Tuesday, September 25, 2007

NFL Week 3 Picks

Okay, here comes my turnaround week. No, seriously...

Raiders @ Dolphins (3.5): Neither one of these teams seems destined to do anything except be a doormat for the good teams in the AFC, but Miami's got the edge in this one. Barely. Dolphins by 7.

Texans (4.5) @ Falcons: Atlanta's got to win one game soon, but with former Falcon Matt Schaub returning to the Georgia Dome, it won't be this one. Texans by 10.

Ravens (4.5) @ Browns: It's still hard to believe that Cleveland beat Cincinnati 51-45 two weeks ago, but they seem to be on the right track for once. That won't matter against the Raven defense. Ravens by 10.

Bears (4.5) @ Lions: It certainly seems like the Bears are moving down and the Lions are moving up, especially with the Bears' decision to change their starting quarterback. Maybe this is hope for me, but I like Detroit here. Lions by 3.

Packers (3.5) @ Vikings: Green Bay seems to be untouchable this year, and when you play the Vikings, you win. Packers by 14.

Rams @ Cowboys (13.5): Speaking of teams who seem untouchable this year... Cowboys by 17.

Jets (4.5) @ Bills: Buffalo's back home after 2 awful road games (read: horrendously awful), so they should play better. And J.P. Losman's out, so they can't be much worse. Bills by 3.

Bucs @ Panthers (3): Both of these teams appear to be average, so I'll take the home team. Panthers by 7.

Seahawks (2.5) @ 49ers: With San Fran on the upswing, this is a big test for the Niners in this division game. Seattle is the better team, though. Seahawks by 7.

Steelers (7.5) @ Cardinals: One of these days, Pittsburgh is going to play a good team, right? Right? Steelers by 14.

Chiefs @ Chargers (12.5): If San Diego doesn't win this game, they don't deserve to be in the same class as the Colts, Pats, or Steelers. Chargers by 17.

Broncos @ Colts (10.5): The Broncos are the worst 2-1 team in the league, and Indy will crush them. Colts by 17.

Eagles (3.5) @ Giants: I have no idea. None. Neither one of these teams has impressed this year, and the loser of this game is in trouble in the NFC East. On a hunch, I'll take the Giants. Giants by 3.

Patriots (7.5) @ Bengals: It's getting very difficult to keep picking against New England. Oh well... Bengals by 3.

Record: 15-28-3

Thursday, September 20, 2007

The Horror, The Horror...

Far be it for me to compare my awful picks last week (3 right) to Apocalypse Now, but when you fail as spectacularly as I did, I think it's just.

Here comes my turnaround week.

Cardinals @ Ravens (7.5): Without Steve McNair at quarterback, this is a very different Baltimore team. But their defense should be good enough to shut down a relatively young Arizona team, new coach and former Steeler Ken Whisenhunt notwithstanding. Ravens by 10.

Dolphins @ Jets (3): Is it too late to take back my pick for the Jets making the playoffs? They have to turn it around at home against the woeful Dolphins, right? Right? Jets by 14.

Chargers (5.5) @ Packers: All of a sudden, this is a very interesting match-up. It's hard not to think that the Chargers should, and will, win this game (hence the spread), but there seems to be something about the Pack this year. Yes, they beat Philly and New York, while San Diego had to play the Bears and Pats, but I think the Packers can pull off the upset, or at the very least, keep it close. Packers by 3.

Vikings @ Chiefs (2.5): Kansas City has, historically, been a very good home team, and even though they've stunk this year, they should be able to turn it around against Minnesota. Chiefs by 10.

49ers @ Steelers (9.5): No love for San Fran, huh? The Niners are 2-0 too, albeit against weak competition. Oh wait, Pittsburgh beat Cleveland and Buffalo. San Fran covers. Steelers by 4.

Rams @ Bucs (4.5): St. Louis needs a win to prove that they can compete for a wild card in the dreadful NFC. Tampa just wants to prove that last week wasn't a fluke. It wasn't. Bucs by 7.

Colts (7) @ Texans: It's hard to imagine Houston, even with a 2-0 start, competing with the champs. I'm sorry, it just is. Colts by 14.

Bills @ Patriots (17.5): Now that's a spread. How can anyone give a team an 18 point spread, even though it's the "almighty" Patriots. The Bills defense is solid, and they'll keep it close. Pats by 14.

Lions @ Eagles (4.5): Speaking of (1) no love and (2) wanting to take back my playoff picks... Eagles by 3.

Bengals @ Seahawks (3.5): This one mystifies me. Cincinnati is coming off an embarrassing performance defensively, and both teams are capable of a lot of points. Uh, Seattle? Seahawks by 7.

Jaguars @ Broncos (3.5): Denver is certainly the most overrated of the 2-0 teams this year, what with 2 last second wins against sub-par opponents. Jacksonville wants to prove they belong in the class of the AFC. Call it a hunch... Jags by 7.

Browns @ Raiders (3): For the two people watching this game outside of Cleveland and Oakland, we salute you. Raiders by 6.

