The lockout is over, Football is BACK!

YES!! Finally, the NFL Lockout is over! With the owners and the NFLPA finally both approving the proposed CBA, football can finally get into full swing. Teams are opening their doors to the players tomorrow, with training camp starting Wednesday and free agency will start on Friday.

Highlights of the agreed 10 year deal include a 120 million dollar salary cap with a salary floor, 4 year rookie contracts and more money going to veteran players. The salary floor will likely have the most immediate impact on the league as several teams are forced to spend big money to get themselves compliant with the rules.

The first order of business for the Eagles will be to trade Kevin Kolb, who has been linked to the Cardinals for weeks now. Andy Reid has said all along that he has a plan in place once free agency begins so we'll see what that entails and whether the new salary cap has any affect on what the Birds can accomplish. Expect Kolb to be dealt immediately tomorrow.

It's so good to talk about football again. These next few weeks are going to be crazy as teams quickly ramp up for a season that is just over a month away. With only the Hall of Fame game being cancelled, the Eagles schedule will go ahead as planned with the first exhibition game on August 11th and the regular season opener against the Rams on September 11th.

The NFL Lockout is (not really) over!

My goal of not talking about the NFL again until the lockout is over took at least one small step in the right direction today as U.S. District Judge Susan Richard Nelson ordered an end to the lockout. Of course, it's just a temporary end to the lockout, as the owners are going to appeal the decision and things will basically be right back where they already were.

This is just the first step of the process and there isn't much for fans to get excited about. Now that a Judge has made a ruling, things will escalate from here and get increasingly more complicated. Not being a lawyer, I can't begin to explain what this decision means for the players, who apparently are planning to report to their teams to workout tomorrow since the lockout is technically over.

While we are still a long way from this being settled, let's hope it gets figured out sometime shortly after the draft because otherwise we won't have anything to talk about in regards to the NFL. Sure, we still have other sports to tide us over, but something won't feel right this fall if there is no Sunday football.

It could be a while before we see the Eagles again

The story I've been ignoring is no longer avoidable: after failing to come to an agreement with the owners, the NFLPA has decertified, meaning the players and owners are headed to the courts. I'm not going to even pretend I know all the legal ramifications that disbanding a union can have and what the suit that the players are going to file against the NFL will prove but it likely all adds up to a long time before we see NFL football again.

Let's hope the wealthy people stop squabbling over money in time for the NFL season to start, otherwise it's going to be a very sad fall. Sure, the NHL will still be going, but Sunday's just won't be the same. Hopefully everyone realizes they would lost millions of dollars in revenue by not having a season and things get worked out. Until then, perhaps we should all start doing some research on the CFL?

My Super Bowl XLV Prediction

Finally, we've reached the end. After 266 football games, a ton of hype and a handful of controversies, we're finally ready for the best two teams in the league to compete for the title. And make no mistake, unlike years past, these are the two best teams in the league, starting with their elite quarterbacks and defenses and going right through to their coaching. We really could be in store for anything in Super Bowl 45, including a high-scoring shootout like the two teams had last year or a low-scoring slugfest where the defenses take over. No matter what happens, you better enjoy the game because it could be the last NFL football you see for a long, long time.

After a season of picking every NFL game, here is my final pick of the year. Remember, all picks are made strictly based on who I think will win and do not take the spread into consideration.

Last Week: 2-0, 1.000
Playoff Overall: 6-4, .600

Super Bowl 45
Packers vs. Steelers
Not to toot my own horn too much, but way back in the preseason I picked the Packers the get to the Super Bowl. Of course, I didn't pick the Steelers to get to the Big Game, leaving them out of the playoffs completely in favor of the Ravens in the AFC North. As for who wins this one, much has been said about how even these two teams are but I have to give the edge to the Packers. If you look at the games that the Steelers defense has struggled this season, its against teams with high-powered offensive attacks. Sure, Pittsburgh can stop the run with the best of them, but they can have problems with teams that spread out and throw the ball all over the field. Count on the Packers to abandon the run early and force the Steelers out of their usual element. That being said, I don't see the Packers running away with this one as the Steelers offense should be able to put some points on the board. This game will be close enough that it will probably come down to who makes fewer turnovers. My pick: Packers 24, Steelers 20

That is my final pick of this NFL season. Check back next season for my picks for the 2011 season, if there is one! Feel free to discuss, argue or make your own picks in the comments section.

2011 NFL Championship Round Predictions

After another weekend of good football, we are now down to four. Here are my picks for who will be going to Dallas. Remember, all picks are made strictly based on who I think will win and do not take the spread into consideration.

Record Last Week: 3-1, .750
Playoff Overall: 4-4, .500

Sunday Games:

NFC Championship
Packers @ Bears
You've heard it before but it bears repeating: these two teams have played each other 181 times in their long history and yet this is only the second time they will meet in the playoffs. That's remarkable. What's also remarkable is how quickly the Packers have gone from the 6th seed in the NFC to Super Bowl favorites. While everyone picked them in the preseason to go the distance, they stumbled at midseason as they dealt with injuries, losing to the lowly Redskins and the Dolphins in overtime. A late season injury to Aaron Rodgers set them back, too, which is how they became possibly the best 6th seed ever. These two teams have met twice this season and played close, low-scoring games, with each team winning at home. With the way Aaron Rodgers is playing right now and the Packers having at least some semblance of a running game, I expect them to put up plenty of points. It will be up to the Bears to keep up and I simply don't see it happening. My pick: Packers

AFC Championship
Jets @ Steelers
Despite all the bluster and all the controversy, Rex Ryan has done one hell of a job with the Jets, taking them to back-to-back AFC Championship games in his first two years as head coach. He has a way of getting his teams motivated to win games they have no business winning, like their upset over the Chargers last year and their unlikely win over the Patriots last week. If they want to pull of another upset this week, Mark Sanchez is once again going to have to play way above his ability and the Jets defense is going to have to create havoc for the Steelers banged-up offensive line. Ben Roethlisberger is going to have his hands full trying to perform his escape act against a hungry Jets defense but I like the Steelers chances of putting up some points because they have something the Patriots don't have: a deep threat. Mike Wallace should be able to spread the field, something the Pats couldn't do, and that will take the Jets out of what they did last week and force them to have some help deep. I expect this one to be close and low-scoring but I expect Pittsburgh to edge out the Jets after they put pressure on Sanchez and force him into a few bad turnovers. My pick: Steelers

Those are my picks for the Championship round of the NFL Playoffs. Check back in two weeks for my Super Bowl pick. Feel free to discuss, argue or make your own picks in the comments section!

2011 NFL Divisional Round Predictions

The Eagles were unfortunately eliminated in the first round (again), but that doesn't mean there isn't plenty of good football left. If the first round of the playoffs is any indication, we are in for a great couple of weeks of NFL action. Of course, it could also be our last NFL action for a long, long time if they don't get this labor situation figured out.

Despite my poor record in the first round and the fact that the Eagles have been knocked out, I will continue to make my weekly NFL picks throughout the playoffs. Remember, all picks are made strictly based on who I think will win and do not take the spread into consideration.

