NFL Picks Week 8

I went 8-6 for the second week in a row. The Bills should have been a shoo-in but put themselves in a 21 point hole they were almost able to climb out of...almost! The Steelers lose to the Chiefs...who would have thought? Colts and Cowboys looked horrible in loses and it's a good thing the Ravens lost QB/OC communications or I would have been 7-7.

By the way, why can't Joe Flacco call his own play if there is no communication? Don't the Ravens anticipate problems and have alternative plans?

Here goes this week. Make sure you check back to see how I did against you!

Miami @ New England   (W)Patriots 28-20   Can't see the Patriots losing to the revitalized Dolphins
Detroit @ Kansas City   (L)Lions 17-13   Only because no Charles makes things tough
Tampa Bay @ Atlanta   (L)Falcons 31-30   Atlanta rights the ship and sets sail
Minnesota @ Chicago   (W)Vikings 21-20   Vikes overcome much to beat Da Bears
Arizona @ Cleveland   (W)Cardinals 31-17   Cards defense too much for the Brows
San Francisco @ St. Louis   (W)Rams 21-10   I like the Rams "D" at home
NY Giants @ New Orleans   (W)Saints 17-16   Out on a limb pick here
Cincinnati @ Pittsburgh   (W)Bengals 21-17   Steelers mistake prone; Bengals capitalize
San Diego @ Baltimore   (W)Ravens 24-22   I'll give you 1 more chance Baltimore
Tennessee @ Houston   (W)Texans 14-10   TJ Yates off the bench to lead TD drive
NY Jets @ Oakland   (W)Raiders 28-21   Let down from NE game and Raiders are tough
Seattle @ Dallas   (W)Seahawks 24-17   Randall AWOL, Romo out, no Bryant...Oh oh
Green Bay @ Denver   (L)Packers 31-17   The shine comes off the Broncos
Indianapolis @ Carolina   (W)Panthers 27-17   Undefeated season for Panthers?

The Bills, Jaguars, Redskins and Eagles have the week off. They all need it.

I changed my mind at the last second and picked the Lions to best the Chiefs...oh well that one is on me. But the Falcons losing to the Bucs, in OT no less, is all on the up and down Falcons. The Broncos held Aaron Rodgers to 77 yards passing on a 14 for 22 game. That's right 77 yards for an entire game. The Broncos "D" really looked good and Peyton Manning had a pretty good game too.

Okay...I called the game with the Panthers beating the Colts but how does a professional, undefeated team such as the Panthers take a 17 point lead with 10:51 to play in the game and turn it into a nail biter that has to be won in OT? Who knows!

I had a pretty good week, finishing 10-3 to bring my overall record to 71-47.

NFL Championship Games Set

COLTS v PATRIOTS and PACKERS v SEAHAWKS

The teamswho will compete for the AFC and NFC Championship games have been decided on the field of play. The Colts will travel to New England to take on the Patriots while the Packers will head west to face the defending Super Bowl Champion, Seattle Seahawks.

The Colts upset the reigning AFC Champion Denver Broncos, in Denver, 24-13 behind Andrew Lucks' 265 yards passing with 2 touchdowns and the running of Daniel Herron who ran for 63 yards and a TD. The Indianapolis defense held Peyton Manning to just 211 yards and a touchdown while limiting the Broncos to 88 yards on the grond with no touchdowns.
Read the Grantland.com Piece here.


The upset minded Ravens were unable to overcome the play calling, Coach Harbaugh called it cheating, in the 35-31 loss to the Patriots. This despite having lead the Patriots twice by 14 points. Joe Flacco threw for 292 yards and 4 touchdowns but threw 2 interceptions, the last with 1:39 left on the clock and the Ravens driving. The Ravens defense held the Patriots to 14 yards on 13 carries but allowed Tom Brady to score on a 1 yard QB keeper. Brady meanwhile, threw for 367 yards and 3 touchdowns and Julian Edelman threw a 51 yard TD strike to Danny Amendola.

In the NFC, the defending Super Bowl Champion Seattle Seahawks used 3 touchdown passes from Russell Wilson and a smothering defense to defeat the 8-8-1 Carolina Panthers 31-17. Wilson threw for 268 yards with no interceptions and the the Seahawks rushed for 100 yards. Jermaine Kearse, Luke Willson and Doug Baldwin caught the TD passes from Wilson.

