texans over Chargers (O)
As for week two, I'm not going to give my predictions in full until Saturday just so I can check for last minute changes as far as who's playing or not. But as for tomorrow's game, I'll actually be bold and pick the Jets over the Patriots in Foxborough. The Jets' defense is going to give Tom Brady trouble and if there's anything to ensure a victory over the Patriots, it's pressuring Tom Brady, which this defense can do. And no, I don't have consistent faith in anyone on that team who's name is not Tom Brady or Bill Belichick.
Thursday, September 5, 2013
NFL PREDICTIONS
It's ridiculous to predict the outcome of sports seasons because there are so many unknown variables to have to look out for. You don't know who will have a breakout year, who will have a disappointing year, who will get hurt. So who knows what's going to happen in the NFL this year.
Here are my thoughts on what will happen in the NFL this year.
*indicates playoff team
AFC East
1. New England Patriots (11-5)*
2. Miami Dolphins (7-9)
3. New York Jets (4-12)
4. Buffalo Bills (3-13)
AFC North
1. Baltimore Ravens (11-5)*
2. Cincinnati Bengals (10-6)*
3. Cleveland Browns (7-9)
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-10)
AFC South
1. Houston Texans (11-5)*
2. Indianapolis Colts (9-7)
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-13)
4. Tennessee Titans (2-14)
AFC West
1. Denver Broncos (12-4)*
2. Kansas City Chiefs (9-7)*
3. San Diego Chargers (7-9)
4. Oakland Raiders (3-13)
NFC East
1. Washington Redskins (11-5)*
2. New York Giants (10-6)*
3. Philadelphia Eagles (7-9)
4. Dallas Cowboys (4-12)
NFC North
1. Minnesota Vikings (11-5)*
2. Chicago Bears (10-6)
3. Green Bay Packers (10-6)
4. Detroit Lions (5-11)
NFC South
1. Atlanta Falcons (12-4)*
2. New Orleans Saints (9-7)
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)
4. Carolina Panthers (5-11)
NFC West
1. Seattle Seahawks (13-3)*
2. San Francisco 49ers (12-4)*
3. St. Louis Rams (8-8)
4. Arizona Cardinals (7-9)
Championship Games
AFC: Denver Broncos over Baltimore Ravens
NFC: Seattle Seahawks over Atlanta Falcons
Super Bowl XLVIII
Seattle Seahawks over Denver Broncos
Here are my thoughts on what will happen in the NFL this year.
*indicates playoff team
AFC East
1. New England Patriots (11-5)*
2. Miami Dolphins (7-9)
3. New York Jets (4-12)
4. Buffalo Bills (3-13)
AFC North
1. Baltimore Ravens (11-5)*
2. Cincinnati Bengals (10-6)*
3. Cleveland Browns (7-9)
4. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-10)
AFC South
1. Houston Texans (11-5)*
2. Indianapolis Colts (9-7)
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (3-13)
4. Tennessee Titans (2-14)
AFC West
1. Denver Broncos (12-4)*
2. Kansas City Chiefs (9-7)*
3. San Diego Chargers (7-9)
4. Oakland Raiders (3-13)
NFC East
1. Washington Redskins (11-5)*
2. New York Giants (10-6)*
3. Philadelphia Eagles (7-9)
4. Dallas Cowboys (4-12)
NFC North
1. Minnesota Vikings (11-5)*
2. Chicago Bears (10-6)
3. Green Bay Packers (10-6)
4. Detroit Lions (5-11)
NFC South
1. Atlanta Falcons (12-4)*
2. New Orleans Saints (9-7)
3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (7-9)
4. Carolina Panthers (5-11)
NFC West
1. Seattle Seahawks (13-3)*
2. San Francisco 49ers (12-4)*
3. St. Louis Rams (8-8)
4. Arizona Cardinals (7-9)
Championship Games
AFC: Denver Broncos over Baltimore Ravens
NFC: Seattle Seahawks over Atlanta Falcons
Super Bowl XLVIII
Seattle Seahawks over Denver Broncos
Monday, August 26, 2013
EVERYBODY GOT HURT
MLB: Mets pitcher Matt Harvey's season is over: he has a partially torn UCL which they say he will rehab, but usually requires Tommy John surgery. Harvey will likely not play again until 2015 or late in 2014. This sucks. The Mets' pitching staff is generally damn good, but Harvey was far and away the best and most promising pitcher on the roster. He finished the year with a 2.27 ERA, 178.1 innings pitched, with a NL leading 191 strikeouts and one shutout. He will be missed while on sabbatical and there's a very real possibility he'll never be the same. He could potentially return to form and everything could be fine. This just brings back a lot of painful memories of great Mets pitchers going down and never being great again.