Record Last Week: 1-3, .250

Saturday Games:

Ravens @ Steelers
If history shows us anything, expect this to be a hard-fought, low-scoring battle with plenty of big hits. Based on their reputations, both teams are very similar. Both rely on a solid defense and a good but not great offense. Unfortunately for the Ravens, their offense hasn't exactly lived up to their reputation, though they have only allowed 27 total points to the Steelers in two meetings this year. If the Steelers offensive line can give Ben Roethlisberger any kind of protection, he should be able to find Mike Wallace deep and carve up the Ravens secondary. If the Steelers defense can shut down Ray Rice and Joe Flacco is forced to make plays, the Ravens won't be putting many points on the board. While I like the Steelers to win, this will definitely be a close game. My pick: Steelers

Packers @ Falcons
With the emergence of James Starks, the Packers suddenly don't have a weakness. When I picked the Eagles to beat the Pack last week, I assumed that the Birds defense didn't have to respect the run because Green Bay had such a one-dimensional offense. Now, with Starks ripping the Eagles for over a hundred yards and Aaron Rodgers able to pick apart any defense on the planet, the Packers offense looks unstoppable. Of course, there is the possibility that Starks had such a good game against the Eagles defense because they have had major problems stopping the run all year. The Falcons are a better overall team than the Eagles and have very few weaknesses. In fact, I struggle to even come up with anything the Falcons don't do well. They have a balanced offensive attack, an above average defense and they play very well at home. Despite all of that, I'm going to stick with my prediction from last week that the winner of the Packers/Eagles game would be representing the NFC in the Super Bowl. My pick: Packers

Sunday Games:

Seahawks @ Bears
Do I have to apologize after saying it was an "absolute joke" that the Seahawks made the playoffs? Absolutely not! Sure, the Seahawks played a great game and knocked out the defending champs, but, as we know in the NFL, any team can beat any other team in any given game. While I will give the Seahawks credit for playing their best football of the season at the right time, I don't think it's going to carry over for another week. The Bears aren't a great football team but their defense is leaps and bounds better than the Saints D and they certainly won't be allowing Matt Hasselbeck to carve them up. If the Packers couldn't score more than 10 points against the Bears in Week 17, what chance do Hasselbeck, Marshawn Lynch and Co. have of putting up big numbers? The only way Seattle wins this game is if Jay Cutler turns back into the turnover machine that he was earlier in the year, which actually has a legitimate chance of happening. This one could be a close game but the Seahawks run ends here. My pick: Bears

Jets @ Patriots
It's hard to have much faith in the Jets after they got drubbed by the Patriots in Week 13. Still, if you look way, way back to Week 2 and ignore the fact that Mark Sanchez has been pretty terrible this season, you can see how the Jets might have a chance in this one. While I expect this game to be much closer than the last time they played, the Pats are simply too good to lose to a team with as many weaknesses as the Jets. The gameplan for the Pats is actually pretty simple in this one: get up by a touchdown early and laugh as the feeble Jets offense tries to fight their way back into the game. My pick: Patriots

Those are my picks for the second round of the NFL Playoffs. Check back every round for my playoff predictions. Feel free to discuss, argue or make your own picks in the comments section!

2011 NFL Wild Card Weekend Predictions

Finally, after 17 weeks of warming up, the NFL is ready for the Big Show. There are tons of intriguing storylines that could be played out in the coming weeks, from a Michael Vick return to Atlanta in the NFC Championship to a rematch between the Patriots and Ravens. No matter how it all plays out, one thing is for sure, the NFL has the best playoff system of any professional sport.

I will continue to make my weekly NFL picks throughout the playoffs. While my picks during the regular season were against the spread, my playoff picks are made strictly based on who I think will win and do not take the spread into consideration.

Record Last Week: 10-6, .625
Final Regular Season Record (against the spread): 135-121, .527

Saturday Games:

Saints (11-5) @ Seahawks (7-9)
I'm not sure what the solution should be but it's an absolute joke that a 7-9 team made the playoffs and is the home team in the first round. I don't know if you need to have fewer divisions or make a rule where you have to have at least 8 wins but the NFL looks really bad when a team as terrible as the Seahawks is three wins away from the Super Bowl. That said, since they somehow play decent at home, I don't think this will be a 30 point blowout. Even terrible teams can show up on any given Sunday, so while the Saints will likely win this one by two touchdowns, they may not annihilate the Seahawks like everyone thinks. My pick: Saints

Jets (11-5) @ Colts (10-6)
On paper, this looks like a classic good defense vs. good offense game. Look a little closer at the Jets defense, however, and you notice the 45 points the Patriots racked up against them and even the 38 points they gave up against a mediocre Bears offense. So, while the Colts have their own issues, especially with their lack of depth that has been exposed due to injuries, this is a pretty good matchup for Indianapolis. Besides, when it comes down to picking Peyton Manning at home vs. Mark Sanchez on the road, what kind of sane person is going to pick against the Colts? My pick: Colts

Sunday Games:

Ravens (12-4) @ Chiefs (10-6)
This is the third straight game where the road team has a better record than the home team. Seriously, NFL, can't you just let all the teams qualify and then seed them all based on record? The Chiefs looked earmarked as a one and done team, especially after how poorly they looked last week against the Raiders. The Ravens aren't great in any one area but they are a good team nearly everywhere; with a defense that is weaker than it has been in recent years, they will need their offense to pick things up if they want to make a Super Bowl run. My pick: Ravens

Packers (10-6) @ Eagles (10-6)
Nearly every expert is picking the Packers, so why am I going with the Eagles? Is it simply because I'm a biased Philly sports fan? Perhaps, but I think the demise of Michael Vick has been greatly exaggerated. Just a few weeks ago, Vick was the toast of the NFL, drawing serious consideration for the MVP award as he led a dominant Eagles offense to great heights. Now, after one bad game against the Vikings where he got banged up early on, Vick has suddenly morphed back into his old self? I don't buy it. Sure, the league has started to figure out how to slow Vick down with speedy pass-rushers but the Eagles have had two weeks to scheme up a counter and they should be ready. With one of the best defenses in the league and a quarterback licking his chops to pick apart a weak Eagles secondary, the Packers present a difficult matchup for the Birds. However, they also have an offense that is incredibly one-dimensional and a defense that is quick but not quite quick enough to keep up with the Eagles weapons, so I think the Packers will fall just short. That is, unless Vick gets hurt. My pick: Eagles

Those are my picks for the first round of the NFL Playoffs. Check back every round for my playoff predictions. Feel free to discuss, argue or make your own picks in the comments section!

Playoff time: NFL Week 17 predictions

With playoff spots and playoff positioning still on the line, here are my picks for Week 17. At the end of the picks, I will break down what the playoff match-ups will look like if everything goes as I predict. Remember, picks this year are made against the spread and I'll be using the spread values that ESPN uses in their Pigskin Pick'em game.

Record Last Week: 10-6, .625
Overall Record: 125-115, .521

Sunday Day Games:

Panthers (2-13) @ Falcons (12-3, -14.5)
The Falcons still need this game to get the top seed in the NFC. The Panthers are just looking to end their season and have nothing to play for since their coach has basically already been canned. My pick: Falcons

Steelers (11-4) @ Browns (5-10, +6.5)
The Steelers need this one to get their first round bye. The Browns have been on a downward slide and I expect that to continue. My pick: Steelers

Vikings (6-9) @ Lions (5-10, -3.5)
Joe Webb looks like he might have a future in Minnesota; hopefully Brett Favre doesn't crash this game just so he can have one last start. My pick: Vikings

Raiders (7-8) @ Chiefs (10-5, -3.5)
The Chiefs are in either way but they want that 3rd seed so they should play to win. I like the game to be close but for the Chiefs to win. My pick: Raiders

Dolphins (7-8) @ Patriots (13-2, -3.5)
The Patriots don't really take games off so expect them to roll over the Dolphins. There really is no reason for the Pats to not play their starters for at least a half since they have a bye next week. My pick: Patriots

Bengals (4-11) @ Ravens (11-4, -9.5)
Since the Steelers play at the same time as the Ravens, Baltimore will have to play their hardest to win this game. My pick: Ravens

Bucs (9-6) @ Saints (11-4, -7.5)
Should the Packers and Giants both lose, the Bucs would get in. The Saints still have an outside shot at the top seed in the NFC so they will be playing to win. I like this one to be a close game. My pick: Bucs

Bills (4-11) @ Jets (10-5, -2.5)
The Jets are pretty much locked into the 6th seed in the AFC so I would expect them to take it easy this week. Still, the Jets backups should be able to beat the Bills. My pick: Jets

