NFL Week 12 Picks

We're now at the business end of the season. The time of the year where the have nots get seperated from the rest. As we saw when the steelers played the Chargers San Diego have a way to go before they can win in that type of environment. We all know their talent as a team so what gives?.

49ers back in business although that 2nd half performance was bleugh

Oakland were a 4th down away in Miami from winning. Just what do they have to do to close out games?


NFL Week 12 perdictions

Cincinnati ( 1-8-1) @ Pittsburgh (8-3) Thrusday Night Football is one of the new more recent ideas to to with the NFL that I dislike even though to their credit there have been a few decent games. The buck stops here though as both teams are coming off dismal performances. The Bengals should have beaten the Eagles in OT whilst the Steelers ground out a win against San Diego in horrible conditions. With only three days to prepare and rest seriously what are the NFL thinking. But I digress. Pittsburgh will get the win here.



Houston (3-7) @ Cleveland (4-6) Brady Quinn has gotten the Browns in the right direction and you can sense that after the MNF thriller emotion is coming back into this team. I doubt they make the playoffs but they'll get their season back on track with a Houston team that are terrible on the road although the Browns are 1-4 at home.



Tampa (7-3) @ Detroit (0-10) With the tough schedule remaining for the Lions is 0-16 creeping into everyones minds there I wonder?. Tampa may have had a lot of redzone problems but they overcame the Vikings last week and are my favourites to take the NFC South. With the Panthers and Falcons playing each other this week this will be the opportunity for Tampa to edge their way further in this division.



Minnesota ( 5-5) @ Jacksonville (4-6) A missed opportunity last week for the Jags as a halftime lead was aquandered against the Titans. Now their postseason hopes are basically dead so Jack Del Rio now faces an offseason with his job on the line should he not get a winning record over the next 6 games. Jacksonville can't win at home while Minnesota can't win on the road. I'm going with Jacksonville.



Buffalo (5-5) @ Kansas (1-9) I'm a little surprised but after watching the MNF Bills-Browns clash the Bills look done especially in the now tough AFC East. Kansas on the other hand are bringing entertainment value each week and the fans deserve a lot more then having to sit through the terrible endings such as the San Diego and Tampa games. Whilst the NFL has never been a place for always getting what you deserve, the Chiefs finally get a win to go with the entertainment this week.


New England (6-4) @ Miami (6-4) Bellicheck ignored the trendiness of NFL coaches and kicked the extra point last Thursday rather then go for 2 instead enduring a loss in OT. Miami are now on a four game winning streak a turnaround even Hary Houdini would be proud off. If Miami wins they have a huge advantage in the AFC east with an easier schedule and a tiebreaker to boost. I'm not so sure however that they can have enough in the tank however without the Wildcard now that Belicheck is ready for it.



Chicago (5-5) @ St Louis (2-8) So much for the Rams inspired response to getting rid off Linehan. Steven Jackson being out though hurts their offense and he likely looks out this week as well so the Bears should win after the dissapointment of getting crushed by the Packers and get back in the NFC North race.



NY Jets (7-3) @ Tenessee (10-0) The perfect streak ends here which means the Dolphins 1972 team can once again get out their Champagne. In a way at this stage of the season maybe it's better that the distraction of perfection goes away. The Jets have found thir winning ways though so this is a gut pick. Having said that wouldn't it be funny to witness the perfect Titans lose their record to the completely opposite Lions a week later.

Philadelphia (5-4-1) @ Baltimore (6-4) The most hilarious quote of the week was McNabbs' claim that he didn't know there was a tie in the NFL. The Eagles won't have to worry about a OT game here the Ravens disasterous Defensive performance was a one off and they will take out their fustrations on Manning and company.



Carolina (8-2) @ Atlanta (6-4) Atlanta's bubble has burst and with the Panthers better balance and expereince I expect the Falcons wings to be clipped. A few more wins and some convincing performances and the Panthers will be hot on the heels of the Giants for home field advantage.



NY Giants (9-2) @ Arizona (7-3) The scene is set for the Cardinals to clinch their first NFC West title in god knows how long and well I have no doubts Warner will be itching to prove that the Giants were wrong in allowing Manning to take his starter spot. The Cards make progress towards getting potentially two home playoff games, and with the way they play at home that could take them deep into the playoffs.



Washington (6-4) @ Seattle (2-8) Two teams stuck in a funk well Seattle are stuck in a season long one. Jim Zorn returns to a team he played and coached for but this could get ugly especially with the size of the injury list both teams have. Washington barely have a backfield and aren;t very good at protecting the passer but get the job done here.



