Tag Archives: broncos

Joe’s NFL Picks, Week 15: Chiefs and Raiders in OT, Ravens fly high in Detroit

Share Button

Picking the winners and losers of week 15 in the NFL.

Last Week: 13-3.  Season: 78-52-1 (60.00%).

NFL weekly picks: 2013, week 15
NFL weekly picks: 2013, week 15

Do we want more snow games? Is Tom Brady on a mission – Gronk or no Gronk? Is the NFL the most addictive drama on television?

The answer is yes, yes and yes. December football in the NFL never disappoints!

Grab your foam fingers, here we go:

Thursday Night Game:

San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos (-6.5)
Unless Manning’s throwing arm falls off due to overuse, then I cannot pick against Denver. Especially at home.
Broncos 41, Chargers 38

Sunday Games:

Washington Redskins at Atlanta Falcons (-3)
This reminds me of the 1987 KU-KSU game (aka the ‘Toilet Bowl’). Seriously, both of these teams have really stunk it up this year compared to lofty expectations. If RGIII were starting, I would pick the Falcons – but I think giving Kirk Cousins the reins for the rest of the year is an excellent move. Gimme the ‘skins on the road.
Redskins 31, Falcons 24

Chicago Bears (-1.5) at Cleveland Browns
I know it was Ditka night at Soldier Field on MNF last week, but DAY-UMM those Bears lit up the scoreboard in the freezing cold. Josh McCown is having a heyday running Trestman’s offense to perfection. Alshon Jeffries is a B-E-A-S-T. Look out Cleveland; the Monsters of the Midway are coming for you.
Bears 42, Browns 28

Arizona Cardinals at Tennessee Titans (-1)
I’m supposed to pick the Titans at home here but I can’t. The stuff they’re cookin’ up in the desert is pretty spicy and I think it travels well this week.
Cardinals 32, Titans 28

Houston Texans at Indianapolis Colts (PK)
The Tailspin Texans stand to gain more by losing here (in draft position) than they do by winning. Factor in Kubiak’s firing and the QB woes and I wouldn’t bet a dime on them going into Indy and posting a ‘W’. Reluctantly, I will take the Colts at home.
Colts 30, Texans 20

New Orleans Saints (-1.5) at St. Louis Rams
‘Dem Saints on the road aren’t as good as ‘Dem Saints in N’awlens. I believe the Saints will get caught napping by a spoiler-minded Rams team. I expect some ‘Punch-in-the-mouth’ football. POW!
Rams 35, Saints 24

New England Patriots (-2) at Miami Dolphins
No Gronk? No Problem. The Patriots won all season without him anyway! Time to dust off Kembrell Thompkins. I sense a Brady Super-Bowl push this year – in a big way. Tom Brady wants to add to his legacy and make an argument for G.O.A.T. status. Look out ‘fins.
Patriots 38, Dolphins 21

Philadelphia Eagles at Minnesota Vikings (-3.5)
The Eagles will be tough to beat this week as the face a beat-up and very suspect Vikings defense. Factor in no Adrian Peterson and it could get UGLY.
Eagles 37, Vikings 20

Seattle Seahawks (-1) at New York Giants
The Seahawks are supposed to crush this one out of the park. But I start adding things up . . . West Coast team traveling all the way to NY . . Cold weather/Nasty Weather game . . . Road game . . . A proud Giants team looking to smack down the high-flying Seahawks . . . and (my favorite) Eli Manning in December. Sorry Seattle, I’m going with the G-Men on this one.
Giants 49, Seahawks 20

Buffalo Bills (-1) at Jacksonville Jaguars
The Jags have momentum going now and will be looking to add to it this week in what I believe may be one of the more hotly-contested games played this weekend. The things have me picking the Bills this week: (1) that wicked front 7 of the Buffalo defense, and (2) no one is overlooking the Jaguars now.
Bills 35, Jaguars 23

