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A Word From Joe, Football (NFL, NCAA), Sports Columns, Uncategorized

Joe’s NFL Picks, Week 14: Chiefs over Redskins, Bears over Cowboys

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Picking the winners and losers of week 14 in the NFL.

Last Week: 8-8.  Season: 65-49-1 (57.01%).NFL weekly picks: 2013, week 14

Welcome to REAL football. December football in the NFL – where teams pull out all the stops as the race for playoff spots heats up. What to look forward to? Intense competition and (my favorite) SNOW GAMES!

It is one-liner week. Buckle up, here we go:

Thursday Game:

Houston Texans (-4.5) at Jacksonville Jaguars
Jaguars are hot, Texans are not.
Jaguars 28, Texans 24

Sunday Games:

Indianapolis Colts at Cincinnati Bengals (-4.5)
Bengals defense > Colts offense + Game is in Cincy =
Bengals 27, Colts 21

Buffalo Bills at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-3)
The Bills will come into Tampa and take home a win.
Bills 21, Buccaneers 20

Kansas City Chiefs at Washington Redskins (-4.5)
Redskins are lost. Chiefs are looking to make a statement.
Chiefs 36, Redskins 20

Minnesota Vikings at Baltimore Ravens (-3.5)
Ravens always play well at home. Minnesota is inconsistent.
Ravens 28, Vikings 20

Cleveland Browns at New England Patriots (-8.5)
Patriots are looking like a Super Bowl team, Cleveland is looking like Cleveland.
Patriots 34, Browns 28

Carolina Panthers at New Orleans Saints (-3.5)
The Saints at home? That is all I need to know about this one.
Saints 41, Panthers 31

Oakland Raiders at New York Jets (-6)
Raiders: a team on the rise. Jets: a team stuck in the mud.
Raiders 27, Jets 13

Detroit Lions at Philadelphia Eagles (-1)
Eagles are on the right path. The Lions lack focus.
Eagles 30, Lions 28

Miami Dolphins at Pittsburgh Steelers (-3.5)
Steelers are back in form AND at home.
Steelers 27, Dolphins 24

Tennessee Titans at Denver Broncos (-10)
Broncos are a Championship-caliber team. The Titans are mediocre.
Broncos 42, Titans 17

New York Giants at San Diego Chargers (PK)
The Chargers are just a few plays away from being a dominant team. They keep scratching the surface – look for a breakthrough on the road this week.
Chargers 34, Giants 27

Seattle Seahawks at San Francisco 49ers (-2.5)
I figured these teams to split the series, which means:
49ers 24, Seahawks 21

St. Louis Rams at Arizona Cardinals (PK)
Cardinals are the better team and are tough in the desert.
Cardinals 20, Rams 17

Atlanta Falcons at Green Bay Packers (-3)
With or without Rodgers, the Pack beats the Falcons in GreenBay in December.
Packers 23, Falcons 16

Monday Night Game:

Dallas Cowboys at Chicago Bears (-3)
The Cowboys don’t have the mettle to go into Chicago in December and get a win.
Bears 33, Cowboys 21

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A Word From Joe, Football (NFL, NCAA), Latest News, Sports Columns

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

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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

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A Word From Joe, Football (NFL, NCAA), Sports Columns, Uncategorized

Joe’s NFL Picks, Week 9: Chiefs Go 9-0, Cowboys, Bears Win

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Picking the winners and losers of week 9 in the NFL.NFL 2013 Week 9 Match-Ups and Predictions

Last Week: 10-3.  Season: 29-14 (67%).

Week 9 in the NFL! The start of the stretch run toward the postseason. A lot of close battles will take place this week in some great match-ups.

Will the Kansas City Chiefs remain undefeated for another week? Can the Texans turn it around? Let’s take a look.

Thursday Game:

Cincinnati Bengals at Miami Dolphins (-1)
Cincinnati is red hot. Their defense has been strong all season, and now with the added deep threat that Jones brings, it is ‘pick your poison’ for opposing defensive coordinators. Miami is struggling and will continue to. Give me the Bengals in a close one.
Bengals 28, Dolphins 21

Sunday Games:

Kansas City Chiefs at Buffalo Bills (-1.5)
Halloween? Call the Ghostbusters! Kansas City has been dispelling a lot of ghosts this season, and their 26 year losing streak in Buffalo is next up. Buffalo is tough and scrappy and this will be a very physical game. Buffalo’s DL is going to cause problems for KC. Good thing Andy Reid can scheme for that.
Chiefs 24, Bills 17

San Diego Chargers at Washington Redskins (-3.5)
AFC West vs NFC East? Hmmm. Yes, I think I know how this one goes. The Chargers are playing excellent football, and the Redskins (as usual), have problems. I think the Redskins will start winning again when they finally change their name to the Washington Bravehearts.
Chargers 34, Redskins 21

Atlanta Falcons (-1) at Carolina Panthers
The Falcons are in free fall. Injuries have stacked up and morale is down. Carolina is playing well and will be tough to beat at home. Give me the Panthers at home.
Panthers 23, Falcons 20

Minnesota Vikings at Dallas Cowboys (-1.5)
The Vikings QB situation is reminiscent of last year’s Chiefs. It is a debilitating distraction with no good options. Dallas is looking to make a statement. This is where they speak up.
Cowboys 30, Vikings 10

