Week 16: Holiday Picks!

Last week started out pretty miserable. By 4pm alone, I was 5-5. Fortunately for me, the Football Gods were at least tuning in for the late games. My only loss after the 1pm games was picking Pittsburgh over the Jets. I went 9-6 in week 15 upping my total to 112-72, 40 games over .500.  If this were the end of the season, I’d be 20 games over .500, which gets you some extra playing time in most sports. (Baseball= 101-61 and Basketball= 61-21)

Let’s see if I can increase my chances for a first round bye. Here are Week 16 picks:

CAR @ PIT – PIT. I know Carolina got lucky last week with a win over Arizona last week but that win wasn't funny. It’s not funny. People like Derek Anderson take their job very serious and expect to win, but a team like Carolina denied them of that. Big Ben, however, will look to improve their chances of a first round bye with an easy win this week.

DAL @ ARI – DAL. They might be 5-9 and out of playoff contention, but that doesn’t mean they can’t play spoiler to… Arizona?? Never mind, this will probably be a boring game.

WAS @ JAC – JAC. At the beginning of the season, I never would have expected the Jags to be fighting for a playoff spot, but every week it seems to becoming more of a reality. This week could be that deciding factor depending on what Indy does. Jacksonville needs to come out throwing and running especially against a team like Washington who can’t go any further.

DET @ MIA – DET. Buffalo took a shot at MIA last week and killed any chances of the playoffs for the fins. Detroit is also out so this may be more of a pride game. If I were either team I’d lie down and take the draft pick.

SF @ STL – STL. It’s not over in the NFC West, even with the top team being 6-8. If the 49ners will out and the Rams and Seahawks loss out, then the 49ners will move on to the post season.

TEN @ KC – KC. Matt Cassel came to play last week even after recovering from an appendectomy. I’d look for more of the same as they look to lock up the AFC West.

NYJ @ CHI – NYJ. I know that Lovie Smith and Da Bears “SAY” they aren’t going to take it easy this week and fight it out with the Jets but let’s be honest; No team celebrates a division win and expects to fight the rest of the year. They’re going to sit starters and rest the unhealthy. Expect the Jets to win and expand their season.

NE @ BUF – NE. Tom Brady has thrown for more touchdowns over Buffalo, 36, than any other opponent. I wonder what their game plan is going to be this week. Merry Christmas Pats fans, looks like we’ll see a first round bye!

BAL @ CLE – BAL. Cleveland’s chances of the post season are long gone since week 10 but that doesn’t mean they aren’t here to play sleeper. However I think Baltimore isn’t going into this game to lightly. They know they need a win and what better way to celebrate the holidays then with another Division victory.

HOU @ DEN – DEN. Houston is out, Denver is out, but Tim Tebow is in! I can’t wait to see how he beats the Texans this week, a team that has been on struggles since week 8. (They’ve only won 1 game since November 1^st.)

SD @ CIN – SD. Rivers and Company need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive, especially with KC leading the division. The sad thing is that every team in the AFC playoff bracket will have double digit wins, while teams in the NFC could be sporting a sub .500 record team.

IND @ OAK – IND. I honestly don’t think Indy has a chance to win but I really love seeing Oakland lose. I picked Oakland last week so this week it’s Indy’s turn. Plus I doubted the injured Colts last week. This week I won’t.

NYG @ GB – GB. This game will probably be the best game of the week. Both teams need a win but obviously only one will leave Lambeau Field with one. I’ll take the home team considering they almost beat New England even without their star quarterback.

SEA @ TB – TB. Josh Freeman let me down last week, but their playoff hopes aren’t crushed just yet. They’re fourth in line for a wild card spot and if things work out in their favor they could jump to the 6ths position by the end of week 17.

MIN @ PHI – PHI. Season’s over Vikings and Philly and fighting strong with an MVP candidate. I’ll take the Eagles.

NO @ ATL – ATL. The Falcons have practically already wrapped up the division since they’ve beat NO already and everyone else in the division. They’re riding an 8 game winning streak and looking to crush the dreams of the defending champs, or at the very least giving them a low playoff position.

