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2010 NFL Schedule

Aug 25

Posted by Bob Noyes in Armchair QB, Pro Football Picks | No Comments

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Here it is, folks the 2010 NFL Regular Season Schedule.  Sure you can see it anywhere, but we wouldn’t be doing our unpaid jobs if we didn’t at least mention it!

Week 1
Thu. Sep. 09
Matchup Time (ET)
Vikings at Saints 8:30 PM
Sun. Sep. 12
Matchup Time (ET)
Dolphins at Bills 1:00 PM
Colts at Texans 1:00 PM
Lions at Bears 1:00 PM
Falcons at Steelers 1:00 PM
Browns at Buccaneers 1:00 PM
Bengals at Patriots 1:00 PM
Broncos at Jaguars 1:00 PM
Raiders at Titans 1:00 PM
Panthers at Giants 1:00 PM
49ers at Seahawks 4:15 PM
Cardinals at Rams 4:15 PM
Packers at Eagles 4:15 PM
Cowboys at Redskins 8:20 PM
Mon. Sep. 13
Matchup Time (ET)
Ravens at Jets 7:00 PM
Chargers at Chiefs 10:15 PM

Week 2
Sun. Sep. 19
Matchup Time (ET)
Ravens at Bengals 1:00 PM
Buccaneers at Panthers 1:00 PM
Bills at Packers 1:00 PM
Dolphins at Vikings 1:00 PM
Bears at Cowboys 1:00 PM
Eagles at Lions 1:00 PM
Cardinals at Falcons 1:00 PM
Chiefs at Browns 1:00 PM
Steelers at Titans 1:00 PM
Seahawks at Broncos 4:05 PM
Rams at Raiders 4:05 PM
Patriots at Jets 4:15 PM
Texans at Redskins 4:15 PM
Jaguars at Chargers 4:15 PM
Giants at Colts 8:20 PM
Mon. Sep. 20
Matchup Time (ET)
Saints at 49ers 8:30 PM

Week 3
Sun. Sep. 26
Matchup Time (ET)
Bills at Patriots 1:00 PM
Falcons at Saints 1:00 PM
Lions at Vikings 1:00 PM
Browns at Ravens 1:00 PM
Cowboys at Texans 1:00 PM
49ers at Chiefs 1:00 PM
Titans at Giants 1:00 PM
Steelers at Buccaneers 1:00 PM
Bengals at Panthers 1:00 PM
Eagles at Jaguars 4:05 PM
Redskins at Rams 4:05 PM
Raiders at Cardinals 4:15 PM
Chargers at Seahawks 4:15 PM
Colts at Broncos 4:15 PM
Jets at Dolphins 8:20 PM
Mon. Sep. 27
Matchup Time (ET)
Packers at Bears 8:30 PM
Byes: DAL, KC, MIN, TB

Week 4
Sun. Oct. 03
Matchup Time (ET)
Jets at Bills 1:00 PM
Seahawks at Rams 1:00 PM
Panthers at Saints 1:00 PM
Lions at Packers 1:00 PM
Bengals at Browns 1:00 PM
Ravens at Steelers 1:00 PM
Broncos at Titans 1:00 PM
49ers at Falcons 1:00 PM
Colts at Jaguars 4:05 PM
Texans at Raiders 4:05 PM
Redskins at Eagles 4:15 PM
Cardinals at Chargers 4:15 PM
Bears at Giants 8:20 PM
Mon. Oct. 04
Matchup Time (ET)
Patriots at Dolphins 8:30 PM
Byes: MIA, NE, PIT, SEA

Week 5
Sun. Oct. 10
Matchup Time (ET)
Buccaneers at Bengals 1:00 PM
Falcons at Browns 1:00 PM
Giants at Texans 1:00 PM
Chiefs at Colts 1:00 PM
Packers at Redskins 1:00 PM
Jaguars at Bills 1:00 PM
Broncos at Ravens 1:00 PM
Bears at Panthers 1:00 PM
Rams at Lions 1:00 PM
Saints at Cardinals 4:05 PM
Chargers at Raiders 4:15 PM
Titans at Cowboys 4:15 PM
Eagles at 49ers 8:20 PM
Mon. Oct. 11
Matchup Time (ET)
Vikings at Jets 8:30 PM
Byes: ARI, BUF, CAR, CIN

