Pickin' & Grinnin' Week Ten

by Rafael Vela on Nov 14, 2009 11:46 PM CST Comment 26 comments

I'm bullish on 'Da Bears this week! Oh, wait!. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)

We snooze, we lose. Thursday's 49ers-Bears was so compelling none of us were moved to think, even for a second, "dang, I need to pick that game."

And so, that exemplary and obvious 'Niners win (rolls eyes) slips though our collective fingers.

On we go:

Games	Aaron	Dave	Rafael
Falcons @ Panthers	Panthers	Falcons	Panthers
Bills @ Titans	Titans	Titans	Titans
Bengals @ Steelers	Steelers	Steelers	Steelers
Broncos @ Redskins	Broncos	Broncos	Broncos
Lions @ Vikings	Vikings	Vikings	Vikings
Jaguars @ Jets	Jets	Jets	Jaguars
Saints @ Rams	Saints	Saints	Saints
Bucs @ Dolphins	Dolphins	Dolphins	Dolphins
Chiefs @ Raiders	Chiefs	Chiefs	Raiders
Cowboys @ Packers	Cowboys	Cowboys	Cowboys
Eagles @ Chargers	Chargers	Chargers	Chargers
Seahawks @ Cardinals	Cardinals	Cardinals	Cardinals
Patriots @ Colts	Patriots	Colts	Patriots
Ravens @ Browns	Ravens	Ravens	Ravens

I don't have the inclination to look up last week's picks. I picked like Buck Owens last week, speaking of pickin' and grinnin'. Buck Owens is dead.

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Comments

First

The Knights season may have just ended, but the Cowboys year is just begining!

by aussie_cowboy on Nov 15, 2009 2:16 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Sorry fans... this is about college football

I’ve no other venue to share this thought. So here goes:

We here are all rabid Cowboys fans. And we know mass media bulls*#t when we see it about our team. And that we do… see it… often. Actually, I think I see it 90% of the time in any mass media coverage about the Cowboys. My most recent example: a fantasy football expert calling the Cowboys defense shaky and our secondary suspect. That’s ridiculous. Just ask McNabb.

So what? We already know this, right?

Yes, but as I warned, my comment is about college football. Here’s my question: if they’re this wrong about 32 pro teams (only 15-18 that are relevant each year), then how wrong are they about the 50+ relevant college teams every year? And why should anyone really care about polls when most voters rely on their biases to vote without seeing 1/50th or 1/100th of each week’s plays?

Let’s be real about it. The college football system is completely retarded and unjustifiable. I won’t get on my high horse about which teams I watch and think are misranked because that’s not the point. The point is that teams are ALWAYS misranked and its stupid and retarded and its an injustice to the players, the schools and us, the fans.

Plus, the solution is right there for the taking: a playoff system. I can’t even begin to imagine how incredibly thrilling an 8 or 16 team playoff would be in college football. How many new fans would that draw? How much more advertising dollars would it generate? How much more positive buzz would it create for the schools and their players and their programs. And why don’t they do it? Because the decision makers have their heads shoved WAY up their own a$$es.

by Eagles suck on Nov 15, 2009 2:52 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Couldn't agree more.

The Knights season may have just ended, but the Cowboys year is just begining!

by aussie_cowboy on Nov 15, 2009 3:41 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

And why don’t they do it?

Because there is far too much money in the current system.

Unfortunately how the NCAA system is set up it is most lucrative for the decision makers to keep the system as is. They would like you to think that the idea behind the BCS is to crown a solid national champion..however it is basically there to remove the shared national championship problems of the past that infuriated everyone.

I don’t have the time nor the patience to look up the compensations provided to schools that are involved in bowl games but it is on the verge of horrendous. Really that is the one factor that keeps all these teams involved.

A playoff system means an exponentially increasing interest in the games as the playoffs continue. Thus the lucrative nature of the early playoff games in terms of advertising dollars also goes down tremendously.

If there was a NCAA head that was actually in charge of making the decision on a playoff system that was not directly influenced by the marketing dollars involved in the BCS system it would be entirely possible and supremely logical to instill a 16 team playoff system for the national championship. However..until money is taken out of the equation it will NEVER happen.

