Category Archives: NFL

The Coach and The Doc Take… The Patriots

Posted on February 3, 2012 by Scott Taylor| Leave a comment

Tom Brady

TAMPA… HEADING NORTH — There are people in the Heartland who believe that if Eli Manning wins Sunday’s Super Bowl, he’ll pass brother Peyton in all levels of the game. With a win on Sunday, Eli will be the bigger winner. Eli will be the greater leader. Honest, Eli will be a better quarterback than Peyton.

Poppycock.

Here are the numbers: Peyton has been named MVP four times, Eli none. Peyton has been to the Pro Bowl 11 times in 12 seasons; Eli, twice in eight seasons. Peyton has been first-team All-Pro five times, Eli none. Peyton’s career passer’s rating is 94.9, Eli’s is 82.1. Need more? Didn’t think so.

Peyton has one Super Bowl ring; Eli has one Super Bowl ring. Trent Dilfer has one Super Bowl ring.

Peyton is a better quarterback than his brother. Easy.

However, this weekend, Eli could join his brother with a ticket to the Hall of Fame in Canton, Ohio, and that’s something nobody would expect with Eli’s numbers. If Eli ties Ben Roethlisberger and claims his second Super Bowl ring this Sunday aevening, Eli will punch his ticket to the Hall and that’s a surprise in itself.

Eli Manning

This season, Eli was fourth in passing yards in the NFL with 4,933, 13^th in passing percentage at 61.0, fifth in completions with 359, sixth in TD passes with 29 and seventh in interceptions with 16. He didn’t really have a great year, leading his team to a 9-7 record in the regular season, but he has been superb in the playoffs and that’s definitely when it counts the most.

Of course, on Sunday, Nov. 6, Manning threw for 250 yards and two touchdowns as the Giants beat New England 24-20. If Manning can do it again on Sunday, his legacy is set.

Sadly, The Coach and Dr. Football aren’t sure he can. In fact, our two experts — two experts who had terrific seasons picking winners this year — believe that Eli just might get his butt handed to him.

newaerial2 300x199 The Coach and The Doc Take... The Patriots

Lucas Oil Stadium, Indianapolis

SUPER BOWL XLVI

THE 2012 NFL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME FOR THE VINCE LOMBARDI TROPHY

SUNDAY AFTERNOON AT 5 P.M. CST

NFC Champion New York Giants (12-7) vs. AFC Champion New England Patriots (15-3)

Line: Patriots by 3.5

Super Bowl Sunday is widely regarded as the Thanksgiving Day of sporting events, and wings have become its turkey-like centerpiece. Americans will scoff down 1.25 billion chicken wings on Super Bowl Sunday alone, as well as 8 million slices of pizza, 46 million pounds of potato chips and 71 million pounds of guacamole, probably before Madonna hits the stage.

That’s a good afternoon.

There happens to be a football game as well. Here are a few predictions. New England’s Tom Brady will throw for a bunch of touchdowns. And after each one, NBC will remind us that he is married to a “super model”. Giants Eli Manning will also throw a bunch of touchdown passes, and after each one NBC will show his brother Peyton cheering him on from some millionaires suite. NBC will also remind us that Eli and Peyton are brothers as if we didn’t know.

Anyway, expect the Patriots to get their revenge and cover the 3 ½ point spread.

This season the Doc was 174-92 straight up and 149-117 against the spread. The Coach, who picked both the Giants and Patriots two weeks ago, 178-88 straight up and 146-120 against the spread.

DR FOOTBALL: PATRIOTS TO WIN AND COVER.

THE COACH: PATRIOTS TO WIN AND COVER.

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Tagged ben roethlisberger, best nfl picks, eli manning, final picks, New England Patriots, new york giants, nfl picks, peyton manning, super bowl XLVI, Tom Brady, top nfl picks

Why I’m Betting the Pats on Sunday

Posted on January 31, 2012 by Scott Taylor| 2 Comments

Tom Brady

I believe Tom Brady is a winner. It’s not a lot more complicated than that.

I’m not sure the New York Giants can cover Brady’s tight ends and I don’t think the New England Patriots’ defense is as “bad” as the experts at ESPN tend to think.

And that’s at the heart of why I’m placing my money at the sports book at the Mirage in Las Vegas on the Pats.

Super Bowl XLVI will be much more than just a football game. For one thing, next Sunday’s battle will be indoors and that means weather won’t have anything to do with the outcome. Not that it favored one team over the other anyway – both teams play outdoors in the Northeast – but it means that skills won’t be compromised or even eliminated by cold, rain, wind or snow.

This is also a revenge game and there isn’t any greater motivation than revenge. Both coaches and both quarterbacks competed against each other in Super Bowl XLII. However, there will be no Michael Strahan back this time to get Brady out of his rhythm. The Giants beat the Patriots 17-14 in 2008. The Patriots are still steaming over that one.

Justin Tuck

However, to be fair, the Giants defense is still formidable and it will be up to the Pats offensive line to try and find a way to shut down Osi Umenyiora, Justin Tuck and Jason Pierre-Paul.

“Look at ’07. That was pretty much the reason why we were in the game, because we kept him off-rhythm,” Tuck told a news conference in East Rutherford, N.J. on Saturday. “Obviously he is the main reason why they are successful.

“The way to kill the snake is to take off his head. The way to kill an offence as potent as that one is making sure you take care of Brady. Our defensive front will put a lot of pressure on itself to make sure that we do our best to get after him.”

It’s obvious to the Giants that this year’s Super Bowl is all about the Pats quarterback. He’s either going to win it or the Giants D-Line is going to win it and as good as the Giants have been the past two weeks, I still like Brady.

This time, however, the Patriots aren’t 18-0 heading into the Super Bowl. They’re 15-3 and they know what it’s like to lose. Although in Brady’s case, losing hasn’t come very often. His playoff record is 16-5 and he’s tied with Joe Montana for most career playoff wins.

Need more reasons?

Aaron Hernandez cropped 200x300 Why Im Betting the Pats on Sunday

Aaron Hernandez: Can the Giants cover the Pats tight ends?

Super Bowl XLVI will be the fifth time Brady and his head coach Bill Belichick have appeared together in the Super Bowl, They have already won three times.

This season, Brady was second overall to Drew Brees in passing yards with 5,235. He was second to Aaron Rodgers in yards per completion at 8.6 yards per catch. He was fourth in passing percentage behind Brees, Rodgers, and Tony Romo(?) at 65.6 per cent. He completed 401 passes in 611 attempts. He was third behind Brees and Matthew Stafford in number of completions.

Now there has been talk that Brady is nursing an injury. The training staff say it’s an injury to the non-passing shoulder, but the way he missed some of his targets in the AFC Championship game (and I will concede that he was lucky to win that one), I wouldn’t be surprised if he’d been hurt much worse than the club’s medical staff let on.

Still, he survived the championship game with a 23-20 victory and even he will admit that he has struggled in the last four or five Pats playoff games. However, he says he’ll be at his best in the biggest game of the year.

“You try to be at your very best in the biggest game,” Brady said in his final news conference before heading off to Indy. “My teammates really count on that. Certainly, I count on that. There’s a lot of preparation that goes into that.

“Playing with confidence and anticipation and understanding the game plan and going out and executing it when it matters the most. That’s what it’s going to take.”

When you set out to lay your money down at a Vegas book – or even on a Sport Select ticket in Canada – you try to take every fact and intangible into consideration. When I look at the Giants I see a team that wasn’t very good during the regular season but has peaked in the playoffs. I see a terrific quarterback (Eli Manning) with a Super Bowl championship on his resume, a pair of efficient runningbacks (Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs) and a big-play receiver (Victor Cruz) who can change a game. I also see a sensational defense that’s at the top of its game.

But I don’t see Tom Brady and to me, he will be the difference next Sunday.

lombardi trophy Why Im Betting the Pats on Sunday

The Prize

We’ve had a great year in 2011-12 and I figure this wager will just top it off. The Doc and The Coach will have their picks and, of course, all of their rationalizations here at RC Sports Blog on Thursday.

So here’s the deal: The NFC champion New York Giants will meet the AFC champion New England Patriots for the National Football League Championship and the Vince Lombardi Trophy at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis at 5 p.m. CST this coming Sunday.

When it starts and ends my money will be on the favorite (3 points) New England Patriots to win 35-27.

