This time of year sucks. No football for a good five months and no meaningful football for about seven months. So here's a bunch of top 5's... mostly football but with a few other lists sprinkled in...
Super Bowl Favorites for 2010
5. Dallas - Had only they canned Wade Phillips for a Bill Cowher/Jon Gruden/Mike Shannahan type coach
4. Green Bay - Love Rodgers and where that shit is going
3. Indianapolis - I sniff a hangover but then again they'll win 12+ games and take that division
2. San Diego - I think losing LT and the obligation to feed his old ass the rock will be a weight off the Chargers shoulders
1. New Orleans - Drew Brees is a pimp
Teams that will make the playoffs after a 2009 miss
5. Panthers - Hog tie Jake Delhomme and launch him off a cliff... Start Matt Moore (anyone really who won't fuck it up)
4. Titans - They aren't as good as the 2008 13-3 record but they don't nearly suck as much as the 0-6 start... I'd peg them at 10-6 and a wild card spot
3. 49ers - Kurt Warner's retirement opens the door for San Fran to take that craptacular division
2. Giants - Waaaaay too good to be finishing 8-8
1. Steelers - Keep... Polamalu... HEALTHY!!!
Teams to fall off after making the playoffs in 2009
5. Patriots - The Dolphins and the Jets are younger and getting better n better each year... the Pats need to make some noise this offseason
4. Eagles - This team should be in the playoffs again but I'm afraid of how they'll handle the McNabb situation. The right move would be to ship him off and start the Kevin Kolb reign in Philly but who knows what they'll do.
3. Jets - I love the Jets roster but you just never know with young teams. They could fall off a bit in year 2 of the Sanchize era or they could go 12-4. Neither would shock me.
2. Cardinals - I'm not a Matt Leinart believer
1. Bengals - Will NOT be going 6-0 in the division again
If I started an expansion team and could have 1 QB for 1 Year it would be...
5. Aaron Rodgers - The only blemish I see so far is that he takes far too many sacks..
4. Ben Roethlisberger - Classic case of taking your stats and shoving em up your ass... Man has intangibles through the roof
3. Tom Brady - I'm thinking year 2 after the injury is more like the Brady of old and less like Carson Palmer after his knee injury
2. Peyton Manning - hmmm well where will this expansion team play? In a dome, maybe I put Manning #1... in a cold wintery city he may drop to 3 or 4
1. Drew Brees - The man put on a clinic at the Super Bowl with good, but not great talent around him.
If I could pick a QB and have him at least a good 5-7 years...
5. Tom Brady - A teeny weeny bit fearful of how it'll play out for Tom... I should be struck down for such blasphemy
4. Philip Rivers - Like I said above, losing LT is going to be huge for the Chargers... just wait and see
3. Peyton Manning - Manning will age gracefully and still be very effective right down to the end of his career
2. Drew Brees - 31 years old and should be plenty good this decade to come
1. Aaron Rodgers - I'm the conductor of the Aaron Rodgers train... hop aboard
Top 5 NBA Title contenders this season (just for the record 3 through 5 don't matter on this list)
5. Spurs - Eh maybe they have a big upset in em
4. Magic - Still a tough matchup for the Cavs
3. Mavs - Sure... why not...
2. Cavs - Regular season is paralleling last season... gotta not shit the bed before the finals this time
1. Lakers - Champs til someone knocks em off
Top 5 best uniforms in the NFL... I always go for simple over too much shit going on... fewer colors is a huge plus and I don't like teams who have like 19 variations of their uniform... I also like uniforms that are tried and true lasting years and years
5. Jets - Ditching the all greens and going back to the Joe Namath unis was a great move... probably have the best helmet in the NFL
4. 49ers - Losing the busy maroon unis that I linked above for the cherry red Joe Montana 1980's look was very smart... more teams need to take notice
3. Colts - I hate them with every fiber of my being but they look good out there... Royal blue and white, simple as hell and you'd think Johnny Unitas was running out of the tunnel onto the field.
2. Raiders - It's too damn bad they suck so much cuz that is a nice looking uniform. Remember when the silver and black meant something?
1. Saints - Black and Gold are so solid together. Simple design and I love the logo n helmet
I also like the Steelers, Cowboys, Chiefs, Browns (home), Packers, and Bears
5 Worst Uniforms...
5. Redskins - Just a dumb team name and dumb logo... imagine if they had a derogatory name/logo for any other ethnic group? People be up in arms...
4. Rams - Here is a classic case of trying to modernize something that already looked great and failing
3. Bengals - Just ugly crappy uniforms... and another team with 76 different variations... each of them sucking
2. Seahawks - I admit that the Seahawks uniforms needed an update but the blue on blue with a tint of lime green is awful... and those alternate unis they wore against the Bears were the worst atrocity in NFL history... the man who decided to put that out there should be killed
1. Bills - Here is a team with a fantastic throwback uniform and a decent former uniform but instead decided on this heinous look
I also hate the Chargers, Broncos, Panthers, Jaguars, and Titans
Top 5 Running Backs of my lifetime - In other words if I could pick a player and have him for the duration of his career on the Pats
5. LT - He's a snivelly bitch but I can't leave him off the list he was a sick player
4. Marshall Faulk - He could run, catch, block, was smart as hell, scored a ton of touchdowns, and from what I gather was a good teammate too
3. Barry Sanders - I don't know that Barry Sanders fits the bill of a running back I'd build a championship team around... he'd run for 2 yards, -4 yards, then bust one for 35... however it would have been friggin sick to have seen him play in person during his prime
2. Terrell Davis - Crazy how quickly he has been forgotten but I'd match TD's prime with any running back in NFL history... a shame injuries ended his career so soon
1. Emmitt Smith - A start to his career that rivaled TD along with longevity hardly anyone has ever seen... heart of a champion and an absolute battering ram to get you 4 yards every carry.
Top 5 Dumbest NHL Teams - I'm still not over the ridiculous amount of over expansion that went on in the 90's
5. Florida Panthers - People in Miami have better things to do than watch hockey..
4. Atlanta Thrashers - Let's give Atlanta another sport where they don't show up to things...
3. Columbus Blue Jackets - So Cleveland and Cincinnati have proven to be decent Ohio sports towns but instead you stick a franchise in Columbus? I couldn't even name 1 player to have ever played for the Blue Jackets
2. Nashville Predators - Really? It was a good idea to put an EXPANSION team in Tennessee of all places???
1. Phoenix Coyotes - There has never been one crystal of ice in Arizona... they don't care about hockey whatsoever... move these guys back to Winnepeg!!!
Top 5 Nastiest Teams in Tecmo Super Bowl for NES
5. Bears - Very underrated team... Neil Anderson and Brad Muster are solid rb's and the D has a lot of nasty players in Mike Singletary, Richard Dent, and company
4. Oilers - If you like to pass it doesn't get better than Moon and four nasty receivers in Hill, Givens, Jeffires, and Duncan
3. 49ers - The niners have a solid ass hall of fame offense with Joe Montana, Jerry Rice, Jon Taylor, Brent Jones, Roger Craig, and Tom Rathman but they don't really have that go to pass rusher which is a must... Charles Haley and Ronnie Lott are solid on defense but not quite top tier
2. Giants - They don't have the greatest offense but Meggett n Andersen are strong enough and LT (the real and original LT) is sick nasty
1. Bills - People may not agree but tell me where the Bills are weak? Thurman Thomas, Andre Reed, James Lofton, QB Bills (Jim Kelly), Bruce Smith, Darryl Talley... strong ass team but I won't lie I'd take any of the top 3
* Not putting the Raiders in here... Bo Jackson is a 1 man attack... Two plays against the computer may work but against another person doesn't cut it
5 Crappiest Teams in Tecmo....
5. Bucs - The Bucs actually have a few decent players but if you were to simulate 50 seasons they might make the playoffs in 3 of them
4. Cardinals - Can anyone name any player from the Cards? Via Sikahema and Johnny Johnson are the only two coming to mind... they have been a pretty miserable franchise for a good 75 years... Tecmo is no different
3. Seahawks - VERY underrated shitty team... they fly under the radar but if you try to play with them you will quickly realize that they don't have shit for players
2. Colts - Jeff George has a strong arm but after that they don't have shit for playmakers...
1. Patriots - Steve Grogan didn't even play in 1991... he retired and we know why... good God he sucks in Tecmo. The Pats defense is littered with slow ass guys too.... I wish I were lying but I've played in/simulated THOUSANDS of tecmo seasons and not one time, NOT ONE TIME has the Patriots made the playoffs (unless I controlled them). I've seen them finish 7-9 once and 8-8 once.
