Week 9 Mistakes

7-6

Not bad, not bad. Any time I'm over .500, I really shouldn't complain. This season has proven to be as random and difficult to pick as any season in recent history. Some years (e.g. 2007), there was no reason not to pick the Patriots, Colts, and Steelers EVERY week. Now, I have to wonder if they are going to be able to beat the Dolphins or Texans or Broncos by enough points. It's ridiculous. Completely ridiculous.

Here are the games I got right:

- Kansas City (+6.5) over JACKSONVILLE 21-24 (I forgot to make a Ballsy Pick but this definitely would have been it... I swear...... It's my blog, I can do what I want!)
- ATLANTA (-10) over Washington 31-17
- Arizona (+3) over CHICAGO 41-21
- SEATTLE (-10) over Detroit 32-20
- San Diego (+5) over NEW YORK GIANTS 21-20
- Dallas (+3) over PHILADELPHIA 20-16
- Pittsburgh (-3) over DENVER 28-10 (Do you hear those footsteps, Broncos? DO YA???)

And here are the games that let me down... like always...

Baltimore (-3) over CINCINNATI
Score: CIN 17, BAL 7
Did I say the Ravens would be good this year? I don't think I said that. You must be confusing me with someone else. But seriously, who saw this 6-2 start for the Bengals coming? Especially that defense! My goodness, that is a top-notch defense. And Cedric Benson! That is a top-notch running back. Two 100 yard-games against the Ravens defense. That hasn't happened since 348 A.D. I don't know if they can beat out the Steelers for the division, but I can definitely see them as the 5 seed.

INDIANAPOLIS (-9) over Houston
Score: IND 20, HOU 17
Oh Kris Brown, you pitiful man. This had to be the most important game in Texans franchise history, and you RUINED it. You have to make that kick. There is no other option. That is the kind of kick that separates the Vinatieri's from the Vanderjact's.

Green Bay (-9.5) over TAMPA BAY
Score: TB 38, GB 28
I have realized that there is always one game each week (just 1, not more) in which I make such a terrible pick, such an awful attempt at competency, that all I can say about it is, "whoops." This is that game...

NEW ENGLAND (-10.5) over Miami
NE 27, MIA 17
Why am I not seeing any intensity from the Patriots? Where did all that go? I really thought they were going to explode in this one. A home game against a team that has only one redeeming quality, that being its running game. And the Patriots have always been able to take away the thing you do best. They did force Henne to throw 34 times, but they couldn't force him into any making any mistakes. The Dolphins were able to run it well enough when it mattered. They just ended up trailing late in the game, so they didn't have the option to run. This was just a 7 point game late in the 4th quarter and one break for Miami could have led to overtime. I worry about these Patriots, I just don't know if they have... it.

NEW ORLEANS (-13.5) over Carolina
NO 30, CAR 20
What is up with the Saints early in football games? I really don't get it. They have no defense, they turn the ball over, Drew Brees looks like he thinks he's still in San Diego (I'm not bitter), and before you can blink, they are down 17-3 late in the first half. Against Carolina. The Panthers. And Jake Delhomme. Ugh. How does that happen? But then, in the second half, they are un-freaking-touchable. You can't stop the offense, the defense gives up N-O-T-H-I-N-G, NOTHING. After a 100+ yard first half, DeAngelo Williams had less than 50 in the second half. It's not like they went away from him, said, "Here Jake, throw it all over the place." No, he just couldn't do anything. The Saints can't keep playing like this and get away with it. They will lose if they don't show up for the half the game. Mark my words.

SAN FRANCISCO (-4) over Tennessee
Score: TEN 34, SF 27
Well, well, well. It appears we have witnessed somewhat of a role reversal here. A few weeks ago, the 49ers were a Brett Favre miracle TD away from being undefeated, whereas the Titans were losing by 59 points, and had a TOTAL of -7 yards passing in a game (I don't make this stuff up). Now, the Titans look like the team of 2008, and the 49ers are floundering, like a fish out of water. I'm telling you, weird football season.

Overall Record: 60-52-1
Ballsy Pick of the Week Record: 7-1

Fantasy Update:

League: WeLikeSportz
Defeated Team Johnny 106.2 - 102.38

Tom Brady 25.1
Cedric Benson 18.7
Steve Slaton 11.5
Vincent Jackson 20.47
Michael Crabtree 5.1
Calvin Johnson 3.8
Fred Davis 3.73
David Akers 15
Packers D 2.8

I would just like to point out that I was trailing by approximately 12 points going into the Sunday night game between the Eagles and Cowboys. I needed 12 points out of my kicker, or I was toast. It didn't look good. But as you can see, good old David Akers came through with 3 field goals (all over 40 yards, one over 50 yards) and I pulled out my 3rd consecutive victory.

Current Record: 5-4 (5th place)

League: League of Imported Spirits
Defeated Team Pearly Gates 124.72 - 89.68

Peyton Manning 16.92
Andre Johnson 10.3
Hines Ward 16.4
Michael Turner 30
Pierre Thomas 15.05
Brent Celek 9.9
T.J. Houshmandzadeh 9.4
Johnny Knox 5.75
Kris Brown 7
Ravens D 4

Look at that big 5 right there. Mmmmm... Tasty.

Current Record: 4-5 (4th place)