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Tagged indianapolis, mirage, New England Patriots, new york giants, pats tight ends, super bowl XLVI, vince lombardi trophy

We Both Like New England. After That…

Posted on January 19, 2012 by Scott Taylor| Leave a comment

The Brady

There will be four starting quarterbacks playing in this Sunday’s NFC and AFC championship games. Three of them were first round draft picks. Which one wasn’t?

If I didn’t know, my first guess would be Alex Smith. After all, as he toiled under a handful of second-rate offensive coordinators and off-and-on head coaches, Smith spent six seasons bouncing from the bench to the action and back to the bench. But the reality is this: Smith was the first overall pick in 2005 NFL draft out of the University of Utah.

So then, my second guess would be Joe Flacco. He doesn’t put up big numbers and he’s kind of inconsistent, playing on a team with a monster defense that scares the crap out of most opponents. But no. He was the first round pick of the Ravens (18th overall) out of the University of Delaware in 2008.

Uh, oh. I know it wasn’t Eli Manning. He was the No. 1 overall pick by the Giants out of Mississippi in 2004. Knew that.

It’s amazing, isn’t it? After all of his championships (three Super Bowl titles), his huge numbers, his long list of record-setting performances and all his awards (two-time Super Bowl MVP), not to mention he was actor Bridget Moynihan’s baby-daddy and he’s married to super model Giselle Bundchen, Tom Brady was a sixth-round pick, (199th overall) by the Patriots in 2000 and didn’t even get a chance to play until Drew Bledsoe got hurt.

Amazingly, he is still the best all-around quarterback in football today and he will lead the Patriots into another Super Bowl this Sunday when New England demolishes Baltimore.

However, neither The Doc nor I can agree on what’s going to happen when two No. 1 overall picks meet in San Francisco. Will it be the Manning and the Giants or Smith and the Niners? For that answer, you’ll have to read on.

Last week the Doc was 2-2 (173-91) straight up and 1-3 (148-116) against the spread. The Coach was 2-2-(176-88) straight up and 2-2 (144-120) against the spread.

The Doc will write this week’s justifications and The Coach will do what he does best: Make snot-ass remarks.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON

978416 gonk 10252011 300x261 We Both Like New England. After That...

Rob Gronkowski

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP

Baltimore Ravens (13-4) at New England Patriots (14-3)
Line: Patriots by 7

This game is tougher to pick than the Vegas spread makes it out to be. On Wild Card Weekend in 2010, the Ravens went into New England and whooped them 33-14 with Ray Rice rushing for 159 yards and 2 TDs so the Ravens have a little history on their side…but that’s about all that’s on their side. Sure the Ravens bring a defense that features some heavy hitters like Terrell Suggs, Haloti Ngata and Ray Lewis and a ball hawk like Ed Reed. They’re not going to give up 40 points like the Broncos did, but they will struggle containing Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez and Tom Brady’s also coming off a record setting performance and he is on a roll and I expect him to have another big game. The Patriots are heading to Indy. (Coach sez: As good as the Baltimore defensive secondary is, and it is good, they will not have an answer for Brady and his two tight ends).

DR FOOTBALL: PATRIOTS TO WIN AND COVER.

THE COACH: PATRIOTS TO WIN AND COVER.

Eli Manning

NFC CHAMPIONSHIP

New York Giants (11-7) at San Francisco 49ers (14-3)
Line: 49ers by 2.5

I like the 49ers. Their defense is solid and their offense showed it can score. putting up 36 points in an exciting win over the Saints. But there’s something going on with the Giants. They made Green Bay pay for every mistake it made and they made every big play in the game in a huge win at Lambeau. QB Eli Manning was calculating and used all his weapons effectively in a game where very few people gave them a chance. The last time these two teams met, back on Nov. 13, the 49ers won 27-20, mostly without the services of their best player, Frank Gore. While the Giants’ defense has been good lately, their run defense is below average (19th in the NFL). One has to think that with a healthy Gore, the 49ers will head to Indy as well. (Coach sez: The Giants beat Green Bay on the road. That defense will roast the Niners).

DR FOOTBALL: 49ers TO WIN AND COVER.

THE COACH: GIANTS TO WIN.

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Tagged afc championship, alex smith, best nfl picks, eli manning, frank gore, joe flacco, nfc championship, nfl championship picks, nfl picks, rob gronkowski, Tom Brady, winning nfl picks

How Far Can the Tebow Dream Soar?

Posted on January 12, 2012 by Scott Taylor| Leave a comment

Tim Tebow: Is it Magic or Faith?

He pulled off the miracle last Sunday at home. Can the Chosen One do it again?

Tim Tebow’s brilliant pass to Demaryius Thomas (a Gator to a Golden Knight) for an 80-yard touchdown on the first play of overtime gave the 8-8 Denver Broncos and almost unthinkable 29-23 win over the 10-6 Pittsburgh Steelers in the final game of Wild Card Weekend. With the victory, the Broncos stunned the football world and yet their reward is another impossible task: the New England Patriots, a team that beat them 41-23 in Denver on Dec. 18.

Now were this game in Denver, I might be inclined to continue to believe in the magic and the hype, but it’s not in Denver and it involves an opposing quarterback who is not only perfectly healthy (last week the Steelers’ Ben Roethlisberger couldn’t walk, let alone run) but has won big games before — Tom Brady. We’ll find out this weekend if Tebow just magical or if this is the result of pure, unadulterated faith.

This week, Tebow will face one of the worst defenses ever to be part of a 13-3 team and yet he’s still going to have to put up a huge number of points because we all know Brady will. This could mean the end of the Denver Dream, but if it doesn’t, then the sky is definitely the limit.

This week it’s Division Playoff Weekend and even though Vegas has handed us four prohibitive favorites, there is always a chance something wild, wonderful and wacky could happen. Unlikely, sure, but there is always a chance. After all, the Broncos won last week.

And last week the Doc was 3-1 (171-89) straight up and 2-2 (147-113) against the spread. Coach was 2-2 straight up (174-86) and 2-2 (142-118) against the spread.

This week, The Doc is on holidays, so the responsibility for our weekly NFL picks falls at the feet of The Coach alone. And make no mistake, The Coach has picked up the mantle. Of course, if The Doc gets off the beach (or out of the bar) to send in his picks, we’ll add them later. (Note: The Doc left the bar. His picks are included).

SATURDAY AFTERNOON

Drew Brees

New Orleans Saints (14-3) at San Francisco 49ers (13-3)
Line: Saints by 3.5

At his news conference this week, New Orleans coach Sean Payton said this about the 49ers: “They’ve been very consistent all year. The formula has been outstanding defense. They’re the No. 1 team in taking the football away and they’re the No. 1 team in protecting the football offensively. Those are significant numbers.” Indeed. Especially in the playoffs. However, the Saints simply ripped up NFL defenses. Drew Brees and the Saints set NFL records for total yards on offense (7,474) and yards passing (5,347, including sacks). Brees also blew up Dan Marino’s 27-year-old record of 5,084 yards passing by throwing for 5,476. He had 468 completions, breaking Peyton Manning’s 2010 mark of 450, and completed 71.6 percent of his passes, breaking his own 2009 record of a 70.6 completion percentage. Meanwhile, little Darren Sproles set an NFL record with 2,696 combined yards, easily breaking the previous mark of 2,690 set by Derrick Mason with Tennessee in 2000. The Saints simply have too much offense.

DR. FOOTBALL: SAINTS TO WIN AND COVER

THE COACH: SAINTS TO WIN AND COVER

SATURDAY NIGHT

Tom Brady

Denver Broncos (9-8) at New England Patriots (13-3)
Line: Patriots by 13.5

Back in December, QB Tim Tebow played very well early in a game with New England and built a 16-7 first quarter lead. But the lead was short-lived and the Patriots won handily 41-23. That game was in Denver. This one is in Foxboro and it’s unlikely Brady and his powerful Patriots offense will start so slowly Still, that game against New England was probably Tebow’s best performance until last week’s game with Pittsburgh. Rev. Tim threw for 194 yards and ran for 93 more and scored two touchdowns. But it was clear by halftime that the Broncos simply weren’t good enough and despite the fact New England’s defense is banged up and porous, this Patriots team is still too much for Denver. Even with Tim Tebow at quarterback.