Week 6
Sun. Oct. 17
Matchup Time (ET)
Browns at Steelers 1:00 PM
Saints at Buccaneers 1:00 PM
Dolphins at Packers 1:00 PM
Chargers at Rams 1:00 PM
Ravens at Patriots 1:00 PM
Chiefs at Texans 1:00 PM
Lions at Giants 1:00 PM
Falcons at Eagles 1:00 PM
Seahawks at Bears 1:00 PM
Raiders at 49ers 4:05 PM
Jets at Broncos 4:05 PM
Cowboys at Vikings 4:15 PM
Colts at Redskins 8:20 PM
Mon. Oct. 18
Matchup Time (ET)
Titans at Jaguars 8:30 PM
Byes: DET, HOU, IND, NYJ

Week 7
Sun. Oct. 24
Matchup Time (ET)
Eagles at Titans 1:00 PM
Bengals at Falcons 1:00 PM
Browns at Saints 1:00 PM
Steelers at Dolphins 1:00 PM
Rams at Buccaneers 1:00 PM
49ers at Panthers 1:00 PM
Redskins at Bears 1:00 PM
Jaguars at Chiefs 1:00 PM
Bills at Ravens 1:00 PM
Cardinals at Seahawks 4:05 PM
Raiders at Broncos 4:15 PM
Patriots at Chargers 4:15 PM
Vikings at Packers 8:20 PM
Mon. Oct. 25
Matchup Time (ET)
Giants at Cowboys 8:30 PM
Byes: ATL, BAL, CHI, CLE, NYG, PHI

Week 8
Sun. Oct. 31
Matchup Time (ET)
Packers at Jets 1:00 PM
Broncos at 49ers 1:00 PM
Jaguars at Cowboys 1:00 PM
Dolphins at Bengals 1:00 PM
Panthers at Rams 1:00 PM
Redskins at Lions 1:00 PM
Bills at Chiefs 1:00 PM
Titans at Chargers 4:05 PM
Vikings at Patriots 4:15 PM
Seahawks at Raiders 4:15 PM
Buccaneers at Cardinals 4:15 PM
Steelers at Saints 8:20 PM
Mon. Nov. 01
Matchup Time (ET)
Texans at Colts 8:30 PM
Byes: DEN, JAC, SF, STL, TEN, WAS

Week 9
Sun. Nov. 07
Matchup Time (ET)
Buccaneers at Falcons 1:00 PM
Saints at Panthers 1:00 PM
Bears at Bills 1:00 PM
Jets at Lions 1:00 PM
Dolphins at Ravens 1:00 PM
Patriots at Browns 1:00 PM
Chargers at Texans 1:00 PM
Cardinals at Vikings 1:00 PM
Giants at Seahawks 4:05 PM
Chiefs at Raiders 4:15 PM
Colts at Eagles 4:15 PM
Cowboys at Packers 8:20 PM
Mon. Nov. 08
Matchup Time (ET)
Steelers at Bengals 8:30 PM
Byes: GB, NO, OAK, SD

Week 10
Thu. Nov. 11
Matchup Time (ET)
Ravens at Falcons 8:20 PM
Sun. Nov. 14
Matchup Time (ET)
Texans at Jaguars 1:00 PM
Vikings at Bears 1:00 PM
Panthers at Buccaneers 1:00 PM
Lions at Bills 1:00 PM
Jets at Browns 1:00 PM
Titans at Dolphins 1:00 PM
Bengals at Colts 1:00 PM
Chiefs at Broncos 4:05 PM
Cowboys at Giants 4:15 PM
Seahawks at Cardinals 4:15 PM
Rams at 49ers 4:15 PM
Patriots at Steelers 8:20 PM
Mon. Nov. 15
Matchup Time (ET)
Eagles at Redskins 8:30 PM

