2013 Week 4 Picks

Giants (0-3) vs. Chiefs (3-0)
Pick: Chiefs
Cardinals (1-2) vs. Buccaneers (0-3)
Pick: Cardinals
Colts (2-1) vs. Jaguars (0-3)
Pick: Colts
Steelers (0-3) vs. Vikings (0-3)
Pick: Vikings
Ravens (2-1) vs. Bills (1-2)
Pick: Ravens
Bengals (2-1) vs. Browns (1-2)
Pick: Bengals
Bears (3-0) vs. Lions (2-1)
Pick: Lions
Seahawks (3-0) vs. Texans (2-1)
Pick: Seahawks
Jets (2-1) vs. Titans (2-1)
Pick: Titans
Eagles (1-2) vs. Broncos (3-0)
Pick: Broncos
Cowboys (2-1) vs. Chargers (1-2)
Pick: Cowboys
Redskins (0-3) vs. Raiders (1-2)
Pick: Raiders
Patriots (3-0) vs. Falcons (1-2)
Pick: Falcons
Dolphins (3-0) vs. Saints (3-0)
Pick: Saints

Thursday Night Pick and Wrap Up

Tonight, I am bold.
Tonight I am picking the Rams to beat the 49ers.
49ers (1-2) vs. Rams (1-2) 
Pick: Rams

Things we learned in Week 3

5. The Giants and 49ers are in trouble.

4. The Ravens are returning to championship form and haven't allowed a touchdown in the last two games.

3. Coaches are beginning to feel the heat (Schiano, Coughlin, Jim Harbaugh).

2. The Lions are going to turn the corner.

1. The Chiefs are the real deal.

2013 Week 3 Game Picks

Week 3 picks for your viewing pleasure!

Texans (2-0) vs. Ravens (1-1)
Pick: Ravens      S: Ravens
Packers (1-1) vs. Bengals (1-1)
Pick: Packers       S: Packers
Rams (1-1) vs. Cowboys (1-1)
Pick: Rams       S: Rams
Falcons (1-1) vs. Dolphins (2-0)
Pick: Dolphins    S: Dolphins
Browns (0-2) vs. Vikings (0-2)
Pick: Vikings        S: Vikings
Bills (1-1) vs. Jets (1-1)
Pick: Bills       S: Jets
Buccaneers (0-2) vs. Patriots (2-0)
Pick: Patriots             S: Patriots
Chargers (1-1) vs. Titans (1-1)
Pick: Chargers       S: Titans
Lions (1-1) vs. Redskins (0-2)
Pick: Lions      S: Redskins
Giants (0-2) vs. Panthers (0-2) 
Pick: Giants       S: Giants
Colts (1-1) vs. 49ers (1-1)
Pick: 49ers       S: 49ers
Jaguars (0-2) vs. Seahawks (2-0)
Pick: Seahawks      S: Seahawks 
Bears (2-0) vs. Steelers (0-2)
Pick: Bears       S: Steelers
Raiders (1-1) vs. Broncos (2-0)
Pick: Broncos     S: Broncos

Thursday Game Pick and Weekly Wrap

First, a game pick for the revenge game tonight:
Chiefs (2-0) vs. Eagles (1-1)
Pick: Chiefs
(Though I think it will be a good game and a close one. I have more faith in the Chiefs as a whole. They have something to play for.)

Let's take a look back at the week and discuss what we've learned about a few things. Here are the top 5 things we learned in week 2.

5. The 49ers have a weakness and are not the indestructible force previously believed to be, even within their division.

4. Patriots fans should be deeply concerned; maybe the Bills game in week one wasn't a fluke.

3. Could the Rams, Dolphins and Bills be the real deal?

2. The Jaguars will have the number one pick in next year's draft.

1. The Steelers will not make the playoffs. 

2013 Week 2 Picks

Browns (0-1) vs. Ravens (0-1)
Pick: Ravens
Rams (1-0) vs. Falcons (0-1)
Pick: Falcons
Panthers (0-1) vs. Bills (0-1)
Pick: Bills
Redskins (0-1) vs. Packers (0-1) 
Pick: Packers
Dolphins (1-0) vs. Colts (1-0)
Pick: Colts
Cowboys (1-0) vs. Chiefs (1-0)
Pick: Chiefs
Vikings (0-1) vs. Bears (1-0)
Pick: Vikings
Chargers (0-1) vs. Eagles (1-0)
Pick: Eagles
Titans (1-0) vs. Texans (1-0)
Pick: Texans
Lions (1-0) vs. Cardinals (0-1)
Pick: Lions
Saints (1-0) vs. Buccaneers (0-1)
Pick: Saints
Jaguars (0-1) vs. Raiders (0-1)
Pick: Raiders
Broncos (1-0) vs. Giants (0-1)
Pick: Broncos
49ers (1-0) vs. Seahawks (1-0)
Pick: 49ers
Steelers (0-1) vs. Bengals (0-1)
Pick: Bengals

2013 Week 1 Picks

Here we are at week one once again. Because all the teams are 0-0, I haven't written the records out after every team. The first week features some interesting games, like Packers vs. 49ers and Falcons vs. Saints, along with the night games.

