NFL 2011 - Week 5 picks.....

So what have we learned after 4 weeks of the NFL season? We know the offenses are good. Real good. But at the end of the day, it will be defense that separates the good from the great teams. The Lions and Packers are the only undefeated teams, while the Colts, Dolphins, Vikings and Rams still have not won yet this year. Think about that for a minute. We have the Lions undefeated, while the Colts are winless. It is bizarro world.

Second losing week in a row puts us close to the breakeven level for the year. It is the start of the "bye weeks", so we have an abbreviated schedule.

NFL 2011 - Week 5 picks (Home team in CAPS)

Eagles (-2 1/2) over BILLS - Everything points towards the Bills keeping the misery going in Philadelphia, but I think the Eagles win a shootout to get back on the winning track. Last week's loss to the 49ers might have been the wake-up call Philadelphia needed, while the Bills suffered their first loss in Cincinnati. Nice running back match-up with LeSean McCoy and Fred Jackson.
Bengals (+2 1/2) over JAGUARS - Battle of the rookie QBs in Blaine Gabbert and Andy Dalton. Which one makes the least mistakes to win the game. Cincinnati is playing better defense than Jacksonville and it will help lead them to the road victory over the Jags.
Titans (+7 1/2) over STEELERS - Seattle didn't want Matt Hasselbeck for what reason? Who had the Titans at 3-1, while being last in rushing offense? This would be a statement win for Tennessee. I think the Steelers win, but it is a real scrap.
COLTS (-2 1/2) over Chiefs - Only because the game is in Indy. The Chiefs have looked a little better the past couple of weeks, but the Colts have too many vets and will get on the winning side of the ledger for the first time in 2011.
Raiders (+6 1/2) over TEXANS - No Andre Johnson for the Texans and Darrin McFadden's running for Oakland, means a very close game. Overall Houston is the better team and must win these type of games at home to be considered a post season threat. Arian Foster should get plenty of carries to offset the lessened passing game for the Texans.
VIKINGS (-2 1/2) over Cardinals - Beanie Wells running well for the Cardinals, but the other running back in the game is the best in the league. When are the Vikings just going to keep giving the ball to AP and just see what happens? Maybe this week so they can finally get that goose egg out of the win column.
Saints (-5 1/2) over PANTHERS - I've been seeing one as the "upset special" of the week and I just don't see it. Yes, the Panthers have been better this year, but that Saint offense can put up 35 points almost every game and will do so against Carolina.
GIANTS (-9 1/2) over Seahawks - Everything says this is a letdown game for New York after they snuck out of the dessert last week with the win. I just love their defensive line up against the Seattle offense, plus quietly Eli Manning is doing a very good job this year with a depleted receiving group.
Buccaneers (+1 1/2) over 49ERS - I did not see both of these teams at 3-1 after the first quarter of the season. Neither will blow an opponent out and use their running games led by LeGarrette Blount and Frank Gore to control clock. In the end, Josh Freeman just seems to get wins and I have more confidence in him than Alex Smith.
Chargers (-4 1/2) over BRONCOS - This should be a no-brainer with the small spread, but San Diego always seem to be in close games against lesser opponents. Rivers may have no Gates or Jackson this week, but in the end, if the Chargers want to be considered "elite" in the AFC they must win big against a poor Bronco team.
Jets (+9 1/2) over PATRIOTS - I have not like this Jet team all year, but Rex Ryan will have them up for their rivals in New England. Normally I would expect Brady & Belichick to get revenge for last year's playoff loss and blowout New York, but the Patriot defense is so poor, it will be a close score at the end.
Packers (-5 1/2) over FALCONS - Atlanta escapes Seattle last week and have many questioning what is going on with this team picked by many to challenge for the NFC crown. Does not get any easier with Aaron Rodgers and the Packer offense coming to town. Green Bay remains undefeated and repeats last year's playoff beatdown.
LIONS (-5 1/2) over Bears - I keep on wanting to go against Detroit, but it will not be this week. Poor Chicago and Jay Cutler get to deal with a raucous crowd excited for a Monday Night game, which will make the Lion pass rush that much quicker and better. It could get ugly for Cutler and the Chicago offensive line.

