NFL Week 4 Picks

Another great week of football is behind us and with that brings another weekend of football to look forward to. I went 10-6 with my picks last week which puts me at 22-10 for the season so far. A lot of the games were close ones and provided some very good story lines. Let's hope Week 4 provides the same great entertainment. Here are my picks for Week 4.


NFL Week 4 - Sunday, October 2

1:00PM Games

Lions OVER Cowboys - UPSET SPECIAL - I cannot believe the Cowboys are still favored in this game. It is only by a 1 but still....the lions are legit this year and I expect them to stay undefeated after this game...
Bears OVER Panthers - Dare I say that the Bears can rebound after the Packers loss...but I think they are just too talented and overpowering to lose to the Panthers.
Saints OVER Jaguars - Should be the first real test for Rookie Blaine Gabbert...and sadly it will be a disappointing one as the Saints are just too good.
Titans OVER Browns - UPSET SPECIAL - Browns are slightly favored but I don't think they will be able to stop a surging Titans offense under CJ and Hassleback that seems to be developing this season.
Bills OVER Bengals - Although the Bengals aren't really looking as bad this year as I thought they would....the Bills are looking WAY better than I thought they would...Bills stay undefeated
Vikings OVER Chiefs - It's amazing how much difference a player like Jamaal Charles can make to a team (aka Peyton Manning)....Vikings get out of their slump and win their first game in Kansas City.
Eagles OVER 49ers - I like the 49ers this year...I'm rooting for them in this game...but if Vick plays a win over the Eagles will be a lot harder to accomplish....
Redskins OVER Rams - DC media is calling this a must win for the Skins...and I'm beginning to agree with them...especially over the Rams who, surprisingly, they have not been successful against over the past few meetings...come on Sexy Rexy.
Steelers OVER Texans - UPSET SPECIAL - I'm surprised that the Texans are favored this week...They look good, but not that good...Steelers are looking to take control

4:00PM Games

Falcons OVER Seahawks - Falcons are getting back on track for that playoff run....and this should just be like a pick-up game for them this week.
Giants OVER Cardinals - Giants are starting to come together...Defense is slowly getting on the same page....Eli is looking like a top QB....and welcome to the NFL Victor Cruz...let's see what happens next.
Packers OVER Broncos - Packers are looking like the Champs and maybe even repeating Champs if they stay on the same track....they will stay undefeated and help make the case for the Broncos to start Tebow more of a reality...
Patriots OVER Raiders - Raiders have been looking good the past couple weeks...however, the Patriots are a different story and will need to rebound after the disappointing loss to the Bills last week.
Chargers OVER Dolphins - Chargers need to keep the positive play going...that NFC West is theirs to lose now that the Chiefs are pretty much out...

Sunday Night Game
Ravens OVER Jets - This is a very tough game to call...both teams are good this year but I think the Ravens have got everything together this year and will not go down without a fight.

Monday Night Game
Bucs OVER Colts - I don't even really have anything to say about this game....should be an easy win for the Bus as the woes continue for the Manning-less Colts.

Well there they are, my picks for Week 4. Hope everyone enjoys the games.

-R.N.N.
@ryannnelson87 on Twitter
rnelson0187@gmail.com

NFL Week 3 Picks

The NFL season is in full force now as this week we move on to Week 3 of the season. Some great games last week and looking forward to another good week of football. Last week on my picks I went 12-4 . That is my total for the season so far since I missed out on Week 1. That being said, hope to do better this week and here are my Week 3 picks.

NFL Week 3 - Sunday, September 25

1:00PM Games

Panthers OVER Jaguars - Jags are looking to a rookie as well to give them a spark but unfortunately it will be a bad decision.
Titans OVER Broncos - After the Titans man-handled the Ravens last week they might have a shot to take the South if they keep it up.
Saints OVER Texans - I like the Texans this year, but the Saints just have too many weapons for Brees to use.
Lions OVER Vikings - Lions 3-0? I think so...
Eagles OVER Giants - I hate to pick against my own team, but IF Vick plays then he will just have a field day with the Giants depleted secondary....
Patriots OVER Bills - I think this will be the game of the week but just don't think the Bills have enough to stop Brady.
Browns OVER Dolphins - I like the Browns in this one....Dolphins have options but no working connection whatsoever.
49ers OVER Bengals - UPSET SPECIAL - 49ers may not look good on paper, but they are finding ways to score points and keep games close.

