Welcome to the Bleeding Sports 2009 NFL Playoff Pick'em Finale! Sadly, this is the last Sunday with football until September. It's sickening just thinking about it. The NFL season just flies by way too fast. But don't worry sports fans, 72 weeks of NBA playoff basketball is just around the corner. Sigh. At least, we all have March Madness to look forward to. Before then, however, the Super Bowl needs to be played. So without further ado here are the Bleeding Sports Super Bowl picks from the CEO, G. Francis and The Pickmeister, J. Daniels.
G. Francis - BS CEO
Arizona (+6.5) over Pittsburgh
Super Sunday...Steelers and Cardinals for the World Championship. The fact that the Cardinals are playing in this game is a feat in itself. The bottom line is that Kurt Warner and the Cards are indeed here and I'm taking them to win this game outright. The Steelers have been in the national spotlight all season with seemingly everyone of their home games featured in the national 4pm slot on Sundays. The Steelers defense has been dominant this season, but they haven't faced an offense like the Cardinals. If the Cardinals offensive line can give Warner time, Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin will cause fits in the Pittsburgh secondary. The fact that Arizona head coach Ken Wisenhunt and assistant Russ Grimm were on the Steelers staff just two years ago gives the Cardinals a distinct advantage. Arizona used that advantage to defeat Pittsburgh 21-14 last season.
On offense, the Cardinals know the Steelers defensive tendencies and will take the Steelers out of their base defense with Wisenhunt's three wide receiver offense. Though the one unit that has barely been mentioned at all and could have the biggest impact is the Cardinals defense. The Steelers are average at best on offense and the Cardinals have forced twelve turnovers in three games this postseason. The Cardinals do a great job at pressuring the quarterback and the Steelers' offensive is the weak link. If the Cardinals can stop the run they will tee off on Ben Roethlisberger and force him into turnovers.
I expect it to be a close game especially with the way the Steelers keep teams in the game with their style of play. I'm putting my money on Warner, Fitzgerald, and Boldin to pull this game out for Arizona. Keep an eye on Boldin and Breaston especially with the Steelers paying extra attention to Fitzgerald.
Cardinals 27, Pittsburgh 24
J. Daniels - The Pickmeister
Arizona (+6.5) over Pittsburgh
You hear it all the time (and saw it last year) that defense wins championship. Pittsburgh’s D is damn good, you can’t argue with that, but Arizona’s have been playing out of their mind throughout the whole playoffs and will no doubt carry the momentum into the Super Bowl. To add to that, Big Bum loves helping out the other teams defense and the Cards will thrive off his mistakes. You can’t give Warner and his two beasts of receivers any short field opportunities, but Ben is going to do just that. Look forward to seeing fumbles, interceptions, and of course sacks as the Arizona D rattles Roethlisberger. Take the Cardinals with the points. Actually take the Cardinals to be the Super Bowl XLIII champs with a 24-16 victory.
Smart. Original. Sports Discussion + Analysis.
Showing posts with label Picks. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Picks. Show all posts
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Sunday, January 18, 2009
AFC Conference Championship Pick'em
G. Francis - BS CEO
PITTSBURGH (-6) over Baltimore
The Steelers have been tough at home all season. Last week, the offense woke up and took control against the Chargers in the second half. The Ravens benefited from some timely turnovers on defense and a blow call by the official on what should have been a delay of game penalty to keep a drive alive late. Baltimore was dominated last week by Tennessee and were fortunate to come away with the victory. At the end of the broadcast, announcer Dan Dierdorrf proclaimed that the Ravens were the team nobody wants to play. He is dead wrong because the Ravens are the team anyone would want to play right now. The defense is beat up and overrated while the offense is good for about 13 points. The Steelers end the Ravens season today and the game isn’t close. Take Pittsburgh.
