Top Ten Headlines heading into 2011

1) Where art thou Melo?

While I don't think Carmelo Anthony will have the impact on the NBA that LeBron James did in 2010, I think his decision will have the biggest impact on the league in 2011 compared to any other player transactions. If Carmelo stays in Denver the rest of this entry is void. And with the chance that he doesn't get traded to New York, it would make sense for him to take the money while he can. But if Carmelo Anthony really just wants to be a Knick then this will be a major move for the NBA.

Obviously I'm being a homer by thinking Carmelo Anthony going to the Knicks is one of the major stories in sports, but let me gloat and pretend the Knicks are national news, and that they're so relevant and close that they're worth mentioning as one of the more important stories in all of sports. This season the Knicks look like they're one piece away from being a championship contender. They've played the Celtics tough, beaten the Bulls a couple of times, and handed the Spurs their fifth loss of the season on Tuesday. They definitely need to add some depth, but if there was some way they could keep Landry Fields, Wilson Chandler, and Danilo Gallinari, and add Melo, they'd be pretty close to the best teams in the league.

I'm anticipating the Knicks having to part with at least one of the three guard/forwards that I just mentioned, but they're still in the process of rebuilding and it seems that Amar'e Stoudemire and Ray Felton are two great starting points. Melo could attract more talent to the Big Apple and the Knicks/Heat rivalry will reach new highs. Or Melo could get traded to the Nets and fade into obscurity. Keeping my fingers crossed....

2) NFL Postseason

I don't think there's been a year where everyone's at such an even playing field in recent memory. I mean the Saints are defending champions and won't play a home game, the Steelers, Ravens, Falcons, and Bears have pretty much cruised all season, the Patriots are looking unbeatable, but the Jets are one one of the two teams to defeat New England this year. Oh yeah, Peyton Manning and Aaron Rodgers are still around too. The only team that really doesn't stand a chance is the 7-9 Seahawks, but even they play exceptionally better at home and will host the Saints in the Wild Card round.

I'm not using this opportunity to make any predictions, but I am excited and think this will be one of the more unpredictable playoffs in a few years. I'll trim the edges and say I don't think it'll be both one seeds in the Superbowl, and I also don't think home-advantage will matter that much. There are twelve different teams, that play twelve very different styles of football, and I really think that every team but the Seahawks stands a chance. Or the Patriots will continue to maul through everyone and win it all.

3) Phillies vs Red Sox World Series?

Tell me, if not the Phillies and Red Sox, then who? What team in the National League has the pitching (or hitting really) to go up against Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, and Roy Oswalt at the front of a rotation? Don't forget about Ryan Howard, Chase Utley, Raul Ibanez, and Jimmy Rollins in the lineup. The N. L. really feels like it's Philadelphia's to lose, even if the Giants are the defending champs. The Phillies have played in two of the last three World Series and they're a team that's poised to win.

And American League followers, why don't you tell me who has the pitching to stop Carl Crawford, Dustin Pedroia, Kevin Youkilis, Adrian Gonzalez, and David Ortiz (probably their 1-5)? Cliff Lee left Texas, and while the A.L. West can still be won, I don't know who has the pitching or offense to keep up with Boston. I'm obviously playing a little stupid here because I still think the Yankees are going to win the A.L. (sorry for being a homer), but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't afraid of Boston this year...at least until Papelbon takes the hill.

4) Mayweather vs Pacquiao please?

I tried to talk about other sports in my 2010 article, so let me give boxing a shout-out in 2011. This is the fight that boxing NEEDS! It's the sports two biggest stars, who happen to be in the same weight-class, who have both been on top of the sport for the past five years. They were slated to fight in 2010 but impromptu drug tests set Pacquiao off and the fight was never made official. The fight being on-and-off has built the anticipation to see the undefeated Mayweather take on the hard-hitting Pac-Man, but Mayweather doesn't fight too many fights anymore and it seems these two are content with making money and beating up on lesser opponents. Not to disgrace boxing but this is the fight everyone wants to see, and until it happens the sport can expect to play second fiddle to MMA.

5) So an Owners League and a Players League walk into a bar...does either come back for 2011?

This has the potential to be THE biggest story in 2011...in fact, the TWO biggest stories in 2011. There's a good chance that we may not see the NFL after February, or the NBA after June (or July or August, whenever the playoffs finally end) this year. Both leagues look like they're heading towards lockouts, and there really isn't much room for optimism.

The NFL has become American royalty as far as sports go, but the players want more guaranteed money and the owners want more games and lower salaries. Even if there is a lockout, the NFL is still going to be paid five billion dollars from the NFL Network...do you know how much of that the players are going to see? Zero. I doubt either side wants to not play for numerous reasons (league image and insane income to name a couple), but this is a situation that doesn't seem to have much give.

And the NBA lockout is looking like a sure thing too. Again, the players want more money and the owners aren't in favor of the players contracts. The NBA hasn't quite had the success that the NFL has had recently, so teams are bringing in less money and players are being paid well beyond their abilities. I mean how does Amar'e Stoudemire get nearly 20 million dollars a year out of a mid-50 million dollar salary budget? Or a better example, how does Darko Milicic get a four-year, 20 million dollar deal when he came into the season averaging way less than 10 points and 5 rebounds a game. Of course I'm just stating my opinion in who deserves what. The owners make a nice salary and why not share that with the players who bring in the money? But when you're giving guys like Darko and Adonal Foyle mega-deals, we have a problem. And as a result we may not have NBA basketball in 2011-2012.

6) NFL Coaching Changes

We may see some big name coaches return in 2011, including Bill Cowher and Jon Gruden, and it seems Jim Harbaugh is the hottest thing to hit football coaching since Bill Belichick found his groove with the Patriots. While it seemed just a couple of weeks ago that jobs in New York, Dallas, and Minnesota might be available, those positions have been solidified, while the 49ers, Raiders, and Browns jobs have become the most highly touted. Even Cleveland could see Mike Holmgren return to the sidelines. Will Tony Sparano be bounced from South Beach? Lots of questions to be answered, and hopefully we'll have some of our favorites back in action next season.

Legacies are on the line...

7) Best since MJ? How about better than MJ?

Yep, I'm mainly talking about Kobe here. Do the Lakers three-peat and get Kobe Bryant his sixth NBA championship? They've been to three straight NBA Finals, and as good as San Antonio and Dallas look at the beginning of the season, we all know the Lakers are still the cream of the crop. If the Lakers do win, it'll tie Kobe and Michael Jordan for championship rings, and the question will have to be asked...is Kobe better than Jordan? You know my answer (if you don't it's no). Hopefully LeBron wins instead (unless the Knicks make a push, then by all means) and we can start to call him the best since Jordan.

I don't think this season necessarily has that great of an effect on LeBron's legacy. Obviously the sooner he starts winning championships the better it is for him, but it's not win or bust for him this year. I know if the Heat don't win every championship while they have LeBron and Dwyane Wade it will be considered a failure, but he could still come out and win more than a handful of rings even if he doesn't this year.

8) Who's the Yankees shortstop?

Derek Jeter had arguably his best season in 2009. Moving back into the leadoff spot, Jeter hit .334 with 18 homers, while stealing 30 bases and winning a gold glove. In his contract year in 2010, Jeter's average dropped to .270 with only ten home runs. Now we all know Jeter isn't a power hitter, but the fact that his average dropped .64 points is alarming considering the Yankee Captain is going to be 37 years old in 2011. Everyone has their off years, but you can't debate that the older an athlete gets the less effective they become. Is this the end of the road for Jeter? Or was 2010 just one of those years?

9) The Greatest Quarterback ever?

While there's a lot of hype surrounding Stanford Junior quarterback Andrew Luck, within the next couple of months we will have a new NFL champion, and there's a good chance that the winner will be lead by either Tom Brady or Peyton Manning. Without a doubt, Brady and Manning are both in the conversation as it is, and I think if either one of them wins another championship it'll put their names at the top of the list.

I want to start with Brady because his team is looking like the clear favorite to win Superbowl 45. I know the playoffs haven't even started yet, but the Patriots have scored at least 30 points in 11 of the 13 games they played since trading Randy Moss. This is a team that crushed the Jets, pummeled the Bears, beat the Ravens, and looked unstoppable against the Steelers (not to mention two wins against the Dolphins, and wins over the Chargers, Colts, and the Aaron Rodgers less Packers). I know that none of that means anything in the regular season, but this team has walked the walk, and Belichick and Brady are at their best in the playoffs. Brady's probably going to win his second MVP, but if the Pats go all the way this will be his fourth ring. Numbers like that probably equate to number 1.

While Brady has the meaningful numbers, Peyton Manning may be the guy who breaks all of Brett Favre's records. His excellence and consistency really haven't been matched by anyone in his era besides Brady. While Brady has won more championships, Manning has more MVPs, and it's arguable that Brady and the Patriots success is a byproduct of the teams coach, while the success of the Colts is dependable on Peyton Manning. If Manning would have beaten the Saints last year his case would be stronger, but multiple rings for Manning is the key to his legacy and this may be one of his last shots.

10) The Greatest Coach ever?

It's going to happen, and it's going to happen sooner than people thought. No more are the days of Greg Paulus and David McClure, Mike Krzyzewski's getting top prospects again, and the Dukies are winning a lot. Coach K moved past Dean Smith into second place on the all-time wins list just last week, and is currently 21 wins away from passing Bobby Knight at 902. Duke will most likely lose a few games this year, but between the rest of this season and the beginning of next season, Duke and Coach K will get those 22 wins and then some.

It should be an interesting year, especially if we are spared those lockouts. I tried to talk about what I thought were the most impactful storylines on the sports world, but also receiving honorable mention are...

- Jimmie Johnson's Chase for Six

- Tiger Woods, a Year Removed from the Drama

And of course...

- Brett Favre's Comeback (come on, you guys know he isn't gonna stay retired!)

Enjoy the NFL Playoffs and Let's Go Jets!