4:00PM Games

Jets OVER Raiders - Jets are just too good for the Raiders but stranger things have happened.
Ravens OVER Rams - Watch out for the Rams but the Ravens have to rebound after that debacle last week and the D will be fired up.
Chargers OVER Cheifs - say goodbye to the Chiefs season and any hopes of proving that last year was not a "fluke"
Falcons OVER Bucs - UPSET SPECIAL - I like the Bucs but Matt Ryan wants to win and keep winning.
Packers OVER Bears - I thought the Bears were gonna start looking up but Jay Cutler is back to his old ways of making turnovers.
Cardinals OVER Seahawks - Yes, Seattle is just bad this year...

Sunday Night Game
Steelers OVER Colts - The Colts woes will continue on Sunday night.

Monday Night Game
Redskins OVER Cowboys - UPSET SPECIAL - Romo might end his career if he keeps getting banged up like he is...he can't carry the team and no one else seems to want to help.

Hope everyone enjoys the games!

-R.N.N.
@ryannnelson87 on Twitter
rnelson0187@gmail.com

NFL Week 2 Picks

I figured this would be something to keep me posting, so I will start trying to remember to make weekly picks on here and whoever wanted to chime in could feel free to do so.

NFL Week 2 - Sunday, September 18

1:00PM Games
Lions OVER Cheifs - Cheifs lose to the Bills last week? Really?
Bills OVER Raiders - Bills look good.....almost too good.....
Bucs OVER Vikings - UPSET SPECIAL - Giving it to that Bucs D to take down McNabb
Bears OVER Saints - UPSET SPECIAL - Bears will successfully exploit that Saints D that we saw against the Packers
Ravens OVER Titans - The Ravens D may be getting old but they still know how to play
Browns OVER Colts - If the Browns can't even beat the Bengals at least maybe the Manning-less Colts
Jets OVER Jags - MJD won't be able to save them this week.
Steelers OVER Seahawks - Seattle is just horrible.
Redskins OVER Cardinals - That defense is looking scary good after Week 1.
Packers OVER Panthers - Newton's stellar Week 1 will be short-lived

4:00PM Games
49ers OVER Cowboys - UPSET SPECIAL - sorry Romo...and the D is not looking too thrilling
Texans OVER Dolphins - This may be the Texans year with a down Colts team they just need to take advantage
Patriots OVER Chargers - The Patriots always seem to have the Chargers number
Broncos OVER Bengals - Broncos must bounce back after Week 1 loss

Sunday Night Game
Eagles OVER Falcons - Vick will shine in first visit back to Atlanta

Monday Night Game
Giants OVER Rams - Eli needs to start proving himself....NOW

Hope everyone enjoys Week 2 and good luck to everyone (except the Steelers and Cowboys)....haha

NFL 2011-2012 Season Predictions

It's that time of year again, the NFL lockout is over and the new NFL is set to begin on time and in full force. A lot of media and fans alike are worried that teams have not had enough time to prepare in training camps and workouts in order to be fully ready for the season ahead and the level of play may be lower during the first few weeks of the regular season. Well, this year there may have been an actual legit meaning to the pre-season. It gave teams 4 extra weeks until the regular season starts to prepare and get ready for the regular season. All that being said, this means it is also time for my season predictions broken down by division. I will also set out my playoff predictions and super bowl picks as well. It's an exciting time of year and I hope everyone is ready for some football!



(*) 2010 Standings Position

NFC North

1. Green Bay Packers (2)
2. Detroit Lions (3)
3. Chicago Bears (1)
4. Minnesota Vikings (4)

The NFC is becoming more and more challenging to predict every year. With the North I see a surging Lions team coming up fast and making a play to be a major competitor this year. Of course the defending champs will dominate the division once again and the Vikings will have another disappointing year. I can't decide what the Bears will actually end up doing this year so I gave the underdog Lions the benefit of the doubt this year. We'll see what happens.

NFC South

1. Atlanta Falcons (1)
2. Tampa Bay Bucs (3)
3. New Orleans Saints (2)
4. Carolina Panthers (4)

Once again, another tough NFC division to predict. I still love the Falcons and I think with another year under his belt, Matt Ryan and the Falcons may be ready for a deep playoff run this year. Now you may be asking, the Saints in 3rd? Yes, you saw right. Watch out for those Bucs this year because you may be in for a huge surprise. I think the Saints will have a surprisingly down year but still be competitive obviously. Sorry Panther fans...you guys are no where near close to being a competitor in this division.

