The Browns Blew Into Philadelphia And Lost To The Eagles 24-14

This game showed the Browns have a ways to go. The offense was a no-show, which brings us to the next glaring observation and an obvious problem.  The Bowns offense is in trouble against a team that knows how to play the West Coast offense. With that having been said, all of this preseason stuff is like watching the Weather Channel predict the track of Hurricane Irene. It changes day by day, hour by hour. At times it is pretty laughable and sometimes pathetic. Nobody knows exactly where it is going, until it goes there.

Colt McCoy threw his first interception of the preseason and couldn't put the ball across the goal line. The Eagle defense kept him out of sinc. The running game wasn't much of a help, but with the preseason nearing an end they were being shuffled in and out like a bad hand of five card stud. At least, Hillis is back into the mix. Now it is up to him as to what impact he may have. No stand out among the wide receivers in this one, except maybe Robiskie. The only two scores came late in the game on passes to Alex Smith and Chris Matthews. Joshua Cribbs was out with an injury and will remain out. That is an ouch.

The Browns may have lost, but the defense didn't look that bad. Two Eagle touchdowns came from quarterback runs and another off a short screen pass. A glaring weakness that needs to be looked at very seriously so future opponents can't exploit it.  The Browns Phil Taylor forced a fumble out of Vick on the Eagles 18 early in the game, but the Browns offense couldn't put the ball in for a score and the field goal attempt was blocked.

Where are the Browns going? The various prediction models show the possible track the Browns may take. It will change month by month, week by week. It may get pretty laughable and sometimes pathetic. You won't know where the Browns are going until they go there. So stay tuned, not to the Weather Channel, which turns people into zombies, and watch the Browns to see where they will go. My prediction, I will let you know.

Green Bay Sneaks Past Philadelphia And Baltimore Steamrolls Kansas City

The very first play of the Green Bay and Philadelphia game set the tone for its final outcome. From start to finish it was the defense of Green Bay that decided who would move on. It began with a sack and ended with an interception. One question lingers. Did Vick go for it all to soon with less than 40 seconds left? You can't falt him for trying to win, but once that ball is released there is no pulling it back. Tramon Williams made a good catch for an interception, game over, Packers win 21-16. Baltimore just plain set the tone in their confrontation with Kansas City. Once again it was defense, defense, and more defense. Kansa City turned the ball over five times as a result, three of them Matt Cassel interceptions. Flacco got the job done on offense. Baltimore wins persuasively 30-7.

Aaron Rodgers spread the ball around like cream cheese on a warm bagel. He made use of nine different receivers. Jones and Jennings were not his primary targets in this one, it was old veteran Donald Driver and a host of others. Rodgers only accumulated 180 total yards, but made good use of every yard, throwing for three touchdowns. Rookie James Starks ran for 123 yards to balance out the Packer's offensive attack. On the other side, Michael vick did plenty enough to win the game, throwing for a touchdown and running one in. Unfortunately, it was the one errant pass at the end that sealed the Eagles fate, coutesy the defense of the Packers.

Joe Flacco completed 25 passes out of 34 attempts. You would have to say that is a pretty good ratio. Todd Heap was his main target hauling in 10 of those passes for 108 yards. The two touchdowns Flacco threw went to Ray Rice and Anquan Boldin, who made an excellent catch in the middle end zone. Rice and McGahee shared the running assigments combining for 101 yards. McGahee's longest was a 25 yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, putting an exclamation point on the game. Matt Cassel took it one the chin and just about everywhere else on his body. He was stung for three picks and sacked three times. Jamaal Charles scored the Chiefs only touchdown and that is pretty much it. It was all Baltimore defense.

Green Bay moves on to play Atlanta. They met once in the regular season where the Falcons won in a close game. They will faceoff on Saturday at 8:00 PM. Don't miss this one. Anytime Baltimore and Pittsburgh get together it's going to be a headbanger. Division rivals who ended the regular season with the same win-loss record and Baltimore has a score to settle. Each of their previous confrontations were low scoring and decided by three points. I hope their is plenty of snow on Saturday at 4:30 PM. It would make it all the more interesting. Football and the elements, good old fashion fun the way it was meant to be.