Week 15 Picks... Go Steelers??

 

The wins just keep on coming. For the last few weeks I’ve been putting up playoff contention records, and last week was more of the same. 11-4 bringing my overall total past the one hundred mark to 103 with 66 losses. Not bad if I do say so myself. The best record on ESPN through all the experts is Mike Golic (http://espn.go.com/nfl/picks) who put up 132 wins so far this year. Granted I’ve missed some games, 39, so even if I split them, I’d be just as good as these guys; better than some. Heck, even Adam Schefter only has 112 wins, and these guys aren’t giving reasons for their picks. I’m at least doing the extra yard (sorry Tennessee fans.)

In hopes of continuing the winning ways, here’s week 15:

SF @ SD – N/A. Since losing in the first round of the playoffs, I was pretty much shutting myself off of the football world so I didn’t get a chance to see that there was a Thursday night game. Chances are I would have picked San Diego, but the no win works just the same as a no loss.

KC @ STL – KC. Kansas City was blanked by the Chargers last week but that was without their normal starting quarterback. If Matt Cassel plays, after recovering from an appendectomy, KC will look to break away from the Chargers who are right on their heels in the AFC West.

BUF @ MIA – BUF. I said before that Miami can’t be an afterthought but I think their big division win last week will catch them off guard when a potentially high scoring team like Buffalo heads south to play in warmer weather. Buffalo can put the ball in the endzone, they just haven’t had the opportunity to play in a good conditions yet.

CLE @ CIN – CLE. This game is usually a fun game to watch, as if the rivalry of Ohio boils the blood veins of the players. Right now, Cincinnati is on a 10 game losing streak and Cleveland seems to be showing signs of life for years to come. This week McCoy was named the starter for the rest of the season for Cleveland, hoping to spark a bit of a winning streak before the season ends. Unfortunately they have to face Baltimore and Pittsburgh to round out the season, which makes for a sleeper upset and wild card KA-JUMBLE-F***. If Cincinnati wants to claim their 3^rd win, they may want to think about starting Palmer, Jordan that is.

JAC @ IND – JAC. On one side you have a team that can’t keep a player healthy to save their life, but still find ways to stay afloat for the most part, and in the other hand you have an unlikely long time underdog putting up enough numbers to lead a division. Jacksonville has already beaten Indy once this year and look to sweep them this week for the first time since Peyton put on a Colts helmet.

HOU @ TEN – HOU. Indy found a way to beat Tennessee last week and so far everyone has found a way to beat Houston. I’ve never seen so many depressing losses. I think this game will be a bounce back for the Texans that are currently riding a 2 game skid; lucky for them that those two teams will see extra football in January. Losing to a good team usually sets up for a win against a bad one.

WAS @ DAL – DAL. Their 4-9 but Washington is 5-8. I don’t really know what more to say. Both teams have been eliminated from the playoffs and have nothing to fight for. Their better off losing it on purpose for the draft pick.

PHI @ NYG – PHI. Michael Vick behind Tom Brady leads the league in Pro Bowl votes. Well now it’s time to put up or shut up. You’ve beaten up on Houston and Washington and now it’s time to face your only division competition. Even without a strong receiving core, Eli and company have been finding ways to get into the end zone. Surprisingly enough it’s been on the ground. On defense, NYG has top five rush and pass defense, but can they do both at the same time. My guess is no, but I have been wrong before.

ARI @ CAR – ARI. What? You think my pick is funny? It’s not. It’s fine, fine, fine, fine. I put my heart and soul into this pick every G*d damn week! Arizona wins… I’m done!

DET @ TB – TB. JOSH FREEMAN!!!

NO @ BAL – BAL. I failed to trust in Joe Flacco last week against Houston during my fantasy playoffs. Instead I put in Aaron Rodgers against Detroit who he beats every year by a large margin. I don’t expect him to fail me this week in the consolation round.

ATL @ SEA -  ATL. MATTY HEISMAN!!!