NFC East

1. Philadelphia Eagles (1)
2. New York Giants (2)
3. Washington Redskins (4)
4. Dallas Cowboys (3)

Still one of the toughest divisions in the NFL, the East this year is sadly the Eagles to lose. I'm not buying into the "Super Team" hype or whatever it is ESPN and it's affiliates conjured up after the major free agent signings the Eagles completed during the off-season, but I am buying into the fact that they will be a hella good team this year and maybe even Super Bowl bound. It really pains me to say all that but I am trying to be un-biased here. I still like the Giants to take 2nd place although I don't know if they are playoff bound this year. Skins still need one more year under Shanny to compete and the Cowboys are just a fatal mess all around and I do not expect big things out of them this year.

NFC West

1. St. Louis Rams (2)
2. Phoenix Cardinals (4)
3. San Francisco 49ers (3)
4. Seattle Seahawks (1)

I don't even know why I waste my time with predicting the NFC West. Just take it for what it is.

AFC North
1. Pittsburgh Steelers (1)
2. Baltimore Ravens (2)
3. Cleveland Browns (3)
4. Cincinnati Bengals (4)

Most of my AFC picks stayed the same from the way they ended up last year. Just don't see many regime changes in the AFC this year as most of the teams are still pretty much the same. Starting with the North, the Steelers are still a powerhouse when it comes to many aspects. Although I do think the Ravens may put up more of a fight this year for that top spot, the Steelers are just a tough team to beat and always have been. The Brownies are looking up this year and may even have a winning record? While the Bengals continue on the downward spiral they have been on for the past decade.

AFC South
1. Indianapolis Colts (1)
2. Houston Texans (3)
3. Jacksonville Jaguars (2)
4. Tennessee Titans (4)

Not much changing in the South this year either. Whether Peyton is healthy or not it cannot be denied that the Colts still have a good team. There will come a day when Peyton is forced to retire and then the Colts will be forced to try and win without him. Either way, rooting for the Texans to have a much needed good year. Jags and Titans are still mediocre in my mind even with running backs like CJ and MJD.

AFC East
1. New England Patriots (1)
2. New York Jets (2)
3. Miami Dolphins (3)
4. Buffalo Bills (4)

I feel bad for the Jets because until Tom Brady and/or Bill Belechik retires the Pats are going to won the East for a long time to come. I would love to see nothing more than the Jets to de-throne the seemingly "flawless" Pats from the top spot of the AFC so we'll see what this year brings. Don't even bother talking about the Dolphins and Bills.

AFC West
1. San Diego Chargers (2)
2. Kansas City Cheifs (1)
3. Denver Broncos (4)
4. Oakland Raiders (3)

Last but not least, the AFC West. Always a very tough division to predict as well but I can't believe that the Chargers will disappoint again this year. Broncos will have plenty to prove this year and the Cheifs will continue their upward trend that started last season. We'll see how it goes.

Division Winners
NFC North: Packers
NFC South: Falcons
NFC East: Eagles
NFC West: Rams
Wildcards: Giants; Bucs

AFC North: Steelers
AFC South: Colts
AFC East: Patriots
AFC West: Chargers
Wildcards: Ravens; Jets

Wildcard Round
5 Giants OVER 4 Rams
3 Falcons OVER 6 Bucs
6 Jets OVER 3 Colts
5 Ravens OVER 4 Chargers

Divisional Round
1 Eagles OVER 5 Giants
3 Falcons OVER 2 Packers
1 Steelers OVER 6 Jets
5 Ravens OVER 2 Patriots

Conference Round
1 Eagles OVER 3 Falcons
5 Ravens OVER 1 Steelers

Super Bowl
1 Eagles OVER 5 Ravens

So there you have it. My pre-season predictions. I know the Eagles pick to win the Super Bowl is pretty cliche considering all the hype around them this year but I'm sick of picking the teams I want to see go to the Super Bowl and the teams that I think will actually make it. Believe me those are two very different things. Nevertheless, let me know what you guys think!

-R.N.N.
@ryannnelson87 on Twitter
rnelson0187@gmail.com

The Future of Plaxico Burress...Is There One?

Plaxico Burress is out of prison and has been since June 6th. It has been almost two and a half years since the night Burress shot himself in the foot in a New York City nightclub. It has been less then that since Burress was sentenced to jail in September of 2009. Huge criticisms and comments were thrown at Burress by former teammates, colleagues, friends, and media outlets alike. Even if many thought he was a "thug" before this event he was now being thrown into that category with all the current and former NFL players who committed such crimes.

Some say he didn't commit a crime. As a high-profile NFL superstar he was obviously carrying the weapon for protection, especially if he was trying to enjoy the New York City nightlife. I think they have bodyguards for that and I'm sure Plaxico had the money to afford one. As far as I know he did not employ one. Many NFL superstars hire bodyguards to watch over them when they go out in public. Maybe not all the time, but especially when going to clubs or bars where alcohol and intoxicated people are involved.

