NFL Picks Last Week!

So I missed submitting my picks for last week and went a solid 8-8. Not bad seeing as I put barely any thought into my choices and did them on the bus on the way to an Xmas party. One noteworthy welcome surprise from the past week though, the Jets are now in the playoff picture for real; maybe Sanchez is warming up to the cold weather, absolutely no pun intended whatsoever. Well, it'll be interesting to see what he does this week when a simple win against a Bengals team who have already clinched a playoff spot will get the Jets into the postseason. Should be a lot of fun this week in the AFC.

Colts (-2.5) over Bills

Sure Indy lost to the Jets last week ending their perfect season, but benching all the starters in the third quarter was a decision based on winning a Superbowl, and no team wants to head into the playoffs rusty. Despite risk of injury, the Colts should leave their starters in a little longer to get some playing time before the postseason, and should rack up an insurmountable lead over a Bills team that is only playing for a draft position.

Jaguars (+1.5) over Browns

I said a couple weeks ago that the Jags were overrated and the Browns were playing better than their record showed, but Jacksonville still has a lot in their arsenal and still has a shot at the playoffs. The only thing I really see giving Cleveland the edge is the homefield, but I really think Vegas is riding a wave in this line, knowing that people will pick the Browns if the line was any lower. I like Cleveland, but honestly think the Jags will take this one.

Bears (-3.5) over Lions

Chicago took advantage of a stumbling Minnesota team last week and it could be just the confidence they need to get their defense back in check for the last game of the season. At least the lions won two games this season.

49ers (-7.5) over Rams

The only team the Rams beat all season was the Lions, that's pretty sad. San Fran had a chance at the playoffs and just narrowly missed catching up to the Cardinals. They're clearly a better team and I'd honestly give them 10 points over St. Louis at this point, but 7.5 is just fine.

Steelers (-2.5) over Dolphins

Too little too late it would seem, but Pittsburgh still has something to prove as defending Superbowl champs. With a miniscule chance at a playoff spot and two key wins against Green Bay and Baltimore, the Steelers have a new life. Combine that with one of the best rush defenses in the game, and Miami is going to have a tough team running a wildcat offense against this Steeler squad.

Vikings (-8.5) over Giants

This one is a tough call. The Giants shit the bed and eliminated themselves from playoff contention, and the Vikings seem to have lost that team chemistry that has made them dominant the whole season. Chalk that up to a disagreement between Favre and Childress if you will, but this team needs to get its mojo back. Well, that is exactly what I see happening against this New York team. The Vikings are still a strong team with a solid attack and a strong defense. They'll be in good shape for the playoffs, especially if they can crush the Giants in this final week.

Falcons (-2.5) over Bucanneers

Ryan is back, Turner is back, and Atlanta has some swagger. Sure the Bucs have won the last two, including an upset over New Orleans, but the Saints weren't really playing their hearts out or anything last week. The Falcons still have a decent team, even if it was slightly overrated at the beginning of the season, and still have the ability to beat a terrible Tampa Bay team. The question is whether the Bucs will come in riding a high from the past two weeks. The Falcons will have to put up some key stops early to quell the momentum.

Saints (+2.5) over Panthers

The Panthers have been proving troublesome lately and looking like the team everyone thought was going to have a stellar season, back before they actually started playing. The Saints on the other hand have lost two straight and are starting to look a little weak. That being said, I would still put New Orleans as the favorites in this game, but again Vegas knows people will be betting on Carolina and have evened it out a little by giving them two and a half points. could go either way with the Panthers playing at home, but I like the Saints in this one; losing three straight to finish the season doesn't seem like an option for Brees.

Patriots (+7.5) over Texans

Houston should put up a good fight in search of a playoff spot, but Belichick's inability to let up for even two seconds should make this a rather close game. Also, the Texans' constant urge to blow leads should make this one of those games that goes down to the wire. It should end up with either a Pats win or a Houston win by less than a touchdown.

Cowboys (-2.5) over Eagles

This one is way too close to call, and I'm not putting money on either team taking the NFC North title, but if i had to pick, I'd give the edge to the Cowboys at home.

Cardinals (-3.5) over Packers

I like the Packers a lot and I really seeing them causing some problems in the playoffs, but after solidifying themselves a place in the postseason I can see them settling back a little. Arizona could take advantage of this with their wide receiving core and effortlessly score a few touchdowns to give themselves a shot at a first round bye.

Redskins (+4.5) over Chargers

The Chargers have already clinched a first round bye and I can see them taking it a bit easy against the Redskins. With Washington's tough defense this could lead to a low scoring affair. Either way I see the Redskins making a game of this and the Chargers coming out soft.

Titans (-4.5) over Seahawks

Seattle hasn't done anything lately, and although the Titans' quest for a comeback and the playoffs was ruined by the Colts and subsequently the Chargers, they still have a lot to be happy about looking towards next season. Seattle needs to rebuild and I don't think they're going to be fighting too hard for a worse position in a deep draft.

Raiders (+10.5) over Ravens

As much as I like the Ravens to come out on top in this game and make the playoffs, Oakland has been causing some problems lately for a lot of teams. Baltimore will take this, but it should come as close as a touchdown or a field goal and I'll be biting my nails the entire time...

Broncos (-12.5) over Chiefs

The Chiefs want a top pick next year and with Washington and Cleveland both with 4 wins, they'll be happy with just 3 on the season and no more. Denver needs this one for any hope of a playoff spot after a terrible tumble the second half of the season, and I think they're going to show no mercy. This should be a blowout.

Bengals (+9.5) over Jets

A lot of people are putting a lot of faith in the Jets after beating Indy, but they have to remember that Cincinnati has been posting wins all season and should be able to keep this one within the 9.5, based on their defense alone.

Just Like Elizabeth Manley

Dead Gummit!

Bill Dance just can't get it together.

Excerpt from the wikipedia entry for the 1994 NBA Finals

Telecast interrupted by O.J. Simpson car chase

During Game 5, most NBC affiliates split the coverage of the game between NFL Hall of Famer O.J. Simpson's slow speed freeway chase with the LAPD. At the time, Simpson had been an NFL analyst on NBC. A visibly confused and distraught Bob Costas (NBC's anchor for their NBA Finals coverage and a colleague of Simpson) said during the telecast from Madison Square Garden that the Simpson situation was "not just tragic but now surreal."


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/1994_NBA_Finals

Week 15 NFL Picks

There we go, back on track. After a terrible week where I picked a measly 4 correct (I don't feel so bad since both my uncle and Bill Simmons each picked 3 right) I got back on track in week 14. Well week 15 I figure will be just as good, and both New England and Baltimore look like they might make the playoffs, which makes me happy. The big question is though, is how long are Indy and New Orleans gonna go before losing? Will it be this week? I doubt it since the Colts face the Jags and the Saints are playing the road-poor Cowboys. Either way, Saturday nights just became more exciting and I've got something to watch during my late night shift at the video store in the absence of college football. Oh, I should probably make some bowl predictions soon, but for now, my week 15 picks.

Colts (-6.5) over Jaguars

Jacksonville lost to Miami last week, as I knew they would, and I'm starting to see the mighty cats fall. Their easy schedule has set them up with a playoff spot thus far, but to say they're gonna have a chance of bringing down division rivals Indianapolis is a bit of a stretch. I don't see any signs of Indy slowing down with the Jags, the Jets, and the Bills left to play and their regular-season win streak may wind up extending over three years (crazy thought isn't it?). All I can say is, anyone remember Dungy? Caldwell is looking pretty good right now.


