Last week: Season:
Bonus picks:
2015 World Series: NL champion New York Mets vs (2 time defending) AL champion Kansas City:
This is a situation of experience versus high momentum. The Mets have ridden great trades, some luck, some bad juju that other teams could not overcome and clutch play to get to the World Series. The Royals were a top contender to do well in the American League again after shocking the world to get to the World Series and lose in 7 games to San Francisco. Unlike the Giants, who have not been able to get it done in consecutive years, the Royals did the job, won the AL Central this year (they were a wild-card last year) and marched back to the World Series to face the Mets, who are seemingly the 2015 version of...themselves. This will be a fun series...if outside BS doesn't screw it up.
Who wins? The Mets seem to have the better starting pitching rotation and actually NOT having home field advantage is good for a National League team (their pitchers don't have to hit in the AL park and a extra bat gets in as the designated hitter, while the AL pitchers must hit in the NL park and the Royals lose the DH in those (middle) 3 games). But the Royals have a good TEAM all around, and having most of their team back from last year's World Series team does matter. And yes, having home field if the series must go six or seven games DOES MATTER! This will be tight and I expect multiple extra-inning games. But at the end of the day....experience wins the day. It has worked for the Giants winning 3 World Series in the last six years, and it will work here, and history supports it. I am taking the Royals in 6 games. Hot hitting runs out sometime, and though the Mets are rested after sweeping the Cubs, that lack of home field will get them in the end.
Kansas City in 6 games
NFL Byes this week:
1. Jacksonville (2-5): Well, the Jaguars are getting better. They have two wins....they are not leading the pack for the top pick in the draft....They may not even draft in the top 7 at this rate. That is progress. They are just playing to get better. But....they are only one game out of first in the horrible AFC South. The division leading Colts are likely to lose at undefeated Carolina on Monday night and they go on their bye after next week's games. If the Jaguars start winning.....what if? Seriously?
2. Buffalo (3-4): The Bills started out talking smack like their new head coach Rex Ryan. They won some games and lost some, including losing to the undefeated Patriots. They may have found a gem with surprise starting QB Tyrod Taylor, but he got hurt before the London loss. The timing of the bye is big for them, for they may be able to start a rally for a wild-card playoff berth if Taylor and their injured running backs and pass catchers are all back healthy next week. Can the Bills circle the wagons and make some noise? We will see. But I have my doubts. Sorry.
3. Philadelphia (3-4): The Eagles are a shaky team. When they are together and in sync, this team is dangerous. The problem is that injuries and lack of execution have been ruling the day and hence, they have four losses....but they are still in the NFC East race. While I do think the Eagles coach and GM, Chip Kelly really made mistakes in getting rid of so many offensive play-makers in the last 18 months, getting QB Sam Bradford is actually working out...to a extent. If Bradford finishes the season healthy, I would have no problem with the Eagles resigning him, but not to a Joe Flacco-like deal or bigger unless Bradford goes off the rest of the way and leads the Eagles to the playoffs. I have my doubts on that..but the East is easier to win than to get a wild-card at this point...so who knows? Especially with the team they are tied with below.....
4. Washington (3-4): These Redskins are still a hot mess...but this team has hung tough all year with so many injuries. Is QB Kirk Cousins the actual answer at QB? After the franchise-record setting comeback last week that he led (24 point rally with throwing 3 TD passes, including the game winner and a short rushing touchdown on top of it!), one is thinking maybe he is the answer (and drafting him in the 4th round in 2011 after getting RGIII in that super-trade) and keeping (and resigning him after the season) is the right thing. But to know for sure, you need the rest of the pieces working together. Will WR DeSean Jackson be back next week (and last more than 2 quarters on the field)? Can the offensive line and young offensive players up their game in the second half of the season? Will RB Alfred Morris get the chance to run for yards and not just sit him behind rookie Matt Jones? Or better yet, let them work together to make a "Thunder and Lightning"-like backfield to get more yards and control games as the weather gets cooler and the running game gets more important? Will the Redskins find a way to trade Griffin III away before the trade deadline in a few days and not risk blowing their 2016 salary cap if they have to play him (if Cousins and/or Colt McCoy go down) and him getting hurt guaranteeing that nasty 16-plus million salary for next year? Better do the right thing, guys.