NY Jets Outplayed Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengal's Bernard Scott took the opening kickoff from Jay Feely 56 yards to the Jets 36 yard line. It looked like it was going to be the Bengal's game. Three plays later Carson Palmer passed to Laveranues Coles for 4 yards who then fumbled the ball and Shaun Ellis recovered the fumble for the Jets. It was all down hill from there. The Jets defeated the Bengals 24-14.

The Bengals could not recover from the numerous mistakes that plagued their game. Cedric Benson was the only Bengal who had a good game. Benson had 169 yds on 21 carries and one touchdown. Carson Palmer on the other hand had a horrendous day. In the beginning of the game all his passes sailed too high for his receivers to haul in. Palmer was harassed by the Jet's defense in key situations and just wouldn't let him get into a rythmn. Palmer had 18 completions out 36 attempts and one touchdown. Chad Ochocinco was dogged by cornerback Darrelle Revis and ended the game with only 28 yds. Near the end Ochocinco had a chance to make it a game when he came close to hauling in a pass in the corner of the end zone, but lost it when he hit the ground. Shayne Graham missed two field goals, which really hurt their cause.

The Jets played a well rounded game on both sides of the ball. Mark Sanchez quarterbacked an excellent game. He made clutch passes in key situations. Sanchez had 12 completions out of 15 attempts for 182 yds and was mistake free. Dustin Keller had two big pass plays and scored one touchdown on a 39 yd catch and run. Shonn Green pounded out 135 yds on 21 carries and one touchdown. The Jet's defense showed why it is number one in the NFL taking it to the Bengal's offense with their blitzing shemes. It was a complete team effort.

The Jets move on to the next level. Their full of confidence and seem to be peaking at the right time. They now have to wait for the outcome of tomorrow's game between Baltimore and New England to see who their next opponent will be. A good start to the Playoffs. Just a side note: The Cowboys took it to the Eagles big time by the score of 34-14 and will be moving on in the Playoffs. My picks this week have already been shattered.

Wildcard Weekend Starts The Playoffs

The final week of regular season I was 9-7 because of a few shockers or was it a matter of concealing game plans so you don't tip your hand stradegy by a few teams who knew they would meet in the Wildcard Playoffs. Whatever the case, this week looks like repeat weekend except for one and that is the Baltimore at New England game. Philadelphia and Cincinnati were both man handled, that is shutout, zippoed, nada points in their losses and New England was out done by Houston. Baltimore was the only winner out of the bunch. This week is going to be a different story.

Philadelphia will be taking the gloves off this Wildcard Weekend against the Cowboys. Tony Romo is going to be harrassed mercilessly from begining to end. Dallas will not be able to contain Desean Jackson and Philadelphia will be relying more heavily on establishing the running game to set up the passing. On the other hand, Dallas has moved up the rankings to number five. The Cowboys have a run game of their own and a strong receiving squad for Romo to choose from, especially with Witten. The key will be protection, if it isn't there game over, this will go for both sides of the field. This contest will be entertaining.

NY Jets at Cincinnati will be another contentious game. The Bengals are vulnerable and have't been producing the points in any great bunches. Cincinnati will attempt to pound it out with Cedric Benson, who was missing in the last game. The old Carson Palmer will emerge and the number one defense will get stung. The Jets faired better this season than what was expected by getting to the playoffs. The Jets run game is tops with Thomas Jones and will be key to their success in this game. If the Bengals stuff the Jets run game and the burden falls on Mark Sanchez they will get some picks, end of story and the season for the Jets.

Green Bay dominated Arizona in their final outing. The Packers are a solid team with all kinds of weapons offensively. Aaron Rodgers manages the offense well and utilizes their strong points. You can't go wrong with targets like Jennings and Driver and Ryan Grant can find the first down marker to keep drives going. The Cardinals defense will have to find a way to disrupt Green bay's rythmn because if they don't, they are in for a frustrating experience. Arizona can produce alot of points themselves with Kurt Warner, but pressure is his Achilles Heal. The Cardinals offensive line will have the major task of protecting Warner.

