PIT @ CLE (-10). PIT to cover. I wish to anything that the Browns pull off the upset and/or don't get embarrassed. I'm looking forward to Kizer's turn. The franchise goes nowhere for years if he is a bust. Unless he gets hurt and the Browns get Lamar Jackson in april.
SEA @ GB (-3.5). Aaron Rodgers still has it.
CAR (-4.5) @ SF. Cam Newton out to redeem himself.
NYG (+4.5) @ DAL. It'll be more fun to root against Dallas.
NO (+3.5) @ MIN. Saints score lots of points indoors. Is this indoors? Oh wait.
LAC @ DEN (-3.5). You won't find me rooting for Denver but I'm not actively rooting against them either. Chargers are a team in transition and won't have enough.
Sunday, September 10, 2017
Joe's 2017 Week One Picks
Myles Garrett. Seriously. The sadness of being a Browns fan. I still say he will finish the season with more than 10 sacks and win Defensive Rookie of the Year. All we need is for Kizer to be in contention for the best offensive rookie and the future could be bright. I like the Browns to go 6-10 this year. Not sure how they get to that number but as always I'm hopeful.
Week 1 Picks
Pittsburgh @ (-10) Cleveland. My Pick, Pittsburgh 30-21. The Browns will stay in this game but lack the firepower to pull off the upset in Week 1. The Garrett injury proves costly in this one.
Jacksonville @ (-4.5) Houston. My Pick, Houston 24-10. JJ Watt comes out on fire after raising $31 Million and counting for Harvey relief. Jacksonville is one of the 3 worst teams in the NFL, worse than the Browns.
Indianapolis @ (-3.5) LA Rams. My Pick, LA 20-9. Scott Tolzien is not the answer to any question involving NFL quarterbacks, except maybe who is the worst starter in week one of 2017. Jared Goff will be better than Carson Wentz this year. I hope.
Carolina @ (+4.5) San Francisco. My Pick, Carolina 31-17. Carolina and Cam rebound from last seasons debacle with a division championship and a deep playoff run this season. Brian Hoyer doesn't last 5 games for the 49ers.
New York Giants @ (-4) Dallas. My Pick, Dallas 27-26. I think both of these teams are overrated and this is basically a pick'em game. Dak is really not that good and Manning is almost at the end of his run.
Week 1 Picks
Pittsburgh @ (-10) Cleveland. My Pick, Pittsburgh 30-21. The Browns will stay in this game but lack the firepower to pull off the upset in Week 1. The Garrett injury proves costly in this one.
Jacksonville @ (-4.5) Houston. My Pick, Houston 24-10. JJ Watt comes out on fire after raising $31 Million and counting for Harvey relief. Jacksonville is one of the 3 worst teams in the NFL, worse than the Browns.
Indianapolis @ (-3.5) LA Rams. My Pick, LA 20-9. Scott Tolzien is not the answer to any question involving NFL quarterbacks, except maybe who is the worst starter in week one of 2017. Jared Goff will be better than Carson Wentz this year. I hope.
Carolina @ (+4.5) San Francisco. My Pick, Carolina 31-17. Carolina and Cam rebound from last seasons debacle with a division championship and a deep playoff run this season. Brian Hoyer doesn't last 5 games for the 49ers.
New York Giants @ (-4) Dallas. My Pick, Dallas 27-26. I think both of these teams are overrated and this is basically a pick'em game. Dak is really not that good and Manning is almost at the end of his run.
Sunday, January 22, 2017
Mike's Championship Locks
GB @ ATL (-5.5)
PIT @ NE (-5.5)
It's been quite a run for the Packers. Earlier in the season, when they were 4-6, Aaron Rodgers predicted they'd run the table -- and they did. So it's hard to bet against him now. But there's something about Matt Ryan this year that I think the storyline will be different after this game. When the Super Bowl comes around, we'll forget all about the amazing finish and put our attention to where it should be --
the New England Patriots.
Probably the greatest sports franchise era of our lifetime. To be competing in a 32 team league and win it as many times as they have is phenomenal.
Our preseason picks for the championship game:
Joe's CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND
NE over Pit
Ari over GB
Mikes
AFC Championship: KC over Buffalo
NFC Championship: ARI over GB
You win on the preseason predictions...
Last week: 2-2
Season: 53-40 (.570)
PIT @ NE (-5.5)
It's been quite a run for the Packers. Earlier in the season, when they were 4-6, Aaron Rodgers predicted they'd run the table -- and they did. So it's hard to bet against him now. But there's something about Matt Ryan this year that I think the storyline will be different after this game. When the Super Bowl comes around, we'll forget all about the amazing finish and put our attention to where it should be --
the New England Patriots.
