Carolina Panthers @ NY Giants
Spread: Giants, -7
o/u: 42.5
Carolina's Matt Moore has been improving since replacing Jake Delhomme at QB. That doesn't mean his performances have been particularly good. Now he has to take on a strong Giants pass rush in the cold and wind of Giants Stadium. With DeAngelo Williams still doubtful, things won't be getting better for him. Though not really a cold weather team either, the Giants at least know what to expect from their home stadium.
Pick: Giants 31 - Panthers 17
Saturday, December 26, 2009
Friday, December 25, 2009
Friday Night Special - San Diego @ Tennessee
San Diego Chargers @ Tannessee Titans
Spread: Titans, -3
o/u: 47
Since their bye in Week 7, the Titans have been on a 7-1 run. During that run, the Titans had one thing going for them: Only one of the teams they played against was playing at a consistently good level. That was the Colts, who they lost to. The Chargers go to Tennessee this week having won nine straight games, and haven't scored less than 20 points in a game all season. The Chargers are simply the better team. They haven't given up 100 yards to a back since Rashard Mendenhall in Week 4, their passing game has outplayed their opponents in all but five games, and have already beaten Philly, Cincinnati, Dallas, Denver, and the Giants. The Chargers are just plain better.
Pick: Chargers 31 - Titans 24
Spread: Titans, -3
o/u: 47
Since their bye in Week 7, the Titans have been on a 7-1 run. During that run, the Titans had one thing going for them: Only one of the teams they played against was playing at a consistently good level. That was the Colts, who they lost to. The Chargers go to Tennessee this week having won nine straight games, and haven't scored less than 20 points in a game all season. The Chargers are simply the better team. They haven't given up 100 yards to a back since Rashard Mendenhall in Week 4, their passing game has outplayed their opponents in all but five games, and have already beaten Philly, Cincinnati, Dallas, Denver, and the Giants. The Chargers are just plain better.
Pick: Chargers 31 - Titans 24
Wednesday, December 23, 2009
Wednesday Morning News - 12/23/09
Serena Williams has been voted 2009 AP Female Athlete of the Year, her second time winning the award. [TennisEarth.com]
Nebraska's Ndamukong Suh is the 2009 AP College Football Player of the Year, and is the first defensive player to win the award. [LA Times]
Major League Baseball and the World Umpires Association have agreed to a five-year labor deal to keep their umpires working. [Forbes]
The proposed Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao fight is said to be "in jeopardy" after Pacquiau refused to submit to blood tests within 30 days of the fight. [MLive.com]
Nebraska's Ndamukong Suh is the 2009 AP College Football Player of the Year, and is the first defensive player to win the award. [LA Times]
Major League Baseball and the World Umpires Association have agreed to a five-year labor deal to keep their umpires working. [Forbes]
The proposed Floyd Mayweather-Manny Pacquiao fight is said to be "in jeopardy" after Pacquiau refused to submit to blood tests within 30 days of the fight. [MLive.com]
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
NFL Week 15 Wrap-up
We've looked at playoff scenarios, we've looked at teams falling apart, now lets look at the top 5:
Just Barely Hanging On:
Philadelphia Eagles
I picked the Eagles to win the Super Bowl in the preseason, then said they'd never win one with Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook on the team. I stand bye that second assertion. McNabb and Westbrook, as good as they are, are far to unreliable. However, with Westbrook back this week, and the potential to get some rest for McNabb soon, the Eagles have a shot if both can stay healthy for the playoffs. The teams ahead of them in the NFC all have flaws on defense that the Eagles can exploit. Even if they can stay healthy, that still leaves the Andy Reid problem. Reid has shown a tendency to implode in his playcalling at times, sticking with a singular gameplan when it isn't working. His overreliance on the pass earlier this year cost them a winable game against the Oakland Raiders. If it happens again against, say, the Saints, the Eagles could be headed for a quick playoff exit.
Just Barely Hanging On:
Philadelphia Eagles
I picked the Eagles to win the Super Bowl in the preseason, then said they'd never win one with Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook on the team. I stand bye that second assertion. McNabb and Westbrook, as good as they are, are far to unreliable. However, with Westbrook back this week, and the potential to get some rest for McNabb soon, the Eagles have a shot if both can stay healthy for the playoffs. The teams ahead of them in the NFC all have flaws on defense that the Eagles can exploit. Even if they can stay healthy, that still leaves the Andy Reid problem. Reid has shown a tendency to implode in his playcalling at times, sticking with a singular gameplan when it isn't working. His overreliance on the pass earlier this year cost them a winable game against the Oakland Raiders. If it happens again against, say, the Saints, the Eagles could be headed for a quick playoff exit.
