Category Archives: NFL

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.

tebrewx inset community 216x300 An Idiot? And Other Notes from a North American TourHis 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.

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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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We Like Falcons and Cowboys in Week 15′s Early Games

Posted on December 15, 2011 by Scott Taylor| Leave a comment

TAMPA — It’s Week 15 in the NFL and its starts Thursday night with Jacksonville at Atlanta. No doubt, we like the Falcons all around in this one.

On Saturday, Dallas plays at Tampa and it’s pretty hard to take the Bucs, even though Dallas has had its problems in recent weeks.

Will Michael Vick repeat in 2011 300x211 We Like Falcons and Cowboys in Week 15s Early Games

Michael Vick

There are 13 games on Sunday including Carolina at Houston; undefeated Green Bay at Kansas City; Detroit at Oakland; New England at Denver; the Jets at Philadelphia (Michael Vick says he will play this week) and Baltimore at San Diego.

We’ll keep it short today. Just the first two games on the slate. Dr. Football wanted to be sure which injured players were playing, which were sitting and which should be sitting because they are really banged up. So we’ll hold the bulk of this week’s picks until Saturday.

Last week the Doc went 12-4 (132-75) 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).

Once again the Doc writes our reasons why and I’ll occasionally pop in with a do or die.

THURSDAY NIGHT

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Matt Ryan

Jacksonville Jaguars (4-9) at Atlanta Falcons (8-5)
Line: Falcons by 11

The Falcons’ comeback victory in Carolina last week puts them in a more comfortable position for the playoffs, regardless of what happens next week at New Orleans. To get past the Jags, the Falcons will have to contain Maurice Jones-Drew, who was absolutely sensational last week,  and unleashing their own power runner, Michael Turner. The Falcons have been good against the run, and that will put Jags rookie QB Blaine Gabbert will be like a deer in the headlights in a noisy dome.

DR FOOTBALL: FALCONS TO WIN AND COVER

THE COACH: FALCONS TO WIN AND COVER

SATURDAY NIGHT

Josh+Freeman+Tampa+Bay+Buccaneers+v+Arizona+0xStxISInvjl 207x300 We Like Falcons and Cowboys in Week 15s Early Games

Josh Freeman

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 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

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How Good is Tebow, Really?

Posted on December 9, 2011 by Scott Taylor| Leave a comment
NFL football empty stadium seats rain1 300x225 How Good is Tebow, Really?

Enjoying a Jags Game

ORLANDO, Fla. – The legend of Tim Tebow lives on and here in Central Florida, the local fans wish it would live on in the big empty stadium three hours north in downtown Jacksonville.

Tebow grew up just down the road from this navy/shipyard town on the St. John’s River, and grew up to become one of the most gifted high school and college quarterbacks in Florida history. While Jags fans are forced to watch rookie Blaine Gabbert try to figure things out, Tebow just keeps doing more amazing things every week.

Trouble is, Tebow is in Denver.

john elway1 300x225 How Good is Tebow, Really?

John Elway back in the day.

While ESPN’s tall foreheads, the NFL Network’s analysts and most of the American print media continue to rip Tebow and look for every possible hint that Broncos general manager John Elway will either bench him or waive him outright, Tebow himself just smiles and  keeps on winning.

It’s making the average American TV football pundit spit more needless nastiness than a Tea Party Patriot at a Pentecostal prayer meeting.

“You’ve got Aaron Rodgers, you’ve got Drew Brees, you’ve got Tom Brady that set a standard of excellence in football that we haven’t seen,” NFL Network analyst Joe Theismann, told the Associated Press this week.

“What makes 2011 so unique is we have seen quarterback play in this league at such a high extreme and in Tim’s case, the bottom rung when it comes to completions.”

Theismann just hates Tebow and yet, like so many of today’s TV haters, he loves to give all the credit to a Denver defence that didn’t do diddly ‘tll Tebow stepped in as the starter.

“That defense is as good as any in football right now,” Theismann told AP. “The offense doesn’t turn the ball over. There’s been one interception in seven games. I say this tongue-in-cheek: The way Tim throws the ball sometimes, nobody has a shot at getting it, his guy, the defenders. It’s either bounce it in the ground or throw it in the third row.”

Thiesmann is a jackass. If that Denver defense is so good now, why wasn’t it that good early in the season when the Broncos started out 1-4?

The answer is simple. Professional sports teams almost always play well in all aspects of the game when they have a leader on the field that they believe can win football games. And when that leader is a quarterback, all the better.

Tebow can win. Period. He’s not pretty and he doesn’t have great numbers, but he wins. And while all the analysts were moaning all week about how terrible he is, give ESPN credit. Their writers and producers created the following comparison between Tebow early in his career and his boss, Hall of Famer John Elway early in his career. The numbers are staggering:

ELWAY 1983                                              TEBOW 2010-11

4-6                                             W-L                                      7-3

47.1                               Completion Pct.                         48.5

1,529                                Passing Yards                            1,626

6-14                                         TD-Int.                                     13-4

1                                        Rushing TDs                               5

Now, granted, Elway’s first 10 starts all came in his rookie season while Tebow’s have come in his first two seasons in the league (more in Season 2, obviously). However, that shouldn’t matter. Straight up, number against number, Tebow has had considerably more success than his boss.

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Tim Tebow

And when you consider that Tebow took a team that was 1-4 and made it 7-5 in seven weeks, you would expect that maybe, just maybe, the American media would concede that the kid is OK.

Nope. From Merrill Hoge to Shannon Sharpe, the ripping just keeps on coming. They hate that he doesn’t pass like Aaron Rodgers or run like Michael Vick or manage an offence like Tom Brady. And it really pisses them off that he wins.

And yet, throughout the NFL (especially right here in Jacksonville) there are quarterbacks who have “an NFL skill-set,” but couldn’t lead a team nor beat a defence made up of 11 DMV employees.

I mean, really? Blaine Gabbert? Christian Ponder? Josh Freeman? Josh Johnson? Carson Palmer? Colt McCoy? Tarvaris Jackson? Sam Bradford? Matt Hasselbeck? Philip Rivers? (OK, maybe we can blame Norv Turner for that one). Even in Detroit, the Lions have a good young quarterback, a kid that the NFL analysts love, but Matt Stafford is 7-5 and has been horrible the past two weeks. Hey, Eli Manning is 6-6.

The NFL is full of quarterbacks who LOOK like quarterbacks, but none of them can win, they don’t protect the football and they don’t manage games very well.

Still, the NFL’s TV critics like to dump on Tim Tebow and treat the rest of our list of losers as if they were all the next Peyton Manning.

I like unorthodox quarterbacks. They’re fun and exciting. From Joe Kapp to Steve Young to Randall Cunningham to Michael Vick to yes, Tim Tebow, they’re like Tiger Woods, something to break the monotony of a load of mediocrity that all looks the same.

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Dull Week Despite Plenty at Stake.

Posted on December 7, 2011 by Scott Taylor| Leave a comment
steelers ben roethlisberger 13777 241x300 Dull Week Despite Plenty at Stake.

Ben Roethlisberger

It’s an odd Week 14 in the National Football League. There are a load of teams that are going to win for fun. It’s getting close to the playoffs and yet there aren’t many games that really get a fan’s crank turning.

Week 14  opens tonight as the Cleveland Browns head to Pittsburgh to face the Steelers at Heinz Field. Y-a-a-w-w-w-n.

There are 14 games on Sunday including Houston at Cincinnati, Atlanta at Carolina, New England at Washington, New Orleans at Tennessee, Chicago at Denver, Oakland at Green Bay and the Giants at Dallas on Sunday Night Football. That’s not bad, in a couple of cases, but for the most part, it’s a dull one.

Aaron+Rodgers+Green+Bay+Packers+v+Detroit+e1Rv1qty83Dl 266x300 Dull Week Despite Plenty at Stake.

Aaron Rodgers

Especially after 10-2 San Francisco and 12-0 Green Bay clinched playoff berths last week. Somehow, this week, there are more Pittsburgh-Cleveland mismatches than Houston-Cincinnati barnburners.

Regardless, that doesn’t mean Dr. Football and The Coach aren’t going to wager their hard-earned currency on each and every one of this week’s matchups. To the contrary, let the games begin.

Last week The Doc went 10-6 straight up (120-71) and 8-8 (102-89) against the spread. The Coach went 11-5 straight up (128-63) and 10-6 (105-86) against the spread.

Once against, The  Doc writes our justifications and The Coach reserves the right to yell “Bulls&!#!!”

THURSDAY NIGHT

Colt+Mccoy+Baltimore+Ravens+v+Cleveland+Browns+5ayzJHaTIYql 200x300 Dull Week Despite Plenty at Stake.

Colt McCoy

Cleveland Browns (4-8) at Pittsburgh Steelers (9-3) 


Line: Steelers by 14

The Steelers are going to dominate this game offensively and defensively. The Browns are out-matched on talent in almost every aspect of this game. At least this game presents a marquee matchup of great athletes, with Browns cornerback Joe Haden battling Steelers wide receiver Mike Wallace all night. Frankly, Wallace should eat Haden alive. Because it might be tough to get the ball to Wallace deep, Big Ben Roethlisberger will use his running game and Rashard Mendenhall. Last week the Browns’ front seven just got steamrolled by Baltimore’s Ray Rice and Ricky Williams…expect more of the same.

DR FOOTBALL: STEELERS TO WIN AND COVER

THE COACH: STEELERS TO WIN AND COVER.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON

Indianapolis Colts (0-12) at Baltimore Ravens (9-3) 


Line: Ravens by 16.5

This has to be a tough spot for the Colts. Even though they hung in to the end last week against the Patriots, they still came up short. Now, on the verge of becoming one of the worst teams in history, they get to play in Baltimore of all places. I bet Indy wishes they could sneak out of town on Sunday…

DR. FOOTBALL: RAVENS TO WIN AND COVER.

