Posts Tagged ‘point spread’
I’m Just Saying – Episode XV
Whap! This week we get all up in some junk, Geoff blasts the Nationals, The 3rd Voice is NY Giants fan Marc Schmecko (fuhgeddaboutit, I’m takin over the show, I’m from New York here), what’s wrong witchu American Film Institute? Plus NFL Week 3 picks against the spread and twitter shoutouts. It’s way awesomer than what you’re doing know. Holla!
PS We know awesomer isn’t a word.
Also available on iTunes ——-> The Voice Of The Fan
I’m Just Saying – Episode XIV
Pladow! This week, how great was Cam Newton? Third Voice is rabid Falcons fan Jeanna Thomas from The Falcoholic. What’s Wrong with you Tedy Bruschi? And, once again, for entertainment purposes only, we pick EVERY NFL GAME AGAINST THE SPREADS. Plus twitter shoutouts. Tell yo friends!!!
Download Episode XIV
Also available on iTunes ————> The Voice Of The Fan
I’m Just Saying – Episode XIII
Boom. Just for you, We talk NFL for the whole show, with a splash of College Football. The 3rd Voice is Syreeta Hubbard, also known as The NFL Chick, she loves her some Ravens. Also Week 1 NFL picks against the spread. Every. Single. Game. Episode XIII! Catch it!
Also available on iTunes ——–> The Voice Of The Fan
Shock and Awe: Cowboys Whack Wade Phillips Plus Tonight’s NFL Game vs. the Spread
Wherever you are, stop what you are doing and pour one out for my dead homie, Wade Phillips.
Below is, verbatim, an e-mail I received from a fan about this. (OK, it was my uncle, but he’s a fan too.) The sorely under punctuated stream of consciousness is mesmerizing.
“Sad, you mean to tell me that a 1 and 7 team of gutless quitters cant use a tried and true coach/puppet
Makes me sick, the look in his eyes says it all (they say “effin Scandrick”) I cried for much of the 2nd half
How ticked is J Jones gonna be in the offseason of unrest, he wants to be the Yankees of Football and spend a billion dollars on players and have them coached by his ego, I think the players union are going to want a baseball like agreement, and in his frustration JJ will be a willing accomplice in blowing it all up for an every man for himself league of haves and have nots
My greatest fear is that in a division with NY revenue, Snyder EGO and revenue, and Jones bigger EGO and bigger revenue, the Eagles quickly become handicapped without a cap, and BOOM (hello nike)
The ETN eagle television network becomes a premium pay per view channel, national tv games become a thing of the past, and don’t think idiots wont pay ‘cause even a bye week for the Eagles is hard to take
On the Brightside, uniforms will look a lot more nascarish with sponsorship, how much for an O lineman’s buttock billboard; imagine a jiggley geico ad on Jason peters hind parts, a blue Viagra pill on a d lineman stomachs, the slacks hoagie shack wack of the game, will seem like a quaint throwback; after a score a mandatory interview with Pam Oliver on the Bud Light touchdown spotlight right before the ensuing kickoff and Bret Favre for AARP on his consecutive game streak being in jeopardy because of a midweek Blue Cross Blue Shield colonoscopy segment gone terribly wrong
Aaarrrrrrgggggggggghhhhhh darn you jerry joonnnnnnnnnnnnnneeeeeeeeeessssssssssssssssss”
Couldn’t have said it better.
Tonight, the Bengals are five point home dogs to the Pixburgh Stillers. If you have ever read this column (I know it’s a blog, column sounds better, shut up) you know that I am a huge fan of the home dog. Not tonight. Stillers in a laugher, give the five.
2010 Week 5 NFL Picks Against The Spread
Last week was like a Clint Eastwood movie: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.
The good: finally off the schneid with the STONE COLD LEAD PIPE LOCK™, going 2-1 with those. Hit again on the UPSET SPECIAL™.
The bad: 6-8 overall with the NFL.
