Thursday, February 03, 2005
Thursday, January 20, 2005
NFL picks, week 20- Conference Championships
Hey kids,
I must apologize for my sloppy handicapping.
Once again, I find myself batting .500 when I should be running the board.
Anyway, we're down to four teams, and I feel I've got 'em locked.
Philadelphia will finally get over the conference hump and beat Atlanta. I admit, I said earlier that the Falcons are the scariest team in the playoffs, and I still think so. But the Eagles are not running away.
Most people left the Eagles for dead last weekend against the Vikes (including myself) but their defense contained an ailing Randy Moss and his compliment of receivers, and stopped the running game, leaving Duante Culpepper naked.
The key to beating Atlanta is to contain Michael Vick. Keep him in the pocket, force him to throw and your team will win more often than not.
Vick is too inconsistant to win a big game with his arm, and the Philly defense won't allow him to scramble.
If Philly plays their game right, Vick will have thrown four picks, including one at the end to clinch the game for the Eagles.
Atlanta surprised nobody when they beat the Rams, and they shouldn't surprise anybody when they fall to Philly.
Speaking of surprises, did anybody think the Colts would be held to 3 points in a playoff game against a supposedly depleted defense? It's not unprescedented.
Remember just two seasons ago when the Colts fell to the hapless Jets, 41-0 in the first round? Of course, this was supposed to be a better Indianapolis team.
With Peyton Manning breaking the single season touchdown passing record, how could this banged up Patriot secondary defeat them?
By taking them off the carpet, out of the dome and into this thing called weather, and having the king spider Bill Belichek weave a titillating web.
The Pats turned the most explosive offense into a pop warner team, and Pittsburgh, who got very lucky against the Jets, will be swallowed whole by the giant shark lurking beneath the wave they have ridden all season long. The steel curtain falls in the AFC conference championship.
A defense depleted by injury? The Pats scoffed at that theory last weekend and Ben Roethlisberger, who is no better than Eli Manning or Philip Rivers, will learn a very tough lesson.
Yes, I said it. Big Ben is no better than the other quarterbacks drafted with him. He had the benefit of the most athletic team in the NFL surrounding him, and either of the other two qb's would have succeeded in that program. Although I think the Steeler defense can stop anybody, I'm convinced that New England can do the same.
Expect both running games to be sharp, but the Patriot passing attack will have the Steeler secondary grabbing their socks.
As for the Superbowl, I can't go against New England. They are far superior to Philly in all facets of the game, including the quarterback position.
Tom Brady has proven he can win games with his arm, where Donavan McNabb has lost three NFC conference championships in a row until this season. Philly lacks the tools on offense to make a dent in this Patriot defense that was supposed to lose to Indy.
No, Philly will fall in the Superbowl, but the fact that they make it there will be a small victory for them, getting over the NFC hump once and for all.
The Pats will continue their marvelous roll as dynasty, until Foxborough gets snowed in and they can't make the flight to the next game.
I must apologize for my sloppy handicapping.
Once again, I find myself batting .500 when I should be running the board.
Anyway, we're down to four teams, and I feel I've got 'em locked.
Philadelphia will finally get over the conference hump and beat Atlanta. I admit, I said earlier that the Falcons are the scariest team in the playoffs, and I still think so. But the Eagles are not running away.
Most people left the Eagles for dead last weekend against the Vikes (including myself) but their defense contained an ailing Randy Moss and his compliment of receivers, and stopped the running game, leaving Duante Culpepper naked.
The key to beating Atlanta is to contain Michael Vick. Keep him in the pocket, force him to throw and your team will win more often than not.
Vick is too inconsistant to win a big game with his arm, and the Philly defense won't allow him to scramble.
If Philly plays their game right, Vick will have thrown four picks, including one at the end to clinch the game for the Eagles.
Atlanta surprised nobody when they beat the Rams, and they shouldn't surprise anybody when they fall to Philly.
Speaking of surprises, did anybody think the Colts would be held to 3 points in a playoff game against a supposedly depleted defense? It's not unprescedented.
Remember just two seasons ago when the Colts fell to the hapless Jets, 41-0 in the first round? Of course, this was supposed to be a better Indianapolis team.
With Peyton Manning breaking the single season touchdown passing record, how could this banged up Patriot secondary defeat them?
By taking them off the carpet, out of the dome and into this thing called weather, and having the king spider Bill Belichek weave a titillating web.
The Pats turned the most explosive offense into a pop warner team, and Pittsburgh, who got very lucky against the Jets, will be swallowed whole by the giant shark lurking beneath the wave they have ridden all season long. The steel curtain falls in the AFC conference championship.