THE COACH: RAVENS TO WIN BUT NOT COVER

Andy+Dalton+Cincinnati+Bengals+v+Tennessee+GzVyEViCVixl 214x300 Dull Week Despite Plenty at Stake.

Andy Dalton

Houston Texans (9-3) at Cincinnati Bengals (7-5) 


Line: Bengals by 3

The Bengals announced on Tuesday that the game will not be aired locally. It is the ninth blackout in the last 10 home games and the fifth in six home games this season. Quite simply the fans have given up. What really needs to be addressed is how they can be favourites, as the Texans have shown they can win as they did last Sunday against the Falcons with their third string QB T.J. Yates. Through two games, Yates has been impressive but not flashy. He was 12 of 25 for 188 yards and a touchdown in a 17-10 win on Sunday, his first career start. The Texans will do it again. (Coach sez: This is the end of the T.J. Yates Era).

DR FOOTBALL: TEXANS TO WIN

THE COACH: BENGALS TO WIN AND COVER

Kansas City Chiefs (5-7) at New York Jets (7-5)
Line: Jets by 9

It won’t take much offense for New York here. The Jets’ defense should come up with multiple sacks and turnovers at home, setting up good things for a revitalized running game. Tyler Palko won’t know what hit him.

DR FOOTBALL: JETS TO WIN AND COVER.

THE COACH: JETS TO WIN AND COVER

Matthew+Stafford+Carolina+Panthers+v+Detroit+5mXsa Y6bOfl 229x300 Dull Week Despite Plenty at Stake.

Matthew Stafford

Minnesota Vikings (2-10) at Detroit Lions (7-5)
Line: Lions by 3.5

Detroit is a penalty-ridden mess. Lucky for them, the Vikings are more of a mess, especially if they don’t have RB Adrian Peterson in the lineup (Leslie Frazier expects Peterson to play). Either way, the Lions offense is going to win this game for them. The Vikings’ secondary is in shambles and won’t have a chance against Matthew Stafford, Calvin Johnson and the rest of the Lions’ passing game.

DR FOOTBALL: LIONS TO WIN AND COVER.

THE COACH: LIONS TO WIN AND COVER.

New Orleans Saints (9-3) at Tennessee Titans (7-5)
Line: Saints by 3.5

Consider this; the Titans pass defense gives up 233.5 yards. Drew Brees is on fire and is on pace to break Dan Marino’s single-season yardage record. No contest.

DR FOOTBALL: SAINTS TO WIN AND COVER.

THE COACH: SAINTS TO WIN AND COVER

Philadelphia Eagles (4-8) at Miami Dolphins (4-8)
Line: Dolphins by 3

The Eagles have lost four of their last five games. The Dolphins have won four of their last five. The Dolphins allowed 38 points and 622 yards on opening day in a loss to New England. Since then, they’re allowing just 16.5 points and 293 yards per game and have the fourth ranked defense in the league. Vick or no Vick, the Dolphins will continue on their road to redemption.

DR FOOTBALL: DOLPHINS TO WIN AND COVER.

THE COACH: DOLPHINS TO WIN AND COVER.

Wes+Welker+New+England+Patriots+v+Philadelphia+awJBFQ2ZPgcl Dull Week Despite Plenty at Stake.

Tom Brady and Wes Welker

New England Patriots (9-3) at Washington Redskins (4-8)
Line: Patriots by 7.5

Rex Grossman must be livid. He seemed to be getting a bit of traction, and now one of his targets TE Fred Davis has been suspended for puffing. Add to the fact his protection has just got a lot worse as left tackle Trent Williams is gonzo as well for…you guessed it…puffing. Tom Brady will have a big day as he exploits the Redskins’ defense with Wes Welker and Rob Gronkowski. Not for the faint of heart.

DR FOOTBALL: PATRIOTS TO WIN AND COVER.

THE COACH: PATRIOTS TO WIN AND COVER 

Atlanta Falcons (8-4) at Carolina Panthers (4-8)
Line: Falcons by 3

Matt Ryan and the Falcons didn’t have an answer for the Texans’ defense in last week’s loss. Carolina is dead last versus the pass so look for the Falcons offense to kick in here.

DR FOOTBALL: FALCONS TO WIN AND COVER.

THE COACH: PANTHERS TO WIN AND COVER.

Josh+Johnson+Carolina+Panthers+v+Tampa+Bay+dylTkZaQ9 fl1 210x300 Dull Week Despite Plenty at Stake.

Josh Johnson

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-8) at Jacksonville Jaguars (3-9)
Line: Bucs by 1

Two of the most disappointing teams in the NFL will be on display at one time in this one. The Bucs were supposed to be on the upswing after last season’s10-6 campaign. Josh Freeman was supposed to be the young, exciting, quarterback to lead the team into the future. The Jags have been a punch line all season. Who will win or who cares… (Coach sez: I don’t like either one of these teams, but I like Tampa Bay less than I like Jacksonville. The Buccaneers are an embarrassment.)

DR FOOTBALL: BUCS TO WIN AND COVER.

THE COACH: JAGUARS TO WIN.

San Francisco 49ers (10-2) at Arizona Cardinals (5-7)
Line: 49ers by 3.5

Last week the Rams didn’t even belong on the same field with Jim Harbaugh’s 49ers. The only reason the Cards won is because of a bonehead Cowboys coaching decision. Arizona will fold like…well…a house of cards (get it).

DR FOOTBALL: 49ers TO WIN AND COVER.

THE COACH: 49ers TO WIN AND COVER.

Chicago Bears (7-5) at Denver Broncos (7-5)
Line: Broncos by 3.5.

Once upon a time this was supposed to be a grudge match;  Jay Cutler vs. his former team. Instead, we get to watch the Bears as the next team to lose to Tim Tebow. Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs will be ready to chase down Tebow, but the Bears offense isn’t capable of putting up points without Cutler and running back Matt Forte.

DR FOOTBALL: BRONCOS TO WIN AND COVER.

THE COACH: BRONCOS TO WIN AND COVER.

Oakland Raiders (7-5) at Green Bay Packers (12-0)
Line: Packers by 11

With four games left in the regular season the Green Bay Packers are 75 percent of the way done with completing a perfect season. The Packers haven’t really been challenged and they have rarely trailed but no matter what the circumstances they have made it look relatively easy. The Giants may have given them a little scare last week, but expect the Raiders to be not scary at all.

DR FOOTBALL: PACKERS TO WIN AND COVER

THE COACH: PACKERS TO WIN AND COVER

Philips+Rivers+Oakland+Raiders+v+San+Diego+4wzOH9d0QaOl 177x300 Dull Week Despite Plenty at Stake.

Philip Rivers

Buffalo Bills (5-7) at San Diego Chargers (5-7)
Line: Chargers by 7

San Diego QB Philip Rivers has been looking better, over, the last two games and this will continue this week at home, especially against a Bills defense that doesn’t play well against the pass.

DR FOOTBALL: CHARGERS TO WIN AND COVER.

THE COACH: CHARGERS TO WIN AND COVER

SUNDAY NIGHT

New York Giants (6-6) at Dallas Cowboys (7-5)
Line: Cowboys by 3

The NFC East elimination process starts on Sunday night. After squandering an opportunity to extend their NFC East lead to two games, the Cowboys host a Giants team that have dropped four consecutive games including lasts weeks squeaker to fall to 6-6. The main problem for the Giants is their defense has disappeared. Tony Romo and pals will have a big day.

DR FOOTBALL: COWBOYS TO WIN AND COVER. 

THE COACH: GIANTS TO WIN.

MONDAY NIGHT

Tarvaris+Jackson+Washington+Redskins+v+Seattle+3FgMGWexqzUl 223x300 Dull Week Despite Plenty at Stake.

Tarvaris Jackson

St. Louis Rams (2-10) at Seattle Seahawks (5-7)
Line: No Line

It becoming tougher to envision Rams head coach Steve Spagnuolo coming back in 2012. It is becoming even tougher to watch MNF with stinkers like this one. With another chance under the MNF lights, it will be Seahawks Marshawn Lynch’s time to shine once again. It doesn’t matter what the line is…

DR FOOTBALL: SEAHAWKS TO WIN AND COVER

THE COACH: SEAHAWKS TO WIN AND COVER

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What’s Next in Jacksonville? Burn Down the Stadium?

Posted on December 1, 2011 by Scott Taylor| 1 Comment
r 300x205 Whats Next in Jacksonville? Burn Down the Stadium?

Jack Del Rio

Here’s how crazy it was in Jacksonville this week: Owner Wayne Weaver fired head coach Jack Del Rio and replaced him with defensive coach Mel Tucker.

Then, a few hours later Weaver announced he had sold the franchise to Shahid Khan from Chicago, a guy who made his fortune in auto parts. Whether or not Khan can fix all the problems in Jacksonville is anyone’s guess. One supposes he could move the team to L.A. or Toronto.

In the meantime, the moves in Jag-City didn’t end with the coach. The day after De Rio was fired, the Jags  fired wide receivers coach Johnny Cox and also shifted quarterbacks coach Mike Sheppard to wide receivers coach and offensive coordinator Dirk Koetter to quarterbacks coach. The team also waived starting wide receiver Jason Hill, evidently taking a step toward preparing for next season. Huh?

As Dr. Football said yesterday: “What’s next, burn down the building?” Well, ahh, maybe.

 

suh ndamukong get 940 111124 8col Whats Next in Jacksonville? Burn Down the Stadium?