Bears (11-4) @ Packers (9-6, -10.5)
The line for this game is huge considering how even these teams are and the fact that both could have something to play for. The Bears could be locked into the 2nd seed before the game starts which would mean they would rest their starters early. My pick: Bears

Titans (6-9) @ Colts (9-6, -9.5)
The Colts could still be bounced from a playoff spot with a loss but they are almost a lock to roll over the Titans. My pick: Colts

Giants (9-6) @ Redskins (6-9, +3.5)
Expect the Giants to bounce back with a nice win to finish out their season. Too bad it will be too little, too late. My pick: Giants

Jaguars (8-7) @ Texans (5-10, -0.5)
The Jaguars still have a shot to make the playoffs if the Colts lose. With no MJD and no David Garrard, however, they have no shot. My pick: Texans

Cowboys (5-10) @ Eagles (10-5, -7.5)
With the Eagles resting their stars, the Cowboys should at least be able to make this a close game. Don't be surprised if Kevin Kolb has a huge game and that sets the Birds up for a good offseason trade. My pick: Cowboys

Cardinals (5-10) @ Niners (5-10, -6.5)
With Singletary out of the picture and nothing to play for, don't be surprised if the Niners have a great game. My pick: Niners

Chargers (8-7) @ Broncos (4-11, +3.5)
Look for the Chargers to finish the season strong and beat the Broncos by a wide margin. My pick: Chargers

Sunday Night Game:

Rams (7-8) @ Seahawks (6-9, +2.5)
For the sake of the NFL, the Rams had better win this game. Seattle has zero chance of beating the Saints next week while the Rams could at least keep it close. My pick: Rams

NFC Playoffs:
Byes: (1) Falcons, (2) Bears
First Round Match-ups: (6) Packers @ (3) Eagles, (5) Saints @ (4) Rams

AFC Playoffs:
Byes: (1) Patriots, (2) Steelers
First Round Match-ups: (6) Jets @ (3) Chiefs, (5) Ravens @ (4) Colts

Those are my picks for Week 17 of the NFL Season. Check back every Thursday during the postseason for my playoff predictions. Feel free to discuss, argue or make your own picks in the comment section!

Football for the Holidays: NFL Week 16 Predictions

There isn't much that's better than the combination of Christmas and football Sunday on back to back days. Here are my Week 16 picks. Remember, picks this year are made against the spread and I'll be using the spread values that ESPN uses in their Pigskin Pick'em game.

Record Last Week: 8-8, .500
Overall Record: 115-109, .513

Thursday Night Game:

Panthers (2-12) @ Steelers (10-4, -13.5)
Nice win last week by the Panthers but the last thing they want to do is play themselves out of the number one pick. My pick: Steelers

Saturday Night Game:

Cowboys (5-9) @ Cardinals (4-10, +6.5)
What a terrible Christmas Day game. Unless the Cowboys are losing this one, I don't plan on watching for even a minute. My pick: Cowboys

Sunday Day Games:

Patriots (12-2) @ Bills (4-10, +8.5)
The line should be much, much higher. Expect the Patriots to make up for their close win last week with a blowout in Buffalo. My pick: Patriots

Jets (10-4) @ Bears (10-4, -1.5)
My initial hunch is to go with the Bears to win but there is so much more on the line for the Jets, who still need to win to get in the playoffs. My pick: Jets

Ravens (10-4) @ Browns (5-9, +3.5)
The Ravens will know how the Steelers fared on Thursday Night before the game but I expect them to walk all over the Browns no matter what. My pick: Ravens

Niners (5-9) @ Rams (6-8, -2.5)
For sake of all that is good in the world, the Rams had better win this game and eliminate the terrible Niners. I don't think the world is ready for a 7-9 playoff team. My pick: Rams

Lions (4-10) @ Dolphins (7-7, -3.5)
Given how terrible they have been at home, I'm surprised the Dolphins are favored at all. My pick: Lions

Redskins (5-9) @ Jaguars (8-6, -6.5)
Shockingly, Rex Grossman gives the Skins a fighting chance in this one. I like Washington to keep it close but still lose. My pick: Redskins

Titans (8-6) @ Chiefs (9-5, -5.5)
The Chiefs still need one more win to eliminate the Chargers so look for them to take care of business at home. My pick: Chiefs

Colts (8-6) @ Raiders (7-7, +3.5)
As good as the Raiders have suddenly become I don't make it a habit to go against Peyton Manning, especially with so much on the line. My pick: Colts

Texans (5-9) @ Broncos (3-11, +2.5)
The Broncos have packed it in this season and are hoping for the highest draft pick possible. My pick: Texans

Chargers (8-6) @ Bengals (3-11, +7.5)
San Diego still has an outside shot at a playoff spot even if the Chiefs win so expect them to roll over the Bengals, who have lost the will to play. My pick: Chargers

Seahawks (6-8) @ Bucs (8-6, -6.5)
No Seattle quarterback means no chance. My pick: Bucs

Giants (9-5) @ Packers (8-6, -2.5)
I'm guessing that Aaron Rodgers will play but I'm also guessing that the Giants will bounce back in a big way after their embarrassing loss last week. My pick: Giants

Sunday Night Game:

Vikings (5-9) @ Eagles (10-4, -13.5)
As exciting as last week was, let's all hope for a really boring 30 point blowout this week. With the Vikings likely turning to Joe Webb, there is no way Minnesota can score enough points to keep up. My pick: Eagles

Monday Night Game:

Saints (10-4) @ Falcons (12-2, -2.5)
I like the Saints to get the NFL's attention and win this one outright. New Orleans is poised to make some noise in the playoffs. My pick: Saints

Those are my picks for Week 16 of the NFL Season. Check back every Thursday during the season for the latest predictions. Feel free to discuss, argue or make your own picks in the comment section!

Home stretch: NFL Week 15 Predictions

After following up my best week of the season with my worst (stupid Cowboys and their late cover), let's get right to the Week 15 picks. Remember, picks this year are made against the spread and I'll be using the spread values that ESPN uses in their Pigskin Pick'em game.

Record Last Week: 5-11, .313
Overall Record: 107-101, .514

Thursday Night Game:

Niners (5-8) @ Chargers (7-6, -8.5)
The Chargers annual late surge into the playoffs continues this week. Look for Alex Smith to turn back into a pumpkin after having a good game last week. My pick: Chargers

Sunday Day Games:

Browns (5-8) @ Bengals (2-11, -1.5)
If they can stop Peyton Hillis, the Bengals look poised to finally break their long, embarrassing losing streak. My pick: Bengals

Redskins (5-8) @ Cowboys (4-9, -6.5)
As any Eagles fan will tell you, the Cowboys are actually playing some decent football right now. The Redskins, on the other hand, are thinking about starting Rex Grossman. Enough said. My pick: Cowboys

Texans (5-8) @ Titans (5-8, -1.5)
Who's bright idea is it to have the Titans be favored in any game? My pick: Texans

Jaguars (8-5) @ Colts (7-6, -4.5)
I like the Colts to stake their claim on the division in this game but I don't see them winning by much more than a field goal. My pick: Jaguars

Chiefs (8-5) @ Rams (6-7, -1.5)
If there is no Matt Cassel, there is no way I'm picking the Chiefs to beat any decent team. The Rams are fighting for a playoff spot so they should put together a solid game at home. My pick: Rams

Bills (3-10) @ Dolphins (7-6, -5.5)
The Bills actually haven't been terrible for the last few weeks and I don't see the Dolphins putting up a ton of points. My pick: Bills

Lions (3-10) @ Bucs (8-5, -6.5)
The Lions have also been playing some pretty good football lately, although they have really been struggling to score. I can't see the Bucs winning by more than a field goal. My pick: Lions

Cardinals (4-9) @ Panthers (1-12, -2.5)
I'm not picking the Panthers for the rest of the season. Can anyone figure out why they are favored here? My pick: Cardinals

