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National Football League

Page 96 - Get up to date with the latest news, scores & standings from the Cycling News Community.
Jun 15, 2009
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I make my predictions now:
No predictions, but one... A 9-7 wildcard team will win the SB. Maybe the Pittsburgh Penguins. ;)

Not predictions, but guarantees:
I´ll root for Philly this year as promised (speak if Vick was kept under Chip Kelly, which happened, which is a good move).
I´ll be betting, come playoff time, for the underdogs (a good way to earn some extra money the past few years, and cool the anger down), but root for the deserving teams (speak favourites).
I´ll watch only some regular season games, but on fire for the first week. :)
I didn´t follow the off season, so it will be interesting for me to see old faces in new places.
I´ll root for the backup QB´s to kick some asses of those overpaid starting QB´s Alpe mentioned...
This coming regular season will be as irrelevant as the last one, and the one before, and the one before, and...
And finally: Nervous playoff Peyton will bust yet another time in the playoffs (no prediction, but a garantee like last year). :D
 
Oh oh. Quinn to the Jets. I'm glad he got a job and paycheck. He's good guy. But not the Jets! Hopefully he gets chance to stick.

Pryor gets the week 1 start for the Raiders.

Power rankings are out with Panthers at #16 and Pitt in top 10. At first glance, Panthas too low and Pitt too high. They otta be swapped. edit: don't ask where I saw this. Coz I can't find it now. Maybe I was cross eyed.
 
Jun 22, 2009
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Alright, I'll lead off this season. I reserve the right to change my mind before Sunday.;)

Baltimore at Denver
New England at Buffalo
Cincinnati at Chicago
Miami at Cleveland
Atlanta at New Orleans
Tampa Bay at NY Jets
Tennessee at Pittsburgh
Minnesota at Detroit
Oakland at Indianapolis
Seattle at Carolina
Kansas City at Jacksonville
Arizona at St. Louis
Green Bay at San Francisco
NY Giants at Dallas
Philadelphia at Washington
Houston at San Diego
 
Before I take a look at the week ahead, I want to make some predictions for the season.

NFC

East - Washington and NYG will fight it out. RG3 will throw the ball more, run less, and have a hot/cold season. Mostly hot. The Cowboys will have some good games early, fold late. The Eagles will have some great drives, and give up way too many yards/points, Vick will blow some games.

North - Injuries will take a toll on GB, and I like Chicago, but not quite enough to overcome the Packers late. Ponder will be the Vikings undoing, but they are stacked. Detroit will battle them for third.

South - A tough division. The Falcons are stacked and the hot pick, I just have to think the Saints will be angry early, focused late, and having Peyton back the difference. The Panthers will contend, especially if Cam plays with consistency. TB won't be bad, but Freeman can't carry them.

West - What to say? SF and Sea could both finish about 13-3. Two very tough, skilled, deep teams. The Rams have a lot of young talent and could do well. I think Arizona may be streaky, but finish about 6-10.


AFC


East - Despite aging, and losing players, I still like NE here, but Miami may show some life. The fact people are somewhat counting the Patriots out could really play into their favor, especially if they are healthy late in the season. If so, look out. The race to the bottom between NYJ and Buffalo will be interesting to see who can win more than a handful of games.

North - I like the Ravens, again, with Cincy showing life. The Steelers are going to be somewhat rebuilding, though they are well coached enough to go 8-8 I think. Cleveland will improve to maybe 7-9.

South - With all the talk about Houston, I do like their chances, and this is a fairly weak division. But I also think Luck is going to have a stellar year. Indy may not be better overall as a team, but he will bring them up and put up consistently excellent numbers and real hope for 2014 and beyond. Tenn and Jax will still have problems.

West - Everyone is jumping on the Denver bandwagon, but I wonder how much Manning has left in the tank and the hype is too much for them to win the SB. Kansas City is interesting with such an overhaul, but they'll struggle to win 9 games. SD has to be better without Norv, but they aren't the team they were 3 years ago. Oakland has so many problems and seems headed for the cellar.

Playoffs

I'm not going to be specific, but just say I see SF and Sea in the NFC all the way to the end, injuries may be the biggest factor, but unless Wilson takes a step back, I see Seattle going to the big dance. In the AFC I like Houston for some reason. I just see them as being deep enough and strong enough to stop anyone after last year. I think Denver will get to the playoffs, but Manning will be the same as before and lose.

Superbowl

I like Seattle to win over Houston.

As to records or oddities. Adrien Peterson won't run for 2000 yards. Brees will throw for over 5,000 again and win the MVP. Colin Kaepernick will show his passing skills to be above average (not elite) when he throws more. The Jets will have some horribly bad games and Rex will be fired the day the season ends. The Jets will flop back and forth on QBs, using maybe 3 or 4, as will the Bills, as will the Raiders. If Kirk Cousins plays at all, he will be traded in the off season for a 1st round pick. Maybe to one of these teams.
 
