Archive for the Pro Sports Category

World Cup 2010 - US vs England

All I can say is that we got very lucky with our 1-1 tie against England…but we will take the tie.  We can only hope for some better play from the boys in the red, white and blue.

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MMA party fouls

I personally love watching MMA fights but when a fighter takes a knee/foot to the groin area or a finger/thumb into the eye…that hurts me just watching.  This video highlights some of the better and recent events.  Some of these are accidental but there is a few that were meant with a serious purpose.  :-(

NFL - Championship round predictions 2010

I went 4-0 last week and I was told that my Minnesota and NY Jets picks were crazy…not so crazy anymore folks.  We have 4 teams left with the goal of making it to the Super Bowl and then winning the Lombardi trophy.  All 4 of these teams have great story lines and all 4 deserve to go but only two can make it to Miami.

Now some folks did not realise that the Pro Bowl is next weekend with the Super Bowl the following weekend and it is being held in Miami.  In my eyes this is stupid and can cause a team to lose a Super Bowl if they have say 10 players going to the Pro Bowl.  Keep the Pro Bowl after the Super Bowl and quit trying to make gimmicky crap for the fans.  I love that the Pro Bowl is in Miami…but before the Super Bowl…stupid and reckless.

Okay no more complaining, let’s get to today’s games and predictions!

AFC Championship Game
New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts - Indianapolis Colts
I think the Colts are more powerful than the Chargers and have better weapons.  The Colts defense is better than the Chargers so look for a smash mouth game from start to finish.  I like the storyline for the Jets but every story does not have a happy ending.

NFC Championship Game
Minnesota Vikings at New Orleans Saints - Minnesota Vikings
This game will be loud and the Saints will come out gunning, but I think the Vikings will do the same.  This game could get ugly with some war of words but I think the missing link in this game is Adrian Peterson.  Everyone is focusing on the passing game but I truly believe that the Vikings have the upper hand with their running game.

NFL - Divisional round predictions 2010

Well the wild card weekend lived up to be a very solid set of blow outs and one game that will be remembered for the rest of my life.  I went 3-1 over the weekend.

We saw the Jets beat up the Bengals for the second week in a row, the Cowboys destroy the Eagles for the second week in a row and the Ravens beat up and embarrass the Patriots in New England.  None of these games were a surprise to me at all but the Packers losing to the Cardinals caught me off guard.  But I have to admit after watching the game, it is a game I will remember for the rest of my life.  We saw 96 points and a 2nd half of football that will go down as the most exciting ever…for now.  The question is what will this weekend of football bring us?!?

Super Bowl XLIV takes an economy hit

As soon as the NFL regular season begins, everybody starts to anticipate the Super Bowl and all of its live music and commercials. It doesn’t matter if your team made the playoffs or not, it is one of the largest sporting events on the planet. But this year it might take a hit from the down economy too.

A single 30 second spot cost advertisers less 20 years ago compared to the now quadrupled price today. But according to TNS Media that trend has stopped this year with ads costing less than last year’s ads.

CBS reported charging between $2.5 million and $2.8 million for a 30-second ad during the game this year compared to the $3 million that NBC fetched in 2009.  According to the USA Today CBS is close to selling out its entire 62 ad slots.

The real price will be set when you realize who is actually playing for the Super Bowl title.  Despite the Colts being the favorites on the Super Bowl odds, anything can happen in the National Football League.

In the past 20 years the Super Bowls have produced $2.17 billion in ad sales for the main broadcasters, on behalf of more than 1,400 commercial messages and 210 advertisers.

Believe it or not the leading advertiser is the network itself. They take as much as one-quarter of the commercial time for their own shows.  During last year’s Super Bowl telecast, NBC set aside a record 45 minutes and 5 seconds of air time for their commercials.

Let’s get to the weekend’s games and make some predictions.

Arizona Cardnials at New Orleans Saints - New Orleans
I know Arizona is riding high after their OT victory over the Packers, but I think Brees will have his team ready and pumped.  Look for some points on the board but the Saints will control the final outcome with an even running game to slow down the Cardnials.

