Thursday night football begins this week through the remainder of the season. You know what that means. Thanksgiving’s around the corner, the weather’s getting cool and it’s time to rock ‘n roll.
Remember, use my picks to wager $$$ at your own risk. I pick heads-up winners, not the spread. If you lose, I had nothing to do with it. If you win beaucoup $$$, a 10% tip would be cool. But, I’m realistic. This is just for your entertainment…or not, and for me to keep my sports “mojo” going until “I’m back in the saddle”. Remember the league’s unofficial motto…“ON ANY GIVEN SUNDAY, MONDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY OR SATURDAY……….
LAST WEEK: 8-6 SEASON TOTAL: 72-45
THURSDAY
OAKLAND RAIDERS (4-4) +7 @ SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (4-4) O/U 47.5 pts
-Battle for the top spot of the AFC West. Since acquiring QB Carson Palmer, Raiders have lost two straight with Palmer tossing six picks in the two games. After finally starting fast at 4-1, the Chargers have lost three straight. QB Phillip Rivers with 14 picks of his own, one more than he had all last season. 710 ESPN Los Angeles radio hosts Steve Mason & John Ireland set the over/under for interceptions between the two QBs at four. Take the over. Raiders RB Darren McFadden is out. Chargers RBs Ryan Mathews and Mike Tolbert are questionable. Raiders swept the AFC West last season. Oakland’s 1-2 so far this season. CHARGERS (Raiders, 24-17)
How about revisiting the 1978 playoffs and the “Holy Roller!”
I know. I know. Didn’t give you my picks last week. Just know that I went 11-2 with the picks I made in a LA Downtown News “league” I’m in. Just a crazy, busy year for me. No excuse. I’ll be here the remainder of the season.
Remember, use my picks to wager $$$ at your own risk. I pick heads-up winners, not the spread. If you lose, I had nothing to do with it. If you win beaucoup $$$, a 10% tip would be cool. But, I’m realistic. This is just for your entertainment…or not, and for me to keep my sports “mojo” going until “I’m back in the saddle”. Remember the league’s unofficial motto…“ON ANY GIVEN SUNDAY, MONDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY OR SATURDAY……….
LAST WEEK: 11-2 SEASON TOTAL: 64-39
SUNDAY
NY JETS of NEW JERSEY (4-3) +3 @ BUFFALO BILLS (5-2) O/U 45 pts
-Jets winless on the road. Bills undefeated at home. Streaks got to come to an end at some point. JETS (Jets, 27-11)
-Pete Carroll’s Seahawks in the “Matt Barkley QB Derby.” Cowboys still in the playoff hunt with a win. COWBOYS (Cowboys, 23-13)
ATLANTA FALCONS (4-3) -7 @ INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (0-8) O/U 45.5 pts
-Falcons beginning to play like the NFC South Defending Champs. Colts with solid defense. But that offense is a snake with no head. FALCONS (Falcons, 31-7)
-Dolphins neck-and-neck with Colts in “Andrew Luck QB Derby.” Head coach Tony Sporano gets axed after this one. CHIEFS (Dolphins, 31-3)
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (4-3) +9 @ NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (5-3) O/U 50.5 pts
-Saints probably pretty angry they lost to the then-winless Rams last week. Bucs back from a week of eating “bangers and mash” across the pond. SAINTS (Saints, 27-16)
SAN FRANCISCO 49ers (6-1) -5 @ WASHINGTON REDSKINS (3-4) O/U 37.5 pts
-Ex-Top Overall Pick QB Alex Smith just needed an old QB to teach him how to play. A solid running game helps too. Redskins have QB issues. 49ers (49ers, 19-11)
-Cincinnati rookie QB Andy Dalton to rookie WR A.J. Green a formidable duo. Add Cedric Benson and one $$ defense and the Bengals are for real. Holdout RB Chris Johnson having holdout issues. His new $$ pockets are weighing him down. BENGALS (Bengals, 24-17)