Week 4: 7-9
2011 season: 33-30-1

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")
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Voice over talent provided by Morgan Thomas.

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")
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Voice over talent provided by Morgan Thomas.

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

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)
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Voice over talent provided by Morgan Thomas.

Wild NFL weekend - The SFB Podcast (1/10/2010).....

What a great playoff weekend with three of the four games coming down to the final possessions, while the Raven - Chief game was close for three quarters before Kansas City imploded. Who had the Seahawks as the only home winner this weekend? Not many. Mike joins me to take a look at the four games from the weekend and why they were won or lost. Enjoy.

The SportsFan Buzz: January 10, 2011 (right click to "save as target)
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Voice over talent provided by Morgan Thomas.

Streak Stalled - The SFB Podcast (12/14/2010).....

After 297 straight starts in the regular season, Brett Favre was finally forced to miss a game. It has been a great run, one that started in 1992, and when we see all the players missing time each and every season, it just makes it even more amazing. As for the games on the field, the Patriots didn't suffer a letdown, but it looks like the Jets did. The Chiefs and Packers show they really need their starting QBs and it looks for sure like a team with a losing record will win the NFC West. Enjoy.

The SportsFan Buzz: December 14, 2010 (right click to "save as target)
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Voice over talent provided by Morgan Thomas.

NFL Week 11 review - The SFB Podcast (11/23/2010).....

Ten games down for each of the NFL teams and we still don't have a team that we can point to and say they are the best of the bunch. Know what? It's ok as we have many good teams and that will make these last six weeks of games very entertaining for those of us who like jockeying of teams as the playoffs get near. We might get a little better feel of the NFC teams with the Packer / Falcon and Eagle / Bear match-ups this weeks. As for week 11, how great is it when the Colts and Patriots get together and did we see the last meaningful game that involved Brett Favre? Enjoy.

The SportsFan Buzz: November 23, 2010 (right click to "save as target)
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Voice over talent provided by Morgan Thomas.

NFL Week 2 review - The SFB Podcast (9/21/2010).....

Yes, I was completely wrong in thinking Mark Sanchez and the Jets would not bounce back against the Patriots. As with almost every NFL week, there are just as many questions as answers after the games have been played. I'll take a look at each of the sixteen games from the weekend and give my thoughts about what went on in the games and what we might be able to take from the results. Enjoy.

The SportsFan Buzz: September 21, 2010 (right click to "save as target)

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Voice over talent provided by Morgan Thomas.

TV Viewing - Entourage & the NFL - The SFB Podcast (9/18/2010).....

Mike joins me on the podcast to gloat about last week's 12-4 record and to preview the second week of NFL action. We also talk about how the TV show "Entourage" redeemed itself this year and why watching football at home is better than being at the game. Enjoy.

Mike on Twitter

The SportsFan Buzz: September 18, 2010 (right click to "save as target)

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These actually count - The SportsFan Buzz (9/14/2010).....

The first week of the NFL season is in the books and while some teams followed the script that they presented during the pre-season (Cowboys O-Line), there were some others who did not match their pre-season rehearsals (Patriots defense). I'm looking back at the week 1 games to discuss what happened to the winners and losers and what if any of the first week trends look like solid indicators to some of the teams this upcoming season. Plus, more indications an 18 game season is not a good idea. Enjoy.

The SportsFan Buzz: September 14, 2010 (right click to "save as target)

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Voice over talent provided by Morgan Thomas.

AFC Preview 2010 - The SFB Podcast.....