Top Ten Stories of 2010

1)LeBron James Free Agency

How could one man's availability turn the NBA up-side down? Well despite the fact that the Lakers and Celtics are probably the two best teams in the league still, LeBron James signing with the Heat is the biggest thing to happen to the league since The Big Three was formed in 2007. Not only does LeBron make the Heat one of the league's elite teams for years to come, but his decision has given his peers the idea that their careers are in their own hands, and they can play wherever they want and with whoever they want.

Obviously that last statement only applies to those relevant enough to be coveted by both their current teams and their hopeful teams (cough Melo), but I think this move will create a trend in the league where superstars will align and create a greater gap between the good teams and the bad teams. I can't only credit LeBron for this. I'll get on Chris Bosh and call him a follower all day, but realistically he could've tried to be the man somewhere else and win a championship without two better players than him on his team, but he made a smart move and went where he thinks the championships are going to go...to LeBron and Dwyane Wade. (Note: Before making his decision, Chris Bosh said he wanted to go to a team where he would be "the man," as if that wasn't the situation in Toronto where he couldn't lead metal to a magnet, just saying).

LeBron and Bosh made what they believed to be smart business decisions, as did Amar'e Stoudemire and Carlos Boozer, but this past summer we read about Carmelo Anthony, Chris Paul, Tony Parker, and other All-Stars wanting to follow the trend. With collective bargaining coming up and the argument of whether the NBA is a Players league or an Owners league, it should be interesting to see how LeBron's decision effects the NBA on a greater scale than the success of the Miami Heat...which is already being felt (they're 15-1 in December).

2) Michael Vick...from Most Wanted to Most Valuable?

Some may know him as Ron Mexico, but in 2010 he's number seven in the playbooks and number one in your hearts...too soon? He loves animals, he loves watching film, and he's still unstoppable...what's not to love about Michael Vick? After letting Donovan McNabb go to a divisional rival, Philadelphia Eagles Coach Andy Reid must have really believed in his quarterback. That quarterback was Kevin Kolb. Kolb lead the Eagles to 2-3 in games he played in 2010, the Eagles are now 10-5, Vick has a 100.2 QB Rating, you figure the rest out. (Sometimes I feel like I'm writing Stuart Scott's script...)

Heading into the final week of the NFL season, it looks as if the Eagles will secure a home playoff game. They're one of the youngest teams in the league, but they're being lead by an MVP candidate (although Brady's pretty close to a shoe-in) and the best story in sports. I'm sure people are still rooting against Michael Vick, and it's tough to feel bad for a criminal, but it's awfully nice to see him taking advantage of his talents and surpassing the legacy he left behind before things went bad. I'm still rooting for the Jets, but if Vick wins a Superbowl the planet might explode.

3)Tootles to Brett Favre

To all of you cynics who can't understand the over-the-top Brett Favre coverage every time he sneezes, wake up! There's this much coverage for Brett Favre because he's been one of the main faces of sports for the last two decades almost. You know who gets the best ratings on Monday Night Football? Brett Favre's team. And not for nothing, but the Vikings made the NFC Championship last year, he flamed out with the Jets, but he made the NFC Championship with the Packers the year before that too. I know at times he seems washed up, but he's still been one of the most effective athletes on the planet. This year however, he's definitely seemed washed up and it seems he knows it.

Don't get me wrong, I'm sick of the guy like almost everyone else, but I think it's sad that this is his last season. I hope that his games played streak ending will be remembered more than this TMZ story involving Jenn Sterger (as guilty as he may or not be, he didn't have an affair, he didn't offend the person his actions were intended for, and he didn't commit a crime, let it go). I mean, I just find it so remarkable that this man played at the level he did in 297 straight games. I think that Cal Ripken Jr's consecutive baseball games played streak is impressive, but Favre has been knocked out of two games this season alone, and he's taken that kind of beating since 1992 and gotten up and come back to play the next week every time. He's 40, he's banged up, but he's also one of the all-time greats, and truly has played until he couldn't play any longer. Thanks for the memories Brett, now please don't make me write this again a year from now.

4)Cliff Lee doesn't go to the Yankees...twice

It's hard to complain about anything when you're a Yankees fan, and I'm not making any case for me or my people, but Cliff Lee reportedly being traded to the Yankees in July (obviously didn't happen) only to be really traded to the Rangers, and then signing with the Phillies in December are two of the most impactful things to happen to baseball this year. Lee helped lead the Rangers to the World Series, and will most probably be a part of the Phillies dominance in 2011. It's hard to imagine one player being so important to the whole MLB, but in this case Cliff Lee really was and is.

5)Jimmie Johnson's Five-Peat/Zenyatta's Quest for Perfection

Here's one that I doubt anyone reading will care about, but two stories that must get some sort of acknowledgment as far as big stories in sports go. I think in order to fully understand how important these two stories were, we have to put them in context with their own sport.

Jimmie Johnson had won four-straight Sprint Cup Championships (the NFL Playoffs, World Series, Stanley Cup - of NASCAR) heading into this season, and it looked like his dominance was coming to an end in 2010. Johnson failed to finish four races last season, but won six and finished in the top five in 17 races. He trailed Denny Hamlin for pretty much the whole season, including heading into the the Final Race of the Sprint Cup, but a second place finish secured Johnson his fifth-straight championship. Five-straight titles is the NASCAR record (it was previously three), and Johnson only needs one more title in his career to tie Dale Earnhardt and Richard Petty with seven championships. This is GREATNESS people.

From great racing to...great racing. Zenyatta entered November's Breeder's Cup Classic a perfect 19-0, looking for her second straight Breeder's Cup win. To the countries disappointment, the Philly came up a head short in her quest for perfection. A female who absolutely blew away her male counterparts the past two years, Zenyatta was named to O Magazine's 2010 O Power List, and was featured in W magazine, on top of the national recognition she received from sports media. If she would have won her last race this story would be slightly more impressive, but in a sport where dominance isn't prevalent, this story must be recognized and Zenyatta's significance will be felt in the future like that of other great horses.

6)Tiger Woods held Winless

For the first time in his 15-year PGA Tour career, Tiger Woods failed to win at least one PGA tournament this past season. Woods streak at Number 1 in the golf rankings also came to an end in November...after 281 weeks at the top. Woods has lost his number one ranking five times in his career, and hopefully for Tiger, number six will be approaching sometime in the future.

I didn't want to discuss Woods off the course drama, but it's hard to imagine that it didn't play a roll in his drop-off. Technically the S hit the fan (like that?) around Thanksgiving of 2009, and I'm not too into the gossip aspect of sports coverage. Tiger's been battling injuries for the better part of the last couple of years, and it seems he has a psychological injury that much like his knee injuries, will just take time to heal. It's not like his work ethic has gone down the tube and the talent around him is passing him by. Tiger had a couple of chances to win in 2010, but his lack of focus and inconsistencies failed him when we're used to seeing him come up big.

Tiger has already stated that he plans on playing in more tournaments in 2011, and I fully expect him to make a recovery and get back that number one ranking sometime sooner than later. And I'm sure he'll end his dry spell too (no pun).

7)Saints go Marching In

This is a feel good story. It's great to have diversity in the NFL, but seeing the Saints go from below average to league's elite under Sean Payton is so incredible after everything the city of New Orleans has been through since August of 2005. Not only did the Saints play incredible football in 2009, but they overcame Peyton Manning and his destiny to be one of the all-time greats, and proved they really were the best the NFL had to offer last season.

Aside from their regular season feats, the Saints played such a great game in the Superbowl. From the offsides kick to start the second half, to the interceptions of Manning, to Drew Brees's execution of Payton's masterful offense, what more do you want out of a Superbowl team? The Saints brought home their first ever Superbowl championship, New Orleans partied, and then New Orleans partied some more. Oh yeah, and the Saints are back at it again in 2010. Who Dey?

8)Cinderella goes Prime Time (Butler)

A five seed out of the Horizon conference was three points away from winning the NCAA Men's National Championship title. As the line between mid-majors and big six programs is fading out, Butler had an unforgettable run that landed them in their backyard, playing for the National Championship. Duke was too much for the Bulldogs, but the run that team made etched its way into tournament history, and will not be forgotten anytime soon.

9)Belichick and Brady...Works Every Time!

"You're kidding me, these guys again?" - Jared Mintz, December 6th. They're 13-2, they're beginning to embarrass their opponents like it's 2007, and Brady's looking like the MVP of the league. Can I get one year to think maybe my team is better? Was that last year and the Jets just didn't take advantage? Damn. I'm not throwing in the towel as a Jets fan, but this team looks completely unbeatable. If they were to get another shot at Cleveland, it would probably be a bloodbath.

10)Cam Newton/College Football Rant

I'll go in order. I don't think we've ever really seen anyone do what Cameron Newton has done this year. That may sound ignorant, but the Auburn star ran for 1,409 yards and 20 scores (10th in the nation) while throwing for 28 touchdowns (10th in the nation) and posting a 188.2 Quarterback Rating (1st in the nation), and he's going to be the reason his team wins the National Championship. Heisman Award? Check. Nike Deal? On the way. First-round draft-pick money? Most likely. Why not definitely?

Because winners have the brains and the talent, and Newton may be lacking the brains. That's not me calling Newton an idiot, I just don't think he has the personality traits to succeed as an NFL Quarterback. This isn't the hate on Cam Newton parade, but his awful career as a student athlete has been in the spotlight all year, and you can't tell me you really believe he's going to keep his newly acquired Heisman trophy. He's attended three institutions, has been in trouble with the law, and it seems that either he or his family have violated NCAA regulations involving money. How many of these guys translate well to the professional level? Have you heard him speak? Tell me a successful quarterback that speaks like him?

This isn't the least bit racially-charged either. It is incredibly difficult to be a successful quarterback in the NFL. Michael Vick had the talent prior to his suspension, but he's more focused on being a team player now and has a better attitude, low and behold we have an MVP candidate. I think Auburn will defeat a very good Oregon team, because it's the SEC's world and we're just living in it. Hate him or love him, Cam Newton has been the biggest story in the NCAA by far this season, but it's been a season I remind you that was missing namebrands like Florida, USC, Texas, Ohio State and Oklahoma.

