Let's not waste any time and head straight into fearless forecast for this week!
Baltimore thrashes Colts, moves to 10-3 on the season
Falcons still reeling from last week, stumble in Carolina as Cam shines
Bengals bounce back with home victory, Houston we have a problem
Lions maul Vikes in Motown, keep playoff hopes alive
Jags overcome early deficit, send Bucs further in downward tailspin
Vick returns but can't complete comeback in Miami, 'Phins by 7
Chiefs crushed in New York, Jets playoff push continues
Saints out-duel Titans, finally play complete game on the road
Pats cruise over punch-less Skins, remain in race for AFC's top seed
Niners win nail-biter in the desert, barely hold off Cardinals in final minutes
Tebow does it again! Broncos put Bears' playoff hopes on life support
Raiders bid for upset of the year comes up short thanks to Woodson's 4th qtr INT, Packers move to 13-0
Chargers win west coast shootout, crush Buffalo's bid for playoffs
Romo bests Manning in two-minute drill, gives Dallas stranglehold on division as Giants losing streak hits five
Rams slaughtered in Seattle thanks to Lynch's three touchdowns, dominant Seahawk defense
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Thursday, November 17, 2011
NFL Week 11 bold predictions
As we head into the 2nd half of the NFL season, teams are starting to separate themselves. The playoff picture will begin to come into focus in the coming weeks. Last week I bounced back with my picks, going 9-6 and hopefully my genius continues to grow this week! In week 10 we saw devastating collapses by home teams and stunning victories by underdogs! More of the same this week? Like our pal Berman always says, 'And that's why... they play the games!'
TNF: Jets at Broncos - Tebowmania is running wild throughout the country. Everyone everywhere has an opinion of the the young Denver QB. Sanchez and his offense come into this game struggling big time after a monumental home loss to the hated Patriots. A mere week ago Rex Ryan proclaimed, 'The time is now! We want the division and we plan to take it!' Umm, yeah... so much for that idea Rexy. New England dominated and grounded the Jets, bringing their three game winning streak to a screeching halt. Now Gang Green must quickly lick their wounds, and on a short week's rest, prepare for a completely different challenge than Brady presented. Tim Tebow threw only eight passes in his win at KC last week, only completing two of them... TWO!!! The Broncos are running the football at a frenetic pace and the Jets can't defend the run. It should be quite interesting to see how well the Jets defense responds with Revis, their biggest playmaker, a non-factor. The Jets are not a very good team this year, and neither are the Broncos. New York's slide continues as Tebow's unpredictable run gains more speed. Broncos pull off the first upset of the weekend, narrowly defeating Rex's Jets by 5. *Important to know - this pick was made Wednesday evening!*
Carolina at Detroit: With their blockbuster Thanksgiving day game a mere four days away, the Lions better not be looking past the young, spirited Panthers this afternoon. Cam Newton took the NFL by storm in his first few games but has since come back down to Earth. Carolina's rookie will try to lead his team to a huge road upset, but I don't see it happening. Detroit was smashed in every phase of the game at Chicago last week and they should come out with lots of firepower for this one. I expect a fast start by the home team in the first half, with the Lions defense coming up with just enough stops in the fourth quarter. Lions by 9.
Raiders travel to Minnesota: Oakland has a golden opportunity to seize control of the AFC West. The Vikings are still reeling after an embarrassing loss to the Packers on Monday Night Football. Christian Ponder has played decent to start off his NFL career but he's still a rookie on a losing team. Carson Palmer continues to improve, preparing himself and Oakland for a shot at the playoffs. Road team scores early and often. Da Raaaaaiders by 7.
'Skins host Dallas, seeking payback: Shift back to week 3, MNF in Dallas when the Cowboys held off Washington late in the game by strip-sacking Rex Grossman in the final minutes. The Redskins have lost five straight after a promising 3-1 start. Look for Romo and Murray to scored points in bundles. Dallas destroys the fading Redskins by 14.
Bengals clash with Baltimore: Who are the Ravens? Are they the team that is 2-0 against the Steelers? Perhaps they are the offensively challenged group that failed to beat the Jaguars and Seahawks? We'll find out more about the character of dirty birds today when they host Cincy without Ray Lewis. The Bengals come into this game after a close home loss last week to Pittsburgh. Dalton played well against Big Ben and nearly led a fourth quarter comeback. Ray Rice must dominate this game for the Ravens to win and I believe he will. This slug fest will have many twists and turns but rookie sensation AJ Green will not be in action for Cincinnati and that will cost the Bengals dearly. Baltimore wins by 4.
Jags head to the Dog Pound: I don't see the point of wasting any time on this game. Cleveland gave away their game to the Rams last week and there's no reason to believe they'll get past Jacksonville. But in a year where nothing seems to make sense in the NFL, why not pick the Brownies? Cleveland by 3.
Bucs limp into Green Bay: The Packers are on fire and Tampa Bay appears to be going up in flames. Rodgers and his receivers will score all day and it wouldn't surprise me to see the GB defense take a few Lambeau leaps too. Packers dominate Buccaneers by 17.
Bills visit Miami: The Dolphins are suddenly on a winning streak and Buffalo has lost three of four. Quite a role reversal from the start of the season? If Ryan Fitzpatrick and his team have any hope of catching the Patriots for the division title they must have this one. The Bills should win this game but I think the home team comes out fighting, refusing to back down. Close, entertaining game ends with Phins stopping the visitors on 4th down in the red zone, winning their third straight game. Miami by 3.
Niners host Cardinals: San Fran is coming off a huge win last Sunday over the Giants. Surprisingly enough the Cardinals won a tight contest last week in Philly with their backup quarterback John Skelton leading them. Letdown week for the team by the bay? Hardly. Even though Frank Gore is an injury concern for the 49ers, the inspiring play from their defense is more than enough to get them by. Alex Smith plays solid, leads SF to a 10 pt win.
Seattle at St. Louis: The Seahawks are a mystery. The Rams are bruised and broken. Seattle's coming off a mind-boggling victory over the Ravens while St. Louis barely escaped Cleveland with a win. This all sets the stage for... a boring game. Both teams are 3-6 and with no playoff implications visible let's keep moving... Rams by 7.
Titans clash with Falcons in Hotlanta: Crucial must-win contest for each team today. Both come in at 5-4 and believe a playoff appearance is in their future. The Falcons came into this season as major SuperBowl contenders and need to shake off last week's loss to the visiting Saints quickly. I like the home team to start off hot and race out to a big lead. Tennessee will eventually fight back and make a game of it in the second half. Atlanta hands off to Michael Turner in the fourth quarter to grind down the clock and Titan defense. Falcons come away with a narrow victory, winning by 5.
Chargers battle Bears in the windy city: Tale of two teams moving fast in opposite directions. San Diego comes in playing their worst football of the season, losers of four in a row. Chicago is starting to click on all cylinders, having won four consecutive games. Sadly for the Chargers I don't see their slide stopping today. The Bears special teams will prove to be too much for the weary visitors. All hands on deck for the Devin Hester watch, truly one of the most incredible, exciting play-makers in the history of the NFL. Cutler continues to play error free and Urlacher leads the ferocious defense to a huge win. The Chargers are faced with the cold reality that their window of opportunity may have come and gone. Bears by 9.
Eagles land in New York: The Giants, still stinging from a road loss in San Fran, look to deal the Eagles another deathly blow in the Sunday night game. Michael Vick is out for Philly. Enter Vince Young. Can the challenged, former star-quarterback lead the underdog Eagles to perhaps a season-saving win? Not so fast my friend. I do believe it will be a competitive game, until Philadelphia self-destructs in the second half. Giants bounce back with the victory, as the Eagles hit a new low. NY by 13.
