Boy if you like high pressure football make sure you catch the Green Bay v Minnesota game today.
There are already a ton of reasons to watch this game. Packers-Vikings is a one of the oldest rivalries in football and is always entertaining. You've got the whole Bert Favor saga going on. Does he like Brad Childress? Does he hate him? Are they locked in epic game of monopoly where both men are trapped in jail and trying to roll doubles so they don't have to cough up the 50 clams ? I don't know.
Could this be Favor's last game against the Packers ? Probably, but who knows. There are all kinds of questions to be answered in this game but the one you should be watching for is this.
Can the Green Bay Packers, who are notorious for letting the Vikings get to them, finally put a man sized fork in their most hated rivals? Because if Green Bay wins today it will mean that the Vikings are done. D-O-N-E done.
If they lose today it will drop "Chilly and the Vets" to a rotund 3-7 . Three and seven !! This is a team with a monstrous offensive line , Bert Favor, Adrian Peterson,Percy Harvin,Jarrod Allen, and many more studs all over the field. At 3-7 the Vikings would be 4 games out of first place in the NFC North to not one but two teams ! (Bears are 7-3 some crazy how) Needless to say it will be tough to climb over those two teams with only 6 games left to go. But even if they somehow do that they only have 2 division games left and can only go 3-3 in division at best. This of course means that even if they do catch the Bears and Packers they would still loose the tiebreakers.
So winning the division will be all but mathematically impossible if they loose today. So what about a playoff spot you say ? Well lets look at the good old NFC shall we.
Should Vikings fall to 3-7 that would mean ( even if every game goes there way this week) that they have the 11th best record in the NFC. So that said, they would have 10 teams above them and the top 6 teams , the Bears,Packers,Giants,Eagles,Falcons and Saints all with at 6 wins or more. On top of that there could be 3 more teams tied the Vikes at 3-7 . !!!
With only 6 weeks left the best the Vikings could do would be 9-7. If they somehow turn everything around and win 6 in a row to finish the season I mean. With no shot to win there own division and at least 7 teams with 6 wins already I'm not sure it's even mathematically possible for 9-7 to be good enough to win a playoff spot in NFC this year. You will need at least 10 wins to get a wild card spot this year.
So for a team with all that talent, how does it feel to out of it after only 10 weeks. Your done Minnesota. Maybe trying to ride Green Bay's coat tails and letting one player play by his own set of rules wasn't such a good idea was it ?
By the way , on this same subject. Hey Cincinnati , you just let up 28 unanswered points to the Bills and are about to go to down to 2-8. You went from winning the division last year to 2-8 ( also out of the playoffs) just by signing T.O.
Good job Cinnci.
Sunday, November 21, 2010
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
NFC PREDICTIONS 2010
OK then . You saw my 2010 predictions for the AFC. So lets get down to the business of the NFC. Like I've said before I am a total football junkie. Which makes me think I know everything , which means I actually know nothing. So at the end of the year you can all clown me for being so far wrong . ..........Or can you ??? We shall see.
NFC EAST
Wow , talk about a freakin meat grinder. The NFC East has long been the source of some truly great rivalry games. Eagles v Skins , Skins v Giants , and Cowboys v all of them. But this year will be even more memorable.
Thanks to the Eagles incomprehensible decision to let Donovan McNabb go to a team within the division the East will be a war of attrition in 2010 if ever there was one. All 4 teams are good now , and any one of them could beat the other on any givin day.
Eli Manning's Giants were down last year after winning the big one but they still sport a power running game and the NON Plaxico Burres receiving core is coming around. Needless to say the defense will decide the fate of the G-Men this year.
Philadelphia and Washington trade philosophies at quarterback this year. One goes with proven starter McNabb while the other turns to up and comer Kevin Kolb. Mike Shanahan joins the division at coach of the Skins and it should make them better. Andy Reid continues to do what he do with a big offense and a hard nosed D.
Dallas has the team to beat on paper. Passing , Running , and guys that can get to the QB provide a nice tri-fecta. The secondary will be the question in BIG D .
MY PREDICTION
Dallas------------11 - 5 -------
Philadelphia------10 - 6
New York-------- 8 - 8
Washington-------7 - 9
The Boys survive the war of attrition , but it aint gonna be easy.
NFC NORTH
Although much improved , this division is heavy at the top. If Bert Favor survives the pounding Minnesota should repeat. These guys have it all . Top flight passing game , potentially dominant running game , and a defense that just doesn't quit. Keep in mind they were 2 plays away from the Superbowl last year. B. Favor doesn't even have to be as good as he was last year for this team to win 13 games. The only weakness as I see it ? Coach Brad Childress is a dingus of the highest order. He had the best running offense on earth last year and for some reason decided to abandon it in favor of ......well .......Favor.