 

NYJ @ PIT – PIT. Let the record show that I am not rooting for the Steelers, but rather rooting against the Jets. Honestly I can’t stand either team but stats/power rankings/abilities don’t lie. If I had it my way I’d pray for a tie, but then we all know Santonio Holmes would catch an overtime touchdown to win it, and I’d much rather have a Pittsburgh loss. So let’s go Pittsburgh?!?! Man that leaves a bad taste in my mouth.

DEN @ OAK  - OAK. I hate picking Oakland but with Denver still without a true coach and Tim Tebow getting the nod for Sunday, I just don’t see things coming together. It’s also sad when your backup quarterback has more rushing touchdowns in the college than your starting running back, I’m just saying.

GB @ NE – NE. Without Aaron Rodgers, I don’t see this game taking as lasting the first quarter without a couple scores by NE. With Rodgers could mean a different story, however it’s still unclear whether or not he will be cleared. I love the momentum of the Patriots right now, especially with the big win in Chicago last week and more snow forecasted for Sunday night in New England. Buddle up and pop a bottle, this one is going to be messy.

CHI @ MIN – CHI. Chicago is pissed and Minnesota doesn’t have a legit quarterback in place. Well they did just sign one who has hours to prepare for a game outside in Minnesota against a division rival who will likely see post season play. WELL WHEN YOU LOOK AT IT LIKE THAT, IT’S NOT SO BAD. Chi-town wins number 10 in my book. The good news is they haven’t released to the public if alcohol will be allowed on the college campus where the game will be played. At least the fans will be paying attention when the Vikings lose.

Week 14, Short, Sweet, and Snowy

Last week was my best week so far this year. With only 3 losses, I put up 12 wins sky rocketing my overall record to 92-62. (A record good enough to win an MLB division.) 

Unfortunately, I've been side tracked this week, no fault but my own, so this week will be extremely short.

An apology to my normal readers, but here is Week 14:

CLE @ BUF - CLE. In Buffalo but there's plenty of weather problems to stick to the run, where Cleveland has excelled. Peyton Hillis, here we go!

GB @ DET - GB. Aaron Rodgers thrives when he plays DET, and unlike most teams in the Northeast, these two are playing under a roof. Should be a fun day to throw the ball.

CIN @ PIT - PIT. Not even worth an explanation.

OAK @ JAC - JAC. Simply because I dislike the Raiders.

ATL @ CAR - ATL. This game is just silly. One of the Best vs. "the worst".

TB @ WAS - TB. Not many options for McNabb to go if Santana doesn't play. I'll take Josh Freeman's magic for this one.

STL @ NO - NO. WHO DAT, WHERE YOU AT?!?! DREEEEWWWW BRRREEEESSSS.

SEA @ SF - SF. Again, just another sad game. I'll take SF since they're home.

NE @ CHI - NE. The Patriots are 9-0 under Bill Belichick when playing in the snow. Why stop now??

MIA @ NYJ - NYJ. As much as I'd love to see MIA win this game, they've lost their mojo that they had at the beginning of the season.

DEN @ ARI - DEN. Arizona is starting yet another new quarterback and Denver just fired their coach. Expect a big day from the running game in Denver. You know, since the new coach was the running backs coach. 

KC @ SD - SD. SD has let me down this whole year, which is why I'm picking them against a team I think they will lose to.

PHI @ DAL - PHI. Everyone is talking about the defense of the Cowboys taking down Michael Vick. C'MON MAN!!! It's Vick vs. one of the worst pass defenses in the league. He's going to have a field day with this team.

NYG @ MIN - NYG. When this game actually happens, I think it will be the Giants that thrive.

BAL @ HOU - BAL. Houston always finds a way to lose, and Baltimore always finds ways to win. Plus, Flacco is going up against the last ranked team in pass defense. Is it Monday yet??

J-E-T-S, It Ain't Over Yet

After week 13, many Patriots fans were holding their head high. Tom Brady had another stellar outing, the defense stepped up only allowing 3 points, and Belichick simply out coached Rex and Company.

While I admit I thoroughly enjoyed the entire 60 minutes of Jets bashing, I’m as nervous as Charlie Sheen’s next wife. The Patriots dominated quarter after quarter until the final whistle which should have kept me a lot calmer than I was. Instead, two incidents in sports history came into my mind, and they still haunt me as I type.

