The opening weekend of the NFL season is in the books and while some will be jumping to conclusions, I'll just review the games from the weekend and only large step to some conclusions after only one game. If the first week is any indication, those of you who like offense, will love this year. Enjoy.
The SportsFan Buzz: September 13, 2011 (right click to "save as target")
You can find and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes.
Voice over talent provided by Morgan Thomas.
Showing posts with label Chicago Bears. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Chicago Bears. Show all posts
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Wednesday, August 17, 2011
Mark Sanchez speaks - The SportsFan Buzz (8/17/2011).....
Mark Sanchez spoke to GQ Magazine and did another photo shoot for the magazine. Biggest noise from the piece was Sanchez saying that he wanted to fight his coach when there was talk of his benching late last year. I think it's time for Sanchez to keep quiet and take the next step towards being a better quarterback in the NFL. Plus that new kickoff rule is not going over so well with the player and the coaches.
The SportsFan Buzz: August 17, 2011 (right click to "save as target")
You can find and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes.
Voice over talent provided by Morgan Thomas.
The SportsFan Buzz: August 17, 2011 (right click to "save as target")
You can find and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes.
Voice over talent provided by Morgan Thomas.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Super Bowl 45 is set - The SFB Podcast (1/24/2011)
At the end, we are left with the Green Bay Packers and the Pittsburgh Steelers for the Super Bowl 45 crown. Both teams needed to hang on in the 4th quarter against two tough opponents who gave it everything they had, but at the end of the day the better teams came out on top. Mike's heart is finally beating normally, so he joins me to review Sunday's games. Enjoy.
The SportsFan Buzz: January 24, 2011 (right click to "save as target")
You can find and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes.
Voice over talent provided by Morgan Thomas.
The SportsFan Buzz: January 24, 2011 (right click to "save as target")
You can find and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes.
Voice over talent provided by Morgan Thomas.
Friday, January 21, 2011
AFC & NFC Championship Game picks.....
Two great matchups for getting to play in Super Bowl 45. The Jets have to travel to Pittsburgh in a week 16 rematch, while in Chicago, division rivals play their "rubber match" for the season when the Packers play the Bears.
As for my Divisional round picks, I was 4-0 against the spread, but only 3-1 straight up with my only loss being the Jets upset of the Patriots.
Championship Games:
Packers (-3) over BEARS
I had the Packers in the Super Bowl before the season and I am not going to get off them now. I have not believed in the Bears all year, but they have grown on me as the season has gone forward. Mike Martz really made the correct adjustments in giving the ball to Matt Forte more in the running game and Mike Tice getting the offensive line to play much better in protecting Jay Cutler. On the defensive side of the ball, they have been solid all season and showed that they made the smart off-season move in getting Julius Peppers to help make their defensive line a force, which made their overall defense much better. That said, the Packers have also gotten better as the season has moved forward as they have overcome a large amount of injuries to important pieces on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. Aaron Rodgers is playing great and the defense, which was ranked #2 this season in the NFL, is making plays at the right times with different players making those important plays. This is not a great matchup for the Packer offense as the Bears' Cover 2 scheme has given them trouble in their two meeting this year. The Packers will need to get some production from their running game and I think they will, while on the defensive side of the ball they make a play against Jay Cutler, either with sacks or an interception, that turns the tide in Green Bay's favor.
Packers 17
Bears 12
STEELERS (-3) over Jets
The Jets come into this matchup as high as possible after knocking off Peyton Manning and Tom Brady in back to back weeks, and now they look to take down their third straight Super Bowl winning quarterback in Ben Roethlisberger. Unlike the previous two games, stopping Roethlisberger will not be their top priority. It will be helping their quarterback, Mark Sanchez, be comfortable enough to put up points against this very good Steeler defense. That will mean running the ball against the #1 ranked run defense and #1 overall defense and while they did break the 100 yard barrier in their week 16 matchup, that same result is not likely here in the AFC Championship game. This game should be a little different for the Steelers with Troy Polamalu roaming the Steeler secondary, which will help their run defense and put the Jets in more third and long situations. Then on the offensive side of the ball, tight end Heath Miller will be in the lineup and was missed by Pittsburgh in the first meeting. The Steelers will have to try and not allow another big special teams play by the Jets kickoff returners like they did on the opening kickoff in their first meeting. On the offensive side, the Steeler offense was moving the ball well against the Jet defense and had two shots to win the game inside the 10 yard line in the final seconds. Not sure what the Jets will do differently this time to hold the Steeler offense at bay. In the end, it will be the Steeler defense harassing Mark Sanchez (like the Ravens and Packers both did during the season) and Roethlisberger making enough plays on offense which willmove the Steelers to Super Bowl 45 and their attempt at a 7th ring.