Thursday Night Football: (Final simulcast with CBS/NFL Network): Miami at New England: This game might be more interesting now that it was looking 4 weeks ago. Miami has just lost to the Jets in London and then fired their coach, and later, defensive coordinator during their subsequent bye week. The interim coach, Dan Campbell, has lit a fire under these Dolphins and the ship may have been righted after the team explodes for big points the last two weeks. But the real test of that begins now. The Patriots are rolling along and are one of 5 undefeated teams left in the league, and all 5 are finished with their byes. Two of those 5 face each other on SNF You know the players in New England. These guys are on a mission to repeat as champs...but the road gets harder from here. The big question is..which Miami team shows up in Foxboro? The horrible team that was pre-bye...or the much better team that emerged after the coach firings and the bye? And will that matter versus the Patriots at home?
Who wins? The NFL is more fun when the Dolphins are playing in relevant games. These guys may be the last hope to slow down New England....as far as the AFC East is concerned. Unless the Dolphins can put up 60 points in this game, I don't see the Dolphins winning. Yes Miami ran up nearly 50 last week, but the Patriots have better defense...for the most part. And the Patriots with QB Tom Brady could put up 60 points if the defense can't slow them down. Let's be real...I don't see a 60-59 game here, nor do I see Miami winning. I am taking New England...but if you are a betting man...I would take the Dolphins and the points...just saying.
New England 39 Miami 28
Sunday's games:
Detroit at Kansas City (played at Wembley Stadium in London): It just seems to be crappy luck (or good luck for most American NFL fans, depending on one's perspective) that these London games seem to always get teams who are not doing that well. This is the second consecutive London game and the final one for this season. These Lions played in one of these games last year and all-world WR Calvin Johnson is happy to be here, since he was out injured and didn't play in the London game last year. His Lions are doing a bit worse than last year too, as they lead the pack (tied with Baltimore) for the first overall pick in the 2016 draft with one win. The Chiefs are not doing much better. They have two wins and sit last in the AFC West and in a large pack of teams with two wins. Worse yet, the team has had both bad luck (the end of the Denver game) and injuries (losing great RB Jamaal Charles for the season with a torn ACL). Okay, other than it is mid-morning (on the East Coast) football...who really wants to watch this game? Right. Yes, I did watch some of last week's London game on Yahoo! and I will watch this game too...while I flip channels and wait for my lovely wife to finish cooking her great weekend breakfast..by 1pm if I am lucky....(no, I am not kidding..love you, Collette!) But this game may be entertaining at the end...just like last week! Maybe.
Who wins? The Chiefs are totally demoralized and their play seemed like such since the Denver loss. I see no reason why this will change this week. Detroit wants to get another win before their bye and start to look like something. Remember, these guys still have to play on Fox in their traditional Thanksgiving game...just saying. I think Detroit is more desperate to win this game and they have more available talent left to do it. Hence, I take Detroit.
Detroit 34 Kansas City 31
Tampa Bay at Atlanta: This is a NFC South game that will not have much of a effect on things...unless the Falcons lose. Tampa has shown some offensive firepower led by rookie QB Jameis Winston. But this is a rebuilding squad so one is not expecting much more than the two wins they have. Atlanta is trying to win now and being 6-1 helps. But they know that all that gets them is the first NFC wild-card as long as undefeated Carolina continues to win. Remember, they don't face Carolina for their two meetings until right near the end of the season, hence Atlanta must keep winning to not only secure that wild-card, but to also be in position to move up if they can beat the Panthers. The offense is dangerous with QB Matt Ryan, rookie RB Donte Freeman and WR Julio Jones (when he is on). This should be a relatively easy home win for Atlanta, but their recent struggles seem to say otherwise.
Who wins? Tampa has weapons and like Washington could have the offense to keep Atlanta's off the field and themselves in the game. Atlanta cannot have the weak game that nearly got them beat at home against Washington and did get them beat at New Orleans the next week. I know the Falcons are trying to hang in until they get to their bye, but every win matters, especially in conference and at home. Atlanta struggles again, but they survive.
Atlanta 30 Tampa Bay 24
Arizona at Cleveland: Wow. Another Eastern time zone trip for the NFC West leaders, but at least they know that they finally get their bye next week in the perfect spot, halfway through the schedule. Cleveland still has 3 games (including this one) before they get theirs. The fast start has got them a little lead in the division, but the Cardinals must keep winning and hope that undefeated Carolina and/or Green Bay falls back to them in the race for the top 2 NFC playoff seeds (I have my doubts the East winner will factor into this.) QB Carson Palmer has played well, but has more importantly, stayed healthy. RB Chris Johnson has had his moments, as had ageless WR Larry Fitzgerald. But knowing they must face Seattle in a SNF road game after the bye is a sobering thought. Cleveland has had some highlights, but they are Cleveland and they are close to the cellar again. But can the get a big win over a true contender to help things? Also, with starter Josh McCown hurt again (shoulder), will Johnny Manziel (if he must play) be able to do some good things and improve his stock, for once?