Baltimore Ravens at Indianapolis Colts - Indianapolis
I know Baltimore is tough and ready to go, but Peyton Manning is rested and his defense will fluster and confuse the Ravens offense.  The only way the Ravens have a chance is if they can get a solid running attack the entire game…but I do not see that happening.

Dallas Cowboys at Minnesota Vikings - Minnesota
I know, I am pretty much the only damn person calling this victory and being a life long and die hard Viking fan…my heart may get broke again.  But I have a feeling that Romo will get harassed all day and the Cowboys will get zero production from their running game.  I also would like to see Farve exercise his Cowboys demon and finally beat them in the playoffs.

NY Jets at San Diego Chargers - NY Jets
This is my one road team winner for the weekend.  I do not like the Chargers running game and with the defensive backs the Jets have, I think they can control the Chargers attack.  My long time friend Jason is going to kill me for this pick, but it is my gut feeling.

Mark McGwire - The painful truth

“…and the truth shall set you free…”

Not in the case of McGwire.  I have only read one decent story about Mark McGwire admitting to steroids and the rest seem to be bashing him and basically telling him to get lost and that MLB should ban him for life.  So as a society today, when someone admits fault then we should shun them forever and call them cheaters and cowards?!?  This is not the way we want to live our lives.  We should live our lives as a caring and forgiving society, not a hateful society.  Even though these so called baseball experts want McGwire banned for life, we have current and active players in MLB playing and getting paid millions…after they admitted to using steroids.  If we want to take a firm stance, then every player that ever gets caught for cheating in any way needs to be banned for life, no questions asked.  If a sports writer does a false story, they should be banned for life from writing about sports.  MLB needs to do away with their suspensions for failing drug tests.  If you fail, you are banned for life.  Does that make sense to be that critical?  No.  Yes, cheating is wrong and should be punished.  But to say that one player should be banned for life and the others are forgiven is stupid and makes you look like a jackass.  A-Rod can admit to steroids and other drugs, swing his dick around every city in the World and use women like rag dolls…but he gets a free pass because he was young and dumb when he used them…or…he learned his lesson and has never cheated since.  Really?  REALLY?!?  Let’s ask his ex-wife how truthful of a man he is.  Let’s ask Madonna how truthful a man he is.  Come on man, wake the f**k up.  There was an entire era of baseball that was filled with drugs, steroids, HGH and what ever else they could get a hold of.  It was encouraged by trainers, scouts, managers and other players.

Should they hold records in the record books? No.  Should they be hailed as hero’s? No.  Should they be banned from MLB? No.  They should be used as poster boys of the wrong way of doing things for the younger generation out there.  The media always hypes how these drugs make boys into men with great strength and makes it unfair for the non-drug users.  Is that message we want our kids to read or hear about?  No.  The message should be about the side affects that these drugs can cause now and in the future.

I will keep Mark McGwire’s apology recorded for my son to watch when he gets a bit older.  I want him to see a grown man have to admit to the World the mistakes he made.  I want my son to know that there is a right way and a wrong way of playing sports.  The wrong way has life long lasting affects, medical affects and mental affects.

Having McGwire as a coach on the St Louis Cardinal’s is a great thing for baseball.  He will be there to tell every player around him the downside of everything he did.  He is basically like taking an ex-con into a school and letting him/her tell every student the bad side to prison…in graphic detail.  McGwire is going to be a modern day baseball scared straight coach.  He loves baseball and dedicated his life to it.  He has passion and love for a sport and that is something he can pass along to other players young and old.  If McGwire coached my son in baseball, I would feel honored to have such an honest and caring man teach him the right and wrong in baseball.

To be a sports writer and come out and say, “Ban him for life for lying, stealing and cheating”, is ignorant.  He apologized to the World after he apologized to his family, friends, fellow players and more importantly to the Roger Maris family.  He knows what he did was wrong and he came out to tell everyone after telling the ones he hurt the most first.  I also believe he saw how close he was to making the Hall of Fame and that really drove him to admit his wrong doing.  He knows he will never make the Hall after this apology and he accepts that.

