Football (american football to those across the pond!)

[Culhwch]

Well, Pittsburgh couldn't do the Saints a favour. Can't say I'm terribly dissappointed in that result, though. Hopefully Seattle or St Louis can provide a surprise over the next two weeks...

[J-Sun]

Consensus picks for Wacky Week were 5-3 (Skins over the football Giants and the Packers/Colts miracles). For splits/solos:

ws 3-1 (& 1-0 solo)
cul 3-1
jo 2-2 (& 2-0 solo)
j 2-2
pars 1-3 (& 0-1 solo)

[Winters_Sorrow]

Originally Posted by Parson

How low the Vikings have sunk that I can't even begin to dispute this or feel any anger. The secondary might be adequate for college team.... How about that for faint praise.

I feel for you Parson. After the glory years of the late 80s/early 90s, I've had to suffer over a decade of misery with the Niners watching them struggle to even break .500 in a season. To quote Jim Mora "Playoffs? Playoffs?? You kiddin' me???" so this season has been a remarkable revelation, though not as much as some people are thinking. Last season the Niners lost several close games, this season they're winning them. More opportunistic defence & low mistake offence has turned them around. Next step is finding a franchise QB. Alex Smith has been ok this season but he's still a 'draft bust' in that he's a first rounder who is best suited to career backup rather than starter in a team which wants to seriously contend for the SB. Having said that, the Ravens won the SB with Dilfer if I remember correctly so there's always hope!

Originally Posted by jojajihisc

I heard nobody was seriously hurt.

I like how the guy goes one steering for few seconds, dodging obstacles and then bails out the side like its about to go over a cliff. Uh, reach over with your hand and hit the brake.

That was a weird clip but yeah I had to laugh at that myself. He probably realised halfway through the action that he wasn't "qualified" to drive the cart and would likely get sued should it hit anyone else while he was onboard. It is the land of litigation after all.

Originally Posted by Culhwch

Brees' numbers in the Vikings game were ridiculous, even coming against such a weak opponent. I'd put money on him beating the record this week against Atlanta, and piling it on against Carolina. He's been ridiculously consistent in putting up yards this year - at one point early on, even though he was on track to beat Marino's record, Brady and I think Rodgers were both actually projecting to do even better. Brees has just put the foot down and kept it down.

The MVP seems to be Rodgers' to lose, but I think a very strong case can be made for Brees. Look at Rodgers this week - Jennings goes out and the Pack lose their way. Jennings is not only a great reciever, but he takes coverage away from the other guys catching the ball. That hasn't been the case with the Saints. Colston is a stud, but he's no Jennings. If one option is off the table, Brees will spread it around. Brees makes his recievers better, no matter who they are. It's probably splitting hairs, of course - they're both amazing QBs. I'll still be interested to watch Rodgers and Brees over these last two weeks and see how they compare.

I'd actually agree that Brees has been playing at an MVP level but, and correct me if I'm wrong here, I was under the impression that the MVP voting ends stupidly early in the season so that all the votes can be counted by week 16? I seem to remember a few years back when Tom Brady led the Patriots to their 18-1 season and Peyton Manning won the MVP as they were both playing excellently at that point, but TB kept at that level whereas Manning was rested for the last game as I recall.

Originally Posted by Culhwch

Well, Pittsburgh couldn't do the Saints a favour. Can't say I'm terribly dissappointed in that result, though. Hopefully Seattle or St Louis can provide a surprise over the next two weeks...

The Niners win! The Niners win!! Hey, don't rain on my parade Cul
I feared the worst to be honest as our passing defence isn't the best and I thought Mike Wallace would shred us to bits. Sadly I don't have the channel which broadcasts MNF to the UK so I couldn't watch this game but to keep the Steelers to only 3 points is impressive and hopefully we can step up and win out the season to clinch the #2 spot. Seattle is the last obstacle to that I think. It'll be tough away as their crowd is tremendous, but hopefully our D can step up as they seem to rely on their running game a lot too. Stats are for prats, but it's a statement that we've not allowed a rushing touchdown all season, which is just bonkers.

Originally Posted by J-Sun

Consensus picks for Wacky Week were 5-3 (Skins over the football Giants and the Packers/Colts miracles). For splits/solos:

ws 3-1 splits (& 2-2 solo) = 10-6
cul 3-1 (1-3 solo) = 9-7
jo 2-2 splits (& 3-1 solo) = 10-6
j 2-2 splits (& 1-3 solo) = 8-8
pars 1-3 splits (& 0-4 solo) = 6-10

Just amended those slightly J-Sun as the solo's were great for those who won, but double-whammy for those who lost. Looking at the final tally I hope you didn't place any of your own money on those picks Parson!

