Ahh, Thanksgiving. A hallowed time when it comes to football, particularly for Detroiters like me. For me, football is as entwined with Thanksgiving as turkey and family are. Football has happened in Detroit since 1934 and I think a lot of people don't realize what it means to us.
Last week I went 12-4, putting me at 101-59 on the year so far. Without further ado, on to the picks... Winners in gold.
Thanksgiving Day -
New England (8-2) @ Detroit (2-8)
New Orleans (7-3) @ Dallas (3-7)
Cincinnati (2-8) @ NY Jets (8-2)
Sunday at 1:00pm ET -
Green Bay (7-3) @ Atlanta (8-2)
Pittsburgh (7-3) @ Buffalo (2-8)
Carolina (1-9) @ Cleveland (3-7)
Jacksonville (6-4) @ NY Giants (6-4)
Minnesota (3-7) @ Washington (5-5)
Tennessee (5-5) @ Houston (4-6)
Sunday at 4:00pm ET -
Kansas City (6-4) @ Seattle (5-5)
Miami (5-5) @ Oakland (5-5)
Philadelphia (7-3) @ Chicago (7-3)
Tampa Bay (7-3) @ Baltimore (7-3)
St. Louis (4-6) @ Denver (3-7)
Sunday Night -
San Diego (5-5) @ Indianapolis (6-4)
Monday Night -
San Francisco (3-7) @ Arizona (3-7)
I'm biased - I'm picking Detroit and Dallas against my better judgment because I expect both teams to play better, play harder on Thanksgiving. Realistically, I expect one of them to pull the upset... but I'm not sure which.
A really remarkable slate of games this week. Lots of evenly-matched teams by record, although only two division matches - SF/ARI is almost irrelevant, except it's the NFC West, so who knows; TEN/HOU is important only because if Houston loses, they're pretty much done. I think they beat a Rusty Smith (is that his name?) led Titans team. San Diego has begun their usual mid-season resurrection and I expect it to continue against a very injured Colts team. GB/ATL is the most important game of the week to me - the winner may very well end up the #1-seed in the NFC... I like the Packers, but I don't pick against the Falcons at home. TB/BAL should be a very interesting game, as well... I'm also picking against the Vikings and Dolphins until they show me something to pick for. The Vikings may have changed coach (finally), but I still don't like Favre under center; he's been awful this year and I'm not sure how Leslie Frazier changes that.
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Pierce's Picks - Week 11
Last week I went a respectable 10-4, improving me to 89-55 on the year.
We're done with bye weeks, so it's back to 16 games per week! Here we go, winners in gold as always.
Thursday Night -
Chicago (6-3) @ Miami (5-4)
Sunday at 1:00pm ET -
Buffalo (1-8) @ Cincinnati (2-7)
Detroit (2-7) @ Dallas (2-7)
Baltimore (6-3) @ Carolina (1-8)
Cleveland (3-6) @ Jacksonville (5-4)
Oakland (5-4) @ Pittsburgh (6-3)
Washington (4-5) @ Tennessee (5-4)
Arizona (3-6) @ Kansas City (5-4)
Green Bay (6-3) @ Minnesota (3-6)
Houston (4-5) @ NY Jets (7-2)
Sunday at 4:00pm ET -
Atlanta (7-2) @ St. Louis (4-5)
Tampa Bay (6-3) @ San Francisco (3-6)
Seattle (5-4) @ New Orleans (6-3)
Indianapolis (6-3) @ New England (7-2)
Sunday Night -
NY Giants (6-3) @ Philadelphia (6-3)
Monday Night -
Denver (3-6) @ San Diego (4-5)
Let's see. I still think it's safe to bet against the Vikings drama, especially against a rested division foe coming off a bye. The Lions are on the road, so if you need a survivor pick, Dallas looks good this week. Besides, if Jason Garrett's Cowboys are where the Lions 25-game road losing streak ends, believe me when I say Jerry Jones will not be his employer next year - I think Garrett knows it and his team wins. If the Seahawks can beat the Saints, I'll consider them legit, but I'm not really counting on it. I think the Giants come at the Eagles with everything they have after the embarrassing loss to Dallas. I'm also very interested in the Colts/Patriots game for the first time in a couple years, as both teams look good but flawed this season... this game tells us a lot about the winner. Can Atlanta beat a solid St. Louis team on the road? I still have doubts about the Falcons outside of their dome... and what about Kansas City? I think they bounce back after that Denver game and beat a mediocre Jacksonville team. Also, it's the latter half of the season, so here come the Chargers - don't let that crazy Denver win over Kansas City fool you into picking the Broncos on Monday Night. Oh, and don't be overly confident in Chicago or Miami against the other; when a new QB is under center for a team, anything can happen (the Bears will be watching film from 2008, of Kansas City, to study Tyler Thigpen). I like Chicago, but I wouldn't be surprised if Miami wins, either.