DR. FOOTBALL: PATRIOTS TO WIN BUT NOT COVER.

THE COACH: PATRIOTS TO WIN AND COVER

SUNDAY AFTERNOON

Joe Flacco

Houston Texans (11-6) at Baltimore Ravens (12-4)
Line: Ravens by 7.5

It’s hard not to like the Ravens in a romp, but the numbers give me pause. Baltimore was only 4-3-1 against the spread at home during the regular season. In the final four games of the season, Baltimore’s offense was not very good at all. They put up only 24 points at home against Indy, the worst team in the NFL, 14 on the road against San Diego, 20 against the Browns and 24 against Cincinnati. Not awful, but certainly not outstanding. Baltimore’s defense wasn’t great either (I know that because Baltimore was my fantasy D). Terrell Suggs and Co. gave up 34 to San Diego on Dec. 18. Not good. Right now, Houston’s defense might be better than Baltimore’s. In fact, Houston is playing quite well under the circumstances. T.J. Yates ain’t no Matt Schaub, but he was certainly good enough last weekend in the Wild Card playoff game against Cincinnati. Meanwhile, Houston’s D was ranked second in the NFL right behind Pittsburgh. If the Ravens were on the road, I’d have a different opinion of this one.

DR. FOOTBALL: RAVENS TO WIN AND COVER.

THE COACH: RAVENS TO WIN BUT NOT COVER.

aaron rodgers1 215x300 How Far Can the Tebow Dream Soar?

Aaron Rodgers: Maybe it IS faith.

New York Giants (10-7) at Green Bay Packers (15-1)
Line: Packers by 7.5.

The Giants were terrific on both sides of the football in last week’s 24-2 thrashing of the Atlanta Falcons, but that was on a balmy day in New Jersey. This week, the Jints have to play at Lambeau and it’s supposed to be very cold and very windy. Still, the Giants think a great deal of themselves. ESPN radio picked the Giants to win and All-Pro defensive end Jason Pierre-Paul guaranteed a victory: ”We are very confident,” Pierre-Paul said following the Atlanta game. “Last time [the Packers] came in here and they beat us, which they shouldn’t have, and we are just going to go out there and play some great football. It’s going to be cold and the atmosphere will be theirs, but we’re going to be ready to play.” Green Bay quarterback Aaron Rodgers is rested and ready and he’s demolished the Giants in their last two meetings, putting up 776 passing yards against them. The Packers also know that New York is going to run Ahmad Bradshaw and Brandon Jacobs at them all day long. Still, despite the Giants swagger — and their running game — it’s hard not to like Green Bay.

DR. FOOTBALL: PACKERS TO WIN BUT NOT COVER

THE COACH: PACKERS TO WIN AND COVER

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Tagged best nfl picks, money-making nfl picks, nfl picks, nfl playoff picks, sport select nfl picks, top nfl picks, winning nfl picks

It’s Wild Card Weekend and There is Always a Surprise… Well, Maybe.

Posted on January 6, 2012 by Scott Taylor| Leave a comment

Matt Stafford

It’s Post-Season Time in the NFL and around here, everyone is stoked. You got your Arian Foster and Ben Tate up against Chris Johnson, you have your Matt Stafford pitching against God’s Saints and you have Michael Turner rushing against a Giants defense that can be beaten on the ground.

This is a bigger holiday than Christmas.

Last weekend, the playoffs were set and Green Bay (with homefield advantage throughout in the NFC) and San Francisco have the first-round byes in the NFC while New England (with homefield in the AFC) and Baltimore have the first-round byes in the AFC. It’s time to fire the first salvo leading up to Indianapolis in early February.

And this is what the schedule will look like this coming Wild Card Weekend: It starts Saturday at 3:30 with Cincinnati at Houston in an AFC showdown and then at 7 p.m. it’s Detroit at New Orleans in an NFC match-up. On Sunday, it’s Atlanta at the New York Giants in the NFC game at Noon and then Pittsburgh, who will be playing without runningback Rashard Mendenhall, will be at Denver in the AFC game at 3:30.

There is plenty to say about all of this, but when you’re going to Vegas or buying Sport Select tickets here in Canada, who cares? You want to get to The Doc’s picks and start making some dough.

Last week the Doc was 12-4 (168-88) straight up and 10-6 (145-111) against the spread. Coach was 11-5 straight up (172-84) and 9-7 (140-116) against the spread.

As always, the Doc writes the reasons and The Coach just sits back and criticizes.

SATURDAY AFTERNOON

T.J. Yates

Cincinnati Bengals (9-7) at Houston Texans (10-6)
Line: Texans by 3

Houston could really use QB Matt Schaub right now, but the key to this game will be Texans running game and Arian Foster. He will make enough first downs on the ground to keep the Texans in control of the clock. The Bengals offense has been quite explosive at times this year, but Houston’s defense is in the top three at preventing third down conversions. The Bengals have been able to knock off some good teams this year, but this is the end of the line.

DR FOOTBALL: TEXANS TO WIN AND COVER.

THE COACH: TEXANS TO WIN AND COVER

SATURDAY NIGHT

Drew Brees

Detroit Lions (10-6) at New Orleans Saints (13-3)
Line: Saints by 10.5

The Saints look to be one of the best teams in the NFL right now. They won their final 8 games of the season, and they also finished the year unbeaten at home, one of only three teams to do so. Drew Brees had one of the best seasons for a quarterback ever, and he’ll be looking to continue his hot streak. Matt Stafford and company can put up their own big numbers, and they have the defensive front to pressure Brees. The Saints will win, but it will be close. (Coach sez: I love the Lions like a man loves his dog, but I just don’t think that defense is ready yet. Matt Flynn — yeah, Matt Flynn — tore it up last week. Imagine what Drew Brees will do.)

DR FOOTBALL: SAINTS TO WIN BUT NOT COVER.

THE COACH: SAINTS TO WIN AND COVER

SUNDAY AFTERNOON

Matt Ryan

Atlanta Falcons (10-6) at New York Giants (9-7)
Line: Giants by 3

Can the Falcons pull off a win outside of their dome? The Giants are absolutely ready for the playoffs, looking similar to the 2007 Giants team that won the Super Bowl.

The Giants won their final two games of the season to win the NFC East, and the Falcons clawed their way back into the playoffs after a slow start, and simply couldn’t overtake New Orleans in their own division. Peyton’s little brother is on a role, while Matt Ryan still has to prove himself in the playoffs. He won’t in this one. (Coach sez: Matty Ice will rip the Giants defensive secondary to shreds).

DR. FOOTBALL: GIANTS TO WIN AND COVER.

THE COACH: FALCONS TO WIN.

Ben Roethlisberger

Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4) at Denver Broncos (8-8)
Line: Steelers by 9.

It’s not often you see a road team favoured by more than a touchdown in the playoffs, but that’s what you get in this one thanks to the goofy NFL playoff system. The home team, the Broncos, have looked horrible in their last three games, and one has to wonder if Tim Tebow has any magic left? If Denver’s defense gets back to dominating like they were for that 6 game winning streak, then the Broncos have a shot. The Broncos defense should have no problem stopping the Steelers run game as Rashard Mendenhall is out. In addition, Big Ben is far from 100 percent as his ankle is not fully healed. But I’d take a one legged Roethlisberger over Mr. Tebow any day.

DR. FOOTBALL: STEELERS TO WIN BUT NOT COVER.

THE COACH: STEELERS TO WIN AND COVER

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Tagged best nfl picks, nfl picks, nfl playoff picks, outstanding nfl picks, wild card weekend, winning nfl picks

Another Day With the Circus

Posted on January 2, 2012 by Scott Taylor| Leave a comment

Chris Johnson Should Be in the NFL Playoffs

New Year’s Day was disappointing. There were no real upsets in the NFL wars. Sure, Kansas City going into Denver and beating the Broncos 7-3 was a bit of an upset, but considering all the holes in the Broncos offense, it wasn’t a big surprise.

In the end, the finish to the NFL season created the usual stupid playoff matchups. Explain to me the logic behind the ridiculous fact that 12-4 Pittsburgh has to go on the road to play at 8-8 Denver in the first round of the post-season this coming weekend. That’s bloody senseless. Sure, Denver won a Division, but there are BCS teams that could have won the AFC West. The only surprise in the AFC West is that San Diego coach Norv Turner wasn’t fired on Monday.

