Week15 Picks

Week15 Picks Against the Spread
(Suggested Winner with Vegas line attached)

Bills +5.5 @ Dolphins
Cardinals +2.5 @ Panthers
Saints +1.5 @ Ravens
Chiefs @ Rams +1
Texans +1.5 @ Titans
Broncos @ Raiders -6.5
Packers @ Patriots -11

Week14 Picks

Week14 Picks Against the Spread(Suggested Winner with Vegas line attached)

Falcons -7.5 @ Panthers
Packers -6.5 @ Lions
Eagles -3.5 @ Cowboys
Ravens -3 @ Texans

Week13 Picks

Week13 Picks Against the Spread
(Suggested Winner with Vegas line attached)

Jaguars +3 @ Titans
49ers @ Packers -9.5
Broncos @ Chiefs -8.5
Bears -5 @ Lions
Raiders @ Chargers -13
Cowboys +5.5 @ Colts

Week12 Picks

Week12 Picks Against the Spread
(Suggested Winner with Vegas line attached)

Steelers -6.5 @ Bills
Buccaneers +7.5 @ Ravens
Chargers @ Colts -3

Week11 Power Rankings & Picks

Week11 Power Rankings
(Team, Actual Record, Projected Regular Season Wins)

1. Falcons, 7-2, 12
2. Jets, 7-2, 12
3. Patriots, 7-2, 12
4. Packers, 6-3, 11
5. Giants, 6-3, 11
6. Steelers, 6-3, 11
7. Ravens, 6-3, 11
8. Colts, 6-3, 10
9. Saints, 6-3, 10
10. Eagles, 6-3, 10
11. Bears, 7-3, 10
12. Chargers, 4-5, 9
13. Buccaneers, 6-3, 9
14. Raiders, 5-4, 9
15. Titans, 5-4, 9
16. Jaguars, 5-4, 8
17. Chiefs, 5-4, 8
18. Dolphins, 5-5, 8
19. Vikings, 3-6, 7
20. Texans, 4-5, 7
21. Rams, 4-5, 7
22. Seahawks, 5-4, 7
23. Redskins, 4-5, 7
24. Browns, 3-6, 6
25. 49ers, 3-6, 6
26. Broncos, 3-6, 6
27. Cardinals, 3-6, 5
28. Bengals, 2-7, 4
29. Lions, 2-7, 4
30. Cowboys, 2-7, 4
31. Bills, 1-8, 3
32. Panthers, 1-8, 2

Week11 Picks Against the Spread
(Suggested Winner with Vegas line attached)

Lions +6.5 @ Cowboys
Cardinals @ Chiefs -8
Ravens -10.5 @ Carolina
Colts @ Patriots +3.5

Week10 Recap

The lumps continue. Fade my picks and win yourself a fortune. I feel like Glover Quin batting that ball right into the hands of Mike Thomas, can’t win for trying. But that’s alright, there ain’t much quitting in me. So I’m going to just keep plugging away until I can consistently pick winners at a clip of 60% or better. I guess just don’t hold your breath waiting for that to happen.

Bengals @ Colts -7 17-23 L
Vikings @ Bears +1 13-27 W
Texans +1.5 @ Jaguars 24-31 L
Titans -2 @ Dolphins 17-29 L
Panthers @ Buccaneers -7 16-31 W
Seahawks @ Cardinals -3 36-18 L

Week10 Power Rankings & Picks

Week10 Power Rankings
(Team, Actual Record, Projected Regular Season Wins)

1. Falcons, 7-2, 12
2. Giants, 6-2, 11
3. Steelers, 6-2, 11
4. Ravens, 6-3, 11
5. Packers, 6-3, 11
6. Jets, 6-2, 11
7. Patriots, 6-2, 11
8. Saints, 6-3, 10
9. Colts, 5-3, 10
10. Eagles, 5-3, 10
11. Titans, 5-3, 9
12. Chiefs, 5-3, 10
13. Chargers, 4-5, 9
14. Bears, 5-3, 9
15. Raiders, 5-4, 9
16. Dolphins, 4-4, 8
17. Texans, 4-4, 8
18. Buccaneers, 5-3, 8
19. Redskins, 4-4, 8
20. Vikings, 3-5, 7
21. Rams, 4-4, 7
22. Jaguars, 4-4, 7
23. Browns, 3-5, 6
24. Seahawks, 4-4, 6
25. Cardinals, 3-5, 6
26. Bengals, 2-6, 5
27. Broncos, 2-6, 5
28. Lions, 2-6, 5
29. 49ers, 2-6, 4
30. Cowboys, 1-7, 3
31. Panthers, 1-7, 2
32. Bills, 0-8, 2