5 Best Characters on The Office
5. Kevin - I love his deliberate slow talking.. especially in the solos to the camera
4. Jim/Pam - They were better in the older episodes
3. Andy Bernard - Ed Helms just friggin kills me... he plays the goofball perfectly
2. Dwight - Rainn Wilson has been forever typecasted
1. Michael - He's everything you'd want in a main character... polarizing as all hell, selfish, unprofessional, flat out terrible at his job... He drives everyone crazy yet he shows his softer side here and there
That's all for now....
Monday, February 15, 2010
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Rope a Dope
Oh Brett Favre you were starting to fake some people out. I've known for a long while that you were a gun slinging, egotistical, media whore, interception machine, but you even made me drop my guard for a moment! All season long I've posted blog after blog which forecasted that Favre the phony would throw a critical interception at the worst possible moment.
Why would anyone not think this way? Favre has 317 career interceptions and an additional 30 playoff INT's. Only Dan Marino, Peyton Manning, and Fran Tarkenton have more career TOUCHDOWNS then Favre does interceptions in the history of the NFL. Favre has thrown more than 20 interceptions in a single season SIX times!
He has thrown two of the most egregious interceptions I have ever seen. In 2003 in a playoff over time game at Philadelphia, Favre threw a back footed floater about 40 yards down field. There wasn't a Packer within 20 yards of the ball and Brian Dawkins looked as if he was fielding a punt. Needless to say he intercepted the pass and a few moments later David Akers & the Eagles ended the Packers season.
The second despicably bad interception was his last throw as a Packer. In the 2007 NFC Championship game the Packers had been let off the hook not once but TWICE by Lawrence Tynes who missed both game winning field goal attempts. You'd figure with the temperature being approximately minus 72 that this would discourage the Giants and invigorate the Packers to steal a win in what had seemed to be a magical season for Green Bay. This is probably true if you have anyone but Brett Favre under center. In his typical boner fashion this boner threw an interception on (I believe) the VERY FIRST PLAY of over time!!! Again, needless to say, a few moment later Tynes gained redemption and kicked a frozen brown block through the uprights propelling the Giants into the Super Bowl.
I'd personally like to say fuck you to Favre for this one in particular. I would have preferred he held that interception in him for another week. In that case my living room would currently be decorated with 19-0 apparel.
All the while we have irrefutable evidence, as the officials would say, of how much Brett Favre sucks (well I guess he doesn't suck in the sense that JaMarcus Russell sucks but aside from his incredible longevity he is a top 15 quarterback at best). You would never know any of this if you were, for instance, a foreigner who came over to America to learn about the National Football League. This foreigner would tune into Sportscenter, pregame shows, and watch each game to see analyst after analyst after announcer after analyst giving Favre a never ending knob job.
"He's a warrior."
"This guy here is such a competitor, does it get any better than Brett Favre?"
"Nobody has more fun out there than Brett Favre."
I honestly want to know, what is each of these idiots actually DOING when they see him throw another interception?
(Pans to Ron Jaworski's house as Jaws is coming back from the bathroom.... "Hmm, I wonder how the Bears got the ball back. The Vikings must have punted.")
I however heard two of the most asinine comments I have ever heard regarding Favre courtesy of Terry Bradshaw and Tom Jackson. Prior to the NFC Championship Bradshaw said, and I'm paraphrasing, 'I have loved watching Brett Favre and he in my opinion is the greatest quarterback to ever play.'
Made me want to puke. Off the top of my head without even stopping to try and think of other players, I would rather have: Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Joe Montana, Steve Young, John Elway, Dan Marino, Bart Starr, Roger Staubach, Otto Graham, Johnny Unitas, Fran Tarkenton, Ben Roethlisberger, Troy Aikman, and Kurt Warner.
Notice that I didn't put Bradshaw on there. That overrated piece of crap won four Super Bowls riding a hellacious defense and stellar running game. Had you replaced Bradshaw with Favre... well... uhhh... ok I'll put Bradshaw in there too cuz at least he didn't fuck it up for his team.
The second comment from Tom Jackson came AFTER the Vikings crushing loss to the Saints. Jackson said, and I quote, "That’s the thing about Brett Favre; he’s not afraid to throw an interception. That’s one of the things I most admire about him." Ummm... what?!?!?! Tom, if you want me to throw on some shoulder pads, a helmet, and throw 15 picks a game for the Vikings I'd be happy to. It's been my life long dream to garner your admiration and, shit, you don't seem hard to please!
It's maddening!!! Maddening, maddening, maddening, maddening!!!!
So as the Saints-Vikings game kicked off, I all but had black and gold pumping through my veins. After all, what's worse than the Colts in the Super Bowl? Brett Favre being the opponent! As the game moved on though something funny happened....
I watched this game by myself so here's a bit of a synopsis of what went through my head...
--------------------
- Jeeze, they couldn't capitalize on that Reggie Bush turnover!! Oh man ANOTHER Vikings fumble?! They took out Peterson, my gahd they are falling apart!
(Shots of Brett Favre talking AP through it on the sideline, keeping him & his team mentally in the game)
- Holy shit what a hit!! He musta broke his ribs on that?? No flag!?!?! Favre just got clipped below the knee, jesus!!!
(Shots of Brett Favre grimacing but continually getting up and fighting)
- Fuck me, I'm not actually starting to pull for the Vikings am I? I mean I hate Favre but even the most venomous hater like myself can't do anything but admire that he's fighting his balls off for this.
(Vikings ball 2 minutes and change left. Completion, completion, SEEEEEEED to Sidney Rice. 10 yard run by Chester Taylor)
- Oh my gahd they are going to win this game. Favre!! FAVRE?!?! BRETT FAVRE has held his team together and displayed the type of gritty winning performance that would put Willis Reed to shame!!!!!
- Damn this is a big play, 3rd down... oh shit he has maaad room to run...
*************************************
ROPE A MOTHER FUCKING DOPE!!!!
*************************************
(Favre rolls right and that gun slinging, egotistical, media whore, interception machine throws completely across his body to a covered Sydney Rice, PICKED OFF!)
--------------
I mean could there have been a more fitting ending to this? The microsecond after the interception I knew this game was over. They didn't need to flip the coin in over time because 100 out of 100 times the Saints would have won the toss. They didn't need to review a single play, they didn't need to even play the effing over time. That game was over.
Just another case of Brett Favre being Brett Favre. I just can't believe he was starting to rope me in..... I feel dirty.....
Why would anyone not think this way? Favre has 317 career interceptions and an additional 30 playoff INT's. Only Dan Marino, Peyton Manning, and Fran Tarkenton have more career TOUCHDOWNS then Favre does interceptions in the history of the NFL. Favre has thrown more than 20 interceptions in a single season SIX times!
He has thrown two of the most egregious interceptions I have ever seen. In 2003 in a playoff over time game at Philadelphia, Favre threw a back footed floater about 40 yards down field. There wasn't a Packer within 20 yards of the ball and Brian Dawkins looked as if he was fielding a punt. Needless to say he intercepted the pass and a few moments later David Akers & the Eagles ended the Packers season.
The second despicably bad interception was his last throw as a Packer. In the 2007 NFC Championship game the Packers had been let off the hook not once but TWICE by Lawrence Tynes who missed both game winning field goal attempts. You'd figure with the temperature being approximately minus 72 that this would discourage the Giants and invigorate the Packers to steal a win in what had seemed to be a magical season for Green Bay. This is probably true if you have anyone but Brett Favre under center. In his typical boner fashion this boner threw an interception on (I believe) the VERY FIRST PLAY of over time!!! Again, needless to say, a few moment later Tynes gained redemption and kicked a frozen brown block through the uprights propelling the Giants into the Super Bowl.
I'd personally like to say fuck you to Favre for this one in particular. I would have preferred he held that interception in him for another week. In that case my living room would currently be decorated with 19-0 apparel.
All the while we have irrefutable evidence, as the officials would say, of how much Brett Favre sucks (well I guess he doesn't suck in the sense that JaMarcus Russell sucks but aside from his incredible longevity he is a top 15 quarterback at best). You would never know any of this if you were, for instance, a foreigner who came over to America to learn about the National Football League. This foreigner would tune into Sportscenter, pregame shows, and watch each game to see analyst after analyst after announcer after analyst giving Favre a never ending knob job.
"He's a warrior."
"This guy here is such a competitor, does it get any better than Brett Favre?"
"Nobody has more fun out there than Brett Favre."
I honestly want to know, what is each of these idiots actually DOING when they see him throw another interception?
(Pans to Ron Jaworski's house as Jaws is coming back from the bathroom.... "Hmm, I wonder how the Bears got the ball back. The Vikings must have punted.")
I however heard two of the most asinine comments I have ever heard regarding Favre courtesy of Terry Bradshaw and Tom Jackson. Prior to the NFC Championship Bradshaw said, and I'm paraphrasing, 'I have loved watching Brett Favre and he in my opinion is the greatest quarterback to ever play.'
