NFL picks--Week 17

Last week: 12-4
Season record: 149-75

Well, it's come to this.  Week 17 and just a few playoff spots and seedings up for grabs, which is both good and bad.  Good because there are still some spots being played for.  Bad because it's going to render most of these games a snooze fest.  They are all on Sunday this week, and it's always fun watching Andrew Siciliano talk over all those split screens, which now include three across in which you can't see any of the action on the field.  Let's have a look at the slate....

Cleveland at Baltimore--The Ravens are still alive but do not control their own destiny.  I think the Browns are a sack away from starting me or you at QB.  Ravens 23, Browns 10

Dallas at Washington--I believe the Cowboys have an outside shot at a 2-seed.  So don't expect them to let off the gas here.  Yes, the Skins have always had their number but this Dallas team is steamrolling everyone.  Cowboys 27, Redskins 17

Indianapolis at Tennessee--The Colts have been exposed as a bit of a fraud so they need to have positive momentum by beating up on the NFL's biggest doormat.  Colts 31, Titans 17

New Orleans at Tampa Bay--How the mighty Saints, considered by many as a Super Bowl team, have fallen.  It's kind of breathtaking.  And it continues on Sunday.  Bucs 22, Saints 20

Philadelphia at NY Giants--The Eagles were eliminated with a shocking loss to the Skins on Saturday, and the Giants just keep winning and ruining their draft position for 2015.  Say what you will about Tom Coughlin, he plays every game to win.  Giants 30, Eagles 20

Buffalo at New England--The Patriots are literally playing for nothing as they have the 1-seed locked up, but don't think for a minute that they won't go all out here.  Patriots 29, Bills 16

Jacksonville at Houston--It's been a pretty good rebound year for Houston under Bill O'Brien.  Texans 23, Jaguars 10

San Diego at Kansas City--I think this is one of the few games with playoff implications for both teams.  The Chargers win and they are in and the Chiefs can win and get in with help.  I think.  Chiefs 24, Chargers 23

NY Jets at Miami--This is likely a curtain call for Rex Ryan.  Joe Philbin is still safe but the Dolphins will once again miss the playoffs.  Jets 19, Dolphins 16

Chicago at Minnesota--The Bears are in a horrible downward spiral.  Vikings 22, Bears 17

Oakland at Denver--The first of five (yes five!) late afternoon games.  Broncos 37, Raiders 10

Arizona at San Francisco--Likely the last of Jim Harbaugh's games coaching the disappointing Niners.  The Cards still have a shot at the 1-seed and they won't let up off the gas.  Cards 17, Niners 14

Detroit at Green Bay--This is no layup for the Pack, but in Week 17 at Lambeau they are about as safe a bet as any to win.  And this is for the division crown.  Packers 23, Lions 20

St. Louis at Seattle--There is no way Jeff Fisher's dirty...errrr, chippy Rams win in Seattle with the number 1 seed in the Hawks sights.  Seahawks 23, Rams 6

Carolina at Atlanta--This one is for the NFC South crown, with the winner being under .500 as a division champ and hosting a playoff game a la the 2011 Seahawks.  And the team getting shafted by this playoff format?  The Eagles, who may finish 10-6 and watch a team with a losing record take the 4-seed.  I'm a Giants fan, and this pleases me immensely.  Panthers 27, Falcons 24

Cincinnati at Pittsburgh--Both of these teams are flawed but dangerous.  And both are playing well, but I have to take the home team and Mike Tomlin, one of my favorite NFL coaches, to win the AFC North.  Steelers 22, Bengals 19

NFL picks--Week 16

Last week: 10-6
Last night: 1-0
Season record: 138-71

The playoff picture is becoming clearer and it's both exciting and strange.  Exciting because your favorites of Seattle, Green Bay, New England and Denver are all looking really strong, and strange because it's likely the Saints, Panthers or Falcons will win the NFC South (and host a playoff game) with 6 or 7 or 8 wins.  The Niners are out.  The Bills are still alive.  Arizona will likely win the NFC West while the Niners are already eliminated.  But hey, it only means we have to watch.  Except for games like last night's Jax vs. Tennessee.  We have to draw the line somewhere.

Philadelphia at Washington--Last season Saturday football is back!  But these two games are kind of yawn-inducing.  There needs to be season long prime time flexing or something.  Eagles 34, Redskins 20

San Diego at San Francisco--With each passing day, Jim Harbaugh appears to be on his way out.  The Niners are out of the playoffs after reaching the NFC title game three straight times.  The Chargers are likely going to miss the playoffs too after losing two in a row.  They're still alive so they have more to play for.  Chargers 24, Niners 22

Minnesota at Miami--Hey, a rematch of Super Bowl 8!  I know none of these players were born yet, but I wonder if some of the coaches even weren't born yet.  Dolphins 20, Vikings 13

Baltimore at Houston--The other Harbaugh, John, always seems to have his Ravens in the hunt.  They are sneaky good even when they are not very good.  I'm waiting for my phone to ring any day now to play QB for the Texans if Case Keenum's second tour doesn't work out.  Ravens 27, Texans 16

Detroit at Chicago--The Bears are about as dysfunctional as a franchise can be right now.  There is a losing culture, yes, but benching your 15 million dollar QB is sending a message.  Of course, no one knows what that message is.  Lions 30, Bears 14

Cleveland at Carolina--The Browns are 7-7 and quite respectable, but with that record they now sit in last place in the AFC North with three 9-win teams above them.  Johnny who?  Panthers 21, Browns 14

Atlanta at New Orleans--It's amazing to think that the upset of the Saints by the Falcons in Week 1 would loom large in a playoff race among teams with losing records.  Saints 45, Falcons 31

Green Bay at Tampa Bay--A classic NFC Central division rivalry.  The whole world just went "HUH?"  Packers 24, Bucs 19

Kansas City at Pittsburgh--You would think Pittsburgh in December is a very unfriendly place to play, but Andy Reid always seems to have his team in position to win games anywhere, anytime.  But he won't win this one.  Steelers 28, Chiefs 20

New England at NY Jets--Can you imagine how badly Rex wants to win this game?  It's likely his last home game and his last game against the Pats as coach of the Jets.  Patriots 31, Jets 12

NY Giants at St. Louis--After games against the Jags, Titans and Redskins, the Giants are facing a Rams team that is going to have the appearance of the Seahawks.  And it'll be really tough for the Giants to score at all against them.  Rams 16, Giants 9

Buffalo at Oakland--This is surely a game the Bills should win but may not.  Raiders 23, Bills 20

Indianapolis at Dallas--Here is a mighty intriguing game.  The Cowboys are leading the NFC East at 10-4 and the Colts have that same record leading the AFC South.  I really want Dallas to choke here but I doubt they will.  Cowboys 37, Colts 35

Seattle at Arizona--So SNF flexed into a beauty here.  The Cards lead the NFC West at 11-3 while the Seahawks trail by one game at 10-4.  This is for the division, more or less.  Seahawks 20, Cards 17

Denver at Cincinnati--Hey, what do you know?  Even a blind squirrel finds and acorn sometimes.  Monday Night Football has a meaningful game in Week 16!   Bengals 26, Broncos 23

NFL picks--Thursday Night Football Week 16

Last week: 10-6
Season record: 137-71

Tennessee at Jacksonville--Woo hoo!  A real barn burner for Thursday night.  They really have a knack for picking crappy games to air on TNF, don't they?  Jim Nantz and Phil Simms would never work a game like this on a Sunday-- instead, CBS would go to its thirteenth string of announcers like a monkey and a former NFL punter.  At least this is legitimately a game that could determine the number 1 pick in the 2015 NFL draft, so there's that.  And the Jags are 2-5 at home which gives them a slight edge (I mean, I can't believe I just wrote that).  So yeah, just wake me up when it's over.  Jaguars 19, Titans 16

NFL picks--Week 15

Last week: 10-6
Season record: 127-65

Week 15.  Dang.....I was in one fantasy league and I'm out of the playoffs.  Despite having the third highest point total, I went 5-9 because I had the third most points against.  I hate that stupid game sometimes.  Meanwhile, the season is barreling by, so we have to enjoy it while it's still here.  Let's check out this full slate of games....

