Last week (2 weeks ago): 2-0
Season record: 168-82
Well, here we are. Once again the NFL season has whizzed by like an express train. And we're left with the two #1 seeds from each conference. This game is so evenly matched that no one seems to know who to pick, but I'll try, because that's why we're here....
New England vs. Seattle--Last year, the Seahawks shocked the Broncos and the football world by utterly destroying them in the Meadowlands, 43-8. There is no way this defense, good as it is, will hold Tom Brady's offense to 8 points. But it could be low scoring, because the Pats' D doesn't suck this season either. Belichick and Brady always have a good plan and there is no doubt they have the Seahawks figured out, to some degree. Can they limit Marshawn Lynch to slow Russell Wilson's read-option? If so they have a great shot, but that's a big if. Brady will face a lot of pressure, and his receivers may not find separation against the Hawks secondary, but he also has LeGarrette Blount, who has been a mini-Beast Mode during the postseason. Here is my advice to both teams--make sure your kickers are prepared and ready, because it's likely they may decide the game. Patriots 23, Seahawks 20
Friday, January 30, 2015
Friday, January 16, 2015
NFL picks--Championship Sunday
Last week: 3-1
Season record: 166-82
So now there are just three games left, but they are literally for all the marbles. The football Final Four, if you will. This has been a weird season in many ways, but 3/4 of the teams playing on Sunday were expected to be here. And 3/4 of them have a good chance of winning it all. The Colts, who are capable of beating any of these teams, are probably a year or so away. Of course, nothing would really surprise me or most of you, right? Here we go....
Green Bay at Seattle--This is a rematch of the Week 1 Thursday nighter that Seattle won to set the tone for the season. My people here in Wisconsin remember that game all too well and are not so confident for the rematch....at least the people I know. Aaron Rodgers is hobbling, so the Seahawks and their swarming, speedy defense are going to try to rattle #12. But Rodgers has a quick release, a strong arm and a good running game. The Hawks are the Hawks--and they are peaking at the right time. Seahawks 27, Packers 24
Indianapolis at New England--You gotta believe Bill and Tom were pleased that Peyton Manning will be on his couch this Sunday. So while the Broncos would have been a tough out, a new era of the Colts/Pats rivalry has officially begun. But for now at least, Andrew Luck is the student and Brady the teacher. And the teacher and his Gronk will put on a clinic. Patriots 37, Colts 31
Season record: 166-82
So now there are just three games left, but they are literally for all the marbles. The football Final Four, if you will. This has been a weird season in many ways, but 3/4 of the teams playing on Sunday were expected to be here. And 3/4 of them have a good chance of winning it all. The Colts, who are capable of beating any of these teams, are probably a year or so away. Of course, nothing would really surprise me or most of you, right? Here we go....
Green Bay at Seattle--This is a rematch of the Week 1 Thursday nighter that Seattle won to set the tone for the season. My people here in Wisconsin remember that game all too well and are not so confident for the rematch....at least the people I know. Aaron Rodgers is hobbling, so the Seahawks and their swarming, speedy defense are going to try to rattle #12. But Rodgers has a quick release, a strong arm and a good running game. The Hawks are the Hawks--and they are peaking at the right time. Seahawks 27, Packers 24
Indianapolis at New England--You gotta believe Bill and Tom were pleased that Peyton Manning will be on his couch this Sunday. So while the Broncos would have been a tough out, a new era of the Colts/Pats rivalry has officially begun. But for now at least, Andrew Luck is the student and Brady the teacher. And the teacher and his Gronk will put on a clinic. Patriots 37, Colts 31
Friday, January 9, 2015
NFL picks--Divisional round
Last week: 2-2
Season record: 163-81
This is the best NFL weekend of the year. Sure, there are only four games, but you're left with the 8 best teams fighting to get to the championship games. Okay, maybe the Eagles and Chargers and Chiefs would have something to say about the 8 best teams, but at least the Panthers are playing like a playoff caliber team now. It's really the best weekend because it's all elimination at this point and there are two games Saturday and two on Sunday. So let's have at it....
