Week 13 NFL Picks

Alright Week 13 is here. Man this season is going fast. In case you missed last weeks picks you can find out how I did by going here.

Philly @ Seattle

• In a short week Philly has to travel cross country and I just don't like what pressure and lack of prep that gives a Philly team that is going to be missing their starting QB Vick and Starting WR Macklin.
• On top of those injuries your starting RB McCoy is banged up and Questionable as is your CB Asomugha.
• Eagles still have a decent QB in Young and plenty of talent
• Seattle just lost on of their WR threats in Rice.
• Eagles are still more talented and will win

Tennessee @ Buffalo

• Buffalo is getting healthy and comes back home after a 3 game road trip which ended with them almost taking down the Jets
• Titans are looking good and CJ2K is running better racking up 190 rushing yds last week
• Buffalo if they can stop CJ2K may take this one at home

KC @ Chicago

• Both teams playing backup QB's and KC may be going with a QB that was once a Bear
• Hanie for the Bears looks like the better backup over either of the Cheifs backups.
• Chicago at home and needing this game more in order to keep them with Detroit should win this game

Atlanta @ Houston

• If Houston was healthy and coming into this game at home against the Falcons I would pick them hands down.
• Fact is they aren't healthy and going against the Falcons with a third string QB
• Falcons go to Houston and wins

Oakland @ Miami

• Oakland is on a 3 game win streak in which they beat the Chargers, Vikings and Bears
• Miami before they lost a close one on Turkey day to the Cowboys were on a 3 game win streak and before that almost beat the Giants in NY.
• Going with Miami who looks pretty decent right now with a young QB Matt Moore.

Denver @ Minnesota

• Yes Tebow is getting it done with his legs but he is also throwing for more yards each week and the most important thing is he isn't turning the ball over with INT's. The counter argument however is that if you're averaging 8 passes a game you better not throw picks.
• Minnesota is giving up yards in the air but can Tebow pick them apart? I think the Vikings may be able to contain them on the ground.
• Denver's D has kept them in the game and will do the same this week. Denver wins.

Indy @ NE

• Patriots

Cincy @ Pitt

• You know who I want to win, but can Cincy go into Pitt and win?
• I think Pitt will pull out a close win but I'm going to pick Cincy with an upset

Carolina @ TB

• Carolina goes into Tamp and steals one from the Bucs

NYJ @ Washington

• OK ready for this craziness.
• Washington shuts down the Jet's and causes the Jets to panic even more.
• Why not? This season has been crazy

Baltimore @ The Mistake By The Lake (Cleveland)

• Ed reed has more INT's (10), INT return yd (356), INT-TDs (3) and Pass Deflections (18) against the Browns than any other team in NFL
• This game makes me nervous only because we're playing a team with a losing record on the road which this season equaled a loss for us.
• I think however we have corrected our offesive problems and we get out of Cleveland with a win

Dallas @ Arizona

• Dallas going for 5 game win streak and should get it this week even if Kolb can play.

GB @ NYG

• I was hoping the Giants could pull the upset this week, but you have to go with the undefeated team until they slip.

StL @ SF

• StL going into SF is going to have their hands full. SF is a good team and will win easily

Detroit @ NO

• Detroit is slipping and the mess with Suh isn't going to help.
• I read a weird story that the Saints have lost all 11 of their coin flips this year and that's all they will lose this week. Saints win.

SD @ Jacksonville

• That leaves us with SD and Jacksonville. Man Monday night games this season have been boring. It doesn't get any better this week as a 4-7 Chargers play the 3-8 Jags
• Jags fired their head coach and sold the team all in one day and the next day fired WR coach and shuffled others around.
• SD hasn't been good this year and their coaching staff may suffer the same fate as the Jags.
• SD wins this snoozer.

Week 12 NFL Pick Results

Not too bad this week ending with a 11-5 record. Bringing my season record to 92-52 63.88%

Here's were I went wrong and right this past week.