The Green Bay Packers have sparked a lot of Superbowl talk this off season. I would caution drinking the cheese-aid. Sure Aaron Rodgers is awesome and the receiving core is top notch , but Ryan Grant aint all that and the O-line is shaky. Couple that with a defense that has to cheat to win. ( 2nd in the league only to Baltimore last year in defensive penalties ) and the Packers are primed to blow some games in the 4th quarter.
Detroit and Chicago will fight for the cellar and the Bears best look the hell out. Both teams are more than capable of playing spoiler. It would not surprise me to see Mathew Stafford outplay Jay Cutler this season and take 3rd place in the North.
MY PREDICTION
Minnesota-------12 - 4
Green Bay-------10 - 6
Chicago---------- 7 - 9
Detroit----------- 5 - 11
Pack are good , but can't quite climb over the Vikings.
NFC SOUTH
Matt Ryan and the Falcons are a damn good football team. Quarterback Matty Ice and a healthy Michael Turner should return the birds to the success they had 2 years ago. But as good as they are ......they got nothing on the Saints. Drew Brees and crew will dominate again despite a questionable defense. Too many weapons for Drew Brees equals pain and suffering for the rest of the division , if not the whole NFC.
Carolina has talent , but they don't know who they are. Steve Smith is only as good as his quarterback , and the running back by committee can't make up for all of that.
Tampa Bay has some nice young players now. They could be putting something good together. But it isn't happening this year.
MY PREDICTION
New Orleans--------13 - 3
Atlanta--------------10 - 6
Carolina-------------6 - 10
Tampa Bay----------4 - 12
New Orleans is just too much to handle. They repeat as division champs.
NFC WEST
Just like the AFC , the NFC West is a mess.
Minus Kurt Warner the Cardinals flounder. At best it seems like they will go with Derrick Anderson at QB. That is not ideal to say the least.
The Seahawks seem to be trapped in a personnel crisis. Old guys not playing so well combined with young talent that needs a couple years to develop.
The Rams are just plain bad. Steven Jackson is a monster , and the defense isn't terrible , but no offensive line and no secondary , combined with a rookie at QB will doom this team. Sorry Sam Bradford , you are going to have to feel some growing pains brother.
The only shining light is the 49ers . If Frank Gore stays healthy and the offense starts making plays the 49ers have a chance.
MY PREDICTION
San Francisco-------10 - 6
Arizona---------------7 - 9
Seattle----------------5 - 11
St. Louis--------------3 - 13
49ers win by default.
THE NFC PLAYOFFS
1. - N.O.-----------N.O.
------------------------------------N.O.
3. - DAL-----------DAL
6. - ATL
--------------------------------------------------NEW ORLEANS
4. - G.B.-----------G.B.
5. - PHI
------------------------------------G.B
2. - MIN----------MIN
Pack upset the Vikings but can't deal with the Saints. Saints repeat as NFC Champs
NFC EAST
Wow , talk about a freakin meat grinder. The NFC East has long been the source of some truly great rivalry games. Eagles v Skins , Skins v Giants , and Cowboys v all of them. But this year will be even more memorable.
PICTURED - MEMORABLE
Thanks to the Eagles incomprehensible decision to let Donovan McNabb go to a team within the division the East will be a war of attrition in 2010 if ever there was one. All 4 teams are good now , and any one of them could beat the other on any givin day.
Eli Manning's Giants were down last year after winning the big one but they still sport a power running game and the NON Plaxico Burres receiving core is coming around. Needless to say the defense will decide the fate of the G-Men this year.
Philadelphia and Washington trade philosophies at quarterback this year. One goes with proven starter McNabb while the other turns to up and comer Kevin Kolb. Mike Shanahan joins the division at coach of the Skins and it should make them better. Andy Reid continues to do what he do with a big offense and a hard nosed D.
Dallas has the team to beat on paper. Passing , Running , and guys that can get to the QB provide a nice tri-fecta. The secondary will be the question in BIG D .
MY PREDICTION
Dallas------------11 - 5 -------
Philadelphia------10 - 6
New York-------- 8 - 8
Washington-------7 - 9
The Boys survive the war of attrition , but it aint gonna be easy.