College football has become less and less intriguing for this very reason. I’m not a fan of any team but it is absurd that teams can play cupcakes all year and just because they are 10-0 they get a BCS national championship bid (yes I’m looking at you Florida) until the best teams play each other late in the season..whats the point…

by SDTrueblue on Nov 15, 2009 4:55 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed.

The way things are set up, only the smallest handful of teams have a chance to do anything in a particular season. Most fans have almost NOTHING to hope for.

“Who will play for the National Title? NOT YOUR TEAM! HAHAHAHAHA!”

I still believe in Romo.

by Nelson... on Nov 15, 2009 9:46 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I think I have to agree with Raf..

Even though I still hold some ire for that Eagles pick last week…

I like the Jags on the road..their defense is decent and their offense can certainly hang with the mid-rung teams in the league. Gerrard may not be an all-pro but he is certainly capable of leading a team against the suddenly shaky Jets Defense. Also..Sanchize is looking more and more like a Rookie QB every year..looks like he’ll be good in the league, but not ready to overcome the big guys just yet.

Also, the panthers are a good bet @ home. They have a decent line on both sides of the ball and their biggest problem is turnovers; which Atlanta is not particularly good at causing. I like their run game and ability to play well in the secondary. Atlanta is still good but they are young and young teams tend to struggle on the road.

Raiders and Chiefs…hardest game to pick of the weak… coin flip anyone? I think chiefs by a field goal

by SDTrueblue on Nov 15, 2009 5:01 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

every week*

by SDTrueblue on Nov 15, 2009 5:02 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Don't Be Angry

Raf was appeasing the football gods. They frown on unrelenting hubris, and smile upon humility. Because he shunned hubris, the Cowboys won. Hopefully the unanimous picks this week are a reflection that Dallas is a better team than Green Bay, rather than tempting the football gods. I still have my reservations, although I do feel better now about this team.

by kindablue on Nov 15, 2009 7:38 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Anybody else absolutely terrified about this game?

OBSERVATION - EMOTION = COMMON SENSE

by Carl Shelton (GloryDayz88) on Nov 15, 2009 8:31 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Every game makes me nervous

And then I remember that my job is to be a fan and enjoy it. So I take a deep breath, remember how much fun this season has been, and roll with it.

On to my guesses….

Falcons
Titans
Steelers
Broncos
Vikes
Jets
Saints
Fish
Raiders
Pokes
Chargers
Cards
Colts (This is not the same patriots team of years past)
Ravens

Last night I lay in bed looking up at the stars in the sky and I thought to myself, "where the heck is the ceiling?"

by White Wolf on Nov 15, 2009 8:51 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

That's me too

I worry about every game…

FREE THE OGLETREE!!!

by dunkman on Nov 15, 2009 9:14 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

You mean we're not supposed to worry about every one?

Man I’ve been doing this wrong…

by Chris in Va on Nov 15, 2009 9:25 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

No no!

I think it’s the only thing keeping the universe in balance.

FREE THE OGLETREE!!!

by dunkman on Nov 15, 2009 9:44 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Yes

I am glad Romo acknowledged they are better team then their record..

Link

"No matter where you go, you are what you are playa"-Jay Z
Twitter Account

by Wmillion on Nov 15, 2009 10:32 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

we're never as good nor as bad as we think we are

So, there’s no reason to be terrified of a game that we AREN’T completely expecting a win. I think on any given Sunday we might be better than the Packers more often then not, but its by a very small margin due to their crappy O-line. I think we’ll be ready for it and we’ll play our best, lose or win.

by Eagles suck on Nov 15, 2009 10:53 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

That's my hope too

Pay hard, see what happens. Except ffor the injuries to GB, I’d be leaning toward GB winning this. And it still might happen. But with their injuries, the Dallas pass rush should have some success and with Kampman out as well, I think the Dallas offense has a shot at maintaining its offensive momentum from the past five games.