Steelers 22
Jets 13
Divisional weekend record: 4-0
2010 Playoffs: 7-1
Win/Loss picks:
Divisional weekend: Sal (3-1) / Mike (3-1)
2010 Playoffs: Sal (5-3) / Mike (6-2)
Sal / Mike --- Packers at Bears ---
--- Jets at Steelers --- Sal / Mike
As for my Divisional round picks, I was 4-0 against the spread, but only 3-1 straight up with my only loss being the Jets upset of the Patriots.
Championship Games:
Packers (-3) over BEARS
I had the Packers in the Super Bowl before the season and I am not going to get off them now. I have not believed in the Bears all year, but they have grown on me as the season has gone forward. Mike Martz really made the correct adjustments in giving the ball to Matt Forte more in the running game and Mike Tice getting the offensive line to play much better in protecting Jay Cutler. On the defensive side of the ball, they have been solid all season and showed that they made the smart off-season move in getting Julius Peppers to help make their defensive line a force, which made their overall defense much better. That said, the Packers have also gotten better as the season has moved forward as they have overcome a large amount of injuries to important pieces on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball. Aaron Rodgers is playing great and the defense, which was ranked #2 this season in the NFL, is making plays at the right times with different players making those important plays. This is not a great matchup for the Packer offense as the Bears' Cover 2 scheme has given them trouble in their two meeting this year. The Packers will need to get some production from their running game and I think they will, while on the defensive side of the ball they make a play against Jay Cutler, either with sacks or an interception, that turns the tide in Green Bay's favor.
Packers 17
Bears 12
STEELERS (-3) over Jets
The Jets come into this matchup as high as possible after knocking off Peyton Manning and Tom Brady in back to back weeks, and now they look to take down their third straight Super Bowl winning quarterback in Ben Roethlisberger. Unlike the previous two games, stopping Roethlisberger will not be their top priority. It will be helping their quarterback, Mark Sanchez, be comfortable enough to put up points against this very good Steeler defense. That will mean running the ball against the #1 ranked run defense and #1 overall defense and while they did break the 100 yard barrier in their week 16 matchup, that same result is not likely here in the AFC Championship game. This game should be a little different for the Steelers with Troy Polamalu roaming the Steeler secondary, which will help their run defense and put the Jets in more third and long situations. Then on the offensive side of the ball, tight end Heath Miller will be in the lineup and was missed by Pittsburgh in the first meeting. The Steelers will have to try and not allow another big special teams play by the Jets kickoff returners like they did on the opening kickoff in their first meeting. On the offensive side, the Steeler offense was moving the ball well against the Jet defense and had two shots to win the game inside the 10 yard line in the final seconds. Not sure what the Jets will do differently this time to hold the Steeler offense at bay. In the end, it will be the Steeler defense harassing Mark Sanchez (like the Ravens and Packers both did during the season) and Roethlisberger making enough plays on offense which willmove the Steelers to Super Bowl 45 and their attempt at a 7th ring.
Steelers 22
Jets 13
Divisional weekend record: 4-0
2010 Playoffs: 7-1
Win/Loss picks:
Divisional weekend: Sal (3-1) / Mike (3-1)
2010 Playoffs: Sal (5-3) / Mike (6-2)
Sal / Mike --- Packers at Bears ---
--- Jets at Steelers --- Sal / Mike
AFC & NFC Championship Preview - The SFB Podcast (1/21/2011).....
Last week divisional rivals met in the AFC playoffs, while the NFC had rematches from the regular season. For the Championship games, it has flipped as the AFC game is a rematch from week 16 with New York going to Pittsburgh, while over in the NFC, it is the third game of NFC North rivals when the Green Bay visits Chicago. Mike joins me to preview the games and give our predictions on who we think will meet in Super Bowl 45. Enjoy.
The SportsFan Buzz: January 21, 2011 (right click to "save as target)
You can find and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes.
Voice over talent provided by Morgan Thomas.
The SportsFan Buzz: January 21, 2011 (right click to "save as target)
You can find and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes.
Voice over talent provided by Morgan Thomas.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Divisional Playoff Weekend - The SFB Podcast (1/13/2010).....