Week10 Picks Against the Spread
(Suggested Winner with Vegas line attached)

Bengals @ Colts -7
Vikings @ Bears +1
Texans +1.5 @ Jaguars
Titans -2 @ Dolphins
Panthers @ Buccaneers -7
Seahawks @ Cardinals -3

Week9 Recap

Often, there’s a fine line between banking and busting. The Jets pulled out a win in overtime against the Lions, but fell one point short of covering the spread. The Chiefs not only lost by 3 points to the Raiders, but fell a half a point short of covering the spread. The Steelers tried all they could to not cover against the Bengals, but stood strong in the very end. Other times, like in the case of the Browns destroying the Patriots, that fine line becomes as wide as a mountain range. See the Giants owning the Seahawks as well.

Jets -4 @ Lions 23-20 L
Patriots -4.5 @ Browns 14-34 L
Giants -7 @ Seahawks 41-7 W
Chiefs +2.5 @ Raiders 20-23 L
Steelers -5 @ Bengals 27-21 W

Meanwhile, the Saints traveled to Carolina and took care of business in a 34-3 route. Watch the clip to see Darren Sharper separate the man from the ball. In fact, our defense was swarming all over the Panthers’ weak offensive unit. Optimism in New Orleans is back in vogue headed into the bye week…2dat! 2dat!

Week9 Power Rankings & Picks

Week9 Power Rankings
(Team, Actual Record, Projected Regular Season Wins)

1. Patriots, 6-1, 12
2. Colts, 5-2, 11
3. Ravens, 5-2, 11
4. Giants, 5-2, 11
5. Falcons, 5-2, 11
6. Jets, 5-2, 11
7. Steelers, 5-2, 11
8. Packers, 5-3, 10
9. Chiefs, 5-2, 10
10. Saints, 5-3, 10
11. Titans, 4-3, 9
12. Dolphins, 4-3, 9
13. Texans, 4-3, 9
14. Eagles, 4-3, 9
15. Redskins, 4-4, 8
16. Bears, 4-3, 8
17. Buccaneers, 5-2, 8
18. Chargers, 3-5, 8
19. Raiders, 4-4, 8
20. Rams, 4-4, 7
21. Jaguars, 4-3, 7
22. Seahawks, 4-3, 6
23. Vikings, 2-5, 6
24. Bengals, 2-5, 6
25. Cardinals, 3-4, 6
26. Broncos, 2-6, 5
27. Browns, 2-5, 5
28. Lions, 2-5, 5
29. Cowboys, 1-6, 4
30. 49ers, 2-5, 4
31. Panthers, 1-6, 3
32. Bills, 0-7, 2

Week9 Picks Against the Spread
(Suggested Winner with Vegas line attached)

Jets -4 @ Lions
Patriots -4.5 @ Browns
Giants -7 @ Seahawks
Chiefs +2.5 @ Raiders
Steelers -5 @ Bengals

Week8 Recap

Ugghh! That’s all I can say about this past weekend. As a matter of fact, I will say it again…ugghh!

Dolphins +2 @ Bengals 22-14 W
Broncos +1 vs. 49ers (London) 16-24 L
Packers @ Jets -6 9-0 L
Titans +3.5 @ Chargers 25-33 L
Vikings @ Patriots -6.5 18-28 W
Steelers +1 @ Saints 10-20 L
Texans +5.5 @ Colts 17-30 L

The Saints surprised me and rebounded well from their loss against the lowly Browns. In an odd twist, it seems that the Saints defense is outperforming the offense. We get Reggie Bush and Pierre Thomas back and we should be good to go for a decent playoff run.

