Sunday, October 28, 2012

NFL Week Eight Pigskin Predictions

THURSDAY
VIKES over bucs
Jerome Simpson catches his first touchdown pass of the season and Christian Ponder throws for 250 yards and two touchdowns, as the Purple pillage the Buccaneers at home.

PREDICTION: VIKES 27, bucs 20 [RESULT: bucs 35, vikes 16]

Bears RB Matt Forte
SUNDAY (NOON)
BEARS over panthers
Panthers quarterback Cam Newton has been overcome by a bounty of scrutiny and despair this year. The despondent second-year quarterback has appeared flustered and self-doubtful. Could this be the week he pulls it together? Newton takes a step forward this week, but it comes in a losing effort. Despite 300 yards combined passing and rushing from its quarterback, Carolina (1-5) comes up short against the superior team in Chicago today. A big day from Matt Forte leads the Bears to a four-point win and a 6-1 record for the season.

PREDICTION: BEARS 24, panthers 20

Chargers over BROWNS
Cleveland’s era of ineptitude reeks back the late-1980s. The Pittsburgh Pirates of the NFL have had three winning seasons in the past 22 seasons – a combined record of 108-203. It’s a two decade-plus era of disgust amounting to 34.7%. The Browns are hoping to climb out of this gaping hole on the arm of its 29-year-old, 1st round draft pick Brandon Weeden. Without a lot of weapons surrounding him, Weeden has played well. But the team still stinks. Following a bye week after a miserable three-pick fourth quarter performance against Denver, single-handedly causing his team a loss, Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers welcomes a trip to north Cleveland today. Rivers feeds off the league’s 28th-ranked pass defense, throwing for 300 yards and three touchdowns as San Diego downs the Browns by 10.

PREDICTION: chargers 27, BROWNS 17

LIONS over hawks
Detroit’s high-octane offense of last season appears to have a flat tire thus far in 2012. Needing a boost from its running game, Mikel Leshoure carries the ball 20 times for 80 yards, complementing Matthew Stafford and the Lions passing game en route to an impressive defeat of the 4-3 Seahawks at home.

PREDICTION: LIONS 24, hawks 17
Packers WR Randall Cobb
PACK over jags
Fantasy owners, get your Randall Cobb and James Jones into your lineups! Heck, maybe even picking up 37-year old Donald Driver is a good idea. Missing his top two weapons (WRs Greg Jennings and Jordy Nelson), a hot Aaron Rodgers uses all second-hands on deck to pounce on the 1-5 Jaguars today. Green Bay wins this game with ease.

PREDICTION: PACKERS 27, jags 6

colts over TITANS
Andrew Luck dices up a porous Titans pass defense as the Colts get road victory No. 1 today in Tennessee.

PREDICTION: colts 28, TITANS 20

pats over RAMS
Tom Brady shows the Queen of England who’s the King of New England. Brady connects with his favorite target Wes Welker 10 times to lead the Patriots past the Rams at London’s Wembley Stadium.

PREDICTION: pats 30, RAMS 17 (in London)

JETS over fins
AFC East division foes beat up each other defensively, as the teams struggle to find any offense. In the end, the Jets top the Dolphins on a late-game pick-six.

PREDICTION: JETS 17, fins 10 

Eagles QB Michael Vick
EAGLES over falcons
Disgusted by turnovers but not discouraged by his confidence as a quarterback, Michael Vick plays with conviction today against the 6-0 Falcons. Philadelphia WR Jeremy Maclin finds rhythm with his embattled quarterback today, as Vick connects with him for 8 catches, a hundred yards and a score. The Falcons become the league’s lone undefeated team no longer, as the Eagles edge Atlanta by three.

PREDICTION: EAGLES 27, falcons 24

STEEL over skins
Much like pitching phenom Stephen Strasburg has breathed new hope into the Nationals, Robert Griffin III has revitalized football in the nation’s capital. The Redkins of recent years could not compete with the perennial playoff-bound Steelers, especially in Pittsburgh. Today, Griffin and company give the Steel Curtain a strong test. But the NFL’s No. 1 defense gives little crease to Griffin’s rushing holes and passing airways today. Conversely, Griffin’s counterpart Ben torches a week Washington secondary. Ben Roethlisberger passes for 300 yards and two touchdowns to lead Pittsburgh to victory.