Who wins? We all know how Arizona has issues traveling East to play, but the team is in first and the key players are healthy and intact. The bye allows Arizona to go for a rare Eastern time zone win. Cleveland really doesn't have the horses to win this game, especially against a dangerous Cardinals defense and special teams. I am taking the Cardinals to win this one.
Arizona 33 Cleveland 20
San Francisco at St. Louis: Considering the game above, this is a must-win for St. Louis to stay close in the NFC West race, knowing Arizona goes on bye next week and goes to Seattle after such. The Rams have rugged defenders but injuries and poor offense has hurt a lot, but they are not out of either the second wild-card race nor the division. Rookie RB Todd Gurley may well be the real deal and be the next Marshall Faulk for the Rams offense, if QB Nick Foles doesn't screw it up. The Niners are playing for pride right now, after the loss to Seattle last Thursday night. Their offense is bad, and it is not all on QB Colin Kaepernick, but his play is not good and his high salary doesn't help. Still we knew this team was screwed with all of their losses, especially on defense. But this team will not give up..at least not yet.
Who wins? I don't see a dispirited Niners offense being able to beat these Rams at home, but the Rams offense is shaky too. Remember, the Rams couldn't beat the Steelers at home, even after they lost Big Ben (and set fire to their own turf in pregame (WTF?)). I want to take the Niners, but reality is...defense wins games and the Rams have a running game now to bring it home. I am taking the Rams.
St. Louis 24 San Francisco 20
New York Giants at New Orleans: It is not good to see the Saints in such bad shape, but the season is not over yet. However, with two straight wins, the Saints are trying to resurrect themselves. The Giants find themselves in first in the NFC East, but they know they must keep winning to stay there. But to win in New Orleans....no easy thing. This will be interesting.
Who wins? The Giants look much better...but I won' bet against QB Drew Brees and the Saints at home. Ask Dallas about that. I am taking the Saints again. Simple as that.
New Orleans 35 New York Giants 29
Minnesota at Chicago: The Vikings are trying to make a surprise winning season as they fly under the radar...and the undefeated Packers in their division. The Bears are trying rally after a poor start but we are not holding our breath. Few folks will think much about this game, but the Vikings need this one to stay in shouting distance of the Packers...just in case.
Who wins? The Bears are a prideful team. However, the Vikings have more viable weapons, starting with RB Adrian Peterson and the Bears defense is not what it used to be. I cannot see the Bears stealing this one away. Sorry, but I have to take the Vikings.
Minnesota 27 Chicago 24
Tennessee at Houston: This is not a must-see game. These AFC South teams look horrible, but so does the Colts and the Jaguars. There are a few must-see players, like Houston's DE J.J. Watt and WR DeAndre Hopkins. Teamwise...not so much. Tennessee QB Marcus Mariota is out again. That may be all the difference in this game.
Who wins? The Titans may be a QB away from becoming a contender. That QB may be Mariota, but without him on the field, the Titans are just a team trying to rebuild. The Texans defense is too much for backup QB Zack Mettenberger....period. Houston must win to try to stay close to the Colts. They will this week at home. Texans win.
Houston 24 Tennessee 16
San Diego at Baltimore: San Diego is going east again to face a demoralized Ravens squad. Neither team looks very good right now and the play could be worse. However, the QB matchup of Philip Rivers versus Joe Flacco is a damn good one. This could be a entertaining game. But not a great game except for fantasy football stats...maybe.
Who wins? The Ravens cannot keep blowing close games. They are too good and too experienced for that. The Chargers can win this. They should win this. But...why do I sense the Ravens will steal this one? I don't know. I am taking the Ravens.
Baltimore 33 San Diego 30 (OT)
Seattle at Dallas: This will be a war. Seattle has a struggling offense, but the defense may be starting to get it back together....at home. But this game is in Dallas, where the Cowboys have lost 4 in a row and is desperate for a win in the crazy NFC East. All-world WR Dez Bryant is expected to be back from his foot injuries suffered in the opener, but they still suffer at QB with Matt Cassel starting his second game with Tony Romo still out. Simply put, the winner helps their playoff chances, the loser is in deep (bleep). And I mean really deep (bleep). Watch this game.
