NFL week 17 picks

Loren made up some ground last week with a 4-2 record last week while I ended up with a 3-3 mark. This is the last week of the regular season games.

Standings
Derek 65-31
Loren 53-43

Tampa Bay at Atlanta

Loren – Tampa Bay. I’m hoping I get lucky with this one and Atlanta rests most of their starters for the majority of the game. Tampa Bay is a decent club, but they’ll need some help to pull this off.

Derek – Atlanta. I don’t think the Falcons will rest too many folks. Plus they’re at home and they’re they better team.

Chicago at Detroit

Loren – Chicago. Poor Detroit. Such big hopes, such a disappointing season. Chicago has a great shot at a wildcard spot with Minnesota playing Green Bay. As long the Bears don’t stumble, they should get the pleasure of playing SF in the first round, a very winnable game for them.

Derek – Chicago. Is Detroit the most disappointing team this season? Probably. The Bears are better and they have something to play for, they should when easily.

Houston at Indianapolis

Loren – Houston. The Texans need to win in order to hold on to the number one seed in the AFC, assuming the Broncos don’t pull a disappearing act against the Chiefs. I really wanted to take Indy here, but Houston will be coming out strong with the intent of locking up home field advantage.

Derek – Houston. The Colts are a good story but I think the Texans are the better team and have something to play for. Expect them to run the ball at the Colts all day long, keeping the ball out of Luck’s hands.

Baltimore at Cincinnati

Loren – Baltimore. There is nothing the Bengals can do to change their fate. Whether they, or any other team, win or lose, the Bengals are the sixth seed. A smart team would give the starters some first quarter reps to keep them fresh, then rest the remainder of the game to assure a healthy squad for the playoffs. Yes, I know I just accused the Bengals of being smart. I’m probably hosed here.

Derek – Cincinnati. Baltimore is on my poo list. They just haven’t been the team they were supposed to be. I think the Bengals can score against the Ravens.

Green Bay at Minnesota

Loren – Minnesota. Home team playing well. AP back to monster form. Chance to make the playoffs. A suspect Packers D. Momentum.

Derek – Green Bay. Packers know that you have to be playing well going into the playoffs. Two years ago they fought to the end to make the playoffs and continued into the playoffs and won a Super Bowl. Last year they had everything locked up and rested their starters, and got Matt Flynn a bunch of money, how did that work for them?

Cowboys at Redskins

Loren – Washington. You think I’m going to pass up a chance to side with the team that could keep the Cowboys from making the playoffs and winning the NFC East?

Derek – Washington. Home team playing well against a perennial FUBAR team.

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NFL Week 16 picks

Both Loren and I hit with a 5-1 mark last week. Two weeks left in the regular season mean only 23 more picks including the playoffs.
Standings
Derek 62-28
Loren 49-41

New Orleans at Dallas
Loren – New Orleans. Any chance Dallas’ D can keep up with the Saints? Then it comes down to which offense is a bigger threat. I’m taking Brees over Romo every time.
Derek – New Orleans. Dallas playing well right now, not great but winning football. But they're still the Cowboys and that has to give you a little pause. I think Brees is looking for a big game and I'm not sure Dallas will keep up.

Cincinnati at Pittsburgh
Loren – Cincinnati. Pittsburgh is down two in a row. Outside of the strange loss to the Cowboys, the Bengals haven’t lost in their last six games. As strange as it sounds, it’s still mathematically possible for the Steelers to finish at the bottom of the AFC East. I’m not saying that’s going to happen, but they don’t intimidate the Bengals the way they used to.
Derek – Pittsburgh. Unlike Loren I don't think Pitt can finish last in the AFC East, since they don't play in the division. The AFC North on the other hand is very much up for grabs. I've watched both teams the last few weeks and Cinni seems to hand on to games and I have a feeling that Pitt will be able to have some sort of bounce back.

St Louis at Tampa Bay
Loren – Tampa Bay. The Bucs have one of the strangest stat lines of the year. First overall in rushing D, last overall in passing D. They’ve only played the Saints and Falcons once each, so no excuses. Fortunately for them, the Rams can’t do much of anything on offense.
Derek – Tampa Bay. I expect the Bucs to get back to pounding the ball with Doug Martin. They should have ample time since the Rams won't put up huge numbers. Run with Marting then go deep the Jackson, there you have it.

NY Giants at Baltimore
Loren – NY Giants. Ugh, how to pick this one? Both teams got routed last time out. Both teams have traditionally excellent defenses that have been seriously disappointing. Both teams are still in first place in their division. I’m counting on the Giants patented late season push.
Derek – Baltimore. I guess I'm going with the home team on this one. Not really sure why. Hmm I'll say I think the Ravens looked better in their losses than the Giants? Sure yeah that works.

San Francisco at Seattle
Loren – Seattle. Well, I really don’t have anything to lose and I’ll need a couple miracle games to get back in this competition. Why not take Seattle at home? If anyone can break through the 49ers’ front line it would be Lynch. Wilson is fleet enough to keep defenses honest. They’ll have the home team behind ‘em. If you’ve got to take a long shot, might as well be this one.
Derek  - San Francisco. Seattle has to be the surprise team of the year right. Sure most people thought they'd be the second best team in the division but that's not saying much. While they might be the second best team they're still not as good as the 49ers. I know Seattle has a great home field advantage, Most of it comes from the fans, but some of that is the fact that teams have to travel a long why to get there. The 49ers don't have to travel that far and as we just say went all the way to Foxboro and beat the Pats.

