Phillies are World Champions!

Congrats Philly. Congrats Philly Phans. Baseball season is over, but the good news for the fans is that spring training starts in a few weeks!! No not really, but it seems like it doesn't it?

NBA STARTS TONIGHT

NBA season tips tonight with three games, including a double-header on TNT. CAVS v CELTICS followed by BLAZERS v LAKERS. The NBA knows how to present a product, night one and we get Lebron against the defending champs, and then Greg Oden and the upstart Blazers against Kobe and the Lake Show. Yes. Please.

Since I am into making predictions on this blog, I'm gonna take the CAVS in the east and the Rockets in the West. Now to sit back and enjoy...

Rain Rain Go Away

So baseball didn't get finished last night. The hope is that the game can be finished tonight, but more rain is in tonight's forecast. Score is 2-2 in the 6th inning. It should be interesting tonight in the rain, especially from a pitching standpoint, as in Who? Who is going to pitch when the game resumes, Hamels is obviously not gonna go back out there. Do you throw a starter out there and hope he can go three strong before handing it over? Hmmmm, very interesting indeed.

*********************UPDATE**************************

Game 5 will not finish tonight due to more rain in the Philadelphia Metropolitan area. Bud Selig assures us that he will not give up and call it a tie...

Phillies win World Series!!!!!! (I think)

The game, Game 5, hasn't actually happened yet. In fact, we are roughly four hours away from the first pitch. That being said, I'm taking Cole Hamels and the Phightin's to win tonight. My original prediction was Phillies in 6, but after last night, I think they win at home tonight and let the people of Philly take to the streets!

NFL Picks Week 8

Doesn't this guy deserve all 8 home games??

Great success!!! I went 9-5 last week in my first ever NFL picks post. Picking against the spread is a unique type of challenge.  Sometimes the picks don't have anything to do with the better team over the worse team, but rather the home team or the momentum, or the size of the betting line. Anyway, I hope to keep it up this week and continue to shock the world. Without further ado...

OAKLAND RAIDERS @ (-6.5) BALTIMORE RAVENS 

I took the Raiders last week on a gut feeling and not only did they cover the spread, they won the game outright! I don't foresee that happening again, the Raiders got lucky at home last weekend against a confused looking Jets team. Baltimore looked good last week against Miami, and I think they carry that over again. Willis McGahee is starting to play better and Joe Flacco is "managing the game" as the talking heads would say. The Ravens are the pick. 

ARIZONA CARDINALS @ (-4.5) CAROLINA PANTHERS 

I am gonna stick with defense again here and take the Panthers. I hear Anquan Boldin will probably be coming back this week after getting the bye week to further recover from his sinus injury. Boldin and Fitzgerald are the best receiving duo in the NFL, and they should at least make this game competitive. Fitz is on my fantasy team, so please have him in your endzone prayers

TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS @ (-3.5) DALLAS COWBOYS

Three defensive minded teams in a row...who put these games in this order? I'm not gonna stray from the train now, gimmie the Bucs in this game as the Cowboys continue their skid. Brad Johnson and the offense looked horrible last week in getting roasted by the Rams. Giving up 30+ points to the Rams is not a one week fix, I think the Cowboys are in a dark place right now and I'm not sure what it is going to take in order to right the ship. Overspending on Roy Williams was not the solution. If TO doesn't get enough balls on Sunday...does he pout at the press conference? or does he just go after Brad Johnson on the sideline? Only time will tell, but you can be sure he does something cooky. 

WASHINGTON REDSKINS @ (+7.5) DETROIT LIONS

I cannot take Detroit under any circumstance. No matter how good Calvin Johnson is, I just can't do it. The Redskins wins big. Clinton Portis has been out of this world, and I don't know that anyone could have seen it coming. I still don't love Washington overall, but I'm slowly coming around. The Redskins defense has been very impressive in the few games I have been able to watch. If they can keep it up, they could steal the NFC East! How about the Lions game being blacked out in Detroit? If that doesn't send a message to the organization, what else could? No more being bailed out by company's buying tickets at the last minute, even they won't go near the Lions. I am trying to come up with a one word summary for the Lions, "incompetent" comes to mind first. If you have a better/more funny/more clever word, post it. 