The crime that Plaxico committed was carrying a firearm unlawfully. Also simply known as not having a license to carried a concealed weapon issued and approved by the state of New York. To commit a crime like this is just ignorant and very easily avoidable if you are aware of the law. All but 2 states have laws in place regarding the carrying of firearms in public. There are 2 states (Wisconsin and Illinois) and Washington, D.C. that have a "no-issue" law in place where there is no time a person can carry a firearm in public. So unless Burress were to play for the Packers, Bears, or the Redskins it is most likely he will be on a team where he would have to have a license to carry a firearm in public. Seems simple to understand right?

Nevertheless, Plaxico has served his time and is ready to get back in the league and contribute on the field for whatever team is ready and willing. With the Michael Vick situation and countless other cases as NFL precedent, it would seem that the Plaxico situation is far less severe in degree and should be much more easily forgivable than Vick's crimes that happened quite some time ago now. However, Plax isn't getting any younger. At the ripe age of 34, his most productive years are probably slowly trailing behind him. However, if the rumors are true and he stuck to his pretty strict routine while in the slammer then it would seem he would come out still being pretty fit and at playing ability. I will never be the one to deny that Plax has always been a threat on the field. His height, speed, and ability to make plays has torched defenses even when he started off with Pittsburgh. Now the questions becomes, what's next for Plax?

With the NFL Lockout ending this past weekend and the free agency period being in full force this week it would seem that the logical thing for Plaxico to do would be to try and talk to the Giants and work something out. This seems to be what is unfolding and a meeting has been set up between Burress and head coach Tom Coughlin and other staff this Friday.

If Plaxico does return to the Giants I do believe he will be welcomed back as a leader and veteran on the field and would definitley be a valuable asset to all the young studs on the current Giants receiving core especially Hakeem Nicks. The only problems I would foresee is would Burress expect to be the #1 even though receivers like Nicks and Manningham have grown ten fold during his absence? Will he still be the opinionated and brutally honest receiver that he was 2 years ago or will his time in prison have humbled him to some degree?

These questions will be answered in time if he does indeed return to the Giants. If not, I'm sure there are many teams out there who would love to have a talented and experience veteran receiver like Plaxico in the arsenal. As a Giants fan, I would honestly love to see him back in a Giants uniform and adding yet another formidable target for Eli Manning. We'll see how this week progresses and the meeting on Friday.

-R.N.N.
@ryannnelson87
rnelson0187@gmail.com

Super Bowl XLV - Thoughts and Predicitons

It's Super Bowl week. Except this year the hype that usually surrounds the big game seems a little bit less than previous years. I don't know if that's just me but I feel like Super Bowl week has always been just as big as game-day itself and this year it just doesn't seem that way to me. OK, let's get the easy stuff out of the way first. I will be rooting for the Packers and for a couple of reasons. One and most importantly, I just despise the Steelers and pretty much always have. It's pretty plain and simple. You can say what you will about my opinion but I'm sticking to it. That's really the main reason I am rooting for the Pack on Sunday. However, I have turned into a Aaron Rodgers fan and am definitley rooting for him to overcome the shadow of Brett Farve in Green Bay and getting a Super Bowl Ring this year would definitely help that progress. I think a lot of fans in Green Bay are well on their way to getting over Farve but I'm sure there still some sting leftover that still lingers in a lot of fans' hearts. As a Giants fan, however, I probably logically should be rooting for the Steelers since the Pack pretty much kicked the Giants out of the playoffs this year but that's another story. However, the Packers are playing a lot like the 2007-2008 Giants...winning every game on the road to get to the Super Bowl and facing the juggernaut team that everyone thinks is gonna run all over them. So in that regard I want to see the Packers win and prove everyone wrong just like my G-men did in 2007-2008.

But before I go on to make my actual prediction on the game this little section is for you Steelers "fans". Listen, I respect all of you "born and raised" fans who actually have some legit ties to rooting for the Steelers. My beef is not with you guys. My respect ends for those "bandwagoners" who jump on every single year come playoff time and start spilling their guts out with posts about Steelers and whatnot. Through whatever source of media they choose to express themselves (i.e. Facebook) they just repeat what other fans say in order to pose as real fans of the team but ask them one thing about the team that only a true fan would know and they stutter their way to the crazy house. I apologize to all the real fans out there but these bandwagoners cause me to like the Steelers less and less every year. Now you might say, well aren't you becoming a bandwagon fan of the Packers then? And my response to that is absolutely not. Honestly, I could care less who wins the Super Bowl when my team isn't in the big game. Therefore, still being the fan of football that I am I have the choice of rooting for whoever I want. The keyword to pay attention to there is "ROOTING". I'm not becoming a fan of the Packers at all, if anything I am jealous that they are there and not my G-men. After the Super Bowl is over with I could are less about the Packers and the city of Green Bay. There is a HUGE distinction between rooting for a team and being a fan of a team. I think some of these Steelers "fans" need to grasp of that concept before they start running their mouths at me.