Will all the off-season publicity and signings push the Jets to their second Super Bowl appearance? Will Tom Brady and the Patriots regain their past glory? Will the Ravens offense be better than their talented defense? How does Pittsburgh survive the start of the season without Ben Roethlisberger and does the defense again play like "Steeler D"? Will the Chargers contract problems with some of their stars hold this very talented team back from greatness? Or in the end will everyone again be chasing Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts? Enjoy.

AFC 2010 Preview (right click to "save as target)

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Voice over talent provided by Morgan Thomas.

Changing the Rules - The SFB Podcast (8/24/2010).....

The NHL held a "rules camp" where they experimented with some of the rules to make the game better. While none of them were "game changers", I did like some of the ideas that were discussed. I'll take a look at what is being thought about to make hockey even better for players and the fans.

Plus, Tiger and Elin are now officially divorced and there is some rumbling around golf that Tiger Woods might dismiss Steve Williams from being his caddie. If it is true, why do this now and by doing it now is Tiger saying Williams is part of the reason for his poor play or maybe he wants a clean slate? Also it was another fun time watching the Jets on "Hard Knocks" and more from the NFL and MLB. Enjoy.

The SportsFan Buzz: August 24, 2010 (right click to "save as target)

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Voice over talent provided by Morgan Thomas.

Clemens vs. Congress - The SFB Podcast (8/22/2010).....

Roger Clemens threw many "purpose pitches" during his career, but on Wednesday afternoon the Federal Government threw one at Clemens when he was indicted on charges of lying to Congress in 2008. I'll look at the baseball and public sides of this newest black eye for baseball.

Plus it has been an eventful week of other sports news with Brett Favre returning to the Vikings with the help of some friends, Lou Piniella's immediate retirement, Kyle Busch pulling off a NASCAR "first" and don't wear a Gators cap to a Razorback press conference. Enjoy.

The SportsFan Buzz: August 22, 2010 (right click to "save as target)

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Voice over talent provided by Morgan Thomas.

The SportsFan Buzz Podcast (12/4/2009).....

Today's The SportsFan Buzz Podcast covers the action taking place in the City of Brotherly Love as we are joined by Mike Tursi (Twitter: @thesportstwit), who writes The Sports Twit Blog and lives in Philadelphia. It has been a busy few days in Philly, as Allen Iverson returns to the 76ers, while the Flyers fire their coach about 45 minutes before we started to record. Mike and I discuss those topics, the college football weekend, and also take our shots picking the Week 13 NFL games. Enjoy.

The SportsFan Buzz: December 4, 2009

This & That (Thursday 10/29/09).....

--- Cliff Lee! Wow! Complete game, 6 hits, 0 earned runs, 0 walks and 10 strikeouts, against this Yankee lineup and in Yankee Stadium. The only run coming on the throwing error by Jimmy Rollins, or he might have had the shutout. In 2007 he was kept off the Indians' playoff roster, in 2008 he wins the AL Cy Young, and now this great performance. This deadline trade may be considered one of the best ever made if Lee can keep this up.

This takes nothing away from CC Sabathia who pitched a good game. Sabathia's performance would have been good enough to win on most nights, but not last night. He struggled early, but got out of the first inning after loading the bases. The Chase Utley homer in the 3rd is a warning track flyout in most other parks, and then he retires the next 8 before Utley gets him again, with a well hit ball off a location mistake.

I really thought that if both guys made it through 6 or 7 innings with three runs against them, we would be talking about how well they pitched. Instead, two runs and 8 hits total for the first 7 innings? Great pitching by the two aces.

Phil Hughes made my preview of this series look good with his terrible performance in the 8th, when he walked the only 2 batters he faced, allowing the Phillies to open up the game. The Phillies bats only got one hit in the inning, and that was the Raul Ibanez single that scored the two runs to make it 4-0. Then Brian Bruney was a disaster in the ninth when the Phillies made it 6-0. Besides not keeping the game close, this happened at home, when they should be relaxed. How will this bullpen react when they get in front of the hostile Philadelphia fans? Joe Girardi is going to have tough decisions to make when he leaves the dugout to pull his starting pitcher the rest of this series. I don't think he has confidence in anybody besides Mariano Rivera and maybe David Robertson.