The ugly: missed again on the college pick, making me 0-5 on the season.
I sincerely hope people are entertained by these picks, since they are for entertainment purposes only. If you are gambling on them, you’re a loser. Not because you gamble, per se, but because, clearly, I don’t know what I’m talking about.
Hopefully, you get a chuckle or two. Home team in CAPS:
Eagles (+3) over 49ERS: Let’s be clear: the Eagles have no shot here. None. They are going across the country to play a desperate team. The Eagles are 0-4 against the number west of the Mississippi since the 2008 NFC Championship in Arizona. Also, fair or not, I have zero confidence in Kevin Kolb. None. But I still can’t pick against my boys, come on, man.
Jaguars (-1) over BUFFALO: OK, Jacksonville, which team are you? Are you the team that got smoked like Paris Hilton’s secret stash of crack by the Eagles? Or are you the team that beat the Colts last week? What’s that? You say it doesn’t matter since either of your schizophrenic selves can beat Buffalo? Oh, ok, cool.
INDIANAPOLIS (-8) over Kansas City: Look, there’s a lot to like about Kansas City. The ribs. The way the radio announcer says, “TOUCHDOWN…KAAAAANSAAAAAS CITY!” The fact that they are 3-0. But the Colts are coming off a tough loss last week, and Peyton is going to be pissed OFF. Colts win BIG here.
Atlanta (-3) over CLEVELAND: I’m running out of Eric Mangini jokes. Plus they won last week, so, I suppose I have to at least acknowledge that. Or not. He still sucks. Browns get worked like a West Virginia coal miner. STONE COLD LEAD PIPE LOCK™
Green Bay (-2) over WASHINGTON: Skins with a bigger letdown this week than that person you met last night from Match.com. (How old was that picture again?)
HOUSTON (-3) over New York Giants: I really like Houston a lot. I also like the fact that the Giants are 4-11 vs the number in their last 15 games. Houston is a steal at three points, like McDonald’s (ba da ba ba baaa), I’m lovin it.
New Orleans (-7) over ARIZONA: Max Hall? Really? Gregg Williams has to be giggling in his sleep at the prospect of blitzing a rookie QB all day long. This could get ugly quick. Also, how bitter are you if you own Larry Fitzgerald in fantasy leagues now with a rookie QB? Quite bitter, I would imagine. Not quite rancid milk bitter, but fairly bitter nonetheless. Maybe like old bologna bitter.
Denver (+7) over BALTIMORE: Ravens due for a letdown as well. Enough to not cover the 7, but not enough to lose.
St. Louis (+3) over DETROIT: While the Lions are not as bad as people think, the Rams are actually better than people think. I’m a believer.
CINCINNATI (-6) over Tampa Bay: OK, Cincinnati, this is your last chance. You don’t cover this week and you are DEAD TO ME! This is a 2nd STONE COLD LEAD PIPE LOCK™
Chicago (pick em) over CAROLINA: I could have sworn Todd Collins was vodka, club soda and grapefruit juice. Turns out it’s not, he’s an NFL QB and he’s starting for the Bears this week. Good thing they’re playing Carolina. Also, ya think Julius Peppers might be fired up for this one? I do.
OAKLAND (+6) over San Diego: I just have a hard time picking Norv Turner. Yes, more so than the Raiders, shut up.
Tennessee (+7) over DALLAS: Help me out here. Dallas is 1-2. How are they a touchdown favorite here? I’m not understanding this at all. I’m gonna double dip here and make this both the UPSET SPECIAL™ and a rare 3rd STONE COLD LEAD PIPE LOCK™.
Vikings (+4) over NEW YORK JETS: Brett Farve and Randy Moss vs Rex Ryan and Revis Island™? Should be fun.
COLLEGE SPECIAL:
Florida State (+6) over MIAMI: Finally, this game matters again. Jimbo Fisher and my Noles get it done under the glare of the bright lights and the drug dealers boosters of the Hurricanes.
