NFL Week 13 picks

Wow what a bad week for both Loren and I we put up 1-4-1 records. 46-25-1 to 34-35-1.

Green Bay at Detroit
Derek - Detroit. The Packers don't look too good right now and are relying on Matt Flynn. While he can be good you can't rely on the guy. The Lions have a bad loss this last week but you know they can explode at any min.
Loren - Detroit. The Lions have burned me lately, but I think they right the ship against the short-handed Packers. Early in the season this would have been one of the games most looked forward to. Now you just hope it doesn't stink up Thanksgiving.

Pittsburgh at Baltimore
Derek - Baltimore. The Steelers are playing better and the Ravens look old and well...bad. Why am I taking them? Still think they're better than Pit.
Loren - Pittsburgh. Can't trust either team this year and I've got a lot of ground to make up. Why not take the coin flip?

Tennessee at Indianapolis
Derek - Indianapolis. I think Indy leaned something from their rough stretch and part of that is how to beat the Titans, make them pass. No comeback needed here 
Loren - Tennessee. Great matchup. Struggling Colts against revived Titans. If the Colts can't get anything going on the ground, the Titans excellent secondary will sit back in coverage make life hell for what's left of the Colts passing attack. This feels like Titans get revenge for the 3 point loss to Indy 2 weeks ago.

Arizona at Philadelphia
Derek - Philadelphia. Tough one, but I'm going with the home team. We'll see if the Cards can keep putting up big numbers. 
Loren - Arizona. Another winnable road game this week. Of course, that probably means the Cards will lay an egg after a long road trip. However, if their D plays up to their standards, I wouldn't trust the Eagles to put up considerable points against them.

Denver at Kansas City
Derek - Denver. Lots of revenge here. KC's loss to Denver two weeks ago. KC's melt down last week to San Diego. Denver's melt down last week to the Pats. Whatever it is, this is most likely for the division and to get a first round bye in the playoffs. Lots at stake and I'll take Manning over Smith.
Loren - Denver. Will there be a huge hangover from the epic meltdown in Foxboro? A loss like that can scar a team. I don't think Manning lets the team dwell on it. They come out and put a smack down on their only worthy division foe, essentially wrapping up the AFC West.

New Orleans at Seattle
Derek - Seattle. Really hard to go against Seattle at home. In fact that's my deciding factor.
Loren - New Orleans. Seattleites (Seattleans? Seattlers?) will hate me for this, but I don't think the Seahawks vaunted pass defense has really been tested yet. I think they're extremely good, but I'm not sure they're ready for the different level the Saints bring. Yeah, Seattle will get big chunks of yards on the ground, but can they keep up the scoring pace the entire game? I don't think they can.

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NFL Week 12 Picks

No ground gained or lost last week as we both with 4-2. 45-21 to 33-31.

Minnesota at Green Bay
Derek - Green Bay. The Vikings just don't look good right now and even with the Packs QB issues you have to think they're the far better team. As long as Green Bay's D can slow down AP they should be ok.
Loren - Green Bay. I really wanted to take Minnesota here, but the problem is they suck. Their already mediocre (and that's being generous) defense will be short-handed in the middle of the field. Green Bay gets to skate by another week.

San Diego at Kansas City
Derek - Kansas City. The Chiefs D is too good for a Chargers team that keeps getting worse and worse on offense.
Loren - Kansas City. This will be a good bounce back game for KC. Rivers should freeze in the cold weather and KC gets to look toward a Denver rematch and a first place game next week.

Indianapolis at Arizona
Derek - Arizona. People are not giving enough respect to the Cards and this is a home game against a very up and down Colts team. I'll take the team with the better D at home.
Loren - Indianapolis. Okay, some of the shine is gone from the Colts, but they're facing a team that can't take advantage of their weaknesses. Arizona's insistence on using Mendenhall instead of Ellington keeps one of their most explosive players off the field. The Colts should be able to throw it all day long. 

Dallas at New York Giants
Derek - New York Giants. Look at that the NFLs worst division has let a team in the hunt that started off 0-6. And for that reason alone I'll take the Giants. Lets get crazy in the East.
Loren - New York Giants. The Giants have won four in a row and are in the hunt in the NFC East, primarily because the NFC East sucks. Of course, this is the kind of game both teams like to lose, so who knows?

Denver at New England
Derek - Denver. While the Pats look better lately they still don't seem like they can stop the elite teams and I think the Broncos are one of if not the best teams in the league. 
Loren - Denver. If we're picking against the spread, I'm taking NE. This is going to be a cold, cold game and I have a feeling the Broncos will try to exploit NE's run defense. That could make for a close, low scoring game. Still, Denver is the better teams this year, but I'm always nervous taking Manning on a trip to Foxboro.