Which leads me to my next point...is this the season that nobody really minds the BCS? Alabama flopped, nobody emerged from the PAC-10 or Big 12, and even Boise St. lost a heart breaker. Auburn and Oregon coasted to the championship game for the most part, and it doesn't seem that anybody minds that TCU and Wisconsin get to duke it out for the bronze. Sorry to speak so figuratively, but I'm disappointed that the uproar against the BCS is gone this year even if the parity isn't as great as it was the last few seasons.

Maybe if there's a tournament Boise St. gets a chance to redeem themselves and beat a couple of good teams earning themselves legit notoriety. Or maybe Oregon and Auburn each win a playoff game after a bye and play the inevitable championship game. It just seems so much better for the game to open up their postseason. Single-elimination is the way to go; 8 teams, no 6 would even be fine. Six teams, top two get a bye, three rounds, one team emerges, college football becomes beloved by the whole country the way March Madness is embraced.

It could happen...

*Honorable mention goes to the UConn Huskies Women's Basketball team for breaking the UCLA Men's Basketball consecutive wins record. The Huskies actually just lost to Stanford last night, oddly enough the Cardinals were also the last team they lost to before beginning their streak. It was a 90-game win streak that stretched over two years, and it will most likely not be touched by either gender for a very, very long time.

I hope you guys enjoyed the 2010 sports year as much as I did, and stay tuned for a Top 10 storylines to follow heading into 2011. Happy and a Healthy New Year to all...

Week 15 with Major Playoff Implications!

Surprise, Surprise...the Chargers blew out the 49ers Thursday night. While the San Diego got its sixth win in its last seven games to improve to 8-6, the Niners are now 5-9 and still not mathematically eliminated from the playoffs! It's only a matter of time, and while the Chargers may be one of the NFL's best teams, if you watched the 49ers last night there's no way that that team belongs in the postseason. There's no reason for me to continue talking about the losing team, the Chargers keep inching away at the banged up Chiefs and with road games at the Broncos and Bengals to close out the season, their odds at winning out look good. However, with how competitive the AFC is they may still need to get some other teams to lose a game or two, or they could be golfing in a month.

Lets take a look at the rest of Week 15's matchups...

Lines as of Friday morning, home teams in caps

Kansas City (even) over ST. LOUIS

Both teams suffered bad losses Week 14, but I don't think either of those games were necessarily indicative of how these teams will fair out moving forward. The Chiefs got killed by a surging Chargers team while playing without their quarterback, but I think it's a major problem that Matt Cassell is the deal breaker for this team. They lead the league in rushing yards, and I understand losing your QB allows the opposing defense to focus on stopping the run, but the Chiefs only ran the ball 17 times last week which is why they controlled the football for less than 20 of the games 60 minutes. I think they'll manage this game a little bit better, and while the Rams have made a commendable effort, they're only going to go as far as their rookie quarterback will take them. They may win their division but the NFC West is atrocious.

Houston (+1.5) over TENNESSEE

I think the Titans are just absolutely done. Since beating the Eagles Week 7, the Titans have been outscored by a total of 56 points and are 0-6. The Texans were down 28-7 in the third quarter against the Ravens Monday night, until Matt Schaub went absolutely nuts and led the Texans to an overtime loss on a walk-off pick six. The Texans are playing with momentum and still have so much talent. I don't expect Kerry Collins to have back-to-back good games, and since he played well last week I think he'll be back to his old ways in this divisional rivalry. Keep your eyes on Andre Johnson and Cortland Finnegan.

INDIANAPOLIS (-5) over Jackonville

We remain in the AFC South where the Colts reign on top is seriously in question as division leader Jacksonville comes into the dome. If the Colts lose their season is essentially over, which is why I don't think they'll lose, and I don't think it'll be as close as their first meeting. I keep picking against the Jags and I keep getting burnt, but I'm not going to believe the Colts aren't a playoff team until it's official. No stats, just gut, and my gut takes Peyton Manning over most options. We'll find out how good the Jaguars really are.

Arizona (+2.5) over CAROLINA

I don't know how I'm picking a team led by John Skelton, but when the other choice is a team led (under HEAVY scrutiny) by Jimmy Clausen I don't feel too terrible about it. If this game isn't blacked out locally I don't know who's going to be watching. I mean seriously, I think I'd rather watch episodes of Xena: Warrior Princess and Battlestar Galactica than this one. Let's see what Jimmy's made of, but the Panthers have been horrible and the Cardinals are still only two seasons removed from a Superbowl run (quite a reach but this game is giving me absolutely nothing to work with).

CINCINNATI (-1.5) over Cleveland

Carson Palmer is 5-0 all-time at home against the Browns and best-case scenario for Cleveland is that Colt McCoy comes back. I've repeatedly said I have a hard time picking the Browns without McCoy, but I just don't see how the Bengals could lose 11-straight games after making the playoffs last year. The Browns are playing very hard and talent doesn't necessarily prevail over effort in this league, but my hunch is the Bungals stop the bleeding for a week.

Buffalo (+5.5) over MIAMI

The Dolphins beat the Bills by five points in Week 1, and I think the Bills are a better team at this point in the season than they were in the season opener. With that said, I think the Dolphins are playing better football than they were a few weeks ago as well. They're still not eliminated from the playoff and they're a well coached team. Still, Chad Henne's been one of the worst quarterbacks in football and this team plays 10 times better on the road than they do at home. I expect them to win but not cover.

NY GIANTS (-2.5) over Philadelphia

The Eagles are playing great, and are undoubtedly one of the best teams in the league, but the Giants aren't too far behind them. As we've seen over the past few years, when the Giants are playing well on both lines they're one of the top five teams in football, and they're really controlling the line. They looked great against a less than impressive Vikings team, but I think they want revenge from their Week 11 loss to the Eagles, a game they were in until the last five minutes of the game. They're running the ball well and Eli Manning is more capable than he's performed over the last couple of games. Not to mention the Eagles defense is average at best. I don't know if the Giants can contain the Eagles speed on offense, but this game will be a big indicator of who has the power in the NFC.

DALLAS (-6) over Washington

Here's another Week 1 matchup, and oh how the tides have turned...sort of. OK, they haven't really at all, except maybe this time the Cowboys will show up. The Redskins have lost their last four games and may be better off with Jim Zorn than Mike Shanahan. I'm a Donovan McNabb guy, I can realistically say that he isn't the player/leader he once was, but I'd rather have a one-legged McNabb than Rex Grossman. I'm not in practice, I don't know if Grossman has been lighting it up, but based on past experience this guy should be holding a clip-board and nothing more unless McNabb is physically unable to step onto the field. Shanahan has done an awful job with the talent he has, and while a lot of these guys haven't performed/have gotten their diva on, he's playing too many mind games with his players and it wouldn't surprise me if he's completely lost his locker room. The 'Skins defense ranks last in the NFL in yards allowed, and the Cowboys are averaging 32 points a game since Jason Garrett took over as head coach.

Detroit (+5.5) over TAMPA BAY

I think the Buccaneers win this one but the Lions cover. I know I've been hard on Drew Stanton, but the Lions aren't terrible, they just don't win on the road and I don't necessarily expect that to end Sunday. The Bucs are undefeated against teams with losing records, and with a chance at still making the playoffs I think they'll continue to take care of business. Whether they make the playoffs or not, this has been such an encouraging season for this young team.

New Orleans (+1.5) over BALTIMORE

This game is a pick-em for me, and I think the Saints are clicking at the right time. I don't know how the Ravens defense will rebound after being embarrassed by the Texans in the fourth quarter on Monday night. With the talent the Ravens have they could really bounce back, but the Saints offense is almost as explosive as the Texans and I think they will be able to spread the field against the Ravens, who have only lost to Tom Brady, Matt Ryan, and Ben Roethlisberger (Carson Palmer really doesn't help prove my point). Drew Brees is as elite as those guys and he has the Saints playing their best football of the season at the right time.

SEATTLE (+6) over Atlanta

I believe way too much in the Seahawks homefield advantage, but realistically, someone has to win the NFC West and the Cardinals, 49ers, and Rams don't really feel like playoff teams to me. Not to say the Seahawks do, but at least they have a quarterback who's been to the Superbowl. The Falcons have been so good, and this is a game they should win, but I think it has trap-game written all over it. Seattle is quite a hike from Atlanta, and as good as Matt Ryan's been, this will be a true test for him and his first place Falcons.

NY Jets (+6) over PITTSBURGH

Hooommmmerrrr, hooommmmerrrrrrr. Yep, total homer pick. Everybody's waiting for the Jets to collapse. It's almost a lock that they'll lose to the Steelers and Bears on the road, and who knows, they are the Jets, they'll probably be upset by the Bills at home too. Wrong. Or you know what, maybe it's not wrong. But if this Jets team is any different from the same ole Jets, they'll take advantage of a Steelers team missing their leader on defense (not like they're that much worse without Troy Polamalu) and with a hobbled Ben Roethlisberger taking the snaps. As long as the play calling doesn't allow Mark Sanchez to lose this game, this is a winnable game for a Jets team that DESPERATELY needs a win. I understand how that last comment will be criticized, and if the Jets come out and lay another egg like they have in their last two games then I need to wake up and smell the coffee, but this is a team that started 9-2 (I don't care who they played, they started 9-2) and was 30 minutes away from the Superbowl last season. They're no slouches, they're just playing like slouches, and if they can't get their acts together this week then they'll be lucky to back their way into the playoffs again. This isn't the most important game of the season for the Jets, but if they no-show again this week then a team who was once considered a championship contender will prove that they didn't deserve any of the attention that they received, and that they're a circus show being run by clowns.

