CALLING ALL FOOTBALL FANS: I need help with picks!

[penguinsfan]

Hey,

My office is doing this thing where people put $5 into a pot and you choose the picks for this weeks NFL matchups. No point spread lines or anything like that---just straight-up winners. The tie-breaker is to choose the total number of points on the Monday night game. Anyway, I played last week and only faired so-so, compared to the field of coworkers. 22 people played, some the one guy won $110.

Now, I can't say that if I win I'm going to share it with you guys all across the world of cyberspace giving $5 here and $5 there, but I know some of you guys really love this stuff and if you could help offer me advice in choosing my picks, that'd be awesome. Please try to be unbiased. Here are this weeks match-ups:

BALTIMORE @ DETROIT

CHICAGO @ CLEVELAND

MIAMI @ BUFFALO

NEW ENGLAND @ ATLANTA

NEW ORLEANS @ GREEN BAY

SEATTLE @ ST. LOUIS

TAMPA BAY @ NY JETS

TENNESSEE @ HOUSTON

INDIANAPOLIS @ SAN FRANCISCO

CAROLINA @ ARIZONA

PHILADELPHIA @ DALLAS

WASHINGTON @ DENVER

CINCINNATI @ JACKSONVILLE

PITTSBURGH @ SAN DIEGO

Thank you for any words of wisdom you might offer. Hey, if you got the time, please give me your reasoning for your picks, particularly potential upsets.


Much Appreciated,

penguinsfan

 

[RazedNegative]

Heres my personal opinions, based on team performances/lineups...

I'll just put the winners:

Detroit
Chicago
Buffalo
New England
Green Bay
Seattle
Tampa Bay
Tennessee
Indianapolis
Carolina
Philadelphia
Denver
Cincinnati
San Diego

I dunno if that helps but those would be my picks. See what other guys say and compare

 

[iwant8inches]

Detroit wins over Baltimore- Ravens D isn't where it needs to be to win games right now. The offense is possibly worse than it has ever been and despite the D holding its own...that Ravens offense equals more possessions/opportunities for the Detroit offense to get things going. Detroit at home wins. K. Jones gets in the endzone and gets things untracked.

Chicago wins over Cleveland- This is a tough pick, but with both defenses aside I'll go with Chicago pulling it out on the road. I don't see Browns' Edwards being that much of a factor in this game and that's what either of these teams will need to win-that one big play.

Buffalo wins at home. Miami might be in for one of those years where they just are a different team at home. Ronnie Brown will have some big games this year, but this is not the week.

New England chases Vick around all day and can't catch him. Last week's loss to San Diego wasn't necessarily anything major to note except that the Pats' lost. However, I like the Falcons D to hold the Pats off enough to win a close one.

New Orleans wins over Green Bay. This is the game where Favre and fans alike realize IT really is the end of an era in Green Bay. Favre does his thing and gets plenty of yards, but the D can't hold off the Saints offense.

Seattle destroys St. Louis. It'll be surprising to see if St. Louis stops the running game. It's not likely to happen and that D against the Giants looked pretty sketchy. The Giants are going to put up points this year from what I've seen, however Eli Manning isn't Peyton Manning and the Rams made you look twice at who was the QB throwing that ball around to make sure it was Eli back there.

Tampa Bay wins at N.Y. Jets. I just like the Bucs this year. Cadillac Williams is doing big things and everything seems to be going perfectly at the moment.

Tennessee wins at Houston. Houston might lose 12 games this year with the way the offense has looked. Granted the team has faced some tough defenses this year early on it can't be very confident.

Indianapolis wins big at San Francisco. The Colts get about 500 total yards on offense lol.

Carolina wins at Arizona. This might be a tough game for the Panthers, but I think they can hold off Arizona who'll be clawing for dear life.

Philadelphia wins big at Dallas. I know I have about 5 or 6 road teams winning this week, but hey that's how I see it. I would think McNabb has about 350 total yards and 2 TDs passing maybe even 1 rushing. The Cowboys realize next year they need to nab a safety that can excell in coverage in the draft. I will say that it will be late in this game that the Cowboys give up a huge play to either Westbrook or Owens. They'll get pressure early on from the front seven, but not the whole game. It'll be something like 14-10 at the half and 34-17 final.

Denver wins against the 'Skins. I hate the fucking Redskins so take it for what it's worth lol. I still think that offense has a long ass way to go, but that D is just so damn consistent and finds a way to stop drives from happening.

