The USAToday has the Packers as 2 point favorites over their opponent.
Early thoughts, Joe?
Actually all I have heard so far is 2.5 points, which Super Bowls should be required to have a half point in there. You don't want your final bet of the season to be a push.
I was taking the Packers the minute Caleb Hanie threw the final INT of the Bears season. It wasn't going to matter the AFC foe. Although these teams possess two of the best defenses in the National Football League, I see a high scoring offensive filled game. They play very similar defenses and both quarterbacks are very well equipped and trained with how to beat them. I don't see a whole lot of running room for the backs but a lot of Run After Catch yards for the receivers and tight ends.
Joe's Predictions
Coin Toss - Heads
First TD - James Jones from Aaron Rodgers
First Turnover - GB Fumble by Starks
Halftime Score - 17-14 GB
First Score of 2nd Half - Mendenhall Rush TD
Final Score - 38-34 Green Bay
MVP - Aaron Rodgers
Mike's Predictions
Coin Toss - Tails
First TD - Mendenhall 1 yard rush
First Turnover - Matthews sack, fumble recovery for TD
Halftime Score - GB 14-10
First Score of 2nd Half - Clay Matthews TD
Final Score - GB 31-24
MVP - Clay Matthews Jr.
ACTUAL RESULTS:
Coin Toss - Tails (Mike 1 pt)
First TD - Jordy Nelson from Aaron Rodgers (Joe 1/2 pt)
First Turnover - Nick Collins (GB) returns int for TD (Mike 1/2 pt)
Halftime Score - GB 21-10 (Mike 1/2 pt)
First Score of 2nd Half - Mendenhall 8 yard rush (Joe 1 pt)
Final Score - GB 30-24 (Mike 1 pt)
MVP - Aaron Rodgers (Joe 1 pt)
Final talley - Joe 2.5, Mike 3.0
MOST IMPORTANTLY
The Pittsburgh Steelers lose ANOTHER Super Bowl !!!!
Monday, January 24, 2011
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
NFL Playoffs, Division Championship Round
Sunday, January 23, 2011
Green Bay -3.5 at Chicago
Mike: CHI. Two of the original NFL franchises meeting for their most important clash in the last 50 years. Their cities and fans are as similar as the teams themselves. What an awesome game. I really am looking forward to seeing this game. Aaron Rodgers will be pressed to match his performance in Atlanta. It will only be natural to have a let down. Meanwhile, it seems nobody likes Jay Cutler. And Mr. Cutler couldn't care less what people think. But Chicago will love him on Sunday when he puts everything together and sends the Bears to the Super Bowl. But it won't be because of Mr. Cutler. Only one person can ever been praised for the good things that happen in that town. Ditka.
Joe: GB
Final: GB by a TD.
NY Jets +3.5 at Pittsburgh
Mike: NYJ. I hate to fall back to the Root for Injuries cliche but really, what else is there to do here? I guess root for the Jets. I will overlook all those things about that team that are impossible to like, starting with their coach. Hey, Coach Ryan, that's really great about you and your wife keeping things fresh but thank Zeus almighty it wasn't a sex tape. But c'mon man, you have to be smarter than to upload that stuff to the internet. There's plenty more to dislike about all things New York but let's keep this somewhat positive. The Jets haven't been to the Big Game since Joe Namath's famous prediction coming true in SBIII. So hooray, yippee for them. We ask for just one thing, New York. J-E-T-S Just Embarrass The Steelers.
Joe: PIT
Final: PIT. Yeah, whatever.
Green Bay -3.5 at Chicago
Mike: CHI. Two of the original NFL franchises meeting for their most important clash in the last 50 years. Their cities and fans are as similar as the teams themselves. What an awesome game. I really am looking forward to seeing this game. Aaron Rodgers will be pressed to match his performance in Atlanta. It will only be natural to have a let down. Meanwhile, it seems nobody likes Jay Cutler. And Mr. Cutler couldn't care less what people think. But Chicago will love him on Sunday when he puts everything together and sends the Bears to the Super Bowl. But it won't be because of Mr. Cutler. Only one person can ever been praised for the good things that happen in that town. Ditka.
Joe: GB
Final: GB by a TD.