OAKLAND (-7) over Denver

Relax guys, it isn't Tim Tebow time...yet. Realistically, it probably never will be. The guy's like the Henry Rowengartner of the NFL (minus the miracle arm), we all want to see him play but I don't know that anyone thinks he's capable of being good. I've wasted too much time already talking about Tebow, but the Broncos haven't really given us anything else to talk about. The last time these two teams met the Raiders spanked the Broncos 59-0, in Denver no less. The Broncos are just a complete disaster and the Raiders are fighting for a playoff spot, but more realistically a winning or even record.

NEW ENGLAND (-12) over Green Bay

How can anyone pick against the Patriots right now? I mean, 12 points probably doesn't even do justice to how flat-out brilliant the Pats have looked since their Week 9 loss to the Browns. While the Packers defense has been pretty good, I don't think anyone can stop the Patriots offense, and playing without Aaron Rodgers just means the Packers offense will not get going Sunday night and it'll just be another awful primetime television game. Sorry cheese heads, Matt Flynn equals no win.

MINNESOTA (+7) over Chicago

From one dreadful NFC North quarterback situation to another, what's the deal with Jay Cutler? Just kidding. Joe Webb? Really? How could the Vikings not have four quarterbacks (or at least 3) on their roster going into the season with the ageless, painless wonder Brett Favre? I may change this pick before the game on Monday night, and if I do I'll let you know. I fully expect the Bears to win this game, but if it's a 3-0, or 7-3 game I will not be surprised. Minnesota will have absolutely zero going on offense, but luckily for them the field conditions are expected to be worse than horrendous. I don't have much confidence in the Bears in this situation, but they'll be playing against a QB who may not be good enough to play in the CFL. They signed Patrick Ramsey for goodness sake to backup wide receiver, I mean quarterback Joe Webb. Things are looking pretty miserable for the Vikings, but luckily for them they'll be at the same disadvantage as the Bears as they may as well be playing the game in a hockey rink from what I'm hearing about TCF Bank Stadium. I'll gladly take the under on 42 points.

Enjoy the festivities

Last Week: Do i really have to tell you? Cough 4-11-1 cough (worst...week...ever!)

Thursday Night Football and other Notables

I'm Not Going to Say the Knicks are Back

Yet...They're 16-10 and a good possession away from being 17-9 and having a win over the best team in the Eastern Conference. I mean seriously, who are these guys? You couldn't expect them to really have much chemistry through the first ten games of the season, but for them to be clicking and playing as well as they are at this point is the most pleasant surprise I've had in sports since the 2009 Jets playoff run.

Amar'e Stoudemire is as legitimate of an MVP candidate as there is in the NBA this season, and Raymond Felton is really getting the most out of guys who have never sniffed a .500 season. I know that every Knicks piece I've written has been centered around Stoudemire and Felton but these two guys are just such difference makers. And the team will live and die by them, that is, until they get Melo...

Please God...don't allow the 2010 Jets to become the 2007 (and 2008) Mets

If you were to pick up a milk carton in the Tri-state area you may find a picture of the Jets offense on the side of that carton under a bold headline that reads "MISSING." Ok, I know milk cartons haven't done the "missing" thing in years now, but you get my drift. After starting 9-2 and averaging 24 points per game, the Jets have gone 0-2 and scored a total of 9 points against the Patriots and the Dolphins.

They have road games against the Steelers and Bears coming up, before coming home to play the Bills in the season finale. If they don't win either of the next two this team is in serious trouble of not making the playoffs, or backing themselves into a spot due to another teams futility. While I know that the ultimate goal is to make the playoffs anyway you can, it's going to look awful if a team that started 9-2 finished 10-6 with losses against pretty much every good team they face. I got news for you, if you can't beat the good teams in the regular season, you probably won't beat them in the postseason. Get it together Jets.

The World Series has been Decided in December

Cliff Lee's on the Phillies, Carl Crawford and Adrian Gonzalez are on the Red Sox, what else do you need to know? While these two teams have had the most successful offseasons so far, not to mention they're already building on stacked rosters, I'm being mightily sarcastic with my headline. I know that I'm a Yankees fan and readers will take that and think I'm being biased, but it is December and they do play the games for a reason. Who expected the Giants to win the World Series a year ago? I mean they weren't even in the playoffs until the final week of the season.

Not to completely shoot down my headline, with the addition of Lee the Phillies now have two of probably the three best starting pitchers in baseball and the Red Sox lineup is probably the scariest in baseball heading into the season. The Phillies offense has also been one of the most productive in baseball since 2008 and the Red Sox have three (maybe four if you include Bucholz) guys who could be aces on just about any team in baseball. New York baseball fans hold your breathe.

Line as of Thursday afternoon, home team in caps

SAN DIEGO (-10) over San Francisco

Two teams that I tend to be wrong on a lot, and two teams that I have little to no confidence picking. Ten points is a lot, but as the Chargers proved last week, they will stomp somebody out (31-0 over the Chiefs, wow). They did however prove the week before that they're very vulnerable against gritty teams (second loss of the season to the Raiders). The Niners aren't exactly gritty, but they do have a good defense, their offense is what scares me. I talked about the Smith quarterback carousel last week, and I don't feel any better heading into a game against the team that gives up the least amount of yards in the NFL. I really want to pick against Norv Turner, but the Chargers still have a playoff spot in sight and the Niners are awful despite wins over the Seahawks and Cardinals in two of their last three (sarcasm, those teams are believe it or not worse than the Niners).

Week 14 Picks

As bad as the two teams playing Thursday night have been, Week 14 kicked off with a bang as the Colts ended their skid with a 30-28 win over the Titans. Kerry Collins had his best game of the season, but more importantly, Peyton Manning didn't throw an interception and the Colts pretty much rolled all game.

Peyton's doing better, but seeing how the Colts didn't cover (damn last second touchdown) Jared is not. In celebration of the Knicks current 7-game winning streak, this weeks picks will be done D'Antoni style (7 words or less)...not to mention the games will be under way in less than an hour. Lets get to it...

(Lines as of Sunday morning, home team in caps)

Oakland (+3.5) over JACKSONVILLE
Raiders are still very much alive.

Cincinnati (+8.5) over PITTSBURGH
Nine points is a lot.

CHICAGO (+3) over New England
Game will be played in blizzard, Pats don't run.

BUFFALO (even) over Cleveland
Don't love Browns without McCoy.

NY Giants (-3) over Minnesota (game played Mon. night in Detroit)
Giants are healthy, Vikings lost home field.

Green Bay (-7) over DETROIT
Pack rolled first time, may kill Stanton.

CAROLINA (+7.5) over Atlanta
Have a hunch that Carolina will play hard.

Tampa Bay (-1) over WASHINGTON
Tampa beats bad teams, Redskins aren't good.

St. Louis (+9.5) over NEW ORLEANS
Saints are hot, but Rams don't lay down.

SAN FRANCISCO (-5) over Seattle
Quarterback carousels generally aren't good, but Seahawks are awful.

NY JETS (-5) over Miami
Jets play better on short weeks.

Denver (-4) over ARIZONA
Won't pick the Cards without huge spread.

Kansas City (+10) over San Diego
Chiefs will run 50 times, how does that lose by 10 or more?

DALLAS (+3.5) over Philadelphia
Like the way Cowboys are playing, like home dogs.

HOUSTON (+3) over Baltimore
I really think the Texans will surprise.


Last Week 9-6 (whimped out on the Monday night game)


Thanks for reading and feel free to post your picks in my comments section. Enjoy the festivities...

Thursday Quick-Hits

How About Them Knicks?

Quick, who's the last Knick to score 30 or more points in 6 straight games? Good ole Willie Naulls did it in seven games back in 1962. That was until Amar'e Stoudemire poured in 34 points (18 in the fourth quarter) Wednesday night as the Knicks extended their win-streak to 6 (and 11 of 12) against the Raptors. Raymond Felton hit an Allan Houston-esque three with 2.7 seconds to go in regulation to give the Knicks the final lead for the night.

The Knicks are 14-9 and are playing their best basketball in nearly a decade. They've had a weak schedule but you can only play the teams that you're scheduled to play, and the Knicks have done a great job of that. Stoudemire was named Eastern Conference player of the week last week, and is on pace to take home the award again this week if the Knicks continue to surge. Award or not, Amar'e teamed with Felton have been the two best players the Knicks have had on a court together since Houston and Latrell Sprewell, and the teams record is indicative of it.

Red Sox Making Major Moves

Yep, my biggest fears are coming to life...I thought this was going to be the year they didn't make major moves. Instead the Red Sox add both Adrian Gonzalez and Carl Crawford to not just their already stacked lineup, but to really help bolster the defense. We're talking about two perennial MVP candidates going to beantown.

The Red Sox really were banged up last season, so you're not just adding Crawford and Gonzalez to the mix, Josh Beckett, Dustin Pedroia and Kevin Youkilis are coming back with something to prove. This team has a scary amount of talent, and the loss of Victor Martinez most likely will not hurt this lineup at all. We're not only looking at a threat for this coming season, but we may be looking at professional sports' newest dynasty.

Yankees, it's your move...

Kyrie Irving's Toe

The number one team in the country may be without their number one for the rest of the season. Freshman point guard Kyrie Irving severely injured one of his toes during Saturday's National Championship rematch against Butler, and while the injury was at first thought to be a sprain, full details are yet to be released and the situation looks grim to say the least.

While the amount of time Irving will miss is still undetermined, Coach K seemed very down about the situation after Duke's win over Bradley Wednesday night, and Irving tweeted "situation not looking good and I'm not feeling good...smh worst thing ever." That isn't too encouraging.

What is encouraging is that the Blue Devils still have Nolan Smith, Seth Curry and Andre Dawkins in the backcourt, as well as freshman Tyler Thornton. It's going to be tough playing without one of the best point guards in the nation, but adversity isn't a new theme for Duke or Coach K.

Thursday Night Football!

