Thursday, November 28, 2013

Week 13 Picks

Green Bay Packers (5-5-1) vs Detroit Lions (6-5)

Packers come in off a tie last week after losing two straight. QB Aaron Rodgers is still out with a broken left collarbone leaving Matt Flynn to start this week. Lions come in off two straight losses. The NFC North has become the most up for grabs division. This game will decide the division leader. Prediction: Lions

Oakland Raiders (4-7) vs Dallas Cowboys (6-5)

Raiders come in off a loss against the Titans last week at home. QB Matt McGloin struggled last week throwing 1 TD and 1 INT. If he struggles today the Raiders may be forced to switch to Terrelle Pryor. RB Darren McFadden is still struggling with a knee injury and will not get the start today. This is a team struggling in a division dominated by two teams. Cowboys come in off a win last week against the Giants in New York. Despite the win the Cowboys have struggled on both sides of the ball with a banged up team all season. They look to take a firm lead of the NFC East division. Prediction: Cowboys

Pittsburgh Steelers (5-6) vs Baltimore Ravens (5-6)

Ravens come in off a win last week against the Jets at home. QB Joe Flacco is 5-6 all time against the Steelers and has thrown as many TDs as INTs this season (14). The running game has struggled this season and the defense has been a major letdown. Steelers come in off three straight wins. This team has struggled on offense since losing C Maurkice Pouncey in the season opener. Rookie RB Le'veon Bell will get the start today though he has not scored a TD in the last two weeks. Prediction: Steelers

Tennessee Titans (5-6) vs Indianapolis Colts (7-4)

Titans come in off a win against Oakland while Indianapolis come in off a loss against Arizona. Titans have had an inconsistent season marred by the loss of QB Jake Locker. RB Chris Johnson has not had the numbers needed to overcome that loss. Colts have looked pitiful in the losses against the Rams and Cardinals. The loss of WR Reggie Wayne has been costly for the Colts. These teams need the win to keep their playoff hopes alive. Prediction: Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars (2-9) vs Cleveland Browns (4-7)

Jaguars come in off a win against the Texans while the Browns come in off a loss against the Steelers. Jags have dealt with poor play at quarterback and the loss of their top WR Justin Blackmon who is suspended indefinitely. Their defense is pitiful. Browns have long had issue at QB and their running game has not proved to be much  better. Prediction: Browns

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-8) vs Carolina Panthers (8-3)

Bucs come in off three straight wins while the Panthers are on a seven game winning streak. Bucs are struggling with an identity crisis and have had numerous injuries to compound their problems. Panthers meanwhile are one game out of first and have finally started to fire on all cylinders. Prediction: Panthers

New England Patriots (8-3) vs Houston Texans (2-9)

Patriots come in off an overtime win against the Broncos last week at home while the Texans are on a nine game losing streak. Patriots have one of the most prolific offenses in the league and their defense has finally started to match. Texans have suffered massive injuries in some of their most key positions including linebacker, running back and tight end. Texans will be lucky to win another game this season. Prediction: Patriots

Chicago Bears (6-5) vs Minnesota Vikings (2-8-1)

Bears come in off a loss last week against Rams in St. Louis while Vikings come in off a tie against the Packers in Green Bay. Bears have managed to scrape together wins with QB Josh McCown but will need Jay Cutler back soon to make a push into the playoffs. Their biggest issue to overcome is having the worst run defense in the league. Vikings have been plagued all season by the inconsistency at the QB position no matter who has started. They rely to heavily on their running game and a defense that has had to constantly come from behind. Prediction: Bears

Arizona Cardinals (7-4) vs Philadelphia Eagles (6-5)

Cardinals come in off a four game winning streak while the Eagles come in off a bye after winning three straight. QB Carson Palmer has been a key figure in keeping the Cardinals in the playoff hunt and their defense finally found a way to beat top contenders last week against the Colts. Eagles QB Nick Foles has thrown for 16 TDs and 0 INTs in all his games for the Eagles. This combined with a decent running game and a mediocre defense has kept them in the win column. Prediction: Cardinals

Miami Dolphins (5-6) vs New York Jets (5-6)

Dolphins come in off a loss last week against the Panthers while the Jets come in off two straight losses. QB Ryan Tannehill has been more reliable for the Dolphins that QB Geno Smith has been for the Jets but neither team has been able to put together a string of consistent wins. This game will be a test to see who wants to be in the playoffs more. Prediction: Jets