Week 11
Thu. Nov. 18
Matchup Time (ET)
Bears at Dolphins 8:20 PM
Sun. Nov. 21
Matchup Time (ET)
Packers at Vikings 1:00 PM
Redskins at Titans 1:00 PM
Cardinals at Chiefs 1:00 PM
Ravens at Panthers 1:00 PM
Bills at Bengals 1:00 PM
Lions at Cowboys 1:00 PM
Texans at Jets 1:00 PM
Raiders at Steelers 1:00 PM
Browns at Jaguars 1:00 PM
Seahawks at Saints 4:05 PM
Falcons at Rams 4:05 PM
Buccaneers at 49ers 4:05 PM
Colts at Patriots 4:15 PM
Giants at Eagles 8:20 PM
Mon. Nov. 22
Matchup Time (ET)
Broncos at Chargers 8:30 PM

Week 12
Thu. Nov. 25
Matchup Time (ET)
Patriots at Lions 12:30 PM
Saints at Cowboys 4:15 PM
Bengals at Jets 8:20 PM
Sun. Nov. 28
Matchup Time (ET)
Titans at Texans 1:00 PM
Buccaneers at Ravens 1:00 PM
Jaguars at Giants 1:00 PM
Panthers at Browns 1:00 PM
Steelers at Bills 1:00 PM
Eagles at Bears 1:00 PM
Vikings at Redskins 1:00 PM
Packers at Falcons 1:00 PM
Chiefs at Seahawks 4:05 PM
Dolphins at Raiders 4:05 PM
Rams at Broncos 4:15 PM
Chargers at Colts 8:20 PM
Mon. Nov. 29
Matchup Time (ET)
49ers at Cardinals 8:30 PM

Week 13
Thu. Dec. 02
Matchup Time (ET)
Texans at Eagles 8:20 PM
Sun. Dec. 05
Matchup Time (ET)
Jaguars at Titans 1:00 PM
Broncos at Chiefs 1:00 PM
Redskins at Giants 1:00 PM
Bears at Lions 1:00 PM
Falcons at Buccaneers 1:00 PM
Saints at Bengals 1:00 PM
Bills at Vikings 1:00 PM
Browns at Dolphins 1:00 PM
49ers at Packers 1:00 PM
Raiders at Chargers 4:05 PM
Rams at Cardinals 4:15 PM
Cowboys at Colts 4:15 PM
Panthers at Seahawks 4:15 PM
Steelers at Ravens 8:20 PM
Mon. Dec. 06
Matchup Time (ET)
Jets at Patriots 8:30 PM

Week 14
Thu. Dec. 09
Matchup Time (ET)
Colts at Titans 8:20 PM
Sun. Dec. 12
Matchup Time (ET)
Bengals at Steelers 1:00 PM
Falcons at Panthers 1:00 PM
Packers at Lions 1:00 PM
Patriots at Bears 1:00 PM
Browns at Bills 1:00 PM
Giants at Vikings 1:00 PM
Raiders at Jaguars 1:00 PM
Buccaneers at Redskins 1:00 PM
Seahawks at 49ers 4:05 PM
Rams at Saints 4:05 PM
Dolphins at Jets 4:15 PM
Chiefs at Chargers 4:15 PM
Broncos at Cardinals 4:15 PM
Eagles at Cowboys 8:20 PM
Mon. Dec. 13
Matchup Time (ET)
Ravens at Texans 8:30 PM

Week 15
Thu. Dec. 16
Matchup Time (ET)
49ers at Chargers 8:20 PM
Sun. Dec. 19
Matchup Time (ET)
Bills at Dolphins 1:00 PM
Eagles at Giants 1:00 PM
Redskins at Cowboys 1:00 PM
Browns at Bengals 1:00 PM
Jaguars at Colts 1:00 PM
Texans at Titans 1:00 PM
Saints at Ravens 1:00 PM
Chiefs at Rams 1:00 PM
Cardinals at Panthers 1:00 PM
Lions at Buccaneers 1:00 PM
Falcons at Seahawks 4:05 PM
Broncos at Raiders 4:15 PM
Jets at Steelers 4:15 PM
Packers at Patriots 8:20 PM
Mon. Dec. 20
Matchup Time (ET)
Bears at Vikings 8:30 PM