Patriots vs. Bills
Pick: Patriots
Seahawks vs. Panthers 
Pick: Seahawks
Bengals vs. Bears
Pick: Bengals
Dolphins vs. Browns
Pick: Dolphins
Vikings vs. Lions
Pick: Lions
Raiders vs. Colts
Pick: Colts
Chiefs vs. Jaguars 
Pick: Chiefs
Buccaneers vs. Jets
Pick: Buccaneers
Falcons vs. Saints
Pick: Saints
Titans vs. Steelers
Pick: Steelers
Cardinals vs. Rams
Pick: Rams
Packers vs. 49ers 
Pick: 49ers
Giants vs. Cowboys
Pick: Giants
Eagles vs. Redskins
Pick: Redskins
Texans vs. Chargers
Pick: Texans

Who Will Protect This House? I Will.

Tonight the defending World Champions Baltimore Ravens open their season against the Denver Broncos...away at Denver. The Ravens were unable to continue the tradition of opening their season at home because of the Orioles' schedule. Yet, though they can't literally defend their house, the Ravens have plenty to defend. The idea of the house here is the championship. The Ravens must prove that they are more than a magical team of destiny, that they can be a dynasty. It is the goal that Harbaugh and Flacco have both vocalized. Can the Ravens make the leap? I believe they can. In many ways, they have improved their defense through adding youth and progressing towards the future. That is the idea of dynasty. Progressing, even if others doubt how the methods and the signings. The new look Ravens are faster and younger, though they must gel quickly to stop Peyton Manning. The Broncos are loaded on offense, but the defense has taken several hits on defense. The game tonight has a high chance of being high scoring, with both defenses reeling to control two explosive offenses. The Broncos have revenge on their mind, but the Ravens still have a chip on their shoulder and are entering a new era -- for the first time Ray Lewis is not the roster. It is Flacco's team now and he has risen to take control. At the Ravens home game, the fans chant "Who will protect this house? I will. I will." The chant will be absent tonight in Denver, but the idea behind it will certainly not be.

Pick: Ravens
Steven's Pick: Ravens

2013 NFC West Predictions

1. San Francisco 49ers
There is a reason that the 49ers were the NFC representative in the Super Bowl last year. They have talent littering both sides of the ball and a successful coaching staff to keep order. They managed to avoid tragic losses of talent, though they are now a little thin at the WR position. If injuries hit the WRs or Kaepernick then this team could be in deep trouble. But that being said, a healthy 49ers team must simply remain constant and carry on where they left off last year.

2. Seattle Seahawks
The Seahawks have a chance to knock the 49ers from the top of the division. Pete Carroll has somehow worked magic and found talent from other teams and through the draft. QB Wilson was the surprise of the year last year, though I expect a little regression as all second year quarterbacks tend to have. Defenses will also be able to defend the read option better after an off-season of study. But the strength of this team is really the defense, especially the secondary. The loss of CB Trufant hurts a little, but the depth here is so great the unit should remain solid with CB Sherman and CB Browner. They have a chance to keep the major quarterbacks of the entire NFC in check.

3. St. Louis Rams
The Rams showed enormous improvement under Jeff Fisher in his first year and expect them to improve even more. Unfortunately, they play in a highly competitive division which will hamper them. Yet, last year they held their own against the big boy 49ers and can expect to again. QB Bradford has his last shot to prove himself this year. The addition of T Jake Long should help this by keeping Bradford on his feet, rather than on his back. The departure of RB Jackson hurts more than anything for this team. Still, look for the whole team to improve in the second year of Fisher's system.

