Crowd noise and false start penalties were not an issue this time for the Giants in their trip to Seattle to play the Seahawks. Of course, racing out to a 21-0 lead after 1 quarter and lead 35-0 at halftime goes a long way in taking the crowd out of the game. Eli Manning threw for 3 touchdowns and Ahmad Bradshaw ran for 2 more to account for the 35 first half points as the Giants improved to 6-2. With their 6-2 record the Giants lead the NFC East by 1 game over 2nd place Philadelphia (5-3) and are tied with Atlanta for the best record in the NFC. While they have rebounded quite nicely from their early season struggles the Giants want to be playing their best in January and February, not September through early November. Keep in mind, last year they started off 5-0 before a thrashing by the Saints in the Superdome sent them into a tailspin that resulted in an 8-8 record and left them out of the playoffs.
Meanwhile, in Detroit, the Jets needed overtime to defeat the Lions 23-20. Down 20-10 in the 4th quarter the Jets scored 10 points in the final 2:36 to tie the game and send it to overtime. In the extra frame Mark Sanchez's 52 yard pass to Santonio Holmes set up Nick Folk's game winning field goal. While it wasn't pretty, it was a victory, which, in the end, is all that matters. A questionable play call by Lions coach Jim Schwartz late in the game helped bail out the Jets and their 99 penalty yards. With 1:40 left in the game, and the Jets out of timeouts, the Lions threw an incomplete pass on 3rd down instead of running the ball and taking the clock down an extra 40 seconds, which could have sealed the game. More disturbing for the Lions, QB Matthew Stafford was knocked out of the game for the second time this season with a separated shoulder and the concerns that he is brittle and injury prone are gaining merit.
Cowboys owner Jerry Jones fired head coach Wade Phillips on Monday following the team's 45-7 loss in Green Bay on Sunday night. Phillips has been replaced by offensive coordinator Jason Garrett on an interim basis. At 1-7 the Cowboys are off to their worst start since 1989 and they will take on the Giants this week at Giants Stadium.
As for my picks, I went 10-3 to improve to 78-52 on the year. I lost with the Patriots, Chiefs, and Bills. The Patriots were blown out by the Browns in Cleveland. While I thought it would be close, I didn't see this one coming. Give coach Eric Mangini, GM Mike Holmgren, and the Browns credit though, they're playing well; they've beaten the Saints and Patriots convincingly in consecutive games. The Chiefs lost a close one in Oakland and missed a chance to put the AFC West away. The Bills, meanwhile, lost up in Canada to the Bears 22-19.
Looking ahead, week 10 begins Thursday Night Football so I'll be posting my picks on Thursday this week. Thursday's game will be between the Baltimore Ravens and the Atlanta Falcons in the Georgia Dome.
Showing posts with label Week 9. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Week 9. Show all posts
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Friday, November 5, 2010
Week 9 Picks
Looking to build on last week's 7-6 mark, without further ado, I give you the picks in the league where they play............for pay...
New York Jets (5-2) @ Detroit Lions (2-5) - The Lions got their quarterback, Matthew Stafford, back last week and they pulled out a win against Washington while the Jets were shut out by the Packers. This one is not going to be easy for the Jets, but their defense will not let them down in Detroit. It's going to be close, though. Pick: NEW YORK JETS
Miami Dolphins (4-3) @ Baltimore Ravens (5-2) - This should be a struggle between two hard hitting, physical teams. The good news for the Dolphins is that they aren't playing at home where they are 0-3, but they are coming north in a cold weather month, which, historically, has not been kind to them. Miami is good enough to keep this one close, but Baltimore is just a bit better. Pick: BALTIMORE
New England Patriots (6-1) @ Cleveland Browns (2-5) - Looking at the records it would be easy to say that the Pats will roll to an easy win this week, but I don't see it that way. Cleveland's played tough most of the year and they are coming off a shocking win in New Orleans. However, since trading Randy Moss, New England seems to be reverting back to their Super Bowl winning formula by controlling the ball and winning close games. The Browns will keep it within 7, but New England finds a way. Pick: NEW ENGLAND
