Go Back To Mississippi, Favre

I’m not even going to begin to get into the way the Titans lost to the Steelers. Doing so would only result in an expletive-laced online breakdown. Let’s just say that the defense is really, really good. And the offense, well, is just really, really bad.

Let’s get down to other business. Allow me to talk a bit about Brett Favre.

We all know Brett Favre is capable of playing better football. He just needs to stop thinking he's Jesus 2.0. I found this image appropriate.

Look, I respect Brett Favre and everything he’s done in the NFL for the past 20 years just as much as the next guy, but after all the offseason crap he’s pulled, excuse me if I’m a little short-fused with him and his piss-poor performance in Miami. C’mon man, if you’re gonna waffle all offseason and skip training camp, you better be darn good when you come back. But it’s obvious that this time, skipping training camp has really hurt Favre. It’s not like he doesn’t have the arm anymore. It’s just that he’s totally off-rhythm and he’s taking too many chances, as if to prove something. The Vikes aren’t going to be able to win games on his arm this year. They’re going to have to reel Favre back in, make him play disciplined football and ride Adrian Peterson til the wheels fall off. Oh wait, I forgot. Brad Childress (the Vikings coach, for those just tuning in) basically has no authority over Favre, because he spent all offseason begging Favre to come back. How’s it going to look when you beg someone to come back and then ride them for poor performance? It’s not going to look good. But by surrendering the authority and giving way to Favre, allowing him to be a primadonna, he essentially has no power right now. Bad move, man. It might only get worse from here.

Look, I think Favre still has the capability to be good, but he must first be disciplined and put in a better position to succeed. I just don’t think the Vikes have a way to do that at this point. And if Favre’s not reel himself in on his own, continuing to cost his team, it might be time to hang it up.

P.S. Tony Romo, please be glad Favre decided to lay a bigger stinkbomb than you today. I guess you and your 0-2 Cowgirl team will be fodder for next time.

The Lowdown: Week 2

Well, it was not an easy week one for me, watching Detroit and Cleveland, my two great upset picks, go down in the final minutes of the game. But, this week is a new one and I’m two games out of reclaiming first place. Let’s take a look at the match-ups and the picks I’ve got for this week.

All aboard the Sam Bradford train! I'm predicting he notches his first win against the stinky Raiders this week.

Atlanta v. Arizona
I fully expect that Atlanta will be able to rebound from a tough week-one overtime loss to the Steelers. Matt Ryan and Michael Turner should have a much easier time moving the ball against the Cardinals.

The Pick: Atlanta

Cincinnati v. Baltimore
I know Cincy came alive in the fourth quarter against the Patriots, but they were flat-out dead for the first three. Baltimore’s offense will be much more potent when not playing against the best defense in the league.

The Pick: Baltimore

Cleveland v. Kansas City
I’ve had a rule for the past four years of picking: Never bet on Kansas City. After watching both these teams last week, I’m breaking it this week.

The Pick: Kansas City

Dallas v. Chicago
Chicago won last week, but that offensive line STILL sucks and the task won’t get any easier blocking DeMarcus Ware.

The Pick: Dallas

Detroit v. Philadelphia
All hopes of Detroit winning any games this year went down with Matt Stafford. This Philadelphia QB controversy will be alive and well come Week 3, as Michael Vick will shine.

The Pick: Philadelphia

Green Bay v. Buffalo
Arguably the best team in the NFL playing arguably the worst team in the NFL … at home no less.

The Pick: Green Bay

Tennessee v. Pittsburgh
This is one tough match-up. In such a physical game, look to the trenches, where the Titans have advantages on both sides of the ball.

The Pick: Tennessee

Minnesota v. Miami
Miami, you had your chance to impress me last week, and you kept it close with the Bills. I know the Favres weren’t hot last week, but I’ll take my chances.

The Pick: Minnesota

Carolina v. Tampa Bay
I’m having such a hard time with this pick. So, I’m just going to go with my gut on this one.

The Pick: Carolina

Denver v. Seattle
Seattle was really good last week, and I’m impressed enough to take them this week, but I wouldn’t be shocked if this upset pick of mine goes the other way. Mile High can be a tough place to play, I hear.

