2011-12 Picks - NFL - Week 12

Football + Food + Family + Friends is pretty much exactly how I like my Thanksgiving.

Three potentially fantastic games on Thursday and some meaningful games on Sunday and Monday night. 

The playoffs are fast approaching and teams like the Bears, Giants, Broncos and Chargers are jostling for playoff positions. Who's going to take control of their playoff destiny?

Game of the Week - Thursday, November 24
SF @ BAL

Harbaugh versus Harbaugh. Frank Gore versus Ray Rice. Patrick Willis versus Ray Lewis. Flacco versus Alex Smith? As it turns out, the most important match-up in this Turkey day game is going to be how two semi-unproven QB's handle two very stellar defenses. I think the winner of that match-up wins the game. I'm going with Flacco and the Ravens.

Thu, Nov 24
GB @ DET | Green Bay - I would've picked the Lions if it were week 3.
MIA @ DAL | Dallas - Pressure from Jerry Jones or not--Romo was already planning to come up big.

Sun, Nov 27
MIN @ ATL | Atlanta - No AP. Falcons roll.
HOU @ JAC | Houston - Ugh. Matt Leinart. Just ugh...Maybe he'll prove everyone wrong.
TB @ TEN | Tampa Bay - Chris Johnson makes me laugh.
ARI @ STL | St. Louis - I wish Larry Fitzgerald was on a team that they showed on National TV.
CLE @ CIN | Cincinatti - The Bengals probably shouldn't make the playoffs...But they'll win this game.
BUF @ NYJ | New York - J-E-T-S. But only because it's the Bills.
CAR @ IND | Carolina - I started off thinking, "The Colts have to win sometime, right"?--Turns out, they don't.
WAS @ SEA | Seattle - Is there anything even worth talking about here?
CHI @ OAK | Chicago - No Cutler? No Problem. I'm curious as to what Hanie hashtags will arise on Twitter.
NE @ PHI | New England - The Brady Bunch is picking up steam. Right on time.
DEN @ SD | Denver - What will Tebow do next?
PIT @ KC | Pittsburgh - It doesn't matter if Kyle Orton plays. Steelers win.

Mon, Nov 28
NYG @ NO | New Orleans - Breesus strikes again.

Thanks for reading guys.

The Sporacle versus "The Experts" in Week 11

I'm feeling like another rhyming recap for today. Let me know what you guys think.

Tebow magic strikes again.
The Packers play. The Packers win. 

Bears got the "W", but the day was rainy.
Lost our Cutty, gotta roll with Hanie. 

The Cowboys won because they would not quit.
The 49ers won; still don't think they're legit.

Seems the experts edged me out again this week.

Weekly Wrap-Up
The Sporacle's Picks in Week 11 | 10-4 (.714)
The Experts average in Week 11 | 101-39 (.721)


Thanks for reading.

2011-12 Picks - NFL - Week 11

The Packers are looking at a 10-0 record. I'm quite worried.

The 49ers are looking at 9-1. I'm not at all worried.

The Broncos are looking to take the division lead. I'm not surprised.

Game of the Week - Thursday, November 17
NYJ @ DEN

Only Tim Tebow could generate Game of the Week hype for a Thursday nighter on NFL Network. But when you've got a Broncos team that's picking up steam, a reeling, underachieving Jets team with more than a little something to prove and a QB that "can't throw" versus the best corner in the league, you're going to be intrigued. I'm taking the Broncos and yet another dose of Tebow Magic.

Sun, Nov 20
CAR @ DET | Detroit - Dear Cam, when you were in college, the Lions were terrible. Don't think it's the same team.
TB @ GB | Green Bay - 10-0.
DAL @ WAS | Dallas - The 'Boys are rollin'. But I'd really like to see a little Rex Grossman.
BUF @ MIA | Miami - 'Fins win. Buffalo is back.
JAC @ CLE | Cleveland - Annnd the Jags are still terrible.
TEN @ ATL | Atlanta - Matty Ice and co. are back to their running ways.
OAK @ MIN | Minnesota - Ponder is going to make things really interesting in the AFC West.
CIN @ BAL | Baltimore - Ginger goes down.
SEA @ STL | St. Louis - Yucky football. Yucky, yucky football.
ARI @ SF | San Francisco - Still not sold...on their offense.
SD @ CHI | Chicago - #CuttyDoesIt T-shirts on sale at jaycutlersix.com
PHI @ NYG | New York - Vince Young might get the start. Eek

Mon, Nov 21
KC @ NE | New England - Same ole', same ole'.

Byes: Texans, Colts, Saints, Steelers

Thanks for reading guys.

The Sporacle versus "The Experts" in Week 10

Tim Tebow and the Broncos are making real strides to take hold of the division. It's unconventional. The detractors are waiting for variance to catch up to them. But so far, it hasn't. Can't say too many people saw this coming.

Vick and the Eagles suffered what is likely to be a season crippling loss against the Cards last week--with an injury to Michael Vick that'll likely keep him out next week.

Lastly, Bill Belichick stuck it to Rex Ryan like I haven't seen in a while. Not to mention a subtle (allegedly) dig that seems out of character; but I honestly wouldn't be surprised if this was common place for the tight-lipped legend.


Topped the experts for the 2nd straight week.

Weekly Wrap-Up
The Sporacle's Picks in Week 10 | 8-8 (.500)
The Experts average in Week 10 | 77-82 (.484)

Thanks for reading.

2011-12 Picks - NFL - Week 10

When your Sunday Football lineup looks like this, it's gonna be a good day.

