Friday, September 7, 2012
Picks of the Week
Welcome back to this year's "Picks of the Week" segment that will occur weekly at We Make It Rain. As a refresher, I like to keep track of what I would have earned had I actually bet on all of the games (since gambling is illegal). Each pick is using the spread (straight up is for wussies), and the betting line is from the same website each week as of the time of typing the entry. I will keep a running tally of my record, plus my winnings/losses. We will pretend that I bet $100 on each game, with one game each week going for $250. Winnings/Losses will be calculated including a 10% vig, which just makes the math that much simpler. On to the picks.
New York Giants - 3 1/2 v. Dallas Cowboys
Yes I know, the game already happened, but I lost it. Might as well own up to it.
Chicago Bears - 9 1/2 v. Indianapolis Colts
For once, it is the Bears with the offensive firepower, and the Colts with a rookie quarterback. Nevertheless, it is the defenseive changes for the Colts going to a 3-4 that may make Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis less threatening than normal. Bears win.
Philadelphia Eagles -9 1/2 at Cleveland Browns
Rookie quarterback and rookie running back could spell disaster for the Browns, especially since Brandon Weedon looks like he is the least prepare of all the rookie QBs to start. Speaking of rookies, Mychal Kendricks, the Eagles linebacker from Cal, could be the best player from this year's draft, including Luck and Griffin.
Detroit Lions -8 v. St. Louis Rams
Can Sam Bradford be Sam Bradford and can Steven Jackson be Steven Jackson? Two big questions that are as yet unanswered. Calvin Johnson is the best offensive player in the NFL and has vowed to gain 100 yards receiving each game. The only thing that might stop him is the emergence of Titus Young at the other receiver position.
Houston Texans -11 1/2 v. Miami Dolphins
I hate to give up this many points this early in the season, but the Miami Dolphins could challenge for the worst team in football this year. Here is hoping that Ryan Tannehill is, as one Dolphin stated, "even better than we hoped he could be".
Kansas City Chiefs +3 v. Atlanta Falcons
Even when they are winning, the Falcons don't seem to be spectacular. The Chiefs defense has been assembling a lot of talent the last few years. At the very least they keep it close.
Jacksonville Jaguars + 3 1/2 at Minnesota Vikings
If Adrian Peterson doesn't play, or isn't himself, this could be the worst offensive (or most offensive) performance of the week. The Jaguars defense flew under the radar and were at times spectacular last season.
New Englad Patriots -5 at Tennesee Titans
I am not sure that anyone knows what we have in Tennessee this year, but Kendall Wright looks exciting. Colin McCarthy is the best linebacker nobody knows about (yet). With that being said, the Patriots generally outscore almost everybody, and will do so this week.
Buffalo Bills +3 at New York Jets
Go Harvard! Do the "Tebow, Tebow, Tebow" chants start this week? Jets running game is awful, which also means that it will not set up the passing game very well.
Seattle Seahawks -3 at Arizona Cardinals
Yes John Skelton was like 5-2 last year, and yes he had some connection with Larry Fitzgerald. But, Marshawn Lynch finished strong (even though he might not play this week), and Russell Wilson just outright won a three-way QB battle in camp. Seattle's defense can stop Arizona much better than Arizona can stop Seattle - with my apologies to Adrian Wilson.
Green Bay Packers -5 v. San Francisco 49ers
Yes, the 49ers have talent, but I think that last year was a bit of an overachievement. The Packers are still reeling from not making the Super Bowl!
Carolina Panthers -3 at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Cam Newton is better than Josh Freeman, and I am not sure what else the Buccaneers have to offer.
Denver Broncos - 1 1/2 v. Pittsburgh Steelers
Not sure what to make of Pittsburgh this year. They may not be able to run, because of running back confusion and because of the injury to guard David DeCastro, and they have defensive question marks. So, I'll give it to Peyton's experience.
Baltimore -6 1/2 v. Cincinnati Bengals
A.J. Green is fantastic, but I just cannot buy into the Bengals being as good as they were last year.
