With Brett Favre now telling us that he’s not sure if he’ll retire, it sure does feel like the end of the NFL season. But not so fast my friends, we have some unfinished business in “The League”!!! Everybody fussing about the Colts and Saints resting starters toward the end of the regular season seems like a distant memory!! With a few minor exceptions, both teams will wind up in Miami relatively healthy. Although I will WOW you with my prediction later, I will tell you now that I believe this game will resemble a clay court tennis match!! Both offenses are going to run up and down the field with reckless abandon. Both defensive coordinators will stop sleeping in the next couple of days and they’re liable to look like zombies on February 7th!! Well, stay tuned for more clever banter from yours truly in the coming days!! See Ya!!

• 0 Comments

Into the Divisional Playoff round we go. Where we stop?? Nobody knows!! We should have every kind of football game imaginable, from a virtual “tennis match” (Arizona at New Orleans) to a “punch ‘em in the mouth” (Dallas at Minnesota) all out war!! The other two games should be something akin to “the unstoppable force vs. the immovable object”!!

Arizona at New Orleans

Coming off what may be the most emotional win in their franchise’s history, the Cardinals land in the Superdome on Saturday to face the Saints. The Saints will certainly be well rested if not well rusted. The Dome will be at its craziest, but Kurt Warner has played there a hundred times. If Saints defensive coordinator Gregg Williams feels like his defense is healthy enough to blitz, Warner is the wrong guy to go after. The Saints will give up some runs from scrimmage, but it will be the arm of Warner that kills them. The Saints only hope in this game is to score 200 points and for Brenda Warner to make Kurt take the trash out in the third quarter!! One of those could happen!!!

Baltimore at Indianapolis

I think it’s safe to say that Joe Flacco is going to have to do better than 4 completions in 10 attempts passing Saturday night!! Oh, and did I mention the 4 completions went for 34 yards?? All that and they won 33-14!! It’s inconceivable!! Anyway, the Colts are rested and the Ravens are tested. When these two met up in week 11, the Colts won 17-15 and I look for this game to be about the same. It just seems like, in these situations, Peyton Manning just figures out a way to win. The Ravens will make everything the Colts do look bad, but in the end, Indy will leave with an “ugly” win and Manning will spend the week explaining that he wasn’t rusty!!!

Stay tuned for some more brilliant playoff analysis tomorrow. See Ya everybody!!

• 0 Comments

Will someone please tell me how the Jaguar’s defensive backs can allow Reggie Wayne, OF ALL PEOPLE, to get behind them with the game on the line!! I mean, it’s not like Peyton Manning and company haven’t come from behind much!! ONLY SIX OTHER TIMES THIS SEASON!!!! I have to admit, I haven’t thought the Colts are as good as their record this year, but I guess it’s kind of like pitching a perfect game in baseball. You have to have some good luck come your way.

And that brings me to the Saints!! Personally, I hope they haven’t used up all of their good luck for the year recently. With the Cowboys coming to town they may need some. Now don’t get me wrong, the Cowboys aren’t nearly the football team the Saints are, but they are just the type of team that will screw up a peanut butter sandwich if you let them. My read this Saturday is the ‘Boys will head back to Dallas wondering whether Jason Garrett has already been named coach!!

Anyway, have a great weekend everybody and I’ll blog again at you later!!

• 0 Comments

Chris Henry 1983-2009

Tragedy struck the NFL again today with word of the passing of 26 year old Chris Henry of the Cincinnati Bengals. He was widely believed to be a trouble maker and a PR nightmare for the Bengals in the past, but by all accounts, he had put most, if not all, of that behind him. He was a father of three, a son, and a husband “in waiting” to a fiance. Regardless of your feelings about the Bengals or Henry himself, we surely can agree that 26 is too young for any man to die. Our thoughts and prayers go out to the entire Henry family.

• 0 Comments

After a couple of weeks away, I return to dazzle you all with more of my astonishing accuracy with my picks. So here goes!!!!