Atlanta Falcons (2-9) vs Buffalo Bills (4-7)

Prediction: Bills

St. Louis Rams (5-6) vs San Francisco 49ers (7-4)

Prediction: 49ers

Cincinnati Bengals (7-4) vs San Diego Chargers (5-6)

Prediction: Bengals

Denver Broncos (9-2) vs Kansas City Chiefs (9-2)

Prediction: Broncos

New York Giants (4-7) vs Washington Redskins (3-8)

Prediction: Giants

New Orleans Saints (9-2) vs Seattle Seahawks (10-1)

Prediction: Seahawks

Thursday, November 21, 2013

Week 12 Picks

New Orleans Saints (8-2) vs Atlanta Falcons (2-8)

Saints come in off a win last week against the 49ers while the Falcons come in off a four game losing streak. Falcons have struggled through an injury plagued season that has seen them lose starting WR Julio Jones for the season. Saints meanwhile have managed to stay relatively healthy. What they lack in a defense they make up for in a high powered offense, while Falcons look pitiful on both sides of the ball. Prediction: Saints

Carolina Panthers (7-3) vs Miami Dolphins (5-5)

Both Panthers and Dolphins come in off wins last week. Panthers are finally living up to the expectations put on them since Newtown was drafted. They are looking to win their seventh straight. Dolphins have been mired in controversy but have managed to split their season so far. Dolphins biggest struggle is finishing out games. Prediction: Panthers

Chicago Bears (6-4) vs St. Louis Rams (4-6)

The Bears come in off a win last week. The Rams come in off their bye. Both teams have back-up quarterbacks starting for them. Rams are hoping for a second victory from Kellen Clemens while Bears hope Josh McCown can go 3-0 as their starting QB. Bears are tied for first place in the NFC North division with the Lions while the Rams are struggling in last place in the NFC West. Prediction: Bears

New York Jets (5-5) vs Baltimore Ravens (4-6)

Both Jets and Ravens come in off losses last week. Jets cannot string together consecutive wins and have had issues with the erratic play of starting QB Geno Smith. Ravens have played abysmal this year showing no signs of the team that won it all last year. Ed Reed will be playing his first game back in Baltimore. Prediction: Ravens

Jacksonville Jaguars (1-9) vs Houston Texans (2-8)

Jags come in off a loss last week against the Cardinals while Texans come in off an eight game losing streak. These teams are playing the absolute worse in the league. Jags have a horrible offense while Texans have been plagued with injuries on both sides of the ball. Prediction: Texans

Minnesota Vikings (2-8) vs Green Bay Packers (5-5)

Vikings come in off a loss last week against the Seahawks in Seattle. Packers come in off three straight losses since losing QB Aaron Rodgers. They will be starting QB Scott Tolzien again this week. Vikings meanwhile have not been able to overcome their scoring problems even after changing quarterbacks. Prediction: Vikings

Pittsburgh Steelers (4-6) vs Cleveland Browns (4-6)

Steelers come in off two straight wins while the Browns come in off a loss last week against the Bengals. Steelers have struggled since losing their C Maurkice Pouncey in week 1. Their defense has been unable to stop the pass. Browns have had issue at quarterback and will start Jason Campbell this week. This will be a defensive battle. Prediction: Steelers

Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-8) vs Detroit Lions (6-4)

Lions come in off a loss last week while the Bucs come in off two straight wins. Lions are tied atop the NFC North division while the Bucs are tied for last place. QB Mike Glennon has helped them to improve in the last two games. Lions had a controversial loss last week which they should be able to overcome this week. Prediction: Lions

San Diego Chargers (4-6) vs Kansas City Chiefs (9-1)

Chiefs come in off for their first loss of their season while the Chargers have lost their last three in a row. Chiefs have the number one ranked passing defense with an offense that can run the ball effectively. Chargers have been decimated by injuries at WR that have been costly to their season. Prediction: Chiefs

Tennessee Titans (4-6) vs Oakland Raiders (4-6)

Titans come in off two straight losses while Raiders come in off a win against the Texans in Houston. Both teams are starting back up quarterbacks with Matt McGloin doing well for the Raiders ast week. Titans running game has not lived up to their potential and with starting quarterback Jake Locker out the Titans will have a tough time making the post season. Prediction: Raiders