LAST WEEK’S RECORDS (overall)
NFL: 6-8 (29-30-3)
STONE COLD LEAD PIPE LOCK: 2-1 (2-4)
UPSET SPECIAL: 1-0 (3-1)
COLLEGE: 0-1 (0-4-1)
2010 NFL Week 4 Picks Against The Spread
I’m gonna start flipping a coin.
I mean it.
Last week I was 8-8 against the spread. If that wasn’t bad enough, I was 0 for college, the Upset Special™ and the STONE COLD LEAD PIPE LOCK™. In fact, I haven’t hit a college pick or a SCLPL™ all year. You’d think I’d learn by now.
This week, I turn it around.
Watch the magic happen.
As usual, these picks are for entertainment purposes only. Unless you like buying Porsches™ for your bookie (and why do you have a bookie anyway?!), don’t gamble with these.
New format again as I continue to mess around with it. Home team in CAPS:
PHILADELPHIA (-5.5) over Washington: The Curse of Dan Snyder® will plague this team like no other plague since the Bubonic™ until he sells it. Mike Shanahan and Donovan McNabb are succumbing to it as we speak.
TENNESSEE (-6.5) over Denver: Denver is exempt from jokes for a while considering what they have been going through. They are gonna get rolled like a blunt this week, though. (Wow, that was a short exemption.)
PITTSBURGH (-1.5) over Baltimore: OK, Stillers, stop killing people, you’ve sold me. This is an otherworldy defense. Look, the Ravens are a great team. Unfortunately, they play in what might be the best division in the NFL. Word on the street is that the Pixburgh defense vowed to deliver a 4-0 record to Ben “I Didn’t Know She Was Passed Out, Honest” Roethlisberger. Yinz are gonna do it. Then go dahntahn and celebrate withe some Rolling Rocks and pierogis.
Cincinnati (-3) over CLEVELAND: BREAKING NEWS: Eric Mangini voted “Worst Coach Ever In Any Sport” by his peers. This is this week’s STONE COLD LEAD PIPE LOCK.
Detroit (+14.5) over GREEN BAY: Look, I’m not saying that Detroit is any good, because they ain’t no good. And yeah, they are on the road. But I got burned by a two touchdown spread last week, and that ain’t happening again. Two touchdowns. Pssh.
Carolina (+13.5) over NEW ORLEANS: Again with the two touchdowns? Yes, Carolina is really terrible. Yes, NO is the defending champ. But, come on, man. Also, and don’t get used to these fancy actual football facts, NO, in their last 8 games, is 0-7-1 against the spread. Whew, I am exhausted from all that research. UPSET SPECIAL™.
ATLANTA (-7) over San Francisco: San Fran is a team is a team in disarray. They need to win this week. But they needed to win last week too. Mike Singletary: Dead Man Walking.
ST. LOUIS (+1) over Seattle: Why is Seattle favored here? They are 3-14 on the road over their last 17. They stink. Plus, Pete Carroll is, at best, a vile human being. At best. There has to be some karma here for the pain he caused USC fans. I’m gonna make up some ground here with a second STONE COLD LEAD PIPE LOCK™.
NY Jets (-5) over BUFFALO: The Jets are one of the best teams in the AFC. The Bills are one of the worst teams in the history of organized sports. Also, and this bears repeating, they have CHAN GAILEY for a head coach. Chan Gailey. How does Chan Gailey have a job in the NFL when Jim Fassel and Denny Green don’t? I mean, not that either of them are hall of fame coaches or anything, but they are both better than Chan Freaking Gailey. Or Eric Mangini, for that matter, but that’s another story.
Indianapolis (-7) over JACKSONVILLE: If a terrible football team gets hammered like Lindsay Lohan on a three day pass from the Betty Ford Clinic™ and no one sees it because it’s blacked out on TV, does it count? Fortunately for the Colts, it does.