We're done with bye weeks, so it's back to 16 games per week! Here we go, winners in gold as always.
Thursday Night -
Chicago (6-3) @ Miami (5-4)
Sunday at 1:00pm ET -
Buffalo (1-8) @ Cincinnati (2-7)
Detroit (2-7) @ Dallas (2-7)
Baltimore (6-3) @ Carolina (1-8)
Cleveland (3-6) @ Jacksonville (5-4)
Oakland (5-4) @ Pittsburgh (6-3)
Washington (4-5) @ Tennessee (5-4)
Arizona (3-6) @ Kansas City (5-4)
Green Bay (6-3) @ Minnesota (3-6)
Houston (4-5) @ NY Jets (7-2)
Sunday at 4:00pm ET -
Atlanta (7-2) @ St. Louis (4-5)
Tampa Bay (6-3) @ San Francisco (3-6)
Seattle (5-4) @ New Orleans (6-3)
Indianapolis (6-3) @ New England (7-2)
Sunday Night -
NY Giants (6-3) @ Philadelphia (6-3)
Monday Night -
Denver (3-6) @ San Diego (4-5)
Let's see. I still think it's safe to bet against the Vikings drama, especially against a rested division foe coming off a bye. The Lions are on the road, so if you need a survivor pick, Dallas looks good this week. Besides, if Jason Garrett's Cowboys are where the Lions 25-game road losing streak ends, believe me when I say Jerry Jones will not be his employer next year - I think Garrett knows it and his team wins. If the Seahawks can beat the Saints, I'll consider them legit, but I'm not really counting on it. I think the Giants come at the Eagles with everything they have after the embarrassing loss to Dallas. I'm also very interested in the Colts/Patriots game for the first time in a couple years, as both teams look good but flawed this season... this game tells us a lot about the winner. Can Atlanta beat a solid St. Louis team on the road? I still have doubts about the Falcons outside of their dome... and what about Kansas City? I think they bounce back after that Denver game and beat a mediocre Jacksonville team. Also, it's the latter half of the season, so here come the Chargers - don't let that crazy Denver win over Kansas City fool you into picking the Broncos on Monday Night. Oh, and don't be overly confident in Chicago or Miami against the other; when a new QB is under center for a team, anything can happen (the Bears will be watching film from 2008, of Kansas City, to study Tyler Thigpen). I like Chicago, but I wouldn't be surprised if Miami wins, either.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Pierce's Picks - Week 10
Last week I was 7-6, which is better than I really expected given how many blown calls I made. That puts me at 79-51 on the season.
Winners in gold as usual.