PREDICTION: STEEL 24, skins 20
 


SUNDAY (LATE)
CHIEFS over raiders
Kansas City and Oakland make it evident that they are the two inferior teams of the AFC West. In a game rife with turnovers, the Chiefs eke out an overtime win over the Raiders. 
PREDICTION: CHIEFS 23, raiders 20 (in OT)
 
Cowboys QB Tony Romo
BOYS over giants
The Cowboys entered the season with high expectations (well, aren’t they always high in Dallas?). Through six games, however, the team has been the epitome of mediocrity. Despite the disappointments, however, Jerry’s Boys could suddenly vault into the NFC elite with a sweep of the Super Bowl champ Giants this afternoon. New York may be the NFL’s hottest team right now, barging into this showdown on a three-game winning streak. But today, constantly-scrutinized Tony Romo throws for 300 yards and leads Dallas (3-3) past Eli Manning and the G-Men.
PREDICTION: BOYS 27, giants 20 

SNF
saints over BRONCOS
Can the once 0-4 Saints recover in time to save its playoff hopes? It’s a long climb out of that pitfall, but if anyone can do it it’s Drew Brees. Facing a daunting challenge against a resurgent Peyton Manning in Denver will be difficult, especially for New Orleans’ 27th-ranked passing defense. This Sunday Night showdown promises plenty of fireworks, as Brees’s bunch upsets Manning’s Broncos at Mile High.
PREDICTION: saints 31, BRONCOS 27
49ers RB Frank Gore

MNF
niners over CARDS
The reeling Cardinals try to rally its troops and keep its once-4-0 record over .500 at home in primetime tomorrow night. But victories against San Francisco are hard to come by and the 49ers enter this game fresh after 10 days rest. Frisco’s bruising running back Frank Gore continues to cruise following his 131-yard performance Oct. 18 against Seattle, as the Niners dispatch Arizona in desert.
PREDICTION: niners 17, CARDS 13


Bye teams: Buffalo, Cincinnati, Baltimore, Houston


Sunday, October 21, 2012

NFL Week Seven Pigskin Predictions

Thursday
NINERS over hawks
In a staunch defensive battle on the west coast, San Francisco survives the Seahawks on a late-game TD run by Frank Gore.

PREDICTION: NINERS 17, hawks 10 [RESULT: NINERS 13, hawks 6]

Vikings RB Adrian Peterson
Sunday (NOON)
VIKES over cards
It’s Adrian Peterson all day long. The Vikings All-Pro running back goes for 120 yards and two TDs to lead his team past the Cardinals.

PREDICTION: VIKES 24, cards 17

BILLS over titans
Buffalo intercepts Matt Hasselbeck three times, including one for a touchdown. Running back Fred Jackson finds the end zone for another Bills touchdown, as his team topples the Titans at home.

PREDICTION: BILLS 23, titans 17
Colts QB Andrew Luck

COLTS over browns
After an ugly showing last week, Andrew Luck makes certain his team bounces back at home against the lowly Browns.

PREDICTION: COLTS 31, browns 17

pack over RAMS
Despite its loss to the Dolphins last week, the 3-3 Rams have shown they’ve become a much-improved team this season. Meanwhile, Aaron Rodgers and his 15-1 team from last year have already tripled that loss total. But after trouncing the Texans the Pack appears to be back on track. Green Bay survives a tough road challenge and climbs over .500 for its first time of the season.

PREDICTION: pack 30, RAMS 24

GIANTS over redskins
Washington D.C. football fans have begun to think RG III is the greatest thing since sliced bread. While it appears the rookie quarterback is bringing the Redskins back to relevance, a victory against the Giants in New York is just too tough to handle.

PREDICTION: GIANTS 26, skins 17

Saints over BUCS
With its abysmal defense the Saints managed to start the season 0-4, and this includes a home loss to the 1-5 Chiefs. It’s been ugly, to say the least. But despite the disarray, New Orleans gets it done against the Bucs today and earns its first the road win of the season.

PREDICTION: saints 27, BUCS 20

Boys over PANTHERS
Cowboys TE Jason Witten
Facing the fate of a 2-4 start, the Cowboys take its show on the road today at Carolina. Quarterback Tony Romo steps up and finds his safety valve, tight end Jason Witten, and leads his team to victory and back into contention against its challenging NFC East division.