Indianapolis ( 6-4) @ San Diego (4-6) The Chargers Defense are missing Shawne Merriman a tremendous amount but with the mixed way the Colts offense are playing at the moment this could be an interesting game. Peyton Manning no doubt remembers his 6 interceptions here last year and with San Diego having a terrible pass defense he should get revenge here.



Green Bay (5-5) @ New Orleans (5-5) The Saints kept thir postseason hopes alive with a tough win in kansas but they don't look true postseason contenders and I think the Packers keep their hopes alive especially during their tight division race.


Bay Area Football

San Francisco (3-7) @ Dallas (6-4) A big win for the Cowboys last week and it was big seeing Marion Barber return to form. Now the pass has to be respected, Barber can get back to doing what he does best......running over opposing defences. Niners got their first win under Singletary but it remains back to the same for them here.



Oakland (2-8) @ Denver (6-4) The Broncos defense hasn't been anything at all this year but they did beat the Falcons and this offers them further fodder to increase their division lead. Winning the division is now very likely and no one will fancy a trip to Mile High in January. Mike Shannhan needs to keep McFadden and Fargas off the field though.



Last Weeks Perdictions 10-4

Total accumulated score 96-63

NFL Week 11 Picks

Must I mention Monday Night Football and the agonising end to the 49ers-Cardinals game. I think I don't have to so I'll focus my attention on the Titans unbelievable 9-0 start and their ability to improvise when the going gets tough. The Bears D managed to contain LenDale White and chris Johnson so the Titans had to revert back to their passing game and even though Kerry Collins is still mediocre he managed to get the job done. Thats the sign of a Superbowl team in my eyes


NFL Perdictions Week 11

Denver (5-4) @ Atlanta (6-3) Dan Reeves coached both teams so is it too late for Reeves to appear in the CBS booth?. The decider for me in this game lies in the fact that Ryan has more offensive weapons like Turner and Norwood to hand off to as well as boosting a 5-0 starter record at home. Depending on how much pressure John Abraham can put on Cutler whilst avoiding Rookie of the year in my eyes Ryan Clady the Falcons should take this.



Detroit (0-9) @ Carolina (7-2) The Panthers looked pretty human against the Raiders with Delhomme throwing 4 picks but they were playing the Raiders... Against the woeful Lions they could do the same but still ground out a victory. Look for Stewart and de Angelo Williams to have a big day.



Philadelphia (5-4) @ Cincinatti (1-8) Two gut wrenching losses to two NFC East teams Dallas in Week 2 and the Giants last week means making the playoffs for the Eagles will be a lot tougher. It's a game the Eagles should win and can't afford to lose while for the Bengals it's a case of finding out if Cedric Benson can be their next Rudi Johnson.


Chicago (5-4) @ Green Bay (4-5) The oldest rivalry in Football takes centre stage. Rex Grossman almost handed the Titans a defeat last week (ditto with the Packers though) and in ways the Packers were more impressive then the Bears in defeat. Having said that I'm tipping the Bears. Their Running game could wear down the Packers Run D which hasn't impressed this year.



Houston (3-6) @ Indianapolis (5-4) Will the Colts remove all doubts surronding that twam and finally get back in track after a surprising win in Pittsburgh last week. They won't catch up with the Titans but they should challenge for the Wildcard's. Houston provided a lesson in throwing the game away last week but thats irrelevant and the Colts ease to a victory here.



Tennessee (9-0) @ Jacksonville )4-5). I'm sure Jeff Fisher doesn't want to talk about it but the Titans going undefeated certauinly has to be. Jacksonville wiped away memories of the Bengals game with a win against the Lions but the Titans will effectively have won the AFC south if they put this game in the bag. They had to revert to a lot of passing in last weeks game because the Bears stuffed their run don't expect the same here.



New Orleans (4-5) @ Kansas (1-8) Herm Edwards had a lot of critiscm last week over the decision to go for two which cost them the game against San Diego. Yet with their Defensive suffering an astronomical injury list it was the right decision and in Thigpen he looks a competitor. Give them a season and they could trun it around although with their pass rush allowing QB's to complete 65% of their passes Brees should have a dwin. They may have dissapointed on a lot of ways this year but theyy'll ghet back into the NFC South race.