Tennessee Titans at St. Louis Rams (-4.5)
The Rams are strong up front and they need their skill positions to hold up their end of the bargain. Expect a close one with the home team managing to eke out a ‘W’.
Rams 20, Titans 16

New Orleans Saints (-1.5) at New York Jets
The Saints have no business even making this game a close one. The J-E-T-S are a disaster.
Saints 42, Jets 14

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Seattle Seahawks (-7)
Seattle is a monster. They are an even bigger monster at home. The Bucs have leadership issues with the lame-duck Schiano. Also, morale can’t be very high for this team.
Seahawks 28, Buccaneers 21

Philadelphia Eagles (-1.5) at Oakland Raiders
Another AFC West team, another NFC East team. Chip Kelly’s Eagles are going to get swallowed in the Black Hole.
Raiders 34, Eagles 17

Pittsburgh Steelers at New England Patriots (-4)
Belichik has been talking up the Steelers, which is an old Lou Holtz trick. He’s pulling out all the stops because his start QB has a fat hand, the receiving core is maligned and the defense has experienced significant losses. The Pats win if the can keep Le’Veon Bell from putting cleat marks all over them. Hopefully the new DT they picked up can plug the hole left by Wilfork’s absence. I’ll take the home team. There’s still some magic left in Foxborough.
Patriots 30, Steelers 28

Baltimore Ravens (-3.5) at Cleveland Browns
Which Ravens team is going to show up on the road? My gut tells me the defending Super Bowl Champs will come in and pound Cleveland. Just because they are supposed to.
Ravens 24, Browns 17

Indianapolis Colts at Houston Texans (-4.5)
Hello trap game, it’s been a long time. Houston is sick (x3) of losing, and Case Keenum gets his first home start. I sense a lot of emotion will be coming from the Texans. Keenum either wins this one or Houston fans can start looking forward to the Johnny Manziel era (which may actually be coming to Dallas if Romo can’t earn his paycheck in the playoffs this year).
Texans 31, Colts 17

Monday Night Game:

Chicago Bears at Green Bay Packers (-4)
Finally, a MNF game worth watching! Da Bears. Da Packers. Green Bay is shallow in the receiving department and will miss Clay Matthews on Monday night. I’ll take the flying Ditkas on the road.
Bears 31, Packers 28

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

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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

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

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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

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A Word From Joe, Football (NFL, NCAA), Latest News, Special and Upcoming Events, Sports Columns, Uncategorized

NFL Week 6 Picks: Chiefs Over Raiders and Jags Put Up A Fight in Denver

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NFL Week 6 PredictionsWelcome to the Chief's Kingdom

I’ve always wanted to officially do this. So here goes:

Thursday Game:

New York Giants at Chicago Bears
Giants continue tailspin, Bears need a win to keep pace in Division.
Bears 28, Giants 14

Sunday Games:

Cincinatti Bengals at Buffalo Bills
Bengals continue to flex and Bills rookie QB gets tough lesson.
Bengals 31, Bills 17

Green Bay Packers at Baltimore Ravens
Green Bay will come in more motivated. Not sure which Ravens team will show up. Anyone got a coin to flip?
Packers 35, Ravens 28

Detroit Lions at Cleveland Browns
An ugly game for Detroit with Megatron highly questionable to suit up. Cleveland seems to be getting the job done lately even though they traded T-Rich and their QB shuffle rolls on. I’ll take the home team.
Browns 28, Lions 24

Carolina Panthers at Minnesota Vikings
I expect an emotion Vikings team delivering an excellent effort. Especially from ‘All Day’.
Vikings 38, Panthers 21

St. Louis Rams at Houston Texans
Schaub gets well this week by thumping a snake-bit Rams team. Bradford continues to look confused.
Texans 42, Rams 20

Oakland Raiders at Kansas City Chiefs
Chiefs finally get offense rolling and unwrap Dwayne Bowe this week. A dominating performance and a statement game by the Chiefs. All this in the middle of the World’s biggest BBQ party and LOUDEST NFL stadium (Sorry Seattle).
Chiefs 44, Raiders 10

Pittsburg Steelers at New York Jets
The Ugly Bowl. I see Steelers rookie LaVeon Bell having a geat day against the J-E-T-S very tough defense.
Steelers 24, Jets 20

Philadelphia Eagles at Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Lots of question marks here. I believe the ego of Chip Kelly wills this victory.
Eagles 31, Buccaneers 20

Jacksonville Jaguars at Denver Broncos
A 28-point spread? I’ll take the Jags and the points. I predict an actual game. Henne has a career day, ‘Sooner Magic’ makes an appearance in Denver and the Broncos look remarkably human. Denver still wins.
Broncos 38, Jaguars 28

Tennessee Titans at Seattle Seahawks
Titans win by out-muscling the Seahawks. Seattle loses some mojo and a home game.
Titans 23, Seahawks 20

New Orleans Saints at New England Patriots
New Orleans is going to do to the Pats what the Pats used to do to everyone else. Wilfork is missed.
Saints 35, Patriots 14

Arizona Cardinals at San Francisco 49ers
Kaep has an injured foot. Cardinals smell blood.
Cardinals 27, 49ers 20

Washington Redskins at Dallas Cowboys
Romo earns his money this week as the ‘Boys roll in Jerryville.
Cowboys 41, Redskins 20

Monday Night Game:

Indianapolis Colts at San Diego Chargers
Andrew Luck is even better this year. T-Rich gets back on track. Bad news for the Chargers.
Colts 34, Chargers 27

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