“Yes It Is.”
“YAHOOOOOOOOOO!”
One of the best things about football season is that, even though we are hundreds (or thousands) of Kilometres apart, I know where my football fan friends are, and it’s heartening to know that we’re doing the same things, together/apart.
I watch football because I enjoy it. That’s the same reason I write about it, and I hope that’s the same reason you’re reading this. I’m no expert. Players and agents don’t text me, and I don’t have any coaches, owners, or GMs on speed-dial. My picks are part observation, part psychology, sometimes part wishful thinking.
This week, as with every week, my needs are simple when it comes to the product on the field:
· That the players and coaches get to decide the games, not the officials
· That no one gets injured
· That we are entertained
This week, and for the rest of the season, we are missing the likes of Vince Wilfork, Jerod Mayo, Leon Hall, Dennis Pitta, Brian Hoyer, Reggie Wayne, Brian Cushing, Sam Bradford, Brian Bulaga, Henry Melton, Julio Jones, Dustin Keller, Mark Sanchez, Maurkice Pouncy, Larry Foote, Ahmad Bradshaw, Danieal Manning, Ryan Clady, Dwight Freeney, David Baas, Chris Snee. The game is better with these guys healthy, because they raise the level of competition (or, in the case of Sanchez, provide comic relief and make Jets’ fans suffer). Come back healthy next season, guys.
Happy football Sunday? Yes, it is. Yahoo!
49ers “at” Jags FC
Location doesn’t matter. Rain shouldn’t matter. Winner: 49ers
Cowboys at Lions
Lions favoured only because they’re at home. Winner: Cowboys
Dolphins at Patriots
Until the Dolphins fix the O-line, they’ll only beat bad teams. Winner: Patriots
Bills at Saints
(All signs point to) No Jimmy Graham. Bills’ defence is good. Saints favoured by too much in this one. I’d pick the Bills is Spiller was healthier. Winner: Saints
Giants at Eagles
A win against a wretched Vikes team isn’t enough to tempt me yet, Coughlin Mystique. Winner: Eagles
Browns at Chiefs
Imagine trying to play QB against a top NFL defence with the equivalent of a jet engine screaming in your ear. Winner: Chiefs
Jets at Bengals
“The Red Rifle” is smokin’ hot, Gio “Storm” corners like he’s on a rail, and AJ Green, he’s pretty good too. Winner: Bengals
Steelers at Raiders
This pick’s all about Terrelle Pryor, my favourite new player this season. Winner: Raiders
Washington at Broncos
Back to pushovers. Winner: Broncos
Falcons at Cardinals
Roddy White’s a no-go. Steven Jackson is a go-go, at least until he’s gone-gone again-gain. Winner: Cardinals
Packers at Vikings
This is the best the Pack’s running game has looked since Aaron Rodgers became the starter. Winner: Packers
Monday Night
Seahawks at Rams
Since the Panthers played on Thursday, would it be completely out of the question for Steve Smith to do a run-in and hit Janoris Jenkins with a steel chair? By the time the Seahawks are through with them, most of the Rams will probably feel as though they suffered a similar fate. Of course, no one in St. Louis will be watching. Winner: Seahawks