San Diego Chargers (3-5) @ Houston Texans (4-3) - The Chargers have made a habit of making 2nd half of the year runs to make the playoffs, and if they're going to do it this year, now's the perfect time to start. The Texans defense is terrible (they've given up 30+ points in the last 3 weeks) and the Chargers can move the ball effectively. Troubling for the Chargers is that TE Antonio Gates is questionable. Pick: SAN DIEGO
Chicago Bears (4-3) vs Buffalo Bills (0-7) in Toronto - The Bills make their annual pilgrimage to Toronto this week. They have played better than their 0-7 record indicates and they've been close the last 3 weeks. The Bears struggle to protect their quarterback and after getting destroyed by the Giants they have really been exposed. It's a risky pick, but I like the Bills here. Pick: BUFFALO
Arizona Cardinals (3-4) @ Minnesota Vikings (2-5) - The Cardinals have not been good this year, don't be fooled by their 3-4 record; if not for Sebastian Janikowski missing a chip shot field goal at the end of regulation in week 3, they'd be 2-5 as well. They've lost 4 games by 10 or more points and they don't have a quarterback who can play. The Vikings, meanwhile, have a hall of famer at quarterback, but he's not playing like it. Brett Favre has turned the ball over at the most inopportune times and is a huge reason the Vikings are in the hole they're in. Even still, the Vikings have been consistently competitive and should be able to win here. Pick: MINNESOTA
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-2) @ Atlanta Falcons (5-2) - SI's Peter King had an interesting stat about the Bucs: the record of the 5 teams Tampa Bay has beaten: 12-24; the record of the two teams they've lost to: 10-5. As you can see, Atlanta is 5-2. I think Tampa Bay is headed in the right direction, but they're certainly taking a step up in class this week and on the road, as well. Pick: ATLANTA
New Orleans Saints (5-3) @ Carolina Panthers (1-6) - The Saints looked like they were back on track in their win last week over the Steelers. The Panthers only score 12 points per game with Matt Moore and Jimmy Clausen at quarterback, and the Saints score 20 a game and they have Drew Brees as their quarterback. Sorry, but I just don't think the Panthers really have a chance here. Pick: NEW ORLEANS
New York Giants (5-2) @ Seattle Seahawks (4-3) - The Giants travel across the country to play in one of the loudest buildings in the league. The Seahawks will be without starting quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and will go with Charlie Whitehurst instead, so if the Giants defense knocks another quarterback out of the game, we'll find out who the Seahawks 3rd string QB is. While the Giants do appear superior on paper, a couple things have to concern you: the Seahawks edge in special teams and the effect of crowd noise on the Giants offense. Pick: NEW YORK GIANTS
Indianapolis Colts (5-2) @ Philadelphia Eagles (4-3) - The Eagles caught the bye week at the right time as they will get QB Michael Vick, WR DeSean Jackson, and T Jason Peters back this week. The Colts, also decimated by injuries, may have WR Austin Collie back, so there is some good news for the defending AFC Champions. The Eagles offense has looked best with Vick at the helm, and if he's in there this week, I think the Eagles have a slight edge. Pick: PHILADELPHIA
Kansas City Chiefs (5-2) @ Oakland Raiders (4-4) - A game between these two teams has not mattered in about 20 years. Both teams boast strong running games and there should be a heavy emphasis on the run in this one. I think this one is close, and the Chiefs have been very good in close games. Pick: KANSAS CITY
Dallas Cowboys (1-6) @ Green Bay Packers (5-3) - This one looked like a playoff preview heading into the season, but the Cowboys have been a big disappointment. Jon Kitna hasn't looked totally inept in replacing Tony Romo at quarterback, but the Packers are still better than the Cowboys right now. Pick: GREEN BAY
Monday Night Football
Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2) @ Cincinnati Bengals (2-5) - I think this one will be closer than expected. The Bengals will be able to keep the Steelers close, but ultimately, I think Carson Palmer turns the ball over late and the Steelers come away with the win. Pick: PITTSBURGH and 42 points.
