NFL Power Rankings: Conference Round 2014

I dont think this has ever happened; the top two teams are the teams going to the Super Bowl. Not just that but they are both significantly ahead of everyone else. 

1. Patriots 102 (14-4) Same
2. Seahawks 102 (14-4) Same
3. Packers 78 (13-5) Same
4. Broncos 72 (12-5) Same
5. Cowboys 67 (13-5) Up 1
6. Colts 65 (13-6) Down 1
7. Cardinals 50 (11-6) Same
8. Lions 39 (11-6) Same
9. Bengals 37 (10-6-1) Same
10. Steelers 35 (11-6) Up 1
11. Ravens 34 (11-7) Down 1
12. Eagles 34 (10-6) Same
13. Bills 24 (9-7) Same
14. Chargers 21 (9-7) Same
15. Chiefs 21 (9-7) Same
16. 49ers 6 (8-8) Same
17. Texans 1 (9-7) Same
18. Dolphins 1 (8-8) Same
19. Panthers -10 (8-9-1) Same
20. Saints -24 (7-9) Same
21. Vikings -28 (7-9) Same
22. Browns  -29 (7-9) Same
23. Rams -29 (6-10) Same
24. Giants -38 (6-10) Same
25. Falcons -45 (6-10) Same
26. Bears -52 (5-11) Same
27. Jets -64 (4-12) Same
28. Raiders -75 (3-13) Same
29. Redskins -75 (4-12) Same
30. Jaguars -92 (3-13) Same
31. Titans -112 (2-14) Same
32. Buccaneers -116 (2-14) Same

NFL Playoffs: Conference Round 2014

Conference Round Results
I dont think that anyone is surprised by the results of last weeks playoff games. It was surprising that the Packers gave the Seahawks the first half troubles that they did.
Packers @ Seahawks: Seahawks!
Colts @ Patriots: Patriots!

Super Bowl Pick
I really dont know what to think about the upcoming game. After what Seattle did to Denver last year its hard to envision anyone being able to beat them. That said, Tom Brady.
Seahawks vs Patriots: Seahawks

NFL Power Rankings: Divisional Round 2014

The remaining 4 teams are in the top 5. It looks like we have a pretty accurate representation of the best talented teams playing in the Conference Round.

1. Patriots 89 (13-4) Up 2
2. Seahawks 88 (13-4) Down 1
3. Packers 82 (13-4) Up 2
4. Broncos 73 (12-5) Down 2
5. Colts 70 (13-5) Up 1
6. Cowboys 67 (13-5) Down 2
7. Cardinals 50 (11-6) Same
8. Lions 40 (11-6) Same
9. Bengals 39 (10-6-1) Up 1
10. Ravens 35 (11-7) Down 1
11. Steelers 35 (11-6) Same
12. Eagles 35 (10-6) Same
13. Bills 23 (9-7) Same
14. Chargers 20 (9-7) Same
15. Chiefs 19 (9-7) Same
16. 49ers 6 (8-8) Same
17. Texans 3 (9-7) Same
18. Dolphins 1 (8-8) Same
19. Panthers -9 (8-9-1) Same
20. Saints -24 (7-9) Same
21. Vikings -26 (7-9) Up 1
22. Browns -28 (7-9) Down 1
23. Rams -30 (6-10) Same
24. Giants -37 (6-10) Same
25. Falcons -44 (6-10) Same
26. Bears -50 (5-11) Same
27. Jets -63 (4-12) Same
28. Redskins -74 (4-12) Up 1
29. Raiders -75 (3-13) Down 1
30. Jaguars -90 (3-13) Same
31. Titans -110 (2-14) Same
32. Buccaneers -115 (2-14) Same

NFL Playoffs: Divisional Round 2014

Divisional Round Results
I really thought that the Cowboys were going to get the Packers today. Oh well, 2 of 4 isnt that bad. (Not that good either.)
Ravens @ Patriots: Patriots!
Panthers @ Seahawks: Seahawks!
Cowboys @ Packers: Cowboys Packers
Colts @ Broncos: Broncos Colts

Conference Round Picks
Looks like were going to have a couple of good games to determine who gets to the playoffs.
Packers @ Seahawks: Seahawks
Colts @ Patriots: Patriots

The question is, if im right, will the Seahawks do to the Patriots what they did to the Broncos last year?

NFL Power Rankings: Wildcard Round 2014

The top is getting crowded. 