Ndamukong Suh

With the Jags in mind, with Ndamukong Suh suspended and with half the quarterbacks in the NFL hurt, it’s time for our weekly picks. It’s Week 13 in the National Football League and it opens Thursday night with Philadelphia at Seattle. There are 14 games on Sunday including Oakland at Miami, Denver is in Minnesota, Cincinnati is at Pittsburgh, Atlanta plays at Houston, Green Bay, trying to go to 12-0, plays in New York against the Giants and on Sunday Night Football, Detroit is at New Orleans.

Last week the Doc went 13-3 (110-65) straight up and 11-5 (94-81) against the spread while The Coach went 13-3 (117-58) straight up and 10-6 (95-80) against the spread.

tarvaris jackson seattle seahawks Whats Next in Jacksonville? Burn Down the Stadium?

Tarvaris Jackson

Philadelphia Eagles (4-7) at Seattle Seahawks (4-7)
Line: Eagles by 3

Philadelphia will be without Michael Vick at quarterback, as he lets his ribs heal. His replacement Vince Young threw for 400 yards last week against the Patriots, but he still has a passer rating of just 69.6. The Eagles need a big game from running back LeSean McCoy to make up for Young’s ineptness. DeSean Jackson’s mind is on his contract, he dropped two potential touchdowns last week. The Seahawks counter the Philadelphia firepower with a defense that gave up 314 yards passing to Washington’s Rex Grossman in its last game. Should be an easy Eagles win.

DR. FOOTBALL: EAGLES TO WIN AND COVER

THE COACH: SEAHAWKS TO WIN.

stevie johnson has a touchdown celebration ready for the chiefs week one claims bills players were e2 80 9cshocked e2 80 9d lee evans was traded 300x224 Whats Next in Jacksonville? Burn Down the Stadium?

Stevie Johnson: Why So Serious?

Tennessee Titans (6-5)  at Buffalo Bills (5-6)
Line: Bills by 1.5

Both teams are fighting to get a postseason berth. The Bills’ offense is trying to make do without Fred Jackson, while the Titans’  Chris Johnson, has started to play up to his billing. Tennessee still has a chance to take the AFC South, and both Johnson and QB Matt Hasselbeck should be able to exploit Buffalo’s 28th-ranked scoring defense.

DR. FOOTBALL: TITANS TO WIN

THE COACH: BILLS TO WIN AND COVER.

Kansas City Chiefs (4-7) at Chicago Bears (7-4)
Line: Bears by 7

Cover your eyes as Tyler Palko battles Caleb Hanie.  What’s the over/under on how many programs they will sell as no one knows who those two are. The Chiefs might be better off playing Kyle Orton who the Bears know well. If that happens, Brian Urlacher and Lance Briggs will help their teammates play off the tendencies of Orton, who no doubt will rusty in a new offense. The key here is for Hanie is to use Matt Forte and let the defense do the rest.

DR. FOOTBALL: BEARS TO WIN AND COVER

THE COACH: BEARS TO WIN AND COVER.

Whats Next in Jacksonville? Burn Down the Stadium?

The Raiders' Denarius Moore

Oakland Raiders (7-4) at Miami Dolphins (3-8)
Line: Dolphins by 3

The Raiders seem to have some pretty good chemistry going on on offense as QB Carson Palmer is succeeding in the air and on the ground. His biggest target in recent weeks has nee the talented but long-underused Denarius Moore and look for Moore to be a threat again this week. This is going to be the deciding factor in this game as the Raiders maintain possession and wear down the Dolphins defense. The Dolphins streak ends here. (Coach sez: Yeah right. The Dolphins are at home and Matt Moore has thrown the ball extremely well in recent weeks. The Dolphins looked good in Dallas and they can beat Oakland).

DR. FOOTBALL: RAIDERS TO WIN

THE COACH: DOLPHINS TO WIN AND COVER.

Cincinnati Bengals (7-4) at Pittsburgh Steelers (8-3)
Line: Steelers by 6.5.

Bengals QB Any Dalton has proven he can put points on the board and seems to be in a grove with A.J. Green and Jermaine Gresham.  It won’t be enough though because even though Big Ben didn’t so much against the Chiefs last week, he is very difficult to stop at home.

DR. FOOTBALL: STEELERS TO WIN AND COVER

THE COACH: STEELERS TO WIN AND COVER.

tumblr l2dh0xIqG21qbjfvco1 500 255x300 Whats Next in Jacksonville? Burn Down the Stadium?

Former Bomber Mike Sellers of the Redskins got more snaps last week than he had during the rest of the season combined.

New York Jets (6-5) at Washington Redskins (4-7)
Line: Jets by 3

I’m pretty sure the Redskins win last week was more about the Seahawks self-destructing late in the fourth quarter. I’m also unsure of Rex Grossman’s ability to move the ball against the Jets defense. One  has to wonder how did Mark Sanchez as awful as he did, but still tossed four TD’s and beat the Bills last week?  The Jets do know how to win, which will be the difference.

DR. FOOTBALL: JETS TO WIN AND COVER

THE COACH: JETS TO WIN AND COVER.

tj yates Whats Next in Jacksonville? Burn Down the Stadium?

T.J. Yates

Atlanta Falcons (7-4) at Houston Texans (8-3)
Line: Falcons by 3

Down to their number three QB T.J. Yates, the Texans will really rely on the their top ranked defense and running game.  But it won’t be enough.  Falcons are hitting their stride, and Yates will wish he was still a back up to a guy holding a clip board. T.J. Yates would probably be the only quarterback anywhere in the world who would be worried about losing his job to Jake Delhomme this week. I mean, there are semi-pro teams that would not have tried to sign Delhomme, who last destroyed the Cleveland Browns — while he was playing for them– in 2010. Delhomme is a turnover waiting to happen and yet he could play this week against Atlanta.

DR. FOOTBALL: FALCONS TO WIN AND COVER

THE COACH: FALCONS TO WIN AND COVER.

Carolina Panthers (3-8) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-7)
Line: Buccaneers by 3.5

It doesn’t matter how well Cam Newton will play, Carolina’s defensive line will struggle against Bucs RB LeGarrette Blount. The Bucs defense is good, but they may struggle a bit with Newton, so expect a high scoring shoot out. The Bucs have better guns.

DR. FOOTBALL: BUCCANEERS TO WIN AND COVER

THE COACH: BUCCANEERS TO WIN AND COVER.

allen 258x300 Whats Next in Jacksonville? Burn Down the Stadium?

Jared Allen

Denver Broncos (6-5) at Minnesota Vikings (2-9)
Line: Vikings by 1

Minnesota will be without RB Adrian Peterson again this week, and this will hurt them. Denver’s defense has given the Broncos their wins, not their offense. Lost in all the Tebow talk, the Broncos on defense have allowed 13, 13 and 10 points over the last three games. That will be the difference this week as the score will remain low, and the Broncos will prevail.

DR. FOOTBALL: BRONCOS TO WIN

THE COACH: BRONCOS TO WIN.

Indianapolis Colts (0-11) at New England Patriots (8-3)
Line: Patriots by 20

Good grief. This used to be the NFL’s game of the year.  Now, the only thing you wonder about is how much the Patriots will win by.

DR. FOOTBALL: PATRIOTS TO WIN AND COVER

THE COACH: PATRIOTS TO WIN BUT NOT COVER.

Peyton Hillis 8 200x300 Whats Next in Jacksonville? Burn Down the Stadium?

Peyton Hillis

Baltimore Ravens (8-3) at Cleveland Browns (4-7)
Line: Ravens by 6.5

Baltimore is coming off a mini bye week having last played on US Thanksgiving. I can’t see the Browns giving the well- rested Ravens any kind of a fight. (Coach sez: First of all, the Ravens tend to play down to their competition. Secondly, the Browns played very well in Cincinnati last week. No. 3, if Colt McCoy and company are smart enough to give the ball to big Peyton Hillis they can win this game. Whether or not they’ll do that, remains to be seen, however).

DR. FOOTBALL: RAVENS TO WIN AND COVER

THE COACH: RAVENS TO WIN AND COVER.

St. Louis Rams (2-9) at San Francisco 49ers (9-2)
Line: 49ers by 13

The 49ers should be fired up after their loss last week. They have the league’s best run defense; the Rams have the worst. The Niners also have the league’s top scoring defense, and the Rams are No. 31 in scoring offense. They shouldn’t have any trouble with the awful Rams. This could be a shutout.

DR. FOOTBALL: 49ers TO WIN AND COVER

THE COACH: 49ers TO WIN AND COVER.

demarco murray st louis rams VS dallas cowboys Whats Next in Jacksonville? Burn Down the Stadium?

DeMarco Murray runs for Cowboys TD.

Dallas Cowboys (7-4) at Arizona Cardinals (4-7)
Line: Cowboys by 4.5

Arizona doesn’t have the talent on defense to stop a well rested Cowboys squad, especially with WR Miles Austin back on the roster. Tony Romo has plenty of options and he will utilize them successfully.

DR. FOOTBALL: COWBOYS TO WIN AND COVER

THE COACH: COWBOYS TO WIN AND COVER.

aj hawk Whats Next in Jacksonville? Burn Down the Stadium?

A.J. Hawk

Green Bay Packers (11-0) at New York Giants (6-5)
Line: Packers by 7

The Green Bay Packers have won 17 consecutive games, and if they get through the 2011 NFL regular season without losing, they’ll have the record for the longest winning streak, beating out the 2003-04 New England Patriots’ mark of 21. The Giants were lit up by the Saints Drew Brees for four TDs last week. Now they face Aaron Rodgers, who burned them for four TDs last season. Their pass rush struggled to get to Brees, and they gave him plenty of time to pick the secondary apart. Rodgers has similar weapons to cause problems for Giants linebackers and defensive backs.

DR. FOOTBALL: PACKERS TO WIN AND COVER

THE COACH: PACKERS TO WIN AND COVER.

10307972 large 236x300 Whats Next in Jacksonville? Burn Down the Stadium?