Indianapolis (-3.5) over TENNESSEE

Wow, who would've thought that this game may be a stinker? With the way these two teams are playing as of late this game is really a toss up, I mean who would've thought that between Kerry Collins and Peyton Manning it would be Manning that's thrown ELEVEN picks in his last three games (all losses). Well I think the bleeding ends tonight. It's Peyton, it's Primetime, and it's the Titans who have lost 5 straight and are just a complete lost cause. The division is still in sight for the Colts, and as banged up as they are, they still have the best quarterback in football (and that's in no way a dig at Tom Brady who I'm well aware picked apart my favorite teams defense last week).

Week 13 Picks

Week 13 started with a bang as Michael Vick rebounded from his tough outing last week to have a monster second half, and carry his Eagles over the Texans on Thursday night. Houston led 24-20 with less than a minute to go in the third, but the fourth quarter was a completely different ball game. Vick threw for 106 yards and a score, and also ran in a short touchdown as the Eagles offense had their way with the Texans.

Eagles 34, Texans 24. Gary Kubiaks job security is not looking too good, and I start the week 0-1.

I know I skipped out on last week’s picks, but I’m back in full effect for Week 13, coming off back-to-back double-digit victory weeks. I’m going to post my picks for Sundays games now, and come back Monday to really weigh in on my Superbowl (that is, until the Jets make it to their date in Dallas in early February).

(Lines as of early Saturday afternoon, home team in caps)

Buffalo (+5.5) over MINNESOTA

This really feels like a stupid pick. The Vikings are hot, and motivated playing for Leslie Frazier, and Sidney Rice is coming back into form. This is also Brett Favre’s final month of his NFL career, unless the Vikes surge and make the playoffs (just kidding). I always find a way to write about why the team I’m picking to lose should win, but the Vikings could be without Adrian Peterson, and the Bills have been playing their tails off. Ryan Fitzpatrick has thrown for over 250 yards in four of the teams last six games, and running back Fred Jackson has found the end-zone in four straight games. Steve Johnson needs to put last week behind him, and the Bills need to continue doing what they’re doing, and that’s staying in every game. They’re 2-4 since the bye week with a point differential in those six games of +8. Lets go Bills.

Cleveland (+5) over MIAMI

For some odd reason the Dolphins are an awful home team. I’m not overly impressed with the Browns being led by Jake Delhomme (especially after a 1-point squeak-out against the Panthers, Delhomme’s former team and probably the worst team in football). Delhomme threw for no scores and two picks for a 64.6 QB rating week 12, and the Browns really had a good thing going with Colt McCoy. Brandon Marshall is questionable for the game, but Chad Henne is questionable at the quarterback position, and I think the Browns are simply playing better football right now.

Jacksonville (+3) over TENNESSEE

This game is a land mine. I think it’ll either be close, or the Titans will blow them out. There are just too many question marks with the Titans offense and the Jaguars have been so consistent. Best-case scenario for Tennessee is Kerry Collins is ready to go, and then that he doesn’t play awful, which has often been the case with him this season. The Jaguars hung in tough with the Giants last week, but were just overwhelmed by one of the best pass rushes in the league. It all depends which Titans team shows up. If Kenny Britt and Kerry Collins are in top form they look a lot better than they would with Rusty Smith, but the Jags will show up either way, so I gotta go Jacksonville to cover this one.

KANSAS CITY (-8.5) over Denver

I almost had a fourth straight road-dog in this one, for some reason I always want to pick Denver against a large spread, but I tend to lose when I do that. Todd Haley wants this one after refusing to shake Broncos coach Josh McDaniels hand after Denver won their first matchup, but McDaniels is a gamer and will probably have his guys ready in his defense (it’s too bad neither of these guys actually get to step on the field). The Chiefs seem to be flying high after spanking both Arizona and Seattle, and Denvers down and pretty close to out. I think this is the game where the Chiefs really establish themselves and send a message to San Diego that the playoff spot is theirs.

NY GIANTS (-7) over Washington

This is a game that I would love to pick the Redskins in, but insight is going to overrule gut on this one. The Redskins are hurting on both lines of the ball, and the Giants, despite injuries have found a way to still dominate up-front, especially on defense, especially where the Redskins are very, very thin. McNabb seems to play well against the Giants, but the Giants have had the Skins number the last couple of seasons and I expect that to continue on Sunday.

Chicago (-4.5) over DETROIT

Drew Stanton’s starting for the Lions, and I think the Bears are one of the best teams in the NFC right now. The defense has been getting better every week, and Jay Cutler is coming off of one of the best games of his career. I’m sorry Lions, it’s not me, it’s Drew.

GREEN BAY (-9.5) over San Francisco

Brian Westbrook carried the load for the Niners on Monday Night Football, put can he do it against a real defense this week? Same question has to be asked for leader of the new school Troy Smith, who hasn’t played a cold-weather game yet this season. The Packers have passed the eye-ball test so far this year, and need a big win against an underachieving team that has been beaten by every good team they’ve played this season.

New Orleans (-6.5) over CINCINNATI

The Saints are surging and getting healthy at the right time. The Saints have scored 30+ in their last three games, and are playing against a team that gives up 26 points a game (26^th in the NFL). The Bengals look dead while the Saints look very much alive since losing to both the Browns and the Cardinals earlier in the season.

Atlanta (-3) over TAMPA BAY

All the analysts are talking that if there’s a game for them to lose and still be comfortable it’s this game. They’re 9-2 with two games left against Carolina, a game in Seattle, and a home game against the Saints. Everyone knows they’re a better home team than a road team, so why not lose this one? Because they know the Saints are going to catch them if they don’t keep winning, and if they lose this week and somehow let the 12^th man get to them in Seattle, their playoff spot could be Tampa’s playoff spot. As surprising as the Bucs have been this season, they’re 7-0 against teams with losing records, and you guessed it, 0-4 against teams with winning records. That previously mentioned 9-2 record is a very winning record and the Falcons are a very good team, the Bucs are still at least a year away.

Oakland (+13) over SAN DIEGO

The Chargers want to make me pay for never picking them, so they’re going to keep covering on these games where they’re given outlandish point spreads. I don’t think the Raiders are bad enough to lose by two scores to the Chargers, and I don’t think the Chargers are going to win out, which is what they’re going to have to do if they want to make the playoffs. I still think they’ll beat the Raiders, but not by 13 or more.

SEATTLE (-5) over Carolina

And here’s your stinker. Matt Hasselbeck has had two 100+ QB ratings in three of his last games and he gets his top receiver in Mike Williams back to go against…THE WORST TEAM IN THE NFL. Carolina’s awful, they’re excited to get their struggling rookie quarterback back. I hope this game turns into a shootout, but I expect it’s a snooze-fest unless you’re a diehard Seahawks or Panthers fan, in which case, I’m very sorry.

St. Louis (-3.5) over ARIZONA

I’m supposed to believe that the Cardinals are going to come back and defend their home turf after the way they performed on Monday night, and the way their “leader” performed afterwards? They have a terrible quarterback and the Rams have an improving defense, not to mention a legitimate leader in probably Rookie of the Year Sam Bradford. The Rams haven’t won five games in a season since 2006, and I expect them to get to six sooner rather than later.

Dallas (+5) over INDIANAPOLIS

This is a really tough game. The Colts 4-1 home record is the most impressive number working in their favor, definitely more impressive than Peyton Mannings seven interceptions over the last two games. Manning is still one of the greats, but this season he’s looking human working with a less than a legitimate NFL offense. The Cowboys defense is fast and should play well in the dome. It’s hard to imagine the Colts not taking advantage of their competitive division stance, but this team is looking more vulnerable every week, and the Cowboys are playing their best football of the season.

BALTIMORE (-3) over Pittsburgh

Since entering the league in 2004, the Steelers are 7-2 against the Ravens in games Ben Roethlisberger has played in, and 0-4 in games he hasn’t, including the Ravens 17-14 win week 4. The big story out of Pittsburgh this week was that Roethlisberger was in a walking boot nursing a sprained right foot. He’s supposed to play Sunday, but the Steelers offense hasn’t excelled the way they’re capable of and I don’t know if they’ll be at their best with a limping quarterback. I like the Ravens to end Big Bens 5-game win streak over them.

Lots of good games, and don’t forget the Monday Night Megabowl! I’m not as excited as my words may indicate, but I’ll be back with more on Monday. Enjoy…

LeBron's Last Seven Years...in a 48-minute Nutshell

Check out these two stat lines:

38 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds, 0 turnovers

28 points, 9 assists, 13 rebounds, 11 turnovers

Guess which one was LeBron James line and guess which one belongs to that of the Cavaliers starting five. And you still need to rationalize why he left?

Not only did LeBron outscore his former teams starters in his return to Cleveland on Thursday night, he almost outscored the entire team in the third quarter alone (24-25). This was the screaming explanation for why LeBron is in Miami this season and not Cleveland (as well as Dwyane Wade’s 22 points, 9 rebounds, and 9 assists).

The Cavs just stink, with or without LeBron. This was their Superbowl, and they showed up in the same capacity as these guys did for all of the LeBron led playoff runs over the past few years. Mo Williams and Antawn Jamison, this was your chance to make LeBron pay for thinking he could do better without you, and the gruesome twosome combines for 22 points on 6 for 18 shooting from the floor…sounds like a Cavs playoff game to me.

I’m not even writing this to really shout out LeBron’s performance, obviously he was going to come out and play incredible, he’s the best player in the league. I’m writing this to really point out why LeBron left. The way the Cavs played last night is how they played in so many big games during the Cavs run of near supremacy in the Eastern Conference.

Just think if LeBron was still on the Cavs. LeBron drops 38 points and 8 assists, while his two other best players put up underwhelming performances, and a guy off the bench gets hot to help put the Cavs over the top (Boobie Gibson put in 21). Why would LeBron waste however many more years playing with these guys when he could play with Dwyane Wade? Wade almost put up a triple-double in the biggest game of his teammates season, and afterwards said the Heat were exceptionally focused to back up their teammate. LeBron’s former teammates never backed him up, and although he always shared the ball and tried to get the most out of them, he knew he couldn’t win with those guys on his side.