Week8 Power Rankings & Picks

Week8 Power Rankings
(Team, Actual Record, Projected Regular Season Wins)

1. Jets, 5-1, 12
2. Steelers, 5-1, 12
3. Patriots, 5-1, 12
4. Ravens, 5-2, 11
5. Colts, 4-2, 11
6. Giants, 5-2, 11
7. Falcons, 5-2, 11
8. Titans, 4-2, 10
9. Texans, 4-2, 10
10. Packers, 4-2, 10
11. Chiefs, 4-2, 9
12. Saints, 4-3, 9
13. Eagles, 4-3, 9
14. Redskins, 4-3, 8
15. Dolphins, 3-3, 8
16. Bears, 4-3, 8
17. Seahawks, 4-2, 7
18. Buccaneers, 4-2, 7
19. Vikings, 2-4, 7
20. Bengals, 2-4, 7
21. Chargers, 2-5, 7
22. Rams, 3-4, 6
23. Raiders, 3-4, 6
24. Jaguars, 3-3, 6
25. Broncos, 2-5, 6
26. Cardinals, 3-3, 6
27. Browns, 2-5, 5
28. Cowboys, 1-5, 5
29. Lions, 1-5, 4
30. Panthers, 1-5, 3
31. 49ers, 1-6, 3
32. Bills, 0-6, 3

Week8 Picks Against the Spread
(Suggested Winner with Vegas line attached)

Dolphins +2 @ Bengals
Broncos +1 vs. 49ers (London)
Packers @ Jets -6
Titans +3.5 @ Chargers
Vikings @ Patriots -6.5
Steelers +1 @ Saints
Texans +5.5 @ Colts

Week7 Recap

Okay, that’s more like it. It pays to pinpoint underdogs that you project will win outright. I don’t know what bookies were thinking spotting Tom Brady 3 points against the Chargers, but I’ll take it straight to the bank. Week7 would have been even more successful for me had I not shied away last minute from picking the Chiefs and Rams as well.

Bengals @ Falcons -3.5 32-39 W
Eagles +3 @ Titans 37-19 L
Patriots +3 @ Chargers 23-20 W
Giants +3 @ Cowboys 41-35 W

As far as the Saints disaster of a Sunday, we are still reigning Super Bowl champions. Every time I see Drew Brees make an uncharacteristically horrible pass or watch an opposing punter scampering down the field like Deion Sanders, I remind myself that our ring is still very new to us. I can’t fully blame our deficiencies this year on injuries, but I can say that losing games to rookie quarterbacks Max Hall and Colt McCoy is all sorts of pathetic. Hopefully, the Saints get themselves in gear before missing the playoffs becomes a reality.

Week7 Power Rankings & Picks

Week7 Power Rankings
(Team, Actual Record, Projected Regular Season Wins)

1. Jets, 5-1, 12
2. Steelers, 4-1, 12
3. Patriots, 4-1, 11
4. Ravens, 4-2, 11
5. Colts, 4-2, 11
6. Falcons, 4-2, 10
7. Giants, 4-2, 10
8. Saints, 4-2, 10
9. Texans, 4-2, 10
10. Packers, 3-3, 10
11. Titans, 3-2, 9
12. Eagles, 4-2, 9
13. Bears, 4-2, 9
14. Dolphins, 3-2, 8
15. Chiefs, 3-2, 8
16. Redskins, 3-3, 8
17. Chargers, 2-4, 8
18. Broncos, 2-4, 7
19. Bengals, 2-3, 7
20. Vikings, 2-3, 7
21. Jaguars, 3-2, 6
22. Cowboys, 1-4, 6
23. Rams, 3-3, 6
24. Seahawks, 3-2, 6
25. Cardinals, 3-2, 6
26. Buccaneers, 3-2, 6
27. Raiders, 2-4, 5
28. Browns, 1-5, 4
29. Lions, 1-5, 4
30. 49ers, 1-5, 4
31. Panthers, 0-5, 3
32. Bills, 0-5, 3

Week7 Picks Against the Spread
(Suggested Winner with Vegas line attached)

Bengals @ Falcons -3.5
Eagles +3 @ Titans
Patriots +3 @ Chargers
Giants +3 @ Cowboys

Week6 Recap

The Ravens clamming up at the end of their game with the Patriots put me under .500 for the week…AGAIN! I swear I’m getting better at this handicapping business, but my track record has yet to indicate it. Personal rule moving forward: even if the Saints have lost 10 straight regular season games against the spread, don’t expect to win betting against them a second week in a row. The ghost of Sam Mills is surely going to haunt me in my sleep over that one. Also for once and for all, the Cowboys are terrible this year. That’s all there is to it.