Saints (-7.5) over Cowboys

It surprised me a little that Dallas wasn't able to take a home game against the Chargers, but if you look at the Cowboy's December performance in past seasons, it kind of makes sense. They have lost 5 of their last 6 games played in the month, bringing Christmas woes to Dallas fans everywhere. With a postseason appearance on the line, a trip to New Orleans is not exactly what the doctor ordered. The only positive is that the Saints have played a couple close games lately, but the inability for the Cowboys to score points on the road does not bode well for Romo and company.


Bills (+7.5) over Patriots

The Panthers held the Pats to a 10 point victory due to a strong pass defense, and the Bills, surprisingly, have a better one. Buffalo has a league-high 59.8 opposing pass rating and once again the Pats are gonna have to run the ball if they wanna win this one. In the season opener the pats only managed to win by a single point, almost a Buffalo upset. It should be another close one between these division rivals, with New England winning by a field goal or so.


Cardinals (-10.5) over Lions

If there's one thing I know about Kurt Warner, it's that he likes to follow up bad games with extremely huge blowouts. After a devastating loss to San Fran last Monday night, allowing seven turnovers, including two interceptions, look for Warner to come out angry against a terrible Detroit defense. Arizona should still take the NFC West, and this game should seal the deal.


Titans (-3.5) over Dolphins

Tennessee looked back on track last week against the Rams, and Miami, despite their strong showing against Jacksonville, will be lucky to come away with a win out of this one. The Titans are on a mission, and although they'll most likely miss the playoffs this year, just making it close after an 0-6 start. Whether or not Vince Young starts, Miami is going to have a tough time stopping Chris Johnson and their playoff hopes may be in jeopardy this week.


Browns (+2.5) over Chiefs

Cleveland hasn't gotten much respect this season, and their record has reflected a poor performance on whole, but the last few weeks the Browns have seen a surge of defensive power and have found a way of scoring a few points. The Chiefs aren't looking that bad either, but it's hard to go against a team finally finding some confidence, especially when their coach has faith in them.


Texans (-9.5) over Rams

Houston has had an alright season for themselves offensively, they have just been unable to hold leads and have lost a few close ones, all but eliminating them from the playoffs thus far. Well lucky for them, St. Louis has very little to offer in the way of offense. I don't see much different between this matchup and the the 34-7 drubbing of Seattle last week.


Falcons (+6.5) over Jets

This line may be a little high and that's why I'm taking Atlanta. I think the Jets are back on track as of late, but with both Matt Ryan and Michael Turner making returns for the Falcons, and New York's less than stellar home record, this should be a close game but I like The Jets to come out on top and keep their hunt for the playoffs alive.


49ers (+7.5) over Eagles

The Eagles have been on a tear lately, which leads me to believe me that they're due for a loss. This should be a good game since both teams are fighting for playoff spots, and I have to say it should be close. With the exception of one blowout against Atlanta, San Fran has yet to lose a game by more than seven points the entire season. Their defense has managed to keep things close and I see no exceptions here against an inconsistent Philly team.


Ravens (-10.5) over Bears

When the Ravens have been on lately, they've been on. They kept their playoff hopes alive last week with a huge win over Detroit and a key loss by Jacksonville. With one of the easier schedules left, Baltimore should be able to rope a playoff spot, and I see them coming out with all guns firing again this week against a Bears' team that has been less than stellar as of late.


Bengals (+6.5) over Chargers

Sure San Diego has won 8 straight, but I must reiterate that besides the game against Dallas last week, they haven't faced that many challenges. Cincinnati will be a true test as to whether this Chargers team is for real or not. That being said, the Bengals are coming off a devastating loss to the Vikings and are looking to prove themselves as well. Should be a great game and I would love to Cincy come out on top.


Broncos (-13.5) over Raiders

I don't know what it will take for the second worst offense in the league to overcome the third best defense, and I certainly don't see a third string quarterback doing it. I don't think the signing of Losman really solves anything and although this Raiders' team has managed to pull some upsets this season, I really think this should be a blowout.


Packers (+.5) over Steelers

Can Green Bay hand the reigning super bowl champs their sixth loss in a row and eliminate them from the playoffs? I really think so, especially with a Packers team that seems to be making a late season push with five straight wins, ready to position themselves as a top NFC team.


Seahawks (-7.5) over Buccaneers

I think this and the Jets/Falcons game were the two I thought about the most. Not really sure what to expect from any of these teams this deep into the season, but Seattle has shown some bright spots this season while Tampa Bay has suffered numerous blowouts and won only a single game. I think Hasselback might be able to give the Seahawks a respectable record for the season, but he has to win this one with games against Green Bay and Tennessee coming up next.


Vikings (-7.5) over Panthers

Carolina has a decent pass defense, but with the Vikings you never really know where to look; With Favre throwing and Peterson running they come at you from all angles. Minnesota has been simply dominating lately, with the exception of a loss to the Cardinals, and I see them finishing the season strong. Now, can they beat the Colts?


Redskins (+3.5) over Giants

Washington could really play the spoiler in this one, and the way Eli has been performing lately, it's quite possible. The Redskins could crush the Giants' hopes of a playoff spot with a win and their defense might be just the thing to do that. It really just depends on which Giants' team comes out to play...

Oh the Times We Had...

Yesterday afternoon I got a text from my friend Matt stating simply: "Halladay to Philly". My heart sank a little bit, and without even thinking, I forwarded the message to my friend Derrick. Some time passed and I received a response:

"For what"

No question mark, just a two word statement that embodied more than it meant. Twelve seasons with the Blue Jays, a six time all star, and a Cy Young Award, yet for twelve seasons, not a single playoff appearance. Only once did the Jays even manage to place higher than third in their divison. It saddened me more to think of how we squandered a hall-of-fame career on bad business decisions, letting him pitch complete games (led the AL four times) and amass wins (130 wins in 8 seasons, also an AL best), to no avail. We had our chance to relive the heydays of the early nineties, but alas, we let it slip through our grasp. Now we're headed into the "rebuilding phase" and letting go one of the best pitchers in the game and I must reiterate Derrick's sentiments, "for what?" Only I added the question mark.

When the Jays brought in Ricciardi, an underling of the famous Billy Beane in Oakland, Toronto had high hopes. Beane had transformed what had looked like a group of misfits and seemingly terrible draft picks into keys for success. Ricciardi was supposed to do the same here, only he forgot the cardinal rules that Billy lived by, not signing players beyond what they were worth. This included a horredous deal to closer BJ Ryan (5 years for $47 million, which, after realeasing Ryan, the Jays had to eat $15 million of), and monster contracts with Alex Rios (now gone) and Vernon Wells (still underperforming). It's all been quite the disaster (think 2012) and now we've gotten rid of the only thing worth watching for Jays' fans for... what exactly?

There is still no word on what the Jays will receive in compensation for this beast of a pitcher. There has been some talk of the prospects involved, but essentially we're ditching the Doc, plus $6 million which is headed to the Phillies, for a few nameless. Given Ricciardi's track record, I must say that I have little faith in what is transpiring. I understand that this is a rebuilding phase that the Jays are entering, but with J.P. screwing things up all over the place, I wish he was leaving as opposed to our beloved Halladay. Then maybe we could truly rebuild.