Cincinnatti dare I say keeps this thing going? Why not? They look absolutely dangerous on offense and even though it wasn't clicking against Houston the D came through as it will most of the year. They haven't played anyone to me though in my mind anyway. The Bears have a really nice defense, but honestly it's still a rookie QB and no running game really(T.Jones isn't that good) that they faced. The Browns game was a road game, but it's THE BROWNS. The Browns are worse than most franchises ever! in any sport. They are the definition of mediocrity. The NFL has never seen a franchise quite like the Browns. The Vike's...they will be up and down this year and finish 8-8 because they have no identity and they might not until they have a full year together on the defensive side of the ball and it will not all of sudden just click for Daunte on offense either. Talk to me after the playoffs begin when the Vikes get in because everyone else in that division sucks ass and tell me that the team is capable of doing more things than the previous 3 years. Anyway.

Pittsburgh wins a close one at San Diego, but this is the one I'm not sure on. I'm also not sure on the Houston v. Tennessee game, but hey these are my opinions. I gave you what I have.

 

[[P]okey[B]ear]

Goooooooooooo Dallas!

 

[iwant8inches]

yeah...I wish I could have that kind of optimism, but honestly... over the years I've become a realist with my teams. It's going to take a lot of slipups on the Eagles part and a lot of capitalizing on Dallas' part. Dallas won't make enough plays to win the game and the rookies will cost them a bit again.

 

[against_odds21]

Really sad to see Favre go out like this btw. I think they they could win this weekend though.

 

[penguinsfan]

THE COMMENTS BELOW ARE WHAT MY FRIEND FROM COLLEGE E-MAILED ME EARLIER. HE'S BEEN ADVISING ME TOO, AS HE'S INTO FANTASY FOOTBALL AND ALL THAT SHIT. JUST THOUGHT I'D SHARE TO STIMULATE DISCUSSION.



I still like Baltimore's D to destroy Harrington. Joey just plain sucks!

Cleveland is better than people think... Chicago is worse than people think... Go Browns

I think Miami is a good pick here. Buffalo has been mean to the Phins in the past, but that was when they had offense

New England (I refuse to believe Atlanta is that good!)

NO and GB is a tough call. Both can be really good and both can be really bad. I'm going to give favre the benefit of the doubt this week. It looks like their O is improving after all

STL and SEA are two of the most talented teams every year and every year they both make predictors look bad. I just think Martz and Holmgren are two of the worst coaches in the league. Since STL are never out of a game with that potent O and they took 3 games from SEA last year, I'd go with them... STL in a shootout

TB goes 5 - 0

Tenn and Hou is a tricky game. Tenn looked bad and Hou gave the mighty Bengals (did I really just say that?) a scare. I'm going out on a limb and guessing Hou will get their 1st win

Only an ass would pick SF over Indy

I still think Carolina is the best team in the NFC if only they could play 2 good weeks in a row. This time they do... Carolina over Zona

This is my upset of the week. The Cowboys are much improved and almost beat them in Philly last year. Cowboys win

Denver proves to the world that Wash really does suck

This I think is another upset in the making. The Jags are better than they've played and the Bengals just cant help but lose soon, can they? I'm going with Jax

 

[penguinsfan]

I FORGOT HIS ADDITIONAL COMMENT:

I accidentally sent it without the last pick.... i think pitt gets back on track.... Pitt over SD

 

[penguinsfan]

Where are the best places online to get the Vegas lines and picks by the experts?

 

[crazyed27]

THE COMMENTS BELOW ARE WHAT MY FRIEND FROM COLLEGE E-MAILED ME EARLIER. HE'S BEEN ADVISING ME TOO, AS HE'S INTO FANTASY FOOTBALL AND ALL THAT SHIT. JUST THOUGHT I'D SHARE TO STIMULATE DISCUSSION.



I still like Baltimore's D to destroy Harrington. Joey just plain sucks!

Cleveland is better than people think... Chicago is worse than people think... Go Browns

I think Miami is a good pick here. Buffalo has been mean to the Phins in the past, but that was when they had offense

New England (I refuse to believe Atlanta is that good!)

NO and GB is a tough call. Both can be really good and both can be really bad. I'm going to give favre the benefit of the doubt this week. It looks like their O is improving after all

STL and SEA are two of the most talented teams every year and every year they both make predictors look bad. I just think Martz and Holmgren are two of the worst coaches in the league. Since STL are never out of a game with that potent O and they took 3 games from SEA last year, I'd go with them... STL in a shootout

TB goes 5 - 0

Tenn and Hou is a tricky game. Tenn looked bad and Hou gave the mighty Bengals (did I really just say that?) a scare. I'm going out on a limb and guessing Hou will get their 1st win

Only an ass would pick SF over Indy

I still think Carolina is the best team in the NFC if only they could play 2 good weeks in a row. This time they do... Carolina over Zona

This is my upset of the week. The Cowboys are much improved and almost beat them in Philly last year. Cowboys win

Denver proves to the world that Wash really does suck

This I think is another upset in the making. The Jags are better than they've played and the Bengals just cant help but lose soon, can they? I'm going with Jax

I agree with everything but The last game. I think The Bengals will pull another one off!