-Here’s how you use Tim Tebow at this moment. Just like Urban Meyer used him at Florida during his freshman year. Start Kyke Orton or Brady Quinn at QB. Bring Tebow in in goal line situations and/or in the Wild Cat or as an H-Back. Fans are happy and you give yourself a better chance at winning with a better QB starting. Carson Palmer had the bye week to get over his “pre-season” debut two weeks ago in the loss to KC and he has ex-Bengals teammate WR T.J. “Who’s-Your-Mama” to throw to. RAIDERS (Broncos, 38-24)
NY GIANTS of NEW JERSEY (5-2) +9 @ NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (5-2) O/U 51 pts
-Super Bowl 42 rematch. Giants ended Pats undefeated bid with 17-14 win over the then 18-0 Pats. Patriots lost at Pittsburgh last week. surely, they won’t lose a second-straight, especially at the Razor where they never lose. PATRIOTS (Giants, 24-20)
ST. LOUIS RAMS of LOS ANGELES? (1-6) +2 @ ARIZONA CARDINALS (1-6) O/U 41 pts
-Battle of back-up QBs. Rams’ A.J. Feeley better than Cardinals’ John “Red” Skelton. Plus, Rams have RB Steven Jackson back and their defense is better. RAMS (Cardinals, 19-13 ot)
GREEN BAY PACKERS (7-0) -6 @ SAN DIEGO CHARGERS of LOS ANGELES? (4-3) O/U 51 pts
-My upset special. Chargers having issues because all of QB Phillip Rivers’ “toys” have been nicked up all season. Can’t be consistent. I think they put it all together at home against the Super Bowl Champions. QB Aaron Rodgers and the Pack are better than last year. I just don’t think they’ll go undefeated. CHARGERS (Packers, 45-38)
-Ravens destroyed Steelers in season-opener. Steelers playing much better and Ravens QB Joe Flacco’s been having “pressure-issues” fromt he likes of the Jaguars and Cardinals. Imagine what the Steelers will do to him. STEELERS (Ravens, 23-20)
MONDAY
CHICAGO BEARS (4-3) +7.5 @ PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (3-4) O/U 47 pts
-Bears back from a week of “bangers and mash” across the pond. eagles are playing like the team everyone thought they would be when they acquired all of those free-agents. EAGLES (30-24, Bears)
BYE WEEK: CAROLINA PANTHERS, DETROIT LIONS, JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS, LOS ANGELES*, MINNESOTA VIKINGS (of Los Angeles?)
Remember, use my picks to wager $$$ at your own risk. I pick heads-up winners, not the spread. If you lose, I had nothing to do with it. If you win beaucoup $$$, a 10% tip would be cool. But, I’m realistic. This is just for your entertainment…or not, and for me to keep my sports “mojo” going until “I’m back in the saddle”. Remember the league’s unofficial motto…“ON ANY GIVEN SUNDAY, MONDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY OR SATURDAY……….
LAST WEEK: 9-4 SEASON TOTAL: 53-37
SUNDAY
CHICAGO BEARS (3-3) -1.5 vs. TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (4-2) O/U 43.5 pts
-This game’s in London, England. NFL suits have decided to have more than one game in merry old England through the 2016 season in hopes of gaining a fan base to permanently put a team in London. Bucs owner Malcolm Glazer owns soccer’s Manchester United. Who cares. Here’s an idea. How about concentrating on putting a team in the second largest market here…Los Angeles and fixing stadium issues in your current markets before looking to London!! BUCCANEERS
WASHINGTON REDSKINS (3-2) +2.5 @ CAROLINA PANTHERS (1-5) 43 pts
-Redskins with QB issues starting John Beck. Panthers just fine at QB with rookie and top overall draft pick Cam Newton throwing darts in every game. PANTHERS
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (4-1) +1 @ NY JETS of NEW JERSEY (3-3) 43.5 pts
-Chargers off to a strong start for the first time in five seasons. Jets can’t run the ball. QB Mark Sanchez is having issues and that Jets defense isn’t what it was the last couple of seasons. CHARGERS
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (2-3) +3 @ CLEVELAND BROWNS (2-3) 41 pts
-Browns GM Mike Holmgren going against one of his former teams. BROWNS
HOUSTON TEXANS (3-3) +3 @ TENNESSEE TITANS (3-2) 44 pts
-Texans banged-up. QB Matt Schaub, WR Andre Johnson questionable. DE/LB Mario Williams out for season. TITANS
