We here at the mj15 blog (and by we, I yet again mean me) are very much into the gift-giving mood. And with Christmas no longer days but merely hours away, I figure that its about damn time to get into the holiday spirit and, for the second year in a row, give out some very specific gifts to certain individuals and teams that I found to be most useful in their circumstance. The list is pretty stacked this year, so let's just get started:
To the Carolina Panthers: the first pick in the 2011 NFL draft. After all, its the least that I can do after having a season in which you replaced mediocre quarterback Jake Delholmme with a dual threat of even more mediocre quarterbacks, Matt Moore and Jimmy Claussen.
To Jimmy Clausen A painting on how your face is going to look like when the Panthers draft Andrew Luck with their #1 choice, leaving you to sit on the bench for most of next season. Also, an apology from myself for spelling your name wrong many times during these past eighteen months.
To Colts radio announcer Bob Lamey, who at one point this month wanted Peyton Manning to get benched in favor of Curtis Painter: A DVD of the entire second half of the team's 2009 week 16 game against the Jets. Hopefully, that should clear up his judgment next time.
To Rex Ryan: A fresh bottle of some Herbal essential foot massage oil.
To Colts offensive coordinator Tom Moore: Some common sense. You had Austin Collie, a man who has already suffered two concussions already this season (including one which has made him miss three games prior), finally healthy and ready to play his first game back against Jacksonville. So what did you do? You called a play which required him to run in the open field, causing this to happen. If you did have some common sense, that moment in the game would most assuredly never occur.
To Bill Simmons: An arousing photo of Josh Freeman wearing nothing but a pair of fishnet pantyhose.
To Matt Dodge: A trade from the Giants to San Diego.
To Peter King:
1)A ride on the Amtrak and Acela Trains in which you could finally travel in peace without having to complain about it in your weekly Monday Morning QB Column.
2) Writing classes. You could use it.
To Carson Palmer: A comfortable position at a law firm. You're time in the NFL is running out.
To Randy Moss: One of those "Men in Black" style memory-erasing beams so that you could forget these last two and a half months like it never happened. Also, a plaque in the Hall of Fame with the words "Greatest Decoy in NFL History."
To Lovie Smith: A punch in the face. Look, I'm glad that you've coached this Bears team to their first playoff appearance in four seasons. But the fact that this division titles means that I will have to hear your arrogant and emotionless press conferences again is just making me boil up inside.
To the Tampa Bay Buccaneers: A 2011 schedule that allows to play against below .500 teams all season long.
To the person that decided that an announcing team with both Matt Millen and Joe Theismann in it would be a good idea: A pink slip. Speaking of pink slips...
To the Bengals, the Browns, the Bills, the Texans, the Redskins, the Panthers (again), and the 49ers: New head coaches.
To Gus Johnson: Joe Buck's spot as the play-by-play announcer for Super Bowl XLV.
To Jerry Jones: A Cowboys GM that isn't Jerry Jones, and some reasonable expectations for Dallas beginning this offseason.
To Josh McDaniels: A Toy Story 3 Blu-Ray disk triple pack.
To Todd Haley: A lawsuit from all Jamaal Charles fantasy owners this season.
To Andy Reid:
1)Lessons on how to properly understand clock management in football games.
2) An apology for wrongly calling you out in April for trading to Donovan McNabb to the Redskins. I thought it was a dumb move since you traded McNabb to a divisional rival, but with the way this season has been going for both your team and the Redskins, I suppose that you were right in that situation.
To Brett Favre: An iPhone with a disabled camera in it.
To the Denver Broncos organization: The award for Worst One-Sided Trade During the 2010 Offseason after trading 1,000 yard rusher Peyton Hillis to Cleveland on March 14th for Brady Quinn. Then again, maybe I'm being too harsh on you already. After all, your team has already received enough punishment with your team ranked in the bottom of almost every rushing category all-season long.
To to the NFC West: The ability to switch any of their teams with the San Diego Chargers next season.