San Francisco at Washington
Derek - This match up has made a turn for the meh instead of oooh! Anyway I don't like taking teams traveling across country and losing like they haven't done in a few years. And we'll say that RG3 has to have a good one. 
Loren - San Francisco. Battle of what might have been? Both teams haven't performed to expectations this year, but it's clear SF is the better team. RGIII always gives you a chance, but they could find themselves down early forcing Griffin to throw. That plays right into SF's strength. I see an ugly night for Washington.

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Real quick USC vs. Stanford thoughts

Interesting game tonight with huge PAC-12 implications. Just some quick thoughts.

1. This is why I can't bring myself to say Stanford is an elite team. Sure they're very good and seem to have figured the Ducks out, but they lose to teams they shouldn't every year. This year Utah and USC, last year Notre Dame (say what you will, but Stanford should have won that game) and Washington.
1. Again this is what makes the Oregon losses that much more frustrating.
2. When was the last time you saw people storming the Colosseum field? Act like you've been there, but then again I guess the current students haven't been there before. It doesn't really matter but just an interesting site.

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NFL Week 11 Picks

What's this you say? Loren actually picked up a game on me last week. NOOOOOOOOOOOO! 41-19 to 29-29. Who you got this week?

Baltimore at Chicago

Derek - Chicago. Cutler has a game under his belt now after coming back from injury, he'll play it somewhat safe and let Forte do the work. The Bears will win bu double digits.

Loren - Chicago. Baltimore picked up a nice win last week, but shouldn't we be expecting that every week from the defending champs? Chicago is a tough place to play and as long as the Bear's offense limits mistakes, they'll send the Ravens home in a further AFC North hole.

New York Jets at Buffalo

Derek - Buffalo. EJ Manual should be back and they'll hope that fantasy football bust CJ Spiller will have a good game to go with "Back up" Fred Jackson. They should control the ball and I think the D will do more than enough to limit Geno and the Jets.

Loren - NY Jets. The Bills are terrible against the run, which just so happens to be the Jets strong suit. Worse for the Bills, two of their starting WRs are out, so Manual will have to do more with less. The Jets are coming off a bye week and bringing a top shelf run D against a corps of banged up backs. I don't think Buffalo has a prayer.

Washington at Philadelphia

Derek - Philadelphia. The Eagles will keep up the offensive machine they have going on and I don't think Washington's D will be able to kink in their plans.

Loren - Philadelphia. This sure feels like one of those games the Eagles inexplicably drop. RGIII has 6 TDs against 3 INTs over his last four and he looked comfortable taking off down the field last week against the Vikings. Unfortunately for Washington, their pass D is terrible and Foles is going to have a field day.

Detroit at Pittsburgh

Derek - Detroit. I think the Lions will have a field day at Pittsburgh. Their run they'll pass and make dump mistakes, but still win by 14+.

Loren - Detroit. Even though the Steelers are 3-2 since their bye week, their defense just isn't the same rock steady Steelers D we expect. Oddly, they've performed well against opposing QBs but are getting shredded on the ground. You could see a lot of 1-2 punches with Bush and Bell today.

Kansas City at Denver

Derek - Denver. The Chiefs seem to find a way to win each week but I don't think they have what it takes on the offensive side of the ball to keep up with the Broncos. 

Loren - Denver. Haven't been sold on KC all year, but they still keep winning. Their level of competition goes up over the next few weeks beginning with this trip to Denver. It looks like Manning isn't bothered by the ankle injury, Moreno has really stepped up, and you have to pick your poison between the receivers and the TEs. I just don't think KC is ready for the onslaught.

New England at Carolina

Derek - New England. Big game for the Panthers. They can make a huge playoff run off this game, but I don't think we'll see it. I think we're discounting the 7-3 Pats too much and now that Gronk is back I'd expect the whold O to really come around.

Loren - Carolina. The Panthers started slow but they've gone on a tear, showing they can win defensive battles as well as shootouts. That D is scary and I don't see any indication that NE can slow the run. That means more time for Cam in the pocket and more open lanes to take off down the field. This will be a nice statement win on the home field for Carolina.

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Show's Schedule

Just a reminder that our show air's on TVCTV 6 times a week. Please see below for the Comcast times and channels.

Sunday - 6pm Channel 21
Monday - 6pm Channel 21
Tuesday - 12am Channel 21
Wednesday - 3pm Channel 11
Saturday - 3am Channel 21
Saturday - 4pm Channel 21

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2013 Crazy Blazer bets

It's the better late than ever Crazy Blazer Bets. As a recap we make predictions related to the Blazers that are so far fetched that if anyone of them were to actually happen you'd be willing to pay $5 to the person who made that prediction. As always please feel free to add your predictions to the bottom, of course you're not eligible for the cash.

Derek – Robin Lopez will score 50 points in a game.

Loren - Robin Lopez will be the NBA defensive player of the year.

Philipp - Damian Lillard will score 200 points in a 5 consecutive game period.

Ryan - Will Barton wins 6th man of the year..

Carlos – Robin Lopez gets more All Star votes than Brooke Lopez.