Now we come to Baltimore at New England. The Patriots will be without a pivatol player in Wes Welker. You cannot replace a key player like Welker. Tom Brady will have to rely on his other receivers to get open. They are going up against a tough Baltimore defense that can be stingy, but has shown vulnerability in past games. The weather in New England will be a major factor and a strong running game in cold weather and a frozen field is a must. Baltimore has Ray Rice for this job. If Lawrence Maroney runs like a mad dog for New England, Brady will get the upper hand.

It is going to be a an exciting start to the playoffs, two games on Saturday and two on Sunday. Purchase all you snacks and drinks ahead of time and get ready to hunker down for some NFL football.

SAT, JAN 9 TIME (ET)
NY Jets 18 at Cincinnati  26 4:30 PM NBC Tickets L
Paul Brown Stadium
Philadelphia 28 at Dallas 27 8:00 PM NBC Tickets L
Cowboys Stadium
SUN, JAN 10 TIME (ET)
Baltimore 20 at New England 24 1:00 PM CBS Tickets L
Gillette Stadium
Green Bay 28 at Arizona  21 4:40 PM FOX Tickets L
U of Phoenix Stadium

Week 17 NFL Picks

This past week my picks were dismantled by the top teams in the NFL. The Colts contemptuous move to sit Manning thus wiping out a perfect season and the losses by New Orleans, NY Giants, Minnesota, Baltimore, and Miami contributed to my 9-7 record. This week I think throwing darts at a list on the wall with my eyes closed will come up with better results. Well, I don't have darts, so it will be what it will be.

Indianapolis at Buffalo, depending on who the Colts will sit, is a tough call. What the heck, I will take the Colts. New Orleans has lost the it factor and better get it back fast. Carolina is taking on the role of spoiler. NY Giants, what can you say about their recent ignoble fall from grace. Minnesota is in a must win and are at home. Baltimore should beat Oakland and Miami is battered, which gives the Steelers the edge. Cinncinati at NY Jets will be a rocking game. The Jets have everything to lose, but I am taking Cinncinati's run game. Arizona is at home against Green Bay and should win. San Diego should have no problem with hapless Washington.

Now we come to the two biggest games this coming Sunday, Philadelphia at Dallas and Jacksonville at Cleveland. The Eagles and Cowboys game is going to be a street fight, two rival gangs fighting over dominance of the same turf. The Eagles will come out battered, but victorious. "Here we go Brownies" is echoing in the corridors of Cleveland Stadium once again. With Jacksonville you never know what team will show up week to week, which favors the Browns who are flying high. Let Cribbs and Harrison pound the spots off the Jaquars before the home crowd and end the season looking ahead to a better next season and beyond to Super Bowl XLVI, which I am anticipating the Browns to be in.

SUN, JAN 3 TIME (ET)

Indianapolis at Buffalo 1:00 PM CBS Tickets L

Ralph Wilson Stadium

Jacksonville 20 at Cleveland 27 1:00 PM CBS Tickets W

Cleveland Browns Stadium

Chicago 24 at Detroit 15 1:00 PM FOX Tickets W

Travel Ford Field

San Francisco 20 at St. Louis 18 1:00 PM FOX Tickets W

Edward Jones Dome

Pittsburgh 28 at Miami 18 1:00 PM CBS Tickets W

Travel Land Shark Stadium

NY Giants 24 at Minnesota 27 1:00 PM FOX Tickets W

Metrodome

Atlanta 20 at Tampa Bay 21 1:00 PM FOX Tickets L

Raymond James Stadium

New Orleans 23 at Carolina 26 1:00 PM FOX Tickets W

Bank of America Stadium

New England 30 at Houston 20 1:00 PM CBS Tickets L

Reliant Stadium

Green Bay 20 at Arizona 27 4:15 PM FOX Tickets L

U of Phoenix Stadium

Washington 12 at San Diego 34 4:15 PM FOX Tickets W

Qualcomm Stadium

Tennessee 30 at Seattle 17 4:15 PM CBS Tickets W

Qwest Field

Baltimore 20 at Oakland 18 4:15 PM CBS Tickets W

Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum

Philadelphia 34 at Dallas 20 4:15 PM FOX Tickets L

Cowboys Stadium

Kansas City 13 at Denver 23 4:15 PM CBS Tickets L

Invesco Field at Mile High

Cincinnati 24 at NY Jets 21 8:20 PM NBC Tickets L

Giants Stadium