Houston (-3) over OAKLAND: Say, you guys know this isn’t the Oilers versus the Raiders in 1981, right? Can I have a 3rd STONE COLD LEAD PIPE LOCK™? Of course I can, it’s my column. Lock it up.
Arizona (+8) over SAN DIEGO: Three things for which I am a sucker: a woman who can make me laugh, Chick-Fil-A™ ice cream, and any team getting more than a touchdown from a Norv Turner coached team. Remeber the scene in Aliens™ when the marines got into their first firefight and they were getting the crap kicked out of them and Lt. Gorman looked all panicky and confused and he kept calling for Sgt. Apone and Apone was dead and Hudson grabbed the camera and screamed “APONE’S DEAD WHAT DO WE DO WHAT DO WE DO?” and Ripley was yelling at Gorman to get them out of there and Gorman kept trying to stay calm but ended up just looking stupid and confused? Norv Turner ALWAYS looks like that to me. Stupid and confused.
Chicago (+4) over NY GIANTS: Let me get this straight: the Bears are 3-0, the Giants can’t get out of their own way, and the GIANTS ARE FAVORED BY FOUR? As my six year old son would say, “What the?” Only because he’s not allowed to say the f word, which, adorably, he thinks is “frog.”
MIAMI (pick em) over New England: NE has given up a whopping 82 points in three games. Great Googaly Moogaly©, that is CRAZY. What happened to the vaunted defense of the genius Bill Belichick? I was just kidding when I said his contract with the devil ran out, but maybe it has.
COLLEGE SPECIAL:
NEW MEXICO ST (+43) over Boise St: I don’t know anything about New Mexico State. I know Boise St. is pretty good. I also know that 43 is A LOT OF FREAKING POINTS to be giving on the road. Take NMSU to lose by SIX TOUCHDOWNS and still cover.
Last week (overall):
NFL 8-8 (23-22-3); College 0-1 (0-3-1); STONE COLD LEAD PIPE LOCK™ 0-1 (0-3); UPSET SPECIAL™ 0-1 (2-1)
Dig it.
2010 Week 3 NFL Picks Against The Spread
Not bad.
My 9-7 record last week puts me over .500 for the season. The Stone Cold Lead Pipe Lock™ failed again however, as did both college picks (one was a push). I did hit on the Upset Special™ again.
Once again, these picks are for entertainment purposes only. If you are gambling based on them, you may as well set your money on fire. Or mail it to me.
New Format, Favorite on the left, Home team in CAPS:
Philadelphia (2.5) at JACKSONVILLE: I blinked and missed the Kevin Kolb Era™. Enter Ron Mexico 2.0™. The new and improved Mike Vick, keeps his eyes downfield, looks to get teammates involved instead of just himself, thinks pass first, and, hopefully, doesn’t kill dogs any more. Eagles win and cover.
NEW YORK GIANTS (3) vs. Tennessee: This is a tough one. I could dazzle you with stats and what not, but, frankly, I’m lazy. Bottom line, Tennessee needs this one more, as they were bare bottom spanked by Pittsburgh at home last week. Take the Titans and the points.
NEW ENGLAND (14.5) vs. Buffalo: Great Googaly Moogaly©, that is a huge, HUGE number. Is Buffalo that bad? Think about this: Buffalo is starting a guy from Harvard at QB. Really? Really. NE rolls, take them give the points.
BALTIMORE (10.5) vs. Cleveland: Let’s get one thing clear. As long as Eric Mangini is the coach, I will never, EVER pick them for anything. Not in an NFL game, not against Ohio State, not against Berea High School in Akron, OH. Not in football. Not in field hockey. Not in freeze tag. I wouldn’t pick Eric Mangini to coach my dog to take a crap after she has eaten a box of Ex-Lax™. He is HOT GARBAGE. It is a CRIME that he has an NFL job and Jim Fassel is coaching in the UFL. Baltimore rolls, give the points. STONE COLD LEAD PIPE LOCK™.