To DeSean Jackson: The award for this season's Best Dramatic Actor. The way this man has rushed into the endzone for touchdowns this season have made Terrell Owens and Chad Ochocinco impressed.
To the Minnesota Vikings: A white flag.
To Matt Cassel: A Panasonic Toughbook. Playing merely days after an appendectomy? That's some great hustle!
To the Miami Dolphins: A Twilight Zone universe in which every road game has the feeling of a home game, and vice versa. That, or an ability to understand that you're supposed to do most of the winning during home games, not away games. Whichever makes more sense.
To Arthur Moats : A TIME magazine Life Achievement Award for doing something that countless men, dozens of injuries, two retirements and painkillers couldn't do: end Brett Favre's regular season winning streak, with an honorable mention to Chicago's Corey Wootton for then ending Favre's playing career this past Monday night in TCF Bank Stadium.
To Ben Roethlisberger: Jiminy Cricket, for wise advice of what to do and not do during this upcoming offseason.
To Tom Brady: More undrafted white wide receivers for you to throw to. Its obviously worked before with Welker and now the duo of Danny Woodhead and Rob Gronkowski. Plus, the New England fans sure seem to love them, too.
To the Atlanta Falcons: Some identity. You're 12-2, and yet I have no idea if its because of Matty Ice, Roddy White, the running game...nothing. Could you at least give me a hint?
To Ken Whisenhunt: A time machine go travel back to February so you can beg Kurt Warner to un-retire and play for the Cardinals again this season.
To Larry Fitzgerald: Same thing.
To the Pittsburgh Steelers/Baltimore Ravens rivalry: The crown as the NFL's new best rivalry over New England/Indianapolis.
To Jason Garrett: The switch from Cowboys interim head coach to full time head coach.
To NFL fans: A 2011 season that isn't either locked-out or affected by a strike.
To Sam Bradford: The award for the league's Offensive Rookie of the Year. Arian Foster may have led the league in rushing yards during his rookie season, but Bradford is the one that is poised to lead his team to the playoffs.
To Clay Matthews: Some scrunchies, and the League's Defensive Player of the Year Award.
To Tim Tebow: Artificial dirt to put on your jersey every time you step on the field. That way, announcers will never have to stop praising you!
To Michael Vick:
1) The NFL's Offensive Player of the Year award, even though it will most likely be Tom Brady who will receive it (just like it will be Brady who will receive the MVP award). Not only have you put up one of the most dominating performances by any player this season, but you have made this 2010 Eagles team into the league's leading offense. You've also been one of the most dominating players this season, and terrific performances like the Washington game when you scored 6 combined TDs and last week's game against the Giants in which you scored 3 combined TDs in the last eight minute to help Philly pull off the comeback. Also, while Brady has been the better passer, its been Vick who has been the better all-around player, posting 500 yards and 7 TDs more than Brady on the ground.
2) The league's Comeback Player of the Year Award, as well.
3) That puppy that you've been wanting to have for a while. Come on, what's the worst that could happen?
As always, if you have some suggestion, just do your thing in the comments section. Now, let's get onto the picks! Last week, I had myself another double digit amount of victories, going 10-6 and one game better than picks column contributor mj50, who went 9-7. This means that, through 15 weeks and only 43 more game left total in both the regular season and postseason, I enter the week with a season total of 151-89, which is 20 game games better over mj50's season total of 131-109. So, what of this week? That answer, as always, will reveal itself over the next few days. Until then, here are our picks for this, the 16th week of the NFL's 2010 season, along with my usual explanations.
