Week Eleven Against the Spread Pick ‘Em: SportsChump vs. KP vs. Scott Gabree

BelushiPlus ça change, plus c’est la même chose.

I think that’s French for “I suck at picking football games.”

With only seven weeks left, not including playoffs, my opponents, every single one of them, have taken a commanding lead.  And don’t get me started on that coin. My white towel isn’t being waved quite yet but it’s in the wash, that’s for sure.

Wait, who am I kidding?  Was it over when the Germans bombed Pearl Harbor?  Of course it wasn’t.

The only thing any of us know for certain about this football season is that the Giants, Jets, Raiders, Bucs, Jags and Bears all stink out loud and that Ray Rice will never again play for the Ravens.  Actually, we don’t even know that for sure.

I’d like to take this mid-season moment to thank all those who have taken their time to participate in this humbling exercise.  This week, our guest is a friend of Kevin’s which means I get a break from finding guest contributors to whip my ass.

Now on to our weekly shenanigans…

 

SPORTSCHUMP’S WHY AM STILL BOTHERING PICKS

BUFFALO +4.5 at MIAMI

I’d say over the past ten years or so, this game this late in the season has meant absolutely nothing.  This time around these two are actually fighting for a playoff berth.  Whoulda thunk?  Both these teams are coming off devastating losses last week in games they should have won, Miami at Detroit and Buffalo against Kansas City.  Buffalo handed Miami pretty easily in the second week of the season but at this point, they’re having problems moving the ball on the ground.  Defensively, Miami is pretty solid against both the pass and the run.  With Miami’s offense clicking, this has all the makings of a revenge game.  Only scoring 16 last week was an anomaly for the Dolphins.  I’m gonna go with the fish to cover in what should be a rowdy night in South Florida.

 

HOUSTON+3 at CLEVELAND

This is a weird line.  The Cleveland Browns are atop the most competitive division in football and they’re only laying three points to a Houston Texans team that’s still trying to figure things out?  What is Las Vegas trying to tell us here?  Are they trying to get us to lay the three or is this a trap?  Cleveland is at home, coming off a long week and riding a three-game winning streak.  Meanwhile, the Texans have lost four of their last five.  So why is this line only three?  Something’s rotten in the state of Denmark.  I don’t want to say this is a must win game for both teams but if Houston loses, their playoff chances will become slim and none and if Cleveland loses, they’ll lose their grip on first place in the AFC South.  So which way do I go, George?  All indications point to Cleveland winning this game which is why I’m going with the upset.  I’ll take Houston and the three.

 

MINNESOTA +3 at CHICAGO

Chicago being favored in any game for the rest of the season is laughable at this point.  It’s mid-November and this team STILL hasn’t won a home game.  You don’t think this team is bad enough to totally implode and not win another game all season, do you?  They’re certainly showing that potential.  The Bears are as dysfunctional as we’ve seen any team in recent years but they can’t possibly, POSSIBLY lose another home game to a non-descript Minnesota team.  I will begrudgingly take the Bears here and if they lose, I can’t see how Marc Trestman keeps his job for another minute.

 

PHILADELPHIA +5 at GREEN BAY

Mark Sanchez had such an amazing week last Monday night, his first start in two years, he had people scrambling through their garbage cans and wishing they hadn’t thrown out his rookie card.  Don’t fret.  Now that you’ve gone through the trouble of finding it, you can dump it back in the trash.  Green Bay needs this win far more than Philly does.  Both these teams look like playoff teams but a loss here could make things a little tenuous.  Philly has impressed me all season long but beating up on the Panthers isn’t all that difficult.  I’m gonna take the Pack here just because I’m not totally sold on the Return on the Sanchize.

 

SEATTLE +2.5 at KANSAS CITY

Great game here.  Seattle finally found itself last week at the expense of the lowly New York Giants.  They’re riding a three-game winning streak.  The Chiefs on the other hand are riding a four-game winning streak.  In my opinion, this is the must watch game of the week.  We have one of the league’s best rushing attacks against one of the league’s most celebrated defenses.   Not so fast, my friend.  Before you think I’m talking about KC and Seattle, it’s the other way around.  The Seahawks feature the league’s number one rushing offense and the Chiefs are number one against the pass.  See what I did there?  I’m not giving up on these Seahawks just yet.  I know Arrowhead is a tough place to play but for some reason, I see Seattle making a late season push here.  I’ll take the ‘Hawks on the road.