J. Daniels - The Pickmeister
Baltimore (+6) over PITTSBURGH
Just like the other two times these teams met this year, this game is going to be a low scoring close game. Pittsburgh simply isn’t going to score enough to cover this spread. The game last week was a fluke and come Sunday we’ll see just how Big Bum plays against a real defense. The Ravens D has sacked Roethlisberger 8 time already this year and will be coming after him all game. And of course Ben will help them out by holding onto the ball for entirely too long. While its true Pittsburgh did win the two previously meetings, their margin of victory was only 7 points combined. And lets not forget the phantom touchdown that gave them the win in their last matchup. As the Giants showed us last year, beating a team three times one season is very difficult and the Ravens will prove that again this year. Take the Ravens with the points.
PITTSBURGH (-6) over Baltimore
The Steelers have been tough at home all season. Last week, the offense woke up and took control against the Chargers in the second half. The Ravens benefited from some timely turnovers on defense and a blow call by the official on what should have been a delay of game penalty to keep a drive alive late. Baltimore was dominated last week by Tennessee and were fortunate to come away with the victory. At the end of the broadcast, announcer Dan Dierdorrf proclaimed that the Ravens were the team nobody wants to play. He is dead wrong because the Ravens are the team anyone would want to play right now. The defense is beat up and overrated while the offense is good for about 13 points. The Steelers end the Ravens season today and the game isn’t close. Take Pittsburgh.
J. Daniels - The Pickmeister
Baltimore (+6) over PITTSBURGH
Just like the other two times these teams met this year, this game is going to be a low scoring close game. Pittsburgh simply isn’t going to score enough to cover this spread. The game last week was a fluke and come Sunday we’ll see just how Big Bum plays against a real defense. The Ravens D has sacked Roethlisberger 8 time already this year and will be coming after him all game. And of course Ben will help them out by holding onto the ball for entirely too long. While its true Pittsburgh did win the two previously meetings, their margin of victory was only 7 points combined. And lets not forget the phantom touchdown that gave them the win in their last matchup. As the Giants showed us last year, beating a team three times one season is very difficult and the Ravens will prove that again this year. Take the Ravens with the points.
NFC Conference Championship Pick'em
Welcome to the NFL Conference Championship round of the 2009 Bleeding Sports Playoff Pick’em. Last week, both G. Francis and the Pickmeister, J. Daniels, have a rough time with the Divisional games going 1-3. Now onto the picks for the early game in the NFC…
Home team in CAPS.
G. Francis – B.S. CEO
ARIZONA (+3.5) over Philadelphia
The spread for the NFC Championship game opened with Philly favored by 4.5. It looks like some of the gamblers out there are joining me on the Cardinals bandwagon and with good reason. The Cardinals are a completely different team at home and will feed off the home crowd. The Eagles have been able to win so far in the postseason despite being one dimensional. It is obvious at this point that RB Brian Westbrook doesn’t have anything left. He’s hurt much worse than anyone wants to admit. This means Donovan McNabb will be asked to win the game and the thing the Cards defense does best in come after opposing quarterbacks. Kurt Warner gets a healthy Anquan Boldin to complement Larry Fitzgerald this week and that should lead to the Cardinals offense scoring enough points to not only cover, but win this one on their home field. Who would have thought we would ever see the Cardinals in the Super Bowl!
J. Daniels - The Pickmeister
ARIZONA (+3.5) over Philadelphia
Very rarely is the away team favored in the playoffs, and when it does happen I don’t know how anyone can justify not taking the home team with the points. Arizona is going to have a distinct home field advantage in this game. The roof is going to be closed to cater to the Cards passing game and to create the deafening noise level that the defense will feed off of. And let’s be honest here Philly’s lucky to be in this game. They’re coming off a game where they had a whopping 276 total yards of offense. Their rushing game is anemic and Westbrook looks 50% at best, but will still be on the field every down because the genius Andy Reid would much rather use him as a decoy than give the ball to Buckhalter. Arizona’s defense has forced 9 turnovers already in the playoffs and this game won’t be any different. The Cards want revenge for that Thanksgiving blow out and they going to get it Sunday. Take Arizona with the points.
Home team in CAPS.