Indianapolis at Baltimore

This is it!!! Write it down!!!! The Ravens are gonna beat the Colts at home!!!! That’s right, I said it!!!! If there was ever a game the Ravens needed to win, it’s this one. Not only for the standings, but also for their own peace of mind. They know they are still good, but it doesn’t really seem like it right now. The defense will bring everything they have and Joe Flacco will right the ship of offense enough to win this one. This will be the best game of the week by far!!!

Washington at Dallas

OK, this WON’T be one of the best games of the week. Despite their win last week, the Redskins are still in total upheaval!! The Cowboys are gonna Biotch Slap the ’skins in the Billion Dollar House that Jerry built!!

Cleveland at Detroit

Are You Kidding Me??? I’m not even gonna go there!!! The Lions are going to beat the Browns at home 1-0!!!! That’s it!!! That’s all I got!!!

San Francisco at Green Bay

This is one if the more evenly matched games of the week. Two mid tier teams needing a win. It could be pretty compelling. The 49ers are working hard to find their identity and the Packers are just trying to stay ahead of the Favre talk. If the 9ers get any quarterback play at all they should win this game. I think Alex Smith will do just enough to get the west coasters a victory on the not so frozen tundra of Lambeau Field!!!

Buffalo at Jacksonville

Hmmmmm!!! The Bills at the Jaguars. Well, the Bills fired their coach. That always helps a struggling team. Especially when they have no semblence of a quarterback whatsoever!!! Outside of Buffalo, can any of you name him?? Of course, because my brain is so full of crap that could never make me money, I know that it is Ryan Fitzpatrick or Fitzhughes or Fitz …something!! Anyway, The Jags will eak this one out late to spoil the debut of whoever their new coach is!!!

Pittsburgh at Kansas City

Big Ben and the Steelers are going to go into KC and slam the hapless Chiefs. Pittsburgh is coming off a demoralizing loss at home to the Bengals. I get that the Bengals are better than they have been in years, but C’mon!!! Are you serious??? They are not that good. Anyhoo, the Chiefs are terrible and they will be lucky to be within 20 at the end.

Seattle at Minnesota

The Seahawks are having a tough year and, as of yet, the Vikings are not!! Personally, I’m wondering if Brett Favre’s body will be able to hold up. You know I had a college professor that said the proper pronunciation for Vikings is (veekings)!! I was never sold!!! OH WELL, …the Vikes are just too strong at this point to lose at home here.

Atlanta at The New York Giants

In another of the compelling matchups of week 11 or whichever week it is…!!!! The suddenly “luke-warm” Falcons travel up to take on the “been pretty luke-warm for a while now” Giants. The G-men are coming off a bye and should be shot if they allow the dirty birds to come into their, …well theirs and the Jets house and beat them. I think Eli Manning and the boys get it going and send the Falcons limping home!!

Well, that’s it for the first half of my weekly picks!! Come back and get the rest so you can go to Vegas for the weekend and get RICH!!!!! Have a great weekend everybody!!!

• 0 Comments

Oh boy!! Some of the games on the back half of this schedule shouldn’t even be played. Outside of season ticket holders there can’t be more than 12 people who care about these things. Oh well, since we’re already here, I guess we’ll go ahead and pick ‘em!!

Cleveland at Chicago

Derek Anderson, Brady Quinn, …Brian Sipe?? It won’t matter who the Browns run out there. The Bears are not the best team in the NFC North by any stretch, but they will beat the crap out of the Browns at home. I think Chicago’s running game gets going again and it’s Cutler’s week to play well given his past consistency!!! Ha-Ha!! I crack myself up!!!

Oakland at San Diego

In the West Coast version of the “Who Gives a Crap” Bowl, The Raiders travel down the coast to San Diego. The only thing the Raiders are gonna bring is a somewhat competitive defense, because goodness knows they ain’t got nothing else!! Jamarcus Russell is the latest version of Ryan Leaf and there isn’t anything ANYONE can do about that!! The Chargers had higher hopes than 3-3 at this point, but will not fall to the Raiders at home.