Well, I wish the Doc good luck in his endeavours, and I have to say that next year, I will be a Phillies fan, as I assume a lot of other Torontonians will be. Thanks for your time and patience Roy, now go win a World Series and make us all proud.

Ndamukong Suh's Apology

Colt McCoy almost destroyed Texas' entire season with his clock-mismanagement against Nebraska. Down by two at the end of the fourth quarter, the Longhorns' quarterback seemed to be oblivious to how much time was left on the game clock as he ran horizontally across the field, letting the seconds tick away. Luckily for Texas, defensive tackle Ndamukong Suh was chasing him and McCoy had to dump the ball out of bounds, leaving one second left on the clock. The Longhorns used that second to kick the winning field goal and earn a place in the National Championship Bowl. TCU sat and watched their spot vanish.

Earlier this week, Suh apologized to Jerry Hughes, the defensive end for the Horned Frogs, for having made the play. If Suh had backed off and let McCoy run down the clock, Hughes and TCU would be in the championship bowl instead of the Longhorns... but it was not so. Well last night Suh had even more to apologize for as he snatched the Lombardi trophy, awarded to the nation's top lineman, from Hughes' grasp.

I must say I like Ndamukong Suh. Not only is he probably the best defensive tackle in the NCAA, and the only defensive player in the hunt for the Heisman right now, but he is showing some great sportsmanship. Suh had as much to do with McCoy's leaving a single second on the clock as anyone, including McCoy himself who seemed happy to waste the rest of the game running around and take the L. If I was a TCU fan, or player for that matter, I'd be pissed. But at least Suh has the decency to admit he messed up and the balls to apologize. Good for him.

I hope Suh does win the Heisman. There has been so much emphasis on defense in the NFL as of late, it'd be great to see him take the trophy. He would be only the second defensive player in the history of the NCAA to be honored with the award, the other being cornerback Charles Woodson out of Michigan in 1997. Follow that up with a possible number one over-all pick in the NFL's 2010 draft and Ndamukong Suh could be off to a great start. I'm OK with that.

Cocaine is a hell of a drug

Time Distortions...Space is the Place...

Week 14 NFL Picks

I don't even want to talk about last week. It was God awful. There, enough said. This week I'm hoping for a little bit more. So while the US government seemingly wastes valuable time discussing a College playoff system, I'm gonna try to predict the winners in week 14.

Browns (+9.5) over Steelers

Pittsburgh has been in a free fall for the past few weeks without Polamalu and I knew it was gonna be a close game against the Raiders but I really think the Browns have very little to offer. That being said, both teams have been involved in close games and Cleveland has covered the spread the last three weeks, including games against the Chargers and the Bengals. I don't think the Browns will win, but Pittsburgh really has to work some magic to stop their disappearing act.

Saints (-9.5) over Falcons

Wow, Washington actually displayed some offense last week and gave the Saints a little scare. I must admit i was surprised. This Falcons team, however, does not look like it has the force to stop New Orleans' far-superior offense and this could be a blowout. Atlanta is 0-5 this season against teams over .500 and managed only 7 points against Philly last week, sans-Matt Ryan. I predict another beating at the hands of New Orleans.

Packers (-3.5) over Bears

Coming off one of the ugliest games I've ever seen in which my Ravens got beat badly, I would love to see Green Bay taken down a peg. I think they're inconsistent and don't really know what's in store for them if they should make the postseason. They should be able to beat a lowly Chicago though who gave up 36 points to Minnesota 2 weeks ago and just barely scraped by the Rams in week 13. However, the Bears have a pass defense that is ranked 9th in the NFL right now, allowing no pass over 50 yards the entire season. It could be a close game and Rodgers will be forced to hand off the ball rather than throw it. I would personally love to see an upset; fingers crossed.

Broncos (+7.5) over Colts

Indy has the best pass offense in the league, the Broncos have the second-best pass defense. Everyone knows the Colts have had problem with their running game this year, so i think this game is gonna be a lot tougher than people think. I like the Colts to continue their run for the perfect season, but Denver is gonna put up some key stops and this could be a close one. Not to mention that Denver has a lot more on the line than an Indy team that has already clinched their division and a playoff spot.

Bills (+.5) over Chiefs

I'm picking the Bills strictly based on the fact that Kansas City has allowed over 27 points/game. I also kinda like Fitzpatrick. Either way I'm probably not gonna watch this game.

Jets (-3.5) over Buccaneers

The Jets have looked OK as of late; Sanchez has regained some composure, and he seems to play a lot better when the temperature is not hovering around the freezing mark. In that sense, an away game is a lot better than a home game at this time of the year. Especially when they're playing one of the worst teams in football. I like the Jets chances here, and if Jacksonville manages to take out the Fins, the Jets might have a legitimate shot at the playoffs still.

Dolphins (+2.5) over Jaguars

That being said, I think Jacksonville is about to take a tumble. They have a tough schedule ahead of them, facing Miami, Indy, New England, and (*cough*) the Browns to finish the season. This should be a fun game to watch though as both are fighting for a playoff spot and have some of the best rush offenses in the league. This is gonna come down to who can put up the most stops, and I like the Fins in this one.

Ravens (-13.5) over Lions Lions (+13.5) over Ravens

Baltimore is gonna tear it up the rest of the season. They've got an easy schedule and as long as Flacco keeps his cool and stops throwing picks at key moments, their defense should keep the Lions in check. I'm also hoping for a lot fewer flags this game.

Edit (12/10/09): looks like it's gonna be a mess in Bmore on Sunday. Temperatures around freezing and mixed precipitation. I'm still taking the Ravens to win, but this should be a low-scoring game.

Texans (-6.5) over Seahawks

The Texans have had a disappointing season, unable to capitalize on early leads and stop the pass rush effectively down the stretch, but I think Houston has something to prove in this lackluster year and aren't dead yet. If Schaub is healthy, he'll show the Seahawks why Houston has the fourth best passing offense in the NFL, winning this by at least a touchdown.

Bengals (+6.5) over Vikings

Minnesota's fabulous offense showed some weaknesses last Sunday against a Cardinals' team that surged at this time last year as well. The Vikings looked like they had one of the strongest offenses and defenses coming into the game, but if you look at their schedule, they've had it pretty easy. Cincinnati will not be so easy. The Bengals are boasting one of the top defenses in the league and have surprised everyone this season by going 9-3. I really like the Bengals to win this one, or lose in a spectacularly Favreian way by only a few points.

Panthers (+13.5) over Patriots

On the surface it looks like the Patriots should run away with this one, but that's exactly what the Panthers might do, literally. Carolina has one of the pass defenses in the league, and one of the top three rushing games. They're facing a New England team that has based pretty much their entire offense this season on throwing the ball, and one that has a mediocre defensive core. The Pats are going to have to figure out how to stop DeAngelo Willimas or their playoff hopes could be in jeopardy.

Titans (-12.5) over Rams

Tennessee fell back to earth last week, as predicted, but that was only because they were up against an incredible Colts' team. I don't think the loss will discourage Vince Young too much, and he should have an easy time handing the Rams their 12th loss of the season.

Redskins (-1.5) over Raiders

Washington showed last week that it's D isn't just good, it's damn good. Oakland on the other hand stood up and asked to not be completely ignored, beating the Steelers in probably the biggest upset of the week. When all is said and done however, the Redskins have a lot more positives from this season than the Raiders, who have simply managed to stir the pot a little bit and piss off a few teams. I think the Redskins should put a halt to an extremely weak Oakland offense.

