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Picking Week 11 NFL Games

I decided to start picking NFL games even though half of the season is already over. I will compare my picks to  Sports Illustrated's  writer Peter King. (I have never met him and this is not a collaboration with him.) I am just curious if my record will be better than his at the end of the year.

King :                                

                          27                     23      

Me : Peyton Manning will throw for over 250 yards and 4 touchdowns since the Raven's' secondary is not much to write home about. Colts 31- Ravens 13

King :  

                    30                     9

Me : The Pittsburgh Steelers have too many weapons for the rebuilding Chiefs to handle, and their defense will dominate even without Troy Polamalu. Steelers 24- Chiefs 6

King :  

                          18                            23

Me :    This is one of my upset specials of the week. Last week the Packers were inspired against the Cowboys leading to them winning the game. The emotion will not be there against the 49'ers and San Francisco escapes with a 17-13 victory. 

King :  

                           17                          30

Me :           Brett Favre leads the Vikings to scores on every drive through the 3rd quarter and he sits for the 4th quarter. The Vikings beat a mediocre Seattle team 31- 14.

King :  

                         16                            27

Me : The Giants had 2 weeks to prepare for the Vikings, and CB Aaron Ross, DE Chris Canty, and former Atlanta LB Michael Boley are expected to play Sunday. Atlanta will keep their playoff hopes alive while the Giants lose their 5th straight game. Falcons 24 - Giants 20.

King :  

                          13                            19

Me : Both Cleveland and Detroit have only won one game so far this season. This loser might end up with the #1 pick in the 2010 NFL draft. Does either team even want that pick? This is going to be an ugly game to watch but the Lions will prevail 14- 6.

King : 

                          17                         23

Me : Cowboys will really stick it to the Redskins. They are mad at themselves for losing in Green Bay last week. Also this is a divisional rivalry game and that will energize them even more. Cowboys 31- Redskins 17

King :   

                           28                             25

ME : I am tempted to pick Tampa Bay as an upset special but just can't. The Bucs make it competitive though while losing 20 -33.

King :       

                             17                            27

ME:  Buffalo has a new interim head coach after Bills Owner fired Dick Juaron this week. Neither team will make the playoffs so this will be a ho hum game. Jaguars don't have T.O. on their team so they win at home 23- 16.

King :  

                        33                           14

ME :       Cardinals are starting to look like last year's team in the playoffs. The Rams are the same lovable losers but can't hang with the Cardinals, lose 20 - 35

King:  

                         30                           14

ME : This is a hard game to pick as Bronco's QB Kyle Orton will be a game time decision. Ultimately the Chargers know this is their opportunity to seize the division lead. It will be a close game but Charger's RB LaDainian Tomlinson will score the winning TD in the 4th quarter propelling them to a 24-17 win.

King :  

                         17                            31

ME : This is my other upset special. Even though the game is being played at the Patriots home field, the Jets seem to have their number. Brady gets flustered throwing 2 interceptions and Rex Ryan blitzes almost on every down. Jets upset Patriots 27-24.

King : 

                        26                            10

ME : Bengals win this without having to try to hard. Chad Ochocinco will do a TD dance. Bengals win 23-13.

King:  

                        20                           17

ME : Somehow Bears QB Jay Cutler leads an average team to a victory over the pass happy Eagles, pulling out a 24-20 victory.

King : 

                       27                         20

ME :    Titans QB Vince Young comes back to his hometown to showcase himself on Monday night and leading the Titans to 3 consecutive wins. The Titans who used to be the Houston Oilers run aground and their win streak ends in a close one with the Texans winning 24-21.

Indianapolis Colts vs Arizona Cardinals 2009 Live Blog

The 2-0 Indianapolis Colts invade the 1-1 Arizona Cardinals home tonight hoping to get another win and push their record to 3-0. The Arizona Cardinals are looking to show the league that last year's Super Bowl run was not a fluke, and they are a legitimate contender again this year. With both teams built around their proficient and veteran quarterback's passing offenses, this looks like it can be a high scoring game.

Peyton Manning opens up the Colts' first drive throwing 3 times but only completing just 1 pass to Dallas Clark for 9 yards but  the Colts  have to punt the ball away to the Cardinals. The Cardinals defense looks inspired reminiscent of their performance in the Super Bowl. Arizona QB Kurt Warner does not drive the team anywhere on their first possession. 

Half way through the first quarter the defenses have dominated the opposing offenses. The Colts and Cardinals have combined for only 52 yards of offense and 2 first downs.Despite having arguably the best trio of wide receivers in the NFL, the Colts' secondary has held Anquan Boldin, Larry Fitzgerald, and Steve Breaston to 2 catches. 

Arizona kicker Neil Rackers scores the game's first points by nailing a 38 yard field goal. The Cardinal's first scoring drive was aided by Colt's Bethea committing 15 yard face mask penalty. Cardinals are leading 3-0 with 2:41 left in the 1st quarter. A blow to Cardinals' defensive line as Darnell Dockett was injured and is return is questionable. 