Arizona at St. Louis--First of all, Jeff Fisher has balls of titanium.  Sending the six players the Rams drafted in the RG3 trade for the coin flip last weekend was breathtakingly ballsy, and I loved it.  I bet Dan Snyder didn't love it.  Or Robert Griffin.  The Rams also have beat their last two opponents 76-0.  Sure, it was against Oakland and Washington but that team is scary and will be really scary next season.  Meanwhile, everyone is off the Cardinals bandwagon.  They should win this game, but they probably won't.  Rams 17, Cards 16

Pittsburgh at Atlanta--I'm glad I don't make my living doing this, because it's impossible to figure this league out from week to week this season and here are two teams that are all over the place.  Steelers 38, Falcons 34

Washington at NY Giants--Despite my Giants looking mighty dysfunctional, they don't compare in that category to the Skins.  Yikes, what a clown show that has become.  The Giants have actually looked pretty good in many of their games before shitting the bed too often.  Sunday will not be one of those days.  Giants 30, Redskins 23

Miami at New England--The Patriots almost never lose in December and/or at home, so yeah, I feel confident with this pick.  Patriots 27, Dolphins 17

Oakland at Kansas City--The Chiefs are on the outside looking in to the playoff picture, and despite the Raiders playing well of late, including a win against KC a few weeks ago, they won't repeat that result here.  Chiefs 20, Raiders 10

Houston at Indianapolis--The Texans, much improved, are also on the outside looking in.  And all anyone says is that they have never won in Indy.  So no reason to believe that streak is snapped Sunday.  Colts 37, Texans 24

Cincinnati at Cleveland--All eyes on Johnny Manziel for his first NFL start, but the Bengals are seeking revenge from that Thursday night thrashing.  Cleveland sports teams have a way of disappointing their fans, but this is different.  The team is exciting and very close to being for real.  Browns 24, Bengals 23

Jacksonville at Baltimore--Yeah, no.  Ravens 26, Jags 3

Green Bay at Buffalo--Well if it's a blizzard it's not like the Packers won't feel at home.  But it's supposed to be 40 degrees.  Packers 33, Bills 26

Tampa Bay at Carolina--Cam Newton feels lucky to be alive after a pretty bad car accident two days ago.  Derek Anderson will start in his place Sunday and it's hard to imagine them not riding a wave of emotion to a win.  Panthers 21, Bucs 17

NY Jets at Tennessee--Somehow I don't think the Jets will hang 36 on the Titans like the Giants did last week.  Titans 20, Jets 17

Denver at San Diego--As good as Denver is, they are 3-3 on the road this year, and the Chargers 5-2 at home.  Philip Rivers is almost unbeatable in December too, so I'm calling the upset.  Chargers 30, Broncos 27

Minnesota at Detroit--This could be a trap game for the Lions, but I think they hang on for their tenth win.  Lions 22, Vikings 19

San Francisco at Seattle--The Niners are reeling, bad.  If the Hawks held them to 3 points on Thanksgiving night in San Fran, there is no reason to expect a different outcome here.  Seahawks 27, Niners 13

Dallas at Philadelphia--Another Thanksgiving Day rematch, and another that should have a similar result.  Eagles 38, Cowboys 31

New Orleans at Chicago--Though not the clunker other Monday nighters have been, ESPN just has a problem picking games every NFL fan wants to watch.  Saints 30, Bears 20

NFL picks--rest of Week 14

Last week: 7-9
Last night: 1-0
Season record: 118-59

Let's get to the rest of the picks and hopefully build on last night's success....


Pittsburgh at Cincinnati--The AFC North is pretty remarkable in that each team is above .500.  I can't figure out who will rise up and take the division, can you?  Bengals 26, Steelers 20

St. Louis at Washington--Jeff Fisher has his Rams playing really well.  We knew they had a killer D but raise your hand if you saw 52 points against the Raiders coming.  That's what I thought.  Redskins 19, Rams 16

NY Giants at Tennessee--In the big scheme, the Giants have kind of stooped to the bottom of the barrel after being upset by Jacksonville.  I think they have a better team than their record, but I can't pick them until they prove me wrong.  Titans 20, Giants 17

Carolina at New Orleans--Cam is just a shell of himself, isn't he?  The Saints smell blood and will take that crappy division.  Saints 38, Panthers 17

NY Jets at Minnesota--I think this Vikings team has the potential to be scary with Bridgewater and if he comes back, Adrian Peterson.  But meanwhile, they'll lose a lot of games while being fun to watch.  You can't say that for the Jets.  Vikings 22, Jets 16

Baltimore at Miami--Two teams fighting for their playoff lives, so expect a dogfight.  (sorry, Mike Vick!).  Ravens 23, Dolphins 20

Indianapolis at Cleveland--I'm not sure if  Brian Hoyer will respond to keeping his gig for now, or if he will hear the pitter patter of Johnny Football's footsteps.  I wanna pick the Browns but I think the Colts are just too good.  Colts 31, Browns 23

Tampa Bay at Detroit--There is just no way the Lions lose this game.  They are vying for the division against a talented Green Bay team and vying for a wild card too among some more great teams in Dallas, Philly, Seattle and Arizona.  This is a lay-up they can't flub.  Lions 27, Bucs 10

Houston at Jacksonville--The Texans are still in it at 6-6 but there are too many 7-5 teams to jump over.  But they have already overachieved based on last year in Bill O'Brien's first year.  Texans 28, Jags 20

Buffalo at Denver--Don't look now, the Bills are one of those aforementioned 7-5 teams.  But they are just going to be outclassed here.  Broncos 42, Bills 20

Kansas City at Arizona--The Cards have looked mortal losing two straight, but look for a rebound at home against a reeling Chiefs' squad.  Cards 19, Chiefs 16

Seattle at Philadelphia--One of the week's best games, and the Eagles can just about punch their ticket to January football if they win Sunday.  The Hawks are just 3-3 on the road while the Eagles are 6-0 at home.  That kind of gives a good indication.  Eagles 30, Seahawks 27

San Francisco at Oakland--Wow, four games in the 4pm ET hour!  Last week there were two and Red Zone showed two punts at once.  Seriously, they need balance in the weekly schedule.  Niners 37, Raiders 10

New England at San Diego--I credit Rich Eisen for this amazing stat--Tom Brady has the second best winning percentage in NFL history in December at 40-8.  But Philip Rivers is ranked first, with a 29-3 record in December.  Holy crap.  Patriots 27, Chargers 26

Atlanta at Green Bay--The Packers are 6-0 at home, and the Falcons are a fraud of a first place team.  That will be evident Monday night.  Oh and once again, what a crappy MNF matchup!  Packers 45, Falcons 21

NFL picks--Week 14 TNF

Last week: 7-9
Season record: 117-59

Um, 7-9?  Me?  That's not good.  That's not what you've come to expect from this amateur prognosticator, is it?  Well let's do something about that.....we have a full slate of games again this week but we're just going to pick the game tonight and do the rest tomorrow. 

Dallas at Chicago--The Cowboys took a step backward last week on Turkey Day and now everyone is thinking that Tony Romo's annual swoon has commenced.  Of course, the Bears have been in the tank mode most of the entire season.  Cowboys 27, Bears 20

NFL picks--Week 13

Last week: 11-4
Season record: 117-59

I have four words for you--NO MORE BYE WEEKS.  Right as the fantasy postseason looms and the weather is getting colder in most NFL cities, we have a full slate of games the last five weeks of the season.  And as one of football's great traditions, there will be games on Thanksgiving Day, which is tomorrow--three of them, and they are all NFC divisional rivalries.  Oh yeah!  So let's see what's on tap and how we expect the games to shake out....

