The NFL playoffs are upon us. This is the last week of the NFL season. I have had two rough weeks, with my picks. Over the last 7 weeks I am 63-37, but the last two weeks killed me. I am going to try to get back to my 75% form in Week 17.
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SUNDAY JAN. 1
Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints (1:00 PM ET FOX)
Saints 38-31
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Buffalo Bills at New England Patriots (1:00 PM ET CBS)
Patriots 31-20
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Chicago Bears at Minnesota Vikings (1:00 PM ET FOX)
Vikings 27-19
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New York Jets at Miami Dolphins (1:00 PM ET CBS)
Jets 27-17
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San Francisco 49ers at St. Louis Rams (1:00 PM ET FOX)
49ers 30-16
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Detroits Lions at Green Bay Packers (1:00 PM ET FOX)
Lions 31-27
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Washington Redskins at Philadelphia Eagles (1:00 PM ET FOX)
Eagles 31-24
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Indianapolis Colts at Jacksonville Jaguars (1:00 PM ET CBS)
Colts 24-20
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Tennessee Titans at Houston Texans (1:00 PM ET CBS)
Titans 27-16
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Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals (4:15 PM ET FOX)
Seahawks 27-21
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Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos (4:15 PM ET CBS)
Chiefs 24-16
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons (4:15 PM ET FOX)
Falcons 31-13
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Baltimore Ravens at Cincinnati Bengals (4:15 PM ET CBS)
Ravens 24-20
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Pittsburgh Steelers at Cleveland Browns (4:15 PM ET CBS)
Steelers 27-17
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San Diego Chargers at Oakland Raiders (4:15 PM ET CBS)
Chargers 27-23
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Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants (8:20 PM ET NBC)
Here are my thoughts from a poorly played CHamps Sports Bowl, between two has-beens of college football. If you haven't listened to anything I've said since I started this blog NEVER BUY THE HYPE on either of these two perennial underachievers. Enjoy!
Here is Notre Dame's 2012 Schedule. Do you really think they can win more than 8 games with this?
This last week in the NFL was a wild and unpredictable one. The Green Bay Packers' machine was derailed, and with the Colts winning in week 15 and this Thursday, a few teams are looking for some "Luck." I was 5-9 in week 15, this was by far my worst week for predictions. I am now 56-29 over the last 6 weeks. With a little luck maybe I can get back on track this Christmas week.
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SATURDAY DECEMBER 24TH (Christmas Eve)
Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs (1:00 PM ET CBS)
Chiefs 20-17
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Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans (1:00 PM ET CBS)
Titans 31-17
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Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots (1:00 PM ET CBS)
Patriots 34-23
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Arizona Cardinals at Cincinnati Bengals (1:00 PM ET FOX)
Cardinals 23-20
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Denver Broncos at Buffalo Bills (1:00 PM ET CBS)
Broncos 24-19
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St. Louis Rams at Pittsburgh Steelers (1:00 PM ET FOX)
Steelers 23-16
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New York Giants at New York Jets (1:00 PM ET FOX)
Jets 27-24
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Minnesota Vikings at Washington Redskins (1:00 PM ET FOX)
Redskins 27-17
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Carolina Panthers (1:00 PM ET FOX)
Panther 34-19
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Cleveland Browns at Baltimore Ravens (1:00 PM ET CBS)
Ravens 31-16
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San Diego Chargers at Detroit Lions (4:05 PM ET CBS)
Chargers 31-27
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Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys (4:15 PM ET FOX)
Cowboys 28-26
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San Francisco at Seattle Seahawks (4:15 PM ET FOX)
Seahawks 27-23
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CHRISTMAS SUNDAY DECEMBER 25
Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers (8:20 PM ET NBC)
Packers 38-17
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MONDAY NIGHT DECEMBER 26
Atlanta Falcons at New Orleans Saints (8:30 PM ET ESPN)
Tim Tebow lead the Denver Broncos to another 4th quater comeback victory. Denver and Tebow have a huge test ahead of them, as they take on the New England Patriots. What Tebow has done so far this season has been nothing short of miraculous, but beating the Pats would put Tebow on another level and I don't see it happening this week. I am trying to step my game up to the next level. Last week I wasn't so good, I was 10-5. I hope to improve on that mark this week. I am 51-22 over the last 5 weeks.