Indianapolis Colts (7-3) vs Arizona Cardinals (6-4)

Colts come in off a win last week against the Titans while the Cardinals are on a three game winning streak. The loss of WR Reggie Wayne was huge for the Colts but they have overcome it. Cardinals meanwhile have been able to find wins behind their running game. Prediction: Colts

Dallas Cowboys (5-5) vs New York Giants (4-6)

Cowboys come in off their bye last week while the Giants have won four straight. Cowboys have the leagues worst defense which has repeatedly cost them key games this season. Giants have finally been able to find a way to win despite their offensive struggles. Prediction: Giants

Denver Broncos (9-1) vs New England Patriots (7-3)

Broncos come in off a win last week against the Chiefs while the Patriots come in off a controversial loss. Broncos have the number one ranked offense in the league but their defense especially their secondary have kept games closer than necessary. The loss of S Raheem Moore will be a test for them. Meanwhile Patriots remain two games ahead in the AFC East division and have a powerful offense. Prediction: Broncos

San Francisco 49ers (6-4) vs Washington Redskins (3-7)

Both 49ers and Redskins come in off losses the last two weeks. While the 49ers have lost close games the Redskins have tried to make late comebacks only to fall short each time. 49ers out of first place in the NFC West division while the Redskins are three games out of first in the NFC East division. Redskins defense has let games get out of hand early and often. Prediction: 49ers

Thursday, November 14, 2013

Week 11 picks

Indianapolis Colts (6-3) vs Tennessee Titans (4-5)

Colts come in off a loss last week against the Rams at home. QB Andrew Luck completed 29 of 47 for 353 yards, 1 TD and 3 INTs. Colts running game has not scored since week six and their defense looked atrocious last week. Titans come in off a loss where they also lost starting QB Jake Locker for the season. They will now have to turn to Ryan Fitzpatrick who lost 3 out of the 4 games he started. RB Chris Johnson has struggled in yardage this season and the defense has hemorrhaged yardage to opposing offenses. Prediction: Colts

Cleveland Browns (4-5) vs Cincinnati Bengals (6-4)

Browns may be a sub .500 team but these two divisional rivals always play each other tough and always split during the season. Browns come in off their bye last week while the Bengals have lost the last two in a row. Browns won the last matchup so expect the Bengals to win this one. Prediction: Bengals

Oakland Raiders (3-6) vs Houston Texans (2-7)

Welcome to the backup quarterback bowl. These two teams have played atrocious all season and both find themselves without their starting quarterback. Raiders have lost their last two while the Texans haven't won since week two. Texans head coach Gary Kubiak will be back on the sidelines today while Raiders will be starting the undrafted rookie Matt McGloin at quarterback. Do not expect an exciting game. Prediction: Texans

Arizona Cardinals (5-4) vs Jacksonville Jaguars (1-8)

Cardinals come in off a win last week while Jags got their first win of the season last week. Jags do not have a strong enough offense to overcome the Cards defense. Prediction: Cardinals

Washington Redskins (3-6) vs Philadelphia Eagles (5-5)

Redskins come in off a loss last week against the Vikings while the Eagles have won two straight since starting quarterback Nick Foles. RGIII has struggled the last two weeks forcing their defense to be on the field way too long. Prediction: Eagles

Baltimore Ravens (4-5) vs Chicago Bears (5-4)

Ravens come in off an overtime win against the Bengals last week while the Bears come in off a loss last week against the Lions. Ravens running game has been nonexistent while the Bears have to play another week without starting quarterback Jay Cutler. QB Josh McCown gets the start again this week who hasn't thrown an interception so far. Prediction: Bears

New York Jets (5-4) vs Buffalo Bills (3-7)

Jets come in off a win last week while the Bills come in off three straight losses. The Jets have not won consecutive games, but the Bills have not played consistent at all. Prediction: Jets

Detroit Lions (6-3) vs Pittsburgh Steelers (3-6)

The Lions come in off a two game win streak while the Steelers come in off a win last week. Steelers have a great pass defense which should help against one of the most prolific offenses in the league. Prediction: Lions