G. Francis – B.S. CEO
ARIZONA (+3.5) over Philadelphia
The spread for the NFC Championship game opened with Philly favored by 4.5. It looks like some of the gamblers out there are joining me on the Cardinals bandwagon and with good reason. The Cardinals are a completely different team at home and will feed off the home crowd. The Eagles have been able to win so far in the postseason despite being one dimensional. It is obvious at this point that RB Brian Westbrook doesn’t have anything left. He’s hurt much worse than anyone wants to admit. This means Donovan McNabb will be asked to win the game and the thing the Cards defense does best in come after opposing quarterbacks. Kurt Warner gets a healthy Anquan Boldin to complement Larry Fitzgerald this week and that should lead to the Cardinals offense scoring enough points to not only cover, but win this one on their home field. Who would have thought we would ever see the Cardinals in the Super Bowl!
J. Daniels - The Pickmeister
ARIZONA (+3.5) over Philadelphia
Very rarely is the away team favored in the playoffs, and when it does happen I don’t know how anyone can justify not taking the home team with the points. Arizona is going to have a distinct home field advantage in this game. The roof is going to be closed to cater to the Cards passing game and to create the deafening noise level that the defense will feed off of. And let’s be honest here Philly’s lucky to be in this game. They’re coming off a game where they had a whopping 276 total yards of offense. Their rushing game is anemic and Westbrook looks 50% at best, but will still be on the field every down because the genius Andy Reid would much rather use him as a decoy than give the ball to Buckhalter. Arizona’s defense has forced 9 turnovers already in the playoffs and this game won’t be any different. The Cards want revenge for that Thanksgiving blow out and they going to get it Sunday. Take Arizona with the points.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
NFL Playoff Pick'em - Sunday
G. Francis – BS CEO
NEW YORK (-4) over Philadelphia
The Giants have been the best team in professional football all season. The so-called experts seem believe that the Eagles have been the best team in the league down the stretch. These division rivals split their two meeting this season with each winning on the other team’s home field. Something has to give. In my opinion, what gives in this rubber match is the Eagles run defense. In their first meeting this season, the Giants ran for over two hundred yard against the Eagles undersized defense. Even in their loss to Philly a few weeks back the G-Men ran the ball fairly effectively before Brandon Jacobs went down in the third quarter. The Giants also uncharacteristically gave up big plays on defense and left plays on the field on offense. If Dominick Hixon does not drop a wide open touchdown pass in the first half it is an entirely different game. The Giants were also dealing with the fallout of the Plaxico Burress shooting incident.
This time around, all things are equal. The Giants don’t have any distractions or excuses and Eagles are coming into the meadowlands with a load of confidence. In January, it comes down to which team can do a better job protecting the football, running the ball, and stopping the run. The Giants have done all three this season much better than the Eagles. In addition, the Giants are at home and coming off a bye while the Eagles played a physical game last week that left RT John Runyan and star RB Brian Westbrook unable to practice all week. The Giants take this one by at least at touchdown.
San Diego (+6.5) over PITTSBURGH
The one team that may be on a bigger roll than Philadelphia is the San Diego SUPER-Chargers. The key to the Chargers turnaround has been a defense that has completely transformed itself since the firing of defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell and promotion of Ron Rivera. Last week, the Chargers virtually shutdown the league MVP Peyton Manning and the Colts’ vaunted offense. This week, the Chargers have to play on the road, but Big Ben and the Steelers have struggled all year to score points. For that reason, 6.5 points seems like a lot even with the game being played at Heinz Field. Everyone remembers that the Chargers went to Pittsburgh earlier this season and lost that wild one point game. The Pittsburgh defense dominated that game and they will need to do the same today for the Steelers to cover. The Chargers have been playing much better since that first meeting with the Steelers and this game will be close. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if the Chargers even find a way to pull it out. I’ll take the Chargers getting the points.