Buffalo at Miami
Loren – Miami. Battle for last place! I really only put this on here so we could all make fun of Derek if the Dolphins sputter.
Derek – Miami. Battle for last place? True, also battle for second place! Dolphins are still mathematically in it. Not realistically.

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NFL Week 15 picks

A nice 5-1 mark thanks to some heroics puts me 13 a head with only 3 weeks left in the regular season.
Standings
Derek 57-27
Loren 44-30

Denver at Baltimore
Loren - Denver. Baltimore's D just ain't what it used to be. Denver has definitely hit their stride and is fighting for a top 2 playoff seed. Baltimore gives up about 130 ypg on the ground so Denver should let Manning have a relatively easy day and just rotate backs.
Derek – Denver. I see the Ravens struggling on D while the Broncos should be able to score enough against an aging and depleted lineup. Keep Manning up right is the goal of the game for Denver.
Green Bay at Chicago
Loren - Green Bay. Chicago has lost two tough games while Green Bay is 7-1 in their last 8. Packers have the momentum and a game lead in the division. Make it two after Sunday.
Derek – Green Bay. The division is turning around to be what most expected. Green Bay dominating, or at least winning, and the Bears well you know ok.
Tampa Bay at New Orleans
Loren - New Orleans. I'm not sure I've picked a Bucs game right this year, but you have the worst passing defense going against the second best passing offense. It's just a matter of time until Brees starts picking them apart.
Derek – New Orleans. The Bucs give up a bunch of yards and they’re playing Brees in the Super
Duper Dome? Yeah I’ll go with at least 34 points this week.
NY Giants at Atlanta
Loren - Atlanta. The Giants D isn't doing them any favors, but which team will we see? If they play the way they did against Green Bay and New Orleans, this could be a good match. Unfortunately for them, Atlanta actually plays defense. Given the home field advantage, it's hard to take the Giants.
Derek – Atlanta. I could go either way on this one, both teams have been inconsistent of late so I’ll lean to the home team. A winner of this game will feel much better about themselves moving forward.
Pittsburgh at Dallas
Loren - Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh plays great defense. You can just hear Romo shaking in his house, clutching his pearls and shedding a shuddering tear. Pittsburgh forces Romo into mistakes and drives yet another nail into the coffin of Romo's and Garrett's tenure in Dallas.
Derek – Dallas. The Cowboys are playing well as of late. Perhaps they’re lulling me into a sleep before barfing all over their season as per usual. But until then I feel somewhat confident taking them. The Steelers just don’t look that good.
San Francisco at New England
Loren - San Francisco. Upset special! I just like SF's defense and ability to run the ball. Yeah, west coast team traveling east and all that, but the Pats have had trouble against teams playing solid D, and the 49ers are the second best overall defense.
Derek – New England. The 49ers have to travel across the country. They have to slow down the NFL’s best offense. They have to keep up with that offense with a rookie QB. Riiiight. I’ll take Brady.

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NFL Week 14 picks

Does that say week 14? Jeez! Loren and I broke even last week both going 3-3.
Standings
Derek 52-26
Loren 42-26

St Louis at Buffalo
Loren - Buffalo. Will St Louis be the team that lost to the Jets and Miami, or the team that took SF to OT twice? Buffalo is probably feeling a lot better about their team after playing Jacksonville last week. I'm taking the home team.
Derek – St. Louis. St. Louis is playing better recently and the Bills aren’t great at anything. Slow down Spiller and make Fitzpatrick beat you. You know the guy who always fades down the stretch.

Dallas at Cincinnati
Loren - Cincinnati. Even though I'm down big in our challenge, I still can't bring myself to pick Dallas. Ugh, Dallas.
Derek – Cincinnati. The Bengals are rolling right now, have a tough front 7 and can sling that ball around. I’m going with consistency versus Dallas’s Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde routine.
 
Baltimore at Washington
Loren - Baltimore. Yeah, yeah, RGIII!I!I!I!!I! I know he's good and exciting. I love watching him play. He's also a rookie against a somewhat depleted but well disciplined and veteran defense. Baltimore is no slouch on the offensive side, either. Baltimore wins in a statement game.
Derek – Washington. The Ravens D is not what it once was and their O hasn’t been clicking. Good luck to the Ravens D just trying to get to the Redskins ball carrier.
 
New Orleans at NY Giants
Loren - NY Giants. Is everyone off the NO bandwagon? With the exception of the Falcons 5 weeks ago, the Saints haven't beaten a team with a record over .500. As much as I need wins against Derek, I just don't think there's much hope in picking up a win here.
Derek – NY Giants. Neither of these teams are playing like they should, win one lose won. Who’s turn is it. I’ll go with the Home team.
 
Detroit at Green Bay
Loren - Green Bay. I was so looking forward to the Detroit/Green Bay matchups this year. Now all I have to look forward to is the new way to lose games the Lions will discover.
Derek – Green Bay. Detroit has been a big disappointment to me this year and the Packers are coming back strong. This game will tell us if the Lions care about the rest of the season.
 
Houston at New England
Loren - Houston. Here's why New England won't win Sunday. Their last 6 games, all wins, were against sub-.500 teams with the exception of the Colts, possibly the most suspect +.500 team in the league. The Pats have played exactly 4 decent teams this year and have a measly 2-2 record. The next two weeks will give us a real sense of the strength of this team. My bet is we see good teams like Houston and San Francisco exploit NE's weak D and put Brady on the ground. That's how you beat NE, and that's what Houston and SF are very, very good at.
Derek – New England. I went back and forth on this but one thought kept popping into my mind. Houston gave up 37 points to Jacksonville and then a week late 31 to Detroit. Yeah I’ll take the Pats.

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