SUPER BOWL 2009 NFL SEASON

So here we are, at the Super Bowl and according to past games & stats will be played by 2 of the last remaining teams still standing - New Orleans Saints & Indianapolis Colts.

I have hear wild predictions so far as to scores being 45 to 24, 42 to 28, 52 to 45 and then there some more reasonable predictions 31 to 28, 31 to 27, 38 to 31 etc...

As I have noticed through this season for the most part whenever you had 2 high -offense teams meet, it always seemed like you ended with a low scoring game - reason? defense!

So lets start this puppy...






New Orleans Saints vs Indianapolis Colts




First off, it doesn't matter which team has been chosen to be home team. In my book this is away game for both teams.

Colts - looking at their away game stats minus the last Buffalo game (which they were not trying to win very hard) they come in at 218 PF & 121 PA in 7 games. That averages out to 31.1PF & 17.3 PA per game.

Saints - their away game stats are 246PF & 146PA in 7 games. That averages out to 35.1PF & 20.9PA per game. NOW, if you add in the last away game at Carolina they had (which some people say they were trying to win, others say different) then you have 256PF & 169PA in 8 games. That averages out to 32PF & 21.1PA per game.

There is where the difference is folks - in my books this is going to be a brutally close game. The only way I see this as not being close is if one team or both teams come in playing like 1st time High School football kids. The other outside reason would be bad official calling like they had during the Saints/Viking game. ( calling a TD when the guy is down 3 ft from the goal line????)

That's it! you can ponder this, you can ponder that, you can figure till you're blue in the face or read every possible stat there is, but the bottom line will be - how will the teams show up to play after 2 weeks off?


I'm betting on a close game, with COLTS winning 26 to 24...


Be seeing you, Knobby

Week 20 - Conference Championships - 2009 Season

Woo Woo! Woof Woof who lets the dogs out! 4 out 4 last week in picks!!! As in the words of Yogi Berra, that's like getting all of them right...

So here we are at the Championship Games - lets take a look see at what we got...


N.Y.Jets @ Indianapolis Colts - Following the Jets and their progress these last several weeks I have noticed that they are getting weery and defense although tops is ruffling around the edges.

This last game against SD, they came on top by a slim margin, because SD field goal kicker missed 3 FGs and Jets did not play sharp like they did against Cincinnati. Road travel getting to them? 4 roads game in 5 weeks!

Check some stats and you'll see that out of 5 meaningful games Jets have played on road (N.O., Miami, N. Eng., Cinn.,S.D.) against better teams the defense is not to tops. 114 total pts. gave up for an avg of 22.8 per game.

Colts defense looked good against Baltimore. Peyton and offense IMO was a little off, especially on some of his long throws. Other than that it seems like the resting did actually help the Colts this year.

Looking at their 5 meaningful home games against some top teams (Houston, N. Eng., Tenn., Denver, Baltimore) and you get a defense that has gave up only 87 total pts. for an avg. of 17.4 per game. Not to shabby...

I stand with my Colts and I do believe the travel will hit the Jets at Lucas Oil Stadium > Colts 26 - - Jets 18


Minnesota @ New Orleans - most people think this is a match up of two high flying teams, when IMO it's just one. I don't believe either will score in the 40's or 50's and only one will probably reach 30 pts.

Defense as usual in all these games will be the key and N.O. has a better defense by a slight margin. Minnesota has not played well on the road all year and after the few weeks of rest that N.O. had, it seems like they were back in form against Arizona.

As much as I would like to see Brett Favre make it this year I just don't think it will happen. Minnesota defense will not be able to contain Brees to any hopeful point. Although I don't see either team blowing the other out, I do believe N.O. will come out on top.

I might add this little disclaimer: that this game more so than the Jets/Colts game could go either way, NO by upright win or Minn. with a few lucky ticks at the right moment > New Orleans 30 - - Minnesota 25


Be seeing you, Knobby...

Week 15 - 2009 Season - Thursday Night Game

Hey Hey Hey - we're getting close to the end of regular season and playoff time.

Last week I went 12 -4 making me 130/208 for 62% right so far this season.

COLTS @ Jacksonville - Lots of questions surrounding this game this week. Will they, can they, maybe, wait and see, etc. The Colts with their win over Denver cliched home field advantage for all playoff games, which is good. They also have a bye the first week of playoffs, which might be good or might be bad depending on how and who plays these next 3 games.

The reason I say that is because Dungy was a firm believer in resting players at the end of season games and most of the time they would end up losing during playoffs while teams that fought the whole season through were more playoff ready. I call it 'getting out of sinc' - any sport and especially ones where there is alot of physical activity like football, mountain biking (my field), skiing, etc. and you sit for extended periods of time not doing and it does not take long to get out of sinc, having to regroup and regain momentum.