The point I’m trying to convey is that no great player has ever done it by himself. Jordan needed Pippen, Olajuwon needed Jordan (to retire), and don’t even get me going on Kobe. LeBron came so close with these goons that make up the Cavs roster, and while it would’ve been great to see him be the exception to the rule and really win on his own, the NBA has too many good teams for that to happen anytime soon and LeBron knew it.

There’s still no denying that he went about leaving the wrong way, and Cleveland’s ill-will toward him is understandable, but him leaving Cleveland for Miami is the most understandable factor in this equation. Not that one game can really make sense of everything, but Thursday nights reunion went the way it should have. And if you think there’s any kind of LeBron/Cavs rivalry you are sadly mistaken.

Thursday Night Picks/Thoughts

Houston (+8) over PHILADELPHIA

I’m taking the spread over the matchup here. Yes I think the Eagles are the better team than the Texans, especially considering how explosive the Eagles are when they have the ball and how inefficient the Texans are on defense. The Texans defense did look better against a depleted Titans offense (really quickly, who played quarterback for them last week? Bet you didn’t answer that one right), and I think it was the win they needed to get back on track and at least compete for the rest of the season. Hopefully we have a good game, but if we don’t there’s always…

The Return of the Evil Empire!

Okay, so LeBron isn’t exactly an empire and the Cavs don’t really matter since said evilness took his talents to South Beach, but this is probably the most anticipated game of the early NBA season. The Cavs went from being six point favorites to six point underdogs in the matter of a day, and I’m going to go with the masses and say Miami will rout them tonight.

Yes the game is being played in Cleveland, yes there is extra security at the Q tonight, but the three best players on the court will be wearing road jerseys and you can give Ramon Sessions all of the support and momentum in the world, but he’s still Ramon Sessions, not LeBron James.

To put this in perspective, LeBron should have let the organization know he wasn’t returning before letting everyone else in the world know, but he gave more to Cleveland than anyone ever has in the past. I’d be really upset if I was a Cavs fan because it’s like when the girl you’re reaching for and are successfully dating decides she’s had enough and can do better. It’s very hard to let go of the best thing you’ve ever had, but as a human being you have to understand that the other human being has needs which you just cannot fulfill.

Whether or not he grew up near Cleveland, the Cavaliers organization had seven years to get LeBron another star player and the best they could do was Mo Williams, an almost 40-year old Shaq, and Antawn Jamison for less than half of a season. If LeBron didn’t put up his average 28 points, 7 rebounds, and 7 assists on a given night there wasn’t anyone else carrying the load.

I’m rooting for Miami tonight, and I’d LOVE to see LeBron drop 60.

Quick Hits going into December

I'm back from my little Thanksgiving hiatus, and while I'm thankful for the holidays, I'm also very thankful for the 9-2 New York Football Jets, and the 10-9 (they're over .500 baby!) New York Knicks!

Here are a few things that have really caught my attention recently...

Amar’e is in another league than David Lee

The Knicks have won seven of eight games and are a game above .500 this late in the season for the first time since 2004. While I know it’s pathetic to make a big to do about being a game above an even record at just the end of November, it’s exciting that the three best players on the team are new additions, and that the team seems to be improving their chemistry, and gaining confidence at the same time.

Amar’e Stoudemire, the teams coveted free agent acquisition, has scored 37 and 35 points over in the teams last two games. I hate to keep going back to Amar’e’s predecessor David Lee, but Lee has never in his career had back-to-back 30-point games. Stoudemire has also gotten to the free-throw line at least 10 times in four of the teams last six games. He’s not the best big in the league, but he’s the type of player the Knicks have been starving for since Patrick Ewing deteriorated. He gets to the basket, blocks shots, can play with power and finesse, but most importantly, he possesses the confidence to lead his team with his abilities. He makes big plays on both sides of the court, and while he isn’t going to be able to shut down a Brook Lopez, he will go tit-for-tat with him and not disappear in big games.

Although Stoudemire’s playing great, Raymond Felton’s contributions to the team cannot be overlooked as one of the factors behind the Knicks early success. Felton’s always looking to push the ball, plays hard-nosed defense, and has an ability to take over a game that this team hasn’t had in a point guard…in a really long time. Marbury had the ability to do it, but he didn’t do it with the Knicks the way he did with other teams. When the offense has struggled, Felton has often times been the one to put them on his back with his ability to get to the basket and finish in traffic with a scoop or a tear-drop, but has also sparked the offense with his quick first step and much improved jumper.

Felton and Stoudemire have really embraced their role as team captains, but the other guy that I see making the biggest impact on the team is rookie second round pick Landry Fields. I recognize that both Wilson Chandler and Danilo Gallinari may be more talented, and maybe even more important to the team than Fields, but without Fields hustle and intensity on both ends of the court, we’d be looking at less second-chance points and less defensive efficiency. Fields impact on the game is immeasurable. All I know is that anytime I see him on the court he’s staying in front of his man on defense, taking smart shots on offense, and is always near the ball on rebounds regardless of who’s shooting the ball.

I’m not going to get ahead of myself by saying the Knicks have turned the page, because they really haven’t by any means. It’s very encouraging that they came back from a six game losing streak to win seven of their next eight, and it’s great to see them look like they’re clicking, really on both ends of the court. They have a tough schedule in December, and I think we’ll really get an idea of what this team is made of over the next several weeks.

These Big East guards can ball!

It shouldn’t be a secret, but the Big East really has a talented crop of guards this year. Let’s start with the Player of the Year to this point in Kemba Walker. Not only is Walker leading the nation in scoring with 30 points per game, but he led the unranked Huskies to upsets over ranked Michigan State and ranked Kentucky last week combining for 59 points in the two games. Needless to say UConn isn’t unranked anymore, but Walkers basically outscoring his teammates and is doing everything he can to get UConn back on the map after a disappointing season in 2010.

Walker isn’t the only Big East guard to not only vastly improve himself, but improve his team. Austin Freeman has put up back-to-back 30 point games as his #14 Hoyas have started the season 7-0 including road wins over NC State and #8 Missouri. Freeman has knocked down 13 threes in his last two games and he and battery mate Chris Wright make up one of the nations best backcourts.

While Walker and Freeman have been complete studs, don’t forget about Pitt’s Ashton Gibbs, the Corey’s (Fisher and Stokes) in Villanova, and I still see you Jeremy Hazell (Harlem stand up!). Since this may be the most attention he gets all season, the senior has averaged over 20 points per game for Seton Hall since his sophomore season. You won’t hear much about him as he’s stuck at the bottom of the Big East, but so far Hazell is shooting a career best from the field, down town included, and led the team to wins over Cornell and Alabama before breaking his wrist and missing the teams last three games.

North Carolina looks NIT bound…again

It’s very early to say this, and I’m not saying this to beat anybody to the punch, but I don’t think North Carolina is considerably better than they were last year. Harrison Barnes looks like a complete stud, he’s absolutely the real deal, and sophomore John Henson has shown signs of improvement, but teams don’t win because they have good forwards. Freshman guard Reggie Bullock may turn out to be solid, but between Larry Drew II and Dexter Strickland I just don’t see how this team is going to compete…at all. Those two guards are slow, they turn the ball over in transition at an alarming rate, and neither of them has any scoring abilities.

I can’t see how a Roy Williams coached team could have back-to-back disappointing seasons, but I just can’t see how this team will be competitive. It is still very early, and there’s lots of talent on the team. It’ll be interesting to see what Roy can do with this team this year.

This Derek Jeter mess needs to be cleaned up immediately

I’m not even saying the Yankees need to change their offer to the Captain, I’m just saying one way or another, this needs to end. I don’t know if this is the media digging for everything they can so they can make more of a story of the situation and sell newspapers, or if Jeter really feels he deserves A-Rod money and the Steinbrenners don’t want to pay him for what he has meant to the franchise. It really is a difficult situation, and as a Yankees fan, I really have to side with my team.

We saw Bernie Williams get old in pinstripes not too long ago, and as much as he meant to the team, you don’t want a guy who’s a shell of the all-star he was rotting away in your lineup and stinking up your teams defense. Not to say that Jeter isn’t the player he was in 2009 when he should have been named American League MVP, but he’s only getting older and his mobility isn’t going to get better. I hope Jeter continues to be the consummate professional he’s been since he donned the pinstripes and that he accepts his still overpaid contract (Jonny Damon had a better season in 2009 offensively than Jeter did in 2010, and the Yankees wouldn’t even offer Damon seven million a year). Either get Jeter what he wants, or move forward and start the Hanley countdown. One way or another, this has to end soon…

And lastly…The weeks hottest position in all of sports: NFL Wide Receiver!

Not only did Andre Johnson become the first wide receiver ever to notch 60 receptions in each of his first eight seasons this past Sunday, he also notched a fourth-quarter knock-out of Titans cornerback Cortland Finnegan. The fight didn’t seem to frazzle Johnson’s counterpart, but Johnson wasn’t the first receiver to show frustration with Finnegans defensive tactics, and as a guy who goes out and lets his play do the talking week in and week out, its good to see him put his foot down and lay a beating on a guy who looks like Pauly D from the Jersey Shore.

Andre wasn’t the only Johnson to make waves Week 12. Let me take you back to Buffalo real quick, 10:38 to go in overtime, the Bills have 1^st and 10 at the Steelers 40, Fitzpatrick steps back, fires it into the endzone to a wide open Steve Johnson, he has Ike Taylor beat and even the safety Ryan Clark won’t catch him, over his shoulder, and he drops it! Ok, I know you all heard about it by now, even God heard about it via Johnson’s twitter account. Let it go buddy, you’ve had an unbelievable season for a 2-9 team, and things can only get better (hell, they can’t get worse).