New York Jets (5-2) @ Detroit Lions (2-5) - The Lions got their quarterback, Matthew Stafford, back last week and they pulled out a win against Washington while the Jets were shut out by the Packers. This one is not going to be easy for the Jets, but their defense will not let them down in Detroit. It's going to be close, though. Pick: NEW YORK JETS
Miami Dolphins (4-3) @ Baltimore Ravens (5-2) - This should be a struggle between two hard hitting, physical teams. The good news for the Dolphins is that they aren't playing at home where they are 0-3, but they are coming north in a cold weather month, which, historically, has not been kind to them. Miami is good enough to keep this one close, but Baltimore is just a bit better. Pick: BALTIMORE
New England Patriots (6-1) @ Cleveland Browns (2-5) - Looking at the records it would be easy to say that the Pats will roll to an easy win this week, but I don't see it that way. Cleveland's played tough most of the year and they are coming off a shocking win in New Orleans. However, since trading Randy Moss, New England seems to be reverting back to their Super Bowl winning formula by controlling the ball and winning close games. The Browns will keep it within 7, but New England finds a way. Pick: NEW ENGLAND
San Diego Chargers (3-5) @ Houston Texans (4-3) - The Chargers have made a habit of making 2nd half of the year runs to make the playoffs, and if they're going to do it this year, now's the perfect time to start. The Texans defense is terrible (they've given up 30+ points in the last 3 weeks) and the Chargers can move the ball effectively. Troubling for the Chargers is that TE Antonio Gates is questionable. Pick: SAN DIEGO
Chicago Bears (4-3) vs Buffalo Bills (0-7) in Toronto - The Bills make their annual pilgrimage to Toronto this week. They have played better than their 0-7 record indicates and they've been close the last 3 weeks. The Bears struggle to protect their quarterback and after getting destroyed by the Giants they have really been exposed. It's a risky pick, but I like the Bills here. Pick: BUFFALO
Arizona Cardinals (3-4) @ Minnesota Vikings (2-5) - The Cardinals have not been good this year, don't be fooled by their 3-4 record; if not for Sebastian Janikowski missing a chip shot field goal at the end of regulation in week 3, they'd be 2-5 as well. They've lost 4 games by 10 or more points and they don't have a quarterback who can play. The Vikings, meanwhile, have a hall of famer at quarterback, but he's not playing like it. Brett Favre has turned the ball over at the most inopportune times and is a huge reason the Vikings are in the hole they're in. Even still, the Vikings have been consistently competitive and should be able to win here. Pick: MINNESOTA
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (5-2) @ Atlanta Falcons (5-2) - SI's Peter King had an interesting stat about the Bucs: the record of the 5 teams Tampa Bay has beaten: 12-24; the record of the two teams they've lost to: 10-5. As you can see, Atlanta is 5-2. I think Tampa Bay is headed in the right direction, but they're certainly taking a step up in class this week and on the road, as well. Pick: ATLANTA
New Orleans Saints (5-3) @ Carolina Panthers (1-6) - The Saints looked like they were back on track in their win last week over the Steelers. The Panthers only score 12 points per game with Matt Moore and Jimmy Clausen at quarterback, and the Saints score 20 a game and they have Drew Brees as their quarterback. Sorry, but I just don't think the Panthers really have a chance here. Pick: NEW ORLEANS
New York Giants (5-2) @ Seattle Seahawks (4-3) - The Giants travel across the country to play in one of the loudest buildings in the league. The Seahawks will be without starting quarterback Matt Hasselbeck and will go with Charlie Whitehurst instead, so if the Giants defense knocks another quarterback out of the game, we'll find out who the Seahawks 3rd string QB is. While the Giants do appear superior on paper, a couple things have to concern you: the Seahawks edge in special teams and the effect of crowd noise on the Giants offense. Pick: NEW YORK GIANTS
Indianapolis Colts (5-2) @ Philadelphia Eagles (4-3) - The Eagles caught the bye week at the right time as they will get QB Michael Vick, WR DeSean Jackson, and T Jason Peters back this week. The Colts, also decimated by injuries, may have WR Austin Collie back, so there is some good news for the defending AFC Champions. The Eagles offense has looked best with Vick at the helm, and if he's in there this week, I think the Eagles have a slight edge. Pick: PHILADELPHIA
Kansas City Chiefs (5-2) @ Oakland Raiders (4-4) - A game between these two teams has not mattered in about 20 years. Both teams boast strong running games and there should be a heavy emphasis on the run in this one. I think this one is close, and the Chiefs have been very good in close games. Pick: KANSAS CITY
Dallas Cowboys (1-6) @ Green Bay Packers (5-3) - This one looked like a playoff preview heading into the season, but the Cowboys have been a big disappointment. Jon Kitna hasn't looked totally inept in replacing Tony Romo at quarterback, but the Packers are still better than the Cowboys right now. Pick: GREEN BAY
Monday Night Football
Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2) @ Cincinnati Bengals (2-5) - I think this one will be closer than expected. The Bengals will be able to keep the Steelers close, but ultimately, I think Carson Palmer turns the ball over late and the Steelers come away with the win. Pick: PITTSBURGH and 42 points.
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