Feel free to check my sums in case I've made a boo-boo of course.

[Parson]

This was a bad week to be a Parson. I would have bet that my 2 year old granddaughter could have done better than 6 and 10!! And the only one I felt that I was really reaching for was Denver beating New England. Well at least I was right about that.

Last week 10 and 6 would have had you smelling exhaust. This week 10 and 6 put you in the winners circle.

____

JoJa --- 10-6 --- 149-75
Culh --- 9-7 --- 146-78
JSun --- 8-8 --- 142-82
Pars --- 6-10 --- 136-88
WrSr --- 10-6 --- 60-24

_____

Week 16

HOU @ IND (Thursday)
(Saturday games)
MIA @ NE
JAC @ TEN
TB @ CAR
CLE @ BAL
ARI @ CIN
MIN @ WAS
DEN @ BUF
STL @ PIT
OAK @ KC
NYG @ NYJ
SD @ DET 4:05 PM
PHI @ DAL 4:15 PM
SF @ SEA 4:15 PM
CHI @ GB 8:20 PM (Sunday – Christmas!!!!)
Mon, Dec 26
ATL @ NO

[jojajihisc]

Originally Posted by Culhwch

Well, Pittsburgh couldn't do the Saints a favour. Can't say I'm terribly dissappointed in that result, though. Hopefully Seattle or St Louis can provide a surprise over the next two weeks...

The timing couldn't be any better for the Seahawks to beat the 49ers after a big win like that, plus it's at home, plus they're playing their best football right now, plus the 12th Man, plus Lynch.......and I'll probably take the 49ers.

[Winters_Sorrow]

Originally Posted by jojajihisc

The timing couldn't be any better for the Seahawks to beat the 49ers after a big win like that, plus it's at home, plus they're playing their best football right now, plus the 12th Man, plus Lynch.......and I'll probably take the 49ers.

lol, me too

Nevermind Parson, probably be my turn this week!

Week 16

HOU @ IND - I was momentarily tempted to pick Indy here (no, really!) but surely after last weekend the head coach will have lit a fire under his team's butts. But this could be a close one.
MIA @ NE - Miami's defence could make this close but TB is looking back to his imperious best. What's worst than TB to Welker? TB to Welker or Gronkowski!
JAC @ TEN - Titans to rally and win but too late.
TB @ CAR - If that Panthers D starts getting good, this could be a scary team next year...
CLE @ BAL - Old Browns to crush New Browns
ARI @ CIN - Could be a close one but Cincy D should be good enough to stop Skelton. It's not like they're as bad as SF or anything
MIN @ WAS - I really want to give you a win here Parsons but your lot have nothing to play for away from home at the end of the season. Doesn't give me much to root for.
DEN @ BUF - Will the Bills lose their last 9 games of the season?? Quite probably yes.
STL @ PIT - Let's hope Harrison & the rest rough them up a bit for us next week
OAK @ KC - Will the real Raiders stand up? They need to start now.
NYG @ NYJ - The battle of the Beltway. Should be a cracker. Went for the better QB in the end. JPP going 'beast mode'
SD @ DET - another good one. Think the Lions have enough to edge a resurgent SD team
PHI @ DAL - I said Dallas would win last week and lose this week. Better place my bets to back me up.
SF @ SEA - C'mon you Niners. We need second seed & more power cuts at Candlestick Park!
CHI @ GB - GB to bounce back and knock down a hated division rival on their arse.
ATL @ NO - Doing this as retaliation for Cul picking the Steelers last week. Go Matty go!

[J-Sun]

HOU @ IND
MIA @ NE
JAC @ TEN
TB @ CAR
CLE @ BAL
ARI @ CIN
MIN @ WAS
DEN @ BUF
STL @ PIT
OAK @ KC
NYG @ NYJ - impossible to know
SD @ DET
PHI @ DAL
SF @ SEA
CHI @ GB
ATL @ NO

[Culhwch]