Of course, it was a surprise that Norv Turner wasn’t fired seven weeks ago.

ox281254232780969928 298x300 Another Day With the Circus

Tim Tebow Should Not Be in the NFL Playoffs

When 9-7 teams are eliminated (Tennessee) and 8-8 teams (Denver) get in, you have a problem with your playoff structure. It’s time the NFL went to at least eight teams in the post-season. Or else the league should have a cross-over team. Denver has no business being in the playoffs. And they have no business being in the playoffs even if they upset Pittsburgh this week. The Broncos, a sorry team, are in the playoffs only because the rest of their division is putrid and their presence is a post-season blight on the NFL’s good name.

OK, that rant is done. Now, to relax. At least, on the day after New Year’s, we were treated to some very good sporting events.

Loved the Wisconsin-Oregon Rose Bowl, won 45-38 by Oregon in what the critics are calling Nike’s victory over adidas.

It seems the teams themselves were perfectly matched. The difference in the game was the uniforms. adidas had developed special uniforms for Wisconsin while Nike had developed what it called, “the greatest technological advancement in uniform design in sports history.” (I love the fact that Nike doesn’t get all hyperbolic about itself).

In the end, Oregon won because they had cooler helmets. At least, that’s my guess.

I also enjoyed the Michigan State-Georgia Outback Bowl in Tampa. Considering the way the Buccaneers played in 2011, it was the best football game Tampa fans saw all year. Michigan State won 33-30 in triple overtime. Nice.

classic111 300x200 Another Day With the Circus

Rangers Score to Win the Winter Classic

The one thing that wasn’t so nice on Jan. 2 was the Winter Classic, the NHL’s outdoor game in Philly. The hockey was decent and it’s always fun to watch one outdoor NHL game a year, but the officiating made the NHL look like professional wrestling.

I had a Sport Select ticket with the Flyers on it, but by the end of the game, I was cheering for the Rangers. That’s because, by the end of the game, referees Ian Walsh and Dennis LaRue were doing everything they possibly could to get Philly the tying goal. Why didn’t one of them just throw the puck in the net and say Scottie Hartnell shot it?

Ryan Callahan’s holding the stick penalty was one of the most mind-boggling calls in hockey history while the penalty shot call on Ryan McDonagh was weak (Covering the puck in the crease? Well, maybe, at absolute worst). In the end, Henrik Lundqvist beat the officials by himself and I didn’t even mind tearing up my Pro Line ticket.

Then, to top off a very interesting day, word arrived on my Twitter that the Calgary Stampeders and Hamilton Tiger-Cats were about to swap quarterbacks.

henry burris9 300x235 Another Day With the Circus

Henry Burris Now No. 1 in Hamilton

You knew it was coming, didn’t you? You knew there was no way the Hamilton Tiger-Cats were going back into battle with Kevin Glenn as their No. 1 quarterback next season. And you also knew that Lyle Bauer, the president in Calgary, was NOT going to pay Henry Burris a bonus on Feb. 1, if he could help it. After all, he pulled the same trick with Kevin Glenn in 2009 when he released Glenn before he had to pay him a few thousand bones.

Anyway, we learned late in the day that there was a deal in place to send Glenn to Calgary as the backup to Drew Tate — along with offensive lineman Mark Dewit — while Burris would head to the Ticats to be the new No. 1 in Hamilton.

It was a huge trade, but absolutely no surprise.

It was quite a day. Throw in all the NFL firings and it was a lot more fun than NFL Sunday.

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Tagged adidas, Calgary Stampeders, Canadian Football League, CFL, chris johnson, denver broncos, Hamilton Tiger-Cats, henry burris, Kevin Glenn, new york rangers, NFL, NHL, Nike, philadelphia flyers, pittsburgh steelers, tennessee titans, tim tebow

The Final Week: Seven Teams Still Chasing Three Playoff Spots

Posted on December 29, 2011 by Scott Taylor| Leave a comment

We get to make big money one more time. It’s Week 17 in the NFL, the final week of the 2011 regular season and it could be the most exciting week of the season.

matt 199x300 The Final Week: Seven Teams Still Chasing Three Playoff Spots

Matt Stafford gets Lions Into Playoffs for first time this Century.

With one week to play, only nine of 12 teams have secured spots in the post-season.

Last weekend, Detroit and Atlanta clinched playoff spots – the Lions for the first time in this Century – and that means five teams in the NFC have punched their tickets to the post-season – Green Bay, which clinched homefield advantage throughout the playoffs, New Orleans, which clinched the NFC South last Monday night, and NFC West champion San Francisco (both 12-3 and battling for the No. 2 seed) and Wild Cards Detroit and Atlanta.

This week, the winner of the Dallas at New York Giants game will win the NFC East and clinch the final spot in the Conference.

In the AFC, Pittsburgh, Baltimore, Houston and New England have clinched playoff spots while five teams still have a shot at a post-season berth.

That means there is a chance for some tremendous games this week. Besides the Sunday Nighter between the Giants and Dallas in New York, the big games with playoff implications — all in the AFC — include the Jets at Miami, Kansas City at Denver, Baltimore at Cincinnati, Tennessee at Houston and San Diego at Oakland.

Last week the Doc went 14-2 (156-83) and was 13-3 (134-105) against the spread. The Coach went 12-4 (161-78) straight up and 8-8 (131-108) against the spread.

This week, The Doc writes our rationalizations while The Coach makes smart-ass remarks.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON

rex grossman 218x300 The Final Week: Seven Teams Still Chasing Three Playoff Spots

Rex Grossman Going Nowhere

Washington Redskins (5-10) at Philadelphia Eagles (7-8)  Line: Eagles by 8.5

A disappointing season for both teams comes to an end in this one. The Eagles will have another great game offensively as the Redskins defense doesn’t have the all-around talent to stop them. Expect Philly to utilize LeSean McCoy a ton, and this will spell an Eagles victory. (Coach sez: If you can figure out the Redskins, you’re a better man than I. It’s a box of chocolates football team that shows up one week and stays home the next. Of course, Rex Grossman is the quarterback. Who knows what he’s going to do? This team is coach Mike Shanahan’s Waterloo.)

DR FOOTBALL: EAGLES TO WIN BUT NOT COVER

THE COACH: EAGLES TO WIN AND COVER

San Francisco 49ers (12-3) at St. Louis Rams (2-13)  Line: 49ers by 10.5

With or without Sam Bradford, the Rams are doomed. Who would want to win and jeopardize the Number 1 draft pick?

DR FOOTBALL: 49ers TO WIN AND COVER

THE COACH: 49ers TO WIN AND COVER

Joe+Webb+Denver+Broncos+v+Minnesota+Vikings+KZ5HIsAXsRBl 207x300 The Final Week: Seven Teams Still Chasing Three Playoff Spots

Joe Webb: If he plays, the Vikings win.

Chicago Bears (7-8) at Minnesota Vikings (3-12) Line: Vikings by 1

What looked like an exciting New Year’s Day game in September is in reality, a dud. Both teams are finishing the season with this one, and both teams are missing their starting running backs. Chicago put in QB Josh McCown last week, and he played much better than Caleb Hanie ever has. Expect McCown to get the start this week, and his first win. (Coach sez: the Insane Clown Posse that runs the Vikings keeps saying Christian Ponder “could be ready to go this week.” That’s just nuts. Joe Webb has proven he’s the quarterback of now and the future and yet the bat-shit crazies who run this football team keep talking about Ponder. Loonie).

DR FOOTBALL: BEARS TO WIN

THE COACH: VIKINGS TO WIN AND COVER (if Webb plays).

Detroit Lions (10-5) at Green Bay Packers (14-1)  Line: Lions by 3.5

Both teams have locked up playoff spots, the Lions however, are playing for the number five seed, and depending on how post-season plays out, could give them home-field advantage at some point. The Packers have home field advantage throughout the playoffs regardless and since they aren’t playing for a perfect season, expect to see most of the starters on the bench. The Lions have more to play for.

DR FOOTBALL: LIONS TO WIN BUT NOT COVER

THE COACH: PACKERS TO WIN.