Monday Night Football - Chiefs visit Patriots: The stunning loss by the Jets on Thursday night has put New England in prime position for another division title. By the the time Brady and the Pats take the field Monday night they could find themselves in position to take a commanding two game lead over both the Jets and Bills. First they must get by Kansas City. Former Patriot quarterback Matt Cassel had hand surgery and will miss Monday's game. Enter Tyler Palko. The quarterback has only thrown 13 passes in the NFL and must face off against three-time SuperBowl champion Tom Brady in Foxboro. The connections between these two teams are still ever-so-present. Bill Belichick's former right-hand-man Scott Pioli is now the GM for the Chiefs and their defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel directed the SuperBowl winning D for the Patriots during their remarkable run from 2001-2004. The Pats secondary is banged up but thankfully their offense gained some major momentum last week in New York, ripping apart Rex's defense in the second half thanks to tight end wonder Rob Gronkowski. I expect plenty of points in this game and a surprising showing by the often criticized Pats defense. Brady and Belichick take advantage of the opportunity in front of them, Pats by 17.
TNF: Jets at Broncos - Tebowmania is running wild throughout the country. Everyone everywhere has an opinion of the the young Denver QB. Sanchez and his offense come into this game struggling big time after a monumental home loss to the hated Patriots. A mere week ago Rex Ryan proclaimed, 'The time is now! We want the division and we plan to take it!' Umm, yeah... so much for that idea Rexy. New England dominated and grounded the Jets, bringing their three game winning streak to a screeching halt. Now Gang Green must quickly lick their wounds, and on a short week's rest, prepare for a completely different challenge than Brady presented. Tim Tebow threw only eight passes in his win at KC last week, only completing two of them... TWO!!! The Broncos are running the football at a frenetic pace and the Jets can't defend the run. It should be quite interesting to see how well the Jets defense responds with Revis, their biggest playmaker, a non-factor. The Jets are not a very good team this year, and neither are the Broncos. New York's slide continues as Tebow's unpredictable run gains more speed. Broncos pull off the first upset of the weekend, narrowly defeating Rex's Jets by 5. *Important to know - this pick was made Wednesday evening!*
Carolina at Detroit: With their blockbuster Thanksgiving day game a mere four days away, the Lions better not be looking past the young, spirited Panthers this afternoon. Cam Newton took the NFL by storm in his first few games but has since come back down to Earth. Carolina's rookie will try to lead his team to a huge road upset, but I don't see it happening. Detroit was smashed in every phase of the game at Chicago last week and they should come out with lots of firepower for this one. I expect a fast start by the home team in the first half, with the Lions defense coming up with just enough stops in the fourth quarter. Lions by 9.
Raiders travel to Minnesota: Oakland has a golden opportunity to seize control of the AFC West. The Vikings are still reeling after an embarrassing loss to the Packers on Monday Night Football. Christian Ponder has played decent to start off his NFL career but he's still a rookie on a losing team. Carson Palmer continues to improve, preparing himself and Oakland for a shot at the playoffs. Road team scores early and often. Da Raaaaaiders by 7.
'Skins host Dallas, seeking payback: Shift back to week 3, MNF in Dallas when the Cowboys held off Washington late in the game by strip-sacking Rex Grossman in the final minutes. The Redskins have lost five straight after a promising 3-1 start. Look for Romo and Murray to scored points in bundles. Dallas destroys the fading Redskins by 14.
Bengals clash with Baltimore: Who are the Ravens? Are they the team that is 2-0 against the Steelers? Perhaps they are the offensively challenged group that failed to beat the Jaguars and Seahawks? We'll find out more about the character of dirty birds today when they host Cincy without Ray Lewis. The Bengals come into this game after a close home loss last week to Pittsburgh. Dalton played well against Big Ben and nearly led a fourth quarter comeback. Ray Rice must dominate this game for the Ravens to win and I believe he will. This slug fest will have many twists and turns but rookie sensation AJ Green will not be in action for Cincinnati and that will cost the Bengals dearly. Baltimore wins by 4.
Jags head to the Dog Pound: I don't see the point of wasting any time on this game. Cleveland gave away their game to the Rams last week and there's no reason to believe they'll get past Jacksonville. But in a year where nothing seems to make sense in the NFL, why not pick the Brownies? Cleveland by 3.
Bucs limp into Green Bay: The Packers are on fire and Tampa Bay appears to be going up in flames. Rodgers and his receivers will score all day and it wouldn't surprise me to see the GB defense take a few Lambeau leaps too. Packers dominate Buccaneers by 17.
Bills visit Miami: The Dolphins are suddenly on a winning streak and Buffalo has lost three of four. Quite a role reversal from the start of the season? If Ryan Fitzpatrick and his team have any hope of catching the Patriots for the division title they must have this one. The Bills should win this game but I think the home team comes out fighting, refusing to back down. Close, entertaining game ends with Phins stopping the visitors on 4th down in the red zone, winning their third straight game. Miami by 3.
Niners host Cardinals: San Fran is coming off a huge win last Sunday over the Giants. Surprisingly enough the Cardinals won a tight contest last week in Philly with their backup quarterback John Skelton leading them. Letdown week for the team by the bay? Hardly. Even though Frank Gore is an injury concern for the 49ers, the inspiring play from their defense is more than enough to get them by. Alex Smith plays solid, leads SF to a 10 pt win.
Seattle at St. Louis: The Seahawks are a mystery. The Rams are bruised and broken. Seattle's coming off a mind-boggling victory over the Ravens while St. Louis barely escaped Cleveland with a win. This all sets the stage for... a boring game. Both teams are 3-6 and with no playoff implications visible let's keep moving... Rams by 7.
Titans clash with Falcons in Hotlanta: Crucial must-win contest for each team today. Both come in at 5-4 and believe a playoff appearance is in their future. The Falcons came into this season as major SuperBowl contenders and need to shake off last week's loss to the visiting Saints quickly. I like the home team to start off hot and race out to a big lead. Tennessee will eventually fight back and make a game of it in the second half. Atlanta hands off to Michael Turner in the fourth quarter to grind down the clock and Titan defense. Falcons come away with a narrow victory, winning by 5.
Chargers battle Bears in the windy city: Tale of two teams moving fast in opposite directions. San Diego comes in playing their worst football of the season, losers of four in a row. Chicago is starting to click on all cylinders, having won four consecutive games. Sadly for the Chargers I don't see their slide stopping today. The Bears special teams will prove to be too much for the weary visitors. All hands on deck for the Devin Hester watch, truly one of the most incredible, exciting play-makers in the history of the NFL. Cutler continues to play error free and Urlacher leads the ferocious defense to a huge win. The Chargers are faced with the cold reality that their window of opportunity may have come and gone. Bears by 9.
Eagles land in New York: The Giants, still stinging from a road loss in San Fran, look to deal the Eagles another deathly blow in the Sunday night game. Michael Vick is out for Philly. Enter Vince Young. Can the challenged, former star-quarterback lead the underdog Eagles to perhaps a season-saving win? Not so fast my friend. I do believe it will be a competitive game, until Philadelphia self-destructs in the second half. Giants bounce back with the victory, as the Eagles hit a new low. NY by 13.
Monday Night Football - Chiefs visit Patriots: The stunning loss by the Jets on Thursday night has put New England in prime position for another division title. By the the time Brady and the Pats take the field Monday night they could find themselves in position to take a commanding two game lead over both the Jets and Bills. First they must get by Kansas City. Former Patriot quarterback Matt Cassel had hand surgery and will miss Monday's game. Enter Tyler Palko. The quarterback has only thrown 13 passes in the NFL and must face off against three-time SuperBowl champion Tom Brady in Foxboro. The connections between these two teams are still ever-so-present. Bill Belichick's former right-hand-man Scott Pioli is now the GM for the Chiefs and their defensive coordinator Romeo Crennel directed the SuperBowl winning D for the Patriots during their remarkable run from 2001-2004. The Pats secondary is banged up but thankfully their offense gained some major momentum last week in New York, ripping apart Rex's defense in the second half thanks to tight end wonder Rob Gronkowski. I expect plenty of points in this game and a surprising showing by the often criticized Pats defense. Brady and Belichick take advantage of the opportunity in front of them, Pats by 17.
Sunday, November 13, 2011
NFL hits midpoint, must-win games everywhere
After going 6-8 in my picks last week, it's time to go back to the basics in this incredibly unpredictable NFL season. Time to put up or shut up. We're in Week 10 and there's a fantastic slate of games on the schedule. All 32 teams are in action this week, however due to the Thursday night game already complete (an embarrassing home loss for Rives and the Chargers to the their division rival Raiders) we have 15 games to pick today. Let's not waste anymore time with details, ONTO THE GAMES!