GB over Detroit     CORRECT
Miami over Dallas     WRONG  Should have gone for the 2pt conv in the 3rd qtr
Baltimore over SF     CORRECT
NYJ over Buffalo     CORRECT
Cincy over Cleveland     CORRECT
Atlanta over Minn     CORRECT
Houston over Jacksonville     CORRECT
StL over Arizona     WRONG
Tampa over Tenn     WRONG
Carolina over Indy     CORRECT
Seattle over Washington      WRONG
Oakland over Chicago     CORRECT
Philly over NE     WRONG
Denver over SD     CORRECT
Pitt over KC     CORRECT
NO over NYG     CORRECT

Week 12 NFL Picks

Alright so here we go.  If you want to see what happened with my picks last week click here.  Week 12 is here and Turkey Day is filled with some GREAT football.  3 great matchups to sit back and enjoy.  Happy Thanksgiving to all of you!!

GB @ Detroit

• Packers "O" is dangerous.  Rodgers is arguably the best in the NFL today.
• Detroit has been pretty good at home, but after last week even though they won can they hang with GB?
• Packers are bound to lose a game this season but is this the week? They played a close game last week, and on the road this season they have played close games.
• I know it's going to be loud and Detroit typically plays tough on Turkey Day but how do you pick against an undefeated team. Have to pick em GB to win even though I'm leaning more toward Detroit with an upset. I think Rodgers should take advantage of an iffy defensive backfield of the Lions.

Miami @ Dallas

• Both teams on a 3 game win streak
• Before this 3 game streak Miami lost a close game in NY against the Giants.
• Dallas just won a close game in OT against a backsliding Redskins team who doesn't know who to start at QB. Should we go with backup A or backup B? They should have lost this game and if Washington had a decent QB and Kicker they would have.
• Miami QB Moore has played great these past 3 games
• Picking Miami to go into Dallas and win a close game

SF @ Baltimore

• The thing that scares me about this game is what Offensive game plan is Cam going to go with? Are we going to throw it every down, or are we going to stick with what works and play a balanced game? I think Harbs puts his foot down and has Cam stick to what they did last week.
• Comparing the 2 defenses. I like what SF has on defense. They have a really good defensive front including LB's. So I will give a push there, but I think Baltimore has a better defensive backfield.
• SF 30th in league in 3rd down conversion which doesn't bode well for them.
• Short week for both teams but SF has to come across country. I know they have traveled 4 times to the East Coast and won all 4, BUT not on a short week.
• Going with the more veteran team in the Ravens.

Buffalo @ NYJ

• This is tough because Buffalo was playing great football, but the past 2 weeks were blown apart. They were outscored 79-15 in two games.
• Jets haven't been that impressive themselves and lost to a Tebow led Broncos offense.
• Don't like Sanchez but he gets it done this game

Cleveland @ Cincy

• Cleveland is improving since years past but not up to the level of Cincy who is having a great season with young players
• Cleveland lost week 1 at home to Cincy and will lose this one on the road in Cincy

Minn @ Atlanta

• Atlanta is going to be too much for the Vikings
• Vikings can run the ball but only averaging 180 in the air. Falcons have been good at run defense if they contain Peterson this game should be an easy one.

Houston @ Jacksonville

• Went back and forth with this game. Any other time earlier in the season I would have flat out picked the Texans because they are way better than the Jags. However Houston is now missing their starting QB in Schaub.
• I don't trust Leinart because he's had his chance to shine out in the Arizona heat and flopped miserably. I do think the talent around him is enough, and their running game will allow him to do the bare minimum to win this game.

Arizona @ StL

• Neither of these teams impress me at all. Kolb hasn't worked out this year for Arizona and it looks like they are going with Skelton again at QB.
• Going to give the nod to StL at home

Tampa @ Tennessee

• Tampa going into Tenn in my opinion should win this one.
• Blount is back and looks good in the back field for TB
• "Fat Albert" Haynesworth says he's playing and if anything gives TB size on the D line. Alright that's probably all he will give them.
• Tenn Qb situation still in the air but looks like Hasselbeck may be back this week.

Carolina @ Indy

• Let's see Carolinas Offense is better, Carolina's Defense is playing better than Indy. Heck Carolina is playing better than Indy.
• Indy will be yet another game closer in the "Suck for Luck Sweepstakes" this week.  It's as if they aren't even planning for any games this season and drawing up plans for next year with Andrew Luck.