Oakland Raiders -1 1/2 v. San Diego Chargers
The Chargers have questions at running back, receiver, defense. Oakland, which has been much maligned, may have some talent on their team if Carson Palmer can limit his turnovers and utilize the talent properly.
BIG BET OF THE WEEK
New Orleans Saints -8 at Washington Redskins
The Saints received great news today with regard to the unsuspension of several players, including Jonathan Vilma. Their high flying offense was going to force Griffin to try to outscore them anyway, which would inevitably lead to a rookie mistake or two, regardless of how talented Griffin is. Saints win big!!!
Previous Week's Record: N/A
Big Bet Previous Week: N/A
Year to Date: N/A
Big Bet Year to Date: N/A
Winnings (Losses) Last Week: N/A
Winnings (Losses) To Date: N/A
Thursday, August 16, 2012
WE'RE BACK
We apologize for the long delay, but Hopps, Sinickal and I are all very busy people. I did want to take a few minutes to start a new series dedicated to the just completed Olympics. With each post I will tell the tale of what I think are the main stories from the Olympic Games in London 2012, generally in descending order (according to me), although from post-to-post I may go out of order if consecutive stories are related topics.
I will write about 1 story per entry, along with pictures of Olympians that we (read I) will miss the most.
That being said - the undisputable number 1 story of these Olympic games is:
USAIN BOLT!!!
He became the first person ever - EVER - to duplicate gold medal winning performances in the 100m and 200m dashes, and the first person since Carl Lewis in 1988 to repeat in the 100m. On top of that, he anchored the world record breaking 4x100m relay team, and London belonged to Bolt. Americans who think that everything has to be about America will insist Michael Phelps was the story of the Olympics, but he wasn't - it was all Usain Bolt!
Now on to the Olympians that I am going to miss most (alphabetically, of course).
1 - Dana Hussain Abdul-Razzaq - Iraq - Track
2 - Mourielle Ahouro - Cote de Ivorie - Track
3 - Faluke Akinradewo - USA - Volleyball
4 - Abeba Aregawi - Ethiopia - Track
5 - Tatiana Ariza - Colombia - Soccer
This entry will be updated shortly with pictures!
I will write about 1 story per entry, along with pictures of Olympians that we (read I) will miss the most.
That being said - the undisputable number 1 story of these Olympic games is:
USAIN BOLT!!!
He became the first person ever - EVER - to duplicate gold medal winning performances in the 100m and 200m dashes, and the first person since Carl Lewis in 1988 to repeat in the 100m. On top of that, he anchored the world record breaking 4x100m relay team, and London belonged to Bolt. Americans who think that everything has to be about America will insist Michael Phelps was the story of the Olympics, but he wasn't - it was all Usain Bolt!
Now on to the Olympians that I am going to miss most (alphabetically, of course).
1 - Dana Hussain Abdul-Razzaq - Iraq - Track
2 - Mourielle Ahouro - Cote de Ivorie - Track
3 - Faluke Akinradewo - USA - Volleyball
4 - Abeba Aregawi - Ethiopia - Track
5 - Tatiana Ariza - Colombia - Soccer
This entry will be updated shortly with pictures!
Monday, March 12, 2012
Let's Get Ready to Gamble!!!
It is the return of Trash Talk Central! Your Tournament Hosts are happy to be back. Oh, and how about America's University!!! No. 1 in the East, No. 1 in your hearts!
This year, we will have two (2) tournament games for you to play. A standard bracket game where you will predict the winners of all 64 games, and a winner take all tournament survivor pool. You can play in one or both.
As always, the most important thing is to respect the rules of the Game. In this case, the Game refers to your bracket submissions for the standard game, the tournament survivor game, payments and trash talk. Let's take them in order:
1. BRACKETS - This year, we are changing the rules a little. You may enter a maximum of 3 brackets, however the champion selected in any bracket can not appear in the Final Four of any other bracket submission!! Your Tournament Host will make all final decisions on the validity of multiple "family" entries. Scoring is standard with no bonuses and escalating points by round. Tie breaker will be the total score of the title game. You can enter your brackets here. Brackets will automatically lock on Thursday.