Week 16
Thu. Dec. 23
Matchup Time (ET)
Panthers at Steelers 8:20 PM
Sat. Dec. 25
Matchup Time (ET)
Cowboys at Cardinals 7:30 PM
Sun. Dec. 26
Matchup Time (ET)
Patriots at Bills 1:00 PM
49ers at Rams 1:00 PM
Ravens at Browns 1:00 PM
Lions at Dolphins 1:00 PM
Jets at Bears 1:00 PM
Redskins at Jaguars 1:00 PM
Titans at Chiefs 1:00 PM
Seahawks at Buccaneers 1:00 PM
Vikings at Eagles 1:00 PM
Texans at Broncos 4:05 PM
Colts at Raiders 4:05 PM
Giants at Packers 4:15 PM
Chargers at Bengals 8:20 PM
Mon. Dec. 27
Matchup Time (ET)
Saints at Falcons 8:30 PM

Week 17
Sun. Jan. 02
Matchup Time (ET)
Dolphins at Patriots 1:00 PM
Buccaneers at Saints 1:00 PM
Panthers at Falcons 1:00 PM
Cowboys at Eagles 1:00 PM
Raiders at Chiefs 1:00 PM
Titans at Colts 1:00 PM
Jaguars at Texans 1:00 PM
Bengals at Ravens 1:00 PM
Bears at Packers 1:00 PM
Vikings at Lions 1:00 PM
Giants at Redskins 1:00 PM
Steelers at Browns 1:00 PM
Bills at Jets 1:00 PM
Chargers at Broncos 4:15 PM
Rams at Seahawks 4:15 PM
Cardinals at 49ers 4:15 PM

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NFL 2009 WEEK 16 QUICK PICKS

Dec 24

Posted by Nick Thomas, NFC North resident in Pro Football Picks | Comments off

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Sorry for the lame effort this week on the picks segment, but you know how it goes. I got a plane to catch and life and limb to risk to get home in a few hours, which is good and bad at the same time. Good because seeing people that I love is a wonderful thing, but spending Christmas Eve at the Minneapolis airport is not cool, in any way, whatsoever.

 

minnapolis airport bathroom
We all remember what happened here, and if not, ask the esteemed junior Senator from Idaho.

 

I hate just giving scores this week because I have so much rambling I could do about so many games, but it is what it is. Week 16:

 

MARQUEE

 

SAN DIEGO at TENNESSEE: Titans 28, Chargers 24
JACKSONVILLE at NEW ENGLAND: Patriots 26, Jags 23.
BALTIMORE at PITTSBURGH: Ravens 23, Steelers 13.
DENVER at PHILLY: Eagles 27, Broncos 14.
MINNESOTA at CHICAGO: Screw it, Bears 17, Vikings 14.

 

UPSET SPECIAL

 

NY JETS at INDY: Jets 20, Colts 19.

 

MIDDLING TO SH*TTY

 

CAROLINA at NY GIANTS: Giants 27, Panthers 24.
HOUSTON at MIAMI: Texans 30, Dolphins 25.
BUFFALO at ATLANTA: Bills 30, Falcons 28.
DETROIT at SAN FRAN:  49ers 27, Lions 17.

 

MISMATCHES

 

I’ll take the italics to win by the score of 50-0:

 

SEATTLE at GREEN BAY
TAMPA BAY at NEW ORLEANS
K.C. at CINCINNATTI
DALLAS at WASHINGTON
ST. LOUIS at ARIZONA

 

WHY?  AND ON CHRISTMAS WEEKEND, TOO?

 

OAKLAND at CLEVELAND: Raiders 34, Browns 3.

 

I wish you all a very, very safe and Happy Holiday season.

 

contact email: nick.thomas@flyingpigskin.com

 

 

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Week 15 Wrap: Favre-ageddon is upon us, WWDD

Dec 21

Posted by Nick Thomas, NFC North resident in Armchair QB | Comments off

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I must toot my own horn again. I predicted back in August that this could end up being a problem. When Brett Favre strode into Winter Park atop his alabaster steed of salvation, I thought that benching him would create a huge issue for the Vikings coaching staff.