BUFFALO BILLS @ (+1.5) MIAMI DOLPHINS

Buffalo has been playing really well, but the low line shows how much respect people have for the Dolphins the year. The crazy wildcat formation with Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams has been brilliant, and more and more pro and college teams are starting to use it in some form or another. I like the Bills in a close game, but I would not be the least bit surprised if Miami pulled out an upset victory, especially because the game is in Miami. 

ST LOUIS RAMS @ (-6.5) NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Another surprisingly low line in my opinion. The Rams have won two straight, but the buck stops here. Now don't get me wrong here, I don't think the Patriots are all the sudden "back" to where they have been, but confidence can be a magical thing. Last week's clinic against the Broncos was something I think they can and will build on. The Patriots win this game and make another statement that they are not going to go down without a strong push to win the AFC East. Cassell and Moss looked to be on the same page on Monday night, and that means trouble for the rest of the teams on the Pats schedule. It wasn't exactly rocket science, throw the ball to the most feared receiver ever, but he seemed to figure it out. 

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS vs. (+2.5) NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

This game will be played across the pond in London, England. Not to be confused with London, Ontario, Canada which is a beautiful little place in its own right. The breaking news today was that Deuce McCallister and Will Smith, among others, are going to be suspended by the NFL for testing positive for a form of water pill steroids. Suspensions before games are always a distraction, regardless of length or violation. I give the edge to the Chargers in this one. I would like to see the Chargers play better, just so the AFC WEst remains interesting. The Chargers and the Broncos play in San Diego the last week of the regular season, and it would be great if it were for the division. Don't get me wrong fellow Denverites, Go Broncos and all that, but winning by default isn't quite as satisfying. You can ask any competitive person about that. Back to the London thing, out of all the teams in the NFL, taking a home game away from the Saints? Really? Really Roger Goodell? The Saints? I hate that the Saints lose a home game, and I am not sure that playing a regular season game in Europe is even a good idea. The NFL makes a KILLING here in the states. The NBA and MLB and NHL all have more of a reason to go overseas, not just because a higher percentage of the league is foreign born, but because other countries like those other three sports. How about not trying to force other countries to like what we like? They (the rest of the world) don't bring the best soccer teams over to the US and force it on us, so why do we do it? 

KANSAS CITY CHIEFS @ (-12.5) NEW YORK JETS

Twelve and a half is a lot of points. The Jets lost to the Raiders last week, and Kansas City really needs an inspiring win. In my opinion...all signs point to taking the Chiefs to cover. So I am taking the Chiefs to cover. Could be a stretch, but I guess I'm bound to make a stretch pick every week. 

ATLANTA FALCONS @ (-8.5) PHILADELPHIA EAGLES 

Matt Ryan has been great. Michael Turner has been great. I don't think the Falcons are quite over the hump yet though. The Eagles have been here before, dealing with injuries, and understanding that they play in a tough division where every game is vital to their playoff chances. Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb will be ready to go and the Eagles will win big. 

CLEVELAND BROWNS @ (-6.5) JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

I had all sorts of faith in Cleveland last week after their huge Monday win over the Giants. They only managed 11 points against the Redskins last week. The Kellen Winslow debacle hurts them, and they fall hard this week. Brady Quinn makes an appearance and seals up the starting job for next week. How is that for bold predictions? The Jaguars in a snoozer, 17-10 or something lame like that. The Jaguars are a team that no one wants to play, ever. They control the clock, don't turn the ball over, and play tough defense. They would be a Big Ten team if they were in the NCAA. Very much like a traditional Wisconsin Badger team. 

NEW YORK GIANTS @ (-2.5) PITTSBURGH STEELERS

Game. of. the. Week. Pittsburgh is too good. Even with the injuries to their running back core, the Steelers are the best team in the AFC right now. The team defense is extraordinary. If the Cleveland defesne gave Eli and the Giants fits, imagine what Pittsburgh is gonna do to them. I really like the Steelers this week and for the rest of the season, barring any Big Ben motorcycle mishaps. (Random thought: I think the NFC East is falling on tough times, all the hype maybe got their heads).