NY Jets +3.5 at Pittsburgh
Mike: NYJ. I hate to fall back to the Root for Injuries cliche but really, what else is there to do here? I guess root for the Jets. I will overlook all those things about that team that are impossible to like, starting with their coach. Hey, Coach Ryan, that's really great about you and your wife keeping things fresh but thank Zeus almighty it wasn't a sex tape. But c'mon man, you have to be smarter than to upload that stuff to the internet. There's plenty more to dislike about all things New York but let's keep this somewhat positive. The Jets haven't been to the Big Game since Joe Namath's famous prediction coming true in SBIII. So hooray, yippee for them. We ask for just one thing, New York. J-E-T-S Just Embarrass The Steelers.
Joe: PIT
Final: PIT. Yeah, whatever.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
NFL Playoffs, Round 2
Preseason Predictions Revisited:
We each predicted 6 of the 12 playoff teams correctly. Your Super Bowl matchup is still in play. Mine was cast aside when the Saints fell sleepless in Seattle.
Joe:
AFC Division Winners - NE, BALT, HOU, KC
AFC Wild Cards - IND, CLEVELAND BABY!!!!!! WOOOOOOOO
NFC Division Winners - WAS, GB, NO, SF
NFC Wild Cards - MIN, DAL
Super Bowl - Green Bay over Baltimore
Mike:
NFC Division Winners: Dallas, Green Bay, New Orleans, San Francisco
NFC Wildcards: Atlanta, Detroit
AFC Division Winners: New England, Baltimore, Indianapolis, San Diego
AFC: Wildcards: Tennessee, Cincinnati
Super Bowl: New Orleans over Baltimore
Saturday, January 15
Baltimore +3.5 at Pittsburgh
Mike: PIT. The reign of terror continues. Women of Georgia college towns, beware.
Joe: BAL. This is the game where Big Ben poops his pants and Flacco becomes an NFL QB. I heard this question the past week upon hearing Roethlisberger is engaged, if Mike Vick isn't allowed to have a dog, should Ben really be allowed to have a wife??
Final: PIT by 7. (M1, J0). And Brett Favre should never have an iPhone.
Green Bay +2 at Atlanta
Mike: ATL. If this were at Lambeau, I'd take Green Bay -10. But in Atlanta, under a dome on artificial turf, I think that home field advantage puts the Falcons over the top.
Joe: GB. I believe in James Starks. But that GB QB is trying to enter that top-5 range with this playoff performance. I just don't think Atlanta is ready, they need another WR.
Final: GB by 27. (M1, J1). Aaron Rodgers, you are ridiculous.
Sunday, January 16
Seattle +10 at Chicago
Mike: CHI. See above. At Seattle, they'd have a random chance. In Chicago, no way. And the Bears aren't even that good.
Joe: SEA. That's right the Bears aren't that good. Do we really trust Cutler giving 10 points in a playoff game? I sure don't. Seattle may not win but will keep it close.
Final: CHI by 11. (M2, J1). The Seahawks should have gone for two in garbage time.
NY Jets +9 at New England
Mike: NE. 2001 and 2002 were tough years for Cleveland fans as the Evil Satan Modell hoisted the championship trophy one year and former vilified coach Belichick the next. As time as passed, I feel the same about that damned former owner of the Browns. But I've softened my stance on Coach Bill. He's a genius after all. And that Michigan quarterback ain't so bad either. I won't go so far as to say I'm a fan of the Patriots but I certainly do respect what they've done these last ten years.
Joe: NE. The foot stops here.
Final: NYJ by 7. (M2-2, J1-3). Looks like you just put your foot in your mouth.
We each predicted 6 of the 12 playoff teams correctly. Your Super Bowl matchup is still in play. Mine was cast aside when the Saints fell sleepless in Seattle.
Joe:
AFC Division Winners - NE, BALT, HOU, KC
AFC Wild Cards - IND, CLEVELAND BABY!!!!!! WOOOOOOOO
NFC Division Winners - WAS, GB, NO, SF
NFC Wild Cards - MIN, DAL
Super Bowl - Green Bay over Baltimore
Mike:
NFC Division Winners: Dallas, Green Bay, New Orleans, San Francisco
NFC Wildcards: Atlanta, Detroit
AFC Division Winners: New England, Baltimore, Indianapolis, San Diego
AFC: Wildcards: Tennessee, Cincinnati
Super Bowl: New Orleans over Baltimore
Saturday, January 15
Baltimore +3.5 at Pittsburgh
Mike: PIT. The reign of terror continues. Women of Georgia college towns, beware.