The first was fairly recent. The year was 2007 and the Patriots were trying to mimic the 72 Dolphins’ perfect season. That game against the Giants was a well fought game. The Patriots were far from dominant but it didn’t matter. They won the game and retained the perfect regular season. From there they were on a winning high going 2-0 over Jacksonville and San Diego en route to the big dance.

The Giants fought hard that post season, winning 3 games (1 in overtime) and eventually beating the then 18-0 Patriots. (Writers note: I don’t really like to refer to them as the 18-1 Patriots because it causes my arm to go numb and my chest to burn. Calling them the one time 18-0 Patriots helps me sleep better at night.)

The thing about that game is that everyone knew the Giants were a tough fighting team, but not many outside of the Meadowlands area thought the Patriots would lose this game. Statistics were on their side; 100% of the teams that went undefeated in the regular season went on to win the Super Bowl. Granted it was only the 72 Dolphins, but still it counts. The Giants busted the “All Mighty” Patriots destroying the hopes and dreams of New England fans everywhere.

The other event in sports history that I instantly remembered was the night February 9^th, 1980. Obviously I wasn’t alive to witness this myself but that’s why we have history lessons in school, or own the movie Miracle. 

That’s right; I’m talking about the 1980 Olympic Men’s Hockey team. On that highly anticipated night in 1980, the Soviets destroyed team U.S.A. with a final score of 10-3. The U.S. team was an afterthought from there on until the elimination rounds. I don’t have to explain what happened when the Soviets and U.S. met up in the semi finals. (Hint: Team U.S.A. won)

These two incidents instantly blinded my view once the half time hit. Granted the next time the Patriots would see the Jets would probably be the 2^nd or 3^rd round of the playoffs, it still scares me to think that there could be ONE more game. A game where the team that had their exteriors handed to them, come up on top.

The great thing about sports is that history always seems to find a way to repeat itself. I’m just hoping history is choosing one of the three Patriots’ Super Bowl victories.

Also if you have any comments, questions, or opinions, please feel free to add below or you can email me at paulsnyderemail@gmail.com.

Week (lucky) 13 Picks

If you didn’t get your full helping of stuffing and turkey last week don’t worry because there are plenty of fun games to watch this weekend. Plenty of division games, including two primetime match ups that can decide the division’s leader. Last week was still a good week, going 10-6, boosting my overall record to 80-59. It’s above five hundred so what more could I ask for, besides a perfect record. Without further adoo… addue… addai… ehhhh, here’s my picks:

HOU @ PHI – N/A. I wish I could have made my pick for this game, because I would have said that somehow, someway, Houston would find a way to lose this game. Sure enough, fourteen points later, it happened. PHI wins and I miss out on my first win of the week.

JAC @ TEN – JAC. Tennessee was just shut out by Houston, a team that hasn’t been able to defend a win the entire season. Meanwhile Jacksonville is on the top of the AFC South and doing quite well offensively. Sure they don’t have a Arian Foster or Matt Schaub behind center, but they do have Garrard who has found a way to throw 17 TD’s this season so far, as well as running three in. Sorry Tennessee but there’s just no win for you.

WAS @ NYG – NYG. Division game but nonetheless, a win for the better record team. The Giants are finding ways to win even without a star wide receiver. No Nicks and Plaxico is still in jail. However, Eli has been able to spread the ball around to almost everyone. He still has Smith, Manningham, and Boss to throw at, and the running game is still improving. As for the Redskins, they’re personnel are already finding new jobs. Their tight end coach just accepted a job out in Colorado. It tells you something about the future of a team when the coaches are finding jobs with a few weeks left in the season.

CHI @ DET – CHI. The almighty Bears took down the Eagles last week; A team that nobody gave a chance to excel, including myself. Maybe Chicago is legit. I mean they lead GB in the standings, a potential SuperBowl Contender. I’ll take a team like Chicago against a young Detroit team.