So far all that I have read Caldwell will not be letting up, as by these statements:

"We're going to approach the 14th game exactly like we did one through 13. We're going to prepare just like we did for the first 13 and we're going to play just like we did the first 13," Caldwell said. "The only thing that would deter anyone from playing is a health issue.

"We're not going to assign numbers, in terms of plays, for anybody. We didn't do that for the first 13 games, and we're not going to do it for No. 14, either."

So time will tell and we will see how true to his word Caldwell will be come tomorrow night. But I think in the back of the Colts mind there is no doubt that they would love to surpass what the Patriots achieved in 2007 by going 16-0, then sweeping through the playoffs and actually winning the championship.

P.S. Thanks to IndySportsNation.com for Peyton Manning pic.

Week 13 - 2009 Season - Sunday/Monday Games

UPDATE -SUNDAY 11AM

I'm changing my pick prediction on the New Eng. vs Miami game - due to more reading and that Bookies are now pulling the game off the books and the recent rumors of Brady finger being hurt - something is in the air that I'm not liking... So new prediction is Miami 23 - New Eng. 17

Also Tampa Bay vs Carolina is being changed too. I am now picking TB to win with news that RB DeAngelo Williams, WR Dwayne Jarrett, FB Tony Fiammetta and others are all inactive today...


This past Thursday night game didn't go as I suspected it would as the Bills defense lapsed for several minutes in the closing first half which ended up being the difference in the game. As they keep saying you have to play the full 60 and the coaches have to have a starting game, a middle game and an exit game.

My picks to win are in RED -

Philadelphia at Atlanta - If McNabb shows up for this game Philadelphia should do good...

SEE UPDATE ABOVE - - - Tampa Bay at Carolina - Carolina should have game plan in place already for this match-up. Even with Delhomme out it won't matter as this will be a running game to win.

St Louis at Chicago - Here's a up-set - I think St.Louis is going to come in and surprise Mr. Smiths team, which will not be good for him staying at Chicago..

Detroit at Cincinnati - I wish Detroit the best and hope they can pull an up-set off, but I'm not holding my breath...

Denver at Kansas City - Denver has to be on top of game here, because as shown in past KC can get ya and beat you if you let them.

Houston at Jacksonville - Houston is favored in this game - I don't see it happening. Jacksonville plays good at home and I think Houston will be dragging their mental thoughts from a disappointing loss to the Colts last Sunday with them to this game

Tennessee at Indianapolis - Scared is the word here for me, I know it will not be the end of the world if Colts lose but darn I would like to see them go 16 - 0 for the season... We will see how this seasons Colts rope-a-dope playing, plays out against Mr. Fisher, Mr. Young and team...

SEE ABOVE UPDATE ------ New England at Miami - Miami will make it tough but I see NE lasting long enough to win (NE 24 - Miami 16)

New Orleans at Washington - If NO comes into this game with a ho-hum attitude they could end up on the losing end. Washington has nothing to lose and everything to gain with a victory so NO better not be thinking easy come - easy go with Washington...

Oakland at Pittsburgh - Pittsburgh needs to get back in gear and should be able to do so with Oakland in town...

San Diego at Cleveland - Only factor I see here is the COLD might affect SD playing attitude...

Dallas at New York Giants - As you know Eli has a foot problem which is now complicated by a stress reaction, let me post a quote here from Eli - "In the games it doesn't bother me and I don't think about it. This is not something I am overly concerned with," Manning said. "It has been the same for probably the last three to four weeks, it's nothing new. I can go out and practice and do all I need to do." Hello! you've lost 5 of your last 6 games and JUST barely beat Atl. 2 weeks ago.... face it It's a problem for you and the team.

San Francisco at Seattle - Seattle lost the first time round this season and I don't think Seattle has it again this time around.

Sunday Night Game: Minnesota at Arizona - To many problem going on in Warners head and Favre is on a mission this year with a team that can carry that mission through.

Monday Night Game: Baltimore at Green Bay - Baltimore has a problem with teams that have good passing and if GB sticks to the plan and does not try to out run Baltimore they'll come up victors...

Be seeing you, Knobby.........

PS - Don't forget the 'Red kettle' bell ringers are out - carry a few extra dollar bills in your pocket to give so as to help, TY

Also if you can - PLEASE Donate to your local food bank or pantry today! Even just a small bag of staples or groceries can make a big difference in someones life, TY

Week 9 - 2009 Season

Getting later and later with posting my predictions here lately, sorry about that.