 

ATLANTA +1.5 at CAROLINA

I’d like to call this the battle for mediocrity.  The NFC South is so bad (How bad is it?) that the Buccaneers are 1-8 and still not eliminated from divisional contention.  The Panthers looked so bad last Monday night, people stopped watching before the national anthem had been completed.  Seriously, did you see those sack numbers against Cam Newton?  It’s amazing the guy can still walk.  I’d say Carolina’s offensive line is banged up but I don’t think they were that good to begin with.  It’s almost a waste of time to pick this game.  If I choose that it ends in a 0-0 tie, do I get extra points?  If you watch this game, you really should probably find better things to do with your life.  I’ll take the Falcons and the point-and-a-half simply because after what I saw on Monday night, I may never pick Carolina ever again.

 

CINCINNATI +7 at NEW ORLEANS

Is this the beginning of the end for the Bengals?  They’ve had ten long days to think about how they got punked at home on a Thursday night to Cleveland and now they go on the road for three straight games, including this week in New Orleans.  Amazingly, at 4-5, at the Saints are still leading that division.  That’s because they play against the worst collection of talent an NFL division has seen in years.  The Saints aren’t as bad as they let on.  They just can’t catch a break.  They will this week against the Bengals as they cover the seven.

 

TAMPA BAY +7 at (THAT TEAM FROM) WASHINGTON

I can’t believe I’m going to say this but I’m taking the Buccaneers.  And no, this is not a homer pick.  The Redskins are just that bad.  We’re all waiting for someone to light a fire in the Buccaneers locker room.  Gerald McCoy has called out his team.  That hasn’t done any good.  That being said, I don’t think (that team from) Washington is good enough to beat anyone by seven.  Gimme the Bucs.

 

DENVER -9.5 at ST. LOUIS

The Rams continue to get no respect.  I know Peyton and company can put 50 points up against just about anybody but this is the Rams first home game in a month.  They’ve beaten both the Niners and the Seahawks and gave both Philly and Dallas a run for their money.  I like Denver to win this thing but ten might be a lot to lay against a team that still thinks they have something to prove.  Besides, Denver’s offensive line is banged up enough that Richie Incognito’s agent just got a phone call from John Elway.  I think St Louis’ defense can keep things close enough to at least make this game interesting.

 

SAN FRANCISCO -4 at NY GIANTS

How bad can the Giants get?  They haven’t allowed any less than 20 points in a game in six weeks.  That’s not exactly shutdown defense.  They are literally the worst team in the league when it comes to stopping the run.  Not only do the Niners have Frank Gore, they have a quarterback who’s pretty good at running the football as well.  These teams are going in opposite directions.  San Fran is coming off an emotional overtime win in New Orleans last week while, well, for the Giants, I’m not sure things can get much worse.  They’ve lost four straight and look like they’ve given up.  While they may turn things around this week, I just don’t know that they have the talent to do so.  I’m taking San Fran to cover on the road.

 

OAKLAND +10 at SAN DIEGO

You want to know how bad are the Oakland Raiders are?  They’re getting ten points to a team that lost their last game 37-0?  The only thing this Raiders team is committed to is losing.  Have you seen the rest of their schedule?  It is perfectly conceivable that this team goes 0-16.  With the first pick of the 2015 NFL Draft, the Oakland Raiders select…  Good thing Todd Marinovich is off the board.  The Chargers are reeling and have had an extra week to think about the beat down they got in South Florida.  They’ll take out their frustrations on the Raiders this week just as the Broncos did last week.  It might be about time we change Oakland’s franchise name to the Oakland Whipping Posts.

 

DETROIT +2 at ARIZONA

I’ll be honest.  I’m kind of surprised at this line.  I know the Cards are 8-1 but they just lost Carson Palmer for the season.  I know the Lions are the worst 7-2 team in the history of the league but they’re still 7-2.  Drew Stanton has filled in admirably for Palmer earlier this season but he hasn’t faced a defense like Detroit’s who ranks second against the rush and third against the pass.  I’m going out on a limb here and picking the Lions on the road.  As much as I like the Cardinals this season, I’m not entirely sure this team is psychologically prepared to deal with the loss of their starting quarterback.

