AFC North Predictions 2013

1. Baltimore Ravens
Say what you want about the former champs, but they are still the defending champions. They won it all last year through a combination of luck, talent and destiny. Though the talent has changed, it is still there. In today's NFL with free agency and big money, all Super Bowl Champions lose much of their team. But rarely do they get the chance to make pick ups like the Ravens have. Losing big names like Lewis, Reed, Boldin and Kruger hurts, but picking up names like Canty, Huff, Spears, Clark, Stokley and most importantly Dumervil lessens the blow. The important pieces are still there, like Flacco, Rice, Jones, Smith, Suggs and Ngata. The coaching staff remains remarkably intact; this is the first year in three years they haven't had a chance in offensive or defensive coordinator. The Ravens have made the playoffs five years in a row -- don't expect that trend to chance.

2. Cincinnati Bengals
Everyone is high on the Bengals this year. They've made the playoffs the last two years and Marvin Lewis seems to have righted the ship. Under the constancy of Dalton and Green, the offense has performed well. The running back position is a little questionable, because BenJarvus Green-Ellis has never proven that he is an every down back. And other than Green, there receiving corps are limited. The defense flew under the radar last year, but was good, ranking 3rd in the AFC. The addition of James Harrison will aid them, though one player can only do so much. He is also basically the Bengals' only notable addition (in my opinion). They will do well, probably make the playoffs, but not beat the Ravens.

3. Pittsburgh Steelers
I would have put the Steelers above the Bengals, but the preseason has not been kind to them. The team overall hasn't looked good and the offense is struggling. One almost wonders if OC Todd Haley and QB Roethlisberger are still not on the same page, though both insist things are fine. More than anything, their long list of important player losses rings alarm bells. Allen, Harrison, Lewis, Hampton and Pope head the defensive losses, while Colon, Mendenhall and Wallace are the casualties on the offensive side of the ball. The Steelers have been on a downward trend in the last two years and in an increasingly good division they must improve, not take steps backwards.

4. Cleveland Browns
Is there really any other place to put the Browns besides in the bottom of what could be argued as the most competitive division in the AFC, if not the NFL. They haven't won more than five games in any of the last five seasons. The only notable addition is Kruger from Baltimore, while the losses of Cribbs, Watson, Brown and McCoy raise alarm bells. There is no talent to replace them on this team. A new head coach and new staff will do their best to work with what they have, but I'm not sold on Weeden, especially considering how little talent he has around him. Even if the no name defense could improve, this is an offensive league where passing the ball is your most important weapon. As long as the Browns remain incapable of doing so, they will stay in the bottom of the league and division.

Post Super Bowl Reaction

My dear readers,
Firstly, sorry for the long break. Let me spin you a tale of being completely in awe and in shock of what I witnessed on February third.

For those of you who don't know, I had the privilege to attend the Super Bowl in New Orleans. Yes, I had tickets to the game. Yes, I supported the Ravens. Yes, they won. Yes, I cried.

But the game had larger implications than my own personal emotions; SuperHarBowl I, the possibility of 6 Super Bowls for the 49ers, Ray Lewis going out on top, the coming of Kaepernick, a proper farewell for Art Modell.

The game was everything it promised to be and more. But I won't spill more ink over a description of the game, but rather as I did last year, write about the implications and what the future may hold for both teams, beginning with the victorious Baltimore Ravens.

For the Ravens, it was the second Super Bowl win in their short history, already separating them from long standing organizations. It meant a ride into the sunset for Ray Lewis, who despite his divided history, will go down as one of the greatest linebackers of all time. It was further vindication for the late Art Modell, who bravely moved the team from Cleveland and knew when it was time to share the reigns with both Ozzie Newsome and Steve Bisciotti, both of whom will continue building on his foundations.
 
As far as football implications, both Coach John (I will be referring to both coaches by first name to avoid confusion) and Joe Flacco were vindicated. After two AFC championship losses, they proved that they could break through the barrier and win one on the biggest stage of them all. That Flacco was worth the first round pick. That Harbaugh was a good choice for head coach, seemingly coming out of no where. That they choke. That they couldn't beat the Colts. That they couldn't beat Peyton Manning. That they couldn't beat Tom Brady. That all being said, I see Flacco as an elite QB, though I think his contract was a little over-inflated, as most NFL contracts are these days. If these two can put together another championship run, they have a chance to be seen as an dynasty and put all the doubts to rest.