 

brett favre. online photo, no source available

 

In a chuckle-inducing display of insubordination, The Gunslinger kicked in the saloon doors and let everyone know that the guy with the glasses and beard wasn’t in charge. At least not while he was around and had a one point lead in the 3rd quarter of a winnable late-season conference game.

 

All Favre did was yank his arm away from Childress when the coach reached out to grab it, but he may as well have grabbed his crotch and flipped him off. There’s lots of psycho-analytical angles that many people have already taken on this issue, so I will attempt a different tact: What Would Ditka Do?

 

The correct answer is that benching Favre for fear of his safety would have never been an issue had Mike Ditka been coaching last night. In a hypothetical confrontation, Ditka’s widows’ peak alone would have Childress pissing himself and begging his forgiveness. But in a different hypothetical, one in which Favre were to nationally televise his own lack of respect for that Widows’ Peak, what would Da Coach do?

 

Da Coach. online photo, no source available

 

The correct answer is that yeah, Ditka would scream and yell, but Favre would have stayed in the game anyway. Jim McMahon wasn’t half the QB Favre is, and he got away with all kinds of sh*t with Ditka. McMahon would throw three picks and Ditka would lay into him as he walked off the field, and McMahon would snicker, make fun of him behind his back, or maybe just clear his sinuses and hock a big loogie on the ground right at Ditka’s feet.

 

There are reports that Favre has already mutinized his coach twice before, so this episode isn’t a surprise to anyone in the locker room. Which is great for Favre, who has taken to calling his own plays, and it’s bad for the team, who is stuck with a pussy coach who has lost all authority with any players now on the roster once Favre leaves.

 

Many Vikings fans and haters are both saying “I told you so” right now when it comes Childress’ contract extension. Even the testicle-bathing Twin Cities sports media is quick to let Chilly have it for allowing Favre to hump him so brazenly and on television. Don’t underestimate how big a story this is here in the Twin Cities. Favre is taking full advantage, media whore that he is. Not only did he usurp power visibly during the game, but he strode to the podium and declared himself the victor in that argument.

 

Much is being said here about whether Favre understands how detrimental his behavior will be once he leaves the team. The response to that is that Favre doesn’t give a f*ck. It is naive to think that Favre cares about anything else other than beating the Packers and winning a Super Bowl, and in that order. He doesn’t care about the coach, the fans, the team, or anyone else. He’s Favre. He cares about Favre.

 

BEARS HOMER SECTION

 

This isn’t really worth it, but I will say that next week’s game against Minnesota on Monday night just got more interesting, but only till the point in the game in which the contest will likely be over, which will be right after kickoff.

 

I know the motivation of a division rival on national TV can drive a team to play better than normal, and the Bears will play better than they did yesterday. But they still don’t stand a chance. The Bears haven’t beaten a team this season that didn’t suck. The Pittsburgh game doesn’t count, that was their fluke win that gave them a shred of early credibility.

 

And while the Vikings are a lot of things with a lot of weaknesses, they most certainly do not suck. And there’s no way that the Purple lose this one after the loss at Carolina. It was exactly what Minnesota needed to do to ensure victory and to sweep the division on Monday night.

 

OH YEAH, THE SAINTS LOST TO THE COWBOYS THIS WEEK

 

The only thing I can offer up about this game is maybe to point out how terrible New Orleans’ final two-minute drive looked. Everything was to the middle of the field, the attempts that failed didn’t make sense, and the Saints played with no urgency. It was kind of disappointing as a fan who hasn’t seen every Saints game this year and was expecting some surgical, skilled hurry-up offense out of New Orleans.

 

Instead it was a lethargic effort to just get the game overwith, and even then they weren’t completely out of range. Drew Brees had a crappy game, and I guess that just happens. It really doesn’t do anything except deflate the notion that the Saints were unbeatable at home. Now they’re not unbeatable, but it isn’t like going into the Superdome is easy because the Cowboys did it.

 

I talk as much sh*t as anyone about the Cowboys, and any Cowboys fan who may have been to this site likely is long gone, never to return. But I would be doing a disservice if I didn’t say something about how good the Cowboys looked, particularly the pass rush, with DeMarcus Ware coming back from a scary neck injury. But no one in a Dallas uniform ever looked intimidated by anything New Orleans was doing, on either side of the ball. That was a cocky win in an nearly impossible atmosphere.