Titans visit Panthers: I picked Tennessee last week to 'upset' the Bengals at home, I thought Chris Johnson would finally break out of his slump, and lastly, I said Cincy's rookie QB had to finally slow down. I was wrong on all three. Carolina is fresh off their bye week and I like Cam Newton to run and throw all over the Titan defense today. Panthers win by 10.
Pittsburgh looks to rebound in Cincinnati: Great division matchup here. With the Bengals at 6-2, every football fan across the country is wondering - are they for real? The Steelers are coming off a last-second home loss to the hated Ravens and need this one badly to avoid going 0-3 in the division. As much as I want to pick the Bengals, gotta go back to the basics. Big Ben has just enough weapons to use on Cincy's top three NFL defense and the Pitt D will frustrate Dalton into a few turnovers to shift the game in the Steelers favor. Pittsburgh comes out on top by 7.
Saints collide with Falcons in ATL: Any time these two teams get together we're usually treated to one helluva game, today will be no different. Drew Brees vs. Matt Ryan. The dirty birds think they've recovered their mojo and New Orleans looks like serious competition for the unbeaten Packers down the road in the playoffs. I believe the Saints are the better team but they're not playing in their dome. The Falcons thrive off playing in front of their home crowd, narrowly defeat the Saints by 4.
Rams stumble into Cleveland: Talk a battle of lowly teams, the Browns have lost four of five games and St. Louis has only one win this season. Can't afford to waste much time on this game, home team takes advantages of multiple St. Louis miscues. Brownies win by 5.
Colts host Jaguars, trying to avoid tenth straight loss: Many are saying this is Indy's best shot at a victory for the rest of the season. They might be right, but I still don't see it happening. Jacksonville's defense will rise to the occasion and their rookie quarterback will put just enough points on the board. The home teams goes into their bye week at 0-10 and need to seriously start considering the tough reality that they could go 0-16 this season. Jax wins by 10.
Bills clash with Cowboys in Big D: Talk about must win for each team. If Dallas wants any shot at winning their division they gotta have this game. The Bills are coming off a disheartening home loss to the Jets and desperately need to get back on the winning track to prevent this season's promising start from derailing like so many past failures. Romo will be challenged by the Buffalo defense and Fred Jackson needs to have a huge day for the Bills to have a chance. This one will definitely come down to the wire. While I would love to pick Buffalo here, I think their youth shows late in the game. Cowboys by 2 in the game of the day.
Tebow leads Broncos into KC: The Broncos are following the lead of their emotional leader Tim Tebow and have been surprisingly more competitive since the change at quarterback. Matt Cassel hopes to help his team rebound from a dismal performance last week when his Chiefs were beat down in a blowout by the previously win-less Dolphins. Two very inconsistent teams in a rocky division with no clear front-runner. Again, I'd love to go with Tebowmania but he's on a roller coaster ride this season. Last week was a nice up, so we're do for a big fall. KC rebounds, beats Broncos by 10.
Struggling Skins wander into Miami: The Dolphins played their best game of the season last week, thrashing the Chiefs in Kansas City. Washington has hit their typical mid-season slump, losing four in a row. Don't expect things to get better any time soon. Miami has too many good players on their team and the Redskins injuries continue to mount. Phins win a wild one over the Skins after a touchdown drive late in the 4th quarter. Miami wins by 6 and has a two game winning streak!
Cardinals fly into Philly: At the beginning of the season this would have been one of the better games on this week's slate. Former Eagle QB Kevin Kolb leads his new team into Philly to prove Andy Reid chose the wrong quarterback. High-powered offenses scoring points in bunches. Sadly, neither seem likely. Kolb will miss another game due to injury, DeSean Jackson is inactive today for Philadelphia after he missed a team meeting Saturday. Not to mention, both teams are a combined 5-11. The Eagles are on severe life support after their devastating home loss to the Bears last Monday night. Arizona is fresh off an overtime victory on their field over the Rams, in which rookie sensation Patrick Peterson returned a punt 99 yards for the game-winning touchdown. All that being said... I expect an angry Eagles team to take the field Sunday and punish the Cardinals with a heavy dose of RB LeSean McCoy. Philly crushes Cards by 17.
Texans travel to Tampa: Intriguing match-up today by the bay. Houston has kept the ship steady despite mammoth injuries to key players. At 4-4, the Bucs need this win to stay in pursuit of the division title. The Texans are trying to win their seventh game and present themselves as serious contenders in a wide open AFC Conference. As tempting as it is to go with Tampa, Ben Tate and Arian Foster have formed an unstoppable tandem. I like the Texans to move to 7-3 and beat the Buccaneers by 7.
Ravens go west to face Seahawks: Potentially a let-down game for Baltimore? No, they had their one ugly game in Jacksonville last month and Seattle is a mess. Granted the 'Hawks do play better at home and the Ravens won't be as jacked up as they were last week in Pittsburgh. Still, Suggs and Lewis will feast on a pathetic Seahawk offense that can't seem to find its niche. Ravens by 13.
Bears host Lions with payback in mind: The Bears were humbled in Detroit four weeks ago on MNF in a game that meant so much to the Lions. This heated division match-up now means the world to each team. With serious playoff ramifications on the line, expect this game to be one of today's best. Megatron will get his for Detroit but Chicago's defense will get the last laugh. Bears hold off Lions by 9.
Giants go west to take on Niners: An instant classic. This may not be the last time these two NFC contenders meet this season as a game in January is a realistic possibility. San Francisco has surprised the league this year roaring out of the gates at 7-1, their only loss by three points in overtime to the Cowboys. The Gmen come into this game after winning a major heavyweight bout last week in New England. Can Alex Smith outplay Eli Manning? Will Frank Gore run wild on Tom Coughlin's D? Two big questions that will absolutely determine the outcome in this game. I like the 49ers to win a back and forth battle, holding off a late New York charge in final minutes to hold on by 4.
Jets/Pats Part II: New England gave Rex's crew a heavy batch of their own medicine four weeks ago in Foxboro, grounding and pounding the Jets all day long for a nine point victory. Now the rivalry shifts to the Meadowlands where Gang Green has had great success against Brady and Belichick since Ryan and Sanchez have taken over the J-E-T-S. The Patriots come into this game on a two-game losing streak. The last time NE lost three straight games was nine years ago, wow! The Jets crushed the Bills last Sunday in Buffalo forcing a three-way tie for first place in the AFC East. This a must-win for each team and should provide us with a clear frontrunner for the division crown. As maligned as the Pats defense has been, I expect them to put forth a valiant effort tonight and keep the Jets offense in check. The chess match of Brady vs. Ryan is always a compelling, entertaining one to watch. Rex loves to pressure the New England quarterback but Tom Brady knows what's coming. Should be a fantastic game and I like the Patriots to finish the game with a long methodical drive, defeating the home-team Jets by 7.
Vikings take on Packers in GB: Minnesota played the Packers closely in a narrow six point loss two Sundays ago. However that game was at home. Now they go on the road to Lambeau Field. The Packers are 8-0 and overcame a huge hurdle last week in San Diego, sneaking out of town with a 45-38 victory. Christian Ponder played remarkably well in their first meeting, which was his first NFL start. But the rookie will undergo some growing pains on Monday night. Green Bay's defense shines bright as the Pack wins handily, beating the Vikes by 16.
Titans visit Panthers: I picked Tennessee last week to 'upset' the Bengals at home, I thought Chris Johnson would finally break out of his slump, and lastly, I said Cincy's rookie QB had to finally slow down. I was wrong on all three. Carolina is fresh off their bye week and I like Cam Newton to run and throw all over the Titan defense today. Panthers win by 10.
Pittsburgh looks to rebound in Cincinnati: Great division matchup here. With the Bengals at 6-2, every football fan across the country is wondering - are they for real? The Steelers are coming off a last-second home loss to the hated Ravens and need this one badly to avoid going 0-3 in the division. As much as I want to pick the Bengals, gotta go back to the basics. Big Ben has just enough weapons to use on Cincy's top three NFL defense and the Pitt D will frustrate Dalton into a few turnovers to shift the game in the Steelers favor. Pittsburgh comes out on top by 7.