New Orleans Saints @ Atlanta Falcons | 1:00 pm ET
Detroit Lions @ Chicago Bears | 4:00 pm ET
New England Patriots @ New York Jets | 8:15 pm ET

Game of the Week - Sunday, November 13
DET @ CHI

I'm noticing a trend with the Bears being the Game of the Week. I'd attribute it to my being from Chicago and most of the readers being in the midwest--but--they've had some pretty big games, against big time teams and I'm expecting big things. When I say big things, I'm talking like, crushing the Lions at 4:15 et today. Bears in a shootout.

Thu, Nov 10
OAK @ SD | San Diego - Last straw, Phillip. Last flippin' straw.

Sun, Nov 13
JAC @ IND | Indianapolis - They've got to win eventually, right?
DEN @ KC | Denver - Here comes the Tebow train. Get ready.
PIT @ CIN | Pittsburgh - Still can't remember what Andy Dalton looks like, but I'm sure Troy P knows.
BUF @ DAL | Dallas - Buffalo, like Detroit and Washington have started to regress back to their true form.
NO @ ATL | Atlanta - Ground 'n Pound. Last I checked the saints run 'D was still pretty soft.
STL @ CLE | Cleveland - Colt v. Bradford. Texas v. OU rematch? Always liked Colt.
WAS @ MIA | Miami - 2 in a row? No way? Yes way.
HOU @ TB | Houston - I don't even KNOW how they're still winning games.
TEN @ CAR | Carolina - Cam has to get to at least 5 wins this year, right?
ARI @ PHI | Philly - What's with people not living up to big contracts? $100 million dollar mistake?
BAL @ SEA | Baltimore - Flacco's late game drive last week against the Steelers was a BIG step for that team. Superbowl contender.
NYG @ SF | New York - Like Flacco, Eli showed me something last week. Not all the way sold on the 49ers yet, either. Not sure why.
NE @ NYJ | New England - Brady doesn't lose three in a row. And will somebody please help Ochocinco with the playbook?

Mon, Nov 14
MIN @ GB | Green Bay - Ponder is good, but Rodgers is better. Packers defense is a little shaky, though.

Byes: None

Thanks for reading!

The Sporacle versus "The Experts" in Week 9

How 'bout my boy Cutler on Monday Night against the Eagles? I don't know about you, but I can't recall to many people that can throw it like #CuttyDoesIt. Eagles are going to need a serious second half to meet the media's expectations this year.

Green Bay wins again. No surprises there.

The big surprise for me was Eli Manning, out-Bradying, Tom Brady. I don't know whether to acknowledge Eli's supreme clutch-gene or shake my head at the Pats defense not being able to hold a lead for 90 seconds.

Oh, and the 49ers are a very quiet 7-1.

P.s. Topped the experts picking this week. Time to turn this picking season around.

Weekly Wrap-Up
The Sporacle's Picks in Week 9 | 8-6 (.571)
The Experts average in Week 9 | 74-65 (.532)

Thanks for reading.

2011-12 Picks - NFL - Week 9

Image via Windy City Gridiron

I couldn't think of the first line of this post today. My guess is because there are just so many good games this week I didn't know what to start with. Jets, Bills. Giants, Patriots. Steelers, Ravens. And of course...







Game of the Week - Monday, November 7
CHI @ PHI

It's not because Jay Cutler is the man. It's not because I foolishly  pick the Bears almost every week. They're only 4-3, by the way. It's not even because I think the Eagles are still overrated. I'm picking the Bears this week because the Eagles are 19th in the league in run defense--and Matt Forte is more than 50% of the Bears total offense.

Remember to vote for the Game of the Week here at the top left of the page or on the Sporacle's Facebook.

Sun, Nov 06
MIA @ KC | Kansas City - Division leading Chiefs? Thinking they solidify it today.
TB @ NO | New Orleans - Brees and the boys are a looking a little strange lately.
ATL @ IND | Atlanta - If the Colts go 0-16, does Peyton Manning get the MVP?
CLE @ HOU | Houston - The Texans are lucky their division is so poor right now.
NYJ @ BUF | New York - I'm feeling like the Jets turn the corner this week.
SF @ WAS | San Fran - So uhh, Wale. How 'bout those Redskins?
SEA @ DAL | Dallas - It's just the Seahawks. C'mon maaan.
CIN @ TEN | Tennessee - I just found out what Andy Dalton looks like today.
DEN @ OAK | Oakland - I feel like a traitor picking against my boy Tebow. =(
NYG @ NE | New England - Patriots have not looked good in recent weeks. A rematch versus the Giants might be just what they need.
STL @ ARI | St. Louis - Did you know the Rams won last week?
GB @ SD | Green Bay - I want to say SD bounces back, but I can't.
BAL @ PIT | Pittsburgh - I think Skip may have been right about the Ravens winning their Superbowl in Week 1.

Byes: Panthers, Lions, Jaguars, Vikings

Thanks for reading guys.

The Sporacle versus "The Experts" in Week 8

Skip Bayless' tweet toward the end of the Chargers' Monday Night Football pretty much sums up the kind of season Philip Rivers has been having as of late; And somehow the Chiefs are atop the AFC West. I can honestly say I didn't see that coming.

The Cowboys are consistently inconsistent--which is getting really bothersome considering I keep expecting them to turn things around. And well, Tebow was pretty horrific on Sunday. I'm hoping he has a really fast learning curve.

Weekly Wrap-Up
The Sporacle's Picks in Week 8 | 8-5 (.615)
The Experts average in Week 8 | 93-37 (.713)

P.s. Have you heard of Tebowing? It's gonna be a thing.

Thanks for reading.