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NFL Week 10 Picks

Loren and I both went 3-3 this week. So my lead stays at 13. 37-17 to 24-28.

Seattle at Atlanta

Derek - Seattle. I don't like taking teams that have to travel across country but the Falcons are just terrible right now and I don't see their offense coming around on the Seahawks D. If Seattle gets their head out of their butts and runs the ball with Lynch 2/3 of the times they'll win easy.

Loren - Seattle. It's troublesome that the Seahawks will be playing an early game on the other side of the country. This looks, feels, smells like a trap game. So why am I picking Seattle still. No faith in Atlanta's ability to play consistently.

Detroit at Chicago

Derek - Chicago. Cutlers back and I think they'll be able to slow down the Lions offense. Hope we get a high scoring game here but I'll go with the home team. 

Loren - Detroit. I really hope this is a barn burner. Chicago at home with a nothing-to-lose QB slinging it around? Could be disaster for Detroit. Still, all things considered, Detroit has more weapons and Stafford doesn't usually get rattled.

Philadelphia at Green Bay

Derek - Green Bay. The Eagles are too up and down this season. I'm not sure who's waling through that door. The pack even without Rodgers I know what I'm getting including a good D.

Loren - Philadelphia. Not sure whether to start Eddie Lacy in FFB. Teams are going to stack the box dog pile him. Green Bay's offense has to show me another dimension with Seneca Wallace holding the reigns before I'll feel comfortable picking them.

Houston at Arizona

Derek - Arizona. Houston still has to prove to me that they can score consistently and I thin the Cards have a solid D that will make the difference in this game.

Loren - Houston. How happy is Andre Johnson? Someone who can finally get him the ball where he can do some damage. Foster being out isn't that big a deal. Tate is a premium RB stuck behind a premium RB. On any other team he's an every down runner. Arizona can't run the ball so they'll have to throw and that plays right into the strength of the Texans.

Denver at San Diego

Derek - Denver. Rivers could have a huge day, but I'm not betting against the Denver, they still seems to be working well on offense and they're coming off a bye.

Loren - Denver. Of course I'm taking Denver. I expect this to be a challenge though. The Bronco's secondary hasn't pulled it together yet. Coverage consistently breaks down on passes 15-20 yards down the middle and god help them if there's a one-on-one long down the side. But the Broncos are rested, healthy and still the most dangerous offense in the league.

Dallas at New Orleans

Derek - New Orleans. The Saints at home is usually enough to win most games and their D this year has shown that it's pretty darn good. A bounce back game against an inconsistent team is in the cards.

Loren - New Orleans. If the Saints can stop the Cowboys on the ground (which hasn't been difficult to do this year), their excellent secondary can sit back and wait for Romo to make mistakes. On the other side, the Saints have the fifth most passing yards going against the second worst pass defense in the league. Are you ready for Romo-face?

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NFL Week 9 Picks

Both Loren and I went 4-2 last week so not ground gained or lost. 34-14 to 21-25.

Minnesota at Dallas

Derek - Dallas. The Viks are a bad team right now. Ponder going again? Ok, so Dallas loads up on the run ans tops AP enough to pull out the win.

Loren - Dallas. The cowboys screwed me last weekend giving up a late touchdown to Detroit. AP may run all day but until they get a live body at QB, defenses will stack the line.

Philadelphia at Oakland

Derek - Oakland. East coast team traveling. The Oakland D should be good enough to hold Philly up and I think we'll see another strong rushing game from the Raiders.

Loren - Oakland. This is one of those games I'd take the home team, whoever that happens to be. The Raiders are getting better every week while Philly is coming off two embarrassing losses to division foes. 

Tennessee at St. Louis

Derek - St. Louis. Despite the INTs Clemens through I liked how they ran the ball. I can see the St. Louis D holding up at home.

Loren - Tennessee. Clemens. Yikes.

Indianapolis at Houston

Derek - Indianapolis. This should have been a big game at the beginning of the year but the Texans have stunk it up and are relying on a third stringer. Indy should not have a tough one here.

Loren - Indianapolis. The Texans can hope their excellent pass defense keeps Luck in check. Unfortunately, they'll struggle on the other side of the ball against Indy's run D. I don't think this will be a pretty game, but Indy has a better idea how to use their weapons.

Pittsburgh at New England

Derek - New England. The Pats don't look great, but the Steelers look bad. Last weeks lost to the Raiders has to hurt, and you can see the Steelers trying to make a last stand, unfortunately we know how those turn out.

Loren - Pittsburgh. This one is just a hunch. It feels like the Steelers identity is starting to come together. The Pats aren't as intimidating as years past and they're a patched together team right now. If the Steelers throw Bell at them to the tune of 25-30 carries, I think the Pats cave.

Chicago at Green Bay

Derek - Green Bay. No cutler no chance to keep up with the Green Bay.

Loren - Green Bay. Chicago is schizophrenic. They can't decide if they're actually a good team. That makes it tough for us to decide, too. When in doubt, take the Pack at home.

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