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS @ (-4.5) SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

Have not gotten to watch much of either of these teams. I'll take the Niners because they are at home, and Mike Martz is still a mad scientist of offense. 

CINCINNATI BENGALS @ (-9.5) HOUSTON TEXANS

Funny feeling game of the week, give me the Bengals in this one. I have no explanation, and I generally have a lot of positive things to say about the Texans. They are making the right moves in the organization and are taking steps to become a more competitive franchise (taking notes Detroit Lions?). Andre Johnson is showing the world what he is capable of when he is healthy, and...wow. Houston is clearly better, and they are at home, but my gut says Cincy.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS @ (-3.5) TENNESSEE TITANS

I like when teams have been there before. The Colts have started 9-0, and they know all about pressure to keep winning, and Monday night showdowns. The Titans are too young to understand the situation they are in. It could be a good thing that they are not aware of the moment, but I tend to lean towards the experience factor in games like this. I'm firmly taking the Colts to beat the Titans on Monday night. 

9-5 on the season, hopefully more good things to come. Have a great weekend everyone!!! 

New Broncos article on CBS4Denver.com

NEW BRONCOS ARTICLE CLICK HERE

Read! 

Post Feedback! 

Phillies @ Rays: Game 2

My prediction for tonight: Rays win 9-3

Short and sweet is the order of day. Enjoy the game.

ALERT: Non-Sports Post Below

Saw the new Oliver Stone movie 'W.' the other night. It was a unique look at George W Bush's life. The character actors did a really good job. In particular I was impressed with:

• Richard Dreyfuss: he did an outstanding job as Dick Cheney. 
• James Cromwell: also quite impressive, as George H W Bush. 
• Josh Brolin: had W's mannerism's down perfectly, every wince, shrug, cackle, smirk, and gesture was precisely as W would have done it. Really really impressed.

Go see it! It will get you talking and thinking about George W Bush. If you are expecting the movie to trash Bush, or expecting some kind of political commentary, well, don't. It's a character analysis of George W Bush, life and times sort of thing. 

Anyway, I dug it, it was really interesting. I'm glad I saw it. 

Fallish Classic begins tonight! Does Florida have Fall?

In my research leading up to tonight's historic game 1, I found something very interesting. Most gambling sites offer the Phillies as a favorite, a small favorite but a favorite nonetheless. However, there are a couple that are posting the Rays as a small favorite. I asked around to some friends, and I get the exact same result, more people think the Phillies are going to win, but there is some strong belief in the Rays as well.

I think tonight is going to showcase a very interesting pitching match-up, Hamels v Kazmir. Both pitchers are left-handed and both have good hard fastballs. It will interesting to see if each pitcher has his strike-out pitch working early in the game, Hamels his devestating changeup and Kazmir his slider. I think it will be a pretty safe bet that this game will not be high-scoring.

Both teams are batting around .250 against leftys this season, with the Phillies holding a slight edge. Jason Werth will be a guy to watch for the Phillies tonight. He batted .303 against leftys on the year, perhaps not all of his at bats were against a pitcher the caliber of Scott Kazmir or on the stage as larage as the World Series, but .303 is .303 and he could be a game 1 difference maker.

For the Rays, BJ Upton is the guy to watch. He has been on a tear, and his next homerun will tie Barry Bonds' record for most homeruns in a single postseason (Upton and Evan Longoria also have a chance to break Bonds and Rich Auriela's record of most postseason homeruns by teammates). Upton wasn't great against leftys this year batting .269, but his OBP was an impressive .415! Upton's average against right-handers is higher, and his OBP is much lower. Perhaps this is due to the smaller number of at-bats, but more probable I think is that Upton sees the pitches better out of a lefty's hand. Also, Jason Bartlett has been hitting leftys extremely well all year, so it will be interesting to see if that continues against Cole Hamels.

