NFL Picks Week 6

I am running late on the NFL article because this Angels-Yankees game is off the charts great. Yankee fans now cheering for ARod like he were a God. Amazing how time changes the mind of the masses. If ARod would of gotten the Game Winning hit in the 12th after the Home Run in the 11th to tie the game, I would of felt a man made 3.4 earthquake here.

I am in a bad mood, so this weeks picks will at least have a bit of flavor to them. Enjoy.

Pittsburgh Steelers 45, Cleveland Browns 0 - Yes, that is right. The Squad-doosh! Why? Because if Derek Anderson goes 2-17 off of Buffalo, what the hell is he going to do against a real defense? Oh yeah, and Troy Polamalu is back for the Steelers.
Browns get embarassed so bad, Eric Mangini fines himself $15,000 for being a horrible coach. He should be fining himself though for signing off on the Mark Sanchez for the Jet scraphead trade, and the Braylon Edwards into Federal Protection trade to the Jets.

Carolina Panthers 24, Tampa Bay Bucs 14 - Game of two teams that do not matter. Bucs will score half their points on a Jake Delhomme Pick-6. I wonder if Julius Peppers actually takes the lawnchair onto the field this week. He might as well.
One more thing about the Bucs. How do you give up on the 4th overall pick in the draft two years ago when he has not had less than 6 sacks in a season? That trade felt more like a Euro Soccer Team giving a young player on loan to another. Horrible management.

Kansas City Chiefs 23, Washington Redskins 19 - I would say this is Upset Special, but let's be serious for a second. The Redskins are trash. My friend is a die hard Redskins fan, and is about to go Waco on Jim Zorn. Memo to Daniel Snyder, you want to get rid of Jim Zorn without having to pay him, hire my friend. He would do the deed gladly.

Jacksonville Jaguars 31, St. Louis Rams 17 - Good news for the Rams. They actually score points this week. The bad news for the Rams. There is about 15 college teams that would be favored in Vegas against them. Stephen Jackson finally gets in the endzone, but Maurice Jones Drew sees it three times. Got to love that little cannonball.

Cincinnati Bengals 31, Houston Texans 20 - My faith in the Texans is offically dead. I have no idea how Gary Kubiak and Kyle Shannahan have not received one quote of flamming from the media on their goal line playcalling and personnel. That is why we have to love ESPN, they protect the people they like..... speaking of players ESPN slobbers over....

Baltimore Ravens 23, Minnesota Vikings 17 - Do you really think the Ravens are going to go into a Bye losing three straight? Ravens defense finally shows up and harasses Brett Favre all day long. After being hit to the ground, Jon Gruden and Jaws will come from off the sidelines dressed in drag, like they were immates at Oz, crying and scared for their God.

Green Bay Packers 48, Detroit Lions 10 - No Stafford, no Megatron, and I do not think Starscream is on the roster. Aaron Rodgers is foaming at the gums like one of Michael Vick's old fighting dogs looking at that Lions secondary. (Bad joke, I know, but I am in a bad mood. Comment if you have a problem.)

New York Giants 27, New Orleans Saints 17 - Take the Super Bowl 2 years ago as the litmus test for this game. High octane offense against a defense that can apply pressure with just the four lineman, and can put seven men into coverage. Drew Brees did not do much against the Bills or Jets defenses, and this defense is better than the others.
I also have to mention, Eli Manning is in Brother Peyton mode. Anyone see that deep throw he made to Steve Smith last week? Unguardable, put it in the perfect spot where only his guy can make a play. Can you name five better QB's in football right now?

Philadelphia Eagles 72, Oakland Raiders 0 - Do I really need to explain this one? Eagles score over 30 a game, plays defense, and are going after a QB that looks like he eats every meal like he was on Death Row. Tom Cable might have to punch a special teams player after this one. Do not worry Raider fans, at the deadline, Uncle Al will deal your 2012 first round pick for Shawne Merriman, minus his knee.

