do you know what kind of flower is?
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Friday, September 26, 2008
NFL: 2008 Week 4 Predictions
Week 3 Performance: 9-7
Overall Performance: 26-22
San Francisco 49ers (2-1) @ New Orleans Saints (1-2)
Pick: Saints
Reggie Bush excels against soft defenses and the Saints are much better at the Super Dome.
Green Bay Packers (2-1) @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-1)
Pick: Packers
The Packers are one of the best teams in the league. They simply lost to a Cowboys team that is at the next level.
Outcome: Bucs 30 Packers 21 - Favre's former understudy throws 3 INTs
Houston Texans (0-2) @ Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2)
Pick: Jaguars
Call your local network affiliate and complain if this game is showing.
Outcome: Jags 30 Texans 27 - For second straight week, Scobee kicks game winning FG
Cleveland Browns (0-3) @ Cincinnati Bengals (0-3)
Pick: Bengals
This may seem like a nothing game, but whoever wins this one will win the state-wide fan base, because who wants to think an 0-4 team has a chance to make the playoffs?
Outcome: Browns 20 Bengals 12 - Browns get first win, Bengals remain winless
Atlanta Falcons (2-1) @ Carolina Panthers (2-1)
Pick: Panthers
The Panthers are now 1-0 with Steve Smith in the line-up.
Outcome: Panthers 24 Falcons 9 - Steve Smith's first TD of season finishes off Falcons
Arizona Cardinals (2-1) @ New York Jets (1-2)
Pick: Jets
Favre will rebound from his left ankle injury, while Warner will remind us why nobody thinks his promotion over Leinart is permanent. But throwing caution to the wind, the Jets defense is among the worst defenses in the league.
Outcome: Jets 56 Cardinals 35 - Favre has first career 6 TD game
Minnesota Vikings (1-2) @ Tennessee Titans (3-0)
Are the Titans over-achievers or AFC favorites? Shots Heard is putting their vote for the former.
Pick: Titans
Outcome: Titans 30 Vikings 17 - 4-12 still possible, Titans linebacker, Keith Bulluck proclaims
Denver Broncos (3-0) @ Kansas City Chiefs (0-3)
Pick: Broncos
Poor Chiefs fans cannot escape their horrid team, since the other Missouri team, the Rams make up the other worst team candidate.
Outcome: Chiefs 33 Broncos 19 - Larry Johnson rushes for 198 yards, exposes Broncos defense
San Diego Chargers (1-2) @ Oakland Raiders (1-2)
Pick: Chargers
Keep watching the Chargers if you like shoot-out games. Their defense needs to come of age by the playoffs though (assuming they make it).
Outcome: Chargers 28 Raiders 18 - Darren Sproles' kickoff return sets up win
Buffalo Bills @ St Louis Rams
Pick: Bills
If the Bills do not take this game for granted, they will have made some serious playoffs traction.
Outcome: Bills 31 Rams 14 - Bills score 18 unanswered points in the 4th quarter
Washington Redskins @ Dallas Cowboys
Pick: Cowboys
The Redskins only chance is to put eight in the box at the right times. Teams have been giving Barber too many chances to run over them. T.O. is no longer the main threat in D-Town.
Outcome: Redskins 26 Cowboys 24 - Redskins win time of possession battle (38:09 to 21:51) as Romo has 19 incomplete passes
Philadelphia Eagles @ Chicago Bears
Pick: Eagles
Last week, the Eagles only scored 15 against a tough Steelers defense. But the good news is, their defense bore down and held the Steelers to six. This week will be a similar test.
Outcome: Bears 24 Eagles 20 - Bears goal line stand ensures victory
Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Pick: Ravens
Roethlisberger shoulder does seem to affect the Steelers ability to get the ball in the end zone. Playing the Ravens only compounds that problem. One could argue that Parker is on a roll, but remember that the Ravens have not let a team rush for 100 yard rusher against them in 21 straight games.
Outcome: Steelers 23 Ravens 20 - Reed's FG in OT finishes the Ravens
Picture 1: Kerry Collins, Tennessee Titans quarterback and Titans offensive line
Thursday, September 25, 2008
Monday, September 22, 2008
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Friday, September 19, 2008
NFL: 2008 Week 3 Predictions
Week 2 Performance: 6-9
Overall Performacne: 17-15
There is no excuses for going 6-9 in any week. Forty percent is a failure by traditional American school standards and it is a failure by Shots Heard standards. We look to bounce back in Week 3.