DENVER BRONCOS (1-4) PK @ MIAMI DOLPHINS (0-5) 41.5 pts
-It’s Florida Gators Day in Miami. Broncos QB and ex-Gator gets his first start of the season. BRONCOS
ATLANTA FALCONS (3-3) +4 @ DETROIT LIONS (5-1) 47.5 pts
-Let’s hope the post game handshake between Atlanta’s Mike smith and Detroit’s Jim Schwartz goes well. I don’t think the Lions will lose two straight at Ford Field. It’ll be close. LIONS
KANSAS CITY CHIELFS (2-3) +4 @ OAJLAND RAIDERS (4-2) 41 pts
-Raiders starting Kyle Boller at QB after Jason Campbell went down with a broken collar-bone last week. One bad throw and here comes newly acquired Carson Palmer. .Either way, Raiders better. RAIDERS
PITTSBURGH STEELERS (4-2) -4 @ ARIZONA CARDINALS (1-4) 44 pts
-First meeting since that incredible Super Bowl 43 Steelers win. Cards with issues coming off a bye week. Steelers have Troy Polamalu back but are missing James Harrison who returned a Kurt Warner interception 100 yards for a score in Super Bowl 43. CARDINALS
ST; LOUIS RAMS (0-5) +14 @ DALLAS COWBOYS (2-3) 43 pts
-Rams made a trade for WR Brandon Lloyd. That filled an absolute need. Problem is QB Sam Bradford is out with a high ankle sprain suffered last week at Green Bay. A.J. Feeley starts for the Rams. COWBOYS
GREEN BAY PACKERS (6-0) -9.5 @ MINNESOTA VIKINGS (1-5) 47 pts
-Norseman rookie QB Christian Ponder takes over for veteran Donovan McNabb who I think is getting a raw deal. Not his fault his receivers drop balls right in there hands or the Vikings defense gives up two second half 20 point leads. Anyway, Packers could go 16-0. PACKERS
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (0-6) +13.5 @ NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (4-2) 49 pts
-First meeting since the Saints’ Super Bowl 44 win over the Colts. No Peyton Manning in this one. SAINTS
MONDAY
BALTIMORE RAVENS (4-1) -9 @ JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (1-5) 40 pts
-Ravens coming off a bye week. RAVENS
BYE WEEK: BUFFALO, CINCINNATI, *LOS ANGELES, NEW ENGLAND,
NY GIANTS, PHILADELPHIA, SAN FRANCISCO
Remember, use my picks to wager $$$ at your own risk. I pick heads-up winners, not the spread. If you lose, I had nothing to do with it. If you win beaucoup $$$, a 10% tip would be cool. But, I’m realistic. This is just for your entertainment…or not, and for me to keep my sports “mojo” going until “I’m back in the saddle”. Remember the league’s unofficial motto…“ON ANY GIVEN SUNDAY, MONDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY OR SATURDAY……….
LAST WEEK: 7-6 SEASON TOTAL: 44-33
SUNDAY
ST. LOUIS RAMS (0-4) +14 @ GREEN BAY PACKERS (5-0) Over/Under 47 pts
-Too many injuries to key players (RB Steven Jackson) and no play makers for QB Sam Bradford to find. Super Bowl Champion Packers wearing 1920s throwbacks. Those 1920s teams could beat these young Rams. QB Aaron Rodgers the best in the game. PACKERS
DALLAS COWBOYS (2-2) +6 @ NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (4-1) O/U 55.5 pts
-If Pokes QB Tony Romo can take advantage of a defense that gives up big plays, here’s his chance. Problem is the Dallas “D” won’t be able to keep up with the “Pinball Wizard” a.k.a the Patriots’ Tom Brady. PATRIOTS
Being the chairman for my high school class’ 30 year reunion took me out of the game for two weeks. I did, however, make week 3 and 4 picks in the LA Downtown News fish-wrap with just a click of the mouse. Let’s just say I need a new mouse. Week 3 I went 9-7. Last week, 8-8. I’ll add the 17-15 two week record to my totals here.
Remember, use my picks to wager $$$ at your own risk. I pick heads-up winners, not the spread. If you lose, I had nothing to do with it. If you win beaucoup $$$, a 10% tip would be cool. But, I’m realistic. This is just for your entertainment…or not, and for me to keep my sports “mojo” going until “I’m back in the saddle”. Remember the league’s unofficial motto…“ON ANY GIVEN SUNDAY, MONDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY OR SATURDAY……….