NFC NORTH
Although much improved , this division is heavy at the top. If Bert Favor survives the pounding Minnesota should repeat. These guys have it all . Top flight passing game , potentially dominant running game , and a defense that just doesn't quit. Keep in mind they were 2 plays away from the Superbowl last year. B. Favor doesn't even have to be as good as he was last year for this team to win 13 games. The only weakness as I see it ? Coach Brad Childress is a dingus of the highest order. He had the best running offense on earth last year and for some reason decided to abandon it in favor of ......well .......Favor.
please notice me
The Green Bay Packers have sparked a lot of Superbowl talk this off season. I would caution drinking the cheese-aid. Sure Aaron Rodgers is awesome and the receiving core is top notch , but Ryan Grant aint all that and the O-line is shaky. Couple that with a defense that has to cheat to win. ( 2nd in the league only to Baltimore last year in defensive penalties ) and the Packers are primed to blow some games in the 4th quarter.
Detroit and Chicago will fight for the cellar and the Bears best look the hell out. Both teams are more than capable of playing spoiler. It would not surprise me to see Mathew Stafford outplay Jay Cutler this season and take 3rd place in the North.
MY PREDICTION
Minnesota-------12 - 4
Green Bay-------10 - 6
Chicago---------- 7 - 9
Detroit----------- 5 - 11
Pack are good , but can't quite climb over the Vikings.
NFC SOUTH
Matt Ryan and the Falcons are a damn good football team. Quarterback Matty Ice and a healthy Michael Turner should return the birds to the success they had 2 years ago. But as good as they are ......they got nothing on the Saints. Drew Brees and crew will dominate again despite a questionable defense. Too many weapons for Drew Brees equals pain and suffering for the rest of the division , if not the whole NFC.
Carolina has talent , but they don't know who they are. Steve Smith is only as good as his quarterback , and the running back by committee can't make up for all of that.
Tampa Bay has some nice young players now. They could be putting something good together. But it isn't happening this year.
MY PREDICTION
New Orleans--------13 - 3
Atlanta--------------10 - 6
Carolina-------------6 - 10
Tampa Bay----------4 - 12
New Orleans is just too much to handle. They repeat as division champs.
NFC WEST
Just like the AFC , the NFC West is a mess.
Minus Kurt Warner the Cardinals flounder. At best it seems like they will go with Derrick Anderson at QB. That is not ideal to say the least.
The Seahawks seem to be trapped in a personnel crisis. Old guys not playing so well combined with young talent that needs a couple years to develop.
The Rams are just plain bad. Steven Jackson is a monster , and the defense isn't terrible , but no offensive line and no secondary , combined with a rookie at QB will doom this team. Sorry Sam Bradford , you are going to have to feel some growing pains brother.
thank god for these guys
The only shining light is the 49ers . If Frank Gore stays healthy and the offense starts making plays the 49ers have a chance.
MY PREDICTION
San Francisco-------10 - 6
Arizona---------------7 - 9
Seattle----------------5 - 11
St. Louis--------------3 - 13
49ers win by default.
THE NFC PLAYOFFS
1. - N.O.-----------N.O.
------------------------------------N.O.
3. - DAL-----------DAL
6. - ATL
--------------------------------------------------NEW ORLEANS
4. - G.B.-----------G.B.
5. - PHI
------------------------------------G.B
2. - MIN----------MIN
Pack upset the Vikings but can't deal with the Saints. Saints repeat as NFC Champs
Monday, August 30, 2010
AFC - 2010 PREDICTIONS
Alright then ! Yeahhhhhhhhhhh !!! Time to do some predictions for the upcoming NFL season. I'm a total football junkie , which means I think I know everything , which means I am always wrong. Thanks to the blogosphere we can all go back at the end of the year and laugh at how little I actually know . Sounds fun right ? Lets start with the AFC.
AFC EAST
The New England Patriots have won the East Division 6 out of the last 7 years and if not for a salty Dolphins squad edging them out in 2008 via tie-breaker it would be 7 in a row. The Pats have made the playoffs 7 times this decade and have appeared in a league leading 4 Superbowls, having won 3 , also league leading. Tom Brady should return to form a year removed from the knee injury but the defense has become questionable.
Then of course you have the New York Jets who have put together one hell of a team on paper. A strong defense , coupled with decent special teams and " we will kick you in balls " Rex Ryan mentality to go along with rising star Mark Sanchez at QB. Not to mention the fact that they have a hall of famer ( Ladanian Tomlinson ) as their 2nd running back make the Jets a tough team. Point blank.
The power running , ball control Miami Dolphins add big time offensive threat Brandon Marshall at WR and QB Chad Henne appears poised to have a breakout year. This combo could make the Dolphins a tough win for anyone if they sport any defense at all.
