Week 12 Wrapup

Week 12 Wrapup

TT's 2009 draft class is proving to be his best yet

Packers 34 Lions 12

What started as a potential let down game for the Pack, ended in a blowout. Man its strange how good their D is playing lately. They are just playing sound D, haven’t seen blown assignments for like 4-5 weeks. Even the Viking loss they played sound, just got zero for pass rush. Anyways, good to finally have a D that looks legitamately dominant.

Vikings 36 Bears 10

Well the Vikings have really rolled that past 3-4 weeks. They have everything poised to make a playoff run, just depends on if they do the usual Viking choke. Or maybe Favre’s post-season troubles cancel out the Vikings choke ridden history. Anyways Favre is WAY to comfortable in the pocket, starting to look eerily similar to the 95-97 years. And it kills me.

Week 12 Winners

  • Rodgers
  • Packer Rookies (Raji, Matthews, Jones)
  • Woodson – NFC Defensive player of the month
  • Favre – It pains me to put him here but have to

Week 12 Losers

  • Cutler – What a waste, maybe Shanahan will come to the rescue in 2010? He’s such a loser lately I’m not going any further.

Published on December 4, 2009 1:00 pm.
Filed under: 2009 Season, Game Summary, NFC North Tags: , , , , , ,

Week 11 Wrapup

Week 11 Wrapup

Al Harris gets carted off with torn ACL

Packers 30 49ers 23

The Packers nearly blew a 23-3 halftime lead to Mike Singletary’s up and coming 49ers. But a solid final drive by the Packers killed any chances for Alex Smith / Vernon Davis. It was good to see them finish off the game with running for first downs! Ryan Grant probably had his best game this season against a good rush defense. The win comes with big losses on the D though. Both Al Harris and Aaron Kampmen were carted off the field with season ending ACL injuries. That eliminates 2 of their 4 pro bowl defenders.

I still think the Packers D can hold up though, except when they play a team with 2 or 3 good receivers and a pro bowl type quarterback. (Steelers / Cardinals) The packers Dline is really coming around. Rookie BJ Raji had his best game as he appears to be getting back to 100%.

Vikings 35 SeaHawks 10

Didn’t see much of this game except for all the Favre scores. (Was watching the NFL’s Red Zone Channel) But the Vikes are basically rolling right now. Besides going to AZ, there next tough opponent is the Bengals, but they get them in the dome.

Eagles 24 Bears 20

Cutler again couldn’t come through in the end. Eagles are a solid team that needed a win. So did the Bears but…

Lions 38 Browns 37

Crazy game…first the Browns were up 24-3 after the first quarter. Then Stafford brought them all the way back with a crazy, penalty saving, drive at the end. It was on a hail mary pass. For some reason 8 brown defenders couldn’t cover 4 lion receivers. Stafford looks to be the real deal.

Week 11 Winners

  • BJ Raji – Rookie starting to have an impact
  • Tauscher / Clifton – When they are in the Packers O-line is 100% better.
  • Ryan Grant – Breaking tackles and getting longer runs, solid.
  • Rodgers – As always
  • Matthew Stafford – Not going to be the next Joey Harrington

Week 11 Losers

  • Al Harris / Aaron Kampmen – I hope the Packers bring back both guys. Harris has a couple good years left and they won’t get jack if they try to sign and trade UFA Kampmen.
  • Eric Mangini – What an idiot, the Lions have to try and get  a last second TD with a QB who hasn’t even warmed up and you call a timeout. Thus enabling Stafford to come back in to win it?
  • Zygi Wilf – Gave Chili contract extension that he’ll be regretting as soon as the Brett Favre gravy train leaves town.

Published on November 25, 2009 8:24 am.
Filed under: 2009 Season, Game Summary, NFC North Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Favre Lambeau Beatdown Eve

Favre Lambeau Beatdown Eve

The Ghosts of Lambeau await the return of the star who betrayed them

So this game is now only 13 hours away! Wonder what is going through Favre’s mind right now? There’s no way he’s sleeping? What about Ted Thompson? He’s probably sitting in his basement bar having a scotch or something..taking some Zantac and maybe even some Xanax at this point. Ok maybe he made the right move by not taking Brent back, but tonight…he has to be just dumbfounded that he has to sit in the box S and watch this all play out.

I bet this is a waaaay bigger deal to Packer fans than the actual players in this game. Players all know this is a business and how many have actually sat though countless Sundays screaming at your TV as you watch your team win or lose? Or have rituals on how you watch your team on TV because you actually think your actions have an impact on a football game? And, for some real hardcore fans the outcome of Sunday’s game pre-determines how the week will go…angry and remoreful or happy/awesome.

So that makes me think, its just after midnight in Green Bay…its Halloween and daylight savings time grants an extra hour of drinking in the several dive bars around Lambeau…I wonder how many fights have already happened? Or how many crazy ass packer fans are plotting their actions for the game. From seeing it first hand at run of the mill Packer games,I can only imagine the level of drinking going on tonight. I mean overall, most Packer fans are pretty normal, and wouldn’t resort to physically harming the opposing fans. But jesus, its Halloween and Brett Favre is suiting up in a purple freaking helmet in like 13 hours!