Joe: BAL. This is the game where Big Ben poops his pants and Flacco becomes an NFL QB. I heard this question the past week upon hearing Roethlisberger is engaged, if Mike Vick isn't allowed to have a dog, should Ben really be allowed to have a wife??
Final: PIT by 7. (M1, J0). And Brett Favre should never have an iPhone.
Green Bay +2 at Atlanta
Mike: ATL. If this were at Lambeau, I'd take Green Bay -10. But in Atlanta, under a dome on artificial turf, I think that home field advantage puts the Falcons over the top.
Joe: GB. I believe in James Starks. But that GB QB is trying to enter that top-5 range with this playoff performance. I just don't think Atlanta is ready, they need another WR.
Final: GB by 27. (M1, J1). Aaron Rodgers, you are ridiculous.
Sunday, January 16
Seattle +10 at Chicago
Mike: CHI. See above. At Seattle, they'd have a random chance. In Chicago, no way. And the Bears aren't even that good.
Joe: SEA. That's right the Bears aren't that good. Do we really trust Cutler giving 10 points in a playoff game? I sure don't. Seattle may not win but will keep it close.
Final: CHI by 11. (M2, J1). The Seahawks should have gone for two in garbage time.
NY Jets +9 at New England
Mike: NE. 2001 and 2002 were tough years for Cleveland fans as the Evil Satan Modell hoisted the championship trophy one year and former vilified coach Belichick the next. As time as passed, I feel the same about that damned former owner of the Browns. But I've softened my stance on Coach Bill. He's a genius after all. And that Michigan quarterback ain't so bad either. I won't go so far as to say I'm a fan of the Patriots but I certainly do respect what they've done these last ten years.
Joe: NE. The foot stops here.
Final: NYJ by 7. (M2-2, J1-3). Looks like you just put your foot in your mouth.
Saturday, January 8, 2011
WILDCARD WEEKEND!!
(I forgot we were doing the Playoff picks. Oops.)
Saturday Games
New Orleans (-10) @ Seattle
Joe: SEA. I'm hoping for a close game and an upset. Why? I have no reason.
Mike: NO.
Final: SEA. Boooooo.
New York Jets (+2) @ Indianapolis
Joe: IND. I'm hoping for Manning to throw for 5 TDs in this one. How about winning something before declaring your team the best NY?? I Freakin' hate them.
Mike: NYJ.
Final: NYJ. Boooooo.
Sunday Games
Baltimore (-3) @ Kansas City
Joe: KC. Because I'm against the Harbaughs now, just like I'm against the Ryans (if Rob leaves Cleveland). Its time for youth to be served against the aging Baltimore D.
Mike: KC.
Final: Balt. Boooooo.
Green Bay (+2.5) @ Philadelphia
Joe: GB. Because Clay Matthews should be a Browns. Here's hoping we draft his younger brother who we will get to see Monday night in the National Championship game. We need some long golden flowing hair down the back of that orange and brown jersey.
Mike: GB.
Final: GB. Yeeeeeea. (And agreed with the Clay Jr assessment.)
M: 2-2
J: 2-2
Saturday Games
New Orleans (-10) @ Seattle
Joe: SEA. I'm hoping for a close game and an upset. Why? I have no reason.
Mike: NO.
Final: SEA. Boooooo.
New York Jets (+2) @ Indianapolis
Joe: IND. I'm hoping for Manning to throw for 5 TDs in this one. How about winning something before declaring your team the best NY?? I Freakin' hate them.
Mike: NYJ.
Final: NYJ. Boooooo.
Sunday Games
Baltimore (-3) @ Kansas City
Joe: KC. Because I'm against the Harbaughs now, just like I'm against the Ryans (if Rob leaves Cleveland). Its time for youth to be served against the aging Baltimore D.
Mike: KC.
Final: Balt. Boooooo.
