2015-16 NFL Week 4 Picks

Running behind this week but trying to get these picks in.  Let's go.

Baltimore @ Pittsburgh

The Steelers bring out their rusty dusty backup in Michael Vick after Big Ben's injury.  This will be a test against a wounded Ravens team so we'll have to see how well Vick plays.  I'm rooting for you Vick.

The Ravens need a win, nothing more nothing less.  Last week they were thisclose to pulling off a win against Cincinnati but,...well A.J. Green happened.  The Steelers defense is hobbled but making strides so here's hoping that the Ravens can put up some points and watch their defense get after Vick.

Winner - Ravens

New York Jets @ Miami (London)

Seems like each week we are waiting on the real Dolphins team to show up. I'm talking about the one that many thought would win the AFC East. We're all eyes Dolphina, all eyes. 

The Jets have proven that they can probably stop anyone but their problem is going down the field with their QB. Is it time for Geno?!?

Winner - Jets

Jacksonville @ Indianapolis

Welp, no Andrew Luck and that isn't a good. This Colts team was already struggling and without their best player this is going to be ugly. 

Jacksonville, this is your chance to get a win. Like, really, you're playing a team without their best player and you had some good moments lately. 

Winner - Jaguars

New York Giants @ Buffalo

Tyrod Taylor and this Bills defense have been the keys. Looking for the ball to keep bouncing and this team to continue to play well. 

The Giants will still be without Victor Cruz so it looks like another big day for OBJ and probably another loss for the Giants. 

Winner - Bills

Carolina @ Tampa Bay

I never thought the Bucs would be this bad. Yes, they have a rookie QB, but the defense was supposed to step up and help. Divisional game on deck, let's see who steps up. 

Let's see if the Cam Newton show can keep rolling. 

Winner - Panthers

Philadelphia @ Washington

Not sure what to say about this one. The Redskins, on paper, should be able to ground the smallish Eagles into submission but we know that's not how it always works. Washington will mess this up. 

The Eaglea need to get their offense going so they can impose their will  it hasn't looked good as of late and I think they struggle a little more but they get it going. 

Winner - Eagles

Oakland @ Chicago

The only way the Bears have a chance is if Cutler plays. If he doesn't it's gonna take a miracle. 

The Raiders can't give up points to this wounded team. They can score but this defense can give up some yards and points to be as attacking as they are. 

Winner - Raiders

Houston @ Atlanta

The Falcons are riding high with their offense and rejuvenated defense. This team is due for a letdown and this game could provide the trap. 

The Texans need a QB to go with this defense. Until then, we can all just say what if?

Winner - Falcons

Kansas City @ Cincinnati

The Bengals are rolling along and this might be their first big test.  Can Andy Dalton continue his good play? Can someone slow down AJ Green?

The Chiefs come into this game with many still questioning Alex Smith and whether he's the right QB to lead this offense. I'm not a fan of Smith but I actually think he's pretty decent. They just need to play within their system and stay until he lead. 

Winner - Chiefs

Cleveland @ San Diego

I hope Philip Rivera has his arm rested because I expect him to be slinging the ball around the field today. Defense just needs to make some stops. 

The Browns need to figure out who they want at QB and just ride them out. I don't think either of their top 2 give them a good chance to winany games, but his is a sad situation. 

Winner - Chargers

Green Bay @ San Francisco

The 49ers looked like shit last week and most of that was Kaep. I said they had changed that offense to look more like a college offense but it was too simple last week.

The Packers continue to roll as long as Rodgers is lining up at QB. They find a way to win and that defense hides its weaknesses just enough to make some plays. 

Winner - Packers

St. Louis @ Arizona

The Cardinals may be the best team in the NFL and they keep chuggin along. Seems like the health of Carson Palmer will be the reason this team plays well or not. It's good to see Palmer finally playing healthy. 

The Rams need their offense to wake up. This defense should give the Cardinals some problems, but will it be enough?

Winner - Cardinals

Minnesota @ Denver

Another. Janice for people to question Manning's arm strength and another chance for this Broncos defense to turn it up. 

When will we see the improved Teddy Brisgewater that we were promised?  He's going to need to show up to keep the pressure off of AP. 