Alpe d'Huez said:
Superbowl
I like Seattle to win over Houston.

As Sea Aussie noob DT Jesse Williams would say, "Noice". I think those are good assessments of the divisions.

As I was trying to say earlier about Carolina, most power rankings have them around 16 to 20, which I think is too low. They drafted 2 DTs in rounds 1 and 2 (Star Lotulelei & Kawann Short) to go with a few already good DEs. Their linebackers are good led by Kuechly. If Cam Newton is ON, they will be a tough customer. Not a walkover. But not enough to overtake the Falcs and Saints.

I like Amster's week 1 picks for the most part. The only ones I might go the other way on is ARI at STL (I think Rams win that one). And then NYG at DAL (I think DAL should win, but won't).
 
My only concerns about Carolina are a questionable secondary, and Cam leading them back when behind. Plus, they are in the same division as Atl and NO.

Baltimore at Denver - Should be fun, but Manning will be motivated.
New England at Buffalo - Dud of the week.
Cincinnati at Chicago - If Bears not ready...
Miami at Cleveland - This is not an upset.
Atlanta at New Orleans - Game of the week?
Tampa Bay at NY Jets - Poor Geno.
Tennessee at Pittsburgh - Steelers have enough in the tank.
Minnesota at Detroit - Could be close.
Oakland at Indianapolis - Poor Pryor.
Seattle at Carolina - I won't be shocked if Seattle overconfident.
Kansas City at Jacksonville - Nice start for KC.
Arizona at St. Louis - A Cardinal win wont shock me.
Green Bay at San Francisco - Packers too banged up.
NY Giants at Dallas Dallas a great September team.
Philadelphia at Washington - If Philly and Vick on and RG3 rusty...
Houston at San Diego - Chargers and Rivers may be motivated.
 
Interesting take on NFL network by Shawn OHara on the Eagles. The point was whether or not Chip Kelly's college offense, which Shawn pointed out capitalizes on mismatches, can work in the NFL. In the college ranks, it is easier to find mismatches between WRs and the defense. But in the NFL with better players all around he thought it would be more difficult to find the mismatches and keep drives going by trying to rip off one play every 16 seconds. Then the next point was that if the offense cannot put together sustained drives, then the players may not trust Kelly, or Kelly's system, especially if the offense keeps getting 3-and-outs. Like "yeah your O is fast, but the D is back out on the field fast". Versus some NFL defenses there will be mismatches, Like Fitzgerald against anybody. But against the elite teams, not so easy. So that kind of O might produce big results in some games, but be unable to go deep into the playoffs. Will be fun watching, that's for sure.
 
Jun 15, 2009
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on3m@n@rmy said:
... Will be fun watching, that's for sure...

The reason i root for them this year.
May the sneak into the playoffs 9-7 with a point total of 489-495.
That would make them red hot SB favourites. ;)

Pick tonight: DEN over BAL 24-20. It´s regular season, so Manning will shine in those (almost) irrelevant games. :D

Some hours to go, then off to the bar where the beer is waiting. :)
 
FoxxyBrown1111 said:
Some hours to go, then off to the bar where the beer is waiting. :)

Almost 8 pm Pacific Coast time here, and almost halftime, it must be about 4 am where you are. And your bars are still open? I guess I don't get around enough.

- glad to see Derek Wolfe, who was carted off on a stretcher/ambulance in their Seattle preseason game, is well and playing.

- after Welker fumbled a punt reception at the 3 yard line, which was recovered by the Raves, I bet Bilichick was glad he's a Bronco now. EDIT... Doh. Then again, maybe not after he lead all receivers with 9 catches.
 
Jun 15, 2009
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So actually PM did shine, exposing the accidental defending playoff champs of BAL. Unlucky for him, he can´t do it in playoffs (outside of wildcard games).

Yes some of our bars are open until six in the morning, some are open 24/7.
 
September or not, that was a superb performance. He tossed 6 TD's. SIX! Sloppy game at times though. Especially for the Ravens.

Bars open 24/7? The only place in the states I believe this is even legal is Las Vegas. (Not sure on Indian nation land, which isn't part of the states technically).
 
Jul 17, 2009
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Go Rams

Austin and Ogeltree were the 2 best players in the draft and the fastest on either side of the ball. Expect big things ut of the youngest team in the league. maybe not playoffs yet but fun to watch.

Bradford is gone next year if he cant get this team scoring more points
 
Jun 15, 2009
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Alpe d'Huez said:
September or not, that was a superb performance. He tossed 6 TD's. SIX! Sloppy game at times though. Especially for the Ravens.

Bars open 24/7? The only place in the states I believe this is even legal is Las Vegas. (Not sure on Indian nation land, which isn't part of the states technically).