Made me want to puke. Off the top of my head without even stopping to try and think of other players, I would rather have: Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Joe Montana, Steve Young, John Elway, Dan Marino, Bart Starr, Roger Staubach, Otto Graham, Johnny Unitas, Fran Tarkenton, Ben Roethlisberger, Troy Aikman, and Kurt Warner.
Notice that I didn't put Bradshaw on there. That overrated piece of crap won four Super Bowls riding a hellacious defense and stellar running game. Had you replaced Bradshaw with Favre... well... uhhh... ok I'll put Bradshaw in there too cuz at least he didn't fuck it up for his team.
The second comment from Tom Jackson came AFTER the Vikings crushing loss to the Saints. Jackson said, and I quote, "That’s the thing about Brett Favre; he’s not afraid to throw an interception. That’s one of the things I most admire about him." Ummm... what?!?!?! Tom, if you want me to throw on some shoulder pads, a helmet, and throw 15 picks a game for the Vikings I'd be happy to. It's been my life long dream to garner your admiration and, shit, you don't seem hard to please!
It's maddening!!! Maddening, maddening, maddening, maddening!!!!
So as the Saints-Vikings game kicked off, I all but had black and gold pumping through my veins. After all, what's worse than the Colts in the Super Bowl? Brett Favre being the opponent! As the game moved on though something funny happened....
I watched this game by myself so here's a bit of a synopsis of what went through my head...
--------------------
- Jeeze, they couldn't capitalize on that Reggie Bush turnover!! Oh man ANOTHER Vikings fumble?! They took out Peterson, my gahd they are falling apart!
(Shots of Brett Favre talking AP through it on the sideline, keeping him & his team mentally in the game)
- Holy shit what a hit!! He musta broke his ribs on that?? No flag!?!?! Favre just got clipped below the knee, jesus!!!
(Shots of Brett Favre grimacing but continually getting up and fighting)
- Fuck me, I'm not actually starting to pull for the Vikings am I? I mean I hate Favre but even the most venomous hater like myself can't do anything but admire that he's fighting his balls off for this.
(Vikings ball 2 minutes and change left. Completion, completion, SEEEEEEED to Sidney Rice. 10 yard run by Chester Taylor)
- Oh my gahd they are going to win this game. Favre!! FAVRE?!?! BRETT FAVRE has held his team together and displayed the type of gritty winning performance that would put Willis Reed to shame!!!!!
- Damn this is a big play, 3rd down... oh shit he has maaad room to run...
*************************************
ROPE A MOTHER FUCKING DOPE!!!!
*************************************
(Favre rolls right and that gun slinging, egotistical, media whore, interception machine throws completely across his body to a covered Sydney Rice, PICKED OFF!)
--------------
I mean could there have been a more fitting ending to this? The microsecond after the interception I knew this game was over. They didn't need to flip the coin in over time because 100 out of 100 times the Saints would have won the toss. They didn't need to review a single play, they didn't need to even play the effing over time. That game was over.
Just another case of Brett Favre being Brett Favre. I just can't believe he was starting to rope me in..... I feel dirty.....
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Championship Games
There we go... 1-3 in the divisional round. That's more like my prediction track record. I got the Colts right but the Saints, Vikings, and Jets wrong. I thought the Saints would win but that it'd be a tighter game. That's the Jeckyll-Hyde Cardinals for ya... That puts my playoff picks at 4-4. I can still pull off a respectable 7-4 finish, but before I give you my terrible predictions here are a few thoughts....
- These playoffs have been brutally bad. We have had eight games thus far and only two have been close. The Cardinals-Packers wild card game and the Jets-Chargers from last weekend. For many people around here (myself not included), seeing the Jets win doesn't even qualify as a good game. Every other game has been brutal. Off the top of my head this is the worst playoffs since 2000. I did my best to recall 2001 to 2008 and was able to think of some pretty memorable or at least competitive games each year.
In 2000 the Wild Card Round featured the Ravens smoking the Broncos, the Dolphins beating the Seahawks, Eagles over the Bucs, and the Saints over the Rams (decent game - Hakim fumble lost it for the Rams). Then the 2nd round had the Ravens over the Titans (good game - Ray Lewis taking the ball from Eddie George for a TD and upset win), Raiders rolling the Dolphins, Giants destroying the Eagles, and the Vikings smoking the Saints.
To make matters worse in 2000 the Ravens beat the Raiders in a boring game while the Giants annihilated the Vikings 41-0. The Super Bowl was a 34-7 rotten matchup that Baltimore won. Hopefully 2009 doesn't match 2000 in its entirety.
- Sucks to be a Chargers or Cowboys fan. You have talented teams that should be competing for Super Bowls but each has a complete turd running the show in Norv Turner and Wade Phillips respectively. Guess what happened after each team's loss/poor efforts this weekend? Turner gets a three year extension and Phillips does too! Now that's two teams to scratch off the list of contenders next year!
- I have totally whiffed on the Jets up to this point, and maybe now I'm just listening to too much Michael Felger on 98.5, but this is a team that probably could have gone 11-5 this year had Sanchez not stunk it up so badly in a few games - granted that is what most rookie qb's do. Fans of the Patriots, Dolphins, and Bills (if they exist) should definitely be a little uncomfortable in years to come. That defense is top notch and if Mark Sanchez becomes an average to decent QB it's a 10 win team each year for the next few seasons.
- I guess last week gives one point to "rest" in the rest versus rust debate. Colts & Saints rolled their opponents.
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME PREDICTIONS
Jets @ Colts (-7.5)
- I thought the Jets would lose to the Bengals. I thought they'd lose to the Chargers. I was dead ass wrong each time. Well... third time's a charm. I like the Colts to win and cover in this game. It is a tall tall task to beat Peyton Manning and the Colts. They are at home, rested up, and the most fucking savvy team in the league by a long shot. It will take a huge effort to keep this game close - which the Jets are capable of - but it will take a monumental effort to actually close the deal and win this game.
- These playoffs have been brutally bad. We have had eight games thus far and only two have been close. The Cardinals-Packers wild card game and the Jets-Chargers from last weekend. For many people around here (myself not included), seeing the Jets win doesn't even qualify as a good game. Every other game has been brutal. Off the top of my head this is the worst playoffs since 2000. I did my best to recall 2001 to 2008 and was able to think of some pretty memorable or at least competitive games each year.
In 2000 the Wild Card Round featured the Ravens smoking the Broncos, the Dolphins beating the Seahawks, Eagles over the Bucs, and the Saints over the Rams (decent game - Hakim fumble lost it for the Rams). Then the 2nd round had the Ravens over the Titans (good game - Ray Lewis taking the ball from Eddie George for a TD and upset win), Raiders rolling the Dolphins, Giants destroying the Eagles, and the Vikings smoking the Saints.
To make matters worse in 2000 the Ravens beat the Raiders in a boring game while the Giants annihilated the Vikings 41-0. The Super Bowl was a 34-7 rotten matchup that Baltimore won. Hopefully 2009 doesn't match 2000 in its entirety.
- Sucks to be a Chargers or Cowboys fan. You have talented teams that should be competing for Super Bowls but each has a complete turd running the show in Norv Turner and Wade Phillips respectively. Guess what happened after each team's loss/poor efforts this weekend? Turner gets a three year extension and Phillips does too! Now that's two teams to scratch off the list of contenders next year!
- I have totally whiffed on the Jets up to this point, and maybe now I'm just listening to too much Michael Felger on 98.5, but this is a team that probably could have gone 11-5 this year had Sanchez not stunk it up so badly in a few games - granted that is what most rookie qb's do. Fans of the Patriots, Dolphins, and Bills (if they exist) should definitely be a little uncomfortable in years to come. That defense is top notch and if Mark Sanchez becomes an average to decent QB it's a 10 win team each year for the next few seasons.
- I guess last week gives one point to "rest" in the rest versus rust debate. Colts & Saints rolled their opponents.
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME PREDICTIONS
Jets @ Colts (-7.5)
- I thought the Jets would lose to the Bengals. I thought they'd lose to the Chargers. I was dead ass wrong each time. Well... third time's a charm. I like the Colts to win and cover in this game. It is a tall tall task to beat Peyton Manning and the Colts. They are at home, rested up, and the most fucking savvy team in the league by a long shot. It will take a huge effort to keep this game close - which the Jets are capable of - but it will take a monumental effort to actually close the deal and win this game.
- It may not be pretty at times, but I really can't bet against the Colts. Their clutchness this season has been uncanny. I could not be more sure of the Colts during a tight game. It's like watching the 2003 & 2004 Patriots. The game might be close, might get sloppy, but shit-fuck they'll pull it out. It's maddening how many breaks they get, but then again championship teams will make & get these breaks along the way (which includes our Patriots many-a-time).