Falcons +2.5 @ Eagles 17-31 L
Browns @ Steelers -13.5 10-28 W
Ravens +2.5 @ Patriots 20-23 L
Dolphins +4 @ Packers 23-20 W
Saints @ Buccaneers +4 31-6 L
Seahawks @ Bears -6.5 23-20 L
Jets -3 @ Broncos 24-20 W
Cowboys +1.5 @ Vikings 21-24 L

Week6 Power Rankings & Picks

Week6 Power Rankings
(Team, Actual Record, Projected Regular Season Wins)

1. Ravens, 4-1, 12
2. Jets, 4-1, 11
3. Steelers, 3-1, 11
4. Colts, 3-2, 11
5. Falcons, 4-1, 11
6. Packers, 3-2, 11
7. Patriots, 3-1, 10
8. Giants, 3-2, 10
9. Bears, 4-1, 10
10. Saints, 3-2, 10
11. Titans, 3-2, 9
12. Redskins, 3-2, 9
13. Texans, 3-2, 9
14. Chargers, 2-3, 9
15. Dolphins, 2-2, 8
16. Chiefs, 3-1, 8
17. Eagles, 3-2, 8
18. Broncos, 2-3, 7
19. Bengals, 2-3, 7
20. Cowboys, 1-3, 7
21. Vikings, 1-3, 7
22. Jaguars, 3-2, 7
23. Cardinals, 3-2, 6
24. Buccaneers, 3-1, 6
25. Rams, 2-3, 5
26. Raiders, 2-3, 5
27. Seahawks, 2-2, 5
28. Browns, 1-4, 4
29. Lions, 1-4, 4
30. 49ers, 0-5, 4
31. Panthers, 0-5, 3
32. Bills, 0-5, 3

Week6 Picks Against the Spread
(Suggested Winner with Vegas line attached)

Falcons +2.5 @ Eagles
Browns @ Steelers -13.5
Ravens +2.5 @ Patriots
Dolphins +4 @ Packers
Saints @ Buccaneers +4
Seahawks @ Bears -6.5
Jets -3 @ Broncos
Cowboys +1.5 @ Vikings

Week5 Recap

Note to self: Leave the stinking Bengals alone! Yes, they are stacked with talent, but evidently that talent comes with very little heart. Plus, the Bengals were horrible against the spread last year as favorites. What was I thinking picking them to win as favorites 3 weeks in a row?

And the Rams, what happened there? Oh yeah, they are the Rams even when they are playing the Lions. On the flipside, thank you to the Giants, Redskins and Titans who each not only covered as underdogs but went right ahead and won outright as well.

Giants +3 @ Texans 34-10 W
Packers @ Redskins +2.5 13-16 W
Buccaneers @ Bengals -6.5 24-21 L
Rams +3 @ Lions 6-44 L
Falcons -3 @ Browns 20-10 W
Saints -6.5 @ Cardinals 20-30 L
Titans +7 @ Cowboys 34-27 W
Chargers -6 @ Raiders 27-35 L

Saints-wise, maybe this is a good time to once again watch a clip of Tracy Porter sealing last year’s Super Bowl. Said going into this season that I wouldn’t be disappointed if the Saints fell off and I’m sticking with that. It’s definitely been painful watching them struggle as of late, but how greedy can I get expecting them to repeat last year’s dominance?

And oh yeah, thanks John Carney…but we’re just going to have to go with Garrett Hartley again. Hopefully by now, all Saints kickers have gotten missing 29 yard chip shots out of their systems. Sheesh!

Week5 Power Rankings & Picks

Week5 Power Rankings
(Team, Actual Record, Projected Regular Season Wins)

