Maybe it was all destiny. There has to be some explanation for the play of the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday. It appeared at times that the football was covered with Crisco, the amount of times the Vikings fumbled the ball. Someone upstairs had to be pulling for the Saints when the Vikings inexplicably had 12 men in the huddle, and thus drew a penalty that took them out of field goal range. Divine intervention had to be at play when a veteran like Brett Favre makes a boneheaded throw across his body that leads to an interception. Whatever it was the New Orleans Saints survived Sunday and will now play the Indianapolis Colts in Super Bowl XLIV.
The Saints need to make sure they send a thank you card to the Vikings for they were given that game. A vaunted Saints offense managed only 257 yards, but capitalized on great field position given to them by the Vikings. While a less than stellar Saints defense was able to batter Favre around like a pinata. One wondered if the Vikings left their usual offensive line back in Minnesota and borrowed one from a local high school team.
Now the Saints have two weeks to gear up for the Colts. I don't think the Saints have enough on defense to cover all of Indy's receivers. I believe the only hope the Saints will have is if the old playoff Peyton Manning shows up, the one that defenses could fluster and cause him force the action and turn the ball over. If the Peyton Manning that systematically dismantled the New York Jets this Sunday shows up it is game over before the game even starts. I'll be rooting for the Saints come February 7, Super Bowl Sunday, but I think I'll be disappointed. Hopefully the food is good.
The Song of the Blog: This week's song of the blog is Ruby by the Kaiser Chiefs. Once again I was a little tardy to the party on this song and the sad thing is that I only discovered it by playing Lego Rock Band with my kids. The thing about playing these music games is I find these songs going through my head all the time, and this can be both good, Ruby, or bad, Kung Fu Fighting.
Warning obligatory book plug. If you haven't checked out my baseball novel, 33 Summers, please do at: http://www.amazon.com/33-Summers-Darren-Pare/dp/1608602605/ref.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Monday, January 18, 2010
The Pickings of Mittens
Well it was difficult week for my picks yet again, another 1-3 week that puts me at 2-6 for the post season. Last week I promised to pass the prognosticating duties to my cat Mittens if I didn't improve over week one and being a man or my word that is what I'll do. I made signs for each game and waited to see which one Mittens would choose, with each pick I will try to dig deep into her kitty brain and see why she made each choice. So without further ado here are Mittens selections, they can't be worse than mine, even though she is a fan of the Detroit Lions.
First up the AFC Championship game featuring the surprising New York Jets traveling to Indianapolis to take on the Colts. As I held up both signs for Mittens she cocked her head to the side and looked confused, I think it is because she was sure the Chargers would be playing in the game instead of the Jets. Much to my surprise though Mittens rubbed her head up against the Jets. She must think that the Jets defense will be able to stop Peyton Manning and the Colts offense much like they did to the Chargers this past weekend. Mittens isn't completely sold on Mark Sanchez, but thinks the running game can keep him from having to do anything but hand the ball off. Mittens thinks that Peyton Manning will be flat on his back quite a few times and wind up getting frustrated and throwing a couple of key interceptions, one being returned of a touchdown. Jets 16, Colts 13.
On to the NFC Championship game that has the Minnesota Vikings heading south to visit the New Orleans Saints. Mittens doesn't paws, (I had to do at least one horribly bad pun), as she selects the Saints. There is no question that both teams looked like well oiled machines this past weekend, but Mittens thinks the Vikings will miss being at home. Saints quarterback Drew Brees was impressive with 3 touchdowns, 247 yards and most importantly zero interceptions. Vikings quarterback Brett Favre was equally impressive with 4 touchdowns, 234 yards and zero interceptions. Mittens just believes that the Saints have more weapons on offense and the Vikings defense won't be able to just concentrate on shutting down one guy. Saints 31 Vikings 20.
Whatever happens both Mittens and I hope that whichever team comes out of the NFC will go on to win the Super Bowl. We don't like either the Jets or the Colts, but at least the Dallas Cowboys were eliminated.
The Song of the Blog: Continuing these week's theme I allowed Mittens to choose the song and she picked Harry Chapin's Cats in the Cradle. I tried to explain to Mittens that the song has nothing to do with cats, but she just stared at me and then started licking her paw. Cats in the Cradle, for those of you that don't know, is another 70's soft rock tune. The song tells the story of a father and son that just never quite have time for each other and life kind of passes them by.
To end this blog I will do my obligatory book plug. If you haven't checked out my baseball novel, 33 Summers, please do at: http://www.amazon.com/33-Summers-Darren-Pare/dp/1608602605/ref
First up the AFC Championship game featuring the surprising New York Jets traveling to Indianapolis to take on the Colts. As I held up both signs for Mittens she cocked her head to the side and looked confused, I think it is because she was sure the Chargers would be playing in the game instead of the Jets. Much to my surprise though Mittens rubbed her head up against the Jets. She must think that the Jets defense will be able to stop Peyton Manning and the Colts offense much like they did to the Chargers this past weekend. Mittens isn't completely sold on Mark Sanchez, but thinks the running game can keep him from having to do anything but hand the ball off. Mittens thinks that Peyton Manning will be flat on his back quite a few times and wind up getting frustrated and throwing a couple of key interceptions, one being returned of a touchdown. Jets 16, Colts 13.