Kansas City Chiefs (0-2) @ Atlanta Falcons (1-1)
Pick: Falcons
Are the Chiefs going to be this year's version of the 2007 Dolphins? Maybe workers should start their pools now on when the Chiefs will get their first victory. This would be a good week to pick the Chiefs, but Shots Heard instead believes that this game will afford the leauge its worst 2-1 team in the league (Falcons).
Outcome: Falcons 38 Chiefs 14 - Michael Turner scores 3 TDs
Oakland Raiders (1-1) @ Buffalo Bills (2-0)
Pick: Bills
The Bills are the best kept secret in the NFL. The average fan still cannot name a player on their team unless there is a Bill on their his/her fantasy team.
Outcome: Bills 24 Raiders 23 - Lindell's FG edges Raiders
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (1-1) @ Chicago Bears (1-1)
Pick: Bears
The NFL is a 'Quarterbacks League.' Not if these two teams have anything to say about it (As long as Jeff Garcia stays benched).
Outcome: Bucs 27 Bears 24 - Bryant's FG buries Bears in overtime as former Bear QB, Brian Griese takes solace in a slice of vengeance
Carolina Panthers (2-0) @ Minnesota Vikings (0-2)
Pick: Panthers
'The Greatest Show on turf' is no longer the St. Louis Rams, it is Adrian Peterson. The Vikings will be better, the sooner they move on without Tavaris Jackson. But in the mean time Peterson and the Vikings defense has what it takes to pull these types of games out.
Outcome: Vikings 20 Panthers 10 - Vikings defense puts Vikings back on track
Miami Dolphins (0-2) @ New England Patriots (2-0)
Pick: Patriots
It is tempting to go for the home run and take the Dolphins. Chad Pennington has the highest career pass completion percentage (65.3 percent). Plus Ricky Williams just might show up one of these weeks. Instead the Patriots will become the league's worst undefeated team. You heard that right.
Outcome: Dolphins 38 Patriots 13 - Brown runs four TDs; Dolphins own Pats at Foxborough
Cincinnati Bengals (0-2)@ New York Giants (2-0)
Pick: Giants
This game will put the Giants on the fast track for the playoffs while crushing the Bengals playoffs hopes. Fun stuff in only Week 3.
Outcome: Giants 26 Bengals 23 - 44-year-old John Carey kicks winning FG in OT
Houston Texans (0-1) @ Tennessee Titans (2-0)
Pick: Titans
Shots Heard does not know if there is really that big of a discrepancy between the winless Texans and undefeated Titans. But the Texans lost by 21 and Titans won by 17 in their respective most recent games.
Outcome: Titans 31 Texans 12 - Titans get first three game winning streak since Oilers days
Arizona Cardinals (2-0) @ Washington Redskins (1-1)
Pick: Redskins
Aquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald are perhaps the best wide receiver tandem but Edgerrin James has been mediocre since coming to the Cardinals. Look for the Redskins to use Portis to help control the game tempo.
Outcome: Redskins 24 Cardinals 17 - Redskins ride fourth quarter INT to victory
New Orleans Saints (1-1) @ Denver Broncos (2-0)
Pick: Broncos
The Broncos have scored 80 points in two games and they have not met their match in Week 3 against the Saints.
Outcome: Broncos 34 Saints 32 - Martin Grammatica's misses potential game winning FG and Broncos stay undefeated
Detroit Lions (0-2) @ San Francisco 49ers (1-1)
Pick: Lions
This will be the week that the Lions pretend to right their ship.
Outcome: 49ers 31 Lions 13 - Lions give up 182 yards rushing
St. Louis Rams (0-2) @ Seattle Seahawks (1-1)
Pick: Seahawks
The Rams have been outscored 79-16.
Outcome: Seahawks 37 Rams 13 - Three games, three blowout losses for the Rams
Cleveland Browns (0-2) @ Baltimore Ravens (1-0)
Pick: Ravens
The Browns have taken a step back from last year's playoff appearance.
Outcome: Ravens 28 Browns 10 - Ravens secondary picks Anderson twice
Jacksonville Jaguars (0-2) @ Indianapolis Colts (1-1)
Pick: Colts
The Colts scored 18 unanswered to beat the Vikings in Minnesota, but they still look shaky. If the Jags cannot pull this one out, their playoff hopes will look bleak.