Baltimore at New England--Oh, those pesky Ravens. You gotta believe Bill Belichick and Tom Brady want nothing to do with having to beat them, because they are playing well and Joe Flacco tends to step up in big games. And Terrell Suggs and that defense are getting back to terrorizing form. My heart is saying New England but my head keeps telling me otherwise. The other thing is the Pats have had two weeks to prep. Not two full weeks of Ravens prep but two weeks. So my pick is New England but the opposite would not surprise me. Patriots 31, Ravens 27
Carolina at Seattle--Is there anyone outside of Charlotte that thinks this won't be a home blowout? Maybe no one inside of Charlotte either. The Seahawks have given up an average of 6.5 points per game for the last six games. That's an amazing statistic, and frankly I think the only chance Carolina has of scoring points will be on defense or off of turnovers. Seahawks 20, Panthers 3
Dallas at Green Bay--It's been frigid here in Wisconsin, so it could be Ice Bowl 2. Regardless, there are interesting story lines here. Will the refs be super careful to not try to favor Dallas? Will Aaron Rodgers' calf limit his ability to scramble? Will the Packers be able to stop DeMarco Murray and Tony Romo, the latter of which has decided to stop throwing interceptions this year? Will Dallas be able to stop that high octane offense? This is another game where I think one team will win but I wouldn't be surprised either way. Packers 34, Cowboys 31
Indianapolis at Denver--You have to love the fact that Peyton Manning has to beat his former team in order to reach the championship round, his first playoff game against the Colts. Chuck Pagano is a great coach and of course Andrew Luck is a budding superstar, but let's face it--there is no way Manning loses this game. Broncos 35, Colts 17
Season record: 163-81
This is the best NFL weekend of the year. Sure, there are only four games, but you're left with the 8 best teams fighting to get to the championship games. Okay, maybe the Eagles and Chargers and Chiefs would have something to say about the 8 best teams, but at least the Panthers are playing like a playoff caliber team now. It's really the best weekend because it's all elimination at this point and there are two games Saturday and two on Sunday. So let's have at it....
Baltimore at New England--Oh, those pesky Ravens. You gotta believe Bill Belichick and Tom Brady want nothing to do with having to beat them, because they are playing well and Joe Flacco tends to step up in big games. And Terrell Suggs and that defense are getting back to terrorizing form. My heart is saying New England but my head keeps telling me otherwise. The other thing is the Pats have had two weeks to prep. Not two full weeks of Ravens prep but two weeks. So my pick is New England but the opposite would not surprise me. Patriots 31, Ravens 27
Carolina at Seattle--Is there anyone outside of Charlotte that thinks this won't be a home blowout? Maybe no one inside of Charlotte either. The Seahawks have given up an average of 6.5 points per game for the last six games. That's an amazing statistic, and frankly I think the only chance Carolina has of scoring points will be on defense or off of turnovers. Seahawks 20, Panthers 3
Dallas at Green Bay--It's been frigid here in Wisconsin, so it could be Ice Bowl 2. Regardless, there are interesting story lines here. Will the refs be super careful to not try to favor Dallas? Will Aaron Rodgers' calf limit his ability to scramble? Will the Packers be able to stop DeMarco Murray and Tony Romo, the latter of which has decided to stop throwing interceptions this year? Will Dallas be able to stop that high octane offense? This is another game where I think one team will win but I wouldn't be surprised either way. Packers 34, Cowboys 31
Indianapolis at Denver--You have to love the fact that Peyton Manning has to beat his former team in order to reach the championship round, his first playoff game against the Colts. Chuck Pagano is a great coach and of course Andrew Luck is a budding superstar, but let's face it--there is no way Manning loses this game. Broncos 35, Colts 17
Friday, January 2, 2015
NFL picks--Wildcard weekend
Last week: 12-4
Season record: 161-79
Wow, it's hard to fathom that we're into the NFL playoffs already. But we are, and there are some killer games to kick off January football on Saturday and Sunday. So let's get to it!
