FOOTBALL PICKS (Adam versus the Coin)

I NEED A GIMMICK.   

Some writers pick games and compare their results against other experts.   

One ESPN writer actually picks games and then to make it interesting, also has his wife pick games…and then they see who does better.   

I figure, I too, need a gimmick!  So after tens of minutes of deep-thought, I decided I will compete against a Coin.   

Yes, an ordinary American-brand 25 cent piece of mixed copper/nickel metal alloy (did you know that US Quarters stopped being made of Silver in 1965?).   

Cool huh?   

You see, this is how it works.  For each game, I will make my selection.  Then I will flip the Coin:  Heads means the Coin picks the HOME TEAM; Tails means the Coin picks the ROAD TEAM.  Then we will list and compare our respective picks. 

I just hope I do BETTER than my competitor here! 

Okay you ready?!   

[insert NFL Films / Sam Spence music here] 

—- GAMES OF THE WEEK —- 

SEATTLE @ DENVER:

Believe it or not, I think the Broncos take this game with Jake Plummer behind center.   But, as we all know, that’s not the case this week.  Seattle’s getting healthy again and I can’t see a rookie beating the NFC champs in his first ever big-league start  – during a primetime, national broadcast no less.  The game will still be close.  Denver is still one of the toughest home teams in the league and they desperately need a win.  I mean they need a win in a bad way after dropping two in a row to divisional foes (which ironically, a few years back, this would have been another AFC West showdown).  But it won’t happen this night. Look for Seattle to stack the line and force Jay Cutler to beat them with his arm. 

Prediction: Seahawks 23     Broncos 17

The Coin says:  Broncos 

Apparently the Coin thinks Cutler is more seasoned than I do. 

DALLAS @ NEW YORK GIANTS:

I have a bad feeling I will regret this pick.  After all, these two teams couldn’t be headed in two more opposite directions.   Tony Romo is the new Next-coming in the eyes of many and the Giants could make a good case for an episode entirely devoted to them on ER.  At full strength, or even three weeks ago (remember a few Monday night Football games ago?), this would have been a no-brainer pick for me.  The Giants talent-wise are a NFC Title contender … but the game isn’t on paper.  What this game is however, is the Season for the boys in darker-blue.  Yes, it’s that important.  A win gives them a sweep against “America’s team” and first place in the division (not to mention an end to a devastating losing streak).  A loss, though, could all but end their season’s aspiration.  Osi Umenyiora’s potential return could give the Giants a boost.  Then again, it might not. 

Prediction:  Giants 31   Cowboys 27 The Coin says:  Cowboys 

Figures, an American currency would pick “America’s Team”. 

HOUSTON @ OAKLAND:

NBC tried desperately to select this game as their Sunday night game of the week.  But CBS protested and threatened legal actions if their rivals continued discussions with the League concerning this match-up.  Fortunately, for all parties (and for all of us watching at home), the two sides agreed to a compromise with the help of the FOX Network – and agreed to work a deal to have the Seahawks and Broncos square of under the lights.   As far as the game, Oakland’s defense continues to show it belongs amongst the league’s elite…and should be enough to squeak out a rare victory.  But again, I wouldn’t take this pick to the bank (I mean it is the Raiders we’re talking about.)  

Prediction:  Raiders 19   Texans 10 The Coin says:  Texans 

Wow—the Coin seems to be purposely picking every game opposite of me.   

49ERS @ SAINTS:

Drew Brees has been Red Hot.  The 49ers wear red uniforms—sounds like a match made in heaven  The 49er defense has improved a bit of late, but the Saints have been proficient offensively this season and strong at home.  This is a game the Saints need if they are serious about winning their division.  Likewise, this is a must-win for the 49ers’ playoff push.  Actually, never mind, who we kidding?  It’s the NFC – they’ll still be in the hunt even if they lose. 

Prediction:  Saints 29   49ers 17

The Coin says:  49ers 

I swear I’m not just putting down the opposite of what I pick for the Coin. 

—– THE REST OF THE PACK —— 

SAN DIEGO @ BUFFALO:Last I heard, snow was forecasted for Sunday.  But despite playing in warm weather, the Chargers should be well-suited for the cold.  They have all the ingredients: dominant running game, a strong defense against the run, and a spark, sure to warm the team up coming in the return of Shawne Merriman.  In other words, it might be a keen time to play a little Martyball this week.  Note: I said a LITTLE Martyball!  This could be a dangerous game for the Chargers…but something tells me they know this and the coaching staff and team veterans won’t let them fall.   Buffalo is up and down – so if the UP-team comes, could be a close game.   

Prediction:  Chargers 26    Bills 13 The Coin says:  Chargers 

Finally, we see eye to eye. 

MINNESOTA @ CHICAGO:The Bears are coming off a tough defeat to the Patriots and will be hungry to show the Country that they’re still the Class of the NFC.  The Vikings, on the other hand, are not the same team they were at the beginning of the season when they almost knocked off the Bears at home.  Plus, this isn’t home sweet dome – this is frigid Soldier Field – where Rex Chapman plays a lot better.   Look for the Bears in a defensive battle. 

Prediction:  Bears 23   Vikings 9 The Coin says:  Vikings 

Man, you should hear the smack the Coin’s spittin’ right now.  