The Cowboys came up 1 play short of defeating the Green Bay Packers, who won the game 26-21. Aaron Rodgers threw for 316 yards and 3 touchdowns with no interceptions while Tony Romo tossed the ball 19 times and completed 15 of them for 191 yards and 2 touchdowns. Demarco Murray carried the ball 23 times for 123 yards and a touchdown but the play that will be remembered will be Dez Bryant's non catch of a 4th and 2 pass from Romo that turned the ball over to the Packers on downs and let Green Bay run out the clock.

NFL Picks Week 17

After an 8-8 week I've decided on a new strategy for picking the winners. This new plan will only work for the last week of games because I need 15 weeks of data.

I took an average of the scores by every team to pick my winners. 3 games should be toss ups, SD @ KC, CHI @ Minn and ARI @ SF.

I went against the scores in one contest, PHIL @ NYG because the Eagles will be down after elimination and Mark Sanchez is their QB.

Here Goes:

(W)Cleveland @ Baltimore     Ravens 26-19     Back to the drawing board at QB for Browns
(W)Dallas @ Washington     Cowboys 28-19     How bout them Cowboys
(W)Indianapolis @ Tennessee     Colts 29-16     Unless all the Colts rest
(W)Jacksonville @ Houston     Texans 23-15     JJ Watt sets record for TDs by DL
(L)San Diego @ Kansas City     Chargers 23-22     Go Bolts, make me a winner
(L)NY Jets @ Miami     Dolphins 24-16     Sad goodbye to Rex Ryan
(L)Chicago @ Minnesota     Bears 21-20     This is a hard one to pick
(L)Buffalo @ New England     Patriots 31-24     Patriots rest but still win
(L)Philadelphia @ NY Giants     Giants 24-17     Eagles are just bad the last 4 weeks
(W)New Orleans @ Tampa Bay     Saints 25-17     There must be a passing record for Brees to get
(L)Carolina @ Atlanta     Falcons 25-20     Falcons can win NFC South...Yes a team will be in
(W)Detroit @ Green Bay     Packers 30-20     Rodgers just getting warmed up,,,again
(W)Oakland @ Denver     Broncos 29-19     Offense starts with Peyton...he said so!
(L)Arizona @ San Francisco     Cardinals 19-18     Lindley, Lindley, he's our man!
(W)St. Louis @ Seattle     Seahawks 25-21     No trick plays this time Fisher
Cincinnati @ Pittsburgh     Steelers 25-21     "No Bengals victory in Pittsburgh" says Ben

NFL Game Picks Week 16

After an 11-5 week last week, thank you Aaron Rogers and Chip Kelly, I'm sure to knock 'em dead this week.

(L) Tennessee @ Jacksonville     Titans 20-17     Tossup. Titans defense wins
(L)Philadelphia @ Washington     Eagles 28-24     Eagles O too fast
(W)San Diego @ San Francisco     Chargers 30-21     Harbaugh looking East
(W)Minnesota @ Miami     Dolphins 20-17     Tossup. Going with the home team
(L)Baltimore @ Houston     Ravens 20-13  Defensive struggle...Ravens with too much O
(W)Detroit @ Chicago     Lions 28-13     Cutler out...Goodbye Bears
(L)Cleveland @ Carolina     Browns 20-10     Why...I don't know
(L)Atlanta @ New Orleans     Saints 30-24     Brees wants to get to 8-8
(W)Green Bay @ Tampa Bay     Packers 35-13     It was too cold in Buffalo
(W)Kansas City @ Pittsburgh     Steelers 17-13     Good D by both teams
(W)New England @ NY Jets     Patriots 30-13     Brady or Smith...Brady
(L)NY Giants @ St. Louis     Rams 20-10     Not much O but good D in STL
(W)Buffalo @ Oakland     Raiders 17-12     I don't know...Raiders D
(L)Indianapolis @ Dallas     Colts 20-17     No Murray...No win!
(W)Seattle @  Arizona     Seahawks 22-9     Lindley v. Seahawks secondary...no way!
Denver @ Cincinnati     Broncos 28-13     Manning all better this week

NFL Game Picks 12-11 to 12-14

After an outstanding week, finishing at 13-3, I feel confident I can do at least as good this weekend. There are a lot of divisional games that have playoff implications.