New York Jets 16, Buffalo Bills 3 - Suppose to be a cold, bitter, rainy day at the Meadowlands. I wonder if Rex Ryan and crew want to commit a few Murder-Death-Kills after being humiliated on Monday Night. This is the week where TO deploys his verbal nukes. He has been at Defcon 1 for two weeks now.

New England Patriots 34, Tennessee Titans 9 - I would not want to be any Titan this week. Pats are coming home after a loss. Remember when I mentioned this before the Ravens game? NEVER pick against Belichick at home after a loss. Should be NFL Dogma.

Seattle Seahawks 31, Arizona Cardinals 20 - Seattle at home when healthy is awesome. The Cards are lucky to be 2-2 after Kubiak threw them a bone on that god awful playcalling. Hasselback carves up the Cards.

Atlana Falcons 28, Chicago Bears 23 - Wow! I did not know the Falcons had Eff-You mode. They showed it last week, when they went to San Fran, and basically ripped the 49ers hearts out and showed it to them like the bad guy from Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom.
Best game of the week, imo. Both NBC and ESPN have been getting some goodies early in the season. It will not end the way it did last season though. Ryan and posse will win this one outright.


Last Week: 8-6

Season: 49-26

NFL Preview and Predictions- NFC and Super Bowl

NFC East

Philadelphia Eagles 11-5
New York Giants 10-6
Dallas Cowboys 8-8
Washington Redskins 6-10

The Eagles have been in the media alot lately because of the signing of dog lover Michael Vick, but this team did go to the NFC Title game last year. This team has alot of weapons on the offensive side of the ball. QB Donovan Mcnabb cannot complain anymore. He has alot of speed on each side of the field now with WRs DeSean Jackson and rookie Jeremy Maclin. Injuries are the key to this team, as they will miss MLB Stewart Bradley on defense, but at least if RB Brian Westbrook goes down this year, the Eagles drafted Westbrook clone, LeSean Mccoy.

The New York football Giants are the pure defintion of smashmouth football. Overall, they probaly have the best combination of Off and Def. lines in all of football. They have a great punishing RB in Brandon Jacobs and a nasty defense that can be at times intimidating. The only thing keeping this team from winning the divison is QB Eli Manning having no real deep threat at WR and having a severe horseface. Im sorry, but the guy looks like something that runs at Belmont Race Track on a Thursday afternoon. All kidding aside, if somebody emerges to be that WR, this team is dangerous.

Even Jerry Jones said the TO soap opera was enough for him after last season. Now, the Cowboys will go back to running the ball alot with RB Marion Barber and Felix Jones, who looked like a God out there before he got hurt last season. I also saw the Oklahoma-BYU game, and I got to give it to Jones, he does have a palace of a new stadium. Shame it see the playoffs for the second straight season.

This is really a make or break season for the Redskins. Owner Daniel Synder brought in DT Albert Haynesworth and drafted DE/OLB Brian Orakpo to help a defense that was very good last season. The only problem is, Synder did not help the other side of the ball, where QB Jason Campbell is now in basically purgatory after Synder publicly went after Cutler and trading up for Sanchez. This whole team is on watch if 2010 is an uncapped season. Imagine what Synder will do then? He spent 174 million this offseason with a cap.

NFC North

Chicago Bears 11-5
Green Bay Packers 10-6
Minnesota Viknigs 7-9
Detroit Lions 3-13

It is really a tossup between the Bears and Packers for this divison. I am taking the Bears to win the divison though, based on the QB play of the new face of the franchise Jay Cutler, and a better defense than the Packers. The Bears gave up 2 1st round picks, Kyle Orton, four livers, and eight kidneys to bring to strong armed Cutler, and he will immediately make RB Matt Forte into a star, because teams cannot line up 8 defenders in the box anymore.

I really do like the Packers, alot too. I think QB Aaron Rodgers is going to become the next QB to be talked about in the Manning-Brady air. The offense is going to score a ton of points. I just do not trust the defense going into the 3-4 from the 4-3 this season. It always takes at least a year to adapt to such a drastic change in scheme like that. The Pack did draft accordingly to their needs, I just think the defense is one year away, and one injury to old CB's Charles Woodsen and Al Harris away from a mess.