Outcome: Jaguars 23 Colts 21 - Scobee's 51 yd FG with four seconds left buries Colts
Pittsburgh Steelers (2-0) @ Philadelphia Eagles (1-1)
Pick: Eagles
Is this a possible Super Bowl preview. State bragging rights are on the line and Pennsylvanians have to be excited by the high quality of these two teams.
Outcome: Eagles 15 Steelers 6 - Eagles defense holds its Pennsylvanian ground
Dallas Cowboys (2-0) @ Green Bay Packers (2-0)
Pick: Packers
Going back to last year, this has been the most exciting match-up. In fact how are two non-divisional foes matching up in back to back years? Money talks.
If quarterback, Aaron Rodgers wins this one, he will put much of the Brett Favre controversy to bed.
Outcome: Cowboys 27 Packers 16 - Rodgers cannot take Packers to the next level
New York Jets (1-1) @ San Diego Chargers (0-2)
Pick: Jets
This will be a shoot-out. If the Chargers come up short then their patented underachieving will have made another cycle. With a victory, the Jets will be in great position heading into their next four games against the Cardinals, Bengals,Raiders and Chiefs.
Outcome: Chargers 48 Jets 29 - Chargers land more blows than the Jets
Picture: Peyton Manning, Indianapolis Colts
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Saturday, September 13, 2008
NFL: 2008 Week 2 Predictions
Week 1 Performance: 10-6Overall: 10-6
Tennessee Titans @ Cincinnati Bengals
Pick: Bengals
Vince Young has went mental and Chad Ocho Cinco has been mental. Shots Heard wishes they could take a pass on this one, but the rules are every game must be picked. Carson Palmer wants to rise above all that.
Outcome: Titans 24 Bengals 7 - No Vince Young, no problem for the Titans.
Green Bay Packers @ Detroit Lions
Pick: Packers
One of the most laughable things the 'experts' were saying two months ago was that with Brett Favre gone, John Kitna was the best quarterback in NFC North. Shots Heard knew Aaron Rodgers was in the same class as Favre (Shots Heard is on record against Green Bay's management and coach's failure to retain Favre as their starting QB though). Expect Rodgers to prove he is the best by blowing out the Lions.
Outcome: Packers 48 Lions 25 - Rodgers leads Packers to 24 fourth quarter points.
Oakland Raiders @ Kansas City Chiefs
Pick: Chiefs
Owner Al Davis has more say on the Raiders defensive strategy than head coach Lane Kiffin. Ridiculous.
Outcome: Raiders 23 Chiefs 8 - Chiefs unable to hang with the Raiders!
NY Giants @ St Louis Rams
Pick: Giants
The Rams were blast 38-3 by the Eagles. After a loss to the Giants they will be on their way to taking last in the NFC West.
Outcome: Giants 41 Rams 13 - Rams manhandled for second straight week.
Indianapolis Colts @ Minnesota Vikings
Pick: Vikings
The temptation is to go with the perennial favorite Colts but Peyton Manning admitted he is not 100 percent and the Vikings are a scary team at home.
Outcome: Colts 18 Vikings 15 - Colts score 11 unanswered points in the fourth quarter.
New Orleans Saints @ Washington Redskins
Pick: Redskins
Colston went on the shelf for 4-6 weeks and the Saints are not the same team on grass to begin with.
Outcome: Saints 24 Redskins 29 - Santana Moss's 67 yard TD reception sinks Saints.
Chicago Bears @ Carolina Panthers
Pick: Panthers
It still confounds Shots Heard that while Green Bay was drafting two quarterbacks and slamming the door on the greatest quarterback of all-time, the Bears were not doing anything about their abysmal quarterback situation. Neither Kyle Orton or Rex Grossman had any business being an opening day quarterback this year.
Outcome: Bears 17 Panthers 20 - Panthers get second comeback win in a row.
Buffalo Bills @ Jacksonville Jaguars
Pick: Bills
Did the Bills just blow out the Seahawks or did Seattle take one of their patented early season games off? As for the Jaguars, they are about the hardest team to pick each week. Shots Heard has no idea yet, if they will be 11-5 or 5-11. And in any event they seem to win and lose games without rhyme or reason.
Outcome: Bills 20 Jaguars 16 - Jags cannot finish off Bills at home.
San Francisco 49ers @ Seattle Seahawks
Pick: Seahawks
It is the Seahawks division until further notice.
Outcome: 49ers 33 Seahawks 30 - Joe Nedney misses game winning FG at the end of regulation, then kicks the winner in OT.