You have to remember folks, taking steroids does not give you the ability to hit a 90 MPH fastball, a 12 o’clock to 6 o’clock breaking ball or the coordination to play great defense at a hot corner like first base.  It gave McGwire the ability to heal injuries quicker, get stronger and train longer.  Yes you can account for some homeruns going 500+ feet to steroids, but not every one of them.  Baseball is still a skill of the mind and takes great talent to make it to the majors.  I do agree that records should be cleared out of the record books, but do not clear out the players themselves.

*Note*
Steroids can give you an advantage in many sports, but in a game of skill and coordination it only goes so far.  Sports like boxing, MMA, martial arts, football (certain positions) and rugby, it gives you a great advantage…not in baseball.

NFL - Wild Card predictions 2010

I went 12-4 last week finishing the regular season at 193-63, 75% correct for the year.  Decent.

The regular season ended with some decent drama and some decent games…but thanks to some teams the season ended with nothing but vomit.  The Colts and Saints decided that going into the bye week as limp noodles was good for them and Arizona looked awful at home against Green Bay.  Cincinnati looked like a pop warner team at the Jets and Minnesota played well against a very sorry Giants team.  I personally think that the Colts, Saints and Cardnials had the wrong idea when it came to their final games.  I could be wrong but only time will tell I suppose.

Let’s get to this weekends games and call them like I see them.

NY Jets at Cincinnati - NY Jets
I do not see Cincinnati getting the ship corrected from last week over night.  The Jets defense was just out right nasty and the Jets running game looked great.  The Bengals may have won their division but it may be next year before they can put together a playoff victory.

Philadelphia at Dallas - Dallas
After what I watched last week in Dallas, I am not sure the Eagles can win this game.  Dallas has put together back to back shutouts for the first time in franchise history and they look to be getting better each week.  If Philadelphia is going to win this game it will be on McNabb to win it for them.

Baltimore at New England - Baltimore
Baltimore looks hungry and New England looks beat up.  With Welker out, Moss limping and Brady trying to hide his injuries…the Ravens are begging to eat them alive.  I heard some “sports experts” say that Baltimore does not have enough offense to win this game.  WTF?!?  The passing game is good and Rice is a great RB that can catch and run and he can break tackles anywhere on the field.

Green Bay at Arizona - Green Bay
I liked what I saw last week from the Packers and I am not sure that Arizona can slow the Packers offense down.  This game could be close but I would look for the Packers to walk away with the victory.

NFL - Week 17 Predictions

Man I am still pissed off at the Vikings defense and Peterson.  What the hell is wrong with this defense anymore?  Oh yeah, pass coverage still sucks and Peterson still puts the ball on the ground.  I really hope the home crowd gets the Vikings back on track against the Giants this weekend.

I went 11-5 last week bringing my season total to 181-59, a low 75% correct.

I am telling you people, San Diego is on a mission and that mission is Super Bowl or bust.  They are dominating on offense and defense and they can slam a team shut early.  Look out AFC and whoever makes it out alive in the NFC.  I did however hear a pretty funny comment this last week on Sports Center…”Mangini is coaching like he wants to keep his job”.  WTF?!?  The Browns have won 4 games this year and they just finished beating the Raiders.  *rolls eyes*

Let’s just get to the final regular season schedule and make our picks.

San Francisco 49ers (7-8) at St. Louis Rams (1-14) - San Francisco
The 49ers are playing for a .500 record and the Rams have won the first pick in the draft.

Pittsburgh Steelers (8-7) at Miami Dolphins (7-8) - Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh has a slim chance of the playoffs in sight and they will go for it all day against the Dolphins.

Indianapolis Colts (14-1) at Buffalo Bills (5-10) - Buffalo
The Colts are already sitting players in practice, do you really think they will play many of them in the cold this weekend?!?

New England Patriots (10-5) at Houston Texans (8-7) - New England
New England has the right idea, play hard and fast going in the post season.

Cincinnati Bengals (10-5) at New York Jets (8-7) - Cincinnati
Cincinnati is playing to knock the Jets out and to go into the playoffs winning on the road.  Sorry Jets, no skate walk this year.

Chicago Bears (6-9) at Detroit Lions (2-13) - Chicago
Chicago wants to continue their hot hand and play tough on the road.  Who knows, maybe the Lions defense is better than the Vikings.