 

NEW ENGLAND +3 at INDIANAPOLIS

We’ve already seen Tom Brady take down Peyton Manning.  Now are we going to see him take down his successor?  The Colts are coming off a bye which can only mean that Andrew Luck has spent two solid weeks studying New England’s defense.  An Indianapolis victory here won’t necessarily symbolize a changing of the guard but the reigns are being prepped.  Give me the Colts and lay the three.

 

PITTSBURGH -6 at TENNESSEE

Why do we keep putting Pittsburgh on prime time?  Are we waiting to see which Steelers team will actually show up?  In a single season, we’ve gone from seeing them lose to the Buccaneers to watching Ben Roethlisberger throwing a million touchdowns in two games to them losing to the New York Jets.  It’s enough to make even the most mild-mannered Steelers fan toss his Terrible Towel in disgust.      I don’t know why I keep taking Tennessee.  They’re pretty bad.  But I’m going to again this Monday only because one never knows what Steelers team will show up.

 

SCOTT GABREE’S HI MY NAME IS SCOTT AND I’M A FRIEND OF KEVIN’S WHICH MEANS I SHOULD STILL PICK BETTER THAN SPORTSCHUMP’S PICKS PICKS

Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins (-5.5)

PICK: BUF (+5.5) – Somehow this has the makings of a great game. Not sure anyone saw that coming at the start of the season. Injuries on the Dolphins O-line against a tough Bills defensive line put the Bills on top.

 

Cincinnati Bengals at New Orleans Saints (-7.5)

PICK: CIN (+7.5) – My 8 week old son had a better passer rating than Andy Dalton last week and at this point in his life all he can pass is gas. Nearly as many completions to Browns defensive backs and Ben-Gals than to his own receivers. Still, as any Bengals fan worth his/her salt knows, what this team does one week has little bearing on the next. The Saints have had similar ups and downs. Given the question marks, I’ll take the points.

 

Houston Texans at Cleveland Browns (-3.5)

PICK: HOU (+3.5) – I think the Browns are going to be flying a bit high after an easy win against a Bengals disaster. If Arian Foster plays, the Texans have a chance. I’ll take the points.

 

Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears (-3.5)

PICK: CHI (-3.5) – This is an awful football game. Awful. The Bears are such a bizarre team. So much talent packed onto an offense that is equally skilled at making horrifying errors. Still, I’m going with the talent over a young Vikings team on the road.

 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Washington Redskins (-7.5)

PICK: TB (+7.5) – Another gem of a game. Washington just lost to the Vikings and hasn’t won by more than 3 points since week 1. It appears to be somewhat of a trend – I’ll take the points. Side note: Why are a football, baseball, and hockey team all based out of a body of water? It’s Tampa, Florida you weirdos.

 

San Francisco 49ers at New York Giants (+4.5)

PICK: SF (-4.5) – I think the 49ers are secretly mediocre and still riding a wave of year-old success. That said, I can already picture a dejected Eli standing on the field after his 3rd INT. Giants are in a rough slide and it’s hard to see that stopping against a decent team.

 

Seattle Seahawks at Kansas City Chiefs (-1.5)

PICK: KC (-1.5) – Arrowhead is a tough place to play, just like CenturyLink field (last year). Seattle just doesn’t quite seem to have the same stuff this season, especially on the road. Chiefs are hot – I’ll take em.

 

 

Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers (-2.5)

PICK: ATL (+2.5) – Goo. Another snooze. It’s embarrassing that these two teams are legit contenders for the NFC South title. Awful. I don’t care who wins. Falcons because they get a few points.

 

Denver Broncos at St. Louis Rams (+9.5)

PICK: DEN (-9.5) – Peyton in a dome against a mediocre pass defense. I don’t see STL coming within 10.

 

Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers (-10.5)

PICK: SD (-10.5) – I can’t bring myself to take Oakland. I don’t care if they are getting 10+ points – they are just too awful. I’ll take an occasionally good Chargers team.

 

Detroit Lions at Arizona Cardinals (-1.5)

PICK: DET (+1.5) – Fantastic game. I don’t care what Bruce Arians says, downgrading to Drew Stanton is an issue. While I think the Cards can win with him, it’ll take a bit to work out the kinks. I gotta go with a tough Lions team if for no other reason than Calvin Johnson is my favorite player to watch.

