Monday review of Week 3

Here's what I learned in Week 3....

The Bills are a team to watch. Once again the Bills have shown great determination and overcame an early deficit.

The Chargers still struggle in early season. But, like they say; a win is a win.

When I have a gut feeling to make a pick, I should stick with it. I knew the Raiders would win but picked the Jets anyway, shame on me.

The Giants can play with emotion.

The Packers are still the best.

The Saints still can't play D but with Brees they don't have to.

The NFC West will be won by a team below .500 again.

Vick is a big cry baby (but we knew that from his Falcon days). He has been complaining that he has been taking late hits and not getting a flag. Boo fucking hoo.

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Best rivalry

As we get ready for Week 3 to begin, I have a question; what do you think in the NFL's best rivalry?

Is it an old one like Cowboys/Steelers? Or more recent like Colts/Patriots?

Games that I never miss recently are Steelers/Ravens, Patriots/Jets, Giants/Eagles and Packers/Bears for divisional rivalries.

Not too many big inter-conference battles anymore, except maybe Giants/Jets because of the need to be "New York's team". Although we have had some great Super Bowl's I wouldn't consider any of the teams "rivals".
Packers and Steelers are two historic teams but have never been great at the same time like now.
Colts/Saints? No.
Steelers/Cardinals. No.
Maybe just the Giants/Patriots because they played a gritty last game to end the 07 season then met again in January 08 when NY stopped the 18-0 team.

In conference rivalries change constantly. I think Falcons/Eagles will be a good one for a while. As well as Chargers/Patriots, and Steelers/Patriots.
Does an old rivalry like Bengals/Browns have any juice any more? How about Broncos/Raiders?
Any more big ones I have forgotten?
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Week 3

Doing the picks a little early because I have a busy weekend coming up. I did very well last week, I didn't get my Jacksonville upset but I did get Atlanta beating Philly.

Last Week: 12-4
Season: 22-10

New England Patriots(2-0)at Buffalo Bills(2-0)- These northeast teams battle it out for an early first place lead in the AFC East. I did like what the Bills did last week in coming back against the Raiders, but, that was the Raiders. I will admit that Buffalo looks much better than the 4 win team that I predicted but they are not going to beat the Patriots machine. Pats get a big win in Buffalo 27-17.

San Fransisco 49ers(1-1)at Cincinnati Bengals(1-1)- This is a tough game because I'm not sure what either team is now or is going to be. I had Cinci as a 2 win team and they still could be, but they have shown some toughness in the first two games. I still like the Niners to take care of business here, after a tough loss against Dallas. San Fran 23-21.

Miami Dolphins(0-2)at Cleveland Browns(1-1)- I like the Browns this year, not to win anything or even be in the playoffs but they are a tough team. I'm taking Cleveland at home after beating Indy for the first time since 1994. Cleveland 28-20.

Denver Broncos(1-1)at Tennessee Titans(1-1)- Looking through this schedule I'm realizing I may end up being .500 or below this week, so many matches can go either way and this is another pick em game. Only because they are at home and had a good upset last week against the Ravens, I will take the Titans to win 31-27.

Detroit Lions(2-0)at Minnesota Vikings(0-2)- Are the Lions really that awesome of a team? They kicked the shit out of the Chiefs last week and are hoping to go into Minnesota and stop the Vikes. Stafford is the real deal, and that Lions D line is scary, they will sack McNabb and stop the run in a 26-14 win.

Houston Texans(2-0)at New Orleans Saints(1-1)- I'm taking the Texans here, I don't like the Saints defense that much even though they did a good job getting to Cutler. The Texans still have that big offense they had a year ago and have improved the defense. A Texan shootout wins 33-29.

New York Giants(1-1)at Philadelphia Eagles(1-1)- The Giants have shown nothing so far this season, they have played flat and are on the verge of getting a new coach at the end of the year. The Eagles may or may not have Vick this week, but I don't think that matters much. Eagles crush the Giants 31-21.