Chicago at Detroit--I'm not sure what's more amazing.  That the Lions have the fewest points allowed in the NFL (190) or that only four teams have scored fewer points (Oakland, Tennessee, Jacksonville, NY Jets).  Seriously, a team with Calvin Johnson and Matt Stafford and Golden Tate and Reggie Bush and Joique Bell should not struggle to put up points, right?  The Bears, they are a completely different story, and not a good one.  Lions 23, Bears 17

Philadelphia at Dallas--As a Giants fan, my hatred for these two teams runs deep.  It runs even deeper when they are both competing for the NFC East title and a first round bye.  But this season, I hate the Eagles just a little less.  Cowboys 34, Eagles 31

Seattle at San Francisco--The Richard Sherman/Michael Crabtree rematch.  Both teams have struggled a little more than you'd expect after playing for the NFC title ten months ago, and while this one could go either way, I have this funny feeling about Kaepernick for tomorrow.  Niners 26, Seahawks 24

Washington at Indianapolis--Wow, the Skins are a mess.  RG3 has been benched for Colt McCoy, which means this Dan Snyder abomination has seen both RG3 and Kirk Cousins play themselves out of a job.  Meanwhile, the Colts are set at the QB position for the next 15 years or so.  Again.  Colts 37, Redskins 20

Tennessee at Houston--Okay so there is a full slate of games, but this is one of them.  Texans 24, Titans 13

Cleveland at Buffalo--I think it's still snowing in Buffalo.  This game is technically the Snow Belt Bowl, but for the first time in years both teams have something to play for.  Browns 19, Bills 16

San Diego at Baltimore--These teams are so evenly matched that they are both 7-4 and each have just one loss at home.  Well, at least that makes it easy to pick this game.  Ravens 27, Chargers 20

NY Giants at Jacksonville--Tom Coughlin returns to his old stomping grounds, and his Giants are playing so bad they may remind him of the Jags' expansion season.  Jaguars 23, Giants 13

Cincinnati at Tampa Bay--The Bengals are clinging to the division lead in the AFC North at 7-3-1, while the Bucs are still in contention for a division title in the NFC South at 2-9!  Two and NINE.  There are seriously no words here.  Bengals 24, Bucs 6

Oakland at St. Louis--The Raiders may be feeling frisky after beating the Chiefs for win number one last Thursday, but they will be lucky to put up any points at all against this Rams' D.  Rams 17, Raiders 3

New Orleans at Pittsburgh--Well, the Saints can't blame the fact that their head coach was suspended.  This time, they just aren't playing well, period.  Or maybe they think they have a great shot at the NFC South title even if they win 6 games.  Steelers 30, Saints 27

Carolina at Minnesota--I wonder if DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart will still be the Panthers' backfield combo in 2027.  Panthers 20, Vikings 16

Arizona at Atlanta--A classic clash of division leaders, yet the Cards have more than twice the number of wins (9) as the Falcons (4).  Cards 16, Falcons 13

New England at Green Bay--The game of the week could be the game of the year, and a rematch of Super Bowl 31.  Get your popcorn ready.  For my money, Brady and Rodgers are the two best QBs in the game.  Patriots 41, Packers 38

Denver at Kansas City--It would be awesome if KC followed up that loss to the Raiders with an upset of the Broncos.  And you know what?  I think it's more than possible.  Chiefs 31, Broncos 27

Miami at NY Jets--I'm seriously taking privileges away from ESPN to carry Monday Night Football if they can't pick competitive games.  They've had some of the most horrendous matchups of the season on MNF, prompting all of us to watch 2 Broke Girls instead.  Dolphins 22, Jets 10










 

NFL picks--Week 12

Last week: 9-5
Season record: 106-55

In this wacky NFL season, it just doesn't get any easier to pick these games, does it?  I did put a feather in my own cap for picking the Rams to beat the Broncos.  From what I could tell, I was the only person in the civilized world that did.  But I got five wrong last week too.  My biggest blunder was taking the Browns over the Texans, but I wasn't the only one.  And who saw the Bengals beating the Saints in the dome?  Yikes.  With that, let's have a look at Week 12 (another yikes, this season is going too fast for my liking). 

Kansas City at Oakland--Oh how I wanted to pick the Raiders here.  They haven't won a game since like last October, but division games are always strange, and the Raiders haven't exactly shit the bed every game.  Okay, maybe a few turds.  But then I realized that Andy Reid will have his hot KC team ready and I wised up.  Chiefs 27, Raiders 17

Cleveland at Atlanta--So now that the DIVISION LEADING Falcons smell blood, they may actually start playing better.  Otherwise, let's face it, a 6-10 team could make the playoffs.  The Browns came back down to earth last Sunday against Houston but this defense will not scare them like one with JJ Watt and that Clowney fella.  And Josh Gordon is back.  Browns 23, Falcons 20

Tennessee at Philadelphia--The Titans made things interesting against Pittsburgh, and we'll see if Mark Sanchez last week just had a bad game or if he's still the same buttfumbler the Jets let go of.  Eagles 37, Titans 13

Detroit at New England--This is a tough one.  The Patriots are positively on fire, but the Lions have the NFL's best defense.  Not only that, they are number 1 against the rush and number 1 against the pass.  That is scary.  But I can't bet against Brady and Belichick at home.  Patriots 26, Lions 20

Green Bay at Minnesota--The cold on Minnesota's frozen tundra isn't much different than Green Bay's.  Packers 40, Vikings 24

Jacksonville at Indianapolis--After that rude awakening against New England, at least the Colts have a lay up here.  Colts 33, Jaguars 9

Cincinnati at Houston--The way things are going, we could very easily see these two mediocre teams meet in the playoffs again.  I wish they could both lose this game.  Texans 21, Bengals 17

NY Jets at Buffalo--Did I hear correctly that there are six FEET of snow in Buffalo?  Holy crap.  If they actually get to play this one, it won't be very entertaining, so why bother?  Bills 20, Jets 10

Tampa Bay at Chicago--Don't think Lovie Smith didn't circle this one on his calendar.  Bucs 27, Bears 24

Arizona at Seattle--It's been a nice season for the Cards, but this is a major test and I don't think they pass it.  Seahawks 19, Cards 16

St. Louis at San Diego--Don't be fooled by some of the upsets the Rams have dished out.  They are still the Rams.  Chargers 23, Rams 13

Miami at Denver--There sure are a lot of games I don't care about this week.  On paper, the Dolphins' D may give Peyton fits, but a few Omahas and he'll be good to go.  Broncos 30, Dolphins 17

Washington at San Francisco--Oh boy, here are two teams with some locker room issues.  At least the Niners are winning.  The Redskins have a serious QB dilemma and it seems to not matter who coaches this team, there are always issues and losses mounting.  Niners 31, Redskins 10

Dallas at NY Giants--I just don't get why NBC didn't flex out of this one, so now I get to watch my Giants lay another egg on national TV.  Get your popcorn ready.  Cowboys 41, Giants 24

Baltimore at New Orleans--Wait, does New Orleans play any road games?  Saints 26, Ravens 23

NFL picks--Week 11

Last week: 8-5
Season record: 97-50

Okay, so I'm slipping and slacking a bit.  Slipping in my pick-age and slacking that I am getting these up a day late.  Regardless, let's see....I should first say I would have picked Miami last night.  Last week I told you I would have picked Cincinnati so you know I would not cheat.  So, with that, let's see what the rest of the slate looks like. 