1. Ravens, 3-1, 12
2. Packers, 3-1, 12
3. Saints, 3-1, 12
4. Steelers, 3-1, 11
5. Jets, 3-1, 11
6. Colts, 2-2, 11
7. Patriots, 3-1, 10
8. Falcons, 3-1, 10
9. Texans, 3-1, 10
10. Chargers, 2-2, 10
11. Titans, 2-2, 9
12. Giants, 2-2, 9
13. Bears, 3-1, 9
14. Dolphins, 2-2, 8
15. Bengals, 2-2, 8
16. Vikings, 1-2, 8
17. Chiefs, 3-0, 8
18. Redskins, 2-2, 8
19. Broncos, 2-2, 8
20. Cowboys, 1-2, 8
21. Eagles, 2-2, 7
22. Jaguars, 2-2, 6
23. Rams, 2-2, 6
24. Browns, 1-3, 5
25. Cardinals, 2-2, 5
26. Buccaneers, 2-1, 5
27. Seahawks, 2-2, 5
28. 49ers, 0-4, 5
29. Raiders, 1-3, 4
30. Panthers, 0-4, 4
31. Lions, 0-4, 4
32. Bills, 0-4, 4

Week5 Picks Against the Spread
(Suggested Winner with Vegas line attached)

Giants +3 @ Texans
Packers @ Redskins +2.5
Buccaneers @ Bengals -6.5
Rams +3 @ Lions
Falcons -3 @ Browns
Saints -6.5 @ Cardinals
Titans +7 @ Cowboys
Chargers -6 @ Raiders

Week4 Recap

Oh how I don't wish to revisit the disaster of week4 where the only game I picked correctly was at the expense of the Saints' Super Bowl reputation. Thankfully our prodigal old man kicker pulled it out against the always-tough-against-us Panthers, but beyond that week4-wise...OOF!

Broncos @ Titans -6.5 26-20 L
Bengals -3 @ Browns 20-23 L
Panthers +13.5 @ Saints 14-16 W
Patriots @ Dolphins +1 41-14 L

Week4 Power Rankings & Picks

Week4 Power Rankings
(Team, Actual Record, Projected Regular Season Wins)

1. Steelers, 3-0, 12
2. Colts 2-1, 12
3. Packers, 2-1, 12
4. Saints, 2-1, 12
5. Ravens, 2-1, 11
6. Jets, 2-1, 10
7. Bears, 3-0, 10
8. Falcons, 2-1, 10
9. Patriots, 2-1, 10
10. Titans, 2-1, 10
11. Texans, 2-1, 10
12. Dolphins, 2-1, 9
13. Bengals, 2-1, 9
14. Chargers, 1-2, 9
15. Vikings, 1-2, 8
16. Eagles, 2-1, 8
17. Giants, 1-2, 8
18. Cowboys, 1-2, 8
19. Chiefs, 3-0, 8
20. Redskins, 1-2, 7
21. Broncos, 1-2, 7
22. Cardinals, 2-1, 6
23. Seahawks, 2-1, 6
24. 49ers, 0-3, 6
25. Buccaneers, 2-1, 6
26. Jaguars, 1-2, 5
27. Raiders, 1-2, 5
28. Rams, 1-2, 5
29. Panthers, 0-3, 4
30. Lions, 0-3, 4
31. Browns, 0-3, 4
32. Bills, 0-3, 4

Week4 Picks Against the Spread
(Suggested Winner with Vegas line attached)

Broncos @ Titans -6.5
Bengals -3 @ Browns
Panthers +13.5 @ Saints
Patriots @ Dolphins +1

Week3 Recap

Why did I not go with the Chiefs over the 49ers is a question that has been nagging me since Sunday? Even worse, what was I thinking picking the Redskins over the Rams when I already knew that the Redskins went 0-5 last season on road turf?

Bengals -3 @ Panthers W 20-7
Browns @ Ravens -10.5 L 17-24
Redskins -3.5 @ Rams L 16-30

More importantly, Garrett Hartley…what the hell was that? Your team does everything it needs to do in order to pull out a tough game against a division rival and you choke in the clutch? Don’t make us replace you with John Carney.

Week3 Power Rankings & Picks

Week3 Power Rankings
(Team, Actual Record, Projected Regular Season Wins)

1. Saints 2-0 13
2. Packers 2-0 13
3. Texans 2-0 11
4. Ravens 1-1 11
5. Colts 1-1 11
6. Steelers 2-0 10
7. Jets 1-1 10
8. Patriots 1-1 10
9. Chargers 1-1 10
10. Dolphins 2-0 9
11. Titans 1-1 9
12. Bengals 1-1 9
13. Falcons 1-1 9
14. Vikings 0-2 8
15. Giants 1-1 8
16. Redskins 1-1 8
17. Bears 2-0 8
18. Cowboys 0-2 8
19. 49ers 0-2 7
20. Eagles 1-1 7
21. Broncos 1-1 7
22. Chiefs 2-0 7
23. Cardinals 1-1 6
24. Jaguars 1-1 6
25. Buccaneers 2-0 6
26. Seahawks 1-1 6
27. Panthers 0-2 5
28. Raiders 1-1 5
29. Lions 0-2 4
30. Bills 0-2 4
31. Browns 0-2 4
32. Rams 0-2 4