NFL: The third week of preseason games were marked by a ton of players getting hurt. The Cardinals lost rookie guard Jonathan Cooper with a broken leg. The Lions' rookie defensive end Ziggy Ansah may or may not have a concussion. Mark Sanchez hurt his throwing shoulder when the Jets put him in the fourth quarter with the backup offensive linemen. The Saints lost linebacker Will Smith for the year. The Steelers' rookie linebacker Jarvis Jones injured his chest. But it was the Bills that got hit by the injury bug the worst.
Rookie quarterback and likely starter E.J. Manuel had surgery on his knee and likely will be out until at least the Bills' third game (though they're "hopeful" that he can return for the opener). The quarterback that was supposed to take Manuel's place in the starting rotation, Kevin Kolb, is out for a concussion and it may be career ending. The injuries haven't just affected the Bills' quarterbacks: second year cornerback Stephon Gilmore will be out at least eight weeks after having wrist surgery. These injuries are all going to make winning pretty hard on a team that was going to struggle to win anyway. But these injuries hampering them for at least the first half of the season, they may be looking at the third or fourth pick in next year's draft. That might be an overreaction, but man have they had some bad luck in this young season.
NFL: The third week of preseason games were marked by a ton of players getting hurt. The Cardinals lost rookie guard Jonathan Cooper with a broken leg. The Lions' rookie defensive end Ziggy Ansah may or may not have a concussion. Mark Sanchez hurt his throwing shoulder when the Jets put him in the fourth quarter with the backup offensive linemen. The Saints lost linebacker Will Smith for the year. The Steelers' rookie linebacker Jarvis Jones injured his chest. But it was the Bills that got hit by the injury bug the worst.
Rookie quarterback and likely starter E.J. Manuel had surgery on his knee and likely will be out until at least the Bills' third game (though they're "hopeful" that he can return for the opener). The quarterback that was supposed to take Manuel's place in the starting rotation, Kevin Kolb, is out for a concussion and it may be career ending. The injuries haven't just affected the Bills' quarterbacks: second year cornerback Stephon Gilmore will be out at least eight weeks after having wrist surgery. These injuries are all going to make winning pretty hard on a team that was going to struggle to win anyway. But these injuries hampering them for at least the first half of the season, they may be looking at the third or fourth pick in next year's draft. That might be an overreaction, but man have they had some bad luck in this young season.
Wednesday, August 21, 2013
GUY, HUMPHREY UP FOR HALL OF FAME INDUCTION
NFL: Former Oakland/Los Angeles Raiders punter Ray Guy and former long-time Atlanta Falcon Claude Humphrey have been selected as this year's senior nominees for induction to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. They are automatically finalists for the class of 2014 and must each appear on 80% of the voters' ballots to be inducted.
Humphrey was selected third overall in the 1968 AFL/NFL Common Draft by the Atlanta Falcons and was a six time Pro Bowler (1970-1974, 1977) and two time 1st Team All-Pro selection (1972-1973). He played ten seasons for the Falcons from 1968-1978 (he didn't play in 1975) and three more with the Eagles from 1979-1981. Humphrey was a hall of fame finalist three times in 2003, 2005 and 2006. If elected, he would be the second long-time Falcon to be inducted (Deion Sanders was the first in 2011) and would also be the first member of the 1980 Philadelphia Eagles team that went to Super Bowl XV to be inducted.
I profiled Ray Guy in this article thinking this was his last year as a modern candidate. One factoid I didn't mention about him in the profile was that Guy was selected 23rd overall in the 1973 Draft. Which means he was taken in the first round. 419 players were taken after him. That's how highly Al Davis thought of him. And this was before Al Davis completely lost his mind. If Guy is elected, he would be 14th long-time Raider to be inducted and the first since John Madden went in in 2006. He would also be the 9th, 5th and 6th Raider from the Super Bowl XI, XV and XVIII winning teams to be inducted, respectively.
Being on the senior ticket doesn't guarantee their inductions (just ask Dick Stanfel from a couple of years ago), but their chances are greatly helped. In the last ten classes, 17 people have been inducted through the senior committee. 2008, 2009 and 2012 were the only classes in the last decade that didn't induct both nominees. So they've got a good chance, but it won't be official until the day before Super Bowl XLVIII (February 1st, 2014).
Humphrey was selected third overall in the 1968 AFL/NFL Common Draft by the Atlanta Falcons and was a six time Pro Bowler (1970-1974, 1977) and two time 1st Team All-Pro selection (1972-1973). He played ten seasons for the Falcons from 1968-1978 (he didn't play in 1975) and three more with the Eagles from 1979-1981. Humphrey was a hall of fame finalist three times in 2003, 2005 and 2006. If elected, he would be the second long-time Falcon to be inducted (Deion Sanders was the first in 2011) and would also be the first member of the 1980 Philadelphia Eagles team that went to Super Bowl XV to be inducted.