This weekend's Divisional Playoff games are all rematches from the regular season, with the AFC games being the third game between divisional foes and the NFC games taking place on the same field as the regular season matchups. Mike joins me to preview the four games and some other news from around the sports world, including the BCS Championship and the new format for the NHL All-Star Game. Enjoy.
The SportsFan Buzz: January 13, 2011 (right click to "save as target)
You can find and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes.
Voice over talent provided by Morgan Thomas.
The SportsFan Buzz: January 13, 2011 (right click to "save as target)
You can find and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes.
Voice over talent provided by Morgan Thomas.
Thursday, December 16, 2010
NFL 2010 - Week 15 picks.....
For the first time since 1992, I won't have to factor Brett Favre into the week's picks. Three games left on everyone's schedules and and only the Patriots have clinched a playoff spot. Quite a few nice match-ups this week and plenty of games with playoff and seeding implications. Who thought in week 15 the Colts could actually be knocked out of the playoffs?
As for the picks, the Redskins' holder and kicker helped Mike move ahead of me for the week and overall for the year. On the "spread" side, three "pushes" made the record nice, but I am getting tired of all these betting ties. Guess it is better than losses.
Below the point spread games are the win/lose picks of Mike, myself and our guest picker and podcast listener, Len.
NFL Week 15 picks (Home Team in CAPS)
CHARGERS (-9) over 49ers
Browns (+1) over BENGALS
COWBOYS (-6) over Redskins
Texans (+1)over TITANS
COLTS (-5) over Jaguars
Chiefs (NL) over RAMS
Bills (+6) over DOLPHINS
Lions (+5) over BUCCANEERS
Cardinals (+2) over PANTHERS
Saints (+2 1/2) over RAVENS
GIANTS (-3)over Eagles
SEAHAWKS (+6 1/2) over Falcons
Jets (+6) over STEELERS
RAIDERS (-6) over Broncos
PATRIOTS (NL) over Packers
Bears (NL) over VIKINGS
Week 14 picks: 9-4-3
2010 season: 107-88-13
Win / Lose picks:
Guest picker for week 14: podcast listener, Len
Week 14 results: Mike (12-4) / Sal (10-6) / Guest (12-4)
2010 season: Mike (132-76) / Sal (130-78) / Guest (117-91)
Week 15 picks:
--- 49ers at Chargers --- Sal / Mike / Len
Sal / Len --- Browns at Bengals --- Mike
--- Redskins at Cowboys --- Sal / Mike / Len
Sal / Mike / Len --- Texans at Titans ---
--- Jaguars at Colts --- Sal / Mike / Len
Sal / Len --- Chiefs at Rams --- Mike
--- Bills at Dolphins --- Sal / Mike / Len
--- Lions at Buccaneers --- Sal / Mike / Len
Sal / Mike / Len --- Cardinals at Panthers ---
Sal / Len --- Saints at Ravens --- Mike
Mike / Len --- Eagles at Giants --- Sal
Sal / Mike / Len --- Falcons at Seahawks ---
--- Jets at Steelers --- Sal / Mike / Len
--- Broncos at Raiders --- Sal / Mike / Len
--- Packers at Patriots --- Sal / Mike / Len
Sal / Mike / Len --- Bears at Vikings ---
As for the picks, the Redskins' holder and kicker helped Mike move ahead of me for the week and overall for the year. On the "spread" side, three "pushes" made the record nice, but I am getting tired of all these betting ties. Guess it is better than losses.
Below the point spread games are the win/lose picks of Mike, myself and our guest picker and podcast listener, Len.