J.Daniels - The Pickmeister
NEW YORK (-4) over Philadelphia
Same story, different year. The Giants are the number one seed with home field advantage throughout and yet all I’ve been hearing for the last week is how damn good Philly is. Does anyone remember that this same undeserved hype was given to the Eagles at the start of season only to see them begin 5-5-1. But now that they won 5 of their last 6 everyone is comparing them to G-MEN of last year. However, theres one big difference. The Giants got no respect on their road to the becoming Super Bowl champs. There were no Sports Illustrated covers calling them “DANGEROUS”, no special interviews on Fox before the game, and no credit. As we saw a year ago, nothing fuels this Giants team more than the lack of respect. Look for Man-Bear-Beast Jacobs to plow over the 35 year old Dawkins on the Giants way to domination. Take the G-MEN to cover the spread.
San Diego (+6.5) over PITTSBURGH
6.5? Is that the line of this game or the number of turnovers Ben Roethlisberger is going to have? Honestly, the Steelers aren’t going to beat anyone by six points. If the Chargers get as a little as a safety, there’s no way Pittsburgh is covering this spread. The Steelers offense is almost non-existent and the only thing Big Bum is good at is holding the ball for three hours and then getting sacked. The bolts are going to win this game outright. Take San Diego with the points.
NEW YORK (-4) over Philadelphia
The Giants have been the best team in professional football all season. The so-called experts seem believe that the Eagles have been the best team in the league down the stretch. These division rivals split their two meeting this season with each winning on the other team’s home field. Something has to give. In my opinion, what gives in this rubber match is the Eagles run defense. In their first meeting this season, the Giants ran for over two hundred yard against the Eagles undersized defense. Even in their loss to Philly a few weeks back the G-Men ran the ball fairly effectively before Brandon Jacobs went down in the third quarter. The Giants also uncharacteristically gave up big plays on defense and left plays on the field on offense. If Dominick Hixon does not drop a wide open touchdown pass in the first half it is an entirely different game. The Giants were also dealing with the fallout of the Plaxico Burress shooting incident.
This time around, all things are equal. The Giants don’t have any distractions or excuses and Eagles are coming into the meadowlands with a load of confidence. In January, it comes down to which team can do a better job protecting the football, running the ball, and stopping the run. The Giants have done all three this season much better than the Eagles. In addition, the Giants are at home and coming off a bye while the Eagles played a physical game last week that left RT John Runyan and star RB Brian Westbrook unable to practice all week. The Giants take this one by at least at touchdown.
San Diego (+6.5) over PITTSBURGH
The one team that may be on a bigger roll than Philadelphia is the San Diego SUPER-Chargers. The key to the Chargers turnaround has been a defense that has completely transformed itself since the firing of defensive coordinator Ted Cottrell and promotion of Ron Rivera. Last week, the Chargers virtually shutdown the league MVP Peyton Manning and the Colts’ vaunted offense. This week, the Chargers have to play on the road, but Big Ben and the Steelers have struggled all year to score points. For that reason, 6.5 points seems like a lot even with the game being played at Heinz Field. Everyone remembers that the Chargers went to Pittsburgh earlier this season and lost that wild one point game. The Pittsburgh defense dominated that game and they will need to do the same today for the Steelers to cover. The Chargers have been playing much better since that first meeting with the Steelers and this game will be close. I wouldn’t be surprised at all if the Chargers even find a way to pull it out. I’ll take the Chargers getting the points.
J.Daniels - The Pickmeister
NEW YORK (-4) over Philadelphia
Same story, different year. The Giants are the number one seed with home field advantage throughout and yet all I’ve been hearing for the last week is how damn good Philly is. Does anyone remember that this same undeserved hype was given to the Eagles at the start of season only to see them begin 5-5-1. But now that they won 5 of their last 6 everyone is comparing them to G-MEN of last year. However, theres one big difference. The Giants got no respect on their road to the becoming Super Bowl champs. There were no Sports Illustrated covers calling them “DANGEROUS”, no special interviews on Fox before the game, and no credit. As we saw a year ago, nothing fuels this Giants team more than the lack of respect. Look for Man-Bear-Beast Jacobs to plow over the 35 year old Dawkins on the Giants way to domination. Take the G-MEN to cover the spread.