On to the NFC Championship game that has the Minnesota Vikings heading south to visit the New Orleans Saints. Mittens doesn't paws, (I had to do at least one horribly bad pun), as she selects the Saints. There is no question that both teams looked like well oiled machines this past weekend, but Mittens thinks the Vikings will miss being at home. Saints quarterback Drew Brees was impressive with 3 touchdowns, 247 yards and most importantly zero interceptions. Vikings quarterback Brett Favre was equally impressive with 4 touchdowns, 234 yards and zero interceptions. Mittens just believes that the Saints have more weapons on offense and the Vikings defense won't be able to just concentrate on shutting down one guy. Saints 31 Vikings 20.
Whatever happens both Mittens and I hope that whichever team comes out of the NFC will go on to win the Super Bowl. We don't like either the Jets or the Colts, but at least the Dallas Cowboys were eliminated.
The Song of the Blog: Continuing these week's theme I allowed Mittens to choose the song and she picked Harry Chapin's Cats in the Cradle. I tried to explain to Mittens that the song has nothing to do with cats, but she just stared at me and then started licking her paw. Cats in the Cradle, for those of you that don't know, is another 70's soft rock tune. The song tells the story of a father and son that just never quite have time for each other and life kind of passes them by.
To end this blog I will do my obligatory book plug. If you haven't checked out my baseball novel, 33 Summers, please do at: http://www.amazon.com/33-Summers-Darren-Pare/dp/1608602605/ref
Thursday, January 14, 2010
The Second Round of Predictions (It has to to better than the first)
Looking back at last weekend the wild card round of the playoffs was just brutal for me. We won't even bother talking about the horrible Patriots game, instead we will focus on this week's playoff games and hope we improve.
We will start with the early game on Saturday where the Arizona Cardinals will come East to take on the New Orleans Saints. I really favor the Cardinals in this one if they remember to play defense. If Arizona decides to play another game like they did last weekend I don't think they survive. The Saints just limped down the stretch and I think that will hurt them come Saturday. Cardinals 41 Saints 21.
The late game on Saturday has the current Baltimore team the Ravens heading to Indianapolis to take on the former Baltimore team the Colts. This game comes down to whether the Colts can make Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco have to make plays. If the Colts can do that I don't see Flacco coming through and thus the Colts will win. Colts 24 Ravens 14.
On to Sunday where at 1:00 ET the Dallas Cowboys will tangle with the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings will be at home and that is a good thing, because they will need any advantage they can get. The winner of this game will be the team that has the quarterback that makes fewer mistakes, and to me that is a real toss up. I'll take the Cowboys 31, Packers, er Vikings 28 with Favre throwing a late interception the costs the Vikings the game.
The final game of the weekend has the New York Jets traveling across the country to take on the San Diego Chargers. I just don't see how the Jets are going to be able to match up quarterbackwise, (yes I made up my own word). Philip Rivers versus Mark Sanchez is an unfair fight. Chargers 24, Jets 14.
There you have my breakdown of the upcoming week of football. If these predictions aren't any better than last week's than my cat, Mittens, will take my place for the league championship round.
The song of the blog: I forgot this part last week, but the song this time around is a classic by Elton John, Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word. This song came out in 1976, back when Elton was still quite relevant. Another pretty simple song that actually speaks the truth.
Please feel free to leave your comments below, or suggestions on ways I can punch this blog up for 2010. As always I would appreciate it if you checked out my novel 33 Summers at: http://www.amazon.com/33-Summers-Darren-Pare/dp/1608602605/ref
We will start with the early game on Saturday where the Arizona Cardinals will come East to take on the New Orleans Saints. I really favor the Cardinals in this one if they remember to play defense. If Arizona decides to play another game like they did last weekend I don't think they survive. The Saints just limped down the stretch and I think that will hurt them come Saturday. Cardinals 41 Saints 21.
The late game on Saturday has the current Baltimore team the Ravens heading to Indianapolis to take on the former Baltimore team the Colts. This game comes down to whether the Colts can make Ravens quarterback Joe Flacco have to make plays. If the Colts can do that I don't see Flacco coming through and thus the Colts will win. Colts 24 Ravens 14.
On to Sunday where at 1:00 ET the Dallas Cowboys will tangle with the Minnesota Vikings. The Vikings will be at home and that is a good thing, because they will need any advantage they can get. The winner of this game will be the team that has the quarterback that makes fewer mistakes, and to me that is a real toss up. I'll take the Cowboys 31, Packers, er Vikings 28 with Favre throwing a late interception the costs the Vikings the game.
The final game of the weekend has the New York Jets traveling across the country to take on the San Diego Chargers. I just don't see how the Jets are going to be able to match up quarterbackwise, (yes I made up my own word). Philip Rivers versus Mark Sanchez is an unfair fight. Chargers 24, Jets 14.
There you have my breakdown of the upcoming week of football. If these predictions aren't any better than last week's than my cat, Mittens, will take my place for the league championship round.