 

[iwant8inches]

As do I, but it'll be the D that wins it for them. If the Bears D and team isn't as good as as some people think then the offense of the Bengals might not be either then. Seeing as how the Bengals have declined in PPG the last two games and minus that one game where they put up 30 something they would be about at 22 a game. That should be enough to beat Jacksonville, but it could be a close game. It's by far the hardest game they'll have played. And the reason I take that Vikes game out is because that was the 2nd game of the season and the Vikes turned the ball over quite a bit in their first 2 games and the new defensive players out there had some added pressure that was unfairly placed on them.

And I wish I could say Dallas has a good chance at winning, but again...that one game last year was cold...a dog fight...T.O. got hurt in that game...and the Cowboys couldn't score...mainly because the running game couldn't get on track. They haven't ran the ball well all year and Julius Jones as much he will be this franchise's savior on offense this will be the most difficult defense he'll face this year period. The Redskins are probably just as difficult though to run against so maybe not, but the Cowboys have won like once in like what seems like since an eternity against the Eagles. If the Cowboys win this game I'll piss my pants.

 

[penguinsfan]

Doesn't Chicago have a bad quarterback situation? I know they lost Rex Grossman. Isn't Kyle Orton their guy?

 

[penguinsfan]

I agree with everything but The last game. I think The Bengals will pull another one off!

Could very well be. That game, and Philly, standout as a couple of possible upsets.

This thing is a real bitch, with so many people in the running. Fortunately, we got some soccer moms in the office that never watch football and the extent of their research is consulting the other soccer moms. But then we have a number of guys, and a couple gals, that know what they're doing. One wrong pick could cost you the pot. But one winning week more than pays for the season.

 

[[P]okey[B]ear]

dallas is gonna win

 

[penguinsfan]

Really sad to see Favre go out like this btw. I think they they could win this weekend though.

They're the kind of team that makes weekly picks like this tough. Green Bay is not a Super Bowl team by the wildest stretch of the imagination, but they somehow still seem to be a playoff threat. They're probably going to go roughly 10-6 and which 10 and what 6 seems like it could be anyone's guess. Part of the game, I suppose.

 

[penguinsfan]

dallas is gonna win

Yeah, Philly is my second favorite team and I don't like Dallas, but that all doesn't mean shit when making picks. On paper Philly wins, but upsets happen. Hell, if it were just a matter of the favorites winning all the time, the whole office would be tied. I think I'll be picking Dallas.

 

[iwant8inches]

Like I said...I'm a Dallas fan and I know the Cowboys are in trouble with this game. T.O. will probably have about 100 yards and a TD by the half.

 

[[P]okey[B]ear]

I"m calling dallas win by a field goal overall score 24-21

 

[iwant8inches]

I hope so lol.

My prediction is Philly 34-17, but if Dallas does win it'll be a close one like you said. If Julius Jones rushes for a 100 yards then the Cowboys will win. It's time for him to step it up.

 

[[P]okey[B]ear]

true I gave you some posi feedback by the way

 

[iwant8inches]

oh thanks man. Is the Dallas Philadelphia game going to be the national game on Fox this weekend? I know it's at 4 ET so I'll be checking to see, but man that will suck if we get like the Lions or some other team. Ohio sucks for sports if you don't like Ohio teams...lol...spose it is every state if you don't like the hometown teams, but here...man we sometimes don't get a second game just because like the Bengals or Browns played at 1 o'clock. Bullshit.

 

[[P]okey[B]ear]

they always show the freaking 9'ers where I live. I hate the 9ers

 

[iwant8inches]

lol..same here man. That's gotta suck especially considering they suck anyway.

Giants hate them...Redskins hate them...49ers hate them...

The only teams I respect are the Eagles and Steelers. I've always had an admiration of the Steelers. The Eagles only have recently earned my respect. Before then I really didn't care about them. What have they won? They've had their moments and have had some great players come through...but I never paid a whole lot of attention to them hate-wise.

I think the game is on here come to think of it now.

 

[[P]okey[B]ear]

steelers choke too much same as eagles

 

[penguinsfan]

steelers choke too much same as eagles

Yeah, they're my favorite teams and they do both seem to exhibit that tendency.