Who wins? The Cowboys would have the advantage in this case. But no Romo, no Randle, and a Bryant who cannot be 100 percent against a desperate Seahawks team? No way. The Cowboys can take another loss (barely) if the Giants lose (the Redskins and Eagles are on bye this week) and still be in the race. A fifth Seattle loss could all but finish them for a wild-card and maybe in the NFC West too, if Arizona wins. I have to take a more intact and desperate Seattle team here.
Seattle 33 Dallas 24
Cincinnati at Pittsburgh: This is the big game of the year for the Bengals. Win this game and the Bengals will be way ahead in the AFC North and will be just counting games until they clinch the division. Also, with undefeated Denver hosting undefeated Green Bay, the Bengals know that they could be only two undefeated teams left in the AFC at the end of the night (NE crushed Miami on Thursday night). However, Pittsburgh is tough at home and they get back all-world QB Ben Roethlisberger and that could mean everything for the Steelers for the rest of the season. Either way, this is a must win for Pittsburgh.
Who wins? Cincinnati is a good team, but has a lot to prove. Regular season wins mean little for them since they haven't won in the playoffs, and we are a LONG way from that. The Steelers are desperate and they are at home with all their weapons. I am taking Pittsburgh to kick the Bengals from the list of undefeated teams.
Pittsburgh 30 Cincinnati 27 (OT)
New York Jets at Oakland: The Raiders are looking better...but now the next test for these youngsters is here. The Jets are great on defense and the offense is getting better. But, not enough to slow down the still-undefeated Patriots. This game could be a eliminator game for a AFC wild card berth. The winner will be in great position, with a bit of time left. The loser will fall deeper into the pack.
But who thought these two teams would be doing this well at this point in the season? Could BOTH teams be in the playoffs? We will soon see.
Who wins? The Jets are good. The Raiders are getting good. This will be the steal fun game of the week. Most will take the Jets, but I think that the demoralizing loss to the Patriots, plus a long trip west (and maybe a little distraction with the Mets in the World Series) equals trap game. Oakland is dangerous at home and the power they showed in San Diego last week means upset. I am taking Oakland.
Oakland 30 New York Jets 28
Sunday Night Football on NBC: Green Bay at Denver: It is a rare thing for there to be more than 1 or 2 undefeated teams after week 7. It is even rarer for two of those teams to face each other, much less in primetime. So here we are. Who loses here? Denver has had their bye to prepare for this game, while the Packers keep rolling along. This is a perfect SNF game and it will be good.
Who wins? The Broncos have had escape after escape after escape...mostly caused by the defense. Tonight, the BS stops. Green Bay won't make the errors others have, even in Denver. QB Aaron Rodgers and the Packers will be too much and too disciplined to fall to Denver's luck. Another undefeated team goes down. Packers win.
Green Bay 37 Denver 31
Monday Night Football on ESPN: Indianapolis at Carolina: This is a battle of two former number 1 overall pick (quarterbacks) who have different styles but get results. Both teams lead their divisions, though the AFC South...really sucks...much like the NFC South did last year. The bottom line is that this can be a good game. The Colts need to win to stay ahead of Houston and work toward another division title. The Panthers want to stay undefeated, knowing that they could be the last NFC undefeated team if Green Bay loses to undefeated AFC West leader Denver. This is must see football.
Who wins? The Colts will fight and fight and fight. But this team won't be able to stop the Panthers in Charlotte at night. Too many weapons, too cool and too much QB Cam Newton. Period. Colts QB Andrew Luck is good, but I don't see this miracle. Panthers stay undefeated.
Carolina 29 Indianapolis 24
Bonus picks: Chase for the Sprint Cup Semifinals: Race 7:Eliminator Round: Martinsville: After the controversy of last week...the Chase comes back to Virginia to the smallest track in NASCAR. Weather issues aside, this is a big race and will be tight. It will be a hard-fought race and if a Chase driver wins, he is automatically in the final at Homestead to race for the championship.
Who wins? I think this will be a battle with Harvick and Gordon and home-state hero Denny Hamlin (out of the Chase) going for the win. Don't count out Joey Logano, but I don't think he wins his fourth straight here. I think his teammate, Brad Keselowski steals this win and most of the 8 Chase drivers will finish high, but one or two may wreck out early.
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