Darren Sproles of the Saints

Detroit Lions (7-4) at New Orleans Saints (8-3)
Line: Saints by 9

The Detroit Stomper Ndamukong Suh will be out for this one, and that will make life a lot easier for Drew Brees and company. Brees torched the Giants for 4 TDs last week, and with the weakened Lions defense, look for similar results.

DR. FOOTBALL: SAINTS TO WIN AND COVER

THE COACH: SAINTS TO WIN AND COVER.

San Diego Chargers (4-7) at Jacksonville Jaguars (3-8)
Line: Chargers by 2.5.

Coach fired, team sold, what’s next; burn the building. San Diego is a mess, but nothing like Jacksonville. Why is this game on MNF?

DR. FOOTBALL: CHARGERS TO WIN AND COVER.

THE COACH: CHARGERS TO WIN AND COVER.

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We Love the Falcons, Steelers, Jets, Bengals and Raiders.

Posted on November 25, 2011 by Scott Taylor| Leave a comment
aaron rodgers championship belt 242x300 We Love the Falcons, Steelers, Jets, Bengals and Raiders.

Aaron Rodgers

Week 12 in the NFL opened on Thursday, U.S. Thanksgiving, and while I thought we might see three good football games, we saw one.

The Dallas-Miami clash came right down to the final moments and that was worth watching, but I’m afraid the other two? Well, in the end, they were indeed turkeys, mere wasted effort on a holiday Thursday.

Green Bay demolished Detroit 27-15 as Packers QB Aaron Rodgers threw for 307 yards and two touchdowns as Green Bay  improved to 11-0 and have now won 17 straight games dating back to last season. Detroit’s Ndamukong Suh was once again vilified by idiot TV announcers — that’s clowns get dumber and more annoying every day — and it brought this response from one of our most loyal readers, the enlightened Fort Rouge Ted:

ndamukong suh 300x217 We Love the Falcons, Steelers, Jets, Bengals and Raiders.

Ndamukong Suh: Old time NFL Football.

“Scotty, I was talking with Pops after the games on Thursday and do you realize that not long ago, in a far-off distant land known as the United States of America, when the NFL was a real man’s league, Suh would have been made out to be an effing god. He would be on the same pedestal with Mean Joe Greene, Ray Nitschke, Dick Butkus, Teddy The Stork Hendricks, Lyle Alzado, Deacon Jones, Mad Jack Lambert and Jack The Assassin Tatum. Suh would be a superstar among the defensive warriors of the real NFL. He would be cheered as much by his hometown fans as they would have hated the opposition, all while he was decapitating quarterbacks. 

“And not just Suh. What about that disgraceful roughing the passer call against Kyle Vandenbosch on Aaron Rodgers. That was embarrassingly bad. I was glad that Troy Aikman (the best in the business, by the way) said something. If that’s what my NFL has become, I don’t how much longer my passion will last.

“Then along came the liberal intellectuals, all the effing Harvard lawyers and Yale doctors, and they have changed the game to the point that it’s now made for gutless girly-men wearing skirts and playing to the cameras. Meanwhile, the TV and talk-show  announcers and all the would-be intellectuals, people who have never watched NFL films from the 60s and 70s, make Suh out to be a villain to be ridiculed by the politically correct in this baby-doll league we once called the NFL. No sir, I don’t like it. I want my old NFL back.”

As an Eastern university graduate and proud liberal, it’s sometimes hard to read my friends’ criticisms of other Eastern university graduates, liberal or not (by the way he acts around people, I would guess NFL commissioner Roger Goodell is a conservative Republican), but in his own blue-collar way, Teddy might be right. Between all the announcers passing judgment and all the officials throwing more flags than I ever remember, the game is getting dull, dull, dull.

With Sunday Ticket, you can bounce back and forth among a number of games, but when you’re stuck watching one game at a time as we were on Thursday, that game can get mind-numbingly uninteresting. Too many commercials, too many ridiculously dumb statements by the colour commentators (the play-by-play guys are generally solid) and way too many flags are making today’s NFL the dullest reality show on TV.

12hnQ1.St .58 237x300 We Love the Falcons, Steelers, Jets, Bengals and Raiders.

Tony Romo

Meanwhile, back on Thursday, Tony Romo threw two touchdown passes and Dan Bailey kicked a 28-yard game-winning field goal as time expired to lead Dallas past Miami 20-19 in a decent, but not great, football game. It was actually encouraging to see Romo play the final few minutes with a little poise.

And in the Har-Bowl: Ravens coach John Harbaugh beat his brother, Niners coach Jim Harbaugh, 16-6. Niners quarterback Alex Smith was sacked nine times while Joe Flacco threw one touchdown pass as the Ravens improved to 8-3 and the Niners fell to 9-2. That game, I’m afraid, was dishwater dull.

But now it’s the weekend and that means that on Sunday afternoon, I can watch five games at once and not be bored to tears by another one of those GEICO commercials I’ve already seen 300 times. This weekend, the big games include Buffalo at the New York Jets; Chicago at Oakland; New England at Philadelphia; Denver at San Diego; and the NY Giants at New Orleans on Monday night.

By the way, on Thursday, Doc Football went 3-0 straight up and 2-1 against the spread while The Coach went 2-1 straight up and 1-2 against the spread. The Coach really did think San Francisco was for real and that Baltimore would not be as good without Ray Lewis. Sadly, for The Coach, Baltimore might be better without Ray Lewis.

As always, Doc Football writes the game-by-game justifications and The Coach reserves the right to get snarky.

SUNDAY AFTERNOON

Sam Bradford 212x300 We Love the Falcons, Steelers, Jets, Bengals and Raiders.

Sam Bradford

Arizona Cardinals (3-7) at St. Louis Rams (2-8)
Line: Rams by 3

St. Louis QB Sam Bradford should have a good day at home as his strong arm is going to be utilized all game long against a weak Cardinals secondary. Rams should have beaten the Cardinals the last time they met, and they also should learn from their mistakes from the previous matchup. Arizona has one player, Larry Fitzgerald, and if the Rams shut him down, they’ll shut down the Cardinals. It doesn’t hurt to be at home, either.

Dr. Football: RAMS TO WIN AND COVER. 

The Coach: RAMS TO WIN AND COVER.

Buffalo Bills (5-5) at New York Jets (5-5)
Line: Jets by 9

The Jets are desperate need of a win after being “Tebowed” last week, and should get one against a tattered Buffalo team it easily handled just three weeks ago. Offensively, Buffalo has completely broken down the last five weeks and to complicate things even more for them, RB Fred Jackson will be out for this game due to a leg injury.

Dr. Football: JETS TO WIN BUT NOT COVER

The Coach: JETS TO WIN AND COVER

Josh Cribbs We Love the Falcons, Steelers, Jets, Bengals and Raiders.

Joshua Cribbs of the Browns

Cleveland Browns (4-6) at Cincinnati Bengals (6-4) 

Line: Bengals by 7.5

Both teams have been involved in a lot of close games this year. The difference is the Bengals have been better at winning them. The Bengals offense is the edge in this one, especially with WR A.J. Green back on Sunday. They will keep the ball moving downfield, and keep control of the clock as the Browns defense does not have the talent to match the Bengals offense.

Dr. Football: BENGALS TO WIN BUT NOT COVER 

The Coach: BENGALS TO WIN AND COVER

Houston Texans (7-3) at Jacksonville Jaguars (3-7)
Line: Texans by 3.5

Matt Schaub’s absence won’t be felt this week thanks to Texans’ shutdown defense and Jaguars’ woeful offense. Arian Foster is good enough to keep the pressure off of the other Matt (Leinart) this week, and the Texans will pick up an important win.

Dr. Football: TEXANS TO WIN AND COVER

The Coach: TEXANS TO WIN AND COVER

Carolina Panthers (2-8) at Indianapolis Colts (0-10)
Line: Panthers by 3.5

If the Colts are going to win at all this season, this figures to be their best chance. After all they can’t go 0-16, can they? (Coach sez: Sure they can).

Dr. Football: COLTS TO WIN

The Coach: PANTHERS TO WIN AND COVER

cj 300x204 We Love the Falcons, Steelers, Jets, Bengals and Raiders.

Chris Johnson

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-6) at Tennessee Titans (5-5)
Line: Titans by 3

Bucs showed some heart in last week’s loss, and the mediocre Titans represent a step down in competition to what they’ve been facing lately. This week, they face a much better defense in Tennessee and won’t get the last minute opportunity for a comeback. Offensively, the Titans are a solid team no matter who is playing quarterback.

Dr. Football: TITANS TO WIN AND COVER

The Coach: TITANS TO WIN AND COVER

Minnesota Vikings (2-8) at Atlanta Falcons (6-4)
Line: Falcons by 9

Vikings are 3-13 in their last 16 road games and won’t have Adrian Peterson, while Matt Ryan shouldn’t have problems shredding depleted Minnesota secondary. Ryan should have a field day against a terrible Vikings defense, and struggling rookie Christian Ponder won’t be able to keep up without his best weapon.

Dr. Football: FALCONS TO WIN AND COVER

The Coach: FALCONS TO WIN AND COVER

Cleveland+Browns+v+Chicago+Bears+CFwo4xh7mjOl 200x300 We Love the Falcons, Steelers, Jets, Bengals and Raiders.

The Caleb Hanie Era Starts Sunday

Chicago Bears (7-3) at Oakland Raiders (6-4)
Line: Raiders by 4.5

Caleb Hanie will get some help from Chicago’s defense and special teams, but the Bears won’t quite be able to overcome the loss of Jay Cutler who is out for 6-8 weeks with a broken thumb. Hanie has nowhere near the arm as Cutler and this is going to force the Bears to run the ball. This option isn’t bad for the Bears as they have one of the best running backs in the league this year with Matt Forte, and Oakland struggles a bit against the run. However, the Raiders do not struggle when it comes to getting pressure on the quarterback, and this will spell doom for the Bears. There probably isn’t a worse place for the Caleb Hanie Era to begin than in Oakland.