From the good, to the bad, to the absolute ugly. Ok, I’m reaching here, but I wouldn’t want to be Early Doucet after Derek Anderson’s Monday night freak out. Not as if Anderson didn’t get everything out in his postgame tantrum, but for him to name-drop Doucet and add him as a catalyst to the walking disaster that has become Derek Anderson/the Arizona Cardinals just isn’t fair. You didn’t do it, but your name has been associated with the blame. Find new friends Early, better yet, find a new quarterback.

Week 11 Picks

So I didn't get my picks up in time for the Thursday night game this week, sorry guys, but I'm going to keep it real and tell you all that I had the Dolphins to cover. If you don't know yet, they lost by 16 at home and were nowhere near covering at any point in the evening. The Bears were very impressive but I can't help but question the Dolphins strategy for this one. They didn't take any pressure off of Tyler Thigpen as they ran the ball 13 times. With a banged up offensive line and a rather inexperienced quarterback going up against a fierce pass rush, why would you make the night so difficult on your offense? Just mind boggling.

Here are my picks for the rest of Week 11...

(Lines as of Saturday morning, home time in caps)

Oakland (+7.5) over PITTSBURGH

All signs point towards the Steelers in this one. They’re coming off of a tough home loss, they have the best run defense and the Raiders are a run heavy team, and they have back-to-back road games coming up next. However, I think the Raiders cover in this one. Riding a 3-game win streak into their bye, the Raiders seem to have been clicking on all cylinders. Even though they’re being led by the quarterback chosen by Al Davis not Tom Cable, Oakland is +3 in the turnover battle the last three weeks as Jason Campbell has a 5 to 1 touchdown to interception ratio. They’re taking care of the football and giving everyone their best shot, so I like the Raiders to lose by less than 8 points.

Houston (+6.5) over NY JETS

The Jets are killing me. They should have lost to the Browns about 5 times last week, but somehow they found a way to get the ball back and operate confidently. The one thing I’m hearing a lot of is that if the Jets are 7-2 playing the way they’ve played the last five weeks or so, the NFL is in a lot of trouble because they’re only going to get better. With that said, I think they struggle to cover but should beat the banged up Texans come Sunday.

Baltimore (-11) over CAROLINA

The Panthers just have nothing going for them on the offensive side of the ball. The O-line has been very disappointing and their running backs just haven’t gotten acclimated this season, and it’s already week 11. They struggle on defense almost as much as they struggle on offense, and unfortunately for them the Ravens really excel at both. I dislike 11-point home dogs but I dislike the Panthers even more.

Washington (+7) over TENNESSEE

Last week I went 2-0 on insight over gut picks, and I’m going to come out and take my guts side instead here. After how bad the Redskins have looked the last two games there’s no reason to think they can hang with one of the NFL’s toughest teams. But I believe in Donovan McNabb and I don’t think Mike Shanahan is as awful as he’s made his team look the last couple of times out. There’s still a lot of talent on the Redskins and their offense could get back Clinton Portis to team up with Ryan Torain and Keiland Williams to form a legitimate running threat.

Detroit (+6) over DALLAS

The Lions seem to cover every week, the end.

Green Bay (-3) over MINNESOTA

I wish the Vikings would just go away already. It’s disgusting that a team that’s played so poorly all season still gets as much attention as they do. Brett Favre still has his moments and it’s a real intriguing story that the team plays well sometimes even in spite of Brad Childress. No, it’s an annoying story about a bunch of underachievers and an owner who has been too passive to fire a coach who has been less than effective for sometime now. It just bothers me to see a franchise with so much talent just completely miss out on their window for success because they’re too stubborn to change the coach. The Packers are the real team that deserves attention in the NFC North and they’re going to light up their rivals on Sunday.

CINCINNATI (-5) over Buffalo

The defending AFC North champs have lost 6-straight heading into Buffalo to play a team they haven’t beaten in almost 22 years, how could you not like the Bengals in this one? I’ve been picking the Bills lately, but I just can’t see the Bengals losing this one, they have too much talent to lose to both good and bad teams.

Cleveland (+1.5) over JACKSONVILLE

As I mentioned earlier the Browns should have beaten the Jets about 5 times when the two teams faced off in the Buddy Bowl last week, the Jets found a way to win because that’s what good teams do, the Jaguars aren’t quite the Jets. I continue to be impressed by Colt McCoy and Peyton Hillis, and while I think the Jags are a gritty, efficient, rather lucky team, I think the Browns have been coming out and playing hard and will be the better team Sunday.

KANSAS CITY (-8) over Arizona

You think Todd Haley’s going to lose to his loser former team? Although the weapons have changed for the Cardinals, Haley knows the oppositions best players and will gameplan against their weaknesses to come back after last weeks embarrassing loss to the Broncos. The Cards don’t do much right and the Chiefs are about as by the book of a ground-and-pound team as you’ll find in the league today.

NEW ORLEANS (-11.5) over Seattle

Reggie Bush is still questionable, but the Saints superiority doesn’t seem to be any more. While the Falcons have been the talk of the NFC South, the Saints have quietly gotten back up to 6-3 after a shocking home loss to the Browns. The Saints have proven to be resilient even without some of their key players (Pierre Thomas, Darren Sharper, Bush) and I expect them to keep impressing against a Seahawks team that has been outscored 46-92 in their last three games.

Atlanta (-3) over ST. LOUIS

I’m always rooting for the Rams, but I think we’ll find out just how far away they are from being an above average team on Sunday when they play against a legitimately good team for the first time all season (sorry Chargers, you weren’t even close at the time). I think the Rams could be in this one with their good defense and ever improving offense, but the Falcons get it done on both sides of the field.

Tampa Bay (+3.5) over SAN FRANCISCO

Are you really going to believe that Troy Smith is righting the ship in San Francisco? I mean it would be a great story and it’s not like there’s anyone I’m more inclined to root for in the NFC West, but you shouldn’t start a season 1-6 and still be in the running for a playoff spot just three weeks later. The Bucs have taken care of business going 6-0 against teams with sub .500 records, and I believe they’ll continue to do so on the road against the Niners.

Indianapolis (+4) over NEW ENGLAND

I’m doing it again, going gut over insight. I don’t care who you put on the same field as Peyton Manning, I like him in the big games and I’m going to take him against a team that I’m not convinced is royalty just yet. That’s not even me being a Jets homer and hating on the Patriots, it’s me really liking Manning and knowing that the Pats are vulnerable. Offensively speaking the Patriots matched up great against the Steelers, they have three very gifted Tight Ends who catch, block, do everything, and there wasn’t anything the Steelers could do about the battle of the middle of the field. The Colts have found their identity on offense (like 10 years ago) and even though the defense is a work in progress to say the least, they’re exceeding expectations and are doing an incredible job in the secondary.

PHILADELPHIA (-3) over NY Giants

I’m not going to talk about Michael Vick extensively because everyone else in America has already done that this week. The most ridiculous thing I’m hearing is that he’s a wild card, that you don’t know what you’re going to get out of Vick on any given Sunday. I know you’re going to get a guy with incredible wheels who also has the best completion percentage of his career this season. The Giants are very strong up front on the defensive side of the ball, but Vick will exploit their back seven if he can get out of the pocket, which if you didn’t know is his strength. The Giants offensive line is also very beat up and if you don’t win the wars on the trenches then you lose the game. I like the Eagles this week.

Denver (+9.5) over SAN DIEGO

The Broncos got their first 100-yard rusher last week against a very good Chiefs team, and now that they’re not so one-dimensional they’re actually a threat to the rest of the league. I think 9.5 is too many points to give to a team still playing with practice squad players. I’m very impressed by the Chargers ability to beat the Titans and the Texans, but divisional games are never that easy and ten points is a lot.

My Blue Heaven (College Hoops is back!)

“It’s the most wonderful time, of the year” proclaimed singer and Christmas music extraordinaire Andy Williams in 1963. I know you only hear that song on the radio during one season (yes Christmas is an unofficial season), but I’ve had it looping through my head all day as I wrap myself around the notion that college basketball will be played for 24-straight hours on Tuesday!

Cinderella slipped up and her evil stepmother took her shoe to a fourth national championship last April, and now the evil step-blue devil heads into the new season as the favorite to repeat. I’m not going to ask myself can Duke repeat, any team can come out and win the championship in todays one-and-done themed collegiate game, but will Duke repeat? I’m saying yes.

Let’s take a quick trip down memory lane. Nolan Smith and Jon Scheyer, Ty Lawson, Danny Green and Wayne Ellington, Mario Chalmers and Sherron Collins; if you haven’t caught my drift I’m saying loaded backcourts win national championships. Sure Scheyer’s gone, but Duke has four guards who would start on any team in the country, literally, any team in the country.

Nolan Smith broke out in his Junior season, being named to the All-ACC second team as well as the All-Final Four team after averaging 16 points and 5 assists in his weekend stay in Indianapolis. Smith most definitely benefited from Scheyers leadership and shooting ability, but down the stretch Smith proved his maturity as a player and is back to repeat and try to earn himself a lottery pick in 2011’s NBA Draft.

Speaking of lottery picks, Duke has something heading into the new season that they haven’t had in almost a decade, and that’s a top-5 guard recruit in Kyrie Irving. Irving is ranked third in ESPNU’s Rankings for the incoming freshman class (top-ranked point guard), and was named first team Parade Magazine All-America, USA Today All-USA first team, and Slam Magazine All America. The New Jersey product is most renowned for his ball handling skills and great passing, but he’ll remind Duke fans of another NJ native in Jason Williams with his explosiveness, athleticism, and scoring prowess.

As if Smith and Irving aren’t enough, the Blue Devils return Andre Dawkins and will add a little Curry to the mix with Stephen Curry’s baby bro Seth. Dawkins was Duke’s leading scorer off of the bench last season, can handle the ball, and is probably the teams best pure shooter outside of preseason Player of the Year Finalist Kyle Singler. And then there’s Seth Curry. The nations best programs will never forget the mistake they all made by not offering Stephen Curry the scholarship (and probably house and cars) he deserved, and after seeing Seth dominate the Big South to the tune of 20 points per game as a freshman (!) at Liberty, Mike Krzyzewski knew it would be smart to extend a scholarship to the combo guard.