Cowboys (-3.5) over Chargers

After a disappointing loss to the Giants at the opening of Jerry Jones' 1.3 billion dollar stadium, the Cowboys have managed to impress the voracious home crowd since, going 5-0 after the initial defeat. This next game against the Chargers' will be tough to win though, facing a San Diego team that has won seven straight. The Chargers have had some pretty easy competition though, and Dallas should be able to come out on top if they can run the ball consistently.

Eagles (+.5) over Giants

These have been two of the most unpredictable teams this season. It's a tossup really of which team is going to come out to play on either side of the field. I'm favoring the Eagles slightly even without Westbrook. They've looked good their past three games and look ready to challenge for the NFC East title. A win over the Giants here could make their chances a lot better.

Cardinals (-3.5) over 49ers

Remember what the Cardinals did last year at this time? Well a dominating win over the Vikings last week is bringing shades of '08 to light. This poor San Fran team is going to be next in line for Warner and it looks like they have little that will be able to stop him. Not really a great Monday night game given the other options, but still worth a watch to see what Arizona has to offer.

Jimmy Clausen to Enter 2010 Draft

One of my favorite college football players, Jimmy Clausen, has decided to enter the NFL draft next year. Maybe he's tired of getting punched in the eye by irate Notre Dame fans, or maybe it's Weis' departure that has him itching for bigger and greener fields... either way, it makes next year's draft interesting. At quarterback alone, three of the, I would say, top 5 players are entering the draft: Colt McCoy, Tim Tebow, and now Jimmy Clausen (I'm leaving out a somewhat overrated Sam Bradford); and quarterback isn't even the most coveted position in this year's draft. CBS 2010 Draft Rankings


The most interesting thing about the whole scenario is that Charlie Weis is out of a job too. He was handed a 6-5 Notre Dame team at the beginning of the season with an offensive line that was rebuilding, and he did exactly what everyone expected; with the exception of course of the Notre Dame higher-ups. Either way, Weis is now gone and Clausen is leaving, both probably headed to the NFL. Well, what are the chances they will land in the same place? I'd like to see it happen. I like Weis, I like Clausen, and I think if a team can manage to land the pair in next year's draft they've got great ground to rebuild on.

St. Louis, Cleveland, and Washington, amongst others, are all in need of a quarterback right now, but I think the Redskins make the best case for the duo. They already have a decent defense, almost defeating the Saints in Week 13, and Jim Zorn already has one foot out the door, so why not try and grab the pair in the offseason and turn yourself into a possible playoff contender next year? Albeit, they probably need a little more work, but in an upcoming deep draft who knows what one can find in the later rounds? Just an idea... Check ESPN for more info on Clausen's decision

What a Sad Morning

First I watch The Cove first thing in the morning, and then I go on ESPN and see this.

NFL to pull plug on revenue sharing

And Sunday mornings used to be my favorite...

Patrick Chewing

Week 13 Picks

I've been a little distracted this week with all the college games going down, and I keep forgetting that a lot is still undecided in the NFL. That being said, after watching the Jets keep their playoff hopes alive last night, my interests have quickly been rekindled. Here are my picks for week 13, and Go Bama!!!



Eagles (-4.5) over Falcons

I said last week that Atlanta was overrated and picked the Bucs. Well, Philly is in the playoff hunt and Atlanta may be without Matt Ryan. Eagles should take this by a touchdown.


Rams (+8.5) over Bears

Again another battle of the bad teams, and again a Chicago defense that looks terrible. This could be close, but I don't see the Bears putting up enough points to allow their defense to cover an 8.5 point spread...


Bengals (-13.5) over Lions

Cincinnati's defense looks fantastic on the other hand, and Detroit still sucks. The Bengals just need to score enough to cover this and I think they should be able to do that against a pathetic Detroit defense ranked last in the league.


Titans (+6.5) over Colts

Indy should keep their winning streak alive and bring Vince Young and the Titans back down to earth a little but, but it's gonna be close and could be another come-from-behind victory for Manning. He seems to be doing that a lot this year.


Broncos (-4.5) over Chiefs

I know it was just one game, but it was against the Giants and Denver looks like they didn't blow their season entirely. I see them making a late charge. Remember, this team did start 6-0.


Saints (-8.5) over Redskins

Washington has a decent defense, but I feel like this line should be higher... don't you?


Buccaneers (+6.5) over Panthers

I like the Buccaneers' chances to win at least one more game this season, and it's probably not gonna be against the Saints, which leaves Seattle, the Jets, Atlanta, and these Panthers as the possible targets. Who knows what Carolina will do this game? Either way, I like the Bucs' chances as the underdogs.


Texans (+.5) over Jaguars

The Jaguars are either getting too much credit or not enough based on their record. I honestly think that Houston has played some good football this season, though they haven't been able to finish properly. I'm hoping they win this one so the Ravens, obviously a better team than the Jags, have a chance at the playoffs.


Raiders (+11.5) over Steelers

Oakland will probably lose this one, but Pittsburgh is not looking like a playoff team right now and I see them possibly blowing this one like the Bengals did a few weeks back; only in the Steelers' case, it could knock them out of the playoffs rather than cause a minor setback.


Patriots (-6.5) over Dolphins

New England always has trouble against Miami's wildcat offense, and right now the Pat's defense looks like shit. That being said, New England has to hold on to their AFC East lead and this game is crucial. They just need to rack up enough points to give their defesne some breathing room.


Chargers (-12.5) over Browns

Cleveland is just absolutely terrible and San Diego is one of my favorite teams in the AFC right now. Oh, and they've won 6 in a row. Pay attention.


49ers (+0.5) over Seahwaks

Not quite sure why Seattle is favoured in this one, who really thinks the Seahwaks are gonna put up points against a solid San Fran defense? Jacksonville managed only 3 points againast them, is Seattle gonna do better?


Cowboys (-1.5) over Giants

Romo and Eli both have something to prove this week. The Giants looked terrible last week though, whereas the Cowboys looked pretty dominant. This might be one of the most exciting games of the week but I think Dallas will come out on top.


Vikings (-3.5) over Cardinals

Not sure again why this line is so low... Favre has been putting up crazy numbers and Peterson, although it looks like he may be surpassed by Chris Johnson as the number 1 running back in the league, is still a viable threat to any defense. I say Vikings by around 10 in this one, Minny is on fire this season.


Ravens (+3.5) over Packers

Baltimore has had some tough losses this season but I still them as one of the top teams in the AFC. I'm pickin them to not only win this game, but finish the season strong and compete against the Colts for the AFC championship. Yeah, I'm that confident.

On Another Note

Anyone else watch that Stanford / Notre Dame game? Holy Shit!

How I Distracted Myself During the Pats' Horrible Showing on MNF

College football

This stanford / notre dame game is nuts, but I kinda wish I was able to watch this overtime that's about to go down between LSU and arkansas. I love this time of year.

Ouch

0-3 for thanksgiving. Sorry folks...

