I've been writing a lot of basketball stuff this week, so here are my brief picks for the NFL's Week 17. The last week of the season is always wacky with different playoff scenarios and draft implications, so I'm going to make this quick and without explanation. It's been an up and down year for my picks with a lot of near misses and some back door covers, but I'd say it's been a pretty successful first year doing them.
Last week: 8-8
Overall: 126-104
Saturday, December 31, 2011
Award Picks
Here's the final installment of my 2011-2012 NBA season outlook: the post season awards. I'm proud of my picks last year that did pretty well, but only the Defensive Player of the Year pick turned out correct. I'm expecting more hits this year, of course. (Note: I'm not going to repeat previous choices from any award for MIP since they're no longer under the radar.)
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| It's no surprise who I have as MVP. |
The Rest of the East
The depth of the Eastern Conference is laughable compared to that of the West with a huge drop off to the bottom feeders of the league. Alas, here's the next installment of my NBA outlook: the Eastern lottery teams--many of whom will be involved in some ugly games this season.
(Here's a look back to last year's edition)
(Here's a look back to last year's edition)
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| We won't see this premiere matchup in the playoffs. |
Thursday, December 29, 2011
The Rest of the West
The Western Conference is a bit crowded in terms of fringe playoff teams that would probably make the post season if they were in the East. Almost all of these teams have a good amount of talent, but not all of them are in the right situation. Allow me to elaborate.
(Here's a look back to last year's edition)
(Here's a look back to last year's edition)
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| Could the Warriors rise up in the West? |
Wednesday, December 28, 2011
The Beasts of the East
I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and enjoyed the NBA's opening day. Here's the second part of my NBA outlook: the Eastern Conference playoff teams. And no, the first day of games did not influence these picks, since I wrote part of them before Sunday and had my mind made up already.
(Here's a look-back at last year's edition)
(Here's a look-back at last year's edition)
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| Can LeBron top D.Rose again? |
Saturday, December 24, 2011
The Best of the West
It's finally here. After the idiotically prolonged lockout, the opening day of the NBA season is about to arrive. How did Christmas sneak up on me like that?
Here's the first part of my NBA outlook: the Western Conference playoff teams.
(Here's a look-back at last year's edition.)
Here's the first part of my NBA outlook: the Western Conference playoff teams.
(Here's a look-back at last year's edition.)
| The Thunder are looking to drive past the new-look Mavs. |
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Week 15 Quick Picks
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| Niners/Steelers is only the 4th meeting of 10 win teams w/ .750 winning % on MNF. SF has been in all 4. |
Overall: 110-98
Sunday, December 11, 2011
Week 14 Picks
Last Week: 10-6
Overall Season: 103-89
Pittsburgh -13.5 vs. Cleveland: I went with the vastly superior team at home, but I should have known the points were too much. Or predicted that the Steelers would drop like flies and get stuff on a goal line stand and thus not cover.
Atlanta -2.5 @ Carolina: Falcons bounce back with a win here for their playoff run since the Panthers defense can't stop anyone. Cam Newton might be able to pull this out for them through the air, but Atlanta's run defense should slow them down enough.
Cincinnati -3.5 vs. Houston: The Leon Hall injury has really hurt Cincy's defense, but they're at home and against an Andre Johnson-less Texans. I actually like T.J. Yates from his UNC days, but he's being thrown into the fire way too soon.
Detroit -7.5 vs. Minnesota: The Lions are starting to fall apart, but remember that their last two games have been against the Packers and Saints. Now they're at home and both Christian Ponder and Adrian Peterson are questionable.
Tennessee +3.5 vs. New Orleans: The Saints have been flying high lately, and I can see them getting complacent this week and falling on the road to a peaking Titans team now that Chris Johnson is red hot.
Indianapolis +16.5 @ Baltimore: It was a fluke that the Colts made the Patriots game as close as it was, but it proves that in these situations the points are just too high. The Ravens should slaughter them with Ray Rice, but you can't count out some garbage time scores closing the gap.
NY Jets -8.5 vs. Kansas City: The Jets weren't great last week against the mere Redskins, but Tyler Palko looked horrible against the Bears. The Chiefs' defense won't go out without a fight, and rookie Justin Houston is finally providing a pass rush threat opposite Tamba Hali, but it likely won't be enough.