Atlanta Falcons (2-7) vs Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Two of the worst teams in the NFL face off. Falcons last win was four weeks ago against the Bucs while the Bucs finally won their first game last week. Neither team is lighting it up offensively. Prediction: Falcons

San Diego Chargers (4-5) vs Miami Dolphins (4-5)

Chargers and Dolphins both come in off losses last week. Chargers have suffered from multiple losses due to injuries on their defense and at receiver which has been so detrimental to their season. Dolphins have found themselves in the news for all the wrong reasons but have loss tough close games most of the season. Prediction: Dolphins

San Francisco 49ers (6-3) vs New Orleans Saints (7-2)

One of the better games for the week. 49ers come in off a loss last week to the Panthers while Saints come in off a win against the Cowboys. Saints are one of the hardest teams to beat at home. Prediction: Saints

Minnesota Vikings (2-7) vs Seattle Seahawks (9-1)

Vikings come in off a win last week against the Redskins while the Seahawks have won their last five straight. Seahawks are impossible to beat at Century Link. Prediction: Seahawks

Green Bay Packers (5-4) vs New York Giants (3-6)

Packers come in off two straight losses while the Giants have won three straight. Packers are still without Aaron Rodgers and will start rookie quarterback Scott Tolzien. Giants defense has been a major disappointment this season. Prediction: Giants

Kansas City Chiefs (9-0) vs Denver Broncos (8-1)

Chiefs are the last undefeated team in the NFL but have done so without facing a quality team. Broncos only loss was two weeks ago against the Colts but have had a tough schedule all season. Quarterback Peyton Manning is playing on an ankle injury. This game will be a tough matchup for both teams. Prediction: Broncos

New England Patriots (7-2) vs Carolina Panthers (6-3)

The Patriots come in off a bye last week while the Panthers have won five straight. Patriots offense is high powered, but Carolina has one of the stingiest defenses in the league. This will be a better game than many may expect. Prediction: Patriots

Saturday, November 9, 2013

Bullying in the NFL

As the story Jonathan Martin/Richie Icognito continues to unfold in the media everyday, the culture of the NFL has suddenly become front and center for the public to scrutinize, and what the public is learning is ugly.

Rookie hazing has been an accepted practice in the NFL. Every year the head shaving, ice baths and stories of rookies being stuck with exorbitant restaurant and bar tabs are played on every sports media outlet. In years have past we would look at these things with a passing glance and occasionally laugh at the ridiculous hair cuts or duct taped rookies on a goal post, but now as the truth of just how far some rookie hazing goes starts to come to light, it is being discovered that these lighthearted pranks go a lot further than the minor pranks we previously were told and shown.

What is the line between simple hazing and bullying or is this a distinction without a difference? What one person may find as acceptable and normal another person may find offensive and rude. What one person may accept another person, as in the case with Martin, may think has gone too far.

Football is a sport deeply rooted in the hegemonic masculinity of our American culture. We have grown up hearing the saying "boys will be boys" as a reason to excuse bad behavior among males. We believe men should "man up" when facing difficulties because "boys don't cry". We expect men to be strong, brave, unemotional and detached and when someone fails to fit into that accepted frame, we accuse them of being "soft".

Repeatedly as this story has been told, the accusations are that Martin is too soft and he needed to man up and knock Icognito out instead of running away. Forget the fact that Icognito had the backing of all his teammates and coaches, Martin was wrong for taking the issue to the media. The media questions his mental stability and refers back to his emotional state, rather than seeing someone fed up with a hostile work environment finally walking away. It is Martin who is seen as wrong, not Incognito. In fact, Incognito's teammates have come to his defense and blame Martin for bringing negative attention to their team.

As the Martin case continues to be revealed, more players are coming forward to admit to  being bullied during their rookie days in the league. Former Saints player Cam Cleeland recently came forward to admit he was nearly blinded by a hazing incident during his rookie season with the Saints. The admission by he and other NFL players shows that the hazing practice is widespread and prevalent throughout all of the teams.

Martin has now sued the Dolphins for the actions of Incognito and other players but also for the inaction of coaches and managers to stop the hazing from happening. And with hazing being almost a daily topic as more and more players come forward and more and more details emerging, the NFL can no longer bare silent witness to the behavior. They will be forced to take some type of action to prevent such behavior from occurring again in the future. Otherwise the suit against the Dolphins will be the first of many more for years to come.