-With Saturday’s passing of Raiders owner Al Davis, this one has huge significance for the Silver and Black. Although not yet where they want to be, the Raiders are built the way Davis built all his great teams, with a solid defense that pounds you with its physicality, a vertical passing game triggered with a strong-armed quarterback throwing to fleet receivers and a physical running game with two superior backs. I must say, I was never a Raiders fan. But let’s be honest, when the Raiders are good the NFL is much more fun. The Raiders have and always will be Oakland’s team. When they moved to Los Angeles for 13 years, their Super Bowl win came the year they moved and it was filled with Oakland’s players save for Marcus Allen. Say what you will about Al Davis. But, you’ve got to include visionary, ground-breaker and one of the greatest owners in American Team Sports History. RAIDERS
-These two teams hurt by the lockout because both their quarterbacks needed the off-season workouts to get into the playbook. I still think these teams are really talented and good. VIKINGS
-This one should be fun to watch because Panthers rookie QB Cam Newton can throw the pill. Problem is, Carolina’s got nothing else on offense save for WR Steve Smith and the defense is bad. Drew Brees and the Saints will have a field day. SAINTS
-Honestly, I think the Bengals are a good team. Head coach Marvin Lewis knows what he’s doing. Rookie QB Andy Dalton is fitting in nicely for the “retired” Carson Palmer. They can run and have a good defense. Jacksonville’s good one week, lousy the next. BENGALS
-Don’t look now but the Titans are quietly sneaking up on everyone. Plenty of talent especially with QB Matt Hasselbeck and RB Chris Johnson who should be ready to roll by now after his holdout. The Steelers are banged up and can’t protect QB Ben Roethlisberger. TITANS
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (1-3) +9.5 @ NY GIANTS of NEW JERSEY (3-1) 43.5 pts
-Seahawks are playing out the string in the Andrew Luck Sweepstakes. GIANTS
TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS (3-1) +3 @ SAN FRANCISCO 49ers (3-1) 41.5 pts
-49ers QB Alex Smith finally relying on RB Frank Gore keeping him out of the dog house. Bucs QB Josh Freeman is the real deal. BUCS
NY JETS of NEW JERSEY (2-2) +8 @ NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (3-1) 49 pts
-Jets will try to get back to that “bread and butter” running game they used so well the last couple of seasons. They’d better because QB Mark Sanchez is taking a beating. He can’t win a game by himself just yet. Patriots defense gives up a lot of points. QB Tom Brady can score more for the offense. PATRIOTS
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (3-1) -3.5 @ DENVER BRONCOS (1-3) 45.5 pts
-Don’t look now but the Chargers have come out of the starting gate well for the first time under Norv Turner. I don’t understand why the Broncos coach John Fox doesn’t use Tim Tebow in a wild cat formation, or down near the goal line in the red zone. He’s a great athlete and there’s got to be room for him somewhere in that offense. CHARGERS
GREEN BAY PACKERS (4-0) -6 @ ATLANTA FALCONS (2-2) 53 pts
-The Packers are the REAL DREAM TEAM. But they can’t go undefeated can they? Matt Ryan and the Falcons a much better team that will get off the ground eventually. I think it’ll be against the world champions. FALCONS
MONDAY
CHICAGO BEARS (2-2) +5 @ DETROIT LIONS (4-0) 47.5 pts
-The Lions are for real. This team is built like those 90s Cowboys teams with “the triplets” and a young, monster defense. Bears QB Jay Cutler has no “go to WR” and ends up on his back a lot. Lions DT Ndamukong Suh is “Deacon Jones-like” and will get up close and personal with Cutler all day. Lions getting rookie DE Nick Fairly in for the first time this season. They’re a scary team starting the season as 80-1 to make the Super Bowl. They’re now at 15-1. They could be in Indy in February. They’re that good. LIONS
BYE WEEK:
BALTIMORE, CLEVELAND, DALLAS, *LOS ANGELES, MIAMI, ST. LOUIS, WASHINGTON
My 30 year high school reunion has consumed my time the last few months. It’s next week. Can’t wait to see my friends. Also, can’t wait until I don’t have to worry about it. So, here we go.
Remember, use my picks to wager $$$ at your own risk. I pick heads-up winners, not the spread. If you lose, I had nothing to do with it. If you win beaucoup $$$, a 10% tip would be cool. But, I’m realistic. This is just for your entertainment…or not, and for me to keep my sports “mojo” going until “I’m back in the saddle”. Remember the league’s unofficial motto…“ON ANY GIVEN SUNDAY, MONDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY OR SATURDAY……….