Week 12 NFL Picks

Week 11 did little to decide those open playoff positions, with key losses outnumbering key victories. Teams such as Atlanta, Houston, and Denver, not to mention almost the entire AFC North (I'm pretty sure we can count Cleveland out), all had crucial losses that worked to lessen their chances at making the postseason. That being said, week 12 will once again keep us entertained, with so much still to be decided heading into the final month of the season. Not to mention there are still two undefeated teams facing tough opponents this Thanksgiving weekend. What a great time of year for you Americans to get some time off. Us Canadians will have to suffer the hangovers at work. Anyway, here goes:

Lions (+10.5) over Packers

This spread is still too big to give a Green Bay team that has yet to prove it can dominate an opponent. Sure they were able to crush the Dallas Cowboys, but they lost to Tampa Bay the week before and just barely beat the 49ers. They could pull it off, but I really need to see more from this team if I'm going to give them 10.5 points.

Raiders (+13.5) over Cowboys

What's up with giving a 13.5 point spread to a team that has failed to score more than a single touchdown it's past two games, against a team that managed to upset one of the strongest looking teams int he league last week. Russel is out and Gradkowski is in, a move that should have taken place a long time ago but was hindered by just plain stubbornness, and Oakland is suddenly a 3-7 team that doesn't look all that awful. The Cowboys need this, and they'll do it. But this spread seems a little high give the circumstances.

Giants (-6.5) over Broncos

The Giants came up big last week against the Falcons, who seem a tad overrated, but it was a moral victory more than anything else. The Broncos on the other hand seem to be falling apart and look to be switching places with the Titans, who couldn't buy a win at the beginning of the season. Eli's got a confidence boost and in a division where the teams ahead of him are looking weak, he's gonna go for the jugular. Look for the Broncos to continue their slide.

Falcons (-10.5) over Buccaneers

Like I said earlier, Atlanta seems to be getting a lot of respect they haven't been able to back up. They've yet to beat a playoff contender this season and have lost some close ones that could have proved their worth. That being said, The Bucs just suck right now. They only scored 7 points in two of their last four games and have only one lone win for the season. They could cover the spread, but the Falcons still have a shot at the playoffs and have a lot more at stake in this game than Tampa Bay.

Dolphins (-3.5) over Bills

I said it last week, the Fins are too good to have the record they have. The Bills' record on the other hand is exactly what it is. This is a matchup that has major playoff connotations, and if Miami wants any chance at a berth in the postseason, they'll fight to the death on this one. Let's just hope their defense has enough energy in the fourth quarter to keep Buffalo from making a charge, cause it seems to lose steam three quarters of the way through the game.

Bengals (-13.5) over Browns

Cincinnati can not afford to lose this. They got lucky last week with the rest of the division all losing their games, but they have a clear path to the playoffs and they need to capitalize against this horrible Browns team. Losing back-to-back games against the two worst offenses in the league would be devastating for moral and Mike Zimmer needs to drill that thought into his team.

Seahawks (-2.5) over Rams

Seattle has shown some bright spots this season, the Rams... well, let's just say they almost made a game of it in Arizona last week. Lat time these two teams met in the first game of the season, Seattle shutout St. Louis, 28-0. I think they might be able to win this one by at least three points.

Panthers (+3.5) over Jets

The Jets need to give Sanchez a little time on the sidelines to reflect on the second half of the season; or maybe they just need to get him some thermal underwear. The rookie has been unable to produce in cold weather after a spectacular start, throwing four picks last game against the Pats and eight in the last three games. Carolina hasn't been great either, but they've got a couple key wins over the Cardinals and the Falcons. The sad part is there final four games of the season are against the Patriots, Vikings, Giants, and Saints. Yikes!

Redskins (+9.5) over Eagles

It's hard to believe that an inconsistent Philadelphia team can muster up 9.5 points over a Washington defense that has allowed only 17.8 points per game. Anything can happen, but with Reid messing things up the way he has this season, look for Philly to either come out with a tight win or lose entirely.

Colts (-3.5) over Texans

Another low spread for a team that has yet to lose a game all season. The Colts are good and people really need to take notice. Houston is looking great too, but Peyton is the guy you want at the end of the game, and he'll be able to score that final touchdown that makes the Colts 11-0 heading into next week. Too bad for the Texans who are fighting with Jacksonville for second in their division and a shot at a wild card spot.

Chiefs (+13.5) over Chargers

I'm riding this one out. I called the Chiefs last week against Pittsburgh and although the Chargers are looking like a team ready to go deep into the playoffs with five straight wins, I'm not counting out KC or lumping them in with the bottom of the barrel. They've lost a few close ones this season and their record could be a lot better if things had gone their way. I still think San Diego will win this, and eventually take the AFC West, but this game is gonna be a lot closer than last time the two teams faced.

Jaguars (+3.5) over 49ers

How is Jacksonville the underdog here. They've got a good shot at the playoffs, with a better record than the Texans, and have been getting large performances from their star players in winning four of their last five. They have come as close to beating the Colts as anyone, losing by only two points, and have both Miami and the Browns left to play. If they win this one, making them 7-5, I think they might just sneak into a wild card spot.

Titans (-.5) over Cardinals

A lot depends here on the status of Kurt Warner, but Tennessee is looking like the team from last year, and under Vince Young. The win against the Texans was huge and they're riding a high right now headed back home. Tennessee fans are gonna be pumped and if Warner isn't one-hundred percent, the Cardinals could be in serious trouble.

Vikings (-10.5) over Bears

Another home game for Favre in the dome against one of the worst defenses in the league. He's playing like the MVP right now and I don't see Chicago mustering up anything to slow him down. As long as he stays healthy and has Peterson to do the grunt work, I'm gonna keep putting money on Minny.

Ravens (-2.5) over Steelers

It's shocking that as disappointing as Baltimore has been this season that they still have a shot at the playoffs. I'm sure Flacco spends every waking moment considering this and figuring out how he can turn this season around. This game looks a lot more appetizing for the Ravens now that Big Ben has taken a hit, but he may be back, and Baltimore really needs to give it all they've got this game if they want any chance at saving their season. With games coming up against the Lions, Bears, and Raiders, they need to win at least one of the two remaining games against Pittsburgh to secure themselves a spot. May as well take advantage of the situation now as opposed to later.

Patriots (+3.5) over Saints

Game of the week for sure. You think the Patriots, the only unbeaten team in NFL history, are gonna let two teams walk into the final weeks with a chance to match their record? They already blew it against the Colts, now is their redemption. I still believe this New England team is Super Bowl worthy and I would love to see them beat the team they might eventually face in the big game. In a matchup that will see the top two offensive teams in the league go head-to-head, no matter the outcome, this is gonna be a spectacular show of skill.

Don't Let Me Down

Watching the Cincinnati Bengals' last-minute loss to the Oakland Raiders hurt. Not just in the way that I had the Bengals to cover the spread against an Oakland team that has managed to score a league lowest 10.8 pts/game, but it was the feeling of crushed hopes I had put in a Cincinnati team that few choose to believe in. The Bengals, now 7-3, are a team that no one expected to be leading the AFC North at this point in the season. Pittsburgh were the returning champs, and Baltimore looked ready to return to the playoffs under the helm of Joe Flacco. But the Bengals surprised everyone and with the chance of moving to 8-2 and pretty much securing themselves a spot in the playoffs on a day where the Steelers lost to the Chiefs and the Ravens lost to the Colts. But they blew it, and that got me thinking about other teams that have let me down over the course of the years. I'm not talking about my favorite teams, they always seem to let me down, but every now and then there's an upstart team that catches everyone's attention and has everyone hoping for them. Here are a few examples from recent memory:


1. Michigan State Spartans (2008/09, NCAA Basketball)

Sure they were ranked 14th in the nation and it was hardly a surprise to see them go deep into March Madness, but who wasn't excited when they upset no. 10 Louisville, beat Connecticut in the semi-finals, and went on to face no. 2 ranked North Carolina in the finals, ALL ON HOME TURF! The crowd in a city that had just seen their lowly Detroit Lions finish the season 0-16, the first winless season ever in NFL history, wanted it more than any UNC fan could imagine. So what happened? In classic anti-climatic fashion, they were demolished by a final score of 89-72. Not quite what anyone had in mind for the Spartans...