FREE THE OGLETREE!!!

by dunkman on Nov 15, 2009 1:28 PM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Chargers over the Eagles?

i just don’t see how.

my picks
Carolina over the Falcons
Titans over Bills
Steelers over Bengals, toughest game to pick to me.
Redskins over the Broncos
Vikings over lions
Ravens over the Browns, grudge game hard to pick

Colts over Pats, pumped in noise decides game

Eagles over Chargers, its not close

Saints over Rams
Jets over the Jaguars
Bucs over Dolphins, upset of the week
Raiders over the Chiefs, one ugly game
heart says Cowboys over Pack but Pack at home, Pack over Cowboys is my pick
Cardinals over Sea Hawks

by Musiccitynorm on Nov 15, 2009 9:33 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

Nice Picks

Picking the Redskins is inspired—there’s usually a crazy upset every other week or so. I would still take Denver, but you deserve props for going out on a limb.

I’m with you on the Eagles. I think they kill San Diego.

We should beat Green Bay, but frankly, I’m still wondering how good we are and if we’re just riding our usual November wave.

by kindablue on Nov 15, 2009 9:40 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

i can't figure out if the skins are dead or not

Portis out may be addition by subtraction. @ home and the Broncos are struggling. two good defensive teams I take the home team.

by Musiccitynorm on Nov 15, 2009 9:55 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

I see SD

because Philly loves to blitz, I think SD can take advantage of 1 on 1 match-ups.. I expect Sproles to catch a dump a couple of long screens and dump-offs.

"No matter where you go, you are what you are playa"-Jay Z
Twitter Account

by Wmillion on Nov 15, 2009 10:34 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

For the gamblin kinda pickin ...

2 team parlay

Chiefs – on the money line (+120)
Eagles – pk

4 team teaser (+13 points)

Vikes -3.5
Jets/Jags over 28
New Orleans -1
Ten/Buf over 28

by spadesking131313 on Nov 15, 2009 10:29 AM CST reply actions 0 recs

I like Denver -3.5

NO -13.5 They avg 37 pts, Stl 9

"No matter where you go, you are what you are playa"-Jay Z
Twitter Account

by Wmillion on Nov 15, 2009 10:37 AM CST up reply actions 0 recs

Wow

You’re gonna lose a lot of money if you keep making chalk bets like that.

Squish.

by Squishmytomato on Nov 15, 2009 2:49 PM CST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

sd will beat philly..

Philly abandons the run to quick and philly secondary is beat up rivers could have a field day…I see philly going down wash. Going down and us winning by 20 jmo.

I don't need a compass to know which way the wind shines....

by hashishkabob on Nov 15, 2009 11:43 AM CST via mobile reply actions 0 recs

awwww yeah

Bears over 49ers
Saints over Rams
Dolphins over Bucs
Vikings over Lions
Jaguars over Jets
Titans over Bills
Bengals over Steelers
Broncos over Redskins
Panthers over Falcons
Raiders over Chiefs
Cardinals over Seahawks
Cowboys over Packers
Patriots over Colts
Chargers over Eagles – this pick was made more out of spite than anything
Ravens over Browns

by robolundgren on Nov 15, 2009 12:37 PM CST reply actions 0 recs

forgot to post my picks

fave spread under pick
JETS 6.5 jaguars jets
broncos 3.5 REDSKINS broncos
STEELERS 6.5 bengals bengals
TITANS 7.5 bills titans
VIKINGS 17 lions vikings
saints 14 RAMS saints
falcons 1 PANTHERS falcons
DOLPHINS 10 buccaneers dolphins
RAIDERS 2.5 chiefs raiders
CARDINALS 8.5 seahawks cardinals
CHARGES pick eagles chargers
cowboys -3 PACKERS cowboys
COLTS -2.5 patriots colts
ravens 10.5 BROWNS ravens

Coach Winters: Mississippi State's offensive set. 2nd & 2 on our own 24, what defensive set might we call?
Alvin Mack: Eagle Zipper Hero, unless the setback shifts into the I.
Coach Winters: Good..[clicks to next slide], third and seven?
Alvin Mack: Oakie Thunder Lion. {What's your assignment?}
Alvin Mack: Kill the quarterback. {{Coach Winters clicks to next slide}}
Alvin Mack: Hit the tight end so hard his girlfriend dies. {{Coach Winters clicks to next slide}}
Alvin Mack: Kill everybody.

by KDP on Nov 15, 2009 1:16 PM CST reply actions 0 recs