Dr. Football: RAIDERS TO WIN AND COVER

The Coach: RAIDERS TO WIN AND COVER

Marshawn+Lynch+Baltimore+Ravens+v+Seattle+K1y8pFnSl1tl 195x300 We Love the Falcons, Steelers, Jets, Bengals and Raiders.

Seattle's Marshawn Lynch

Washington Redskins (3-7) at Seattle Seahawks (4-6)
Line: Seahawks by 3.5

Seahawks have very quietly been playing pretty good football over the last couple of weeks, while Redskins have been playing pretty poor football considerably longer. Seattle’s defense is improving each week and this week they face Redskins QB Rex Grossman who is, for lack of a better word, a bum. Seattle’s offense will utilize RB Marshawn Lynch a lot this week and will be successful.

Dr. Football: SEAHAWKS TO WIN AND COVER

The Coach: SEAHAWKS TO WIN AND COVER

tom brady 5 185x300 We Love the Falcons, Steelers, Jets, Bengals and Raiders.

Tom Brady

New England Patriots (7-3) at Philadelphia Eagles (4-6)
Line: Patriots by 3

Last week’s win didn’t cure all the Eagles’ problems, and the incredibly efficient Patriots should be able to take advantage of their opponent’s sore spots.Especially the big holes on defense. Bill Belichick will find a way to confuse Vince Young and force a couple of turnovers, and that should be enough for the Pats. Frankly, in a battle between Eli Manning and Vince Young (last week), I might take Young, but in a battle between Tom Brady and Vince Young, I’ll take Brady any day.

Dr. Football: PATRIOTS TO WIN AND COVER

The Coach: PATRIOTS TO WIN AND COVER

Tim+Tebow+New+York+Jets+v+Denver+Broncos+uYUicoLBslOl 225x300 We Love the Falcons, Steelers, Jets, Bengals and Raiders.

Tim Tebow

Denver Broncos (5-5) at San Diego Chargers (4-6)
Line: Chargers by 6

Denver’s defense is improving each week while San Diego’s is in decline. Tim Tebow is an unexplainable 4-1, and despite his lack of throwing ability, the Broncos keep winning. This week, Tebow will need to quickly get points on the board to be successful. Denver’s defense will pressure Chargers QB Philip Rivers into limited third down conversions, and probably a turnover or two. The Tebow experiment works for yet another week. (Coach sez: The Broncos keep winning because the team has faith in its quarterback. The entire team is playing better because the players believe Tebow will win it in the end. The guy is a winner, period).

Dr. Football: BRONCOS TO WIN

The Coach: BRONCOS TO WIN

SUNDAY NIGHT

Pittsburgh Steelers (7-3) at Kansas City Chiefs (4-6)
Line: Steelers by 10.5

Injury-riddled Chiefs couldn’t score on New England’s questionable defense on Monday, and will run into similar problems against the well-rested Steelers. The Steelers are more talented in every category, and this game will be over by half time.

Dr. Football: STEELERS TO WIN AND COVER

The Coach: STEELERS TO WIN AND COVER

MONDAY NIGHT

Darren+Sproles+New+Orleans+Saints+v+Green+bzeCQdf9DAkl We Love the Falcons, Steelers, Jets, Bengals and Raiders.

Darren Sproles

New York Giants (6-4) at New Orleans Saints (7-3)
Line: Saints by 7

Eli Manning returns to his hometown in the Monday nighter, to the stadium where his father, Archie, enjoyed some of his best NFL years. But with all due respect to Peyton’s little brother, the city of New Orleans currently belongs to fellow Super Bowl  winning quarterback Drew Brees. The Saints are rested and incredibly explosive on their home turf, putting a Giants team that hasn’t put putting up a whole lot of points as of late in a very tough spot.

Dr. Football: SAINTS TO WIN AND COVER

The Coach: SAINTS TO WIN AND COVER

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No Turkeys This Thanksgiving

Posted on November 24, 2011 by Scott Taylor| Leave a comment
aaron rodgers 95c4253b7035fec1 large 200x300 No Turkeys This Thanksgiving

Aaron Rodgers tries to go 11-0.

On paper, there are no turkeys on Turkey Day.

It’s U.S. Thanksgiving and that means lunchtime in front of the tube for The Coach. And that lunchtime game could be a great one. Then again…

The Detroit Lions will play host to the Green Bay Packers in the first of the Thanksgiving Triple Header (11:30 a.m. CST) and insiders from me to ESPN’s Mike Golic believe that if anyone derails the Packers runaway-train-to-16-0, it will be the Lions, today. I’ll admit it’s a long shot. The Lions probably have as much chance to win this one as Nickelback has of being the halftime show… Huh? What? Nickelback IS the halftime show? In Detroit? Well, there you go.

Game 2 features the red-hot Miami Dolphins against the always hard-to-figure Dallas Cowboys. Will it be the good Tony Romo or the bad Tony Romo today? Nobody really knows.

And then Game 3 is the “Har-Bowl:” head coach Jim Harbaugh and the San Francisco 49ers invade Baltimore where head coach John Harbaugh tries to get his Ravens prepared for a 9-1 team that has legitimate Super Bowl aspirations.

It’s going to be a great day of football and our Thanksgiving picks are coming up. We’ll be back tomorrow with our picks for the other 13 games this weekend.

By the way, last week the Doc was 10-3 (97-62) straight up and 7-6 (83-76) against the spread. The Coach went 9-4 (104-55) straight up and 8-5 (85-74)  against the spread.

This week, as always, the Doc writes our justifications while the Coach reserves the right to make snide comments.

matt 199x300 No Turkeys This Thanksgiving

Matt Stafford

Green Bay Packers (10-0) at Detroit Lions (7-3)
Line: Packers by 6.5

The undefeated Packers roll into Detroit in the Thanksgiving day early game. Expect the charged-up Lions give the Pack all they can handle and then some, but ultimately they will make too many mistakes and not enough stops…but who really can stop Aaron Rogers? (Coach sez: If the Packers are to be stopped before going 16-0, today will be the day. However, there is a wagering rule that clearly suggests that you don’t be against the undefeated until they lose. Green Bay is 10-0 and going back to last year have won a franchise-record 16-straight games. I’ll bet the Packers, but again, today could be the day. If it’s not, the Packs goes 16-0).

Dr Football: PACKERS TO WIN AND COVER

The Coach: PACKERS TO WIN AND COVER

Miami Dolphins (3-7) at Dallas Cowboys (6-4)
Line: Cowboys by 7

The Cowboys are favoured by a touchdown when the reborn Dolphins come into Texas for the second Thanksgiving Day game. The Dolphins are actually riding a three game winning streak right now, but the Cowboys also seem to have turned the corner and are now tied for first place in the NFC East. The  Dolphins’ tough defense will keep them in it, but the Cowboys always play well on Thanksgiving and have too many weapons.

Dr. Football: COWBOYS TO WIN AND COVER.

The Coach: COWBOYS TO WIN AND COVER.

alex 250x300 No Turkeys This Thanksgiving

Alex Smith

San Francisco 49ers (9-1) at Baltimore Ravens (7-3)
Line: Ravens by 3

U.S. Thanksgiving is traditionally about family, but Jim and John Harbaugh will certainly be not thinking about the holiday. This is a close call, but the Ravens are a perfect 5-0 at home this season, and the 49ers have to make a tiring cross country trip as well. (Coach sez: I have the Baltimore defence as my fantasy-team defence. Frankly, that defence is a fantasy. Ray Lewis, Ed Reed et al. are a step slower and don’t make the plays they used to make. I have lost my faith in the Ravens D to stop anybody much less a 9-1 team that pasted Detroit at Ford Field).

Dr. Football: RAVENS TO WIN AND COVER

The Coach: 49ers TO WIN.

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Jets to Win Thursday, Pats to Win Monday. Packers to Go 10-0 on Sunday

Posted on November 16, 2011 by Scott Taylor| Leave a comment
Aaron+Rodgers+Chicago+Bears+v+Green+Bay+Packers+CiwJFzA6ONNl 200x300 Jets to Win Thursday, Pats to Win Monday. Packers to Go 10 0 on Sunday

The Great Aaron Rodgers

TAMPA, Fla. — I remember when I asked Green Bay’s Jermichael Finley a couple of weeks ago if he believed his team could go 16-0 this season. Finley didn’t like the question.

“I ain’t goin’ there man, no way. I ain’t talkin’ about that stuff. I just ain’t goin’ there.”

Finley was not pleased when the Packers beat Minnesota the first time to improve to 7-0 and then was immediately asked if his team was good enough to go undefeated this season. Guess the timing was wrong. Wonder how he feels now?

To his credit, Aaron Rodgers didn’t care when I posed the question to him. He said he expected his team to get better as the season went along. He thought it was possible that the Packers could go 16-0, as long as they kept improving. He’s been quite prophetic.

The Packers look unbeatable. They look unbeatable because Rodgers is almost perfect and the rest of the team is improving. He is clearly the best quarterback in the game right now and last week threw four touchdown passes against Minnesota in a 45-7 victory. This week, the Packers get Tampa at home and this one could get very ugly.

It’s Week 11 in the NFL and the Texans, Colts, Saints and Steelers have the byes this week. There are 14 games and the unbeaten Packers are about to go to 10-0.

And I guarantee that The Doc and The Coach will improve, as well.

Last week the Doc was 7-9 (87-59) straight up and 6-10 (76-70) against the spread. The Coach went 8-8 (95-51) straight up and 7-9 (77-69) against the spread.

This week, as always, the Doc writes our rationalizations and I just make snide remarks when necessary.