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SUNDAY DECEMBER 18
Carolina Panthers at Houston Texans (1:00 PM ET FOX)
Texans 31-23
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Washington Redskins at New York Giants (1:00 PM ET FOX)
Giants 27-17
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Miami Dolphins at Buffalo Bills (1:00 PM ET CBS)
Bills 28-24
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Seattle Seahawks at Chicago Bears (1:00 PM ET FOX)
Bears 24-16
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New Orleans Saints at Minnesota Vikings (1:00 PM ET FOX)
Saints 34-20
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Cincinnati Bengals at St. Louis Rams (1:00 PM ET CBS)
Bengals 24-17
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Tennessee Titans at Indianapolis Colts (1:00 PM ET CBS)
Titans 31-13
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Green Bay Packers at Kansas City Chiefs (1:00 PM ET FOX)
Packers 38-23
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Detroits Lions at Oakland Raiders (4:05 PM ET FOX)
Lions 27-20
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New England Patriots at Denver Broncos (4:15 PM ET CBS)
Patriots 27-20
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New York Jets at Philadelphia Eagles (4:15 PM ET CBS)
Jets 28-24
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Cleveland Browns at Arizona Cardinals (4:15 PM ET CBS)
Cardinals 24-19
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Baltimore Ravens at San Diego Chargers (8:20 PM ET NBC)
Ravens 23-17
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MONDAY NIGHT DECEMBER 19
Pittsburgh Steelers at San Francisco 49ers (8:30 PM ET ESPN)
Why does a NFL player making $685,000 need to be a drug kingpin on the side? Your guess is as good as mine...I hope it was worth the 20+ years in prison he's about to get hit with. As we saw with Michael Vick, some judge will slam the book at him to make an example.
Are there any NFL players that he was supplying? That's the question everyone wants to know!
In light of the recent report that 2011 NL MVP Ryan Braun tested positive for a banned substance, should he have to give back his MVP award? Should the Baseball Writers of America hold a re-vote and take the trophy away?
I am still a bit shocked that Braun possibly is dirty. He certainly doesn't look the part. However, the "I didn't know" excuse just won't fly in the court of public opinion.
I was 11-4 last week. A pretty good week, but one boneheaded time-out cost me 80% on the week. This week will most likely not be a great week for me. Games like the Dallas vs. New York game will cost me my perfect week, which has eluded me so far this year. I am still in search of great. In the last four weeks my record is 41-17, but this week the will be really tough to continue my current percentage.
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December 11, Sunday
Kansas City Chiefs at New York Jest (1:00 PM ET CBS)
Jets 31-13
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Jacksonville Jaguars (1:00 PM ET FOX)
Buccaneers 24-20
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New England Patriots at Washington Redskins (1:00 PM ET CBS)
Patriots 34-17
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Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers (1:00 PM ET FOX)
Panthers 27-23
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Indianapolis Colts at Baltimore Ravens (1:00 PM ET CBS)
Ravens 38-13
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Philladelphia Eagles at Miami Dolphins (1:00 PM ET FOX)
Dolphins 27-20
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Minnesota Vikings at Detroit Lions (1:00 PM ET FOX)
Lions 24-16
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New Orleans Saints at Tennessee Titans (1:00 PM ET FOX)
Titans 31-28
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Houston Texans at Cincinnati Bengals (1:00 PM ET CBS)
Bengals 20-17
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Chicago Bears at Denver Broncos (4:05 PM ET FOX)
Broncos 20-16
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San Francisco 49ers at Arizona Cardinals (4:05 PM ET FOX)
Here are my thoughts immediately following the SEC Championship Game:
In the mix:
Georgia's Dominant 1st Quarter and Missed Opportunities
Georgia's 1st Half Defense
Turning Point of the Game
LSU's 2nd Half Turnaround
Georgia's Potential Bowl Possiblities
LSU vs. Alabama Rematch?