The song of the blog: I forgot this part last week, but the song this time around is a classic by Elton John, Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word. This song came out in 1976, back when Elton was still quite relevant. Another pretty simple song that actually speaks the truth.
Please feel free to leave your comments below, or suggestions on ways I can punch this blog up for 2010. As always I would appreciate it if you checked out my novel 33 Summers at: http://www.amazon.com/33-Summers-Darren-Pare/dp/1608602605/ref
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Wild Card Predictions
Well we have finally reached the playoffs in the NFL. The wild card round will be played this Saturday and Sunday, with three of the match ups being repeats of games in the final week of the regular season. So here we go with a game by game preview and prediction.
The first game on the schedule will pit the New York Jets up against the Bengals in Cincinnati. The Jets throttled the Bengals 37-0 this past Sunday. I'm going to go out on a limb and say this week's score will be closer. The Bengals need to get their offense going and keep the ball away from the Jets corner back Darrelle Revis. While on defense they must slow down the run and put Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez in a position to make plays. If the Bengals do as I say above I have little doubt that they can force Sanchez into at least a couple of turnovers. Predictions Bengals 20, Jets 13.
Game two on Saturday features the Dallas Cowboys hosting the Philadelphia Eagles. Dallas won their match up against Philly this past Sunday 24-0. As much as I would like to find a way for the Eagles to beat the Cowboys, I really don't see it. The Cowboys are just more talented than the Eagles, plain and simple. The lone hope for the Eagles is that they can get in the head of Tony Romo and he will become a turnover machine. I just don't see it happening, I hate to say. Prediction Cowboys 27, Eagles 10.
On to Sunday where the first game will have the Baltimore Ravens facing the New England Patriots. Now as a Patriots fan I don't really fear the Ravens like I may have in the Past. Their defense isn't as stout as it used to be and the passing game isn't scary either. The Patriots will need to stop the running of both Ray Rice and Willis McGahee, no easy task for this defense. The Patriots defense will also need to play all 60 minutes rather than taking their usual fourth quarter nap. Randy Moss will need to be heard from if the Patriots are to win. Prediction Patriots 23, Ravens 20.
The final game of the weekend will have the Green Bay Packers traveling to the desert to take on the Arizona Cardinals. This season has been a nice quiet little coming out party for Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and it will continue this weekend. As much as I like Larry Fitzgerald and the Cardinals I just think that they have too many injuries to overcome and win. The game will be close and Rodgers will lead the Pack to a game winning score late in the fourth quarter. Prediction: Packers 27, Cardinals 24.
Well there they are and if these predictions are as good as my regular season ones we may be looking at a Ravens vs. Cardinals Super Bowl.
Hey all if you like this or heck if you hate it at least go and check out the first few chapters of my baseball novel 33 Summers at: http://www.darrenpare.com/Announcements.html Or if you just want to go ahead and by one you can go here: http://www.eloquentbooks.com/33Summers.html
The first game on the schedule will pit the New York Jets up against the Bengals in Cincinnati. The Jets throttled the Bengals 37-0 this past Sunday. I'm going to go out on a limb and say this week's score will be closer. The Bengals need to get their offense going and keep the ball away from the Jets corner back Darrelle Revis. While on defense they must slow down the run and put Jets quarterback Mark Sanchez in a position to make plays. If the Bengals do as I say above I have little doubt that they can force Sanchez into at least a couple of turnovers. Predictions Bengals 20, Jets 13.
Game two on Saturday features the Dallas Cowboys hosting the Philadelphia Eagles. Dallas won their match up against Philly this past Sunday 24-0. As much as I would like to find a way for the Eagles to beat the Cowboys, I really don't see it. The Cowboys are just more talented than the Eagles, plain and simple. The lone hope for the Eagles is that they can get in the head of Tony Romo and he will become a turnover machine. I just don't see it happening, I hate to say. Prediction Cowboys 27, Eagles 10.
On to Sunday where the first game will have the Baltimore Ravens facing the New England Patriots. Now as a Patriots fan I don't really fear the Ravens like I may have in the Past. Their defense isn't as stout as it used to be and the passing game isn't scary either. The Patriots will need to stop the running of both Ray Rice and Willis McGahee, no easy task for this defense. The Patriots defense will also need to play all 60 minutes rather than taking their usual fourth quarter nap. Randy Moss will need to be heard from if the Patriots are to win. Prediction Patriots 23, Ravens 20.
The final game of the weekend will have the Green Bay Packers traveling to the desert to take on the Arizona Cardinals. This season has been a nice quiet little coming out party for Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers and it will continue this weekend. As much as I like Larry Fitzgerald and the Cardinals I just think that they have too many injuries to overcome and win. The game will be close and Rodgers will lead the Pack to a game winning score late in the fourth quarter. Prediction: Packers 27, Cardinals 24.
Well there they are and if these predictions are as good as my regular season ones we may be looking at a Ravens vs. Cardinals Super Bowl.
Hey all if you like this or heck if you hate it at least go and check out the first few chapters of my baseball novel 33 Summers at: http://www.darrenpare.com/Announcements.html Or if you just want to go ahead and by one you can go here: http://www.eloquentbooks.com/33Summers.html
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