Green Bay (+2.5) @ Philadelphia
Joe: GB. Because Clay Matthews should be a Browns. Here's hoping we draft his younger brother who we will get to see Monday night in the National Championship game. We need some long golden flowing hair down the back of that orange and brown jersey.
Mike: GB.
Final: GB. Yeeeeeea. (And agreed with the Clay Jr assessment.)
M: 2-2
J: 2-2
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Week 17 Picks
You tell me. What is more amazing: that we made it to Week 17 in our picks after several seasons of petering out midway through the year? Or that there is only one game separating us this deep into the year? Either way, it's amazing. (Joe says, Way more amazing that we made it this deep into the season still picking games. Usually by week 10 its gotten old but this year we have survived our jobs by injecting NFL picks into our work day.)(Joe also says, I'm amazed you have stayed this close to me in the picks. I went through a major lull in the middle of the season to open the door back up. Now week 17 through the Super Bowl, I make my move and win our first ever complete season of picks.)
Eighty percent of these games are meaningless so that makes the picking tough. The Colts, Jags, Giants, Packers, Bucs, Rams and Seahawks are the teams with the playoffs on the line. A few others have home field and byes worth playing for. But most of these teams have their minds on Aruba and golf courses.
Oakland +3.5 at Kansas City
Mike: KC. Jason Campbell has had a great first season as the Raiders starting QB. And the Chiefs have been one of those surprise teams. Maybe the AFC West is on the way up... Nah.
Joe: KC. What Jason Campbell have you been watching?? Is there another one??
Final: OAK big. (J0-1, M0-1)
Miami +5.5 at New England
Mike: NE. The Patriots might be playing their 3rd stringers, comprised of 5'3" Irish guys, and they'd still win by 30.
Joe: NE. Brady will play at least 3 quarters. He doesn't let himself get benched. That's all it will take.
Final: NE big. (J1-1, M1-1)
Pittsburgh -5.5 at Cleveland
Mike: PIT. Look, I get it. I pick the Browns and they lose. Then I'm doubly mad. And for this game, as nice as it would be to beat Pittsburgh, this is a meaningless game. A win for the Browns would only mean bad things: a later draft pick, false hope going into an offseason and another year of Coach Mangini. I'd like to take a roll of the dice and see if Jon Gruden would spend a few years on the North Coast. But if Mr Mangini is back, that won't be the end of the world. The Browns still need a couple more playmakers and until that happens, Gruden won't do any better.
Joe: CLEVELAND BROWNS!!!! Yeah that's right. How is this only a 5.5 spread?? I was expecting to see double figures. One thing about this team is they don't quit. Gotta love that. But here is my prediction for the offseason, even if the Browns win this game Mangini is gone. Then if Gruden doesn't accept the job (which I think he will) expect to see Holmgren on the sidelines.
Final: PIT by 90. (J1-2, M2-1)
Cincinnati +9.5 at Baltimore
Mike: BAL. Like the Bengals care.
Joe: CIN. Did you know Carson Palmer is 9-3 against the Ravens?? Seems improbable. And now without the Bitch-fest at WR he is throwing it to who is open instead of who complains the least.
Final: BAL by 6. (J2-2, M2-2)
Minnesota +3 at Detroit
Mike: MIN. Joe Webb. Who knew.
Joe: DET. Back to reality Mr. Webb. This win will give the Lions fan(s) high expectations for next year. Like maybe 7 wins.
Final: DET by 7. (J3-2, M2-3)
Buffalo +1 at NYJets
Mike: NYJ. If Mangini is fired, the Rob might have the opportunity to join brother in New York. Or maybe the hippy twin takes over the helm as a head coach in Carolina?
Joe: NYJ. Jets at home without starters are still better than the Bills, especially without the Amish Rifle.
Final: NYJ by a lot. (J4-2, M3-3)
Carolina +14.5 at Atlanta
Mike: CAR. Speaking of Carolina, they really were horrible this year. Why did I pick them? Stupid!
Joe: CAR. A nothing game for both teams and a finale for John Fox.
Final: ATL by 21. (J4-3, M3-4)
Tampa Bay +7.5 at New Orleans
Mike: TB. Still think the Saints will win but it'll be close.
Joe: TB. Tampa is looking to next year while NO is sitting Colston and Pierre Thomas.