Week3 Picks Against the Spread
(Suggested Winner with Vegas line attached)

Bengals -3 @ Panthers
Browns @ Ravens -10.5
Redskins -3.5 @ Rams

Week2 Recap

Okay, much better results in week2. I went with 3 proven Super Bowl contenders in their home openers and only old man Favre and his hapless Vikings missed the mark. Wish I would have chosen the Falcons instead, but retrospect doesn’t quite apply when it comes to making picks.

Dolphins @ Vikings -5.5 L 14-10
Bills @ Packers -13 W 7-34
Giants @ Colts -5.5 W 14-38

In what many were calling a trap game, the Saints were lucky to survive against the 49ers. Losing Reggie Bush for 6 weeks to a broken leg is a much bigger blow than many realize. While I have all the confidence in the world that Pierre Thomas can amply carry the load, the Saints offense will lose a step not having Bush available for sweeps and swing passes. And for an offense that has yet to establish itself in full gear, the road only gets that much rougher.

Week2 Power Rankings & Picks

Week2 Power Rankings
(Team, Actual Record, Projected Regular Season Wins)

1. Saints 1-0 13
2. Packers 1-0 12
3. Ravens 1-0 11
4. Texans 1-0 11
5. Colts 0-1 11
6. Patriots 1-0 10
7. Vikings 0-1 10
8. Titans 1-0 9
9. Chargers 0-1 9
10. Jets 0-1 9
11. Giants 1-0 9
12. Steelers 1-0 9
13. Dolphins 1-0 9
14. Bengals 0-1 9
15. Redskins 1-0 8
16. Cowboys 0-1 8
17. Falcons 0-1 8
18. Eagles 0-1 7
19. Jaguars 1-0 7
20. Broncos 0-1 7
21. Cardinals 1-0 7
22. Seahawks 1-0 7
23. 49ers 0-1 7
24. Bears 1-0 7
25. Panthers 0-1 6
26. Chiefs 1-0 6
27. Raiders 0-1 5
28. Buccaneers 1-0 5
29. Bills 0-1 5
30. Lions 0-1 4
31. Browns 0-1 4
32. Rams 0-1 4


Week2 Picks Against the Spread
(Suggested Winner with Vegas line attached)

Dolphins @ Vikings -5.5
Bills @ Packers -13
Giants @ Colts -5.5

Week1 Recap

What a rude awakening week1 turned out to be. At least the Saints didn’t fail me, but beyond the Patriots and Packers…my betting suggestions flat-out sucked. I was hoping by Monday that the Chargers could pull me even, but 2-4-1 was all I could muster.

Raiders +6 @ Titans L 13-38
Falcons -2.5 @ Steelers L 9-15
Lions @ Bears -6.5 L 14-19
Bengals @ Patriots -4.5 W 24-38
Browns +3 @ Bucs T 14-17
Packers -3 @ Eagles W 27-20
Chargers -4.5 @ Chiefs L 14-21

Plenty of surprises abounded in week1, but when I look at my week1 picks in retrospect…I was putting too much confidence on downright dogs such as the Raiders and Bears. I also made too many picks, for had I merely stuck with my top3 picks (the Patriots, Packers & Chargers), I would have been 2-1 instead of 2-4-1. Anyway, lessons learned…and please don’t count me out just yet.