Saints (10-3) @ Ravens (9-4, -2.5)
The Ravens secondary is not what it once was, as proven by the Texans on Monday Night. Drew Brees is licking his chops. My pick: Saints

Eagles (9-4) @ Giants (9-4, -2.5)
With the NFC East on the line, the Eagles are going to have to go on the road to knock off the Giants. While the Eagles defense has been troubling in recent weeks, all signs point to the return of Asante Samuel, who has a few more Manning interceptions left in him. Expect a close game but I like the Eagles to win outright. My pick: Eagles

Falcons (11-2) @ Seahawks (6-7, +6.5)
Seattle has the best homefield advantage in football but they still aren't a good football team. With the Saints nipping at their heels, the Falcons need every win they can get. My pick: Falcons

Jets (9-4) @ Steelers (10-3, -6.5)
With the way the Jets offense has looked in recent weeks, is there even a chance they put up 10 points against the Steelers? I like Pittsburgh to win a low scoring game by a touchdown. My pick: Steelers

Broncos (3-10) @ Raiders (6-7, -6.5)
I think they've given up in Denver. Who would have thought the Raiders would be this close to .500 at this point in the season? My pick: Raiders

Sunday Night Game:

Packers (8-5) @ Patriots (11-2, -10.5)
This one has blowout written all over it, especially if Aaron Rodgers doesn't play. It sickens me that the Pats are once again the best team in football. My pick: Patriots

Monday Night Game:

Bears (9-4) @ Vikings (5-8, +3.5)
Its looking like the Vikings are going to be forced to start Joe Webb at quarterback. While I normally wouldn't like Jay Cutler's chances in snowy and freezing conditions, even he will find a way to lead the Bears to a commanding victory over a no-name QB. My pick: Bears

Those are my picks for Week 15 of the NFL Season. Check back every Thursday during the season for the latest predictions. Feel free to discuss, argue or make your own picks in the comment section!

Dominating: NFL Week 14 Predictions

After my best week of the season last week, let's get right to the Week 14 picks. Remember, picks this year are made against the spread and I'll be using the spread values that ESPN uses in their Pigskin Pick'em game.

Record Last Week: 12-4, .750
Overall Record: 102-90, .531

Thursday Night Game:

Colts (6-6) @ Titans (5-7, +2.5)
The Colts can't possibly lose a 4th straight game, can they? With the way Peyton Manning is handing out interceptions, perhaps they can (but they won't). My pick: Colts

Sunday Day Games:

Browns (5-7) @ Bills (2-1, -1.5)
What am I missing here? Why are the Bills favored? Since when have they had any home field advantage? My pick: Browns

Packers (8-4) @ Lions (2-10, +6.5)
The Packers have kicked things into another gear at just the right time. As long as they don't suffer another lull like they did in the beginning of the Niners game, they should roll over Detroit. My pick: Packers

Giants (8-4) @ Vikings (5-7, +2.5)
Does anyone actually think there is even a remote chance Brett Favre doesn't start this game? Whether he starts or not, the Giants should win this one fairy easily. My pick: Giants

Bengals (2-10) @ Steelers (9-3, -9.5)
While the Bengals are a crappy team, I think they will show up in this rivalry game and at least keep it close. When they squared off a few weeks back, Cincinnati "only" lost by 6. My pick: Bengals

Bucs (7-5) @ Redskins (5-7, +2.5)
Just how much has Washington given up at this point? I like Tampa to win by at least a field goal against the Deadskins. My pick: Bucs

Falcons (10-2) @ Panthers (1-11, +7.5)
Hmm, think there is a mismatch here? Possibly the best team in the league vs. definitely the worst team in the league. I know anything can happen in football but the Falcons have to win this one by more than 10. My pick: Falcons

Raiders (6-6) @ Jaguars (7-5, -4.5)
That's a pretty big spread for a Raiders team that dominated against the Chargers last week. My pick: Raiders

Seahawks (6-6) @ Niners (4-8, -4.5)
Really, Niners, you are going to turn back to Alex Smith now? This is the move that is going to save your job, Mike Singletary? My pick: Seahawks

Rams (6-6) @ Saints (9-3, -8.5)
With the way the Rams have been playing up to their competition, it wouldn't shock me if they won this one outright, so of course I will take the points. My pick: Rams

Patriots (10-2) @ Bears (9-3, +3.5)
The Bears winning streak finally comes to an end this week. My pick: Patriots

Dolphins (6-6) @ Jets (9-3, -6.5)
After how they looked on Monday Night, it's very tempting to pick against the Jets this week. I just can't trust the Dolphins, though, so I think the Jets have a nice bounce-back game this week. My pick: Jets

Broncos (3-9) @ Cardinals (3-9, +3.5)
Congratulations, new Denver coach, you get to win your first game! My pick: Broncos

Chiefs (8-4) @ Chargers (6-6, -6.5)
While the spread is awfully high, I think the Chargers have one last gasp in them before they relinquish the division title. I like them to win this high-scoring game by at least a touchdown. My pick: Chargers

Sunday Night Game:

Eagles (8-4) @ Cowboys (4-8, +3.5)
While the Cowboys may not be quite as crappy as we thought they were, they still have a terrible secondary and no clue how to stop Michael Vick. I think the Eagles exorcise their Cowboys demons in a big way in this one. My pick: Eagles

Monday Night Game:

Ravens (8-4) @ Texans (5-7, +3.5)
Even Joe Flacco should be able to dice up the Texans secondary. My pick: Ravens

Those are my picks for Week 14 of the NFL Season. Check back every Thursday during the season for the latest predictions. Feel free to discuss, argue or make your own picks in the comment section!

Beatdown: NFL week 13 Predictions

Let's get right to the Week 13 picks. Remember, picks this year are made against the spread and I'll be using the spread values that ESPN uses in their Pigskin Pick'em game.

Record Last Week: 9-7, .563
Overall Record: 90-86, .511

Thursday Night Game:

Texans (5-6) @ Eagles (7-4, -8.5)
This line continues to climb up as people realize that one of the top passing offenses in the league is going against the terrible Texans secondary. It's a short week but the Eagles should take care of this one at home. My pick: Eagles

Sunday Day Games:

Saints (8-3) @ Bengals (2-9, +6.5)
Both teams have been off since Thanksgiving, so there is no advantage there; the Saints are simply the much better team. My pick: Saints

Bears (8-3) @ Lions (2-9, +3.5)
As they showed last week against the Eagles, the Bears are for real. The Lions, on the other hand, are starting Drew Stanton this week. My pick: Bears

Niners (4-7) @ Packers (7-4, -9.5)
Any hope the Niners had of keeping this one close went out the window when Frank Gore got injured. My pick: Packers

Jaguars (6-5) @ Titans (5-6, -3.5)
Given their quarterback situation, I'm not sure why the Titans are favored against anyone, let alone a Jaguars team that has been surprisingly resilient. My pick: Jaguars

Broncos (3-8) @ Chiefs (7-4, -8.5)
The Chiefs are ready to get their revenge after they got whipped by the Broncos in Week 10. My pick: Chiefs

Browns (4-7) @ Dolphins (6-5, -4.5)
Peyton Hillis is just a beast. The Dolphins have been nothing but mediocre this season and have the look of an 8-8 team. My pick: Browns

Bills (2-9) @ Vikings (4-7, -6.5)
With or without Adrian Peterson, I like the Vikings to continue to ride a more conservative offense to a big win over the Bills. My pick: Vikings

Redskins (5-6) @ Giants (7-4, -7.5)
You can stick a fork in the Redskins, they are done for the year. My pick: Giants

Raiders (5-6) @ Chargers (6-5, -12.5)
These are two teams going in completely opposite directions. Sure, that spread is a little high for a team that has just one more win than their opponent, but the Chargers are playing like an elite team right now. My pick: Chargers