 

NON-DENOMINATIONAL HOLIDAY WELL-WISHES

 

To anyone who may read this and not be checking back in before Xmas is mercifully at hand, Flyingpigskin.com wants to thank you for your clicks and response this season, and also wish you a very safe and cheerful winter-holiday season. When the family is making your blood-pressure rise and you need a break from that tiny, sweltering living room that you’re crammed into on Christmas Eve, come see us on your iphone-dealie and I will have something up that will give you a laugh when you need one. It may not even be football related. It may be offensive. But it will be funny. Seasons’ best to you and yours.

 

christmas. online photo, no source available

 

contact email: nick.thomas@flyingpigskin.com

 

 

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NFL 2009 WEEK 15 NFL PICKS – YTD: 147-70 (68%)

Dec 18

Posted by Nick Thomas, NFC North resident in Pro Football Picks | Comments off

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A busy pre-holiday week caused me to miss picking Thursday’s game, and to miss all but the last three minutes of the actual contest.  It was a classic, and the Jacksonville Jags need to be recognized for the game they played.  At 7-6, they took on the 4th-ranked Colts defense and came away with the following stats:

 

25 FIRST DOWNS
10-16/3RD DOWN
4-4/RED ZONE
139 RUSH YARDS
ONLY 22 PENALTY YARDS
1 TURNOVER
31 PTS (only the Pats have put up more on Indy, 34 in the 4th-&-2 Game)

 

David Garrard tossed 3 scores with one pick.  The Jags threw everything they had at the Colts and it wasn’t enough.  And it wouldn’t have mattered if the game would have been 120 minutes long, the Colts would have just kept scoring.  I don’t know what team I can pick over Indianapolis or New Orleans, so there’s my Super Bowl prediction.

 

Goin’ out on a reeaal limb there.

 

MARQUEE

 

DALLAS at NEW ORLEANS: A very watchable game for the casual NFL fan, featuring tabloid star power on one side, and actual NFL star power on the other.  There’s no way that Dallas has the cojones to knock off the Saints at home, so I may as well not waste our time here.  New Orleans 27, Dallas 20.

 

CINCINNATI at SAN DIEGO: I want to say that this is pretty much the same game as above, unfortunately.  The Bengals organization is in shock over the death of Chris Henry under bizarre circumstances, and the Chargers will be playing at home on an 8-game win streak.  The Chargers won’t be taking it easy on Cincy, and the Bengals will likely be grateful for that, because it will allow them 3 hours of escape from this past week.

 

Chris Henry. online photo, no source available.
Late Bengals WR Chris Henry

 

I want to pick the Bengals because I like them, and even though Henry was a troubled individual, he was their troubled individual, and his nature doesn’t make his death any easier for his teammates.  Can’t speak for his family.

 

But San Diego simply is playing at a very high level right now.  I hope this is a quality product, and I gotta take the Chargers.  SD 34, Cincy 27.

 

SAN FRAN at PHILLY: I like this game, and maybe that is wishful thinking.  But I like how the 49ers get turnovers in big bunches.  I’m still picking the Eagles but this will be a good one, I promise.  Philadelphia 25, SF 21.

 

CHICAGO at BALTIMORE:  I know what you’re thinking, but there’s something really compelling about this game too.  It will go one of two ways: either the Bears’ offense completely melts down and Jay Cutler has to be removed from the game; or the Chicago offense will put together it’s best performance of the year, because the Ravens defense is still good enough to sharpen their focus all week.

 

Ray Lewis. Online photo, no source available.
I nominate Ray Lewis as Bad MF of the decade.

 

I’m guessing that the first scenario is more likely, but it is during this time of the season when a team has been eliminated from contention and the pressure is off – which could mean solid execution by Chicago in all three phases. Baltimore however, is still actually playing for something, which means a lot more.  Ravens 27, Bears 23.

 

MINNESOTA at CAROLINA: This is a trap game for Minnesota if there ever was one.  They had an emotional, convincing victory at home over a good team last week, and now they travel to a natural surface, possible inclement weather at night, against a team perceived to be far inferior.  I would consider this a trap game for any team in the same situation, but given Minnesota’s traditional propensity to drop late-season games, I can’t help but pick the upset.