Minnesota at Chicago--For me this conjures up memories of Chuck Foreman and Walter Payton, and these teams had some epic games in the '70's.  Alas it's 2014 and both of them are tumbling.  Bears 20, Vikings 17

Houston at Cleveland--A letdown would be natural for the Browns after they absolutely destroyed the Bengals in Cincinnati, where the home team almost never loses.  But these Browns are different and I'm rooting for them.  Browns 20, Texans 13

Atlanta at Carolina--Talk about teams that are tumbling.  Wow, there are some disappointments this year, and also some feel good stories like the Browns.  Panthers 21, Falcons 20

Cincinnati at New Orleans--The Bengals were #1 in a lot of power rankings a few weeks ago.  The Saints were a preseason Super Bowl pick for many.  Now it's a game between two mediocre teams possibly going in opposite directions.  Oh, and Jimmy Graham....that was dumb.  I can say that knowing you're a couple thousand miles away.  Saints 31, Bengals 17

Tampa Bay at Washington--Wait, is RG3 still the QB?  Is Kirk Cousins still a Redskin?  Is Lovie Smith a bad coach or was he dealt a crappy team?  These are the things I think about when I have nothing else to think about.  Redskins 34, Bucs 20

Denver at St. Louis--My boy Drew Magary accurately said in his column on Deadspin yesterday that Peyton Manning loses big games because he unravels when things don't go exactly his way.  This is so true.  On Sunday, Jeff Fisher's Rams are going to give Manning all the defense he can handle, just like Seattle did in the Super Bowl.  Oh yeah, upset city.  Rams 23, Broncos 20

San Francisco at NY Giants--Oh Giants, why do you torture me so?  Well he's the good news.  The Niners are back in the hunt and the Giants are not, so there are no expectations on my team anymore.  Just get a good draft pick.  Niners 37, Giants 24

Seattle at Kansas City--The Seahawks are vulnerable on the road, and the Chiefs are pretty good at home.  You can see where I'm going here, though I'm having a hard time actually pulling the trigger.  Chiefs 20, Seahawks 19

Oakland at San Diego--Since Tony Sparano took over for Dennis Allen, the Raiders are what, 0-4?  He's about to match Allen's record in 2014.  So much for burying that football before his first game.  Chargers 27, Raiders 10

Detroit at Arizona--Holy moly, the late games (except for the one above this) are awesome.  This game could quite possibly be a preview of the NFC title game.  Cards 19, Lions 16

Philadelphia at Green Bay--Holy moly, this game could also quite possibly be a preview of the NFC title game.  Packers 41, Eagles 38

New England at Indianapolis--A few years ago, my buddy Dave and I went to Indy for the Pats/Colts game when they were both 7-0 or something.  It was Manning vs. Brady in one of the most epic games of that rivalry and New England won.  We sat next to James Sanders' (S for Pats) family and were high-fiving his parents.  Why do I say this?  Because this could quite possibly be a preview of the AFC title game, and Luck vs. Brady is pretty freaking cool too.  Colts 30, Patriots 27

Pittsburgh at Tennessee--And then we have yet another Monday night clunker.  Look at this slate of games in Week 11.  You mean to tell me you guys couldn't have picked a better one?  Sheesh.  Steelers 26, Titans 17

NFL picks--Week 10

Last week: 9-4
Season record: 89-45

okay so since I didn't get these picks up on Thursday, let me just say for the record that I absolutely would not have picked the Browns to win.  Not that I gave them no chance, but the Bengals are usually money at home.  But I'm sure going to be interested in the Browns and more likely to pick them after that utter annihilation.  On to the rest of the games.....

Kansas City at Buffalo--Halfway home, these two teams are 5-3, and the Browns are 6-3.  I just checked out my window and the sky isn't falling.  Chiefs 20, Bills 17

Miami at Detroit--The Lions are quietly leading the AFC North at 6-2 despite Calvin Johnson being injured.  This is definitely a team to watch.  The Dolphins at 5-3 are also a team to watch.  (nope, sky is still in its place).  Lions 19, Dolphins 13

Dallas vs. Jacksonville at London--Will Tony Romo and his broken back bones play?  It appears there is a good chance, but I really really find it hard to believe.  And if he doesn't play (or if he does and is terrified of getting hit), I gotta be honest--the Jags are going to steal this game.  Jaguars 23, Cowboys 20

San Francisco at New Orleans--Okay, so one place the sky may really be falling is San Francisco.  At 4-4 and coming off a devastating loss to the Rams at home, they now go into the Superdome as the Saints have woken up.  Saints 31, Niners 27

Tennessee at Baltimore--The Titans visit the LAST PLACE Ravens, who are 5-4 and will soon be 6-4 to kick the 5-3-1 Bengals into last place.  Yikes.  Ravens 31, Titans 10

Pittsburgh at NY Jets--This is just the kind of game the Jets will fall backwards into a win.  Then again, nahh.  Steelers 24, Jets 14

Atlanta at Tampa Bay--The 2-6 Falcons have lost five straight since beating the Bucs 56-14.  And so, guess what?  The Bucs will return the favor.  Well, maybe not by scoring 56 points.  Bucs 27, Falcons 26

Denver at Oakland--This game may be surprisingly close, but let's face it--the Raiders are 0-8 and the Broncos cannot afford another loss.  Broncos 27, Raiders 16

St. Louis at Arizona--Two stout defenses and the Rams are surprising folks and turning heads with wins over Seattle and San Fran.  But the Cards' D is too good for St. Louis.  Cards 16, Rams 6

NY Giants at Seattle--Oh yikes.  My Giants are looking flat awful lately, and now they get to visit the defending champs.  Seattle may be vulnerable lately, but let's be real here--this is gonna be ugly.  Seahawks 38, Giants 17

Chicago at Green Bay--The Bears are falling fast and it's going to be cold on Sunday night at the Tundra.  Packers 41, Bears 24

Carolina at Philadelphia--Mark Sanchez?  Yes, and he's going to win another one and maybe more.  Which is going to have Jets' fans really pulling their collective hair out.  Eagles 30, Panthers 17

NFL picks--Week 9

Last week: 11-4
Season record: 80-41

Last weekend, there was a point explosion.  Fantasy owners were either happy or mortified, and the casual NFL fan was treated to a great block of games overall.  This week, six teams are on bye again, so we only have thirteen games, meaning Red Zone will be more manageable with less split screens for the early games.  It's the little things, I tell you.  Now, let's have a look at that slate.....

New Orleans at Carolina--The, um, world beater Saints bring their 3-4 record to division leading Carolina (3-4-1).  Are both of these teams that mediocre?  We may find out tonight.  Panthers 24, Saints 23

Tampa Bay at Cleveland--This is the rubber match of Cleveland's trio of games against crappy teams.  They lost to Jacksonville, beat Oakland and now take on the hapless Bucs at home.  And LeBron has that city energized.  Browns 27, Bucs 16

Arizona at Dallas--I wonder if Jerry Jones will make Tony Romo take the field and risk paralyzing his investment.  Cowboys 20, Cardinals 14

Philadelphia at Houston--Texans are improved, but not this much.  Eagles 30, Texans 23

NY Jets at Kansas City--Wow, the Jets are horrible.  I mean, really horrible.  Chiefs 20, Jets 10

Jacksonville at Cincinnati--I can't figure this Bengals team out, can you?  I can, however, figure the Jags out.  Bengals 26, Jaguars 6

San Diego at Miami--Why do I feel like these teams just played each other?  Dolphins 23, Chargers 20

Washington at Minnesota--There is a weird QB controversy in DC, and it's hard to believe Kirk Cousins was the darling of football fans and fantasy owners everywhere just a few weeks ago.  Now he's lost his gig to Colt McCoy with RG3 almost ready to return.  You can't make this stuff up.  Vikings 21, Redskins 17

St. Louis at San Francisco--In a wacky division, it's still pretty clear that the Rams aren't equipped to beat any of their division foes on the road.  Unless of course Jeff Fisher calls fake punts all game.  Niners 28, Rams 13

Denver at New England--Same as it ever was, Brady vs. Manning.  The 6-1 Broncos vs. the 6-2 Patriots.   I don't think anyone would argue Denver has the better team, but Brady at home is pretty close to money in the bank.  Patriots 37, Broncos 35

Oakland at Seattle--So it looks like we have one decent game in the late slot, and it's not this one.  Seahawks 27, Raiders 3

Baltimore at Pittsburgh--Is it just me, or have the Steelers played like four straight home games?  Ravens 19, Steelers 17

Indianapolis at NY Giants--Andrew Luck's neck beard comes to New Jersey to face a rested Giants team that truly struggles against good teams.  This will be no exception.  Colts 38, Giants 31

NFL picks--Week 8

Last week: 12-3
Season record: 69-37

The kid is rounding into form.  12-3 is definitely more like it and would have been better had the Browns not laid an egg in Jacksonville.  Anyway, here we go....