NFL Week 15 picks (Home Team in CAPS)
CHARGERS (-9) over 49ers
Browns (+1) over BENGALS
COWBOYS (-6) over Redskins
Texans (+1)over TITANS
COLTS (-5) over Jaguars
Chiefs (NL) over RAMS
Bills (+6) over DOLPHINS
Lions (+5) over BUCCANEERS
Cardinals (+2) over PANTHERS
Saints (+2 1/2) over RAVENS
GIANTS (-3)over Eagles
SEAHAWKS (+6 1/2) over Falcons
Jets (+6) over STEELERS
RAIDERS (-6) over Broncos
PATRIOTS (NL) over Packers
Bears (NL) over VIKINGS
Week 14 picks: 9-4-3
2010 season: 107-88-13
Win / Lose picks:
Guest picker for week 14: podcast listener, Len
Week 14 results: Mike (12-4) / Sal (10-6) / Guest (12-4)
2010 season: Mike (132-76) / Sal (130-78) / Guest (117-91)
Week 15 picks:
--- 49ers at Chargers --- Sal / Mike / Len
Sal / Len --- Browns at Bengals --- Mike
--- Redskins at Cowboys --- Sal / Mike / Len
Sal / Mike / Len --- Texans at Titans ---
--- Jaguars at Colts --- Sal / Mike / Len
Sal / Len --- Chiefs at Rams --- Mike
--- Bills at Dolphins --- Sal / Mike / Len
--- Lions at Buccaneers --- Sal / Mike / Len
Sal / Mike / Len --- Cardinals at Panthers ---
Sal / Len --- Saints at Ravens --- Mike
Mike / Len --- Eagles at Giants --- Sal
Sal / Mike / Len --- Falcons at Seahawks ---
--- Jets at Steelers --- Sal / Mike / Len
--- Broncos at Raiders --- Sal / Mike / Len
--- Packers at Patriots --- Sal / Mike / Len
Sal / Mike / Len --- Bears at Vikings ---
Thursday, December 9, 2010
NFL 2010 - Week 14 picks.....
We are down to the last quarter of the NFL season and there is still a large amount of good football and important football remaining. In the NFC it is starting to look like a very ggod team will miss the playoffs, while in the AFC we might be seeing the end of the Colts playoff run, but I for one will not bet against Peyton Manning until they are officially gone. As for the slate of games, it is good, but the game of the week will be the clash between the Patriots and Bears in Soldier Field.
As for the picks, Mike had a great week and we are tied going into these last four weeks. Should be fun on who gets bragging rights. For my picks against the spread, an even week is ok with me and keeps the record 14 games above the balance line for the season.
Below the point spread games are the win/lose picks of Mike, myself and our guest picker and podcast listener, Cody.
NFL Week 14 picks (Home Team in CAPS)
Colts (-2) over TITANS
Browns (+1 1/2) over BILLS
Packers (-6 1/2) over LIONS
Giants (+1) over VIKINGS
STEELERS (-9) over Bengals
REDSKINS (+1) over Buccaneers
Falcons (-7) over PANTHERS
JAGUARS (-4 1/2) over Raiders
SAINTS (-9 1/2) over Rams
Seahawks (+4) over 49ERS
Patriots (-3) over BEARS
Dolphins (+6) over JETS
Broncos (+5 1/2) over CARDINALS
CHARGERS (-7) over Chiefs
COWBOYS (+3) over Eagles
Ravens (-3) over TEXANS
Week 13 picks: 8-8
2010 season: 98-84-10
Win / Lose picks:
Guest picker for week 14: podcast listener, Cody
Week 13 results: Mike (13-3) / Sal (11-5) / Guest (12-4)
2010 season: Mike (120-72) / Sal (120-72) / Guest (105-87)
Week 14 picks:
Sal / Mike / Cody --- Colts at Titans ---
Sal / Cody --- Browns at Bills --- Mike
Sal / Mike / Cody --- Packers at Lions ---
Sal / Mike / Cody --- Giants at Vikings ---
--- Bengals at Steelers --- Sal / Mike / Cody
Mike / Cody --- Buccaneers at Redskins --- Sal
Sal / Mike / Cody --- Falcons at Panthers ---
--- Raiders at Jaguars --- Sal / Mike / Cody
--- Rams at Saints --- Sal / Mike / Cody
Sal --- Seahawks at 49ers --- Mike / Cody
Sal / Cody --- Patriots at Bears --- Mike
Sal --- Dolphins at Jets --- Mike / Cody
Sal / Mike / Cody --- Broncos at Cardinals ---
--- Chiefs at Chargers --- Sal / Mike / Cody
Mike / Cody --- Eagles at Cowboys --- Sal
Sal / Mike / Cody --- Ravens at Texans ---
As for the picks, Mike had a great week and we are tied going into these last four weeks. Should be fun on who gets bragging rights. For my picks against the spread, an even week is ok with me and keeps the record 14 games above the balance line for the season.
Below the point spread games are the win/lose picks of Mike, myself and our guest picker and podcast listener, Cody.