Arizona @ St. Louis     Cardinals 24-13     Can the Rams shutout a 3rd team in a row...nah
Pittsburgh @ Atlanta     Falcons 27-17     Falcons fly high in the Dome
Washington @ NYG     Giants 30-14     Eli finally reaches week 1 potential
Miami @ New England     Patriots 35-17   Can't go against Belichick/Brady
Oakland @ Kansas City     Chiefs 17-16     Tossup...Raiders looking better
Houston @ Indianapolis     Texans 24-23     Texans have some "luck" of their own
Jacksonville @ Baltimore     Ravens 27- 10     Too much "D" by the Ravens
Green Bay @ Buffalo     Packers 31-13     Only 8' of snow can stop Rodgers
Tampa Bay @ Carolina     Buccaneers 19-16     Newton not playing...only Bucs chance
Cincinnati @ Cleveland     Bengals 17-14     Johnny Football wins job, not game
NY Jets @ Tennessee     Jets 21-20     Titans looked so bad last week...Go Geno
Denver @ San Diego     Broncos 35-31     Warm weather...rest the running game Peyton
Minnesota @ Detroit     Lions 21-17     No excuses Lions...keep up with Pack
San Francisco @ Seattle     Seahawks 23-16     Problems in 49er locker room
Dallas @ Philadelphia     Eagles 24-21     Toss up game...advantage home team
New Orleans @ Chicago     Saints 28-17     Saints can't let me down 3 weeks in a row

NFL Picks for Dec 4-8

I finally got the picks on time. Of course, last week I went 7-6 on the games I did pick. The Steelers let me down as did Baltimore, the Giants, Carolina and Oakland.

Dallas @ Chicago     Cowboys 35-17     Yes it will be cold but not as cold as the Bears
Pittsburgh @ Cincinnati     Steelers 31-17     Bengals look bad again this week
St. Louis @ Washington     Rams 28-14     Can a win against the Raiders be that good
NY Giants @ Tennessee     Titans 28-27     Toss up...hence the score
Carolina @ New Orleans     Saints 35-21     Saints need to get to .500 for respect
NY Jets @ Minnesota     Vikings 29-16     Jets played horribly on MNF...no change
Baltimore @ Miami     Ravens 28-13     Dolphins need a lot...no playoffs this year
Indianapolis @ Cleveland     Colts 30-20     The 2 headed QB problem is back in Cleveland
Tampa Bay @ Detroit     Lions 28-10     Stafford connects for 4 TDs
Houston @ Jacksonville     Texans 31-17     More if JJ Watt could just have a good game for once
Buffalo @ Denver     Broncos 30-16     Who needs Peyton when you have a run game
Kansas City @ Arizona     Cardinals 24-17     Cardinals players "care" this week
Seattle @ Philadelphia     Seahawks 24-17     Eagles fall into a tie with Cowboys
San Francisco @ Oakland     49ers 33-10     All problems solved in SF with a win
New England @ San Diego     Patriots 31-13     Brady over Rivers anywhere, anytime
Atlanta @ Green Bay     Packers 38-17     Rogers throws 5 TD passes leaves in 3rd quarter

There you have them!

NFL Picks for November 30th

I was 12-2 last week and would have been perfect if the Texans had an offense and the Jets were...well...not the Jets. Here are my picks for this week

Washington  @ Indianapolis     Colts 28-17     Colts "D" too much for the Redskins
Tennessee @ Houston     Texans 21-17     I'll take the Texans in this toss up game
Cleveland @ Buffalo    Bills 27-21     It was just the Jets but the Bills look good
San Diego @ Baltimore     Ravens 31-28     Flacco over Rivers should be a game to watch
NY Giants @ Jacksonville     Giants 32-17     Manning gained confidence against the Cowboys
Cincinnati @ Tampa Bay     Bengals 23-16     Tampa's defense has improved but not enough
Oakland @ St. Louis     Raiders 23-13     Another toss up...I'll take the Raiders
New Orleans @ Pittsburgh     Steelers 35-31     Pittsburgh is too strong for the Saints
Carolina @ Minnesota     Panthers 24-14     Toss up #3 Panthers by 10
Arizona @ Atlanta     Cardinals 27-21     Not impressed with NFC South
New England @ Green Bay     Packers 28-27     Turnovers make or break this game
Denver @ Kansas City     Broncos 31-24     KC has had 10 days off but the Broncos have Manning
Miami @ NY Jets     Dolphins 28-10     Rex Ryan could be fired after this game