San Francisco 49ers (-3) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
A focused San Fran team is rolling into Tampa Bay with the playoffs in mind. The defense that the 49ers field will be giving Mike Glennon nightmares for years to come. Duck and cover kid, duck and cover.
49ers 24, Buccaneers 7

New York Jets at Carolina Panthers (-3)
The Jets have fooled me for the last time this year. Cam and the Panthers at home will be too tough for the bi-polar Jets to beat. Getcha Nyquil.
Panthers 27, Jets 7

Kansas City Chiefs at Oakland Raiders (PK)
The Chiefs shook off some doubts with last week’s drubbing on the tail-spun Redskins, and this rivalry is always a heated one. I’m expecting a classic battle with the Chiefs edging the Raiders in OT.
Chiefs 30, Raiders 27

Green Bay Packers (-1) at Dallas Cowboys
The Cowboys will be looking to right the ship after the trip to the Soldier Field woodshed on Monday Night Football last week. Needless to say, the Pack won’t be back until Aaron Rodgers is back.
Cowboys 38, Packers16

Cincinnati Bengals at Pittsburgh Steelers (-2.5)
The Bengals will face a nasty battle in Pittsburgh. After last week’s nail-biter, Pittsburgh will be looking to put things back on track. Look for the Steelers to hold serve much like the Bears did on Monday Night Football. Bonus points if Pittsburgh can honor a legendary coach at halftime.
Steelers 34, Bengals 24

Monday Night Game:

Baltimore Ravens at Detroit Lions (PK)
I can’t figure out the Detroit Lions. They’re like a more talented version of the Jets. If there is any team in the league that you look at and think “Why aren’t they winning damn near every week?!” then the obvious choice is Detroit. A proud Baltimore team will look to come in and trip up a bumbling Lions franchise. To me it was a coin flip, but after Elam said the Megatron is old? Wow, I have to go with the Lions now.
Lions 41, Ravens 30

Share Button

Joe’s NFL Picks, Week 12: Brady and Manning duel in Foxborough, Jets win in Baltimore

Share Button

Picking the winners and losers of week 12 in the NFL.NFL 2013 week 12 predictions

Last Week: 7-8.  Season: 51-34 (60.00%).

Another Barn-Burner of a week in the NFL! Such parity! Such intruiging match-ups! Peyton Manning’s Prime-Time North American Tour of 2013 makes a stop in Foxborough, Mass where they get to play a wounded and dangerous Patriots team. Does Luck get lucky in the desert? Can KC rebound?

Let’s look at this week’s games.

Thursday Game:

New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons (-2.5, -115)
In what is a lost season for Atlanta, the best they can hope for is to play spoiler versus the Saints. With a depleted roster, I don’t see that happening. I’ll go with the Saints.
Saints 30, Falcons 23

Sunday Games:

Pittsburgh Steelers (-3) at Cleveland Browns
Pittsburgh woke up. Maybe it was the bumblebee unis, but whatever – it worked. I’ll roll with a rejuvenated Steelers squad on the road against a Cleveland team with too many issues.
Steelers 21, Browns 10

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Detroit Lions (-3.5)
Detroit is hard to trust in non-marquee matchups. That said, they also play tough when their backs are against the wall. The Lions can’t afford to drop a game to this Bucs team. Gimme the home team.
Lions 34, Bucaneers 21

Minnesota Vikings at Green Bay Packers (-4.5)
The Aaron Rodgers-less Packers are lacking punch. That said, I don’t think their QB situation is nearly as sad and desperate as that of the Vikings. The circus of incompetence can’t do much for morale in MN. Give me the Pack at Lambeau.
Packers 20, Vikings 17 (OT)

San Diego Chargers at Kansas City Chiefs (-1)
Welcome back to Earth, Kansas City. The pressure is off. Just be yourself and go back to playing defense aggressively. The ghost of #58 seems to visit Arrowhead to lend a hand this year. Nothing against the Chargers – I just don’t think the Chiefs will lose a game at home this year to ANYONE.
Chiefs 19, Chargers 14