Jacksonville Jaguars (7-8) at Cleveland Browns (4-11) - Jacksonville
Jacksonville wants to finish the season at .500, not under it.  Del Rio will get them pumped to pound the Browns.

New York Giants (8-7) at Minnesota Vikings (11-4) - Minnesota
For the love of God, could this game be any more sad???  The Giants cannot buy a win and Minnesota cannot stop anyone anymore.  The Vikings offense came alive in the second half last week to watch the defense give up touchdown after touchdown…then we all watched Peterson put the ball on the ground…again.

Atlanta Falcons (8-7) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-12) - Atlanta
Hotlanta is rolling and the injuries are shaking off…look out Bucs.

Philadelphia Eagles (11-4) at Dallas Cowboys (10-5) - Dallas
Dallas can remember last years beat down in Philadelphia…payback time.

New Orleans Saints (13-2) at Carolina Panthers (7-8) - Carolina
New Orleans knows they need a win to get the chip off the shoulder, but Carolina is hot right now with Moore at QB.  Look for more of the same this weekend.

Kansas City Chiefs (3-12) at Denver Broncos (8-7) - Denver
Denver will win big this weekend.

Baltimore Ravens (8-7) at Oakland Raiders (5-10) - Baltimore
Baltimore fighting for the playoffs, Lewis mad as hell on defense…equals a beat down Raiders team in the end.

Green Bay Packers (10-5) at Arizona Cardinals (10-5) - Green Bay
Green Bay wins this game and runs into the playoffs as the hottest team in the NFC.  Look out everyone, the Packers are playing tough on both sides of the ball.

Tennessee Titans (7-8) at Seattle Seahawks (5-10) - Tennessee
Tennessee started 0-6, now they have a chance to finish 8-8.  Great come back story of the year.

Washington Redskins (4-11) at San Diego Chargers (12-3) - San Diego
They are hot, they are locked into the #2 seed, but still put a beat down on Washington.  This gives them the extra juice going into their first round bye.  Look out AFC, the Chargers are smoking hot on all three sides of the ball.

NFL - Week 16 predictions

Well, last week sucked it up big time.  I went 11-5 bringing my season total to 170-54, a decent 76% correct so far this year.  I was really hoping for a solid 80+% this season but that seems out of reach.

It is beginning to look like Indianapolis is going to run the table including the Super Bowl.  The reason I say that is because the NFC is wide open with teams winning and losing each week and no one is clearly the out right front runner.  NO lost to Dallas in NO, Minnesota lost at Carolina…badly with some sideline fights, Arizona barely able to beat Detroit, Green Bay losing in Pittsburgh and Cleveland beating KC…just kidding.  I wanted to make sure you were reading this.

First of all, Minnesota was a complete let down for the second time in three weeks on Sunday night football.  Farve and Chilly went at on the sidelines and in the locker room after the game.  Peterson could not run over my Grandma right now and the O line looks very weak and sloppy.  The defense is tired and wore out from the three and outs by the offense and once again they are the ones trying to hold the ship together is rough water.  I am not getting a good feeling about this post season with the Vikes falling apart  at the end of the season when they should be peaking and slamming their opponents.  They need a solid and dominate win against Chicago this week or they could be falling fast in the playoff seeds.  The part that scares me the most is that the game is on Prime time TV, Monday Night, and they seem to fold when the lights are on them.  To win they will need a good game from Farve (no turnovers and at least 2 TD’s), a great game from Peterson (125+ yards and a couple TD’s) and an all out dominate defense that makes Cutler and company run for their lives.

Dear Brett Farve - When the coach (employer) makes a choice…you as the QB (employee) must listen to that and do as he says.  In my opinion, T-Jack would have been better off playing the Panthers than you.  He could have run to create space and not flop on the ground with weak shoe lace tackles.  This is a team, not just Farve trying to win.  You want to prove all the doubters…stop looking so damn bad in December jack-ass.    -Myke (a Viking fan since I was a little kid pretending to be Tarkenton)

New Orleans went into the game against Dallas with #1 seed all over their heads and they got smacked around fast.  The game ended up close but Dallas still won the game.  Brees looked very human and the Saints defense was shell shocked at first.  I am hoping Minnesota and New Orleans meet int he NFC championship game but only time will tell I guess.

