Last week’s picks: 9-5
Season total: 82-48
I’m away from home this weekend, visiting friends and family in Cape Breton, so I’ll have to bang this picks blog out fairly quickly. But first, a couple of things:
I was 9-5 last week, but it was a good 9-5. There were a lot of road teams that won last week, and I was particularly happy with my Bengals, Saints, Ravens, and Bears picks. Also, I lost on my Chiefs pick because someone must have finally told the Dolphins that the season started, and I lost the Rams pick after they had a 42-yard game-winning field goal blocked at the end of the 4th quarter, then gave up a 99-yard punt return TD in OT. To put last week’s 9-5 in perspective, Peter King of “Sports Illustrated” went 5-9, and he does this for a living.
Congratulations to the Raiders (and their fans) on their 24-17 victory over the Chargers on Thursday night (I picked the Chargers, for those of you who aren’t my facebook “friends."). I guess Oakland did have enough offence, and Carson Palmer looked tons better than he had in his previous start. When they get Darren McFadden back, the AFC West should be theirs for the taking.
There are some tricky games this week. This is the first week where I genuinely feel like I could go 1-15. I’ve been struggling with some of my decisions. Oh well, here goes:
Saints at Falcons
“Colts Hangover” game for Atlanta; Drew Brees is a big step up in quality after facing Curtis Painter last week. Winner: Saints
Bills at Cowboys
I did not like the effort by Buffalo against the Jets last week, especially from the coaches. I think the Bills’ magic may be wearing thin. They’re no surprise any more. Dallas should be able to do enough on offence now that they appear to have gotten the running game on track. Winner: Cowboys
Steelers at Bengals
Did you know that if the season ended now, Cincinnati would have a first-round bye in the playoffs? They are, without a doubt, the surprise team of the season, and they’re doing it with a sound defence and a rookie QB who is playing very well. This week is a huge jump in terms of the quality of their opponent, a Pittsburgh team looking to bounce back after an extremely tough loss to Baltimore. I expect a close, low-scoring affair. Winner: Steelers
Jaguars at Colts
This might be the best shot the Colts have at a win this season. Don’t expect a lot of scoring in this one. Winner: Jaguars
Rams at Browns
Another shit sandwich game (Remember Seahawks-Browns, week 7?). Two teams going nowhere. (Peyton Hillis is probably thanking his lucky stars that he turned down the cover of “Skyrim.”) I’ll pick St. Louis, because I have to pick someone. Winner: Rams
Cardinals at Eagles
Philadelphia can’t beat any good teams, but they can sure still kick the hell out of bad ones. Just don’t start saying they’re great again after they trounce Arizona. Winner: Eagles
Titans at Panthers
Tennessee’s offence seems to have gone bye-bye. That’s too bad, because their defence will only be able to do so much to stop Cam Newton. Carolina will get their points. Can the Titans match them? Winner: Panthers
Texans at Buccaneers
This is not the Houston team of seasons past. This Texans team is winning with good defence, which takes a lot of pressure off Matt Schaub. Both Arian Foster and Ben Tate ran for over 100 yards last week. Tampa Bay is in disarray (I sound like Dr. Seuss.). Winner: Texans
‘skins at Dolphins
Washington is in a free-fall. Miami put it all together last week. The Dolphins’ defence should be able to create some turnovers against the disorganized Washington offence (skins RB Roy Helu had 14 receptions last week) this week, making it easier on their offence. Winner: Dolphins
Broncos at Chiefs
I throw up my hands at this one. I don’t get the Tim Tebow thing at all. It worked against the Raiders. If the Chiefs aren’t ready, they could find themselves in a world of trouble. The AFC West has me stumped. Winner: Broncos
Ravens at Seahawks
The Ravens must be feeling pretty great right now, after completing the season sweep against Pittsburgh last week. This would be a good time for a let-down. Fortunately, Baltimore has already looked pretty awful against some inferior competition this season, and I have to believe that a coach as good as John Harbaugh will have them ready. Plus, Seattle is kind of terrible. Winner: Ravens
Lions at Bears
Chicago is playing extremely well right now. They seem to have found their offensive identity, and the defence continues to play well. Getting Earl Bennett back last week gave a huge boost to Jay Cutler and the Bears’ offence. Let’s see how Detroit does without the benefit of all the crowd noise that aided them in their earlier victory over Chicago. Winner: Bears
Giants at 49ers
These two teams are the main contenders for the second seed in the NFC playoffs this year. Jim Harbaugh and his staff have to hope that their defence can keep the score low, and that their offence can establish the run and avoid costly turnovers. Winner: 49ers
Patriots at Jets
The Pats’ defence stinks. The Jets’ offence stinks. The Pats’ offence is struggling. The Jets’ defence is overrated. It’s a wash. Winner: Patriots
Monday Night
Vikings at Packers
Really? I’m not even going to try to build up any suspense. Winner: Packers
Season total: 82-48
I’m away from home this weekend, visiting friends and family in Cape Breton, so I’ll have to bang this picks blog out fairly quickly. But first, a couple of things:
I was 9-5 last week, but it was a good 9-5. There were a lot of road teams that won last week, and I was particularly happy with my Bengals, Saints, Ravens, and Bears picks. Also, I lost on my Chiefs pick because someone must have finally told the Dolphins that the season started, and I lost the Rams pick after they had a 42-yard game-winning field goal blocked at the end of the 4th quarter, then gave up a 99-yard punt return TD in OT. To put last week’s 9-5 in perspective, Peter King of “Sports Illustrated” went 5-9, and he does this for a living.