The Pick: Seattle

Oakland v. St. Louis
It’s time to ride the Sam Bradford train! Oakland looked flat-out terrible in their loss to the Titans last week. Here’s hoping for my upset pick’s sake that the trend continues.

The Pick: St. Louis

New England v. New York Jets
If you think I’m picking Sanchez and the Jets after the stinkbomb they laid in Baltimore last week, think again. The Patsies will have their way with the cocky Jets this week.

The Pick: New England

San Diego v. Jacksonville
I know Philip Rivers consistently proves he’s the biggest baby in sports, but the guy’s a darn good quarterback and he should be able to have some fun with the Jaguars weak secondary.

The Pick: San Diego

Washington v. Houston
I think Washington’s victory over Dallas had more to do with Dallas shooting themselves in the foot than being a better team. Give me the other team from Texas.

The Pick: Houston

The Lowdown: Week 1

Welcome to my blog segment I like to call “The Lowdown,” where I will predict the winners of all the 1 p.m. and 4 p.m. games and give a little reasoning why. Let’s get down to business.

Jay Cutler is going to be driven to drinking after his patchwork offensive line lets Ndamukong Suh run roughshod on him.

Miami Dolphins @ Buffalo Bills
Sorry, Buffalo, but I’ve got a feeling that your team is going to be the league’s worst this year. I also have trouble believing you’re going to be able to move the ball with the quarterbacks you have against Miami’s Mike Nolan-coordinated defense.

The Pick: Miami

Detroit Lions @ Chicago Bears
Here’s a shocker pick, but give me the Lions. I just have trouble believing this Chicago team, with offensive line remaining its weakness, will be able to hold a player like Ndamukong Suh at bay. If I’m right, Jay Cutler struggles mightily and the Lions come away with a close one.

The Pick: Detroit

Tennessee Titans @ Oakland Raiders
I’ll preface this by saying I’m a Tennessee homer, but it doesn’t take a Tennessee homer to see that this matchup favors the Titans. If there’s one thing you as a reader should know, it’s that I believe strongly that football games are won in the trenches. The Titans defensive line wreaked havoc all preseason, and I expect that trend to continue.

The Pick: Tennessee

Cincinnati Bengals @ New England Patriots

I’m having a lot of trouble with this one. On one hand, the Patriots have been extremely disorganized and disgruntled this offseason. On the other hand, they are still led by Tom Brady, who’s still throwing to Randy Moss and Wes Welker. Give me the Patsies over the T.O. and Ochocinco show.

The Pick: New England

Carolina Panthers @ New York Giants
As much as I’d love to say the Panthers are going to continue the destruction they unleashed upon the Giants last year, it’s tough for me to go with them after their garbage preseason performance. Give me the Giants, even if the Panthers do get Steve Smith back.

The Pick: New York Giants

Atlanta Falcons @ Pittsburgh Steelers
This week, we’re going to really see what Dennis Dixon is made of. If it’s anything like the Denver game, don’t expect much from Dixon. I think he has his peaks and valleys in this game, but it’s not going to be enough to lead the team past Matty Ice and the Dirty Birds. It’s time to rise up, Atlanta.

The Pick: Atlanta

Cleveland Browns @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Asking me to pick a winner in this game is like asking me if I’d rather get smacked across the face by a golf club or a tire iron. Well, of course, the answer is neither. But since I have to pick a team, give me the Brownies. I’m not sure I like the Bucs with QB Josh Freeman playing with a broken thumb and CB Aqib Talib suspended. It pains me to say this, but “In Delhomme I trust.”

The Pick: Cleveland

Denver Broncos @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Obviously, everyone’s a bit fixated on the Tim Tebow factor in this game. But this Denver defense is no longer led by Mike Nolan, and Kyle Orton is still their quarterback. Oh yeah, and they seem to have absolutely no running back worth mentioning. Give me the Jaguars in this one.

The Pick: Jacksonville

Indianapolis Colts @ Houston Texans
Houston, I know you’re at home and all, and I’m-a let you finish. But Peyton Manning is arguably the greatest quarterback of all time.

… and you won’t have Brian Cushing.