PREDICTION: boys 23, PANTHERS 17

TEXANS over ravens
Playing without its leader Ray Lewis today, the Ravens are wounded to say the least. It doesn’t help to have to play a tough Texans team reeling from embarrassment of a blowout home loss last week in the limelight of Sunday night. Out to prove they’re better than that, Houston holds onto home field advantage and ekes out a four point win.

PREDICTION: TEXANS 24, ravens 20

SUNDAY (LATE)
RAIDERS over jags
The 1-4 Jaguars enter Oakland (also 1-4) today averaging an abysmal 241.2 yards of offense per game. Well-rested from its bye week, Jacksonville gives its all today. But its all just quite isn’t good enough. The Jags fall to the Raiders in overtime.

PREDICTION: RAIDERS 23, jags 20 (in OT)

PATS over jets
This game is no contest. A loss in Seattle last week has raised some credibility concerns in New England, Today, however, the Patriots start strong and finish strong against division rival New York, defeating the Jets in blowout fashion.

PREDICTION: PATS 31, jets 13
Steelers MLB James Harrison (92)

SNF
steel over BENGALS
Pittsburgh holds a disappointing record of 2-3, with all three losses coming on the road. This week, well, they’re on the road again. The Steelers are in Cincinnati to face A.J. Green and the Bengals. Green leads the NFL in yards receiving. He’s also caught touchdowns in five straight games and his total of six ranks second in that category – Green Bay’s James Jones, believe it or not, ranks first with seven. But the Steelers defense is able to rattle Green and Bengals QB Andy Dalton today. Pittsburgh’s four-time Pro Bowl linebacker James Harrison picks up two sacks today, leading his team to that elusive first road win.

PREDICTION: steel 24, BENGALS 17

MNF
ions over BEARS
It’s been a disappointing season for Detroit quarterback Matthew Stafford. The NFL’s number one overall draft pick in 2009 threw 41 touchdowns and lifted the Lions out of anonymity and into the playoffs last year. Through five games this year, he’s thrown for 4 TDs and ranks 24th in QB rating (at 79.2). Thus, traveling to 4-1 Chicago tomorrow, Detroit is a seven-point underdog … The task appears too heavy; the Bears rank fourth in pass defense and first in interceptions – with 13. But last week was a turning point for Stafford. After a rough three quarters, he threw two touchdowns in the fourth quarter and rallied his team to an improbable comeback win Philadelphia. Maintaining that momentum, Stafford connects with top target Calvin Johnson and the Lions upset the Bears under the bright lights of Monday Night.

PREDICTION: lions 27, BEARS 24


Bye teams: Atlanta, Denver, Kansas City, Miami, Philadelphia, San Diego

Sunday, October 14, 2012

NFL Week Six Pigskin Predictions

THURSDAY
steelers over TITANS
Coming off a 30-7 drubbing at Minnesota last week, the Titans (1-4) get roughed up again and continue to tumble toward the bottom of the AFC ranks. Ben Roethlisberger throws for 300 yards and two touchdowns as Pittsburgh cruises past Tennessee in Nashville.

PREDICTION: steelers 27, TITANS 17 [RESULT: TITANS 26, steelers 23]

SUNDAY (NOON)
FALCONS over raiders
Falcons QB Matt Ryan (right)
In clichéd terms, this contest could be considered a "trap game" for the Falcons. Undefeated Atlanta hosts 1-3 Oakland this afternoon at the Georgia Dome. Pitted against league's 30th-ranked defense, the Falcons hang tough and do not fold. "Matty Ice" and his arsenal of weapons stay hot, as the home team trounces its cross-coast opponent by two touches.

PREDICTION: FALCONS 34, raiders 20

bengals over BROWNS
Cincinnati lost at home to the Dolphins last week. Not good. The Browns have shown signs of respectability (i.e. building a 14-0 lead against the Giants at New York last week). But the Browns still bumble more than the Bengals. A.J. Green extends his touchdown-scoring streak to five games as Cincinnati scratches out the victory.

PREDICTION: bengals 20, BROWNS 16

Rams RB Steven Jackson
rams over FINS
Stephen Jackson finally appears to be at full health. The Rams back rushes past the 100-yard mark for the first time this season as his Rams quietly improve to 4-2.