San Diego (+6.5) over PITTSBURGH
6.5? Is that the line of this game or the number of turnovers Ben Roethlisberger is going to have? Honestly, the Steelers aren’t going to beat anyone by six points. If the Chargers get as a little as a safety, there’s no way Pittsburgh is covering this spread. The Steelers offense is almost non-existent and the only thing Big Bum is good at is holding the ball for three hours and then getting sacked. The bolts are going to win this game outright. Take San Diego with the points.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
2009 NFL Playoff Pick’em
2009 NFL Playoff Pick’em
Welcome to year three of the Bleeding Sports annual NFL playoff pick’em. This year the competition between the Pickmeister, J. Daniels, and the BS CEO, G. Francis, is a best of seven. The battle begins this week with the divisional round. To start it off, we’ll look at the Saturday games. Let the fight for NFL spread picking bragging rights begin!
Home team in CAPS.
G. Francis – BS CEO
TENNESSEE (–3) over Baltimore
It seems that the public has fallen asleep on the Titans, which is only natural since they haven’t had much to play for since taking out Pittsburgh in Week 16. The Ravens meanwhile have been rolling and have had some high profile wins that have garnered them some added attention. Looking at the game realistically, the Ravens defense is solid, but the Titans defense has been better this season. Offensively, the Ravens are still starting a rookie QB in Joe Flacco with a mediocre running game while the Titans feature a seasoned QB in Kerry Collins and a strong running with Chris Johnson and LenDale White. It is also worth mentioning that the game is in Tennessee. The Ravens run ends today and while the game will be close Tennessee wins by more than a field goal.
Arizona (+10) over CAROLINA
Every prognosticator in world loves the Panthers in this game and with good reason. The Cardinals are awful on the road and there is a good chance the star WR Anquan Boldin will miss the game with a hamstring injury. However, to me, Carolina is overrated especially defensively. The weather may be a factor, but the Cardinals should still be able to move the ball just like they did when playing in Carolina earlier this season. The first meeting between these two teams was a close game and this game will be closer than all those experts out there believe.
J. Daniels – The Pickmeister
TENNESEE (-3) over Baltimore
Three points doesn’t seem enough here for to go with Baltimore. When these two teams met earlier this year Tennessee edged out the Ravens by, you guessed it, 3 points. But Tennessee is home this time and this is the Playoff. Kerry Collins wants revenge for his abysmal performance in the 2000 Super Bowl, and Joe Flacco will likely play worse than he did in the Wildcard round. Take TENNESEE to cover the spread.
Arizona (+10) over CAROLINA
Carolina WILL win this games, but its hard to not to take a team who’s getting 10 points in the playoff. Yes, Arizona can’t play on the road but I don’t think the weather in Charlotte will make a difference in this game. On he down side, Anquan Boldin most likely will not be playing, but Fitzgerald and Breaston should be able to pick up the slack enough to keep them within 10 points. Take Arizona with the points.
Welcome to year three of the Bleeding Sports annual NFL playoff pick’em. This year the competition between the Pickmeister, J. Daniels, and the BS CEO, G. Francis, is a best of seven. The battle begins this week with the divisional round. To start it off, we’ll look at the Saturday games. Let the fight for NFL spread picking bragging rights begin!
Home team in CAPS.
G. Francis – BS CEO
TENNESSEE (–3) over Baltimore
It seems that the public has fallen asleep on the Titans, which is only natural since they haven’t had much to play for since taking out Pittsburgh in Week 16. The Ravens meanwhile have been rolling and have had some high profile wins that have garnered them some added attention. Looking at the game realistically, the Ravens defense is solid, but the Titans defense has been better this season. Offensively, the Ravens are still starting a rookie QB in Joe Flacco with a mediocre running game while the Titans feature a seasoned QB in Kerry Collins and a strong running with Chris Johnson and LenDale White. It is also worth mentioning that the game is in Tennessee. The Ravens run ends today and while the game will be close Tennessee wins by more than a field goal.