Colts 24 - Jets 16
Vikings @ Saints (-2.5)
- Have I mentioned that I hate Brett Favre? My gahd I hate Brett Favre.
- The Vikings pass rush is totally a game changer. That should be the model for the next direction of the Patriots defense. Screw this bend but don't break wimpy shit. Get yourself a stud who pins his ears back and gets after the quarterback. I'd say Jared Allen is a top 5-10 player in the NFL.
- We all saw Reggie Bush play last weekend... All I got is six words for that performance... "WHERE THE FUCK HAS THAT BEEN?!?!?!" Did anyone who watched this guy play for USC NOT think this would be the standard Reggie Bush performance? Has there been a more disappointing player in the past 10-15 years??? Yeah I know, I know, there have been complete flops like Ki-Jana Carter or Ryan Leaf but, fuck... Reggie Bush was Gayle Sayers. Reggie Bush was Barry Sanders. Just look at the guy! He's built like a mack truck, he's lightning quick, I'd say he's the best athlete to step on a football field since Deion Sanders or Bo Jackson. I can only hope that he can stay healthy and put together a career that matches the flashes of brilliance he displays but I'm afraid that's probably not the case. I think Sean Payton knows this too. I'm hardly the first to think this, but Payton probably did his best to keep Bush fresh knowing that he will need to unleash him for the playoffs.
- I think the Saints as a whole are America's choice of the final four teams. First off, you have all the Katrina stuff with New Orleans. On top of that, they unquestionably have the best uniforms in the league, the best logo, and a roster filled with likable players. At the very least they need to come through for us here in the New England region. Most of us would rather get AIDS than see the Jets, Colts, or Vikings (Favre) hoist the Lombardi Trophy. And shit... it's been a rough year for us. The Lakers won the NBA title (screw you Nagle) while the Yankees won the World Series. We may have had a great run here in this decade but it's definitely ended with a giant wet turd plopped on our face. The Saints are our last hope of ending on a positive note...
- Plus I've kept saying it throughout the season (and have been wrong thus far) but I think Favre has a critical INT in him at the worst possible time.... we can only hope....
New Orleans 34 - Minnesota 27
New Orleans 34 - Minnesota 27
Monday, January 11, 2010
Wild Card Thoughts & Divisional Round Predictions
I shockingly went 3-1 in my wild card predictions. I was correct on Dallas, Baltimore, and Arizona. I blew it on Cincinnati. Here are some of my thoughts on the weekend and my predictions for the next round.
Jets - Bengals
- The Bengals can't pass for shit... What happened with Carson Palmer? It was just a short time ago you had Manning, Brady, and Palmer as the top 3 QB's in the league. I don't know if Palmer is now even in the top 15 any more.
- Marvin Lewis wasted his two challenges before the 1st quarter was over. Are you serious guy? The second challenge was on a 15 yard pass he felt Cotchery didn't catch (which he clearly did). Whooooooooo caaaaaaress at that point??!!! You HAVE to save your last challenge for a turnover, a touchdown call, or any other big play that may occur in the 2nd half. Coaches can be great motivators, they can know the game inside and out, but c'mon how about you use common sense every once and awhile. In 2008 BB wasted a challenge on a too many men on the field call against Indy (which he lost). It's 5 YARDS!!! Who caaaaareeeessss????!!! One other thing while I'm on a tangent about coaches, it's a tight game in the 2nd half, it's 2nd and 3 n the play clock is winding down.... WHYYYYY burn a timeout when you can just take a measly 5 yard penalty??? Time outs are so critical. Anyway back to this match up...
- On the flip side Rex Ryan's game plan couldn't have been drawn up or executed more perfectly. Sanchez was incredibly efficient and they ran right down Cincy's throat.
- It pains me to say this but the Jets are a top 4 AFC team at this point. They deserve to be where they are and although the Chargers will probably beat them, the feisty Jets will be a tough out. They got a big break from the Colts but credit goes to the Jets for taking advantage and rallying behind this break.
Cowboys - Eagles
- What's to say here? The Cowboys are the real deal Holyfield and now all you hookers and ho's know how I feel. I think they cruise into Minnesota and put the beat down on the Vikings. I'll call a double digit Cowboy win.
- I like a lot of the pieces the Eagles have but I kind of think it's time to pull the plug on the Donovan McNabb era. There are a few reasons for this. They have DeSean Jackson, Brent Celek, Jeremy Maclin, and LeSean McCoy. If they do it right this core of studs could have a nice 5-7 year window. McNabb has 1 year left on his contract and Kevin Kolb is waiting in the wings. Why not trade McNabb to one of 8,000 teams who could use a QB and get something in return for him? Turn the reigns over to Kolb, who looked good in his two starts early in the year, and move on.
Now who would want McNabb? Hmm... In no particular order Broncos, Bills, Browns, Raiders, Panthers, 49ers, Seahawks, Redskins, Rams... Why not try to get the Bills or Browns 2nd round pick (about #36 overall) for him???
Ravens - Patriots
- Brutal. Just a brutal performance. It's one thing to lose when you know the Patriots played as well as they could but they just didn't show up. Hats off to Baltimore they were flying around on defense. It looked like it was 11 on 15 when the Pats had the ball. I will save more ranting about the Pats for another blog... moving on.
Cardinals - Packers
- This one made me feel smart. Everyone was overlooking the Cardinals but man they play everybody tough. Last season they surprisingly had a pretty nice home field advantage and that held true in this match up.
-The Cards have the most under appreciated player of the past 10-12 years in Kurt Warner. What has this guy done besides pass for 300 yards per game at an unprecedented clip, win playoff game after playoff game, and set super bowl yardage records? Every player, coach, and opponent has nothing but the greatest things to say and utmost respect for him. He was replaced on the the Rams by Marc Bulger, replaced by Eli Manning when on the Giants, and then finally by Matt Leinart with the Cardinals. He didn't, bitch, mope, complain, or hold out. He instead supported his team, worked his ass off, won back his starting job, and took the Cardinals to the Super Bowl. I wouldn't be surprised if he did it again this year. I hope Kurt Warner decides to come back next year too but if he doesn't he's a hall of famer in my mind and I bet he gets into Canton.
...small side tangent... I HATE this bull shit "Yeah he's only good cuz he played with so and so." "Kurt Warner isn't good, he played with Marshall Faulk, Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce, Larry Fitzgerald, and Anquan Boldin." The way I look at it they all played with Kurt Warner, I've never seen a more accurate passer. Regardless it's a stupid argument. I shit you not I watched two episodes of the NFL top 10, one was the most clutch QB's of all time in which Joe Montana was #1. The other was best hands and Jerry Rice was #7. One person complained that Montana shouldn't be #1 because he had Jerry Rice and all that talent around him. On the other episode someone bitched that Jerry Rice didn't have great hands because the ball was always thrown perfectly to him by Joe Montana and Steve Young. God just shut the FUCK up!!!! Stupid stupid stupid argument.... if I had a nickel too for every Pats hater saying that BB is only good cuz of Brady or Brady is only good cuz of the system... When you say Player X is only good because of a system, coach, player, fans, or anything else you are pretty much saying I'm a dumb pussy who just doesn't want to give a guy any credit.
- To all the Packers fans out there... Oooooh weeee Aaron Rodgers is nasty. Mark it down, that man will win Super Bowls... plural, Super Bowls. Look at his numbers versus Favre's. He's already on par with any season Favre had in Green Bay. But shit, regardless of numbers, the guy can just make plays. Give him a better offensive line and he will be incredible.
On to my predictions... again in chronological order...
Arizona @ New Orleans (-7)
That's a pretty tall line for a team that was stumbling down the stretch. You don't think Warner, Fitz, Boldin & company will pass all over the Saints? I know I know... I get a raging clue to Fitz, Warner, and the Red unis which clouds my judgment, but I think this game will be pretty tight. I don't quite expect a track meet like Zona's last game but this should get into the upper 20's or 30's.
One thing I really like for New Orleans is their home field advantage. Not only do they play in a loud ass crazy dome but this region is more wrapped around their Saints than just about any other football team (outside of the Packers) can say.
I think this game goes back and forth and that the Saints normally shitty ass kicker will end it with a game winning field goal. The Saints will win but the Cardinals will cover. New Orleand 34 - Arizona 31.
