NFL: 2009 Division Playoff Predictions

2008 Season Predictions Performance: 153-100
2009 Division Playoff Round Prediction Performance: 3-1

Baltimore Ravens (12-5) @ Tennessee Titans (12-4)

Pick: Ravens

The Titans have only been playing .500 ball over their past six games. On the other hand, the Ravens have looked good all year, blowing out several teams, including the Miami Dolphins in the first round of the playoffs.

Outcome: Ravens 13 Titans 10 - The Ravens need a plus three turnover differential to win by a Stover field goal.

Arizona Cardinals (10-7) @ Carolina Panthers (12-4)

Pick: Panthers

The Panthers have not lost at home (8-0). The Cardinals are 3-5 on the road and are 2-5 against NFC teams outside of their division.

Outcome: Cardinals 33 Panthers 13 - Ten point underdog wins by 20, Delhomme turns the ball over three times.

Philadelphia Eagles (10-6-1) @ New York Giants (12-4)

Pick: Giants

Going into this week, the Eagles have more momentum than any other team still alive. They also went into the Meadowlands and beat the Giants 20-14 in Week 14. But we have concerns that the Giants will contain Westbrook and that an impatient Donovan McNabb will throw more interceptions than Eli Manning.

Outcome: Eagles 23 Giants 11- The G-Men will not be repeating as champions.

San Diego Chargers (9-8) @ Pittsburgh Steelers (12-4)

Pick: Steelers

Defense still wins ball games. The Steelers defense has smothered teams all year with a few notable exceptions. The Steelers gave up 24 to Peyton Manning and the Colts. They gave up 31 in a late season phone-in game to the Titans. But mainly the Steelers calling card has been to hold teams to 15 points or less; something they did 11 times.

We anticipate the Chargers to get at least 14 points, so the Steelers offense will need to show up for this game.

Outcome: Steelers 35 Chargers 24 - San Diego's offense on the field for only one play in the third quarter, an interception play.

Picture: San Diego Chargers quarterback, Philip Rivers

Missouri wins the Journalism Bowl

Pardon the pun, but Missouri beating Northwestern in the Alamo Bowl on December 28, 2008 is old news. Consider this your 'Extra, extra; read all about it!'. And it is at least newsworthy to the news producers, otherwise known as reporters, editors and publishers.

At one point I was strongly considering getting a Masters Degree in journalism. But explaining why I decided against attaining a Masters Degree in journalism is another subject. Although, in my personal research on the matter, it became clear that these were two of the top ten journalism schools in the country. In my opinion and the opinion of many others these schools are in the top five. Both schools offer unique learning opportunities.


Northwestern University is located in Evanston, Illinois, about a twenty minute drive from Chicago. The students are assigned real beats covering everything from education boards to City Hall. Many students' articles end up being printed by papers like the Chicago Sun and the Chicago Tribune. Such opportunities are highly coveted by aspiring journalists.


The University of Missouri founded the first school of journalism in the United States in 1908. In conjunction with their formation, they established the Columbia Missourian newspaper. It is the only college daily that serves as the main paper for its community. The U of M also has only university own commercial television station (network affiliate) in the country.

So with such a rich history, we can be assured that about every angle. But to briefly summarize it, the more experienced Missouri team pulled out an exciting overtime victory.

Picture 1: Fisk Hall, Northwestern University journalism building. Evanston, IL.
Picture 2: Reynolds Journalism Institute at the University of Missouri. Columbia, MO.

Male Superhero Coloring Page

Heroes who win each battle will be respected by friend and foe. They have an extra ordinary strength. Super strength that require only owned the responsibility for running their obligations to help others

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Male Superhero Coloring Page

Heroes who win each battle will be respected by friend and foe. They have an extra ordinary strength. Super strength that require only owned the responsibility for running their obligations to help others

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New Year Coloring Page

New year brings a new hope. Last years bring a valuable experience as a mirror for this year. Prepare ourselves to face all the challenges and the obstruction of the future. Happy New Year...

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New Year Coloring Page

New year brings a new hope. Last years bring a valuable experience as a mirror for this year. Prepare ourselves to face all the challenges and the obstruction of the future. Happy New Year...

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NFL: 2009 Wild Card Predictions

Week 17 Performance: 12-4
2008/2009 Performance: 154-101 (Excludes Eagles/Bengals tie)

Atlanta Falcons @ Arizona Cardinals

Pick: Falcons

The red birds are at home and they have a good offense. But their defense gave the Broncos a defense a run for their money for the worst defense in the league.

Outcome: Cardinals 30 Falcons 24 - Falcons cannot run the ball against the Cardinals terrible defense.

Indianapolis Colts @ San Diego Chargers

Pick: Chargers

Following the Chargers Week 12 23-20 last second loss to the Colts, QB Phillip Rivers said they were the only 4-7 team with a chance of making the playoffs. Still, that was probably more of a shot against the Broncos than a strong belief in his team.

Both teams are hot as the Chargers have went 4-1 since and the Colts have won nine in a row. Despite that impressive streak, the Colts have not dominated the competition. Expect a fun game for Chargers fans!

Outcome: Chargers 23 Colts 17 - Another chapter added to Chargers/Colts rivalry; Sproles comes up big while LT sits.

Baltimore Ravens @ Miami Dolphins

Pick: Ravens

The Ravens are not a dominant defense, but they are among the best and the Dolphins trick plays and wildcat offense may not be enough.

Outcome: Ravens 27 Dolphins 9 - Dolphins become latest victim of Ravens' defense.

Philadelphia Eagles @ Minnesota Vikings

Pick: Eagles

The Vikings are formidable at home. However, a Philadelphia talk show host called the Vikings offense one dimensional, referring to their reliance on Adrian Peterson and inept play a QB. But it is one thing to know it and another thing to stop it. The Vikings won 10 of their last 14 games with teams knowing that. Still the Eagles are a hot team and clicking on all cylinders.

Outcome: Eagles 26 Vikings 14 - No surprises, A 71-yard screen TD pass to Brian Westbrook and bad play by QB Tavaris Jackson make the difference.

Picture: The Grain Belt Beer sign is a landmark, located on Nicollet Island off of banks of the Mississippi River, north of downtown Minneapolis. The sign is within walking distance of the Metro Dome.

At Grain Belt's peak, the sign lit up every night. Now owned by the city, the sign is still occasionally lit to commemorate the Minneapolis Brewery Company's history that went back to the 19th century. The sign itself was built circa 1940.