Jacksonville Jaguars(1-1)at Carolina Panthers(0-2)- Win one comes for Cam and crew the Panthers roll easily over the Jags. 38-21.

New York Jets(2-0)at Oakland Raiders(1-1)- The Jets don't usually do well on these cross country trips to Oakland. They are always tough games and the Raiders come out on top more times than not. I really, really want to say Oakland here, but I'm going to go with NY I think. Jets need to rally a win here but hold on 23-21.

Baltimore Ravens(1-1)at St.Louis Rams(0-2)- Fear not Rams fans, when I did my off season picks I had the Rams starting out 1-4 but finishing 9-7 to win the division. I also had them starting 0-3 and I am sticking with that. Mostly because St.Louis looked awful last Monday Night against the G Men. Ravens 30-24.

Kansas City Chiefs(0-2)at San Diego Chargers(1-1)- The Chargers lost a game they could have won last week against the Pats because of mental errors. They need to correct it and get a fresh start against the Chiefs, who are looking for any bright spark to start off their year. Going with the home team here, SD wins it 28-24.

Green Bay Packers(2-0)at Chicago Bears(1-1)- In preseason picks I had the Pack going to 9-0 before they finally lost to Tampa in Week 11 and the Bears starting out 2-4 before getting a few needed wins. I am sticking with that model and taking the Pack in Chicago to win, but they have to stop a passing game, somehow. Packers 21-17 over Bears.

Arizona Cardinals(1-1)at Seattle Seahawks(0-2)- I really like the Seahawks.....to blow this season in hopes of landing the big QB next year. I also think the Cards are going to start out strong and really give the Rams a run for their money before the schedule gets harder. I like parts of Seattle's defense, and I do think they are building a decent team but the Cards are re-building faster. The Cards can run and pass now and they will be able to move the ball fairly well against the Seahawks. I'll take Arizona to win 24-20.

Atlanta Falcons(1-1)at Tampa Bay Buccaneers(1-1)- A very good divisional matchup of two teams trying to take control of a very even NFC South. Atlanta played great offensively against the Eagles but made a few key errors to let them back in the game. The Bucs I'm not too sure about, they seem like they can be a team to beat, but the Falcons are a tough opponent. Eh, I'll go with the Falcons, like I said, I could easily go 8-8 this week or even 7-9 and this is another game that is tough to pick. Falcons 26-21.

Pittsburgh Steelers(1-1)at Indianapolis Colts(0-2)- This would have been a hard game to pick last year, but this year? Nope. Steelers beat up on the Colts 29-17.

Washington Redskins(2-0)at Dallas Cowboys(1-1)- Will the Skins get a jump on the season by going 3-0? Can Grossman continue to get it done? I'm going to say yes, only because the Skins have really given the Cowboys trouble over the past years. I think these teams have split the season series for a while now. Dallas puzzles me, they are a lot like their NFC East rival the New York Giants, lots of talent but can't pull it together. I'll take the Skins to win 21-17 in Dallas, on Monday night.

Monday morning review

Here's what we learned in Week 2...

Peyton Manning is the Colts.

Green Bay needs to fix that secondary

The Bills have balls

Tom Brady may have more weapons at TE than the Packers, and that is saying something.

The Lions are the real shit

The Bears offensive line is horrible, but we knew that already.

Matt Ryan is one tough fucker

The wild card run for the AFC is going to be epic.

One more game tonight, Rams at Giants, hoping its a good one.
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Week 2

Not too bad last week considering it was Week 1, I did pretty bad on the early games but did well on the 4 o'clock, picked Sunday Night and split the Monday double header.

Last Week: 10-6
Season: 10-6

Things look a bit easier in a few of these games, but in the NFL you never know.