Let's begin (Note: all game times are based on the Central time zone):
Carolina Panthers vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (-14.5): Thursday- 7:20 p.m.
mj15's pick: Pittsburgh
The only way that Carolina has a chance is if Pittsburgh underestimates them and just fail to prepare for them properly. Otherwise, this has the making of becoming the worst Thursday night game in NFL Network history.
mj50's pick: Pittsburgh
Dallas Cowboys (-6.5) vs. Arizona Cardinals: Christmas (Saturday)- 6:30 p.m.
mj15's pick: Dallas
I'm afraid that these Arizona Cardinals show zero signs that could help benefit them in this matchup as well as give the fans watching in University of Phoenix Stadium and at home an entertaining football game this Christmas. The Cardinals offensive line has allowed 43 sacks this season (T-3rd in the league), which will be a problem since they're facing a Dallas D-line that is still pretty good once you make them care about doing they're job. Dallas has more weapons than the Cardinals, with Miles Austin and Dez Bryant as WRs as well as Felix Jones and Marion Barber at RB (whereas the Cardinals are limited in their amount of weapons outside of Larry Fitzgerald). Speaking of the Cowboys offense, it has proven to be one of their strong suits this season as they are poised to finish the year in the top ten in almost every major offensive category (including passing, which they are currently ranked 4th in), while Arizona is one of the worst defensive teams in the league at this point. In other words, make it a 5-2 start to the Jason Garett once this game is over.
mj50's pick: Dallas
Detroit Lions vs. Miami Dolphins (-6.5): Sunday- 12:00 p.m.
mj15's pick: Miami
I think its becoming increasingly more evident that the Dolphins need a new quarterback to replace Chad Henne. Not only does the team look like they're starting to lose confidence in him (what other team would run the Wildcat down by 3 points in the final three minutes of a game?), but he's like the Alex Smith of the AFC East at this point. The team has also set up everything in place to do well offensively(a good running game , or at least they were good up until this season, and a stellar #1 WR in Brandon Marshall) but they just haven't performed under the best abilities with him on offense.
mj50's pick: Miami
Washington Redskins vs. Jacksonville Jaguars (-7): Sunday- 12:00 p.m.
mj15's pick: Jacksonville
Rex Grossman might have done well last week against Dallas in what was his first start since 2008 (25 for 43, 322 yds., 4 TDs, 2 INTs), but one can argue that it was a bit of a deceiving play since he took on a under performing Cowboys secondary this season and that Dallas has little game tape of him playing under Kyle Shanahan's offensive gameplan. This time, however, Washington's going up against a Jaguars team committed to win this one and keep their playoff hopes alive who now have some knowledge on just exactly how to unleash Bad Rex in this game. I say that the Jags come out of this one as the victors.
mj50's pick: Jacksonville
San Fransisco 49ers vs. St. Louis Rams (-2.5): Sunday- 12:00 p.m.
mj15's pick: St. Louis
I already made my predictions as to how that despicable NFC West battle will play out during the rest of the season during my week 15 column. And since I'm correct as of this moment, I've decided on sticking with it this time. To recap: St. Louis will win this game (eliminating the 49ers from playoff contention), while the Seahawks lose to the Bucs setting up a match-up next week between the 7-8 Rams and the 6-9 Seahawks for the division crown. Why you ask? Because of the Mike Greenberg theory, of course!
mj50's pick: St. Louis
New England Patriots (-8) vs. Buffalo Bills: Sunday- 12:00 p.m.
mj15's pick: New England
New England will try to clinch homefield advantage throughout the playoffs by winning this game, so don't expect Belichick to suddenly start pulling his starters i.e. the Colts in week 16 of last season. Also, Tom Brady is a lifetime 7-1 at Ralph Wilson Stadium. I highly doubt that Ryan Fitzpatrick and crew could pull off such an impressive upset as this one against arguably the best team in the NFL at this point.
mj50's pick: New England
New York Jets vs. Chicago Bears (-1): Sunday- 12:00 p.m.
mj15's pick: New York
While I am still thrilled that my Bears won the NFC North and that they will play playoff football for the first time since Super Bowl XLI, I still believe that this game is the Jets to lose. The Jets have the front seven that could pressure Cutler throughout the game the same way that teams like the Giants have successfully done earlier in the season. Furthermore, because of the ability by both of these teams' defenses to stop opposing offenses (except when both teams face the Patriots, of course) its going to most likely end up as a close, low scoring game throughout the contest. If that were the case, then I like the Jets to make it out of it with the most points because they have the better running game and the better offensive line to grind out a W.