Congratulations to the Raiders (and their fans) on their 24-17 victory over the Chargers on Thursday night (I picked the Chargers, for those of you who aren’t my facebook “friends."). I guess Oakland did have enough offence, and Carson Palmer looked tons better than he had in his previous start. When they get Darren McFadden back, the AFC West should be theirs for the taking.
There are some tricky games this week. This is the first week where I genuinely feel like I could go 1-15. I’ve been struggling with some of my decisions. Oh well, here goes:
Saints at Falcons
“Colts Hangover” game for Atlanta; Drew Brees is a big step up in quality after facing Curtis Painter last week. Winner: Saints
Bills at Cowboys
I did not like the effort by Buffalo against the Jets last week, especially from the coaches. I think the Bills’ magic may be wearing thin. They’re no surprise any more. Dallas should be able to do enough on offence now that they appear to have gotten the running game on track. Winner: Cowboys
Steelers at Bengals
Did you know that if the season ended now, Cincinnati would have a first-round bye in the playoffs? They are, without a doubt, the surprise team of the season, and they’re doing it with a sound defence and a rookie QB who is playing very well. This week is a huge jump in terms of the quality of their opponent, a Pittsburgh team looking to bounce back after an extremely tough loss to Baltimore. I expect a close, low-scoring affair. Winner: Steelers
Jaguars at Colts
This might be the best shot the Colts have at a win this season. Don’t expect a lot of scoring in this one. Winner: Jaguars
Rams at Browns
Another shit sandwich game (Remember Seahawks-Browns, week 7?). Two teams going nowhere. (Peyton Hillis is probably thanking his lucky stars that he turned down the cover of “Skyrim.”) I’ll pick St. Louis, because I have to pick someone. Winner: Rams
Cardinals at Eagles
Philadelphia can’t beat any good teams, but they can sure still kick the hell out of bad ones. Just don’t start saying they’re great again after they trounce Arizona. Winner: Eagles
Titans at Panthers
Tennessee’s offence seems to have gone bye-bye. That’s too bad, because their defence will only be able to do so much to stop Cam Newton. Carolina will get their points. Can the Titans match them? Winner: Panthers
Texans at Buccaneers
This is not the Houston team of seasons past. This Texans team is winning with good defence, which takes a lot of pressure off Matt Schaub. Both Arian Foster and Ben Tate ran for over 100 yards last week. Tampa Bay is in disarray (I sound like Dr. Seuss.). Winner: Texans
‘skins at Dolphins
Washington is in a free-fall. Miami put it all together last week. The Dolphins’ defence should be able to create some turnovers against the disorganized Washington offence (skins RB Roy Helu had 14 receptions last week) this week, making it easier on their offence. Winner: Dolphins
Broncos at Chiefs
I throw up my hands at this one. I don’t get the Tim Tebow thing at all. It worked against the Raiders. If the Chiefs aren’t ready, they could find themselves in a world of trouble. The AFC West has me stumped. Winner: Broncos
Ravens at Seahawks
The Ravens must be feeling pretty great right now, after completing the season sweep against Pittsburgh last week. This would be a good time for a let-down. Fortunately, Baltimore has already looked pretty awful against some inferior competition this season, and I have to believe that a coach as good as John Harbaugh will have them ready. Plus, Seattle is kind of terrible. Winner: Ravens
Lions at Bears
Chicago is playing extremely well right now. They seem to have found their offensive identity, and the defence continues to play well. Getting Earl Bennett back last week gave a huge boost to Jay Cutler and the Bears’ offence. Let’s see how Detroit does without the benefit of all the crowd noise that aided them in their earlier victory over Chicago. Winner: Bears
Giants at 49ers
These two teams are the main contenders for the second seed in the NFC playoffs this year. Jim Harbaugh and his staff have to hope that their defence can keep the score low, and that their offence can establish the run and avoid costly turnovers. Winner: 49ers
Patriots at Jets
The Pats’ defence stinks. The Jets’ offence stinks. The Pats’ offence is struggling. The Jets’ defence is overrated. It’s a wash. Winner: Patriots
Monday Night
Vikings at Packers
Really? I’m not even going to try to build up any suspense. Winner: Packers
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