Oakland Raiders(1-0)at Buffalo Bills(1-0)- The Raiders kind of shocked me last week in how they were able to run against a pretty good Denver crew. The Bills really shocked me in man-handling the Chiefs defense. I like the Bills in this game, it's not easy to fly from Oakland to Buffalo and win a game. The Bills offense showed me some good stuff last week and I think they can carry over a bit of that. A closer game for the Bills this time. Buffalo 24-16.

Kansas City Chiefs(0-1)at Detroit Lions(1-0)- The Lions are undefeated for the first time....ever? I like love the Lions defense, they can stuff the run big time. They have possibly the best front 4 in the NFL and they can pressure Cassel all day. Give me Lions on Stafford's big arm to put KC in an 0-2 hole. Detroit 23-17.

Baltimore Ravens(1-0)at Tennessee Titans(0-1)- Ravens 27-14. That is all.

Cleveland Browns(0-1)at Indianapolis Colts(0-1)- I can't see the Colts letting the Browns come into town and push them around like the Texans did. Kerry has got to step up and play 100% better than last week. I like the Browns to be a tough team this year, not a .500 team but a team that can play spoiler any week. Still, I'm taking the home team here, just because. Colts 21-20 over Browns.

Tampa Bay Bucs(0-1) at Minnesota Vikings(0-1)- I don't think McNabb is the answer, I don't think anyone in Minnesota believes that. The Buccaneers hung tough with Detroit and fell short and they will have to hang tough again against another talented NFC North defense. I like the Bucs to win on the road 17-13.

Chicago Bears(1-0)at New Orleans Saints(0-1)- The Bears crushed the Falcons last week, absolutely destroyed them. Chicago has a very good defense but I don't see them being able to win a shoot out with New Orleans. If the Bears want to win, they have to ground and pound all day, and the Saints will be ready for it. Could be a high scoring game, the Saints secondary looked pathetic against the Packers, but that was a whole different game. Saints win 34-28.

Jacksonville Jaguars(1-0)at New York Jets(1-0)- Jags defense held up last week and the Jets defense got lucky. I know, the Jags weren't playing a big offensive team, but they aren't this week either. I think the Jags could possibly go 2-0 and in an upset special I'm going to take them to win. Jets are 9 point favorites but I've got a feeling about a let down in this game. Jacksonville over New York 24-23.

Seattle Seahawks(0-1) at Pittsburgh Steelers(0-1)- The yellow and gold looked horrible last week. The offense had no rhythm and they let Baltimore control the game from minute one. The Seahawks are not a very good team, they have no QB and Pittsburgh can blitz away without fear. Pittsburgh with a big homecoming 27-10.

Arizona Cardinals(1-0)at Washington Redskins(1-0)- This could be a tough game. The skins LB crew was dominant last week (as I said they'd be) in shutting down the out of sync Giants. Kevin Kolb had a decent start to his career with the Cards and he will be facing well known opponent. These cross country games are almost always won by the home team, but I like the Cards to pull it out. Arizona 26-21.

Green Bay Packers(1-0)at Carolina Panthers(0-1)- Newton can throw for 400 yards if he wants, it won't matter. Carolina doesn't even come close to having the D to stop Green Bay. Packers 38-20.

Dallas Cowboys(0-1)at San Fransisco 49ers(1-0)- Dallas was shocked by the Jets last weekend, and everyone is blaming Romo. The Niners can hang, but Dallas is becoming known for starting fast and ending slow in games. Dallas could lead by 10 at halftime and win by a FG, in fact, that's what I'm picking. Dallas wins 24-21.

Cincinnati Bengals(1-0)at Denver Broncos(0-1)- I was shocked by the play of Cinci's new QB Dalton last week against Cleveland. I was equally shocked by Denver's inability to stop McFadden last week. Tough game but I'm taking Denver one more time. Broncos 30-24.

Houston Texans(1-0)at Miami Dolphins(0-1)- Chad Henne looked good last week, the Texans looked better. The Dolphins defense looked horrible, the Texans looked great. The future AFC South winners prevail again, 31-21 Houston.