*Please note that you have to register with CBS Sports to play fantasy sports. I play fantasy football there and I do think they are the best game manager. So please consider registering if you haven't already.
2. SURVIVOR POOL - If you enter the survivor pool, will be required to email your your pick to the Tournament Host by the start of the first game any day games are played beginning on Thursday, March 15. This means that you will have to make up to 10 picks in the tournament. Each day, you must pick one team to win that day. Once you pick a team, you can no longer select that team in subsequent rounds. You must email your pick every game day to silas2727@yahoo.com. FIRST PICKS ARE DUE NO LATER THAN 11:55 AM EASTERN TIME ON THURSDAY, MARCH 15TH.
3. PAYMENT - YOUR DONATION MUST BE RECEIVED NO LATER THAN MONDAY, MARCH 19. I know that I say this every year, but there will be no exceptions. I am too busy this year to chase you down. You will simply disappear from the pool.
PLEASE EMAIL ME AT silas2727@yahoo.com TO ENTER ONE OR BOTH POOLS AND I WILL REPLY WITH INFORMATION FOR DONATIONS AND ADDITIONAL RULES.
4. TRASH TALK - Trash Talk Central will be have a message board on the website for you. Also, we at WeMakeItRain will have some open threads to trash talk here. As always, the rules for trash talk are to 1) be funny, or smart, or both; and 2) be respectful of one another.
Sunday, February 5, 2012
Super Bowl Roundtable
Pepster: OK - It's that time of the year - time for the Super Bowl roundtable. Pats-Giants - Who ya got?
First, since we know that the the Giants are going to have the ball first, either by winning the toss:
Sinickal: Hey - that's my prop bet!
Pepster: ... or because Belicheck loves to defer, let's start with the Giants having the ball. What do we think? Let's start with you Hopps, since you did so well in picking the baseball playoffs.
Hopps: I think that Eli is the better Manning at this point, and he is going to have a huge game, by throwing to, wait for it ... Jake Ballard.
Pepster and Sinickal: What?!
Hopps: I am serious. With all of the attention paid to Nicks, Cruz and Manningham, Ballard is going to end up with over 100 yards, possibly with a back breaking touchdown.
Sinickal: I don't think Ballard is going to that big of a story, maybe one or two catches, but it will be easy for the Giants to exploit that Patriots secondary. I mean Julian Edelman, come on. I wish he was guarding me back when I was in college.
Pepster: I think we are in general agreement that the Patriots defense will have trouble with the Giants offense. However, I think it is going to be a lot of Ahmad Bradshaw. Coughlin will definitely want to prove they can run the ball, after doing so poorly in that department all year.
Sinickal: And speaking of Coughlin, he did go to America's University - have to root for him.
Hopps: I didn't know he went to American University.
Sinickal: Not American - America's.
Pepster: He means Syracuse. Such a homer. What about when the Pats have the ball?
Hopps: The Giants D-line will be the determining factor. Jason Pierre-Paul will get to Brady, and the team will have 4 sacks.
Pepster: They only sacked Brady once in the first game.
Hopps: They are much healthier now. And the Nascar package - Tuck, Umenyiora, JPP, Boley, Kiwanuka - that's a sick pass rush. To counter the pass rush, the Pats will rush for over 100 yards as a team, with a healthy dose of the law firm.
Pepster: What about passing? Brady did throw for over 5K this year.
Hopps: Gronk will be a non-factor, meaning that OchoCinco will have to have a big game.
Sinickal: HAHAHAHAHAHA!
Pepster: General thoughts?
Sinickal: The Giants are better at every position except Tight End and QB, and I am not sold that the QB matchup gap is very big at all. Plus, more bad stuff results from Eli winning that Brady winning. Eli would have beaten Brady in two Super Bowls, making it impossible for Brady to be considered better than Montana or Bradshaw. Eli would have more rings that Peyton. Coughlin would have to be considered one of the greatest coaches of all time.
Pepster: What?