Giants @ Redskins (4.5): Speaking of changing my playoff picks...boy, was I off on the Giants? Redskins by 7.

Cowboys @ Bears (3): Game of the day. Dallas is poised to take over the NFC from the Bears and Saints, and this is the game to do it. They will. Cowboys by 10.

Titans @ Saints (3.5): Home opener + not wanting to start 0-3 + Reggie v Vince = Saints by 10.

Record: 10-19-2

Thursday, September 13, 2007

NFL Week 2 Picks

The first week of the season did provide some exciting moments (or exasperating if you're a Bills fan, both for the game's result and the horrible injury that occurred), but on the whole, it was a rather dull week of games. Let's hope for a rebound this week.

Falcons @ Jaguars (10.5): If Jacksonville was playing any other team, they would probably be underdogs, or at least a slight favourite, as opposed to the 10.5 points given here. After a sloppy loss at home to a Tennessee team that played poorly, the Jags get to stay home and play what will be the worst team this season. Jaguars by 14.

Colts (7) @ Titans: Indianapolis looked like a team possessed on opening night, particularly in the second half. As mentioned, the Titans didn't look good in winning. Call it a walk. Colts by 20.

Bengals (7.5) @ Browns: Day one of the Derek Anderson era in Cleveland begins. Brady Quinn will start next week. Bengals by 17.

Texans @ Panthers (7): Carolina looked good last week in beating the Rams in St. Louis, but Houston surprised a lot of people, myself included, in crushing the Chiefs. I think it'll be close, but the Panthers squeak it out. Panthers by 2.

Packers (1.5) @ Giants: With the injury to Eli Manning (reports indicate anywhere from being out for a month to starting on Sunday), this game is up in the air. Green Bay was average last week at home, and the Giants will want to prove their defensive failings in Dallas were a fluke. Giants by 3.

Saints (3.5) @ Bucs: Was New Orleans' debut game an aberration, or is this team really going to have a let down year? If they are, it won't happen in Tampa. Saints by 10.

Bills @ Steelers (10.5): Buffalo comes into this game without much good feeling; they lost a heartbreaking game to Denver at home, and have lost their back-up tight end forever, with the grim possibility that he may never walk again. If they're down early, they're done. But I think they'll keep it close. Steelers by 7.

49ers @ Rams (3.5): Neither team looked particularly good last week, but the Niners won, so the Rams should play like they need the win more. Being at home, I think they'll pull it out. Rams by 10.

Seahawks (3.5) @ Cardinals: Young teams traditionally have trouble the game after a tough loss (just look at their collapse against the Bears last year), and the Seahawks are Super Bowl contenders. Seems easy to me. Seahawks by 14.

Cowboys (5.5) @ Dolphins: Miami's home opener will likely result in another disappointment for the Dolphins. They lost to Washington, and Dallas is a lot better than Washington. Cowboys by 10.

Vikings @ Lions (3): It's a toss-up game, featuring two bad teams who are 1-0. Take the home team. Lions by 6.

Chiefs @ Bears (13.5): It's hard to give Chicago two TD's here, especially considering their inept offense. I like K.C. to cover. Bears by 7.

Raiders @ Broncos (10.5): Denver at home + Raiders anywhere + Russell signing = No chance for Oakland. Broncos by 17.

Jets @ Ravens (10): Has everyone forgotten the Jets' strong year last year? Baltimore is a good team, but so is New York. If they don't win, they'll at least cover. Ravens by 3.


Chargers @ Patriots (3.5): L.T. was right after all. The cheating scandal involving the Patriots last week might provide enough of a distraction for the elite Chargers to steal one on the road. Revenge is a dish... Chargers by 10.

Redskins @ Eagles (7.5): Philly needs a rebound game. Who better than the Skins at home? Eagles by 10.

Record: 7-7-1

Sunday, September 9, 2007

When 162 Games Aren't Enough

I realized this weekend, strangely while watching opening Sunday in the NFL, that I haven't written much about the Blue Jays lately. And after this weekend's performance of Canada's lone pro ball team, I understand why.

The Toronto Blue Jays just lost two games in a row in Tampa Bay.

In Tampa Bay.

While "battling" for a playoff spot, and having only 3 teams to pass, the Jays lost 2 in a row to one of baseball's worst.

The Jays always seem to be around the level of superior play needed to contend year after year, and are always ahead of the level of mediocrity that befalls teams like the Devil Rays. But when you can't beat a team like that before a home stand against the elite in your division, the Yankees and the Red Sox, you don't deserve to be contending for a playoff spot.

When Jeremy Accardo gave up his second two run homer of the 9th inning last night, my heart sank. Mainly because I realized that a team like this needs a lot more than 162 games to get a playoff spot.

And that is sad.

Saturday, September 8, 2007

NFL Week 1 Picks

Well, it's that time again, where I try vainly to predict the outcomes in the NFL. I wasn't able to get this up in time for the Thursday game, so I won't count it at all. However, I will say that I would have picked the Colts to cover...