Giants "Luck" Runs Out Against Colts With 40-24 Loss

Andrew Luck completed 25 of 46 passes for 354 yards and 4 TDs against the Giants as the Colts beat the Giants 40-24. Eli Manning was 27 of 52 for 359 yards and 2 TDs in the losing cause.

This was the 1st game in Monday Night Football history when both quarterbacks threw for over 350 yards with no interceptions. The difference in this game may have been that Eli Manning overthrew his receivers, who appeared to have beaten the coverage in several instances, 11 times. The receivers can't help you when you are unable to get the ball close to them.

The Colt's Luck threw for 354 yards, his 5th consecutive road game with at least 350 yards, an NFL record. The NFL record book is at least as thick as the IRS instruction manual. The things they keep track of are amazing. Luck has also thrown for 300+ yards in seven straight games tying him for third place in NFL history with Peyton Manning. It was also Luck's 17th NFL game with over 300 yards in just 2 1/2 years of play.

The run game for both teams was average at best, just enough runs to keep the defense honest. Ahmad Bradshaw, ex Giants running back, led the Colt's with 50 yards on just 7 carries while the Giants could muster only 89 yards on the ground on 20 carries by 5 different backs, including Manning's 18 yards on 1 carry.

Tight End Coby Fleener caught a 32 yard TD from Luck. WR T.Y. Hilton (31 yards), WR Reggie Wayne (40 yards) and TE Dwayne Allen also caught TD passes from Luck. Corey Washington and Larry Donnell were on the receiving end of Manning's 2 TD passes.

Manning and Luck both fumbled twice but Eli lost one. Jonathan Newsome sacked Manning, causing a fumble that Sergio Brown returned to the Giants 4 yard line. Luck then threw his 4th TD pass, a 2 yard toss to TE Dwayne Allen.

The Colts sit atop the AFC South Division at 6-3, two games ahead of the much improved Houston Texans while the Giants fall to 3-5 in the NFC East, three games behind the Eagles and just 1/2 game in front of the hapless Redskins.

Brady Outduels Manning in 43-21 New England Win

Tom Brady threw for 333 yards with 4 TDs and 1 INT as the Patriots downed the Broncos and Peyton Manning 43-21. Manning was 34 of 57 for 438 yards and 2 TDs but he had 2 INTs.

Manning was forced to attempt so many passes because the Denver rushing game was held to 43 yards on 17 carries and the Broncos were down 27-7 at the half.

"Well, I don't usually stink, but I stunk today," said Manning, 38, who broke into the NFL in 1998, two years before Brady. "I don't make any excuses. "

Julian delman retned a put for a touchdown in the New England win. Brandon Browner and Rob Ninkovich had the interceptions of Manning passes for the Patriots.

Read the ESPN recap here.

Peyton Manning added these comments about the game in a post game press conference. Read it here.

Manning Doesn't Care For Bronco Scoreboard Antics

Okay, Peyton is a perfectionist who likes things scripted, re: Career Record keep away game. I get that. One thing I can agree with is that Peyton is upset with the way the jumbotron at the Bronco's stadium got the crowd riled up during Thursday night's game against the San Diego Chargers.

Most fans would say "lighten up Peyton",  but in this case I agree with the master. The "entertainment" provided by the jumbotron is annoying.

Check out the Arnie Stapleton article here. Am I crazy or not?

World Series Game 1 Least Watched

The NY Times has an article today by Jonathan Mahler and Bill Carter explaining that Major League Baseball is no longer the center of attention in US Television Sports.

Their argument is that only 12.2 million viewers tuned in to Game 1 of the World Series. Sunday Night Football, they say, drew 24 million. They called that game a regular season game between the San Francisco 49ers and the Denver Broncos. What they failed to mention is that the game was between last year's Super Bowl team, with Peyton Manning about to break Brett Favre's career touchdown record, and a team that was one play away from making the Super Bowl last year.

