YOU PLAY

TO WIN

THE GAME

gonna be back next season, right RJ? :)

I plan on it, Heller. :-)

NE, Philly, TB, Miami (sure, why not?), Cleveland, Washington, Pittsburgh, San Diego, Arizona, Indianapolis, Jets, Atlanta (sure, why not?, Minnesota, Green Bay (clearly this can go either way. gotta give props to Kornheiser who never bought the Kitna/Lions hype. He said they were a 7-9 team 8-8 at best), Jacksonville (if they show up), Chicago (battle of the shoulda, woulda, coulda beens)

YOU PLAY TO WIN THE GAME

BUT NOT COVER THE SPREAD, TAKIN N.Y.G.

Minnesota needs a win and a Washington loss in order to make the playoffs as the sixth seed. Denver has lost two straight, and is 0-3 against the NFC North this year.

RJ's Pick - Denver by 6

IS IT JUST ME OR ACCORDING TO YOUR STATS SHOULDN'T WE TAKE MINNESOTA?

YuTang,

Yes, you certainly have a point. Especially when one considers that Denver's run defense is awful.

However, Adrian Peterson has rushed for just 108 yards in his last three games, and Tarvaris Jackson can't win games by himself. ALWAYS BET AGAINST TARVARIS JACKSON IN BIG GAMES (see: last week).

I would think Minnesota would defeat Denver especially since you say Minnesota has to win and Denver did poorly against NFC North teams and has lost two straight?

New England 16-0.

Now the fun begins. They'll win.

Final Score:

NE 38, Giants 35 - RJ 1-0

RJ et al

Some stats to mull over(can u tell i'm having a hard time with this one)
W/L ATS H A AF AA O/U
Minnesota 8-7 7-6-2 3-4 23.1 19.3 8-7-0
Denver 6-9 4-11-0 4-3 19.9 26.0 11-4-0

Minnesota: Under is 6-2 in MIN last 8 road games.
Under is 15-6 in MIN last 21 games on grass.

Denver: Over is 11-1 in DEN last 12 home games.
Over is 7-1 in DEN last 8 games as an underdog.
DEN are 2-10 ATS vs. a team with a winning record.

RJ your right i know but Allday Peterson is due to break out, but your absolutely right about Tarv

Dam hard one, i'm in second in my pool for 5k, so i'm torn on this one.

cheers

arrgh sorry stats didn't line up, they did when i submitted, honest. lol

Final Score:

Houston 42, Jaguars 28 - RJ 2-0

Final Score:

Carolina 31, TB 23 - RJ 2-1

Final Score:

Philadelphia 17, Bills 9 - RJ 3-1

Final Score:

GB 34, Lions 13 - RJ 3-2

Final Score:

Bengals 38, Miami 25 - RJ 4-2

Final Score:

Cleveland 20, SF 7 - RJ 5-2

Final Score:

Bears 33, NO 25 - RJ 5-3

Final Score:

Atlanta 44, Seattle 41 - RJ 5-4

How about them Vikings!

;-D

And Tarvaris Jackson fumbles the game away in overtime...

Final Score:

Denver 22, Vikings 19 (in OT) - RJ 6-4

Final Scores:

SD 30, Oakland 17 - RJ 7-4 (and I nailed the spread!)

Redskins 27, Dallas 6 - RJ 7-5

Final Score:

Arizona 48, Rams 19 - RJ 8-5

Final Score:

Ravens 27, Steelers 21 - RJ 8-6

Final Score:

Jets 13, KC 10 (in OT, which I kinda-sorta predicted...) - RJ 9-6 (and I nailed the spread!)

ESPN's NFL "experts" through 15 games:

Wickersham 13-2
Salisbury 10-5
Hoge 10-5
Jaworski 9-6
Schlereth 10-5
Allen 9-6
Mortensen 12-3
Golic 6-9
Accuscore 12-3

The sideline reporter chick just said Vince Young was on the sidelines (instead of playing) because he's "pouting" ... Madden then quickly suggested that he wasn't really pouting, he was just in pain ... so which is it?

Cleveland Browns fans are full of holiday cheer tonight:

WOOOWWWWW I AM WATCHING THIS BULL SHIT RIGHT NOW.... TONY DUNGY I HOPE YOUR ENTIRE FAMILY KILLS THEMSELVES... i know i would if i [had] a pussy ass father like that, this is absurd, you dont even take the timeout and throw one up deep. Thanks a whole goddamn lot you piece of shit.