Lets get started first with where we stand in some of the stats:

Last week I went 7 for 13 - making me 68 out of 115 games. There were 5 upsets last week - which raises the weekly upset avg. from last weeks 4.42 to 4.5 upset games a week so far. Last week 2 of the 6 teams with week 7 byes won which brings that total to: 10 out 18 teams with previous byes win the following week...

TEAMS IN RED ARE MY PICKS TO WIN:

Sunday Early Games:

Baltimore Ravens (4-3) @ Cincinnati Bengals* (5-2)

Houston Texans (5-3) @ Indianapolis Colts (7-0)

Green Bay Packers (4-3) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-7)

Arizona Cardinals* (4-3) @ Chicago Bears (4-3)

Kansas City Chiefs (1-6) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (3-4)

Miami Dolphins (3-4) @ New England Patriots (5-2)

Washington Redskins (2-5) @ Atlanta Falcons (4-3)

Sunday Afternoon Games:

Carolina Panthers (3-4) @ New Orleans (7-0)

Detroit Lions (1-6) @ Seattle Seahawks (2-5)

Tennessee Titans* (1-6) @ San Francisco 49ers (3-4)

San Diego Chargers (4-3) @ New York Giants (5-3)

Sunday Night Football Game:

Dallas Cowboys (5-2) @ Philadelphia Eagles (5-2) And for my weekly Pick-the-Pros pickers - Philadelphia 27 - Dallas 19

Monday Night Football Game:

Pittsburgh Steelers (5-2) @ Denver Broncos* (6-1)

I'm predicting 4 upsets this week - indicted by *

Hope you have a nice weekend & I'll be seeing you.

Knobby

Week 5 - 2009 Season

OUCH! OUCH! OUCH!

Shooting for the stars last week and didn't even reach the moon - OUCH!

Ended up with 7 correct out of 14 games giving me a total on the season of 39 out of 61 games...

Upsets: Week 1 - we had 3 upsets, Week 2 - we had 8 upsets, Week 3 - we had 3 upsets. Last week I predicted 5 upset games and there was 3. This week I am predicting 3 upset games

So moving on to this weeks picks;

TEAMS IN RED ARE MY PICKS TO WIN


Cincinnati @ Baltimore - Ravens SHOULD handle this one

Cleveland @ Buffalo - Cleveland has no defense, Buffalo although hurting should pull it out.

Washington @ Carolina - 2 poor teams but when all said and done Washington will walked away with victory.

Pittsburgh @ Detroit - HAHAHAHAHAHA Detroit will battle like the devil 1st half and then implode amongst themselves in 2nd...

Dallas @ K C - Dallas score wise has been working backwards from game 1, KC has been even steven but still no cigar. PS: If by chance Dallas loses look to the south and watch the bright red rocket shooting towards the sky with Coach Phillips on it...

Oakland @ N Y G - With or without Eli, Oakland is poor competition for Giants

T B @ Phildelphia - McNabb and Westbrook should be back and TB lost to Washington, nothing else to say...

Minnesota @ St.Louis - The Farve circus will make the Arch look like a side show in a carnival...

Atlanta @ S Fran. - This will be a GOOD game, look for close score but Singletarys men will be best.

Houston @ Arizona - Both teams have problems and as much as I like Warner, I'm afraid Houston will out score him and his playmates.

N. Eng. @ Denver - Is there snow in Denver? This game will prove whether Denver is real or not. Last week it looked like Dallas did themselves in more then Denver beat them.

Jacksonville @ Seattle - Jacksonville is improving each week, Seattle even with players coming back they are not healthy.

Sunday night game: COLTS @ Tenn. What did I say last week? (COLTS 27 - Tenn. 17)

Monday night game: N Y Jets @ Miami - 2nd week on road for Jets and Miami looked hot last week at home.

Colts Coaching Changes?

News out this morning is the Colts are in for another shake-up in their coaching staff. Offensive line coach Howard Mudd has informed the Colts he is planning to retire immediately because of the pension-plan changes, according to team and league sources. Mr Mudd has been with the Colts for 12 years, and is 67 years old. The reason for his possible stepping down is because of the changes made by the owners this past March concerning the pension program for non-players.

Payton Manning has been there 11 years and has known no other NFL offensive line except that one under Moore/Mudd team. Tom Moore, 70 also has been the Colts offensive coordinator for 12 years also. Moore was able to reached for any comments, as to his plans of either staying or retiring .

If all this takes place and with Colts under a new coach already, it should be interesting to see how if any this will effect the high-firing Colts offense.