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