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Quick Snaps: NFL Week 12

November 27, 2011 by Jon

Falcons 24 Vikings 14 – I’ll give Christian Ponder and Percy Harvin credit, they made this game much closer than most people thought. Your move Saints/Giants.

Bengals 23 Browns 20 – Peyton Hillis is alive and well but not healthy enough to lead the Browns past Andy Dalton and the Bengals. For Cleveland, is it time to start thinking about how Matt Barkley will look in orange/brown?

Titans 23 Buccaneers 17 – Did I call it or did I call it? I told y’all that Chris Johnson was going to bust out and I do believe 23 carries for 190 yards qualifies as a breakout performance. Poor Raheem Morris. Maybe it’s time to dust off the old resume after all.

Panthers 27 Colts 19 – You know what they say, horseshoes and hand grenades.

Cardinals 23 Rams 20 – How long before Arizona returner extraordinaire Patrick Peterson starts getting the Devin Hester treatment? Also, 228 yards! Who knew Beanie Wells had it in him? I guess the Ohio State alum wasn’t too affected by his alma-mater’s loss to Michigan Saturday.

Jets 28 Bills 24 – First, Stevie Johnson mocks Plaxico Burress during a TD celebration and then the Buffalo WR drops a crucial pass from Ryan Fitzpatrick which could have led to a Buffalo score and an improbable last second comeback over the jets. I guess you could say Stevie put his foot in his mouth or rather, shot himself in the hands.

Texans 20 Jaguars 13 – I feel for Matt Leinart, I really do. If his season has really come to a close after only one start, I guess it helps to know that he has already made over $20 million serving primarily as a backup QB. I’d say that kinda cash is worth a broken collarbone now and again.

Raiders 25 Bears 20 – I was riding with Caleb Hanie until his 3 interceptions, and 6 Sebastian Janikowski FG’s, did the Bears in. It’s going to be very close between the Falcons/Saints/Lions/Giants/Cowboys/Bears for the final playoff spot.

Redskins 23 Seahawks 17 – Rex Grossman just proving all the haters wrong once again.

Patriots 38 Eagles 20 – The Patriots secondary made Vince Young look like second coming of Randall Cunningham early on but eventually settled down long enough to allow Tom Brady and the New England offense to take over. Speaking of over, could this be the end of Andy Reid in Philly?

Broncos 16 Chargers 13 – Who goes first: Andy Reid or Norv Turner? I say Reid, the venom in Philly is much more paralyzing than in San Diego. And Tim Tebow, no postgame handshakes for John Elway until he fesses up and admits that he doesn’t want you to be the Broncos long term solution at quarterback.

view from Arrowhead Stadium courtesy of @corylutgen

If Gambling Were Legal: NFL Week 12

November 26, 2011 by Jon

NFL Week 12 (Nothing like a little holiday to set your writing schedule back a few days.)

ST. LOUIS (-2.5) over Arizona – Suggestion. Arizona returns the name Cardinals to St. Louis in exchange for Sam Bradford and a player to be named. The St. Louis Cardinals can now start fresh with a new/old identity and then roll the dice by drafting Baylor QB Robert Griffin III while the Arizona Fighting Fitzgeralds pick up a young QB in Bradford who is sure to make most desert dwellers forget all about the Kevin Kolb Experiment.

NY JETS (-9.5) over Buffalo – It would be so like the bully Jets to take their frustations out on the once proud Buffalo Bills. Question for New York, who would you rather have as your quarterback: Mark Sanchez, Mark Brunell, or Glenn Foley?

CINCINNATI (-7) over Cleveland – With the NBA lockout coming to an end, I guess we won’t be seeing LeBron James suiting up for the Browns anytime soon.

Houston (-6.5) over JACKSONVILLE – I mean, all Matt Leinart should have to do is hand the ball off to Arian Foster and Ben Tate a combined 50 times for the Texans to be successful against the Jags. But, this is Matt Leinart after all so I wouldn’t be surprised if this thing is won or lost on the very last drive of the game.

Carolina (-3.5) over INDIANAPOLIS – If the Colts don’t plan on using the top pick in the 2012 draft on Andrew Luck, maybe they should have a few scouts hang around Lucas Oil Stadium next weekend to watch the Wisconsin Badgers take on the Michigan State Spartans in the first ever Legends vs. Leaders Big Ten Championship Game. Badger quarterback Russell Wilson would be a steal for Indy in the 3rd or 4th round, even though the diminutive QB measures in at roughly the same height as Drew Brees.

TENNESSEE (-3.5) over Tampa Bay – Mark this down as the game where Chris Johnson finally decided to bring the noise. Or he rushes for less than 25 yards again and the Titans decide to cut him on the spot.

ATLANTA (-9.5) over Minnesota – I just realized that none of these Sunday games are any good. I guess that’s the price we pay for three stellar contests on Thanksgiving. And, just in case you were wondering, for Thursday I went with DETROIT (+6.5), Miami (+7) and San Fran (+3.5). That 49ers one hurts me the most, thought they had a chance of covering till the very end.

Chicago (+3) over OAKLAND – Upset Special!!!! Upset Special!!! Caleb Hanie does it for the Bears with a big assist from Jay Cutler who’ll be watching from the sidelines while wearing baggy sweatpants and one of those stupid looking brimmed winter hats.

SEATTLE (-3) over Washington – As I type the Apple Cup between Washington and Washington State is on in the background and I’m pretty sure Ed Hochuli’s younger brother is the referee. Can’t be certain however as this Hochuli has much much smaller deltoids.

New England (-3.5) over PHILADELPHIA – Too many injuries for the Eagles who could lose this game and still have an outside chance in the NFC East.

SAN DIEGO (-5.5) over Denver – John Elway is such a flip-flopper that Mitt Romney has decided to make him his running mate in 2012. Hey ohh!!

KANSAS CITY (+10.5) over Pittsburgh – I’m calling Kyle Orton is in at QB for the Chiefs by halftime.

New York (+7) over NEW ORLEANS – It would be just like the Giants to make this a close ballgame.

Last Week 9-5 (Overall 84-76)

view from Stanford/Notre Dame courtesy of @DavidHibiske

 

NFL Week 12: Buffalo and the Ultimate Sadness

November 28, 2010 by Jon

The Buffalo Bills lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers 16-13 in overtime.  Pittsburgh came into this afternoon’s game as a 7 point favorite over the much maligned Bills.  Buffalo had their fair share a chances to win the game, including a dropped touchdown in OT by Stevie Johnson who has since used twitter to blame a higher power for his misfortune.  Today’s loss ends the Bills two game winning streak and helps the Steelers keep pace with the Baltimore Ravens in the AFC North.  Of greater concern to me is wondering what the current state of mind must be like for the city and fans of Buffalo after yet another devastating loss.

Like most of the country, Buffalo has been hit hard by our most recent economic downturn. Fans in upstate New York continue to turn to their beloved Bills in search of an opportunity to escape from the daily doldrums of financial insecurity.  As far as I can tell, Buffalo continues to fill up Ralph Wilson Stadium and care about a team that hasn’t been a threat in the AFC East since the days of Jim Kelly, Andre Reed, Bruce Smith, and Thurman Thomas. And how is the organization repaying their loyal fans? By moving games to Toronto….Canada. I understand that the NFL is looking to expand into new markets and owners are driven to increase revenue by building stadiums with more luxury boxes.  But the Bills organization owes it to their city and fans to put a better product on the field and help keep the team in Buffalo. If they go, what happens to the city?

I’m on your side Bills fans.  Keep showing up to games and here’s hoping your team remains competitive this year and beyond (especially against the Jets). Share your views!

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