Antrel Rolle intercepts Manning's pass and has a 28 yard return to the Cardinals 43 yard line. Arizona had good pressure on Manning. A brief stop in action as a bird flies across the field and lands in the end zone. Another 15 yard Colts' penalty gives the Cardinals a first down and are close to field goal range again. Both Manning and Warner are getting decent time in the pocket, their offensive lines are starting to match their defensive counterparts play. Boldin grabs his second catch of the game putting the Cardinals at the Colts' 10 yard line. Cardinals running back Tim Hightower fumbles the ball and the Colts recover at their own 5 yard line. The Cardinals' fumbling  woes continue for the third straight game. 

Peyton Manning marches the Colts on a 12 play 95 yard drive culminating in a 20 touchdown pass to a diving Reggie Wayne. Wayne made a fantastic one handed catch flying out of bounds but not before scoring the touchdown. Colts take the lead 7-3. The Cardinals fail to answer the Colts' touchdown drive causing a 3 and out series. Colts have the momentum now starting their next drive on Arizona's 42 yard line. Cardinals really are missing Dockett's pass rush abilities on the defensive line, as Manning surgically picks apart  Arizona's secondary  for another touchdown drive. Arizona's fans are very quiet now, and all of the excitement has left the stadium. With 3:46 left in the first half the Colts increase their lead 14-3.

Manning has the Colts' offense on cruise control now as he leads the Colts on their 3rd consecutive touchdown drive. Manning hooks up with wide receiver Pierre Garcon for a long 53 yard touchdown pass against Arizona's top  corner back, Dominick Rogers-Cromartie. The Colts are scoring at will and seemingly have this game all but wrapped up. Colts 21- Cardinals 3. The Cardinals offense shows some signs of life executing a well called 2 minute drill. Arizona moves the ball to Indiana's 1 yard line, but Warner's pass intended for Larry Fitzgerald get's tipped then intercepted by Antwan Bethea in the end zone. Arizona squanders another scoring opportunity inside the redzone. If the Cardinals did not turn the ball over this could have been a good game. At halftime, the Colts are in control 21-3.

The Cardinals start their first possession of the third quarter with a no huddle attack preventing the Colts from making any defensive substitutions. The change up  approach works since Kurt Warner ends the 8 play 73 yard  drive with a 10 yard touchdown pass to Anquan Boldin. Arizona's defense needs to put pressure on Manning and prevent Indianapolis from scoring again. Arizona just over matched now with the Colts marching on another long drive. Their defense reminds one of a sieve. Rookie running back Donald Brown scoots for a 23 yard gain but the Cardinals' defense finally holds. Amazingly, on "Mr. Automatic" kicker Adam Vinateri's 32 yard field goal attempt, the ball hits the left post and bounces away. So far tonight Vinateri has hit the camera on the crossbar and the left upright. The crowd gets back into the game after Vinateri's missed field goal.

Rookie Donald Brown scampers for 72 yards to the Cardinals 5 yard on a toss from Manning.The Cardinals secondary completely blows the coverage. Joseph Addai catches 5 yard  pass from Manning for another touchdown. The crowd sitting on their hands again with the Colts ahead 28-10. It has been a frustrating night for Arizona. Another holding offensive penalty causes the Cardinals a first down. On the ensuing play, a harried Kurt Warner gets hit from behind and inevitably his pass is intercepted.

Manning calls a conservative series starting at Arizona's 40 yard line. They decide not to run up the score settling on another Vinateri field goal pushing the score 31-10. For all intents and purposes this game is over with 11 minutes left in the game. 

Breaking Out the Crystal Ball : NFL Predictions 2009

            The NFL kick starts the 2009 season Thursday night  with a great matchup between the Tennesee Titans and the defending Super Bowl champs Pittsburgh Steelers. Both teams are once again considered Super Bowl contenders. The Titans had the best record last year garnering 13 wins versus 3 losses. Ben Roethlisberger has already won 2 Super Bowls and  arguably ranks as the third best QB in the league behind Tom Brady and Peyton Manning. A civil lawsuit was filed in July by a Las Vegas hotel employee allegedly accusing the star QB of rape. Depending on how long the suit remains unsettled could be a distraction for the Steelers this season. 

Today I make my predictions for the season, playoffs, and individual player honors.  

AFC East 

1. New England Patriots 12-4 / addition of WR Joey Galloway makes this explosive offense even more flammable with Tom Brady at the helm. They will not blow away opponents like they did in 2007 as the defense has lost the heart and soul of the defense since Tedi Bruschi (retirement) and Richard Seymour (traded to Oakland) are no longer on the team.

2. Miami Dolphins  10-6/ will miss out on the playoffs despite a good season. They are still a few players away from contending this year.

3. New York Jets 8-8/ Mark Sanchez will open eyes this year despite not having any superstars on the team he won't have a Matt Ryan or Joe Flacco type impact as a rookie, but the Jets finally have found themselves a  franchise QB.