A defense depleted by injury? The Pats scoffed at that theory last weekend and Ben Roethlisberger, who is no better than Eli Manning or Philip Rivers, will learn a very tough lesson.
Yes, I said it. Big Ben is no better than the other quarterbacks drafted with him. He had the benefit of the most athletic team in the NFL surrounding him, and either of the other two qb's would have succeeded in that program. Although I think the Steeler defense can stop anybody, I'm convinced that New England can do the same.
Expect both running games to be sharp, but the Patriot passing attack will have the Steeler secondary grabbing their socks.
As for the Superbowl, I can't go against New England. They are far superior to Philly in all facets of the game, including the quarterback position.
Tom Brady has proven he can win games with his arm, where Donavan McNabb has lost three NFC conference championships in a row until this season. Philly lacks the tools on offense to make a dent in this Patriot defense that was supposed to lose to Indy.
No, Philly will fall in the Superbowl, but the fact that they make it there will be a small victory for them, getting over the NFC hump once and for all.
The Pats will continue their marvelous roll as dynasty, until Foxborough gets snowed in and they can't make the flight to the next game.
Wednesday, January 12, 2005
NFL playoffs- Week 19
Hey kids.
Well, I learned an important lesson last weekend.
I don't know every damn thing.
My dark horse choice is out, but my favorite team is still in the hunt-
for one more week, anyway.
Let me try again-
The Jets victory over the Chargers was by no means a miracle. Herman Edwards outcoached Marty Shottenheimer (sp?) and the Gotham Green defense stepped up huge.
I must say I was impressed with QB Chad Pennington, but the run ends Saturday against Pittsburgh.
The Steelers have the best defense of the teams remaining in the playoffs, and I expect Jerome Bettis and Deuce Staley will provide a monster 1 - 2 punch.
Their counterparts, Curtis Martin and LaMont Jordan will be effective as well, but Pennington will slump, despite getting over the stomach flu.
But this time, I'm taking the points. The Jets will make it close this time, forcing the Steel Curtain to sweat for the first time since Tommy Maddox got hurt.
I think the Colts have a good chance to beat the Patriots this week, and not because Mike VanderJagt is running his mouth. The New England secondary suffered massive hits due to injury, and Peyton Manning is still on fire. Expect Indy to pull off the upset.
Minnesota surprised me by eliminating the Pack and I'm staying on their bandwagon. The Vikes have got to feel invincible and the Eagles may be doubting their chances now that T.O. is out. Last week the Vikes used every offensive weapon they had, as did Green Bay. With Philly missing their biggest gun, Minnesota will advance to the NFC title game.
Atlanta is the scariest team in the NFC and they should get by the Rams. Michael Vick is has been inconsistent to this point, but I expect him to shine against St. Louis' horrible defense. Lay the points, Atlanta will walk over the Rams.
Good luck handicappers. Send all comments to mike@turzman.com
Until next time, don't take any shit from anybody.
m.
Well, I learned an important lesson last weekend.
I don't know every damn thing.
My dark horse choice is out, but my favorite team is still in the hunt-
for one more week, anyway.
Let me try again-
The Jets victory over the Chargers was by no means a miracle. Herman Edwards outcoached Marty Shottenheimer (sp?) and the Gotham Green defense stepped up huge.
I must say I was impressed with QB Chad Pennington, but the run ends Saturday against Pittsburgh.
The Steelers have the best defense of the teams remaining in the playoffs, and I expect Jerome Bettis and Deuce Staley will provide a monster 1 - 2 punch.
Their counterparts, Curtis Martin and LaMont Jordan will be effective as well, but Pennington will slump, despite getting over the stomach flu.
But this time, I'm taking the points. The Jets will make it close this time, forcing the Steel Curtain to sweat for the first time since Tommy Maddox got hurt.
I think the Colts have a good chance to beat the Patriots this week, and not because Mike VanderJagt is running his mouth. The New England secondary suffered massive hits due to injury, and Peyton Manning is still on fire. Expect Indy to pull off the upset.
Minnesota surprised me by eliminating the Pack and I'm staying on their bandwagon. The Vikes have got to feel invincible and the Eagles may be doubting their chances now that T.O. is out. Last week the Vikes used every offensive weapon they had, as did Green Bay. With Philly missing their biggest gun, Minnesota will advance to the NFC title game.
Atlanta is the scariest team in the NFC and they should get by the Rams. Michael Vick is has been inconsistent to this point, but I expect him to shine against St. Louis' horrible defense. Lay the points, Atlanta will walk over the Rams.
