Week 11 Picks

Week 10: 10-4  Overall: 90-56

Cardinals vs. Falcons

The Cardinals have loss 5 straight.  Their team is beatup and the defense is tired and frustrated.  I don’t know about other fans but I know I am already looking for remedies for next season.  They still can play spoiler, especially since they’ve played in some close games many times this year.  If they manage to keep up with the Falcons they have a chance.

Pick: Falcons

Browns vs. Cowboys

The Browns are the best 2 win team in the NFL.  The Cowboys show at times that they should be better than their 4-5 record.  Then other times you go, oh right, thats why they have a losing record.  This game could very well be close, closer then the 8 point spread.  But I’m still going Dallas.

Pick: Cowboys

Packers vs. Lions

Just when I thought you know, maybe the Lions can make a late push and surprise some people.  They lose to the Vikings which would have made it 3 wins in a row.  Now they face the ever dangerous although beat up Packers.  If Nelson plays I see the Packers winning.  If he doesn’t I think it’s more of a toss up.  Gennings being out so much this year has slowed down what was the best offense in football last year (well tied for first maybe with New Orleans).

Pick: Packers

Bengals vs. Chiefs

The Bengals are just another one of those teams you expected to be better this year.  After a hot 3-1 start they drop 4 in a row.  Then they put a womping on the struggling Giants.  As long as Dalton and Green are on the field together, this team could hang with anyone.  This week they have their weakest opponent of the season.  They should be ok.

Pick: Bengals

Jets vs. Rams

Both of these teams haven’t looked that great.  I’ve seen some rankings that really like the Rams though.  I guess when you look at each team the Rams are less of a mess.

Pick: Rams

Eagles vs. Redskins

This one was a tough one for me.  I am actually really excited to see an offense by the Eagles that flows through McCoy and not through Vick.  I think his absence in the offense might just facilitate that.  Right?  We will see how rattled Nick Foles gets.  The Redskins will be putting points on the board as longs as RG3 doesn’t get too crazy and puts himself in a position to get hurt again. 

Pick: Eagles

Buccaneers vs. Panthers

The Bucs are on a roll. They have won 4 of their last 5 and now take on an inconsistent Panthers team.  If Martin gets involved early and Freeman keeps being efficient, rack up another win for this Tampa Bay team.

Pick: Buccaneers

Jaguars vs. Texans

My upset pick of the weak, is not this game.  The Texans really should destroy the Jags.  Now we saw the Jaguars keep up with the Packers so they aren’t that bad right?  I just don’t see it happening.

Pick: Texans

Saints vs. Raiders

The Raiders are an odd team and often times I never know what to expect from them.  They are inconsistent.  They manage to almost beat the then undefeated Falcons then barely squeak by the lowly Jaguars.  Now Palmer could very well just go off against this defense with big long plays from Moore and check downs to Meyers but can they really keep up with Brees?

Pick: Saints

Chargers vs. Broncos

The Broncos are looking scary.  I mean like one of the best teams in the AFC scary.  Manning is a MVP candidate to some and he only builds on his case after each game.  If this game were close, I wouldn’t be shocked.  I also wouldn’t be shocked if the Broncos lay into the Chargers.

Pick: Broncos

Colts vs. Patriots

Ok this really is my upset of the week.  I am drinking the Andrew Luck Kool-Aid.  This team looks alive and excited.  They aren’t out there struggling to not get their ass kicked behind Curtis Painter.  They are out there competing week in and week out.  Wayne has proved he isn’t that old yet and can still dominate opposing defenses.  They will have to score a lot of points I think to keep up with the Pats.  If however, Hernandez and Welker (who are both questionable) don’t play.  Lookout.

Pick: Colts

Ravens vs. Seelers

Both defenses are beat up.  The Steelers are without starting quarterback and main reason they are 6-3 this year, Big Ben.  The Ravens, well they have their offense in tact.  I believe Leftwich gets the start.  I just don’t see Byron carrying this team the way Roethlisberger does. 

Pick: Ravens

Bears vs. 49ers

In this one we have another starting quarterback out.  Now if they weren’t playing the 49ers defense I would say it wouldn’t matter.  The offense could be more Forte focused but against this rush defense?  No way.  The 49ers are going to have to get a little creative to score as well.  This could be a very close game regardless of who is at quarterback for the Bears but I’m going with the healthy offense.

Pick: 49ers

Will Peyton Manning be out of Luck?

So this season the Indianapolis Colts were the biggest losers.  Now that the season is over, it’s time to trim the fat.  First out the door is Jim Caldwell.  This is a guy who in his rookie season took the Colts to a Super Bowl (where they ultimately lost to the Saints but that’s beside the point).  He’s been in the system for years and received the reigns after Dungy called it quits.  Even with Manning backing up Caldwell, he still gets canned.  So with Caldwell’s firing in place what does that say about the direction the team is heading? 

Let’s face it; this team’s success has been due to Peyton Manning.  The only thing that hadn’t changed from 2000-2009 where the Colts are the winningest team (.719 winning percentage) in the regular season: Peyton.   He’s won with, a putrid running game (outside of Edgerrin James) and a defense who, other than  a few great pass rushers, haven’t stepped up to the plate.  Then the one year that Peyton doesn’t play, we get this.  To me it’s clear this organization rides Manning’s coat tails a little more than they should.

Now, Owner and CEO Jim Irsay and General Manager Ryan Grigson are left with a decision: what to do with Andrew Luck.  Its clear Luck will be drafted number 1 overall by the Colts; otherwise they run the risk of being the team that could have had the next big thing.  Its not a sure thing that Manning will even take another snap in this league (although all signs are indicating he will).  Even if he’s not 100%, I’m sure most teams in this league would give up a lot to get a stiff necked Peyton. 

So what to do with Luck.  A few teams out there might even give you half of their defense for this kid.  I mean look what the Cardinals gave up for a backup Philly QB with less upside than Luck.  The possibilities are endless for the Colts.  There is still run the risk of Manning’s health.  Odds are Manning will have another pro-bowl season next year and I’ll stand by that until he proves me wrong; after blessing us with the career he’s had, Peyton deserves the benefit of the doubt.

Keeping both Luck and Manning is quite reminiscent of two great quarterbacks over in Green Bay.  When it’s all said and done I’m sure “Cheese Heads” are happy with that outcome, although I’m sure Favre wasn’t.  If I were an Indy fan, I would want the same scenario.  Keep Manning for a few more years, then kick him to the curb when Luck matures.  If only it were that simple.

Caldwell’s departure doesn't bode well for Manning’s future in Indi.  It shows management wants change. There are two types of coaches that the Colts can hire.  One that will be there for show and continue to run the team like it’s been for the past 10 years, or hire a coach that will inspire change.  The latter might cause controversy with Peyton, since he practically is the offensive coordinator.  Hiring a mirror image of Caldwell though would hinder Luck’s grooming.  I’m probably not the only one that thinks Caldwell is no Mike McCarthy. Maybe they could convince Peyton to come back as head coach instead. I doubt however, anyone would enjoy that unless they enjoy seeing the constant scowl on his face on the sideline.

It’ll be interesting to see the course of action the Colts take during this offseason.  Personally I’d like to see both QBs stay in Indy.  I wouldn’t object however to seeing Peyton going elsewhere and giving another team a chance at the title (much like Warner did with the Cards). 

So anyways that’s sports: from the fans perspective.  

-That 1 Sports Guy