4. Buffalo Bills 4-12/ adding Terrell Owens is a sign of a desparate team. 

AFC North

1. Pittsburgh Steelers 11-5/ Steelers have a let down following last year's Super Bowl run. There are just too many  good and hungry teams vying for their crown.

2. Baltimore Ravens 10-6/ With his good rookie year behind him, a more seasoned Joe Flacco opens up the Raven's offense more and the defense will be the same dominating unit. 

3.Cinncinati Bengals 6-10/ The Bengals are rebuilding and Chad Ochocinco will be driven to tweet moreso than score TDs.

4. Cleveland Browns 3-13/ Brady Quinn is not a franchise QB.

AFC South 

1. Tennesee Titans 12-4/ very solid team and will repeat as division champs.

2. Houston Texans 10-6/ this year's "out-of-nowhere" team a  la the Atlanta Falcons last year they will surprise a lot of teams and finally make the playoffs. 

3. Indianapolis Colts 8-8/ Peyton Manning and the Colts have an off year.

4. Jacksonville Jaguars 5-11/ Another team that needs a good QB, RB Maurice Jones Drew can not do it all by himself. 

AFC West

1. San Diego Chargers 14-2/ kings of the worst division in NFL, dare I say professional sports? So much talent on this team. They will have home field advantage throughout the playoffs and are my pick to represent the AFC in the Super Bowl.

2. Denver Broncos 6-10/ so much turmoil this past offseason as superstar QB and malcontent, Jay Cuter gets traded to Chicago Bears. 

3. Kansas City Chiefs 4-12/ looks like it will be another long year for Chiefs fans.

4. Oakland Raiders 2-14/ Al Davis needs to sell this team for any chance of hope in the future.

Division Champs : New England, Pittsburgh, Tennesee, San Diego

Wild Cards : Baltimore and Houston

Playoffs 

Wild Card Games: Tennessee over Houston and Baltimore over Pittsburgh

Division Games : New England over Baltimore and San Diego over Tennesee

AFC Champ: San Diego over New England

NFC East

1. Dallas Cowboys 11-5/ Tony Romo a candidate for MVP leads an "under the radar"/ discounted team to division championship and the Cowboys are the NFC champs.

2. New York Giants 10-6/ No rookie WRs step up this year, but behind good running game and solid defense the Giants barely make the playoffs.

3. Philadelphia Eagles 8-8/ Eagles discombobulate amid QB controversy between Michael Vick and Donovan McNabb.

4. Washington Redskins 6-10/ QB Jason Campbell has best year in D.C. but the team loses several close games.

NFC North

1. Minnesota Vikings 10-6/ RB Adrian Peterson leads the Vikings to NFC north championship and earns league honors as MVP when Favre suffers injury late in the season.

2. Green Bay Packers 10-6/ QB Aaron Rodgers shows he is not Brett Favre- which is a good thing.

3. Chicago Bears 7-9/ QB Jay Cutler doesn't have Brandon Marshall to throw to and has several hissy fits on the sidelines. Denver Broncos love every second.

4. Detroit Lions 3-13/ Break open the Cristal ! The Lions triple their win total from last season!

NFC South 

1. New Orleans Saints 12-4/ behind QB Drew Brees the Saints dominate their rather mediocre division throwing for over 4,000 yards again. Reggie Bush continues to be just an average NFL player.

2. Carolina Panthers 8-8/ WR Steve Smith just cannot stay healthy through an entire NFL season costing the Panthers a playoff spot.

3. Atlanta Falcons 7-9/ QB Matt Ryan suffers a sophomore slump and the Falcons cannot duplicate their playoff season of yesteryear due to a tougher schedule. 

4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 5-11/ like their Florida neighboor Jacksonville Jaguars, the Bucs desparately need a good QB to make it anywhere anytime soon. 

NFC West

1. Arizona Cardinals 9-7/ Cardinals squeak into the playoffs but lose in the first round.

2. San Francisco 49'ers 8-8/ Mike Singletary has the team going in the right direction but still lacks star QB.

3. Seattle Seahawks 7-9/ there's still a NFL team in Seattle?

4. St. Louis Rams 5-11/ the barbecue still better in St. Louis than the Rams

Division Winners : New Orleans, Dallas, Minnesota, Arizona

Wild Cards : New York and Green Bay

Playoffs

WIld Card Games : Minnesota over New York and Green Bay over Arizona

Divisional Playoffs: Dallas over Minnesota and New Orleans over Green Bay

NFC Champ: Dallas over New Orleans

Super Bowl : Dallas over San Diego 31- 20/ Tony Romo named game MVP

MVP : Adrian Peterson - Vikings

Defensive Player of the Year : DeMarcus Ware - Cowboys

Offensive Rookie of the Year- Percy Harvin- Vikings

Defensive Rookie of the Year - Aaron Curry- Seahawks

Coach of the Year : Wade Phillips