Pittsburgh (2.5) at TAMPA BAY: Ok, Tampa, you got me last week by beating Carolina. This week you get the Stillers. Everybody who had the Stillers at 2-0 without Ben “Have Another Shot And I’ll Meet You In The Bathroom. No, The Men’s Room” Roethlisberger, raise your hands. Yinz are a bunch of liars. Pixburgh goes to 3-0, give the points.
Cincinnati (3) at CAROLINA: Carolina is the worst team in the NFC. Period. John Fox must have pictures of the owner with a donkey. Ochocinco and dem win big, give the points.
NEW ORLEANS (4) vs Atlanta: I’m torn. New Orleans has yet to look good, and Atlanta looked great last week. New Orleans is at home, but Atlanta is built to play in a dome as well. This is the week we find out how good both of these teams are. I think NO wins a shootout, but ATL covers, take the Falcons and the points.
San Francisco (3) at KANSAS CITY: I woke up in a cold sweat the other night thinking about what Mike Singletary would do if the 49ers go to 0-3. No chance that happens. KC just happens to be the opponent. Take SF, give the 3.
MINNESOTA (11) vs. Detroit: Minnesota’s season is on the line here. If they don’t get a win, it’s over, Johnny. What, you never saw Rambo™? Detroit is 2-0 vs the spread this season, and have covered the last four vs MIN. This is what we call a ka-ching trend. Minnesota wins, but that number is way too big, Lions cover. If they win, start the Farve retirement countdown. He will walk away if the season is beyond salvage. You heard it here first. Oh and this is the UPSET SPECIAL™.
HOUSTON (2.5) vs Dallas: I have so many one liners about this one going through my head that I can’t even narrow it down to one. Dallas needs a win here like Wade Phillips needs a clue. Houston wins BIG, take the Texans, give the points, and put Jerry Jones on suicide watch. (Mr. Gruden? A Mr. Jones is on line 3.)
Washington (3.5) at ST. LOUIS: I’m taking the Rams here. No justification whatsoever. The Skins are the right pick, they may win by two TDs. Jim Haslett is giggling in his sleep about blitzing a rookie QB. I’m still picking the Rams. Maybe because of the karma involved in a game where a Native American QB is playing against a team with a highly offensive Native American nickname.
Indianapolis (5.5) at DENVER: Man, talk about games I couldn’t care less about. Hold on, let me flip a coin – it’s heads, take Denver and the points. Wait, this is a two headed coin!
San Diego (5.5) at SEATTLE: Seattle, let me ‘splain something to you. You have messed me up twice in a row. Twice. That’s all you get. You don’t cover against a Norv Turner coached team at home against a rookie running back and YOU ARE DEAD TO ME!!! Seattle covers. Or else they sleep with the fishes.
ARIZONA (4.5) vs. Oakland: Bruce Gradkowski? Really? Take Arizona and give the points. Bruce Gradkowski. Come on, man.
MIAMI (2) vs New York Jets: Jets win, because they will not be distracted by Braylon Edwards’ Homeless Person’s Beard.
Green Bay (3) at CHICAGO: How in the name of Sam Sirhan Sirhan is Chicago 2-0? They have Jay Cutler at QB. JAY CUTLER. Green Bay stops this nonsense, take them, give the three.
COLLEGE SPECIAL:
Nevada (4) at BYU: BYU at home getting points coming off a tough loss? For real? Gimmie some of that, I love BYU with the four.
Last week (overall):
NFL 9-7 (15-14-3); College 0-1-1 (0-2-1); Stone Cold Lead Pipe Lock™ 0-1 (0-2); Upset Special™ 1-0 (2-0)
Week One NFL Picks Against The Spread
Already with the death threats.
Garrett Hartley, you better be glad these picks are for entertainment purposes only, because you cost me a win last night. Your two (not one, TWO!) easy misses last night created a push.
Which, if these picks were not for entertainment purposes, would have cost me money.
So, the next time I pick the Saints, and you cost me a win, you are DEAD TO ME.