2. New York Mets (2007, MLB)

It looked possible that the Mets, a constant joke in major league baseball, might finally have their season. They had been first in their division since the month of May and with two weeks left in the season held a 7.5 game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies. They looked like a team that might actually win a World Series, their first since 1986, and it had people excited; then they collapsed. The Mets finished the season by losing 12 of 17, including all four of a four-game series against the Phillies at home, and plummeted out of the playoffs in one of the worst breakdowns of all time. It's hard not to like the Mets, New York's "other" team, and it's even more difficult to put hopes in them only to have them completely crumble. The Phillies exited the playoffs early, swept in three by the Rockies, and everyone kinda felt indifferent thinking, "it should have been the Mets."


3. Cleveland Cavaliers (2007, NBA)

With all the talk of "the next Jordan" surrounding Lebron James, he had yet to do something that Jordan was all to familiar with, win a championship. After leading the Cavs to the NBA finals against the San Antonio Spurs, people were starting to take notice of King Lebron and his team of misfits who were set to face the perennial playoff force lead by Tim Duncan. People were hyped. The 22 year old James had a chance to prove himself to the world; instead the Cavs were swept in four and everyone felt kinda let down. Cleveland followed the performance up with a less-than-stellar regular season performance in 2008 and an early playoff exit at the hands of the Boston Celtics, and it felt almost like Lebron had lost his chance to live up to the comparisons that had garnished his early career.


4. Calgary Flames (2003-04, NHL)

The Flames didn't only have the hopes of an entire city or province behind them, but an entire nation. The Flames, lead by an almost unknown Jarome Iginla, began the playoffs seeded sixth in the Western Conference only to upset the third, first, and second seeds in succession to become the first Canadian team to make the Stanley Cup Finals in ten years. They met the top-seeded Eastern Conference team, the Tampa Bay Lightning, for the title. The series see-sawed back and forth but Game 6 saw the Flames up 3-2 in the series with a chance to win the cup. They lost the game in double overtime and then lost the final game 2-1 to give Tampa Bay the cup. Unfortunately it would be the last Stanley Cup awarded for two years as a labor dispute canceled the 2004-05 season, and the sport as a whole suffered a major blow.


5. Tom Watson (2009, PGA)

Tom Watson came so close this year to becoming the oldest player in PGA history to win a Major. The 59 year old headed into the final round with a one stroke lead, but was usurped by the much younger Stewart Cink. He was actually one 8-foot putt away from winning, but failed to make a par putt on the 18th, leading to a four hole playoff round. He was dominated by Cink through the playoffs and was seen wiping tears from his eyes as he teed off from the 18th for a final time. A crowd eagerly anticipating history was left disappointed and Stewart Cink had to accept his win with just a tinge of bitter-sweetness.



Honorable mention: The 2006-07 Chicago Bears might have made the list, but they lost to the Colts in the Super Bowl and both teams entered with long droughts. Each had their own following so it's hard to decide whether this was a disappointing season for Bears' fans or a redemption year for Colts' fans. I still wanted the Bears to win this one though, and was especially upset after they went up 14-6 in the first quarter. Them's the breaks!

Here Come the Bowls

The College Football season is rounding up and we're nearing the bowl madness that always seems to confuse the hell out of me. Even Obama has said that a playoff system similar to March Madness would be incredible, but we've gotta deal with what we have. For those of you who haven't been following along this season, it's had it's moments. I'm sad Notre Dame has been shitting the bed lately, despite Jimmy Clausen and Golden Tate's stellar seasons, but at least the Ducks are looking Rose Bowl worthy behind Jaremiah Masoli. The big story this season though has been the running backs. There have been some QB's who have had a spectacular year, Tebow, Keenum, and McCoy to name a few (Florida, Houston, and Texas respectively), but look at what Mark Ingram has done for Alabama, the number two seed behind Florida right now. Stanford has also propelled up the rankings with the help of Toby Gerhart; he rushed for 223 yards and 3 touchdowns against an Oregon team that looked unstoppable up until meeting the Cardinal. Ryan Matthews of Fresno State was having a fantastic year until he suffered a concussion two weeks ago against Nevada, cutting his season short; and Jacquizz Rodgers has produced 18 touchdowns for Oregon State, rushing for 1148 yards. Any way you spell it, it looks like the Heisman will be headed to a running back this season. Just check out the work Mark Ingram has done for the Crimson Tide and judge for yourself.

Remember Pedro's Little Friend?

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic — Nelson de la Rosa, once recognized as the world's shortest actor and a ubiquitous good-luck charm for the Boston Red Sox during their victorious 2004 World Series run, died Sunday, a day after visiting New York, his agent said. He was 38.

College Ball Begins

It's a long way from March Madness, but NCAA basketball is in full swing and I'm excited. A couple of matchups between some big dogs last night has me salivating for a season full of upsets and milestones. Here's just a few things to watch out for between now and March:



1. Demarcus Cousins

The freshman out of Mobile, Alabama made waves even before joining the Kentucky Wildcats for his first NCAA season. He comes into the league as the top ranked power forward out of high school, second in the nation overall. He proved his worth last night by amassing 27 points and 18 rebounds against Sam Houston State in a 102-92 victory for the Wildcats. Now if only Kentucky can get things to click as a team, winning two close games against unranked opponents. Coach Calipari has already been quoted as saying, “Our execution stinks right now. It stinks because everybody’s trying to get theirs.” Well who can blame a freshman who is already considered a top 5 pick in next year's NBA draft as showing off a little bit...





2. Dayton Flyers

Having already upset No. 19 ranked Georgia Tech by a score of 63-59, and beating a tough Creighton team 90-80, the Flyers are looking strong in a conference that is theirs for the taking. With ten of twelve players returning from last year, including Chris "Top Flyght" Wright, look for Dayton to win their first Atlantic 10 championship since 2003, and only their second in team history. They face another challenge in Puerto Rico tonight against a struggling Villanova team, ranked 6th in the nation, but with a victory Dayton has the chance to solidify themselves as a legitimate sweet 16 contender.





3. The Race to 2000

It's no Death Race 2000 with Sly Stallone and David Carradine, but it's just as exciting. Both North Carolina and the University of Kentucky have a chance to make history as the first team to amass 2000 total NCAA wins. UNC trails the race right now with 1988 wins compared to UK's 1991, but a December 5th matchup between the two teams could even the playing field; either that or give Kentucky an insurmountable lead. One thing's for sure, that's gonna be one hell of a game.





