Last week I went 9-7 with my picks. That has me after two weeks with an overall record of 21-11. This week due to trying to handle some other articles, and blogs, I won't be able to give a breakdown of the three games that intrigue me the most. Here though are my picks for all of the games this week. Feel free to comment, and let me know which, if any you disagree with.
Giants@Panthers- Panthers
Rams@Bears- Bears
Bills@Browns- Bills
Buccaneers@Cowboys- Cowboys
Lions@Titans- Lions
Jaguars@Colts- Colts
Jets@Dolphins- Jets
49ers@Vikings- 49ers
Chiefs@Saints- Saints
Bengals@Redskins- Redskins
Texans@Broncos- Texans
Eagles@Cardinals- Eagles
Falcons@Chargers- Chargers
Steelers@Raiders- Steelers
Patriots@Ravens- Ravens
Packers@Seahawks- Packers
Thursday, September 20, 2012
Thursday, September 13, 2012
NFL Week Two Picks
Last week the NFL began its 16 week grind towards the playoffs. Last week also marked the start of my weekly picks for the games. After a 12-4 week one, I'm off to a solid start. Let's see if we can keep this up for week two. Here are the three games that intrigue me most, and my picks for the rest of week two.
1. Lions @ 49ers- This game is a rematch of a great game between these two teams last season. It also pits my favorite team against the team that represents the state I am from. So, there is a ton of excitement for this matchup for me.
Last week the Niners went into Green Bay and knocked the Packers 30-22, in a game that I was ridiculed for picking the Niners to win. The defense was able to harass Aaron Rodgers all day, and keep the Packers offense from looking as great as it did last season. The offense showed a great balance, that is lost on most people with the NFL currently a pass-happy league. The Niners are being talked about as a Super Bowl contender by many, and did nothing to disprove that week one.
The Lions pulled out an ugly 27-23 home win over the Rams in week one. Matthew Stafford threw three interceptions, but made up for it with an impressive two-minute drive to win the game. This was hardly the debut for a team that is on their way back up the NFL ladder. The defense did a great job of negating the picks thrown by Stafford and keeping the Lions close enough to pull out the late win.
These teams are coached by two of the most intense coaches in the league. Their teams exhibit that same intensity, and play a very physical brand of football. Unfortunately for the Lions, the Niners are just a touch more intense, and physical than they are, which will result in a home win for the Niners.
2. Bears @ Packers- As noted earlier, the Packers lost at home to San Francisco last week. They come back on a short week, for a Thursday home game against the Bears. This one is huge for them, because going to 0-2 in the NFC North will be a tough hole to climb out of. Aaron Rodgers, and the offense should be able to move the ball, and get points against the Bears. The defense, which was picked apart by the Niners, will have to step up and make plays. The front office made a lot of moves to improve the D, but they have to start paying dividends soon so the Packers can stay afloat in the NFC North.
The Bears ruined the debut of Andrew Luck with at 41-21 home win against the Colts. Jay Cutler took advantage of his reunion with Brandon Marshall, and put up very good numbers. The Bears displayed a potentially explosive offense that could be fun to watch as the season goes on. The defense bothered Luck all day. He was sacked three times, lost a fumble, and threw three interceptions. They will need to be that aggressive with Aaron Rodgers to get a win against the Packers.
This game is really a toss-up, but I'm going with the Packers at home. They need this game in a bad way, and I believe they will score enough points to keep themselves out of the NFC North basement this week.
3. Ravens @ Eagles- The Eagles escaped what would have been the ugliest loss of week one against the Browns with a 17-16 win in Cleveland. Michael Vick threw four interceptions, and opened the door for his detractors to claim he is a horrible quarterback he is. Their playcalling left a lot to be desired. Why throw the ball fifty-six times in a close game, and you have LeSean McCoy on your team? The Eagles are a team that placed high expectations on themselves. They must have better performances from their players and coaches to reach those. Playing how they did in Cleveland will leave them on the outside looking in come playoff time.