Probably the greatest sports franchise era of our lifetime. To be competing in a 32 team league and win it as many times as they have is phenomenal.
Our preseason picks for the championship game:
Joe's CHAMPIONSHIP ROUND
NE over Pit
Ari over GB
Mikes
AFC Championship: KC over Buffalo
NFC Championship: ARI over GB
You win on the preseason predictions...
Last week: 2-2
Season: 53-40 (.570)
Saturday, January 14, 2017
Mike's Divisional Playoff Locks
People ask me, what did you do over your bye week? Good question. One thing I didn't do is go on a boat ride.
It was a good season of picks for this older brother. I finished the regular season 51-38 (.573). That puts me ahead of the career winning percentages of thse incredible coaches: Chuck Noll (.566), Marv Levy (.561), Jimmy Johnson (.556), and Jon Gruden (.540).
Joe, at .536, shares the company of Marvin Lewis, Tom Coughlin and Brad Childress. Way to go!
So here we are. Another January of playoff football without a hint of Cleveland Brown anywhere. Let's go back in time, back to January of 1994. Wildcard weekend. Browns vs Patriots. And back in 1994, Bill Belichick was on the Cleveland sideline as the Browns held on for a 20-13 playoff win. 23 years ago. Little brother Joe was 12 years old. The Browns were three point favorites and covered!
Check out the great video of this game. After watching a bit, forward to the 30:00 mark to watch the exciting defensive stand for the win.
Divisional Games:
SEA @ ATL (-6.5). Atlanta at home in the dome is home sweet home dome.
HOU @ NE (-16.5). There's still meat on this bone. Patriots in a huge blowout, 47-10.
GB @ DAL (-5.5). Mr. Rodgers can't do it alone.
PIT @ KC (-0.5). Sticking with my Super Bowl pick Chiefs to win an ugly, frozen game.
Joe's Divisional Playoff Locks
Well that first round was awful. Awful to watch and awful to pick. The only good news is I'm in great position in my playoff fantasy league.
Since I went 0-4 last week and really wasn't close with any prediction, I guarantee a 4-0 week in this round.
Seattle @ (-6.5) Atlanta. My Pick, Atlanta 34-24. While Matt Ryan has been a playoff dud in his career, the loss of Earl Thomas from the Seattle secondary is huge and Ryan will take advantage of that in this match up. Atlanta should have won in Seattle during the season, but the Falcons were unaware of the rule that Seattle can tackle opposing receivers while the ball is in the air and they are at home. The Seahawks won't get those friendly calls in this game and won't have the offense to keep up with the Falcons.
Houston @ (16.5) New England. My Pick, New England 38-10. The Patriots won 27-0 in the regular season with Jacoby Brissett at QB and JJ Watt 'active' for the Texans. Now there is no Watt and a guy named Brady at QB for New England. This will be over quickly and might be the end of Osweiler's career as a starting QB in the NFL.
Green Bay (+5) @ Dallas. My Pick, Green Bay 27-24. This is a pick with the heart and not so much with my head. Obviously, Aaron Rodgers is playing like no one ever right now and every drop back is a work of art with the way he buys time and then fires through keyholes but the Dallas offense is bullying and controlling the game the way few have been able to in NFL history. (that was the longest sentence of all time that said absolutely nothing). I'm just scared to rely on a rookie QB and a rookie RB no matter how amazing they were in the regular season. I think the Packer D is underrated at this point and are as healthy as they have been all season. I see this as a one score game in the fourth quarter and I'll take Rodgers in that situation every time.
Pittsburgh @ (-1.5) Kansas City. My Pick, Kansas City 26-24. I've been back and forth all week over this game and I'm still not convinced of this pick. The difference to me will be the Chiefs defense combined with the terrible weather in stopping Ben Roethlisberger. Kansas City doesn't have anything great the way the Steelers do in their killer B's but there really aren't any weaknesses on this Chiefs team either. I think they'll have to come from behind in the second half and get a late turnover from Roethlisberger to hold on to win in a divisional round classic from Arrowhead.
Oakland @ (-3.5) Houston. My Pick, Houston 17-16. What Happened, Houston 27-14. Turns out Connor Cook is worse that Brock Osweiler, who knew? Congratulations Houston, you get to lose by 30 in New England in the next round.
