Thursday, September 21, 2006

Bonus Pick: Giants over Seahawks

This week in the NFL, the Giants travel to Seattle; the Jacksonville Jaguars are in Indianapolis; the Chicago Bears face the Vikings; the Bengals tackle the Steelers; the Bucs face the winless Panthers; and in the Big Easy, its the Falcons against the New Orleans Saints. First I'll handicape the Jaguars and the Colts. Despite home field advantage, I expect the Colts to lose to the Jaguars. Jacksonville will be to physical against the finess team like Indianapolis. Also, receiver, Matt Jones, is too big of a target for opposing defenses to contain, meanwhile Jacksonville's well balance offense will continue to outscore the opposition. The Colts will move the ball, but they should fall short by a field goal. Last week, the Vikings got luckey against the Panthers, but they'll be no such good fortune against the Bears. Like Jacksonville, the creme is coming to the top and in the NFC....its Da Bears! Even with Big Ben back in the lineup, the Cinncinatti Bengals have been anticipating this rematch. Cinncinatti believes they were only a cheap shot away from the Super Bowl. It was a viscious tackle by the Steelers that led to a season ending knee injury to quarterback, Carson Palmer. Expect the Bengals to extract payback Sunday. Meanwhile, the Carolina Panthers have to be chewing on their claws after turning the ball over and allowing the Vikings to tie the game. Minnesota won the game in overtime...The Panthers will get their first win on Sunday albeit it will be against perhaps the NFL's worst team: Tampa Bay. Lightning quick receiver, Steve Smith, should return and give the Panthers a boost. For the Bucs, it's an arduous task just to get into field goal terriorty, furtheremore, many NFL commentators believe Tampa's quarterback, Chris Simms, wouldn't start on a girl's flag football team. Take Carolina to cover. The Giants will be inspired by their come from behind win over the Eagles, and that should propel them to a win over the Seahawks. Although these are too excellent teams, the Giants would have won this game last year; but needless turnovers and penalties allowed Seattle to win. I look for the Giants to play smarter this time and win. Bonus Pick: The Saints will upset the Falcons.

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Falcons over Tampa Bay Bucs

Another great week of college and pro football awaits with key games featuring the Florida Gators at Tennessee, the Nebraska Cornhuskers at USC, also Clemson at Florida State. In the National Football League, we'll closely examine statement games involving Tampa Bay at Atlanta; Chicago at Dallas, and the New York Football Giants at Philadelphia.
In Knoxville, I like the Gators over Tennessee. This is a must game for coach, Phil Fulmer's Vols, however Florida has too much talent. Quarterback, Chris Leak and receiver, Percy Harvin are a handful, furthermore the Gators defense - no pun - can put the clamps on anyone. Florida coach, Urban Myer, has this team hitting on all cylinders, so look for Florida to win by at least ten points. Nebraska carries the hopes and prayers of the Big Twelve against USC. This game won't turn into the typical S.C. bloodletting, and Southern Cal may be pressed to cover the spread. Nebraska could call upon its tradition and keep this thing close.
If you're smart stay away from the points in this one. In the Bowden Bowl, Florida State is really struggling offensively but its doubtful Clemson has
the horses to beat FSU in Tallahassee. Look for Seminoles to break out of their doldrums and win this game going away. Now for the National Football League: the Tampa Bay Buccaneers fell apart in their home opener against the Ravens. The Bucs will rebound in Atlanta and make this game close. But sharply contested games only count in horseshoes and quarterback, Mike Vick, has too much to prove to allow this game to get away. The Falcons will win a nail bitter that could go into overtime; therefore avoid taking the points. Take the Falcons to win the game outright...The Cowboys, cocky safety, Roy Williams, has guaranteed a Cowboys victory over "DA Bears!" Perhaps, Williams remembers Carolina's, Steve Smith, shredding the Bears secondary in last year's playoff game. You know, Roy Williams, is right...the Cowboys will win because Terrell Owens also Terry Glenn, will roam free in secondary while Dallas lights up the scoreboard. Take the Cowboys to cover. In conclusion, I like the Giants to rebound in Philly, and the Minnesota Vikings to beat the Carolina Panthers. Last week, I went 5-1 with my picks. Are you keeping score.