Then there are the Buffalo Bills. I love to root for the hard luck Bills , and I love rookie running back C.J. Spiller but the sad fact of the matter is that the Bills are in a tough division and just don't have the goods to compete.
MY PREDICTION
NEW ENGLAND - 13 - 3---- 1 seed
NEW YORK------- 10 - 6---- 5 seed
MIAMI ------------ 8 - 8
BUFFALO --------- 5 - 11
Brady and company return to form while Mark Sanchez suffers a sophomore slump. Dolphins and Bills play spoiler.
AFC NORTH
A down year for the Steelers and some tough breaks for the Ravens allowed the Bengals to take the North last year . Don't look for history to repeat itself here. The Bengals are a good football team to be sure but this division will jack them up this year like it always does. The Ravens now have a top flight offense and if the Steelers can make it through the Big Ben suspension 3 -3 or better it will be near impossible for the Bengals to win 10 games. Despite T.O.
MY PREDICTION
INDIANAPOLIS------ 12 - 4------3rd seed
HOUSTON ------------ 10 - 6-----6th seed
TENNESSEE ----------- 7 - 9
JACKSONVILLE ------ 5 - 11
Tennessee and Jacksonville fade away , Houston rises up .
AFC WEST
What can you say about the 4 teams in the AFC WEST ? The last time this division represented itself well was the back to back Superbowl wins the Broncos achieved in 97 and 98 . Since then it seems that the only motivation to play well for these guys is the desire to smash a division foe. I love that actually , keep the hate West !
The Raiders and Chiefs are mired in pathetic down stretches and the Broncos aren't much better. San Diego seems to be the only team that wants to win but they happen to be saddled with the Norv Turner curse. The Chargers are the best playoff team to disappoint in the entire NFL.
Jason Cambell makes the Raiders better but not by much. The Chiefs are a disaster and 2nd year coach Josh McDaniels seems hell bent on forming a team with inferior players. For his own amusement apparently.
MY PREDICTION
SAN DIEGO -------- 12 - 4-----2nd seed
DENVER ------------- 8 - 8
OAKLAND ----------- 5 - 11
KANSAS CITY ------- 3 - 13
Chargers are still the Chargers , and the rest still suck
THE AFC PLAYOFFS
1. - N.E.--------N.E.
-----------------------------BAL-----
4. - BAL--------BAL
5. - JET
---------------------------------------------------------INDIANAPOLIS
3. - IND--------IND
6. - HOU
-----------------------------IND------
2. - S.D.---------S.D.
Colts take the AFC . I just don't think Houston has enough experiance, the Chargers can't break the curse , and as good as Baltimore is they wont hold down Manning when it counts. Colts repeat as AFC champs.
AFC EAST
The New England Patriots have won the East Division 6 out of the last 7 years and if not for a salty Dolphins squad edging them out in 2008 via tie-breaker it would be 7 in a row. The Pats have made the playoffs 7 times this decade and have appeared in a league leading 4 Superbowls, having won 3 , also league leading. Tom Brady should return to form a year removed from the knee injury but the defense has become questionable.
Then of course you have the New York Jets who have put together one hell of a team on paper. A strong defense , coupled with decent special teams and " we will kick you in balls " Rex Ryan mentality to go along with rising star Mark Sanchez at QB. Not to mention the fact that they have a hall of famer ( Ladanian Tomlinson ) as their 2nd running back make the Jets a tough team. Point blank.
blank....point , blank
The power running , ball control Miami Dolphins add big time offensive threat Brandon Marshall at WR and QB Chad Henne appears poised to have a breakout year. This combo could make the Dolphins a tough win for anyone if they sport any defense at all.
Then there are the Buffalo Bills. I love to root for the hard luck Bills , and I love rookie running back C.J. Spiller but the sad fact of the matter is that the Bills are in a tough division and just don't have the goods to compete.
MY PREDICTION
NEW ENGLAND - 13 - 3---- 1 seed
NEW YORK------- 10 - 6---- 5 seed
MIAMI ------------ 8 - 8
BUFFALO --------- 5 - 11
Brady and company return to form while Mark Sanchez suffers a sophomore slump. Dolphins and Bills play spoiler.
AFC NORTH
A down year for the Steelers and some tough breaks for the Ravens allowed the Bengals to take the North last year . Don't look for history to repeat itself here. The Bengals are a good football team to be sure but this division will jack them up this year like it always does. The Ravens now have a top flight offense and if the Steelers can make it through the Big Ben suspension 3 -3 or better it will be near impossible for the Bengals to win 10 games. Despite T.O.
and despite this as well
I have big faith in Mike Holmgren's influence over an organization but these things take time. Cleveland may win some games this year and may even upset some teams in the division but in the end will not really factor.