So, anyway, with no further ado, and, I cannot emphasize this enough, for ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY, Week One picks:
Green Bay at Philadelphia (+3): Know this now: I am going to be picking the Eagles every week. Even on weeks like this, when I know they are going to get pounded like Kim Kardashian at a chess match, I’m picking the Eagles. Sometimes I’ll justify it. Sometimes I won’t. Take it as read. Eagles cover here.
Carolina at N.Y. Giants (-6.5): Ah, the half point hanger. You know, when the late touchdown cutting the final score to 20-14 costs you? Except here, the Giants will be riding the emotion of The First Game Ever At Fake Giants Stadium(tm), while the Panthers will be riding the arm of some guy named Matt Moore. The Giants are better than you think. They win easy here, take the Giants less the points.
Miami at Buffalo (+3): Miami. Great city. Great beaches. Great clubs. The football team as of late? Eh. But they are playing a Buffalo team so bad that Chan Gailey is actually being paid to coach it. Buffalo has a chance to be historically terrible. Miami wins by a lot, give the three.
Atlanta at Pittsburgh (+2): When was the last time the Stillers got points at home in an opener? Look, I know Ben “She Can’t Say No If She’s Passed Out Drunk” Roethlisberger isn’t playing. But I also know that Mike Tomlin has never lost on opening day. Never. You know what else I know? You don’t tug on Superman’s cape. You don’t spit into the wind. You don’t pull the mask on the old Lone Ranger, and you don’t bet against Tomlin. On opening day. Take the Steelers and the points.
Detroit at Chicago (-7): These are not the Matt Millen Lions anymore. Combine that with the fact that these ARE the Jay Cutler Bears, and you have the UPSET SPECIAL OF THE WEEK. Detroit covers. Shoot, they might even win, starting the Lovie Smith Deathwatch(tm).
Cincinnati at New England (-4.5): Coach Belichick? Yeah, there’s a Lou Cifer on the phone, something about your deal with him being up. I’m so over New England. And I believe that Cincy is the third best team in the AFC, behind Baltimore and New York. Take the Bengals and the points.
Cleveland at Tampa Bay(-3): This game stinks. I mean peee-yooo. How many teams would be an underdog to Tampa Bay, which, for the second consecutive year, starts the season with me being unable to name three of their guys? (Is Doug Williams still there?) I’ll tell you how many: two. The only reason Cleveland isn’t the worst team in football is because Buffalo might be the worst team in football HISTORY. Cue the Eric Mangini Deathwatch(tm). Tampa rolls, give the three. *blinks* Did I just say that?
Denver at Jacksonville (-2.5): If a team stinks and no one shows up, does it make a sound? Only in Jacksonville, my friend. How in the world is Jacksonville favored here? Are you kidding? I would lock this one if not for the Sunday Night Bludgeoning we have this week. Denver wins by double digits. Who set this line, Jack Del Rio’s grandbaby?
Indianapolis at Houston (+2): Imma tell you something, Houston is for real. They are gonna win a lot of shootouts this year. The offense is ridiculous, and I have a huge man crush on both Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson. Schaub is going for 5k this year, and it starts this week when he rings up Indy for 450 (that’s fo-fiddy) and four TD’s. Houston wins with some ridiculous Arena Bowl type score, like 68-65.
Tennessee at Oakland (+6): Will the last person off the Vince Young Bandwagon(tm) please turn out the lights? Oh, wait, that’s me. I still believe, Vince. But the Raiders are better than you think. Titans win a close one, but Raiders cover. Tom Cable hits Chris Johnson with a chair.
San Francisco at Seattle (+3): Say, did everybody suddenly forget that Pete Carroll is a lousy NFL coach? The world will be reminded Sunday. San Fran works them like those kids in The Temple of Doom, covering the three easily.
Arizona at St. Louis (+4): I am so tempted to pick against Arizona every time they are favored, especially on the road, but only Tampa Bay prevents the Rams from being the worst team in the NFC. Plus, now that they have a QB that doesn’t make me want to puke, Arizona might not be so crappy. Take the Cards, give the four.