Chicago Bears (-1) at St. Louis Rams
The Rams at home will be a tough win for Chicago. Which team will show up? The one that did everything NOT to win against Seattle? or the team that spanked Indy by a bundle? Chicago under Trestman is a consistent quality product that pulls through tough games. I’ll take the visiting Bears.
Bears 28, Rams 20

Carolina Panthers at Miami Dolphins (-1.5)
This Carolina team is on a roll. The question is, can they maintain their focus against a Dolphins team in turmoil? Miami has proved to be dangerous with their backs against the wall – but Cam Newton is too much for the ‘fins.
Panthers 38, Dolphins 27

New York Jets at Baltimore Ravens (-6)
I so want to pick the Jets to pull and upset here. They’re a win ugly team that pulls out the most unlikely victories. The Ravens have been playing very tough the last few weeks, but I think the Mr. Hyde Jets are going to steal one in Poe’s hometown.
Jets 24, Ravens 20

Jacksonville Jaguars at Houston Texans (-10)
If Kubiak can’t let Case Keenum finish the game, then he may lose his job. Inserting Schaub is NOT the answer. I’m not saying Schaub isn’t good, I’m saying that Andre Johnson can’t HEAR HIM at the line of scrimmage because of the LOUD BOOING OF THE CROWD caused by Kubiak replacing Keenum with Schaub. C’mon Gary, let it go. Let the kid play.
Texans 30, Jaguars 20

Indianapolis Colts at Arizona Cardinals (PK)
I don’t see the Luck getting lucky in the desert. There are many things great about Andrew Luck, but I must say he has been most fortuitous in many situations this year. Not this week. Not in the desert. The Cards are hitting stride with a focus on the postseason.
Cardinals 24, Colts 21

Tennessee Titans at Oakland Raiders (-1)
Oakland is a team rising. The Titans are tough but lost. Although both teams are in turmoil at QB, Raider Nation thrives on this stuff. There is no ‘Titan Nation’. Gimme the dwellers of the Black Hole.
Raiders 32, Titans 23

Dallas Cowboys at New York Giants (-2.5, -115)
Good God. Romo versus Eli in NYC. Do the overly-talented Dallas Cowboys roll into town and post a victory? Do the Giants stay on a roll? Hmmm.
Cowboys 28, Giants 27

Denver Broncos at New England Patriots (-1.5)
Good Gravy. Manning-Brady in November. In Foxborough. An angry Pats team ready to smack down Manning. This game comes down to health and home field advantage. I’ll take New England in a huge upset. I don’t care if NE is favored – ANYONE beating the All-Madden Broncos of 2013 is an upset. Still . . .
Patriots 45, Broncos 42 (OT)

Monday Night Game:

San Francisco 49ers (-1.5) at Washington Redskins
This tough, motivated 49ers team is playing for its postseason lives. On a Plane, on a Train, in the East, against the Least. I’ll take the beast.
49ers 27, Redskins 16

Share Button

Joe’s NFL Picks, Week 10: Eagles, Bears, Broncos Win, Bucs Roll

Share Button

Picking the winners and losers of week 10 in the NFL.nfl 2013 season, week 10 predictions

Last Week: 6-7.  Season: 35-21 (62.5%).

What a week in the NFL! Key injuries for the Packers, a WORLD of drama and outrage in Miami, a suddenly intriguing match-up with a reborn, Foles-led Eagles team visiting a wounded Packers team at Lambeau Field. More close battles will take place this week than you can shake a stick at.

Let’s take a look.