 

Philadelphia Eagles at Green Bay Packers (-5.5)

PICK: GB (-5.5) – Another great game. Aaron Rodgers is as hot as Hansel. Hard to imagine that Mark Sanchez is only 5.5 pts worse than Aaron Rodgers. McCoy isn’t the same as the past few years. Lacy is actually good. I can’t see the Packers making this a close game at home.

 

New England Patriots at Indianapolis Colts (-2.5)

PICK: NE (+2.5) – The Patriots just beat the Broncos by 22 points. Bill Belichick had two weeks to prepare for destroying the Colts. Yet the Colts are getting 2.5 points. Hard for me to see an NE team that is firing on all cylinders losing this game.

 

Pittsburgh Steelers at Tennessee Titans (+5.5)

PICK: PIT (-5.5) – I don’t love the Steelers. I don’t think they’re awful, but not quite as great as everyone seems to think they are. Still, Pitt is just too much better than a garbage Titans team.

 

KP’S IT’S ALL OVER BUT THE CRYIN’ PICKS

 

 

Buffalo Bills at Miami Dolphins (-5.5)

Both teams are ranked in the top ten in pass defense and each has also managed a double-digit tally of interceptions.  The home team has won four of the last five meetings in this rivalry, and this season, the Dolphins have posted some impressive victories at home, knocking out both the Patriots and Chargers, while nearly beating the Packers.  These two teams have combined for 62 sacks, with the Bills leading the NFL (34) and the Dolphins tied for fourth (28).  Lamar Miller was upgraded to probable, but may not receive a full workload.  Having Miller will still give Miami a boost, but with two solid defenses, this is likely to be lower scoring (and a close game).  Injuries to the Miami O-line are concerning, but I still like the Dolphins to exact revenge from its September loss in Buffalo.  Perhaps the impressive home wins are what keep swaying me.  That and Miami managed against Detroit’s pass rush.  ‘Fins by a field goal (a.k.a. take the Bills and the points).

Against the Spread: Buffalo Bills

Straight Up: Miami Dolphins

 

Cincinnati Bengals at New Orleans Saints (-7.5)

The Bengals have had a few extra days to rest and prepare, following an embarrassing home loss to the Browns.  New Orleans lost its first home game of the season, and first in a long while, too.  This match-up forces a revisit to when Cincinnati faced New England, and the Gronkowski-Wright tight end combination that torched the Bengals.  That same defense is now without linebacker Vontaze Burfict.  You know where this is headed – right at Jimmy Graham.  Bengals RB Giovani Bernard is also listed as doubtful, and will be missed.  With A.J. Green, however, the Bengals still have plenty of offensive weapons that should cause headaches for a New Orleans defense that is very beatable.  While I like Drew Brees and the Saints at home, take the Bengals and the points.  Saints by a TD.

Against the Spread: Cincinnati Bengals

Straight Up: New Orleans Saints

 

Houston Texans at Cleveland Browns (-3.5)

Houston is coming off a bye week and the Browns have had a few extra days rest following its impressive win over the Bengals last Thursday night.  The key here will be Ryan Mallett, who is getting his first start with the Texans.  Translation: We have an inexperienced quarterback facing off against a defense that has more interceptions (13) than touchdowns allowed (12).  Toss into that mix a raucous home crowd and a Cleveland team that is 4-1 at home, with its only loss being a two-point defeat at the hands of the Ravens.  Arian Foster will not play, leaving Alfred Blue to try and bowl through a Cleveland run defense that is ranked 28th in the NFL.  Don’t bank on it.  Browns cover at home.

Against the Spread: Cleveland Browns

Straight Up: Cleveland Browns

 

Minnesota Vikings at Chicago Bears (-3.5)

Minnesota is coming off a bye, while the Bears are recovering from an embarrassing loss in Green Bay.  Chicago’s defense is reeling – allowing yards in bunches – and could struggle against shifty rookies Teddy Bridgewater and Jerick McKinnon.  Nothing like it faced with Aaron Rodgers, but remember, Jordy Nelson was open by twenty yards not once, but twice!  Here’s the equation to look at: 1) The Vikings have 30 sacks on the year (3rd in NFL) and have the fourth-best pass defense, allowing just 213.6 yards per game through the air.  That translates to Jay Cutler pressure, and therefore, Jay Cutler mistakes.  Sure, the Bears have tons of talent offensively, with Forte, Marshall and Jeffery, but how far has that gotten them?  Face it, Chicago is a mess, especially on defense.  If Bridgewater and McKinnon can piece together solid drives early, the Vikes will win this one outright.

