2014 Week 5 NFL Picks

Four weeks of the 2014 NFL season have already come and gone and this is where the picture starts becoming clearer.

If your team is doing well, it is becoming more and more appropriate to celebrate and look forward to a potential playoff berth.

If your team is sucking, it is becoming more and more appropriate to start panicking about how the rest of the year will pan out.

Sample sizes are no longer extremely small, and we are now approaching the heart of the football season.

On the weekly predictions, I am moving in the right direction. I went a decent 8-5 in a short week 4, and that puts me at 35-26 (57.38%) on the year. As long as I can continue to improve that season percentage and keep/exceed the pace of the pro “experts” than I will be satisified.

I have a nice feeling about this week’s picks so let’s get do it. Here’s how I think things will pan out in week 5:

Minnesota Vikings (2-2) vs. Green Bay Packers (2-2) (Thursday at 8:25 PM ET)-

With the Packers having gotten back on track after a rough start (they looked impressive in a win over the Bears), I am expecting them to enter a hot stretch here.

Elite quarterback Aaron Rodgers, a variety of solid weapon receivers, and a young, talented running back in Eddie Lacy make this offense among the best in the league.

Playing Teddy Bridgewater and a Vikings team that might be in for letdown loss, I will take the better and more talented squad to pick up a relatively easy home victory.

Winner: Packers

The following games are on Sunday at 1:00 PM ET:

Chicago Bears (2-2) vs. Carolina Panthers (2-2)-

Even though the actual execution and consistency of Jay Cutler and the Bears’ offense does worry me, Jay Cutler, Brandon Marshall, Alshon Jeffery, and Matt Forte all make this a dangerous team and one that we should not underestimate any given week.

Playing Cam Newton and a declining Panthers club whose lack of offensive weapons is starting to show (blowouts losses to the Steelers and Ravens are causes for concerns), I’ll say that at home, Carolina might keep this one close.

But in the end, the Bears’ offensive firepower is too much to fight off.

UPDATE: After looking at the Panthers’ home dominance last season, I think that Cam Newton and the crew have what it takes to win this game. They squeak one out here.

Winner: Panthers

Cleveland Browns (1-2) vs. Tennessee Titans (1-3)-

The Browns have been somewhat impressive in the early portion of the season. They beat the Saints and kept things close against the Steelers and Ravens. Brian Hoyer has proven himself as a decent starting quarterback, and the offensive execution is not as bad as most of us expected.

The Titans, on the other hand, are a much bigger disappointment. The Jake Locker offense is not clicking, and after picking up a big upset win over the Chiefs, this team has done nothing in the past few weeks. I think there is a lack of playmakers, and the fact that Locker didn’t even play last week makes matters even worse.

Signs may point to the Browns, but there is a reason Tennessee beat the Chiefs – Locker and the offense can have their weeks.

At home, I think the Titans take this game…but it does depend on the health of Locker.

UPDATE: Even with Locker ready to play this game, I’m having second thoughts. The Browns are well-rested, Brian Hoyer has been leading this offense in a very good way, and even on the road, I see Cleveland pulling out a tight one.

Winner: Browns

Before you read on, I’d like to introuduce you to a weekly trivia contest I am doing. I’ll release a trivia question right here on this blog at 6:00 PM ET Thursday. Be the first to tweet the correct response to @jacobs_sports and win a virtual $10 Amazon gift card. For details, refer to the following link or the one at the bottom of this blog post: https://jacobssportstalk.wordpress.com/2014/09/01/annoucing-jacobs-sports-talk-nfl-twitter-trivia-contest

St. Louis Rams (1-2) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (3-1)-

This is an easy pick. With quarterback Nick Foles, wide receiver Jeremy Maclin, and of course running back LeSean McCoy, the Eagles have a solid amount of offensive firepower.

At home, they should be no match for Austin Davis and a weak Rams team.

Winner: Eagles

Atlanta Falcons (2-2) vs. New York Giants (2-2)-

Matt Ryan and the Falcons are a talented team, but there’s a reason I picked Minnesota to get the upset last week –Atlanta cannot always put that talent together. This is particularly the case on the road, and it once again showed last week.

The Giants struggled in the first couple of weeks, but they have looked good in the past couple of games, comfortably beating both the Texans and Redskins in the last few weeks. This game will probably be a bit more of a challenge, but with two time Super Bowl champion quarterback Eli Manning seemingly putting that offense back together, I’ll take New York to get a home win.

Winner: Giants

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-3) vs. New Orleans Saints (1-3)-

The Buccaneers, who lost 56-14 to the Falcons in week 3, actually beat the Steelers last week. Perhaps the quarterback change from Josh McCown to Mike Glennon is a benefit, but nevertheless, this is a struggling offense that I don’t expect to do much of anything here in 2014.

As for the Saints, it is worry time. Suffering a blowout loss to the Cowboys is huge reason for concern, and while I am still a believer in Drew Brees and his elite quarterback skills, if the Saints don’t win here, it will officially be panic time in New Orleans.

Even with their recent struggles, the pick is still clear. I expect New Orleans to bounce back in a very powerful fashion. At home, I would not be surprised to see the Saints get a 30+ point victory.

Lock of the week.

Winner: Saints

Houston Texans (3-1) vs. Dallas Cowboys (3-1)-

Sunday was the first time in a while that the Cowboys truly impressed me. A blowout win over the Saints caught me by complete surprise and though I am still not a believer in Tony Romo and that inconsistent Cowboys offense, I have never denied their talent. Romo is a talented QB, wide receiver Dez Bryant remains a stud, and DeMarco Murray is quickly emerging into the top tier of NFL running backs.

The Texans may be 3-1, but they have not shown too much offensive firepower over the first few weeks. Ryan Fitzpatrick is not very good, and despite a decent early record, I do not expect them to do much as far as the playoff race is concerned.

At home, Dallas moves to an impressive 4-1.

Winner: Cowboys

Buffalo Bills (2-2) vs. Detroit Lions (3-1)-

Since starting the season 2-0, EJ Manuel and the Bills have struggled badly, and as a result, Buffalo announced that quarterback Kyle Orton will start ahead of Manuel this week. I actually do think that Orton is an improvement over Manuel, and perhaps some time off is exactly what EJ needs to get back on track to being the future quarterback of the Bills. However, regardless of which QB starts under center, I still consider Buffalo a relatively weak team that should stay out of the playoff picture.

The Lions still look like the Lions of recent years. I’m going to need to see a little more from Stafford and this squad to see that they can win on a consistent level. Nevertheless, Stafford’s powerful arm and Megatron’s incredible receiving skills should carry Detroit in this one.

Winner: Lions

Baltimore Ravens (3-1) vs. Indianapolis Colts (2-2)-

The Ravens have played well for the last three weeks, but a track record of inconsistency continues to worry me. Quarterback Joe Flacco may be a Super Bowl champion, but he has been very on-and-off over the years, and you just do not know what to expect from this team any given week.

The Colts have also been a tad inconsistent over the past couple of seasons, but with quarterback Andrew Luck gaining experience, that is beginning to change. Luck is emerging into a superstar player in front of our very eyes, and even with a pretty mediocre receiving core, he is making that offense roll in elite style. Look for this young Indianapolis team to continue to emerge and have a cakewalk to the AFC South title.

With the Colts playing well and the Ravens possibly due for a loss, I’ll take Indianapolis to get a home win.

Winner: Colts

Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2) vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (0-4)-

The Steelers may just be the most inconsistent team in the NFL. They looked decent against the Browns in week 1, shutdown the Ravens in week 2, got a huge road win over the Panthers in week 3, and then lost to the Buccaneers in week 4. How does that even happen?

The good news is that they’re playing the Jaguars this week. While I do think Jacksonville is making the right decision starting Bortles, I continue to believe that they’re one of the worst teams in the NFL.