Even the Florida State against Notre Dame matchup drew more viewers they note, again failing to mention that #2 FSU, with the reigning Heisman Trophy winner and all his personal problems, was facing it's toughest challange to an undefeated season and possible back-to-back National Championships, against #5 Notre Dame with it's own TV Network and legion of fans nationwide.

There are reasons why the NFL and college football draw more viewers than baseball in the regular season. Every loss could mean elimination from the playoffs.

NFL football, and this year college football, playoffs are a single elimination format - lose and go home. Baseball playoffs are either best of 5 or best of 7 formats. There is no feeling of win now or wait til next year. In 2011, 25 million viewers tuned in watch the 7th game of the World Series between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Texas Rangers, the first series to go 7 games since 2002 and, in essence, a single elimination game.

You have compound problems with the 2014 World Series. Small markets, no "household names" and literally not the "best" teams playing in the series.

Kansas City is the smallest TV market in major league baseball while the Giants rank 14th of the 32 markets.

Cable TV hypes players all year, from April through September, usually from the big markets. (ie. NY, Boston, LA and Detroit) Think Mike Trout, Clayton Kershaw, Miguel Cabrerra, Giancarlo Stanton, Big Papi, Derek Jeter. These players are highlighted every day for 6 months. There are no "big names" on either of this years teams.

Then you have the perception that the teams playing are not the "best" team of either league. The Kansas City Royals were the 4th best team in the American League while the San Francisco Giants were the 5th best team in the National League. Throughout the early playoffs, neither team was picked to win a series they were in. The saying that perception is reality holds true in the 2014 World Series.

Lastly, the late starts do effect viewership. An 8 o'clock start on the East Coast costs viewers. Without an East Coast team, games during the week and on Sunday, fans won't stay up that late to watch the whole game. They can always check in on the internet to find out the score. In fact, most adults under the age of 40 do not watch TV and get their news and sports from the 'net.

If all baseball wanted was to improve World Series TV ratings, here is what Major League Baseball should do.

Go back to 2 leagues, American League and National League. Play 146 games during the season to determine the top 4 teams. Have those 4 teams play a 1 game playoff. (#1 v #4 and #2 v #3) The winners to play another 1 game playoff. That gives you 6 single elimination games. The League winners would then meet in a best of 5 game World Series to determine a Champion. With the shorter schedule and a shorter playoff, the season could be over by the middle of October instead in dragging on until the end of October or early November.

Interest would be sky high for every game. I know this won't happen but if Major League Baseball calls I'll fill them in on the details...One can dream!

Broncos Bully Chargers 35-21 on Thursday Night

It took Peyton Manning and the Broncos 16:29 to figure out the Chargers defense but they scored 35 points in the next 30 minutes to top San Diego at home 35-21 and move to 6-1 in the AFC West.

Emmanuel Sanders caught the first of his three TD passes from Manning to start the barrage, a 2 yard catch that got the Broncos on the board. Sanders got his second touchdown with 32 seconds to go in the half to give Denver the 14-7 lead heading into the locker room.

A 3 yard touchdown pass following a Philip Rivers' interception in the 3rd quarter was Sanders' third of the night and put the Broncos up 21-7.

Juwan Thompson had touchdown runs of 1 and 2 yards to complete the Broncos scoring. Thompson had 7 carries for 24 yards on the night.

Manning was 25 of 35 passing for 286 yards with 3 TDs and no INTs while Rivers went 30 for 41 with 3 TDs but threw 2 INTs.

Sanders caught 9 passes for 120 yards and those 3 TDs and Demaryius Thomas had 8 receptions for 105 yards for Denver.

Ronnie Hillman carried the ball 20 times for the Broncos and had 109 yards on the ground while Denver rushed for a total of 139 yards.

The Broncos defense held the Chargers to 61 yards on the ground with Branden Oliver their leading rusher with 13 carries for 36 yards.

Keenan Allen caught 9 passe from Rivers for 73 yards and a TD while Antonio Gates added 2 touchdowns on 5 receptions for 54 yards.