Baltimore (6-3) @ NY Giants (8-1) A rematch of Superbowl 35 but this time in the Giants favour. Both teams have good defenses but unlike the Superbowl the Giants will be better equiped to deal with it.



Minnesota (5-4) @ Tampa (6-3) Brad Childress is getting some of the luck he didn't get when TJ was under centre. Ferotte isn't playing exceptionally well but A.P is and regardless of Ferotte the recipe is simple. Give it to Peterson. I'll go with the Vikings but it could come down to which defensive line wins it's match-up most often at the line of srimmage.



Arizona (6-3) @ Seattle (2-7) The Cardinals have wrapped up the NFC West with a 4 game lead and a first round bye is surely what Wisenhunt wants now. To do that a win in Seattle would be nice to prove the doubters wrong. Never mind scraping by the 49ers the Cardinals have to come out and prove that despite being in the weakest division in Football they can take the NFC West by their throat. A win tonight does exactly that.



San Diego (4-5) @ Pittsburgh (6-3) Even with winning on the road the Steelers let all their momentum slip in a loss to the Colts. The O-line isn't great and Ben Roethlisberger may not be good to go but the Chargers pass rush is looking thoroughly impotent and the Steelers will exploit that here.



Dallas (5-4) @ Washington (6-3) Another crucial NFC East clash. This game could see the loser go into free fall and the winner push the Giants until the end of the season. lose it and things could fold and collapse rather spectacularly for the pre-season NFC favourite. The return of Tony Romo, injuries to Ladell Betts & Clinton Portis, the sheer magnitude of this game for the Cowboys, they'll win because they have to.


Cleveland (3-6) @ Buffalo (5-4) The Bills are in full desperation mode with three straight divisional defeats has plummetted them to the bottom. They have to beat Brady Quinn and the Browns an absolute must, time to get things turned around and fast, the longer the slide, the harder it is to get off of, Bills need to turn upwards and fast.


Bay Area Football

Oakland (2-7) @ Miami (5-4) Two teams that were aful in 2007 meet in 2008. The Dolphins can keep momentum going as they chase an unexpected post season berth in the tough AFC East.


St Louis (2-7) @ San Francisco (2-7. The futile bowl and expect the honeymoon to end for Jim Haslett. Despite losing the game in the manner they did on Monday should Singletary win here and get his first win he'll probably get an extension. The 49ers should have won on Monday but didn't but will get a better chance here.

Last Week 9-5

Total Acummulated Score 86-59

NFL Week 10 picks

Week 9 was the most entertaining week for some time. Who would thought the browns would look rather decent against the Jaguars but then when it comes to the Thursday Night Football matchup against the Broncos they choked big time. With the last of the bye weeks out of the way Thursday Night Football will become a regular feature on here (apologies for not covering the last one). Anyway lets get to the games

NFL Perdictions Week 10

New Orleans (4-4) @ Atlanta (5-3)Hands up who said the Falcons would be garbage this year. They've certainly surprised a lot of people thanks to the strong Running Back partnership of Turner and Norwood but how will they cope with the League's top offense. Mind you Atlanta is 7th in total offense but if New Orleans want to remain half a game behind the Falcons Brees has to make quick throws not allowing John Abraham to get to him



Tenessee (8-0) @ Chicago ( 5-3) An even bigger surprise is the Titans being 8-0. I'm noit sure if the're doing enough to make the 1972 Dolphins nervous but they have a bit of fortuune this week with Kyle orton being out forcing Rex Grossman to deal with the Titans pass rush. The Titans should shut down Matt Forte and with Grossman throwing that can only mean a good thing. Titans a step closer to the AFC South.



Jacksonville( 3-5) @ Detroit (0-8) Possibly a shock as the Jaguars did fall to the winless Bengals the previous week but even with the Jaguars suffering a ton of injuries and their O-line is playing weel below their standard don't expect anything less then a Jacksonville win here. Heck with the way the AFC south is going they have to win this one



Baltimore ( 5-3) @ Houston (3-5)Going by form the Ravens should pick up another win to put pressure on the Steelers for the AFC north crown. With this game being moved from Week 2 because of Hurricane Ike striking Houston the key to this game will be the Ravens corners shutting down Andre Johnson but I can't see the Texans offense doing much else.