Pittsburgh should bounce back and keep their inconsistency consistent.

Winner: Steelers

Arizona Cardinals (3-0) vs. Denver Broncos (2-1) (Sunday at 4:05 PM ET)-

Even without Carson Palmer the last couple of weeks, the Cardinals have looked very impressive, especially when Drew Stanton’s crew defeated the 49ers in week 3. This is a team that has caught many (including myself) by surprise, and should now be looked at as a legitimate wild card threat in the NFC.

The bad news? They’re playing the Broncos, one of the best teams in the NFL. With still-elite quarterback Peyton Manning, receivers Demaryius Thomas, Wes Welker, Emmanuel Sanders, and Julius Thomas, and an emerging running game with Montee Ball, Denver continues to run an offense like no other and I am standing by my preseason prediction for this team – a Super Bowl title.

While I’m liking the Cardinals more and more every week, at home, Denver has a little too much in this game.

Winner: Broncos

The following games are on Sunday at 4:25 PM ET:

Kansas City Chiefs (2-2) vs. San Francisco 49ers (2-2)-

Both the Chiefs (vs. Patriots) and 49ers (at Eagles) played well in their week 4 match-ups.

However, San Francisco has a proven history of success under quarterback Colin Kaepernick, and I continue to believe that with all the receiver weapons that Kaepernick has at hand, this could be a dangerous team moving forward.

Alex Smith and the Chiefs don’t quite have as successful of a track record, and I feel that’s fitting – Kansas City has a lack of quality receiver weapons. I think they’re a good but not great kind of team, and with them having to go into San Francisco on a short week, I’ll say that the more talented squad comes away with the victory.

Winner: 49ers

New York Jets (1-3) vs. San Diego Chargers (3-1)-

Jets quarterback Geno Smith is hitting some bumps in his quarterback development, and as a result, New York’s offense is not looking great. Inconsistency is nothing new for this team, and since the Jets’ expectations weren’t really that high to begin with, I’d let Smith get through this slump and hopefully, he will remain the long-term answer. As for now, with a 1-3 start, New York’s postseason expectations are slim and I expect them to ultimately stay out of the playoff race once again.

With Philip Rivers and the Chargers offense clicking, they are once again looking like a wild card team in the AFC. Playing a struggling Jets team at home, I’ll take them to get a “W”.

Winner: Chargers

Cincinnati Bengals (3-0) vs. New England Patriots (2-2) (Sunday at 8:30 PM ET)-

Folks, I hate to say it but I think it’s true. Perhaps it’s a bit premature, but I feel like this is the beginning of the end of the Tom Brady era.

Brady and the New England offense have looked terrible so far this year. They lost to the Dolphins, they barely beat the Raiders, and the blowout loss to the Chiefs on Monday night was a red flag that something is going on. The offense just isn’t clicking, and while the Patriots can still make the playoffs because of how wide open the AFC East is, I no longer consider New England an elite team. They’re hovering somewhere around the weak-mediocre line at this point.

Playing Andy Dalton, A.J. Green, a solid defense, and an emerging, undefeated Bengals team, I’ll predict Brady’s Pats to get blown out in prime time for the second week in a row.

After last week’s game, how could I predict any different?

UPDATE: After studying the fact that the Bengals play much better at home than they do on the road and after considering that Tom Brady and the Patriots will be in desperation in front of their home crowd, I’ll take a proven quarterback to actually bounce back after an embarassing showing last week.

Winner: Patriots

Seattle Seahawks (2-1) vs. Washington Redskins (1-3) (Monday at 8:30 PM ET)-

The Seahawks may not be as good on the road as they are at home, but they’re still talented. Quarterback Russell Wilson is a quality, emerging quarterback and the core of the offense – running back Marshawn Lynch – remains an elite playmaker.

Playing Kirk Cousins and a team that got blown out in their own stadium by the Giants (I am beginning to accept that the Redskins offense just isn’t very good), Seattle should comfortably get a win on Monday night.

Winner: Seahawks

 

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2013-14 Divisional Round NFL Picks!

It always sucks when a full weekend of professional football comes to a close. So what does the NFL give us?

More football!

Ladies and gentlemen, we have reached the divisional round of the 2013-14 NFL playoffs, and the race for the Vince Lombardi Trophy is down to eight teams.

This is where all of the games become extremely meaningful and where sports history occurs right before our very eyes.

Before we try to predict what will happen this weekend, I will say that I went a poor 1-3 in the wild card round last week. This puts my season record at 158-101-1 (61%). Last week’s games were kind of coin-flip picks, and I will do everything in my power to turn it around this week.

So without further adieu, here are the predictions for divisional weekend:

New Orleans Saints (#6 seed) vs. Seattle Seahawks (#1 seed) (Saturday at 4:35 PM ET)- Though the Saints did squeak out a win over the Eagles on the road last week, you cannot forget their road woes this season. Drew Brees’s crew is 4-5 away from New Orleans, and in this game, they walk into one of the toughest places to play a football game: Seattle. Brees is going to need to use his incredible throwing talents in every way possible, and definitely utilize star tight end Jimmy Graham into the offense. Though Brees remains one of the NFL’s best quarterbacks, and Graham is one heck of a receiver, they do not have too much more, and that, combined with their road struggles, concern me heading into this game.

And you know what else concerns me? The team they are playing. With the possible exception of the Broncos, the Seattle Seahawks are the best overall team in the NFL. Second-year quarterback Russell Wilson, though young, has the ability to lead the offense whenever needed, he does enough to win games, and I have a feeling that this guy will be full-out “elite” in just a just a year or two. The receiving crew, though not quite elite, is decent, especially with Percy Harvin set to return in this game. Harvin has played only one game this season due to injury, but if he can stay healthy, this guy can turn into a monster receiver. Defenses should watch out. Speaking of defenses, the Seahawks have one hell of a defense that can force key incompletions and interceptions whenever needed. And oh yeah, this team also has one of the best running games in the NFL with Marshawn Lynch weaving through defenders and powering that offense to scoring-plays. The bottom line? This team has it all.

If this game were in New Orleans, I would give it a second-look. However, in a roaring CenturyLink Field, I do not think the visitors stand much of a chance. Winner: Seahawks

Indianapolis Colts (#4 seed) vs. New England Patriots (#2 seed) (Saturday at 8:15 PM ET)- Even though quarterback Andrew Luck has all the talent in the world and the brightest of futures ahead, I do not think that the Colts have quite enough to be a Super Bowl team. Yes, I am fully aware that they sparked an incredible comeback win last week against Kansas City. However, I just do not think that Luck has enough receiver weapons for this team to go all the way, and the fact that their running game is rather weak and that wide receiver Darrius Heyward-Bay will probably miss this game do not help matters either.

The Patriots are in a very similar situation. The quarterback is there: veteran Tom Brady remains one of the NFL’s best, and continues to be a guy who can make things happen at the most critical times. The problem is the receiver situation. Ever since Rob Gronkowski tore his ACL, the receiving core has been thin, and that could be a problem, especially with the running game being a weakness as well. Brady will simply have to make the most of what he has in this game, and hope that that will be enough to lead his team to victory.

This is a tough pick because, as I said, these two teams are in similar situations. In the end, I am going to say that experience at the quarterback makes the difference. Brady beats out Luck in a thriller. Winner: Patriots

San Francisco 49ers (#5 seed) vs. Carolina Panthers (#2 seed) (Sunday at 1:05 PM ET)- Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers continue to look very impressive. Kaepernick is using his throwing and rushing talents to effectively lead the offense, the strong receiving crew is doing their job, Frank Gore continues to run the ball effectively, and we cannot forget about their aggressive defense. This team has talent right and left, and I believe that they have it in them to challenge the Broncos and Seahawks for that Vince Lombardi Trophy.