Final: TB wins. (J5-3, M4-4)
Arizona +6 at San Francisco
Mike: SF. This game took me the longest to pick. I was stumped. I had to walk away from the computer and shake the bad vibes.
Joe: SF. The stinkfest of the year.
Final: SF by 31 (J6-3, M5-4)
San Diego -3.5 at Denver
Mike: SD. I don't know why.
Joe: DEN. I'll take Denver just to pick opposite of you for the last regular season game. That and Tebow killed me last week, so go get'em Timmy.
Final: SD by 5 (J6-4, M6-4) Why was this only 3.5 points????
Tennessee +9.5 at Indianapolis
Mike: TEN. The Colts could be playing for their playoff lives but the Titans, they're putting it all on the line for Rob Bironas.
Joe: IND. Eventually I had to pick differently than you. Manning at home for the the playoffs, how can you go against that? Its a lot of points but the Colts win by double digits.
Final: IND by 3 (J6-5, M7-4)
Jacksonville +3 at Houston
Mike: HOU. Tough spot for the Jags. With their starting QB and RB out for the year, they need a win coupled with a Colts loss. I don't see that happening.
Joe: HOU. Yeah, what he said.
Final: HOU by 17 (J7-5, M8-4)
NY Giants -3.5 at Washington
Mike: NYG. Yeah, the Redskins will only be worse next year.
Joe: NYG. Everytime I think Washington can't get any worse, they go out and are worse or come up with some sort of fluke win. Not this time, the Giants need this to maybe make the playoffs and they do just enough to win by 2 touchdowns.
Final: NYG by 3 (J7-6, M8-5)
Chicago +10 at Green Bay
Mike: CHI. We'll take those 10 points to the Chicago National Bank.
Joe: GB. Not sure how this line is almost twice as high as Browns/Steelers but whatever. Green Bay is scary good sometimes and I just don't see that with da Bears. Chicago is locked into their seed so a loss here doesn't hurt them while a win for the Pack gets them to the postseason.
Final: GB by 7 (J7-7, M9-5)
Dallas +3 at Philadelphia
Mike: PHI. I'm not too confident in this pick. Dallas will bounce back as a playoff team next year.
Joe: PHI. Kolb vs Stephen McGee. Ratings galore.
Final: DAL by 1 (J7-8, M9-6)
St Louis -3 at Seattle
Mike: STL. Amanda noticed that Sam Bradford looks just like David Bromstad.
Joe: STL. Whoever wins, us as fans lose.
Final: SEA by 10 (J7-9, M9-7)
Final Regular Season Standings
Mike: 131-119
Joe: 128-122
Eighty percent of these games are meaningless so that makes the picking tough. The Colts, Jags, Giants, Packers, Bucs, Rams and Seahawks are the teams with the playoffs on the line. A few others have home field and byes worth playing for. But most of these teams have their minds on Aruba and golf courses.
Oakland +3.5 at Kansas City
Mike: KC. Jason Campbell has had a great first season as the Raiders starting QB. And the Chiefs have been one of those surprise teams. Maybe the AFC West is on the way up... Nah.
Joe: KC. What Jason Campbell have you been watching?? Is there another one??
Final: OAK big. (J0-1, M0-1)
Miami +5.5 at New England
Mike: NE. The Patriots might be playing their 3rd stringers, comprised of 5'3" Irish guys, and they'd still win by 30.
Joe: NE. Brady will play at least 3 quarters. He doesn't let himself get benched. That's all it will take.
Final: NE big. (J1-1, M1-1)
Pittsburgh -5.5 at Cleveland
Mike: PIT. Look, I get it. I pick the Browns and they lose. Then I'm doubly mad. And for this game, as nice as it would be to beat Pittsburgh, this is a meaningless game. A win for the Browns would only mean bad things: a later draft pick, false hope going into an offseason and another year of Coach Mangini. I'd like to take a roll of the dice and see if Jon Gruden would spend a few years on the North Coast. But if Mr Mangini is back, that won't be the end of the world. The Browns still need a couple more playmakers and until that happens, Gruden won't do any better.
Joe: CLEVELAND BROWNS!!!! Yeah that's right. How is this only a 5.5 spread?? I was expecting to see double figures. One thing about this team is they don't quit. Gotta love that. But here is my prediction for the offseason, even if the Browns win this game Mangini is gone. Then if Gruden doesn't accept the job (which I think he will) expect to see Holmgren on the sidelines.