4. Tennessee Volunteers

The Volunteers just celebrated their 100th victory under coach Bruce Pearl (100-37) and they look fantastic. I know they have played against some not-so-great teams, but a convincing 124-49 win over UNC Asheville (the most points ever allowed in Asheville history) has me looking forward to another sweet sixteen berth, which would be their third in five years. The Vols scored the first 18 points of the game and were led by sophomore Scotty Hopson with 25 points, but what is most impressive about this team is how they are getting production from everyone. They will need it in a strong SEC, but this will definitely be a team to watch this year.





5. Cole Aldrich & The Big 12

Kansas is the number 1 ranked team coming into the season, and this big man is a big reason why. His sophomore year he was allowed to shine, averaging a double-double over the course of the year. He now returns as a junior giving the Jayhawks another shot at an NCAA championship. However, the Big 12 is looking absolutely ridiculous right now with rivals Texas (no. 3), Oklahoma (no. 17), and four other teams who just fell short of ranking in the top 25 all competing for a berth in the championship come March. This should be the most entertaining conference in all of NCAA this season.

NBA Free Agents. Talk Amongst Yourselves.

There's so much goddamn talk about the free agents in the media and the blogosphere (cant believe i just used that word) and how big of a deal it is that it's pointless to make a long, whimsical and witty post. It's all so overwhelming that I feel like Linda Richman and start to get faklempt.

So the free agents are the topic. Discuss amongst yourselves.


Favourite possible outcome is taking the most talked about free agents (lebron, d wade, bosh)and putting them in Miami. The Heat has the potential to clear the cash for lebron and still be able to re-sign D Wade. And Bosh could possibly sign for a less than desirable amount but with the assurance that Miami could become a serious contender for the championship. Those three on that team could signify a sure shot for the win.

However, Bosh has potential to make $130 mill as a max deal on the Raptors or elsewhere in the NBA... and it wont be in New York either. Same goes for Lebron. He might just stay in Cleveland with the opportunity to make cash as well as another possible reach for a championship. Although unlike the Bosh theory, Lebron might head to Knicks for whatever reasons. I know its not because he wants to win because as we've seen LBJ on the Cavs, he needs a solid team with him if there is any chance for a title and the Knicks are a horrible team. But Lebron is seen touting a lot of New York paraphernalia these days. Who knows?

SO the discussion goes on. My desired outcome is the Big 3 to all end up in Miami among the many other possible free agent deals.
Let the theories roll in.

*Worth mentioning other notable players involved in the free agents of 2010.
- Amare Stoudemire
- Joe Johnson
- Dirk Nowitzki
- Carlos Boozer
- Paul Pierce
- Ray Allen
- Manu Ginobli
- David Lee


If you'd like another topic,
the Myers-Briggs type indicator is neither Myers nor Briggs. Discuss.

The Greatest No-Hitter of All Time

Another Reason to Not Watch Soccer

Honestly, I feel like every sport that disallows replay is either saying their officials are inept, and do not want to be proven wrong (ie. baseball), or paid (ie. basketball). Well, I think we're all pretty sure about which category soccer officials fall under. Exhibit A: the tying goal in the 13th minute of extra time to eliminate Ireland from World Cup contention and solidify France a spot. So much for "the luck of the Irish."

Week 11 Picks

It's week 11 in the NFL season and little has been set in terms of who's gonna be in the playoffs and who's gonna be out. Tight races in multiple divisions across the league leave week 11 looking like an important stepping stone to a berth in the postseason. Which of these teams will still be playing come December? There's a few that are pretty solid picks, but otherwise, it's up for grabs. Here are my predictions for the coming week of mayhem.



Dolphins (+3) over Panthers

this one is a close call and could go either way, both teams seem too good to be 4-5. A loss for either team would seriously crush their playoff chances. As long as Miami holds onto the ball and uses the wildcat consistently against the 25th ranked rush defense in the league, this could be an edge-out victory for the Fins.

Lions (-3.5) over Browns

who is worse? Well, the Lions have shown a little bit of potential this season and we've seen nothing from Cleveland. Let's just say Stafford should use this game as practice for next season and the Lions should be able to put enough points on the board to beat the lowly Browns

Jaguars (-9) over Bills

It's hard to pick Buffalo right now. Sure they had a couple of victories over the Jets and the Panthers, but Jacksonville is looking really good right now and aiming for a playoff spot, whereas Buffalo has just fired their coach and are thinking about next season. Look for Buffalo to come out half-assed and hand Jacksonville the win on a platter.

Chiefs (+10) over Steelers

Pittsburgh is gonna win this one for sure, but given their track record, it'll probably be a close game. Kansas City has only beat two teams, Washington and Oakland, but it means they can score to some extent. Pittsburgh needs this though and is not gonna lose it.

Colts (+2) over Ravens

How is an unbeaten team heading into week 11 still considered an underdog against a 5-4 team? Because the Ravens are good. This is actually one of the tougher picks of the week as the Colts have pretty much secured a playoff spot, are plagued with injuries, and facing a Baltimore team who's record does not reflect their talent. I like the Ravens' chances, but Peyton is playing too well right now to bet against him. Look for Baltimore to take the early lead and Manning to make the comeback, as usual.

Giants (-7) over Falcons

The Falcons are overrated, the Giants are slumping. I like this line as New York's comeback game in their fight for a playoff spot in the tough NFC East division. Eli will be back on point and Atlanta has no ground game at the moment. This might be close, but look for the Giants to win by at least a touchdown.

49ers (+7) over Packers

Both teams need this victory and I see the Niners' defense standing strong and making this one a close one. That being said, Green Bay is coming off a key win over the Cowboys and showing a little momentum after a tough loss to Tampa Bay. I'm sayin Green Bay by a field goal.

Vikings (-11) over Seahawks

Minnesota looks great, Seattle looks terrible. Favre is gonna have fun playing those late home games in a dome as opposed to outside at Lambeau. The Vikings can run away with this one and hand Brett another chance at the bowl before his (final) retirement.

Cowboys (-11) over Redskins

An important division matchup that the Cowboys have more invested in than the Redskins. After their near shutout against Green Bay, Romo's gonna be piiiiiiiissed. He has a few of those games every season to annoy his fantasy owners, but look for him to bounce back and prove himself and the Cowboys as legitimate Super Bowl contenders.

Buccaneers (+11) over Saints

The Saints are gonna lose sometime, and they haven't covered the spread for a few weeks now. Tampa Bay is showing some gumption, and I'm still thinkin New Orleans wins this, but it'll be another close. I'm sayin avoid putting money on either team here though, could go either way.

Cardinals (-9) over Rams

St. Louis just sucks, and Arizona needs this to hold the top spot in the NFC West against the flailing 49ers. With the way San Fran's season has been going, a win against the terrible Rams might be enough for Warner to make another trip to the postseason.

Patriots (-10.5) over Jets

Wow this is gonna be a blowout. Bill Belichick is pissed enough after a one point loss to the Colts that was essentially the Pats' game at the end of the first half. Combine that with the fact that the Jets were able to hand New England one of their three losses earlier this season, and look for Tom Brady to take shooting practice on the Jets' defense. Maybe not another 59-0 game, but it might be similar.

Bengals (-10) over Raiders

The Bengals are looking like a team determined to prove themselves. A sweep over Pittsburgh put the Bengals in a good position atop the AFC North, and look for them to try and solidify that spot against a Raiders' team that is positing a measly 9.8 ppg (only the Browns have posted fewer, 8.7 ppg). The Bengals need to capitalize on this oppurtunity and I don't see them letting up the entire game.