Philadelphia +3.5 @ Miami: With the momentum of Michael Vick's return, the rested Eagles bring the Dolphin's back down to earth.
New England -7.5 @ Washington: I like to think Bill Belichick had a nice chuckle when preparing his defensive gameplan for Rex Grossman.
Tampa Bay -1.5 @ Jacksonville: The Jaguars will have a lot of success on the ground against this defense, but I think the Bucs finally stop their losing streak since their the more talented team.
Denver -3.5 vs. Chicago: I do have a feeling the Broncos are due for a letdown, and the Bears defense alone almost won their game last week, but I have to make this pick because these teams are in two different places right now with their QB situations.
San Francisco -3.5 @ Arizona: If the Niners could ever convert in the red zone, they'd be near unbeatable. I think they finally start to do so in a tune up for the Steelers game next week and the playoffs after that.
San Diego -6.5 vs. Buffalo: the injuries to the offensive line is going to really hurt Philip Rivers, and thus, the Chargers, some weeks. This isn't one of those weeks.
Oakland +11.5 @ Green Bay: Could the Raiders really be the team to hand the Packers their first loss and at home, no less? No, but they could make it closer than you think. In the end, though, Aaron Rodgers just has this ability to make drives look easy like he did in the final 58 seconds against the Giants. Sometimes it helps when his receivers make extraordinary catches like Jordy Nelson did on the sidelines, but he is clearly the best in the game right now.
NY Giants +3.5 @ Dallas: The Giants are not losing five in a row. Not in this game that is so pivotal in the division. Their pass rush must get to Tony Romo.
Seatle -6.5 vs. St. Louis: Will anyone really watch this pathetic Monday Night Football game? All the St. Louis fans are still going to be too in shock at the loss of Albert Pujols.
Overall Season: 103-89
Pittsburgh -13.5 vs. Cleveland: I went with the vastly superior team at home, but I should have known the points were too much. Or predicted that the Steelers would drop like flies and get stuff on a goal line stand and thus not cover.
Atlanta -2.5 @ Carolina: Falcons bounce back with a win here for their playoff run since the Panthers defense can't stop anyone. Cam Newton might be able to pull this out for them through the air, but Atlanta's run defense should slow them down enough.
Cincinnati -3.5 vs. Houston: The Leon Hall injury has really hurt Cincy's defense, but they're at home and against an Andre Johnson-less Texans. I actually like T.J. Yates from his UNC days, but he's being thrown into the fire way too soon.
Detroit -7.5 vs. Minnesota: The Lions are starting to fall apart, but remember that their last two games have been against the Packers and Saints. Now they're at home and both Christian Ponder and Adrian Peterson are questionable.
Tennessee +3.5 vs. New Orleans: The Saints have been flying high lately, and I can see them getting complacent this week and falling on the road to a peaking Titans team now that Chris Johnson is red hot.
Indianapolis +16.5 @ Baltimore: It was a fluke that the Colts made the Patriots game as close as it was, but it proves that in these situations the points are just too high. The Ravens should slaughter them with Ray Rice, but you can't count out some garbage time scores closing the gap.
NY Jets -8.5 vs. Kansas City: The Jets weren't great last week against the mere Redskins, but Tyler Palko looked horrible against the Bears. The Chiefs' defense won't go out without a fight, and rookie Justin Houston is finally providing a pass rush threat opposite Tamba Hali, but it likely won't be enough.
Philadelphia +3.5 @ Miami: With the momentum of Michael Vick's return, the rested Eagles bring the Dolphin's back down to earth.
New England -7.5 @ Washington: I like to think Bill Belichick had a nice chuckle when preparing his defensive gameplan for Rex Grossman.
Tampa Bay -1.5 @ Jacksonville: The Jaguars will have a lot of success on the ground against this defense, but I think the Bucs finally stop their losing streak since their the more talented team.
Denver -3.5 vs. Chicago: I do have a feeling the Broncos are due for a letdown, and the Bears defense alone almost won their game last week, but I have to make this pick because these teams are in two different places right now with their QB situations.