Washington @ Seattle

• I like what Seattle has with Lynch running the ball. He's like the Seahawks version of Ray Rice. Very potent weapon.
• Defense wise I think they are comparable to each other. Seahawks have a slightly better run defense than the Skins.
• I think Seattle adds to the Skins woes and hands them a loss and long flight back to DC

Chicago @ Oakland

• Man, where to go with this game? Go back to what I said about Houston in regards to their Qb situation.  The same may apply here.  Chicago is out their starting QB for the season and I don't have faith in the backup, at least this week.
• Oakland is looking good this season and even though they are missing their biggest Offensive weapon in RB McFadden, Bush has filled in big time.
• Every week Carson is getting more comfortable and I think with Bush running the ball and Carson tossing it around to their WR corp Oakland should take this one at home.

NE @ Philly

• Well I can tell you who I want to win, and that's Philly. Any time an NFC team plays an AFC that's not the Ravens I'm going NFC all the way.
• Can Philly pull off this feat? Yeah I think so.  Philly is tied at 11th in the league against the pass with the Bengals.  While the Patriots are worst the the LEAGUE against the pass. That's right 32nd.
• IF Philly can keep the ball out of Brady's hand's they can do it. NE doesn't have a powerful running game at all and for a majority of the first half last week a Tyler Palko led Chiefs led 3-0 up until 3:18 left in the half.
• I think McCoy can move the ball against NE and with another week under his belt Vince Young may be able to pass on them.
• Can you tell I'm trying to talk myself into this upset? Well I'm doing it.  Eagles win!!

Denver @ SD

• Let me start by saying I don't dislike Tebow as a person. I actually admire his faith and his mission work. Now as a QB I don't think he is ready to be a starting QB. Yes he makes plays with his feet but he's way too inaccurate in his passing. Now I've tempted him to prove me wrong and picked against him for the past 2 to 3 weeks and he's crushed my picks.
• Inaccurate Tebow or WTH is going on Rivers? Who's going to be the QB to lead his team to a W this week?
• Denver is averaging more yards on the ground and that's thanks to a running Tebow.
• SD is more efficient on 3rd down conversion to the tune of 48.9%
• Why not Tebow and the Broncos win this sloppy game. What am I thinking?

Pitt @ KC

• I mean come on Steelers coming off the bye against the Chiefs.  I don't care if this game was played in Abu Dhabi the Steelers win.  Even if Ben wasn't playing and Dixon filled in, which he isn't just threw that in there since Ben has a fractured thumb.

NYG @ NO

• Saints coming off the Bye and have Sproles back
• In the dome I'm giving the nod to the Saints and the gunslinger Brees

Ravens vs Bengals After Thoughts

I am very pleased with how this game turned out and for many reason's and not just the simple fact we walked away with a "W". First of all I am very happy with the play of our LB corp with the absence of Ray. Also with the "W" as a whole up until the 4th qtr. I have to admit I am a huge Lardarius Webb fan at corner. He has been playing great defense and has become a pretty decent corner after making the switch from safety.
I was nervous going into this game because I didn't know what kind of Offensive game plan to expect from Cam.  Would we see the game plan we executed against the Steelers and Houston where we were balanced and got Rice involved running the ball? Are we going to see Flacco throw the ball 60 times like in our 3 loses?  I was pleased to see the more balanced game plan. I hope we stick to this game plan. Hopefully Cam noticed we CAN throw down field and are very effective throwing deep off the I formation play action. Not only effective but the play action had Boldin wide open over the middle and kept pressure off Joe. Torrey Smith showed off his ridiculous speed and racked up 165yds. I'm really excited to see what he develops into. I was also excited to see Lee Evans get back on the field and even though he was only targeted once he was a threat they had to take seriously.
I am concerned however with our defense and their inability to end drives and get off the field in the 4th qtr. They had this problem last week against Seattle and Cincy almost tied this game late. Well at least was given a real shot but we were able to stall a late drive and get pressure on the rookie QB. Speaking of which Dalton is looking good in his rookie season.
All in all a big win against a tough division opponent and puts us back where we belong over the much despised Steelers.