mj50's pick: Chicago
Baltimore Ravens (-3.5) vs. Cleveland Browns: Sunday- 12:00 p.m.
mj15's pick: Baltimore
This would be one of the few games this week that I would be shocked to find the underdog defeating the favorite. Yes, this is a game between two division rivals and, yes, the Browns played very close against the Ravens in their first matchup earlier this season. But the Ravens are starting to peak at just the right time with Ray Rice finally starting to play like the Ray Rice that many people thought he would when they selected them as their first round fantasy draft pick (233 all-purpose yards and 2 TDs last week vs. New Orleans) and Joe Flacco is playing both efficiently and mistake-free (5 TDs and 0 INTs in his last three games). Now, if only their defense could step up and improve from their last three weeks of giving up and an average of 20 points per game and they could very well challenge New England and Pittsburgh for the AFC's Super Bowl spot. Meanwhile, the 5-9 Browns are the 5-9 Browns. Expect the recent play from both teams to continue once again this week.
mj50's pick: Cleveland
HALFTIME! Have you guys checked out Louis C.K.'s new stand-up special "Hilarious"? Well I for one did, and it is indeed what the ironic title is stating. On Youtube, the special is seperated into six fifteen minute segments. Here is my vote for the show's best fifteen minutes. Enjoy.
Tennessee Titans vs. Kansas City Chiefs (-5): Sunday- 12:00 p.m.
mj15's pick: Kansas City
The Chiefs have the well-balanced offense required to stop that Titans defense. Kansas City is also a perfect 6-0 at home this season, and if Matt Cassel can defeat a potential playoff team a few days after an appendectomy like the one that he did against the Rams last Sunday, then I don't see how he can't defeat a team like the Titans that have been self-destructing themselves since the Randy Moss trade.
mj50's pick: Tennessee
Indianapolis Colts (-3) vs. Oakland Raiders: Sunday- 3:05 p.m.
mj15's pick: Indianapolis
Indianapolis avoided getting eliminated from playoff contention by beating the Jaguars last week. Now, all they need to do is to win out these next two weeks and they're officially back in the playoffs. The Raiders should keep it close with Darren McFadden taking on that weak Colts rushing D. But in the end, its should be the pedigree and experience of Peyton Manning that should be enough for the Colts to win this game.
mj50's pick: Indianapolis
Houston Texans (-2.5) vs. Denver Broncos: Sunday- 3:05 p.m.
mj15's pick: Houston
If that Raiders game was any indication of how Tim Tebow's NFL career will play out, then I officially want no part of it. Look, I will admit that Tebow had his moments. That fifty or so yard TD was exciting, and he did show promise of being that game managing, dual threat QB that we saw from him at Florida. But he only threw for 142 yards passing and a TD, and his team still lost by 14 points! Also, as much as I love Gus Johnson, even I feel that his Tebow gushing was a bit too Thom Brennamen-esque ("Whoever said that this kid can't throw is dead wrong!" "Just look at how dirty his jersey is!").
Anyways, if Kyle Orton was starting in this game, I might have given the Broncos a chance. After all, he did lead a good passing offense and if there's one thing that the Texans have a problem with, it's stopping the pass. But unfortunately for Denver, Jesusback is starting instead, giving Houston a better chance to limit the amount of points scored by the Broncos and let Schaub/Foster do their things on the offensive side of the ball.
mj50's pick: Houston
San Diego Chargers (-7.5) vs. Cincinnati Bengals: Sunday- 3:05 p.m.
mj15's pick: San Diego
There's a reason why this game was bumped from the scheduled Sunday night timeslot to where it stands right now. The Bengals are a pitiful 26th in points allowed with about 26 a game. Expect them to have some more problems against a Chargers team that is both one of the top offenses in the country and fighting for a playoff spot.