San Diego at Denver--I wanna say this will actually be a good game on Thursday Night Football.  But it wouldn't surprise me if the Broncos jump out to a 21-0 lead in the first 10 minutes like they seem to do every game.  Broncos 38, Chargers 24

Detroit vs. Atlanta at London--This is the breakfast special.  Seriously, a game at 9:30am Eastern time.  I don't have a problem with it, mind you, but it's kind of weird.  Lions 26, Falcons 20

Minnesota at Tampa Bay--Being that Tampa is 0-3 on the road already, you have to doubt Mike Glennon's Bucs can win one here.  But lucky for them the Vikings are pretty bad as well.  Bucs 20, Vikings 17

Buffalo at NY Jets--I think this is one of those games the Jets may not be favored in but that they will have one of their occasional good games.  And Buffalo still feels inconsistent despite their magic weapon Kyle Orton playing like Aaron Rodgers.  Okay, maybe not.  Jets 21, Bills 14

Chicago at New England--I'd be wary of an upset here too, but then again that Chicago locker room is a bit of a mess.  Patriots 31, Bears 24

Seattle at Carolina--Ooh boy, the Hawks are 3-3 and looking very beatable these days.  The Panthers are actually leading the NFC South at 3-3-1.  Can I predict a tie?  No?  Okay.  Seahawks 27, Panthers 26

Miami at Jacksonville--The Jags had a taste of victory, the Dolphins continue to play better on the road than at home.  Dolphins 23, Jaguars 16

Baltimore at Cincinnati--The Bengals seem to play the Ravens better than any other team does.  And they are pissed that they got embarrassed against Indy....especially because it's not even playoff time yet.  Bengals 20, Ravens 17

Houston at Tennessee--The Titans are starting some dude at QB I have never heard of.  JJ Watt just may end up eating that guy.  Texans 24, Titans 19

St. Louis at Kansas City--I wonder if Andy Reid will try to out-Fisher Jeff Fisher and do some crazy fakes or crazy plays.  You just know he's concocting something behind that mustache of his.  Wait, are we talking about Reid or Fisher?  Chiefs 27, Rams 17

Philadelphia at Arizona--The Eagles are rested but that doesn't mean this AZ defense won't bottle up LeSean McCoy enough to give them chances to tee off on Nick Foles.  Cards 23, Eagles 20

Indianapolis at Pittsburgh--Boy, this Colts team is becoming more frightening every week.  And I'm not just talking about Andrew Luck's half-man, half-monster voice.  Colts 30, Steelers 20

Oakland at Cleveland--The Browns need to get back on track, and the schedule gods seem to be favoring that to happen.  Browns 20, Raiders 13

Green Bay at New Orleans--Another pretty good game for a Sunday nighter.  Aaron Rodgers is in the zone, but the Saints are tough to beat in that dome.  Saints 28, Packers 26

Washington at Dallas--Another pretty bad game for a Monday nighter.  At least we can be entertained listening to Gruden spaz out like he did about that reverse for a left-handed TD pass by Antonio Brown last week.  Cowboys 41, Redskins 17

NFL picks--Week 7

Last week: 9-6
Season record: 57-34

Week 7???  Man, this is what I hate about the NFL season.  If you don't stop and enjoy it while it's here, it's over before you can exhale.  So hey, let's stop and enjoy it while there are still 11 weeks of regular season to go....

NY Jets at New England--You know that since the Patriots should annihilate the Jets at this stage based on the last two weeks' games, the opposite will happen.  But then again, the Jets have scored only 96 points and have given up 158.  Yikes.  And Brady is pissed again, so look out.  Patriots 31, Jets 17

Minnesota at Buffalo--Is anyone else slightly weirded out by the Vikings playing home games outdoors?  Of course, this game is in Buffalo, but I digress.  Bills 27, Vikings 23

Miami at Chicago--Which one of these teams is more mediocre than the other?  Bears 24, Dolphins 16

New Orleans at Detroit--So the Lions' offense is supposedly modeled after the Saints, but they've given up the fewest points in the league so far so are winning with defense.  The Saints, meanwhile, are underachieving.  Lions 29, Saints 26

Carolina at Green Bay--It's pretty clear that the Packers are crap without Aaron Rodgers, no?  Packers 24, Panthers 20

Cincinnati at Indianapolis--This one appears to be one of this week's marquee games.  And the Bengals sort of appear mortal.  Colts 27, Bengals 21

Seattle at St. Louis--Finally the Hawks' defense has a good match up to dominate against, but 2014 has been so strange and the Rams have been strange for a few years now under Jeff Fisher.  Go with the champs here.  Seahawks 27, Rams 13

Tennesssee at Washington--It's amazing the talk of RG3 returning is getting louder.  Redskins 28, Titans 14

Cleveland at Jacksonville--It would be just like the Browns to lose this game, but alas, under Mike Pettine this Browns team seems like they are for real.  Browns 35, Jaguars 20

Atlanta at Baltimore--Wait, Joe Flacco threw for how many touchdowns last week?  Five, and they were damn near all in the first quarter.  And he faces another generous NFC South team this Sunday.  Ravens 37, Falcons 24

Kansas City at San Diego--This is my upset special this week.  The Chiefs had an extra week to prepare and the Bolts are due for a letdown.  Chiefs 26, Chargers 24

NY Giants at Dallas--This is an exercise in contrast.  Romo, Witten and Dez have beat up on the Giants before, but they are playing at another level now, and actually have a defense.  Cowboys 41, Giants 17

Arizona at Oakland--Maybe the Raiders are more competitive under Tony Soprano (yeah I know that's not how you spell it but it's more fun this way), but this AZ team is in first place in maybe the toughest division in the NFL.  Cardinals 22, Raiders 19

San Francisco at Denver--Shades of Montana vs. Elway in the Super Bowl.  Okay, maybe not.  Broncos 34, Niners 31 

Houston at Pittsburgh--If Miami/Chicago is the Mediocrity Bowl, this one is Mediocrity Bowl II.  I would like to formally apply for the position of picking which games to air on Monday Night Football.  Steelers 19, Texans 16

NFL picks--Week 6

Last week: 11-4
Season record: 48-28

There's still a lot of weird results in the NFL this season, and no reason to believe it will stop happening.  So let's roll our dice.....