Baltimore @ Indianapolis (-7)
One thing I am trying to suck less at is choosing to go with my gut instead of being influenced by 'experts' opinions. My gut tells me the Colts will be the rusty, sloppy, tight playoff team they always have been. The rest will hurt much more than help and this game will be something like Baltimore 10 Indianapolis 7 at half time. I think the crowd gets on the Colts and I really wouldn't be shocked to see this being a one score game going into the 4th quarter. My gut though is also saying that Joe Flacco isn't good enough to go into Indy and win this round. The Colts will look pretty crummy for a bit but they will put together enough in the second half to win the game. I will take them to barely cover. Indianapolis 21 - Baltimore 13.
Dallas @ Minnesota (-2.5)
Oh my Gahd is this line serious? I guess it has to be with Minnesota playing at home after a bye. I say take Dallas all day and all night people. They are hot as hell, Favre will throw a pick in a tight situation, and the Minnesota crowd will have a bit of a Red Sox pre-2004 feel of expecting something to go wrong ala Gary Anderson's missed field goal in the 1998 NFC Championship Game... It all looks to me like a pretty handy win by the Cowboys. Dallas 34 - Minnesota 20.
NY Jets @ San Diego (-9)
This is a very tough line in my opinion. I don't think there is any question that San Diego wins but nine is a lot of points. The Jets have been playing great and their fans ought to be proud of the season.
It's all about expectations and performance. When expectations are a bit cloudy - rookie coach and qb - but you are able to sneak into the playoffs and win a game, then shit that's a great year. That's what kind of blows about being a Pats fan these days. Expectations are insane and anything short of a Super Bowl is seen as a failure. The 11/12 year old Joe, fresh off the 1994 Patriots playoff run and amazing 10-6 season, would boot my 26 (almost 27) year old self in the yam bag 12 or 13 consecutive times for being such a spoiled dick NFL fan.
I think flying across the country with a rookie QB, and relatively inexperienced team, against the soaring Chargers, is too tall of a task. Maybe the Jets keep it close for a half but I like San Diego to cover. San Diego 24 - NY Jets 10.
Jets - Bengals
- The Bengals can't pass for shit... What happened with Carson Palmer? It was just a short time ago you had Manning, Brady, and Palmer as the top 3 QB's in the league. I don't know if Palmer is now even in the top 15 any more.
- Marvin Lewis wasted his two challenges before the 1st quarter was over. Are you serious guy? The second challenge was on a 15 yard pass he felt Cotchery didn't catch (which he clearly did). Whooooooooo caaaaaaress at that point??!!! You HAVE to save your last challenge for a turnover, a touchdown call, or any other big play that may occur in the 2nd half. Coaches can be great motivators, they can know the game inside and out, but c'mon how about you use common sense every once and awhile. In 2008 BB wasted a challenge on a too many men on the field call against Indy (which he lost). It's 5 YARDS!!! Who caaaaareeeessss????!!! One other thing while I'm on a tangent about coaches, it's a tight game in the 2nd half, it's 2nd and 3 n the play clock is winding down.... WHYYYYY burn a timeout when you can just take a measly 5 yard penalty??? Time outs are so critical. Anyway back to this match up...
- On the flip side Rex Ryan's game plan couldn't have been drawn up or executed more perfectly. Sanchez was incredibly efficient and they ran right down Cincy's throat.
- It pains me to say this but the Jets are a top 4 AFC team at this point. They deserve to be where they are and although the Chargers will probably beat them, the feisty Jets will be a tough out. They got a big break from the Colts but credit goes to the Jets for taking advantage and rallying behind this break.
Cowboys - Eagles
- What's to say here? The Cowboys are the real deal Holyfield and now all you hookers and ho's know how I feel. I think they cruise into Minnesota and put the beat down on the Vikings. I'll call a double digit Cowboy win.
- I like a lot of the pieces the Eagles have but I kind of think it's time to pull the plug on the Donovan McNabb era. There are a few reasons for this. They have DeSean Jackson, Brent Celek, Jeremy Maclin, and LeSean McCoy. If they do it right this core of studs could have a nice 5-7 year window. McNabb has 1 year left on his contract and Kevin Kolb is waiting in the wings. Why not trade McNabb to one of 8,000 teams who could use a QB and get something in return for him? Turn the reigns over to Kolb, who looked good in his two starts early in the year, and move on.
Now who would want McNabb? Hmm... In no particular order Broncos, Bills, Browns, Raiders, Panthers, 49ers, Seahawks, Redskins, Rams... Why not try to get the Bills or Browns 2nd round pick (about #36 overall) for him???
Ravens - Patriots
- Brutal. Just a brutal performance. It's one thing to lose when you know the Patriots played as well as they could but they just didn't show up. Hats off to Baltimore they were flying around on defense. It looked like it was 11 on 15 when the Pats had the ball. I will save more ranting about the Pats for another blog... moving on.
Cardinals - Packers
- This one made me feel smart. Everyone was overlooking the Cardinals but man they play everybody tough. Last season they surprisingly had a pretty nice home field advantage and that held true in this match up.
-The Cards have the most under appreciated player of the past 10-12 years in Kurt Warner. What has this guy done besides pass for 300 yards per game at an unprecedented clip, win playoff game after playoff game, and set super bowl yardage records? Every player, coach, and opponent has nothing but the greatest things to say and utmost respect for him. He was replaced on the the Rams by Marc Bulger, replaced by Eli Manning when on the Giants, and then finally by Matt Leinart with the Cardinals. He didn't, bitch, mope, complain, or hold out. He instead supported his team, worked his ass off, won back his starting job, and took the Cardinals to the Super Bowl. I wouldn't be surprised if he did it again this year. I hope Kurt Warner decides to come back next year too but if he doesn't he's a hall of famer in my mind and I bet he gets into Canton.
...small side tangent... I HATE this bull shit "Yeah he's only good cuz he played with so and so." "Kurt Warner isn't good, he played with Marshall Faulk, Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce, Larry Fitzgerald, and Anquan Boldin." The way I look at it they all played with Kurt Warner, I've never seen a more accurate passer. Regardless it's a stupid argument. I shit you not I watched two episodes of the NFL top 10, one was the most clutch QB's of all time in which Joe Montana was #1. The other was best hands and Jerry Rice was #7. One person complained that Montana shouldn't be #1 because he had Jerry Rice and all that talent around him. On the other episode someone bitched that Jerry Rice didn't have great hands because the ball was always thrown perfectly to him by Joe Montana and Steve Young. God just shut the FUCK up!!!! Stupid stupid stupid argument.... if I had a nickel too for every Pats hater saying that BB is only good cuz of Brady or Brady is only good cuz of the system... When you say Player X is only good because of a system, coach, player, fans, or anything else you are pretty much saying I'm a dumb pussy who just doesn't want to give a guy any credit.
- To all the Packers fans out there... Oooooh weeee Aaron Rodgers is nasty. Mark it down, that man will win Super Bowls... plural, Super Bowls. Look at his numbers versus Favre's. He's already on par with any season Favre had in Green Bay. But shit, regardless of numbers, the guy can just make plays. Give him a better offensive line and he will be incredible.
On to my predictions... again in chronological order...
Arizona @ New Orleans (-7)
That's a pretty tall line for a team that was stumbling down the stretch. You don't think Warner, Fitz, Boldin & company will pass all over the Saints? I know I know... I get a raging clue to Fitz, Warner, and the Red unis which clouds my judgment, but I think this game will be pretty tight. I don't quite expect a track meet like Zona's last game but this should get into the upper 20's or 30's.
One thing I really like for New Orleans is their home field advantage. Not only do they play in a loud ass crazy dome but this region is more wrapped around their Saints than just about any other football team (outside of the Packers) can say.
I think this game goes back and forth and that the Saints normally shitty ass kicker will end it with a game winning field goal. The Saints will win but the Cardinals will cover. New Orleand 34 - Arizona 31.
Baltimore @ Indianapolis (-7)
One thing I am trying to suck less at is choosing to go with my gut instead of being influenced by 'experts' opinions. My gut tells me the Colts will be the rusty, sloppy, tight playoff team they always have been. The rest will hurt much more than help and this game will be something like Baltimore 10 Indianapolis 7 at half time. I think the crowd gets on the Colts and I really wouldn't be shocked to see this being a one score game going into the 4th quarter. My gut though is also saying that Joe Flacco isn't good enough to go into Indy and win this round. The Colts will look pretty crummy for a bit but they will put together enough in the second half to win the game. I will take them to barely cover. Indianapolis 21 - Baltimore 13.
Dallas @ Minnesota (-2.5)
Oh my Gahd is this line serious? I guess it has to be with Minnesota playing at home after a bye. I say take Dallas all day and all night people. They are hot as hell, Favre will throw a pick in a tight situation, and the Minnesota crowd will have a bit of a Red Sox pre-2004 feel of expecting something to go wrong ala Gary Anderson's missed field goal in the 1998 NFC Championship Game... It all looks to me like a pretty handy win by the Cowboys. Dallas 34 - Minnesota 20.