Atlanta Falcons @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Pick: Falcons
Tampa Bay coach Jon Gruden let his ego get the best of him. Their team is now weaker without quarterback Jeff Garcia at the helm. Furthermore, Falcons quarterback, Matt Ryan has already erased any after thoughts of Michael Vick.
Outcome: Falcons 9 Bucs 24 - Matt Ryan's rookie mistakes do Falcons in.
New England Patriots @ NY Jets
Pick: Jets
This one is really a toss-up. It will be fun to see who gets temporary bragging rights for being king of the mountain in the AFC East.
Outcome: Pats 19 Jets 10 - Brett Favre Renaissance takes a step back.
Miami Dolphins @ Arizona Cardinals
Pick: Dolphins
Chad Pennington has made a living of bringing so-so teams all the way to their first round of the playoffs demise. He did not do it by losing to teams like the Cardinals. (Nor did he accomplish the playoff losses by being among the best quarterbacks in the playoffs.)
Outcome: Dolphins 10 Cardinals 31 - Larry Fitzgerald racks up 153 reception yards, but Anquan Bolden catches the three Warner TD throws.
San Diego Chargers @ Denver Broncos
Pick: Broncos
Jay Cutler is looking like an established quarterback, yet he still seems to be fighting for respect as one of the better quarterbacks in the league.
Outcome: Chargers 38 Broncos 39 - Blown call creates a two win; propelling the Broncos into first place and the Chargers into last place.
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cleveland Browns
Pick: Browns
Wide receiver, Braylon Edwards will need to catch more balls, especially on game changer plays. But Shots Heard believes that the Steelers will not open up their offense enough to get this road victory.
Outcome: Steelers 10 Browns 6 - Steelers win a grinder.
Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys
Pick: Eagles
Shots Heard believes the Eagles simply have more fire in their bellies right now. Both are coming off of opening blow-out wins, but the Eagles seem to display the blue-collar work ethic more.
Outcome: Eagles 37 Cowboys 41 - Cowboys win the most exciting game of the two-week-old season
Picture: Clinton Portis, Washington Redskins running back
Friday, September 12, 2008
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Respect The Call! - Sports media owes Pac-10 referees an apology
In the wake of the Jake Locker unsportsmanlike celebration penalty for throwing the ball high in the air near the end of the BYU and Washington game, we see the media elites disparaging the referees despite they the fact that they made the ABSOLUTELY CORRECT call. ESPN College Scoreboard analysts Lou Holtz and Mark May hammered the call. Even Michael Wilbon, whom I agree with on about 99 percent of serious issues (relative to sports) has said the call was "stupid" and "wrong."
But for years the NCAA has taken a hard stance against showboating and has written the rules to eradicate even hints of unsportsmanlike behavior. All of the analysts know that and have failed to at least premise their opinions with that concession. The second that ball went way in the air, the referees had no choice but to make the call.
Espn.com is at it again. They credit their wire services for the article that said a player "can" be called for throwing the ball in the air. This is a patented editorial trick (that ESPN and other non sports pundits use) when they want to tell a story in a certain way without discrediting a reporter.
Try again espn.com. The rulebook "prohibits" a player from throwing the ball in the air in celebration after a touchdown.
The official who made the "controversial" call, Pac-10 referee Larry Farina said, "It is a celebration rule that we are required to call....It was not a judgment call."
The call was rightfully and unapologetically supported by David Parry, the national coordinator for college football officiating. On the call, Parry said, "I think what he meant is this was so obviously against the rule and flagrant you have no option but to throw a flag," Parry said.
Of course the sports media has spun that stating that this is a case of the referees looking out for their own. They of course know that is not true, but sports media producers are more than willing to look the other way for the sake of an extra juicy story line.
Shots Heard is not afraid to call out officiating collusion where it exists. This was evident in the case of not one umpire willing to go on the record against Doug Eddings after he botched a call that possibly cost the Anaheim Angels Game 2 of the 2005 American League Championship Series.
But in this case, the referees called the game EXACTLY as it is required and has been consistently enforced by the NCAA. Anybody that has claimed otherwise owes the referees an apology and anything less would be UNACCEPTABLE. The pundits have a right to disagree with the rule, but anybody who has scapegoated the referees is officially getting REPRIMANDED by Shots Heard.