Week 16

HOU @ IND - Houston to bounce back.
MIA @ NE - I'm tempted to go with the upset. Can't do it.
JAC @ TEN - Tennessee, but in a close one.
TB @ CAR - Carolina, possibly in a blowout.
CLE @ BAL - Cleveland will play them tough, I feel, but won't win.
ARI @ CIN - Cincy should account for the Cards at home.
MIN @ WAS - Washington are so up and down, but should be good enough.
DEN @ BUF - Has the Tebow bubble burst? A Buffalo win would not shock me.
STL @ PIT - St Louis to lose out the season.
OAK @ KC - Kansas city making a late run?
NYG @ NYJ - Jets in a close one at home.
SD @ DET - San Diego keep rolling.
PHI @ DAL - A toss up.
SF @ SEA - This might just be wishful thinking.
CHI @ GB - This would have been a good game if it hadn't been for injuries.
ATL @ NO - I never tip against the Saints - just can't do it - but this is a huge game. Atlanta won at the Saints last year. Saints have some history losing late season games to division rivals in the past few years. The division is still on the line. But the Saints have been fantastic at home this year. Still, this game worries me.

[jojajihisc]

Week 16

HOU @ IND (Thursday)
MIA @ NE
JAC @ TEN
TB @ CAR
CLE @ BAL
ARI @ CIN
MIN @ WAS
DEN @ BUF
STL @ PIT
OAK @ KC
NYG @ NYJ
SD @ DET 4:05 PM
PHI @ DAL 4:15 PM
SF @ SEA 4:15 PM
CHI @ GB 8:20 PM (Sunday – Christmas!!!!)
Mon, Dec 26
ATL @ NO

[Parson]

Week 16

HOU @ IND (Thursday)
(Saturday games)
MIA @ NE
JAC @ TEN
TB @ CAR
CLE @ BAL
ARI @ CIN
MIN @ WAS
DEN @ BUF
STL @ PIT
OAK @ KC
NYG @ NYJ
SD @ DET 4:05 PM
PHI @ DAL 4:15 PM
SF @ SEA 4:15 PM
CHI @ GB 8:20 PM (Sunday – Christmas!!!!)
Mon, Dec 26
ATL @ NO

________

As I did so wonderfully last week. I think I'll pick mostly home teams this week and seal my last place finish for the regular season. Bring on the play offs, and a top 3 pick for the Vikes!

[J-Sun]

Nobody thinks the Pack or Colts will repeat this week.

Consensus:
CHI @ wGB
CLE @ wBAL
JAC @ wTEN
MIA @ wNE
MIN @ wWAS
STL @ wPIT
TB @ wCAR
wHOU @ IND

Split:
cul & j: NYG @ wNYJ
jo & pars & ws: wNYG @ NYJ

cul & jo: OAK @ wKC
j & pars & ws: wOAK @ KC

cul & pars: PHI @ wDAL
j & jo & ws: wPHI @ DAL

pars & ws: SD @ wDET
cul & j & jo: wSD @ DET

cul & pars: SF @ wSEA
j & jo & ws: wSF @ SEA

Solo:
pars: DEN @ wBUF
pars: wARI @ CIN
ws: wATL @ NO

[Winters_Sorrow]

Those consensus picks are killing us aren't they. I must say that Indy played well (especially after the worst possible start) but I was very disappointed with Houston. They will go nowhere playing like that and it seemed the entire offence bored themselves to sleep in the 2nd half. And so much for that vaunted defence which let Indy waltz 70+ yards in the final 2 minutes with nary a problem. I thought it was Peyton again for a sec there!

A bit of a double-edged win for Indy so far as draft places go but lucky for them the Rams & Vikes seem to be fairly happy with Bradford & Ponder and have other problems to fix. But it puts them in a very strong position for trades down the line. It's meant to be fairly good group this year and with the changes to rookie salaries we could see more horse trading than ever before.

[J-Sun]

Yeah, I didn't see the game but I think Houston's out of gas. It's kind of amazing they've done as well as they have for as long as they have, what with inconsistently having a star receiver or back around, going to their 3rd quarterback, being without their defensive star, etc. But the point is that they were able to win despite all that and have now started dropping games they shouldn't. It's possible they'll drop the Titans game, get their guaranteed playoff game, and immediately lose it, too. And it's virtually guaranteed that it'll be a wild card round now, when they had a shot at the #2 seed.

[Grimward]

Hi guys. Sorry I had to drop out abruptly. Had a disability issue that required quite a bit of attention on top of my other responsibilities, the cumulative result of which unfortunately didn't leave much time for coming here. Hopefully back now, though.

[jojajihisc]

Grimward, have you been picking the games on your own? If so, how've you been doing?