Jacksonville at Tennessee

In what should be a great game between strong AFC South contenders, we’re reduced to watching a 3-3 Jaguars squad traveling up to meet an 0-6 Titans team. Can that be right?? 0-6?? Holy Cow, how did we get here?? Well, it’s like I always say, …it’s quarterback play!! The Titans have none and the Jaguars have about half. Between David Garrard and Maurice Jones-Drew, the Jags will outscore Vince Young and whoever else the Titans feel needs to play. The Titans will be 0-7. …That just sounds wrong!!!

Carolina at Arizona

The Panthers are much worse than any of us thought, and given their Super Bowl run last year, the Cardinals are waaaay over-rated!! Yes, I know that they are 4-2, but two of the wins were against the Seahawks and Jaguars!! Oh, and by the way, they lost to the 49ers!! A team with no quarterback!! Anyway, The Cards are good enough to beat the Panthers at home and my prediction for Jake Delhomme interceptions is 6!!

Minnesota at Green Bay

Finally, some good football!! This one doesn’t need a lot of hyping, Heaven knows the TV folks will do enough of that!! Brett Favre coming home to Lambeau Field to take on the team who, essentially, ran him out of town, because Aaron Rodger’s contract was going to be up and they didn’t want to waste their money. Favre can say anything he wants about his feelings this week, but make no mistake, he wants the Vikings to kick the crap out of the Packers. The only thing that will make this game better, is if it’s snowing like crazy!! In my opinion, the Vikes will get it done.

Atlanta at New Orleans

In the Monday Nighter, The Falcons head to the “Big Easy” to take on the undefeated Saints. Atlanta is a good football team with a pretty balanced attack on offense and a tough, hard-nosed defense. TE Tony Gonzalez has made Matt Ryan even better than he was a year ago. So much for the Sophomore Slump!! Having said all of that the Saints are brutal this year at home. I’ve heard of players around the league say that the Superdome is the toughest place to play when the Saints are playing well. And they are playing well. Drew Brees and the offensive line will bounce back this Monday and the defense will continue it’s inspired play to keep New Orleans in the ranks of the undefeated.

Well that’s it for this week!! I hope you enjoy your weekend and I’ll be blogging at you again later!!

• 0 Comments

OK, OK, …so 8-5 isn’t exactly perfect, you have to admit there were some weird results around the league last week. Anyway, no excuses!! It will be much better this week!! So let’s get to it!!

Denver at Baltimore

I get that Denver is undefeated, but I just can’t buy ‘em yet. They beat the Cowboys and Patriots!! I know, I know!! But Kyle Orton…really?? Are You Kidding Me?? All of that aside, they are going into Baltimore. Although the Ravens defense isn’t what it once was, it is still good enough when it has to be and I think they are feeling pressure to step up and defend their house. It’s been a long time since Baltimore’s offense has outshined its defense and that has to weigh on Ray Lewis and company. I have to take the Ravens over the Broncos in an all out war.

St. Louis at Detroit

OMG!!! Do I really have to do this?? Sheesh!! The Lions will find a way, at home, to score one more point than the Rams and it won’t surprise me if the game ends 1-0!!! Whew, I’m glad that’s over!!

Miami at The New York Jets

Mark Sanchez is going to have to eat more than a hot dog this week to beat the Dolphins. Like I said last week, Miami is the only team in the NFL that can run the “Wild Cat” offense with any sustained success. The problem in the game last week against the Saints was that their defense got tired in the second half. I think the fish are going to go into the Meadowlands and kick the J-E-T-S!! Jets, Jets, Jets in the B-A-L-L-S!! Balls, Balls, Balls!!

San Francisco at Indianapolis

Well, I guess it’s back to “Plan A” for the 49ers. Alex Smith is back at the helm for a team that had such high hopes at the beginning of the year. I don’t think their season is over by any stretch, but damn, thay needed to beat the Texans last week. They are 3-3 going into Indianapolis and I don’t see the 49er offense keeping up with the Colts even if Steve Young was named starting quarterback this week. The Colts are just too good and will win this game fairly easily!!