Week1 Power Rankings and Picks

Week1 Power Rankings
(Team, Projected Regular Season Wins)

1. Saints 13
2. Packers 12
3. Colts 11
4. Jets 10
5. Ravens 10
6. Vikings 10
7. Chargers 10
8. Cowboys 9
9. Patriots 9
10. Bengals 9
11. Dolphins 9
12. Falcons 9
13. Texans 9
14. Giants 8
15. 49ers 8
16. Steelers 8
17. Bears 8
18. Eagles 7
19. Titans 7
20. Broncos 7
21. Cardinals 7
22. Redskins 7
23. Panthers 6
24. Jaguars 6
25. Raiders 6
26. Chiefs 5
27. Bills 5
28. Seahawks 5
29. Lions 4
30. Bucs 4
31. Browns 4
32. Rams 3

Week 1 Picks Against the Spread
(Suggested Winner with Vegas line attached)

Raiders +6 @ Titans
Falcons -2.5 @ Steelers
Lions @ Bears -6.5
Bengals @ Patriots -4.5
Browns +3 @ Bucs
Packers -3 @ Eagles
Chargers -4.5 @ Chiefs

Early Doucet and Brandon LaFell

A pair of former LSU wide receivers, Early Doucet and Brandon LaFell, just might surprise some this NFL season with their production.

Early Doucet benefits from the departure of Anquan Boldin from Arizona. And some are already projecting that rather than moving Steve Breaston into that wr2 role behind Larry Fitzgerald that the Cardinals might be better served keeping Breaston at wr3 as Doucet assumes the wr2 position. Matt Lienart stepping up and fulfilling his potential at qb certainly has a lot to do with any success Doucet can muster this season. But chances are ripe for Doucet to enjoy a break-out season.



Brandon LaFell benefits from being drafted to a team, the Carolina Panthers, with no clear fixture at the wr2 position behind Steve Smith. Mushin Muhammed has retired and Dwayne Jarrett has been a perennial disappointment. Matt Moore closed last season on a high note at qb and with a running game that rivals all others, the Panthers just might find a consistent place for LaFell to fit into their offensive scheme.

Darren Sharper to Remain a Saint.

The Saints Select Patrick Robinson

With the 32nd pick of the draft, the New Orleans Saints select defensive back Patrick Robinson from Florida State.



For weeks, I've been hoping the Saints could somehow snatch up OLB Sergio Kindle from Texas with their 1st round draft pick. And sure enough Kindle was still available at the 32nd position. But the Saints went with a cb in Patrick Robinson from Florida State. That's alright...I guess. Kindle, or Daryl Washington from TCU for that matter, could have been able to replace the departed Scott Fujita at OLB. But I suppose if Darren Sharper really isn't coming back that we might need to slide Malcolm Jenkins back to the safety position and thus would need another corner ala Patrick Robinson. My bet is that the Saints were salivating over OLB Jerry Hughes persisting presence on the board only a pick away from their own and when the Colts went ahead and nabbed Hughes, the Saints were forced to go with a plan b in Robinson. At least it was a defensive pick and likely a solid one at that...geaux Saints!

Wide Receivers Expected to Improve in 2010

Eddie Royal - benefits from the departure of Brandon Marshall.

Anquan Boldin - now with the Baltimore Ravens.

Santana Moss - benefits from the arrival of Donovan McNabb.

Pierre Garcon

Mike Wallace - benefits from the departure of Santonio Holmes.


Robert Meachem


Jeremy Maclin


Michael Crabtree

Jacoby Jones

Early Doucet - benefits from the departure of Anquan Boldin.

2009 Wide Receiver Targets

Rank, Name, Total Targets
1 Ajohnson 171
2 Rwhite 165
3 Welker 162
4 Ssmith, NYG 157
5 Marshall 154
6 Fitzgerald 153
7 Wayne 149
8 Holmes 138
9 Rmoss 138
10 Ward 137
11 Cjohnson 136
12 Houshmandzadeh 135
13 Mason 134
14 Ssmith, Car 129
15 Boldin 128
16 Ochocinco 128
17 Austin 124
18 Srice 121
19 Smoss 120
20 Dejackson 118
21 Jennings 118
22 Bess 113
23 Driver 112
24 Sims-Walker 111
25 Owens 109
26 Colston 106
27 Vjackson 106
28 Burleson 103
29 Holt 103
30 Manningham 99
31 Avery 97
32 Cotchery 96
33 Murphy 96
34 Evans 95
35 Massaquoi 95
36 Nwashington 95
37 Edwards 94
38 Berrian 92
39 Chambers 92
40 Garcon 92
41 Harvin 91
42 Hester 91
43 Collie 90
44 Jenkins 90
45 Maclin 90
46 Muhammed 89
47 Bennett 88
48 Bjohnson 88

Running Backs Expected to Improve in 2010

Darren Sproles - benefits from the departure of Ladainian Tomlinson.



