Brad Childress hates Tom Powers

So after a MNF loss to the Bears, the Vikings now have to get ‘help’ to earn the #2 seed in the playoffs. The Vikings played good in the second  half an injury riddled Bears but it wasn’t enough as Jay Cutler threw an overtime TD pass. The Vikings did nothing in the first half and moved the ball at will in the second half. It makes me wonder who was calling the plays here, maybe Favre tried to prove a point by not audibling any of Chilli’s play calls in the first half. Anyways, after the game it was fun to watch Childress explain the game. Notice during minute nine when he’s responding to questions from Tom Powers. You can tell Chilli didn’t appreciate him too much.

This reminded me of an article last week where Mr. Powers wrote about interviewing Childress while he was in a towel after last week’s loss. I agree with Chilli here, first of all Powers shouldn’t be hanging around the locker room so long. And if you are, that means the Vikings trust you a bit and won’t report on any meetings (arguments) you overheard.

So now the Vikings need the Cowboys to beat the Eagles next week (and beat the Giants) to secure the #2 seed. Otherwise we could potentially see Favre vs Packers III.

Published on December 29, 2009 8:37 am.
Filed under: 2009 Season, Bears, Favre, Game Summary, NFC North Tags: , , , ,

Week 16 Predictions

Seahawks @ Packers – This will be one of those semi-sloppy type blowout games, Lambeau will be rockin no matter what. Packers 31 Seattle 13

Vikings @ Bears – Since its a meaningless game for the Bears, this is the game ESPN has built up the Favre/Childress story as much as possible….so who knows how accurate/significant it is…Slightly bad weather and this will be a serious spin game for the Vikings. Otherwise the Bears just roll over. Bears 22 Vikings 16 (or if weather is fine and Bears don’t show up Vikings 28 Bears 3)

Lions? Why bother.

Published on December 27, 2009 7:49 am.
Filed under: 2009 Season, Lambeau Field, NFC North, Predictions Tags: , , ,

Week 4 Wrapup and First Quarter Review

Week 4 Wrapup and First Quarter Review

With Minneapolis hosting a pretty solid weekend plus of sports – Twins playoff run, Vikings/Packers, Badgers/Gophers –  I thought I’d post this…Probably the best celebration speech of a stadium closing I’ve seen. Kent Hrbek = Boozer.

Since I’ve already blabbed about the Vikings/Packers game, I’ll quickly review the other NFC North matchup then take a look ahead to the next quarter of the season.

Bears 48 Lions 24

The Lions started this game well and it was close at the half. But the Bears were just too strong and eventually pulled away. The injury to Stafford also doesn’t help…and btw, this was the first time I watched him play a bit. He has potential and a good arm. The Bears are playing all around good offense right now, but their D looks weaker than usual. They have beaten last year’s champs (Steelers) but I’m not sure they can maintain this level of play the rest of the season.

First Quarter Review

So after four games the NFC North looks like this…

Vikings 4-0 – They have played a very deliberate game so far this season. And after their big win on Monday, now they seem to be firing on all cylinders. One thing I worry about is there pass coverage…if the Packers were able to get average pass protection it seemed that they had lots of wide open receivers.

Bears 3-1 – Cutler has played pretty good the past three games, this might be the first place team after the second quarter of the season is over.

Packers 2-2 – Not real consistent on defense or offense. Some big time mistakes at the worst times has cost this team at least one loss. They are the youngest team in the league again, how much longer does this last?

Lions 1-3 – Showing some promise with the  new coach and without dumb ass GM.

Looking Ahead

Here are the next games for the top three teams in the North.

Vikings – (@STL, BLT, @PITT, @GB) This is probably the toughest part of the Vikings schedule, if they can come out of this 3-1 or even 2-2 they should make the playoffs. But thats a hard three game stretch against some notoriously tough football teams. The Ravens and Steelers both can stop the run and bring pressure, this will be the real test for Favre this year. Throw in some inclement weather and the Vikings could really slip in this games.

Bears – (@ATL, @CIN, CLE, AZ) Here’s another stretch of games that will show what the Bears are made of…Will Cutler be exposed here? Probably in at least two of these games. If they are able to win two of these games they will be looking good.

Packers – (DET, @CLE, MN, @TB) For the Packers to make a run, they have to win all four of these games. Except for the Vikings game, they should win them all by a wide margin. But that game at Tampa scares me for some reason.