Saints collide with Falcons in ATL: Any time these two teams get together we're usually treated to one helluva game, today will be no different. Drew Brees vs. Matt Ryan. The dirty birds think they've recovered their mojo and New Orleans looks like serious competition for the unbeaten Packers down the road in the playoffs. I believe the Saints are the better team but they're not playing in their dome. The Falcons thrive off playing in front of their home crowd, narrowly defeat the Saints by 4.
Rams stumble into Cleveland: Talk a battle of lowly teams, the Browns have lost four of five games and St. Louis has only one win this season. Can't afford to waste much time on this game, home team takes advantages of multiple St. Louis miscues. Brownies win by 5.
Colts host Jaguars, trying to avoid tenth straight loss: Many are saying this is Indy's best shot at a victory for the rest of the season. They might be right, but I still don't see it happening. Jacksonville's defense will rise to the occasion and their rookie quarterback will put just enough points on the board. The home teams goes into their bye week at 0-10 and need to seriously start considering the tough reality that they could go 0-16 this season. Jax wins by 10.
Bills clash with Cowboys in Big D: Talk about must win for each team. If Dallas wants any shot at winning their division they gotta have this game. The Bills are coming off a disheartening home loss to the Jets and desperately need to get back on the winning track to prevent this season's promising start from derailing like so many past failures. Romo will be challenged by the Buffalo defense and Fred Jackson needs to have a huge day for the Bills to have a chance. This one will definitely come down to the wire. While I would love to pick Buffalo here, I think their youth shows late in the game. Cowboys by 2 in the game of the day.
Tebow leads Broncos into KC: The Broncos are following the lead of their emotional leader Tim Tebow and have been surprisingly more competitive since the change at quarterback. Matt Cassel hopes to help his team rebound from a dismal performance last week when his Chiefs were beat down in a blowout by the previously win-less Dolphins. Two very inconsistent teams in a rocky division with no clear front-runner. Again, I'd love to go with Tebowmania but he's on a roller coaster ride this season. Last week was a nice up, so we're do for a big fall. KC rebounds, beats Broncos by 10.
Struggling Skins wander into Miami: The Dolphins played their best game of the season last week, thrashing the Chiefs in Kansas City. Washington has hit their typical mid-season slump, losing four in a row. Don't expect things to get better any time soon. Miami has too many good players on their team and the Redskins injuries continue to mount. Phins win a wild one over the Skins after a touchdown drive late in the 4th quarter. Miami wins by 6 and has a two game winning streak!
Cardinals fly into Philly: At the beginning of the season this would have been one of the better games on this week's slate. Former Eagle QB Kevin Kolb leads his new team into Philly to prove Andy Reid chose the wrong quarterback. High-powered offenses scoring points in bunches. Sadly, neither seem likely. Kolb will miss another game due to injury, DeSean Jackson is inactive today for Philadelphia after he missed a team meeting Saturday. Not to mention, both teams are a combined 5-11. The Eagles are on severe life support after their devastating home loss to the Bears last Monday night. Arizona is fresh off an overtime victory on their field over the Rams, in which rookie sensation Patrick Peterson returned a punt 99 yards for the game-winning touchdown. All that being said... I expect an angry Eagles team to take the field Sunday and punish the Cardinals with a heavy dose of RB LeSean McCoy. Philly crushes Cards by 17.
Texans travel to Tampa: Intriguing match-up today by the bay. Houston has kept the ship steady despite mammoth injuries to key players. At 4-4, the Bucs need this win to stay in pursuit of the division title. The Texans are trying to win their seventh game and present themselves as serious contenders in a wide open AFC Conference. As tempting as it is to go with Tampa, Ben Tate and Arian Foster have formed an unstoppable tandem. I like the Texans to move to 7-3 and beat the Buccaneers by 7.
Ravens go west to face Seahawks: Potentially a let-down game for Baltimore? No, they had their one ugly game in Jacksonville last month and Seattle is a mess. Granted the 'Hawks do play better at home and the Ravens won't be as jacked up as they were last week in Pittsburgh. Still, Suggs and Lewis will feast on a pathetic Seahawk offense that can't seem to find its niche. Ravens by 13.
Bears host Lions with payback in mind: The Bears were humbled in Detroit four weeks ago on MNF in a game that meant so much to the Lions. This heated division match-up now means the world to each team. With serious playoff ramifications on the line, expect this game to be one of today's best. Megatron will get his for Detroit but Chicago's defense will get the last laugh. Bears hold off Lions by 9.
Giants go west to take on Niners: An instant classic. This may not be the last time these two NFC contenders meet this season as a game in January is a realistic possibility. San Francisco has surprised the league this year roaring out of the gates at 7-1, their only loss by three points in overtime to the Cowboys. The Gmen come into this game after winning a major heavyweight bout last week in New England. Can Alex Smith outplay Eli Manning? Will Frank Gore run wild on Tom Coughlin's D? Two big questions that will absolutely determine the outcome in this game. I like the 49ers to win a back and forth battle, holding off a late New York charge in final minutes to hold on by 4.
Jets/Pats Part II: New England gave Rex's crew a heavy batch of their own medicine four weeks ago in Foxboro, grounding and pounding the Jets all day long for a nine point victory. Now the rivalry shifts to the Meadowlands where Gang Green has had great success against Brady and Belichick since Ryan and Sanchez have taken over the J-E-T-S. The Patriots come into this game on a two-game losing streak. The last time NE lost three straight games was nine years ago, wow! The Jets crushed the Bills last Sunday in Buffalo forcing a three-way tie for first place in the AFC East. This a must-win for each team and should provide us with a clear frontrunner for the division crown. As maligned as the Pats defense has been, I expect them to put forth a valiant effort tonight and keep the Jets offense in check. The chess match of Brady vs. Ryan is always a compelling, entertaining one to watch. Rex loves to pressure the New England quarterback but Tom Brady knows what's coming. Should be a fantastic game and I like the Patriots to finish the game with a long methodical drive, defeating the home-team Jets by 7.
Vikings take on Packers in GB: Minnesota played the Packers closely in a narrow six point loss two Sundays ago. However that game was at home. Now they go on the road to Lambeau Field. The Packers are 8-0 and overcame a huge hurdle last week in San Diego, sneaking out of town with a 45-38 victory. Christian Ponder played remarkably well in their first meeting, which was his first NFL start. But the rookie will undergo some growing pains on Monday night. Green Bay's defense shines bright as the Pack wins handily, beating the Vikes by 16.
Friday, November 4, 2011
High stakes, playoff implications dominate NFL Week 9
Can you believe we're at the halfway point of the NFL season? Another scintillating season so far filled with surprise runs, dramatic comebacks, and a few crash n burns! As we move forward into the second half of the regular season teams are beginning to focus on their division races and ponder playoff positioning. Theme of this week: revenge and retribution. Payback will be on the minds of plenty as we'll see numerous teams try to take advantage of redemption opportunities! Other interesting storyline to watch: Can Miami or Indy score their first win? Here we go...
Jets travel to Buffalo for crucial division game: Do or die game for Rex's gang green and at 4-3 they can't afford a fourth loss at this point if they want to compete for the AFC East crown. As big as this contest is for the Jets, it's even bigger for the Bills. Long has it been since Buffalo has played a meaningful game in November and now they stand poised to compete all season for not only a playoff spot but potentially a first round bye. All that said, I think Fred Jackson is the x-factor in the game and the fact that the Jets have failed to win a road game this season. New York's embattled quarterback throws a couple of costly picks, combined with a weak running game ultimately leads to their demise. Behind their resurgent defense, Bills defeat NY by 9.
Seattle at Dallas: Cowboys are coming off an embarrassing loss in Philly and realize they have to take advantage of the lowly Seahawks to mount any type of charge to the postseason. Seattle played beyond terrible at home last Sunday and although they've already pulled off a stunning road win against the Giants I can't see them catching lightning in a bottle twice. Boys score early and often, smother pathetic Seahawks by 17.