San Francisco -3.5 @ Arizona: If the Niners could ever convert in the red zone, they'd be near unbeatable. I think they finally start to do so in a tune up for the Steelers game next week and the playoffs after that.
San Diego -6.5 vs. Buffalo: the injuries to the offensive line is going to really hurt Philip Rivers, and thus, the Chargers, some weeks. This isn't one of those weeks.
Oakland +11.5 @ Green Bay: Could the Raiders really be the team to hand the Packers their first loss and at home, no less? No, but they could make it closer than you think. In the end, though, Aaron Rodgers just has this ability to make drives look easy like he did in the final 58 seconds against the Giants. Sometimes it helps when his receivers make extraordinary catches like Jordy Nelson did on the sidelines, but he is clearly the best in the game right now.
NY Giants +3.5 @ Dallas: The Giants are not losing five in a row. Not in this game that is so pivotal in the division. Their pass rush must get to Tony Romo.
Seatle -6.5 vs. St. Louis: Will anyone really watch this pathetic Monday Night Football game? All the St. Louis fans are still going to be too in shock at the loss of Albert Pujols.
Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Why the OTHER L.A. team is in prime position, but Boston lurks
By now, reports of the Lakers' interest in acquiring BOTH Chris Paul and Dwight Howard have circled the internet and caused a stir. Yeah, there's almost no chance of that happening. As good as they are, the combinations of packages involving Pau Gasol, Andrew Bynum, and Lamar Odom are only enough to pry away one of the young superstars, as aptly described here.
So how about the other L.A. team getting involved? Hang with me for a second. The Clippers are flush with salary flexibility, young players, and a GREAT asset--Minnesota's unprotected 2012 draft pick. As it stands, they are around $13 million under the cap at around $45 million. They are planning on re-signing restricted free agent DeAndre Jordan for around 5 years, $40 million, a fair price for the young center. However, he could also be used as a trade-chip in a potential sign-and-trade, and that's where things get interesting.
So how about the other L.A. team getting involved? Hang with me for a second. The Clippers are flush with salary flexibility, young players, and a GREAT asset--Minnesota's unprotected 2012 draft pick. As it stands, they are around $13 million under the cap at around $45 million. They are planning on re-signing restricted free agent DeAndre Jordan for around 5 years, $40 million, a fair price for the young center. However, he could also be used as a trade-chip in a potential sign-and-trade, and that's where things get interesting.
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| Could CP3 be caught between the L.A. stars? |
Sunday, December 4, 2011
Week 13 Picks
My apologies that I can't get a full post up this week as I'm dealing with Finals at the moment. Here are my quick picks for Week 13
Last Week: 7-9
Philadelphia -2.5 @ Seattle
Atlanta -2.5 @ Houston
Buffalo -1.5 vs. Tennessee
Chicago -8.5 vs. Kansas City
Pittsburgh -7.5 vs. Cincinnati
Denver +1.5 @ Minnesota
Indianapolis +20.5 @ New England
Oakland +2.5 @ Miami
NY Jets -3.5 @ Washington
Carolina +1.5 @ Tampa Bay
Baltimore -6.5 @ Cleveland
Arizona +6.5 vs. Dallas
Green Bay -6.5 @ NY Giants
San Francisco -13.5 vs. St. Louis
New Orleans -6.5 vs. Detroit
San Diego -2.5 @ Jacksonville
Last Week: 7-9
Philadelphia -2.5 @ Seattle
Atlanta -2.5 @ Houston
Buffalo -1.5 vs. Tennessee
Chicago -8.5 vs. Kansas City
Pittsburgh -7.5 vs. Cincinnati
Denver +1.5 @ Minnesota
Indianapolis +20.5 @ New England
Oakland +2.5 @ Miami
NY Jets -3.5 @ Washington
Carolina +1.5 @ Tampa Bay
Baltimore -6.5 @ Cleveland
Arizona +6.5 vs. Dallas
Green Bay -6.5 @ NY Giants
San Francisco -13.5 vs. St. Louis
New Orleans -6.5 vs. Detroit
San Diego -2.5 @ Jacksonville
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