So why the deception? Certainly there are some pro Pac-10 pundits and BYU haters. Remember that BYU is a Mormon institution and their is much underlying religious spite against them on that front. But that connection is very hard to track and even harder to pinpoint. So leaving that off the table, Shots Heard calls attention to the bigger reason; that escalating the "controversy" draws people in and keeps multimedia advertising dollars high.
Although, sports journalists are allowed a greater latitude in subjectivity than in other news categories, they still must be held to a journalism minimums. One of those minimums is that a journalist remain intellectually honest.
The call was clearly the right call and there is a reason that no NCAA football coach has came out against the call even while the majority of the ESPN analysts (that I have seen) have came out against the call.
UConn coach, Randy Edsall said, "I don't know why everybody got upset. It's a rule. You can't do that. It's specifically stated in the rulebook that you can't throw the ball up....That's a rule that's been harped on. It's a point of emphasis at all times."
Pictured in article
Picture 1: Jake Locker, Washington University quarterback
But for years the NCAA has taken a hard stance against showboating and has written the rules to eradicate even hints of unsportsmanlike behavior. All of the analysts know that and have failed to at least premise their opinions with that concession. The second that ball went way in the air, the referees had no choice but to make the call.
Espn.com is at it again. They credit their wire services for the article that said a player "can" be called for throwing the ball in the air. This is a patented editorial trick (that ESPN and other non sports pundits use) when they want to tell a story in a certain way without discrediting a reporter.
Try again espn.com. The rulebook "prohibits" a player from throwing the ball in the air in celebration after a touchdown.
The official who made the "controversial" call, Pac-10 referee Larry Farina said, "It is a celebration rule that we are required to call....It was not a judgment call."
The call was rightfully and unapologetically supported by David Parry, the national coordinator for college football officiating. On the call, Parry said, "I think what he meant is this was so obviously against the rule and flagrant you have no option but to throw a flag," Parry said.
Of course the sports media has spun that stating that this is a case of the referees looking out for their own. They of course know that is not true, but sports media producers are more than willing to look the other way for the sake of an extra juicy story line.
Shots Heard is not afraid to call out officiating collusion where it exists. This was evident in the case of not one umpire willing to go on the record against Doug Eddings after he botched a call that possibly cost the Anaheim Angels Game 2 of the 2005 American League Championship Series.
But in this case, the referees called the game EXACTLY as it is required and has been consistently enforced by the NCAA. Anybody that has claimed otherwise owes the referees an apology and anything less would be UNACCEPTABLE. The pundits have a right to disagree with the rule, but anybody who has scapegoated the referees is officially getting REPRIMANDED by Shots Heard.
So why the deception? Certainly there are some pro Pac-10 pundits and BYU haters. Remember that BYU is a Mormon institution and their is much underlying religious spite against them on that front. But that connection is very hard to track and even harder to pinpoint. So leaving that off the table, Shots Heard calls attention to the bigger reason; that escalating the "controversy" draws people in and keeps multimedia advertising dollars high.
Although, sports journalists are allowed a greater latitude in subjectivity than in other news categories, they still must be held to a journalism minimums. One of those minimums is that a journalist remain intellectually honest.
The call was clearly the right call and there is a reason that no NCAA football coach has came out against the call even while the majority of the ESPN analysts (that I have seen) have came out against the call.
UConn coach, Randy Edsall said, "I don't know why everybody got upset. It's a rule. You can't do that. It's specifically stated in the rulebook that you can't throw the ball up....That's a rule that's been harped on. It's a point of emphasis at all times."
Pictured in article
Picture 1: Jake Locker, Washington University quarterback
Friday, September 5, 2008
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
NFL: 2008 Week 1 Predictions
As a child, I picked the winners of NFL games. I did not preserve my records, but I do know that year after year I beat the Orange County Register's prognostications (that Randy Youngman currently prognosticates). But I say that in all due respect. I think it was fun that year after year he took on guest prognosticators (usually residents). Hopefully, Shots Heard gets a chance to take a shot at it while getting some needed recognition.
So tune in each week to see how well Shots Heard can predict who wins the games. This is the first year, Shots Heard is prognosticating NFL games. The goal is to pick at least 70 percent of the games right. Remember that we went 14-1 picking the NBA playoffs match-ups.
Washington Redskins @ New York Giants
Pick: Giants
The New York Giants beat the three best teams (Cowboys, Packers, Patriots) in their last three games of the playoffs. So there's no reason to pick against them in their opener against the Redskins.
Outcome: Redskins 7 Giants 16 - Giants 'Super' defense stars again.