I like the Phillies in this game 5-3. And to win the series in 6.

Who do you like?

PS: For 10 bonus points, can you name the Rays mascot without looking it up...?

Today in my Inbox...

This little story came through my inbox today. I thought I would share it with everyone, no need to hide the way we all feel.

"Little David tells a tale...


Little David is in the 5th grade. Yesterday morning when the teacher 
asked the children what their fathers did for a living, all the typical
answers came up: fireman, policeman, salesman, etc.  The teacher
noticed that little David was being uncharacteristically quiet and so
she asked him about his father.  "My father's an exotic dancer in a
gay bar and takes off all his clothes in front of other men. Sometimes,
if the offer's really good, he'll go out to the alley with some guy and do
it with him for money." The teacher, obviously shaken by this
statement, hurriedly set the other children to work on some coloring,
and took little David aside to ask him, "Is that really true about your
father?" "No," said David, red faced. "He plays for the Detroit Lions,
but I was too embarrassed to say that in front of the other kids..."

Ziiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiingg!! I love jokes, send me your favorite jokes! Or post them here under comments. Maybe I'll try to post some of the better ones I get.

The Tampa Bay "Don't Call Us Devil" Rays are headed to BIG SHOW!

Congrats to the Rays. I for one am happy to admit my wrongness about Game 7, I thought they were done after losing game 6. I predicted that they would win game 6, but if they didn't I thought for sure they were doomed by the Baseball (read: Red Sox) Deities. I am so thankful I was wrong. I couldn't imagine having to watch one more game involving Kevin Youkilis. Matt Garza was lights out, and the young Rays got some clutch hitting and late inning pitching. David Price was sensational, and I think he will play a really big role in the World Series. As for predictions...Phillies in 6. Although with no Red Sox or Yankees around, I can sit back, watch, and cheer for great finishes and historic performances, with no ill-will towards either team. I'm gonna side with generic Mom answer on this one, "I wish they could both win, why can't they both win?"

Game 1: Wednesday in Tampa

Enjoy!

Quick LIONS rant

I am a Lions fan, but can we be honest about where the organization is right now? We finally fired Millen, which was a great step in the right direction, but there is still a lot more to do. Trading Roy Williams and getting multiple draft picks is exactly what the organization should be doing. Matt Millen must have always had a false sense of closeness, and by closeness I mean he thought the Lions were a couple players away from being competitive. Clearly that is/was not the case. If it takes 0-16 this year to go 12-4 sometime in the next five years, I'm on board. Getting the #1 pick in the draft would be nice. Since we are rebuilding, we should TRULY rebuild, not fake rebuild with Kitna and Roy and other mid-life crisis veterans. The future is Kevin Smith, Calvin Johnson, Ernie Sims, DeWayne White, Daniel Bullocks, etc. I'll be watching as intently as ever for the rest of the season, hoping that no one gets hurt, hoping that the young talent plays well and develops, hoping the coaching staff shows some savvy in key moments, but as for wins and losses...I'm over it, don't really care about this year anymore. I'm thinking about the future, which is what the organization should have been doing three years ago.

Agree? Disagree?

So far, So good

Through the first 13 games of the NFL weekend I have been quite successful in my picks. 8-5, with a couple near misses (Tampa won by 10, line was 10.5, I took Tampa). Vegas knows all. I will try to have my week 2 picks up Friday, so be on the look out for those. I also missed on the Lions game, line was Houston by 8.5, and they only won by 7. At least the dream of 0-16 is still alive!

Michigan Kryptonite = Coming Out for the Second Half

Michigan's second half possessions went something like this: Safety. Shanked Punt. Blocked Punt. Fumble. Three and Out. Three and Out. Token meaningless last drive of game, three first downs. Final score, 46-17. Penn State scored 39 unanswered points. Michigan had 185 yards of total offense in the first quarter...and finished with 291 for the game...and in the last drive they had 40ish. That about sums it up. 

Two Side Notes:

-So everyone who was sweating the PSU 23.5 spread in the first half, or even at halftime, is now cackling with glee. This is why gambling is an emotional roller coaster.