THURSDAY NIGHT

Mark+Sanchez+New+England+Patriots+v+New+York+61xFxVWdJ3fl 200x300 Jets to Win Thursday, Pats to Win Monday. Packers to Go 10 0 on Sunday

The Jets Mark Sanchez

New York Jets (5-4) at Denver Broncos (4-5)
Line: Jets by 6

Both teams have been up and down all season long, although Denver has surprisingly won two in a row. The Jets still must be stinging from their failure to defend their home turf against the New England Patriots, and now they have to head across the country to face the Broncos. One thing has been established in Denver: Tim Tebow is not a passer as he threw only eight times in last week’s win against K.C. The Jets defense is better than the Chiefs so Tebow won’t find much room to manoeuvre, and if he tries to throw the Jets secondary is one of the best in the league (Coach sez: I expect the Jets to win and cover, but if it will make Merrill Hoge’s head explode on ESPN, I’d love to see Tim Tebow go to 4-1 as the Broncos quarterback).

Dr. Football: JETS TO WIN AND COVER.

The Coach: JETS TO WIN AND COVER. 

Buffalo Bills (5-4) at Miami Dolphins (2-7)

Line: Dolphins by 2.5

The Dolphins are now riding a two game winning streak which seemed impossible after seven weeks of the season, while the Bills are riding a two game losing streak which has brought them crashing back to earth in a hurry. Dolphins QB Matt Moore and WR Brandon Marshall have started to connect, and RB Reggie Bush seems to have found himself again. Look for the Fish to pick up the home win.

Dr. Football: DOLPHINS TO WIN AND COVER

The Coach: BILLS TO WIN. 

Joe+Flacco+Arizona+Cardinals+v+Baltimore+Ravens+3NVwUY EOQwl 200x300 Jets to Win Thursday, Pats to Win Monday. Packers to Go 10 0 on Sunday

The Ravens Joe Flacco

Cincinnati Bengals (6-3) at Baltimore Ravens (6-3)
Line: Ravens by 7

Who would of thought that after playing nine games each, the Ravens and the Bengals are tied for second place in the AFC North? The Ravens offense is quite possibly the most inconsistent offense in the NFL, and the majority of the blame goes to QB Joe Flacco. The Bengals defense has proven to be able to get to opposing quarterbacks, and this could be a long day for Flacco. Look for the Ravens defense to pull it off here as the motivation is huge; if the Ravens win, they move straight into 1st place thanks to their tiebreaker edge over the Steelers. (Coach sez: I’m taking the Ravens, but relying on the Ravens defense these days is nebulous. It appears as if they have all become one step too slow all at once.)

Dr. Football: RAVENS TO WIN BUT NOT COVER

The Coach: RAVENS TO WIN AND COVER. 

Jacksonville Jaguars (3-6) at Cleveland Browns (3-6)
Line: Jaguars by 1

Neither the Jaguars nor the Browns are very good teams. But the best player in this one is Maurice Jones Drew. Look for him to have a big game in Cleveland and pile up a lot of yards and a few touchdowns to lead the Jaguars in a road win.

Dr Football: JAGUARS TO WIN AND COVER

 The Coach: BROWNS TO WIN. 

Carson+Palmer+Oakland+Raiders+v+San+Diego+2UBUtpVVtjMl 215x300 Jets to Win Thursday, Pats to Win Monday. Packers to Go 10 0 on Sunday

The Raiders Carson Palmer

Oakland Raiders (5-4) at Minnesota Vikings (2-7)
Line: Raiders by 1

The Vikings continue to look terrible week in and week out, and guys like Adrian Peterson and Jared Allen don’t feel like they’re getting any help. The Raiders are trying to make a push and maintain their divisional lead, and if Carson Palmer (who looked way more comfortable wearing silver and black last week against the Chargers) has another strong outing, the Raiders should have no problem in the Dome. (Coach sez: If the Vikings give Adrian Peterson the football, they win. If they don’t, they lose. I’m going to guess — hope? — that they will give Peterson the football.)

Dr. Football: RAIDERS TO WIN AND COVER

The Coach: VIKINGS TO WIN.

Carolina Panthers (2-7) at Detroit Lions (6-3)
Line: Lions by 7

The Lions are heavy favourites over the inconsistent Panthers, but don’t forget that Detroit is 1-3 in its last four games after starting 5-0. So they have been stumbling lately, but the Panthers are just what they need to get back on their winning ways.

Dr. Football: LIONS TO WIN AND COVER

The Coach: LIONS TO WIN AND COVER

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-5) at Green Bay Packers (9-0)
Line: Packers by 14

As much as I hate to say this, the undefeated Packers are the class of the NFL right now. The once hot Buccaneers have lost three in a row, and four of five, to fall to 4-5 on the season. The Buccaneers are coming off a big blowout loss, and I can’t see them putting anything together in Green Bay.

Dr. Football: PACKERS TO WIN AND COVER.

The Coach: PACKERS TO WIN AND COVER.

Tony+Romo+Buffalo+Bills+v+Dallas+Cowboys+zSolNyyOT ql Jets to Win Thursday, Pats to Win Monday. Packers to Go 10 0 on Sunday

The Cowboys Tony Romo

Dallas Cowboys (5-4) at Washington Redskins (3-6)
Line: Cowboys by 7.5

The Cowboys have fought their way back into the playoff picture and are just one game behind the Giants now, and a win would keep the pressure on as the Giants prepare for their hardest stretch of the year. It doesn’t matter who will behind center for the Redskins, they both stink. Tony Romo is on fire now, and he’ll beat the ‘Skins on the road.

Dr. Football: COWBOYS TO WIN AND COVER.

The Coach: COWBOYS TO WIN AND COVER.

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The Niners Alex Smith

Arizona Cardinals (3-6) at San Francisco 49ers (8-1)
Line: 49ers by 9.5

Earlier in the season the Cardinals looked like a dead team walking, but then they win two games in a row and they build up some momentum…and this week will put them back in the graveyard. The 49ers are one of the hottest teams in the NFL, and even with the fact that Frank Gore, who injured his knee and ankle in last week’s victory over the Giants, could be limited this Sunday, the 49ers will still run wild at home.

Dr. Football: 49ers TO WIN AND COVER.

The Coach: 49ers TO WIN AND COVER.

Seattle Seahawks (3-6) at St. Louis Rams (2-7)
Line: Rams by 2

Not many will be tuning into watch this one. The Rams will have Stephen Jackson healthy, and Seattle is horrible on the road. The less said about this dud the better.

Dr. Football: RAMS TO WIN AND COVER.

The Coach: RAMS TO WIN AND COVER.

Tennessee Titans (5-4) at Atlanta Falcons (5-4)
Line: Falcons by 6

The Falcons, who couldn’t get the job done need to win if they want to stay in the thick of the wild card race. Dubious play calling will do that. Meanwhile, the Titans are sitting at 5-4, and are fighting for their own playoff spot, and now have Chris Johnson back at full steam. He’ll have a good game, but it won’t be enough.

Dr. Football: FALCONS TO WIN BUT NOT COVER

The Coach: FALCONS TO WIN AND COVER

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The Bears Israel Idonije

San Diego Chargers (4-5) at Chicago Bears (6-3)
Line: Bears by 3.5

The Bears are on a hot streak right now, winners of four straight, including a convincing win last week over the Lions. This week they host the completely lost Chargers, who just couldn’t come up with any kind of a plan last week when Marcus McNeill went down. Philip Rivers plays well when he is the underdog, but I believe the Bears defense will prove too tough. One of the reasons for that re-born Bears defense is the improved play of Brandon’s favorite son, Israel Idonije. The Manitoban has been exceptional this season and is truly worthy of being called one of the “Monsters of the Midway.” He is slowly becoming one of the great Bears defensive players and Manitoba sports fans should be proud.

Dr. Football: BEARS TO WIN AND COVER.

The Coach: BEARS TO WIN AND COVER

SUNDAY NIGHT

Philadelphia Eagles (3-6) at New York Giants (6-3)
Line: Giants by 5

The Eagles “dream into nightmare” season continues at Giants Stadium. With Michael Vick doubtful as well. Let’s face it, even if he does play what kind of a performance will you get out of a man with broken ribs? The Giants have been looking very good of late, beating New England and playing the 49ers tough on the road. The Eagles are no match.

Dr. Football: GIANTS TO WIN AND COVER.

The Coach: GIANTS TO WIN AND COVER.

MONDAY NIGHT

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The Pats Danny Woodhead

Kansas City Chiefs (4-5) at New England Patriots (6-3)
Line: Patriots by 14.5

Good grief. Tom Brady completely destroyed the Jets like he was a man possessed. What will he do against the Chiefs on Monday night? Yikes. The Chiefs are a remarkably disappointing team and that’s why Monday night’s game could get very ugly. I wonder which TV executive thought this was going to be a good football game, a game worthy of Monday Night Football. It’s amazing what’s happened to MNF over the years. Sunday Night Football has stolen the mantle of great games and MNF is a shell of its former self. (Coach sez: He’ll use Danny Woodhead and Wes Welker, the two best undersized players in pro football.)

Dr. Football: PATRIOTS TO WIN AND COVER.

The Coach: PATRIOTS TO WIN AND COVER.

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A Mid-Season Visit With Blitznak the Magnificent

Posted on November 13, 2011 by Scott Taylor| Leave a comment

LAKE WINNIPEGOSICH, Minn. — Was Donovan McNabb good enough? Was the Eagles spending spree worth it? Will Brett Favre show up again?

Brett Favre Vikings1 296x300 A Mid Season Visit With Blitznak the Magnificent

Brett Favre, back when he played.

These are the questions we asked the man who owns the NFL’s Crystal Ball.

Blitznak the Magnificent is the man with the big ball. That’s singular.