The Ravens put on a totally different display on the Monday Night Football stage. They dismantled the Bengals 44-13 in their home opener. Joe Flacco looked like he is ready to take the next step as a quarterback. Ray Rice scored two touchdowns and only had ten carries. The defense showed the dominance that has been typical for years. Ed Reed got a pick six, and broke the record for most interception return yards. Ray Lewis had fourteen tackles, including eleven solo, and looked like he drank from the fountain of youth in the offseason. As always, come the playoffs, the Ravens will be a huge factor.
The Ravens offense played at a high level in the preseason, and that carried over to the first game. There is no reason to expect that to slow down. The defense will pressure Vick and the Eagles defense into mistakes, and that will be enough or a Ravens road win.
Those are the three games that I'm looking forward to. A lot of teams are hoping to get wins, and stay away from the dreaded 0-2 start. Only thirteen percent of NFL teams have made the playoffs after going 0-2. That stat alone makes this week very important. Enjoy rooting for your teams this weekend(real and fantasy), and I'll check back in next week with my picks for week three.
Rest of Week Two Games:
Chiefs@ Bills-Bills
Browns@ Bengals-Bengals
Vikings@Colts-Vikings
Raiders@Dolphins-Raiders
Cardinals@Patriots-Patriots
Buccaners@Giants-Giants
Saints@Panthers-Saints
Texans@Jaguars-Texans
Redskins@Rams-Redskins
Cowboys@Seahawks-Cowboys
Jets@Steelers-Steelers
Titans@Chargers-Chargers
Broncos@Falcons-Falcons
Tuesday, September 11, 2012
Random Sports Thoughts: MSU Football Edition
The Michigan State Spartans opened up their 2012-13 campaign with two wins. The first was a tough, ugly 17-13 win over Boise State. The followed that with a rare road trip to Mount Pleasant, and beat Central Michigan 41-7. Here are a few thoughts from those games, as well as things on my mind for Sparty going forward.
Maxwell's House- After the Spartans win against Boise State, my Facebook timeline was full comments about Andrew Maxwell. Spartan fans were nervous and wishing for a Kirk Cousins sighting. Wolverine fans were calling him a worse passer than Denard Robinson(pure comedy). The knee jerk reaction was amazing and mostly off-base. While his week one performance was less than impressive, some perspective is needed. The Spartans defense, and running game will be enough to win most games. They simply need Maxwell to make plays necessary to keep teams honest, and not make any costly mistakes. He does not have to be a superstar for the Spartans to win. There will come a time that he has to win a game, and I believe he is capable of that. For now though, please relax, and let's see how Maxwell matures. The book here says the kid will be alright.
Just Nasty: Michigan State's defense is nastier than Cullen Bohannon and Elam Ferguson defending Durant, Nebraska(word to AMC's "Hell On Wheels"). Through two games they have allowed a total of six points, and no touchdowns. Running the ball against them has been pretty much futile, and they get pressure on the quarterback at an aggressive rate. The knock on them has always been the secondary, but they are improved as well. There are not any holes in what is the best defense not named Alabama, or LSU in the country. With the horrible offense being played by most B1G teams, this defense should dominate for the entire season.
Bellwether- One definition for bellwether is a person or thing that assumes leadership or forefront. That is a great way to describe Le'Veon Bell's new role as the featured back for the Spartans. He shown glimpses of a being special back since his Freshman year. So far this season, he has shown how special he can be. He literally carried MSU in the win over Boise State. With 210 yards on 44 carries, and 6 catches for 55 yards, he outgained Boise by himself. It was an epic performance, yet alarming. Backups Larry Caper, and Nick Hill must step up. The B1G is going to be a long grind, and while the Spartans have found their "Bellwether", they can not overuse him.
Room For Improvement: The Spartans face a test this weekend with Notre Dame coming in. The Spartans will need a solid effort from their receiving corps and back-up running backs in this one. Against Boise State, the receivers had drops that led to interceptions. This can not happen in the game this weekend against Notre Dame and going forward in the B1G season. They need to contribute to the offense, in order to keep other teams from loading up against Le'Veon Bell.