Thursday Night -
Baltimore (6-2) @ Atlanta (6-2)
Sunday at 1:00pm ET -
Detroit (2-6) @ Buffalo (0-8)
Minnesota (3-5) @ Chicago (5-3)
NY Jets (6-2) @ Cleveland (3-5)
Cincinnati (2-6) @ Indianapolis (5-3)
Tennessee (5-3) @ Miami (4-4)
Carolina (1-7) @ Tampa Bay (5-3)
Houston (4-4) @ Jacksonville (4-4)
Sunday at 4:00pm ET -
Kansas City (5-3) @ Denver (2-6)
Dallas (1-7) @ NY Giants (6-2)
Seattle (4-4) @ Arizona (3-5)
St. Louis (4-4) @ San Francisco (2-6)
Sunday Night -
New England (6-2) @ Pittsburgh (6-2)
Monday Night -
Philadelphia (5-3) @ Washington (4-4)
Nice slate of primetime games, if you ask me. What a matchup to kick off Thursday Night football! I don't like to go against Atlanta at home, though, even against a team like Baltimore. I like Buffalo, who's been playing tough games week-in and week-out, to get their first win against a Detroit team who has no idea who their quarterback is. After all, the Lions gave the Rams their only win last year. I still don't believe in the Vikings. Houston and Jacksonville is a make-or-break game for both teams, I think. And, of course, we get to witness the first part of the Randy Moss Saga in Tennessee, a game I think they win. New England @ Pittsburgh might be the matchup of the week... tough call, too. New England's offense isn't what it was with Moss, and Pittsburgh should be able to clamp down on them. But can Pittsburgh play well themselves with so many offensive line injuries? Hard to say. I still like Pittsburgh more, though, overall. I don't see Jason Garrett making the Cowboys competitive in his first game as a head coach, not against the red-hot Giants.
From here on out, with Thursday Night Football going, you can expect my picks Wednesday night every week.
Winners in gold as usual.
Thursday Night -
Baltimore (6-2) @ Atlanta (6-2)
Sunday at 1:00pm ET -
Detroit (2-6) @ Buffalo (0-8)
Minnesota (3-5) @ Chicago (5-3)
NY Jets (6-2) @ Cleveland (3-5)
Cincinnati (2-6) @ Indianapolis (5-3)
Tennessee (5-3) @ Miami (4-4)
Carolina (1-7) @ Tampa Bay (5-3)
Houston (4-4) @ Jacksonville (4-4)
Sunday at 4:00pm ET -
Kansas City (5-3) @ Denver (2-6)
Dallas (1-7) @ NY Giants (6-2)
Seattle (4-4) @ Arizona (3-5)
St. Louis (4-4) @ San Francisco (2-6)
Sunday Night -
New England (6-2) @ Pittsburgh (6-2)
Monday Night -
Philadelphia (5-3) @ Washington (4-4)
Nice slate of primetime games, if you ask me. What a matchup to kick off Thursday Night football! I don't like to go against Atlanta at home, though, even against a team like Baltimore. I like Buffalo, who's been playing tough games week-in and week-out, to get their first win against a Detroit team who has no idea who their quarterback is. After all, the Lions gave the Rams their only win last year. I still don't believe in the Vikings. Houston and Jacksonville is a make-or-break game for both teams, I think. And, of course, we get to witness the first part of the Randy Moss Saga in Tennessee, a game I think they win. New England @ Pittsburgh might be the matchup of the week... tough call, too. New England's offense isn't what it was with Moss, and Pittsburgh should be able to clamp down on them. But can Pittsburgh play well themselves with so many offensive line injuries? Hard to say. I still like Pittsburgh more, though, overall. I don't see Jason Garrett making the Cowboys competitive in his first game as a head coach, not against the red-hot Giants.
From here on out, with Thursday Night Football going, you can expect my picks Wednesday night every week.
Saturday, November 6, 2010
Pierce's Picks - Week 9
Last week, I was 8-5, giving me a 72-45 mark for the season so far.
Winners in gold as usual.