LAST WEEK: 11-5 SEASON TOTAL: 11-5
SUNDAY
CHICAGO BEARS (1-0)+6.5 @ NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (0-1) Over/Under 47.5pts
-Bears are good. Took apart Atlanta in opener. Saints played pinball with the Pack and lost. It’s the Big Easy Opener. SAINTS
KANSAS CITY CHIEFS (0-1) +8 @ DETROIT LIONS (1-0) O/U 45pts
-Chiefs are “Chefs” again. Lions are the real deal. QB Matt Stafford bringing back memories of Bobby Layne (google him). Did you think I was going to say Eric Hipple? LIONS
JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (1-0) +9 @ N.Y. JETS of NEW JERSEY (1-0) O/U 39.5pts
-ALERT! There’s a McCown Brother QBing the Jags. He’s going up against that Jets “D”. Jets QB Mark Sanchez has to avoid turnovers or NY of NJ won’t cover. JETS
-A resurgence of two old AFL/NFL powers. Raiders are powerful at RB with Darren McFadden and Michael Bush and on defense. Bills QB Mike Fitzpatrick did a Jim Kelly impression looking like he was running the “K-Gun” last week. I think the Raiders can control both sides of the line of scrimmage. RAIDERS
-Expect the Redskins and QB Rex Grossman to exploit a weak Cardinals secondary. Expect the Cardinals and QB Kevin Kolb to exploit a weak Redskins secondary with WR Larry Fitzgerald. CARDINALS
-Considering what the Ravens “D” did to Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger last week, I hope Titans QB Matt Hasselbeck can rely on RB Chris Johnson or he’s toast. RAVENS
-It’s been about a month since retired QB Kerry Collins was brought in to replace injured Peyton Manning for the Colts. Collins has got to be up to speed now after getting roughed up in Houston last week. Browns gave one away to in-state rival Cincy. BROWNS
DALLAS COWBOYS (0-1) -3 @ SAN FRANCISCO 49ers (1-0) O/U 42 pts
-The leagues most over-rated and over-hyped player in league history, QB Tony Tomo of the Cowboys, gave one away to the Jets last week relinquishing a 14-point 4th quarter lead for the loss. If they can keep the ball out of Frisco KR/PR Tedd Gin Jr’s hands, the Cowboy “D” should handle Alex Smith. COWBOYS
-Broncos QB Kyle Orton isn’t Denver’s problem. The rest of the team is. Bengals beat the Browns after rookie QB Andy Dalton went down. Bruce Gradkowski replaces him. BENGALS
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (1-0) -2.5 @ ATLANTA FALCONS (0-1) O/U 49.5 pts
-Eagles QB Michael Vick returns to where he began his career before “barking up the wrong tree” got him in federal prison for two years. Falcons staring at 0-2 after losing three games all season last year. FALCONS
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS of LOS ANGELES (1-0) +7 @ NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (1-0) O/U 49 pts
-Patriots and QB Tom Brady have won 28 straight regular-season home games. Pats “D” gave up over 400 yards to Dolphins QB Chad Henne last week. CHAD HENNE…REALLY! Imagine what Bolts QB Phillip Rivers will do to the Pats secondary. SD “D” pitched a second half shut-out in last week’s win over the Vikings. If the Chargers can avoid giving up a special teams score…..CHARGERS
MONDAY
ST LOUIS RAMS of LOS ANGELES (0-1) +6.5 @ NY GIANTS of NEW JERSEY O/U 44 pts
-Giants QB Eli Manning had a tough day in the Nation’s Capital last week. Rams QB Sam Bradford bruised his index finger while the Rams defenses ego was bruised by Michael Vick. Rams also without work horse RB Steven Jackson. Good thing the Rams invested in a “Cadillac.” RAMS
Week one of this NFL season marks the second time 9/11 falls on NFL Sunday, which happens to be the 10th anniversary of the darkest day in America, and the World, since December 7th 1941.
As is the case for those remembering where they were that infamous Sunday morning in 1941, we all know where we were that infamous Tuesday morning, September 11th 2001.
On the field at Invesco for Monday Night Football 9/10/01
An incredibly festive atmosphere in the Mile High City, I was covering the game for KREX, the CBS affiliate in Grand Junction Colorado, along with Scott Hennessee. We made the three hour drive east up I-70 early that Monday afternoon.
Old Mile High Stadium
It was a perfect day to christen the new stadium built adjacent to the old horse shoe of a stadium where I was fortunate enough to cover the last game played there the previous December.
Of course, I brought a little disposable camera (no digitals then just yet) so Scott and I could document with pictures that “we were there!” I’ve peppered some of the photographs for you to see. I remember thinking to myself that it was just an awesome building and why can’t we have one in Los Angeles. That’s another story of course.
The media credentials requested equaled those for a Super Bowl because, a) players from the Broncos two super bowl champions, including John Elway, were there for pre-game festivities, and b) plain and simple, the Broncos were playing the defending NFC Champion New York Football Giants who were destroyed in Super Bowl 35 earlier in January by the Baltimore Ravens, 34-7.