Falcons (9-2) @ Bucs (7-4, +3.5)
Remember when the Bucs thought they were the best team in the NFC? Have fun getting whipped by the real best team in the NFC, Tampa. My pick: Falcons

Panthers (1-10) @ Seahawks (5-6, -5.5)
Who is watching this game? I guess the Seahawks are still in contention in the putrid NFC West but you couldn't pay me to watch this one. My pick: Seahawks

Rams (5-6) @ Cardinals (3-8, +3.5)
Anyone who watched the Cardinals on Monday Night knows to never pick them again this year. My pick: Rams

Cowboys (3-8) @ Colts (6-5, -5.5)
Peyton Manning does not lose two in a row. Oh, wait, he already did? Ok, then Peyton Manning does not lose three in a row. My pick: Colts

Sunday Night Game:

Steelers (8-3) @ Ravens (8-3, -3.5)
The first of two primetime AFC showdowns, this one promises to be a physical game. Normally, I would side with the home team in this matchup but I think the Steelers are going to keep this one close or win outright. My pick: Steelers

Monday Night Game:

Jets (9-2) @ Patriots (9-2, -3.5)
Only a team like the Patriots could trade a stud like Randy Moss and not miss a beat on offense. My pick: Patriots

Those are my picks for Week 13 of the NFL Season. Check back every Thursday during the season for the latest predictions. Feel free to discuss, argue or make your own picks in the comment section!

Turkey Day is here: NFL Week 12 Predictions

It's time for some Thanksgiving football! It would be nice if the games were a little better but there is nothing like stuffing your face and then watching some football. Here are my Week 12 picks. Remember, picks this year are made against the spread and I'll be using the spread values that ESPN uses in their Pigskin Pick'em game. I'm coming off my best week of the season so let's see if I can build on that momentum!

Record Last Week: 10-6, .625
Overall Record: 81-79, .506

Thanksgiving Games:

Patriots (8-2) @ Lions (2-8, +6.5)
This is the first of three likely Thanksgiving blowouts. I like the Patriots to win by at least two touchdowns. At what point can we take away the Thanksgiving Game from the Lions, anyway? My pick: Patriots

Saints (7-3) @ Cowboys (3-7, +3.5)
Sure, the Cowboys have looked better since Wade Phillips was fired, but their schedule in the coming weeks is going to make it very difficult to continue their upward swing. Somehow, the Saints have gone from Super Bowl winner to under the radar contender. My pick: Saints

Bengals (2-8) @ Jets (8-2, +9.5)
Given that the Jets never beat anyone by more than 7, this is the one Turkey Day game that I think will be within a touchdown. Of course, I doubt anyone will be watching this one after a full day of football and food. My pick: Bengals

Sunday Day Games:

Packers (7-3) @ Falcons (8-2, -2.5)
This game and the Sunday Night game are the two best games of the week. With these two teams and the Eagles battling to be the best in the NFC, expect a close game with a lot of points. I expect this game to go to whoever gets the ball last. My pick: Packers

Steelers (7-3) @ Bills (2-8, +6.5)
As impressed as I've been with the Bills in recent weeks, there is no way they hang with the Steelers. My pick: Steelers

Panthers (1-9) @ Browns (3-7, -10.5)
How bad has the Panthers season gotten that even the Browns are more than 10 point favorites against them? Despite how terrible they have looked, I like the Panthers to lose by just a touchdown. My pick: Panthers

Jaguars (6-4) @ Giants (6-4, -7.5)
As long as Eli Manning finds a way to not be a turnover machine, expect a nice bounceback game for the Giants. Still, even though I am no believer in the Jaguars, a 7.5 spread is a bit high. My pick: Jaguars

Vikings (3-7) @ Redskins (5-5, -2.5)
Can a new coach give the Vikings the same bump that the Cowboys got? Maybe, though I don't think anyone can make Brett Favre look 10 years younger. I have so little faith in the Redskins, though, that I have to go with Minnesota. My pick: Vikings

Titans (5-5) @ Texans (4-6, -6.5)
At first glance, I was going with the Titans because the Texans are just terrible right now. Then, I remembered that Rusty Smith is starting at quarterback. Even the Texans crappy defense can figure out a way to keep the Titans team off the board. My pick: Texans

Chiefs (6-4) @ Seahawks (5-5, +1.5)
If the Chiefs intend to hold off the Chargers and get themselves a playoff spot, they need to beat teams like the Seahawks. My pick: Chiefs

Dolphins (5-5) @ Raiders (5-5, -3.5)
The Dolphins schedule has been brutal and they don't catch any breaks as they go into Oakland and play a decent Raiders team. Then again, with how bad their offense has looked, it doesn't really matter who the Dolphins play. My pick: Raiders

Eagles (7-3) @ Bears (7-3, +3.5)
This will be a tough one for the Eagles, who have to go on the road and face a solid Bears defense. If the Bears watched even a second of footage of the Giants against the Eagles, expect Mike Vick to see plenty of blitzes. Still, I don't see the Bears doing anything on offense, so I like the Eagles to win a low-scoring game by a touchdown. My pick: Eagles

Bucs (7-3) @ Ravens (7-3, -7.5)
The reason the Bucs have 7 wins has been their easy schedule. Sure, they can beat teams like the Panthers, Bengals and Rams, but when it comes to playing good teams like the Steelers, Saints and Falcons, they just haven't been able to keep up. The Ravens area a good team so I expect the Bucs to lost but not by more than a touchdown. My pick: Bucs

Rams (4-6) @ Broncos (3-7, -3.5)
The Broncos defense is just brutal. Expect Sam Bradford and Steven Jackson to go off and for the Rams to pull off the win on the road. My pick: Rams

Sunday Night Game:

Chargers (5-5) @ Colts (6-4, -3.5)
The Colts certainly have had a tough schedule this year and things don't get any easier this week. With how things are shaping up in the AFC this year, it's looking like one of these two teams won't make the playoffs, so this is a huge game. I like the Chargers to at least keep it close. My pick: Chargers

Monday Night Game:

Niners (3-7) @ Cardinals (3-7, +1.5)
Oh, man, what an awful Monday Night Game. Who's going to watch this? My pick: Niners

Those are my picks for Week 12 of the NFL Season. Check back every Thursday during the season for the latest predictions. Feel free to discuss, argue or make your own picks in the comment section!

Stretch run: NFL Week 11 Predictions

With the bye's all done for the year, we've finally reached the second half of the NFL season. With December right around the corner, that means the playoffs are soon to follow! Here are my Week 11 picks. Remember, picks this year are made against the spread and I'll be using the spread values that ESPN uses in their Pigskin Pick'em game. I finally made it over .500 for the season!

Record Last Week: 5-9, .357
Overall Record: 71-73, .493

Thursday Night Game:

Bears (6-3) @ Dolphins (5-4, -1.5)
It doesn't matter who the Dolphins start at quarterback, it could be Tyler Thigpen, Dan Marino or even Ronnie Brown, they will win this game by at least a field goal. My pick: Dolphins

Sunday Day Games:

Bills (1-8) @ Bengals (2-7, -5.5)
Anyone that has watched these two teams over the last few weeks knows that the Bills are the better team. The Bengals may still win but I expect a close game. My pick: Bills

Lions (2-7) @ Cowboys (2-7, -6.5)
The loser of this game should give up their Thanksgiving Day Game forever. As bad as the Cowboys are, I think they still find a way to beat the Lions by a touchdown. My pick: Cowboys

Ravens (6-3) @ Panthers (1-8, +10.5)
The Ravens are a lock to win this game but it's hard to see them going on the road and beating anyone by two scores even with extra time to prepare. The Panthers may stink but I think they keep this one close. My pick: Panthers

Browns (3-6) @ Jaguars (5-4, -1.5)
This is one of the tougher games of the week to pick. With the spread at 1.5, you are basically picking who you think will win the game between two evenly matched teams. With the way the Browns have been playing the last few weeks, it's tough to pick against them. My pick: Browns