Anyways, the Packers better be insanely pumped up for this game! The D needs to beat the shit out of Favre today since he made fools of them last time.

Here are things to watch during one of the strangest sporting matchups in recent history, even for non-Packer/Viking fans.

  1. Farve – If he’s wearing long sleeved shirt, they’re done.
  2. Packer Fans – Really this whole game is about redemption for Packer fans. I mean the guy we all loved for 16 years is now playing for the Vikings! And he dissed us pretty bad the first game. Is this for real? I mean imagine if Vince Lombardi left the Packers only to come back to Lambeau coaching the Bears? No way, never happen.
  3. TT (Ted Thompson) – Maybe he’ll show some sign of life today every time he’s shown and the announcers talk him up or totally trash him…how about blink twice for once or something?
  4. Ryan Grant – Besides the Packer D, this is the key to the game for the Packers.

Besides all the star players in this game…IE Kampman, Jennings, Adrian Peterson, Sidney Rice, Favre, Rodgers, Jared Allen, etc….in games like these there’s always some no name or other not-so-famous player who comes up HUGE!

For the Packers it could be:

  1. B.J. Raji – They say his ankle has limited his burst but man..come on you’re a top 10 pick! He is a impact player waiting for a big setting to show off.
  2. James Jones – With J Finley and J Nelson out, he needs to step up. I said at the begining of the year that he was going to have a breakout year. Well, ya he was hurt, but time’s a wasting…He has all the physical tools to be an awesome receiver.
  3. TJ Lang – Can he hold up the redneck?
  4. AJ Hawk – showed some life last week, can this continue?

And for the Vikings:

  1. Paymar – He’s the corner stepping in for the injured Wingfield. For sure, Rodgers will test him early.
  2. Loadholt – The Vikings rookie right tackle could make a name for himself if he can hold off a pissed off Aaron Kampmen.
  3. Benard Berrian – Yes he is well known, but he’s been relatively quiet this season. Maybe he’ll burn Al Harris or find a seam against Bigby.

I’m still thinking that the Packers will prevail, they HAVE to! The football gods say so! Hopefully the Refs stay the hell out of this game. McCarthy better not have his head up his ass either. This is by far, the biggest MUST-win game in his career.

And, no matter if they win or lose, will Favre be crying afterwards? What are the odds on that? At least 50/50.

Published on October 31, 2009 10:53 pm.
Filed under: 2009 Season, Favre, Lambeau Field, Predictions 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: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

No matter what happens, this game is over

No matter what happens, this game is over

Hey Ed, whatever happens just make sure you diss the Packers

This is basically what referee, Ed Hochuli stated at then end of today’s game at Lambeau. Sidenote: As any Packer fan can attest to, this guy hates the Packers. Maybe this is why. He was born in Milwaukee. Maybe something crazy happened to him a while back that still lingers deep inside him. For some reason, it seems that he just absolutely detests Green Bay and their fans.

Man, these are the types of games you have to blame the coaching staff. Just look at how they started, unprepared…dropped passes….idiotic, pony-league penalties… putrid special teams….six sacks allowed and no halftime adjustments…what else? This is buzzkill game #1 of 2009.

Notwithstanding the excellent play by DE Odom and Cedric (ex-bears garbage) Benson…there were two giant plays in this game…

First play….

Towards the end of the first half, with the Packers leading 21-14, the Bengals had the ball on their own 5, facing 3rd and 34. (This was following a sack and an offsides penalty) The packers were poised to get the ball with good field position and possibly get a field goal to go up by 10 before the half.

So what do the Bengals call? They call what ANY sane coordinator would call faced with 3rd and forever close to their own end zone, early in the game. Don’t take any chances and just do a simple drop pass to the TE or RB.  I cannot recall how many times I’ve seen this happen…They do a little drop pass and gain maybe 10 yards, and then PUNT.

But to Dom Capers, this seems to be a brand new strategy as they are not ready for this. So instead of getting the ball back, the Bengals TE gains 30 yards…fumbles (Great FF by Jenkins)….and then Cincy recovers it after gaining another 8 yards. This keeps the drive alive eventually leading to a TD. So instead of it being 24-14 at the half, its 21-21.

Play two…

After exchanging a couple punts, the Packers string a few nice passes together and have the ball first and ten at their own 40. The game is still tied at 21. Rodgers seems to be finally getting into a groove here…the crowd is feeling him…Then Ray Maaluagua makes a great play and smashes the ball out of Grant’s hands after a nice little screen pass. A few buzzkill plays later and its 28-21 Bengals.

Immediately the momentum shifts back to Cincy, and they don’t lose it until the last few minutes of the game when the Packers frantic effort to get to OT falls short when Hochuli decides the game is over.

So props to me for picking the AFC Dark Horse, too bad it came at the expense of the Pack. (And ya I know its only week two, but if you watched this game you know the Bengals are for real)

Btw. Whats up with Raji? Packers could’ve used him this game as the D-Line is getting worn down.

Published on September 20, 2009 8:46 pm.
Filed under: 2009 Season, Game Summary 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: , , , , , , , ,

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: , , , , , , ,