Cam+Newton+Tampa+Bay+Buccaneers+v+Carolina+Bty z g4ccsl 200x300 The Final Week: Seven Teams Still Chasing Three Playoff Spots

NFC Rookie of the Year Cam Newton

Carolina Panthers (6-9) at New Orleans Saints (12-3)  Line: Saints by 8.5

Drew Brees will be adding to his “most passing yards in a single season” record this week as the Saints will be playing for the number two seed in the playoffs. The Saints offense is going to dominate this game as the Panthers defense does not have enough to stop them. (Coach sez: True, the Saints are clearly the better team, but this will be a game in which Cam Newton announces his presence with authority. Don’t be surprised if Newton throws for 350 yards and four touchdowns and yet the Saints still cover. What’s that tell you about the Panthers defence and Drew Brees? Of course, there is a chance Drew Brees doesn’t play much this week and that means Carolina could win the football game.)

DR FOOTBALL: SAINTS TO WIN AND COVER

THE COACH: SAINTS TO WIN AND COVER (if Brees plays).

Tennessee Titans (8-7) at Houston Texans (10-5)  Line: Titans by 3

The Texans are in the playoffs and regardless of a win, their seed won’t change. Expect them to rest their starters to keep them healthy.

DR FOOTBALL: TITANS TO WIN AND COVER

THE COACH: TITANS TO WIN AND COVER

Indianapolis Colts (2-13) at Jacksonville Jaguars (4-11)  Line: Jaguars by 3.5

The Colts won’t be able to stop Maurice Jones-Drew and will be picking number one in the 2012 NFL draft.

DR FOOTBALL: JAGUARS TO WIN AND COVER

THE COACH: JAGUARS TO WIN AND COVER

Matt+Moore+Philadelphia+Eagles+v+Miami+Dolphins+RRYs BPYrkfl 226x300 The Final Week: Seven Teams Still Chasing Three Playoff Spots

Matt Moore plays for his job.

New York Jets (8-7) at Miami Dolphins (5-10)  Line: Dolphins by 1.5

The Jets are a team in desperate need of a win, and Miami is the last place the Jets want to be this week. The Dolphins have nothing to lose in this game and will be attacking the Jets defensive secondary while and spreading out the playbook with their running game. Offensively, the Jets, specifically QB Mark Sanchez is going to struggle against Dolphins defense that knows how to put pressure on a QB.

DR FOOTBALL: DOLPHINS TO WIN AND COVER

THE COACH: DOLPHINS TO WIN AND COVER

Buffalo Bills (6-9) at New England Patriots (12-3)  Line: Patriots by 11

A win for the Pats and they get home-field advantage throughout the playoffs. The first time these two teams played each other, the Bills won in overtime. This time, New England have huge momentum and incentive and Tom Brady won’t make the same mistakes he made last time these two teams met.

DR FOOTBALL: PATRIOTS TO WIN AND COVER

THE COACH: PATRIOTS TO WIN AND COVER

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-11) at Atlanta Falcons (9-6)  Line: Falcons by 12

Atlanta will be playing for playoff positioning, so they will have their starters on the field. The Bucs are going want to play spoiler, but expect Falcons QB Matt Ryan to shake of Monday’s loss and put a lot of points on the board.

DR FOOTBALL: FALCONS TO WIN AND COVER

THE COACH: FALCONS TO WIN AND COVER

andy dalton signs with nike 01 200x300 The Final Week: Seven Teams Still Chasing Three Playoff Spots

Andy Dalton: Ginger Power

Baltimore Ravens (11-4) at Cincinnati Bengals (9-6)  Line: Ravens by 2.5

Big game for both teams. The Ravens have already clinched a playoff spot, but with a win could clinch the number two seed which would mean a first-round bye and at least one home game in the playoffs. For the Bengals, it’s win or no playoffs. The key to this game for the Ravens is QB Joe Flacco to give the ball as many times as he can to RB Ray Rice which will wear the Bengals defense down. This game will be a close one.

DR FOOTBALL: RAVENS TO WIN AND COVER

THE COACH: BENGALS TO WIN

Pittsburgh Steelers (11-4) at Cleveland Browns (4-11)  Line: Steelers by 7.5

The Steelers are playing for a first-round bye (with a win and a Ravens loss) so they will have their starters on the field. With or without Big Ben, Pittsburgh is a way better team than the Browns. Dog pounded!

DR FOOTBALL: STEELERS TO WIN AND COVER

THE COACH: BROWNS TO WIN

San Diego Chargers (7-8) at Oakland Raiders (8-7)  Line: Raiders by 3

Oakland needs a win to get into the playoffs, San Diego was eliminated last week. The silver and black will make their former owner Al Davis proud as they win and make the playoffs this year.

DR FOOTBALL: RAIDERS TO WIN AND COVER

THE COACH: RAIDERS TO WIN AND COVER

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Tim Tebow: This is it.

Kansas City Chiefs (6-9) at Denver Broncos (8-7) Line: Broncos by 3

Denver needs a win to make the playoffs, the game means nothing to the Chiefs except pride and wanting to knock out a division foe out of the past season. The Broncos defense is going to enable Tim Tebow to prevail late in the fourth quarter to continue his fairy tale season.

DR FOOTBALL: BRONCOS TO WIN AND COVER

THE COACH: BRONCOS TO WIN AND COVER

Seattle Seahawks (7-8) at Arizona Cardinals (7-8)  Line: Cardinals by 3

Neither team has a chance at the playoffs and are playing their last game this season. Watch for Seahawks RB Marshawn Lynch to have a huge day running the ball. This will be the reason for Seattle to finish 8-8 this season.

DR FOOTBALL: SEAHAWKS TO WIN

THE COACH: CARDINALS TO WIN AND COVER

SUNDAY NIGHT

romo 187x300 The Final Week: Seven Teams Still Chasing Three Playoff Spots

Tony Romo

Dallas Cowboys (8-7) at New York Giants (8-7)  Line: Giants by 3

There couldn’t be a more perfect end to the 2011 regular season and on Sunday Night Football no less. This game means one thing to both teams. Win and you are in. Lose and you are done. As I said last week against the Jets, go with the QB who is has proven he can win the big one. Eli Manning. (Coach sez: This might be the culmination of everything Tony Romo is. He will either emerge from this game as a guy who is considered “a million dollar arm with a 10 cent brain,” or a winner. For Romo’s career, this one game is absolutely huge. As for Eli Manning, he’s in a position to get back to the playoffs with a team that isn’t that good.)

DR FOOTBALL: GIANTS TO WIN AND COVER

THE COACH: GIANTS TO WIN AND COVER

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Two Weeks Left. Five Playoff Spots Still Open.

Posted on December 22, 2011 by Scott Taylor| Leave a comment

OK, we’ll just forget last week’s semi-disaster. You can’t pick ‘em all right, although obviously a lot of people have gone 16-0 in Sport Select’s Pools lottery this season (and yes, it’s a lottery).

Romeo Crennel Gatorade Bath SSP15 Two Weeks Left. Five Playoff Spots Still Open.

Romeo Crennel Enjoys the Chiefs Win Over Green Bay

Last week, the Green Bay Packers lost, the Indianapolis Colts won, Carolina went into Houston and whipped the Texans, Washington went into New Jersey and massacred the Giants and the San Francisco 49ers taught the Pittsburgh Steelers a lesson.

But that was then, this is now. It’s Week 16 in the NFL and it starts Thursday night with Houston at Indianapolis. Then there are 13 games on Saturday, including some good ones: Miami at New England, Denver at Buffalo, Oakland at Kansas City, the Giants at the Jets, San Diego at Detroit where the Lions can clinch a playoff berth, Philadelphia at Dallas and San Francisco at Seattle.

108293967 display image1 222x300 Two Weeks Left. Five Playoff Spots Still Open.

Does Caleb Hanie Have a Sunday Night Miracle in Him?

There is one game Sunday night as Chicago plays at Green Bay and one game on Monday as Atlanta plays at New Orleans in what could be the biggest game of the week. It’s time for a bit of redemption before we head into the playoffs.

With two weeks to go in the season, there are seven teams already bound for the playoffs: New England, Pittsburgh, Baltimore and Houston in the AFC and Green Bay, New Orleans and San Francisco in the NFC.

Last week the Doc was 10-6 (142-81) and 11-5 (121-102) against the spread. The Coach went 9-7 straight up (149-74) and 9-7 against the spread (123-100). It wasn’t great, but it got better as the weekend went on.

As always, Dr. Football writes our briefs while I wear my briefs and take shots at his picks.