Raiders (5-4) @ Steelers (6-3, -7.5)
I like the Steelers to win but the upstart Raiders to get the cover on the road. Winning, let alone winning by more than a touchdown, is suddenly difficult against the Raiders. My pick: Raiders

Redskins (4-5) @ Titans (5-4, -7.5)
For Donovan McNabb's sake, the Redskins better show up for this one. I do like the Titans to win the game but I see Washington bouncing back and keeping it close. My pick: Redskins

Cardinals (3-6) @ Chiefs (5-4, -7.5)
Another big spread but this time I think the home team covers. The Cardinals are just terrible, having lost 4 in a row to some pretty bad football teams. And to think, Arizona beat the Saints back in October. My pick: Chiefs

Packers (6-3) @ Vikings (3-6, +3.5)
These Brett Favre vs. his old team matchups have really lost their luster. With how the Vikings have played the last few weeks, I'm shocked that the line is only 3.5. What exactly does Brad Childress need to do to lose his job? My pick: Packers

Texans (4-5) @ Jets (7-2, -6.5)
The temptation is there to go with the Texans, who are beyond due for a win after losing three straight. The Jets are simply the better team, though, and they won't need overtime to prove it this week. My pick: Jets

Falcons (7-2) @ Rams (4-5, +3.5)
It's looking like we are headed for an all-Bird NFC Championship Game between the Falcons and Eagles. Look for Atlanta to win this one by a touchdown. My pick: Falcons

Bucs (6-3) @ Niners (3-6, -3.5)
Winners of 3 of their last 4 and in the worst division in football, we still can't write off the Niners. Despite their records being mirror images, I think the Niners are simply better than the Bucs right now. My pick: Niners

Seahawks (5-4) @ Saints (6-3, -11.5)
Seattle is the worst team with a winning record in the NFL. The Saints had an extra week to prepare. Enough said. My pick: Saints

Colts (6-3) @ Patriots (7-2, -3.5)
Ahh, the annual Colts/Patriots game. While the Patriots are riding high after their big win against the Steelers, I like the Colts to get up for this one and win outright. Remember when you couldn't count on Peyton Manning in a big game? My pick: Colts

Sunday Night Game:

Giants (6-3) @ Eagles (6-3, -3.5)
Before the season even began, I predicted that the Eagles and Giants would split their 2 games, with each team winning at home. Given how the Eagles played last week, I might be leaning towards the Birds winning both times these two teams play. Expect the speedy Giants defense to slow Michael Vick down a bit but the Eagles will still win by a touchdown. My pick: Eagles

Monday Night Game:

Broncos (3-6) @ Chargers (4-5, -9.5)
Because the Chiefs are actually a decent team, the path to the playoffs is going to be much harder for the Chargers this season. Given how strong the rest of the AFC is, we're almost to the point where the Chargers need to win out to make the postseason. My pick: Chargers

Those are my picks for Week 11 of the NFL Season. Check back every Thursday during the season for the latest predictions. Feel free to discuss, argue or make your own picks in the comment section!
(AP PHOTO)

Thursday Night Football is back: NFL Week 10 Predictions

Thursday Night football is here! While it seems to start earlier and earlier every year, Thursday Night NFL games are always a welcome sight, especially when it's a game like Atlanta vs. Baltimore. Let's get right to the Week 10 picks. Remember, picks this year are made against the spread and I'll be using the spread values that ESPN uses in their Pigskin Pick'em game. I finally made it over .500 for the season!

Record Last Week: 8-5, .615
Overall Record: 66-64, .508

Byes: Chargers, Packers, Raiders, Saints

Thursday Night Game:

Ravens (6-2) @ Falcons (6-2, -1.5)
What we have here is a possible Super Bowl preview. These two teams are pretty similar, as each has a solid young quarterback, a stud running back and an above average defense. With how they played against the Eagles still fresh in my mind, I can't put the Falcons quite at the level of the Ravens. My pick: Ravens

Sunday Day Games:

Lions (2-6) @ Bills (0-8, -2.5)
It's your time, Bills! Okay, so I said the same thing last week, but with the Lions hurting at quarterback, the Bills have to finally win one, right? My pick: Bills

Vikings (3-5) @ Bears (5-3, +1.5)
Things are a mess in Minnesota but the Bears, despite their record, are just not a good football team. It wouldn't surprise me if Chicago finished with just 6 or 7 wins this year. My pick: Vikings

Jets (6-2) @ Browns (3-5, +3.5)
Do I dare pick against the Browns again? After whipping the Saints and the Patriots, you would have to be a fool to think the Browns would have any problem against the Jets. Then again, this is still the Browns we're talking about and they don't have two weeks to prepare this time. My pick: Jets

Bengals (2-6) @ Colts (5-3, -7.5)
Peyton Manning doesn't lose two games in a row and the Bengals are coming off a short week. Next. My pick: Colts

Titans (5-3) @ Dolphins (4-4, +0.5)
This was a tough game to pick until the Dolphins made their quarterback change from one Chad to another. Look for the Titans to get Randy Moss involved early which will open things up for Chris Johnson to run wild. My pick: Titans

Panthers (1-7) @ Bucs (5-3, -7.5)
Okay, so the Bucs aren't the best team in the NFC but the Panthers certainly are the worst. What a mess in Carolina, all that's left to watch now is how many quarterbacks they are going to go through. My pick: Bucs

Texans (4-4) @ Jaguars (4-4, -1.5)
Both of these teams could really use a win to keep their playoff hopes alive. While Matt Schaub hasn't exactly been playing great lately, I think he will do just enough to lead his team to a win. Of course, the Houston defense is going to have to make some stops, too, something they have failed to do all season long. My pick: Texans

Chiefs (5-3) @ Broncos (2-6, +0.5)
I'm really surprised that this line isn't higher. I know they are at home but have people not been watching the Broncos the last few weeks? My pick: Chiefs

Cowboys (1-7) @ Giants (6-2, -13.5)
With the way the Giants are clicking and the way the Cowboys have given up, this one should get ugly. My pick: Giants

Seahawks (4-4) @ Cardinals (3-5, -3.5)
This could be the toughest game to pick this week. On one side, you have a Cardinals team that has lost three straight; on the other, a Seahawks team that just got annihilated by the Raiders and Giants in back to back weeks. Since they basically did everything but beat the Vikings last week, I'll lean towards Arizona. My pick: Cardinals

Rams (4-4) @ Niners (2-6, -5.5)
I like the Niners to continue their uphill climb and win this game but not by anything more than a field goal. My pick: Rams

Sunday Night Game:

Patriots (6-2) @ Steelers (6-2, -4.5)
This one is easily the game of the week and could go either way. Since the Patriots offense looks broken without a deep threat like Randy Moss, you have to think the Steelers defense is going to keep Tom Brady off the board just enough to win. My pick: Steelers

Monday Night Game:

Eagles (5-3) @ Redskins (4-4, +3.5)
The NFL went three for three this week in their primetime games. Even though you may think I'm a homer, I don't see how anyone could pick against the Eagles given the way their offense is clicking and the ugly situation happening in Washington. Sure, the Redskins beat the Eagles back in Week 4, but if Michael Vick had played that entire game the outcome surely would have been very different. My pick: Eagles

Those are my picks for Week 10 of the NFL Season. Check back every Thursday during the season for the latest predictions. Feel free to discuss, argue or make your own picks in the comment section!

Chasing greatness: NFL Week 9 Predictions

Let's get right to the Week 9 picks. Remember, picks this year are made against the spread and I'll be using the spread values that ESPN uses in their Pigskin Pick'em game. Inching closer to .500 on the season!