Minnesota Vikings @ Green Bay Packers
Pick: Packers
Is this a NFC Championship preview? The Vikings have the player in the league with Adrian Peterson. They have the best defensive lineman with Jared Allen. But the Packers have home field advantage and will expose the Vikings passing game while stacking the box and limiting Peterson.
There is no more Super Favre, but Aaron Rodgers may be better. He certainly is the best quarterback in the division and has looked to be very polished. The Packers look more polished and know who they are even after all of the Favre drama. The Vikings will need to find themselves after coming up short of the playoffs last year.
Outcome: Packers 24 Vikings 19 - Aaron Rodgers has a spectacular debut as GB starting QB.
Seattle Seahawks (0-0) @ Buffalo Bills (0-0)
Pick: Seahawks
This is not the cold weather game that Bills teams traditionally thrive in. Seattle has been one of the better teams over the last five years. Seattle is more polished on both sides of the ball.
Outcome: Seahawks 10 Bills 34 - Bills too much for Hassleback's soar back.
Houston Texans (0-0) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (0-0)
Pick: Steelers
The Texans looked like a legitimate playoff contender last year. But the Steelers have more proven commodities (Yes I know I am using that word improperly). So the Texans have a shot, but Shots Heard is going with the team playing in biggest football town in the country (Sorry Title Town).
Outcome: Texans 17 Steelers 38 - Parker rushes for three touchdowns.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-0)@ New Orleans Saints (0-0)
Pick: Saints
The Bucs made the playoffs last year, but they have not silenced the critics. The Saints cannot count on the inconsistent Reggie Bush, but they do have a proven star in Drew Brees.
Outcome: Bucs 20 Saints 24 - Brees throws for 343 yards and three touchdowns.
Detroit Lions (0-0)@ Atlanta Falcons (0-0)
Pick: Lions
This is just what the Lions needed to kick-start their season. The Falcons look putrid on offense.
Outcome: Lions 21 Falcons 34 - Michael Turner runs out from under LT's shadow for 220 yards.
St Louis Rams (0-0) @ Philadelphia Eagles (0-0)
Pick: Philadelphia Eagles
This game features two of the most exciting players in the game: Brian Westbrook and Steven Jackson. Despite their teams being lackluster, that makes this one of the most exciting match-up of the week. Home team gets the tie-breaker.
Outcome: Rams 7 Eagles 38 - Rams go limp in anticipated shoot-out.
Jacksonville Jaguars (0-0)@ Tennessee Titans (0-0)
Pick: Jaguars
How often do we think nothing of the Jags and yet they win 10-13 games. Games like this are the reason. The Titans at home are formidable, but they have plenty of cracks.
Outcome: Jags 10 Titans 17 - Titans win despite Vince Young's mediocre performance.
New York Jets (0-0) @ Miami Dolphins (0-0)
Pick: Jets
We all know that Ricky William has a lot to prove. But does he care? We also know that Chad Pennington thinks he has something to prove. He wants to prove that the Jets were wrong to dump a mediocre quarterback that led his team to a 4-12 record for the greatest quarterback of all-time that led his team to a 13-3 record. Silly Jets.
But Favre wants this game badly too. He knows that the Jets need games like this to have a chance at going to the playoffs. And like the Detroit Lions, this is a good kick-start game for the Jets to get a win and build-up their confidence.
Outcome: Jets 20 Dolphins 14 - Clemens unable to get revenge against Jets.
Cincinnati Bengals (0-0) @ Baltimore Ravens (0-0)
Pick: Ravens
The Felons, I mean Bengals are in disarray. Their quarterback is coming off an off year. They just cut their (former) starting running back. They resigned one criminal receiver that they said they would not sign. Their other star receiver is busy changing his last name. Baltimore is not a great team, but at least they know who they are.
Outcome: Bengals 10 Ravens 17 - QB Joe Flacco wins in his rookie debut.
Kansas City Chiefs (0-0) @ New England Patriots (0-0)
Pick: Patriots
The Patriots defense showed signs of fading at the end of last year, so don't expect another undefeated season. But they will have no problem dispatching the Chiefs.
Outcome: Chiefs 10 Patriots 17 - Down goes Brady! Down goes Brady!
Dallas Cowboys (0-0) @ Cleveland Browns (0-0)
Pick: Cowboys
One should never put too much stock in the pre-season (if any). However the Browns were outscored by 33 points and did not win a game. Maybe that does not mean anything. But it is enough for Shots Heard to give this road victory to the Cowboys.