4. Arizona Cardinals
Bruce Arians was the coaching catch off the off-season and the Cardinals landed him. Unfortunately, he doesn't have much to work with besides Larry Fitzgerald. Carson Palmer has come in to sort of help the quarterback situation, but he's aging and hasn't shown true talent since he was with the Bengals. Off season additions have been mostly to sure up the defense -- CBs Arenas, Cason and Power, as well as S Bell and LB Brinkley. Maybe RB Mendenhall will give an offensive boost, but he's had problems with injuries and isn't considered an every down back. Overall, there is future hope for the Cardinals, but not this year. This is the first rebuilding year. 

2013 NFC East Predictions

1. New York Giants
The Giants had everything under control last year, until they fell apart. I'm still not quite sure what happened, but their own failings allowed the Redskins to come up and steal the division from the Cowboys of all people. As always in New York, the talent is there. Eli Manning has proved himself to be a worthy quarterback and I believe is capable of winning another Super Bowl. (Bold prediction, I know.) They have good wideouts in Cruz and Nicks (if he can stay healthy.) They need a running back, with injuries once again plaguing the position already. However, the defense is a concern with major losses including LB Blackburn, LB Boley, DT Canty and DE Umenyiora. The arrival of Cullen Jenkins DT will help, but they need more. The secondary must sure up to in case the pass rush isn't there.

2. Washington Redskins
The RGIII show took off last year, but I'm still not sold. I don't like the way he handles certain things in the media and the second surgery on the knee is a major concern. Also, his lack of desire to play to protect himself, and therefore the team, is a major concern. He is this team. Without him, they are average. Alfred Morris is a good solid running back, but he's not the sort of back that can carry an entire team. RGIII said this season he has 'nothing to prove'. How about a playoff win? How about a conference Championship? How about a Super Bowl? I think he gets none of the above this year.

3. Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys window has closed. I have always been a supporter of Tony Romo, though he has always under-performed. There have been flashes of brilliance, but overall he has been a disappointment since he burst onto the scene. The talent around him has been there including WR Bryant, TE Witten, and RB Murray. The defense mirrors Romo in the sense of having lots of talent and under-performing; they were ranked 19th last year. The Cowboys can't come together as a team and make it work and this year it will cost Head Coach Garrett his job.

4. Philadelphia Eagles
Welcome to the Chip Kelly era. Where the goal is to recreate Oregon's success on the NFL level. The question remains if this is even possible, but the Eagles have nothing to lose and everything to gain. However, they must protect Michael Vick, who will fit in Kelly's system if he remains on his feet. However, this is a rebuilding year for the whole team and I don't think Kelly can have instant success. He needs to highest level of performances out of his players and I'm not sure if the talent can live up to the hype. They've added a lot of new pieces that need to come together and that always takes time.

2013 NFC South Predictions

1. New Orleans Saints
I'm putting the Saints above the Falcons because of their schedule. They only have four games that could be tricky (Atlanta twice, New England and San Francisco). Plus, the return of Sean Peyton makes a huge difference -- this team missed him last year. New defensive coordinator Rob Ryan has his work cut out for him to improve the unit which held the team back last year. A full year for Jonathan Vilma will bring stablity to the unit as a whole. Look for the Saints to have a bounce back year.

2. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons have had 13 wins in two of the last seasons and have finally tasted playoff success. Matt Ryan has silenced some of the critics, but not all of them. Especially now that Flacco, his draft mate, has won a Super Bowl, Ryan needs to at least get to one. He has the weapons; WR Jones and TE Gonzalez. The loss of RB Turner hurts, but picking up RB Jackson was brilliant. The defense has reassured itself after the loss DE Abraham. They brought in Osi Umenyiora from the Giants. They must learn to control not only Drew Brees in their own division, but the high powered quarterbacks they will face in the playoffs.

3. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Buccs floundered after some improvement in previous year, but seem to be once again on the up with second year head coach Greg Schiano. QB Freeman must prove himself for real this year, showing that he was not merely a one shot wonder. The muscle hamster, RB Martin proved to be an excellent find for the team to bring another level the offense. The defense was terrible, ranking 29th in the league last year. Improvement here is a must, though they only brought in one 'name' and that's Revis who is coming off an injury. One player doesn't make a defense and improvement will take time.

4. Carolina Panthers
I have never been sold on Cam Newton. And am still not. Sophomore slump hit him hard and he showed a few cracks this year in the public eye. The weapons around him are aging and eventually the will run out of time. The defense seemed to be the only redeeming quality of the team last year, ranking 10th in the NFL. LB Luke Kuechky leads the charge and is the heart and the soul of the defense. But there are not many bright spots on the horizon for the Panthers, who will continue to be mediocre until they can find a real quarterback. Coach Ron Rivera isn't on the hot seat yet, but he's very very close.