Well, we've come to that point in the season--the point in which you just know the end of the football season is near. There are few things in life that should not be taken as seriously as we football fans take our football, but we just can't help it. So I have to ask, because last week I predicted we'd be seeing Brady vs. Manning on Sunday. Hey John Fox, what was THAT? There is conservative, and then there is dumbass. And that was a bit plate of dumbass. The Broncos signed Peyton Manning to get them a championship, and instead of putting the ball in his hands with 31 seconds and two timeouts and a short distance for Matt Prater's field goal range, they take a knee, obliterating the 31 seconds and the timeouts, and eventually lose the game in double OT. If you're a Ravens fan, you should send John Fox a thank you note. What's more, John Elway reportedly had Fox's back. Hey Elway, would you have been okay taking a knee in that situation? That's what I thought. Now the picks....
Last Week: 2-2
Playoff Record: 4-4
Season Record: 169-95
San Francisco at Atlanta--With all due respect to the Seahawks, Atlanta has not seen a team as deep on both sides of the ball as the Niners. And let's face it--the Falcons almost choked away the game last week, which would have made it possibly one of the worst choke jobs ever, and would have had everyone calling Mike Smith and Matt Ryan chokers forever. The Niners can run, they can pass and their QB is fast and elusive and will give the Falcons fits the way Russell Wilson did. And they can play D as well as anyone the Falcons have faced this season. Niners 34, Falcons 24
Baltimore at New England--A rematch of last year's game, but the Ravens have a different kicker this year because last year's kicker, Billy Cundiff, is watching at home after shanking the potential game winning 32 yard field goal a year ago. Ray Lewis is playing with house money after Joe Flacco pulled a Houdini and John Fox gift-wrapped another week for Lewis' Ravens. Are the Ravens good enough to win this? Absolutely. Is there any way the Hoodie and Brady blow another opportunity for a ring? No freaking way. Patriots 30, Ravens 27
PS: I need to mention how, as a Giants fan, this weekend's games are especially painful to watch. Last year, the final four was almost identical, with the Falcons playing the role of the Giants this season. The good thing is for San Francisco and New England, they won't have the Giants to get in their heads this time.
PPS: I don't want to see a Harbaugh Bowl. And who in their right mind wants to see a Falcons/Ravens Super Bowl? Blah.
Saturday, January 19, 2013
Friday, January 11, 2013
NFL Picks: Divisional Round Weekend
Here we are, at one of the best (or maybe the best) weekend of the NFL season--divisional round games to determine who goes to the AFC and NFC championship games. Two games Saturday and two on Sunday, and eight really great teams battling it out. Get your popcorn ready....
Last Week: 2-2
Playoff Record: 2-2
Season Record: 167-93
Baltimore at Denver--Peyton Manning didn't just come back to the game following a year rehabilitating his new neck. He wants it all, maybe to catch up to his little brother Eli in Super Bowl rings. And this Broncos team is at least as good as some of Manning's best Colts' teams. But this game will be won on the backs of Denver's D, which is going to frustrate Joe Flacco all day long. Broncos 27, Ravens 13
Green Bay at San Francisco--In Week 1, the Niners traveled to Green Bay and upset the Packers. This time, it's in their place and a spot in the NFC title game for the second straight year is in their grasp. The question is, will Aaron Rodgers be in the grasp of Justin Smith and company before he can inflict damage with that sick group of receivers. And can Frank Gore and Colin Kaepernick inflict damage on that subpar Packers' D. Yes and yes. Niners 26, Packers 17
Seattle at Atlanta--Seeing the Seahawks come back from a 14-0 deficit on the road in DC to score 24 unanswered points has to have the Falcons shaking in their boots. They got the 1-seed for this, to face one of the hottest teams in the NFL? I hate to tell you this, Falcons' fan--but you're about to get punked in the playoffs yet again. And that's probably good for all of us who do not want to see you get smoked in the NFC title game. Seahawks 24, Falcons 20
Houston at New England--It was only one month ago that the Pats began to expose the weaknesses of the Texans and crushed them 42-14 at Foxboro. So it's not like much has changed with either of these squads, except that Houston won a playoff game already. I don't think Tom Brady will put up 42 again, but he won't have to. And then, get ready for a Brady vs. Manning AFC championship game. Patriots 28, Texans 17
Last Week: 2-2
Playoff Record: 2-2
Season Record: 167-93
Baltimore at Denver--Peyton Manning didn't just come back to the game following a year rehabilitating his new neck. He wants it all, maybe to catch up to his little brother Eli in Super Bowl rings. And this Broncos team is at least as good as some of Manning's best Colts' teams. But this game will be won on the backs of Denver's D, which is going to frustrate Joe Flacco all day long. Broncos 27, Ravens 13
Green Bay at San Francisco--In Week 1, the Niners traveled to Green Bay and upset the Packers. This time, it's in their place and a spot in the NFC title game for the second straight year is in their grasp. The question is, will Aaron Rodgers be in the grasp of Justin Smith and company before he can inflict damage with that sick group of receivers. And can Frank Gore and Colin Kaepernick inflict damage on that subpar Packers' D. Yes and yes. Niners 26, Packers 17
Seattle at Atlanta--Seeing the Seahawks come back from a 14-0 deficit on the road in DC to score 24 unanswered points has to have the Falcons shaking in their boots. They got the 1-seed for this, to face one of the hottest teams in the NFL? I hate to tell you this, Falcons' fan--but you're about to get punked in the playoffs yet again. And that's probably good for all of us who do not want to see you get smoked in the NFC title game. Seahawks 24, Falcons 20
Houston at New England--It was only one month ago that the Pats began to expose the weaknesses of the Texans and crushed them 42-14 at Foxboro. So it's not like much has changed with either of these squads, except that Houston won a playoff game already. I don't think Tom Brady will put up 42 again, but he won't have to. And then, get ready for a Brady vs. Manning AFC championship game. Patriots 28, Texans 17
Friday, January 4, 2013
NFL Picks: Wildcard weekend
Greetings everyone! Welcome back to my picks blog, which has been on hiatus since I was commissioned to pick games on Big Blue View the past couple of years. But here we are, and we'll be picking the games through the postseason as well as other sporting events or big games from time to time. And now, let's get to it!