Scott and I were issued one field pass and one press box pass. I drew the short straw. I was upstairs the first three quarters. I was then allowed to go to the field for the 4th quarter.
When I got to the press box, I was seated next to a Green Bay Packers advance scout. Reggie McKenzie was a former Los Angeles Raider who played pro ball for seven seasons. Ironically, he was an assistant coach at Dorsey High School in L.A. for one season after hanging up his cleats. We chuckled after I told him I was from L.A. and went to Hamilton High School.
Thanks, Reggie!
MacKenzie was scouting the Giants who were to travel to Lambeau Field the following Sunday to play the Packers. He was nice enough to take my picture in the press box.
A successful stadium debut for the Broncos as they beat the Giants, 31-20. I was down on the field taking in the sights and snapping a few pictures before going into the locker room for post game interviews.
Eric Dickerson interviews Broncos' RB Terrell Davis
Former Los Angeles Rams running back Eric Dickerson was the sideline reporter for ABC’s Monday Night Football. I snapped a picture of Dickerson interviewing Denver running back Terrell Davis who rushed for 101 yards in the win.
Everything was innocent and happy-go-lucky for everyone there that night. Scott and I did our interviews and didn’t leave the stadium until sometime after 11pm.
A self-portrait before leaving.
We packed up the vehicle and made our way back to Grand Junction arriving there around three in the morning.
Needless to say, I woke up around 11 that morning. Turned on the television, booted up the computer and watched in disbelief as all hell broke loose.
All innocence was lost forever. That Monday night game became an afterthought.
Since then, I’ve seen movies about 9/11 that refer to that game in Denver even playing the audio track as background ambient sound.
I was there.
There was a sellout crowd of just under 76,000 fans along with another 5,000 that included the media, the teams and their personnel, stadium workers, police officers and anyone else who made that game go off without a hitch.
I often consider myself extremely fortunate always asking myself, “What IF those lunatics who hijacked those planes had planned to do that the night before and fly a jet into that stadium.”
Then I reconsider and say, “What IF there were none of those lunatics and September 11th, 2001 were a day like any other.”
After all, one life, let alone 3,000 or possibly 80,000, lost to fanatical lunatics is one too many.
Here’s to those 3,000 innocent people murdered that Tuesday morning in New York, Washington DC and Shanksville PA. We continue to look ahead so there sacrifice wasn’t made in vain.
Remember, use my picks to wager $$$ at your own risk. If you lose, I had nothing to do with it. If you win beaucoup $$$, a 10% tip would be cool. But, I’m realistic. This is just for your entertainment…or not, and for me to keep my sports “mojo” going until “I’m back in the saddle”. Remember the league’s unofficial motto…“ON ANY GIVEN SUNDAY, MONDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY OR SATURDAY……….
SUNDAY 9/11/11
NEW YORK GIANTS -2.5 @ WASHINGTON REDSKINS o/u 39.5
-This game will be emotional on so many levels for obvious reasons. I’ll take the home team in a close one. REDSKINS
DALLAS COWBOYS +6 @ NEW YORK JETS o/u 40.5
-Another emotional game on so many levels for obvious reasons. Cowboys QB Tony Romo’s back after breaking his clavicle last season. So what. I still believe Romo’s the most over-rated and over-hyped player in league history. You think Jets coach Rex Ryan is going to lose this game? No F@#$ing Way! Now, let’s go have some g@d dam dessert!! JETS
PITTSBURGH STEELERS +1.5 @ BALTIMORE RAVENS o/u 36 pts
-REALLY!?!? Right out of the gate? Bitter AFC North rivals with the winner getting the inside track on the division. Take the under. RAVENS
DETROIT LIONS +1.5 @ TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS o/u 42.5
-Two teams on the rise with two good, young quarterbacks and solid defenses. If Lions QB Matthew Stafford can stay injury-free, Lions make the playoffs. On defense, Detroit has “that guy named Suh.” LIONS
ATLANTA FALCONS -2 @ CHICAGO BEARS o/u 40.5
-Falcons QB Matt Ryan has plenty of weapons. Atlanta’s solid everywhere. Bears QB Jay Cutler….who knows how he feels. FALCONS
BUFFALO BILLS +5.5 @ KANSAS CITY CHIEFS o/u 39.5