NY Jets @ San Diego (-9)
This is a very tough line in my opinion. I don't think there is any question that San Diego wins but nine is a lot of points. The Jets have been playing great and their fans ought to be proud of the season.
It's all about expectations and performance. When expectations are a bit cloudy - rookie coach and qb - but you are able to sneak into the playoffs and win a game, then shit that's a great year. That's what kind of blows about being a Pats fan these days. Expectations are insane and anything short of a Super Bowl is seen as a failure. The 11/12 year old Joe, fresh off the 1994 Patriots playoff run and amazing 10-6 season, would boot my 26 (almost 27) year old self in the yam bag 12 or 13 consecutive times for being such a spoiled dick NFL fan.
I think flying across the country with a rookie QB, and relatively inexperienced team, against the soaring Chargers, is too tall of a task. Maybe the Jets keep it close for a half but I like San Diego to cover. San Diego 24 - NY Jets 10.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Wild Card Predictions
NFL Playoffs. EASILY my favorite sports weekends of the year. Toss out any baseball dates, the Masters, March Madness, NBA, or NHL playoffs. Tell the Olympics to take a hike too. Don't disturb me or ask me to do anything these days unless you got TV's present... and even then it better be very important!
I made a number of pretty crappy predictions this year, notably taking the Steelers to win it all, but I figure to keep the streak alive and make some crappy round by round playoff predictions too. I'm actually so bad at predicting that I predicted the Cowboys to go to the Super Bowl at the halfway point then at the three quarter poll reverted to missing the playoffs but now in fact they are looking Super Bowl bound again, ugh.
I'll predict these games in order of which time they are on:
New York Jets @ Cincinnati (-3)
Last week's game, ahem, means JACK SHIT when predicting this match up. Cincinnati had nothing to gain by trying to win. Let's say the Bengals tried to beat the Jets, showed them everything they had up their sleeves, but fell short. They would then be rematching the Jets having already played their hand. Instead they did the smart thing and laid down. They sat Cedric Benson, played vanilla offense, vanilla defense, took their beating, and are ready for this week.
Let's not fail to mention that the #4 spot in the AFC is better than the #3. Why not play the rusty, playoff choke artist Colts round two instead of the Chargers? Smart move from Marvin Lewis.
Also did anyone see the Jets celebrate last week? Dunking their coach with Gatorade, doing victory laps around the stadium, and going nuts... Wow I'm impressed. You beat two teams who laid down for you. Texans fans must be pretty pissed off! I think the Jets, pardon my slang, blew their load last week.
I'll take Cincy (-3). Cincinnati 24 - NY Jets 13
Philadelphia @ Dallas (-3.5)
Everything I just said above can be reversed here. The Eagles had EVERYTHING to gain by winning this game. A win last week gives Philly the #2 seed and a first round bye. Instead they got destroyed and are now the #6 seed looking at an ugly rematch.
I know the whole Dallas, Tony Romo gag job is on everyone's minds but this team is peaking at the perfect time. They beat the 'then undefeated' Saints in New Orleans and have pitched back to back shutouts versus the Redskins and Eagles; the latter was riding a six game winning streak going into the game. Every team that has a label as chokers is stuck with that until they show otherwise but that doesn't mean they can't win. See Indianapolis: 2006.
I like Dallas (-3.5) to win a tighter game this week. Dallas 27 - Philadelphia 17
Baltimore @ New England (-4)
I don't really like the feel of this game as a Patriots fan. Brady is obviously dinged up, Welker went down, and I still don't feel like the Patriots have much of an identity. They seem to be living off this Patriots aura, Brady-Belichick are amazing, hey we won a bunch of Super Bowls 5 years ago stuff.
Let's be honest here. Brady has had the ball with a chance to win games against: Buffalo, NY Jets, Denver, and Miami. He could have closed out Indianapolis and Houston. He failed in every game aside from Buffalo on the opening Monday Night. Maybe he needs another year to get back on his feet, maybe the play calling has sucked, maybe he's more hurt then we are led to believe, or most likely this just isn't his season (and I hope this doesn't hold true for years to come).
This has hands down been Belichick's shittiest season. His decision making has been crappy and he just isn't pulling his usual magic that we are accustom to. Hell, look at 2008. They lost Brady and he guided that team to an impressive 11-5 season. It looked like a BB coached team. Maybe it's the turnover on the roster, maybe it's just a few fluky decisions that didn't work out for him, maybe the loss of McDaniels hurt the offense more than we think, but just like with Brady above... it's a bunch of excuses. They just aren't getting it done.
In the Patriots favor is that they have never lost the opening round playoff game with Brady & Belichick. Aside from 2005 they have won at least two playoff games each time they get into the dance. They are also 8-0 at home this season. The cold weather won't mean shit against Baltimore though who also is use to having nippy balls.
To me this just feels like a back and forth game where a gut punch fumble or pick six turns a Patriots 3 point deficit into a Ravens 10 point lead. I hate to do it but...
I'll take the Ravens (+4) to cover and win the game.... Baltimore 30 - New England 20
Green Bay @ Arizona (-3)
The result last week is a lot like the Jets-Bengals game. Means DICK. Arizona had two game plans laid out. One if the Vikings had lost which would have meant a win & Dallas win (which did happen) earns the Cardinals a bye. They had a second game plan if the Vikings won. The Vikings beat the shit out of the Giants so the Cardinals decided to roll over week 17.
This game here is the hardest for me to predict only because the Cardinals are easily the most Jeckyll & Hyde team in the NFL. I would say about 80% of the people probably feel the Packers are on a nice roll. There always seems to be one game each year in WC weekend where a home team reminds people why they are the home team. This isn't even mentioning that the Cardinals are defending NFC Champions.
I will take the Cardinals (-3). Arizona 34 - Green Bay 30
.... Knowing my track record I fully expect to be 0-4.
I made a number of pretty crappy predictions this year, notably taking the Steelers to win it all, but I figure to keep the streak alive and make some crappy round by round playoff predictions too. I'm actually so bad at predicting that I predicted the Cowboys to go to the Super Bowl at the halfway point then at the three quarter poll reverted to missing the playoffs but now in fact they are looking Super Bowl bound again, ugh.
I'll predict these games in order of which time they are on:
New York Jets @ Cincinnati (-3)
Last week's game, ahem, means JACK SHIT when predicting this match up. Cincinnati had nothing to gain by trying to win. Let's say the Bengals tried to beat the Jets, showed them everything they had up their sleeves, but fell short. They would then be rematching the Jets having already played their hand. Instead they did the smart thing and laid down. They sat Cedric Benson, played vanilla offense, vanilla defense, took their beating, and are ready for this week.
Let's not fail to mention that the #4 spot in the AFC is better than the #3. Why not play the rusty, playoff choke artist Colts round two instead of the Chargers? Smart move from Marvin Lewis.
Also did anyone see the Jets celebrate last week? Dunking their coach with Gatorade, doing victory laps around the stadium, and going nuts... Wow I'm impressed. You beat two teams who laid down for you. Texans fans must be pretty pissed off! I think the Jets, pardon my slang, blew their load last week.
I'll take Cincy (-3). Cincinnati 24 - NY Jets 13
Philadelphia @ Dallas (-3.5)
Everything I just said above can be reversed here. The Eagles had EVERYTHING to gain by winning this game. A win last week gives Philly the #2 seed and a first round bye. Instead they got destroyed and are now the #6 seed looking at an ugly rematch.
I know the whole Dallas, Tony Romo gag job is on everyone's minds but this team is peaking at the perfect time. They beat the 'then undefeated' Saints in New Orleans and have pitched back to back shutouts versus the Redskins and Eagles; the latter was riding a six game winning streak going into the game. Every team that has a label as chokers is stuck with that until they show otherwise but that doesn't mean they can't win. See Indianapolis: 2006.
I like Dallas (-3.5) to win a tighter game this week. Dallas 27 - Philadelphia 17
Baltimore @ New England (-4)
I don't really like the feel of this game as a Patriots fan. Brady is obviously dinged up, Welker went down, and I still don't feel like the Patriots have much of an identity. They seem to be living off this Patriots aura, Brady-Belichick are amazing, hey we won a bunch of Super Bowls 5 years ago stuff.
Let's be honest here. Brady has had the ball with a chance to win games against: Buffalo, NY Jets, Denver, and Miami. He could have closed out Indianapolis and Houston. He failed in every game aside from Buffalo on the opening Monday Night. Maybe he needs another year to get back on his feet, maybe the play calling has sucked, maybe he's more hurt then we are led to believe, or most likely this just isn't his season (and I hope this doesn't hold true for years to come).