-Looks like the Michigan bowl streak is most likely going to end at 34 straight years, heck of a run though. Still proud to be a Michigan fan. 

ALCS Tonight

James Shields (above) gets the start for Tampa Bay. If you wanna play a fun drinking game with your friends, drink every time someone on TV references James Shields as "Big Game James". If anyone decides to count this occurrence, please post the final count. Josh Beckett is starting for the Red Sox. I think Tampa gets it done tonight to go to the world series to face Philly. That being said IF Boston wins, I think we all understand that game 7 wouldn't even need to be played, Boston would roll. Should be entertaining, come for the James Shields drinking game, stay for baseball!

Go BLUE anyone?

Michigan beating #3 Penn State 17-14 at the half. Brandon Minor has two touchdowns and according to Rich Rod, "Brandon has really practiced well the last couple weeks" and, "we needed his physical presence." Michigan has ZERO turnovers, and has looked like a totally different team today so far in the first half. I don't think that Michigan is going to all the sudden be the team to beat in the Big Ten, but on any given saturday anyone in the Big Ten can beat anyone else in the Big Ten. Second half should be exciting, if for no other reason than we will see which Michigan team shows up...

Best. Sign. Ever.

Good for you buddy! Not so good for your Rays.

RED SOX WIN IN DRAMATIC FASHION

Rays led Red Sox 7-0 through 7 2/3 innings...then hell froze over and the Red Sox scored 8 runs in the next 2 innings...headed back to Tampa for Game 6. Josh Beckett against James Shields. Can the young Rays overcome the momentum that the Red Sox have clearly stolen away? Tune in Saturday night.

I smelled an upset, and it came true!

TCU upsets BYU...just as I predicted...I'm batting 1.000 on the season, I may quit now...

#9 BYU v TCU tonight

Undefeated BYU goes on the road to TCU tonight. I smellllllll upset! Do you think BYU players trash talk? Anytime BYU plays someone isn't it pretty much like small school 10th grade team playing an all-star 6th grade team? BYU players are all married with kids and like 26 years old after doing their mormon missions, other schools are primarily 19-22 year old regular college kids. Wouldn't you frown on a team of 10th graders yelling at some 6th graders? Just food for thought. Young legs reign supreme tonight!

NFL Picks Week 7

My first ever NFL picks post. These lines are based on the Thursday morning lines, so they still could change. 

TENNESSEE TITANS (-8) @ KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

I'm taking the Titans in this one. I don't think anyone expected the Titans to 5-0 at this point, especially after Vince Young got all emotional and reportedly "suicidal." I wonder if the fact that Vince got a '6' on the Wonderlic test had anything to do with that. In an old ESPN article on the Wonderlic test, the founder of the company said that a score of '10' was literacy...6? I know we have been down this road before, but 6? Anyway, Kerry Collins got a 30, which compares to a chemist according to the Wonderlic people. I am confident Kerry Collins can figure out that KC has the second worst defense in the AFC. A chemist could figure that out right?

SAN DIEGO CHARGERS (PICK EM') @ BUFFALO BILLS

I was thoroughly impressed with the Chargers last week. (Random Thought: The Patriots mystique is clearly over, which means that even when Brady comes back next year, the mental edge that the Pats had over everyone is significantly diminished.) I am gonna go with the Chargers based on that performance last week, and the fact that the AFC West is so bad right now that the Chargers know they can take the division with a couple good weeks. The Bills have been a huge surprise in the AFC, and I think they have a real shot at winning the AFC East, but even at home I don't think they get it done. I think San Diego gave themselves enough of a confidence boost last week to carry over to this week. It should be noted that I have Antonio Gates and Vincent Jackson on my fantasy team, so my mind may be subconsciously making picks that would help my fantasy team...thanks mind, you're always looking out for me. 

PITTSBURGH STEELERS (-9.5) @ CINCINNATI BENGALS

How much time do I really have to dedicate to this space to explain how bad the Bengals are? Because the game is in Cincy, and this is a rivalry type game, I'm tempted to say the Bengals keep it close...but no, I can't do it. Pittsburgh is the pick. How's that for economical space saving?