 

vikings. online photo, no source available.
I live in the Twin Cities. I’m tired of the Vikings. So here is some alternative visuals.

 

I know that the Vikings are likely to win this game.  If I was putting money on it, I’d say Minnesota wins, and even covers the 9-pt. spread.  But I don’t bet, so I’ll take the Panthers in the Upset Special: Carolina 24, Vikes 21.

 

EH, TAKE IT OR LEAVE IT

 

MIAMI at TENNESSEE: I think this game has a few good highlights in it, but probably also a lot of runs straight up the gut for gains of 3 or less yards.  If you’ve got this game on in your market or if you get all the games, keep checking on this one to see what it’s boiling down to in the 4th.  With all the running, it will probably be a pretty short game.  Titans 26, Dolphins 23.

 

GREEN BAY at PITTSBURGH: The Steelers lost to Cleveland at home, so how can I pick them over a team that I think is one of the best in the league right now?  It’s true that the Packers didn’t leave me that impressed in their win over Chicago last week, but Pittsburgh’s O-Line is so bad that I can’t imagine much going the way of the Steeler offense.  Packers 30, Steelers 14.

 

NEW ENGLAND at BUFFALO: I think that the Patriots have the potential to whip ass in this game, but I don’t think you should care.  Patriots 35, Bills 13.

 

ATLANTA at NY JETS: Both these teams hover precariously around .500, and are still capable of both getting stomped and administering stompings on any weekend.  The Jets, they’re at home: 17-10.

 

NY GIANTS at WASHINGTON:  The ‘Sk*ns are way cooked, and even though the Giants are still barely alive in the playoff hunt, they don’t deserve to be.  I just don’t think they’ve earned it.  And as proof, I’m taking the D.C. Football Franchise to win:  Racial Slurs 24, Giants 16.

 

MISMATCHES

 

I’ll take the favorites to win by the score of 34-9:

 

ARIZONA at DETROIT
HOUSTON at ST. LOUIS
OAKLAND at DENVER

 

FLUSH THIS POO

 

CLEVELAND at KANSAS CITY
TAMPA BAY at SEATTLE

 

I guess I’ll take the home teams, since I have to.  Gross.  HOME 13, AWAY 10 in both of these dreadful and monotonous affairs.

 

Email: nick.thomas@flyingpigskin.com

 

 

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NFL 2009 WEEK 14 PICKS – YTD: 135-66 (67%)

Dec 9

Posted by Nick Thomas, NFC North resident in Pro Football Picks | Comments off

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Snow = Whiskey.  Irish Whiskey.  That’s my intro this week. 

 

Jameson Irish Whiskey. online photo, no source available

 

I hate Minnesota, and not just the Vikings.  I hate the winter here more than the Vikings.  If the Vikings sucked this year, there would really be nothing to pay attention to this season.  At some point I should admit I was wrong about the Vikings, like when I proclaimed they had peaked in Week 5.  I was wrong about that.  Though now there are chinks starting to surface with this Purple team.  But first things first:

 

MARQUEE

 

DENVER at INDY: I know I have to pick the Colts, so I might as well cut to the chase and say it.  I could go really n-depth and try to find some reason that the Broncos will win, but ultimately it wouldn’t matter much, because although I think this will be a very good game, the Colts should pull it out in the end.  Colts 27, Broncos 21.

 

CINCY at MINNESOTA: Here’s what I see in this game: a sloppy but hard-fought affair with lots of flags, flared tempers, mistakes and injuries.  The Vikes’ lines are starting to show signs of wear and tear, and while the Bengals aren’t as imposing as they were earlier in the year, they’ve caught the Purple at a good time.  The Minnesota offensive line in particular is hurting, and the defense will play without Antoine Winfield for the 7th straight game.

 

Losing EJ Henderson to a broken femur was a huge blow to this team last week.  It’s the type of injury that takes momentum away from the whole team, as they’ve lost a leader for the rest of the season and are already shaky in the tackling department with ‘Toine still on the bench.

