Sunday, September 26, 2010

NFL Picks Week 3

Last week's 9-7 was not the result I was wanting but did propel me over .500 for the year, where I stand 17-15. I could have flipped a coin and possibly done better. Not good. ESPN Expert picks here. Still, I'm only 3 games back, so it's not time to panic yet.

This is the last full slate of games until week 11. The big match up is Monday night. But a lot of interesting games that could make or break seasons will occur today.

Usually when the Bears are on Monday night against the Packers, they get demolished. Let's hope that won't happen this time, but I'm not picking them.

Giants.
Pittsburgh.
Cincinnati.
Baltimore.
Houston.
Kansas City.
Minnesota.
New England.
New Orleans.
Washington.
Philadelphia.
Arizona.
San Diego.
Indianapolis.
Miami.
Green Bay- Monday Night.

Sunday, September 19, 2010

NFL Picks Week 2

I struggled to break even last week, starting the year 8-8. The first week of the season usually brings surprises, and we weren't disappointed. ESPN Experts did a little better, but I'm not out of yet after the first week. Since Mort went 8-8, I don't feel too bad.

I think the two biggest surprises were how good the two Missouri teams looked after years of futility. Kansas City looks even more improved than I gave them credit for in my seasonal forecast. And the Rams should have won last week, Sam Bradford looked like the quarterback they've looked for since Kurt Warner left town, and they also are going to win more games than I originally predicted.

On a couple of uniform notes, I thought it was odd for the Bears to wear white at home last week. I don't like it, and fortunately it has only happened a handful of times in their history. But a lot of teams did it. Also, I absolutely loved to see the Redskins return to wearing yellow pants with burgundy jerseys at home. That look is so much better for them.

With a win last week, Pittsburgh is definitely back in the playoff hunt. I didn't know what their record would be after the first four weeks without Roethlisberger, but if they end up 2-2 I think they'll be thrilled.

No teams looked better than the Ravens and Patriots. On paper and on the field last week, these are clearly the two best teams. Right now.

This week has a few good games to watch. I almost picked the Rams over the Raiders, but the Raiders supposedly do have a pretty good defense to combat Bradford with. I also almost went with the Lions over the Eagles. We'll see if I regret not sticking my neck out on those two.

Tennessee.
Minnesota.
Atlanta.
Baltimore.
Kansas City.
Dallas.
Philadelphia.
Green Bay.
Carolina.
Denver.
Oakland.
Houston.
New England.
San Diego.
Indianapolis.
San Francisco- Monday Night.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

Even Though This Season Was A Waste...

...at least the Cardinals have come back home. This is the best Cardinals news all year.

I've missed "Live at Shannon's" the past few seasons because KTRS was a joke of a radio station to begin with. KMOX comes in fairly well 24/7. KTRS comes in well only during the day. Forget it at night.

On a national level, KMOX is as big as they come. The only states that can't pick it up are Alaska and Hawaii. To maintain a viable national market, the Cardinals had to do this.

Even an organization making such boneheaded moves as trading Ryan Ludwick realized the mistake they had made. Good for them this time.

Although I got a chuckle about this:
"
I don't think there are any regrets," DeWitt said about the original decision to leave KMOX."

Really? I can think of millions of people who would disagree with that statement.

Sunday, September 12, 2010

NFL Picks Week 1

Hard to believe football is here. In just two months it'll be Thanksgiving!

Last year was one of my best years, in regards to the regular season. I struggled once again in the post-season. I do that so often you'd think Tony LaRussa was managing me.

The week's already started, and with New Orleans' win, I can still hope for an undefeated season.

There are two games tomorrow night and one game tonight. That leaves just 13 games this afternoon. It's going to be awesome.

The Bears have a rough schedule to start, and given their preseason performance, it's surprising to me I had them down with 6 wins. But they should get one today.

All I can say is, it's nice football is back when baseball has been so disappointing.

ESPN expert picks here.

Giants.
Atlanta.
Cleveland.
Denver.
Indianapolis.
Miami.
Chicago.
Tennessee.
New England.
Arizona.
San Francisco.
Philadelphia.
Dallas.
Baltimore- Monday.
San Diego- Monday.

This Is How It Will Go Down

Or not. Which is the most likely scenario.

It's time once again to hold myself up to national ridicule by attempting to prognosticate the NFL. Although it wasn't too bad last year, I did have the two Super Bowl teams not even making the playoffs.

This year I made it even worse on myself by attempting to predict final records, based on each team's individual schedules.

What I came up with surprised even me. There is definitely a disparity of scheduling in the NFL.

There are some great games coming up this year also.

I see Baltimore and San Francisco returning to prominence this year. New Orleans could repeat...or miss the playoffs altogether. They have a tough schedule.

I have the Ravens over the 49ers in the Super Bowl. Which most likely means neither team has a chance.

But you can all come back and laugh at me when it's all over.

NFC EAST
Philadelphia 9-7.
Dallas 9-7.
Giants 9-7.
Washington 7-9.

NFC NORTH
Green Bay 9-7.
Minnesota 8-8.
Chicago 6-10.
Detroit 4-12.

NFC SOUTH
Atlanta 13-3.
New Orleans 10-6.
Tampa Bay 5-11.
Carolina 1-15.

NFC WEST
San Francisco 12-4.
Arizona 12-4.
Seatle 3-13.
St. Louis 2-14.

AFC EAST
New England 13-3.
Jets 11-5.
Miami 9-7.
Buffalo 4-12.

AFC CENTRAL
Baltimore 12-4.
Cincinnati 9-7.
Pittsburgh 8-8.
Cleveland 4-12.

AFC SOUTH
Indianapolis 13-3.
Houston 11-5.
Tennessee 9-7.
Jacksonville 2-14.

AFC WEST
San Diego 11-5.
Denver 8-8.
Oakland 7-9.
Kansas City 6-10.

In the NFC Playoffs, I have New Orleans over Green Bay and Philadelphia over Arizona in the Wild Card Round, San Francisco over Philadelphia and New Orleans over Atlanta in the Divisional Playoffs, and San Francisco over New Orleans in the NFC championship.

In the AFC Playoffs, I have San Diego over the Jets and Baltimore over Houston in the Wild Card Round, Baltimore over New England and San Diego over Indianapolis in the Divisional Playoffs, and Baltimore over San Diego in the AFC championship.

Lots of big games to look forward to this year. The week 11 match up of Indy-New England is always big, and I see Indy still being undefeated until that week.

But all the games should be good. Anybody got Red Zone?

Saturday, September 11, 2010

I Didn't Forget

I just couldn't post my pick Thursday because my modem went down in flames.

I'm back up now though, just in time for tomorrow's opening Sunday.

I did have New Orleans, just so you know, although I think just about everyone did.