This has hands down been Belichick's shittiest season. His decision making has been crappy and he just isn't pulling his usual magic that we are accustom to. Hell, look at 2008. They lost Brady and he guided that team to an impressive 11-5 season. It looked like a BB coached team. Maybe it's the turnover on the roster, maybe it's just a few fluky decisions that didn't work out for him, maybe the loss of McDaniels hurt the offense more than we think, but just like with Brady above... it's a bunch of excuses. They just aren't getting it done.
In the Patriots favor is that they have never lost the opening round playoff game with Brady & Belichick. Aside from 2005 they have won at least two playoff games each time they get into the dance. They are also 8-0 at home this season. The cold weather won't mean shit against Baltimore though who also is use to having nippy balls.
To me this just feels like a back and forth game where a gut punch fumble or pick six turns a Patriots 3 point deficit into a Ravens 10 point lead. I hate to do it but...
I'll take the Ravens (+4) to cover and win the game.... Baltimore 30 - New England 20
Green Bay @ Arizona (-3)
The result last week is a lot like the Jets-Bengals game. Means DICK. Arizona had two game plans laid out. One if the Vikings had lost which would have meant a win & Dallas win (which did happen) earns the Cardinals a bye. They had a second game plan if the Vikings won. The Vikings beat the shit out of the Giants so the Cardinals decided to roll over week 17.
This game here is the hardest for me to predict only because the Cardinals are easily the most Jeckyll & Hyde team in the NFL. I would say about 80% of the people probably feel the Packers are on a nice roll. There always seems to be one game each year in WC weekend where a home team reminds people why they are the home team. This isn't even mentioning that the Cardinals are defending NFC Champions.
I will take the Cardinals (-3). Arizona 34 - Green Bay 30
.... Knowing my track record I fully expect to be 0-4.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Indianapolis is German for a Whale's Vagina
Apologies to my three loyal readers for having written naaaaaathan lately. It's a combination of writer's block, laziness, and frankly nothing too interesting to discuss.
Thank you, Indianapolis.
Wow is all I have to say, wow. What a bunch of, for lack of a better word, pussies. I can't follow nor agree with their decision to pull starters and hand over their perfect season for billions of reasons.
My gahd, where do I start? Hmmm... we'll start with recent history of getting on a roll before the playoffs.
I already wrote a blog early about getting hot at the end of the year. I believe the blog was titled that the beginning of the season (the first 3 quarters of it) means diiiiiiiiick. You win games to put yourself into position but you NEEEEED to get rolling this time of year to carry it into the playoffs. The 2005 Steelers, the 2006 Colts, the 2007 Giants, the 2008 Cardinals (albeit runners up)... all HOT at the end of the year. The 2005 Colts, the 2006 Bears, the 2007 Patriots, the 2008 Titans... they were all phenomenal three quarters through the season but they didn't play their best ball down the stretch. Let's be honest, when you get into the playoffs you can throw that regular season record out the window. So without even mentioning the 19-0 possibilities let's acknowledge that resting up and getting rusty before the playoffs is duuuuuumb. Right now I'm not even looking at records. The Colts are choosing to become rusty, the Saints are stumbling, as are the Vikings. I'm willing to wager none of these three teams reaches the Super Bowl. Give me the hot team like Dallas, Philadelphia, San Diego, or New England any day.
I will put my stamped seal of approval guarantee that the Colts come out flat in that divisional round playoff game. If that game is versus New England then look out. I don't like the Pats much this year to win it all necessarily but they could absolutely come into Indy and punch them in the throat a few times. The Patriots have one great upset win in them.
If Indy lucks out, and gets Cincy or some lucky #6 seed (outside of Pittsburgh) in the first round, then they'll clunk their way to an ugly 10 point win. Then they'll host San Diego (who the Pats can't beat) and get stomped by 17 points. Something like 41-24.
Now I like San Diego more than Indianapolis anyway in terms of this match up, but additionally just look how these two teams are trending. San Diego has been beating down great teams while the Colts feel that a 4 week bye is the best approach. Let's remember they were sitting people last week against Jacksonville, this week versus the Jets, and then I'm assuming next week against Buffalo. It's just a stupid bass ackwards approach.
The 2005 Colts should be clear enough evidence of how much this doesn't work, but hey, I effin hate the Colts so I'll be happy to see Manning's 7th career first playoff game loss (to Brady's zero).
On to my second point; this "injury risk" bull shit. To Bill Polian, Jim Caldwell, Anorexic Tony Dungy, and any other gay Colts fan... the ONLY ONLY ONLY ONLY injury that could hurt your team is to lose Manning. That's it. There is a caveat however, Peyton Manning has never missed a game in his entire career!!!!!!! He has only been sacked 10 times all year!!!! He wasn't hit once all game!!!!!! Has Peyton Manning ever even seem shooken up from a hit in his career? Maybe like 5+ years ago but definitely not any time recently. You are more likely to have had Rosie O'Donnell interrupt the flow of Sunday's game by streaking across the field at the 2:00 warning causing mass pukeage, than for Manning to have been injured. You just can't make the argument that you were saving Peyton Manning for health reasons... it's a load of shit and if they thought he was at any risk then they are simply stupid. He is at risk at any juncture of the game. Why even start the game then?
Now how can sitting these players and giving this game away possibly be looked back upon as a wise move? If you go on to win the Super Bowl at 18-1 people won't say, "wow, Christ, good thing Caldwell pulled starters in the 3rd quarter vs. the Jets." They will instead say, "great season but man they could have been 19-0."
A team wins the Super Bowl every year and to some degree those teams go down in history, but how often do you talk about the 2002 Bucs? The 1991 Redskins? The 1981 49ers? The 1973 Dolphins? The 1970 Colts?
Answers: Never, never, rarely, sometimes, and never.
How often do we hear about the 1972 Dolphins? I would guess somewhere between 200,000 and 300,000 times per year.
Peyton Manning has won many MVP's. He has won a Super Bowl. He will break every passing record by the time he is done - even if Favre keeps trying to hold him off. Being pulled Sunday though HURT Peyton Manning. This man is no fool he knows that immortality comes with 19-0. He is an all time great no matter what but finishing undefeated would put him in another category.
Here's another point to be made to the gay ass Colts. Your ARCH-RIVAL, other great team of the decade New England Patriots just tried and failed to go 19-0 just two years ago. Why not one up them and stick it to them? Where is the killer instinct? Man so many unanswered questions.
All of this blabbering and I haven't even touched upon how the fans were utterly cheated. Fans in Indianapolis could have been bouncing their grandchildren on their knee 50 years from now talking about the 19-0 Colts. Instead they will talk about how either they won a Super Bowl at 18-1 that should have been 19-0, or that the team was rolling but lost all its momentum once their wuss coach pulled players.
Or how about fans of the Texans, Broncos, Ravens, or Steelers? Gee, thanks for handing the Jets a win on a silver platter.
Hey I won't argue that I hope the Jets make it and are matched up agains the Patriots in round 1!!
The Colts organization has done so many things right in the past 10 years. They were a laughingstock when I was growing up and to imagine them winning more games in a decade than any team ever is amazing. They have drafted well, held onto core players, and built a team with strong leaders who are always in a game. They have a great crowd and home field advantage. I can't help but think though that this letting off the accelerator mentality that comes from Bill Polian, Tony Dungy, and now Jim Caldwell has cost this team one or two more Super Bowls in this decade.
I'd be willing to bet it costs (not helps) them again... let alone a shot at immortality.
Now how can sitting these players and giving this game away possibly be looked back upon as a wise move? If you go on to win the Super Bowl at 18-1 people won't say, "wow, Christ, good thing Caldwell pulled starters in the 3rd quarter vs. the Jets." They will instead say, "great season but man they could have been 19-0."
A team wins the Super Bowl every year and to some degree those teams go down in history, but how often do you talk about the 2002 Bucs? The 1991 Redskins? The 1981 49ers? The 1973 Dolphins? The 1970 Colts?
Answers: Never, never, rarely, sometimes, and never.
How often do we hear about the 1972 Dolphins? I would guess somewhere between 200,000 and 300,000 times per year.
Peyton Manning has won many MVP's. He has won a Super Bowl. He will break every passing record by the time he is done - even if Favre keeps trying to hold him off. Being pulled Sunday though HURT Peyton Manning. This man is no fool he knows that immortality comes with 19-0. He is an all time great no matter what but finishing undefeated would put him in another category.
Here's another point to be made to the gay ass Colts. Your ARCH-RIVAL, other great team of the decade New England Patriots just tried and failed to go 19-0 just two years ago. Why not one up them and stick it to them? Where is the killer instinct? Man so many unanswered questions.
All of this blabbering and I haven't even touched upon how the fans were utterly cheated. Fans in Indianapolis could have been bouncing their grandchildren on their knee 50 years from now talking about the 19-0 Colts. Instead they will talk about how either they won a Super Bowl at 18-1 that should have been 19-0, or that the team was rolling but lost all its momentum once their wuss coach pulled players.
