Ravens, Chargers, and Cardinals Make Me Look Bad

Posted by Frank Nevarez Categories: Miami Dolphins, Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, San Diego Chargers, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, Arizona Cardinals, Editorials,

I went 1-for-4 with my Wild Card picks. Only the Philadelphia Eagles came up with one of my predicted victories.  Meanwhile, San Diego, Baltimore, and Arizona looked good and moved on despite my putting the “whammie” on them.

Arizona Cardinals beat Atlanta Falcons:
The Cardinals used big plays to wide receivers, Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin to pick up 14 points.  Atlanta rookie QB Matt Ryan was very respectable in leading drives and providing Atlanta with a 17-10 lead going into the half.  But the second half got off to a disastrous start as Arizona’s Antrel Rolle picked up an Atlanta fumble and ran 27 yards to paydirt.  Arizona took a lead that they did not relinquish. Then Cardinal QB Kurt Warner delivered a nice drive to put it away. 

Next up:  Cards go to Carolina to meet the Panthers.

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NFL Xmas: Giants over Panthers

Posted by Frank Nevarez Categories: New England Patriots, Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, Tennessee Titans, Denver Broncos, San Diego Chargers, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Carolina Panthers, Editorials,

Well, NFL fans, do you believe you received your just rewards? Not only did the New York Giants and Carolina Panthers provide one heck of a Week 16 contest, but they gave you a little extra by taking it to overtime! The best deliver in primetime.

The first order of business for the Giants had to be getting back to a grinding run game. Brandon Jacobs was the welcome re-addition everyone thought he’d be. But how about the career-night for the explosive Derrick Ward? However, it was the balanced attack of Carolina that made the early good impression as the Panthers maintained a lead for most of the game. WR Steve Smith always looks good when national exposure is on the line.

I didn’t notice exactly when the Giants’ vaunted defense finally kicked in. Things were seemingly going Carolina’s way as I recall RB DeAngelo Williams giving Giants’ linebacker Antonio Pierce the ‘ol stiff arm en route to a 30-yard TD run. This gave Carolina a 28-20 lead. Because this score was an answer to a previous NYG touchdown drive I figured the Panthers had risen to the occasion, were making a statement, and that the game and home field in the NFC was theirs.

Not quite.

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Tennessee Titans Receive First Loss From New York Jets

Posted by Dennis Velasco Categories: New England Patriots, New York Jets, Tennessee Titans, New York Giants,

Sorry, Tennessee Titans, but the undefeated dream season is over as the New York Jets (8-3) shattered the dream with a 34-13 victory over the previously unbeaten Titans (10-1).  However, not going undefeated might be a good thing, especially when considering the New England Patriots’ unfortunate fate last season as they lost to the New York Giants in the Super Bowl for the Pats’ first loss.  With the win, the Jets are proving that they will be a force to reckon with if they make it into the NFL playoffs, after beating the Titans this week and AFC East division rival Patriots the previous week. 

Brett Favre had an efficient game and proved to still have “it” - the ability to pick apart a defense and lead his team to victory.  Favre finished the game going 25-for-32, accumulating 224 passing yards, throwing for two touchdowns and one interception.  Backup running back Leon Washington ran for two scores, gaining 82 yards on eight carries, including a 61-yard TD run.  The Titans dangerous running game with rookie Chris Johnson and LenDale White rushed for only 45 yards on the ground, partly because the Titans were trailing and needed to throw the ball.  NFL Comeback Player of the Year candidate Kerry Collins tried to bring the Titans back, but couldn’t, finishing with 243 yards on 21-of-39 passing, and one TD.

The Titans try to get back on the winning track as they head to Motown, visiting the Detroit Lions.  The Jets try to continue their winning ways as they host the Denver Broncos next week.

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NFC North Week 12 Predictions

Posted by Charles Mitri Categories: New York Jets, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Atlanta Falcons, Carolina Panthers, New Orleans Saints, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Saint Louis Rams, Editorials,

While everyone will be tuned into the New York Jets-Tennessee Titans game to see if Brett Favre & Company can knock off Tennessee, the Chicago Bears, Green Bay Packers and Minnesota Vikings will be slugging it out for top honors in the NFC North. Coming off an humiliating 37-3 trouncing to the Packers, the Bears will travel to the Gateway to the West to take on the woeful St. Louis Rams. Did someone say “massacre in the making”? You betcha. running back Matt Forte will decimate the Rams defense and Kyle Orton will shower the St. Louis secondary with an aerial bombardment. Bears by 14.

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Post-Election Vibes: Giants, and Even the Lions, Are Big Winners

Posted by Frank Nevarez Categories: Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis Colts, Jacksonville Jaguars, Tennessee Titans, Oakland Raiders, San Diego Chargers, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Editorials,

We just elected a new president and it has reinvigorated the country.  Since President-elect Barack Obama’s honeymoon period is in full swing, let’s look forward in a positive manner. Let’s visualize all the good that the future holds for the NFL.

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National FUN League: Thanks Adrian Peterson

Posted by Frank Nevarez Categories: New England Patriots, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, Kansas City Chiefs, San Diego Chargers, New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Arizona Cardinals, San Francisco 49ers, Editorials,

Sometimes the NFL is called the “No Fun League” because of its conservative leadership. However, there was so much going on this past weekend that it was a fan’s delight - it’s great fun!  And the Minnesota Vikings’ Adrian Peterson leads the charge in the “National FUN League.”

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NFC North Week 10 Predictions

Posted by Charles Mitri Categories: Chicago Bears, Detroit Lions, Green Bay Packers, Minnesota Vikings, Editorials,

If Week 9 was any indication of games to come, the Minnesota Vikings-Green Bay Packers game at the Metrodome could be a nail-biter. Minnesota won a squeaker over the Houston Texans 28-21 and the Green Bay Packers threw a good scare into the Tennessee Titans - the only remaining team with no loses - with a 19-16 overtime loss. Packers QB Aaron Rodgers continues to defy expectations by chalking up one great game after another, logging 314 yards on 22 of 41 passing against the monstrous Titans. If Rodgers gets the Pack offense up and running early in the game, it could be a long afternoon for Minnesota’s secondary.

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Denny Green Special: Giants Look Strong, Titans and Steelers Keep Winning

Posted by Frank Nevarez Categories: New England Patriots, Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Atlanta Falcons, Arizona Cardinals, Saint Louis Rams, San Francisco 49ers, Editorials,

In honor of Dennis Green’s infamous 2006 press conference following his Arizona Cardinals’ meltdown loss to the Chicago Bears, I give you the “They Were Who We Thought They Were (TWWWTTW)” edition of this week’s NFL Review.

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NFL’s Big Hits: New York Giants, Mike Singletary, Joe Namath

Posted by Frank Nevarez Categories: New England Patriots, New York Jets, Pittsburgh Steelers, Indianapolis Colts, Tennessee Titans, Oakland Raiders, New York Giants, San Francisco 49ers, Seattle Seahawks, Editorials,

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Did you catch your Super Bowl preview on Sunday? Giants have to be the prohibitive favorites in the NFC. The AFC may be up for grabs, but I still think you’ll see the Pittsburgh Steelers in Super Bowl XLII. Meanwhile, the Bay Area teams and some Hall-of-Famers provide plenty of notable news.

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