And others...
Another random topic of discussion:
Was the replay official napping up in the booth? He never thought to review the Mathieu punt return that should've been a fumble/touchback, not a TD. Also, he almost waited too long to call for a review of the Beckham catch that clearly hit the ground. Needless to say, Matt Austin and crew didn't have the best night...
Here is my hard-hitting preview of the SEC Title tilt between LSU and Georgia. Camera is a little off-center again, I'm sorry. If it bothers you too much, just surf another window and listen to the video!
At the beginning of the video, I advise you to bet UCLA +31 tonight in the Pac-12 Championship against Oregon; move fast!
Official SEC Championship prediction: LSU 31, Georgia 20
Last week I was 12-4, 75% is not too bad in the NFL. That makes three straight weeks for me with a winning record. I am 30-13 over the last three weeks. I did pick games in Week 4 of the season and I was 7-9. That is my only losing week so far this year and makes my record overall 37-22 this NFL season. Here are my picks for Week 13.
SUNDAY DECEMBER 4
Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1:00 PM ET FOX)
Buccaneers 27-23
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Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers (1:00 PM ET CBS)
Steelers 27-16
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Atlanta Falcons at Houston Texans (1:00 PM ET FOX)
Falcons 24-20
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New York Jets at Washington Redskins (1:00 PM ET CBS)
Jets 26-19
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Indianapolis Colts at New England Patriots (1:00 PM ET CBS)
Patriots 34-13
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Oakland Raiders at Miami Dolphins (1:00 PM ET CBS)
Dolphins 27-20
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Denver Broncos at Minnesota Vikings (1:00 PM ET FOX)
Broncos 20-17
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Tennessee Titans at Buffalo Bills (1:00 PM ET CBS)
Titans 30-24
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Kansas City Chiefs at Chicago Bears (1:00 PM ET CBS)
Bears 23-17
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Baltimore Ravens at Cleveland Browns (4:05 PM ET CBS)
Ravens 31-17
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Dallas Cowboys at Arizona Cardinals (4:15 PM ET FOX)
Cowboys 28-20
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Green Bay Packers at New York Giants (4:15 PM ET FOX)
Packers 35-24
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St. Louis Rams at San Francisco 49ers (4:15 PM ET FOX)
49ers 31-20
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Detroit Lions at New Orleans Saints (8:20 PM ET NBC)
Saints 31-23
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MONDAY NIGHT DECEMBER 5
San Diego Chargers at Jacksonville Jaguars (8:30 PM ET ESPN)
Wisconsin lost a close one to Michigan State earlier in the year. This time Russell Wilson will not let this big game slip through his fingers. The Badgers will be Rose Bowl bound!
It is hard to believe, but I still run into sports fans who believe that the SEC is not the best college football conference in the country. Recently, the SEC had the number 1,2,and 3 teams in the nation. This is one of the impressive accomplishments by a conference in my lifetime. The only thing more impressive would be if the SEC wins its 6 straight National Championship this year, which seems likely. Yet, I have talked to two different people this year(one of these people was from Ohio) who tried to convince me that the Big 12 and the Big 10 is better. I laughed at them. I will not spend any time trying to persuade anyone, including those reading this blog that the SEC is better. Because it is not even close! I am a huge ACC fan and I watch SEC football with such envy. When LSU runs through the tunnel onto the field, it's like warriors of old running into battle. Few intelligent sports fans will argue against the superiority of the SEC, but there is a great debate as to why. Well, there is not one factor why the SEC is best, because they are the best in every facet of the game. The SEC is the fastest, meanest, most skilled, and has the best fan bases(who are borderline crazy). They recruit from the best talent pool(the South), and they have the best college coaches. With all that said, the biggest reason the SEC has a monopoly on great college football is their seriousness for the game.
