I have been lax again this week - I'm going to blame it on being sick the last three days. But being sick cannot keep me from making my picks for this weeks NFL matchups. Here we go ...
San Diego over Buffalo
Chicago over Minnesota
Pittsburgh over Cincinnati
Tennessee over Kansas City
Carolina over New Orleans
Dallas over St Louis
Baltimore over Miami
NY Giants over San Francisco
Houston over Detroit
NY Jets over Oakland
Washington over Cleveland
Indy over Green Bay
Tampa Bay over Seattle
Denver over New England
Quick thoughts:
Carolina and Baltimore are coming off losses. I expect them to be playing angry, inspired football. Same for the Redskins - Colin Cowherd of ESPN Radio picked the Redskins as his lock for the week, saying the Redskins would just demolish the Browns. I couldn't agree more.
I think the Colts have found their way. The announcement that Peyton Manning had a second surgery prior to the season definitely helps to explain the slow start for the Colts. Manning looked a lot better last week and I think the Colts will get back into form even more this week.
There are questions in Dallas - have been all weeks. No Adam Jones, would it be Romo or Johnson starting, etc. Yesterday it appeared that Brad Johnson would start and Romo would be the wild card if needed. Either way, I think the Cowboys can beat the Rams. despite the Rams' win last week. Though, if the Cowboys do not get some control over the constant chaos they are going to start to falter.
Last week was crazy - which of course made this week a lot more difficult to pick, but I feel pretty good about my choices. We will have to see how it plays out.
I'm very much looking forward to watching Oklahoma/Kansas and Missouri/Texas today - Is the Big 12 stacked or what? Another awesome weekend of football.
Oh yeah - I think the Red Sox just may force a Game 7 tonight. Tampa Bay has had lots of time to think about how they gave up a 7 run lead in 2.33 innings - Young players, like the majority of the Rays players, do not always handle that sort of pressure as well as a team like the Red Sox who have been in this position a couple times before. If it does go to Game 7 - the Red Sox should win the series.
Now, off to get the flu shot - as random as that seems.
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Crazy Ending in Atlanta
What an ending to the Falcons/Bears game. Orton puts together an awesome drive for a touchdown and they go up by 1 with 11 seconds left. Ryan comes out - passes a gem under pressure to the 30 of the Falcons and his received goes out of bounds with 1 second left. Out trots Jason Elam and he nails the 48-yd field goal. Wow - that was crazy and awesome.
I am thinking the Falcons are legit - they are going to be very good in the near future. I am impressed by Matt Ryan's development and his poise under pressure. He has the potential to develop into an excellent, top-notch NFL quarterback.
The Texans yanked it out against the Dolphins and Tampa Bay made Carolina look bad. So I'm already down five games today, but as I said earlier, I do not mind being wrong about Indy and I'm excited about Atlanta, so I am only bummed by 3 of the wrong picks. Looking forward to more fun this afternoon!
I am thinking the Falcons are legit - they are going to be very good in the near future. I am impressed by Matt Ryan's development and his poise under pressure. He has the potential to develop into an excellent, top-notch NFL quarterback.
The Texans yanked it out against the Dolphins and Tampa Bay made Carolina look bad. So I'm already down five games today, but as I said earlier, I do not mind being wrong about Indy and I'm excited about Atlanta, so I am only bummed by 3 of the wrong picks. Looking forward to more fun this afternoon!
Wrong About Indy
I am going to be wrong, very wrong about the Indy and Baltimore game, but I am okay about that. The Colts have barely won the couple of games they had won prior to this week. They have been a kicking post for many in the last couple of weeks. Finally this week it appears that Peyton Manning and the Colts have it all figured out, on both sides of the ball.
31 points of offense - including 3 TDs by Peyton Manning in the first half (two to Marvin Harrison) and so far they have held the Ravens to just 3 points. The world feels a bit more normal with the Colts playing the way they have in the last several years. I think the Colts are back and will be a force to be reckoned with the rest of the year.
31 points of offense - including 3 TDs by Peyton Manning in the first half (two to Marvin Harrison) and so far they have held the Ravens to just 3 points. The world feels a bit more normal with the Colts playing the way they have in the last several years. I think the Colts are back and will be a force to be reckoned with the rest of the year.
Interesting Morning so far ...
This has been an interesting morning in football so far.
Detroit is beating Minnesota 3 to 2 ... in the 3rd quarter! Are the playing baseball?
Indy may have finally woken up 24-0 over Baltimore at the half. Pretty amazing considering the Ravens' Defense.
Washington vs St Louis is close - which I never would have expected honestly.
The Texans are leading the Dolphins, Cincy is hanging with the Jets, and Atlanta is beating the Bears. Though Atlanta better figure out how to get more than some field goals or the Bears will get them in the second half.
Looking forward to seeing how the rest of these games play out!
Detroit is beating Minnesota 3 to 2 ... in the 3rd quarter! Are the playing baseball?
Indy may have finally woken up 24-0 over Baltimore at the half. Pretty amazing considering the Ravens' Defense.
Washington vs St Louis is close - which I never would have expected honestly.
The Texans are leading the Dolphins, Cincy is hanging with the Jets, and Atlanta is beating the Bears. Though Atlanta better figure out how to get more than some field goals or the Bears will get them in the second half.