Seattle (2-6) @ Miami (4-4) Uggh how ugly has Holmgren's finally days in Seattle been. Bolstered by a Division rout against the 49ers and with Matt Hasselbeck returning their is a slim chance the Seahwaks can end the 0-8 record for West coast teams heading East. The Miami Defense will be tough to crack though and with Seattle's D ranked 27th in the League expect Pennington and Brown to take full advantage



Green Bay (4-4) @ Minnesota (4-4) The key NFC North matchup especially with the near idenitical records posed by each team except for Detroit. The Packers were exceptionally unlucky not to get a W from the Titans game and I actually belieive they are better then their record suggests. Keep Adrian Peterson in check and making Ferotte throw some risky balls and the Packers should get back on track.



Buffalo (5-3) @ New England (5-3) If you had told any Patriots fan that without Brady they would be 5-3 they would have snapped your hand off. Just goes to show how good a coach Bellicheck is. Minus the Video Camera of course. Now he takes on a Bills side that lost narrowly to the Jets but still remain optomistic that Lee Evans will cause damage to the Pats secondary. On the other hand though the Pats could remain disheartened at the excution against the Colts it was still a close game. With both teams needing a win for AFC East supremacy I'll take the team that has proven to be clutch despite the slipups



St Louis ( 2-6) @ NY Jets (5-3) The ever inconsistent Jets against a team riding high from two wins in a row but maybe coming back down to earth?. I'm still picking the Jets. The Rams seem to reliant on Haslett picking up on the areas where Linehan let them down and Favre should pick apart a young Rams secondary. The Jets with the competetive AFC East have to keep winning esepcially games like these




Indianapolis (4-4) @ Pittsburgh (6-2) Last Monday the Steelers Defense overwhelmed the Redskins and unless Peyton Manning can consistently read the blitz, hit his hot routes and make the Steelers chase the game Pisstburgh pick up where they left off.


Kansas (1-7) @ San diego (3-5) Never mind their horrible Pass defense or the Norv Turner way of losing games he shouldn't have the Chargers remain only two games out of first place such is the mediocre AFC West. They literally have to win if they want that division crown back. Kansas were unfortunate not to beat Tampa last week and they are slightly better then 1-7 but the desperation act gets san Diego the win here.



NY Giants ( 7-1) @ Philadelphia (5-3) The Redskins were terrible on monday and the Cowboys were atrocious on Sunday. Meaning?. I'll make the bold perdiction of saying these two teams contest the NFC East. The Giants will obviously be there but this is a statment game for Westbrook and Mcnabb and I think they take it.



Bay Area Football

Carolina ( 6-2) @ Oakland (2-6) No commitment to excellence found in Oakland these days. Sad to see how much the Raiders have declined from the Rich Gannon days but either way Carolina comes to Cal and gets a comfortable win.



San Francisco (2-6) @ Arizona (5-3) A rare MNF appearance for the Niners with Singletary as the new coach but does anybody really think they'll be different results. We all know after mooning the team and his outspoken press conference where he rightly called out Vertnon Davis he's trying to be a hardass but I don't think there's enough talent to beat the high rising Cardinals here.

Last Week 10-5

Total Accumulated Score 77-54


Irish Warriors NFL Youtube Clip of the Week

Best press Conference ever

NFL Week 8 Picks

So it's finally here. Hard to believe it's been a year not only since this blog has been started up (happy anniversary)but since the first NFL London game hit our shores between the Dolphins and Giants. I was there and deemed it to be a slight success that will hopefully be fixed in time for todays game between the Chargers and Saints. The NFL has committed to play games here for the next three years so here's hoping that the 49ers are involved. It does make sense since the Niners are one of the more decent supported teams in Britain but we shall see. Regardless I wish any fan going to the game to have a good time and that the miserable weather we had last year never happens

Week 8 matchups

San Diego (3-4) @ New Orleans (3-4) International Series 2008 Last season UK fans had the good fortune of witnessing the Giants make their Superbowl run here. This year it's too early to suggest either the Chargers or saints are Superbowl calliber. Without Reggie Bush the Saints lose a big part of their Offensive game and I think the Chargers can handle the Saints offense better than the Saints D will handle the Charger O. In other words the Chargers are more balanced to take this.


Arizona (4-2) @ Carolina (5-2). What is it with the Cardinals and their miserable east Coast record. Travelling to Carolina to play a team that just came off a big performance over the London bound Saints isn't the good cure. Based on the Rams last two wins the NFC West won't be as easy as they expected either.