 

[penguinsfan]

Okay, I suBathmateitted my winners:

Detroit holds off and beats Baltimore. I really only choose this because Detroit beat Green Bay and played Tampa Bay tough and I don't see much positive from Baltimore.

Chicago loses at Cleveland.

Miami beats Buffalo, because Buffalo has no passing game, Miami has a decent defense and they will run the ball against Buffalo, wearing them down.

New England wins at Atlanta. The Falcons are good, but the best in the league will not loose twice in a row.

New Orleans over Green Bay. This could go either way, but I really like the way New Orleans offense seems to gel at times.

Seattle falls to St. Louis in the dome.

Tampa Bay crushes the Jets.

Houston will somehow get their first win by beating the rebuilding Tennessee Titans. No real particularly logic here, but it looked like one of the most likely upsets.

Indy would have to try to lose to fall in San Francisco.

Carolina beats the Cardinals.

Dallas wins at home with an upset over Philly. Although Philly has owned them in recent years, they played them tough last year and Dallas is improved. Missing David Akers leg could be the deciding factor.

Denver is on a role and will scalp the Skins in no uncertain terms with a big win.

Jacksonville will pull it together to get a home win and an upset against the red hot Bengals.

Pittsburgh just edges out San Diego. Bill Cowher can't have a decent team and lose on Monday night, can he? This shootout will be high scoring and could go either way, but Pittsburgh is a little more of a complete team.

 

[[P]okey[B]ear]

i'm still calling a +3 spread for dallas over eagles and I wont give up lol

 

[iwant8inches]

lol...

god I hope you are right because Dallas hasn't won but once in the last like 10 or 11 meetings. And if Dat Nguyen doesn't play this weekend man it's going to be even less likely the Cowboys pull it off.

 

[[P]okey[B]ear]

they will squash them mwahahahah

 

[against_odds21]

steelers choke too much same as eagles

Waaaa? Did you miss their performances last year? Just because they don't win it all, doesn't mean they choke.

Penguin you should have called the Bengals dog. rofl

 

[iwant8inches]

yeah I think the Bengals will win too, but it's a road game against the best team they've faced so far...so who knows what'll happen if they can't move the ball the way they have most of the first 4 games.

 

[penguinsfan]

they will squash them mwahahahah

They'll squeak out a win, at best. I have to remember when making these picks to think with my head, not my heart, as Philly is my second favorite team and I'll hate Dallas until the day that pompus prick Jerry Jones sells the team to a decent man.

On paper, Dallas should lose, but something about this game smells of upset.

 

[penguinsfan]

Waaaa? Did you miss their performances last year? Just because they don't win it all, doesn't mean they choke.

I'm not basing that on one performance. Dude, Bill Cowher is 1 for 5 in AFC Championship games...all at home, which is about as lousy as one could possibly imagine. The Steelers have refined "choking" into an artform. Their my team, but I've got to be honest about it.

I can't knock Philly for failing to win the Super Bowl last year. McNabb was very sick, while playing that game. New England did not give their best possible performance and under different circumstances, Philly could have won that Super Bowl. However, they don't get off the hook. Losing in the Conference Championship game three straight years IS choking. I'll concede in the first game, it would have been difficult to beat the Rams in St. Louis. With the homefield advantage, they should have beat Carolina in the championship game. I understand you can't win them all, but not getting it done when it's on the line IS choking. There is no excuse for Tampa Bay beating them the prior year. The Eagles were favored and had been playing better ball. The Bucs had never won a game below 40 degrees and then they come into one of the most hostile places to play in 20-some degree temperatures and Philly lets their lead slip away...CHOKE!

 

[penguinsfan]

My picks are set, but I kinda wish I had taken San Diego over Pittsburgh. I heard on the radio today that the Chargers are number one in the league in yardage on third down, while Pittsburgh is last in yardage given up on third down. That is one of those hidden starts that one only hears about here and there, from the full-time analysts, but a very significant stat noless.

 

[against_odds21]

I know the topic is NFL, but did you see that return by that Miami dude that was called back? That was some moves.. granted the defense sucked, but it was fun to watch.

 

[penguinsfan]

Didn't get to see any college today, except for something awesome---I saw the final quarter of Ohio State getting beat in Penn State.

 

[iwant8inches]

lol same here Penguinsfan. That was truly awesome. It's going to be weird though what with Michigan and Ohio State pretty much playing for strictly pride and nothing on the line when they meet next month. It's been while for that.

 

[[P]okey[B]ear]

damn I called it give it up 30-3 dallas in the 3rd mwhahaha i'm awesome

 

[iwant8inches]

TODAY for me...It's good to be wrong! lol Good call. If the Cowboys D can look this good the rest of the way...getting pressure from the start and the offense scoring first...