Houston at Indianapolis--The talk this week is all about the recent string of blowouts on Thursday Night Football.  This game can go that way as well, with the Colts rounding into form and the Texans being erratic.  It's in Houston, so I'll go out on a limb and say no blowout.  Texans 24, Colts 20

Pittsburgh at Cleveland--Let's see how many points the Browns spot their opponent this week.  Browns 27, Steelers 24

New England at Buffalo--The Bills tend to give the Pats fits, and both teams are about as hard to predict as any this season.  But I think Billy Boy is starting to put things together.  Patriots 20, Bills 16

Carolina at Cincinnati--With or without AJ Green, it's not smart to bet against the Bengals at home.  Bengals 19, Panthers 12

Jacksonville at Tennessee--Oh boy, it's about to get ugly in Nashville.  Jaguars 28, Titans 26

Green Bay at Miami--With these teams playing each other every four years, I wonder if in 2018 Miami will be under water.  No worries if so, they can play their slate of home games in London.
Packers 20, Dolphins 17

Detroit at Minnesota--I think it's safe to say the Lions are snake bit.  Vikings 27, Lions 23

Denver at NY Jets--Um, you may want to cover your eyes here.  Broncos 37, Jets 20

Baltimore at Tampa Bay--I so wanna pick the Bucs here....they've come to life lately.  But, uh, no.
Ravens 21, Bucs 17

San Diego at Oakland--Seriously, who saw the Chargers being this good?  Everyone saw the Raiders being this bad.  Chargers 35, Raiders 14

Chicago at Atlanta--Matt Ryan is back in the comfort of his own dome.  That is all.  Falcons 41, Bears 31

Dallas at Seattle--Isn't this where Tony Romo fumbled the snap for a potential game-winning field goal in the playoffs?  The Cowboys may be resurgent, but they are going to fail this test miserably.
Seahawks 30, Cowboys 16

Washington at Arizona--It's hilarious how Kirk Cousins isn't talked about as a golden boy anymore.  If anything, everyone is wondering when RG3 comes back.  Cardinals 23, Redskins 17

NY Giants at Philadelphia--The Giants are looking like contenders again, almost miraculously after those first two games.  The Eagles are scoring points mostly on defense, special teams, and smoke and mirrors.  Throw it all out the window.  These teams hate each other and the Eagles seem to have the Giants number most of the time.  Eagles 38, Giants 35

San Francisco at St. Louis--Thankfully, Monday is an off night for the Cardinals in their NLCS against the Giants.  Otherwise there might be like five people at this game.  Niners 21, Rams 17

NFL picks--Week 5

Last week: 8-5
Season record: 37-24

My apologies that this is a few days later that usual.  And I hope you believe me when I say I would have picked the Packers over the Vikings on Thursday night.  It's not always easy picking which team will blow out the other on Thursday Night Football, but it's easy predicting that there will be a blowout.  Here are the rest of the games.....

Chicago at Carolina--These teams are both a bit schizophrenic, especially considering the Bears are 2-0 on the road and 0-2 at home.  I think that streak ends here.  Panthers 20, Bears 17

Cleveland at Tennessee--Man, I so want to pick the Browns here, but my sixth sense won't let me.  Titans 23, Browns 19

St. Louis at Philadelphia--What, they couldn't put this one on Thursday night?  Eagles 30, Rams 14

Atlanta at NY Giants--See, this is why being a Giants fan makes me crazy.  Suddenly everyone is on their bandwagon and everyone is off the Falcons' bandwagon.  Which means Eli will throw 3-4 picks in this and the Giants will find a way to lose.  Falcons 31, Giants 27

Tampa Bay at New Orleans--Wow, the Saints have issues, don't they?  Everyone seemed to pick them for the Super Bowl...not so much now.  Saints 38, Bucs 17

Houston at Dallas--A very interesting battle of Texas.  Right now the Cowboys are clicking and I can't see them losing this in-state rivalry.  Cowboys 27, Texans 20

Buffalo at Detroit--I can't go against the Lions at home right now.  Lions 34, Bills 16

Baltimore at Indianapolis--Ignore the records (Baltimore 3-1, Indy 2-2), this Indianapolis team is suddenly emerging as an offensive powerhouse.  Colts 35, Ravens 31

Pittsburgh at Jacksonville--If you can figure the Steelers out, you are smarter than me.  The Jags, on the other hand, are easy to figure out.  They still stink.  Steelers 31, Jaguars 24

Arizona at Denver--Yikes.  Suddenly everyone is on the Cardinals.  And they have the D to drive Peyton Manning crazy.  But I just don't see it here.  Broncos 23, Cardinals 19

Kansas City at San Francisco--The Alex Smith is Bitter Bowl.  Niners 24, Chiefs 17

NY Jets at San Diego--Can Andrew Siciliano stop calling it SON Diego?  Whatever he calls it, the team is pretty good.  Chargers 20, Jets 13

Cincinnati at New England--I'm just not sure the Pats have this thing figured out yet.  And they are about to play against a buzz saw.  Bengals 17, Patriots 16

Seattle at Washington--The Skins have had 10 days to rest while the Hawks have had 14.  If the Giants can crush this team in DC, I'm kind of afraid for Kirk Cousins on Monday night.  Seattle 30, Redskins 17

NFL picks--Week 4

Last week: 11-5
Season record: 29-19

The kid is rounding into mid-season form.  Of course, that doesn't mean that there aren't wild surprises abounding in this league.  With that, here are the Week 4 picks.....

NY Giants at Washington--I am gently patting myself on the back for picking my Giants last week when pretty much no one else did.  This week, ehh, I have a feeling that bad Eli will return and Kirk Cousins will pick them apart.  Redskins 35, Giants 31

Green Bay at Chicago--Is Aaron Rodgers trying to hypnotize fans into sleeping through his team's crappy play?  They sure haven't shown much but they do tend to play well against the Bears.  Packers 27, Bears 24

Tennessee at Indianapolis--After a dreadful 0-2 start, the Colts can get back on track and they for sure will.  Colts 27, Titans 13

Miami vs. Oakland at London--It's laughable that the two teams we send over there are teams with a combined 1-5 record that may be worse than that.  Raiders 20, Dolphins 14

Detroit at NY Jets--It's hard not to like what the Lions are doing, but they may struggle against the Jets' D.  Still, the Jets continue to find ways to lose games and the Lions are just too good in all phases.  Lions 28, Jets 20

Tampa Bay at Pittsburgh--Despite the Bucs having ten days to prep for this one, the rejuvenated Steelers are going to trounce them.  Mike Glennon, huh?  Steelers 31, Bucs 17

Carolina at Baltimore--There is no way Steve Smith will be on my fantasy bench this weekend.  Actually the way he's playing he might be a must play every week but this one will have a bit more meaning.  Ravens 23, Panthers 20

Buffalo at Houston--At least Buffalo is done with the false hope thing.  Houston, meanwhile, I can't figure out how they got just shredded that badly by the Giants.  Texans 26, Bills 20

Jacksonville at San Diego--I get the feeling we're going to have to take the Chargers seriously, but not the Jags.  Chargers 37, Jaguars 17

Atlanta at Minnesota--Some NFL talking head commented yesterday on how badly Matt Ryan plays outside of domes.  That said, it will be 82 degrees and sunny on Sunday in Minneapolis so something else will determine this game--namely the Vikings' D under Mike Zimmer.  Vikings 19, Falcons 16

Philadelphia at San Francisco--I don't think the Niners are this bad, are they?  I also think the Eagles may be for real but Chip Kelly's luck will run out Sunday.  Niners 24, Eagles 23

New Orleans at Dallas--Everyone sure liked the Saints before the season started, before they promptly went 0-2 before limping to a win against Minnesota at home.  Now Drew Brees faces a putrid Dallas secondary and Rob Ryan will try to stop his former team.  I'm not a betting man, but I'd take the over if I was.  Saints 41, Cowboys 38

New England at Kansas City--I really wonder what the Monday Night Football schedulers are thinking sometimes.  Patriots 26, Chiefs 19

NFL Picks--Week 3

Last week: 9-7
Season record: 18-14

As usual, it's been more difficult to pick games the first two weeks of September than at most other times during the NFL season.  But now we have to start getting a feel for the games and the teams that find ways to win or find ways to lose.  Here we go...

