Week Two Picks

Will Barnett take off his nerd glasses this week and serve up Ochocinco?

Will Barnett take off his nerd glasses this week and serve up Ochocinco?

Cincinnati @ Green Bay

This could be a real blowout right from the start, except, unlike most experts, I believe the Bengals are a decent team. They finally have Carson Palmer back and they’ve had an assload of high draft picks so you’d think they’d have some talent spread around.

There’s also the whole side story to this game, Ochocinco coming to Lambeau for the first time going up against is former teammate, Nick Barnett.  Not sure much will come of this, I think the biggest story will be A. Rodgers having a HUGE game, maybe 3 TDs, 300 yards.

So my pick for this week is something like 28-17 Packers. I see them having a slight edge throughout the game and then getting a late score by Driver in the 4th. Packers D again creates turnovers and pressure. I’ll be watching Raji most of this game…and Matthews.

Pittsburgh @ Chicago

This will be one of those hard hitting games between two tough teams. Both have to move on without their leaders on D, but I think they’ll be fine. Especially the well-coached and talent ridden Steelers. One factor that will limit scoring and hopefully doesn’t lead to serious injuries is the brand new turf…

Pittsburgh wins this like 16-13.

Minnesota @ Detroit

Favre returns to Ford field, a place he’s had some amazing games as well as some real head scratchers. (Remember that 1993 game, throwing a INT while laying on his back?)

Vikings again start slow and wear down the Lions late. Look for a little (Cul)pepper in this game.

Vikings 24-20.

Leave a Reply

Yes it works

Yes it works

So I can now officially post from the iPhone!

Packers 2010 Draft Class – Look at the size of that head!

Packers 2010 Draft Class - Look at the size of that head!

Welcome Back! I had to take a leave from football but thought I’d drop a line about the recent NFL Draft….First of all the new format, over 3 days, is stupid. Its good for the NFL and TV but lame for fans, IMHO. I used to really enjoy heading over to a friends house right before noon for a long Saturday. Having it all broken up during the week dimenishes the event. It used to almost feel like a normal day of watching football, except instead of watching actual games you could sort of rehash the season with friends, get excited for the new players, and then joke around about past draft failures for the Pack. Now its just lame.

Thought it was interesting how (like last year) TT stuck with his draft position, and traded up to get Burnett in the 3rd. AND he took 3 Big Ten players with only one guy from smaller, lesser-known colleges (Starks). Maybe this new format has TT spinning also..

Anyways, here are the picks….(taken from pro-football-reference)

1.23 (23) Bryan Bulaga (OT-Iowa) 6′5″-314 – I think he will be a solid pro and a good fit for Green Bay. He should benefit greatly by playing behind veterans Clifton and Tauscher too….
2.24 (56) Mike Neal (DT-Purdue) 6′3″-294 – Don’t know much about this guy, but TT must think he’s good to pick a DT this high with plenty of depth already at this position. (Although they could lose both Jolly and Jenkins in 2011)
3.7 (71) Morgan Burnett (SS-Georgia Tech) 6′1″-209 – Sounds like another good pick, fast and gets to the ball, maybe another Sharper?
5.23 (154) Andrew Quarless (TE-Penn State) 6′4″-254 – This is going to be TT’s sleeper pick, great athlete who slid in the draft because of some personal issues.
5.38 (169) Marshall Newhouse (OT-TCU) 6′4″-319 – Not sure about this pick, be lucky if he makes the team…although TT’s been good at picking players from non BCS teams.
6.24 (193) James Starks (RB-Buffalo) 6′2″-218 – Seems like a strange pick, hopefully this guy has some speed and can return kicks.
7.23 (230) C.J. Wilson (DE-East Carolina) 6′3″-290 – Don’t know anything about this pick either.

Final shuttle launch (at night)

Final shuttle launch (at night)

NFC Championship: Vikings at Saints

So as the nightmare scenario for Packer fans draws nearer, I thought I’d go over this game in detail. Going to examine three parts to this game, what the Vikings need to do to win, the Saints, and 3 ex-packers who could determine the outcome of this game.

What do the Vikings need to do to win?

Essentially play the exact same game they did last week against the Boys. It starts with their D….if they can control the line of scrimmage with their front four, I believe the Saints have no chance. Jared Allen again will match up with a backup left tackle. The only difference is this guy, Bushrod, has already played a few weeks. Really though, if the Vikings can protect Favre while get constant pressure on Brees, they should win this game. But its not that simple, this game is on the road….Here are their road games this year..

W – 34-20 @ Cleveland

W – 27-13 @ Detroit

W – 38-10 @ STL

L – 27-17 @ PITT

W – 38-26 @ GB

L – 30-17 @ AZ

L – 26-6 @ CAR

L – 36-30 @ CHI

The only team they beat this year on the road with a winning record was Green Bay. Now its not the Vikings fault that they had a cake schedule but Sunday they face one of the best offenses since Kurt Warner’s Rams, on the road, in a dome.

How do the Saints win this game?

Strike first and often. The Saints need to score first and fast. Like a quick 80 yard punt return or long pass. This will put a sting into the heads of them Vikings. And it might bring the gunslinger back on the other side of the ball. They also have to bring some heat to Favre, disguising their blitzes…do something they haven’t done all year maybe. I also think for the Saints to win Reggie Bush has to have an impact in more ways than one.