Final: PIT by 90. (J1-2, M2-1)
Cincinnati +9.5 at Baltimore
Mike: BAL. Like the Bengals care.
Joe: CIN. Did you know Carson Palmer is 9-3 against the Ravens?? Seems improbable. And now without the Bitch-fest at WR he is throwing it to who is open instead of who complains the least.
Final: BAL by 6. (J2-2, M2-2)
Minnesota +3 at Detroit
Mike: MIN. Joe Webb. Who knew.
Joe: DET. Back to reality Mr. Webb. This win will give the Lions fan(s) high expectations for next year. Like maybe 7 wins.
Final: DET by 7. (J3-2, M2-3)
Buffalo +1 at NYJets
Mike: NYJ. If Mangini is fired, the Rob might have the opportunity to join brother in New York. Or maybe the hippy twin takes over the helm as a head coach in Carolina?
Joe: NYJ. Jets at home without starters are still better than the Bills, especially without the Amish Rifle.
Final: NYJ by a lot. (J4-2, M3-3)
Carolina +14.5 at Atlanta
Mike: CAR. Speaking of Carolina, they really were horrible this year. Why did I pick them? Stupid!
Joe: CAR. A nothing game for both teams and a finale for John Fox.
Final: ATL by 21. (J4-3, M3-4)
Tampa Bay +7.5 at New Orleans
Mike: TB. Still think the Saints will win but it'll be close.
Joe: TB. Tampa is looking to next year while NO is sitting Colston and Pierre Thomas.
Final: TB wins. (J5-3, M4-4)
Arizona +6 at San Francisco
Mike: SF. This game took me the longest to pick. I was stumped. I had to walk away from the computer and shake the bad vibes.
Joe: SF. The stinkfest of the year.
Final: SF by 31 (J6-3, M5-4)
San Diego -3.5 at Denver
Mike: SD. I don't know why.
Joe: DEN. I'll take Denver just to pick opposite of you for the last regular season game. That and Tebow killed me last week, so go get'em Timmy.
Final: SD by 5 (J6-4, M6-4) Why was this only 3.5 points????
Tennessee +9.5 at Indianapolis
Mike: TEN. The Colts could be playing for their playoff lives but the Titans, they're putting it all on the line for Rob Bironas.
Joe: IND. Eventually I had to pick differently than you. Manning at home for the the playoffs, how can you go against that? Its a lot of points but the Colts win by double digits.
Final: IND by 3 (J6-5, M7-4)
Jacksonville +3 at Houston
Mike: HOU. Tough spot for the Jags. With their starting QB and RB out for the year, they need a win coupled with a Colts loss. I don't see that happening.
Joe: HOU. Yeah, what he said.
Final: HOU by 17 (J7-5, M8-4)
NY Giants -3.5 at Washington
Mike: NYG. Yeah, the Redskins will only be worse next year.
Joe: NYG. Everytime I think Washington can't get any worse, they go out and are worse or come up with some sort of fluke win. Not this time, the Giants need this to maybe make the playoffs and they do just enough to win by 2 touchdowns.
Final: NYG by 3 (J7-6, M8-5)
Chicago +10 at Green Bay
Mike: CHI. We'll take those 10 points to the Chicago National Bank.
Joe: GB. Not sure how this line is almost twice as high as Browns/Steelers but whatever. Green Bay is scary good sometimes and I just don't see that with da Bears. Chicago is locked into their seed so a loss here doesn't hurt them while a win for the Pack gets them to the postseason.
Final: GB by 7 (J7-7, M9-5)
Dallas +3 at Philadelphia
Mike: PHI. I'm not too confident in this pick. Dallas will bounce back as a playoff team next year.
Joe: PHI. Kolb vs Stephen McGee. Ratings galore.
Final: DAL by 1 (J7-8, M9-6)
St Louis -3 at Seattle
Mike: STL. Amanda noticed that Sam Bradford looks just like David Bromstad.
Joe: STL. Whoever wins, us as fans lose.
Final: SEA by 10 (J7-9, M9-7)
Final Regular Season Standings
Mike: 131-119
Joe: 128-122
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