Tampa Bay (5-2) @ Dallas (4-3) Wow are the Cowobys slipping. Comfortably beaten by the now inspired Rams and todays matchup doesn't help matters either. The Bucaneers are heading in a different direction rounding nicely into playoff form helped by their excellent Defense. Brad Johnson gets the start at QB for Dallas but if anything like the Saints-Chargers game the Bucs are much more balanced offensively and will take this.


Washington (5-2) @ Detroit (0-6) Zorn might try and keep Washington in check against winless teams since the Rams game but either way the Lions run defense (31st in the League) will have difficulty containing Clinton portis and Shan Alexander who should have a big day. Eventually the Lions will win a game and it should be later then the Dolphins last season but either way as long as Clavin Johnson is contained it's Washington's game to lose.



Buffalo (5-1) @ Miami (2-4) The Bills seem to be for real and right before the Toronto game later this year they head down to Miami to face a comfortable win against the Dolphins. Yes Miami has doubled their win total from last season but they had an agonising loss in Houston and as expected the Ravens Defense had all sorts of answers for the Wildcat Offense. Buffalo are better then both and will prove it today in Tony Soprano's first real coaching test.



St Louis (2-4) @ New England (4-2) Who are these Rams. They looked a hopeless case when Linehan was calling plays now that Haslett is interim coach they appear to be more inspired and are right back in the battle for the weakest division in the NFL. However against a team that gained a massive confidence boost in a Monday night football rout over the Broncos this might be a bridge too far. Sammy Morris is doubtful but McDaniels should outwit opposite number Al Saunders in the playcalling stakes



Kansas (1-5) @ NY Jets (3-3) Both teams woefully inconsistent the Jets fustrated yours truly with a bad overtime loss in Oakland but either way my tactic of picking anyone playing against the Chiefs has worked up to this point.



Atlanta (4-2) @ Philadelphia (3-3). Somebody send Mike Smith a memo the Falcons were suppossed to be garbage this year!. Things come back down to earth however and I have my doubts about Matt Ryan being able to adjust to Jim Johnsons blitz meaning Turner and Norwood will have to carry the bundle of the offense if the Falcons will have to emerge victorious here. However with Brian Westbrook and Kevin Curtis possibly back the Eagles will get back in the race for the NFC East.


Cleveland (2-4) @ Jacksonville (3-3) Derek Anderson was nothing short of woeful last week and this week well expect more of the same. The Browns are without Kellen Winslow and really all the Jags have to do is run, run and run some more such was the difficulty in the Browns having trouble in stopping Portis last week.



Ny Giants (5-1) @ Pittsburgh (5-1) Not just the 5-1 bowl but the Plaxico Burress game. I have a feeling the Steelers are for real this year and with their Defense just playing unbelievable they should do to Eli what the Browns did to him. with the Steelers O-line possibly struggling against the Giants pass rush Willie parker needs to get involved early and often if Pittsburgh are to get the W


Cincinatti (0-7) @ Houston (2-4) The Bengals are an utter shambles and it's quite incredible how Marvin lewis has survived in this win at all costs environment. After their jaw dropping win against Miami things are looking up for Houston and with Slaton running the ball better then expected combined with Schaub finding Andre Johnson rather comfortably the Texans should take this.


Indianapolis (3-3) @ Tenessee (6-0) The first real test for the Titans to prove the nation that they are geunine Superbowl contenders. And what better way to do that then Monday night Football against the Colts who's run defense looked better off staying at home then being in Green Bay last week such was the ease of Ryan Grant running through it. By logic expect Lendale White and Young to run through the Colts Run D quite comfortably and with a Defense only allowing 66 points in 6 games it should be Tenessee's. A win here makes the Titans not just 7-0, but 3-0 in the division and 6-0 in the conference. Probably too early to talk about the playoffs but still


Bay Area Football

Oakland (2-4) @ Baltimore (3-3) Even with the Raiders fortunate 57 yard FG win in OT I'll still pick the Ravens. Their defense can bottle up the Raiders run game and even though if you can protect your QB you can get after the Ravens secondary, I don't think Russell or the Raiders receivers can take advantage of that.


Seattle (1-5) @ San Francisco (2-5) For the first time in Weeks I'm picking the 49ers to win. Singletary now gives them a sense of a new direction and it helps that in his debut they face a team that is just a mess. Even with no Receivers Seattle were an OT away from beating the 49ers but blew it and since then they have just been downhill. This time I expect them to lose because they aren't playing that well and I think the 49ers can lift their game above the level of the struggling Hawks.

Last week 7-7

Overall accumulated score 59-43