FOOTBALL FRIDAY: Week 16 - Thoughts, Picks, and Other Stuff

Hey everybody!  Football comes early this week, as the majority of the games are being played on Saturday - I really feel for all the folks that will be caught up in shopping malls....this week's action should be pretty damn compelling.  While most of the playoff qualifiers have been determined, there is still plenty of positioning to sort out.  Not to mention, the Winners of the NFC East and AFC West still haven't emerged going into this week's action.  How's that for drama?  Anyhow, let's do this..... 







Last week: 2-2
Against the Spread: 2-2

For the Season:
Straight Up: 23-12
Against the Spread: 14-18-2

Minnesota Vikings (2-12) vs. (-7) Washington Redskins (5-9)

Although both of these proud franchises are having tough years, they are playing at opposite ends of the hot/cold spectrum.  While Minnesota has suffered through breaking in a rookie quarterback, Washington has suffered through a season of turning the ball over.  That notwithstanding, The Redskins are playing some darn good ball.  Certainly good enough to take care of the Vikings at home.  Washington covers.

Cleveland Browns (4-10) vs. (-13) Baltimore Ravens (10-4)

On paper, this game shouldn't even be close.  The Browns are suffering through a down year, while all the Ravens need to do to Win the AFC North is run the table.  There's too much on the table for Baltimore to give this one away, but my feeling is that Cleveland puts up more of a fight than anyone expects.  Ravens still Win, but I do like Cleveland to beat the spread.

Oakland Raiders (7-7) vs. (-3) Kansas City Chiefs (6-8)

I remember this game for being the best rivalry in the AFC (nowadays that distinction belongs to the AFC North's Baltimore-Pittsburgh rivalry ).  Although they've been inconsistent as hell, the Raiders have had a pretty good year.  But lately, they just can't seem to really get it together, which makes Winning in KC monumentally difficult.  After Sunday's huge Win, it's hard to go against the Chiefs in Arrowhead.  Therefore, I won't do it.  I truly wanna take the Raiders in this one, but I won't.  Kansas City is just too strong at home.  But the Raiders do beat the spread.

Chicago Bears (7-7) vs. (-12) Green Bay Packers (13-1)

This should be memorable.  The Bears really need the game.  They REALLY need the game.  They really need the game!  The question is, do they get it?  I really believe that Chicago is going to go into Lambeau Field and bring the fight straight to the Packers, but will that be enough?  Since the Bears have been playing without their quarterback, they have put themselves in a position where they're on the outside looking in, concerning the playoff picture.  Green Bay, on the other hand,  has famously been on a season long tear through the league.  Although that streak ended in Week 15, the Packers are no less formidable.  Chicago beats the spread; Green Bay Wins the game.

There you have it, folks.  Holiday football at it's best!  Enjoy the games, and stay away from those malls!!

FOOTBALL FRIDAY: Week 15 - Thoughts, Picks, and Other Stuff

Sorry I missed last week folks.  I'll get myself back on schedule, just bear with me.  While I was away, we entered the make or break point for the pack of playoff contenders.  This week's games will certainly clear up a lot of the pile -- well at least separate the trash from the heap.  Sooooo, without further ado, let's make it happen!











Last week: 3-0
Against the Spread: 0-3 (ouch!)

For the Season:
Straight Up: 21-10
Against the Spread: 12-16-2

(-71/2) Cincinnati Bengals (7-6) vs. St. Louis Rams (2-11)

This would've been a nice battle of Midwestern teams...in September!  As it stands now, the Rams are out of it, while the Bengals are squarely in the mix.  Seriously, this shouldn't be much of a game.  St. Louis has found new ways to lose seemingly every week.  And the funny thing is that I expected to see them take a big step forward this year.  Too bad.  Conversely, the Bengals have surprised everyone outside of the city of Cincinnati with their exciting, cardiac kids, come-from-behind style of football.  They are having quite the year, and I expect it to continue.  St. Louis hasn't put up too much fight in '11, so I've got Cincy Winning the ballgame.  I just don't think they'll cover the spread.

Seattle Seahawks (6-7) vs. (-31/2) Chicago Bears (7-6)

Surprisingly (to me, at least) the Seahawks have battled their way back into the mix by taking care of business at home.  That's what good teams do, absolutely.  While Chicago has struggled mightily since suffering an injury to their quarterback.  But the Bears are a good team; better than a Seattle squad playing a road game.  This is an important game for both outfits, but I like Chicago.  They're better, and they need to get back on track after some dismal play that has backed them into a corner.  Seattle won't show up and lay down though.  Seahawks beat the spread.

(-12) Green Bay Packers (13-0) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (5-8)

The Champs are rolling, while the Chiefs are struggling.  This simply isn't a fair fight!  Even if Kansas City comes out swinging, how in the hell do they stay with the Pack?  The answer is they don't.  I'm not picking against Green Bay till somebody beats 'em!  And I won't pick against 'em today.  Green Bay covers.

(-3) Baltimore Ravens (10-3) vs. San Diego Chargers (6-7)

Baltimore has been looking good lately, while San Diego has really struggled.  This should be a really fun game to watch.  But I'll cut to the chase; I like the Chargers to pull the upset!  This is still a good team, although they've had a down year.  But it ain't over yet for these guys.  I expect San Diego to pull out a hard fought Win to keep their quickly fading playoff hopes alive.  Gotta take the home dog in this one.

Well football fans, that's who I've got this week.  I look forward to cheering on all of the action.  Who you got?

FOOTBALL FRIDAY: Week 13 - Thoughts, Picks, and Other Stuff

Wassup all.  We're coming down to crunch time.  The outcomes of these games can likely be the difference between teams reaching their goals, and waiting until next year.  Knowing the tenor of the NFL these days, I still expect to see a team catch fire and remain hot well into January.  I don't think that a particular team has emerged yet this year, but perhaps we'll have a better idea of who it will be after the week's games.  You can bet I'll be watching.  Now, time for the picks!







Last week: 3-1
Against the Spread: 2-2

For the Season:
Straight Up: 18-10
Against the Spread: 12-13-2

Indianapolis Colts (0-11) vs. (-21) New England Patriots (8-3)

In what was once the must-see matchup of the entire season, this game still has plenty of intrigue; although not in determining which team will secure homefield advantage.  Sure, New England is squarely in the running for the homefield slot in the AFC.  But it does appear that Indy has decided to secure the 1st pick in the upcoming draft.  And this game should only strengthen each team's respective goals.  I like the Patriots all the way in this game.  Even with that 21 point spread!  Knowing how Bill Belichick plays the game, the Pats are likely to score 50 points!  New England Wins easily and covers that outrageous spread.

(-7) Green Bay Packers (11-0) vs. New York Giants (6-5)


Great matchup!  The defending Super Bowl Champions visit an NFC East power in a critical matchup (at least for the G-men).  Green Bay has certainly made a strong case for being the odds on favorite to repeat as league champs.  But can the Giants Win the toughest home game on their schedule?  Well, in order to keep their fading division and playoff hopes alive, they'll need to.  My feeling is that New York will drag the Pack into a nasty streetfight, but I still like Green Bay to Win.  They are young, talented, and playing with the swagger of a champion.  New York won't scare Green Bay - and they won't beat 'em either.

St. Louis Rams (2-9) vs. (-14) San Francisco 49ers (9-2)

I really don't have too much to say about this one.  St. Louis is having a pretty tough year, while San Fran has run away with the division.  The only real question is whether the Niners can cover that huge spread.  I say no.  San Francisco Wins, but the Rams will keep it close.

Okay folks!  Short sample this time around, but stay tuned.  Some interesting stuff is on the way....