Final Score:

Titans 16, Colts 10 - RJ 9-7

ESPN's NFL "experts" -

Wickersham 13-3
Salisbury 11-5
Hoge 10-6
Jaworski 10-6
Schlereth 11-5
Allen 9-7
Mortensen 13-3
Golic 6-10
Accuscore 12-4

I went 5-10-1 ATS in Week 17... :-/

RJ's ATS record, week-by-week:

Week One - 4-11-1
Two - 6-10-0
Three - 9-5-2
Four - 10-4-0
Five - 7-6-1
Six - 8-3-2
Seven - 6-8-0
Eight - 10-3-0
Nine - 7-7-0
Ten - 7-6-1
Eleven - 6-9-1
Twelve - 8-8-0
Thirteen - 5-11
Fourteen - 9-7
Fifteen - 10-6
Sixteen - 7-8-1
Seventeen - 5-10-1

Overall - 124-122-10

And against the "experts" at ESPN:

Jaworski 166-75 (68.88%) [missing 15 games]
Schlereth 171-85 (66.80%)
Hoge 167-89 (65.23%)
Accuscore 163-89 (64.68%) [missing 4 games]*
Mortensen 164-92 (64.01%)
Salisbury 161-94 (63.14%) [missing one game]**
Wickersham 161-94 (63.14%) [missing one game]
RJ Elliott 159-97 (62.11%)
Allen 150-106 (58.59%)
Golic 149-106 (58.43%) [missing one game]

*The 4 games Accuscore "missed" were in Week 15...this was actually a math error on ESPN's part...Accuscore was scored as going 7-5 when it really went 9-7...so its REAL season record is 165-91.

**The game Salisbury "missed" was in Week 16...this was another math error on ESPN's part...Salisbury was scored as going 10-5 when he really went 11-5...so his REAL season record is 162-94.

I think I went 153-93 - very close to it anyway.

Hey, over .500 ATS. Good stuff. Tough to do.

Happy fricken new year.

Let the playoffs begin. Tough break for Cleveland. Really, the Colts could have tried just a tad more - not that it's their problem.

Happy New Year everybody!

Happy New Year RJ

*RJ'S WILD CARD WEEKEND PICKS*

SATURDAY, JANUARY 5th:

Washington at Seattle - 4:30 PM (NBC) Qwest Field

Line: SEATTLE by 3½

Seattle was 7-1 at home this season. Washington was 4-4 on the road. The Redskins finished the season with four straight wins. Seattle has a poor running game, and Washington has a great run defense. Seattle will be forced to rely on the passing game. Washington's passing game has been much improved since Todd Collins took over at QB. I predict an upset.

RJ's Pick: Washington by 4

Jacksonville at Pittsburgh - 8:00 PM (NBC) Heinz Field

Line: Jacksonville by 1½

The Steelers were 7-1 at home during the regular season. Jacksonville was 5-3 on the road. Pittsburgh has one of the NFL's best defenses, although they gave up at least 24 points in each of their last four games. RB Wilie Parker is out with an injury. Jacksonville has a superb running game, and QB David Garrard has had an outstanding year.

RJ's Pick: Jacksonville by 6

SUNDAY, JANUARY 6th:

New York Giants at Tampa Bay - 1:00 PM (Fox) Raymond James Stadium

Line: TAMPA BAY by 3

Tampa Bay went 6-2 at home this season. The Giants were an incredible 7-1 on the road. Tampa Bay has a great pass defense, but RB Brandon Jacobs should have some success on the ground. Tampa Bay will likely struggle to do much offensively, especially if the Giants can put some pressure on Jeff Garcia.

RJ's Pick: New York Giants by 3

Tennessee at San Diego - 4:30 PM (CBS) Qualcomm Stadium

Line: SAN DIEGO by 8½

San Diego was 7-1 at home during the regular season. Tennessee was 5-3 on the road. RB LaDainian Tomlinson faces a tough Titans run defense. If he can't get going early on, the Chargers will struggle to put points up on the board because their passing attack isn't so great. RB LenDale White should rack up some solid yardage against San Diego's run defense. Vince Young, assuming he plays, will be limited by his right quadriceps injury. TE Bo Scaife is out with a lacerated liver (ouch!), and WR Roydell Williams is out with a broken right ankle.

RJ's Pick: San Diego by 5

Why didn't you make a separate post for the playoffs?

Let's get Jacksonville and San Diego out of the way. They should win.

As for the other two, man it's tough. I think Garcia and Tampa's d will prevail.

Washington. Seattle. Washington. Seattle. Washington. Seattle. Washington. Seattle is weird. Washington seems to be on a roll. I can't make heads up here. Let's go with Seattle. No wait. I already took three home teams. Let's go with Washington.

Final Scores:

Seattle 35, Washington 14 - RJ 0-1

THE SPIRIT OF #21 LIVES ON as the Redskins lose by 21 points...

Jacksonville 31, Pittsburgh 29 - RJ 1-1

The Steelers made several completely boneheaded coaching decisions in the second half, and that is what cost them the game.

Final Scores:

Giants 24, TB 14 - RJ 2-1

Jeff Garcia throws 2 INTs in the loss.