1. Seahawks 79 (12-4) Up 1
2. Broncos 78 (12-4) Down 1
3. Patriots 76 (12-4) Same
4. Cowboys 70 (13-4) Up 2
5. Packers 67 (12-4) Down 1
6. Colts 59 (12-5) Up 1
7. Cardinals 52 (11-6) Down 2
8. Lions 41 (11-6) Same
9. Ravens 40 (11-6) Up 3
10. Bengals 39 (10-6-1) Down 1
11. Steelers 36 (11-6) Down 1
12. Eagles 35 (10-6) Down 1
13. Bills 22 (9-7) Same
14. Chargers 21 (9-7) Same
15. Chiefs 19 (9-7) Same
16. 49ers 7 (8-8) Same
17. Texans 4 (9-7) Same
18. Dolphins 2 (8-8) Same
19. Panthers -3 (8-8-1) Same
20. Saints -22 (7-9) Same
21. Browns -25 (7-9) Same
22. Vikings -26 (7-9) Same
23. Rams -30 (6-10) Same
24. Giants -35 (6-10) Same
25. Falcons -42 (6-10) Same
26. Bears -48 (5-11) Same
27. Jets -62 (4-12) Same
28. Raiders -73 (3-13) Same
29. Redskins -73 (4-12) Same
30. Jaguars -88 (3-13) Same
31. Titans -108 (2-14) Same
32. Buccaneers -112 (2-14) Same

NFL Playoffs: Wildcard Round 2014

Wild Card Round Results
Well, the one pick I was hoping was wrong was the only one I got correct.
Cardinals @ Panthers:
-Cardinals Panthers
Ravens @ Steelers:
Steelers Ravens
Bengals @ Colts:
Bengals Colts
Lions @ Cowboys:
Cowboys

Divisional Round Picks
Ravens @ Patriots: Patriots
Panthers @ Seahawks: Seahawks
Cowboys @ Packers: Cowboys
Colts @ Broncos: Broncos

NFL End of Season Wrap-Up 2014

Its the end of the season and my playoff picks were not the best.

AFC

Ill take 3 division winners. 

East: Patriots (12-4)

I love that after a couple early losses people were calling it an end of an era. Never count Brady and Belichick out.

North: Bengals (10-5-1) Steelers (11-5)

Boy was this division tight. All 4 teams were in it until week 15. 3 of the 4 made the playoffs. Those 3 teams were all within 1 game of each other.

South: Colts (11-5)

The Colts had 11 wins. The other 3 teams had 14 wins total. 

West: Broncos (12-4)

The Broncos won 3 of their last 4. The Chiefs and Chargers together only won 3 games during that time.

Wild Card: Bills (9-7), Chiefs (9-7) Bengals (10-5-1), Ravens (10-6)

Well, I wasnt even close. There were a lot of 9-7 teams in the AFC. 

NFC

At least I had 4 of the 6 teams correct. I just thought (and hoped) that the divisions would shake out a little different.

East: Eagles (10-6) Cowboys (12-4)

Well, the Cowboys beat the Eagles twice. 

North: Lions (11-5) Packers (12-4)

I knew, early in the season, that this division was going to come down to week 17 in Lambeau. 

South: Saints (7-9) Panthers (7-8-1)

Something has got to be done about this. A team with a losing record is going to the playoffs while the 10-6 Eagles will be watching from home.

West: Cardinals (11-5) Seahawks (12-4)

Winning your last 6 games, 5 of which are against divisional opponents, is a great way to sure up the division. 

Wild Card: Cowboys (12-4), Packers (12-4) Cardinals (11-5), Lions (11-5)

Its really a shame that the Panthers have home field advantage over these teams. 

Wild Card Round Picks

Ravens @ Steelers: Steelers

Cardinals @ Panthers: Cardinals

Bengals @ Colts: Bengals

Lions @ Cowboys: Cowboys

NFL Early Season Picks 2014

Here they are.

AFC
East: Patriots (2-1)
Boring!
North: Bengals (3-0)
Three good wins to start the season. Lets see where this goes.
South: Texans (2-1)
This division, I tell ya. It will surprise me if any of them do better than 10-6
West: Broncos (2-1)
I cant pick against Peyton, not this early in the season.
Wildcard: Chargers (2-1), Bills (2-1)
While I know that the Bills will disappoint me they have put up 2 very good wins.

