Heterodoxia

A successful 9-4 weekend has put a bounce in my steps. Now sitting pretty at 85-53. On with the picks!

Game of the Week
Eagles @ Cowboys
Should be the most fun game to watch. After stumbling about like a drunk Quasimodo for half of the year, Cowboys are entirely rejuvenated under interim coach Garrett, beating legitimate teams like Colts & Giants, and losing to the Saints by 3. The Eagles are no longer invincible (Bears exposed them) but they’re still an elite team. This game should be a high scoring shoot-out, unlike last night or the Ravens-Steelers tilt. Vick will make enough plays to steal this one. Eagles by 4

Patriots @ Bears
Stumbling a bit vs. the Lions last Sunday (4 point win) proved that the Bears aren’t truly an elite team. Their powerhouse defense will always keep them in a game, but I still don’t trust Cutler to pull off a clutch victory. The Patriots OTOH are on a high, after destroying the Jets, along with every shred of Rex Ryan’s credibility. No, the Pats won’t treat the Bears the same way, but they’ll win comfortably. Pats by 8 Continue reading NFL week 14 picks

I went 11-3 last weekend, my best this year so far. That brings me back over 60%. We have plenty of rematches in week 13, and that will separate the contenders from the pretenders as this crazy season finally winds down.

Games of the week
Steelers @ Ravens
Steelers are #1 against the run, which should slow down RB Rice. Plus the Steelers’ running game has been very potent recently, and RB Mendenhall can chew up the clock. Ravens aren’t a 1 dimensional running team, and will exploit the Steelers’ suspect pass defense. QB Brady shredded them to confetti, so QB Flacco may repeat the trick. Ravens by 1

Jets @ Pats
QB Sanchez exploited the Pats’ secondary the last time. Now he has a brand new and far more dangerous weapon in WR Holmes, and there’s no way the Pats can stop that combo. But the Pats have won 25 in a row at home. Plus they have a strong WR corps and RB platoon helping Brady. Jets haven’t been world beaters lately with too-close for comfort wins over pasties in Browns, Lions, Texans the past month. Pats by 3

Bonima Game of the week
Skins @ Giants
Giants D have been inconsistent all year: Cowboys took advantage with their passing game, and the Jags, with their running game. Skins may pull it off with both. However, the Giants still have a balanced attack (run or throw effectively, and stop offenses, if on occasion). They must take advantage of the Skins’ weak secondary. Giants by 10 Continue reading NFL week 13 picks

Last weekend restored balance to the NFL. Yes, I finished over .500 with 9-6 and that brings the total to 65-46.
Thursday games
Patriots @ Lions
NFL should get rid of tradition and slot “game of the week” here instead of forcing the Lions to play on thanksgiving. And they’ll get embarrassed by halftime. Patriots all the way, by 10.

Saints @ Cowboys
Naturally I would pick the superior team here, but I think the Cowboys have finally exorcised their demons. Thus they’ll beat the Saints for the second year in a row. Cowboys by 4

Bengals @ Jets
Bengals have officially given up, after going belly-up last week vs the Bills. Rex Ryan won’t let the Jets fumble this easy win away. Jets by 12 Continue reading NFL week 12

Now this season is finally turning interesting, after the schizoid, unpredictable roller-coaster of the 1st half. But my picks are taking a turn for the worse: 5-9 last week. 56-40 on the year. Tsk.

Game of the week
Giants@ Eagles
Both teams are tied for 1st place. Eagles completely destroyed the Redskins last night, and Vick is now the clear frontrunner for the MVP. Someone is controlling him in Madden football in real life! Eagles’ secondary is opportunistic, and they can snooker Eli Manning into errant throws. If they do, the game wont’ be close. The Giants are still stumbling about in a daze after last week’s buttkicking from the Cowboys. However, prior to that, they were a much more solid team and their pass rush is entirely capable of slowing down Vick. Their offense is explosive with RB Bradshaw and WR Nicks. If Manning doesn’t throw picks, Giants can keep this close. I shouldn’t pick against the Eagles, since they’re undefeated with Vick, but nothing is guaranteed this year. Giants by 1.

Colts @ Pats
The annual “Game of the year.” Pats are on a roll, despite a hiccup vs the Browns, and their D shut down the Steelers last week. Colts have historically had problems at Foxboro, and Brady is entirely capable of shredding the Colts’ D to confetti. expect Unsung RB Green-Ellis to feast on the Colts’ soft run D via playaction plays. Colts, OTOH, are still potent on offense, despite all their injuries. It’s due to the immortal Manning and his trusty sidekick, WR Wayne. Pats’ D isn’t anything to write home about so far, and Colts will not hold back. Normally i’d go with the Pats in this situation, but this time, i feel Manning is on a mission this year. Colts 34, Pats 31 Continue reading NFL week 11 picks

At least 4 games are worth watching this week. I was 6-6 last week, which brings my total to a grand 51 to 31. After suffering through an upset-filled weekend, I’m ready to restore order and see the contenders separate themselves from the chaff.
Game of the games of the week
Patriots @ Steelers
They’re the two top teams in the NFL, and the result will determine the rest of the season. Patriots are consistent with Brady and their #2 scoring offense. Pittsburg is stingy on pass defense so it’ll be exciting. Steelers are actually #1 in offense and #1 in rushing yards allowed. Steelers by 6  Continue reading NFL week 10 picks

I went 7-5 last week, which brings me to a grand total of 45 – 25. That takes me down to a measly 64%. Ay caramba!
Game of the week
Colts @ Eagles
Colts need to separate from the others in their division. Eagles needs this game for credibility and catch the Giants. Despite being riddled with injuries allover the roster, the Colts keep on chugging, thanks to Manning. The Eagles don’t have enough on D to stop this well-oiled machine, and Manning will pick them apart without breaking a sweat. On the other hand, the Eagles’ offense is nearly as explosive as the Colts, and with Vick coming back, he can supply the running dimension to take advantage of the Colts’ D weakness. Manning pulls another one out of the fire in a shootout. Colts by 7 Continue reading NFL week 9 picks