MY PREDICTION
BALTIMORE ----- 11 - 5 ----- 4th seed
PITTSBURGH ---- 9 - 7
CINCINNATI ----- 8 - 8
CLEVELAND ------ 4 - 12
Baltimore overcomes several inadequacies in the defensive secondary to win the division.
AFC SOUTH
The Indianapolis Colts are , for lack of a better word , machines. At least in the regular season. From 2000 to 2009 the Colts won a league best 115 games. That's an average of 11.5 a year for you math dunces. The Colts have an uncanny ability to interchange parts and still dominate offensively. With Peyton Manning still running the show there is no reason for this to change.
The Tennessee Titans sport the leagues best running back in Chris Johnson and there is no way they start 0 - 6 again this year. That being said Vince Young just is not the man , and the defense has lost some key players.
The Houston Texans ( despite that weak name ) are chomping at the bit to go from just missing the playoffs , to solid playoff contenders. Their biggest hurdle as always , is the Colts. Statistically the Texans have the hardest schedule in the league this year. If they can weather that , and steal at least one game from Indianapolis , look for the Texans to make their first playoff appearance ever.
Maurice Jones-Drew is not only an awesome back , but he just might be the coolest guy in the league. What with his love of fantasy football and Madden video games. MJD rocks , but the Jags are under qualified to compete this year.
MY PREDICTION
BALTIMORE ----- 11 - 5 ----- 4th seed
PITTSBURGH ---- 9 - 7
CINCINNATI ----- 8 - 8
CLEVELAND ------ 4 - 12
Baltimore overcomes several inadequacies in the defensive secondary to win the division.
AFC SOUTH
The Indianapolis Colts are , for lack of a better word , machines. At least in the regular season. From 2000 to 2009 the Colts won a league best 115 games. That's an average of 11.5 a year for you math dunces. The Colts have an uncanny ability to interchange parts and still dominate offensively. With Peyton Manning still running the show there is no reason for this to change.
The Tennessee Titans sport the leagues best running back in Chris Johnson and there is no way they start 0 - 6 again this year. That being said Vince Young just is not the man , and the defense has lost some key players.
The Houston Texans ( despite that weak name ) are chomping at the bit to go from just missing the playoffs , to solid playoff contenders. Their biggest hurdle as always , is the Colts. Statistically the Texans have the hardest schedule in the league this year. If they can weather that , and steal at least one game from Indianapolis , look for the Texans to make their first playoff appearance ever.
Maurice Jones-Drew is not only an awesome back , but he just might be the coolest guy in the league. What with his love of fantasy football and Madden video games. MJD rocks , but the Jags are under qualified to compete this year.
so cool he can fly ...apparently
MY PREDICTION
INDIANAPOLIS------ 12 - 4------3rd seed
HOUSTON ------------ 10 - 6-----6th seed
TENNESSEE ----------- 7 - 9
JACKSONVILLE ------ 5 - 11
Tennessee and Jacksonville fade away , Houston rises up .
AFC WEST
What can you say about the 4 teams in the AFC WEST ? The last time this division represented itself well was the back to back Superbowl wins the Broncos achieved in 97 and 98 . Since then it seems that the only motivation to play well for these guys is the desire to smash a division foe. I love that actually , keep the hate West !
The Raiders and Chiefs are mired in pathetic down stretches and the Broncos aren't much better. San Diego seems to be the only team that wants to win but they happen to be saddled with the Norv Turner curse. The Chargers are the best playoff team to disappoint in the entire NFL.
Jason Cambell makes the Raiders better but not by much. The Chiefs are a disaster and 2nd year coach Josh McDaniels seems hell bent on forming a team with inferior players. For his own amusement apparently.
MY PREDICTION
SAN DIEGO -------- 12 - 4-----2nd seed
DENVER ------------- 8 - 8
OAKLAND ----------- 5 - 11
KANSAS CITY ------- 3 - 13
Chargers are still the Chargers , and the rest still suck
THE AFC PLAYOFFS
1. - N.E.--------N.E.
-----------------------------BAL-----
4. - BAL--------BAL
5. - JET
---------------------------------------------------------INDIANAPOLIS
3. - IND--------IND
6. - HOU
-----------------------------IND------
2. - S.D.---------S.D.
Colts take the AFC . I just don't think Houston has enough experiance, the Chargers can't break the curse , and as good as Baltimore is they wont hold down Manning when it counts. Colts repeat as AFC champs.
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