The other NFC playoff teams played good to bad.  Philadelphia is running to lock up their division and trying to take away the #2 seed from Minnesota; Green Bay lost at the buzzer to Pittsburgh, but Rogers looked very solid; Arizona looked very weak and limp; Dallas looked very strong and dominate (can they keep it up) and the Giants looked very solid against the Redskins.  This will be a good two weeks of football folks…hang on for this one.

On the AFC side I will be short and to the point.  Indianapolis will host San Diego for the AFC championship game and Indianapolis will roll right on into Miami to slash and dash the NFC.

Let’s get to this weeks picks folks.

San Diego Chargers (11-3) at Tennessee Titans (7-7) - San Diego
The magic has run out in Tennessee and the Chargers are on freaking fire.  San Diego is on a run that scares me and a lot of AFC teams.

Oakland Raiders (5-9) at Cleveland Browns (3-11) - Cleveland
This game has zero excitement unless you are a fan of either team.

Jacksonville Jaguars (7-7) at New England Patriots (9-5) - New England
New England knows they need this win to keep up the playoff pace and they need a solid win.

Kansas City Chiefs (3-11) at Cincinnati Bengals (9-5) - Cincinnati
KC is no match for Cincinnati this week.  Look for the Bengals to put up some numbers and yards today.

Houston Texans (7-7) at Miami Dolphins (7-7) - Miami
The running game of Miami will emerge today with a solid clock management game.  Say goodbye to the post season Houston.

Baltimore Ravens (8-6) at Pittsburgh Steelers (7-7) - Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh is playing catchup and post season crasher and this victory will seal the fate of Baltimore.

Buffalo Bills (5-9) at Atlanta Falcons (7-7) - Atlanta
Good game to make a rebound in for Atlanta.

Seattle Seahawks (5-9) at Green Bay Packers (9-5) - Green Bay
Green Bay will lock up a post season birth with this victory as Rogers rolls well.

Carolina Panthers (6-8) at New York Giants (8-6) - NY Giants
The Panthers beat up a hapless and sorry Vikings team last week and now they get to face a surging and waking up Giants team.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-12) at New Orleans Saints (13-1) - New Orleans
The Saints will roll over on the Bucs and seal up the #1 seed in the NFC with this weeks victory.

Detroit Lions (2-12) at San Francisco 49ers (6-8) - San Francisco
San Francisco will not be in the playoffs but fighting for a .500 record means the World at this point.

St. Louis Rams (1-13) at Arizona Cardinals (9-5) - Arizona
Arizona gets to coast this week with a game against the Rams.

New York Jets (7-7) at Indianapolis Colts (14-0) - Indianapolis
The Colts will not sit anyone this week unless they dominate and put up a ton of points.  The Colts will win as they pursue the perfect season.

Denver Broncos (8-6) at Philadelphia Eagles (10-4) - Philadelphia
Philadelphia is fighting for a #2 seed in the playoffs so they will not let Denver have much of a chance.  Denver is fading again and this could be an ugly year fro Bronco fans as they watch their 6-0 team fade out of the season and not even into the playoffs…again.

Dallas Cowboys (9-5) at Washington Redskins (4-10) - Dallas
Washington has a coach pissed off at his boss (the reason for “the play” last week) and he could care less what happens.  Dallas is trying to win a division so look for them to roll and roll hard.

Minnesota Vikings (11-3) at Chicago Bears (5-9) - Minnesota
Minnesota can all but seal up the #2 seed this coming Monday night.  They suck on Sunday night but rock on Monday night.  Look for a solid running game to relax Farve and remind him of the ground game he has to work with.

NFL - Week 15 predictions

Well I forgot to actually submit my picks on time but better late than never I suppose.  I went 12-4 last week bringing my season total to 159-49.  The playoffs are heating up big time with each week and with only 3 weeks of football left, it will get very interesting to say the least.

 Indianapolis Colts (13-0) at Jacksonville Jaguars (7-6) - Indianapolis
Manning wants a perfect season and will do what ever it takes to get one.