Winner - Broncos

Dallas @ New Orleans

An injured Drew Brees going up against a limping Cowboys team. I'm hoping for some vintage Brees. 

The Cowboys would be smart to run the ball on every occasion and keep Weeden from throwing too much. They should salt this one away, if they play smart. 

Winner - Cowboys

Detroit @ Seattle

The Seahawks are finding their groove. Nothing like beating the sorry Bears to make the week look better. Still need to get their new TE involved in the passing game more, but I think that will happen. 

The Lions have Stafford. As I've said before he is just someone I don't trust. He can't make mistakes against this defense or it'll be over quick. 

Winner - Seahawks

Checking In,......

It's definitely been a minute since the last post but we gotta start somewhere.  Let's take a look at what's been going on,.......

Fortunately for us, Football is back on.  Week 1 of the preseason is complete and although there are some story lines, we know that this can change within a week.  I'll highlight a few:

Cutler looked like he was dodging people again as the Bears O-line looked terrible in their debut.  Maybe it is the turf at Soldier Field or maybe it's the guy bringing in the players.  Either way, something has to be done.  You paid Cutler upwards of $50M, now protect him and give him a chance. 

Tavaris Jackson looked as out of place in Seattle as he did in Minny.  I like the kid, but he's gotta find a home somewhere.  Not saying that Seattle isn't it, but Josh Portis looked real good running that team.  I'm just sayin.

Tim Tebow is going to be alright.  I know a lot of people have piled on the kid and yes, he's #2 on the depth chart, but I'm putting my money on Tebow to prove everyone wrong.  He may not have the best delivery or the best footwork or whatever you want to throw in there, but he is a winner.  Count me as a believer (in more ways than one).

No Peyton Manning for the Colts.  If he doesn't play any games in the preseason I'm worried.  I know he's a veteran and everything but until I see him out there with that bad neck and all running around throwing the ball,..I'm not going to believe he's healthy enough to play this year.  Without Manning, the Colts aren't going to be very good, and it's tough right now because he's looking for a mega deal from the Colts.  Watch this one.

Plaxico Burress is back as a Jet and he hasn't played yet?  When did he injure this ankle (all jailhouse jokes aside)?  I actually want to see him succeed, so let's hope he heals quickly and gets back on the field.

I know it's one game, but if you could write a redemption story, Michael Vick being an accurate passer might be the biggest thing out there.  He looked great against Baltimore, and he was putting the ball exactly where it needed to be.  He looked like a shorter, left-handed, more mobile, Peyton Manning.  Philly fans don't get too excited just yet. 

In New England, we all know that if Brady should go down they have two guys in Hoyer and Mallett that may be able to step in and help this team still win games. 

Osi Umenyiora finally finds the Giants practice field and hopefully a new deal so that we don't have to hear about this anymore.  Maybe he was hurt, maybe he wasn't,...just pay the dude and keep moving Giants.

Chris Johnson and I are still hanging out (just kidding) because he can't get a deal with the Titans that pays him more.  The Titans say that they will make him the highest paid back in the league if he comes to camp, and Johnson wants the deal done before he reports (let's meet on the practice field and get this done).

Daunte Cullpepper is coming in for a tryout with the 49ers.  Talk about scrap heap.  Wait,...hold on,...I'm getting a phone call,...it's from the 49ers,......(pause)......, ok, I'm heading out to Cali for a tryout too.  Gotta pack up and go. 


From the NBA:

Kendrick Perkins was arrested on misdemeanor disorderly conduct and intoxication after being involved in an altercation outside of the The Ticket nightclub in Beaumont, TX.  Hey, I'm not judging, he was at a club, probably had a few drinks and at least he wasn't driving.  He got into an altercation with the club owner and possibly some other people, but my issue is he was in the area hosting a camp that helped raise money for his foundation which aims to 'help children learn life skills and drug awareness'.  I guess he needed a real life situation to discuss with the kids.

The impasse that is the NBA Lockout rolls on and no one really seems to be interested in making any deals or even talking that much until October.  I hope they can get this worked out, because we need basketball. 