The Pick: Indianapolis

Arizona Cardinals @ St. Louis Rams
The choice here is actually a lot tougher than you might think. Forgive me Arizona fans, but Derek Anderson doesn’t really strike me as the kind of guy that can lead his team to victory. That still won’t deter me from picking against the Rams, though. I am struggling with this one, but I feel as though the Cards still have enough talent on defense to shut down the Rams’ craptacular corps of receivers and come out with a close win.

The Pick: Arizona

Green Bay Packers @ Philadelphia Eagles
Yeah, I know. You’re sick about hearing how Aaron Rodgers is the second coming. So I’ll spare you the lecture and just say that he will be able to help his team jump start the “We want Donovan McNabb back” bandwagon in Philadelphia.

The Pick: Green Bay

San Francisco 49ers @ Seattle Seahawks
It’s kind of hard to get excited about a team that’s quarterbacked by Alex Smith, and I really disagree with making Vernon Davis the highest-paid TE in the NFL, but that’s neither here nor there. What is here and there is that Patrick Willis and the 49ers’ defense are going to destroy the Seahawks’ lackluster run game and be the force that guides the Niners to an easy win.

The Pick: San Francisco

Soon to come… the Sunday night pick. Who will it be? Tony Romo and the Cowboys or Sexy Rexy (or McNabb) and the Shanahans? Stay tuned…

Called It

Well, who was right about Favre’s ankle? That’d be me. It definitely was a disruptive force in favor of the Saints this game.

First of all, I think the Vikings had the right idea in this game. Lean on Adrian Peterson (who played well) and let Favre do minimal throwing. However, the only reason that it didn’t really work is because Favre was just so off their offense had no chance of being effective this game. There were throws he was making that reminded me of Gus Frerotte tossing the rock for the Vikings. Sometimes, I was thinking maybe Tavaris Jackson could have been a better option at QB today. It’s just hard to throw accurately when you can’t plant your feet that well. That’s something that Favre did struggle with. You’d see him throwing off of his back foot a lot. That’s not good form.

Second of all, where the hell was the Saints scoring this game? I counted on Brett Favre losing it for the Vikes, but I really expected the Saints to put up more points than a measly 14. They did well moving the ball, though. You really can’t fault their offense entirely. They did what needed to be done, especially putting themselves up seven points on the opening drive. The real goat here was Garrett Hartley, the Saints’ beleagured kicker. The guy couldn’t hit the broad side of a barn today. If they hope to be able to repeat a Super Bowl run, they’re going to need some clutch kicks from time and time. I have serious doubts as to whether or not this kid can deliver.

Vikings Pick Advice: I’d stay away from picking the Vikings at this point unless they’re playing a team with a low-ranked rush defense. Adrian Peterson is going to be what wins them games. That, their defense and a Brett Favre that doesn’t turn the ball over. That last part is what worries me.

Saints Pick Advice: They definitely looked a little shaky today, and defensive wins normally aren’t their style. They’re going to need to get better at capitalizing on their opportunities. I still think they’re pick-worthy, but you could definitely go against them when it’s a tougher opponent.

A New Year, A New Prediction

So, here we are on the eve of a new year in the National Football League and one week into the official college football season. So far, it’s been pretty good (unless you happen to be an Ole Miss fan, but that’s neither here nor there.)

What I’m on here to bring you is my prediction for tomorrow’s showdown between the Saints and the Vikes.

So here we go.

Saints-Vikings Key Matchup – Brett Favre vs. New Orleans’ Pass Rush

Bobby McCray is no longer a Saint, but his ghost still haunts Favre's dreams.

I feel like this matchup with ultimately decide the outcome of this game. If the Saints and defensive coordinator Gregg Williams can continue to apply the kind of pressure they did during the playoffs last season, expect this to have an impact on Brett Favre’s ankle injury, especially if they start knocking him around a bit.

I predict the New Orleans Saints will win this game because their defense will be able to pressure Favre into getting rid of the ball early. Favre will want to avoid being hit by oncoming blitzers. We all know the Saints’ offense can put up points. It’s just a matter of making sure that the Vikings can’t do the same. I think the Saints defense is up to the task.