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I recently watched a "behind the scenes" look of Alabama's football team on ESPN, and what stood out to me is that the coaches and players alike were so focused and took the game so seriously. Football coaches in the ACC act like glorified gym teachers. The Alabama coaches act like CEO's of fortune 500 companies. Every question the Alabama coaches and players answered oozed with confidence, swagger, and intensity. After watching this look into the Alabama football program, I could not have been more impressed. I am a UNC basketball fan and we are the best college basketball program in the nation, and nothing I have seen at North Carolina compares to Alabama's football program.
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LSU is playing UGA for the SEC championship this Saturday at 4:00 PM ET on CBS. Georgia has been extremely impressive over the last 11 games, but I don't think they can stand up to LSU's brutal defense. The LSU defense is one of the best I have ever seen. To say LSU's defense is aggressive is an insult to them. They play defense the way barbarians sack a city full of women and children. It seems that a wave of yellow just attacks the ball every play like a pack of wild dogs attack one piece of meat. The Dawgs have a good defense, but they do not play like that.
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My prediction for the game: LSU over UGA 32-16. I know this is not a very daring pick, but I can't see it going any other way.
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While I am writing about LSU, I would like to ask a question to SEC fans and college football fans alike. Why doesn't Les Miles get more credit as a football coach? People love to talk about him as "crazy" or a late game gambler. ESPN does commericals about him eating grass, but the people should be talking about Miles being maybe the best coach in all of college football. I guess there are reasons why Miles doesn't seem to get mentioned in the best coach conversations as much as he should. One reason is the guy who runs the Alabama program. Plus, Miles comes across as the ex jock jack-ass who thinks his "you know what" doesn't stink. Still, Les Miles' record speaks for itself, 74-17 over the last 7 seasons. That is just a little more than two losses a year, amazing! LSU does have tons of talent and sends their fair share of players to the NFL, but they do not have the highly ranker recruited classes that some other schools(Miami, Texas, FSU, etc.) have. Yet, Miles has a National Championship and may have another one this year and an undefeated season to ice the cake. So, as much as fans will hate to crown a guy who seems to be a jerk, let the talk begin, Les Miles should be put on the short list of the best coaches in all of college football!
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I would like to leave you with one last question for fans to ponder. The SEC teams have some of the best coaches, facilities, and traditions in all of college football, but is there any other reason the best high school players in the nation might want to play for the SEC school? Just asking...
Why would a boy want to go to LSU? A Mystery, I Guess!
I discuss Tebow's candidacy for MVP in the video below. The camera was a little off-center, so I apologize. Do you think Tebow can win MVP? Let us know!
Here's is today's video regarding Urban Meyer's new job as head of Buckeye Nation along with other speculation regarding college football's hirings/firings:
Topics of Discussion: Urban Meyer, Mike Stoops, UCLA and Rick Neuheisel, Kevin Sumlin, June Jones, Jim Tressel, Arizona State, Ole Miss, Gus Malzahn and others...Enjoy!
Simple question really. When did or what made him turn in to such a thug?
I thought he was a pretty upstanding citizen coming out of Nebraska, what gives? Do you think Roger Goodell hands down a suspension from last week's episode on national TV? If so, how long? Let us know...
It's been way too long, but I'm finally back on the blog and I'm now going to be doing videos (technically "vlogging" but I hate that word) instead of spending tons of time typing. I hope you enjoy the new format, as this will allow me to get a lot more information/opinions/predictions on the site. I just got this brand-new flip cam that I'm going to be using, but I had to battle Black Friday and its crowds to secure it. I am running on fumes now, but wanted to get something up on the site for tomorrow's Clean Old-Fashioned Hate game between Georgia and Georgia Tech.
Below you will find my analysis and prediction for the game. Enjoy and please feel free to comment! If you do comment, please be productive to the discussion. We don't need comments like "You must have just got off your job at Wal-Mart" or "You're retarded." Save the disparaging remarks for Paul Johnson, please.
For those who have slow internet, my apologies. This video is a little long, and I'll try to shorten them in the future.
For the record, I'm saying: Georgia 30, Georgia Tech 24
Enjoy the game tomorrow and as always, Don't Buy the Hype.