Ex-Packers to watch

  1. Brett Favre – I think how the first quarter goes will determine how his game goes. If the Vikings don’t fall behind early he will stay with what the Saints give him and not take many chances. And if he has another game with not being touched then look out, he can control this game. Last week, the Saints were able to get in the face of another old, veteran QB, can they do it again?
  2. Darren Sharper – He’s always talking a big game, this is the time for him to back it up. He needs a pick in this game…
  3. Ryan Longwell – After hearing him on KFAN the other night, I’m thinking he’s the best bet for potential goat. If the Vikings need him at the end, for like a 45 yeard FG…I’m thinking he’ll miss it.

Prediction

I see the Vikings coming out thinking they are the better team, which they are mostly. Most analysts are going with the Vikings, the same dumbasses who picked the Cowboys. The Saints will come out early, get up by 14. Favre leads the Vikes to a furious comeback in the 3rd quarter…then Reggie Bush drops a bomb…then Longwell chokes.

Saints 38 Vikings 37

Dom Capers sleeping during playoff game

Dom Capers sleeping during playoff game

So just saw this, pretty clear video of Dom Capers nodding off while the Packers Offense was on the field during the 3rd quarter of last Sunday’s Wild Card loss to Arizona…very classy! First thing I thought, how could anyone fall asleep during this game, one of the most entertaining games ever? And this guy is coaching the defense that’s getting absolutely lit up!

Playoff picks: Cowboys @ Vikings

Playoff picks: Cowboys @ Vikings

Favre knows how to relax...so much more to add to this photo but..

So this game isn’t going to unfold like everyone expects…all the analysts are crazy over how good the Cowboys are, but I bet the Vikings will show up this week for these reasons…

  1. They are 8-0 at home
  2. Favre has had two weeks of rest (he is 40 and has never missed a game for 18 years, time off benefits him more than any player)
  3. The Vikings are the 2 seed and by all accounts, they are the underdog
  4. Adrian Peterson is so due

The Cowboys are a talented team and they finally got the monkey off their backs but I can’t see them winning Sunday.

Key Matchup

Cowboys OLBs Spencer and D. Ware versus Vikings OTs McKinnie and Loadholt – I see Favre neutralizing this matchup by doing screens to Taylor and AP while mixing up little dump offs to Shiancoe and P Harvin. And then at some point this will slow them down thus opening up the deep pass to Berrian and/or Sydney Rice.

Prediction – Vikings 34-17

This is the perfect setup game for Viking fans, big win and then big diss next week. Favre has been good in the divisional playoff games at home, and poopy in other games. But what do I know, I was 0 for 4 last week.

Other picks: Cardinals 38 Saints 24, Colts 23 Ravens 17, Chargers 27 Jets 6.

The play that will be replayed over and over again

The play that will be replayed over and over again

Until next season starts, Aaron Rodgers will be reliving this play….First play of overtime in a game tied 45-45… reminiscent of an infamous Favre TD throw to Jennings in 2007. Man, if AR completes this pass it would’ve capped off one of the most improbable comebacks in NFL history. Down 31-10 in the 3rd Quarter, AR and the offense stormed back into this game. Neil Rackers would’ve been the biggest choke artist in Arizona, missing a 33 yard field goal at the end of regulation that would have won the game. Rodgers would’ve finished the game with 504 or so passing yards and 6 TDs (one rushing).

Well maybe he’ll get over it this quicker than most fans do but here it is….What if he lays a little air under this throw? Or if, how Troy Aikman points out, what if Jennings flattens his route out a tad? Or if Rodgers realizes he has a little more time to get this out? Was a valiant effort to get back in this game though. The Packers know they have a lot of promise for years to come.

Aaron Rodgers – Where’s the facemask?

Aaron Rodgers - Where's the facemask?

Maybe its sour grapes but looking at this picture it seems pretty clear that this was a facemask. And on 1st down when the Packers were called for holding Rodgers took a shot to the head. Normally that’s a 15 yard personal foul. Anyways, what a crazy game, by far the craziest playoff game I’ve seen. So now the Packers have lost two of the craziest Wild Card games ever. (The last being T.O. and 49ers) Lame.

If Rodgers completes that pass to Jennings on first down he would’ve ended up with 503 yards, 5 passing TDs and 1 rushing TD. What if?

Oh and here’s the play..

Tangent time – Helen Thomas rocks

Tangent time - Helen Thomas rocks

This is such an obvious answer to most people of the world, but I would guess there are quite a few US citizens who have no clue as to ‘Why does Al Qaeda want to attack us?’ Its so easy to just say they are evil-doers and to avoid the fact that they are human beings as well. (And yes they are wrong but..) Anyways, this is why Helen Thomas needs more recognition in this country again. At least she’s permitted to ask questions (which didn’t happen from like 9/11/2001 to 1/1/2009).

There’s more here.

The last time the Cowboys won a playoff game…

The last time the Cowboys won a playoff game...

Go waaaaay back to 1996, when guess who won the Super Bowl? The Green Bay Packers. Ya this doesn’t mean shit, but someone had to mention it. With the Cowboys victory, I’m just glad that the Packers won’t be distracted by any rematch with the Vikings next week. I think Dallas really has a good shot, they can pressure the QB and have a hot QB.

Hi I'm Wade, looks like we are seated at the same table!?

So both rematches from last week ended up the same today with the Jets winning 24-14 and the Cowboys beatdown of the Eagles, 34-14. Can Green Bay keep it rolling? On a sidenote, as long as the Eagles have Michael Vick, karma won’t be on their side.

Oh and yes I realize Favre’s only Super Bowl win also coincides with the last Cowboy playoff win…