I profiled Ray Guy in this article thinking this was his last year as a modern candidate. One factoid I didn't mention about him in the profile was that Guy was selected 23rd overall in the 1973 Draft. Which means he was taken in the first round. 419 players were taken after him. That's how highly Al Davis thought of him. And this was before Al Davis completely lost his mind. If Guy is elected, he would be 14th long-time Raider to be inducted and the first since John Madden went in in 2006. He would also be the 9th, 5th and 6th Raider from the Super Bowl XI, XV and XVIII winning teams to be inducted, respectively.
Being on the senior ticket doesn't guarantee their inductions (just ask Dick Stanfel from a couple of years ago), but their chances are greatly helped. In the last ten classes, 17 people have been inducted through the senior committee. 2008, 2009 and 2012 were the only classes in the last decade that didn't induct both nominees. So they've got a good chance, but it won't be official until the day before Super Bowl XLVIII (February 1st, 2014).
NEWS ROUNDUP: MILLER, DEMPSTER SUSPENSIONS
I'll be heading back to college in less than a week, so updates will probably be a bit scarce. To compensate, I think I'll go over the biggest stories going on in the four major sports at the time of my postings and go from there. Let's a go!
NBA & NHL: Jack. It's their offseason, which means nothing's going on. The only interesting thing that's happening right now is uniform changes.
Speaking of uniform changes, let's take a look at the Sharks' new digs. First, what they had been wearing:
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Now, the new uniforms:
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NBA & NHL: Jack. It's their offseason, which means nothing's going on. The only interesting thing that's happening right now is uniform changes.
Speaking of uniform changes, let's take a look at the Sharks' new digs. First, what they had been wearing:
Now, the new uniforms:
The Sharks had a fire sale on stripes apparently. The stripes on the shoulders and lower part of the shirt have been deleted and one orange stripe in the arm pattern is gone. The primary home and away uniforms now more closely resemble the black alternate that the team has been wearing for some time (and will continue to wear). Take a gander:
All in all, I'd say the uniforms are pretty sweet. Very simple, but sweet. Remarkable considering how busy a lot of uniforms are these days.
MLB: Ryan Dempster was suspended five games yesterday after throwing at and hitting Alex Rodriguez during Sunday's Red Sox/Yankees game. Dempster has also been fined an undisclosed amount.
Will this really send a message? Pitchers who get suspended for five or so games are essentially missing one game due to how pitching rotations work in the majors. So Ryan Dempster is effectively getting a slap on the wrist for throwing an object at a high velocity at a fellow human being (regardless of how you or I may feel about Alex Rodriguez, he's still a major league player and should be protected as such).
If MLB really wants to send a message to pitchers who intentionally throw at batters, the suspensions should be more severe due to the fact that starting pitchers, unlike hitters, are playing what amounts to a 20-30 game schedule within the normal 162 game season. So levy 15, 20, even 25 game suspensions which equates to roughly three to five games these pitchers would be in the starting rotation. It would be far more inconvenient for a team to allow their pitchers to employ these low rent tactics if they would lose the pitchers for an extended period of time, rather than what amounts to one game.
NFL: Speaking of suspensions, Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller will be suspended for the first six games of the 2013 season. Miller is far and away the Broncos best pass rusher, accumulating 30 sacks in his first 31 games since being taken with the second overall pick in the 2011 draft. This will hurt the Broncos in the early goings of the season, but it's not going to be as bad as you might think.
The Broncos have two road games in their first six games (at the Giants in week 2 and at the Cowboys in week 5) and have home games against the Ravens, Raiders, Eagles and Jaguars in the meantime. If the Broncos had Miller at their disposal for these games, the Broncos could potentially go 6-0 to start the season. Without Miller, they'll likely finish 4-2, with only the Ravens and Eagles looking like they could give the Broncos trouble.
Von Miller is arguably the best player on the Broncos defense, but he's not the only good player on that side of the ball; they'll still be an effective unit without him, but they won't be as dangerous as they would have been with him in the lineup. Meanwhile on offense, as long as Peyton Manning is healthy, points will rain from the sky in an orange and navy barrage. Additionally, Knowshon Moreno and rookie Montee Ball will make that backfield dangerous. The Broncos will likely have one of the most formidable and balanced offenses in the AFC this season.
So don't cry for the Broncos; they'll be inconvenienced, but in the grand scheme of things, everything's hunky dory in the Mile High City.
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