NFL Week 14 picks (Home Team in CAPS)
Colts (-2) over TITANS
Browns (+1 1/2) over BILLS
Packers (-6 1/2) over LIONS
Giants (+1) over VIKINGS
STEELERS (-9) over Bengals
REDSKINS (+1) over Buccaneers
Falcons (-7) over PANTHERS
JAGUARS (-4 1/2) over Raiders
SAINTS (-9 1/2) over Rams
Seahawks (+4) over 49ERS
Patriots (-3) over BEARS
Dolphins (+6) over JETS
Broncos (+5 1/2) over CARDINALS
CHARGERS (-7) over Chiefs
COWBOYS (+3) over Eagles
Ravens (-3) over TEXANS
Week 13 picks: 8-8
2010 season: 98-84-10
Win / Lose picks:
Guest picker for week 14: podcast listener, Cody
Week 13 results: Mike (13-3) / Sal (11-5) / Guest (12-4)
2010 season: Mike (120-72) / Sal (120-72) / Guest (105-87)
Week 14 picks:
Sal / Mike / Cody --- Colts at Titans ---
Sal / Cody --- Browns at Bills --- Mike
Sal / Mike / Cody --- Packers at Lions ---
Sal / Mike / Cody --- Giants at Vikings ---
--- Bengals at Steelers --- Sal / Mike / Cody
Mike / Cody --- Buccaneers at Redskins --- Sal
Sal / Mike / Cody --- Falcons at Panthers ---
--- Raiders at Jaguars --- Sal / Mike / Cody
--- Rams at Saints --- Sal / Mike / Cody
Sal --- Seahawks at 49ers --- Mike / Cody
Sal / Cody --- Patriots at Bears --- Mike
Sal --- Dolphins at Jets --- Mike / Cody
Sal / Mike / Cody --- Broncos at Cardinals ---
--- Chiefs at Chargers --- Sal / Mike / Cody
Mike / Cody --- Eagles at Cowboys --- Sal
Sal / Mike / Cody --- Ravens at Texans ---
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
Hot in Cleveland - The SFB Podcast (12/1/2010).....
It may be around 32 degrees in Cleveland tomorrow, but the return of LeBron James will make it the hottest day in Cleveland history. NBA Security and the Cleveland police are working together to try and keep the peace and the NBA is expecting huge TV numbers. Will Cleveland "stay classy" or will we have a "black eye" event?
Plus, I'll look back at some of the big games from week 12 and look ahead to the two primetime clashes set for week 13. Also, some other NFL news and what is going on around the baseball off-season. Enjoy.
The SportsFan Buzz: December 1, 2010 (right click to "save as target)
You can find and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes.
Voice over talent provided by Morgan Thomas.
Plus, I'll look back at some of the big games from week 12 and look ahead to the two primetime clashes set for week 13. Also, some other NFL news and what is going on around the baseball off-season. Enjoy.
The SportsFan Buzz: December 1, 2010 (right click to "save as target)
You can find and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes.
Voice over talent provided by Morgan Thomas.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
NFL Week 4 review - The SFB Podcast (10/5/2010).....
A quarter of the season is complete for most teams and I am not sure that we have more answers than questions still after 4 games. One of my questions is, "are we seeing good football"? Week 4 was the first of the seven bye weeks, so we did not have a full slate of 16 games, but we still had games. I'll take a look a what happened in week 4 and how things are looking as we head into the second quarter of the season. Enjoy.
The SportsFan Buzz: October 5, 2010 (right click to "save as target)
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Voice over talent provided by Morgan Thomas.
The SportsFan Buzz: October 5, 2010 (right click to "save as target)
You can find and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes.
You can subscribe to have The SportsFan Buzz delivered to your inbox.
The SportsFan Buzz is on Facebook.
Follow The SportsFan Buzz on Twitter.
Voice over talent provided by Morgan Thomas.
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
NFL Week 3 review - The SFB Podcast (9/28/2010).....
Three weeks into the NFL season and we are left with only three undefeated teams (Pittsburgh, Kansas City and Chicago), and all three are quite the surprise. On the other side of the coin, there are five teams without a victory (Buffalo, Cleveland, Detroit, Carolina and San Francisco), and only the Bills were really expected on this list. I'll take a look at all 16 games and give my thoughts about the how's and why's of the week that was. Enjoy.
The SportsFan Buzz: September 28, 2010 (right click to "save as target)
You can find and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes.
You can subscribe to have The SportsFan Buzz delivered to your inbox.
The SportsFan Buzz is on Facebook.
Follow The SportsFan Buzz on Twitter.
Voice over talent provided by Morgan Thomas.
The SportsFan Buzz: September 28, 2010 (right click to "save as target)
You can find and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes.
You can subscribe to have The SportsFan Buzz delivered to your inbox.
The SportsFan Buzz is on Facebook.
Follow The SportsFan Buzz on Twitter.
Voice over talent provided by Morgan Thomas.
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