Dolphins visit KC searching first W: Is this finally the week Miami tastes victory? They have been in most of their games and quite honestly, it's hard to believe they haven't pulled one out yet. However, they are running into the right team at the worst time. Maybe if they had the Chiefs in week 2 they would have a better shot at coming out on top? Perhaps. The Chiefs became first team in NFL history to lose their first three games then win four in a row and have a share of the division lead. The AFC West has suddenly become a very interesting race that should go down to the wire. Sorry Miami fans, this isn't the week your team breaks through. KC picks up more steam and wins... barely by 4.
Niners go coast-to-coast to battle Redskins: Washington was humiliated last week in Buffalo, getting shutout 28-0. San Fran is 6-1 and in prime position to win their division and possibly even get a first-round bye. At 3-4, the Skins are still alive for a postseason berth amid their quarterback turmoil. Will Shanahan put Rex Grossman back in? Can the Skins defense bring Alex Smith back down to Earth? I think desperation plays a huge role in this game and Washington plays desperate on both sides of the ball and finds a way to stop the 49er offense. Beck plays well enough to finish the game and keep the starting job for now. Niners finally look human as Washington humbles Harbaugh's crew by 7.
Payback game - Bucs land in hostile New Orleans: The Saints not only lost a crucial division game when played a few weeks ago in Tampa they also lost their head coach to a broken leg injury that will force him to coach from the booth, in all likelihood, for the rest of the season. The Buccaneers have been an up and down team, coming out tough and impressive some weeks then stunningly flat in others. The Saints were a disaster last week, losing a very winnable game to previously win-less St. Louis. I expect a angry team in the Bayou to smack Tampa Bay right in the mouth from the first play, reminding them they still aren't ready to play with the big boys. Huge day for Brees and his collection of speedy receivers, Saints win by 15.
Falcons fly into Indy as Colts try for elusive first victory: I won't waste any time on this game. Atlanta wins handily and Indy fans get to see first hand how nasty losses can be without the oh so valuable Peyton Manning. Dirty Birds soar high, crush Colts by 24. We will all be debating Monday if Indianapolis will finish the season 0-16?? Only time will tell but this sports guru sees Andrew Luck putting on a Colts hat shaking the commissioner's hand first at the 2012 NFL Draft!
Brownies try to play spoiler at Houston: Although the Texans are piling up injuries like Jared Allen is sacks, I still see the home team coming out on top. Arian Foster is a beast while Colt McCoy and the Cleveland offense can't seem to find any type of offensive rhythm. Regardless of Andre Johnson playing or missing another game, Houston does not have a problem. Texans over Browns by 10.
Bengals visit Titans: Don't fall off your seat now, I'm warning you... the Cincinnati Bengals are 5-2. Everyone ok? Trust me I'm just as shocked as you are. Cincy's rookie QB has played well enough to support their league-leading defense and set themselves up perfectly for a possible playoff return. Tennessee is an odd team this season. NFL game-breaker Chris Johnson has been a shell of his former self and newly acquired quarterback Matt Hasslbeck hasn't quite hit his stride yet. Still, the Titans are 4-3 and even after their dreadful performance at home against Schaub and their division rivals, they get another chance at home to gain their fifth win of the season. I may regret this pick but I'm going with the Titans. I just can't see the Bengals at 6-2 and Bengal quarterback Andy Dalton will have his stumbles at some point this season, starting this week. Bold prediction: CJ goes on a tear against the league's statistically best D, rushes for over 100 yards, leading the Titans to a stunning three point upset win. Is this an upset? Am I crazy? Did I just pick the Titans to win a meaningful game? This should be interesting!
Tebow leads Broncos into Black Hole showdown: Carson Palmer has had two weeks to learn the system and get some familiarity with his receivers. After Tim Tebow's amazing comeback in Miami in the final three minutes he came back down to Earth last week as the visiting Lions devoured him over and over again. The Raiders may very well be without game-changer Darren McFadden but they have enough to beat the fading Broncos. The game stays close in the first half but Oakland pulls away in fourth, holding off Denver to win by 12.
St. Louis at Arizona: This has let-down game written all over it. Just last Sunday the Rams shocked the NFL world with an unexpected win over the high-octane Saints. The Cardinals are fresh off their devastating collapse at Baltimore where they led by three touchdowns only to blow the shot at winning their second game of the year. I expect St. Louis to come out flat and Arizona to capitalize on it. Home team Cards win in a romp by 13.
Undefeated Packers take on San Diego: This is the week Green Bay falls. The Chargers choked away a very important division game Monday night in KC and are out to prove they can quickly rebound and save their season. Currently tied with the Chiefs and Raiders for first in the AFC West, Rivers must be sharp and aggressive to take advantage of a suspect Packer defense. Aaron Rodgers has been playing out of this world and eventually he will show his mortality... starting this week. Chargers hand the Cheeseheads their first loss, winning by 4 after Philip Rivers leads them to a go-ahead touchdown in the final minutes.
SuperBowl XLII rematch in Foxboro: Not a single Patriots fan has forgotten what happened in Glendale Arizona after completing a perfect 16-0 regular season. Especially Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. Revenge. Retribution. Payback. All of these will come in the form of multiple Brady TDs, I'll go with three. The heavily-criticized New England defense will rise to the occasion with Coach Belichick drawing up a special game-plan for the hated Gmen. Even though Eli has been playing at a high level, the Giants won't be able to match the emotional intensity brought by the home team. New England shakes off the Steelers loss as Welker explodes with a much-needed breakout game. Pats defeat NY, 34-21.
Ravens/Steelers Part II: Best rivalry in the NFL? Many would emphatically agree. If you like bone-crushing hits, smash mouth football, and heart-stopping battles then put your helmet on, buckle your seat belt, and turn on NBC Sunday night. Flash back to week one. The site: Baltimore. The Ravens were mad. No, they were angry. Wrong again, actually they were beyond furious. After the Steelers eliminated the Ravens last season in the playoffs, Ray Lewis and his defense were ready for revenge. And oh did they get it on day one of the 2011 NFL season. Baltimore stormed out of the gate, forcing SEVEN Steeler turnovers, scoring 35 points on the famous 'steel curtain' defense, and held Big Ben & co. to a measly seven points. Pittsburgh, still shining bright after a huge win over Brady and the Pats last Sunday, will have retribution on their minds when they welcome their division rivals to Heinz Field. At first glance you would pick the Steelers hands down because of the payback factor. However, the Steelers D is severely wounded at linebacker and I believe this comes back to bite them. Look for Flacco to get the ball to Ray Rice all night long, playing keep away with Pitt much like Big Ben did to Brady last Sunday. Shockingly enough, I'm going with Baltimore by 4. I know, gutsy pick!
MNF - Chicago takes on 'dream team' Eagles: Philly sent a message to the NFC last week that they shouldn't be buried and left for dead, not yet at least. Da Bears need this game to keep pace with Detroit and Green Bay but Philadelphia needs its more. Michael Vick looked motivated and determined against Dallas last week. Chitown will keep it close but Culter turnovers will ultimately lead to their demise. Eagles by 7.
Overtime - College football game of the year: LSU at Alabama - #1 vs #2 should definitely live up to the hype, as the best in SEC and country battle to remain unbeaten. The winner is all but guaranteed a spot in the BCS National Championship game in the Bayou. Trent Richardson will run hard for the Tide but unfortunately for him the Tigers have three of the best cover corners all around which will allow LSU to keep eight in the box all night. Is it an upset when 1 beats 2? In a hostile environment? Louisiana State loves big games on the road and this promises to be an instant classic in Tuscaloosa. Low-scoring, defensive heavy hitter bout ends with a game-winning field goal... by LSU! Tigers top Tide by 2.
Jets travel to Buffalo for crucial division game: Do or die game for Rex's gang green and at 4-3 they can't afford a fourth loss at this point if they want to compete for the AFC East crown. As big as this contest is for the Jets, it's even bigger for the Bills. Long has it been since Buffalo has played a meaningful game in November and now they stand poised to compete all season for not only a playoff spot but potentially a first round bye. All that said, I think Fred Jackson is the x-factor in the game and the fact that the Jets have failed to win a road game this season. New York's embattled quarterback throws a couple of costly picks, combined with a weak running game ultimately leads to their demise. Behind their resurgent defense, Bills defeat NY by 9.