Blitznak has all the answers to life’s most difficult questions. He’s always right – at least, HE believes he’s always right – and this past weekend, we went back to his cabin on Lake Winnipegosich deep in the northern Minnesota bush (OK, so he lives about eight miles northwest of Duluth near the Chippewa Casino on Hwy. 2, but who’s keeping score?) to interview the all-seeing NFL Oracle.

We posed 10 new and follow-up questions, none of them about Brett Favre:

RIVER CITY SPORTS BLOG: So, Mr. Blitznak, the All-Knowing, we asked you back in August if Donovan McNabb would make a difference to the Minnesota Vikings. You said no. Guess you were right.

Blitznak, the Magnificent: What did I tell you? “Short answer? No. Long answer? If he gets any time to throw, he could be terrific. Trouble is, that offensive line in Minnesota couldn’t block the Vikings Cheerleaders. The O-line will be better, but probably not enough better to make Donovan McNabb the Donovan McNabb of 2005. So, yeah, McNabb had to go. Young Christian Ponder will be the quarterback in Minnesota for the next 15 years – so long as the coaches don’t screw with his head, the offensive line doesn’t get him killed and the idiots in the state legislature get the damn stadium built.

RCS BLOG: We also asked you if the Eagles did the right thing, spending all that money on free agents. We wondered if it would make them good enough to win the Super Bowl?

B the M: I said at the time that you can never do the wrong thing by spending money to try to get good players in order to win games. At least the Eagles ownership was trying. I said it was up to Andy Reid to make that team a winner and it might take some time. But the Eagles are good and they will do well this season. Right now, the Eagles are 3-5, but they’ll win on Sunday and they will make the playoffs.

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Eli Manning, NY Giants

RCS BLOG: We also asked you who will be the best quarterback in the NFL this season. You said it wouldn’t be Eli Manning. What do you think now?

B the M: I still don’t think it will be either Manning — Eli or Peyton or even Archie. As I said in August, if you’re in a fantasy draft and you have Aaron Rodgers, Drew Brees, Mark Sanchez, Philip Rivers, Tom Brady or Michael Vick, you’ll be just fine. Detroit’s Matthew Stafford, if he remains healthy, is still the big sleeper. Matt Schaub in Houston could have a very interesting season, as well. Schaub hasn’t had a great season, but he’s sure had an interesting one. He might not get big fantasy numbers, but he does know how to win.

I said, stay away from Kyle Orton, Chad Henne, Alex Smith, Matt Hasselbeck, Tarvaris Jackson and Andy Dalton. I was wrong about Smith and Dalton, but I’m not wrong about Henne, Hasselbeck or Jackson.

RCS BLOG: Do you think Green Bay can go 16-0?

B the M: Yep.

RCS BLOG: Would you elaborate?

B the M: Why didn’t you ask a two-part question, Grasshopper. The Packers biggest test was San Diego on the coast and they “survived” 45-38. You talked to Aaron Rodgers. He said the Packers “can get better.” What do you think that means? The Packers play the Vikings at home on Monday night, get Tampa at home, go to Detroit, go to the Giants, play Oakland at Lambeau, go to Kansas City, get the Bears at home and then finish with Detroit at home. If this team continues to play as well as it has in its first eight games, there is no reason to believe that 16-0 is impossible. Their toughest game is in New York against the Giants, but I’ll take Aaron Rodgers over Eli Manning any day.

RCS BLOG: What do you think of Tim Tebow? Is he as bad as ESPN says he is?

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Tim Tebow, Denver Broncos

B the M: Hell, no. Tim Tebow is different and anything that is different makes morons like ESPN’s Merrill Hoge shit pancakes. Tebow is also outwardly religious and that drives some people nuts. Here’s the problem with Tebow: (a) he’s lefthanded and that’s different, (b) he loves to run with the football and that makes traditionalists crap and (c) he wins and that makes the Kyle Orton Fan Club, of which there are far too many members among the punditry class, whine like little babies with a diaper full of used formula. What Hoge did on Sunday morning — ripping Tebow simply because he’s turned ripping Tebow into a cottage industry — was a blight on ESPN’s good name. The Sports Leader has a Tebow fetish and it either has to back off or just admit that the only thing in sports that makes them all noticeably apoplectic is the Denver quarterback.

RCS BLOG: Back in August we asked you who was the best runningback in the NFL? Do you still believe Adrian Peterson is the guy?

Adrian Peterson 269x300 A Mid Season Visit With Blitznak the Magnificent

Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings

B the M: More than ever before. Fred Jackson has had a good year in Buffalo, Frank Gore has been exceptional in San Francisco and LeSean McCoy and Matt Forte are very talented and have played well. But Chris Johnson isn’t half as good as he was last year and Michael Turner and Maurice Jones-Drew are one-trick ponies. Adrian Peterson does more than anyone else in the game and he gives his rookie quarterback an out on every play. Peterson is consistent and productive and absolutely your first pick on fantasy draft day. Even with that horse-pucky offensive line in Minnesota, he puts up big numbers. And he can catch. He is, without fear of legitimate argument, the best runningback in football.

RCS BLOG: Can the Cincinnati Bengals continue to win with a rookie quarterback?

B the M: I never would have believed it, but Andy Dalton is a remarkable young quarterback. I’m not wrong often, but I was wrong about Dalton. Cincinnati can win its division. And they can do it because Andy Dalton will challenge Cam Newton for the rookie of the year award. However, the Bengals aren’t as good as the pundits believe they are because they haven’t really beaten anybody yet.

RCS BLOG: Will Indianapolis finish the season 0-16 and win the Andrew Luck sweepstakes?

Peyton Manning1 242x300 A Mid Season Visit With Blitznak the Magnificent

Peyton Manning, back when he played.

B the M: It’s definitely possible. That’s a bad team. And it’s never been the same since Jim Caldwell and the coaching staff decided to rest Peyton Manning and the starters when the team was 14-0 in 2009. Dumb move, dumb coach. They play Jacksonville next week and could beat them. Then they have the bye and then they get Carolina at home, go to New England, go to Baltimore, get Tennessee at home and Houston at home and then go to Jacksonville. What the heck, Miami won this week. Indy could win a game, too. You know what they say about blind squirrels and nuts. Regardless, the real question shouldn’t be, “Will they win the Andrew Luck Sweepstakes?” but, “Will they draft Andrew Luck if they finish last?” If the Colts draft Luck, they don’t believe Peyton Manning will be back, but if they draft an offensive or defensive lineman or a runningback, you’ll know Manning will be around for at least the next four years.

RCS BLOG: Back in August we asked you if the Packers could repeat as champions. You thought they could. Do you still believe it?

B the M: Absolutely. It’s extremely difficult to go back-to-back these days, but when you have Aaron Rodgers at quarterback, A.J. Hawk at linebacker and Clay Matthews anywhere within 15 miles of a football field, you have a chance to win. The Packers have the best quarterback in the NFL and the best offensive line in the NFL. That combination means they could easily win two Super Bowls in a row.

RCS BLOG: Did you think the Patriots and Eagles would have a combined seven losses through the first nine weeks?

B the M: No, and I guarantee they won’t have seven losses over the next seven weeks.

Satisfied, now? You’d better be because that’s your 10 questions, Chubby. You’re done. Now go away. I gotta go out and buy Thelma a couple of ice cold Grain Belts. Remember, Grain Belt: It’s the beer to have when you’re having more than a dozen.

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Teams With Challenges At Home in Week 10: Bucs and a Dozen others…

Posted on November 9, 2011 by Scott Taylor| Leave a comment

TAMPA, Fla. — We’re in beautiful Tampa, Fla., this week for a matchup between the 6-3 Houston Texans and the 4-4 Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The Bucs are one of about a dozen teams — Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Kansas City, Indianapolis, Dallas Carolina, Miami, Atlanta, San Francisco and the New York Jets — that play home games this week and will not have an easy time against opponents they all believe, or did believe at one time, that they could beat (we didn’t include Seattle in that list because they’re going to get pasted at home by Baltimore).

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Raymond James Stadium, Tampa, Fla.

This is a battle of two teams going in different directions. The Texans have won three straight while Tampa has lost two in a row. Maybe that’s the reason that prompted the Bucs into claiming bad boy Albert Haynesworth off waivers from New England today. If Haynesworth reports and attends practice on Thursday, he’ll start on Sunday and Bucs coach Raheem Morris says he has no problem with the club’s decision to sign a guy who couldn’t cut it in Washington and New England after seven great seasons in Tennessee. Haynesworth will play the position he played with the Titans — Gap 1 D Tackle in a 4-3 — and Morris hopes that will help Haynesworth become engaged again.

One can always hope.

Game time is 1 p.m. EST on Sunday and it should be a much better game than advertised — in a week full of games that will be better than they look.

It’s Week 10 in the NFL and all 32 teams will play this week. There are no byes. And there is also a Thursday night game as the Oakland Raiders play the San Diego Chargers at Qualcomm Stadium.

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Tim Tebow

Then, on Sunday, the big games include Denver (read: Tim Tebow) at Kansas City (read: the official team of the ESPN Tebow Haters Club this week) ; Buffalo at Dallas; Pittsburgh at Cincinnati; Detroit at Chicago and New England at the Jets. Monday night, the Minnesota Vikings meet the undefeated 8-0 Green Bay Packers. We fully expect Green bay to go to 9-0.

Meanwhile, NFL games continued to be hairline close last weekend, as the final seven games of Week 9 were all decided in the last three minutes of the fourth quarter or overtime. Then again, that’s really nothing new this season.

Through nine weeks of the 2011 campaign, 66.2 percent of games played (86 of 130) have been within seven points in the fourth quarter. That’s tied for the fourth-most in any season in NFL history through Week 9. The most ever? Eighty-nine in 2004.

Frankly, if you look at the number of games in which Doc and The Coach disagree, you’ll get a pretty good feel for how close things will be this week.