Green Bay Packers at Detroit Lions (12:30 PM ET FOX)
Packers 34-23
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Miami Dolphins at Dallas Cowboys (4:15 PM ET CBS)
Cowboys 27-17
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San Francisco 49ers at Baltimore Ravens (8:20 PM ET NFL)
Ravens 23-20
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We have a great day of football ahead of us! I plan to do nothing but eat and watch football. I would like to pick the Dolphins(they have been on a roll lately), but I do not have guts and the game is at Dallas. Detroit has a chance to win the game today they are at home, and have some defensive guys who can get to Rodgers, but it doesn't seem too smart to pick against the machine we call the Packers. The Brothers play tonight and it doesn't seem to be very intelligent to pick against the 49ers, because they have been hot all year. Still, the experience of the Ravens should win out in a close defensive battle.
I was 8-6 last week with my predictions. Picking NFL games is harder than it looks. Let's see how I do in week 11. Last week I did predicted the Redskins vs. Dolphins game 100% correct, even getting the score right 20-9. The NFL has been really exciting this year. I don't think anyone cares about the NBA lockout at the moment. The rest of season should be have the intensity of a street fight, just ask Cushing!
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Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Green Bay Pack (1:00 pm FOX)
Packers 34-20
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Carolina Panthers at Detroit Lions (1:00 pm FOX)
Lions 27-17
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Jacksonville Jaguars at Cleveland Browns (1:00 pm CBS)
Jaguars 19-13
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Oakland Raiders at Minnesota Vikings (1:00 pm CBS)
Vikings 23-20
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Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins (1:00 pm CBS)
Dolphins 27-20
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Dallas Cowboys at Washington Redskins (1:00 pm FOX)
Cowboys 31-16
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Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens (1:00 pm CBS)
Ravens 27-21
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Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers (4:05 pm FOX)
49ers 28-10
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Seattle Seahawks at St. Louis Rams (4:05 pm FOX)
Seahawks 21-17
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Tennessee Titans at Atlanta Falcons (4:15 pm CBS)
Falcons 27-17
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San Diego Chargers at Chicago Bears (4:15 pm CBS)
Bears30-24
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Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants (8:20 pm NBC)
Giants28-20
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Kansas City Chiefs at New Englans Patriots (Nov. 21, Mon. 8:30 pm ESPN)
Welcome to the new "Grow Your Roll"! Each week of the (rest) of the college football season, I'll be giving you a few picks (against the spread) that present a great opportunity to fatten your wallet or "Grow Your Roll." As always, please leave you picks/comments in the comment box as well!
Lines courtesy of Danny Sheridan and USA Today. Home teams listed in CAPS.
Pick I Like: ARKANSAS (-9.5) over Auburn: The Razorbacks are coming off a big comeback win over Texas A&M last week and head home to seek revenge for last year's loss at Auburn, where they allowed 65 points. That won't happen this week. The Arkansas offense is gathering steam, while Auburn's scored 13 points last week against an overrated South Carolina defense. It's a tall task to win in Fayetteville, and Auburn will find that out this week. Arkansas 35, Auburn 20
Pick I Love: GEORGIA TECH (-14.5) over Maryland: The Yellow Jackets are leading the country in scoring at over 51 points per game, while Maryland's offense has struggled to score all year, with the exception being a 2nd half flurry after being down 34-10 to West Virginia. The only thing that could keep this from being a slam dunk is Tech's defense. They haven't shut anyone down this year, and could be without star LB Jeremiah Attachou and LB Daniel Drummond. Georgia Tech 45, Maryland 28
Grow Your Roll Game of The Week: CLEMSON (-20.5) over Boston College: After last week's huge road win over Virginia Tech, this has the makings of the classic letdown game, something Clemson fans know about all too well. Except, Boston College is terrible. They've lost home games to Northwestern, Duke and Wake Forest and were destroyed at Central Florida. Three touchdowns seems like a lot to give up, but BC doesn't score many points, and that makes for a easy cover. Clemson 38, Boston College 10
What are your money makers this week? Post below!
