NFL 2011 (Week 3) - The SFB Podcast (9/23/2011).....

Week 3 of the NFL season. Below are my picks for the week, while the podcast will preview the week and breakdown my picks. Enjoy.

The SportsFan Buzz: September 23, 2011 (right click to "save as target")
You can find and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes.
Voice over talent provided by Morgan Thomas.

NFL 2011 - Week 3 picks (Home Team in CAPS)

Patriots (-8 1/2) over BILLS
BENGALS (-2 1/2) over 49ers
Dolphins (+2 1/2) over BROWNS
TITANS (-6 1/2) over Broncos
Lions (-3 1/2) over VIKINGS
SAINTS (-3 1/2) over Texans
Giants (+7 1/2) over EAGLES
Jaguars (+2 1/2) over PANTHERS
CHARGERS (-14 1/2) over Chiefs
RAIDERS (+3 1/2) over Jets
Ravens (-3 1/2) over RAMS
Falcons (+1 1/2) over BUCCANEEERS
Packers (-3 1/2) over BEARS
Cardinals (-3 1/2) over SEAHAWKS
Steelers (-10 1/2) over COLTS
Redskins (+6 1/2) over COWBOYS

Week 2: 10-6
2011 season: 19-12-1

NFL 2011 (Week 2) - The SFB Podcast (9/16/2011).....

Week 2 of the NFL season. Below are my picks for the week, while the podcast will preview the week and breakdown my picks. Enjoy.

The SportsFan Buzz: September 16, 2011 (right click to "save as target")
You can find and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes.
Voice over talent provided by Morgan Thomas.

NFL 2011 - Week 2 picks (Home Team in CAPS)

BILLS (-3 1/2) over Raiders
SAINTS (-7 1/2) over Bears
Browns (-2 1/2) over COLTS
LIONS (-8 1/2) over Chiefs
Packers (-10 1/2) over PANTHERS
TITANS (+5 1/2) over Ravens
Buccaneers (+3 1/2) over VIKINGS
Jaguars (+10 1/2) over JETS
REDSKINS (-4 1/2) over Cardinals
STEELERS (-14 1/2) over Seahawks
Cowboys (+2 1/2) over 49ERS
Bengals (+5 1/2) over BRONCOS
Texans (-2 1/2) over DOLPHINS
Chargers (+6 1/2) over PATRIOTS
FALCONS (+2 1/2) over Eagles
Rams (+6 1/2) over GIANTS

Week 1: 9-6-1
2011 season: 9-6-1

NFL 2011 Preview - The SFB Podcast (9/7/2011).....

The NFL season starts tomorrow night with a match-up of the last two Super Bowl champions, when the Saints visit the Packers. After a summer of lockout talk, it is great to have real football so close. So, who will emerge from the 2011 season and become the champions. My pick is for the Packers to repeat adn I'll discuss why and who I think will join them in the playoffs. Enjoy.

The SportsFan Buzz: September 7, 2011 (right click to "save as target")
You can find and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes.
Voice over talent provided by Morgan Thomas.

NFL 2011 Season.....

I'll expand this on the podcast with a look at each team and division, but here are my playoff teams for the 2011 NFL season. Picked the Packers last year and will ride them again this year.

AFC Division Winners: Patriots / Steelers / Texans / Chargers
AFC Wildcard Teams: Jets / Ravens

NFC Division Winners: Eagles / Packers / Saints / Rams
NFC Wildcard Teams: Falcons / Cowboys

Super Bowl:
Chargers 27
Packers 30

I'm a little concerned about the Charger running game, but if they get just enough production from Mathews/Tolbert, I think they can make their way out of a tough AFC playoff battle and emerge as the conference champions. Easy division allows them to be the #1 seed, which helps them get out of the AFC.

As for the Packers, this team is in the best position to make a repeat run because of all the talent returning who were on IR last year. The Saints are the team I fear the most to dethrone the Packers, but I think Green Bay's defense will help lead them again to the Super Bowl.

NFL Wildcard Weekend picks.....

Mike beat me by two games in picking the winners straight up for the 2010 season. On my picks against the spread, I was on the winning side of the ledger and that is all I can ask for after 256 games. Now it is onto the playoffs and hopefully I can stay on the positive side of the tote board. Enjoy.

Week 17 picks: 7-8-1
2010 season: 134-108-14

Win/Lose picks:
Week 17 results: Mike (11-5) / Sal (11-5) / Guest (10-6)
2010 season: Mike (163-93) / Sal (161-95) / Guest (145-111)


Wildcard Weekend:

SEAHAWKS (+11) over Saints
The Saints start their Super Bowl defense against a Seattle team that many believe don't belong in the playoffs. Well, the Seahawks are here and they will not be the pushover many think on Saturday afternoon. The key to Seattle will be feeding off the excitement of a home playoff game and not allow New Orleans to jump to an two score early lead. The lack of a running game (both Pierre Thomas and Chris Ivory are out), a short week with long travel and the Seattle crowd will add up to a game closer than many think, but in the end Drew Brees and the Saint offense will find enough holes in the Seahawk defense to get the victory and move forward in defending their crown.
Saints 26
Seahawks 17

COLTS (-3) over Jets
A rematch of last year's AFC Championship game and both teams are different from twelves months ago. While the Colt offense is less explosive without Dallas Clark and Austin Collie, the Jet defense is not as dominant as last year and gives up more passing yard and points than in 2009. At the end of the day it is just hard to go against Peyton Manning, especially at home. I would feel more comfortable if Clark or Collie was available, but Joseph Addai is there and that will help Manning keep the offense balanced. New York needs to run the ball and the Indianapolis defense has been better against the run the last quarter of the season and will need a big game from Shonn Greene and LaDainian Tomlinson to help keep Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis away from Mark Sanchez.
Colts 27
Jets 20