The Panthers are not so weak themselves. Quarterback Cam Newton has rapidly emerged this year, leading his team to big plays and big victories. He is finding some decent receivers, and the running game with DeAngelo Williams has played at an adequate pace as well. Though this is not the powerhouse team that the Seahawks or Broncos are, they still have enough to do some damage, and other teams should not underestimate this #2 seeded team.

This is another difficult pick. However, even with their emergence this season, it still feels as if I trust the 49ers more than I do the Panthers. Prove me wrong, Carolina. But I just think that the visitors will have a little too much. Winner: 49ers

San Diego Chargers (#6 seed) vs. Denver Broncos (#1 seed)- I really liked what I saw from the Chargers last Sunday. Though they are not what I would call an “elite” team, they definitely have some players that can do some damage. Quarterback Philip Rivers is a guy who I always liked, and a guy who has the numbers and statistics in his favor. He has some found some young, solid receiver weapons to throw the ball to, and running back Ryan Matthews has stepped up lately as well. With the defense also making plays last Sunday, perhaps this is a team that we should not underestimate heading into this contest.

As for the Broncos, you know you have to be good to at least come close to the talent of the Seahawks, and I think the Broncos have it what takes to beat them on the big stage. For starters, they have one of the best quarterbacks in football with Peyton Manning. This guy can put up the numbers week in and week out, and he has a Super Bowl ring to show for it. And it is not like Manning has some average receiving crew, either. This is a core led by wide receivers Demaryius Thomas and Wes Welker and tight end Julius Thomas. These guys could make any quarterback look better than he is, and with a guy like Peyton Manning under center, you can see why the passing-offense is so dominant. And as if the incredible passing attack was not enough, Denver also has running back Knowshon Moreno having a very impressive season on the ground. As you can see, this team is stacked, and there is a very good reason why I picked them to win it all in the preseason.

Again, I liked what the Chargers gave us last week, and it does scare me that they actually beat the Broncos in the regular season. However, at home, I feel fairly confident taking Denver to get the victory. Winner: Broncos

2013-14 Wild Card Week NFL Picks!

Today, I bring good news and I bring bad news.

The bad news is that out of the 267 NFL games to be played in 2013, 256 of them have concluded.

The good news is that these last eleven will be the most epic ones yet.

Twelve teams remain and one Vince Lombardi Trophy is just waiting to be held by the winners of Super Bowl XLVIII in New Jersey.

So only one conflict arises…who will hold it?

And that is where the playoffs begin.

Before we get into the predictions of the first round, I would like to say that I ended the regular season on a very solid note last week. I went 14-2 and finished the regular season with a picking record of 157-98-1 (61.57%). Though this falls far short of my extremely challenging goal of 70%, this is still better than a handful of professional analysts in what was a tough season in the NFL picking industry.

But this postseason Jacob’s Sports Commentary takes what we gave you in the regular season and crushes it. The predictions throughout the playoffs will go much more in-depth about the teams, players, and the ultimate decision on who wins each game. Prepare to see Jacob’s Sports Commentary like you have never seen it before.

Here are the picks for Wild Card Weekend:

Kansas City Chiefs (11-5) vs. Indianapolis Colts (11-5) (Saturday at 4:35 PM ET)- When the Chiefs started the season 9-0, I feel as if a lot of people overreacted to how good they really are. Yes, they won their first nine games. However, take a look at all of the teams that Kansas City defeated. They beat the Jaguars, Cowboys, Eagles, Giants, Titans, Raiders, Texans, Browns, and Bills, Redskins, and Raiders. The only team that stands out from that list is the Eagles, but keep in mind that this was in week 3, and the Michael Vick offense was playing quite poorly back then. So does this mean that the Chiefs are a bad team? Absolutely not. Kansas City is led by quarterback Alex Smith, a guy who has proven postseason experience under his belt, and a guy who can be clutch when it is necessary. However, the Chiefs are not a pass-oriented team. They like to run the football, and there is a good reason: running back Jamaal Charles. Charles has had a superstar season, making big plays right and left. He is the core of this offense, and definitely someone that the Chiefs will rely on in the playoffs. Add to this a defense who has been rather productive this season, and you have yourself a talented team that definitely has potential to do some damage.

On the other side, you have the Colts who have had a very up-and-down year. They started the season on an excellent note. Second year quarterback Andrew Luck led this team to a 6-2 start, including wins over the Broncos and 49ers. However, they have also had some ugly games with blowout losses to the Rams and Cardinals, two non-playoff teams. The bottom line is that even though Luck has “future elite quarterback” written all over him, we must remember that it is only his second year. It is only natural to expect some inconsistency out of a second-year player, and that is a little concerning when you are trying to win a Super Bowl. There are two other concerns worth noting: 1.) The receiving crew is weak. Ever since veteran Reggie Wayne tore his ACL, Luck does not have many too many good targets to throw the ball to. Something to watch with the passing-offense. 2.) The running game has been a tremendous disappointment. Trent Richardson is in a huge sophomore slump, and that could also be hurtful when trying to move the football.

The difficult picks start right away. The Colts are the favorites in this game, and a lot of signs do point in their direction: they are at home, they have won three in a row, and they did beat the Chiefs in their only regular season meeting, 23-7. However, sometimes in the prediction world, you have to go against certain signs. I feel as if Kansas City has more talent, and I feel as if this is a team that can succeed in the playoffs. I will take the visitors in a squeaker. Winner: Chiefs

New Orleans Saints (11-5) vs. Philadelphia Eagles (10-6) (Saturday at 8:10 PM ET)- It is becoming very obvious that the Saints play a lot better at home than they do on the road. When the game takes places in New Orleans, the Saints are a perfect 8-0. When it does not, they hold a record of 3-5, with loses to the Jets and Rams included. Well bad news, Saints: this game is in Philadelphia. However, before all of you Eagles fans start celebrating, let us remember one key fact: Drew Brees is still under center. Brees is about as good and clutch as quarterbacks come, and it is with no hesitation that I call him elite. It is also important to note that the Saints do have a very viable weapon with Jimmy Graham, the best healthy tight end in the league. I get a feeling that Graham will become crucial to the success of the offense, especially with the running game being a weakness.

The Eagles have been an impressive team, mainly because they now have a solid quarterback in Nick Foles. The young Foles has stepped in masterfully for this club, making big plays, and leading the offense to points. He also has a great receiving crew led by DeSean Jackson, and we absolutely cannot forget the talents of running back LeSean McCoy, who has had one of the best seasons of any running back this year. I feel as if this Chip-Kelly offense has so much potential, and if they get hot right now, they could definitely be a Super Bowl threat. Monitor this team closely.

As far as this pick goes, it is very hard to pick a team to beat a high-powered offense on the road when they are 3-5 away from their home field. As a result, I will take Philadelphia in a high-scoring affair. Winner: Eagles

San Diego Chargers (9-7) vs. Cincinnati Bengals (11-5) (Sunday at 1:05 PM ET)- The Chargers, in my opinion, got very lucky that they are even in the postseason. The Arizona Cardinals over in the NFC finished with a record of 10-6 and will be watching the playoffs from their homes. However, even with that being said, that does not mean that the Chargers are a bad team. Quarterback Philip Rivers, though at times inconsistent, can also look flashy and deliver solid numbers and throws. Running back Ryan Matthews has stepped up his game this year, and Rivers has found some young weapon receivers to efficiently run the passing offense. Is this team elite? No. But they do have players that can rack up some points when they need to.