Steelers (6.5) @ Browns: It's hard to imagine the Browns being any good this year, although they should be decent in a couple seasons. The Steelers are only two years removed from being champs, and even with a new coach, they should be able to tame Cleveland. Steelers by 10.

Dolphins @ Redskins (3): Neither one of these teams seems to be heading anywhere in particular; Miami's starting a 37-year-old quarterback with a new coach, and Washington has the oldest coach with a new QB. I'll take the home team for no particular reason. Redskins by 6.

Eagles (3.5) @ Packers: Everyone seems to have Philadelphia going far this year, even to the Super Bowl in certain instances. Not me. Although I'll give them a win in Green Bay. Eagles by 14.

Broncos (4) @ Bills: Speaking of teams that everyone but me thinks will do well in '07, here's Denver. I'm a Bills fan, and, as much as I think they'll be below average this year, I always like them at home on opening day. Bills by 3.

Chiefs @ Texans (3): Why are the Texans favoured over a wild card team from last year? No, seriously...why?! Chiefs by 10.

Titans @ Jaguars (7): Tennessee is the darling of the league this year (see the cover of Madden O8) but they are still a year or two away from putting it all together again. Jacksonville, on the other hand, has a fantastic defense and an amazing running game. I think at the end of the year they'll regret cutting Byron Leftwich, but not on Sunday. Jaguars by 10.

Patriots (7.5) @ Jets: The Jets were another of those surprises last year, but everyone loves the Patriots this year. Not me. Call it a hunch. Jets by 6.

Panthers @ Rams (2.5): If either one of these teams were in the AFC, they'd be cooked by Canadian Thanksgiving. But they're not, so they'll contend for a playoff spot. As for Sunday, i'll take the Rams by 10.

Falcons @ Vikings (3.5): If I'm the Falcons, I'm very glad that the season starts with 2 road games; at least that way, the Vick questions back home are delayed a bit. They'll still lose on the road, though, even against the Vikes. Vikings by 7.

Bears @ Chargers (6.5): Game of the day, although it would be better a little later in the year. San Diego needs to prove that last year was a stepping stone to greatness; Rex Grossman needs to prove he can play at an elite level all year. SD wins, but they won't cover. Chargers by 3.

Bucs @ Seahawks (7.5): Seattle seems destined for the playoffs again; Tampa's set for another subpar season. And Seattle's fantastic at home. Seahawks by 17.

Lions @ Raiders (2.5): Soak it in, the Raiders are favoured in a game. They'll blow it. Lions by 6.

Giants @ Cowboys (6.5): Since I picked Dallas to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl this year, you'd think I'd take them big here, but I don't think they can do that here. But they will win on Sunday. Cowboys by 2.

Ravens @ Bengals (2.5): This is Cincinnati's year to prove to the league that they belong in the elite of it. The Ravens think they're there too, so this is a matchup to watch. I'll take the home team. Bengals by 3.

Cardinals @ 49ers (3.5): Both of these teams seem to be on the cusp on taking that "next step", where they jump from perennial loser to perennial contender. I think it'll be close here, so I'll take the spread. 49ers by 3.

Monday, September 3, 2007

Hooray, Hooray, It's Labour Day! Real Football Begins Today!

The greatest two months of the sport year began this weekend, with the return of U.S. College Football and the begin of baseball's stretch drive. But of course, the real fun starts on Thursday, when the NFL season begins in Indianapolis when the champs host the Saints.

Many people think this is a preview of the Super Bowl in February, and I agree with half of that. Here's my picks for the year:

AFC

East

New England (12-4)
New York (11-5) *
Buffalo (7-9)
Miami (7-9)

West

San Diego (11-5)
Denver (8-8)
Kansas City (7-9)
Oakland (3-13)

North

Cincinnati (11-5)
Baltimore (10-6) *
Pittsburgh (8-8)
Cleveland (4-12)

South

Indianapolis (12-4)
Tennessee (9-7)
Jacksonville (9-7)
Houston (5-11)

NFC

East

Dallas (9-7)
Philadelphia (9-7) *
New York (9-7) *
Washington (6-10)

West

Seattle (11-5)
Arizona (9-7)
San Francisco (7-9)
St. Louis (7-9)

North

Chicago (11-5)
Detroit (7-9)
Green Bay (7-9)
Minnesota (5-11)

South

New Orleans (11-5)
Carolina (6-10)
Tampa Bay (5-11)
Atlanta (3-13)

* - Wild Card

Playoffs:

AFC: (3) San Diego over (6) Baltimore; (5) New York over (4) Cincinnati
(1) Indianapolis over (5) New York; (3) San Diego over (2) New England
(1) Indianapolis over (3) San Diego

NFC: (3) Seattle over (6) New York; (4) Dallas over (5) Philadelphia
(4) Dallas over (1) Chicago; (2) New Orleans over (3) Seattle
(4) Dallas over (2) New Orleans

SUPER BOWL: Indianapolis over Dallas