NFC
East: Eagles (3-0)NFL
It may be bloody getting there but the Eagles are on a roll.
North: Lions (2-1)
Its probably just wishful thinking but when the home team is on top you have to pick them right?
South: Panthers (2-0)
They beat the Lions and Bucks handedly.
West: Cardinals (3-0)
Its really hard to pick a team other than the Seahawks or 49ers. But, I think all 4 of these teams could make the playoffs this year.
Wildcard: Seahawks (2-1), 49ers (1-2)

Playoffs 13

So, it looks like I did pretty good on my picks.

AFC
East: Patriots! (12-4)
North: Bengals! (11-5) Looks like my last minute change worked out.
South: Colts! (11-5) The other 3 teams have a combined 13 wins. "Good job winning the South Indy" he said sarcastically.
West: Broncos! (13-3)
Wildcard: Chiefs! (11-5), Dolphins Chargers (9-7) So the Dolphins didnt make it. Who would have thought that the 5-7 Chargers would win their last 4 and to be the only other team over 500 in the AFC.
NFC
East: Cowboys Eagles (10-6) Fuckin Cowboys
North: Lions Packers (8-7-1) Technically over 500, Green Bay limps into the playoffs from a division that hates to win this season.
South: Saints Panthers (12-4) I said the Saints would have to beat the Panthers twice, they didnt.
West: Seahawks! (13-3)
Wildcard: 49ers! (12-4), Panthers Saints (11-5) So the Panthers beat out the Saints for the division and I had them the other way around.

What happens next?
Chiefs vs Colts: Ive been unimpressed with the Colts all season. That said, Andy Reed cant win in the playoffs. Colts
Saints vs Eagles: Saints
Chargers vs Bengals: While I think the Chargers have made a great run, I have to go with the Bengals.
49ers vs Packers: There is only one NFC team that can stop the 49ers and it isnt the Packers. 49ers.

As for the Superbowl; Im still going with the Broncos over the Seahawks. Though, for the first time this season I think the 49ers or Panthers could contest for the NFC Championship.

NFL 13 Late Season Picks

Were 3/4 of the way through the season and things are starting to solidify. I know my picks look almost exactly like the If the Season Ended Today scenario but thats the way it is this year. Only a few teams actually showed up and several of them are only a game away from clinching their spot in the playoffs.

AFC
East: Patriots (9-3)
One more win and they take the division.

North: Ravens Bengals (8-4)
The Ravens could make a run for the division but I feel like the Bengals will hang on.

South: Colts (8-4)
This weeks win over the Titans brings the Colts to just one win away from clinching the worst division in the league.

West: Broncos (10-2)
Mid season I said that the Broncos were going to have to be the ones to take out the Chiefs. Well they have, twice.

Wildcard: Chiefs (9-3), Titans Dolphins (6-6)
The Chiefs will be the 5th seed this year. As for the last seed in the AFC, who knows. Its likely that a team with an 8-8 record gets a wild card spot in the AFC. Currently it would be the 6-6 Ravens but I am going to have to change my pick to the Dolphins.

NFC
East: Cowboys (7-5)
The Cowboys have an easier schedule but the Eagles are hot on their heels. This one could come down to their week 17 matchup.

North: Lions (7-5)
The Lions have been very fortunate that their two capable rivals starting quarterbacks are both injured.

South: Saints (9-3)
The Saints should win this division. That said, they still have to play the Panthers, twice.

West: Seahawks (11-1)
The Seahawks are easily the best team in the league right now.

Wild Card: 49ers (8-4), Packers Panthers (9-3)
Well, the loss of Aaron Rodgers was too much for the Packers to overcome and I seriously doubt they will be going to the playoffs this year. Also, it looks like the Panthers are legit.

I still like the Broncos and Seahawks in the Super Bowl.

We Have To Go Back

Im sure most of you have read by now that its been a crappy couple weeks. All your support has been wonderful and greatly appreciated. On to other things...

Were in a bit of a cool down here in Phoenix. Its only going to be in the low 70s for the rest of the week. Im not complaining about it being in the 70s. Im complaining about a snowless winter. Next year it will not be this way.

In good news, the Arizona Cardinals are headed to the Super Bowl. After about week 12 most people had pretty much given up on the Cards. I sure as hell did. It was a given that they were going to make the playoffs but there was no way theyed be able to beat a playoff caliber team. Well here they are, having beaten 3 playoff teams, one game away from being the world champions. Go Cardinals!

