You'd think that NFL players and coaches would know better by now than to talk smack on the New England Patriots. The New York Jets are just the latest victims of the ill-fated approach.
The usual outcome of these actions is Tom Brady goes off and makes your defense looks like crap. He did it a few years ago when Pittsburgh Steelers safety Anthony Smith did it. It happened again Monday night. The New York Jets and their coach Rex Ryan were guaranteeing a win all week. They said they were going to kick the Patriots' ass. Well, the Patriots responded with a 45-3 schooling of the Jets. Brady led the charge with lots of yards and lots of touchdowns.
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| When he gets mad, the Patriots win games. |
Now the Patriots are entrenched in "Screw You Mode". Thanks a lot, Rex. The last thing this team needed was more motivation, now a fourth Super Bowl is very possible for Brady and Bill Belichick. If this happens, you know the drill. All of your Boston friends will become unbearable for a year, Bill Simmons will have three podcasts and a column a week touting their greatness and general goodness in the world will see a drastic decline.
Granted, I said Peyton Manning was the favorite for MVP, and he turned into a turnover machine. Then I said Phillip Rivers was the front runner for MVP, and he couldn't do jack against Oakland. Maybe this jinx will transfer to Brady now that I'm saying his team is scary good and is on pace to win another MVP.
As for last week's picks, I almost had two consecutive winning weeks! I finished 7-8-1 and am 84-101-6 for the season. The big miss of the week was picking the Jets (+3) to cover against the Patriots. They wouldn't have covered if it was +40. Yeah, that was a big miss.
Picks for Week 14 are below and home teams are in caps.
Indianapolis (-3.5) over TENNESSEE: As I typed that I just had visions of Chris Johnson torching the Colts for 200 yards and three scores. But I also see Manning getting back in his groove and throwing for four touchdowns of his own.
JACKSONVILLE (-4) over Oakland: West coast teams traveling east for a 1 p.m. game usually ends in disaster for the west coast team.
Cincinnati (+8.5) over PITTSBURGH: The Steelers will win this game, but I just don't see it being by more than a touchdown. These teams have gone down to the wire the last three games they've played. The difference will not be more than a touchdown.
New England (-3) over CHICAGO: This is weird. I find myself cheering for Jay Cutler. That should tell you how much I hate BRady, Belichick and the Pats.
Cleveland (+1) over BUFFALO: How the hell am I supposed to pick this game. They both look better than their records some days, and worse on others. The Bills have forced Pittsburgh and Baltimore to overtime this year, but then they just got killed by Tavaris Jackson. The Browns crushed New England, but then were a missed field goal away from losing to Carolina. I'm banking on the Bills tanking to try and get Andrew Luck.
New York Ginats (-3) over MINNESOTA: Speaking of Tavaris Jackson, the Giants are going to have fun chasing him after Brett Favre gets knocked out in the first quarter.
Green Bay (-6.5) over DETROIT: Drew Stanton is friggin' incredible! Not really. The Packers are going to roll.
Atlanta (-7) over CAROLINA: I just don't see the Falcons losing again until the Super Bowl. That could come back to bite me, but I'm sticking to it.
WASHINGTON (+2) over Tampa Bay: The Bucs' defense is hurting and so is their stud center. Don't get me wrong, the Redskins will do whatever they can to screw this game up, but somehow they pull it the victory.
NEW ORLEANS (-9) over St. Louis: I like St. Louis to win the NFC West, but I going into New Orleans is a very tough task, especially for a rookie quarterback. On a side note, people need to stop complaining about an NFC West team making the playoffs. I never hear the sports shows complaining about the NBA non-stop when they have losing or .500 teams make the playoffs in the East. Feel free to make fun of their mediocrity but stop whining that one of these teams is guaranteed a spot in the playoffs.
Seattle (+5) over SAN FRANCISCO: No reason here, I just never think the 49ers should be favored.
Miami (+5.5) over NEW YORK JETS: Why the heck is the media saying it was a brilliant gesture by Rex Ryan to bury the game ball from Monday night's slaughter. That sounds like something you do with your pee-wee team. It's not even original. Belichick did it like 10 years ago. Whatever, the Jets just don't win by wide margins this year.
Denver (-5.5) over ARIZONA: Interim head coaches are doing great this year. The trend is going to continue Sunday in Arizona.
SAN DIEGO (-7) over Kansas City: Even if Matt Cassel recovers from his appendectomy in time for this game, he can't be 100 percent. If he doesn't play, this is going to be a blow out. If he plays, it will be a two-touchdown game.
Philadelphia (-3.5) over DALLAS: Unlike Indy, Philly is healthy. Dallas will have to focus on more than two players and Michael Vick will take over.
Baltimore (-3) over HOUSTON: Andre Johnson is a beast. He's been hurt almost the entire season, yet he has only missed one game and has put up top five numbers at his position. Too bad the Ravens are going to be too much for Johnson and Arian Foster to overcome.
Photos to come later, but I have to head out.
Rogue Wave - Eyes
Good choices.
ReplyDeleteIt's always tough to pick against San Diego in it's back 8. Who knows how and why they get so hot in the last half of the season. This game really intrigues me just because of all the speed KC has.
I am still surprised Seattle has a football team, and that they are never at the bottom of the pile. But I am a fan of Pete Carroll, so I hope he does well.
And I hate Tom Brady.
Boston fans will be even worse this year, with the moves the Red Sox made this week and the Celtics looking strong (a team every Boston fan left for dead five yrs ago and don't lie folks, y'all were digging their grave).
ReplyDeleteI want to take Chicago this week, but I think the best shot for the Pats to lose is next week vs the Pack.
Despite their injuries, I'll take Tampa -2. Blount should run all over the Skins and Freeman finds ways to win games.
Regarding Arizona, their QB spot is currently a battle between a third-string rookie from Fordham and a guy just signed off the street. And what's sad is this is second team to have this problem this year.
Important to note KC-SD, is the Gus Johnson game of the week, so expect the unexpected, like Brodie Croyle playing out of his ass and Gus going nuts about it. I can just see it now. "Croyle, up top for Bowe, touchdown Chiefs. HAHA. The fifth-year QB from Alabama delivers a 40 yard strike for the Chiefs." (Enter Steve Tasker analysis) Back to Gus going crazy about Croyle (much like he did for Quinn Gray a few years ago).
Dwayne, Seattle actually has crazy loyal fans despite their poor play. Why are you a fan of Carrol? I thought he got a bad rap in New England, but the way he conveniently left USC right before sanctions strikes me as dirty.
ReplyDeleteI hate Gus Johnson.