Arizona at Carolina--It's kind of funny how we were all in an uproar about the fact that a sub-.500 team is in the playoffs again while the 10-6 Eagles are already on their collective couch (as a Giants fan, I love it. As a football fan, I'm kind of annoyed). But since the 7-8-1 Panthers have been playing well, culminating in that utter annihilation of the Falcons last weekend, and the 11-5 Cards have been regressing with everyone but me as their quarterback, Carolina is expected to win and advance by many. I was leaning Carolina myself but something is tapping at my brain, and I think it's Bruce Arians. Well, not literally. But that AZ defense is so good, coupled with the fact that Carolina has this awesome ability to choke in the postseason, and my gut is telling me to take the visitors. Cards 19, Panthers 16
Baltimore at Pittsburgh--You can take every record and statistic when these two teams play and throw it out the window. It's always a bloodbath and almost always a great game. Now they meet in the playoffs again. Does Joe Flacco have more magic in him that took his team to a championship two seasons ago? Or do the Steelers continue to roll? Le'Veon Bell still may play, but even if he does he won't be as effective as usual. And there is still Big Ben and Antonio Brown to contend with. Steelers 31, Ravens 27
Cincinnati at Indianapolis--It's getting to be old hat for Marvin Lewis' Bengals to make the playoffs and then lose their first game. This season will be no different as Andrew Luck finds a way to slice and dice the vaunted Bengals' D, and Andy Dalton keeps throwing balls to the other team when it matters most. And if that happens again, there will be a mutiny in Cincy (so hint, there WILL be a mutiny). Colts 29, Bengals 17
Detroit at Dallas--I'm not fond of the Eagles or Cowboys, so I'm always gonna root against them in the postseason. But man, these Cowboys are on a mission, and they are different than any Dallas team has been in years. Detroit has a great offense on paper, but has underachieved this year, while being carried by their stingy D. I wish I could say Tony Romo, Dez Bryant, Jason Witten and DeMarco Murray won't shred that defense, but they will and they will be traveling to Green Bay next weekend. Cowboys 34, Lions 20
Season record: 161-79
Wow, it's hard to fathom that we're into the NFL playoffs already. But we are, and there are some killer games to kick off January football on Saturday and Sunday. So let's get to it!
Arizona at Carolina--It's kind of funny how we were all in an uproar about the fact that a sub-.500 team is in the playoffs again while the 10-6 Eagles are already on their collective couch (as a Giants fan, I love it. As a football fan, I'm kind of annoyed). But since the 7-8-1 Panthers have been playing well, culminating in that utter annihilation of the Falcons last weekend, and the 11-5 Cards have been regressing with everyone but me as their quarterback, Carolina is expected to win and advance by many. I was leaning Carolina myself but something is tapping at my brain, and I think it's Bruce Arians. Well, not literally. But that AZ defense is so good, coupled with the fact that Carolina has this awesome ability to choke in the postseason, and my gut is telling me to take the visitors. Cards 19, Panthers 16
Baltimore at Pittsburgh--You can take every record and statistic when these two teams play and throw it out the window. It's always a bloodbath and almost always a great game. Now they meet in the playoffs again. Does Joe Flacco have more magic in him that took his team to a championship two seasons ago? Or do the Steelers continue to roll? Le'Veon Bell still may play, but even if he does he won't be as effective as usual. And there is still Big Ben and Antonio Brown to contend with. Steelers 31, Ravens 27
Cincinnati at Indianapolis--It's getting to be old hat for Marvin Lewis' Bengals to make the playoffs and then lose their first game. This season will be no different as Andrew Luck finds a way to slice and dice the vaunted Bengals' D, and Andy Dalton keeps throwing balls to the other team when it matters most. And if that happens again, there will be a mutiny in Cincy (so hint, there WILL be a mutiny). Colts 29, Bengals 17
Detroit at Dallas--I'm not fond of the Eagles or Cowboys, so I'm always gonna root against them in the postseason. But man, these Cowboys are on a mission, and they are different than any Dallas team has been in years. Detroit has a great offense on paper, but has underachieved this year, while being carried by their stingy D. I wish I could say Tony Romo, Dez Bryant, Jason Witten and DeMarco Murray won't shred that defense, but they will and they will be traveling to Green Bay next weekend. Cowboys 34, Lions 20
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