BALTIMORE RAVENS (+3) @ MIAMI DOLPHINS

A battle of one-sided teams. The Ravens defense has been spectacular this season, with the notable exception being last week's 31-3 drubbing by the Colts and the Peyton Manning of old. The Dolphins lost a heart-breaker to the Texans last week 29-28. Who has more to prove? Who has more pride? I fully expect this to be the most entertaining game of the weekend, especially for diehard football enthusiasts. How is Baltimore going to combat Miami's wildcat formations? Is the Ronnie Brown show going to continue this week? This game interests me immensely. I'm going to take Baltimore because I think Ray Lewis will have the troops ready to go. 

DALLAS COWBOYS (-7) @ ST. LOUIS RAMS

Looks like Tony Romo is gonna give it a whirl, but as this is the NFL, that could change at any moment. I don't particularly think it matters who lines up under center for the Cowboys, they are significantly better and more talented than the Rams. The Rams got their first win of the season last week against the Redskins, but I don't see them being much of a threat to anyone the rest of the season. The Rams offense is ranked dead last in the NFC and the defense is giving up more yards than any team not named the Lions...I smell trouble. Dallas wins/covers handily, TO is a monster, Marion Barber is a monster, and all is well in the Cowboy South. 

MINNESOTA VIKINGS (+3) @ CHICAGO BEARS

No idea what to expect from either of these teams. The Vikings should be much better than they are, and so should the Bears. Both teams are 3-3 and continuously defy logic with their sporadic play week-to-week. Adrian Peterson set the rushing record against the Bears last year, and don't think for one second that everyone on that defense remembers it. These teams are very similar, they both have 'eh' quarterbacks and receivers and solid defenses. In fact, they are so much alike I'm just going to flip a coin to decide who to pick. If it's heads I'm taking the Bears and if it's tails I'm gonna go with Chicago. Here we go..............(coin is flipping through the air).......TAILS! Chicago is the pick for this week, boy was that intense, hope I never encounter indecision like that again. 

NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (+3) @ CAROLINA PANTHERS

I'm pretty surprised that the Panthers are favored in this one. Maybe because Reggie Bush is questionable? New Orleans has a prolific offense led by the not quite midseason league MVP Drew Brees, and they have won two of their last three. Carolina has won two of three also, but got blitzed (I hate using 'blitzed' in a football post, but I wanted to write this explanation so I am going to keep it in, one time only) last week by Tampa Bay. Carolina has found the defense of old, old being two years ago, but they have only been a franchise for twelve years-ish, so a two year window is roughly 16.6% of their existence!! I am going with the Panthers, I convinced myself that the offense of the Saints will not be up to the challenge against the Carolina defense. 

SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS (+10.5) @ NEW YORK GIANTS

The Giants were awful on Monday night. Eli was bad, the defense was bad, everything just looked bad. That being said the Giants still have the #1 offense in the NFL right now, statistically speaking. The Niners have been scoring a lot of points, but they have also been giving up a lot, so logic suggests the Giants score a lot and Niners score a lot, and the Giants finish with a higher number of points than the Niners. Works for me, Giants cover ad win by 13. 

DETROIT LIONS (+8.5) @ HOUSTON TEXANS

The Lions are unwatchable. I am at the point where unless I have a fantasy player going AGAINST the Lions, I cannot bare the pain of their football infidelities. At least this new GM has some savvy, getting four picks, two on the first day for Roy Williams was a steal. I hope he does more more dealing. Another thing, ENOUGH JON KITNA, WE GET IT, YOU FEEL CHEATED, YOU LOVE GOD, BLAH BLAH BLAH. Going on and on about how the Lions are trying to make him look selfish, no one is trying to make you look selfish, you just said that if they wanted to go in a different direction that they should have traded you in the offseason, well the Lions didn't know that you were gonna be so bad! You want out when you start to suck more than usual, THAT'S BEING SELFISH!! ARRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGHHHHHHHH!