 

[[P]okey[B]ear]

if they can hold it like they did today I give them the division and the top team in the NFC which is terrible because the NFC is struggling this year

 

[against_odds21]

Ah man did anybody watch the Bengals? :barf: We fought an up hill battle the entire game. They exploited our bad run defense all to hell, but we managed to stay in it until the end. It's unfortunate to end on that fumble and I think there were some bad no calls and spotting. :blush:

Nevertheless, you gotta believe they are for real now though.

How bought those Packers? lol

Brady's team winning on a field goal. That never happens...

 

[iwant8inches]

lol...about the Patriots.

Yeah, I'll say the Bengals still end up around 8-8. Tennessee might not be that good, but McNair looks like he's steadily coming back every week. There is a good chance they lose the next two games and be looking at a 3 game slide.

 

[[P]okey[B]ear]

Dallas is gonna take the NFC i'm calling it

 

[against_odds21]

Waaaaa? 8-8.. they barely lost that game. Up until now people have been talking super bowl. They'll def have a winning record this year.

 

[iwant8inches]

Super Bowl? Who? The Cincinnati papers and sports casters? No way the Bengals go the Super Bowl. They were in it, but didn't win it. The Steelers are going to be their biggest test. After that game we'll see exactly where they are going. You have to look at the competition of the schedule too.

 

[British prick]

Hey,

My office is doing this thing where people put $5 into a pot and you choose the picks for this weeks NFL matchups. No point spread lines or anything like that---just straight-up winners. The tie-breaker is to choose the total number of points on the Monday night game. Anyway, I played last week and only faired so-so, compared to the field of coworkers. 22 people played, some the one guy won $110.

Now, I can't say that if I win I'm going to share it with you guys all across the world of cyberspace giving $5 here and $5 there, but I know some of you guys really love this stuff and if you could help offer me advice in choosing my picks, that'd be awesome. Please try to be unbiased. Here are this weeks match-ups:

BALTIMORE @ DETROIT

CHICAGO @ CLEVELAND

MIAMI @ BUFFALO

NEW ENGLAND @ ATLANTA

NEW ORLEANS @ GREEN BAY

SEATTLE @ ST. LOUIS

TAMPA BAY @ NY JETS

TENNESSEE @ HOUSTON

INDIANAPOLIS @ SAN FRANCISCO

CAROLINA @ ARIZONA

PHILADELPHIA @ DALLAS

WASHINGTON @ DENVER

CINCINNATI @ JACKSONVILLE

PITTSBURGH @ SAN DIEGO

Thank you for any words of wisdom you might offer. Hey, if you got the time, please give me your reasoning for your picks, particularly potential upsets.


Much Appreciated,

penguinsfan

When you mentioned Football, I thought you meant proper football as played in England and other parts of Europe. Not that silly game you blokes play in the states. I cannot understand why your football players dress up in fucking Armor. Some of the players look like brick shit houses.

If you want to watch a rough game try Rugby mate. In Rugby the players play rough in scrums and kick the shit out of each other, but with out the Fucking Armor. Of course if you wanted to watch a real gentleman's game that is not only interesting and very exiting, then you should watch Cricket mate. Of course real Football as played in the UK would have a line up like this:

Wolves Vs Liverpool.
Wolves VS Manchester United.
Wolves VS Totemhospers
Wolves VS Birmingham City
Wolves VS Durham city
Wolves VS Leeds united.

Of course the Wolves would beat the fucking lot.

 

[iwant8inches]

lol it's because if our football players played without pads or "armour" as you put it there'd be deaths every week.

 

[against_odds21]

Super Bowl? Who? The Cincinnati papers and sports casters? No way the Bengals go the Super Bowl. They were in it, but didn't win it. The Steelers are going to be their biggest test. After that game we'll see exactly where they are going. You have to look at the competition of the schedule too.

ESPN... National television...

 

[iwant8inches]

Man I want to see some tape. lol I don't believe anyone would be crazy enough to seriously be considering the Bengals as Super Bowl contenders. Playoffs for sure, but I'd say if it was anyone it'd be like Trey Wingo who at any point in time can switch from sarcasm to legitimately making a comment. The Steelers are still the class of that division.

 

[penguinsfan]

lol same here Penguinsfan. That was truly awesome. It's going to be weird though what with Michigan and Ohio State pretty much playing for strictly pride and nothing on the line when they meet next month. It's been while for that.

Unless Columbus is a changed city, there are still dumbasses going over every scenario where Ohio State could still win a National Championship.