Projected Standings after Q2

Bears 5-3

Vikings 5-3

Packers 5-3

Lions 2-6

Published on October 7, 2009 10:25 am.
Filed under: 2009 Season, Bears, Game Summary, NFC North, Predictions, Videos, lions Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Week 3 Predictions

Packers @ Rams

With the abysmal play last week, you would think McCarthy would have his team fired up this week against the lowly Rams. This is not the same Rams team however, I give them two years and they’ll be a playoff team. I’ve always like Spagnaluo the former Giants D Coordinater. Guarantee he’ll have his team fired up, this is is first home game. But I’m going to have to say that if the Packers line can hold up (even if they have to max protect) and pull out a win. And if Raji plays, look for the D to hold the run with Jenkins and maybe AJ Hawk having a HUGE game.

Packers 26-17

Bears @ Seahawks

Seattle was looking good this year, until Hasselbeck got injured…again. Enough said, man I’m already bored with this game.

Bears 28-16

49ers @ Vikings

This is a hard game to gauge….I mean the niners are my darkhorse team, but I also have the Vikings doing good the first half of the season. If San Fran can hold AP and force the Vikings to pass I see this being a dogfight….since I don’t think Favre can really throw long yet. Although these are the games when Favre surprises folks. Like whenever everyone is questioning is abilities…Fuck it, this is a blow out…no matter how good Frank Gore is…

Vikings 28-10

Redskins @ Lions

This is one of those games where the team that wants to lose it worst, loses. Although I haven’t seen much of the skins this year, I just am not feeling them yet. Lions have some talent but are still real shakey.

Tie 16-16 (Ok I realize this doesnt happen often so I’ll just pick Skins 16-12)

Published on September 26, 2009 9:42 pm.
Filed under: 2009 Season, Predictions Tags: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Week Two Picks

Week Two Picks

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.

Published on September 19, 2009 8:34 pm.
Filed under: 2009 Season, Bears, Predictions Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Wednesday Wrapup – Lovie Gets Pwn’d

Wednesday Wrapup - Lovie Gets Pwn'd

What? You did that to me?

Green Bay 21, Chicago 15

Video of Jennings TD

Last Sunday, the Packers proved something to me. Rodgers can win games and McCarthy will finally take some chances this year.That 3rd and 1 call at the end was well timed. The game was a little sloppy, but similar to the Thursday nighter (TEN@PITT) a few days prior, it was intense and featured lots of crushing hits.

Chicago probably wins this game if you take away Cutler’s 4 picks. But thats what they traded for…

The Packers probably win this game outright they connect on any of the four or so dropped long balls. Especially that one to Jordy Nelson.

But the best part was seeing Lovie Smith’s face after Rodgers connected with Jennings to take the lead. After all these years, the Packers finally gave him a taste of his own medicine. IE winning a game they shouldn’t have at the end

That was priceless.

Winners:

  • Rodgers – Good tablesetter for his 4th Quarter confidence.
  • Pickett/Jolly/Collins – Sign them now!
  • Hester – Legit receiver
  • Ogunlawye – Terrorizing first half

Losers:

  • Packer play calling – Urlacher is out, you have weapons in the middle…maybe try throwing over middle to Finley/Lee or James Jones!
  • Barbre – One more bad game and we may see Gionconni
  • Lovie – (See above)
  • Urlacher – Done

Vikings 34, Browns 20

Watched probably half of this game, but it went basically how the Vikings want to play this year. Heavy doses of their D fronting combined with an offense that methodically moves the ball down the field by running and little flare passes.

Then in the second half, their opponent begins to wear down; opening up Adrian Peterson to break out huge runs. If they can maintain this all season, they will be a formidable opponent and probably in the top 5 of the division. But if you factor in the Vikings history + Favre’s age and recent history + Childress + injuries I doubt that will happen.

Winners:

  • Adrian Peterson – Yes he’s faster version of Walter Payton
  • Josh Cribbs – Solid
  • Chilli/Zygi – For one game Vikings management’s moves look to be right.
  • Percy Harvin – Very promising

Losers:

  • Browns – maybe the worst team in football
  • Favre – its going to take a lot to get out of the loser category in the eyes of many…

New Orleans 45, Detroit 27

Didn’t see any of this game, just the highlights. But looks like the Lions have some life. Let’s see how they handle the Vikings in their house next week.

Winners:

  • Drew Brees – maybe best QB in NFC
  • Lions fans – first game w/o Matt Millen had to feel good

Losers:

  • Lions fans – team still sucks
  • Browns fans – teams still sucks
  • Dante Culpepper – remember he was almost MVP three years ago

Published on September 16, 2009 11:15 am.
Filed under: 2009 Season, Bears, Game Summary, Videos Tags: , , , , , , , , , ,

NFC North Predictions

NFC North Predictions

Very likely this packer fan will be living the high life again this January

So here are my season predictions for the coming season in the NFC North.

GREEN BAY PACKERS

Until a couple weeks ago, they had everything goin for them. Flying below the radar, no significant injuries, lots of energy and talent on both sides of the ball. Now you can subtract the flying below the radar part after their lambasting of AZ. And I have a bad feeling the ankle injury to first round pick, BJ Raji might linger for a while.