Sinickal: Hear me out. Two Super Bowls, and he was on the sideline for BC the last time that Notre Dame was a number 1 team, and he took the Jacksonville Jaguars to the AFC championship game in their second year of existence. And .... I REALLY HATE BOSTON SPORTS FANS!!!
Hopps: Screw you!
Sinickal: I also want people to realize the curse of Bridget Moynihan. Bridget is 3-0 in Super Bowls, Gisele is 0-1.
Pepster: Selections? I say Giants will win outright, so definitely take the points.
Hopps: Same here.
Sinickal: Its unanimous. I think the line stinks, though. Patriots -3? Most people cannot figure out why the Patriots are even favored in this game. Everything points to the Giants, which means you should "run to the smell"! That is a Steve Czaban rule, but it also fits Gambling Rule No. 4 - they only mistake sports books make is not opening even earlier to take your money.
Pepster: Any prop bets? Mine are times that Madonna is insulted by being on the same stage as Nicki Minaj and MIA - infinity.
Sinickal: I say that a piece of Madonna will fall off on the field during the halftime show. My odds: Wig 6:1, Breast Implant 26:1, Sex Toy 263:1, Tooth 12:1, Jewelry 6:1, Ghost of Sean Penn 65:1.
Pepster: My favorite prop bet is "how many times will Pepster become upset when someone mentions Tim Tebow?". Only acceptable bet is "ALL OF THEM"!
Hopps: Come on guys - get serious. I say the over of 2 i going for it on 4th down, and that the Pats will have more penalty yards than the Giants.
Sinickal: Peyton Manning's name will be mentioned twice in the first quarter - Over.
Pepster: As for a real bet - I am taking the over.
Hopps: I am taking the under.
Sinickal: The O/U is 55 or 54 (depending upon where you shop). I would want to take the under so I will not be betting this. Gambling Rule No. 12 - only bet money on the over. Too much emotional trauma trying to nurse an under home. Remember the old adage - when you are over, it is over.
Pepster: Everyone, enjoy the Super Bowl. And repeat after me ... "JPP for MVP! JPP for MVP"!
First, since we know that the the Giants are going to have the ball first, either by winning the toss:
Sinickal: Hey - that's my prop bet!
Pepster: ... or because Belicheck loves to defer, let's start with the Giants having the ball. What do we think? Let's start with you Hopps, since you did so well in picking the baseball playoffs.
Hopps: I think that Eli is the better Manning at this point, and he is going to have a huge game, by throwing to, wait for it ... Jake Ballard.
Pepster and Sinickal: What?!
Hopps: I am serious. With all of the attention paid to Nicks, Cruz and Manningham, Ballard is going to end up with over 100 yards, possibly with a back breaking touchdown.
Sinickal: I don't think Ballard is going to that big of a story, maybe one or two catches, but it will be easy for the Giants to exploit that Patriots secondary. I mean Julian Edelman, come on. I wish he was guarding me back when I was in college.
Pepster: I think we are in general agreement that the Patriots defense will have trouble with the Giants offense. However, I think it is going to be a lot of Ahmad Bradshaw. Coughlin will definitely want to prove they can run the ball, after doing so poorly in that department all year.
Sinickal: And speaking of Coughlin, he did go to America's University - have to root for him.
Hopps: I didn't know he went to American University.
Sinickal: Not American - America's.
Pepster: He means Syracuse. Such a homer. What about when the Pats have the ball?
Hopps: The Giants D-line will be the determining factor. Jason Pierre-Paul will get to Brady, and the team will have 4 sacks.
Pepster: They only sacked Brady once in the first game.
Hopps: They are much healthier now. And the Nascar package - Tuck, Umenyiora, JPP, Boley, Kiwanuka - that's a sick pass rush. To counter the pass rush, the Pats will rush for over 100 yards as a team, with a healthy dose of the law firm.
Pepster: What about passing? Brady did throw for over 5K this year.
Hopps: Gronk will be a non-factor, meaning that OchoCinco will have to have a big game.
Sinickal: HAHAHAHAHAHA!
Pepster: General thoughts?