Yes, I am shitting on the Vikings. They have the best non-QB player in the world in RB Adrian Peterson and a fantasic defense, led by DE Jared Allen. I just cannot see The Days of Our Favre running smoothly. I mean seriously, what soap opera ever does? My prediction, Favre throws more Interceptions than touchdowns, and makes up 245 different excuses for the outcome.

At least the Lions will be improved. It will not take much, just one win. It will be another long year in the Motor City, but do not fear, they are headed in the right direction. Out is comedy punchline Matt Millen, and the new front office brought in a tough as nails Head Coach in, Jim Schrawtz. I just hope #1 overall pick QB Matthew Stafford is not Joey Harrington deja vu all over again. Word of advice Lions, keep this kid protected!

NFC South

Atlanta Falcons 11-5
New Orleans Saints 9-7
Carolina Panthers 8-8
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 4-12

Speaking of rebuilding teams, the Falcons has drawn out the blueprints on how to succeed. After the whole Michael Vick/Bobby Petrino fiascos, the Falcons brought in GM Thomas Dimitrioff, and he took a horrid oraganization and rebuilt it on the fly. QB Matt Ryan had a tremdous rookie season, and has TE Tony Gonzalez to throw the ball to after an offseason trade. This is another team that will score, and score often.

Speaking of points, the Saints just do not stop scoring. The only problem is, they can't stop anyone as well. I just do not see how the Saints can have a mid-tier defense to take the pressure off of star QB Drew Brees and Co. Another thing, please just end the Reggie Bush era. He is one year away, or another bitch injury away from being one of the five biggest busts in NFL Draft history.

There are alot of questions that need to be answered about the Panthers. Is Jake Delhomme still a solid QB? Was that insane running game a mirage? Will DE Julius Peppers sulk about his contract status, eventhough hes making what this year..... 16-17 million? One thing is clear in Carolina though, MLB Jon Beason is an absolute beast and tackling machine.

This is a major rebuilding year for the Bucs, and first year Head Coach Raheem Morris. The only player left from those great teams and defenses is CB Ronde Barber, with the departure of OLB Derrick Brooks. With alot of young players in camp this season, Morris just wants to set his philosophies in place. First Round pick QB Josh Freeman will eventually get playing time by the mid-season and Morris will see what he has to work with.

NFC West

Seattle Seahawks 10-6
Arizona Cardinals 9-7
San Francisco 49ers 7-9
St. Louis Rams 4-12

The Seahawks last season were hammered by injuries. This season, it seems that QB Matt Hasselback and crew are all back. The FA signing of WR TJ Houshmandzadeh is huge for Hasselback, as he now has a go-to-guy. The defense will be much improved with DE Patrick Kerney returning from surgery and top draft pick OLB Aaron Curry. New Head Coach Jim Mora Jr. inherited a potentially dangerous team.

The defending NFC champs will be better on defense this season, but that is not much to rave about. The Cardinals gave up 35 points or more in a game in 5 games, and gave up 36 TD passes. I am just worried about the Cardinals lack of running game, and QB Kurt Warner. Last year was like a leap year with him, not getting injured. I just can't see him staying healthy for two straight seasons.

Mike Singletary had the 49ers playing very good football at the end of last season. He is on the right course to get this franchise back into the playoffs, it is just not going to be this season. Having first round draft pick WR Michael Crabtree not signed yet is a major blow to a team that needs playmakers. They are now relying too heavily on RB Frank Gore, eventhough the 49ers Off. Line is below average.

Lastly, the Rams last year were pathetic. No other way of putting it. They did bring in the right guy to coach in Steve Spagnuolo. He will bring an attacking defensive scheme and running game that will be the exact opposite of the last decade's Greatest Show on Turf. RB Stephen Jackson is a freak of nature, but he has to stay healthy.