San Diego Chargers(1-0)at New England Patriots(1-0)- San Diego has to clean up the mental errors. Unfortunately, the team's biggest mental error is the Head Coach. I know, I'm always picking on Turner but he deserves it. I also don't like Jim Caldwell of the Colts, in case you were wondering. I just can't go against the Pats or Packers this year, these teams will each win 13 games and meet in Super Bowl. Chargers are improved but....in Foxboro, against Brady, against his 18 receivers...I don't think so. Pats 26-24.

Philadelphia Eagles(1-0)at Atlanta Falcons(0-1)- The Falcons were pathetic last week, and Vick really didn't play that well against the Rams either. He was 14-32, that is old Vick numbers. I know he looked like a great QB last year, but he's not, and I like the Falcons to further prove that this week. Vick had one good year in his crappy career and everyone is saving him a spot in the Hall. Before last year, Vick was a 24 TD, 55% completion kind of QB, just an average QB that can run like the wind. I think he's back to form and the Falcons take advantage. Falcons win big Sunday Night game 27-20.

St.Louis Rams(0-1)at New York Giants(0-1)- I know it's only Week 2 but this is a must win for NY, if they lose here they will start the season 0-3 (in Philly next week). The Rams got very good pressure on Vick last week, but they lost their star RB and QB in the game. Bradford will be playing for St.Louis and I don't know if he will have to face one of the best DE's in the NFL in Justin Tuck. I know I'm crazy, but I'm going to go with Eli and crew to get it done in NY on the big Monday Night stage only because Steven Jackson is out, and Cadillac Williams won't be able to move the Giants tough defensive line. Giants (I hope) get the win 28-23.

Monday thoughts...

There are two games left for this week, Pats at Phins and Raiders at Broncos, but here's what I noted so far....

The Packers have too many weapons now. They will have a Pro Bowl receiver and TE. You need four good DBs to play them.

The Colts lost their QB and Offensive Coordinator in one shot. This is going to be a very long 6 weeks for Indy fans.

The Bengals have some grit. I'm not projecting them kings of the AFC North, but they may win 5 games instead of 2.

The Chiefs suck again, or Fitzpatrick is a good future plan for Buffalo. I think a little of each, but I still think KC can pull out 8 wins.

The Ravens don't miss Todd Heap.

The Cardinals love Todd Heap. And Kevin Kolb.

The Panthers don't look so silly now, do they?

The Bucs will start 0-2.

Don't poke the Bears.

And the final thing I learned...

The Giants are in for a long year.
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Week 1 in the NFL

The Packers and Saints gave us a nice preview of a possible NFC Championship to kick the season off, lots of great offense but both D's were lagging. The Saints had Clay Matthews shut down all night, and Woodson looked bad, but I still like the Packers D to turn it around and get in the groove. The Saints? Eh, I'll give them the benefit of the doubt because to cover the Packers you need 5 very good DB's. Pack could set a new scoring record this year.

Here's the rest of Week 1 in the NFL

Atlanta Falcons at Chicago Bears- Week 1 is always the hardest week to pick games, you never know what teams will jell right away and which will take a while. This game will be a great one, you have two very good defenses and two good offenses. I like the Falcons to ruin the day for Cutler and company, give me the Falcons 20-13.

Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns- The Browns could be a tough out this year, and the Bungles will be the worst team in the NFL. Hillis gets things going early and Browns roll 24-10

Buffalo Bills at Kansas City Chiefs- The Bills could make some noise but I like the grit the Chiefs showed last year, and I think it carries over better than what the Bills did to end last season. Chiefs in a close one 26-24.

Philadelphia Eagles at St.Louis Rams- The Rams will be a playoff team this year, but won't start 1-0, the Eagles are too strong on D for Bradford to keep up. Eagles over Rams 30-17.