As for the Bengals, I have been saying it all season long: the talent is right there. Young quarterback Andy Dalton is showing signs of breaking through, wide receiver AJ Green is a stud, and the running back duo with BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Giovani Bernard has been productive as well. At times, they look like a team that has the ability to win a Super Bowl. However, there are some games where they do not seem to show up and where the offense cannot seem to move the football. If these guys want a shot to win the Vince Lombardi, they need to come together and eliminate this inconsistency. In the playoffs, one bad performance will cost you your season and that is what I am worried about when I look at the Bengals and the big picture.

Though I would not be shocked if the Chargers pulled off the upset, the talent factor leans toward the Bengals. At home, I say they pick up a victory and finally get past the first round of the postseason. Winner: Bengals

San Francisco 49ers (12-4) vs. Green Bay Packers (8-7-1) (Sunday at 4:40 PM ET)- The 49ers are, to put it simply, a very good team. Quarterback Colin Kaepernick has truly come on these last few weeks and led his team to wins. He is using his multitude of receiver weapons in Anquan Boldin, Michael Crabtree, and Vernon Davis to move the football and score points. Not only is the passing offense efficient, but the running game remains solid. Frank Gore, despite aging, remains consistently productive and a guy who you can still trust. Add to this a top-notch defense and you have a great team that has racked up six consecutive wins and whose outlook is bright heading into the postseason.

On the other end of the field, we have Aaron Rodgers and the Packers. Rodgers, after missing a big chunk of the season due to a collarbone injury, returned last week against the Bears and played quite nicely, leading his team to a last-minute victory. We must remember that Rodgers remains one of the best, if not the best, quarterbacks in the NFL. This is a guy who has the ability to make throws right and left, and a man who can pull his team together when the game is on the line. Not only this, but the Packers have a strong receiving crew to help Rodgers out, especially with Randall Cobb returning last week. Cobb and Jordy Nelson are playmakers and you can bet that they will be getting the football quite a bit in this game. Another component that makes the Packers offense so powerful is the running game with Eddie Lacy. Lacy is a solid candidate for rookie of the year, as he has stepped in from college and had a very productive season. And when the passing game is great-excellent and the running game is solid, you know that you have a Super Bowl contending team stepping onto the field. Do not underestimate the Packers.

This is another difficult pick. Both of these offenses are very high-powered, and I sense that it will be a close, high-scoring affair. Three reasons that the pick is the way it is: 1.) The 49ers are on a six game winning streak. The Packers are not. 2.) The 49ers won the regular season meeting in week 1. 3.) The 49ers have beat the Packers in last year’s playoff meeting. This one should be come down to the wire. In a coin-flip pick, I will take San Francisco to edge out a thrilling road victory. Winner: 49ers 

2013 Week 17 NFL Power Rankings

The holidays are a busy time of the year, and as a result, this week’s power rankings are very delayed. However, I am here, and for the second to last time this season it is time to rank the top 10 teams. Here are the rankings heading into week 17:

10. Arizona Cardinals (10-5)- Though I have not been giving the Cardinals a ton of credit this year, stats are stats: they sit at 10-5. And though I am not a full believer in quarterback Carson Palmer, he has played rather well this year. Running back Rashard Mendenhall is also decent, and that receiving crew has been solid as well. Despite being 10-5, their playoff situation does not look very favorable. They play the 49ers this week. That should be a true test on whether or not they are playoff-worthy.

9. Cincinnati Bengals (10-5)- The Bengals are so inconsistent that it is quite difficult to give them a name. One week they look fantastic, young quarterback Andy Dalton is making big passes, wide receiver AJ Green is looking like a star, and the running game with Giovani Bernard is clicking. But then the next week, they look like a disaster and you wonder how you could even think that they were a good team. Though this is not a very good formula for a Super-Bowl worthy team, if they can stay consistent, they might have a small chance of lifting the Lombardi.

8. New England Patriots (11-4)- Tom Brady and the Patriots are also showing some inconsistency. One week Brady and this offense looks flat, and the next they look like a true Super Bowl contender. Though the loss of tight end Rob Gronkowski does hurt, this team makes things happen when it matters. We will see if Brady can overcome a weak receiving core when the playoffs arrive.

7. Kansas City Chiefs (11-4)- This team has had some performances where they have looked weaker than others. However, the bottom line is that they definitely have some playoff-worthy talent. Quarterback Alex Smith is a fine quarterback who can pull through when needed, the defense is great, and the running game with Jamaal Charles may just be the best in the league. If they can come together when the postseason arrives, watch out.

6. New Orleans Saints (10-5)- Two weeks ago, I thought that this team was among the best in the league. After two loses (one to the Rams and the other to the Panthers), I am not so sure anymore. There are times when Drew Brees and that offense look virtually unstoppable. However, there are others when they just cannot move the football. If this team wants to succeed, the elite Brees needs to make the most of the weapons he has, and make that offense click like he often does. I am not ruling this team out of anything. I would not be very surprised if they won the Super Bowl. However, I would not be very surprised if they exited in the first round of the playoffs either.

5. Carolina Panthers (11-4)- Cam Newton and the Panthers are finally coming together and becoming something special. Newton has truly come on and led his team, he is finding his receivers, the running game with DeAngelo Williams is becoming decent, and the defense has been a key factor as well. Though I am still not sure if they are truly Super-Bowl worthy, they do have an 11-4 record, and have beaten some great teams. Not too many people were expecting that

4. Philadelphia Eagles (9-6)- The way this offense can often click should truly scare other teams. Quarterback Nick Foles is having an excellent season, running back LeSean McCoy looks elite, and the receiving crew led by DeSean Jackson is good as well. If they can stay consistent, the Eagles could be a sneaky and over-looked Super Bowl contender.

3. San Francisco 49ers (11-4)- Colin Kaepernick and the 49ers have played red-hot football as of late. Kaepernick is making throws, finding a multitude of great weapon receivers, the running game with Frank Gore is solid, and let us not forget that awesome defense. This team is very talented at almost every position. They could go far in the postseason.

2. Seattle Seahawks (12-3)- The Seahawks are stacked. Not only do they have a quarterback knocking on the doors of greatness in Russell Wilson, not only do they have a good receiving crew that should get better with the return of Percy Harvin, not only do they have what remains one of the best defenses in the NFL, but they also have an elite running game with Marshawn Lynch. Can you spell Super Bowl?

1. Denver Broncos (12-3)- You know a team has to be good to beat out the Seahawks. The Broncos have it all: one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game with Peyton Manning, a stacked receiving crew featuring Demaryius Thomas, Wes Welker, Eric Decker, and Julius Thomas, and an impressive running game with Knowshon Moreno. The Broncos are almost expected to put up 40 points every time they step onto the field. Others should watch out. There is a reason I picked them to win it all in the preseason.

2013 Week 11 NFL Recap

With the exception of two prime time games, an exciting week 11 of the 2013 NFL season has come to a conclusion. It featured some hard-core, playoff contender drama that might play a key role in just a few weeks. As far as my predictions go, I am off to a decent 8-5 start to put me at 98-63 (60.87%) on the season. Right now, let’s take a look and briefly recap all of the games that took place in week 11:

• Andrew Luck and the Colts fell behind early, but were able to come back and beat the Titans on the road on Thursday night.

• EJ Manuel and the Bills had no problems at all, as they demolished the horrible-looking and inconsistent Jets in Buffalo.

• The Bengals scored a franchise-record 31 points in the fourth quarter, and beat the rival Browns rather comfortably.

• In his first career start, Matt McGloin led the Raiders to a tight win over rookie Case Keenum and the Texans.

• Carson Palmer had a huge passing day, as he led the Cardinals to a fairly easy win over the 1-9 Jaguars.

• Nick Foles and the Eagles had another productive day, as they beat their divisional rival Redskins to take full control of the NFC East.

• Ben Roethlisberger and the Steelers also had a productive day, as they sneaked out an upset win over Matthew Stafford and the Lions.