Shonn Greene - benefits from the departure of Thomas Jones.



Lesean McCoy - benefits from the departure of Brian Westbrook.



Pierre Thomas - benefits from the departure of Mike Bell.



Beanie Wells



Laurence Maroney



Knowshon Moreno



Rashard Mendenhall - benefits from the departure of Willie Parker.

2009 Running Back Performance

Rank Name Rushing Yds Receiving Yds Total Yds TDs Points
1 Johnson 2006 503 2509 16 346.9
2 Peterson 1383 436 1819 18 289.9
3 Jones-Drew 1391 374 1765 16 272.5
4 Rice 1339 702 2041 8 252.1
5 Gore 1120 406 1526 13 230.6
6 Tjones 1402 58 1460 14 230.0
7 Rwilliams 1121 264 1385 13 216.5
8 Grant 1253 197 1450 11 211.0
9 Sjackson 1416 322 1738 4 197.8
10 Charles 1120 297 1417 9 195.7
11 Addai 828 336 1164 13 194.4
12 Stewart 1133 139 1272 11 193.2
13 Mendenhall 1108 261 1369 8 184.9
14 Dwilliams 1117 252 1369 7 178.9
15 Benson 1251 111 1362 6 172.2
16 Moreno 947 213 1160 9 170.0
17 Fjackson 1062 371 1433 4 167.3
18 Forte 929 471 1400 4 164.0
19 Tomlinson 730 154 884 12 160.4
20 Pthomas 793 302 1095 8 157.5
21 Barber 932 221 1153 7 157.3
22 Turner 871 35 906 10 150.6
23 Hightower 598 428 1026 8 150.6
24 Harrison 862 220 1082 7 150.2
25 McGahee 544 85 629 14 146.9
26 Ksmith 747 415 1162 5 146.2
27 Cwilliams 823 217 1040 7 146.0
28 Bradshaw 778 207 985 7 140.5
29 Maroney 757 99 856 9 139.6
30 Jacobs 835 184 1019 6 137.9
31 Wells 793 143 936 7 135.6
32 Sproles 343 497 840 8 132.0
33 Slaton 437 417 854 7 127.4
34 Forsett 619 350 969 5 126.9
35 Brown 648 98 746 8 122.6
36 Rbush 390 335 725 8 120.5
37 McCoy 637 308 945 4 118.5
38 Snelling 613 259 872 5 117.2
39 Jjones 663 232 895 4 113.5
40 Fjones 685 119 804 3 98.4
41 Bell 654 12 666 5 96.6
42 Buckhalter 642 240 882 1 94.2
43 Mbush 589 105 694 3 87.4
44 Fargas 491 113 604 3 78.4
45 Lynch 450 179 629 2 74.9
46 Portis 494 57 551 2 67.1
47 Greene 540 0 540 2 66.0
48 Jlewis 500 88 588 0 58.8

Pre-NFL Draft Power Rankings for the 2010 Season

Rank. Team, Projected 2010 Record

1. New Orleans Saints 13-3
2. Indianapolis Colts 13-3
3. New York Jets 11-5
4. Baltimore Ravens 11-5
5. Green Bay Packers 11-5
6. Dallas Cowboys 11-5
7. San Diego Chargers 11-5
8. Minnesota Vikings 10-6
9. New England Patriots 9-7
10. Cincinnati Bengals 9-7
11. Houston Texans 9-7
12. Miami Dolphins 9-7
13. Atlanta Falcons 9-7
14. Washington Redskins 8-8
15. Philadelphia Eagles 8-8
16. New York Giants 8-8
17. Tennessee Titans 8-8
18. San Francisco 49ers 8-8
19. Chicago Bears 8-8
20. Pittsburgh Steelers 8-8
21. Arizona Cardinals 8-8
22. Denver Broncos 7-9
23. Jacksonville Jaguars 7-9
24. Carolina Panthers 6-10
25. Kansas City Chiefs 6-10
26. Detroit Lions 5-11
27. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 5-11
28. Buffalo Bills 5-11
29. Seattle Seahawks 5-11
30. Cleveland Browns 4-12
31. Oakland Raiders 4-12
32. St. Louis Rams 2-14