Outcome: Cowboys 28 Browns 10 - The Cowboys beat the Browns handily.
Carolina Panthers (0-0) @ San Diego Chargers (0-0)
Pick: Chargers
Vegas has the Panthers favored to win, despite the Panthers recent history of slow starts and Steve Smith being suspended. The Chargers have all their key players returning and will look to put the Panthers on the ropes early.
Outcome: Panthers 26 Chargers 24 - Panthers score winning TD on final play.
Arizona Cardinals (0-0) @ San Francisco 49ers (0-0)
Pick: 49ers
Alex Smith is out and J.T. O'Sullivan is in as the 49ers quarterback. The change will invigorate the 49ers. Meanwhile, Kurt Warner replacing Matt Leinart is only another chapter in the Cardinals musical quarterbacks. This game will go a long way in showing us who may be able to compete with the Seahawks for the division title.
Outcome: Cardinals 23 49ers 13 - Cardinals control the clock and the game.
Chicago Bears (0-0) @ Indianapolis Colts (0-0)
Pick: Colts
Can you believe that the Bears did not draft Brian Brohm to replace Kyle Orton and Sexy Rexi a.k.a Rex Grossman. Expect the Bears to get creamed as their defense is also mediocre.
Outcome: Bears 29 Colts 13 - Bears avenge Super Bowl loss; not really.
Denver Broncos (0-0) @ Oakland Raiders (0-0)
Pick: Broncos
You have to love the Raiders potential with Jamarcus Russell and Darren McFadden. But the future has not arrived yet.
Outcome: Broncos 41 Raiders 14 - No surprises, the Raiders start season on an ugly note.
Picture 1: Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings running back
Picture 2: Brett Favre Super Man likeness
Picture 3: Brett Favre, New York Jets quarterback
Picture 4: Rex Grossman, Chicago Bears quarterback
So tune in each week to see how well Shots Heard can predict who wins the games. This is the first year, Shots Heard is prognosticating NFL games. The goal is to pick at least 70 percent of the games right. Remember that we went 14-1 picking the NBA playoffs match-ups.
Washington Redskins @ New York Giants
Pick: Giants
The New York Giants beat the three best teams (Cowboys, Packers, Patriots) in their last three games of the playoffs. So there's no reason to pick against them in their opener against the Redskins.
Outcome: Redskins 7 Giants 16 - Giants 'Super' defense stars again.
Minnesota Vikings @ Green Bay Packers
Pick: Packers
Is this a NFC Championship preview? The Vikings have the player in the league with Adrian Peterson. They have the best defensive lineman with Jared Allen. But the Packers have home field advantage and will expose the Vikings passing game while stacking the box and limiting Peterson.
There is no more Super Favre, but Aaron Rodgers may be better. He certainly is the best quarterback in the division and has looked to be very polished. The Packers look more polished and know who they are even after all of the Favre drama. The Vikings will need to find themselves after coming up short of the playoffs last year.
Outcome: Packers 24 Vikings 19 - Aaron Rodgers has a spectacular debut as GB starting QB.
Seattle Seahawks (0-0) @ Buffalo Bills (0-0)
Pick: Seahawks
This is not the cold weather game that Bills teams traditionally thrive in. Seattle has been one of the better teams over the last five years. Seattle is more polished on both sides of the ball.
Outcome: Seahawks 10 Bills 34 - Bills too much for Hassleback's soar back.
Houston Texans (0-0) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (0-0)
Pick: Steelers
The Texans looked like a legitimate playoff contender last year. But the Steelers have more proven commodities (Yes I know I am using that word improperly). So the Texans have a shot, but Shots Heard is going with the team playing in biggest football town in the country (Sorry Title Town).
Outcome: Texans 17 Steelers 38 - Parker rushes for three touchdowns.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-0)@ New Orleans Saints (0-0)
Pick: Saints
The Bucs made the playoffs last year, but they have not silenced the critics. The Saints cannot count on the inconsistent Reggie Bush, but they do have a proven star in Drew Brees.
Outcome: Bucs 20 Saints 24 - Brees throws for 343 yards and three touchdowns.
Detroit Lions (0-0)@ Atlanta Falcons (0-0)
Pick: Lions
This is just what the Lions needed to kick-start their season. The Falcons look putrid on offense.