Chris Harris and Rahim Moore both intercepted Philip Rivers for the Bronco defense.

News and Notes From Week 7 in the NFL

Thursday through Sunday in the NFL was pretty exciting. The Redskins, behind backup quarterback Colt McCoy, beat the Titans 19-17. The St. Louis Rams used special team subterfuge to upset the Seahawks 28-26.

After looking so good last week, the Browns lost 24-6 to the here to fore winless Jaguars. The Bills lost key players but rallied on a TD pass from Kyle Orton to win 17-16 over the Vikings.

Matthew Stafford engineered two late TD drives to topple the Saints 24-23. The Chiefs used a last second FG to beat the Chargers, while Demacro Murray set an NFL record that had stood for 56 years as the Cowboys humbled the Giants 31-21.

The Bears are bickering among themselves and with their fans...again.

Oh yes, Rodgers, Brady and Manning were their same old selves...ho hum!

Frank Schwab of Shutdown corner on Yahoo Sports has his weekly winners and losers story here. Be sure to check it out.

Manning Breaks Career TD Mark With #509

Peyton Manning sat out an entire year because of 4 neck surgeries. He has come back from that time off to play at a "superstar" level in one of the most violent games in the US,

Sunday he passed Brett Favre for the Most Touchdown Passes - Career with #509 against the San Francisco 49ers on national television.

Jeff Legwold of ESPN has the story of Peyton Manning here.

Congratulations Peyton on a remarkable career.

Peyton Manning and the Chase to 508

Peyton Manning, of the Denver Broncos, needs 3 TD passes to tie Brett Favre for the most touchdown passes in an NFL career. If he doesn't get to that number this week against the San Francisco 49ers on Sunday he surely will against the San Diego Chargers on Thursday the 23rd of October.

The Yahoo Sports staff has put together an interesting look at Manning's career. Check it out here.

Favre Okay With Peyton Manning Breaking his Career TD Mark

On the outside, Brett Favre seems to be okay with the potential Peyton Manning has of breaking Favre's career TD record.

In an AP interview Favre told Arnie Stapleton of the Associated Press "I'm glad it's Peyton that's doing it," Favre said. "I think a lot of Peyton. I know him well. I know his family well. His dad was one of my idols."  


Favre played his college ball at Southern Mississippi and Archie Manning, QB for the Saints, was his idol. During his college career he led Southern Mississippi to signature wins over Florida State, then ranked 6th in the nation, and a very good Alabama team.

The Atlanta Falcons picked Favre with the 33rd pick in the 1991 draft. His first pass as a Falcon was a pick-six interception. He attempted 4 passes that year with 0 completions and 2 INTs.

In his 20 year career, Favre played for the Falcons in '91, the Packers from '92-'07, the Jets in '08 and the Minnesota Vikings from '09-'10. During his career the Packers won Super Bowl XXXI over the New England Patriots 35-21 and lost Super Bowwl XXXII to the Denver Broncos by a score of 31-24 ending a 13 year run by the NFC.

Favre's NFL records include over 70,000 yards passing, over 500 TD passes (508 - soon to be passed by Peyton Manning), over 300 INTs, more than 6,000 completions and over 10,000 pass attempts.

It is fair to say that Favre had quite an impact on the NFL and a quarterback who surpasses any of Favre's records will have to be considered one of the greatest QBs of all time.

Records Set In the NFL This Week

Not much to say about theses clips but the records set are some pretty good ones. I don't think Pierre Garcon's record for most dreadlocks by an NFL wide receiver is included though.

Probably not included would be number of touchdowns by an individual player called back due to penalites in one Monday Night Football game.

Watch and learn from the Yahoo Sports aarticle/video clips here.

Peyton Manning Reaches 500 Career TD Passes

In a game against the stingy Arizona Cardinal defense, Peyton Manning threw for a career high 479 yards and 4 TDs. His first TD gave him 500 for his career and he finished the day with 503, just 5 behind Brett Favre's 508. Manning also tied Dan Marino's record for most games with 400+ yards passing at 13

Demaryius Thomas had a career day with 226 yards receiving and Wes Welker set a record for most receptions in the NFL by an undrafted player.

By the way, Denver won the game by a 41-20 score.

Read the story by Jeff Legwold of ESPN here