Or how about fans of the Texans, Broncos, Ravens, or Steelers? Gee, thanks for handing the Jets a win on a silver platter.
Hey I won't argue that I hope the Jets make it and are matched up agains the Patriots in round 1!!
The Colts organization has done so many things right in the past 10 years. They were a laughingstock when I was growing up and to imagine them winning more games in a decade than any team ever is amazing. They have drafted well, held onto core players, and built a team with strong leaders who are always in a game. They have a great crowd and home field advantage. I can't help but think though that this letting off the accelerator mentality that comes from Bill Polian, Tony Dungy, and now Jim Caldwell has cost this team one or two more Super Bowls in this decade.
I'd be willing to bet it costs (not helps) them again... let alone a shot at immortality.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
The 3 quarter poll
Just a measely four weeks ago I had a midway point blog... Let's see how some of my forecasts did. Italics is from my prior blog. Bold is my thoughts now.
Halfway point of the year... shit is going by wicked fast. Fortunately though we now got Thursday night games basically from here on out (Each of these matchups has fucking sucked. Hey NFL Network pull your weight a li'l more and get us a good game).
As I predicted in my first blog... the Jets are heading towards an 8-8 finish at best. (boo ya!)
Although their record may not indicate it by the end of the year (and probably won't - Actually it will ), Miami is easily the second best team in the AFC East.
The Saints and Colts are undefeated but I don't expect to see either in the Super Bowl... however of those two teams the Saints have a much better chance due to the fact that the NFC isn't as strong... (this could be wishful thinking now with the Colts... the Steelers and Pats are falling apart. San Diego, you're our last hope!)
Brett Favre will fizzle out - let's all calm down. (Could Sunday nights game be the beginning of the end of this Brett Favre honeymoon session? Let's hope!)
Even if Brett Favre doesn't fizzle out he will def throw a crippling INT in the playoffs... it's his M.O. (I'd bet the farm on this happening)
Denver will finish 10-6 or 11-5... their hot start will be enough to get them a wild card berth where they'll be waxed in the first round... San Diego will win that division. (looking good but not exactly a ballsy prediction. SD always starts out slowly)
The Bengals will be the other AFC wild card team... I do think they are for real but Pittsburgh will take the division by a game. (Welllllpppp, swing and a miss! The Steelers rely on Polamalu like the Colts do Manning. No, really....)
The NFC West should be sent on a space ship to the sun... what a brutal division to watch. (Hmmm I'm willing to reel that ship back in... I do like watching Zona and San Fran)
The first team on the outside looking in at the playoffs come year end in the AFC will be the Texans. (Texans shat the bed a lot quicker than I anticipated. Jacksonville is the last team looking in at the end of the year)
The closest team in the NFC will be the Eagles... Is there anyone more Jekyll and Hyde than Donovan McNabb??? (Eff me this is gonna be the Cowboys... we'll read more about them further down, ughhhhh I suck at predicting)
The Patriots will beat either the Colts or Saints but I'm just not sure which one yet... I'd guess the Saints but they won't beat both of them. While we are here, the Patriots will probably finish 12-4 but not earn a bye on account of a shittier conference record which keeps biting them in the balls each year. (Two fat L's!!!! I was off in my predictions too cuz the Pats got their taints obliterated by the Saints but had the Colts on the ropes. The Pats will finish 10-6 but this will get them into the playoffs as the #4 seed)
Here are my predictions which will be wicked wrong:1. Colts 2. Steelers 3. Patriots 4. Chargers 5. Bengals 6. Broncos (Well at least I admitted that I'd suck, which I did. It will be 1. Colts 2. Chargers 3. Bengals 4. Patriots 5. Broncos 6. Dolphins)
AFC Team in Super Bowl: Steelers (Yowzers, I gave them the kiss of death. The Steelers flat out need Polamalu. Bruce Gradkowski won't toss 3 Td's in the 4th vs that long haired beast. The Chargers are Super Bowl bound this year)
1. Saints 2. Cowboys 3. Vikings 4. Cardinals 5. Falcons 6. Giants (This isn't too good either... what was I on??? 1. Saints 2. Vikings 3. Cardinals 4. Eagles 5. Packers 6. Giants)
NFC Team in Super Bowl: Cowboys (Who predicts two teams in the super bowl at the halfway point where neither will make the playoffs??? Eeeesh. Cowboys are heading for their patented December bed-shitting. Wade Phillips and Tony Romo are just a pair of losers. Saints will be playing for the Super Bowl as an 18-0 powerhouse.)
Super Bowl Champion: Steelers (Don't need to re-hash why I suck... Chargers knock off the Saints in a big upset. This goes down as the Brees bowl with his former team against his current one)
Good lorrrrrrrrrrrrrrddddddddd the only thing we know in the NFL is that we don't know much!
Halfway point of the year... shit is going by wicked fast. Fortunately though we now got Thursday night games basically from here on out (Each of these matchups has fucking sucked. Hey NFL Network pull your weight a li'l more and get us a good game).
As I predicted in my first blog... the Jets are heading towards an 8-8 finish at best. (boo ya!)
Although their record may not indicate it by the end of the year (and probably won't - Actually it will ), Miami is easily the second best team in the AFC East.
The Saints and Colts are undefeated but I don't expect to see either in the Super Bowl... however of those two teams the Saints have a much better chance due to the fact that the NFC isn't as strong... (this could be wishful thinking now with the Colts... the Steelers and Pats are falling apart. San Diego, you're our last hope!)
Brett Favre will fizzle out - let's all calm down. (Could Sunday nights game be the beginning of the end of this Brett Favre honeymoon session? Let's hope!)
Even if Brett Favre doesn't fizzle out he will def throw a crippling INT in the playoffs... it's his M.O. (I'd bet the farm on this happening)
Denver will finish 10-6 or 11-5... their hot start will be enough to get them a wild card berth where they'll be waxed in the first round... San Diego will win that division. (looking good but not exactly a ballsy prediction. SD always starts out slowly)
The Bengals will be the other AFC wild card team... I do think they are for real but Pittsburgh will take the division by a game. (Welllllpppp, swing and a miss! The Steelers rely on Polamalu like the Colts do Manning. No, really....)
The NFC West should be sent on a space ship to the sun... what a brutal division to watch. (Hmmm I'm willing to reel that ship back in... I do like watching Zona and San Fran)
The first team on the outside looking in at the playoffs come year end in the AFC will be the Texans. (Texans shat the bed a lot quicker than I anticipated. Jacksonville is the last team looking in at the end of the year)
The closest team in the NFC will be the Eagles... Is there anyone more Jekyll and Hyde than Donovan McNabb??? (Eff me this is gonna be the Cowboys... we'll read more about them further down, ughhhhh I suck at predicting)
The Patriots will beat either the Colts or Saints but I'm just not sure which one yet... I'd guess the Saints but they won't beat both of them. While we are here, the Patriots will probably finish 12-4 but not earn a bye on account of a shittier conference record which keeps biting them in the balls each year. (Two fat L's!!!! I was off in my predictions too cuz the Pats got their taints obliterated by the Saints but had the Colts on the ropes. The Pats will finish 10-6 but this will get them into the playoffs as the #4 seed)
Here are my predictions which will be wicked wrong:1. Colts 2. Steelers 3. Patriots 4. Chargers 5. Bengals 6. Broncos (Well at least I admitted that I'd suck, which I did. It will be 1. Colts 2. Chargers 3. Bengals 4. Patriots 5. Broncos 6. Dolphins)
AFC Team in Super Bowl: Steelers (Yowzers, I gave them the kiss of death. The Steelers flat out need Polamalu. Bruce Gradkowski won't toss 3 Td's in the 4th vs that long haired beast. The Chargers are Super Bowl bound this year)
1. Saints 2. Cowboys 3. Vikings 4. Cardinals 5. Falcons 6. Giants (This isn't too good either... what was I on??? 1. Saints 2. Vikings 3. Cardinals 4. Eagles 5. Packers 6. Giants)
NFC Team in Super Bowl: Cowboys (Who predicts two teams in the super bowl at the halfway point where neither will make the playoffs??? Eeeesh. Cowboys are heading for their patented December bed-shitting. Wade Phillips and Tony Romo are just a pair of losers. Saints will be playing for the Super Bowl as an 18-0 powerhouse.)
Super Bowl Champion: Steelers (Don't need to re-hash why I suck... Chargers knock off the Saints in a big upset. This goes down as the Brees bowl with his former team against his current one)
Good lorrrrrrrrrrrrrrddddddddd the only thing we know in the NFL is that we don't know much!
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