For the 49ers, the game brought their first Super Bowl loss. But by all means they are not down and out. In fact, many have penciled them into the big game again this year. Coach Jim proved that he made the right choice by pulling Alex Smith for Kaepernick. He also proved that despite his sometimes emotional and abrasive manor, he is both a great college and professional coach. It is clear that his team wanted to run through a wall for him, which pushed them to come back when all hope seemed lost. It takes a strong team to make a push like that, which would have been the greatest comeback in Super Bowl history. (Though the long blackout didn't hurt, either.)

The future looks more than bright for the 49ers. I would be surprised if they don't find their way back to another Super Bowl soon. They seem to be doing most things the right way, even if their coach sometimes brings the media down on his head. They must continue to build if they are to stave off the Seahawks within their own division, much less the rest of the NFC pack. They cannot get complacent if they wish to bring the 49ers back to their former glory of Montana, Walsh, Rice and Young.

Overall, the Super Bowl went from a normal blowout into an epic struggle, one which will take its place among the Super Bowls of the past for its many firsts. But the Ravens, the team of destiny, walked away with the trophy, the glory and most importantly the family bragging rights. 

Super Bowl XLVII Prediction

Here it is -- the day we've all been waiting for.
The Super Bowl. The Big Dance. In the Big Easy.

First, let me say a few things. Yes, I am biased because I am a Ravens fan. I've gone so far picking them, I really can't in good conscious go back. And yes, I am here in New Orleans. And yes, I have real tickets to the game and will be in the Superdome tomorrow. And yes, it is going to be one of the greatest days of my life regardless of the outcome.

Baltimore Ravens vs. San Francisco 49ers
6:30 EST CBS
49ers by 4.5
Game Pick: Ravens    Spread Pick: Ravens
Reason: The Ravens are simply a better team than the 49ers. They're a more experienced team in so many ways -- vertern leadership, including a tenured head coach, playoff success and a quarterback who had just outperformed the two best quarterbacks of the decade. Football playoffs are all about the mometum, and guess what, the Ravens most certainly have it. Yes, the 49ers have had success. But the Falcons and the Packers are not the teams that the Broncos and the Patriots are. IF the Ravens can control Kaepernick, and I believe they can, they will win the game. Don't underestimate the 49ers, but I just believe that they're not ready and Jim isn't the coach that John is. Sorry. It'll be a close game, and I wouldn't be surprised if the Ravens pulled one out in a last mintue field goal. Take note, Justin Tucker, the world is watching.

Pro Bowl: Stay or Go?

I almost feel obliged to chime in regarding the Pro Bowl debate -- should it stay or should it go?

For me the bottom line is that people watch it and most of the players enjoy it. For the players that suffer all year on a bad team, but they themselves have talent, this is a reward. Who doesn't want to visit Hawaii? When big name players like the Manning brothers and Adrian Peterson are coming out in favor of the game, it should say something to rest of us. And they're not the only prominent players to speak up in favor, asking Goodell to keep the game. It's truly a game for the fans to see big stars all at once, especially in Hawaii, where  live football is as distant as the mainland.

I understand the people who say that the game is sloppy and that it is too high scoring. But they need to understand this -- it is both a rest for the players and not very long to prepare for a game. Playing football isn't the same as playing baseball or hockey -- while the offense can be put together rather quickly, defense takes much longer. When you have players coming together from all different schemes, from 3-4 to 4-3 and everything in-between, a coherent defense is not going to come together in four days of practice. Sorry; it's just a fact of today's complex game.

To me, it simply boils down to if enough players and enough fans enjoy it. I believe they do. The mere fact that so many have spoken in favor of it says so. I've never really been quite sure why Rodger Goodell has been so against the Pro Bowl. The players already don't like him -- he shouldn't make it worse by taking away something they like.

Just a little food for thought.

2012 Conference Championship Picks

It's that time of the year again -- the time when though there are only two games, they matter more than anything else so far. Isn't that the story of the playoffs?