As for the Yankees' bats, this was a bad performance. Derek Jeter with three of the six hits, while Alex Rodriguez strikes out three times. It will be interesting to see how A-Rod bounces back, if he does bounce back, after looking like the "old post season" Alex Rodriguez.

For tonight, the ball is in AJ Burnett's hand for the Yankees, with the pressure on. The Yankees paid him like a #2 pitcher, and he has shown those flashes this year, but that money was really given for this type of situation. Let's see if Burnett is able to step forward.

For the Phillies, a relaxed Pedro Martinez takes the mound. No pressure on Pedro after last night's win, but the demons of Yankee games past will be in his mind. I think we might hear quite a bit of the "who's your daddy" chant tonight at the stadium.

--- The NCAA has decided the Oklahoma State's wide receiver, Dez Bryant, will remain suspended for the remainder of the year. The decision basically ends his college career, as Bryant will most likely enter next year's NFL draft. His crime? Lying to the NCAA about being with former NFL star, Deion Sanders. Although he didn't think he did anything wrong when he met with Sanders, when questioned by the NCAA, Bryant, in speaking with ESPN, claims the questioning made him feel that he did do something wrong, so he lied about being with Sanders.

In the end, Bryant did nothing against NCAA rules in his meeting with Sanders, and this has been confirmed by the NCAA. What he did was lie about the meeting, and while I don't condone his lying, there are legitimate concerns brought up by Bryant concerning the questioning of him, and how they made him feel during that questioning. In the end, a one or even two game suspension would have served it purpose, but instead the NCAA has decided to be heavy handed and end a kid's college career. In my opinion, this is a real shame, and a terrible ruling by the NCAA.

--- Mark Sanchez didn't feel well on Sunday (not sure why with his opponent being the Raiders) with a slight upset stomach. Late in the game, with the Jets well ahead cameras caught Sanchez on the bench eating a hot dog. He was trying to keep it secret, but it is just something football players do not do. Most of the "controversy" has to do with it being a hot dog as compared to a "sport snack" that is usually on the sidelines, like a Power Bar.

At least he put mustard on it (though with an upset stomach was that the smartest thing). Can you imagine the uproar in New York if he went the ketchup route? Mike Francesa over at WFAN in New York, would have ranted for two days about it.

--- Larry Johnson was suspended one game by the Kansas City Chiefs following two gay slur remarks he made on Twitter. While it is one game for now, I would not be surprised if further action is taken by the Chiefs, or the NFL, after this one game passes and that Johnson does not see the field again this year.

Johnson, who had two monster years in 2005 & 2006, has not been the anywhere close to the same player since. Add in the fact that he had prior off the field problems, and will be 30 this November, and it does not make a great combination for the former Penn State running back.

--- Vince Young will be starting this Sunday for the Tennessee Titans in place of Kerry Collins. While the dreadful start has not been Collins' fault, at 0-6 the Titans season is lost, and they have a large investment in Young. This will be a ten game audition to see if he is the possible quarterback of the future, or if they need to find someone else to put under center in the coming seasons.

--- The NBA season has started, but not particularly well for the Cleveland Cavaliers. So far the LeBron James & Shaquille O'Neal pairing is 0-2, and looks a little out of sorts, though James is putting up monster numbers. This should be interesting to keep an eye on.

--- Over in the NHL, the Rangers, Sabres, Kings and Avalanche have been the surprise success stories in this early part of the season, but it is Sidney Crosby's Pittsburgh Penguins and Alex Ovechkin's Washington Capitals that are leading the show. Add in that some of their teammates are having outstanding starts (Marc-Andre Fluery in goal for Pittsburgh and Nicklas Backstom centering Ovechkin) and this is going to be another good year for the NHL.