Chargers (even) over Broncos

What happened to Denver? The addition of Orton to McDaniels' offensive expertise looked unstoppable at the beginning of the season, amounting to 6 straight wins. That has been followed by 3 bad losses and now they face division rivals San Diego for sole position atop the AFC West. San Diego on the other hand has won 4 straight and are looking good right now. Can Denver drop 4 in a row? It's very possible.

Eagles (-3) over Bears

There's no way either Reid or McNabb can mess this one up. A horrible Bears' defense that has crumbled the last few games. Philly needs this game to stay in the hunt and the chances of blowing this game are slim to none. Remember, this is the same Eagles team that beat the Giants 40-17 in week 8. They're not nearly as bad as their recent performance has shown.

Texans (-5) over Titans

The Titans have been looking good under the helm of Vince Young, but this is still the team that started out with 6 straight, sometimes embarassing, losses. Houston on the other hand has shown some consistency and in and AFC that has wildcard spots seemingly up for grabs, watch the Titans to come tumbling back down to earth.

Make that Money

27.7 and 11.6. That's what Bosh is averaging this season in points and rebounds per game. A little early in the season to make predictions? Yes, but this is shaping up to be a career season for Toronto's big man. Well, I'm gonna soak it all in while I can, cause it may be the last good Raptors' season for awhile and I want it to last as long as possible.

It's not guaranteed that Bosh will be headed elsewhere after the 2009/10 season, but with the numbers he's putting up he is a very enticing asset to many teams. Not to mention that in a free agent class that includes the likes of Lebron James and Dwyane Wade, there are gonna be a lot of disappointed teams with a lot of cash to throw around. Now consider this...

If you're the, let's say, the New York Knicks for example, and you have cleared the cap space by becoming one of the worst teams in the league just so you can have a shot at King James, what happens if he decides to stay in Cleveland? Well, with all the money you have just lying around, doesn't it make sense to go after someone else? Enter Bosh. With the kind of numbers he's putting up, he's going to be the backup plan for a lot of teams, an exit strategy to save face. There's only one thing Bosh really needs to do to generate even more dollars for himself, and it's the thing that could make me happy to be a Raps' fan come playoff time.

I'm looking at this Raptors' team that lost by only one point to the dominant Suns just two nights ago and I'm thinking not only playoff team, as i had hoped at the beginning of the season, but I'm thinking second round at least. Right now Bosh is in a position to up his value not only with his nightly numbers, but by leading a team deep into the playoffs. That's one thing a superstar worthy of big bucks needs to do. When all those other teams with their fingers crossed and lucky rabbit's foot necklace clenched close to their chest lose the Lebron lottery, survivalism will kick in. They will clutch and grasp and throw money at any solution that will drag them out of the basement, saving them from another season void of fan support and a losing record. Bosh is set to benifit from this, and he knows it. Luckily Raptors' fans get to be the benificiery of his stellar season, but like most of us, I'll be praying to the gods of basketball for Colangelo to pull some miracle moves so that we might see another few seasons of the big man in TO. Here's hoping.

I still believe

I still have faith. In Bill Belichick, the Pats, Tom Brady, and so on, and so on... I still have faith. I know that maybe they could have punted it, fourth and 2 from their own 28, but seriously, would it have made a difference? If I'm Bill Belichick and I'm looking at the option of having Brady control the ball for the rest of the game, winding down the clock as he moves upfield, or having a defense that's a shell of what it once was attempt to stop the seemingly unstoppable Peyton Manning... Well it's a toss up, but when you're dealing with Peyton, that punt to the opposing twenty-eight yard line can quickly become your own twenty-eight yard line in a matter of seconds making any call look futile.

What I took most from this game was that the Pats can still compete. It's not the team of old that can dominate a season going 16-0, but after this game they not only look like a playoff team, but a Super Bowl contender; that's something that can put a smile on any Patriots' fan's face. In a season where there are still two remaining unbeaten teams going into week 11 that everyone is saying are the teams to beat, the fact that the Pats almost did is nothing to frown at. It's now looking like we could see another Indy/New England matchup down the road in the playoffs and that's something to get excited about...

Cincinnati fans should also be jumping for joy right now; beating division rivals Pittsburgh and sweeping the series for the season puts them alone atop the AFC North. Who would have predicted this performance at the beginning of the season, but all the pieces in this puzzle seem to be falling together, including a defense which has allowed the 2nd fewest points against (only the Colts have allowed fewer). In order to make some waves in the playoffs though, this offense will have to pick it up a bit to compete with Indy and New England, but for now fans have a reason to remain optimistic.

New Beginnings

I have decided to restart this blog but with a new direction in mind. I feel like I spend way too much time obsessing over sports, staring at numbers that most people do not even pay attention to, including your average sports' fan. WAY too much time, ask my girlfriend...

I might as well put all this knowledge to good use and start a blog, maybe actually make something out of this addiction of mine. I'll start by bitching about my luck this fantasy football season.

I had the number 1 pick, I took Peterson, obviously, but only after a long debate between him and Brees. I know I wasn't the only one who saw Drew's monster season last year and a much easier schedule this year as a reason to take him over a questionably healthy Tom Brady, but let me state here and now that I saw New Orleans as a viable Super Bowl contender. I also saw Baltimore making waves in the AFC, but after a few close loses to some good teams, it's looking more and more like New England might be the team to beat. But getting back to the point...

Having the number 1 pick in a draft always puts a person in a difficult situation. You get the first pick sure, but in a league of 14 teams, the next picks come in at 28 and 29. Luckily I got Romo as my QB, as most people were too worried about his inconsistency, but picking your top wide receiver is always a gamble at this draft position, which brings me to the decision that broke my fantasy season.

What happened to Greg Jennings? And why, if I knew that Brees was going to be a monster this season and I had Marques Colston ranked ahead of Jennings, did I pick him? hindsight is 20/20, but I had the hindsight. I had it all planned out, all typed out, Moss, Fitzgerald, Johnson, Smith, Johnson, COLSTON, JENNINGS. This is what happens when you draft next to someone else and you let their opinions sway yours. After all, Jennings was the higher-ranked wide receiver in most preseason rankings, ESPN had him as their 6th ranked receiver and Colston as 12th, so on paper it looked like I had made the right decision. But my gut told me differently and I didn't listen, and now I have to sit back and live with my errors.

The problem isn't that Jennings is doing that poorly, or that Rodgers isn't throwing the ball well, it's that Rodgers has another target. The aging Donald Driver is currently the Packers' go-to guy at the ripe age of 34, and it might just be because he had a milestone within his radar. Earlier this season Driver made his 596th catch as a Green Bay receiver, setting a franchise record. Pair that with an early-season injury that didn't hamper Jennings' minutes, but certainly the number of passes thrown his direction, and Jennings numbers are definitely down from his 80 receptions for 1292 yards last season. Most disconcerting is his number of touchdowns. He has only caught 2 touchdown passes all season, compared to 9 last year and 12 in his sophomore season. Even his yds/catch has decreased steadily from 17.2 two seasons ago, to 16.2 last year, to 14.6 this season. With a potential pro-bowl quarterback throwing to him, this does not look promising for the young wide-receiver or my fantasy football team. I'm not ready to bench him just yet, but it may be a possibility in the near future. I may just have to wait until Driver retires before he becomes a viable top-tier receiver. Well, at least I drafted Vincent Jackson!