Arizona (+10) over CAROLINA
Every prognosticator in world loves the Panthers in this game and with good reason. The Cardinals are awful on the road and there is a good chance the star WR Anquan Boldin will miss the game with a hamstring injury. However, to me, Carolina is overrated especially defensively. The weather may be a factor, but the Cardinals should still be able to move the ball just like they did when playing in Carolina earlier this season. The first meeting between these two teams was a close game and this game will be closer than all those experts out there believe.
J. Daniels – The Pickmeister
TENNESEE (-3) over Baltimore
Three points doesn’t seem enough here for to go with Baltimore. When these two teams met earlier this year Tennessee edged out the Ravens by, you guessed it, 3 points. But Tennessee is home this time and this is the Playoff. Kerry Collins wants revenge for his abysmal performance in the 2000 Super Bowl, and Joe Flacco will likely play worse than he did in the Wildcard round. Take TENNESEE to cover the spread.
Arizona (+10) over CAROLINA
Carolina WILL win this games, but its hard to not to take a team who’s getting 10 points in the playoff. Yes, Arizona can’t play on the road but I don’t think the weather in Charlotte will make a difference in this game. On he down side, Anquan Boldin most likely will not be playing, but Fitzgerald and Breaston should be able to pick up the slack enough to keep them within 10 points. Take Arizona with the points.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
NFL Divisional Playoff Picks – The Saturday Games
NFL Divisional Playoff Picks – The Saturday Games
After the Wildcard round it’s the same old story in the Bleeding Sports Playoff Pick’em. G. Francis was a perfect 4-0 on the first weekend of the 2008 playoffs while J. Daniel wallowed in mediocrity finishing 2-2. This weekend there are four more games and two glorious days of football as the divisional round is played. Here are the picks for the Saturday games.
Home Team in CAPS.
The Bleeding Sports Brain Trust - G. Francis
Seattle (+7.5) over GREEN BAY
I’m not a big fan of the Seahawks and the fact they are completely one dimensional on offense due to the lack of a running game should be a red flag especially when you’re playing in January…in Green Bay. Former league MVP Shaun Alexander is proving once again that in the NFL when a running back begins to go into decline it happens almost overnight. Alexander’s career has fallen faster than Britney Spears. However, last weekend Seattle showed the nation that they are pretty good on defense and can get after the quarterback. The Packers have Brett Favre, but other than Donald Driver the offensive talent around him is young and inexperienced which will play a roll in this game. The defenses for both teams will do enough to keep their teams close. Look for Seattle’s past playoff experience to be the deciding factor in enabling the ‘Hawks to squeeze out a close victory on the road.
NEW ENGLAND (-13) over Jacksonville
Everyone loved Jacksonville last weekend against the Steelers and with good reason, but the Jags near collapse showed that they are extremely vulnerable against a spread offense throwing the ball around the field. So what is going to happen in Foxborough against Tom Brady, Randy Moss and company? Do the Patriots even bother trying to run the ball in this game? Jacksonville will try to run the football and then try to run it some more. There is no doubt that Jacksonville can be successful pounding it at the Pat’s overrated defense, but at some point David Garrard is going to have to make some plays and put some points on the board and he won’t be able to make enough to hang with Mr. Brady. Look for Wes Welker to run wild over the middle and for the Patriots to score and score often.
The PickMeister - J. Daniel
Seattle (+7.5) over GREEN BAY
Lambeau is tough place to play in the playoffs no doubt about it. Although the Pack proved to be one of dominant teams in NFC this year going 13-3, I just don’t think they’re the Super Bowl winning Packers of the past. I am not convinced that Favre is any different from the 30 Int QB we saw two years ago. He will make mistakes that’ll keep the Hawks in the game. In the end I’m sure the Pack’s offense will pull out a victory, but I don’t think they will cover the ridiculous 7.5 point spread. Take Seattle with the points.
