NFL 2010 Super Bowl Pick

It's been a long two weeks since we've known the Packers would be facing the Steelers in todays Superbowl, but I think that I've finally made a decision about who to pick.  The short of it is, I gotta go with the Steelers and big (10 or more points) for my prediction. 

My reasoning, well let's start here:

QBs - Both Big Ben and Rodgers are good to great QBs.  The biggest thing is Big Ben's experience in this big game.  Yes, you have to win one to get experience, but I don't think that I'm worried about the normally unflappable Rodgers.  I think both of these guys are going to play well but I doubt it comes down to either of them winning the game.  With that said, I have to go with experience. 

Defense - I like the Packers defense because they are able to bring pressure, with the blitz, and they can cover with Williams and Woodson out there.  Like my coach once told me, the quarterback can't throw if he's on his back.  I expect the Packers to get some pressure on Big Ben, but for some reason he doesn't make a lot of bad throws.  As good as the Packers defense is, I just think the Steelers are better.  That 3-4 that they run is nasty with stopping the run and although the Packers' corners are better, I like the Steelers safeties.  Polamalu will be a big difference in this game.

Coaching - Mike Tomlin exudes a confidence that doesn't even border on cockiness.  He's been here before with this team and knows what it takes to be successful.  He directs this Steeler ship and they've won when no one thought they would (first 4 games of the year).  Mike McCarthy has done a great job with getting his team prepared to make the playoffs and then go on the road and dominate the Falcons and the Bears.  I have to think that he will prepare, as usual, but I think that the experience is the factor here.  He's got enough guts to take some chances with the way Rodgers and his defense are playing so that may end up biting him in the butt. 

Keys to Winning (Steelers) - Lots of Mendenhall on the ground to establish the running game, but to also keep Rodgers on the bench.  Look for a few big plays from Wallace and Heath Miller.  The defense will have to find a way to keep these explosive Packers wideouts in front of them and they have to make tackles.  Any misses can easily turn into TDs. 

Keys to Winning (Packers) - Find a way to run the ball.  This Steelers defense is about as dominant as you can get with stopping the run, but the Packers have had success in the playoffs with the threat of the run.  The offensive line will need to protect Rodgers and keep him from taking a lot of hits and sacks.  The Packers defense will have to get some takeaways and make them count (turn them into TDs).  The Packers are going to need another big game from their defensive line (Raji and Jenkins), especially with Legursky starting for Pouncey. 

All in all, I expect this to be a good game.  Two very good teams and the game will be inside so no weather issues to worry about.  Again, I am picking the Steelers and we'll see what happens. 

Who you got?

Despite Boos, Steelers Win

What a game last night between the Eagles and the Steelers? Who would have thought that one call would change the whole momentum of the game? The Ravens started the games last night by punishing EVERYONE with a Steelers jersey on. I'm sure there will be lawsuits coming shortly (just jokes). Rashard 'I'm going to have a big game' Mendenhall met Ray Lewis in the hole and came out with a cracked shoulder blade (out for the season), Carey Davis sprained his ankle and was out for the rest of the game, and Kendall Simmons tore his right Achilles (out for the season). The Ravens O was led by rookie Joe Flacco and they put up 13 points going into halftime. This was really my first chance to watch Flacco this closely but I liked what I saw. He has a good arm, some mobility, and a good head on his shoulders. This game all came down to one 15 yard penalty against the Ravens by Jarrett Johnson for some after the play pushing. After this call the Steelers were able to get in the end zone and make the score 13-10. On the Ravens' next possession, Flacco was sacked and fumbled and the Steelers ran it in for a TD to make it 17-13. After that Flacco was still able to drive his team down the field in the final minutes to tie the score at 20.

I don't know about you guys, but I watched the best linebacker in the game last night. We all know about Ray Lewis' intensity and ability to motivate his teammates, but a 33 year old LB who hits like that shouldn't still be in the league. Yes, he's better than Urlacher, he's better (by a smidgen) than Derrick Brooks, and last night he just proved how good he was. Lewis led his team with 13 tackles last night, 7 solo.

We all know that the Steelers ended up winning this one in overtime by a field goal by Jeff Reed. But for some reason, I just think the better team walked away with a loss last night. I know Ray would agree with me that the only W's that count are the ones on your record. It's a short week for both teams, so they better get ready. Thanks for a great game.

NFL Matchup Week 4

32-15. Those are my picks so far this year. Let's see if we can't get this working a little better. I don't think I can win money in Vegas with these types of numbers. We'll see what's happening this week.