Sinickal: The Giants are better at every position except Tight End and QB, and I am not sold that the QB matchup gap is very big at all. Plus, more bad stuff results from Eli winning that Brady winning. Eli would have beaten Brady in two Super Bowls, making it impossible for Brady to be considered better than Montana or Bradshaw. Eli would have more rings that Peyton. Coughlin would have to be considered one of the greatest coaches of all time.
Pepster: What?
Sinickal: Hear me out. Two Super Bowls, and he was on the sideline for BC the last time that Notre Dame was a number 1 team, and he took the Jacksonville Jaguars to the AFC championship game in their second year of existence. And .... I REALLY HATE BOSTON SPORTS FANS!!!
Hopps: Screw you!
Sinickal: I also want people to realize the curse of Bridget Moynihan. Bridget is 3-0 in Super Bowls, Gisele is 0-1.
Pepster: Selections? I say Giants will win outright, so definitely take the points.
Hopps: Same here.
Sinickal: Its unanimous. I think the line stinks, though. Patriots -3? Most people cannot figure out why the Patriots are even favored in this game. Everything points to the Giants, which means you should "run to the smell"! That is a Steve Czaban rule, but it also fits Gambling Rule No. 4 - they only mistake sports books make is not opening even earlier to take your money.
Pepster: Any prop bets? Mine are times that Madonna is insulted by being on the same stage as Nicki Minaj and MIA - infinity.
Sinickal: I say that a piece of Madonna will fall off on the field during the halftime show. My odds: Wig 6:1, Breast Implant 26:1, Sex Toy 263:1, Tooth 12:1, Jewelry 6:1, Ghost of Sean Penn 65:1.
Pepster: My favorite prop bet is "how many times will Pepster become upset when someone mentions Tim Tebow?". Only acceptable bet is "ALL OF THEM"!
Hopps: Come on guys - get serious. I say the over of 2 i going for it on 4th down, and that the Pats will have more penalty yards than the Giants.
Sinickal: Peyton Manning's name will be mentioned twice in the first quarter - Over.
Pepster: As for a real bet - I am taking the over.
Hopps: I am taking the under.
Sinickal: The O/U is 55 or 54 (depending upon where you shop). I would want to take the under so I will not be betting this. Gambling Rule No. 12 - only bet money on the over. Too much emotional trauma trying to nurse an under home. Remember the old adage - when you are over, it is over.
Pepster: Everyone, enjoy the Super Bowl. And repeat after me ... "JPP for MVP! JPP for MVP"!
Sunday, January 22, 2012
NFL Conference Championship Weekend Picks
So, my quest for a perfect playoffs ended way early, but my disdain for my personal picks ended after watching thelast quarter of the New Orleans - San Francisco game. Fantastic, and just absolutely the reason why we watch playoff football. Well, that and watching the sports bar I was in turn off the Denver-New England game for UFC.
As always, I will make the picks straight up and against the spread.
Baltimore Ravens +7 at New England Patriots
Baltimore Ravens
New England's offense is out-of-this world, however, the Pats have to play against an equally talented (and perhaps more so) defense in the Ravens. However, the Ravens can play the run, and the pass, whereas the Patriots can only really pass. In fact, Aaron Hernandez (about whom I commented when he was at UF would be the best pro out of those Gator teams), was the leading running back last week for New England. For those new to the game of football, Hernandez is a TIGHT END!
Since New England cannot really run very well, and if they try, Haloti Ngata will stuff that, leaving Terrell Suggs to rush, Ray Lewis to cover sideline-to-sideline, and the opportunistic secondary to make things difficult for the New England pass catchers.
One caveat, New England can win if Rob Gronkowski gets matched up with Ray Lewis or a safety one-on-one.
That being said, Ray Rice outperforms everyone, and scores enought for the Ravens to wing.
New York Giants +2 at San Francisco 49ers
New York Giants
San Francisco was ridiculously impressive last week, and Alex Smith looked like he not only belongs in the league, but he could be a star. However, that was against New Orleans' defense. The Giants defense, led by the best player in the league this year, Jason Pierre-Paul, is much bigger, faster, stronger and more athletic than the Saints.