• Mike Glennon and the Buccaneers pounded 41 points, as they comfortably took care of an extremely disappointing Falcons team.

• After a long rain delay interrupted play in the first quarter, Josh McCown and the Bears came back from a deficit and defeated the Ravens by a field goal in overtime.

• Ryan Tannehill and the Dolphins were able to pull out a mild home upset over the mediocre Chargers.

• In what was a tight and exciting game, Drew Brees led the Saints to a late-game drive that led to a last-second field goal and a home win for New Orleans.

• Eli Manning and the Giants won their fourth straight game, as they defeated Scott Tolzien and the banged up Packers in New York.

• Russell Wilson and the Seahawks had another productive day at the office, as they nailed 41 points, and comfortably beat the weak Vikings at home.

2013 Week 10 NFL Picks!

If you could believe it, we are more than halfway through the 2013 NFL season. In just a few short weeks, the playoff scenarios will be everywhere, and many will be wondering if their favorite team will make the cut.

As far as my predictions are concerned, I did go a decent 8-5 this week to put me at 83-50 (62.4%) on the season. I continue to climb towards my challenging goal of reaching 70% by the end of the regular season. I also wanted to congratulate PatJr221 on beating me this week in my ESPN Pick’em game. Details on how you can play with us are at the bottom of this blog post. Right now, however, it is time to continue boosting that picking percentage. Here are this week’s picks:

Washington Redskins (3-5) vs. Minnesota Vikings (1-7) (Thursday at 8:25 PM ET)- Robert Griffin III and the Redskins have looked a little better after a very slow start. Griffin has found his groove, running back Alfred Morris has improved, and that young talent is showing some production. With a wide-open NFC East, they easily could still win the division. Stay tuned.

As for the Vikings, they are not winning their division at all. That entire team virtually depends on running Adrian Peterson. If Peterson plays at an elite level, the Vikings will do fairly well. If Peterson plays even at a “good” level, they are very bad.

Until that quarterback situation in Minnesota is improved dramatically, there are very few teams that I am picking them to beat. Winner: Redskins

The following games are on Sunday at 1:00 PM ET:

Philadelphia Eagles (4-5) vs. Green Bay Packers (5-3)- While Nick Foles had an incredible game last Sunday, I am not completely sold on the Eagles. I think that Foles has some talent and he could be the future for this team. However, he is still far from a sure thing. Despite some talent in that running game with LeSean McCoy, and some talented receivers, I think that the Eagles may not be able to put it all together in time this year.

As for the Packers, they have a big challenge to overcome. Quarterback Aaron
Rodgers has injured his collarbone and will likely not play in this game. Green Bay has had to deal with a lot of injuries so far this year, and they have managed them rather well. However, Rodgers is the leader of that team, and without him, they might struggle. Quarterback Seneca Wallace will need to step up, find the receivers that the Packers have available and rookie running back Eddie Lacy may need to step up as well.

Assuming that Rodgers does not play, this is a tough pick. However, I think that Green Bay has more offensive weapons than the Eagles. With that being said, I think the home team should get the tight victory. Winner: Packers

Jacksonville Jaguars (0-8) vs. Tennessee Titans (4-4)- The Jaguars remain what has to be the worst team in the NFL. Quarterback Chad Henne is not good, running back Maurice Jones-Drew is struggling, and now wide receiver Justin Blackmon is suspended for at least the rest of the season. This team has a legitimate chance to go 0-16.

While it is good news that quarterback Jake Locker is back from injury and is continuing to develop, the Titans do not have a realistic chance at the playoffs this season. Locker is still young, running back Chris Johnson has not played great, and those receivers have room for improvement as well.

Nevertheless, they are playing the Jaguars this week. This should be an easy victory for the home team. Winner: Titans

Buffalo Bills (3-6) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (2-6)- Great news, Bills fans. It appears that rookie quarterback EJ Manuel could very well return from injury in this game. While Manuel is still a first year player, he is more than likely the future of this team, and he has shown some signs of brightness in 2013. While the Bills still have their troubles with a weak receiving crew and a running game that is still trying to figure things out, it is good that Manuel will get to develop and give these guys a playoff chance in a few years.

As for the Steelers, they have been a disappointment all season. While rookie running back Le’Veon Bell has been a bright spot, the passing game has not looked very sharp and a lack of receivers is showing.

However, Pittsburgh does have an advantage: veteran leadership at the quarterback position. I will say that that makes the difference in this game. Winner: Steelers

Oakland Raiders (3-5) vs. New York Giants (2-6)- Last week’s game taught us that the Raiders still have room for improvement. Quarterback Terrelle Pryor may have some talent, but is still developing, the running game has its issues with Darren McFadden getting injured (again), and that receiving crew is not exactly fantastic either. Overall, I think it still may take a few more years before this team can start thinking about the playoffs.

After a 0-6 start, I pretty much ruled out the Giants of any postseason contention. However, they are in an unusually weak NFC East division. With two-time Super Bowl champion quarterback Eli Manning under center and a good receiving crew led by Victor Cruz, this team might be able to dig itself out of the hole it is in. Nevertheless, they still have a lot of work to do and my ultimate prediction is that they will fall short.

Against a weak Raiders team, however, they should pick up their third straight victory. Winner: Giants

St. Louis Rams (3-6) vs. Indianapolis Colts (6-2)- Under quarterback Kellen Clemens, the Rams are nothing but a weak team. Clemens is not a very good quarterback, the receiving core has been a disappointment, and even though they found a running game with rookie Zac Stacy, I do not think they will come anywhere close to the postseason race.

The Colts did not look fantastic in their win last week against the Texans, but Andrew Luck and company were able to pull out the win. Under a second year player, it is only natural to expect some inconsistency. Even if it is present, I am still a huge believer in this team. Luck has looked fantastic so far, and in a weak division, they should easily make the playoffs.

They should also easily get a win here. Winner: Colts

Seattle Seahawks (8-1) vs. Atlanta Falcons (2-6)- Despite some mild inconsistency, Russell Wilson and the Seahawks have looked sharp so far this season. Wilson is a second year player who has a very bright future ahead, running back Marshawn Lynch remains elite, the defense remains top notch, and the Seahawks should be getting wide receiver Percy Harvin back very soon.

The Falcons, on the other hand, have been a tremendous disappointment. While the injuries of wide receivers Julio Jones and Roddy White have been big, it is not a complete excuse for the way that offense looks. Quarterback Matt Ryan has not been very effective, the running game with Steven Jackson is not looking too good, and the product on the field is not pretty.

At the beginning of the year, I would have looked at this as a great match-up. However, even with Seattle’s inconsistency, this should not be much of a contest. Winner: Seahawks  

Cincinnati Bengals (6-3) vs. Baltimore Ravens (3-5)- Andy Dalton and the Bengals have had their ups and downs so far this season. I have already said that if they want to be a true Super Bowl contender, Dalton is going to need to take that next step forward. He needs to utilize stud wide receiver AJ Green into that offense, and that should boost the production. The running game with Giovani Bernard and BenJarvus Green-Ellis has looked sharp, so that should help the offense as well.

As for the Ravens, they are becoming less and less of a team I like. While he is a Super Bowl champion, quarterback Joe Flacco has plenty of inconsistency, running back Ray Rice has also been inconsistent this year, and I am no longer thinking that they will win the division.

Even though Baltimore is a team that can get a big win over a good team, I have liked what I have seen from Cincinnati more. Winner: Bengals

Detroit Lions (5-3) vs. Chicago Bears (5-3)- Matthew Stafford and the Lions have looked better as of late. Stafford might be improving his fundamentals and leadership skills, wide receiver Calvin Johnson still looks like a beast, and the running game with Reggie Bush is looking good as well. Overall, this team has “playoff contender” written all over it, and I am excited to see what they can do.