Seattle at Dallas: Cowboys are coming off an embarrassing loss in Philly and realize they have to take advantage of the lowly Seahawks to mount any type of charge to the postseason. Seattle played beyond terrible at home last Sunday and although they've already pulled off a stunning road win against the Giants I can't see them catching lightning in a bottle twice. Boys score early and often, smother pathetic Seahawks by 17.
Dolphins visit KC searching first W: Is this finally the week Miami tastes victory? They have been in most of their games and quite honestly, it's hard to believe they haven't pulled one out yet. However, they are running into the right team at the worst time. Maybe if they had the Chiefs in week 2 they would have a better shot at coming out on top? Perhaps. The Chiefs became first team in NFL history to lose their first three games then win four in a row and have a share of the division lead. The AFC West has suddenly become a very interesting race that should go down to the wire. Sorry Miami fans, this isn't the week your team breaks through. KC picks up more steam and wins... barely by 4.
Niners go coast-to-coast to battle Redskins: Washington was humiliated last week in Buffalo, getting shutout 28-0. San Fran is 6-1 and in prime position to win their division and possibly even get a first-round bye. At 3-4, the Skins are still alive for a postseason berth amid their quarterback turmoil. Will Shanahan put Rex Grossman back in? Can the Skins defense bring Alex Smith back down to Earth? I think desperation plays a huge role in this game and Washington plays desperate on both sides of the ball and finds a way to stop the 49er offense. Beck plays well enough to finish the game and keep the starting job for now. Niners finally look human as Washington humbles Harbaugh's crew by 7.
Payback game - Bucs land in hostile New Orleans: The Saints not only lost a crucial division game when played a few weeks ago in Tampa they also lost their head coach to a broken leg injury that will force him to coach from the booth, in all likelihood, for the rest of the season. The Buccaneers have been an up and down team, coming out tough and impressive some weeks then stunningly flat in others. The Saints were a disaster last week, losing a very winnable game to previously win-less St. Louis. I expect a angry team in the Bayou to smack Tampa Bay right in the mouth from the first play, reminding them they still aren't ready to play with the big boys. Huge day for Brees and his collection of speedy receivers, Saints win by 15.
Falcons fly into Indy as Colts try for elusive first victory: I won't waste any time on this game. Atlanta wins handily and Indy fans get to see first hand how nasty losses can be without the oh so valuable Peyton Manning. Dirty Birds soar high, crush Colts by 24. We will all be debating Monday if Indianapolis will finish the season 0-16?? Only time will tell but this sports guru sees Andrew Luck putting on a Colts hat shaking the commissioner's hand first at the 2012 NFL Draft!
Brownies try to play spoiler at Houston: Although the Texans are piling up injuries like Jared Allen is sacks, I still see the home team coming out on top. Arian Foster is a beast while Colt McCoy and the Cleveland offense can't seem to find any type of offensive rhythm. Regardless of Andre Johnson playing or missing another game, Houston does not have a problem. Texans over Browns by 10.
Bengals visit Titans: Don't fall off your seat now, I'm warning you... the Cincinnati Bengals are 5-2. Everyone ok? Trust me I'm just as shocked as you are. Cincy's rookie QB has played well enough to support their league-leading defense and set themselves up perfectly for a possible playoff return. Tennessee is an odd team this season. NFL game-breaker Chris Johnson has been a shell of his former self and newly acquired quarterback Matt Hasslbeck hasn't quite hit his stride yet. Still, the Titans are 4-3 and even after their dreadful performance at home against Schaub and their division rivals, they get another chance at home to gain their fifth win of the season. I may regret this pick but I'm going with the Titans. I just can't see the Bengals at 6-2 and Bengal quarterback Andy Dalton will have his stumbles at some point this season, starting this week. Bold prediction: CJ goes on a tear against the league's statistically best D, rushes for over 100 yards, leading the Titans to a stunning three point upset win. Is this an upset? Am I crazy? Did I just pick the Titans to win a meaningful game? This should be interesting!
Tebow leads Broncos into Black Hole showdown: Carson Palmer has had two weeks to learn the system and get some familiarity with his receivers. After Tim Tebow's amazing comeback in Miami in the final three minutes he came back down to Earth last week as the visiting Lions devoured him over and over again. The Raiders may very well be without game-changer Darren McFadden but they have enough to beat the fading Broncos. The game stays close in the first half but Oakland pulls away in fourth, holding off Denver to win by 12.
St. Louis at Arizona: This has let-down game written all over it. Just last Sunday the Rams shocked the NFL world with an unexpected win over the high-octane Saints. The Cardinals are fresh off their devastating collapse at Baltimore where they led by three touchdowns only to blow the shot at winning their second game of the year. I expect St. Louis to come out flat and Arizona to capitalize on it. Home team Cards win in a romp by 13.
Undefeated Packers take on San Diego: This is the week Green Bay falls. The Chargers choked away a very important division game Monday night in KC and are out to prove they can quickly rebound and save their season. Currently tied with the Chiefs and Raiders for first in the AFC West, Rivers must be sharp and aggressive to take advantage of a suspect Packer defense. Aaron Rodgers has been playing out of this world and eventually he will show his mortality... starting this week. Chargers hand the Cheeseheads their first loss, winning by 4 after Philip Rivers leads them to a go-ahead touchdown in the final minutes.
SuperBowl XLII rematch in Foxboro: Not a single Patriots fan has forgotten what happened in Glendale Arizona after completing a perfect 16-0 regular season. Especially Bill Belichick and Tom Brady. Revenge. Retribution. Payback. All of these will come in the form of multiple Brady TDs, I'll go with three. The heavily-criticized New England defense will rise to the occasion with Coach Belichick drawing up a special game-plan for the hated Gmen. Even though Eli has been playing at a high level, the Giants won't be able to match the emotional intensity brought by the home team. New England shakes off the Steelers loss as Welker explodes with a much-needed breakout game. Pats defeat NY, 34-21.
Ravens/Steelers Part II: Best rivalry in the NFL? Many would emphatically agree. If you like bone-crushing hits, smash mouth football, and heart-stopping battles then put your helmet on, buckle your seat belt, and turn on NBC Sunday night. Flash back to week one. The site: Baltimore. The Ravens were mad. No, they were angry. Wrong again, actually they were beyond furious. After the Steelers eliminated the Ravens last season in the playoffs, Ray Lewis and his defense were ready for revenge. And oh did they get it on day one of the 2011 NFL season. Baltimore stormed out of the gate, forcing SEVEN Steeler turnovers, scoring 35 points on the famous 'steel curtain' defense, and held Big Ben & co. to a measly seven points. Pittsburgh, still shining bright after a huge win over Brady and the Pats last Sunday, will have retribution on their minds when they welcome their division rivals to Heinz Field. At first glance you would pick the Steelers hands down because of the payback factor. However, the Steelers D is severely wounded at linebacker and I believe this comes back to bite them. Look for Flacco to get the ball to Ray Rice all night long, playing keep away with Pitt much like Big Ben did to Brady last Sunday. Shockingly enough, I'm going with Baltimore by 4. I know, gutsy pick!
MNF - Chicago takes on 'dream team' Eagles: Philly sent a message to the NFC last week that they shouldn't be buried and left for dead, not yet at least. Da Bears need this game to keep pace with Detroit and Green Bay but Philadelphia needs its more. Michael Vick looked motivated and determined against Dallas last week. Chitown will keep it close but Culter turnovers will ultimately lead to their demise. Eagles by 7.
Overtime - College football game of the year: LSU at Alabama - #1 vs #2 should definitely live up to the hype, as the best in SEC and country battle to remain unbeaten. The winner is all but guaranteed a spot in the BCS National Championship game in the Bayou. Trent Richardson will run hard for the Tide but unfortunately for him the Tigers have three of the best cover corners all around which will allow LSU to keep eight in the box all night. Is it an upset when 1 beats 2? In a hostile environment? Louisiana State loves big games on the road and this promises to be an instant classic in Tuscaloosa. Low-scoring, defensive heavy hitter bout ends with a game-winning field goal... by LSU! Tigers top Tide by 2.