Everybody and their mother is talking about playing overseas while the lockout continues.  Some have signed contracts and others are positioning themselves to follow suit.  Nothing like getting paid on your summer vacation. 

Will Phil Jackson out of LA, and openings across the NBA, more specifically in NY, it seems as though some feel that Phil would be a perfect fit for the Knicks.  D'Antoni's days seem to be numbered and Phil would make a great target for the Knicks brass.  Could you imagine Phil working with Melo and Amare with a few extra pieces? 

The Hall of Fame Class may not have had the notoriety as others, but Dennis Rodman was able to steal the show with his honesty and emotion.  Rodman has long been overly flamboyant with the different hairstyles, the outfits, the attitude, and of course the basketball.  With former coach Phil Jackson at his side, Rodman gave his HOF speech and you could tell that he was grateful for even being there.  Good moment for everyone.

From MLB:

Dan Uggla's 33 game hitting streak was stopped by, of all teams, the Cubs.  Uggla had the longest hitting streak in the majors over the last 5 years.  It's important to know that Uggla had been carrying the Braves with other major players (C. Jones, McCann) in and out of the lineup during his streak.  

Carlos Zambrano is ejected from a game against the Braves and not only goes postal on the ump, but he cleans out his locker and goes home.  The Cubs have suspended Zambrano for 30 days without pay and they have to make a decision about this guy.  He is largely a cancer on this team and his outburst don't help.  The team that's probably glad they didn't pull the trigger on acquiring Zambrano, the Yankees. 

A-Rod may be returning from his injury and he may not go to jail for being in the home during an illegal card game.  Talk about a win win. 


From the NCAA:

The $1M question:  Should athletes get paid?  More and more discussion is going into this and we'll see what happens.  ESPN is doing a piece on this and it's funny to see Nick Saban talking about 'this is a revenue generating' sport and the money goes back into the school and not into his pocket.  Isn't he getting paid upwards of $4M a year (9 year; $42M deal in 2009)? 


What else have I missed?  What are you looking forward to in the next week?  When will the NBA Lockout end? 

Things I Don't Understand

The commish, Roger Goodell, has made the decision to reinstate Michael Vick so that he can play in Week 3 against the Chiefs. Thanks for nothing Commish. Is it just me or are we just really making more about this whole Michael Vick thing than necessary. I mean, we don't have to go back into this, but yes he killed some dogs and he lied about it. So freakin what?!?!?

I'll go into this briefly. I am a dog owner, love the dog, she's great. BUT, I own her. I paid for her. She is not a PERSON. The dogs he killed were HIS dogs. He paid for them. They are pets, not kids, not anything else, pets. Just the other day, I went to get dog food for my dog. While I'm there this kid comes in, as he does almost every two or three weeks to buy a mouse (based on the conversation between him and the sales rep at Petco). Either he is running some crazy experiments that require he replenish his mouse population or he is feeding something that particularly likes to dine on mice (my assumption is a snake). What's the difference here?

Anyway, the Commish should have just allowed Vick to play the entire season. He already served his time and his debt to society. Why make it linger on longer than that? Dante Stallworth accidentally killed a man (and lost his licenses because of it) and he is suspended for a year. When he comes back he won't be conditionally reinstated. Goodell has already said he can play once he gets back. Where are all of the DADD/MADD groups? Nowhere. But Vick kills some animals and PETA is posted up outside of his crib. Does this make any sense?

I digress. I'm just glad that Vick can now play in the NFL again. He shouldn't be kept from earning a living in the way that he was previously. Besides, he'll end up being the starting QB for the Eagles in 2010 or 2011.

What's your take on Vick getting back on the field? Is it good for the Eagles? Does Donovan see that he is training his replacement?

Vick is back

The Philadelphia Eagles did what some thought would be suicide and have signed Michael Vick to a 2 year deal. Vick will get $1.6M for year one and their an option for year two for $5.6M. I for one am glad that Vick has been given a chance. It'll be tough in Philly, but I think the fans will end up supporting him. Lost in all of this is the fact that Kevin Kolb mildy injured his knee and is now out fora period of time.

Was this a good deal for the Eagles? Will PETA please get a life? Is Donovan going to cry about this at some point?