With quarterback Josh McCown under center, the Bears did beat the Packers on Monday night, but I am not completely sold on this team. Let us keep in mind that they were playing a very banged up Packers squad that did not have its best player, Aaron Rodgers. I am not saying that they are not talented. Wide receiver Brandon Marshall is a stud wide receiver and running back Matt Forte has been great this season. However, they need to show a little more for me to be a true believer.

Regardless whether or not Jay Cutler plays in this game, I have to go with the team that has looked just a little better. Tough pick. Winner: Lions

Carolina Panthers (5-3) vs. San Francisco 49ers (6-2) (Sunday at 4:05 PM ET)- Over the past few weeks, I have liked what I have seen from Cam Newton and the Panthers. The talented Newton is doing a better job of finding his weapons, and that running game duo with DeAngelo Williams and Mike Tolbert has been decent as well. Although I still see them as outside looking in as far as the playoff picture is concerned, I would not be that surprised if they were able to get in.

As for the 49ers, I would be shocked if they didn’t get in. Quarterback Colin Kaepernick has the ability to lead that offense, running back Frank Gore is productive, and Anquan Boldin and Vernon Davis really help Kaepernick out. If all can go well, this is a true Super Bowl contending team.

Although I like where Carolina is heading, I cannot pick them over an elite club. Winner: 49ers

The following games are on Sunday at 4:25 PM ET:

Houston Texans (2-6) vs. Arizona Cardinals (4-4)- The main problem for the disappointing Texans right now is the quarterback situation. I really am not sure if rookie Case Keenum or Matt Schaub should be the starter, but it looks like Houston is rolling with Keenum. The Texans still have talent at the running back position with Arian Foster (when he is healthy) and wide receiver Andre Johnson, who proved he still has it last week.  However, if they cannot get production at the quarterback position, they will continue to lose games and be a disappointment.

As for the Cardinals, they simply remain a mediocre team. Quarterback Carson Palmer may be a veteran, but he is nothing too special. The running game with Rashard Mendenhall and Andre Ellington has not been great, and the receiving core with Larry Fitzgerald is not what it used to be. I expect Arizona to finish somewhere around .500 and miss the playoffs again.

This is a tough pick between two relatively even teams. However, the Texans showed some flashes Sunday night. With more talent, I will take them to get the win. Winner: Texans

Denver Broncos (7-1) vs. San Diego Chargers (4-4)- Coming off a bye week, I still fully consider Peyton Manning and the Broncos to be the best team in the NFL. Manning is a veteran quarterback who can make the big pass when he has to, and he has some fantastic weapons to help as well. Add to this a good running game led by Knowshon Moreno, and you have a legit Super Bowl contending team.

While Phillip Rivers and the Chargers have been somewhat impressive, they are not quite good enough to be considered true playoff contenders. Rivers is still working on finding his new receiver weapons, and that running game with Ryan Matthews is still a work in progress as well. Perhaps they could make the postseason next year, but for 2013 it is probably a “no”.

Excellent should beat decent in this game. Winner: Broncos

Dallas Cowboys (5-4) vs. New Orleans Saints (6-2) (Sunday at 8:30 PM ET)- With a wide open NFC East division, I think the Cowboys are the favorites to get the crown. However, do not get me wrong. This is still a team that cannot get it together at the right time, mainly because of quarterback Tony Romo. You know the story:  Romo is a talented player, but when it comes down to making that big play, he can never get it done. Despite a great wide receiver in Dez Bryant and a running game with potential in DeMarco Murray, I do not see much happening for this team until Romo becomes more clutch.

The Saints, on the other hand, can possibly do some great things in the playoffs. While their loss to the Jets is hard to analyze, I am still a big believer in this team. Quarterback Drew Brees is about as good as they come, and he has a fantastic tight end and some young wide receivers as weapons.

Even with the concussion of running back Darren Sproles, the better team should have too much. Winner: Saints

Miami Dolphins (4-4) vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-8) (Monday at 8:40 PM ET)- Ryan Tannehill and the Dolphins got an upset win over the Bengals last week, but I still do not think they will do much of anything this year. Tannehill still needs time to develop, so does rookie running back Lamar Miller, and those wide receivers have not created a lot of chemistry with Tannehill either.

The good news for Miami is that they are playing the Buccaneers this week. Under head coach Greg Schiano, this team has looked like a disaster all season. Rookie quarterback Mike Glennon does not look very sharp, the running game is missing Doug Martin for an extended period of time, and even wide receiver Vincent Jackson could not get much going at all last Sunday. The truth is that this team is in contention with the Jaguars for the title of the NFL’s worst club. They should seriously be concerned about going 0-16.

I am not particularly a fan of either team, but Miami is clearly better. Winner: Dolphins 

Do you disagree with what I’m saying? Do you think I’m an idiot? Well, you can prove me wrong using the ESPN Pick’em game. You even have a chance to win a whole blog post dedicated strictly to you and a code for a $5 iTunes gift card. Details: https://jacobssportstalk.wordpress.com/2013/08/22/announcing-jacobs-sports-commentary-pickem-game/

2012 Week 11 NFL Recap

With the exception of the Sunday and Monday night games, week 11 is over. There were a handful of thrilling games, three that went to overtime, and just an overall entertaining week of NFL football, as the playoffs draw closer and closer. In my picks, I had another great week of picking, going 10-2, and improving my season record to 108-49-1 (68.79%), getting even closer to my goal of picking 70% by the end of the regular season. Here are the story lines that made up week 11:

• Ryan Fitzpatrick and the Bills were able to pull to within two games of .500, and handed the inconsistent Dolphins their 3rd straight loss.
• Matt Ryan threw five interceptions, but the Falcons handed the Cardinals, who were lead by quarterback Ryan Lindley most of the day, their sixth straight loss.
• Josh Freeman and the Buccaneers, improved to a surprising 6-4, as they came back and were able to squeak out a tight road win over the slumping Panthers.
• Tony Romo led a comeback of his own, as the Cowboys ended up getting a very close overtime win against the Browns.
• In an ugly game, Aaron Rodgers and the Packers were able to come out on top, and get a very important divisional win over the disappointing Lions.
• Chad Henne came in, and made things very close for the Jaguars, but the elite Texans ended up winning the ballgame late in overtime.
• Andy Dalton and the Bengals won their second straight game, in what could be Matt Cassel’s last game as a Kansas City Chief. He was benched in the 3rd quarter.
• Mark Sanchez will probably keep his job for at least another week, as the Jets were able to get a road upset win over the Rams.
• Robert Griffin III had an incredible rookie performance, and the Eagles’ struggles continued with Nick Foles, as the Redskins picked up the blowout win.
• Drew Brees and the Saints pounded the Raiders defense, as they picked up the road win, to move to .500, and right in contention for a wild card berth in the NFC.
• Peyton Manning and the Broncos continue to play well, as they won their fifth in a row, this time over the division rival Chargers.
• Tom Brady showed Andrew Luck that he still has ways to go before he can become an elite quarterback, as the Patriots put on a 59 spot and beat the Colts in blow out form.

2012 Week 11 NFL Picks!

After an eventful and entertaining week 10, we now move to week 11 of the 2012 NFL season. Many teams are really fighting to win and get into the playoff picture, and many are trying to maintain being in it. Of course, you’ve also got those teams that are already out of it, but you never know when they can make some noise. Last week in my picks I went 9-4-1 and am now 98-47-1 (67.59%) on the season, and on my goal to pick 70% (179 games or more assuming there are no more ties) by the end of the regular season. Let’s keep improving, and reach that goal. Here are the week 11 NFL picks!