Thursday Game:

Washington Redskins at Minnesota Vikings (-1.5)
The Washigton Redskins turned in an impressive performance last week in downing the Chargers. As well, the Vikings played very strong against Dallas, but can they shut down the Redskins? Give me the home team in a close one.
Vikings 23, Redskins 20

Sunday Games:

Seattle Seahawks at Atlanta Falcons (PK)
Atlanta appears rudderless. A swath of injuries have hobbled a once powerful team. I’ll take the Seahawks because they are the better team (top-to-bottom), the better defense, and they have a better coach.
Seahawks 24, Falcons 14

Detroit Lions at Chicago Bears (-3)
Another vicious matchup with the Division lead at stake! Although the Lions have grown (I love Stafford’s heads-up QB sneak against Dallas), Chicago is rolling under Trestman, feeling good after winning in GB for the first time since 2007. Bear down Chicago Bears.
Bears 30, Lions 28

Philadelphia Eagles at Green Bay Packers (-7, -105)
Red Alert: Aaron Rodgers is out. Seneca Wallace wasn’t getting the job done versus Chicago last week. In comes the suddenly-hot hand of Nick Foles and the much-maligned Chip Kelly Experience. It pains me to say it, but . . .
Eagles 34, Packers 27

Jacksonville Jaguars at Tennessee Titans (-3.5)
The Titans are too tough-minded to lose at home. I don’t see them letting the Jaguars off the mat. Mr. Clowney, welcome to Jacksonville!
Titans 21, Jaguars 7

St. Louis Rams at Indianapolis Colts (-2.5)
The Colts absolutely stole one in Houston last week. If Kubiak didn’t have a mini-stroke then the Colts comeback never happens. That said, the Colts should hold serve well versus the Rams.
Colts 35, Rams 28

Oakland Raiders at New York Giants (-9)
Giants QB Eli Manning is due to flex his mid-season form. The Raiders and Pryor aren’t strong enough yet to travel back East and take one away from the G-Men.
Giants 42, Raiders 24

Buffalo Bills at Pittsburgh Steelers (-7)
There is no way that a Bills rookie QB is going to come in and have success against the Pittsburgh defense. Dick LeBeau is considered to be one of the greatest defensive coordinators of all time and he eats rookie QBs for breakfast.
Steelers 28, Bills 13

Cincinnati Bengals at Baltimore Ravens (-3)
“Nevermore”. This is the week that the ‘Bad Good Team’ (Ravens) puts down the ‘Good Bad Team’ (Bengals). A defending Super Bowl Champion has certain duties . . . one of them is winning at home against the Bengals.
Ravens 31, Bengals 24

Carolina Panthers at San Francisco 49ers (-6)
Biggest match-up here: Cam versus the 49ers D. I know Newton is improving and the Panthers are on a roll, but the S.F. Harbaughs will be well-schemed for the Panthers phenom. It doesn’t hurt that the 49ers are returning some of their receiving assets (Davis, Manningham) and Kaep has his mojo workin’ again.
49ers 34, Panthers 26

Denver Broncos (-3) at San Diego Chargers
P. Manning has spent more time in the hot tub this last two weeks than P. Diddy. With fresh ankles and rest, look for the Broncos to show the World that they will be just fine with Jack Del Rio holding the reins until John Fox returns.
Broncos 48, Chargers 38

Houston Texans (-3) at Arizona Cardinals
Keenum is the real deal. If Kubiak is back and calling the plays then I expect Houston will take this one on the road. Heck, I expect it if Case Keenum is calling his own plays.
Texans 30, Cardinals 20

Dallas Cowboys at New Orleans Saints (-4)
Rob Ryan readies for Romo. The Saints look to bounce back from an embarassing loss to the Jets. I’m sure Dallas will throw the kitchen sink at the Saints, but the Saints at home in the dome will win the shootout.
Saints 49, Cowboys 47

Monday Night Game

Miami Dolphins at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-1.5)
I don’t remember a poorest slate of MNF games for an entire season. Pitiful. How can Miami be expected to win this week without the left side of their offensive line? Perhaps they should have been running a tighter ship and not have allowed a buffoon to jeopardize the success of the team. Sure, I understand initiations into groups (remember the Friar Tebow haircut?), and that is part of things in a traditional sort of way . . . but if you’re going to stock your team with individuals that make bad decisions – then you had better be policing them something fierce.
Buccaneers 42, Dolphins 0

Share Button

Joe’s NFL Picks, Week 8: Chiefs Go 8-0, 3 Upsets: Raiders, Jets, Redskins

Share Button

NFL Week 8 Predictions

Welcome to the Chief's Kingdom

Picking the winners and losers of week 8 in the NFL.