Against the Spread: Minnesota Vikings

Straight Up: Minnesota Vikings

 

Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Washington Redskins (-7.5)

The Redskins are coming off a bye, while the Bucs lost again, falling to 1-8 on the year.  RGIII played decent in his first game back, but rumors are still swirling regarding his support in the locker room.  Griffin makes too many mistakes, and the Redskins haven’t posted a blowout victory since a 41-10 win over the Jaguars on September 14th.  With just 3 INT’s on the year, Washington’s defense may have trouble stopping Mike Evans and Vincent Jackson.  I don’t see a big win by the ‘Skins, but a close one is a good bet.  Take the Bucs and the points.

Against the Spread: Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Straight Up: Washington Redskins

 

San Francisco 49ers at New York Giants (+4.5)

Last week, these two teams faced what many would call must-win situations.  The Niners survived versus the Saints (in OT), while the Giants were trounced by the Seahawks.  San Francisco’s ninth-ranked rushing offense will attempt to do what Seattle did to the Giants last week – dominate.  After last week, the Giants are now dead last against the run, giving up 144.7 ypg.  Still, the Giants have the home field advantage, Odell Beckham Jr. is coming into his own and Rashad Jennings is set to return from injury.  Call it a gut pick, but I like the Giants to keep this game at or around a field goal.  Niners win, but take New York and the points.

Against the Spread: New York Giants

Straight Up: San Francisco 49ers

 

Seattle Seahawks at Kansas City Chiefs (-1.5)

Marshawn Lynch has exploded in recent weeks, anchoring a Seattle offense that has seen inefficiency from Russell Wilson.  This game features two of the NFL’s top five rushing attacks, with the Seahawks first and the Chiefs ranked fifth.  Seattle and Kansas City have combined for 27 TD’s on the ground, and currently are the top two teams in rushing TD’s.  The teams are also 30th and 31st in passing yards per game, respectively.  You get the idea: rush attempt after rush attempt.  What about the run defenses?  Seattle is fourth in yards allowed (79.8 ypg), while the Chiefs are 20th, but have yet to allow a single touchdown on the ground.  The Chiefs are such a strong team at home, but in this tossup, it’s hard to pick against Marshawn Lynch and the Seattle ground game, with the way it has been rolling.

Against the Spread: Seattle Seahawks

Straight Up: Seattle Seahawks

 

Atlanta Falcons at Carolina Panthers (-2.5)

This could be a high-scoring affair, considering neither defense has been able to stop anyone.  Many are leaning towards the Falcons, after seeing Cam Newton hobbling and the Panthers getting crushed by the Eagles (allowing nine sacks).  Ron Rivera says Cam is fine, but Newton is clearly not 100%.  Still, Cam will play, and should have more success against Atlanta.  It should also be noted that the Falcons have just 11 sacks on the season, the fewest in the NFL.  More time for Cam could lead to more success for the Carolina offense.  Playing at home, I like the Panthers to cover.

Against the Spread: Carolina Panthers

Straight Up: Carolina Panthers

 

Denver Broncos at St. Louis Rams (+9.5)

The Rams have seen a major boost in its pass rush in recent weeks, but this time, faces Peyton Manning and a Denver team that has allowed an NFL-low nine sacks on the year.  Manning is torching opposing defenses, and should have plenty of success against a St. Louis defense that while ranked a respectable 13th in passing yards allowed, has allowed opposing quarterbacks to post a 102.6 QB rating against them.  Chock full of weapons, expect Manning and the Broncos to do the same.  With that kind of offense, it will be too big a challenge for Shaun Hill (replacing Austin Davis this week) to keep up.  Broncos cover.