Personal Disclaimer: All advice dispensed above is solely for "entertainment purposes only." I think that's how the gambling sites say it...Seriously, if you're relying on my advice to feed your family, that's not a good idea...
I finally got to spend some good old quality time in the recliner, in front of the television this Saturday, so of course I spent it watching college football. Here is what I learned while watching Saturday's Week 5 action:
DBTH Team of the Week: Clemson Tigers
No team did more to increase their championship stock this weekend than Clemson. They thoroughly dominated Virginia Tech, in Blacksburg no less, to step to the forefront of the ACC. This coming after a huge win over consensus ACC-favorite Florida State the previous week. I picked Clemson #23 in my Preseason Poll and had them in the Strong Plays section of my Over/Under CFB Preview, but they have exceeded my expectations. Clemson has the reputation of fading down the stretch, so it will be interesting to see how they finish, especially with tough road games at Georgia Tech and South Carolina still on the schedule.
It's not a good idea to stomp on the other team's logo on the 50 yard line.
Dan Mullen and Company thought it would be a great motivational tactic to stomp on the Georgia "G" at the 50 yard line before their noon kickoff with Georgia. It turned out to be great motivation-for Georgia. The Real Dawgs played an inspired first half and jumped out to a 21-3 lead. They coasted to a 24-10 win.
In the aftermath of the beatdown, Mullen tried to backtrack and say it was a "misunderstanding," even insinuating it was Georgia's fault but judging by the smirky grin he had during the incident (watch the video below), it was anything but that.
Texas A&M is not a 2nd Half team.
For the second straight week, the Aggies blew a comfortable second half lead, this time to Arkansas at Jerry World in Dallas. I really thought this would be the Aggies' year, and they are improved, but two brutal collapses have them looking like a usual middle-of-the-pack Big 12 South team. They will have to make statements against Oklahoma AND Texas if they want to be considered a threat in the Big 12. I don't see that happening.
Brady Hoke is a great coach.
Hoke parlayed his resurrection of San Diego State into his dream job in Ann Arbor, and it looks like he will return the Wolverines back to the top of the improved Big 10(or12). I realize a 58-0 thrashing of Minnesota isn't reason to anoint him the next Bo Schembechler, but they've made all the big plays so far this year, especially in the comeback over Notre Dame. To support my claim, just look at the defensive numbers. Last year they couldn't keep a high school team out of the end zone, this year, opponents are not getting there. That's ALL ATTITUDE, and that comes from the head coach.
Wisconsin might be the second best team in the country, and Russell Wilson could win the Heisman.
We all knew before the season that Alabama and Oklahoma would be great, but Wisconsin's 48-17 thrashing of Big Red-Lincoln will enter them squarely into the national title discussion. The Badgers are so good on the line of scrimmage that I think they could stack up with every team in the country. I picked them #3 in my preseason poll, higher than anyone else, and Bret Bielema and crew are proving me right so far.
Finally, this Steve Spurrier/Stephen Garcia love/hate soap opera/train wreck is Must-See TV!
By letting Garcia hang around and get chance after chance to act like an adult, Spurrier has hamstrung his season and his program. The Gamecocks lost at home to Auburn Saturday, and should've lost to Georgia a couple weeks ago, if not for stellar defensive and special teams performances. Connor Shaw proved earlier in the season that he's not capable of leading the offense, so the Ole Ball Coach has had no choice but to hitch his wagon to Garcia. Garcia's penchant for stupid turnovers, like forcing a deep ball into double coverage for a pick with the lead on Saturday, reiterates the known fact that he has no clue how to be a leader. The only thing Garcia leads is all 1-A (FBS) quarterbacks in interceptions. Now he has now been benched in favor of Shaw, according to Spurrier. If this lasts as long as his suspensions, he'll be back in the 3rd quarter of this week's game against Kentucky, when Carolina is down 17-7.
What did you learn this weekend? Check back later in the week for my Week 6 Locks of the Week. I guarantee I'll make you some money! But if I don't, it's not my problem!