Last Week: 11-4.  Season: 19-11 (63%).

Ah, week 8 in the NFL. Teams are finding their identity and establishing their playoff credentials. Let’s take a look:

Thursday Game:

Carolina Panthers at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-1.5)
I’ll take the Panthers on the road. Cam Newton is playing well. Also: The Bucs are hapless.
Panthers 28, Buccaneers 13

Sunday Games:

Dallas Cowboys at Detroit Lions (-1)
“Getcha Popcorn” for Megatron and Dez Bryant: The Showdown. This game has the makings of a potential classic. Dallas is on a roll and the Lions are desperate and dangerous. Nobody puts baby in a corner. Give me the Lions in a nail-biter.
Lions 31,  Cowboys 30


Cleveland Browns at Kansas City Chiefs (-2.5)
“Ladies and Gentlemen, Welcome to Arrowhead Stadium for today’s game . . . First, In this Corner . . . The Snake-bit Challenger . . . Weighing in at over 12,000 lbs . . . Featuring a Nasty Defense and a Bumbling Offense run by yet another back-up Quarterback . . . in the Brown Trunks . . The Cleveland Browns!” (Spattering of Boos, Heckling). AND In this corner, weighing in at over 13,250 lbs . . . Sporting a Defense with over 35 sacks in only 7 games . . . In Front of the Loudest and Proudest Stadium of Fans in the World . . . Having been through Hell and Back in the Last Few Years . . . Coached by a rejuvenated Andy Reid . . . In the Red Trunks . . . The Kansas City Chiefs!!!” (THUNDER).
Chiefs 24, Browns 7

Miami Dolphins at New England Patriots (-7)
Miami is a year or three away. Even though the Patriots are a shadow of their former selves, I don’t see the Tom Brady losing this one on Foxborough.
Patriots 31, Dolphins 17

Buffalo Bills at New Orleans Saints (-6.5)
I like how Buffalo has been playing lately, but it is too much to ask of them to go into New Orleans and get a ‘W’. Too much Brees, too much Payton . . . and possibly too much fun on Bourbon Street the night before the game for the visiting Bills players.
Saints 30, Bills 21

San Francisco 49ers (-10.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars [London, England]
One of these weeks the Jaguars are going to rise up and win a game. I don’t think that this is the week.
49s 28, Jaguars 9

New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles (PK)
“Dear Magic 8 Ball: Is this the game where the fraying around Chip Kelly’s security blanket takes a severe uptick? Could Eli Manning and the Giants be really, really tired of losing?” Giants 34, Eagles 13

Pittsburgh Steelers (-4.5) at Oakland Raiders
Yes, the Steelers beat the Ravens last week and look much better. But that was last week. Welcome to Oakland, CA. Welcome to the Black Hole. Worse? The whipping boy of the AFC West is going to take you to the woodshed. Dig ya’ll lock your doors?
Raiders 24, Steelers 17

New York Jets at Cincinnati Bengals (-4.5)
Cincinnati’s defense is way too good to let them lose this game in front of the home crowd, right? I mean, Andy Dalton can just throw the ball to AJ Green for an 80 yard touchdown every time, right? This Jets team isn’t that scrappy, is it??!!??
Jets 27, Bengals 21

Washington Redskins at Denver Broncos (-6)
Every time my neck hurts, I think of how Peyton Manning’s neck must hurt – especially after 4 surgeries and a few vicious hits by Robert Mathis last week. Ankle my foot. Every time my knee hurts, I think about how much better RGIII’s knee must feel than mine does. Also, I remember being 37 recently. More vivid are my days as an invincible 23-year-old.
Redskins 34, Broncos 31

Atlanta Falcons (-4) at Arizona Cardinals
I look for the Falcons to further implode – while, simultaneous – the Cardinals do a wicked impression of a playoff team. Midnight in the desert. For the Falcons.
Cardinals 31, Falcons 20