To recap, I like Houston this week. (I would love to go on about Orlovsky scrambling out of the endzone, but no need to beat a dead Lion).

NEW YORK JETS (-3) @ OAKLAND RAIDERS

I like the Raiders in this one. Something about this game feels fishy to me, the Raiders have looked pretty lifeless all season and last week was certainly no different, but something doesn't feel right. Favre has been great all season, the Jets are competing in the AFC East and they look like a real threat. I know it goes against all forms of logic and sensibility, but I'm sticking with the Raiders. 

CLEVELAND BROWNS (+7) @ WASHINGTON REDSKINS

The Redskins getting a touchdown on the Browns? Maybe I'm a fool for taking so much head in momentum, but Cleveland was terrific on Monday night, and the Redskins lost to the Rams...I suppose this is make or break time, sink or swim, live or die, come or go, any other cliche I'm missing? I think something clicked with the Browns and they will go on a run, maybe not to the playoffs, but another mildly successful year. The Redskins are going to keep pace in the "toughest division in football" (fee fi fo fum, we are the NFC East!) But honestly I like all the other three teams in the division better. I'll take the Browns.

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (-1) @ GREEN BAY PACKERS

This should be another great game to watch. If you have directv (RT: that always bothers me by the way, doesn't everyone say DIRECT TV, but really it's DIREC TV, I know they are combining the two words to be cool or whatever, but it really bugs me) you can watch the Ravens/Dolphins game I touted earlier, and than tune in to this one. You can thank me later. While we are talking about games on TV, are there 1000 other things you would rather do than watch Seattle/Tampa Bay in the Sunday night game? I cannot wait until whatever week it is that the games are chosen, what a smart move by the NFL. They finally did something right! So Colts Packers, back on track, this will be great to watch, both of these teams always play focused and intense every week. These are NFL teams, teams you would be happy to pay to watch. Unlike a certain team in the Motor City...I should have never started talking about the Lions, now it's all I can think about. FOCUS, FOCUS Big fella.....there, that's better. The Packers have lost three of four, but could have just as easily won three of four as they had a couple close games (Atlanta, Tampa Bay). I generally side with the home team in games like this, but the Colts looked great against the #1 rated Ravens defense last week, I think they build on that momentum. Colts win. 

SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (+10.5) @ TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS 

I really don't know much about either of these teams. Seattle is disappointing, Tampa Bay is overachieving. Perfect. That was easy. I pick Tampa to win 13-2. If that actually happens, send your lottery number requests to Andrew Joynt, Genius Enterprises, Denver, CO 80203.

DENVER BRONCOS (+3) @ NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

Another wishy washy type game. The Broncos have been awful on defense, giving up 393 yards per game, worst in the AFC, but they have been super on offense putting up 399 yards per game, best in the AFC. So where do we go with this team? Being in Denver I get a lot of Bronco coverage, and I admit, I am becoming a bit of fan. Brandon Marshall is the future of the NFL, say what you want about Reggie Bush and Calvin Johnson, Shawn Merriman, and other young NFL talents...Brandon Marshall has the potential to the best wide receiver in the NFL for the next ten years. It helps that Jay Cutler trusts him to a fault, and will throw it to him regardless of down, distance, coverage, situation, etc. But this guy is special, if you haven't seen him play, take special time out to watch him on Monday night. All that being said, I hear the Patriots are practicing day and night after last week's debacle against San Diego. Coach Hoody has them ready to play (Can you imagine if Ray Lewis was on the Pats? Belichick and Lewis would have Pats players selling their souls for wins!) and the Patriots win.

Wow, that wasn't so bad. Please feel free to email me: joynt@colorado.edu and comment on the posts. I will not be held responsible if you bet your life savings on my picks because they were presented in such a eloquent and humorous fashion...they are just words my friends. 

Phillie Phanatic going to the World Series!

More information than you ever thought possible about aforementioned monster...

wiki phanatic

Pat Sajak is a concerned Dodger fan...

Maybe fox would have made a bigger deal about this if Vanna White was there?