Outcome: Lions 21 Falcons 34 - Michael Turner runs out from under LT's shadow for 220 yards.
St Louis Rams (0-0) @ Philadelphia Eagles (0-0)
Pick: Philadelphia Eagles
This game features two of the most exciting players in the game: Brian Westbrook and Steven Jackson. Despite their teams being lackluster, that makes this one of the most exciting match-up of the week. Home team gets the tie-breaker.
Outcome: Rams 7 Eagles 38 - Rams go limp in anticipated shoot-out.
Jacksonville Jaguars (0-0)@ Tennessee Titans (0-0)
Pick: Jaguars
How often do we think nothing of the Jags and yet they win 10-13 games. Games like this are the reason. The Titans at home are formidable, but they have plenty of cracks.
Outcome: Jags 10 Titans 17 - Titans win despite Vince Young's mediocre performance.
New York Jets (0-0) @ Miami Dolphins (0-0)
Pick: Jets
We all know that Ricky William has a lot to prove. But does he care? We also know that Chad Pennington thinks he has something to prove. He wants to prove that the Jets were wrong to dump a mediocre quarterback that led his team to a 4-12 record for the greatest quarterback of all-time that led his team to a 13-3 record. Silly Jets.
But Favre wants this game badly too. He knows that the Jets need games like this to have a chance at going to the playoffs. And like the Detroit Lions, this is a good kick-start game for the Jets to get a win and build-up their confidence.
Outcome: Jets 20 Dolphins 14 - Clemens unable to get revenge against Jets.
Cincinnati Bengals (0-0) @ Baltimore Ravens (0-0)
Pick: Ravens
The Felons, I mean Bengals are in disarray. Their quarterback is coming off an off year. They just cut their (former) starting running back. They resigned one criminal receiver that they said they would not sign. Their other star receiver is busy changing his last name. Baltimore is not a great team, but at least they know who they are.
Outcome: Bengals 10 Ravens 17 - QB Joe Flacco wins in his rookie debut.
Kansas City Chiefs (0-0) @ New England Patriots (0-0)
Pick: Patriots
The Patriots defense showed signs of fading at the end of last year, so don't expect another undefeated season. But they will have no problem dispatching the Chiefs.
Outcome: Chiefs 10 Patriots 17 - Down goes Brady! Down goes Brady!
Dallas Cowboys (0-0) @ Cleveland Browns (0-0)
Pick: Cowboys
One should never put too much stock in the pre-season (if any). However the Browns were outscored by 33 points and did not win a game. Maybe that does not mean anything. But it is enough for Shots Heard to give this road victory to the Cowboys.
Outcome: Cowboys 28 Browns 10 - The Cowboys beat the Browns handily.
Carolina Panthers (0-0) @ San Diego Chargers (0-0)
Pick: Chargers
Vegas has the Panthers favored to win, despite the Panthers recent history of slow starts and Steve Smith being suspended. The Chargers have all their key players returning and will look to put the Panthers on the ropes early.
Outcome: Panthers 26 Chargers 24 - Panthers score winning TD on final play.
Arizona Cardinals (0-0) @ San Francisco 49ers (0-0)
Pick: 49ers
Alex Smith is out and J.T. O'Sullivan is in as the 49ers quarterback. The change will invigorate the 49ers. Meanwhile, Kurt Warner replacing Matt Leinart is only another chapter in the Cardinals musical quarterbacks. This game will go a long way in showing us who may be able to compete with the Seahawks for the division title.
Outcome: Cardinals 23 49ers 13 - Cardinals control the clock and the game.
Chicago Bears (0-0) @ Indianapolis Colts (0-0)
Pick: Colts
Can you believe that the Bears did not draft Brian Brohm to replace Kyle Orton and Sexy Rexi a.k.a Rex Grossman. Expect the Bears to get creamed as their defense is also mediocre.
Outcome: Bears 29 Colts 13 - Bears avenge Super Bowl loss; not really.
Denver Broncos (0-0) @ Oakland Raiders (0-0)
Pick: Broncos
You have to love the Raiders potential with Jamarcus Russell and Darren McFadden. But the future has not arrived yet.
Outcome: Broncos 41 Raiders 14 - No surprises, the Raiders start season on an ugly note.
Picture 1: Adrian Peterson, Minnesota Vikings running back
Picture 2: Brett Favre Super Man likeness
Picture 3: Brett Favre, New York Jets quarterback
Picture 4: Rex Grossman, Chicago Bears quarterback
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
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