Detroit Lions at Tampa Bay Buccaneers- Tight game here, I like both teams to be a force in the NFC this year. I'll go with the Bucs because they're at home 17-13.

Tennessee Titans at Jacksonville Jaguars- The Jags just dropped Garrard, that was stupid. I guess Chris Johnson isn't playing for the Titans until he gets 100 million dollars in non-consecutive unmarked bills. These teams will battle for the basement, but I'll take the Jags because of the playmakers on D. Jags 27-17

Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens- The greatest division rivalry lately. No teams battle it out like these two do. It will be close, it will be low scoring, it will be the game of the week. It will be the Steelers winning 20-16.

Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans- Last year the Texans won this opener against the Colts and Manning had to throw the ball 59 times to keep up. This time the Colts have Kerry Collins, who is the first QB to start in place of Manning since Jim Harbaugh, yeah, it's been that long. I like Kerry, he's one of my favorite QB's (being a Penn State and NYG fan) he was a very good, solid QB, he just didn't have the numbers to become elite. Still, he is now 40? Sorry Colts, Manning is out for at least 6 weeks and you will pay the price. Texans 31-20.

Carolina Panthers at Arizona Cardinals- When I figured out the end of year standings I had Arizona getting off to a fast start then mellowing out. They have a weak schedule to start and could chase the Rams for the division. Cards start things off good with a 34-17 win over Panthers.

Minnesota Vikings at San Diego Chargers- The Chargers are famous for starting seasons slow and going undefeated in December, it's what they do. Not this season. I like the Vikings D, but I don't like McNabb in that system. He doesn't fit and he's not what he used to be. Chargers over Vikes 23-14.

Seattle Seahawks at San Fransisco 49ers- The Seahawks have taken a step back at QB, maybe the plan is to blow the season to get Luck. The 9ers continue to put trust into Alex Smith for no reason, but this is the one game where he is the better QB. Niners over Seabirds 30-20.

New York Giants at Washington Redskins- The Giants have been destroyed by injury and had a horrible off season. I'm not feeling to confident in my G-Men to get their 7th straight win over Washington. The saving grace is that I think the Skins have no faith in Grossman, or Beck. They may be in the Luck race if neither QB steps up. The Giants can still run, and they'll have to do it against some hungry LB's who want to bring Washington back to defensive glory. I will take the Giants in a low scoring, ugly game. Giants 17-16.

Dallas Cowboys at New York Jets- Emotions will ride high for the Jets and I don't know what to make of the Cowboys yet. They have the talent to rival the Eagles, Saints and even Packers, but they can't seem to get it together. I also don't like their secondary or offensive line. They can't cover Plaxico, the Giants had proven that time and time again. I'll take the Jets to get win 1. Jets 26-20.

New England Patriots at Miami Dolphins- I like the Phins defense still but sorry, they can't hang with the team I pick to win the AFC. Pats 28-10.

Oakland Raiders at Denver Broncos- Denver could be a surprise team this year, they have some really good talent on D, especially at LB. The Raiders had a surprising 8 win season last year, but then let their best CB and Pro Bowl TE go. Sorry, Raider nation but it is going to be a long year. Denver rocks Oakland 27-14.

So far I'm 1-0 for this week, lets see if I can keep it going.

Let's Get It Going...

New York ended with a disappointing 10-6 season, but gave us some great moments along the way. Here's hopes for another good Giants season and let's get ready for Week 1 in the NFL!
New York Giants 2011 highlights


How did last season end again?.....
Super Bowl 45 Green Bay Packers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers


Now, let's get it going

New Orleans Saints vs. Green Bay Packers- I always pick the home team in this situation, emotions are riding high, the crowd is as pumped as they will be all season and Aaron Rodgers is ready to go. I did waiver a bit when picking season standings but I will go with my gut here and take the Pack to open things up the right way. Green Bay over New Orleans 26-21

I will have the remainder of the Week 1 picks on Saturday, just wanted to get this one in before I forgot.