Looking forward to seeing how the rest of these games play out!
Advanced Apologies
I am not getting to watch the early games today, because of many different things going on, so I apologize that I am not going to have much to say the early part of this day. I'll be back either during the second games today or definitely for tonight's games.
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Red River Rivalry Referee Ridiculousness
I generally try to avoid getting into discussions about bad officiating, because human error is honestly part of the game. You cannot review every single play in a game and you have to trust the on field officiating crew to call a good game. This all being said I must weigh in on what have been some very questionable, and even down right terrible, calls by the crew and review officials of the Oklahoma vs Texas game.
Oklahoma intercepts a pass in the endzone. Everyone, but the officials, immediately said it was a touchdown. Then to the surprise of many, including the announcers, Texas is lined up to kick a field goal - apparently, it had been ruled an incomplete pass. Replay on television clearly showed that the Oklahoma player had possession of the ball until he hit the ground. Last I knew, the ground couldn't cause a fumble. The play was not reviewed - and an incorrect call stood. I do not understand how that call could not be reviewed. A turnover in the end zone causes a huge momentum swing and obviously the field goal for Texas would never have happened. If Oklahoma loses this game by three, be prepared for many to blame that play and that bad call.
In addition, there have been many penalties called that have just been bad. Colt McCoy ran for a first down in the second half with a Sooner chasing him out of bounds. McCoy's run took him into the Longhorn bench/sideline. The defender made no effort to push McCoy down, in fact, from replay it appeared that the defender was actually trying to slow McCoy down, hold him up. The Longhorn sideline immediately starting calling for a flag and after a few moments, the flag was thrown. When did officials start relying on the opinions of one of the teams when making calls? Seems to me the entire point is for the officials to not pay attention to the noise on the sidelines.
Of course, it is only fair to point out that Oklahoma had a similarly ridiculous flag go in their favor. On an Oklahoma punt, Texas brought pressure (though the punt was not blocked). One Texas player barely grazed the punter - from the replay, it did not appear that the Texas player had any actual impact on the punter. Yes, the punter did fall down, but then immediately started to get up. Halfway to standing back up, he suddenly collapsed. Now, I have a feeling he was genuinely injured - he had been hurting after a fake punt earlier in the game, but he certainly was able to play up how hard he got hit and earned a flag.
At this point (now late in the 4th quarter), Texas is pulling away, so perhaps these calls will not impact the game's final result, but it is disappointing to see such an important game have such lackluster officiating. Hopefully the NCAA will take a look at this game and figure out how to avoid such issues happening again.
Oklahoma intercepts a pass in the endzone. Everyone, but the officials, immediately said it was a touchdown. Then to the surprise of many, including the announcers, Texas is lined up to kick a field goal - apparently, it had been ruled an incomplete pass. Replay on television clearly showed that the Oklahoma player had possession of the ball until he hit the ground. Last I knew, the ground couldn't cause a fumble. The play was not reviewed - and an incorrect call stood. I do not understand how that call could not be reviewed. A turnover in the end zone causes a huge momentum swing and obviously the field goal for Texas would never have happened. If Oklahoma loses this game by three, be prepared for many to blame that play and that bad call.
In addition, there have been many penalties called that have just been bad. Colt McCoy ran for a first down in the second half with a Sooner chasing him out of bounds. McCoy's run took him into the Longhorn bench/sideline. The defender made no effort to push McCoy down, in fact, from replay it appeared that the defender was actually trying to slow McCoy down, hold him up. The Longhorn sideline immediately starting calling for a flag and after a few moments, the flag was thrown. When did officials start relying on the opinions of one of the teams when making calls? Seems to me the entire point is for the officials to not pay attention to the noise on the sidelines.
Of course, it is only fair to point out that Oklahoma had a similarly ridiculous flag go in their favor. On an Oklahoma punt, Texas brought pressure (though the punt was not blocked). One Texas player barely grazed the punter - from the replay, it did not appear that the Texas player had any actual impact on the punter. Yes, the punter did fall down, but then immediately started to get up. Halfway to standing back up, he suddenly collapsed. Now, I have a feeling he was genuinely injured - he had been hurting after a fake punt earlier in the game, but he certainly was able to play up how hard he got hit and earned a flag.
At this point (now late in the 4th quarter), Texas is pulling away, so perhaps these calls will not impact the game's final result, but it is disappointing to see such an important game have such lackluster officiating. Hopefully the NCAA will take a look at this game and figure out how to avoid such issues happening again.
Friday, October 10, 2008
Playing 20 innings in just 5.5
Game 2 of the NLCS has been ridiculous so far. In 5.5 innings it is 8-5 Phillies, but the game has felt extremely long. The Dodgers are on, I believe, their 4th pitcher. Myers Ithe pitcher)for the Phillies had 3 hits ... he actually went 3 for 3, so he was done by the end of the 5th because he was worn out, which is an odd thing to think about.
Manny, of course, hit the big home run to get the Dodgers back within 3. He is just insane during October.
My pick of the Dodgers to win is looking at little shaky, but they certainly are not out of it yet.
Manny, of course, hit the big home run to get the Dodgers back within 3. He is just insane during October.
My pick of the Dodgers to win is looking at little shaky, but they certainly are not out of it yet.
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