Detroit @ (-8.5) Seattle. My Pick, Seattle 23-16. What Happened, Seattle 26-6. The Stafford injury derailed the Lions season but really the only difference in the outcome would've been another 7-10 points for the Lions.
Miami @ (-10.5) Pittsburgh. My Pick, Pittsburgh 27-20. What Happened, Pittsburgh 30-12. Miami needed to keep this close for as long as possible and that lasted for about 5 minutes and they were down 14-0. Matt Moore played decent but that won't win in Pittsburgh in the playoffs.
New York Giants @ (-5) Green Bay. My Pick, Green Bay 31-27. What Happened, Green Bay 38-13. What a masterpiece in quarterbacking by Rodgers in this game. I'm sure at times it can be frustrating for his receivers when he holds on to the ball for so long but its a joy to watch him create time and complete passes to his receivers when they aren't even open. Then there's the Hail Mary that was dropped out of the blimp. Just crazy and I like their chances in Dallas.
Regular Season - 45-38-3
Playoffs - 0-4
Since I went 0-4 last week and really wasn't close with any prediction, I guarantee a 4-0 week in this round.
Seattle @ (-6.5) Atlanta. My Pick, Atlanta 34-24. While Matt Ryan has been a playoff dud in his career, the loss of Earl Thomas from the Seattle secondary is huge and Ryan will take advantage of that in this match up. Atlanta should have won in Seattle during the season, but the Falcons were unaware of the rule that Seattle can tackle opposing receivers while the ball is in the air and they are at home. The Seahawks won't get those friendly calls in this game and won't have the offense to keep up with the Falcons.
Houston @ (16.5) New England. My Pick, New England 38-10. The Patriots won 27-0 in the regular season with Jacoby Brissett at QB and JJ Watt 'active' for the Texans. Now there is no Watt and a guy named Brady at QB for New England. This will be over quickly and might be the end of Osweiler's career as a starting QB in the NFL.
Green Bay (+5) @ Dallas. My Pick, Green Bay 27-24. This is a pick with the heart and not so much with my head. Obviously, Aaron Rodgers is playing like no one ever right now and every drop back is a work of art with the way he buys time and then fires through keyholes but the Dallas offense is bullying and controlling the game the way few have been able to in NFL history. (that was the longest sentence of all time that said absolutely nothing). I'm just scared to rely on a rookie QB and a rookie RB no matter how amazing they were in the regular season. I think the Packer D is underrated at this point and are as healthy as they have been all season. I see this as a one score game in the fourth quarter and I'll take Rodgers in that situation every time.
Pittsburgh @ (-1.5) Kansas City. My Pick, Kansas City 26-24. I've been back and forth all week over this game and I'm still not convinced of this pick. The difference to me will be the Chiefs defense combined with the terrible weather in stopping Ben Roethlisberger. Kansas City doesn't have anything great the way the Steelers do in their killer B's but there really aren't any weaknesses on this Chiefs team either. I think they'll have to come from behind in the second half and get a late turnover from Roethlisberger to hold on to win in a divisional round classic from Arrowhead.
Wild Card Recap
Regular Season - 45-38-3
Playoffs - 0-4
Saturday, January 7, 2017
Wild Card Locks
After beginning the season 3-12 with The Locks (in the fake Vegas SuperContest), an amazing finish including an 8-2 finish the last 2 weeks had me finish at a very respectable 44-38-3.
I'll look to continue the roll throughout the playoffs.
Oakland @ (-3.5) Houston. My Pick, Houston 17-16. I really have no feel on who will actually win this game but I can't imagine it being a blowout one way or another. My life is so exciting that I'll spend my afternoon watching Cook v Osweiler.
Detroit @ (-8.5) Seattle. My Pick, Seattle 23-16. No one, including me, gives the Lions any chance to win this game. However, the Seahawks offense is so average they won't pull away to cover the spread.
Miami @ (-10.5) Pittsburgh. My Pick, Pittsburgh 27-20. This line is ridiculous. The Steelers have as good a chance as anyone to win the Super Bowl but they also could very well lose this game if they don't contain Ajayi. Pittsburgh shouldn't be favored by this much over anyone in the playoffs.
New York Giants @ (-5) Green Bay. My Pick, Green Bay 31-27. While I do like the Giants defensive matchup, I can't go against the hottest streak going on in the league by Aaron Rodgers. In the best game of the weekend, the Packers come back in the 4th quarter to break Eli's heart.