Against the Spread: Denver Broncos

Straight Up: Denver Broncos

 

Oakland Raiders at San Diego Chargers (-10.5)

The Chargers are coming off a bye, and have had way too much time to stew over an embarrassing loss to the Dolphins a few weeks back.  Next up, the winless Raiders, and an Oakland defense that has seen opposing quarterbacks post a 101.9 QB rating against it.  Enter Philip Rivers, playing at home, where the Chargers are 3-1, and have only lost to the 8-1 Cardinals.  The first match-up was a three-point game, but San Diego is a different team at home.  Chargers cover.

Against the Spread: San Diego Chargers

Straight Up: San Diego Chargers

 

Detroit Lions at Arizona Cardinals (-1.5)

Carson Palmer (torn ACL) is out for the year, leaving Drew Stanton at the top of Arizona’s depth chart.  His first challenge: the Detroit Lions, with the NFL’s top overall defense (283.4 ypg), third ranked pass defense and second ranked run defense.  Good luck, Drew.  On the other side, the Lions clawed its way to a last-minute win over the Dolphins last week, and have seen major benefits offensively, thanks to the return of Calvin Johnson.  The Cardinals may have the NFL’s best record, but facing this defense will be a challenge.  Plain and simple, I trust Detroit’s ‘D’ over Stanton.  Lions win outright.

Against the Spread: Detroit Lions

Straight Up: Detroit Lions

 

Philadelphia Eagles at Green Bay Packers (-5.5)

Shootout alert!  The weather forecast – partly cloudy, with a high of 30 degrees and a low of 11 – could, but likely won’t, hinder that.  Otherwise, Aaron Rodgers and Co. versus Chip Kelly and the high-flying Eagles should lead to offense, offense and more offense. Toss aside that butt fumble, because Mark Sanchez has been fairly efficient running Philadelphia’s offense, posting 33 Fantasy points in a game and a half.  Rodgers, Nelson and the Packers are on fire, but Green Bay’s defense can be scored upon.  That, and the Eagles’ two losses have each been close games.  It’s hard to pick against Green Bay at home, but I like the Eagles to keep this one close.  Take Philly and the points.

Against the Spread: Philadelphia Eagles

Straight Up: Green Bay Packers

 

New England Patriots at Indianapolis Colts (-2.5)

Shootout alert, Part II!  Both the Colts and Pats are coming off bye weeks and have had plenty of time to rest and prepare for this big game.  Both Andrew Luck and Tom Brady are putting up MVP numbers.  Indianapolis has been solid at home, going 3-1, with its only loss coming against the Eagles on September 15th.  Indy’s defense, however, has given up 75 points over its last two games combined – and the Patriots are clicking on all cylinders.  I picked against Brady a few weeks ago when the Pats faced Denver, and I’m not making that mistake again.  Patriots win a big one on the road.

Against the Spread: New England Patriots

Straight Up: New England Patriots

 

Pittsburgh Steelers at Tennessee Titans (+5.5)

Will the real Pittsburgh Steelers please stand up?  Last week, a blazing hot Ben Roethlisberger had a matchup against a Jets pass defense that had allowed 24 TD’s through the air (with just one INT).  The result: a garbage TD with two minutes to go and a seven-point loss.  Some blame Bieber (heck, I want to), but others should look at the Steelers and some of the team’s match-ups against cupcakes this season.  Pittsburgh has struggled against inferior competition.  Pittsburgh would be wise to first focus on Tennessee’s 29th-ranked rushing defense.  Even after last week’s loss to the Jets, I still like the Steelers to find a way to cover on the road.

Against the Spread: Pittsburgh Steelers

Straight Up: Pittsburgh Steelers

Bye Week: Dallas Cowboys, New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars and Baltimore Ravens

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17 Replies to “Week Eleven Against the Spread Pick ‘Em: SportsChump vs. KP vs. Scott Gabree”

  1. So the Marlins are prepared to commit as much as $ 300 million in a long-term contract to Giancarlo Stanton ? LOL,LOL ,LOL !!! And this being the same organization who traded away all of their major free agency signings over the past three seasons after playing so atrociously ? Thrown in ESPN’s Tim Kurkjian’s idiotic analysis stating this would be in the best interests of the Marlins because the fans will come to see the team . Has Kurkjian’s head been stuck up his @ss concerning the attendance levels for the Marlins since their new stadium opened ? ESPN cannot be taken seriously when it comes to providing analysis or commentary on the vagaries of the game.