Playoffs:

Wild Card Round: Seattle Seahawks over Green Bay Packers
                             New York Giants over Chicago Bears

Divisonal Round: Philadelphia Eagles over New York Giants
                           Seattle Seahawks over Atlana Falcons

NFC Conf Round: Seattle Seahawks over Philadelphia Eagles

Finally...

Super Bowl: Baltimore Ravens over Seattle Seahawks

Ricky Rubio, few tidbits........

I am starting to really feel sorry for the state of Minnesota. First, they had to watch the Twins accept 30 cents on the dollar for Johan Santana and lose Torii Hunter for nothing in the same offseason. Then, they have to deal with The Days of Our Favre soap opera and now have to fall into the trap that he is their savior. Now, they have to deal with the Ricky Rubio Saga. Here are some quotes from Rubio, and I will just play translator here:


"Going to Minnesota would have just complicated my life a lot. It was a risk and I didn't see it so clearly."

Translation: There is NO way I will play basketball in Minnesota!!!

"My Priority was the NBA and it was impossible for the Minnesota Timberwolves to pay my buyout clause, so I wanted to stay home." (By the way, which is BS, because T-Wolves GM David Khan has gone back and forth to Spain all summer to negotiate a buyout agreement, and actually was reported that he reached a deal. Also, this is the same franchise that got caught for pulling Used Car sales-under the table deals in the past. Joe Smith ring a bell? Yes, different GM, but same Owner.)

Translation: My priority is to get into a big basketball market (cough New York cough). A warm market if possible (cough LA cough).

"When the season ended, I entered the draft with the intention of going to the NBA. But some things happened that kept me from being ahead of the rest and I ended #5, which I was happy with, but it didn't allow me the chance to go to the NBA. I tried, but in the end it wasn't to be."

Translation: I thought I was going to be a Top 3 pick. I thought the Grizzles had a deal to move down since I told them there was no shot in hell I was going to go play for the Lakers AAA Team. I would already be in Oklahoma City, practicing tossing alley-oops to Kevin Durant in a gym if they picked me. Then, I was happy Minnesota took me with the 5th pick, because I thought they would trade me to New York. Lastly, they drafted Johnny Flynn as well, who is a faster, quicker, tougher, more NBA ready Point Guard than I am.

"They could only put a half a million into it, and I think that deal with Minnesota had too many obstacles." (Just see above. And Ricky? The 500k thing applied to every NBA team.)

"I won't lie. My objective has always been the NBA"

Translation: Although, my Internship at ESPN was solid this summer. Did you guys check me out interviewing the parents in the stands at the Little League World Series?

This can be spun in alot of directions, but two things are clear. one, Rubio never wanted to play in Minnesota. He is now pulling an elegant, more media friendly Steve Francis Power Play. Which, if you remember, was a drafted player telling a franchise that there was a better chance of Popeye being attracted to Bluto over Olive Oil, than he would ever put on their jeresy. And last, 18 year old kids do not know how to bullshit people yet. He just offically made his bed, I hope he can sleep in it.


Couple of more tidbits:

It never ceases to amaze me how sometimes people are sheep. The #1 selling NFL jeresy? Brett Farve. That is basically an $80 snotrag when Favre has one of his classic 23 Touchdown/19 Int seasons and leads the Vikings to a 7-9 record.

The 4th best selling jeresy? Michael Vick.... Nothing out of Philly would amaze me. Just tell me, does the Vick jeresy come with his Eagles number, or his prison process number?

Speaking of Philly, I think the Phillies are getting the A-Game from Cole Hamels just at the right time.

Big props to David Wright for coming back this season after being plunked in the peanut! But, did you see that new helmet he is wearing? Now, I am all for the safety precautious, but I dunno if he is playing baseball, or if he is at the Jetson's house flying around with Elroy.

And last, the one thing I learned from Pac Man Jones signing to play in the CFL, Winnipeg must have some high quality strip clubs.