Green Bay Packers (-1) at Minnesota Vikings
Any Given Sunday. I see pride coming into play here for Jared Allen, Adrian Peterson and the company. Look for a very tough, grind-it-out, punch-em-in-the-mouth game from the Vikings in front of a raucous home crowd.
Vikings 24, Packers 23

Monday Night Game:

Seattle Seahawks (-4) at St. Louis Rams
With a huge disparity in QB play and a margin of talent difference both being in favor of the Seahawks, I’m bailing on the Rams at home. It really is too bad Favre is too old. They actually should have called Tim Tebow. Say what you want, but the guy gets wins.
Seahawks 20, Rams 6

Share Button

NFL Week 7 Picks: Chiefs win, Broncos win and an upset in Miami

Share Button

NFL Week 7 Predictions

Welcome to the Chief's Kingdom

Picking the winners and losers of week 7 in the NFL. Last Week:8-7. Season 8-7.

Once more into the fray:

Thursday Game:

Seattle Seahawks at Arizona Cardinals
I’ll take the Seahawks on the road. Pete Carroll has them playing very strong..
Seahawks 28, Cardinals 17

Sunday Games:

St. Louis Rams at Carolina Panthers
Rams really showed up last week versus Houston. Are they that good? I’ll take the Panthers at home.
Panthers 24,  Rams 17

San Diego Chargers at Jacksonville Jaguars
Phillip Rivers is focused and Antonio Gates is back. The wideouts are talented and the running game eats clock. I’m even more impressed with their defense. The Jags will win a game this year. I don’t see it being this one.
Chargers 34, Jaguars 21

Cincinnati Bengals at Detroit Lions
A second straight road game after the surprising overtime game in Buffalo? I’ll take the home team.
Lions 24, Bengals 20

Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins
I picking an upset here. Buffalo will win in Miami.
Bills 34, Dolphins 28

New England Patriots at New York Jets
Tom Brady and no receivers VERSUS Geno Smith and no receivers? I don’t care if this is being played on the Moon. Gimme the Pats.
Patriots 38, Jets 24

Dallas Cowboys at Philadelphia Eagles
Dallas is playing strong. Jerry Jones will smack Chip Kelly with his wallet.
Cowboys 35, Eagles 20

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Atlanta Falcons
If the Falcons can’t eke this one out at home, then they might as well trade Tony Gonzalez back to the Chiefs.
Falcons 24, Buccaneers 16

Chicago Bears at Washington Redskins
Chicago is still figuring out their offensive timing – while winning. The Redskins are snakebit. Da Bears.
Bears 31, Redskins 21

San Francisco 49ers at Tennessee Titans
Tennessee is tough. Under Jim Harbaugh, the 49ers win tough games. Even on the road. It doesn’t hurt that Vernon Davis is back and rocking.
49ers 20, Titans 10

Houston Texans at Kansas City Chiefs
Houston is having horrible QB issues. Their team is lost. That isn’t going to improve at Arrowhead in front of the loudest (137.5 decibels) crowd and facing the extremely awesome defense of the Kansas City Chiefs. I predict a flyover, lots of great BBQ, and another 10-sack game. I think the ghost of Derrick Thomas will be there as well. Go Chiefs!
Chiefs 23, Texans 10

Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers
Baltimore is inconsistent. Pittsburgh is starting to get its groove back. I’ll take the home team in a smash-mouth affair.
Steelers 28, Ravens 21

Cleveland Browns at Green Bay Packers
Cleveland still doesn’t believe they are in a lost season after trading T-Rich. Green Bay will help remind them. I hope it snows for this one.
Packers 36, Browns 17

Denver Broncos at Indianapolis Colts
Peyton Manning wants this one. I know Luck does too, but Manning has a better supporting cast. Gimme the old pro in his best season returning home.
Broncos 49, Colts 34

Monday Night Game:

Minnesota Vikings at New York Giants
Someone is going to win this one. I’ll take the Giants at home. Poor ESPN.
Giants 28, Vikings 13

Share Button