Miami Dolphins (4-5) vs. Buffalo Bills (3-6) (Thursday at 8:20 PM ET)- After a 4-3 start, I really saw talent, potential, and possible playoff contenders in the Dolphins. However, Sunday’s blowout loss to the Titans would make me concerned if I was a Dolphins fan. As with almost every rookie quarterback, you’re going to see ups, and downs. Last week’s game was definitely a down. This Miami team is still very talented, and I really like what head coach Joe Philbin has done, as well as their hopes for the future ahead. The Bills kept things close against the defending AFC champion New England Patriots on Sunday. However, they couldn’t finish the game, and have to suffer the loss, burying themselves at the bottom of the AFC Wild Card hunt. As I said at the beginning of the season, I do see talent on the Bills, but they’re very inconsistent, and they need to fix that to become real contenders. This is a tough pick, mainly because the Dolphins have been struggling lately. The Bills’ last two games have been close and they were both against elite squads (Texans and Patriots), so I’ll pick them to get the home win, in a tight one. Winner: Bills

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-4) vs. Carolina Panthers (2-7) (Sunday at 1:00 PM ET)- How about the Buccaneers? It wasn’t easy, but they picked up another win, this time over the Chargers, to put themselves above .500, and in the hunt for a wild card spot in the NFC. I was not expecting them to go 5-4 by a long shot, and they have greatly impressed me so far this season. I think that defense isn’t top notch and gives up a lot of points, but Josh Freeman looks like a talented quarterback and that rookie Doug Martin is certainly not bad either. I also see talent on the Panthers, but it just hasn’t evolved onto the field this year. Cam Newton looks worse than in his rookie season, Carolina is just losing games, and playoff hopes are just about history. They have potential, but why they’re not proving it is a reason unknown to me. This could be a close game, and I wouldn’t be shocked if the Panthers won, but I’ll take the road team to improve to 6-4. Winner: Buccaneers

Cleveland Browns (2-7) vs. Dallas Cowboys (4-5)- Browns fans, I have good news and I have bad news. Good news is that your team didn’t lose. Bad news is, that they didn’t play. With all humor aside, I do see perhaps some slight improvement on the Browns with Brandon Weeden. Even though they’re failing to win games, they’re keeping close in most of them, and that’s definitely a good sign in Cleveland. The Cowboys also showed some good signs, but keep in mind, it was against the Philadelphia Eagles, now proving to be one of the worst teams in football. If you’ve ever read this blog before, you know how overrated I think the Cowboys are, but I will give them some credit. They made a comeback against the Giants, and kept it close against the then-undefeated Falcons (even though a lot of teams have done that). Doing what they needed to do in Philly keeps some hope alive, even though with Tony Romo at quarterback, I don’t see this team doing much of anything when playoff implications are concerned. However, I will pick them to be back at .500. Winner: Cowboys

Green Bay Packers (6-3) vs. Detroit Lions (4-5)- The Packers are coming off a much needed week of rest, after a lot of their key players got injured. I don’t know if some of them are going to play this week, but regardless, they are currently a banged up team. However, the core of the Green Bay Packers, I find, in Aaron Rodgers, and Rodgers is healthy and set to go against the division rivals. The Lions have been a disappointment so far this year. After getting into the playoffs last season, I really thought this team would truly emerge as one of the best in the NFC. They’re talented with Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson, and a young, aggressive defense, but they’re not translating it onto the field. All I’ll say is, “Hurry up, Lions. You’re running out of time and the NFC North is one heck of a division.”  However, with the Packers really banged up, and their recent games being close, I’ll say that things will go in the Lions’ favor this week, and they’ll squeak out a very important home win. Winner: Lions

Jacksonville Jaguars (1-8) vs. Houston Texans (8-1)- They should call this “The Opposite Bowl”. You’ve got the Jaguars, struggling as much as any team in the NFL, especially with the absence of running back Maurice Jones-Drew. Then you’ve got the Texans, who look pretty much as good as any team in the NFL right now. The offense didn’t look perfect last week, but that Bears defense is probably the best in the NFL. Easiest pick of the week. Winner: Texans

Arizona Cardinals (4-5) vs. Atlanta Falcons (8-1)- Once upon a time, the Arizona Cardinals were 4-0. No, I’m not kidding. Ever since the injury of Kevin Kolb, the Cardinals are obviously struggling, and John Skelton is getting this team nowhere. Kolb is still injured, but the second he’s healthy, the Cardinals better start him, even though I doubt they can make anything happen in 2012. The Falcons are out of contention for the perfect season after a loss to the Saints. However, I was not in any way, shape, or form, expecting them to go undefeated, even after their 8-0 start. The Saints are really emerging, so the fact that Drew Brees beat the Falcons in New Orleans wasn’t that big of a surprise. The Falcons are still very talented on both sides of the ball, even though Michael Turner did struggle a little with the running game last week. I fully expect this team to be reenergized, and just pound the weak Cardinals. Winner: Falcons

Cincinnati Bengals (4-5) vs. Kansas City Chiefs (1-8)- Just when you think the Bengals won’t be contending for the playoffs, they go to New York and absolutely demolish the defending Super Bowl champions. All the talent on that Bengals’ team was present on Sunday, and it just proves that they have the power to win games. The question is, can they find some consistency and keep it going to dig themselves out of this hole? Speaking of hole, and no playoff chances, we have the Kansas City Chiefs. I will give the Chiefs some credit for keeping it close against the Steelers, and having the lead for the first time all season. However, I think it was the Steelers with problems, and they were playing their back-up quarterback for a big part of the game. Obviously the Chiefs are not going to contend for the playoffs, and they have a lot of work to do before they can. Brady Quinn is going to get a shot this week, to hopefully, get something going for KC. Not going to happen. Winner: Bengals

Philadelphia Eagles (3-6) vs. Washington Redskins (3-6)- I know I keep rubbing it in, but I can’t help it. Hey Eagles, how is that “dream team” name working out for you? As I said in another one of my posts, I think the media is finally beginning to see who the Eagles truly are: a mediocre football team that creates a ton of turnovers, with a quarterback that is meant to be a running back. However, that definition isn’t true this week. Not because I’m picking the Eagles to win, but because Michael Vick isn’t starting because of his concussion. Nick Foles will start in his place. I don’t know much of anything about Foles, and there is a reason: he has never started at the NFL level.  We’re talking about a team that was playing bad football to begin with, and now they’re under the rule of a backup quarterback? All I’ll say is, the Eagles better have a third-string quarterback ready. One can only get sacked so many times. The Redskins have looked mediocre this year. As with pretty much every rookie quarterback, you’re going to get inconsistent play, and we’re seeing that out of Robert Griffin III. It’s turning out that they probably won’t be contending for the playoffs this year, but the road looks bright ahead for this young Redskins team. They’ve got a perfect opportunity to prove how talented they are, here. I think they’ll do it. Winner: Redskins

New York Jets (3-6) vs. St. Louis Rams (3-5-1)- Can you hear the Tebow chants? I’m predicting that at some point this season, Tim Tebow will be the starter. Will he help the Jets? Probably not, but I didn’t think he would help the Broncos either. The offense is just a huge struggle, and they fail to score points each and every week, except for that week 1 fluke against the Bills. Sam Bradford and the Rams kept things surprisingly close against the 49ers last week, but San Francisco made a comeback, and the Rams had to settle for a tie. As I’ve been saying, they are greatly improved, talented, and even though they probably won’t be making the playoffs this year, I like their future. As for the Jets, I don’t like their future. Therefore, I’m going with the home team. Winner: Rams

New Orleans Saints (4-5) vs. Oakland Raiders (3-6) (4:05 PM ET)- How about the Saints? They picked up an extremely important upset win over the Falcons, and are now within a game of .500 and in the hunt for a playoff berth. This team has virtually exact opposites on both sides of the ball. They have one of the best offenses in the league, led by one of the best quarterbacks with Drew Brees. They also have a horrible defense that just gives up yards and points week after week.  The question is: can Drew Brees and the offense score more points than the defense allows? With a rather poor Raiders team that gave up 55 points to the Ravens, I’m going to say that the answer is yes. Winner: Saints

