Fire from the Hip: Thoughts on Sports & Real Life

RECORD
Week 11: 10 - 6
Overall: 74 - 53


You can't help but feel good on a Saturday evening, making your predictions for Sunday's games with three games already in the win column. Miami, Dallas, and Kansas City all delivered for me on Thursday. An important point of clarification in regards to the Thanksgiving football article. While our cable provider does offer the NFL Network, the deal does not include the airing of Thursday night games. So Browns/Steelers in 12 days may not be on in my house. My father and I continue to debate the pros and cons of DirectTV. Anyway, to sum it all up, add two more to the thousands of disgruntled fans who are upset with the NFL for putting games on their obscure and overpriced channel. Another issue I am struggling with tonight has to do with that wonderful word game, Boggle. Despite being dedicated to the daily crossword puzzles, I struggled mightily tonight in seven games of Boggle. I was defeated by my opponent 84 to 38. Mind-boggling. Anyway, I am feeling much better about this week's picks. I think I have finally emerged from that midseason funk I experienced for several weeks.

San Francisco 49ers at St Louis Rams - Rams

Here are two teams going in opposite directions. The Rams have lost five straight while the 49ers evened their record at 5-5 with an upset win last week against the division-leading Seahawks. The 49er defense has been playing incredibly well, giving up just ten points a game during their current three game winning streak. Despite evidence to the contrary, I can't help but think we haven't heard the last of the Rams just yet. Their offensive line is struggling but Bulger continues to perform well. Their defense is cause for concern and must stop San Francisco's Frank Gore to have any chance in this game. I like the Rams offense to get back on track as St. Louis triumphs late in this, a must-win game.

New Orleans Saints at Atlanta Falcons - Saints

I, like most football analysts, see and are quick to point out the Saints shortcomings. It is in style at the moment to abandon the New Orleans bandwagon, which many football pundits enjoyed riding during the first half of the season. However, I think this team, in spite of their weaknesses, has a ton of character. Veterans Deuce McAllister, Joe Horn, and Drew Brees will continue to lead this team to gritty victories in the second half of the season. This is one of those games. The Falcons have major issues and though this is a must-win and at home for Atlanta, I still like New Orleans in this game.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Baltimore Ravens - Steelers

First off, I can't stand either of these teams. Watching the Browns/Steelers game last week was devastating as usual. Another late collapse by the team that I profess to love. Anyway, I like the chances of Pittsburgh stealing this game. Their defense should be able to control the Baltimore offense, which has been playing well in recent weeks. But C'mon, this is the Ravens we are talking about. I can't help but think that Ben Roethlisberger will turn the ball over a couple of times. But Matt Stover field goals are not going to win it for the Ravens. For that reason, I like the Steelers to win a close, hard-fought contest.

Carolina Panthers at Washington Redskins - Panthers

It was nice to see Jason Campbell play well in his first career start last week for the Redskins against Tampa Bay. I think the Redskins will finish the season the way Tampa played initially after rookie Bruce Gradkowski took over for injured QB Chris Simms. There will be some surprising wins but inconsistency and poor outings will be the norm. This game is too important for Carolina to lose. The rest of the season though will be a struggle for me with Carolina. I don't have as strong a feeling about them as I did earlier in the year. If you asked me five or six weeks ago if I liked Carolina in the divisional round in the playoffs over Chicago at Soldier Field, I wouldn't have hesitated with my affirmation. I am not so sure anymore. Their offense needs to start clicking a little better, especially on third down for me to like their chances in the playoffs.

Cincinnati Bengals at Cleveland Browns - Bengals

The Bengals have established themselves as a weekly troublemaker to my predictions. I tried to ride them out during their slump. After watching them against Baltimore four weeks back, I finally had my fill. So I gave up on them. I was concerned with the matchup last week against New Orleans but I figured Drew Brees could handle their defense. He did throw for 510 yards but three costly interceptions helped the Bengals pull the upset. The Browns continue to break my heart, week after week, year after year. I just don't see how they can bottle up all the offensive weapons the Bengals boast. Whether it's Rudi Johnson, Chad Johnson, or T.J. Houshmanzadeh, Cincinnati's offense will have a good day in Cleveland. But maybe just maybe, the Browns will do something to ease the pain of fans still feeling last week's loss against Pittsburgh.

Arizona Cardinals at Minnesota Vikings - Vikings

Typical Vikings. They provide a decent impersonation of the Wayne Fontes-era Detroit Lions. You can pretty much peg them at 8-8 every season with an outside shot at the playoffs in week 17 with a win and losses by two other teams. Their strength of schedule or talent level doesn't really matter, it's just who they are. They find a way to get back on track against the hapless Cardinals although Matt Leinart's performance last week made me a very happy person. If this game was played in Arizona, I am taking the Cards but in the Metrodome, Minnesota gets it done.