The New York Giants at Philadelphia

I have just not been impressed at all with the Eagles so far this year. I think they have completely wasted everyone’s time with Michael Vick and for them to go to Oakland and lay an egg, pardon the pun, is in-excusable!! The Giants are hurting right now. Between the butt whipping by the Saints and the terrible loss to the Cardinals last week, they have got to be getting their ducks back in a row. I think that the Giants are a better football team right now and they will go into Philly and get themselves right. But make no mistake, it will be every bit as brutal as all the rest of the games between these two are.

Houston at Buffalo

This is a matchup of historically mid-level teams. Actually, this could wind up being one of the more entertaining games of the weekend. The Bills, essentially, hammered the Panthers in Carolina and the Texans beat a 49er team that I, quite frankly, thought was much better than they are. As in all NFL games these days, quarterback play will dictate the winner. I have to go with the Bills here, but not with a whole lot conviction.

Seattle at Dallas

The 2-4 Seahawks head to Jerry’s Billion Dollar Pleasure Palace to take on the re-surgent Cowboys Sunday. Ok, re-surgent may be a bit much, but they are 4-2. With any consistency from Romo and the “Boys”, Dallas should run away with this one. Consistency hasn’t exactly been their strong suit lately, but the Seahawks really aren’t very good in any phase of the game right now.

Stay tuned everybody and I’ll have the rest of the picks for you tomorrow!!

• 0 Comments

I had forgotten how good I am at this. I am sooo going 13-0 this week.

San Diego at Kansas City

The Chargers are in turmoil. It will be interesting to see what happens there if they continue to struggle. It feels like Norv Turner is losing this team. Everyone knows that Shawn Merriman is not going to be back and I think that is effecting the locker room in some manner. Kansas City is still Kansas City. Trouble everywhere, however, they do seem to show some life every once in a while. Still, there is no way I can take the Chiefs over the Chargers, even at home.

New Orleans at Miami

This has all the makings of a classic. I believe this will not come down to whether or not the Dolphins can stop the Saints offense, rather can the Saints defense handle the Miami offense. Miami’s defense has not shown where they should be able slow the Saints offense down, so it will become a matter of can the Dolphins score enough points to keep up. While everyone has tinkered with the “Wild Cat” offense, the Dolphins are the only ones who have made it work for any length of time. Gregg William’s attacking defense will have a serious test on Sunday. I have to take the Saints here, but not in a blowout. This thing may come down to a field goal, …late.

Minnesota at Pittsburgh

In the game of the week, The Vikings travel to the Steel City to take on the somewhat underachieving Steelers. A team with Pittsburgh’s talent and pedigree can not lose to the Bears and Bengals early. I get that both games were on the road, but the Steelers are better than that!!! The undefeated Vikings are do for a let down and I think that Brett Favre will struggle for the first time this year, primarily due to the return of Troy Palamalu to the Steeler’s defensive backfield. Pittsburgh will grind this one out and send the Vikes home 6-1.

New England at Tampa Bay

In what will turn out to be little more than a working holiday, the Patriots and Buccaneers travel to jolly old England. The 0-6 Bucs are just aweful and the 4-2 Pats are not. I can’t imagine that the travel will effect either team terribly, but it would be a nice excuse if the Bucs could pull off the upset. Anyway, I just don’t see it. The Pats will win this one easily going into their bye week.

New York Jets at Oakland

After a great start, the Jets have come crashing back to earth. I’m convinced Mark Sanchez will be a good quarterback someday, but man is he playing young right now. The Raiders have some talent, but are so screwed up from the top down, they just can’t stay good. They had a nice showing last week against the Eagles, but I can’t imagine them doing that two weeks in a row. The Jets will fly into the Coliseum and spank the Raiders pretty good.

Philadelphia at Washington

The Monday nighter is more intriguing than you may think. Now here me out!! The Eagles are coming off a loss to the Raiders in Oakland. We know they’re better than that. The Redskins are almost as dysfunctional as the Raiders. The front office has now said that they will not fire Jim Zorn during the season. This could cause him and the team to relax and play football, making them a tougher test for the Eagles. Aaahh!! Probably not!! Oh well I tried. The Eagles will win it easily.

Well, there you have it. We’ll talk again next week when I gloat over my perfect record!! Have a great weekend everybody!!

• 0 Comments