THURSDAY NIGHT

Houston Texans (10-4) at Indianapolis Colts (1-13)
Line: Texans by 6

Can the Colts mess up getting Andrew Luck by winning again? I can’t see that happening. I see the Texans shaking off last week with a home victory.

DR FOOTBALL: TEXANS TO WIN AND COVER.

THE COACH: TEXANS TO WIN AND COVER

SATURDAY AFTERNOON

Kyle+Orton+Kansas+City+Chiefs+v+Chicago+Bears+kL RSegeSQSl 212x300 Two Weeks Left. Five Playoff Spots Still Open.

Kyle Orton, last week's big winner.

Oakland Raiders (7-7) at Kansas City Chiefs (6-8)
Line: Chiefs by 2

The Chiefs, in their first game under interim coach Romeo Crennel, shockingly defeated the previously undefeated Packers last week in a performance that can be described as dominant. And many times you see strong performances in the first game of an interim coach’s tenure but often that emotion does not last, and I think it runs out on Saturday.

DR FOOTBALL: RAIDERS TO WIN.

THE COACH: CHIEFS TO WIN AND COVER

Denver Broncos (8-6) at Buffalo Bills (5-9)
Line: Broncos by 3

The Bills are currently on a 7 game losing streak while the Broncos currently have a 1 game lead in the AFC West race. A victory on Saturday would eliminate the Chiefs and put pressure on the Chargers and Raiders to win or be eliminated. Insert your own tasteless Tim Tebow/Jesus/Christmas joke here…but what isn’t a joke is that Denver will win this one.

DR FOOTBALL: BRONCOS TO WIN AND COVER.

THE COACH: BRONCOS TO WIN AND COVER.

Jacksonville Jaguars (4-10) at Tennessee Titans (7-7)
Line: Titans by 7

You wouldn’t know it from last week’s debacle, but the Titans are a much better team than the Jaguars and are still in the playoff race. As poor as they played last week, I can’t see that happening again in front of their own fans.

DR FOOTBALL: TITANS TO WIN AND COVER.

THE COACH: TITANS TO WIN AND COVER.

Larry Fitzgerald

Arizona Cardinals (7-7) at Cincinnati Bengals (8-6)
Line: Bengals by 4

Both teams are battling for the last Wild Card spot in their conferences. A victory is needed for the Cards or else they are eliminated, if the Bengals lose they still could get a playoff spot but would need the Jets to lose. Both teams are evenly matched so I’ll go with the home team. (Coach sez: The Bengals will win this one if they shut down Larry Fitzgerald. And as the Cleveland Browns found out last week, it’s not as easy as it sounds.)

DR FOOTBALL: BENGALS TO WIN AND COVER

THE COACH: BENGALS TO WIN AND COVER.

Miami Dolphins (5-9) at New England Patriots (11-3)
Line: Patriots by 9.5

This is my “game of the week”. New England is on a six game winning streak while the Dolphins have won five of their past seven games. Miami proved they can win in the cold/snow with last week’s victory over the Bills, but the Patriots are not the Bills. The Dolphins do not have the bodies in their secondary to match against the Patriots, and I expect Tom Brady to have another game like he had in Week one when he torched the Fish for 517 yards and 4 touchdowns. Miami’s offense has drastically improved since then, but Matt Moore is no Tom Brady. The game will be closer than Week 1, but the same team will win.

DR FOOTBALL: PATRIOTS TO WIN BUT NOT COVER

THE COACH: PATRIOTS TO WIN AND COVER.

Peyton+Hillis+Cleveland+Browns+v+Pittsburgh+NPZdita94WKl 300x200 Two Weeks Left. Five Playoff Spots Still Open.

Colt McCoy's Only Hope: Handing it to Peyton Hillis.

Cleveland Browns (4-10) at Baltimore Ravens (10-4)
Line: Ravens by 13

There is no love lost between the Cleveland Browns and the Baltimore Ravens. As time passes, many may forget that Art Modell took the Browns to Baltimore, but the Browns never forget. I just don’t get this year’s Ravens squad. At times they look like the top club in the AFC, at others they look like the worst. Joe Flacco has been very erratic in 2011 thus far and the offense has to rely on Ray Rice, which will be this week’s key to success.

DR FOOTBALL: RAVENS TO WIN BUT NOT COVER.

THE COACH: RAVENS TO WIN AND COVER.

Plaxico Burress

New York Giants (7-7) at New York Jets (8-6)
Line: Jets by 3

No game this week in the NFL may be more important than this one, the “Jersey Bowl”. The Jets need the win to solidify their position for a wild card slot in the AFC while the Giants need the win to solidify their lead in the NFC East over the Cowboys. Both teams have struggled on defense this year, but look for Eli Manning to be the difference in this one, he knows how to win the big one.

DR FOOTBALL: GIANTS TO WIN.

THE COACH: GIANTS TO WIN.

Minnesota Vikings (2-12) at Washington Redskins (5-9)
Line: Redskins by 6.5

The Redskins victory over the Giants last week was probably more a result of the Giants falling asleep and just playing poorly. I’m feeling the Vikings here to get a nice win as they try to put the close on a horrible season. (Coach sez: Until Leslie Frazier decides to go with Joe Webb as his starting quarterback, he will continue to lose. Christian Ponder is a fraud. Webb is the future of the team but he won’t be and until the Vikings come to their senses, they will continue to be big losers).

DR FOOTBALL: VIKINGS TO WIN

THE COACH: REDSKINS TO WIN AND COVER.

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-10) at Carolina Panthers (5-9)
Line: Panthers by 7.5

Carolina’s defense really stepped up against the Texans run game last week, and this week they will have no problem putting the pressure on Bucs QB Josh Freeman, but may struggle a bit shutting down RB LeGarrette Blount. Even with a bit of struggling against Blount, the Bucs defense won’t be able to keep up with Panthers QB Cam Newton.

DR FOOTBALL: PANTHERS TO WIN BUT NOT COVER

THE COACH: PANTHERS TO WIN AND COVER.

Sam Bradford

St. Louis Rams (2-12) at Pittsburgh Steelers (10-4)
Line: Steelers by 14.5

This is a Christmas gift to the Steelers from the football gods. Pittsburgh could play 63 year old Terry Bradshaw at QB and win this one. How do the Rams even have 2 wins? (Coach sez: The only reason the Steelers won’t cover is if they don’t score enough points. Which is worth being concerned about).

DR FOOTBALL: STEELERS TO WIN AND COVER.

THE COACH: STEELERS TO WIN BUT NOT COVER.

San Diego Chargers (7-7) at Detroit Lions (9-5)
Line: Lions by 2.5

The Lions really need this victory with being only a win away from the playoffs and they don’t want to have to go into Lambeau on New Year’s Day needing to win. The Chargers have thrust themselves into the wild AFC West race and need a victory to have a chance. But I think the Lions really saved their season with that come from behind win against the Raiders last week and I think that win will give them the momentum they need.

DR FOOTBALL: LIONS TO WIN AND COVER.

THE COACH: LIONS TO WIN AND COVER.

San Francisco 49ers (11-3) at Seattle Seahawks (7-7)
Line: 49ers by 2

The 49ers are playing for the #2 Seed in the NFC. I think the fact the that they were able to shut down the Steelers so convincingly on Monday night they should have and problem doing the same in this one.

DR FOOTBALL: 49ers TO WIN AND COVER.

THE COACH: 49ers TO WIN AND COVER.

LeSean McCoy

Philadelphia Eagles (6-8) at Dallas Cowboys (8-6)
Line: Cowboys by 1.5

Philly’s back on track with Michael Vick back at the helm and scoring a lot of points. This week, they face a Cowboys defense that dominates against the run. While Vick’s run game will be slowed down this week, this game will be a shoot-out, a game the Eagles are better at. (Coach sez: The Eagles have awakened and will massacre a Cowboys team that has failed miserably in recent weeks. LeSean McCoy will run wild this week. At least, when Michael Vick isn’t running wild. Eagles by two touchdowns in Dallas is not out of the question).

DR FOOTBALL: EAGLES TO WIN.

THE COACH: EAGLES TO WIN.

CHRISTMAS NIGHT

Chicago Bears (7-7) at Green Bay Packers (13-1)
Line: Packers by 13.5

Now with the pressure of an undefeated season off their backs, the Pack can now they can concentrate on locking up home field throughout the playoffs. Injuries have turned Chicago into the Bad News Bears and they won’t even have the motivation of trying to stop 16-0.