    Adam Silver’s statements on there should legalized betting on professional sports might just be the most realistic comments made since he became commissioner . That asides , he ought to be concerned with the win-less Philadelphia Sixers (0-8) who now seem to be intent on tanking another season . And please don’t suggest the league hierarchy isn’t to blame for this mess when their finger prints have been all over the crap we have seen from the NBA over the past eight years . There’s a need for a hard salary cap rather than this idiotic system in place where teams can simply ignore this soft cap in place. It’s the same with the idiocy in baseball .

    Clayton Kershaw and Mike Trout ” deserved ” winners ” of the NL and NL MVP for this past season .

    Another stinker of a game (opposing qb’s Ryan Tannehill and Kyle Orton [see their stats as to one the reasons why this game stunk]) on Thursday night in the NFL . Same old ##it as usual . LOL,LOL,LOL !!!

    Jay Cutler of the Bears suggests, he and his Bears’ teammates remain confident . Marc Trestman must have been cupping Cutler’s nuts (testes) while he made those statements . Don’t cough anytime soon Jay .

    Tophatal …………….

  2. Fans are burning Jay Cutler jerseys in Chicago ? LOL,LOL !!! Finally they are coming to their senses , which is more than can be said for Bears’ GM Phil Emery , who signed the quarterback to a seven-year $127 million deal ($54 million guaranteed ) .

    Tophatal …………..

  3. That’s a pretty insane contract offer, Al.

    $300 mil? What sort of resources does this team have? And who else will they be able to pay legit money in order for them to be any sort of contender?

    The Bears, who haven’t won a game at home yet this season, host the Vikings on Sunday. Like I mentioned in the post, if they can’t get it done this weekend, I can’t imagine their coach being asked to stick around much longer.

  4. Fritchie…

    Good to hear from ya’, brother.

    The ‘Noles are only 2.5 point favorites this weekend heading into Coral Gables.

    If I were a Florida State fan, I’d be very concerned about that line.

  5. Chris

    The Marlins have no damn resources . They have rarely sold out the venue (Marlins’ Ballpark)[built at the cost of some $500 million at the taxpayers’ expense , with the city of Miami now teetering on the brink of financial ruin] for their home games . Team owner Jeffrey Loria has been allowed run roughshod over this franchise ruining it just like did when he owned the now defunct Montreal Expos . Yet moronic fans continue wax on lyrically about this game and the ingenuity shown by team owners . Biggest crock of #hit to come down the pike since Kim Kardashian’s sex tape .

    Still believe Major League Baseball is feasible and sustainable in the state of Florida ? Other than Spring Training , show me where either the Trop and the Marlins’ venue are ever filled to capacity for a regular season game ?

    All of this pious bull#hit from fans who have clearly not looked at the game and how dire it has become within the state .

    Tim Duncan topped 25,000 career points as the Spurs beat the Lakers . Still waiting on Kobe Bryant to hang his teammates out to dry as well as the franchise by berating them both .

    Are you really at all surprised by the combined records of the Los Angeles Lakers and New York Knicks ? Beyond Kobe Bryant and ‘melo , what talent is there remaining on either roster ?

    Tophatal …………..

  6. This is Week 11, big guy… or are you just trying to pretend that Week 10 (and those picks) never happened?!

    Mine are up… I swear, I’m finally going to get the entire list up prior to a Thursday game, and once that happens… I’ll make it happen every week. Maybe my picks will suffer and I should keep doing it this way though.

    Anyway, good luck.

  7. Chris

    What are you most looking forward to in terms of the Men’s Basketball season in the NCAA ? Can the Gators be among the elite programs ?

    Don’t look now but wouldn’t you it’s say “crunch time ” in the NFL for a number of teams ? Jay Cutler may well be in his last throes as a Chicago Bears’ quarterback . Needless to say , the Tampa Bay Buccaneers cannot get out of the way of their self-inflicted ineptitude and stupidity .

    Can the Philadelphia 76ers match the NBA all-time record for ineptitude this season in terms a loss record ?

    The Eastern Conference of the NBA remains a frigging eyesore .

    Tophatal ……………

  8. Al…

    If the Marlins have no resources, then how the hell are they going to pay this kid over $300 mil? Makes no sense.

    I don’t think I ever said baseball was sustainable in Florida, man. Clearly that’s proven not to be the case at least, as you suggest, on the Major League level. The Rays’ future here is tenuous at best. I’m still a glass half full guy though. I may be in the minority but I think it’s more likely the team stays here than jets. We shall see, I guess.