LOST is back. Last nights 2 hour premier was great. We got to find out "where" The Island went. The lady that wouldnt sell Desmond the ring is back. Kate is on the run again. And we got to see the guy from the Dharma orientation videos.

The weight loss has been going very well. Im right on pace to be at my Phoenix record by the end of the month. Its been a nice distraction from everything else thats been going on. Its also been nice being cheered on every now and then by you guys. Also I think Bri is right about the whole accountability thing. When I have to post that Ive gained weight (even though it hasnt happened much) I always cringe a little bit. Why the heck did I eat all those potatoes? I ask myself. When the "easy" 15 pounds is gone Im planning on slowing it down a lot. Its easy to loss those pounds when youre starting nearly 64 pounds over weight. I dont think Ill ever get down to 145. I like eating way to muchh. I will say that its nice to fit into my fat cloths again.

08 Wildcard Week

OK, so things didnt turn out quite how I planned. 4 of the AFC teams I picked to make the playoffs are in. Good job San Diego making it with the worst division winning record ever (tied). And what the heck is up with the 11-5 Patriots not making it. I knew there would be teams with 10-6 records not making it but holy crap.

I know I said it after week 10 but I realy mean it, the NFC is a mess. Some how, with a tie, the 9-6-1 Eagles sneak in for a wildcard spot. The previously 9-3 division leading Bucs become the 9-7 sitting at home watching the playoff Bucs. It doesnt really surprise me that the Vikings won their division. It really doesnt mean anything. Nobody wanted to win that division this year.

Tomorrow the Cardinals play the Falcons. Im pretty sure the Cardinals are going to lose but its probably going to be close. Theyll lose in true Arizona football style. After that, the Colts are going to destroy the Chargers. The Colts are frickin on fire. If theres a team in the AFC that I wouldnt want to play it would be them. Peyton (the good son) took a team that I didnt think would make it to the playoffs and made them a 12-4 team winning their last 9.

Sunday, the Ravens play the Dolphins in what I think will be the best game of the wildcard round. After that, the Eagles will annialate the Vikings. Donovan has something to prove and, while I dont think theyre going to win the big game, the Eagles are the team I wouldnt want to play in the NFC.

2888

The frickin Redskins. If I pick you to win, you cant lose youre divisional games. So, the Giants have all butt clinched a playoff spot and their division. And with todays loss the Redskins cant win the NFC East so Im forced to accnowledge the Giants as the division winner. (I know the Cowboys technically could win the division but thats not going to happen.)

Week 10, 2008

Week 10 has come and gone and that means everyone has played their bye week and with that, the same number of games. Here are my updated playoff picks.

East: Patriots
North: Steelers
South: Titans
West: Broncos
Wildcard: Ravens,  Dolphins

The AFC has been playing out pretty much how I expected it too ever since week 3. Pretty much, that is, with the exception of the Bills who decided to lose their last 3 games, which just happen to be division games. So I dropped the Bills in the wildcard and am now officially routing for the Dolphins. I also think there is a good chance that the Titans go undefeated this year. Their only real competition is the Steelers and Colts.  I dont think it will happen but their set up for it.

East: Redskins
North: Bears
South: Buccaneers
West: Cardinals 
Wildcard: Giants, Panthers

The NFC is a mess. First of all the Giants are now playing good teams and winning. Whats worse is Eli Manning is getting all the credit. Second, the Cowboys and Redskins both lost to the Rams. Third, the Cardinals have almost clinched their division. There is one constant you can look to for stability though. The Lions are 0-9, and it looks like their only chance to win a game this year is going to be in week 14 against the Vikings. And Im only saying they have a chance because its a divisional game and theyll be playing at home. In the end, I can no longer support the Cowboys. I hope they prove me wrong but I dont think they make the playoffs this year. In the NFC its going to take an 11-5 record or division win to guarantee a playoff birth. There will be several teams at 10-6 and one of them might make it. 

This leaves my Super Bowl picks. Obviously Im not going to pick the Cowboys anymore since I dont even think theyre going to make the playoffs. So I think its the Bucs beating the 15-1 Titans.

NFL Week 5

OK, so here are my revised picks for the NFL playoffs this year.