Tuesday Morning News - 12/22/09
Jimmy Johnson has been named AP Male Athlete of the Year, and is the first NASCAR driver to recieve the award. [Examiner.com]
Former Seahawks and Packers head coach Mike Holmgren has agreed to become president of the Cleveland Browns. [Ohio.com]
Three members of the USC football team have been ruled academically ineligible for the Emerald Bowl against Boston College. [LA Times]
New Jersey Devils G Martin Brodeur recorded his 104th career shutout, beating the Pittsburgh Penguins, 4-0, and breaking Terry Sawchuck's record. [Baltimore Sun]
The University of Kentucky became the first college basketball program to record 2,000 wins by beating Drexel, 88-44. [Bloomberg]
Former Seahawks and Packers head coach Mike Holmgren has agreed to become president of the Cleveland Browns. [Ohio.com]
Three members of the USC football team have been ruled academically ineligible for the Emerald Bowl against Boston College. [LA Times]
New Jersey Devils G Martin Brodeur recorded his 104th career shutout, beating the Pittsburgh Penguins, 4-0, and breaking Terry Sawchuck's record. [Baltimore Sun]
The University of Kentucky became the first college basketball program to record 2,000 wins by beating Drexel, 88-44. [Bloomberg]
Monday, December 21, 2009
NFL Sunday Recap - Winners & Losers
Some people had a special weekend this week, and some didn't:
Winners:
Ben Roethlisberger
Seriously, at some point soon, the Steelers are going to need to realize Ben can't win every game on his own. Seven loses after winning the Super Bowl should be a wake-up call. But the call can wait another week, as Big Ben threw for a franchise record 503 yards. That and his 3 TDs are the most ever for a QB without throwing a pick. Of course, all that is just gravy to the 19-yard completion to Mike Wallace with no time on the clock that gave Pittsburgh a 37-36 win over the Packers. It was only Wallace's second reception of the game, and both were for TDs. Congrats, Big Ben! After five straight losses, you are a winner!
Winners:
Ben Roethlisberger
Seriously, at some point soon, the Steelers are going to need to realize Ben can't win every game on his own. Seven loses after winning the Super Bowl should be a wake-up call. But the call can wait another week, as Big Ben threw for a franchise record 503 yards. That and his 3 TDs are the most ever for a QB without throwing a pick. Of course, all that is just gravy to the 19-yard completion to Mike Wallace with no time on the clock that gave Pittsburgh a 37-36 win over the Packers. It was only Wallace's second reception of the game, and both were for TDs. Congrats, Big Ben! After five straight losses, you are a winner!
MNF Preview - Week 15
NY Giants @ Washington Redskins
Spread: Giants, -3
o/u: 43.5
The Giants are one of many teams on the outsode of the playoffs looking in. With the two teams directly in front of them, the Cowboys and Eagle, both winning this week, the Giants are under incredible pressure to keep up. Of course, the Redskins have to be on the list of teams you want to face when you need a win. Denver thought the same thing in Week 10, and they lost, 27-17. What the 'Skins don't have is the strong running game they had before they lost their to two backs. What the Giants don't have is the strong defense they had all of last season. They haven't held a team to under 20 points since Week 5 against Oakland. Since that game, the end of their 5-0 start, they've gone 2-6, beating only Dallas and Atlanta, and getting crushed by Denver along the way. The Giants have finally found their passing game, though, and that should carry them to a win.
Pick: Giants 31 - Redskins 24
Spread: Giants, -3
o/u: 43.5
The Giants are one of many teams on the outsode of the playoffs looking in. With the two teams directly in front of them, the Cowboys and Eagle, both winning this week, the Giants are under incredible pressure to keep up. Of course, the Redskins have to be on the list of teams you want to face when you need a win. Denver thought the same thing in Week 10, and they lost, 27-17. What the 'Skins don't have is the strong running game they had before they lost their to two backs. What the Giants don't have is the strong defense they had all of last season. They haven't held a team to under 20 points since Week 5 against Oakland. Since that game, the end of their 5-0 start, they've gone 2-6, beating only Dallas and Atlanta, and getting crushed by Denver along the way. The Giants have finally found their passing game, though, and that should carry them to a win.
Pick: Giants 31 - Redskins 24
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