Dallas at Washington (+3.5): As if I didn’t hate Dan Snyder enough, I have to listen to Redskins commercials (since I live in the DC area) talking about Donovan McNabb (who for the rest of the season shall, in this space, be referred to as He Whose Name Shall Not Be Mentioned, or HWNSNBM, for I am lazy) USING THE VOICE OF LEGENDARY EAGLES RADIO ANNOUNCER MERRILL REESE. I wanted to vomit. Now, I am forced to root for the FREAKING COWBOYS, because I hate the Redskins so much. Daniel Snyder, I hate you with the fire of a thousand suns. I hope you get leprosy. Cowboys by THREE TOUCHDOWNS. STONE COLD LEAD PIPE LOCK(tm).
Baltimore at N.Y. Jets (-2.5): I so want to say, “People, slow your roll. The Jets are a fine team, but come on, this is a little silly. Aren’t we getting just a little carried away?” But I can’t. I love, love, LOVE this team. I love the swagger, I love the coach, I love that dude with the fireman’s hat. They win an instant classic on a last second field goal, but Baltimore covers the tight 2.5 in this AFC Championship game preview. Must See TV.
San Diego at Kansas City (+4.5): Quick, name five guys on the Chiefs. No, sorry, Tony Gonzalez isn’t there anymore. Yeah, anyway, so, take the Chargers and give the points. This one is like stealing.
COLLEGE SPECIAL:
Penn State at Alabama (-12): Penn State shocks the world and covers the 12. If this column is missing next week, it’s because Nick Saban had me wacked for putting the Hoodoo Jinx(tm) on his Crimson Tide. WE ARE!
Let’s ride.
2009 Fearless NFL Predictions and Week One Picks Against The Spread
Finally.
The NFL is back!
Here are some predictions for the year. All picks are for recreational purposes only:
NFC East champ: Giants (Number one seed)
NFC North champ: Vikings (Number two seed)
NFC South champ: Saints
NFC West champ: Seattle
NFC Wild Cards: Eagles and Packers
NFC Champ: Eagles over Giants
AFC East champ: Patriots (Number two seed)
AFC North champ: Steelers (Number one seed)
AFC South champ: Colts
AFC West champ: Chargers
AFC Wild Cards: Dolphins and Ravens
AFC Champ: Steelers over Ravens
Super Bowl Champ: Eagles over Steelers
MVP and Comeback Player of the Year: Tom Brady
Offensive ROY: Knowshon Moreno
Defensive ROY: Brian Orakpo
Not that it will happen, but the team with the best chance to go undefeated: Steelers
Not that it will happen, but the team with the best chance to go winless: Chiefs
Team that is better than you think: Raiders
Team that is not as good as you think: Colts
Team that is exactly as bad as you think: Chiefs
Best team to miss the playoffs: Bears
Worst team to make the playoffs: Saints
Over/Under on:
Week Terrell Owens goes off on Trent Edwards: Four
Week Eagles fans call for Andy Reid to get fired and Donovan McNabb to get cut: Two
Week Jim Zorn, Wade Phillips or gets the dreaded “vote of confidence:” Eight
Week Brian Westbrook gets hurt: Two
Week Vikings fans regret having Brett Favre because he just threw three of those “God-why-did-he-throw-that, head-in-your-hands” interceptions: Six
Week Norv Turner has that deer in the headlights look: one
Week the Cowboys lose a game because of their scoreboard: Seven
Week I stop doing these picks because I’m lazy: Five
This week’s games (Home team in CAPS):
Tennessee (+6) at PITTSBURGH: The Steelers are going to win a lot of games this year. None will be by a lot. Except this one. Opening night, Super Bowl presentation, crowd in a frenzy. Steelers win big here, take them and give the six.