Last week: 11-5 (on Big Blue View)
Season record: 165-91
Cincinnati at Houston--The sexy pick here is the Bengals. Everyone is picking the Bengals because they are hot and the Texans are not. On the other hand, with their stout defense and efficient offense, the Bengals are more than a stepping stone for the 3-seed this year, as opposed to last season when they were happy to be there. But if the Texans' O-line can open some holes for Arian Foster, Matt Schaub may be able to use play-action to find Andre Johnson downfield. And let's face it, this is the first must-win game the Texans have played all year, and they are too good to blow it. Texans 20, Bengals 16
Minnesota at Green Bay--If you watched that game last week, or if you've seen Aaron Rodgers play much football, you saw that look in his eye and that will to make things happen even when it looks bleak. Unfortunately Rodgers doesn't play defense, and Adrian Peterson is maybe the sickest running back since Walter Payton or Jim Brown. But at Lambeau under the lights, there is positively no way the Pack lets their division rival do to them what the Giants did to them last season. Packers 38, Vikings 24
Indianapolis at Baltimore--That's not Peyton Manning coming to town, but young Andrew Luck and the upstart Colts. This could be Ray Lewis' last game ever, but this Ravens' D is not what it used to be just like Lewis isn't what he used to be. And I don't trust Joe Flacco in a big game, I just don't. But here is the bottom line--there is absolutely no way the football gods deprive us of that dream match up next week of the Colts against Peyton Manning's Broncos. Colts 23, Ravens 20
Seattle at Washington--This, to me, is the most difficult game of the weekend to pick. On the one hand, you have the Seahawks, who have been blowing past everyone and would have blown past the Niners in the standings if Roger Goodell got his 18- or 19-week season. Russell Wilson, Marshawn Lynch and a brick wall defense have this team as an outside Super Bowl pick. But wait, there is the matter of RG3 and Alfred Morris and an also-red-hot Redskins team playing at home. There are no ties in the playoffs, so someone has to win and someone has to lose. Redskins 24, Seahawks 20
Last week: 11-5 (on Big Blue View)
Season record: 165-91
Cincinnati at Houston--The sexy pick here is the Bengals. Everyone is picking the Bengals because they are hot and the Texans are not. On the other hand, with their stout defense and efficient offense, the Bengals are more than a stepping stone for the 3-seed this year, as opposed to last season when they were happy to be there. But if the Texans' O-line can open some holes for Arian Foster, Matt Schaub may be able to use play-action to find Andre Johnson downfield. And let's face it, this is the first must-win game the Texans have played all year, and they are too good to blow it. Texans 20, Bengals 16
Minnesota at Green Bay--If you watched that game last week, or if you've seen Aaron Rodgers play much football, you saw that look in his eye and that will to make things happen even when it looks bleak. Unfortunately Rodgers doesn't play defense, and Adrian Peterson is maybe the sickest running back since Walter Payton or Jim Brown. But at Lambeau under the lights, there is positively no way the Pack lets their division rival do to them what the Giants did to them last season. Packers 38, Vikings 24
Indianapolis at Baltimore--That's not Peyton Manning coming to town, but young Andrew Luck and the upstart Colts. This could be Ray Lewis' last game ever, but this Ravens' D is not what it used to be just like Lewis isn't what he used to be. And I don't trust Joe Flacco in a big game, I just don't. But here is the bottom line--there is absolutely no way the football gods deprive us of that dream match up next week of the Colts against Peyton Manning's Broncos. Colts 23, Ravens 20
Seattle at Washington--This, to me, is the most difficult game of the weekend to pick. On the one hand, you have the Seahawks, who have been blowing past everyone and would have blown past the Niners in the standings if Roger Goodell got his 18- or 19-week season. Russell Wilson, Marshawn Lynch and a brick wall defense have this team as an outside Super Bowl pick. But wait, there is the matter of RG3 and Alfred Morris and an also-red-hot Redskins team playing at home. There are no ties in the playoffs, so someone has to win and someone has to lose. Redskins 24, Seahawks 20
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