PREDICTION: rams 17, FINS 13

colts over JETS
The Andrew Luck show takes its exhibit to the Big Apple this afternoon to play the Jets. New York continues to find it difficult to win without a quality quarterback. Luck's Colts pull the upset over Mark Sanchez, Tim Tebow or whoever else might be at the helm for the host Jets today.

PREDICTION: colts 24, JETS 20
Eagles QB Michael Vick

EAGLES over lions
Michael Vicks gets his turnover woes under control as his Eagles fly by the Lions in Philly.

PREDICTION: EAGLES 31, lions 24
 
BUCS over chiefs
A battle of one-win teams takes place in Tampa Bay today, where the Buccaneers entertain the visiting Kansas City Chiefs. Who wins? Who cares? I guess the Bucs fans might. And today they're able to witness that win. The home team stops its three-game skid, topping the Chiefs by six.
Ravens K Justin Tucker

PREDICTION: BUCS 23, chiefs 17

RAVENS over boys
Dallas brings its "A" game to Baltimore this afternoon ... but, its not quite enough. Rookie kicker Justin Tucker boots a 48-yard game-winner in overtime, as the Ravens stave off a rugged effort from the Cowboys to win its 11th straight home game.

PREDICTION: RAVENS 20, boys 17 (in OT)


SUNDAY (LATE)
vikes over SKINS
Vikings WR Percy Harvin (right)
Minnesota continues to look more like a contender than a pretender. Led by a vastly improved secondary, the Vikings continue to shine on defense. On offense, early MVP candidate Percy Harvin continues to evade and deliver crushing blows to oncoming tacklers. As a team, the Purple defeat the Redskins in DC today and up its record to 5-1.

PREDICTION: vikes 27, SKINS 17

CARDS over bills
Arizona bounces back from its ugly 17-3 loss last week in St. Louis, defeating the struggling Bills in the desert today.

PREDICTION: CARDS 20, bills 17

Pats over HAWKS
In a hostile atmosphere at CenturyLink Field in Seattle this afternoon, Tom Brady and the Patriots pass the Seahawks’ test and improve to 4-2.

PREDICTION: pats 27, HAWKS 20

49ers RB Frank Gore (center)
NINERS over giants
The game of the week takes place in San Francisco today, in a rematch battle of last year’s NFC Championship game. San Francisco enters its contest against the Giants having won its previous two games by a combined score of 79-3. While it can’t expect to carry over that level of dominance against New York, the 49ers are able to exact revenge on the Super Bowl champs. Running back Frank Gore pounds the rock for 100 yards and two scores, pacing the host Niners past the G-Men.

PREDICTION: NINERS 21, giants 17

SNF
TEXANS over pack
A remedy to cure the struggling Packers is not a date with the 5-0 Texans in Houston. Without a decent running back and its number one receiver, the AFC’s number one defense is too tough for Green Bay to handle. Houston wins by four.

PREDICTION: TEXANS 24, pack 20

MNF
broncos over CHARGERS
Peyton Manning wins a shootout over his AFC West counterpart Philip Rivers tomorrow night in San Diego. The Broncos win by three to even its record at 3-3 and pull into a division-lead tie with the Chargers.

PREDICTION: broncos 27, CHARGERS 24


Bye teams: Chicago, New Orleans, Carolina, Jacksonville


Saturday, October 6, 2012

NFL Week Five Pigskin Predictions

THURSDAY
RAMS over cards
Despite a dreadful rushing attack, head coach Jeff Fisher has his Rams playing some solid football. The Cardinals are 4-0, but its overtime defeat of the Dolphins last week appeared an omen of a long overdue loss this week.

PREDICTION: RAMS 17, cards 13 [RESULT: RAMS 17, cards 3]

SUNDAY (NOON)
BENGALS over fins
Andy Dalton is far from flashy in today’s quarterback-driven league. But the Bengals helmsman has quietly put up quality numbers (67.5% passing percentage for 1,111 yards and 8 TDs) and has his team 3-0 since suffering a 44-13 romp on opening night in Baltimore. Dalton’s Bengals hold its home field advantage against the Dophins today and improve to 4-1.

PREDICTION: BENGALS 20, fins 12

pack over COLTS
The future versus the present is on display this afternoon at Indianapolis’ Lucas Oil Stadium, where Green Bay’s Aaron Rodgers faces the Colts’ Andrew Luck. The Packers get all they can handle from Mr. Luck, but even a lucky horseshoe isn’t enough for an Indy upset. Green Bay wins a close one.