Week 11 NFL Pick Results

Looking to improve after going 7-9 this week I go 9-5 improving my season standing up to 81-47 63.28%

This season has been crazy.  The Ravens as well as others have been losing games that on paper you think they should win.  Now the fun begins!!  Bye weeks are over and every week we have a full slate of games.

Jets over Broncos     WRONG
Raiders over Vikings     CORRECT
Ravens over Bengals     CORRECT
Lions over Panthers     CORRECT
Packers over Bucs     CORRECT
Cowboys over Redskins     CORRECT
Jags over Browns     WRONG
Falcons over Titans     CORRECT
Bills over Dolphins     WRONG
49ers over Cardinals     CORRECT
Rams over Seahawks     WRONG
Bears over Chargers     CORRECT
Giants over Eagles     WRONG
Patriots over Cheifs     CORRECT

Week 11 NFL Picks

Alright so last week I roughed out a 7-9 record and sit at 72-42 on the season so far.  Time to boost my season record.
So I'm slammed for time this week so I'm just going to put my picks out there without any breakdown.  Too busy working on the house and painting before the Holidays hit.

Let's get to it.

Jets over Broncos
Raiders over Vikings
Ravens over Bengals
Lions over Panthers
Packers over Bucs
Cowboys over Redskins
Jags over Browns
Falcons over Titans
Bills over Dolphins
49ers over Cardinals
Rams over Seahawks
Bears over Chargers
Giants over Eagles
Patriots over Cheifs

There you have it.  Alright my break is over back to painting.

Week 10 Pick Results

Alright this season is crazy, and this weeks picks were brutal.  This week I went 7-9 bringing down my season record to 72-42 63.15%

Nothing else to say.  Just look at what was my worst week.  This won't happen again.  Then again I thought the same about the Ravens losing to a team they should beat.

SD over Oakland     WRONG    Now you choose to show up Carson
NO over Atlanta     CORRECT
Carolina over Tennessee     WRONG
Pitt over Cincy     CORRECT
Cleveland over StL     WRONG
Buffalo over Dallas     WRONG
Jacksonville over Indy     CORRECT
KC over Denver     WRONG     Shame on you KC for losing to a team who's QB completes 2 passes
Miami over Washington     CORRECT
Philly over Arizona     WRONG
Houston over TB     CORRECT
Baltimore over Seattle     WRONG   What is wrong with you!!! You're better than that!
Chicago over Detroit      CORRECT
NYG over SF     WRONG
NYJ over NE     WRONG
GB over Minnesota     CORRECT

Need a different perspective?

So I've meant to share this sooner but never got around to it.  I wanted to share another blog that comes from the perspective of a couple Steelers fans.

Check them out here: http://steelersnat.blogspot.com/

I came across their blog because I was looking for a different perspective to things going on in the division and they do a great job over there.  So go check it out.


Keller and Weidman I'm giving you guys some props but still have to throw a little dig towards your team.

Week 10 NFL Picks...Just in Time

I usually like to wait until Thursday to put in my picks that gives me time to look over injuries and such.  I completely forgot this week marked the week they started Thursday night games.

My picks were roughed up last week but I'll stand behind the disaster that was an 8-6 record bringing my picks to a 65-33 season record and sitting at 66.32% correct.

Let's do it...

Oakland @ SD

• For Oakland your starting RB who carried your team is still out and so is the QB you started the season with, but now you have Carson Palmer who has thrown 6 picks in six quarters
• Good news for Oakland SD QB Rivers leads the lead in turnovers
• SD is putting up better offensive numbers than Oakland and Defensive numbers are better.
• Giving this one to SD at home

NO @ Atlanta

• Brees has 3004 passing yds already this season and should be able to pass on the Falcons as long as he has time.
• 2 dome teams means we could see a nice air show and points put on the board
• Giving NO the nod in this division showdown.