DR FOOTBALL: PACKERS TO WIN AND COVER

THE COACH: PACKERS TO WIN AND COVER.

MONDAY NIGHT

Drew+Brees+New+Orleans+Saints+v+Minnesota+t h YJfj9aYl 225x300 Two Weeks Left. Five Playoff Spots Still Open.

Drew Brees might be the NFC MVP.

Atlanta Falcons (9-5) at New Orleans Saints (11-3)
Line: Saints by 6.5

Is there anything better to watch than Drew Brees and his offense playing at home? Didn’t think so. The Falcons are no push over, but I believe we will be seeing either the Packers or the Saints in the Super Bowl in February, and the Falcons aren’t gonna stand in the way of the Saints in this one.

DR FOOTBALL: SAINTS TO WIN AND COVER

THE COACH: SAINTS TO WIN AND COVER

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Tagged almost perfect nfl picks, best nfl picks, money-making nfl picks, nfl picks, week 16 nfl picks, you will win

It’s Week 15. We like the Cowboys, Packers, Texans and Steelers. Yeah, I know. Quite a limb.

Posted on December 17, 2011 by Scott Taylor| Leave a comment

Matt Ryan

This week’s Thursday night NFL affair wasn’t even fair. Of course, pretty much everyone expected that outcome.

The Atlanta Falcons built a 27-0 lead at the half and coasted to a 41-14 win over the gawd-awful Jacksonville Jaguars. Atlanta QB Matt Ryan threw three touchdown passes and the Falcons improved to 9-5.

No surprise there, but it’s nice to go to 1-0 both straight up anad against the spread to start the week.

It is Week 15 in the NFL and I must say, when it comes to National Football League prognostications, we have been pretty spectacular this season. Last week the Doc went 12-4 (132-75) straight up and 8-8 (110-97) against the spread. The Coach went 12-4 straight up (140-67) and 9-7 against the spread (114-93). If you’ve been picking with us all season, you’ve been a big winner both in Vegas and on Sport Select.

Once again The Doc writes our rationalizations and The Coach just makes the occasional snide comment.

SATURDAY NIGHT

Tony Romo

Dallas Cowboys (7-6) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-9)
Line: Cowboys by 6.5

Yay! The first Saturday game of this season, and it features the Cowboys who have suffered two straight losses in the final seconds of both games. This week, their defense faces a Buc’s offense that has struggled all season; QB Josh Freeman has been inconsistent and has nowhere near the level most thought he would in this his sophomore season. The Cowboys defense is going to control this game, giving Tony Romo and Co. plenty of opportunities to score, and they will as they smell a wildcard spot.

DR FOOTBALL: COWBOYS TO WIN AND COVER

THE COACH: COWBOYS TO WIN AND COVER.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON

Washington Redskins (4-9) at New York Giants (7-6)
Line: Giants by 7

Eli Manning’s performance against the Cowboys last week was awesome. This week, the Giants face another tough defensive line, but with their running game and Eli’s aerial attack, the Redskins won’t be able to stop the Giants from outscoring them.

DR FOOTBALL: GIANTS TO WIN AND COVER

THE COACH: GIANTS TO WIN AND COVER.

James Jones

Green Bay Packers (13-0) at Kansas City Chiefs (5-8)
Line: Packers by 14

Sunday marks the 364 day anniversary of the Packers’ last loss, a 31-27 loss to the Patriots. The Packers have since won 19 straight games, the second longest win streak including postseason games in league history behind the 2003-04 Patriots winners of 21 consecutive games. Enough history. The Pack will be without wide receiver Greg Jennings, but don’t expect that to limit Aaron Rodgers and the offense. The post-Todd Haley era in Kansas City will begin with Kyle Orton starting opposite Rodgers, assuming Orton’s injured finger has healed. If Orton can’t play, rookie Ricky Stanzi will start. Like it matters.

DR FOOTBALL: PACKERS TO WIN AND COVER

THE COACH: PACKERS TO WIN AND COVER.

New Orleans Saints (10-3) at Minnesota Vikings (2-11)

Line: Saints by 7

Christmas comes early for the Saints as their boy, Drew Brees gets to do his thing in a Dome away from Dome. Sure, Jared Allen might provide a little pressure once in a while, but the rest of the time Brees will be picking apart an awful Vikings secondary.

DR FOOTBALL: SAINTS TO WIN AND COVER

THE COACH: SAINTS TO WIN AND COVER.

Seattle Seahawks (6-7) at Chicago Bears (7-6)
Line: Bears by 4

The Seahawks have won four of their last five. The Bears have lost three in a row, and have scored just one touchdown in their last two games. Soldier Field won’t be a factor in this one as the Bears are done for the year.

DR FOOTBALL: SEAHAWKS TO WIN

THE COACH: BEARS TO WIN BUT NOT COVER.

Ryan Fitzpatrick

Miami Dolphins (4-9) at Buffalo Bills (5-8)
Line: Bills by 1.5

Miami’s defense is going to be the dominate force in this game as Buffalo won’t have much time to pass, and their run game will be successful but it won’t be enough to put up more points. The Dolphins could be without QB Matt Moore and while their offense may struggle initially, I believe that they have enough to beat these sad sack Bills. (Coach sez: The Bills will win one last game at home).

DR FOOTBALL: DOLPHINS TO WIN

THE COACH: BILLS TO WIN AND COVER.

Carolina Panthers (4-9) at Houston Texans (10-3)
Line: Texans by 6.5

T.J. Yates beating Cincinnati in the final seconds on the road was a pretty big deal in only his second start even with Arian Foster struggling. Now they face the Panthers who have to travel off a tough loss. The Texans realize the urgency of every game as they can still get home field in the AFC. Gary Kubiak for Coach of the year?

DR FOOTBALL: TEXANS TO WIN BUT NOT COVER.

THE COACH: TEXANS TO WIN AND COVER.

Chris Johnson

Tennessee Titans (7-6) at Indianapolis Colts (0-13)
Line: Titans by 7

Tennessee will have second-string QB Jake Locker at the helm; he looked good last week, in relief of Hasselbeck, against a tough Saints defense. This week he will be able to settle in to his role as he faces a very tired Colts defense whose level of play continues to decline. How can you blame them, when their offense does nothing to maintain possession of the ball?

DR FOOTBALL: TITANS TO WIN BUT NOT COVER

THE COACH: TITANS TO WIN AND COVER.

Cincinnati Bengals (7-6) at St. Louis Rams (2-11)
Line: Bengals by 6.

Cincinnati has taken a nose dive in the playoff race, but they get a bit of a breather and a chance to get back to basics against a suspect and banged up Rams front. The Steven Jackson is the only bright spot for the hopeless Rams…he’s gotta be talking to his agent about going someplace else. The Bengals get it done on the road.

DR FOOTBALL: BENGALS TO WIN AND COVER.

THE COACH: BENGALS TO WIN AND COVER.

Ndamukong+Suh+Washington+Redskins+v+Detroit+FElOvKJIyUIl 200x300 Its Week 15. We like the Cowboys, Packers, Texans and Steelers. Yeah, I know. Quite a limb.

Ndamukong Suh Back to Stomp the Raiders

Detroit Lions (8-5) at Oakland Raiders (7-6)
Line: Lions by 1

It’s kind of funny that this game features a team that’s known as undisciplined, while racking up penalties and cheap shots, and yet it’s not the Raiders. This will be a tough road game for Matthew Stafford against a fired-up Oakland pass rush. Offensively, Oakland knows that they need to get Michael Bush going again to take pressure off Carson Palmer and with the distraction caused by the return of Ndamukong Suh, Oakland will sneak out a close win. (Coach sez: Maybe. But it’s more likely that the Lions, who play pretty well on the road against mediocre AFC West clubs, will win quite easily. And the only “distraction” will be the media’s distraction. Squirrel!).

DR FOOTBALL: RAIDERS TO WIN.

THE COACH: LIONS TO WIN AND COVER.

New England Patriots (10-3) at Denver Broncos (8-5)
Line: Patriots by 6

Interesting matchup. Last week the Patriots jumped to a big lead early, and couldn’t hold the spread only winning by 7. As efficient as their offense is, their defense is just as inefficient. Denver always starts slow, and if you don’t put Tim Tebow behind by at least 20 points in the 4th quarter, a comeback is within his range (Coach sez: Love Tim Tebow, but this week Denver has to play against a legitimate Super Bowl contender. It won’t be pretty).