Record Last Week: 9-4, .692
Overall Record: 58-59, .496

Byes: Broncos, Jaguars, Niners, Rams, Redskins, Titans

Sunday Day Games:

Bucs (5-2) @ Falcons (5-2, -8.5)
The Bucs fade will start this week but I can't pick the Falcons to win by more than a touchdown. My pick: Bucs

Bears (4-3) @ Bills (0-7, +2.5)
It's finally your time, Bills. You've been getting closer and closer to that first win every week and you've got a bad Bears team coming to Toronto. It might be now or never. My pick: Bills

Patriots (6-1) @ Browns (2-5, +4.5)
The Pats haven't been great this year but they always seem find a way to win. The Browns are coming off a bye but that still isn't enough time for them to figure out how to beat New England. My pick: Patriots

Jets (5-2) @ Lions (2-5, +4.5)
After how the Jets played last week, this game is a tough one to predict. If they want to be a Super Bowl contender, the Jets must rebound. My pick: Jets

Cardinals (3-4) @ Vikings (2-5, -8.5)
Whoa, what exactly did the Vikings do to earn this spread? The Cardinals aren't good, either, but I can't see the Vikings winning by more than a touchdown. My pick: Cardinals

Saints (5-3) @ Panthers (1-6, +7.5)
The Saints are getting back on track. The Panthers have never been on track. My pick: Saints

Dolphins (4-3) @ Ravens (5-2, -5.5)
The Dolphins have had a rough schedule this season and things don't get any easier as they travel to Baltimore this week. My pick: Ravens

Chargers (3-5) @ Texans (4-3, +1.5)
I'm not sure what the oddsmakers are thinking on this one. The Texans are at home yet the Chargers, who have been maddeningly inconsistent, are the favorite? Maybe it's a trap but I gotta go with Houston. My pick: Texans

Giants (5-2) @ Seahawks (4-3, +5.5)
Coming off their bye, the Giants are looking to cement themselves as the best of the NFC. Seattle is a tough place to play but I say the Giants make a statement. My pick: Giants

Chiefs (5-2) @ Raiders (4-4, -2.5)
Who would have thunk that this was going to be a good game between two teams with a legitimate shot at making the playoffs? That the Chiefs are about to be 6-2 is nothing short of shocking. My pick: Chiefs

Colts (5-2) @ Eagles (4-3, -2.5)
This is another head-scratching line. I know the Colts haven't exactly been great this year but it's hard to justify going with the Eagles to win this game. Not with Peyton Manning ready to shred the Eagles shaky secondary. My pick: Colts

Sunday Night Game:

Cowboys (1-6) @ Packers (5-3, -7.5)
I wish I could actually feel bad for the Cowboys. Well, not really. My pick: Packers

Monday Night Game:

Steelers (5-2) @ Bengals (2-5, +4.5)
What a pathetic effort by the Bengals this season. What used to be a pretty good rivalry is going to get ugly this week as the Steelers whip Cincy for 60 minutes. My pick: Steelers

Those are my picks for Week 9 of the NFL Season. Check back every Thursday (or Friday) during the season for the latest predictions. Feel free to discuss, argue or make your own picks in the comment section!

Bye Bye Birdies: NFL Week 8 Predictions

Just because the Eagles aren't playing this week, that doesn't mean there aren't plenty of interesting games around the NFL. We are getting to the midway point of the season where streaks turn into trends and the good separate themselves from the bad. There is still plenty to be determined, including who the best team is in the NFC. Right now, it appears that the Giants are leading the way with the Falcons a few steps behind.

Here are my Week 8 picks. Remember, picks this year are made against the spread and I'll be using the spread values that ESPN uses in their Pigskin Pick'em game. Still hoping to get above .500!

Record Last Week: 7-7, .500
Overall Record: 49-55, .471

Byes: Bears, Browns, Eagles, Falcons, Giants, Ravens

Sunday Day Games:

Dolphins (3-3) @ Bengals (2-4, -2.5)
Every home team is a favorite this week, even the Bengals, for some reason. My pick: Dolphins

Jaguars (3-4) @ Cowboys (1-5, -6.5)
With Tony Romo out it's very tempting to pick the Jaguars to win outright, but, can Jon Kitna really be much worse than Romo has been this season? I think Dallas still wins at home but the Jags will make it interesting. My pick: Jaguars

Redskins (4-3) @ Lions (1-5, -2.5)
I get that the home team is always given a few points but whose idea was it to make the 1-win Lions the favorite in this game? Sure, the Redskins aren't that impressive, but they can beat the Lions. My pick: Redskins

Bills (0-6) @ Chiefs (4-2, -7.5)
Give the Bills a ton of credit, I didn't think they'd even come close to covering against the Ravens and they almost beat them. They don't stand a chance in K.C. My pick: Chiefs

Panthers (1-5) @ Rams (3-4, -3.5)
Congratulations to the Panthers for their first win of the season last week and for ruining their chances at the number one overall pick. The Rams are much better than the Niners, so don't get too excited. My pick: Rams

Packers (4-3) @ Jets (5-1, -6.5)
After the Sunday Night game, this is the second best game of the week. The Packers are ravaged with injuries but you have to be impressed with the strides the offense took on Sunday Night. The defense still has a long way to go, which means the Jets will put up some points, but I like Aaron Rodgers to at least keep it close. My pick: Packers

Broncos (2-5) @ Niners (1-6, -0.5)
I love how the NFL ships out one of the worst games of the season to London every year. Why the Niners, who are starting Troy Smith at quarterback, are favored when they aren't even really the home team is beyond me. My pick: Broncos

Titans (5-2) @ Chargers (2-5, -3.5)
For some reason, I keep thinking the Chargers are going to beat some of these good teams. I guess I just never learn. My pick: Chargers

Bucs (4-2) @ Cardinals (3-3, -3.5)
No, you aren't the best team in the NFC just yet, Bucs, but you will still beat up on the Cardinals. It's not really that impressive to call yourselves the best team in the NFC, anyway, given how terrible the conference looks this year. My pick: Bucs

Vikings (2-4) @ Patriots (5-1, -5.5)
Prior to the season, this one was probably viewed as a battle between two of the best teams in the league. Now, it looks like a blowout, though I expect Randy Moss to get some statistical revenge. My pick: Patriots

Seahawks (4-2) @ Raiders (3-4, -2.5)
The Raiders have officially moved from a terrible team to a mediocre one. My pick: Raiders

Sunday Night Game:

Steelers (5-1) @ Saints (4-3, -0.5)
The Saints are suffering from a major Super Bowl hangover and the Steelers look like the best team in the league. Good defense also always beats good offense. My pick: Steelers

Monday Night Game:

Texans (4-2) @ Colts (4-2, -5.5)
Things are going to be very different in this matchup than they were in Week 1. While the Colts aren't playing nearly as well as they want to be, the Texans aren't the team that started off the season looking like a Super Bowl contender. Expect a lot of points in this one. My pick: Colts

Those are my picks for Week 8 of the NFL Season. Check back every Thursday during the season for the latest predictions. Feel free to discuss, argue or make your own picks in the comment section!

All Business: NFL Week 7 Predictions

Since I'm concentrating on the Phillies right now, I've got no fancy intro this week, so let's get right to the Week 7 picks. Remember, picks this year are made against the spread and I'll be using the spread values that ESPN uses in their Pigskin Pick'em game. One of these days my overall record will get above .500.