Although the 49ers are tough against the run, I expect AHmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs to be somewhat productive, with Patrick Willis getting a few licks in.
The caveat, if Frank Gore has a 135 yards rushing, 80 yards receiving and 3 Touchdown kind of game, the 49ers can win.
I don't think they will.
Last Week Straight Up: 2-2
Last Week Against-the-Spread: 2-2
Playoffs Straight Up: 3-5
Last Week Against-the-Spread: 3-5
As always, I will make the picks straight up and against the spread.
Baltimore Ravens +7 at New England Patriots
Baltimore Ravens
New England's offense is out-of-this world, however, the Pats have to play against an equally talented (and perhaps more so) defense in the Ravens. However, the Ravens can play the run, and the pass, whereas the Patriots can only really pass. In fact, Aaron Hernandez (about whom I commented when he was at UF would be the best pro out of those Gator teams), was the leading running back last week for New England. For those new to the game of football, Hernandez is a TIGHT END!
Since New England cannot really run very well, and if they try, Haloti Ngata will stuff that, leaving Terrell Suggs to rush, Ray Lewis to cover sideline-to-sideline, and the opportunistic secondary to make things difficult for the New England pass catchers.
One caveat, New England can win if Rob Gronkowski gets matched up with Ray Lewis or a safety one-on-one.
That being said, Ray Rice outperforms everyone, and scores enought for the Ravens to wing.
New York Giants +2 at San Francisco 49ers
New York Giants
San Francisco was ridiculously impressive last week, and Alex Smith looked like he not only belongs in the league, but he could be a star. However, that was against New Orleans' defense. The Giants defense, led by the best player in the league this year, Jason Pierre-Paul, is much bigger, faster, stronger and more athletic than the Saints.
Although the 49ers are tough against the run, I expect AHmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs to be somewhat productive, with Patrick Willis getting a few licks in.
The caveat, if Frank Gore has a 135 yards rushing, 80 yards receiving and 3 Touchdown kind of game, the 49ers can win.
I don't think they will.
Last Week Straight Up: 2-2
Last Week Against-the-Spread: 2-2
Playoffs Straight Up: 3-5
Last Week Against-the-Spread: 3-5
Saturday, January 14, 2012
Playoff Picks
Boy was I way off the reservation last week. 11-0 is way gone, both straight-up and against the spread. I need a big comeback week to try to get back to respectability, after a darn good season of picks.
New Orleans Saints -3 at San Francisco
New Orleans Saints
The Saints have consistently been the second best team in the league this year (excepting the Packers). They have a ton of weapons. I know that the 49ers may have the defense to stop almost anybody, but their most experienced playoff performer is David Akers (now watch him hit the winning field goal). Drew Brees is white hot, and I look forward to the Saints-Packers rematch next week.
Denver Broncos +13 1/2 at New England Patriots
New England Patriots
I fully expect the Patriots to move on to next week's AFC Championship game, however, their defense is so bad, that I do not think they will outscore the Broncos by two touchdowns. "But Pepster, they already did". I know, but that was with the aid of three turnovers. If they do not get the turnovers this week, it will be a much closer game. I expect it to be close, but the much maligned defense of the Patriots will make two big plays, one by Vince Wilfork in stuffing a third or fourth and short, and one in the secondary by Patrick Chung. Also going against Denver, the playoff team playing a Saturday game after winning on the previous Sunday is 4-14 since 1990.
Houston Texans + 7 1/2 at Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
Once again, I pick the AFC favorite to win, with the underdog to cover. With both teams playing great defense and running the ball exceptionally well, I fully expect this game to have 2/3 of the possessions of the average game - maybe 8 or 9 a piece. This severely limits the amount of points one team can score, making it harder to cover a touchdown spread.
New York Giants + 7 1/2 at Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
Green Bay has been the best team all year, and the week of rest helps them get their offensive line healthy (which they will need against the Giants) and an extra week of rest for Greg Jennings. the Giants front 7 will keep the game close, and the Giants offense will score enough against the Packers to make this a good game. I once again have to mention the player who I felt has played the best this season, regardless of position and regardless of statistics; Jason Pierre-Paul.