-Not sure about the Chiefs. They won the AFC West last year with a weak schedule. They call the Bills “the team of misfit toys” because they’ve picked up players like LB Shawn Merriman who might’ve lost something but can still bring it. They also brought back their old school uniforms. Just for that….BILLS
INDIANAPOLIS COLTS +9 @ HOUSTON TEXANS o/u 44
-Colts will be without QB Peyton Manning for the first time since Clinton was President. Perfect opportunity for the Texans to finally grasp hold of the AFC South. Not so sure just yet. For some reason, I think out-of-retirement QB Kerry Collins gets a win for Indy here. COLTS
PHILADELPHIA EAGLES -4 @ ST. LOUIS RAMS o/u 44
-Eagles “Dream Team” favored out of the NFC to get to the Super Bowl. I think QB Sam Bradford, RB Steven Jackson and the Los Ang…er..St. Louis Rams (Sorry, got ahead of myself) have a little surprise for Vick and the birds. RAMS
CINCINNATI BENGALS -6.5 @ CLEVLEAND BROWNS o/u 35
-Bengals head coach Marvin Lewis is an excellent coach. His problem is he works for Mike Brown and the Bengals. Rookie QB Andy Dalton has to fill Carson Palmer’s retired shoes (he’ll be in Indy by Christmas). Poor Andy. I really like Browns QB Colt McCoy who was a steal in last year’s draft. BROWNS
TENNESSEE TITANS +1 @ JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS o/u 37
-Not respect for new Titans coach Mike Munchak. I don’t get it. He’s got a good veteran at QB with ex-water bird Matt Hasselbeck and RB Chris Johnson. The Jags got rid of QB David Garrard and are going with the rookie from Missouri….what’s his name…TITANS
CAROLINA PANTHERS +7 @ ARIZONA CARDINALS o/u 37.5
-Cardinals were like a rudderless ship last season playing without a quarterback. Enter Kevin Kolb traded from Philly and instantly the Red Birds are playoff contenders again. Solid defense. Solid running game and the best wide receiver in the game, Larry Fitzgerald. Panthers have Auburn rookie Cam Newton calling the signals. CARDINALS
SEATTLE SEAHAWKS +5.5 @ SAN FRANCISCO 4ERS o/u 37.5
-Forget about the game. I’m more interested in watching the sidelines and the post game handshake. Former Stanford coach and New Niners head coach Jim Harbaugh, faces his old Pac-10 nemesis, former USC coach now Seahawks coach Pete Carroll. These guys do not like each other. Oh yeah. The game. 49ERS
MINNESOTA VIKINGS +5.5 @ SAN DIEGO CHARGERS o/u 42
-Vikings reload with Donovan McNabb at QB. He’s got Adrian Peterson running the ball. Chargers were tops in offense and defense last year but missed the playoffs. They had special teams a Pop Warner coach would quit over. They put it all together behind the new best quarterback in the league, Phillip Rivers (yeah….I think better than Rodgers or Brees) and the Los Ange….er…San Diego Chargers (Sorry, got ahead of myself) win the Super Bowl. CHARGERS
MONDAY
NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS -7 @ MIAMI DOLPHINS o/u 45.5
-Last year, the Dolphins won six games on the road and lost six at home. Patriots have reloaded for QB Tom Brady adding Chad Ocho Cinco at WR. Don’t look now. There’s talk they’ll add Randy Moss before the season’s over. PATRIOTS
OAKLAND RAIDERS +3 @ DENVER BRONCOS o/u 40.5
-Broncos brought in former Panthers coach John Fox to right the ship. He’ll have unpopular Kyle Orton at QB ahead of fan favorite Tim Teebow who’s the third choice behind back-up Brady Quinn. Raiders destroyed the Broncos last season winning both meetings by a combined score of 98-37.
The Raiders have Darren McFadden and Michael Bush running the ball. They blistered Denver last season. RAIDERS
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (2009 Champions)+5 @ GREEN BAY PACKERS (2010 Champions) O/U 47pts (Thursday)
-Battle of the last two Super Bowl Champions and two of the top five quarterbacks in the league, the Saints’ Drew Brees and the Packers’ Aaron Rodgers. Last 11 defending Super Bowl Champions have won the season opener. Bodes well for the Packers who won it all last year with a full injured reserve roster. Imagine what they could accomplish when 100% healthy. This should be a high scoring game. PACKERS (42-34, PACKERS)
BYE WEEK:
*LOS ANGELES (16 seasons & one week) To quote former Falcons coach Jerry Glanville, “You know what NFL stands for. It stands for NOT FOR LONG.” The disgraceful 16+ seasons BYE for the City of Angels will be over soon. I spell NFL this way…..AEG.
Nothing like NFL opening weekend. I think we’re all ready for some football. So, here we go!