Chargers 17, Titans 6 - RJ 3-1

Vince Young has a stellar 53.5 quarterback rating in the loss.

Should have stuck with Seattle, Alessandro. ;-)

in my money pool i went with seattle. yes!

*RJ'S NFL PLAYOFF PICKS - Divisional Round*

Saturday, Jan. 12:

#3 Seattle Seahawks at #2 Green Bay Packers - 4:30 p.m. [FOX] (Line: GREEN BAY by 7½)

Expect Seattle to go one-dimensional real quick, as Shaun Alexander struggles to get yards on the ground. Brett Favre will throw for a couple of early scores, and Ryan Grant will chew up yardage and clock in the second half.

RJ's Pick - Green Bay by 11

#5 Jacksonville Jaguars at #1 New England Patriots - 8 p.m. [CBS] (Line: NEW ENGLAND by 13)

David Garrard will keep it close in the first half, but NFL MVP Tom Brady and the Patriots will explode in the third quarter for a lopsided win.

RJ's Pick - New England by 25

Sunday, Jan. 13:

#3 San Diego Chargers at #2 Indianapolis Colts - 1 p.m. [CBS] (Line: INDIANAPOLIS by 8)

Norv Turner vs. Tony Dungy = Advantage Colts. Peyton Manning vs. Philip Rivers = Advantage Colts. LaDainian Tomlinson vs. Joseph Addai in the RCA Dome = Too Close To Call. Oh, and Marvin Harrison is expected to play. I don't think this one will be particularly close.

RJ's Pick - Indianapolis by 20

#5 N.Y. Giants at #1 Dallas Cowboys - 4:30 p.m. [FOX] (Line: DALLAS by 7½)

Eli Manning is finally all grown up now. He's had probably the best two games of his career in the last two weeks, and both were in the glare of the national spotlight. The last time he played in Dallas, he threw for 4 TDs and over 300 yards. Meanwhile, the last time Tony Romo was in a playoff game, he choked. And his thumb still isn't 100% yet. Terrell Owens is also severely hobbled, although I fully expect him to play. The Cowboys have looked pretty awful since beating Green Bay way back in Week 13. I am fairly confident this will be an upset.

RJ's Pick - New York Giants by 3

you're not buy the current thinking that the jags running game is going to keep the pats off the field? this has sort of become the sports pundits' conventional wisdom.

Mark:

Yes, I've heard that from some sports writers. They believe the Jaguars' power running game matches up perfectly against the Patriots older linebackers. And I do think it'll be pretty close in the first half.

But can the Jaguars close the deal? Can they score a TD on pretty much every possession, instead of settling for field goals in the Red Zone? Can they keep from turning the ball over? All it takes is a couple of stalled drives and/or turnovers, and the Patriots are going to make them pay. And once the Jaguars get behind, they will have to largely abandon the running game, which is their strength. The Patriots will win a shootout against anyone. I just don't see the upset happening.

I guarantee you GB fans did not want to face Holmgren... or however u spell his name.. an upset is VERY possible... i like SEATTLE!!

New England by 25? r u joking!!??... this is going a great game... JAGS are going to come out passing.. which is JUST as strong as there run game...i like the JAGS!!

Indianapolis should beat SD...

RJ... Eli has grown up?? no he hasnt.. did you WATCH that game in Tampa?? he's going to choke... and Dallas is over due for an ass kicking.. I hate Dallas.. but the Giants are going to have create nothing short of a miracle to beat them...

New England: Give me a break. Jacksonville is very good but I suspect the anti-NE vote is making people believe the Jags can win.

Indianapolis: Hey, San Diego won their first playoff game in 13 years. Enjoy. Go have a ball.

Green Bay: Man, what is with Seattle and tight match ups? Seattle has experience. Green Bay has...youth. Should be very tight.

Dallas: I could easily take the Giants based on momentum alone but gosh, the Cowboys at home is tough to pass up. Since I am supporting Green Bay in the NFC, I want the Giants to win. I think GB has a better shot at home against them than going into Dallas. Then again, GB can win in Dallas and NYG in GB. So forget all this. Will too be tight.

Final Score:

GB 42, Seattle 20 - RJ 1-0

Expect Seattle to go one-dimensional real quick, as Shaun Alexander struggles to get yards on the ground.

Seattle gained just 28 total yards on the ground. Alexander ran the ball just 9 times for only 20 yards.

Brett Favre will throw for a couple of early scores, and Ryan Grant will chew up yardage and clock in the second half.

Favre had 2 passing TDs by the early 2nd quarter, and Grant gained 201 yards rushing on 27 carries.

Yeah, being a Seahawk fan, I hope Green Bay wins the Super Bowl...

Sung by linemen:

Football, football
Break his bleeding nose.
Football, football
I love it when it snows!!!!