Playoff Record To Date
Straight Up: 1-3
Against the Spread: 1-3
New Orleans Saints -3 at San Francisco
New Orleans Saints
The Saints have consistently been the second best team in the league this year (excepting the Packers). They have a ton of weapons. I know that the 49ers may have the defense to stop almost anybody, but their most experienced playoff performer is David Akers (now watch him hit the winning field goal). Drew Brees is white hot, and I look forward to the Saints-Packers rematch next week.
Denver Broncos +13 1/2 at New England Patriots
New England Patriots
I fully expect the Patriots to move on to next week's AFC Championship game, however, their defense is so bad, that I do not think they will outscore the Broncos by two touchdowns. "But Pepster, they already did". I know, but that was with the aid of three turnovers. If they do not get the turnovers this week, it will be a much closer game. I expect it to be close, but the much maligned defense of the Patriots will make two big plays, one by Vince Wilfork in stuffing a third or fourth and short, and one in the secondary by Patrick Chung. Also going against Denver, the playoff team playing a Saturday game after winning on the previous Sunday is 4-14 since 1990.
Houston Texans + 7 1/2 at Baltimore Ravens
Baltimore Ravens
Once again, I pick the AFC favorite to win, with the underdog to cover. With both teams playing great defense and running the ball exceptionally well, I fully expect this game to have 2/3 of the possessions of the average game - maybe 8 or 9 a piece. This severely limits the amount of points one team can score, making it harder to cover a touchdown spread.
New York Giants + 7 1/2 at Green Bay Packers
Green Bay Packers
Green Bay has been the best team all year, and the week of rest helps them get their offensive line healthy (which they will need against the Giants) and an extra week of rest for Greg Jennings. the Giants front 7 will keep the game close, and the Giants offense will score enough against the Packers to make this a good game. I once again have to mention the player who I felt has played the best this season, regardless of position and regardless of statistics; Jason Pierre-Paul.
Playoff Record To Date
Straight Up: 1-3
Against the Spread: 1-3
Saturday, January 7, 2012
Playoffs Picks
My attempt to go 11-0. I will pick against the spread and straight up.
Cincinnati Bengals +4 at Houston Texans
Cincinnati Bengals
Injuries finally catch up to Houston, as the Bengals' rookie QB is better than the Texans'.
Detroit Lions +10 1/2 at New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints
Detroit has the firepower to hang with New Orleans, so they should cover, but New Orleans is way too potent at home to lose this shootout.
Atlanta Falcons +3 at New York Giants
Atlanta Falcons
This should be a very close game. The Falcons massive draft day trade to get Julio Jones pays off as they play the horrific Giants secondary. I do want to mention that I think Jason Pierre-Paul has played the best football of anyone I have watched this year - and I watched a lot of football.
Denver Broncos +8 v. Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
I don't think Denver can win this game, but their defense, coupled with the injuries to Mendenhall, Pouncey and Roethlisberger, should keep this game close. I am intetested to see how Brady Quinn might do, if he plays as is being reported.
Cincinnati Bengals +4 at Houston Texans
Cincinnati Bengals
Injuries finally catch up to Houston, as the Bengals' rookie QB is better than the Texans'.
Detroit Lions +10 1/2 at New Orleans Saints
New Orleans Saints
Detroit has the firepower to hang with New Orleans, so they should cover, but New Orleans is way too potent at home to lose this shootout.
Atlanta Falcons +3 at New York Giants
Atlanta Falcons
This should be a very close game. The Falcons massive draft day trade to get Julio Jones pays off as they play the horrific Giants secondary. I do want to mention that I think Jason Pierre-Paul has played the best football of anyone I have watched this year - and I watched a lot of football.
Denver Broncos +8 v. Pittsburgh Steelers
Pittsburgh Steelers
I don't think Denver can win this game, but their defense, coupled with the injuries to Mendenhall, Pouncey and Roethlisberger, should keep this game close. I am intetested to see how Brady Quinn might do, if he plays as is being reported.
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