Houston Texans at New York Jets - Jets

This year, there certainly is a chasm between the good teams and the average ones. I think all the upsets this season are a result of teams playing down to their opponents. I am using this principle to explain away New York's victory over the Patriots two weeks ago. The Jets fall in the mediocre column. I was disappointed in the Texans for dropping a winnable game at home against Buffalo. I thought they were interested in a mildly successful season. Now a Top 5 pick in the 2007 NFL draft looks to be a certainty. A shame to be sure. New York wins a boring game at the Meadowlands.

Jacksonville Jaguars at Buffalo Bills - Jaguars

Jacksonville is such an easy team to pick each week. They have a great defense, balanced offense, and are well-coached. But for some reason, once every two to three weeks, they lay an egg. I could see that happening this week but I think the weather forecast is a good omen for Jacksonville. Unseasonably warm temperatures are predicted, which seem too fortuitous for the Jaguars to let this one slip away. As long as David Garrard doesn't throw four interceptions like he did two weeks ago against the Texans, they win.

Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers - Chargers

Ladainian Tomlinson is kind of good. And the Broncos have fallen apart, leaving the Chargers with a pretty solid handle on the AFC West. The Raiders offense showed a spark last week with Aaron Brooks back at quarterback in place of Andrew Walter. And NO sacks allowed, a first for the Raiders offensive line this season. I am not sure that momentum, if you want to call it that, will carry over to San Diego. It is interesting to note that usually, this is the time of year when you start to get a feeling about certain teams and their chances at winning the Super Bowl. Well...I don't have any idea who I like in either conference. I don't possess any confidence in the Chargers with Phil Rivers at QB and more importantly, Marty Schottenheimer calling the shots. No matter for now, they win Sunday against Oakland.

New York Giants at Tennessee Titans - Giants

The Titans are a tempting proposition this week. The Giants have been decimated by injuries and Eli Manning has looked terrible in recent weeks. In times of crisis, which the Giants currently find themselves, I take a look at the coach in trying to predict how the team will respond. Tom Coughlin is a good football coach. Having responded to and overcome adversity all season, I can't help but feel the Giants rebound against Tennessee this week after an ugly loss last week in Jacksonville on Monday night. Don't let me down Eli, you're back in my fantasy starting lineup.

Chicago Bears at New England Patriots - Patriots

Here is the game of the week. You have to like the odds that Bill Belichick will produce a defensive scheme that will bewilder the young Bear QB, Rex Grossman. He hasn't looked brilliant in several weeks, to put it nicely. Tom Brady has been prone to turnovers this season as opposed to past years. The Pats also haven't played well at home against good teams this season (see Denver and Indianapolis games). To be honest, I am taking the Patriots because I spent four years going to school in New England, watching Tom Brady guide his team to win after win over seemingly better teams. He hasn't been able to do it this year, but I am going to go with his track record in this case. The Patriots get just enough points on offense and the defense shuts down Grossman and the Bears for the win.

Philadelphia Eagles at Indianapolis Colts - Colts

My old friend, Jazzy Jeff makes his return to the starting lineup of an NFL team. With Donovan McNabb out for the season after a devastating knee injury last week against the Titans, Jeff Garcia takes the helm for the Eagles. They are in trouble. Jazzy Jeff is good for a couple of things: happy feet, forcing the football into tight spots, and regularly spouting off under the guise of being a competitor. Unfortunately, he can't throw a fifteen yard out pattern. Watch him, he can't. Needless to say, I like the Colts. Coming off a loss in Dallas last week, I think the Colts are going to have to adjust to the blueprint teams are using to beat them. Despite their all world QB Peyton Manning, the defense is susceptible to a physical running game. They must address this issue if they want to contend for the Super Bowl.

Green Bay Packers at Seattle Seahawks - Seahawks

That was some shootout between the Packers and Patriots last week. I am glad we got excited about that matchup between Tom Brady and Brett Favre. For people who had to watch it and weren't Patriot fans, I heard words like "brutal" and "awful" in describing the experience. I bet it was pretty similar to the Patriots/Browns game of December 2004. Lucky Luke McCown showed that he could throw the ball a long way in that game, but that was about all the entertainment that could be mustered in that game. I think the final was 42-15. Something like that. Ohh yeah, the Seahawks get back Matt Hasselbeck for this one as they look to rebound from a disappointing loss to San Francisco last week. This game should offer him the opportunity to ease back into form. Brett Favre will play as his streak of starts will remain intact. That is about the only good news for the Packers.