San Diego Chargers (4-5) vs. Denver Broncos (6-3) (4:25 PM ET)- The Chargers lost a close game on the road against the Buccaneers last Sunday. The offense seems to be playing better the past two weeks, but seeing some of their games this year, they honestly do not look like true playoff contenders. I like their talent led by Phillip Rivers, but I don’t know if it’ll be enough. The Broncos, on the other hand, I think have more than enough.  Of course, they possess Peyton Manning, one of the best quarterbacks to ever play the game. They’ve also got some good offensive weapons in Demaryius Thomas and Willis McGahee, and just look better and better every week they play. They should look even better this week. Winner: Broncos

Indianapolis Colts (6-3) vs. New England Patriots (6-3)- I have to give a lot of credit to the Indianapolis Colts. If you lose your head coach and you’re starting a rookie quarterback, things usually don’t turn out the way you want it to. Not the Colts. They’re 6-3, and as alive as ever for a wild card berth in the AFC, and Andrew Luck is really emerging, and setting himself up for a great career. The Patriots were able to pick up a tight win, over the Bills at home. I’ll admit, there have been some games where I want to get a little concerned about the Patriots and their long-term Super Bowl hopes. However, the Pats usually just bounce right back the next week. They just have to fix the slight inconsistency, and I know that they will be one of the favorites heading into the playoffs. This is kind of a tough pick, but I’m going to pick with my head and pick the veteran quarterback playing for a veteran, proven Super Bowl champion team. Winner: Patriots

Baltimore Ravens (7-2) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3) (8:20 PM ET)- Good news, Ravens. I’m starting to like you more. After some problems on both sides of the ball, and the season-ending injuries of Ray Lewis and Lardarius Webb, I thought the Ravens’ Super Bowl hopes were done. However, that blowout win over the Raiders makes me think “Not so fast.” Just about all the offensive talent on the Baltimore Ravens was present in Sunday’s win. I know, it was against the Raiders and the Raiders certainly don’t have the best defense in the NFL. However, it just reminded me just how talented and powerful these Ravens are, and I am not ruling them out as Super Bowl contenders. The division rival Steelers also picked up a win over a weak team, although it was in a completely different style. Pittsburgh squeaked out an ugly overtime win over the Chiefs, under the control of quarterback Byron Leftwich, after Ben Roethlisberger went down with a sprained shoulder. It looks like Big Ben is not going to start in this game, and it will be under the veteran leadership of Leftwich. I don’t know much about him, but there is probably a reason why he’s a backup, and his performance on Monday night wasn’t exactly great. The offense didn’t seem to be playing well, even with Roethlisberger under center. Therefore, I am going to take Joe Flacco and the Ravens to go into Pittsburgh, and win game 1 of this classic NFL rivalry. Winner: Ravens

Chicago Bears (7-2) vs. San Francisco 49ers (6-2-1) (Monday at 8:30 PM ET)- The Bears have announced that Jay Cutler will not play in this game, meaning the quarterback match-up in this contest will most likely be Jason Campbell vs. Alex Smith, assuming Smith does play (he is on track, as of Friday night). The Bears have an excellent defense, possibly the best in the NFL, and even though their offense looks flashy and certainly has talent, they do struggle at times. Playing without Cutler, veteran Jason Campbell will need to step in, put this offense together, as they face off against a tough 49ers D. Even though I believe Campbell is decent, it might not be easy. The 49ers have had a few games where they didn’t play like the Super Bowl team they’re expected to be, including last Sunday against the Rams. However, it should be noted that Alex Smith didn’t play for a two and a half quarters and I’m not a big believer in the wild-cat quarterback Colin Kaepernick, simply because of not a fan of the wild-cat quarterback at all. They’re still a very good and very talented football team with guys like Alex Smith, Frank Gore, and Mario Manningham leading the offense. I think Jason Campbell is better than Kaepernick, but the ladder probably won’t even play. Therefore, I’m leaning towards the home team in this one. Winner: If Alex Smith starts: 49ers, If he doesn’t: Bears

2012 NFL Week 10: What We Learned

Was week 10 an eventful week, or what? You have plenty of exciting match-ups, even a tie, a lot of injuries, and eyes are beginning to turn onto that playoff picture. My eyes are not only focused on those playoffs, but on my picking record, as well. In my continued mission to pick 70% or more by the end of the season (179 games correctly, assuming their are no more ties), this week I picked 9-4-1 improving my season record to 98-47-1 (67.59%). Here are the five most important things that we got out of week 10:

• The Giants are under a struggle right now. They have lost their last two games, and Eli Manning has not thrown a touchdown pass in the last three. They now have a much needed bye week to rest, and get things back on track.
• The Buccaneers could be a possible threat for the NFC wild card. They seem to impress every week, have won four of their last five, and are now above .500.
• We will not have an undefeated team this year. The Atlanta Falcons finally lost, doing it on the road against the Saints. However, Matt Ryan still looks really good, and I believe they have a chance to do some really good things this year.
• Don’t doubt the Ravens. They put up 55 points in a pounding of the Raiders and were able to move to 7-2, despite struggles in a few weeks before.
• The Steelers could be in a little bit of trouble. Their offense struggled Monday night against the Chiefs, even before quarterback Ben Roethlisberger went down with a sprained shoulder. They could be in some real trouble if backup Byron Leftwich plays the way he played last night. And it won’t be the Chiefs.

2012 Week 10 NFL Storylines

With the exception of the Sunday and Monday night football games, week 10 of NFL football is now over. Man, was this week interesting. A few games that went as expected, a few surprises, and one game in particular that had a crazy ending. To give you a hint of what made it so crazy, let me say that my picking record this week was 7-4. There were twelve games played. Since the 49ers, Rams game ended in a tie, it simply does not count towards my picking record. I am now 96-47 (67.13%) and it will now require picking only 179 games correctly by the end of the regular season to pick 70%. Here are the storylines of a very interesting week 10:

• Andrew Luck and the Colts continued winning for their head coach, as they picked up their fourth win in five games, doing so over the struggling Jaguars.
• The Bengals’ young talent was fully evident, as they picked up a huge win over Eli Manning and the Giants, who have dropped two in a row.
• Jake Locker had a fantastic return, as he led the Titans to a blowout win over the young Dolphins.
• The Patriots’ defense gave up a lot of points to the Bills, but Tom Brady and the offense also scored a lot of points, as they picked up the home win.
• Drew Brees and the Saints moved to a game within .500, as they got an enormous win over the divisional rival Falcons, and were able to end the Falcons’ bid at an undefeated season in New Orleans.
• In a close game, Josh Freeman and the Buccaneers were able to top the Chargers. The surprising Bucs are above .500 and have won four of their last five games.
• The Broncos cruised to another win, this time on the road, over Cam Newton and the talented, but struggling Panthers.
• Adrian Peterson led the way, as the Vikings got a big divisional win at home, over the Lions, to stay above .500.
• The Ravens scored a franchise high 55 points, silencing some doubters, including myself, and just pounded the poor-mediocre Raiders.
• The Seahawks continue to look impressive, as they picked up another victory, at home against the disastrous-looking Jets.
• Micheal Vick suffered a concussion and Nick Foles and the desperate Eagles could not get it done again. The Cowboys picked up a crucial win to stay close to the .500 mark.
• Alex Smith also suffered a concussion and his replacement Collin Kaepernick led the 49ers back from being 10 points against the Rams down to send the game to overtime. However, in overtime, neither team could score, and for the first time since 2008, an NFL football game ended in a tie.