BUF @ MIN – MIN. Sorry Buffalo, you haven’t convinced me yet. Good almost win against PIT, but not good enough. Never thought I’d be rooting for Favre. Come on old man you can do it!

NO @ CIN – NO. Do I really have to explain myself on this one? The Bengals don’t have any more lives left. WHO DEY? WHO DEY? WHO DEY GONNA BEAT THEM BENGALS? Who Dat Nation, that’s who!

SF @ GB – GB. With Gore placed on the IR, Brian Westbrook will have to step up against a defense that gives up just over 100 yards a game. Talk about jumping right in. I still feel that GB has the defense and over powering offense to beat out SF, especially in the cold weather of Green Bay.

DEN @ KC – KC. Another division game and another disappointment for the losing record team. Denver is sitting sadly at 3-8 while KC tops the division. The Kansas City Patriots win again!

CLE @ MIA – CLE. Hmmm? This is a thinker. Miami is coming off a huge win against Oakland, but they did get shut out a couple weeks ago and with the other two teams, Jets and Patriots, running away with the division, it’s unlikely they have a chance to advance any further than week 17. Sadly it’s the same case for Cleveland that’s just trying to make it to a 500 record. However there is one thing Cleveland has that Miami doesn’t. Say it with me now, PEYTON HILLIS. This guy is single handedly scoring for this offense. I’m just glad he’s on my fantasy team.

OAK @ SD – SD. I picked SD to win against Oakland the first time these two teams met up, and sadly I’m doing it again. I need Oakland to keep losing, and if the past has taught us anything, Philip Rivers should have a great game against Oakland in this one. He threw for 431 yards last time but only managed to throw two touchdowns. Time to find your receivers once you hit the red zone.

CAR @ SEA – SEA. Carolina has one win this season. Nuff Said?

ATL @ TB – ATL. I could give an in depth analysis on this game but it’s simply summed up in two capitalized words: MATTY HEISMAN!!!!

STL @ ARI – STL. As much as I’d love to pick Arizona to win this game, I can’t find myself doing it; simply because I put my heart and soul into this blog every single week. It’s not funny. Nothing’s funny. I’m not laughing about it. STL is my pick, and that’s fine, it’s fine, fine, fine.

DAL @ IND – IND. Last week’s loss proved that Dallas is still Dallas, even if it was only by 3 points. Meanwhile, Indy is coming off an embarrassing loss to the Chargers. Indy is trying to fight for a playoff spot and they’re doing it with injured players. Peyton is playing more like Favre than like Manning. He’s had 7 interceptions in the last 2 games. We all know he wants the touchdown record but does he really need the interception one too? Time to hand the ball off a bit more, or at least make it look like they are. With a below average secondary, throwing the ball is something Peyton should continue doing as long as it’s not every play.

PIT @ BAL – BAL. This is just one of two great division games this week that will result in a division leader. Coming off a scary win against Buffalo, PIT has some work to do against another top five team. Both teams let up about 17 points a game which should make for a close game. Roethlisberger just wasn’t himself last week. He has zero touchdowns and interceptions and was better off taking the week off to prepare for this game. At least they know their new kicker is ready to go, kicking his way to 13 points. The only advantage I think Baltimore has at this point is they are playing at home. Like many of the other quarterbacks this week, the Ravens will need to throw more often, especially with Pittsburgh holding opponents to 64 yards a game on the ground. (NFL #1 Ranked Defense)

NYJ @ NE – NE. This is a game I’ve been waiting for not only since week 2, but for the last 10 years. Finally an in division rivalry that I can sink my teeth into. Let’s face it, the Patriots have been so dominant in the AFC East over the years, that we’ve had to go to a different division to find a rival, aka Pittsburg and Indy. This year’s Jets/Patriots rivalry is just sooooo much fun to watch. The coaches butt heads, the players talk smack, and the games are always a thrill to watch. This week I think both teams have an equal chance to win the game, from the recent success of the Jets’ offense to the Patriots improvements on the defensive side. I’m simply picking the Patriots this week as a fan, because I don’t want to be the only New England fan watching the game if the Jets win saying, “Great the Pats lost, which means I was right.”