Green Bay weather worked to the Packers advantage. It was nuts! I hope that Holmgren works the final year of his contract next season.

"RJ's Pick - Indianapolis by 20"

Final: San Diego 28, Indy 24

REMF, maybe the Colts defense are a bunch of chickenhawks. Perhaps that's why they lost.

^ No, they're not, so that's not why they lost. And the chickenhawks would never have the grapes to go out on a football field and take a chance on actually getting hurt.

Curt,

Your predilection for monotonous repetition of petty insults and snide remarks is exhausting my patience. If you don't knock it off, I'm going to consult with the great and the good about giving you some kind of compulsory holiday from BC.

It's not something I want to see happen, but this constant belittling of commenters coupled with your apparent inability to make any other kind of remark has gone too far. It's your call...

Kind Regards,

Christopher Rose
Blogcritics Comments Editor

Final Scores:

Patriots 31, Jaguars 20 - RJ 2-0

SD 28, Colts 24 - RJ 2-1

Giants 21, Dallas 17 - RJ 3-1

I'm 6-2 so far in the postseason.

Ah, TO...your tears taste like the sweetest nectar...

well, i just did not see the colts loss coming (and neither did rj). it seemed that even though manning threw for all of that yardage, there was a loss of chemistry at crucial moments...the dropped passes, etc.

it was a little weird that they abandoned the running game.

gotta credit the san diego defense for making things happen too, like the tipped passes.

next week? who the heck knows?!

**Conference Championships - Sunday, January 20**

#3 San Diego @ #1 New England - 3:00 p.m. [CBS] (Line: Patriots by 14)

Weather forecast: Low 20s and windy, slight chance of snow

Rivers is injured and might not play. Gates is injured but will probably play. LT is injured and better damn well play. Volek, Turner, and Sproles played well against the Colts last week, but it's a bit too much to expect a repeat performance in Foxborough. It doesn't really matter who plays, though. The Patriots are not gonna be beat.

RJ's Pick: New England by 18

#5 New York Giants @ #2 Green Bay - 6:30 p.m. [FOX] (Line: Packers by 7)

Weather forecast: Single digits and sunny, very small chance of snow

The only hope for the Giants is that they have great success blitzing Favre, and are able to force fumbles, interceptions, or just knock the old man out of the game (and those hits are going to hurt like hell in 5 degree weather). Without winning the turnover battle, the Giants aren't going to win the game. But New York has looked very impressive over their last four games, so I think they'll manage to keep it reasonably close.

RJ's Pick: Green Bay by 3

if the giants can beat GB then wow.. the past two months they have proved me wrong every - single - time!!!... GB should stomp on them.. but thats what i said about Dallas...

the chargers really will need a miracle here.. i wonder if the pats are going to play conservative??? i think not.

who the hell is Curt? lol

Final Score:

NE 21, SD 12 - RJ 7-2

well, i think my thoughts about NE going undefeated are well-documented. So, I didn't have to pick. GB will win.

Final Score:

Giants 23, GB 20 [in OT] - RJ 7-3

Who woulda thought Week 17 was a Super Bowl preview?

I want to vomit. This was Brett's year.

Giants beat Tampa, Dallas, and Green Bay... hahahaha damn...

RJ's Super Bowl pick is coming soon...FYI

I have a feeling this is going to be a blowout....

everyone is telling me otherwise so i dunno... the Giants somehow have found their perfect game in the playoffs..or is it Dallas and Green Bay just came in with a laissez fair attitude therefore leading to very unimaginable upsets??

I cant see the giants overcoming this.. i cant see them covering the spread!.. if anyone can.. please explain.

***Super Bowl XLII***

February 3rd, 2008

University of Phoenix Stadium (Glendale, Arizona)

New England Patriots vs. New York Giants - 6:18 p.m. [FOX] (Sheridan's line: Patriots by 12)

The Giants defense will need to get at a hobbled Tom Brady early and often if they are to have a chance. If they can knock him out of the game and force Matt Cassel onto the field, they might even have the advantage. It will be interesting to see how Eli Manning plays after his first week of rest since early November. I expect a high-scoring contest [duh]. The Patriots have won three Super Bowls in the last seven years, and each time it was by exactly 3 points. If the Patriots win, it will be the first 19-0 season in NFL history. If the Giants win, it will be the biggest Super Bowl upset since that other New York team beat the Baltimore Colts in Super Bowl III.

RJ's Super Bowl Pick: New England 30, New York 27

41-17 Pats

FINAL SCORE:

New York Giants 17, New England Patriots 14 - RJ 7-4

I hear either gunshots or fireworks outside...then again, seeing as how I live just three hours away from Miami, perhaps they are champagne corks? ;-)

holy crap... that was exciting.. poor poor patriot fans.. :)

Pro Bowl Final Score:

NFC 42, AFC 30

Alright, folks. See you next season!