Dallas Cowboys (8-5) at New Orleans Saints (13-0) - Dallas
New Orleans is trying to put themselves in cruise control and Dallas is trying to get into the playoffs and win some games in December.  I think has more to play for this week.

Atlanta Falcons (6-7) at New York Jets (7-6) - NY Jets
Atlanta still has too many injuries and with the cold weather this could be a very long game for Atlanta.  Look for NY to pound the football all day long.

Arizona Cardinals (8-5) at Detroit Lions (2-11) - Arizona
Arizona needs a rebound quick to secure the division and Detroit cannot match the firepower of Arizona.

Houston Texans (6-7) at St. Louis Rams (1-12) - Houston
Houston has way too offense for the Rams to play against.

New England Patriots (8-5) at Buffalo Bills (5-8) - New England
New England has been embarrassed quite a bit this year and Moss wants to prove himself again.  Look for New England to get a solid ground and pound going this week.

Cleveland Browns (2-11) at Kansas City Chiefs (3-10) - Cleveland
Cleveland has been playing with some heart and I expect it to continue into this week.  They are playing for their jobs and not Mangini.

Chicago Bears (5-8) at Baltimore Ravens (7-6) - Baltimore
Chicago has gone down and down fast and Baltimore has started to climb back up.  Baltimore will play for a last ditch hope of the postseason.

San Francisco 49ers (6-7) at Philadelphia Eagles (9-4) - Philadelphia
This game will feature some serious weather and the 49ers will not be prepared for it.  Look for McNabb to throw well all day long.

Miami Dolphins (7-6) at Tennessee Titans (6-7) - Tennessee
Rebound game for Young and the Titans.  This could be the best rushing stats in NFL history if both teams can get it going.

Oakland Raiders (4-9) at Denver Broncos (8-5) - Denver
Oakland is done with the injury at QB and Denver is trying to keep their playoff key.

Cincinnati Bengals (9-4) at San Diego Chargers (10-3) - San Diego
With the recent loss to Henry, I am not sure the Bengals can keep their motivation up for this game.  His loss is a huge tragedy for the team and San Diego is trying to lock up their division.  I am hoping that Ochocinco wears #15 today despite the threat of fines.

Green Bay Packers (9-4) at Pittsburgh Steelers (6-7) - Pittsburgh
I want to say Green Bay but I feel that Pittsburgh needs a huge rebound game.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-12) at Seattle Seahawks (5-8) - Seattle
Seattle may have lost out on Holmgren, but they will not lose to the Bucs this week.

Minnesota Vikings (11-2) at Carolina Panthers (5-8) - Minnesota
With my prediction of NO losing, Minnesota can climb to within 1 game of the Saints.  Look for Minnesota to secure a solid ground attack followed by a solid passing game.

New York Giants (7-6) at Washington Redskins (4-9) - Washington
Washington has been playing very well as of late and I truly believe they can knock out the Giants with a solid game by QB Jason C.

NFL - Week 14 predictions

Last week: 12-4
Season total: 147-45

Well the season is starting to heat up and the playoffs are beginning to look very exciting with some dream match-ups coming.  On the flip side, there is some really bad teams and some teams that are just falling apart.

With Indianapolis and New Orleans winning again they continue their drive for perfection, I personally do not think it will happen but I could be wrong.  There were a few games that had playoffs written all over them, Minn at Ariz, Phil at Atl, Dall at NYG, NE at Mia and Balt at GB.  Arizona whipped the Vikings all over the field and the Vikings lost some key players to injury…could be troublesome int he long run.  Philadelphia beat up Atlanta who is in trouble with their own injuries to very key players.  The Giants picked up a huge victory behind a very solid day from Brandon Jacobs…making the race for the NFC East very interesting.  Miami pulled an upset win over New England sending New England looking for answers.  Finally we saw Green Bay beat Baltimore in what could have been the ugliest game of the year with the amount of flags thrown.  I saw very flagrant penalties committed and then some very questionable calls.  But in the end Green Bay made a playoff statement and put some pressure on Minnesota for the division title.  This years playoffs are looking to very good in my eyes.