Sunday at 1:00pm ET -
Tampa Bay (5-2) @ Atlanta (5-2)
Chicago (4-3) @ Buffalo (0-7)
New England (6-1) @ Cleveland (2-5)
NY Jets (5-2) @ Detroit (2-5)
Arizona (3-4) @ Minnesota (2-5)
New Orleans (5-3) @ Carolina (1-6)
Miami (4-3) @ Baltimore (5-2)
San Diego (3-5) @ Houston (4-3)
Sunday at 4:00pm ET -
NY Giants (5-2) @ Seattle (4-3)
Kansas City (5-2) @ Oakland (4-4)
Indianapolis (5-2) @ Philadelphia (4-3)
Sunday Night -
Dallas (1-6) @ Green Bay (5-3)
Monday Night -
Pittsburgh (5-2) @ Cincinnati (2-5)
Byes:
Denver, Jacksonville, San Francisco, St. Louis, Tennessee, Washington
I like most of the home teams this week, which means I'm going out on a limb on a few games - yes, that means I'm picking Detroit, Philadelphia, Seattle and even Buffalo this week. I like the homefield advantage Seattle has against a Giants team I haven't fully bought into yet. I think Philadelphia, fresh off their bye, can give an Indianapolis team without Dallas Clark more trouble than Houston could. If San Diego were healthier, I might like them over Houston, but as it stands, I think they're almost out of healthy receivers and Antonio Gates is supposedly out now, too. I like the momentum Detroit is building and while it is a bit of a homer pick, I think Detroit can make a statement win at home against a Jets team that looked incredibly shaky against the Packers last week. I'd love to see Tampa keep rolling, but I think Atlanta - especially at home - is the class of the NFC South and won't be beaten. The KC/Oakland game is certainly the surprise game of the week and I think I'd take whoever is home... in this case, I'm buying into the roll Oakland is on. Until the Vikings prove otherwise, I'm considering them in full implosion and unable to win a game... they need this win, but I don't think they get it. I'm also picking Buffalo for the first time all year - after gutting out close losses against some of the best teams in the AFC, I think they can - at home - beat a Chicago team that can't keep its quarterback upright, even coming off their bye.
Gonna be an interesting week if I called some of these right... definitely playing some homefield advantages and some gut hunches this week.
Winners in gold as usual.
Sunday at 1:00pm ET -
Tampa Bay (5-2) @ Atlanta (5-2)
Chicago (4-3) @ Buffalo (0-7)
New England (6-1) @ Cleveland (2-5)
NY Jets (5-2) @ Detroit (2-5)
Arizona (3-4) @ Minnesota (2-5)
New Orleans (5-3) @ Carolina (1-6)
Miami (4-3) @ Baltimore (5-2)
San Diego (3-5) @ Houston (4-3)
Sunday at 4:00pm ET -
NY Giants (5-2) @ Seattle (4-3)
Kansas City (5-2) @ Oakland (4-4)
Indianapolis (5-2) @ Philadelphia (4-3)
Sunday Night -
Dallas (1-6) @ Green Bay (5-3)
Monday Night -
Pittsburgh (5-2) @ Cincinnati (2-5)
Byes:
Denver, Jacksonville, San Francisco, St. Louis, Tennessee, Washington
I like most of the home teams this week, which means I'm going out on a limb on a few games - yes, that means I'm picking Detroit, Philadelphia, Seattle and even Buffalo this week. I like the homefield advantage Seattle has against a Giants team I haven't fully bought into yet. I think Philadelphia, fresh off their bye, can give an Indianapolis team without Dallas Clark more trouble than Houston could. If San Diego were healthier, I might like them over Houston, but as it stands, I think they're almost out of healthy receivers and Antonio Gates is supposedly out now, too. I like the momentum Detroit is building and while it is a bit of a homer pick, I think Detroit can make a statement win at home against a Jets team that looked incredibly shaky against the Packers last week. I'd love to see Tampa keep rolling, but I think Atlanta - especially at home - is the class of the NFC South and won't be beaten. The KC/Oakland game is certainly the surprise game of the week and I think I'd take whoever is home... in this case, I'm buying into the roll Oakland is on. Until the Vikings prove otherwise, I'm considering them in full implosion and unable to win a game... they need this win, but I don't think they get it. I'm also picking Buffalo for the first time all year - after gutting out close losses against some of the best teams in the AFC, I think they can - at home - beat a Chicago team that can't keep its quarterback upright, even coming off their bye.
Gonna be an interesting week if I called some of these right... definitely playing some homefield advantages and some gut hunches this week.
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