SUPER BOWL 46 in INDY
SAN DIEGO CHARGERS vs GREEN BAY PACKERS
CHARGERS SUPER BOWL CHAMPIONS
Remember, use my picks to wager $$$ at your own risk. If you lose, I had nothing to do with it. If you win beaucoup $$$, a 10% tip would be cool. But, I’m realistic. This is just for your entertainment…or not, and for me to keep my sports “mojo” going until “I’m back in the saddle”. Remember the league’s unofficial motto…“ON ANY GIVEN SUNDAY, MONDAY, THURSDAY, FRIDAY OR SATURDAY……….
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (2009 Champions)+5 @ GREEN BAY PACKERS (2010 Champions) O/U 47pts
-Battle of the last two Super Bowl Champions and two of the top five quarterbacks in the league, the Saints’ Drew Brees and the Packers’ Aaron Rodgers. Last 11 defending Super Bowl Champions have won the season opener. Bodes well for the Packers who won it all last year with a full injured reserve roster. Imagine what they could accomplish when 100% healthy. This should be a high scoring game. PACKERS
BYE WEEK:
*LOS ANGELES (16 seasons & one week) To quote former Falcons coach Jerry Glanville, “You know what NFL stands for. It stands for NOT FOR LONG.” The disgraceful 16+ seasons BYE for the City of Angels will be over soon. I spell NFL this way…..AEG.
The rest of my week one picks tomorrow.
Enjoy the season! Let me help you celebrate the season opener with my favorite football comedy bit.
ANAHEIM, CA – In anticipation of a new state-of-the-art stadium and the return of the National Football League to the City of Angels, some 200 die-hard Los Angeles Rams fans and former players gathered at JT Schmid’s Brewery for the first of what promises to be many Bring Back The Los Angeles Rams Rallies in the greater L.A./Orange County area this season.
Organized by the facebook group, BRING BACK THE LOS ANGELES RAMS and it’s 3,300 and counting members, the rally brought together several local Rams Booster Clubs from as far as Whittier and Fountain Valley.
After being part of the L.A. sports landscape and culture for 49 years, the Rams abruptly left Southern California for St. Louis after the 1994 season and are now rumored to be one of a handful of NFL teams who could claim the nation’s number two market as their home……..again.
These Rams boosters, fans and former players are intent on making sure it’s the Rams who return home.
Where does Los Angeles, locked out by the NFL for some 17 years since both the Rams and Raiders left after the 1994 season, fit in this proposed 10 year collective bargaining agreement? Last week, ESPN‘s Chris Mortensen reported there is a provision in the new proposed deal that puts L.A. back in the NFL mix:
Under the proposed 10-year CBA, players would get a split ranging from 48 to 46.5 percent of a simplified all-revenue model, the sources said. The lower 46.5 percentage would represent an increase in total dollars as revenues grow from new television contracts, as well as allowing credits if three new stadiums are constructed, including one in Los Angeles, where the NFL has not had a team since the 1994 season.
We’ve put our teams together. It doesn’t mean we’re going to find the right deal that fits for both teams, but we’re certainly going to get a look at those options.
Trask said the Raiders really like the idea of the stadium partnership adding:
We have said repeatedly that we have an open mind with respect to our stadium solution. An open mind means an open mind as to sharing a facility with the 49ers. I say to Jed regularly that we should have not only an open mind to the sharing of the facility, but to the location of the facility which we might share.
Emceeing the NFL 101 Event was Emmy winning NFL on NBC and HBO Sports Correspondent Andrea Kremer. With the lockout nearing its end, I asked Kremer where Los Angeles fits in the new deal. (I should mention, please excuse the camera angle. When you’re “one-man banding” and your subject decides to, unknowingly, move a bit out of frame adjusting while holding a conversation becomes a 50-50 proposition.):
Interestingly enough, Thursday, AEG President Tim Leiweke said his company is ready to buyout an existing teams current stadium lease to get them to relocate to the City of Angels. AEG is prepared to own at least 50% of that team if it helps the current owner in the buyout of the existing stadium lease. Again, the Chargers and the Rams are in situations with their current stadiums leases which fit such a scenario.
Expect something to happen soon because the 50th Super Bowl is five years away. The first Super Bowl was played at the L.A. Coliseum. Indianapolis Colts Owner Jim Irsay is pushing for the Golden Anniversary Game, Super Bowl “L”, to be played in L.A.
Los Angeles…..your 17 year NFL Lockout is coming to end.
On Any Given Sports Day 