Good luck handicappers. Send all comments to mike@turzman.com
Until next time, don't take any shit from anybody.
m.
Wednesday, January 05, 2005
NFL playoff picks, week 18
Hey kids,
It's that time of year again,
where everything gets put on the back-burner to make room for the NFL playoffs.
Nothing is as important as the NFL post season.
I have provided picks for all you hapless handicappers, and far be it from me to discontinue this practice just when football's gettin' is gettin' good.
Here's round one...
The only road team to win will be St. Louis over Seattle. The Seahawks are as energetic as a flat tire and have a horrible defense. Now that Sean Alexander is running his mouth about missing the rushing title by one yard, it's clear that Mike Holmgren's team has lost focus. The Rams will win this game on the road easily and Marc Bulger won't have to pass for 450 yards to do it.
The Jets will go down kicking and scratching to the AFC dark horse San Diego Chargers. The Jets are still the biggest disappointment in the AFC East despite their stumbling onto a playoff berth. If not for Curtis martin, the Jets would have less than five victories and Herm Edwards would have been fired last year. Yes, the Jets defense is very good and Curtis Martin had a career year considering his age, but as long as Paul Hackett is offensive coordinator, the Jets will continue to be the Gotham Green under-acheivers they have been for as long as I can remember.
And I'm not convinced Chad Pennington could lead any team to something that resembles glory. That wet noodle he calls an arm will be his Achiles' heal.
Denver will fall to Indy because the Colts are a better team in all facets of the game. With all Colt starters refreshed, relaxed and bursting with just oodles of confidence, the Broncos will fall in a game that will be exciting until about halfway through the 3rd quarter. Mike Shanahan will not be fired as head coach of the Broncos because there is no better coach to replace him.
And Green Bay will stomp the Vikings because the mighty purple ones have never learned how to win the big games. Both defenses stink, but both offenses are great. I think Brett Favre has another miracle left in his bag of tricks. At least enough to get past a Minnesota offense too inconsistent to be great.
There you have it. As for point spreads, I usually take the points when the Jets are underdogs, but not this time. Look for the Bolts to destroy the Jets early and often. The Rams will clobber Seattle and Denver will be in the hunt until just after the second half begins. The Pack and Vikes will be a close one.
Good luck handicappers, send all comments to mike@turzman.com or call the PhanFone hotline and leave a message. 909-881-3654.
m.
It's that time of year again,
where everything gets put on the back-burner to make room for the NFL playoffs.
Nothing is as important as the NFL post season.
I have provided picks for all you hapless handicappers, and far be it from me to discontinue this practice just when football's gettin' is gettin' good.
Here's round one...
The only road team to win will be St. Louis over Seattle. The Seahawks are as energetic as a flat tire and have a horrible defense. Now that Sean Alexander is running his mouth about missing the rushing title by one yard, it's clear that Mike Holmgren's team has lost focus. The Rams will win this game on the road easily and Marc Bulger won't have to pass for 450 yards to do it.
The Jets will go down kicking and scratching to the AFC dark horse San Diego Chargers. The Jets are still the biggest disappointment in the AFC East despite their stumbling onto a playoff berth. If not for Curtis martin, the Jets would have less than five victories and Herm Edwards would have been fired last year. Yes, the Jets defense is very good and Curtis Martin had a career year considering his age, but as long as Paul Hackett is offensive coordinator, the Jets will continue to be the Gotham Green under-acheivers they have been for as long as I can remember.
And I'm not convinced Chad Pennington could lead any team to something that resembles glory. That wet noodle he calls an arm will be his Achiles' heal.
Denver will fall to Indy because the Colts are a better team in all facets of the game. With all Colt starters refreshed, relaxed and bursting with just oodles of confidence, the Broncos will fall in a game that will be exciting until about halfway through the 3rd quarter. Mike Shanahan will not be fired as head coach of the Broncos because there is no better coach to replace him.
And Green Bay will stomp the Vikings because the mighty purple ones have never learned how to win the big games. Both defenses stink, but both offenses are great. I think Brett Favre has another miracle left in his bag of tricks. At least enough to get past a Minnesota offense too inconsistent to be great.
There you have it. As for point spreads, I usually take the points when the Jets are underdogs, but not this time. Look for the Bolts to destroy the Jets early and often. The Rams will clobber Seattle and Denver will be in the hunt until just after the second half begins. The Pack and Vikes will be a close one.
Good luck handicappers, send all comments to mike@turzman.com or call the PhanFone hotline and leave a message. 909-881-3654.
m.
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