Jacksonville (+13) over NEW ENGLAND
Everyone thinks that the perfect* Patriots are going to murder the Jags this weekend. Sorry to burst your bubble Patriots fans but your oh so wonderful cheating season will come to an end Saturday night. That’s right, not only will the Jags beat the spread but they are going to win outright. New England’s defense is ranked 10th in the run, but would be considerably lower if their opponents weren’t always behind. Fred Taylor, Maurice Jones-Drew, and even David Garrard are going to run right over New England’s over-rated 40 year old linebacking core. Take Jacksonville with the points.
After the Wildcard round it’s the same old story in the Bleeding Sports Playoff Pick’em. G. Francis was a perfect 4-0 on the first weekend of the 2008 playoffs while J. Daniel wallowed in mediocrity finishing 2-2. This weekend there are four more games and two glorious days of football as the divisional round is played. Here are the picks for the Saturday games.
Home Team in CAPS.
The Bleeding Sports Brain Trust - G. Francis
Seattle (+7.5) over GREEN BAY
I’m not a big fan of the Seahawks and the fact they are completely one dimensional on offense due to the lack of a running game should be a red flag especially when you’re playing in January…in Green Bay. Former league MVP Shaun Alexander is proving once again that in the NFL when a running back begins to go into decline it happens almost overnight. Alexander’s career has fallen faster than Britney Spears. However, last weekend Seattle showed the nation that they are pretty good on defense and can get after the quarterback. The Packers have Brett Favre, but other than Donald Driver the offensive talent around him is young and inexperienced which will play a roll in this game. The defenses for both teams will do enough to keep their teams close. Look for Seattle’s past playoff experience to be the deciding factor in enabling the ‘Hawks to squeeze out a close victory on the road.
NEW ENGLAND (-13) over Jacksonville
Everyone loved Jacksonville last weekend against the Steelers and with good reason, but the Jags near collapse showed that they are extremely vulnerable against a spread offense throwing the ball around the field. So what is going to happen in Foxborough against Tom Brady, Randy Moss and company? Do the Patriots even bother trying to run the ball in this game? Jacksonville will try to run the football and then try to run it some more. There is no doubt that Jacksonville can be successful pounding it at the Pat’s overrated defense, but at some point David Garrard is going to have to make some plays and put some points on the board and he won’t be able to make enough to hang with Mr. Brady. Look for Wes Welker to run wild over the middle and for the Patriots to score and score often.
The PickMeister - J. Daniel
Seattle (+7.5) over GREEN BAY
Lambeau is tough place to play in the playoffs no doubt about it. Although the Pack proved to be one of dominant teams in NFC this year going 13-3, I just don’t think they’re the Super Bowl winning Packers of the past. I am not convinced that Favre is any different from the 30 Int QB we saw two years ago. He will make mistakes that’ll keep the Hawks in the game. In the end I’m sure the Pack’s offense will pull out a victory, but I don’t think they will cover the ridiculous 7.5 point spread. Take Seattle with the points.
Jacksonville (+13) over NEW ENGLAND
Everyone thinks that the perfect* Patriots are going to murder the Jags this weekend. Sorry to burst your bubble Patriots fans but your oh so wonderful cheating season will come to an end Saturday night. That’s right, not only will the Jags beat the spread but they are going to win outright. New England’s defense is ranked 10th in the run, but would be considerably lower if their opponents weren’t always behind. Fred Taylor, Maurice Jones-Drew, and even David Garrard are going to run right over New England’s over-rated 40 year old linebacking core. Take Jacksonville with the points.
Wednesday, January 31, 2007
No OFF-Season in the NFL
Except for the Bears and Colts, NFL teams are already hard at work preparing for next season. Along with new head coach hires there has been a good amount of staff turnover around the league. However, there is one move in particular that has stood out to me and while it hasn’t received much national attention it deserves to be discussed.
The Cleveland Browns have spent the early part of their off-season revamping their offensive coaching staff. The Browns offense has been anemic the last couple years so cleaning house was only logical. It was even more logical to go outside the organization and hire San Diego assistant Rob Chudzinski as the new offensive coordinator. Chudzinski comes over from a Chargers team with one of the most dynamic offenses in the league. Cleveland needed a change in offensive philosophy after averaging a dismal 14.8 points per game in 2006.