PREDICTION: pack 27, COLTS 24

ravens over CHIEFS
It’s true … Baltimore’s offense just might be better than its vaunted defense. A potpourri of Joe Flacco, Ray Rice, Torrey Smith and Anquan Boldin leads the Ravens past the Chiefs in Kansas City today.

PREDICTION: ravens 27, CHIEFS 17


GIANTS over browns
The Super Bowl champions have had its share of injury problems and fell to 2-2 after a crushing two-point loss in Philadelphia last week. But while the G-Men will be without star wide-out Hakeem Nicks today, the team regains its starting running back. Ahmad Bradshaw rushes hard and plows the host Giants past the winless Browns.

PREDICTION: GIANTS 31, browns 10

STEEL over eagles
A fierce competition ensues in Pittsburgh today, as the Steelers host Philadelphia in desperate need of a win. It takes an extra frame, but a raucous home crowd gives Big Ben’s team a boost and enables Pittsburgh to prevail in overtime.

PREDICTION: STEEL 20, eagles 17 (in OT)

falcons over SKINS
Atlanta heads into D.C. as the NFC’s lone remaining undefeated team. Rookie Robert Griffin III is up to the challenge, but the Redskins defense is not enough to stop the high-flying Falcons. Matt Ryan continues his hot play as Atlanta improves to 5-0.

PREDICTION: falcons 33, SKINS 27

SUNDAY (LATE)
VIKES over titans
Minnesota won last week at Detroit and feels good about its 3-1 start. But the team also knows it must continue to improve if it wants to be a playoff contender. A visit by the woeful Titans helps them to do so. Jared Allen gets two sacks and Christian Ponder throws for 300 yards and 3 touchdowns, as the Vikings double up Tennessee at home.

PREDICTION: VIKES 34, titans 17

hawks over PANTHERS
Seattle quarterback Russell Wilson was abysmal last week – completing 18 of 34 passes for 153 yards and 3 picks. But the rookie rebounds to have a much better game this afternoon at Carolina. Better ball management by Wilson, combined with a strong defensive effort and a 100-yard rushing game from Marshawn Lynch, leads the Seahawks past the Panthers.

PREDICTION: hawks 23, PANTHERS 17

bears over JAGS
Jacksonville quarterback Blaine Gabbert has thrown just one mere interception this season. However, in four games he’s passed for only 654 yards on 113 throws (an NFL-low 5.79 yards per attempt). This is not a recipe for success. Whether it's Gabbert, his receiving corps or something else, the Bears capitalize on its opponent's ineptitude and roll over the Jaguars en route to its third straight win.

PREDICTION: bears 24, JAGS 13

PATS over broncos
An appetite-whetting quarterback matchup is revived this afternoon in New England, where the Patriots’ Tom Brady faces Peyton Manning and the Broncos. Both QBs perform well, but it will be Brady’s team that comes away with the win. New England defeats Denver by five.

PREDICTON: PATS 31, broncos 26

NINERS over bills
The 49ers pick up where they left off in New York last week, pounding its opponent with impenetrable defense. The Bills don’t stand a chance in this one. San Francisco destroys Buffalo and improves to 4-1 for the season.

PREDICTION: NINERS 27, bills 6

SNF
SAINTS over chargers
On one hand, Saints quarterback Drew Brees leads the league in passing (throwing for 1,350 yards); on the other, he ranks 18th (with a QB Rating of 86.1). Why the disparity? Perhaps it’s partly Brees’ fault. Perhaps it’s his team’s NFL-worst defense – whose 1,853 yards allowed is nearly 200 yards more than 31st-ranked Tennessee …  The season does not look good for the 0-4 Saints, who are staring at its first playoff absence since 2008. And facing a strong 3-1 Chargers team doesn’t help. But an impressive Brees effort does not go for naught in New Orleans tonight. In a game that amasses 1,000 combined total yards, the Saints beat San Diego in the Superdome.
 
PREDICTION: SAINTS 37, chargers 27

MNF
texans over JETS
Taking to the Monday Night stage in New York tomorrow night, Houston convinces many that they boast the best team in the NFL. Led by its relentless defense, the Texans dispatch the Jets in workman-like fashion.

PREDICTION: texans 23, JETS 3


Bye teams: Dallas, Detroit, Oakland, Tampa Bay