 

ej henderson. online photo, no source available
Both of these teams miss both of these guys right now.

 

Cedric Benson is licking his chops, and the Bengals aren’t afraid to just keep feeding him the ball.  In 3 of his last 4 games, he’s carried the ball 34 times or more.  He’s gone over 100 yards each time, and while its true that the Vikes run D is stout with the Williams Wall in place, Benson could fare well.

 

In the end, the Vikes will get a cheap win because of a bad penalty.  Favre will probably play like garbage but have a good enough last drive to win the game.  I’ll say Vikes 28, Bengals 25.

 

SAN DIEGO at DALLAS: The Battle of the D-Bag QB’s.  Rivers is better, even though Romo gets the press.  My loathing of both of these teams prevents me from putting too much thought into this pick.  I called it last week that the Cowboys would drop a critical game against a beatable opponent, so I really shouldn’t say that two weeks in a row.  Lucky for me, I don’t have to, because San Diego isn’t beatable right now.  They’ve won 8 straight, and Dallas just isn’t good enough to slow them down.

 

phil rivers. online photo, no source avaiiable
Phil Rivers haunts my dreams

 

How come the Chargers aren’t getting much love from the national press?  All tucked away down in SoCal, the Four Letters aren’t giving them too much love (although I wouldn’t know because I can’t stand “The Mothership”).  Or maybe it’s because everyone hates Phil Rivers.  Chargers 29, Dallas 17.

 

PHILLY at NY GIANTS: Picking this game like going to a strip club with Pac-Man Jones.  You have no idea what could happen.  Could be a good time.  Could be the worst night of the year.  The one constant to me seems to be that New York is incapable of beating a solid team who is playing at a high level.  No, two wins vs. Dallas doesn’t count, at least not to me.  Now the Eagles barely qualify as solid and high-level, but they are really good, at least when playing a decent team, at hiding the flaws they have.  I’ll take the Eagles, although they’ll probably let me down.  Philly 31, NYG 22.

 

MISMATCHES

 

New Orleans did their best last week to blow it, which is why they should really kick ass this week.  They lead off my list of blowouts, which I’ll take the italics to win by the score of 34-10:

 

SAINTS at FALCONS
CAROLINA at NEW ENGLAND
ST. LOUIS at TENNESSEE
ARIZONA at SAN FRAN
DETROIT at BALTIMORE
GREEN BAY at CHICAGO

 

DON’T EXPECT ME TO CARE

 

PITTSBURGH at CLEVELAND: Steelers by a TD, even though they lost to the Raiders last week.  Cleveland is despondent at this point, and just waiting to see who replaces Mangini at head coach at season’s end.  Pittsburgh 17, Browns 10.

 

NY JETS at TAMPA BAY: Really, I have better things to do at this point.  Even if that includes watching reruns of South Park while my dog passes gas in my direction from the other end of the couch.  I told you she shouldn’t be fed tofu.  Jets 17, Bucs 7.

 

MIAMI at JACKSONVILLE: No one outside of Florida cares about this game, not even a little.  I don’t care if Jacksonville has admirably clawed their way back into the playoff picture.  Their record will only point them toward a first-round draft pick that won’t really help them.  Jags 30, Dolphins 23.

 

SEATTLE at HOUSTON: Yep, Matt Schaub is a good QB.  Don’t care.  Texans by two dozen, 24-12.

 

WASHINGTON at OAKLAND: Oakland has proved to be a trap this year for teams who think they’re good enough to beat them without trying.  Philly, Pittsburgh, and Cincy have all lost to the Raiders.  Unfortunately for the Black Hole, Washington will play them straight up, because they have little reason to think that they’re capable of winning easy.  And I’m a little tired of people acting like Jason Campbell is such a garbage QB – he’s thrown for passer ratings in the 90’s or higher 7 times this year.  He’s at least capable.  Sk*ns 24, Raiders 20.

 

WEEK 14 TOILET BOWL – BUFFALO at K.C.: Wow, I can’t believe they’re even going to suit up for this one.  I don’t really see why they should.  Gotta sell some hot dogs and beer, I guess.  Chefs 22, Bills 17.

 

Email: nick.thomas@flyingpigskin.com

 

 

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