What defies logic is that the Carolina Panthers felt inclined to hire Cleveland assistant Jeff Davidson as their new offensive coordinator. Following a season where the Carolina offense lacked production and coordinator Dan Henning was frequently criticized for being too conservative, the organization had to make a change. However, to hire an assistant from a team that just dismantled its offensive staff hardly will win over the confidence of the players or fans. If the team was worried about being too conservative the last place to look for an offensive coach was in Cleveland. You think Jake Delhomme and Steve Smith heard about the hire and were immediately excited about the prospect of resembling a Cleveland offense that scored the third fewest points in the league this past season (32 fewer than Carolina). Don’t think so. Just don’t expect to see a repeat come next season with all the “experts” picking the Carolina Panthers for a trip to Super Bowl.
The Cleveland Browns have spent the early part of their off-season revamping their offensive coaching staff. The Browns offense has been anemic the last couple years so cleaning house was only logical. It was even more logical to go outside the organization and hire San Diego assistant Rob Chudzinski as the new offensive coordinator. Chudzinski comes over from a Chargers team with one of the most dynamic offenses in the league. Cleveland needed a change in offensive philosophy after averaging a dismal 14.8 points per game in 2006.
What defies logic is that the Carolina Panthers felt inclined to hire Cleveland assistant Jeff Davidson as their new offensive coordinator. Following a season where the Carolina offense lacked production and coordinator Dan Henning was frequently criticized for being too conservative, the organization had to make a change. However, to hire an assistant from a team that just dismantled its offensive staff hardly will win over the confidence of the players or fans. If the team was worried about being too conservative the last place to look for an offensive coach was in Cleveland. You think Jake Delhomme and Steve Smith heard about the hire and were immediately excited about the prospect of resembling a Cleveland offense that scored the third fewest points in the league this past season (32 fewer than Carolina). Don’t think so. Just don’t expect to see a repeat come next season with all the “experts” picking the Carolina Panthers for a trip to Super Bowl.
Sunday, January 21, 2007
NFL Championship Game Picks by THE PICKMEISTER
Current Playoff Record: 3-5
The Brain Trust Conference Championship Games Picks
Current Playoff Record: 3-5
The Brain Trust Conference Championship Games Picks
Saturday, January 6, 2007
NFL PLAYOFF PICKS
It’s playoff time. The NFL Playoffs start today. What better way for Bleeding Sports to celebrate than with a little healthy picks competition.
Bleeding Sports welcomes The PickMeister to challenge the Bleeding Sports Brain Trust in a little NFL Playoff Pick'em. Bleeding Sports will be keeping score throughout the playoffs in this winner take all battle for illegal sports gambling supremacy.
So here we go. It’s the NFL Wild Card Playoffs. Let the games begins!
Home Teams in CAPS.
The PickMeister's Picks
Both these teams have been unimpressive in the ending weeks of the regular season, each losing 3 out of their last 4 games.
Like the Colts,
Some may say this is the easiest game of the week to pick, I however find it the most difficult. The Giants have proved to be the most inconsistent team in the league, leaving us all to wonder which Giants team is going show up. The first time these two teams met, the Giants won in overtime 30-24. The second meeting told a different story, with
The Brain Trust Picks
The one thing that the Colts have been able to do in the playoffs is crush teams at home in the Wild Card round. Just ask
As the PickMeister mentioned, both teams have played poorly as of late. Dallas has played well in Seattle the last couple of years losing last year on a patented Bledsoe interception late and winning 2 years ago in that memorable Monday night affair. In addition, this
Initially, the Brain Trust thought about picking the Jets. Then the PickMeister took the Jets and the Brain Trust began thinking more clearly. The Jets aren’t a very good football team. Yes, they won at
It’s tough for the Brain Trust to ever pick against the Giants. So why start now! Based on the way both of these teams have been playing there is no reason to think the Eagles won’t cover. However, the first game was close and so was the second game if Tiki bats down the ball on the Cole INT return. It’s tough to see this not being a close game and the Brain Trust still believes the Giants are the better team.
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