AFC
East: Patriots
North: Steelers
South: Titans
West: Broncos
Wildcard: Bills
Wildcard: Ravens

NFC:
East: Redskins
North: Bears
South: Buccaneers
West: Cardinals
Wildcard: Cowboys
Wildcard: Packers

So the AFC stayed the same from week 3 even though I should probably be bailing on the Ravens and choose the Jaguars or Dolphins (yeah I said the Dolphins)  who have ridiculously easy schedules for the rest of the year.

As for the NFC, I dropped the Cowboys and Packers down to wildcards because the Skins and Bears have ridiculously easy schedules too. I probably should drop the Pack all together and go with the Panthers or Vikings but I think Rodgers is going to turn it around. As for dropping the Eagles, their division is just too hard this year. They needed to beat the Skins if they were going to contend.

And dont think Ive forgotten the the Giants are currently undefeated. Good job beating the Rams (0-4), Bengals (0-5) and the Seahawks (1-3) Eli (douche-bag). You got lucky the Redskins didnt have it figured out yet week 1 when you beat them. Theyll probably win the next 2 games (Browns 1-3, 49rs 2-3) but after that, its all down hill for them. Ill be surprised if the finish over 500. Thats right, Im predicting 2-8 for the Giants last 10 games.

I still think the Cowboys are going to beat the Steelers in the Superbowl. Itll just be harder for them to get there.

Well Everything Falls Apart

With the Lions on a bye week, the Cardinals returned to their old habits to fill the need for an atrocious display of professional football. Basically, the NFL was like, we need to have a team totally blow every opportunity given to them, turn the ball over 64,000 times, and then, when all appears to be lost, stage a grand comeback that falls just short. The Cardinals filled that need with vigor today.

On other NFL news, every team that I picked to win their division that played today lost, with the exception of the Titans and the Bucs (who beat the Packers who I picked to win their division). This hasnt prompted me to change my picks. We must be resolute. Ive got this fancy spreadsheet that I made up that helps me rank all the teams. Each team gets a score based on their wins, losses and the wins and losses of the teams the played.

Week 3 Playoff Picks

Were half way through week 3 of the 2008 NFL season. Here are my picks

AFC
East: New England Partiots
North: Pittsburgh Steelers
South: Tennessee Titans
West: Denver Broncos
Wildcard: Baltimore Ravens
Wildcard: Buffalo Bills

NFC
East: Dallas Cowboys
North: Green Bay Packers
South: Tampa Bay Buccaneers
West: Arizona Cardinals
Wildcard: Philadelphia Eagles
Wildcard: Washington Redskins

As for the Superbowl, I pick the Cowboys beating the Steelers.

Tale of Two Halfs

Well the Cowboys and Colts gave the Packers and the Patriots a big gift this weekend. The Colts were about the only team that had a chance to stop the Pats and the Packers are going to destroy the Giants at Lambeau field. The only problem is I dont know who to root for in the Super Bowl. I want the Patriots to go 19-0 but I also want Favre to win another ring.

Ive Watched You Change

We had a little bit of a scare Sunday night. The Eagles almost beat the Patriots. What should have been a blow out turned into a glimpse into how to beat New England. None the less, they have clinched the AFC East. Then, the Steelers, who are the only team left who has a chance to beat the Patriots, barely beat the Dolphins (who are winless this season) on a last minute field goal.

As the league stands now:
AFC
East: Patriots (bye)
North: Steelers
West: Colts (bye)
South: Chargers
Wild Cards: Browns, Jaguars

NFC
East: Cowboys (bye)
North: Packers (bye)
West: Buccaneers
South: Seahawks
Wild Cards: Cowboys, Lions

Well the Ravens completely blew my upset by loosing the 4 games since my last prediction. (Including 3 division games). I think the AFC is going to play out as above with the exception of the Browns winning the north and the Steelers being a wild card. The NFC is pretty set in stone too. The division leaders are pretty much going to stay there, as they all have at least a 2 game lead. The Giants and the Lions have a pretty hard end to the season but none of the teams chasing them have it that easy either. I think the NFC is going to stay as it is.

Fat Thursday

Another successful Thanksgiving! This year we went south. Unlike last year the football was not in HD. Thats ok though because, unlike last year, the food was in HD. With much trepidation, Zac cooked up a tasty, juicy turkey. Dan mashed up some serious potatoes and gravy. Jaime made her aunt Cathys cheesy potatoes dish. Teresas mom brought the best yams Ive ever tasted. On top of all that we had rolls, green beens, corn, stove top stuffing, biscuits, and homemade salsa. For dessert we had pumpkin pie and pecan pie.