Tenn @ Carolina

• Carolina's more explosive with Cam Newton chucking it down field to Steve Smith
• Also see Cam using his legs to move the ball on a Tenn defense that it's playing so hot
• Carolina 23-17

Pitt @ Cincy

• Well...BLAH!  2 division teams that I can't stand yet I have to pick one?
• Alright Pitt has the defense, albeit a defense that's a little beat up. Players are stepping up and filling those holes though
• I don't know if Cincy has played a team yet like a Steeler team.  They played a decent defense in the 49ers and scored only 8 points, and a Buffalo team they beat 23-20 but are they comparable? I don't think so.
• I think Pitt will confuse the rookie QB this match-up and Ben will put up some points.
• Hate to make the call but I'm picking the Raven pecked Steelers

Alright running short on time due to my forgetting the Thursday game so here's the rest of my picks

StL @ Cleveland

• Not even going to break it down 'cause who cares? Cleveland should win

Buffalo @ Dallas

• Going to give the slight edge to Buffalo and their running game

Jacksonville @ Indy

• Indy wants to get Andrew Luck and it's apparent.  Jacksonville wins

Denver @ KC

• Tebow burnt me last week after I said he was the reason they would lose, well let's see you prove me wrong again Timmy.  KC wins

Washington @ Miami

• Man I love to see the Redskins lose, and they have been fueling that love with a 3-5 record. Miami wins with Matt Moore showing up the ex-Dolphin Beck

Arizona @ Philly

• Philly wins, that all

Houston @ TB

• Arian Foster and Ben Tate running like crazy and Houston takes this game

Baltimore @ Seattle

• We've had our slip-ups coming out of big wins and losing to teams we should beat on the road. NOT this week. Seahawks get plucked.

Detroit @ Chicago

• Chicago taking the series split and beating Detroit

NYG @ SF

• Like what SF is doing but going with Eli's arm in this one

NE @ NYJ

• Can't stand either one but what the heck NYJ splitting this series too. NY

Minn @ GB

• Green Bay

Orioles Offseason This & That

There's been a lot of buzz this off-season surrounding the Orioles and surprising (can you feel the sarcasm) most of this buzz isn't painting the organization in a positive light.


Let's start with the first piece of bad press they received, it came with the celebration and unveiling of the Brooks Robinson statue.

Let me just say congratulations to a great man and Orioles legend!  

With that said now let me say, SHAME on you Orioles!  When you think Orioles you think Brooks, Cal, Palmer, and you had NOTHING to do with this at all?  Not only did you not contribute any funds to it, nobody from your organization showed up to celebrate the unveiling?  It's not like you had to go far it's right across the street from your stadium and warehouse.  Which brings up my other complaint.  How is this not on the property of the stadium?  I understand Babe Ruth is from Baltimore but the man was only in the Orioles organization for 5 months in 1914, and we sold him.  He is most known for being a Yankee.  So instead of celebrating on of your own like a Cal, Brooks, or Palmer you have a statue in honor of a YANKEE.  Whatever as long as Angelos is the owner of this team things like this will continue.


Let me take a breathe and calm down a bit and talk about the next piece of news with the Orioles and that's the departure of President of Baseball Operations Andy MacPhail.  It doesn't matter what title you give let's just say GM because that's what he was.  Some criticize his player moves or lack there of some would say.  I for one think that Andy did what he could player wise, and the moves he made were good ones when they were made.  I emphasize player moves because I feel more should have been done with the organization as a whole.  You can bring in good and upcoming talent as he did, but it does you no good if you're not developing that talent and that's where MacPhail failed I believe.  Then you have international scouting and this was MacPhail's response, "We're still not head over heels in international scouting."   Really?  How has that worked out for your minor league system?  So I wouldn't say that MacPhail was a complete failure but had some areas he should have done better in.  Although the areas he dropped the ball in may hurt us in the long run in trying to be competitive sooner rather than later.