All that being said my prediction for the game is simple. Pack win. It will be a close game but I honestly think people are underestimating that Pack defense and it's ability to make plays. Aaron Rodgers is unstoppable right now (so is Big Ben). However, I am getting that same feeling I did with my G-men in 2008 and I think this game is gonna be a lot more interesting than people may be thinking. These two teams are very evenly matched when it comes to a lot of aspects of the game. The key for me is if the Pack can get a running game going against the number two ranked Defense in the league. If the Pack can do that then the sky is the limit for them to tear open the Steelers weaknesses on D (yes they have a weakness if you can exploit it).

Originally at the beginning of the season I had predicted the Packers would make the Super Bowl and what do you know they actually made it. That being said, I gotta stick with my original pick. Final Score 35-30 Packers.

Hope everyone enjoys the game!

-R.N.N.
@ryannnelson87
rnelson0187@gmail.com

Stop Hating on Hokies Football

First and foremost, all you haters of the Virginia Tech Hokies just get over yourselves and move on. We get it. For some reason you just despise the Hokies and that's fine. You have the right to dislike any team you want. But what gets me is all the b.s. that comes out of these haters mouths when it comes to how the Hokies play and what they have accomplished as a football program. That's where it needs to end in my opinion. Yeah, you can root against them whenever they play. You can say you don't like the team, the coach, or even the whole program at Tech. All of that is fine by me but don't knock all that they have accomplished as a program whether you think they are "over-rated" or not. Let's take a look shall we?

With a career record of 229–115–4 following the 2009 season, head coach Frank Beamer is tied with Jim Tressel for the second-winningest active head coach in Division I-FBS, ranking behind only Joe Pa. His 24 straight season as the Hokies coach is the 2nd longest tenure at a school only behind the great Joe Pa. Let's not forget the numerous times he has won Big East and ACC Coach of the Year awards during his time at Tech. That's some pretty good company to be in when it comes to college football coaches.

The Hokies currently have the second-longest bowl game streak in the country, having participated in the postseason every year since 1993. Only Florida State has a longer current streak. In program history, the Hokies have finished with a Top-10 ranking six times, won eight conference championships (one Southern Conference three Big East and four ACC), and played once for the national championship, losing to Florida State University 46–29 in the 2000 Sugar Bowl. Tech currently holds the nation's longest streak of 10+ win seasons at 7 and have a combined record since the 2004 season of 65-16-0, 3rd best to only Boise State and LSU.

Pretty good stats and pretty good company to be in when it comes to college football if you ask me. Over the years I would agree with a lot of haters that the Hokies may have come into the college football season ranked a little high. However, that does not mean as a program they are over-rated just because they have come into a couple season highly ranked in the polls. Even at the end of those seasons Tech usually goes to a respectable Bowl game and still finishes the season in the Top 25 in the nation which is always well deserved in my opinion regardless of their pre-season ranking.

Even as teams have began to "figure out" Bud Foster's prominent Defense and begin to understand and gameplan for the famous "Beamer Ball" scheme, Tech still manages to produce good teams year in and year out. Especially this year when it seemed all the haters came out full force because of their pre-season top 10 ranking. They still bulldozed the ACC competition for another ACC championship and BCS bowl berth. I mean you can't ask for much more than that out of a team year in and year out. Yes, the JMU loss brought a lot of haters waiting in line to bash Tech even more. But really? Get a life, those types of games happen every year and unfortunately it happened to the Hokies this year. However, after the JMU loss, Tech reeled off ten straight wins and became the first team to go undefeated in ACC play since Florida State in 2000. It finished its regular season with a 10-2 record and now holds the longest streak of ten-win seasons in the NCAA with seven.

To sum this up for all you college football fans out there, don't hate on Tech. Or if you still dislike them at least when it comes to football give them some respect where respect is due (even if it's a little). They have come a long way as a football program especially since Frank Beamer became the head coach. Since pretty much all of my dad's side of the family went to Tech for school I have personally always been a fan of Hokie football and always will be as far as I can tell. Go Hokies!

-R.N.N.

@ryannnelson87

rnelson0187@gmail.com