Week 17 Review
Cleveland @ (-6) Pittsburgh. My Pick, Cleveland 24-23. What happened, Pittsburgh 27-24 OT. This was the Brownsest of Browns games and I wasn't on bit disappointed at the final result. I'm looking forward to the future instead of crying about who is or isn't on the roster right now.Week 17 - 4-1
Overall - 45-38-3
Sunday, January 1, 2017
Joe's Week 17 Locks
Mike is very cocky about his picks.
I have been sweating away, doing hours and hours of research to get back to .500 after a 1-9 first 2 weeks.
I'm proud to say after last weeks 4-1 record I'm over .500 and ready to doing this whole prediction game again next year (unless I go 0-5).
Cleveland @ (-6) Pittsburgh. My Pick, Cleveland 24-23. No Ben, No Brown, No Bell = No way the Browns lose this game. This will be the Browns A+ starters against the backups of the Steelers. We all really know how this will turn out but let me pick the Browns in Week 17 for once.
New England @ (+9.5) Miami. My Pick, Miami 27-24. Feels like too many points to me in a mostly meaningless game. Not sure why the Pats would play all their starters the whole game.
Dallas @ (-4) Philadelphia. My Pick, Philadelphia 30-20. So Sanchez and Romo are playing? Wentz finishes with a win and the Browns media dusts off all of it's "what if" columns (barf). I'm not a Wentz believer but I would've preferred a top-10 pick from the Eagles.
Arizona @ (+6) LA Rams. My Pick, Arizona 34-20. My Super Bowl pick Cardinals didn't go well but David Johnson is having an MVP season and the Cards will help him pile up the stats to close out the season.
Green Bay @ (+3.5) Detroit. My Pick, Green Bay 34-29. The Packers will get to 30 points and win the division over the luckiest team in the league this year.
Minnesota @ (-6.5) Green Bay. My Pick, Green Bay 31-17. What Happened, Green Bay 38-25. Rodgers is rolling in to the playoffs.
Cincinnati @ (-1) Houston. My Pick, Houston 24-21. What Happened, Houston 12-10. Nugent was released by the Bengals earlier this season. Shows how much I know.
Baltimore @ (-5) Pittsburgh. My Pick, Pittsburgh 27-26. What Happened, Pittsburgh 31-27. Classic game down to the wire, damn I hate these teams.
Detroit @ (-7) Dallas. My Pick, Dallas 31-27. What Happened, Dallas 42-21. This pick looked like 5-0 when Detroit was up 21-7...
Week 16 - 4-1
Overall - 41-37-3
I have been sweating away, doing hours and hours of research to get back to .500 after a 1-9 first 2 weeks.
I'm proud to say after last weeks 4-1 record I'm over .500 and ready to doing this whole prediction game again next year (unless I go 0-5).
Cleveland @ (-6) Pittsburgh. My Pick, Cleveland 24-23. No Ben, No Brown, No Bell = No way the Browns lose this game. This will be the Browns A+ starters against the backups of the Steelers. We all really know how this will turn out but let me pick the Browns in Week 17 for once.
New England @ (+9.5) Miami. My Pick, Miami 27-24. Feels like too many points to me in a mostly meaningless game. Not sure why the Pats would play all their starters the whole game.
Dallas @ (-4) Philadelphia. My Pick, Philadelphia 30-20. So Sanchez and Romo are playing? Wentz finishes with a win and the Browns media dusts off all of it's "what if" columns (barf). I'm not a Wentz believer but I would've preferred a top-10 pick from the Eagles.
Arizona @ (+6) LA Rams. My Pick, Arizona 34-20. My Super Bowl pick Cardinals didn't go well but David Johnson is having an MVP season and the Cards will help him pile up the stats to close out the season.
Green Bay @ (+3.5) Detroit. My Pick, Green Bay 34-29. The Packers will get to 30 points and win the division over the luckiest team in the league this year.
Week 16 Review
San Diego @ (+6) Cleveland. My Pick, San Diego 24-23. What Happened, Cleveland 20-17. I'm getting emotional thinking about this victory again. I can't even...Minnesota @ (-6.5) Green Bay. My Pick, Green Bay 31-17. What Happened, Green Bay 38-25. Rodgers is rolling in to the playoffs.
Cincinnati @ (-1) Houston. My Pick, Houston 24-21. What Happened, Houston 12-10. Nugent was released by the Bengals earlier this season. Shows how much I know.
Baltimore @ (-5) Pittsburgh. My Pick, Pittsburgh 27-26. What Happened, Pittsburgh 31-27. Classic game down to the wire, damn I hate these teams.
Week 16 - 4-1
Overall - 41-37-3
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