Actually it was 7 TDS to tie the legaue record.

About bars; seems of the so-called free countries, we still have a little freedom left over here. I remember when i was in US in 96 and 97, it was already ugly. No drinks outside, no smoking inside. It led to absurd situations like that i had one leg in the bar with the beer in the hand, the other leg was outside with the cigarette* in the other hand before bars closed at 1 a.m.
I wonder how it´s nowadays in the name of homeland security. I guess all freedom is gone.
BTW, i loved Vegas. My favourite place. 24/7, nice clubs, no fat girls... :)

* i know it´s a bad habbit, but who hasn´t one? Good i was never into endurance sports, but technique/ball sports. :D
 
Oct 25, 2009
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Alpe d'Huez said:
Before I take a look at the week ahead, I want to make some predictions for the season.

NFC

East - Washington and NYG will fight it out. RG3 will throw the ball more, run less, and have a hot/cold season. Mostly hot. The Cowboys will have some good games early, fold late. The Eagles will have some great drives, and give up way too many yards/points, Vick will blow some games.

North - Injuries will take a toll on GB, and I like Chicago, but not quite enough to overcome the Packers late. Ponder will be the Vikings undoing, but they are stacked. Detroit will battle them for third.

South - A tough division. The Falcons are stacked and the hot pick, I just have to think the Saints will be angry early, focused late, and having Peyton back the difference. The Panthers will contend, especially if Cam plays with consistency. TB won't be bad, but Freeman can't carry them.

West - What to say? SF and Sea could both finish about 13-3. Two very tough, skilled, deep teams. The Rams have a lot of young talent and could do well. I think Arizona may be streaky, but finish about 6-10.


AFC


East - Despite aging, and losing players, I still like NE here, but Miami may show some life. The fact people are somewhat counting the Patriots out could really play into their favor, especially if they are healthy late in the season. If so, look out. The race to the bottom between NYJ and Buffalo will be interesting to see who can win more than a handful of games.

North - I like the Ravens, again, with Cincy showing life. The Steelers are going to be somewhat rebuilding, though they are well coached enough to go 8-8 I think. Cleveland will improve to maybe 7-9.

South - With all the talk about Houston, I do like their chances, and this is a fairly weak division. But I also think Luck is going to have a stellar year. Indy may not be better overall as a team, but he will bring them up and put up consistently excellent numbers and real hope for 2014 and beyond. Tenn and Jax will still have problems.

West - Everyone is jumping on the Denver bandwagon, but I wonder how much Manning has left in the tank and the hype is too much for them to win the SB. Kansas City is interesting with such an overhaul, but they'll struggle to win 9 games. SD has to be better without Norv, but they aren't the team they were 3 years ago. Oakland has so many problems and seems headed for the cellar.

Playoffs

I'm not going to be specific, but just say I see SF and Sea in the NFC all the way to the end, injuries may be the biggest factor, but unless Wilson takes a step back, I see Seattle going to the big dance. In the AFC I like Houston for some reason. I just see them as being deep enough and strong enough to stop anyone after last year. I think Denver will get to the playoffs, but Manning will be the same as before and lose.

Superbowl

I like Seattle to win over Houston.

As to records or oddities. Adrien Peterson won't run for 2000 yards. Brees will throw for over 5,000 again and win the MVP. Colin Kaepernick will show his passing skills to be above average (not elite) when he throws more. The Jets will have some horribly bad games and Rex will be fired the day the season ends. The Jets will flop back and forth on QBs, using maybe 3 or 4, as will the Bills, as will the Raiders. If Kirk Cousins plays at all, he will be traded in the off season for a 1st round pick. Maybe to one of these teams.

I like your writeup except for one thing, the Patriots are not aging. They've actually gotten much younger with an influx of rookies. How some of these rookies play will determine how far they go. They win the division easily, the Dolphins are pretenders.
 
Jun 15, 2009
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My picks:

New England at Buffalo
Cincinnati at Chicago
Miami at Cleveland
Atlanta at New Orleans
Tampa Bay at NY Jets
Tennessee at Pittsburgh
Minnesota at Detroit
Oakland at Indianapolis
Seattle at Carolina
Kansas City at Jacksonville
Arizona at St. Louis
Green Bay at San Francisco
NY Giants at Dallas
Philadelphia at Washington
Houston at San Diego
 
May 18, 2009
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Alpe d'Huez said:
Before I take a look at the week ahead, I want to make some predictions for the season.

...
I like Seattle to win over Houston.

.

Whoa there, Nelly.

Houston's defensive backfield will be exposed as it was last year (and it is worse than last year), and their offensive line is no better. And, well they still have Schaub and Kubiak, so that is enough to ensure ultimate failure.

They will get shredded by the good QB's, no way they will get thru NE or Denver. They may win 11 or 12 games because of the weak division, but no way they will go far in the playoffs.