With the departure of MacPhail the way the Orioles were talked about in the media on this candidate and that candidate declining to be interviewed and you had Tony Lacava who turned down the job to stay as the Assistant GM in Toronto.  I think this was the biggest blow to the Orioles because you had a guy who was rumored to be your leading candidate turn down your offer to be your GM to stay as an Assistant GM.  So the Orioles go out and hire Dan Duquette as their new executive vice president.  Again doesn't matter what the title is he will be the GM, fall guy, scapegoat, whatever.  I'm not sold that anyone can come in and do anything under the Angelos ownership.  In his one on one interview with Steve Melewski his answer to one of the questions, answered may biggest question.  When asked if he has the assurance that he can make any moves whether it's signing players or hiring and firing staff his response was " I have the assurance that I'm going to be here to build a competitive and winning team."  Hmm, am I reading too much into this statement?  Don't get me wrong I hope he comes in here and turns things around, but until I see moves made and changes put in place I'll stand by my thinking that until Angelos goes we'll remain the same.
I'll stop my complaining now, but I feel we have a right to be a bit upset and pessimistic.  14 years of losing records has given us that right.

Week 9 Prediction Results...BLAH

Well last week's picks were just brutal, and not only my picks but all but one of my fantasy teams lost.  However that aside my beloved Ravens pulled off the season sweep of the highly hated Steelers, and sent their fans crying in their stupid terrible towels.  So I could care less what my fantasy teams or picks did last week, that just topped it all.

Last week I went 8-6 and brings my season standings to 65-33 66.32%.

Here's my disaster of a week:

Buffalo over NYJ     WRONG
Dallas over Seattle     CORRECT
Houston over Cleveland     CORRECT
Atlanta over Indy     CORRECT
KC over Miami     WRONG
TB over NO     WRONG
SF over Washington     CORRECT
Oakland over Denver     WRONG
Cincy over Tennessee     CORRECT
StL over Arizona     WRONG
NE over NYG     WRONG
GB over SD     CORRECT
Baltimore over Pitt     CORRECT
Chicago over Philly     CORRECT

Ravens / Steelers Week

I'm not going to go into the preview or pre-game analysis of this game because the two teams know each other so well, and are practically mirror images it's going to be a great, hard fought, hard hitting, take no prisoners kind of game.  I'm just taking in all that is Ravens / Steeler week with all the trash talking that goes along with it.  Can't wait!  You fellow Ravens Fans have a GREAT Purple Firday!!!

Week 9 NFL Picks

9-4 last week and 57-27 on the season.  My picks are straight up win or lose and not against the spread.

Let's get to it...

NYJ @ Buffalo

• Jets coming off the bye and haven't won a game following the bye since Rex has taken over as coach
• Not buying into the good game the Jets O had last game.  This offense is not good.
• Bills with the better offense and good defense should win this game

Seattle @ Dallas

• Cowboys coming off a tough loss will get back on track this week against a Seattle team with the 31st ranked offense

Cleveland @ Houston

• Cleveland is Cleveland although the future is looking better for them, but Houston is the better team all around.

Atlanta @  Indy

• Altanta has lost 3 straight to the Colts and are a franchise 1-13 dating back to when they were in Baltimore. Although this isn't the same Colts team

Miami @ KC

• KC isn't the same team that was playing in the beginning of the season, and playing well as of late.
• Home game for KC and it get's loud at home. Edge goes to KC

TB @ NO

• Going with a TB upset over NO this week.

SF @ Washington

• These 2 teams are going in 2 different directions and SF should have an fairly easy time.

Denver @ Oakland

• No McFadden this game but Denver is still riding the Tebow wave and I'm not following suit
• Denver will not win this game because of Tebow.  In 2 starts he has been sacked 13 times thrown for 333yds and only completed 47% of his throws. 

Cincy @ Tennessee

• Although I hope they lose I'm going with Cincy. They have a decent defense and Andy Dalton is getting it done.
• Cedric Benson is far out performing Chris Johnson whose only had 1 game where he had over 100 yds and that was against CLE where he went for 101.

StL @ Arizona

• Arizona looks like they may have to face Stl without Kolb at QB whose battling turf toe. That doesn't help the 1- Cardinals

NYG @ NE

• NE at home coming off a tough loss to the Steelers should take this one
• Bradshaw is out with a foot injury not going to help the Giants run game

GB @ SD

• Rivers is having issues and until someone stops them I'm going with GB

Baltimore @ Pitt

• I was prepared coming into this week to pick the Steelers, as tough as it would have been. Wouldn't have meant I wouldn't have been pulling for my Ravens.
• Although Steelers LB's are beat up and that doesn't bode well for stopping Ray Rice.  We kind of got away from running the ball but you best believe we're going to grind it out this week.
• Looks like Grubbs is going to be back this week which will help solidify our line which has struggled as of late.  Having him back will also get the running game going again as he will get downfield blocks.
• Ravens defense is playing out of their minds right now. With the attention on Suggs which has not stopped him so far from getting to Ben, watch for Kruger coming from the opposite side of the field.
• Game is going to be close as it usually is and wouldn't be shocked at a Ravens loss, but with injuries on the other side of the ball I'm giving the nod to my boys.