On the flip side of all the good stuff we saw, we had teams like Pittsburgh fall apart, San Diego get pushed around and hassled by Cleveland and then New Orleans winning a very wild game with a kicker getting getting a pink slip for the holidays.  What the heck has happened to Pittsburgh???  Ben looks good on one play then just confused as all get out on the next 10.  The Pittsburgh defense is starting to fall apart which could spell disaster for the Steelers and their playoff run.  I would like to add that I picked them to lose…I like the Raider offense now that “wasted-pick-over-paid-under-talented” Russell has been benched.

Well, with some very good match-ups this week the month of December is starting to look great and the playoff picture is starting to come together.  Let’s get to the picks!

Pittsburgh Steelers (6-6) at Cleveland Browns (1-11) - Cleveland
Pittsburgh loses this game and some heads may start to roll.  I like Cleveland for one reason, Ol’ Ben is looking pretty bad and the running game is no where to be seen in Pittsburgh.  On the other side of the ball, the Pittsburgh defense looks terrible (towel joke intended).

Carolina Panthers (5-7) at New England Patriots (7-5) - New England
4 New England players sent home for being late and one very pissed off head coach.  This spells disaster for the visiting Panthers.

Cincinnati Bengals (9-3) at Minnesota Vikings (10-2) - Minnesota
Could this be a Super Bowl preview game?  Maybe.  Look for Minnesota to bounce back with some good old fashioned play action pass and west coast dump passes.  They need AP to get back on track and this could be his game to do that.

New York Jets (6-6) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-11) - NY Jets
Run, run and some more running by the Jets.  Fast game as the clock runs out with all the running and the Bucs climb the draft pick ladder and battle Cleveland for the top pick.

Seattle Seahawks (5-7) at Houston Texans (5-7) - Houston
I am not sure Seattle can slow down Houston and I know they cannot keep up with them.

Buffalo Bills (4-8) at Kansas City Chiefs (3-9) - Kansas City
Draft pick battle royal this week.  Chiefs at home and no one even watched it happen.

New Orleans Saints (12-0) at Atlanta Falcons (6-6) - New Orleans
With the injuries the Falcons have there is no way they can keep up with Drew Brees and company.

Green Bay Packers (8-4) at Chicago Bears (5-7) - Green Bay
Green Bay is starting to put things together and the Bears had troubles with the Rams last week.  Green Bay will run away with this game early.

Miami Dolphins (6-6) at Jacksonville Jaguars (7-5) - Jacksonville
Jacksonville and Miami are making a playoff run and both are making very strong cases for the post season.  Look for Jacksonville to control this game from start to finish unless Miami can get their running game back on track.

Denver Broncos (8-4) at Indianapolis Colts (12-0) - Indianapolis
I want to call this upset but history tells me that Denver does not do well in Indy and I am not sure they will change that luck this weekend.

Detroit Lions (2-10) at Baltimore Ravens (6-6) - Baltimore
Baltimore is one pissed off team and Detroit has to come to them.  Look for the Ravens to line up the buffet table and chow down on some sacks and turn-overs.  I see Detroit losing one young stud QB and then another aging has been QB in this game.

St. Louis Rams (1-11) at Tennessee Titans (5-7) - Tennessee
Tennessee lost last week but with St Louis coming to town…life just got better again.

Washington Redskins (3-9) at Oakland Raiders (4-8) - Oakland
The Raiders have found some offense which could spell disaster for the Russell draft pick.  Raiders will win a hard fought battle in the end.

San Diego Chargers (9-3) at Dallas Cowboys (8-4) - Dallas
Huge playoff game this week in Dallas.  San Diego had troubles with Cleveland last week and that could spell disaster for both defenses.  High scoring and fun to watch game with Dallas coming out on top.

Philadelphia Eagles (8-4) at New York Giants (7-5) - Philadelphia
Another huge playoff game and I like the Eagles to stop any and all attacks from the Giants.  With Andy Reid getting a contract extension, his team will show why as well.

Arizona Cardinals (8-4) at San Francisco 49ers (5-7) - San Francisco
Arizona looked VERY good against Minnesota…or Minnesota looked VERY bad against Arizona…you make the call.  San Fran won the first meeting this year and Arizona is pissed.  But I personally feel that Arizona plays to their competition…meaning they will have trouble with the 49ers.