Sunday, October 23, 2011
NFL Week 7: QB shuffle party
Here's who I like today...
Skins over Carolina - tough to pick against Cam the man at home but behind a tough defense and a QB that will throw more TDs than INTs, Beck leads Washinton to a narrow victory.
Browns bounce Hawks - Even without Peyton Hillis the Browns are no match for Seattle in the Dog pound. McCoy throws a score and runs for another, Browns by 10.
Falcons surprise Detroit - Still stinging from their first loss of the year, the Lions storm out of the gate but 'Matty Ice' leads Atlanta on a late drive late in the game to seal the road win for the Falcons by 3. And you thought Schwartz was ripped last week.
Tebowmania hits NFL, Miami right in the mouth - Tim Tebow finally has the reigns of the Denver offense and it comes on the same day the city of Miami is recognizing the Gators and Timmy. One of the most anticipated days in recent football history proves to be a memorable one for the Broncos and Tebow. Miami is win-less and don't expect that to change as the home team falls to a dismal 0-6. The enigmatic QB runs for over 100 yds and a couple scores. Denver wins by 7 sending the sports world into Tebow obsession.
Chargers roll over Jets - San Diego coming off a bye week, NY fresh off an ugly win on MNF over the Phins in a huge momentum game for each team. Sanchez and the Jets offense too inconsistent, Rivers & co. have enough weapons to score on Rex's D. Bolts come out on top by 10.
London special - Bears slip by Bucs - Chicago and Tampa are very similar, never know which team will show up. Defensive game, highlighted by a Devin Hester top-ten touchdown run. Da Bears win by 4.
Texans fall to Titans - Tennessee at home, Texans reeling after injury bug bites hard. Titans are a team to keep an eye on as they top Houston by 12.
Cowboys dominate Rams - Dallas still steaming mad over Brady's last second game-winning drive last Sunday, score at will over a depleted St. Louis team that can't wait for 2012 to get here. On the cusp of a World Series championship, I think the fans of St. Louis will be just fine. Romo n the Boys win by 17.
Big Ben leads Pitt to win over Cards - Even though the game is in Arizona and Pittsburgh is beat up, the O-line for the home team is putrid, leading to sacks and shots on new QB Kevin Kolb. Steelers hold off a late charge by the home team, take the win by 7.
Oakland clobbers KC, Carson shines in debut - Easy to look good when you have Darren McFadden in your backfield. The Raiders swept their division last year and could do the same this season. Freshly acquired Carson Palmer only throws 25 passes, one touchdown, one pick but the Chiefs offense suffers four turnovers. The Black Hole devours Matt Cassel, Raiders win by 14.
Packers survive Vikes, Ponder's red-hot start - When will Green Bay lose? Minnesota gets the charge they wanted from rookie QB Christian Ponder but defense can't stop Rodgers n his speedy wideouts. Packers jump out to double digit lead but Vikings storm back in 2nd half. After making a couple rookie mistakes, Ponder leads Minnesota to two TD drives in the 4th, fall to rival Pack by 7.
Colts smashed by Saints in the Bayou - You'd think it was Mardi Gras by the way the fans in the Louisiana Superdome are celebrating in the Sunday night game. Brees throws for over 400 again and the Saints roll by 18. Will the go Colts go 0-16? Only time will tell.
MNF game: Baltimore at Jacksonville - Ray Lewis will have his D fired up for rookie QB Blaine Gabbert. This season is make or break for Jags head coach Jack Del Rio and this game will not help his cause. Baltimore's defense is forcing turnovers at a ridiculous level and you know they're licking their chops heading into Jax. Ravens win by 10.
Skins over Carolina - tough to pick against Cam the man at home but behind a tough defense and a QB that will throw more TDs than INTs, Beck leads Washinton to a narrow victory.
Browns bounce Hawks - Even without Peyton Hillis the Browns are no match for Seattle in the Dog pound. McCoy throws a score and runs for another, Browns by 10.
Falcons surprise Detroit - Still stinging from their first loss of the year, the Lions storm out of the gate but 'Matty Ice' leads Atlanta on a late drive late in the game to seal the road win for the Falcons by 3. And you thought Schwartz was ripped last week.
Tebowmania hits NFL, Miami right in the mouth - Tim Tebow finally has the reigns of the Denver offense and it comes on the same day the city of Miami is recognizing the Gators and Timmy. One of the most anticipated days in recent football history proves to be a memorable one for the Broncos and Tebow. Miami is win-less and don't expect that to change as the home team falls to a dismal 0-6. The enigmatic QB runs for over 100 yds and a couple scores. Denver wins by 7 sending the sports world into Tebow obsession.
Chargers roll over Jets - San Diego coming off a bye week, NY fresh off an ugly win on MNF over the Phins in a huge momentum game for each team. Sanchez and the Jets offense too inconsistent, Rivers & co. have enough weapons to score on Rex's D. Bolts come out on top by 10.
London special - Bears slip by Bucs - Chicago and Tampa are very similar, never know which team will show up. Defensive game, highlighted by a Devin Hester top-ten touchdown run. Da Bears win by 4.
Texans fall to Titans - Tennessee at home, Texans reeling after injury bug bites hard. Titans are a team to keep an eye on as they top Houston by 12.
Cowboys dominate Rams - Dallas still steaming mad over Brady's last second game-winning drive last Sunday, score at will over a depleted St. Louis team that can't wait for 2012 to get here. On the cusp of a World Series championship, I think the fans of St. Louis will be just fine. Romo n the Boys win by 17.
Big Ben leads Pitt to win over Cards - Even though the game is in Arizona and Pittsburgh is beat up, the O-line for the home team is putrid, leading to sacks and shots on new QB Kevin Kolb. Steelers hold off a late charge by the home team, take the win by 7.
Oakland clobbers KC, Carson shines in debut - Easy to look good when you have Darren McFadden in your backfield. The Raiders swept their division last year and could do the same this season. Freshly acquired Carson Palmer only throws 25 passes, one touchdown, one pick but the Chiefs offense suffers four turnovers. The Black Hole devours Matt Cassel, Raiders win by 14.
Packers survive Vikes, Ponder's red-hot start - When will Green Bay lose? Minnesota gets the charge they wanted from rookie QB Christian Ponder but defense can't stop Rodgers n his speedy wideouts. Packers jump out to double digit lead but Vikings storm back in 2nd half. After making a couple rookie mistakes, Ponder leads Minnesota to two TD drives in the 4th, fall to rival Pack by 7.
Colts smashed by Saints in the Bayou - You'd think it was Mardi Gras by the way the fans in the Louisiana Superdome are celebrating in the Sunday night game. Brees throws for over 400 again and the Saints roll by 18. Will the go Colts go 0-16? Only time will tell.
MNF game: Baltimore at Jacksonville - Ray Lewis will have his D fired up for rookie QB Blaine Gabbert. This season is make or break for Jags head coach Jack Del Rio and this game will not help his cause. Baltimore's defense is forcing turnovers at a ridiculous level and you know they're licking their chops heading into Jax. Ravens win by 10.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
Forecast for late games Week 4
Here's the predictions for the late games...
Giants travel to the desert to face the Cardinals. Eli takes a step back from last week's impressive performance in Philly. New York's defense gives up big plays to Fitzgerald early and often. Cards beat the Giants... Falcons fly into Seattle for a very intriguing match-up. Atlanta has gotten off to a slow start. Seahawks have gotten creamed on the road but played strong at home last week to upend Arizona. I expect the home team to pull another rabbit out of their hat and add to Atlanta's early woes. Seattle over the Falcons... The Chargers welcome the struggling Dolphins to town for Reggie Bush's homecoming party. Rivers & Co. are off to a better start this season and should overcome what I think will be a big game for Miami's prized off-season acquisition. Bush will score a couple times but not nearly enough as the Chargers win big over the Phins... Patriots look to get back on track in Oakland. Under Bill Belichick, the Pats rarely lose two games in a row. The Raiders come into this game fired up after a huge win over the Jets on the same field last Sunday. Hard to see Brady with two sub-par games in two weeks. Both secondaries are banged up so look for lots of points in this one. New England has a knack for coming up with big plays in big games. Each team desperately wants that third win. Patriots pull away in the 4th quarter, beat the Raiders by 13...