Philadelphia (-1) at CAROLINA: Somebody explain to me how the Eagles are favored here. The offensive line has not played together yet, we don’t know how the defense is gonna look, and Jonathan Stewart is going to play for Carolina. The Birds are notoriously slow starters under Reid, he is 4-6 in his career on opening day. This will be a good year, but not a good day. Take the Panthers and the point at home.
Miami (+4) at ATLANTA: A battle of two teams that are better than you think, unlike the Chiefs, who are who we thought they were. I like Atlanta to win a close game. Take the Fins and the points though.
Kansas City (+13) at BALTIMORE: I normally stay away from double digit favorites in the NFL. But Baltmore is awfully good, and the University of Florida would beat KC three times out of ten. The Chiefs won’t go winless, but it will be close, and they will get blown out a lot, including this week. Take the Ravens and give the thirteen. I can promise that you won’t be hearing “give the thirteen” a lot from me this season.
Denver (+4) at CINCINNATI: I don’t like this game. These are two bad teams. Cincinnati is slightly less bad and is at home. The key will be the Cincy running game, if anybody cares, and if you do, you need counseling. Take the Bengals and give the four, you won’t be hearing THAT a lot this year, either.
Minnesota (-4) at CLEVELAND: I hate Eric Mangini. The Browns have no chance of keeping Adrian Peterson under 150 yards. Farve will only throw two picks. THIS IS THE STONE COLD LEAD PIPE LOCK(tm) OF THE WEEK. Take the Vikings minus four in a blowout.
NY Jets (+5) at HOUSTON: Houston, somehow, has become a sexy dark horse Super Bowl pick this year, kind of like the Vikings last year. And we know how well that worked out for Minnesota. Take the Jets and the five and laugh all the way to the bank. Quick, before somebody sees you.
Jacksonville (+7) at INDIANAPOLIS: I hate Peyton Manning. However, the difference between him and Eric Mangini is that Manning is actually good at what he does. Jack Del Rio may not make it through the entire season in Jacksonville. Take the Colts, give the seven.
Detroit (+13) at NEW ORLEANS: Detroit has lost a staggering 17 games in a row. I smell the UPSET SPECIAL OF THE WEEK(tm). But not here. Take the Saints, they win big, give the points.
San Francisco (+6.5) at ARIZONA: Ah, here it is, I knew I smelled the UPSET SPE-never mind. Arizona? Your fairy godmother called, she wants her glass slipper back. Take the Niners and the points.
Dallas (-6) at TAMPA BAY: Ah, the home underdog. The six is tempting. If it was seven, I would take it in a heart beat. Then again, I’m not sure I can name three guys on Tampa’s team. Is Doug Williams still there? Take the Cowboys minus six. I just threw up in my mouth a little bit.
Washington (+6) at NY GIANTS: The Redskins have lost four of the last five in the Meadowlands by an average of almost 17 points. This is what we call in the business the “ka-ching trend(tm).” The Giants are the best team in the NFC. Take the Giants, give the six, and be glad you are only giving six.
St. Louis (+8.5) at SEATTLE: The Jim Mora era will be ushered in with a close win over an awful Rams team. The 8.5 is too big a number, take the Rams and the points.
Chicago (+3.5) at GREEN BAY: This just in: Aaron Rodgers is really good. Packers win an instant classic by a field goal. Don’t get caught by the half point, take the Bears and the points.
Buffalo (+10.5) at NEW ENGLAND: The Patriots are going to struggle this year. Buffalo will play well until TO goes off on somebody. I like Buff-what? Tom Brady is back? And Marshawn Lynch is not playing? Oh, never mind, take the Pats at home and give the points.
San Diego (-9.5) at OAKLAND: Eagles fans everywhere owe the Silver and Black a debt of gratitude for helping put them in the playoffs last year. I’m gonna be honest, the spread here annoys me, because I love nothing better that the double digit home dog. Still, Chargers win, but Raiders cover, take the Raiders and the points.
It’s gonna be a great year. LET’S GIT IT ON!
The Voice Of The Fan 