mj50's pick: San Diego
Seattle Seahawks vs. Tampa Bay Buccaneers (-6): Sunday- 3:15 p.m.
mj15's pick: Tampa Bay
See: San Fransisco/St. Louis game above.
mj50's pick: Tampa Bay
New York Giants vs. Green Bay Packers (-3): Sunday- 3:15 p.m.
mj15's pick: Green Bay
So, I guess the question now for the New York Giants after suffering such a heart-wrenching loss like the one they had next week is: how are you going to respond to it? Up by 21 points with eight minutes to go, the game was theirs to lose. But then Michael Vick threw a 65 yard touchdown pass to Brent Celek to cut the lead to 14 points, and that caused an incredible chain reaction that includes an onside kick recovery, a Michael Vick 35 yard run, a Michael Vick 4 yard touchdown run, a Michael Vick 13 yard TD pass to Jeremy Maclin and, of course, that exciting DeSean Jackson punt return for a TD to finally complete that comeback victory. Now, you're up against a Green Bay in a critical battle for an NFC playoff spot. Can they put last Sunday's loss away and win this crucial regular season match-up?
Personally, I don't think it will happen. Aaron Rodgers is starting for Green Bay, giving the Packers the edge in quarterback. The Giants defense played three and a half good quarters of football, pressuring Michael Vick and getting some sacks here and there. However, the Packers have done a much better job this season in the offensive line than the Eagles. Finally, Green Bay is 5-1 at home this season, giving the Packers a nice homefield advantage for this game. In other words, expect that Philly loss last week to continue its effects this week as well.
mj50's pick: Green Bay
Minnesota Vikings vs. Philadelphia Eagles (-14.5): Sunday- 7:20 p.m.
mj15's pick: Philadelphia
The Eagles are simply unstoppable at this point, always finding ways to win ballgames and that #7 under center continuing to outdo himself week from week. The Vikings, meanwhile, look like a team that's just ready to have this great big flop of a season come to an end with Joe Webb starting, players from Adrian Peterson to Brett Favre to Tavaris Jackson hurt, and fans that are feeling a mix of frustration and delusion. I think that's all I need to say about this game.
mj50's pick: Philadelphia
(UPDATE 12/26: Due to a Northeastern blizzard that could bring in snow up to 20 inches in length, tonight's game has been postponed until 7 p.m./CT on Tuesday night, along with NBC's telecast of the game. This is the third straight Vikings game this seson that has been either postponed to a later date or moved to a different location thanks to December snow, proving once and for all that even Mother Nature herself hates this 2010 Vikings.)
New Orleans Saints vs. Atlanta Falcons (-2.5): Monday- 7:30 p.m.
mj15's pick: Atlanta
There will be a new NFC South champion after this game, with the new sheriff in town being the Atlanta Falcons. Matt Ryan and Mike Smith are 19-1 lifetime playing in the Georgia Dome, and that Falcons defense have been sneaky good this season (with a terrific 18.6 points per game statistic). Still, it should be a fantastic game and am very much looking forward to this one.
mj50's pick: Atlanta
RECAP
The Undertaker at "WrestleMania" Lock of the Week: Pittsburgh over Carolina
The Kansas over Memphis in the 2008 NCAA Tournament Final Upset of the Week: New York Jets over Chicago
The "Dexter" season one versus "Dexter" season four "I'm Not Sure" Pick: Indianapolis over Oakland
One more week left in the NFL's regular season! Be sure to come by next week for my week 17 column (which should be released sometime next Friday or Saturday since all of the game will only take place on a Sunday) for my picks and my week 16 results. Until then, have a wonderful time watching the games (on five different days this week!) and have a safe and happy holidays.
Sincerely,
Your pal: mj15
If you have any opinions on today's post, or if you just have any suggestions or tips for my next blog entry, e-mail me at: mj1599@aol.com. Your e-mails are greatly appreciated.
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