Packers look to remain undefeated as Broncos ride into Lambeau. Aaron Rodgers looks unstoppable, the Green Bay defense continues to progress, and you never know what you'll get with Denver. All signs point to a win by the home team, Packers win big and stand as the last unbeaten team at the end of Week 4... Jets head to Baltimore for Rexy's reunion. The Ravens have shown two games of brilliance and look to place themselves as the front-runner in the AFC. New York as been to the AFC championship game two years in a row and if they want a third appearance a big road win over a quality opponent would certainly help. Last week the Raiders bullied the Jets and you have to think Ray Lewis has been pumping up his boys all week to put forth a similar effort. This should be one helluva game and definitely be decided in the final five minutes. Baltimore squeaks out the victory, forcing a late Sanchez turnover... Colts head to Tampa, still searching for first win. The Buccaneers are fresh off a huge divisional win over the rival Falcons, perhaps another let down game? Exactly what Indy needs to get a much needed victory, right? I'm afraid not. Josh Freeman is young and fast, just fast enough to escape the grasp of Freeney and Mathis. Bucs win a surprisingly close game by four, sending the Colts to 0-4.
That does it for Week 4 everyone! As always, GO PATRIOTS!!!
Giants travel to the desert to face the Cardinals. Eli takes a step back from last week's impressive performance in Philly. New York's defense gives up big plays to Fitzgerald early and often. Cards beat the Giants... Falcons fly into Seattle for a very intriguing match-up. Atlanta has gotten off to a slow start. Seahawks have gotten creamed on the road but played strong at home last week to upend Arizona. I expect the home team to pull another rabbit out of their hat and add to Atlanta's early woes. Seattle over the Falcons... The Chargers welcome the struggling Dolphins to town for Reggie Bush's homecoming party. Rivers & Co. are off to a better start this season and should overcome what I think will be a big game for Miami's prized off-season acquisition. Bush will score a couple times but not nearly enough as the Chargers win big over the Phins... Patriots look to get back on track in Oakland. Under Bill Belichick, the Pats rarely lose two games in a row. The Raiders come into this game fired up after a huge win over the Jets on the same field last Sunday. Hard to see Brady with two sub-par games in two weeks. Both secondaries are banged up so look for lots of points in this one. New England has a knack for coming up with big plays in big games. Each team desperately wants that third win. Patriots pull away in the 4th quarter, beat the Raiders by 13...
Packers look to remain undefeated as Broncos ride into Lambeau. Aaron Rodgers looks unstoppable, the Green Bay defense continues to progress, and you never know what you'll get with Denver. All signs point to a win by the home team, Packers win big and stand as the last unbeaten team at the end of Week 4... Jets head to Baltimore for Rexy's reunion. The Ravens have shown two games of brilliance and look to place themselves as the front-runner in the AFC. New York as been to the AFC championship game two years in a row and if they want a third appearance a big road win over a quality opponent would certainly help. Last week the Raiders bullied the Jets and you have to think Ray Lewis has been pumping up his boys all week to put forth a similar effort. This should be one helluva game and definitely be decided in the final five minutes. Baltimore squeaks out the victory, forcing a late Sanchez turnover... Colts head to Tampa, still searching for first win. The Buccaneers are fresh off a huge divisional win over the rival Falcons, perhaps another let down game? Exactly what Indy needs to get a much needed victory, right? I'm afraid not. Josh Freeman is young and fast, just fast enough to escape the grasp of Freeney and Mathis. Bucs win a surprisingly close game by four, sending the Colts to 0-4.
That does it for Week 4 everyone! As always, GO PATRIOTS!!!
NFL Week 4: First round of predictions
Can anyone really believe that the Lions and Bills would be two of the final three undefeated teams today? Don't worry though, both teams will suffer their first loss today. Last week the Lowcountry Sportscaster went 10-6 in his fearless forecast and in Week 4 he's looking to gain some ground! Let's get to the picks!
Cam Newton and the Panthers visit the Windy City. The Bears can't protect Jay Cutler, the Panthers have competed well in all their games. After a humbling loss at home last week, Chicago does just enough and comes away with the win... Titans vs. Browns at the Dog Pound, Colt McCoy led his team to big win over Miami last week, Hasselbeck fresh off the loss of Kenny Britt for the year struggles. Browns win a close one over Tennessee... Toilet Bowl? Minnesota at KC, two teams that do everything in their power to give games away and one will have to come away with their first win of the year. The Vikings have held and given away double-digit leads in all three games they've played. The Chiefs have looked absolutely terrible to start the season, and after losing big-play threat Jamaal Charles for the season the worst may be yet to come. A game that starts slow and boring ends fast and exciting with the Vikes pulling away late to get in the win column... Redskins head to St. Louis to rebound from a tough MNF loss. The Rams have been pushed around a bunch to start the season. Washington has looked tough, especially in the red zone as evidenced in Dallas last week when they held the Cowboys to six field goals. I look for an angry Skins team to tear apart a bruised and broken Rams team moving to 3-1...
The undefeated Bills hit Cincinnati this week and this matchup has letdown game written all over it for Buffalo. Last week they harassed Tom Brady into FOUR picks and they ended a 15-game losing streak to the Pats putting them in sole possession of first place in the AFC East. However, don't be deceived. New England was leading the game 21-0 at one point and even after four Patriot turnovers they only squeezed out a three point victory. I'm not trying to take anything away from Buffalo, they played better last week and that's why they won the game. At the same time, I'm not buying into the Bills just yet. Cincy lost a close game at home last week to the Niners. The Bills are flying high and just might be drinking the kool-aid that looks so tempting from the media proclaiming them as division winner favorites. I see the Bills struggling early and late. Cedric Benson returns to the field for the first time this season after serving a season-opening suspension. Look for him to run win wild today as the Bengals win a close one, knocking Buffalo from the ranks of the unbeatens... Saints at Jaguars has blowout written all over it. Jax rookie quarterback Blaine Gabbert had a decent first start last week in the monsoon in Carolina but he has much to learn and he will have one of the best right in front of him to watch all day. I expect Brees and the New Orleans offense to go up and down the field with great ease. Saints silence the Jags... San Francisco takes on Eagles in Philly. Michael Vick has been all kinds of beat up to start the year. Philadelphia's all-star defense can't stop the run, can't tackle and made Eli Manning look like his big brother last week. The Niners won a low-scoring game last week against the Bengals but they didn't face a game-changer like they will today. LeSean McCoy will carry the Eagles to victory today no matter how ugly it may be... Detroit visits Dallas in what could be a potential playoff match-up down the road. The Lions have been quite impressive in 2011. They've shown they can win in a variety of ways: blowouts, comebacks, and defensive stands to name a few. Most importantly they are undefeated. That changes today. Tony Romo has the Cowboys on his back and may be on the verge of finally establishing himself as a true, respected leader in the league. Although his numbers weren't astounding last week against the rival Redskins, they came out with a huge win and handed Washington their first loss. Dallas moved the ball all over the field last week but couldn't find the endzone. That will change. A high-scoring affair ends with the Cowboys dealing the final blow to the Lions hopes of an undefeated season...
Steelers head to Houston. Texans you have a problem. Pittsburgh is a mysterious team this year. Are they the team that got humiliated in week one at Baltimore? Maybe they're the team that crushed Seattle in the friendly confines of Heinz Field? Either way they better figure it out quick because they face a tough test today. The Texans desperately want to prove to the NFL that they are elite. They failed last week in the Superdome when they gave up big touchdowns late to the Saints remaining the same old Texans who can't take that next step. Lucky for them the schedule gives them another shot at gaining momentum today. Big Ben is notorious for winning big games but the Steelers offensive line has made life harder than normal for their QB. Latest update has Arian Foster making his season debut today. I think this game goes back and forth with the difference being turnovers. The game is in Houston and the Steelers snuck out of Indy last week with a three point win with Manning on the sideline. Texans upend Pitt 38-35 on a last second field goal... Late game forecast due in this afternoon!
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