Backup running backs Larry Caper and Nick Hill must show they can be productive when they get on the field. They are not being asked to be world beaters, but take at least fifteen carries, and make something positive happen. Fifty touches in one game is entirely too much, and if the Spartans need that from Le'Veon Bell to win, this season may end in another trip to a bowl not named Rose.
Pasadena or Bust: Prior to the season, I expressed to a few people that I expected the Spartans to be in the Rose Bowl this year. With the defense and running game as good as it is, and steady development from Maxwell, this was not too lofty of an expectation. After three weeks of seeing other B1G teams, anything less will be a true disappointment. The Spartans are far from a perfect team, but they along with Ohio State are the class of the B1G this year. That will be a great game when they come to East Lansing on September 29. Wisconsin, Nebraska, and Michigan will provide tough tests, but the Spartans should be able to get past them all. So, I stand even firmer in my preseason thoughts. This year is Rose Bowl or bust for the Spartans.
There you have a few of my thoughts after two Michigan State football games. This has the potential to be a special season for the Spartans. I look forward to watching, and sharing my thoughts on it with you all as the season goes. Thank you, and be on the lookout for the next blog.
Wednesday, September 5, 2012
NFL Week One Picks
Week One of the NFL season kicks off about nine hours from now. With that, I'd like to introduce what will be a weekly(that's the plan) feature on my blog. I will highlight the three games that intrigue me the most. Give picks on those, as well as the rest of the games for the week. Here are the picks for week one.
1. 49ers @ Packers: This game may be a NFC conference championship game preview. The Niners return most of their defense that was dominant all of last season. They lost linebacker Parys Haralson to injury in the preseason. That loss will hurt, but this defense should still be great. The offense has to score touchdowns and not field goals in the redzone this season. Hopefully that will improve with the additions they gave Alex Smith.
The Packers return a team that went 15-1 last season. While that record should not be expected again, the drop off will not be too far. Aaron Rodgers will continue his ascent to best quarterback in the game status. He and his bevy of receivers should have another great season. They will need a little more from the running game, and Cedric Benson may be the back to provide that.
This will be a tight, hotly-contested game. It should come down to the wire, and the Niners defense will make a play to give them the win in Green Bay. This game will whet our appetites, and leave us looking forward to a possible rematch in January.
2. Steelers @ Broncos- Peyton Manning makes his regular season debut in Denver in this game. The NFL did not do him any favors by having him open up against the Pittsburgh Steelers. Peyton looked great in his final preseason, and it will be interesting to see if he can pull that type of performance off against the Steelers in week one.
When we last saw the Steelers, they were chasing Demaryius Thomas into the end zone in an overtime loss to Denver in the playoffs. That was a huge upset, and the Steelers will be looking to avenge that loss in week one.
This will be another good game, however this time, the Steelers will prevail over the Broncos. This is another game we may see again in January.
3. Redskins @ Saints- Robert Griffin III makes his regular season debut in this game. He is one of five rookies starting at quarterback in the NFL. He has shown a ton of promise, and this road game will be a good test for him to start with. New Orleans fans are always into the game, so it will be good to see how he handles it.
The Saints finally get to open the season, and begin to turn the page on "Bountygate". This will be the first game without head coach Sean Payton. That fact alone makes this game intriguing to me. We get to find out how important a head coach really is to their team. It will be interesting to see how Drew Brees, Jimmy Graham and Co. handle this season.
The Saints should pull out a game that will be closer than expected. RGIII and the Redskins will put up points, but it will not be enough to beat the Saints in the Superdome.
Rest of the Week One Games:
Cowboys@Giants- Giants
Colts@Bears- Bears
Eagles@Browns- Eagles
Rams@Lions- Lions
Dolphins@Texans- Texans
Falcons@Chiefs- Falcons
Jaguars@Vikings- Vikings
Bills@Jets- Jets
Patriots@Titans- Patriots
Seahawks@Cardinals- Seahawks
Panthers@Bucs- Panthers
Bengals@Ravens- Ravens
Chargers@Raiders- Chargers
There you have my pics for Week One. Feel free to post yours in the comments, and we can see who has the better week. Thank you for reading, and enjoy the games this weekend.
I'm Jimmy L. Wilson, Jr. and I approve this message.
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