Tampa Bay at Atlanta--Oh boy, the NFC South!  What else is on tonight?  I'm only half-kidding, despite having desperately missed football for 7 months.  Falcons 31, Bucs 16

San Diego at Buffalo--While San Diego is typically as hard to predict as any NFL team from week to week, the Bills have shown grit by beating Chicago on the road and crushing Miami at home.  I would not bet against them right now.  Bills 27, Chargers 26

Dallas at St. Louis--It's a good thing I don't get paid to do this anymore.  Seriously, look at both Cowboys games and both Rams games this year and you tell me who will win.  Okay, I'll do it.  Cowboys 20, Rams 17

Washington at Philadelphia--It's the DeSean returns to Philly game, and don't think he's not going to rub their noses in it when he and Kirk Cousins shred the Eagles D.  Redskins 30, Eagles 28

Houston at NY Giants--The G-men are who I thought they were, the Texans are so far over-achieving a bit under Bill O'Brien.  All logic points to Houston, but I just have a feeling the Giants will steal this game somehow.  Giants 27, Texans 24

Minnesota at New Orleans--In case you haven't noticed, the Vikings won't have Adrian Peterson for a while.  All that Rob Ryan has to do this week is game plan for sandwiches and eat Matt Cassel.  I mean game plan for Cassel and eat sandwiches.  I think.  Saints 38, Vikings 17

Tennessee at Cincinnati--When I see these two teams meet, I can't help but think about the difference between Pacman Jones and Adam Jones.  The same guy....but the latter has less hair and NFL suspensions than the former.  Oh and the Bengals are pretty good.  Bengals 27, Titans 6

Baltimore at Cleveland--Just because Art Modell is no longer with us, doesn't mean Cleveland can't still hate the guy or the "old Browns."  Browns 22, Ravens 20

Green Bay at Detroit--This really depends on which Lions team shows up.  And which Packers team shows up.  Both are explosive but the Lions have the stronger D.  Lions 38, Packers 35

Indianapolis at Jacksonville--If the Colts start 0-3 and Curtis Painter isn't on the roster, there will be a problem in Indy.  That said, they are not a bad team.  They just drew Denver and Philly to open the season, but now they have to win a game they should win.  Colts 29, Jaguars 21

Oakland at New England--I heard that the Tuck Rule is no longer.  That's good, because we sure don't want to see replays of that anymore.  Somehow though, you know it's still coming, right after they show a replay of RG3's ankle snapping.  Patriots 41, Raiders 14

San Francisco at Arizona--This one is surprisingly intriguing.  I mean, it sure seems like there are a lot of good teams in the NFC these days, particularly teams with good defenses.  Cardinals 16, Niners 13

Denver at Seattle--The rematch of the Super Bowl will take place in Seattle, meaning it will be the loudest game in NFL history, and a repeat of the result would not be shocking to anyone.  Seahawks 27, Broncos 17

Kansas City at Miami--I'm not even sure if I will play Knile Davis in place of Jamaal Charles this weekend, because it seems like every game in Miami is 6-3 at the half and ends up 13-10.  Blah.  Dolphins 17, Chiefs 14

Pittsburgh at Carolina--Everyone who slept on the Panthers in making 2014 predictions is re-thinking that.  Including me.  Panthers 24, Steelers 10

Chicago at NY Jets--If you take a football and fling it as far as you can, Brandon Marshall will stick his hand up and catch it.  Bears 27, Jets 20

NFL picks--Week 2

Last week: 9-7
Season record: 9-7

So hey, that isn't too bad considering the volatility of the first part of the season and all of the upsets and near-upsets.  Did you see how gassed all of those defenses were after being on the field for a full three to four quarters (or more)?  That's what makes some of those comebacks (like in Philly and Pittsburgh) less incredible.  But still, the games are tricky this early in the season, and Week 2 appears even trickier than Week 1.  But here goes......

Pittsburgh at Baltimore--It's too bad that the Ray Rice mess is going to overshadow this great rivalry, but it will.  As for the game, as always it will be hard-hitting and extremely close.  Ravens 19, Steelers 17

Miami at Buffalo--Why do I feel like I've seen this movie before, with each of these teams starting strong.  They will both flame out as they always do but at least this Week 2 matchup is pretty intriguing.  Bills 24, Dolphins 20

Jacksonville at Washington--When did the Skins offense become so impotent?  They should fear the new-look Jags too, but may squeak out a home win.  Redskins 16, Jaguars 13

Dallas at Tennessee--Now I know why some pundits like the Titans.  And why they are so down on Dallas.  But I just have a hunch here.  Cowboys 27, Titans 26

Arizona at NY Giants--I really wish the Giants hadn't looked like that on national TV Monday night, but most of us saw that coming.  Eli Manning has practically reverted to becoming Ryan Leaf.  It's just hard to watch.  Cardinals 31, Giants 20

New England at Minnesota--Really, we're supposed to figure this one out?  The Pats will be a tougher test for Minnesota's defense but Mike Zimmer will make Brady's life miserable.  Vikings 27, Patriots 23

New Orleans at Cleveland--Tough draw to open your home schedule, Cleveland.  We will definitely get a better sense of Mike Pettine's Browns after this one.  And no way can the Saints start 0-2.  Saints 29, Browns 21

Atlanta at Cincinnati--Don't get too excited, Falcons fan.  Matt Ryan will not cross the 200 yard mark this week.  There, I said it.  Bengals 20, Falcons 16

Detroit at Carolina--I don't know how to figure this one either.  The Lions picked the Giants apart and the Panthers eked out a gritty road win in Tampa last weekend.  I think this Lions team is a bit too undisciplined and those mistakes they made against the Giants will not be swept under the rung in Charlotte.  Panthers 27, Lions 22

St. Louis at Tampa Bay--Wow, the Rams are bad.  Bucs 17, Rams 10

Seattle at San Diego--Don't worry Bolts, the 0-2 start you are about to experience won't matter when you win your last 4-5 games like you always do.   Seahawks 27, Chargers 16

Houston at Oakland--Yikes.  I just know I don't really want to watch this game.  Raiders 20, Texans 19

NY Jets at Green Bay--The Pack was embarrassed in Seattle but should not be ashamed.  However, they are clearly going to take it out on this Jets team that feels good about beating Oakland last week.  Oakland.  Packers 34, Jets 17

Kansas City at Denver--Thank goodness for Red Zone, because this one will stink when the Broncos jump to a 21-0 lead after five minutes.  Broncos 38, Chiefs 17

Chicago at San Francisco--All that preseason love for the Bears and Jay Cutler, all that talk of the Niners demise.  Don't buy it.  Not yet anyway.  Niners 31, Bears 24

Philadelphia at Indianapolis--A really decent Monday night matchup.  And is there anyone who loves football more than Jon Gruden?  I have to confess, I love listening to that guy talk about the game.  Colts 35, Eagles 33

NFL Picks--Week 1

Can you smell it in the air?  Well, maybe not but there is something about football season if you are a fan--the offseason is long and tedious, filled with other sports and sporting events that are simply placeholders for the main event, and the one we Americans care more about than any other.  Football is finally here.  And with that, I bring you another year of game predictions. 

The first week or two are usually tricky until you get a feel for teams that are way improved, which are basically the same and which are far worse than a year ago.  So much of this is throwing spaghetti against the wall.  Okay, okay....let's get to it!