Record Last Week: 6-8, .429
Overall Record: 42-48, .467

Byes: Colts, Jets, Lions, Texans

Sunday Day Games:

Bengals (2-3) @ Falcons (4-2, -3.5)
One of the biggest surprises last week was how bad the Falcons looked against the Eagles. Look for them to bounce back nicely against a weak Bengals team. My pick: Falcons

Redskins (3-3) @ Bears (4-2, -2.5)
It's time for the Bears record to start reflecting how badly they've played this season. I'm not crazy about the Redskins either, but consider them the lesser of two evils in this game. My pick: Redskins

Eagles (4-2) @ Titans (4-2, -3.5)
After not being impressed with the Titans on Monday night, I like the Eagles chances in this one. While they may not pull out the win, Kevin Kolb and the Birds should keep it close. Remember, every time the Eagles starting quarterback finishes the game, they win. My pick: Eagles

Jaguars (3-3) @ Chiefs (3-2, -5.5)
After how horrible the Jaguars looked on Monday Night, there is no way I'm going to pick them. How did they beat the Colts again? My pick: Chiefs

Steelers (4-1) @ Dolphins (3-2, +3.5)
While the Steelers will probably win, expect a low-scoring, hard-fought game. Or, you know, the exact opposite. My pick: Dolphins

Browns (1-5) @ Saints (4-2, -13.5)
That's a big line but I like what I saw from the Saints offense last week. The Browns really have nothing going for them, though they did make things a little interesting, spread wise, against the Steelers. My pick: Saints

Rams (3-3) @ Bucs (3-2, -2.5)
These are the two most surprising teams in the NFC, mostly surprising because they aren't as terrible as we thought they would be. I like the Bucs to win by a field goal. My pick: Bucs

Niners (1-5) @ Panthers (0-5, +3.5)
The reason people keep saying the Niners still have a chance to win the division is their schedule. Not only do they get to play their weak divisional opponents, but they have games like this one against the crappy Panthers. My pick: Niners

Bills (0-5) @ Ravens (4-2, -13.5)
The Bills suck. My pick: Ravens

Cardinals (3-2) @ Seahawks (3-2, -5.5)
Whoo boy, what a showdown between the beasts of the NFC West! Given how incredibly mediocre both teams are, I really could go either way on this one, so I'll just go with the home team. My pick: Seahawks

Patriots (4-1) @ Chargers (3-2, -2.5)
This one is easily the best game of the week. While it's nearly impossible to predict which Chargers team will show up, I think they get up for this home game and pull out a close win. My pick: Chargers

Raiders (2-4) @ Broncos (2-4, -6.5)
Who's going to start at quarterback for the Raiders? Does it matter? Boy, even a 4th rounder was too much to give up for Jason Campbell. My pick: Broncos

Sunday Night Game:

Vikings (2-3) @ Packers (3-3, -2.5)
Some of the luster has come off this game but it's still Brett Favre returning to Lambeau, so it should be fun. While the Packers have hardly been impressive this year, they are starting to show signs of turning around the offense. Hopefully Randy Moss doesn't moon the crowd. My pick: Packers

Monday Night Game:

Giants (4-2) @ Cowboys (1-4, -3.5)
The Cowboys try to stave off irrelevance by beating a Giants team that might be the best in the NFC right now. I like the Cowboys to win but only be a field goal in this tough NFC East matchup. You don't have to say goodbye to the playoffs just yet, Dallas. My pick: Giants

Those are my picks for Week 7 of the NFL Season. Check back every Thursday during the season for the latest predictions. Feel free to discuss, argue or make your own picks in the comment section!

No one's perfect: NFL Week 6 Predictions

We are only 6 weeks into the NFL season and, with the Chiefs losing to the Colts, there are no undefeated teams left. The '72 Dolphins may be celebrating but it's really a clear indication that parity is alive and well. Any team can beat any other team, which means you don't have to explain why the Cardinals can beat the defending Super Bowl Champs while playing a quarterback that no one has ever heard of. It's parity, and it fuels the gambling industry and is the reason why fans from every team tune in because they know their team has a chance to win every week. The people that run the NFL aren't dummies.

Here are my picks for Week 6. Remember, picks this year are made against the spread and I'll be using the spread values that ESPN uses in their Pigskin Pick'em game. One of these days my overall record will get above .500.

Record Last Week: 5-9, .357
Overall Record: 36-40, .474

Byes: Bengals, Bills, Cardinals, Panthers

Sunday Day Games:

Seahawks (2-2) @ Bears (4-1, -6.5)
With Jay Cutler back and Todd Collins (thankfully) relegated to a third string role, the Bears offense should come back alive this week. Are the Seahawks really good enough to be trading away wide receivers? My pick: Bears

Ravens (4-1) @ Patriots (3-1, -2.5)
I like the Ravens to win this one outright against a Patriots team that, from the Randy Moss trade, has signified that this isn't going to be their year. If the Ravens want to take that next step to be a Super Bowl contender, this game is a must-win. My pick: Ravens

Lions (1-4) @ Giants (3-2, -10.5)
The Giants seem to be better than they showed against the Colts back in Week 2, but, 10.5 point favorites? Really? Shockingly, I believe in Shaun Hill and the Lions offense and their ability to keep this one close. My pick: Lions

Falcons (4-1) @ Eagles (3-2, -1.5)
I threw out this nugget on Twitter this week: the Eagles haven't lost a game this season when their starting quarterback has played the entire game. Given that King Dunlap will be the Eagles starting left tackle this week for an injured Jason Peters, the chances of Kevin Kolb surviving this game have greatly diminished. The only way the Eagles cover in this game is if the grumblings about Michael Vick playing against his former team are true. My pick: Falcons

Browns (1-4) @ Steelers (3-1, -13.5)
Are we really sure that Ben Roethlisberger is going to just pick up where he left off? The Browns might be the best team to make a comeback against but I still think the Steelers aren't just going to blow Cleveland away. My pick: Browns

Dolphins (2-2) @ Packers (3-2, -1.5)
Who I pick in this game entirely hinges on whether Aaron Rodgers plays. At this point in the week, since all indications are that Matt Flynn will be starting in Green Bay, I have to go with Miami. My pick: Dolphins

Chargers (2-3) @ Rams (2-3, +8.5)
I wish I could say I was surprised that the Chargers lost to the Raiders, but given how inconsistent San Diego is from week to week and season to season, nothing surprises me about this team. I see the roller coaster going back up this week for the Chargers. My pick: Chargers

Saints (3-2) @ Bucs (3-1, +5.5)
With the strong start the Bucs have put together, this is suddenly a very interesting divisional game. The Saints have to get the offense rolling again at some point, right? My pick: Saints

Chiefs (3-1) @ Texans (3-2, -4.5)
Now that they have taken their first loss of the season, the joyride is over for the Chiefs. Like the Chargers, you never know which Texans team will show up from week to week. As long as Andre Johnson turns the corner and starts getting his legs back, the Texans will remain in the playoff mix. My pick: Texans

Raiders (2-3) @ Niners (0-5, -6.5)
The Battle of the Bay sees the roles reversed as the Niners are the team desperate for a win while the Raiders are looking to become contenders in their division. I like the Niners to win but that line is ridiculously high. My pick: Raiders

Jets (4-1) @ Broncos (2-3, +3.5)
This should be an interesting game as the Jets defense tries to slow down the Denver passing attack. Expect the Sanchise to do some serious ball control and the defense to get all over Kyle Orton and keep the Broncos from getting into a rhythm. My pick: Jets

Cowboys (1-3) @ Vikings (1-3, -1.5)
Is it too soon to say that the loser is out of the NFC playoff picture? Given how weak the top of the NFC looks this year, probably not, but starting off 1-4 is going to make things very difficult for one of these teams. I don't trust either quarterback in this game but I do trust Adrian Peterson. My pick: Vikings

Sunday Night Game:

Colts (3-2) @ Redskins (3-2, +3.5)
Peyton Manning had a bad week last week. That won't happen again. The Redskins have playing over their heads and it's time for reality to set in. My pick: Colts

Monday Night Game:

Titans (3-2) @ Jaguars (3-2, +3.5)
It's pretty amazing that the entire AFC South division is 3-2, mostly because no one though the Jaguars would ever be above .500. This one should be low-scoring but I like Chris Johnson to break a few long runs. My pick: Titans

Those are my picks for Week 6 of the NFL Season. Check back every Thursday during the season for the latest predictions. Feel free to discuss, argue or make your own picks in the comment section!
(AP PHOTO)