Last week the Doc went 9-5 (80-50) straight up and 9-5 (70-60) against the spread while The Coach went 7-7 (87-43) straight up and 7-7 (70-60) against the spread.

This week, The Doc writes our previews and rationalizations. The Coach reserves the right to answer when he disagrees. Which, this week, is often.

 THURSDAY NIGHT

Oakland Raiders (4-4) at San Diego Chargers (4-4)
Line: Chargers by 7

U.S. Thanksgiving comes a couple of weeks early as the first Thursday night game of the season is a big AFC West match up. Both teams are struggling right now, and the division is up for grabs. Wasn’t Carson Palmer supposed to be an upgrade in Oakland?  Norv Turner’s club is taking steps backwards but they do have home field advantage and a high scoring offense, so that should give them the edge in this one.

Dr Football: CHARGERS TO WIN AND COVER.

The Coach: CHARGERS TO WIN AND COVER

SUNDAY AFTERNOON

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(17) Mike Wallace of the Pittsburgh Steelers

Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3) at Cincinnati Bengals (6-2)
Line: Steelers by 3

The Steelers are coming off a home loss to the Ravens, and will hopefully (for them, at least) take the road to redemption against the Cincinnati Bengals, who look pretty smart right now after drafting Andy Dalton and trading away Carson Palmer. The Bengals are are sitting pretty with a 6-2 record, but haven’t really played anyone that will contend for a title in January. This week, they do. Lately, the 6-3 Steelers have not  and probably will not lose back to back divisional games, and the smart money this week says they’ll make a statement against the upstart Bengals. Watch for Pittsburgh to do more offensively than they have the past two weeks against a Cincinnati defense that really isn’t as good as the numbers might suggest.

Dr. Football: STEELERS TO WIN AND COVER.

The Coach: STEELERS TO WIN AND COVER

Denver Broncos (3-5) at Kansas City Chiefs (4-4)
Line: Chiefs by 3

The only team in the AFC West that won last week was the Broncos, and suddenly they are just one game behind the rest of the pack. Kansas City is coming off a humiliating loss at home to the winless Dolphins, and won’t let it happen again. (Coach sez: They won’t? Sure they will. And they’ll lose because of Tim Tebow. Whenever Tim Tebow plays well, Merrill Hoge has to go on ESPN radio and TV and make up some kind of excuse for the fact he’s a complete buffoon. Tebow might not look like the type of player Hoge believes should be an NFL quarterback, but there is one thing he does — he wins. He’s 2-1 at the helm of the sad-sack Broncos and he’ll win again on Sunday — just to make Merrill Hoge look like a buffoon again).

Dr. Football: CHIEFS TO WIN AND COVER.

The Coach: BRONCOS TO WIN AND COVER

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Maurice Jones-Drew

Jacksonville Jaguars (2-6) at Indianapolis Colts (0-9)
Line: Jaguars by 3

When a team goes on the road with a 2-6 record and is a three-point favorite against a divisional rival, you know the home team must be terrible. Everyone wants the Colts on the schedule this season. But maybe Indy’s due? Jags quarterback Blaine Gabbert is terrible, and the Colts have to win sometime don’t they? This game is not for the faint of heart. Of course, it’s not for people who expect a lot of passing. (Coach sez: Maurice Jones-Drew will rush for 150 yards and three touchdowns)

Dr. Football: COLTS TO WIN.

The Coach: JAGUARS TO WIN AND COVER.

Buffalo Bills (5-3) at Dallas Cowboys (4-4)
Line: Cowboys by 5.5

Buffalo may give them more of a challenge than the Seahawks did last week, but I still think Tony Romo and the rest of the Cowboys will win their first game against an AFC opponent this season.  This game won’t have the magic of Super Bowls XXVII or XXVII, but it will have the same outcome of those two games, just a bit closer.

Dr. Football: COWBOYS TO WIN BUT NOT COVER.

The Coach: COWBOYS TO WIN BUT NOT COVER.

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Josh Freeman of the Bucs

Houston Texans (6-3) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (4-4)
Line: Texans by 3

The Texans are riding a lot of momentum right now and have a divisional championship firmly in their sights, but visiting Tampa Bay isn’t an easy task. This is also a must-win for the Buccaneers, who now sit in 3rd place in their division and need a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. The Bucs offense has to come up with a game plan for third downs after going 2 of 12 in the loss to the Saints which won’t happen this week as the Texans have the NFL’s No.1 ranked defense.

Dr. Football: TEXANS TO WIN AND COVER

The Coach: BUCCANEERS TO WIN.

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Cool Cat Cam Newton

Tennessee Titans (4-4) at Carolina Panthers (2-6)
Line: Panthers by 3

Cam Newton has played well above expectations this season for the favoured Panthers, and this is a winnable game for them. But they won’t. Chris Johnson is just to get into form, and he Titans are a way better team no matter what the odds makers say. just may be.

Dr. Football: TITANS TO WIN

The Coach: PANTHERS TO WIN AND COVER.

Washington Redskins (3-5) at Miami Dolphins (1-7)
Line: Dolphins by 4

The Dolphins finally have their first win of the season, so maybe it’s time to put back to back wins, and the Redskins are the perfect opponent for that. Washington has been terrible recently; when you don’t have a QB in this NFL, you don’t have a chance. The Redskins are also a banged up bunch and won’t put up much of a fight in this one.

Dr. Football: DOLPHINS TO WIN AND COVER.

The Coach: DOLPHINS TO WIN AND COVER

New Orleans Saints (6-3) at Atlanta Falcons (5-3)
Line: Saints by 1

Both teams are coming off wins last week. The Falcons will be looking for their fourth-straight victory. The Saints (aside from the Colts game) aren’t as dominant as in years past, and the Falcons are pretty hot right now. A great NFC South division battle in “Hot Lanta”!  Both teams play better in a Dome, but the Falcons play a lot better at home so I’ll take them in what should be a close game.

Dr. Football: FALCONS TO WIN.

The Coach: SAINTS TO WIN AND COVER

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Colt McCoy of the Browns

St. Louis Rams (1-7) at Cleveland Browns (3-5)
Line: Browns by 2.5

The Rams are one of the worst teams in the league, and their sole win on the season was at home and they go outside of their nice comfy building to travel to Cleveland. The Browns don’t have much going on this season either and it’s a wonder how they’ve won three games so far. Take the banged up Browns to pick up the easy win at home.

Dr. Football: BROWNS TO WIN AND COVER

The Coach: BROWNS TO WIN AND COVER

Arizona Cardinals (2-6) at Philadelphia Eagles (3-5)
Line: Eagles by 14

Arizona is coming off an overtime win against the Rams but that game was hard to watch. The Eagles will be playing with one less day of rest following their Monday night game against the Bears and playing at home, they should get the easy win, but two touchdowns is a stretch for almost any game. Philly will still win, but the Cardinals will keep it close.

Dr. Football: EAGLES TO WIN BUT NOT COVER.

The Coach: EAGLES TO WIN AND COVER.

Baltimore Ravens (6-2) at Seattle Seahawks (2-6)
Line: Ravens by 6.5

The Ravens are favorites by nearly a touchdown on the road against the struggling Seahawks. The Seahawks are a better team at home, but their real hope has to be that the Ravens suffer a letdown after the big win over the Steelers on the road. I can’t see that happening.

Dr. Football: RAVENS TO WIN AND COVER

The Coach: RAVENS TO WIN AND COVER.

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Titus Young and Jahvid Best of the Lions

Detroit Lions (6-2) at Chicago Bears (5-3)
Line: Bears by 3

Bears have won three in a row and are playing good ball and are in the playoff mix and will be looking to even the score from their 24-13 loss to Detroit back on Oct. 10. The Lions were rolling before their bye week and have had an extra week to come up with a plan for their ferocious defense to rattle Jay Cutler. I think this will be a long night for Cutler.

Dr. Football: LIONS TO WIN.

The Coach: LIONS TO WIN.

New York Giants (6-2) at San Francisco 49ers (7-1)
Line: 49ers by 3.5

49ers and Giants both in first place? What year are we in? That sounds like a headline from the 1980′s. The 49ers are on a roll, winners of six straight, and sit at 7-1. The next nearest teams are Seattle and Arizona both at 2-6. If they can beat the Giants this week, the 49ers are almost guaranteed a spot in the playoffs. The Giants have won three in a row including knocking off the Patriots at home, and are looking to maintain their lead over the Cowboys and Eagles in the NFC East. This should be a great game.

Dr. Football: GIANTS TO WIN.

The Coach: 49ers TO WIN AND COVER.

SUNDAY NIGHT 

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Mark Sanchez

New England Patriots (5-3) at New York Jets (5-3)
Line: Jets by 2

Both teams have identical records and whoever wins this game will be in sole possession of the AFC East. The Jets have won three in a row, and the Patriots are trying to avoid losing three in a row. This is a must-win for New England. They usually do very well in those situations. But I thought that they wouldn’t lose two in a row at either. And there is this little thing about them having the 32nd ranked defense…

Dr. Football: PATRIOTS TO WIN

The Coach: JETS TO WIN AND COVER

MONDAY NIGHT

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Greg Jennings Celebrates Another TD Pass from Aaron Rodgers

Minnesota Vikings (2-6) at Green Bay Packers (8-0)
Line: Packers by 13.5

Conventional wisdom would only wonder whether or not the Packers would cover the spread. The Vikings relaxed last week while The Packers won a shoot out over the Chargers. All season long we have watched Aaron Rodgers carve up opponent’s secondary’s and this game probably won’t be an exception. I do think the Vikings will “bring it” but they just don’t have enough to win.

Dr. Football: PACKERS TO WIN BUT NOT COVER.

The Coach: PACKERS TO WIN AND COVER

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