DR FOOTBALL: PATRIOTS TO WIN AND COVER

THE COACH: PATRIOTS TO WIN AND COVER.

Michael Vick

New York Jets (8-5) at Philadelphia Eagles (5-8)
Line: Eagles by 3

Michael Vick is back, but that’s not a big deal. Philly’s defense is going to pressure Jets QB Mark Sanchez into several turnovers. This will give the Eagles offense ample opportunity to run up the score. The Jets secondary, will be able to keep up with the receivers but they won’t be able to maintain Vick and the Eagles running game (Coach sez: Jets must win. We’ll find out this week if they will be a force in the post-season or not).

DR FOOTBALL: EAGLES TO WIN AND COVER

THE COACH: JETS TO WIN.

Cleveland Browns (4-9) at Arizona Cardinals (6-7)
Line: Cardinals by 7

Arizona is coming off a huge win against the 49ers last week and offensively, the Cardinals have too much talent in Larry Fitzgerald, Beanie Wells and Early Doucet for the Browns to keep up. With QB Colt McCoy still questionable to play this week, and even if he was able to play, they just can’t score at all.

DR FOOTBALL: CARDINALS TO WIN AND COVER

THE COACH: CARDINALS TO WIN AND COVER.

SUNDAY NIGHT

Ray Rice

Baltimore Ravens (10-3) at San Diego Chargers (6-7)
Line: Ravens by 2.5

Are the Chargers shooting for a big finish? Aside from a fumble in the 3^rd Quarter, Philip Rivers had another good game against Buffalo last week. They may have waited too long to come to life, but this is the team that was expected by so many before the season. Baltimore will have trouble moving the ball through the air, and if San Diego can slow down Ray Rice early then they have a huge chance. Expect an upset. (Coach sez: It’s also December, and Rivers wins in December).

DR FOOTBALL: CHARGERS TO WIN

THE COACH: CHARGERS TO WIN.

MONDAY NIGHT

Pittsburgh Steelers (10-3) at San Francisco 49ers (10-3)
Line: Steelers by 1.5

No James Harrison, and possibly a hobbled Ben Roethlisberger, will make it difficult for the Steelers — but certainly not impossible. It’s a good thing they’ve had a good rest — they last played against Cleveland back on Thursday night, 11 days ago. San Francisco is severely limited in the passing game, but they’ve been getting by keeping it simple on the ground and playing solid defense. However, that ground game has been less effective lately and they face another powerful team that can knock them off their game early.

DR FOOTBALL: STEELERS TO WIN AND COVER.

THE COACH: STEELERS TO WIN AND COVER.

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Posted in Blog, NFL

Tagged guaranteed winners, make money with these picks, money-making nfl picks, nfl picks, the best nfl picks, week 15 nfl picks, winners

An Idiot? And Other Notes from a North American Tour

Posted on December 16, 2011 by Scott Taylor| Leave a comment

ORLANDO, Fla. — Love being called an idiot. It gives me a good laugh when I start my day.

Seems one dedicated reader, Di_cameron (Cameron? Boy, is that ever a recognizable name), was not happy with my suggestion (learned, by the way, from people inside the organization) that Blue Bombers receivers’ coach Bobby Dyce “greased the skids,” in the final game of 2009.

“Taylor you’re an idiot! So you say our coaching staff threw the final game against Hamilton so Kelly would get fired? Seriously???” and then it got angrier.

“No amount your whining is going to get your buddy Kelly another CFL gig. The rest of the league watched the debacle that was the 2009 season here in the ‘Peg and realized that the cause was the head coach, not the media, not the QB.”

That person named “Di_cameron,” really hates Mike Kelly. Glad he/she doesn’t hate me. That would be scary.

My response to this missive is a simple one: No, I didn’t say the coaching staff threw the game. I said “the receivers’ coach greased the skids.” If Dyce, a guy who made no secret of the fact he disliked the head coach, didn’t do what he did in that game on purpose, then it’s easy to understand why the Saskatchewan Roughriders receiving corps (man-for-man, a very good corps, by the way) just keeps getting worse and worse with each passing year.

Frankly, I don’t think Dyce is a bad coach and I understand why people who were with the club in 2009 believe something was dreadfully wrong that day. It reached the point in that game where Bishop’s receivers didn’t even turn around to look for the ball. The communication between quarterback and receiver was worse that day than anything a bad peewee team would have to suffer. If Dyce didn’t screw that up on purpose that afternoon, then maybe he is a lousy coach. Regardless, something was terribly wrong.

Regardless, I appreciate the comment and glad I could get a nice, solid rise out of a reader. I only aim to please.

I’ve been on the road for a week or so checking out everything from UFC 140 to the Bucs at the Jags to the Devils at the Lightning to the Orlando Magic Media Day (make that the Dwight Howard Media Day) to the Blackhawks at the Wild (what an outstanding game the Hawks got from Jonathan Toews in that one). It was busy.

Obviously the Toy Department is hopping these days. However, it’s the stuff that goes on before and after all the games and news conferences that is the most fun. Some folks, it seems, just know how to have a good time:

1. During my shopping for the Christmas Season, I had another great experience at the River City Sports outlet in St. Vital. That store has a terrific staff and my new friend, Landon, gave me some great service.

World Peace Jersey 300x225 An Idiot? And Other Notes from a North American Tour

Metta World Peace

Over the next couple of weeks, I’ll have to get down there again and pick up my No. 15 “World Peace” L.A. Lakers jersey.

On Streetz 104.7, we’ve had some laughs with Ron Artest’s new name and new look and knowing that almost all of our male listeners at 104.7 are at least lovers, if not experts, on the popluar sports jersey of the day, it’s no surprise that we’ve had some terrific responses to our conversations.

Artest is now, officially, known as Metta World Peace and he is just as bat-shit crazy as Ron Artest was. According to the Los Angeles Times, Artest… er, World Peace was asked by a female reporter last weekend if he was in shape for training camp. He responded with: “If I showed you my abs right now, you’d probably leave your husband.”

Nice. Here’s a great motto for Mr. World Peace: “No matter my name, I’m still insane.”

Must admit, however, that I’m going to get one them hot No. 15 Lakers jerseys.

2. Tim Tebow remains the talk of the NFL, even though the run of six straight wins will likely comes to an end against Tom Brady and the New England Patriots this Sunday. Still, even if he doesn’t win on the football field, Tebow looks like a winner off it.

His jersey is a red hot sales item and now, Bonfire Brewing of Eagle, Colorado, has created “Tebrew Sunday Sipper.”

Bonfire announced on its web site: ”Tebrew Sunday Sipper — a barleywine from Bonfire — is almost here. In the style of 4th quarter heroics, we’re waiting until the last minute to serve it up — the moment the 10 oz. glasses arrive, the real games can begin. Stay tuned.”

It’s unlikely Tebow will endorse the product (it’s beverage alcohol, the devil’s brew, after all), but the brewery declared that it would donate 10 per cent of all sales to the Tim Tebow Foundation. If the Foundation actually wanted the money.

1297220222061 ORIGINAL 193x300 An Idiot? And Other Notes from a North American Tour

Mark Stone

3. Canada’s world junior team is ready to go and most Canadians believe that even if the defense is brand, spanking new, it will still be the best team at the 2012 World Championship.

There are two Manitobans on the squad: Mark Stone from Winnipeg, the captain of the Brandon Wheat Kings and Quinton Howden from Oak Bank who plays with the Moose Jaw Warriors. Yesterday, however, Howden was being treated for, you guessed it, concussion-like symptoms, and that can’t be good.

Jets prospect Mark Scheifele was also named to the team.

For all the Team Canada supplies you’ll ever need, just check out any of River City Sports’ locations. It’s not only your Winnipeg Jets Headquarters, it’s always been your Team Canada Headquarters, as well.

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Posted in Blog, CFL, NFL, River City Sports News

Tagged di_cameron, mark scheifele, mark stone, metta world peace, Mike Kelly, quinton howden, ron artest, tebrew, tim tebow, Winnipeg Blue Bombers

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An Idiot? And Other Notes from a North American Tour

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