Cleveland @ Cincinnati - Two 0-3 teams who both were supposed to be a lot better than what thy have shown us thus far. The Browns are in the midst of a possible QB change, although at last check, Derek Anderson will start this week. The Bengals are hurting, although they showed some signs of life last weekend against a good team, the Giants. This is like picking the Alien vs the Predator, both are bad, so why pick one? Winner - Bengals

Minnesota @ Tennessee - The Titans have proved that all they need is someone upright in the QB position and they can still win games. The Titans actually have the top two guys on the INT list for the season so far. The Vikings are stout on D and again, I'm not a Frerotte fan. I think this goes horribly wrong for the Vikings if they get behind. I'm hoping they don't get behind. Winner - Vikings

Denver @ Kansas City - This for all intensive purposes should be a blow out of monumental proportions, but that's why they play the games. The Chiefs are talking about starting a 3rd different QB this week, not good when this is game 4 of the season. Denver looks to continue their run to 4-0. Winner - Broncos

San Francisco @ New Orleans - Well, this should be a shootout. New Orleans can't stop anyone and the 49ers are bringing in a balanced team with J.T. O'Sullivan playing well. The Saints are losing Shockey and Jamar Nesbit for this week at a minimum. This is my 'riding the wave' pick for the week. Winner - 49ers

Arizona @ New York Jets - Two similar teams. Two old as dirt starting QBs. Two decent running backs. Two decent defenses, when they come to play. This will come down to which O line protects their QB. Favre is hobbled with a sprained ankle and Warner is looking real good. Can Favre continue where he picked up last week (no, not with a loss, but being more comfortable with his receivers) or are the Cardinals clicking at the right time? Winner - Cardinals

Green Bay @ Tampa Bay - Battle of the Bays. The Bucs come off a come from behind win at Chicago and a QB that might not have an arm this week after 67 pass attempts. The Packers come off a tough loss at home against a very good Dallas team. This is Aaron Rodgers' chance to bounce back against a good team. Tampa is playing at home and hey if Griese's arm is dead, they got 4 other QBs to throw in the game. Winner - Bucs

Atlanta @ Carolina - Two 2-1 teams and this is oddly a statement game. The Panthers need to show that last week was an anomaly. They have their starting receivers back and a punishing ground game. The Panthers D will definitely not allow Michael Turner to get 200 yards or anything close. Winner - Panthers

Houston @ Jacksonville - Talk about what a win will do for you. The Jags looked like a team that found it's groove. I expect them to pound the ball again and get back to the way they were playing last year when no one wanted to see them. Garrard should have a good game too. Winner - Jaguars

San Diego @ Oakland - Normally this is a good game, if not for anything but the Black Hole. Well, as my brother-in-law told me, black implies the absence of light. The Black Hole has a lot of light coming through it. The Raiders are terrible and were it not for a sorry Chiefs team, they would probably be looking for their first win. Monte Kiffin is holding on to his job and trying to keep his chin up. Stay strong Kiffin. Winner - Chargers

Buffalo @ St. Louis - Does St. Louis have a football team? Trent Green is going to start? Even Marshall Faulk was concerned about Green's health starting behind this O line. Why isn't the coach? The Bills, even with the loss of Roscoe Parrish, should dominate this game. Someone please have an ambulance ready for Trent Green. For real. Winner - Bills

Washington @ Dallas - This ought to be good. The Redskins are coming to Dallas to play their final game in the Texas Stadium. The Redskins are 2-1 and the Cowboys look like they are world beaters after taking the Packers down a notch last week. TO had 2 catches for 17 yards. I expect that stat to be increased substantially. Felix Jones will get more carries this week too, although nothing does any Cowboys fan justice like giving Barber the rock often. Winner - Cowboys

Philadelphia @ Chicago - Another good one. McNabb comes home to Chicago with the Bears needing a win to stop the bleeding. The Bears couldn't sack Griese last week and he dropped back 67 times. McNabb and the Eagles just find a way to win even with Westbrook hobbled (ankle), LJ Smith hobbled (back), and McNabb himself with a sore chest. The Bears need to run the ball, fire their offensive coordinator, and pray that all of the Eagles linemen just fall down, allowing a bee line to McNabb. Why couldn't the Bears find a way to trade Urlacher for McNabb this summer? Winner - Eagles

Baltimore @ Pittsburgh - The Steelers are without Willie Parker, Casey Hampton, and Brett Keisel. Big Ben, Troy Polamalu, DeShea Townsend, LaMarr Woodley, and Donovan Woods are banged up. The Ravens are winning games like they used to, run the ball and don't let their QB screw it up. McGahee has a swollen eye after tangling with some of the Browns in a pile last week, so hopefully he'll be able to see the white jerseys hitting him on Monday night. Rashard Mendenhall gets his first start against a good Ravens D. Welcome to the NFL Rashard - Signed Ray Lewis. Winner - Ravens

NFL Round Up 9-23-08

Pittsburgh Steelers - Has the bad luck finally turned for me? Rashard Mendenhall will get his first start with the Steelers this week since 'Fast' Willie Parker is out with a sprained knee. We wish Parker a quick recovery but not too quick because I need Mendenhall to do some things for me.

St. Louis Rams - The Rams are sitting Marc Bulger and dusting off Trent Green for the foreseeable future. Green last started in 1999 before a little known QB, Kurt Warner, was given the starting nod due to a knee injury Green sustained. Isn't there a 6 Degrees of Separation thing going on here?

Cincinnati Bengals - Have signed Jamar Fletcher to a contract. Fletcher was drafted in 2001 by Miami and has been around the league with Houston, San Diego, and Detroit. Meanwhile, another one of the Bengals practice players Maurice Purify, will spend a week on house arrest for violating his probation.

New Orleans Saints - Adding more problems to the loss of Jeremy Shockey, Jamar Nesbit has been suspended by the league for 4 games for violating the league's policy on anabolic steroids and related substances. Nesbit has started for the Saints since 2006.