Aside from having four very capable guards, the Blue Devils return both Miles and Mason Plumlee, sophomore big man Ryan Kelly, freshman Josh Hairston (ESPNU’s number seven ranked power forward recruit), and the previously mentioned Singler. Singler can only improve on his late-lottery bound draft stock for next June as he's a National Player of the Year and first team All-America candidate heading into the season. Singler was named the NCAA Final Four Most Outstanding Player, ACC Tournament MVP, as well as first team All-ACC just a season ago and has really become one of if not the most well-rounded player in America. Kyrie Irving may have Jason Williams hype heading into the season, but Singler has played the role of a Mike Dunleavy/Shane Battier hybrid the way he shoots, scores inside, plays defense, grabs rebounds, and leads by example.

Duke will be hurt down-low with the losses of Brian Zoubek and Lance Thomas, but I expect both Plumlee brothers to really come into their own this year. Mason is very quick and very athletic, while Miles is a work horse who seems to get stronger looking by the month. They’ll miss Scheyer’s leadership as well, but with the combination of talent and experience in the backcourt, the absence of Scheyer will be overcome much easier than that of the 7’1 Zoubek.

I know that Duke usually isn’t the popular pick with their lack of NBA talent and their reputation for being a bunch of slow Caucasian guards who can only shoot, but these aren’t your older cousins Blue Devils. Coach K finally has the guards he needs to really utilize his press defense as well as his perimeter-based offense. And if you don’t like Duke this year then who do you like?

Michigan State will be in the top-tier this season as they return Kailin Lucas, Draymond Green and Delvon Roe (not to mention Tom Izzo). I like Kansas State even if Jacob Pullen lost his backcourt mate Denis Clemente, but neither of those two teams have the talent that Duke has. Maybe if Robbie Hummel didn’t tear his ACL again Purdue would be a real threat. North Carolina will never make it past the sweet 16 with a backcourt of Larry Drew and Dexter Strickland (although they do have an absolutely disgusting freshman class). Kentucky will always have to be watched when they have top recruiting class after top recruiting class coming in. And don’t forget about Syracuse, they may have lost their two best players from last season, but Jim Boheim brought in top-notch talent and Kris Joseph is as capable as anyone to fill Wesley Johnson’s shoes. Other teams that I think will be in the hunt come March are Ohio State, Pittsburgh, and Washington, with Florida, Memphis, Villanova and Butler making serious runs and dominating their respective conferences.

Regardless of who wins this season I’m just so excited to get 300-plus basketball teams back in action. From Hawaii to Hartford, and Murray State (watch out for real) to St. Johns (probably not yet), it doesn’t matter whose playing, all that matters is that it’s the most wonderful time of the year.

THURSDAY NIGHT FOOTBALL! And Week 10 Picks...

Welcome readers to an early edition of my picks. Thursday night football is back tonight with what could be a Superbowl preview. Personally, halfway through the season I can’t really see Atlanta getting there, but the NFC is up for grabs and Atlanta’s about as good as anyone in that conference.

I’d also like to really quickly thank Wilk for posting his picks against mine. Win, lose, or draw I’m excited to have some reader interaction and more than encourage it from anyone who may come across my picks. There’s no money on the line obviously, just pride, which over the last couple of weeks I’ve managed to diminish some of with how much parity there is in this league. I digress…here are my picks:

(Lines as of Thursday Morning, home teams in caps)

ATLANTA (-1) over Baltimore

I toggled picks over and over again on this one, and it’s a great way to start the NFL’s Thursday night series. We have two very good teams coming off of a very short week, the Ravens have the slight edge on defense with the Falcons having the slight edge on offense. Ultimately what it comes down to for me is that Matt Ryan has won 13 straight home games and in my opinion is the better quarterback in the matchup with Joe Flacco. Flacco has a chance to even the playing fields against a less than stellar Falcons secondary, but I think the home advantage will help the roughed up Falcons offense pull this one out.

INDIANAPOLIS (-7) over Cincinnati

The good news for Cincinnati: this is the end of their four-game stretch against Atlanta, Miami, Pittsburgh, and Indianapolis. The bad news for Cincinnati: they lost to the Browns and Bucs before they lost the first three of their tough stretch. If anybody’s wondering how T.O. and Ochocinco have television shows (yes plural) just look at their sidelines. T.O. whines, Ocho cries (literally) and poor Marvin Lewis and Carson Palmer have to shoulder the losing. I don’t expect a different Bengals team to all of a sudden show up in Indy, but I do expect the same Peyton Manning we’ve been drooling over for a decade to show up and cover.

Houston (+1.5) over JACKSONVILLE

The Jaguars three game home win-streak against the Texans has to come to an end Sunday. Jacksonville has the 28^th ranked pass defense, and although Arian Foster’s playing MVP-worthy football, the Texans can still air it out. While the Texans defense has proven to be a joke, especially against the passing game, they’re coming off of two tough losses in games they were in down the stretch against very good teams. Contrary to popular believe, the Jaguars are not a very good team.

MIAMI (+2) over Tennessee

This is a very tough one, or maybe it isn’t and I’m just a real homer. I don’t think Chad Pennington is really a starting QB in the NFL at this point in his career, but I do think that he’s a gamer and that he’ll bring something to the table for the Dolphins Sunday. He’s been down and out before, and has found a way to come back strongly and really lead a team. I think Tennessee is a better team, but that the Fins either win or cover.

CHICAGO (+1) over Minnesota

I just don’t see how a team that is literally in the process of overthrowing their coach can come out and win this one on the road. The Bears aren’t that good of a team, at all, and I think that the Vikings probably have the more talented defense, but coaching and quarterbacks usually win in the NFL and while the Bears have Lovie Smith, the Vikings have someone who has no control of his team. Brett Favre’s coming off of his most impressive performance of the season but in this game I think he and Jay Cutler are a coin flip. My gut wants to take the Vikings, but my insight says Bears…we’ll see which force prevails.

Detroit (+3) over BUFFALO

Haven’t the Lions proved enough times this season that it doesn’t matter who their quarterback is? Shaun Hill has proven start after start to be one of the most dependable backups in the league, and I wouldn’t be surprised if he doesn’t get a look from some team next year. Alright my love fest for Hill aside, the nerve of Vegas to make a winless team 3 point favorites against one of the most surging teams in football astonishes me. Despite giving up a late lead to the Jets (the 6-2 Jets I remind you, for numerous reasons), the Lions have a very good pass rush and will overwhelm the Bills bad offensive line.

NY Jets (-3) over CLEVELAND

It’s arguable that the Browns are the hottest team in the league, and after watching them play last week I’m sold that they can hang with any team they play against…which makes this a scary pick seeing how the Jets have had to really squeak out their last 3 wins. Colt McCoy has been making plays with his legs and his arm, and if the Jets pass rush isn’t top-notch they better be ready to stop the run, because McCoy is mobile and Peyton Hillis is tied for third in the NFL with 7 rushing TD’s and is a real power back. But the Jets have been taking advantage of Eric Mangini since he was run out of town and I have to go with my 6 and 2 Jets to pull this one out.

TAMPA BAY (-6.5) over Carolina

I have nothing good to say about the Panthers so I’m going to leave them alone.

Kansas City (-1) over DENVER

They run the ball and they play defense, how could the Chiefs possibly lose this one? The Broncos have the worst rush defense in the league and the Chiefs have the top ranked rush offense, which translates into the Chiefs will dominate the time of possession and the Broncos are in for a long day.

St. Louis (+6) over SAN FRANCISCO

Frank Gore has run for over 100 yards and 2 touchdowns in three of his last four games against the Rams, but this is a different, rebuilt Rams defense. With little notoriety, the Rams have a top-10 defense, and in all likelihood the offensive rookie of the year. What do the 49ers have? An overrated defense and a well below average offense with Troy Smith taking the snaps. The NFC West is still up for grabs, and while the Niners look like paper champions, they have a way better shot than the Cowboys or Vikings (other disappointments in wayyyy tougher divisions) at making a run at their division. It’s too bad they won’t.

ARIZONA (-3) over Seattle

I picked the Cardinals for the first time last week and I liked it so much that I’m going to do it again! Just kidding, I really don’t like either of these teams but Arizona really had the Vikings backs against the wall and look the best they’ve looked all season with Derek Anderson. Both of these teams stink.

Dallas (+13.5) over NY GIANTS

I’m really sorry Giants fans, I know you’re sick of me picking against them. Let me admit, they’re the class of the NFC to my complete and utter shock. I don’t know that any team in football gets to the QB the way that they do, and they’re very, very well-rounded on offense. While the Cowboys didn’t get up to play for Wade Phillips this season, I doubt they’ll get up to play in remembrance of him, but I think Jason Garrett has this team more focused than they’ve been all season. I just think 13.5 is a lot of points, and while this game has the potential to be a blowout I can’t see the Cowboys losing by more than ten at worst.

New England (+4.5) over PITTSBURGH

I think the Steelers are the much better team in this one, but that the Patriots have a knack of playing their best against top-notch talent. The Steelers defense is just filthy, but their offense hasn’t quite clicked yet. Either we’ll see them still working out the kinks against an overmatched, well-coached defense, or they’ll get it and make this game a blowout…which most likely won’t happen seeing how the Patriots haven’t lost back-to-back games by double digits since weeks 15 and 16 of the 2002 season. Another battle between gut and insight…and once again I’m going insight.

Philadelphia (-3) over WASHINGTON

Here’s what we may see: McNabb responds to Shanahan’s benching by lighting up his former team and proving his doubters wrong. Here’s what I think we will see, McNabb and Redskins offense look average at best and thriving Eagles continue to roll.

Thanks for reading, feel free to post your picks, and stay posted as we await the results between Jared’s gut and Jared’s insight…

Last week : 6-6-1 (I can’t be getting beat on my own blog!)