NFC -- 3:00 PM

(3) San Francisco 49ers vs. (1) Atlanta Falcons 

Falcons by 3

Pick: 49ers    Spread Pick: 49ers

Reasons: This game baffles me. Neither team really sticks out to me because both have been inconsistent  The 49ers lost to the Seahawks (big) but beat the Packers? The Falcons should have lost last week and have really been skating by all season. But the bottom line is that they didn't lose. Should doesn't count. But I'm concerned because of how well Russell Wilson did aganist the Atlanta defense. Kaep is better than him (perhaps...). Atlanta better have a solution. However, I don't think they do. My gut tells me to pick the 49ers, but I also believe it could go either way. I haven't believed in the Falcons all year -- why start now?

AFC -- 6:30 PM

(4) Baltimore Ravens vs. (2) New England Patriots

Patriots by 9.5

Pick: Ravens   Spread Pick: Ravens

Reasons: Does the phrase 'Team of Destiny' mean anything to you? It should. Teams such as the Giants (both recent years) and the Packers are notable for their own improbable 'team of destiny' runs through the playoffs and to the Super Bowl. Here's the deal -- the Ravens beat the Patriots in week 3, in an emotional win and with a great field goal. They should have won this game last year (and yes, it is exactly the same game as last year, for those of you who don't remember). It'll be an amazing game, but after last week can anything stand in the way of the Ravens? I don't think so.

2012 Division Weekend Picks

Saturday

4:30 PM
(4) Ravens vs. (1) Broncos
Broncos by 10
Pick: Broncos   Spread Pick: Ravens
Reason: Peyton Manning has never lost to the Ravens. The Ravens have never beaten Peyton. But Peyton also is 0-4 in playoff games played in weather under 40 degrees. Something has to give.

8:00 PM
(3) Packers vs. (2) 49ers
49ers by 2.5
Pick: Packers   Spread Pick: Packers
Reason: The Packers beat down Vikings. The 49ers are better than the Vikings to be sure, but the Packers are getting that Super Bowl run look to them. Aaron Rodgers has a little bit of a grudge here, as does Mike McCarthy. Should be a close game.

Sunday

1:00 PM
(5) Seahawks vs. (1) Falcons
Falcons by 2.5
Pick: Seahawks   Spread Pick: Seahawks
Reason: The Seahawks are hot right now. The Falcons are not. I know two east coast games in a row is a little extreme, but I think Pete Carroll after those years in USC will know how to handle these East coast trips. Momentum is everything in the playoffs and the Seahawks have it. The Falcons should panic.


4:30 PM
(3) Texans vs. (2) Patriots
Patriots by 10
Pick: Patriots   Spread Pick: Patriots
Reason: Did you not see the tape of the last game? Someone needs to wake up the Texans. They didn't play outstandingly against the Bengals, who are not even close to the level of the Patriots. Two weeks to prepare for this game and playing at home -- Belichick won't lose.

2012 Wild Card Weekend Picks

Alright everyone, it's playoff time. That means brackets. But for right now, I'm just gonna offer my picks and the line like I did last year. Hopefully my picks will be correct and then I won't have to post my possibly incorrect bracket. I'll chime in on the coaching carousel when the dust has settled.

SATURDAY

4:30 pm 
(6) Bengals (10-6) vs. (3) Texans (12-4)
 Texans by 4.5
Pick: Texans    Spread pick: Cinncy
Reason: Texans will get back on track and win this game, though don't expect them to get much further.

8:30 pm
(6) Vikings (10-6) vs. (3) Packers (11-5)
Packers by 7.5
Pick: Packers    Spread pick: Packers
Reason: The Packers won't allow the Vikings the same leyway as last week. They'll assert themselves and dominate a Christian Ponder who played unusually well last week.

SUNDAY

1:00 pm
(5) Colts (11-5) vs. (4) Ravens (10-6)
Ravens by 7
Pick: Ravens    Spread Pick: Colts
Reason: The Ravens have won a playoff game each of the last four years. And this time they get to play at home. Look for continued late revenge on the team that left. Ravens/Colts is always tough, especially with the return of Ray Lewis.

4:30 pm
(5) Seahawks (11-5) vs. (4) Redskins (10-6)
Seahawks by 3
Pick: Seahawks   Spread Pick: Seahawks
Reason: The Redskins are a nice story, but Luck (or even Wilson?) is the rookie of the year and RG3 is still a little out of sorts. The Seahawks will dominate, even though it's away from their home turf.