But again, its all preseason…They have, in my opinion, the best QB in the division and probably the easiest schedule. So my thoughts still stand…as long as the don’t lose one of their key players for significant time..they’ll win this division by at least 2 games. (Key players include:  Kampman, Woodson, Jenkins,Pickett,Raji, Driver, Rodgers,Jennings,Grant). This team did go 13-3 just two seasons ago. Last year they were decimated by injuries on the D side and had to deal with the Favre drawa. Now this year they are very healthy coming in and I’m guessing have the Favre factor working in there favor.

Also, look for James Jones to have a breakout year.

Predication: 11-5

CHI (W)

CINCY (W)

@STL (W)

@MN (L)

DET (W)

@CLE (W)

MN (W)

@TB (L)

DAL (W)

SF (W)

@DET(L)

BAL (W)

@CHI (L)

@PIT (L)

SEA (W)

@AZ(W)

CHICAGO BEARS

This team had some of its hype stolen by GB lately but I think their weakness might end up being their D. And you know cutler will do something screwed up at some point. If they can stay almost 100% healthy and their new guys in the D backfield step up they could challenge the packers but I doubt it.

Prediction: 9-7

@GB (L)

PITT (L)

@SEA (L)

DET (W)

@ATL (W)

@CIN (L)

CLE (W)

AZ (W)

@SF (W)

PHI (W)

@MN (L)

STL (L)

GB (W)

@BLT (L)

MN (W)

@DET (W)

MINNESOTA VIKINGS

Will Favre regain some of that early 90's luster? Doubtful.

Again, I see them starting off pretty good, getting lots of hype and bandwagon latch ons. I mean, I picture lots of cars driving around with those viking flags on them…the ones that those who jumped on the bandwagon in 98 thought they threw away but then realized it was just underneath their timberwolf hat in storage.

There is no way Favre can stay healthy…he is going against every football god this year. I say he is retired/done by end of October. Then its Sage or Tavaras. And there’s also no way that brilliant tandem making up the Williams Wall can maintain injury free another year. Vikings D takes a step back this year..

Prediction: 7-9 (could be 8-8 or 9-7 but out of bias, I have to keep them under .500)

@CLE (W)

@DET (W)

SF (W)

GB (W) – This is where the Vikings bandwagon gets fully loaded. Team spirit awaits!

@STL (L)

BLT (W)

@PIT (L)

@GB (L) – If hes not already done, Favre visits Lambeau as a Viking. Never thought I’d ever write that sentence.

DET (L)

SEA (W)

CHI (W)

@AZ (L)

CIN (L)  – This is the game the MN media turn sour.

@CAR (L)

@CHI (L)

NYG (L)

DETROIT LIONS

Some people don’t even bother when it comes to this team. But for the first time in years,  I think Lions will be better than expected.  I haven’t heard one prognosticator pick the lions to be better than expected. They finally got rid of that D-Bag GM, have some talent, have picked up some new guys on D, and are just plain due. However, due to shear laziness, I won’t give the game by game results.

Prediction: 7-9

Published on September 12, 2009 10:00 pm.
Filed under: 2009 Season, Favre, Game Summary, Predictions Tags: , , , , , , ,

Sports Guy Picks Packers

So now the packers are getting closer and closer to being TOO much on the radar…But I love the sports guy’s reasoning here…it would be awesome.

Prediction X: The six best teams this season will be New England, Pittsburgh, San Diego, Green Bay, the Giants … and New Orleans. (That’s right, New Orleans. You heard me.) The other six playoff teams will be Indianapolis, Seattle, Chicago, Baltimore, Denver and Washington. In the Super Bowl, Green Bay will defeat Pittsburgh to cap off the first Eff You season devoted to a specific player. That player would be you, Brett Favre.

And here is his pick for this week’s game at chicago.

PACKERS (-3.5) over Bears
Chicago fans have been wondering why I dumped them and adopted the Packers as my NFC North team and Super Bowl pick du jour. It came down to one thing: I didn’t want to root for Jay Cutler. Has he had a likable moment yet? This year will be his coming-out party as the most despised player in football. Every time they show him on the sidelines, he looks like a pissed-off trust-fund kid who can’t believe the valet scratched his Escalade hybrid. And you know what? He makes the league more fun. I like rooting against him the same way I liked rooting against Rick Barry, Bill Laimbeer and the Iron Sheik. We need more Jay Cutlers in sports. Not everyone was meant to be liked.

Read the full article here, http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/page2/story?page=simmons/090910. Hopefully I’ll have my NFC North predictions up later today or Saturday.

Published on September 11, 2009 6:47 am.
Filed under: 2009 Season, Bears, Favre, Predictions Tags: , , , ,