Green Bay at Seattle--This is tonight's opener and everyone is pumped, not just because of football.  Everyone is pumped because this is actually a decent matchup--Seattle's D against Green Bay's O.  Of course, we saw how that turned out in the Super Bowl seven months ago.  I kind of feel bad for the Packers to start this way, but if they have any hope of winning it all, they have to be able to beat these guys.  It just won't happen tonight.  Seahawks 27, Packers 16

Washington at Houston--Two bottom dwellers from a year ago that can't possibly be that bad again.  Texans 26, Redskins 23

Tennessee at Kansas City--Andy Reid had the Chiefs flying high last year until they ran into the Broncos and then flamed out miserably in the playoffs to Indy.  The Titans are supposedly much improved but I need to see it for myself.  Chiefs 20, Titans 14

New England at Miami--Miami always has a solid pass D, but for whatever reason Brady tends to carve them up in South Beach.  I don't have the exact stats, but I saw them this morning on The Huddle when deciding if I should start Brady or Russell Wilson this week.  Patriots 30, Dolphins 20

Oakland at NY Jets--I am a Giants fan who grew up in New York, and I have many good friends who are Jets fans.  I could not live with myself if I was as miserable as they are every year.  Raiders 19, Jets 16

Jacksonville at Philadelphia--The Eagles are another sexy pick to win it all.  There is nothing sexy about the Eagles.  They and their fans are the most annoying group of people on the face of the earth.  So of course they will win the division.  Eagles 41, Jaguars 10

Cleveland at Pittsburgh--Man, how I wish the Browns could break through one of these years.  On the plus side, LeBron is back and the Cavs appear to be the favorite to win it all.  Steelers 27, Browns 17

Minnesota at St. Louis--I can already tell that the C-team for Fox is going to call this one, whoever that may be.  Rams 16, Vikings 14

Buffalo at Chicago--The Bears are another one of those sexy picks, whatever that means.  At least the Bears' fans are more tolerable than the Eagles'.  Bears 38, Bills 20

Cincinnati at Baltimore--Holy crap there are a lot of early games Sunday.  Red zone bliss, baby!  This one is so hard to predict, every year.  Will the Bengals continue their regular season dominance?  Will the Ravens rebound from a Super Bowl hangover in 2013?  Ravens 24,  Bengals 21

New Orleans at Atlanta--Everyone's on the Saints.  Again.  Atlanta shit the bed last year but I wouldn't count on that being the norm, not with that group of receivers.  Falcons 30, Saints 27

Carolina at Tampa Bay--Don't blame me if I switch over to the Paint Drying Network.  Seriously, two games at 3:30 and this is one of them?  Roger Goodell can bite me.  Bucs 17, Panthers 16

San Francisco at Dallas--I can't wait to watch Jerry Jones and Jason Garrett to both have that constipated look on their faces when they feel this game slipping away.  Niners 27, Cowboys 24

Indianapolis at Denver--Wow, what a killer matchup.  Sunday night always has better games than Monday night, you just have to mute the sound for the inevitable blond bimbo flavor of the month of country music recycled Joan Jett theme song.  And maybe mute Al Michaels and Cris Collinsworth, but it should be a good game.  Broncos 37, Colts 30

NY Giants at Detroit--The Giants went 5-0 in the preseason no thanks in part to their first team offense, which had like five first downs total in the five games.  I have no expectations for my Giants this year, but they can't possibly start out 0-6 again, can they?  Lions 34, Giants 23

San Diego at Arizona--Again we have a doubleheader of MNF, the second game featuring the Chargers, who play in this game every year the way the Lions play on Thanksgiving.  Cards 22, Chargers 19

NFL pick: Super Bowl 48

Two weeks ago: 0-2
Playoff record: 4-6
Season record: 167-87

Man, if I was an NFL team, I would be one of those teams that goes 12-4 and flames out in the divisional round.  I need a win on this pick just to be closer to .500 and respectability.  Anyway, this is it.  The last game of the 2013 season, and another 7 months of waiting for football to start up again.  Oh well, we knew it would happen, as it does every year.  But we do get one final, hopefully awesome game Sunday.....

Denver vs. Seattle--You can't ask for a better match up--the NFL's best offense against the NFL's best defense.  Of course, Seattle has a semi-decent offense, and if RB Marshawn Lynch can get going, they will no doubt try to control the clock to keep Peyton Manning off the field.  The Broncos have a decent defense...maybe better than decent.  But it's going to be the most fun watching Peyton try to move the ball against one of the sickest defenses I've personally ever seen.  And I'm not sure he's going to have much success, because he hasn't seen a defense this good, at least not this season.  They will rush him, they will cover his receivers as good as anyone has.  But of course, Manning's strength is always how fast he gets rid of the ball, so we'll see.  Don't sleep on Denver's run game led by Knowshon Moreno, or on Seattle's young and budding superstar QB Russell Wilson.  Both teams also have excellent special teams.  So...here we go.  Seahawks 19, Broncos 16

NFL picks: championship weekend

Last week: 4-0
Season record: 167-85

Well folks, we're getting to the end of the NFL season.  I kind of want it to end and get it over with, and at the same time I want to savor Sunday's games.  Actually, I can...we can.  Because it's one of the best slates of title games I can remember in quite some time.  You've got Manning v. Brady, again.  And you've got two of the youngest, most talented NFC teams that both feature absolutely fierce defenses.  You could well have an 80 point game followed by a 25 point game.  Well, let's enjoy this Sunday while we still have two games on in a given day.....

New England at Denver--Forget the teams.  This is once again about the quarterbacks, and with two future Hall of Famers, it kind of has to be.  Will Tom Brady reach his sixth Super Bowl, or will Peyton Manning reach his third?  I think they said this is the 15th meeting between them.  And it seems like every one of those is a tight one with the QBs playing an important role.  The Pats bring in a solid running game and opportunistic D, while the Broncos are extremely balanced on both sides of the ball.  Both teams have outstanding special teams as well.  Sure, Denver lost at home to the Ravens a year ago in heartbreaking fashion and they shouldn't do that again, but I can't with a clear conscience go against Brady and Belichick here.  Patriots 40, Broncos 37

San Francisco at Seattle--If there is one thing this season showed, it's that someone can beat the Seahawks in Seattle.  The Cardinals did that and it showed that the 12th man doesn't necessarily give the home team a W every time.  And, well, the Niners are on such fire now and I think they are still so hungry after having a taste of the Super Bowl last year.  They wanna get there again, and you know Jim Harbaugh wants to not face his brother this time, which he won't.  The Hawks are young, they are talented, and they are as hard to beat at home as any sports team in North America.  But their time may be next year, not this year.  Of course, this will be a serious defensive battle, and it more than likely will come down to who has the ball last.  Niners 19, Seahawks 16

NFL picks: Divisional Playoffs Weekend

Last week: 0-4
Season record: 163-85

Wow.  I haven't had that bad of a week picking games than I can remember, but it's very fitting in today's NFL, in one of the strangest seasons in history.  I will say this, though.  Three of the four games were edge-of-your-seat affairs, while the Chargers, the ones who snuck into the playoffs ahead of the Steelers, beat up on the Bengals in a lopsided game that went the exact opposite to what we all (or most of us) thought.  So can I turn things around and go 4-0 this week?  Of course I can!  Let's have at it, and let's look forward to one of the best weekends in NFL football!

New Orleans at Seattle--The Saints know how tall of an order beating Seattle in Seattle is.  They got crushed by them there just a few weeks ago.  But they can thank the Arizona Cardinals for lifting the veil of invincibility, and of course Sean Payton and Rob Ryan will have some tricks up their sleeve this time around.  But that doesn't negate the obvious--the Seahawks are just freakishly talented.  They have legitimate Super Bowl aspirations, and frankly, no excuse not to get there.  Seahawks 27, Saints 24

Indianapolis at New England--Leave it to the Chargers to not allow us to have that tasty Colts/Broncos matchup.....well, we might get it in the AFC championship, but probably not.  So instead, we get the upstart Colts going to New England, where oddly enough the forecast is for a low of 42 degrees with rain and wind.  The Colts do not suck, but I don't see them winning against a playoff-seasoned Pats team led by Brady and Hoodie.  Patriots 38, Colts 31

San Francisco at Carolina--The Panthers have had a great season, going 11-1 after the first quarter of the campaign.  Their defense is very Niners-like, and they even beat San Fran in Candlestick 10-9, which gave them instant legitimacy.  Now they have the 2-seed and their reward is to host a very, very hot Niners squad that has their eyes set on a second straight NFC title and Super Bowl berth.  Niners 19, Panthers 16

San Diego at Denver--As much as the Chargers made quick work of the Bengals, Peyton Manning is going to make quick work of Mike McCoy's Chargers.  There really is no denying the Manning vs. Brady Bowl that awaits next weekend.  Broncos 41, Chargers 17