    Re: Melo and Bryant, Al, there are teams will far less talent with better records. I’m just saying there’s a common thread.

  9. Al…

    I think as long as the Gators have Donovan as their head coach, they’ll be among the nation’s elite.

    Walker and Hill should be a solid one-two punch and don’t forget about Mr. Frazier. They should be just fine this year.

    And what’s the record for fewest wins in an NBA season? Don’t the Sixers already own it? Isn’t it like nine or something?

    Oh, no. Wait, they did, they Charlotte beat ’em (beat ’em?) with seven wins a few years ago.

    Ouch! Like Lynyrd Skynyrd once sang, what’s that smell and more importantly, what’s Adam Silver going to do about it?

  10. Chris

    Billy Donovan could coach a bunch of high school kids and they’d be good enough to beat a dumber of D1 and D2 programs .

    My issue with MLB (baseball) in the state (Florida) , was the idiocy of the league hierarchy in thinking that merely because of Spring Training teams being here, that was enough of their feasibility , to believe year-round a Major League team would be of benefit to the state and the game . Look at the attendances for both the Marlins and Rays over the last eight to ten years, remains amongst the worst in the game . It’s indicative of the stupidity of the league hierarchy in general and their whole thought process .

    Most impressive team in the NFL over the past three weeks has to be the Seattle Seahawks , they’re back in the saddle and heading towards the postseason . Mind you they will be in for tough game against the Kansas City Chiefs who have yet to give up a rushing touchdown in their last two games . Alex Smith is playing his best football of the season over the past two games .

    Too late for the Houston Texans to make something of their season . Clowney hasn’t been great just steady , spending way too much time sidelined through injury and JJ Watt as imposing as he has been , still not yet a leader in the true sense of the word ___ inspirational ( think Reggie White , Ray Lewis , Bruce Smith) . Ryan Mallett now gets his chance to prove his worth having been a backup to Tom Brady . In the game between the Texans and Browns today , guess what ? It’s be a match-up between Brady backups with Mallett staring down Brian Hoyer .

    The Cleveland Browns need the win to maintain their lead of the AFC North . Hate to think this might add to the statue of this team should they win the division .

    The game between Mississippi State and ‘bama was fun to watch and I think Saban’s team is now deserving of being number one based on their body of work , but the panel could swing the pendulum in FSU’s favor , even though their victory over the Canes wasn’t overly impressive as they ground out the win.

    The Tide’s Amari Cooper may well have pushed his claims as a possible Heisman Trophy candidate .

    Melvin Gordon (Wisconsin) rushes for 408 yards in a game at the FBS Level ? WTF !

    Josh Harris as owner of the Philadelphia 76ers is an @sshole and the fact the NBA hierarchy has allowed this franchise to get away with this two years running , is a sign , they don’t give a sh#t the Sixers are perpetrating a massive fraud on the public and fans of the NBA . Wait , they (hierarchy) have always allowed this to happen __________ think about it , ___ most recently the Cleveland Cavaliers , before them the Orlando Magic . Another one of Stern’s imprints on the NBA with his draft lottery idiocy .

    We’re going to see the frailties of the Arizona Cardinals as they take on the Detroit Lions . Drew Stanton is good , and as much as I hate to say this , he is no Carson Palmer . Now I have to puke up my breakfast after making that comment . Holy s##it) .

    Tophatal ……………

  11. Chris

    Is Adrian Peterson intent on pis#ing off the NFL ? Never mind the idiocy of Roger Goodell and the NFL’s lack of transparency concerning the league’s handling of the issue of his case ? It’s time for Goodell to step down with an outsider stepping in and not some @ss kissing unintelligent moron assuming the role of NFL Commissioner . The team owners are simply bereft of any intelligence whatsoever, but yet we have fans lauding their dumb @ss and the popularity of the game, without looking at the ongoing inherent image problems of this league .

    Tophatal …………

  12. Al…

    You know I appreciate how you comment on the site but you gotta go easy on the hyperlinks in your comments.

    I’m having to edit each one you put up.

    I’ve had problems with dead hyperlinks in the past and it kills traffic numbers.

    I’d watch doing so on your site as well.

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