TAMPA BAY @ PITTSBURGH: These are two of the three teams giving me ulcers when it comes to picking games.  I just can’t get them right.  Two teams who are supposed to have good defenses, but don’t. They play good one week and then embarrass themselves the next.  Honestly, I kept thinking Pittsburgh had one last run in them – until last week.  It’s over, they’re done.  Unfortunately for me, so is Tampa Bay (0-5 on the road).   Steelers playing for pride, take this one… but does anyone care?  Heh heh, I’m surprised this isn’t the Monday night game this week  

Prediction:  Steelers 28   Bucs 20 The Coin says:  Steelers 

I’d say great minds, BUT…

ARIZONA @ ST. LOUIS:
Battle of one time St. Louis teams…the Cardinals are the ex-wife…and the Rams are the new adopted child.  Or something like that. Either way, this insignificant sub-plot will probably be more interesting than the game.   

Prediction:  Rams 34   Cardinals 19

The Coin says:  Cardinals 

If the coin talks about my Grandma like that one more time… 

INDIANAPOLIS @ TENNESSEE: Vince Young has already shown flashes of the magic he showed at Texas and it spelled bad news last week for the Giants.   These aren’t the Giants however.  Further, this isn’t the NFC East, for which Tennessee has dominated.  And even though the Colts are a little banged up offensively right now, they should still have enough to keep some distance between them and the Oilers…err I mean Titans. 

Prediction:  Colts 28   Titans 12 The Coin says:  Titans 

I guess when it comes to putting his money where his mouth is, Mr. Quarter felt it’s better to keep the horses on the racetrack. 

JACKSONVILLE @ MIAMI:
Jacksonville has been a terrible road team this season.  They’ve also played down to their opponents all year long.  So the question is, do they view the Dolphins as being a good team or not?  My guess is, yes, they do.  This is one has the makings of being one of the more interesting games this week – could be a good one!  (and also the game I found most challenging to pick.) 

Prediction:  Jaguars 19   Dolphins 13

The Coin says:  Jaguars 

If they met in the wild, a jaguar would rip apart a dolphin.   

ATLANTA @ WASHINGTON: The Falcons are due.  Michael Vick is pissed.  The Redskins are just plain lousy.  If Vicks’ middle finger still works, take the birds. 

Prediction:  Falcons 27   Redskins 14 The Coin says:  Redskins 

Hold on, I’m going to roll the coin down the driveway a few times– I’ll get right back. 

{Okay, it’s five minutes later:  I think we’ll find a much politer Quarter from here on out.} 

KANSAS CITY @ CLEVELAND: Did you know CBS picked this game as one of their HD games? Over SD vs Buffalo!  Oh well.  I don’t have HD anyways…   

Prediction:  Chiefs 24   Browns 14 The Coin says:  Chiefs 

Looks like I rolled some sense into my Coin. 

DETROIT @ NEW ENGLAND:
New England plays game number two on their new turf.  I hate seeing natural grass get replaced, but the stuff they put in looks pretty good – it’s hard to tell it isn’t real.   Sorry for the tangent, but I guess it was more interesting to me than this game is going to be. Prediction:  Patriots 27   Lions 7

The Coin says:  Lions  I think Coin is smoking crack. 

NEW YORK JETS @ GREEN BAY:The Jets need this win to keep any hopes of making the playoffs alive.  The Packers do too…though at 4-7 they don’t deserve to be in contention.  This game on the road will tell a lot about how good the Jets really are…if they lose, they aren’t good enough to be mentioned in the same breath as P-L-A-Y-O-F-F-S… 

Prediction:  Jets 21   Packers 16 The Coin says: Packers 

The Coin and the human differ in this battle of green-jerseyed teams. 

CAROLINA @ PHILADELPHIA:The Eagles’ season ended when Donovan McNabb went down.  Carolina should run all over Philly.  It’s Monday night, so it probably won’t be a good game  

Prediction:  Panthers 30   Eagles 13 The Coin says:  Panthers 

I’m glad we were able to agree amicably on the last pick. 

YEAR TO DATE:

Adam’s Record: 1-0

Coin’s Record:   0-1 

I picked the Bengals over the Ravens.   The Coin chose tails. 

ADDITIONAL THOUGHTS FROM THE GRIDIRON: 

The Chargers picked up a big victory Thursday when the Bengals knocked off the Ravens!  (Thanks NFL Network and my local Cable Company from blocking me from watching the game!)  With the victory, San Diego moved up to the second seed in the American Football Conference (one game behind the top seeded Colts). 

Remember, in the current playoff system the top two seeds get the HIGHLY important first round bye.  And considering how tough and deep the AFC is, that’s HUGE!   Every AFC team that advances to the post season will be legitimate contenders! 

If the Chargers can maintain one of the top two seeds, then it also ensures they wouldn’t have to travel to notoriously bad-weathered (and challenging) cities such as Baltimore, New England, Denver, Kansas City, Cincinnati etc.  And it would also mean, they would be only one upset away from having the Road to Miami (aka the Super Bowl) go through San Diego. 

So Chargers fans, time to root harder against Indy, New England and
Baltimore (the biggest threats to the top two seeds).  Go BOLTS!