Chicago @ Philly

• Philly was unstoppable against the Cowboys
• Chicago has to get Forte going early and often and slow down the eagles offense that can be explosive.
• May regret it but going with Chicago coming off a bye

Week 8 NFL Pick Results

Alright here's last weeks damages.  Just to let you know my picks are straight up win or lose.  I don't go by Vegas lines or anything.

Last week I was 9-4 bringing my season record to 57-27 67.8% correct.

• Baltimore over Arizona     CORRECT
• Minnesota over Carolina     CORRECT
• Houston over Jacksonville     CORRECT
• NYG over Miama     CORRECT
• NO over Stl     WRONG
• Tennessee over Indy     CORRECT
• Buffalo over Washington     CORRECT
• Detroit over Denver     CORRECT
• NE over Pittsburgh     WRONG
• Cincy over Seattle     CORRECT
• SF over Cleveland     CORRECT
• Dallas over Philly     WRONG
• SD over KC     WRONG

Ravens / Cards Phew!

Before you continue I have to give you fair warning because I happen to like stats when it comes to sports, so I'm going to throw some numbers your way.  They don't tell the whole story but add a lot I think.

Alright so that game wasn't the prettiest win, but one I will take nonetheless.  Now I'm not going to sugar coat the fact that the Jacksonville game and first half of this game our Offense looked rough, but this is the NFL.  All 32 teams have professional players, and their win loss record doesn't paint a complete picture.  Let's take the Jaguars.  Yes I thought we should have had no problem with them, but after taking a step back you can see somewhat how we could have stumbled.  All I hear is how much better the Steelers are than us yet even they were shut out in the second half of their game against the Jags.  A look at some numbers, Jacksonville is 10th best in pts allowed and 7th best in yards allowed per game.  Anyway enough of Jacksonville, let's look at this Arizona team we just played and the game itself.

Offensively Arizona is averaging 20pts a game and putting up 319 yards a game which has them in the bottom of the league in points and middle of the road in yards.  Defensively they're at the bottom.  Averaging 26pts a game which is good enough for 29th and 391 yds a game which is 27th out of 32 teams.

I'm not going to get up in arms about how close this game was because you take away a sack fumble and a pass that goes off your rookie receivers hands.  Both leading to Arizona having a short field to work with you're talking about a 30-13 game.

Starting out I thought all was going to go good this game.  I mean Ray Rice had 10 carries 41 yards through the 1st qtr and part way through the 2nd, and then Flacco was sacked and fumbled.  That lead to a Ari TD and the next drive we get pass happy have to punt and it's ran back for another Ari TD.  Right now sitting 17-3 we start our next drive off with a pass that goes off the hands of Torrey Smith and intercepted.  Leading to yet another Ari TD.  You talk about getting UGLY QUICK.  You had a 3-3 game in which you were establishing a nice offensive rhythm and then all heck breaks loose.  We get the ball back and drive down field to get a Cundiff FG to make it 24-6.

Second half I was very happy with.  The Offense came out and got in rhythm thanks to a very determined Boldin.  When all was said and done Flacco ended with 336yds and a INT, Boldin had 145 receiving, and Rice had 99 total yards and 3 TD's.  The one thing that gives me a lot of hope for the future of this offense and the upcoming games is seeing how Flacco, Boldin, Rice, and T. Smith reacted in the second half.  There was a fire, a passion, leadership, and communication that seemed to be lacking so far this season.  Guys were talking and discussing the previous drive, there was a hurry up offense that has been in slow motion.

Ugly win this week, but a big one and one that may give this offense the spark they needed.