Ravens (-3) over CHIEFS
The veteran Baltimore team against the young Kansas City squad. While I think the Ravens have the best shot of the AFC teams this weekend to make the Super Bowl, this is a match-up that is the worst one that could have happened for the Ravens. The Chiefs have more speed than the Ravens and that is the one area where Baltimore is vulnerable. While I fully expect the Ravens to pound the Chiefs with Ray Rice and Joe Flacco using play action, it would not surprise me to see this a game where the Kansas City speed bothers Baltimore enough to keep it close. Plus add in the Arrowhead crowd, where the Chiefs only lost once this season, and Kansas City has the goods to be able to pull the upset. In the end though, one of those veterans on the Raven defense steps up and helps put away Kansas City.
Ravens 23
Chiefs 19

Packers (+3) over EAGLES
Green Bay was my preseason Super Bowl pick and I will not be changing now that the playoffs have started. Andy Reid is a great coach when he has time to prepare his team and by taking last week off against Dallas, manufactured a bye week and much needed rest for Michael Vick. The Packers will attack Vick with defensive back blitzes (most likely Charles Woodson) from one side and Clay Matthews from the other, so it will be up to Vick to stay in the pocket and find DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin with Packers flying at him. The Green Bay defense has enough speed to keep up with the Eagle speed and could upset Vick enough to where he tries to force the issues. On the other side, while the Packers will try to run the ball, Aaron Rodgers will be the key to getting the victory and his ability to beat the Philadelphia biltzes. Rodgers, with his receivers Greg Jennings and Donald Driver will expose the Eagle secondary and get Rodgershis first playoff win.
Packers 30
Eagles 17


Win/Lose picks:
Sal / Mike --- Seahawks at Saints ---
Mike --- Jets at Colts --- Sal
Sal / Mike --- Ravens at Chiefs ---
Sal / Mike --- Packers at Eagles ---

Wildcard Weekend - The SFB Podcast (1/7/2011)

The NFL Playoffs start on Saturday and we are down to 12 teams looking to win the Super Bowl. Will the Saints repeat as Super Bowl champions or do we get a new team holding the Lombardi trophy? Mike joins me to preview the four games and give our thoughts on who will move on to the Divisional Round. Plus we discuss the Baseball Hall of Fame voting and the NHL Winter Classic. Enjoy.

The SportsFan Buzz: January 7, 2011 (right click to "save as target)
You can find and subscribe to the podcast on iTunes.
Voice over talent provided by Morgan Thomas.

NFL 2010 - Week 16 picks.....

We are down to the next to last week of the NFL season and one can only hope that the games are as good as what we saw in week 15. Will the Giants bounce back after their tough loss to the Eagles? Are the Jets back on the right track?

As for the picks, another positive week going against the spread, which keeps me over 20 games on the "plus side". For the straight win/loss picks, Mike again won the week and has a four game lead heading into these final two weeks.

Below are the point spread games and following them are the win/lose picks of Mike, myself and our guest picker and podcast listener, Tim.

NFL Week 16 picks (Home Team in CAPS)

STEELERS (-13) over Panthers
CARDINALS (+6 1/2) over Cowboys
BILLS (+8) over Patriots
BEARS (-2) over Jets
Ravens (-3) over BROWNS
Titans (-4 1/2) over CHIEFS
RAMS (-2) over 49ers
Lions (+4) over DOLPHINS
JAGUARS (-6 1/2) over Redskins
Chargers (-7) over BENGALS
BRONCOS (+3) over Texans
Colts (-2 1/2) over RAIDERS
PACKERS (-3) over Giants
BUCCANEERS (-6 1/2) over Seahawks
EAGLES (-14) over Vikings
Saints (+2) over FALCONS

Week 15 picks: 9-7
2010 season: 116-95-13


Win / Lose picks:
Guest picker for week 16: podcast listener, Tim

Week 15 results: Mike (11-5) / Sal (9-7) / Guest (10-6)
2010 season: Mike (143-81) / Sal (139-85) / Guest (127-97)

Week 16 picks:
--- Panthers at Steelers --- Sal / Mike / Tim
Sal / Mike / Tim --- Cowboys at Cardinals ---
Sal / Mike / Tim --- Patriots at Bills ---
--- Jets at Bears --- Sal / Mike / Tim
Sal / Mike / Tim --- Ravens at Browns ---
--- Titans at Chiefs --- Sal / Mike / Tim
--- 49ers at Rams --- Sal / Mike / Tim 
--- Lions at Dolphins --- Sal / Mike / Tim
--- Redskins at Jaguars --- Sal / Mike / Tim
Sal / Mike / Tim --- Chargers at Bengals ---
Mike / Tim --- Texans at Broncos --- Sal
Sal / Tim --- Colts at Raiders --- Mike
Tim --- Giants at Packers --- Sal / Mike
--- Seahawks at Buccaneers --- Sal / Mike / Tim
--- Vikings at Eagles --- Sal / Mike / Tim
Sal / Mike --- Saints at Falcons --- Tim

NFL Week 5 review - The SFB Podcast (10/12/2010).....

The Saints lose to a team with a free agent rookie starting at quarterback that does not score a running or passing touchdown? Tampa Bay comes back on the road against a Bengal team is getting terrible quarterbacking from Carson Palmer. The Raiders block two punts and hand another loss to the Chargers, while in Dallas, the Cowboys rack up over 500 yards, but still lose to the Titans and fall to 1-3. What is going on here in the NFL. I'll try to make sense of this confusing year. Enjoy.

The SportsFan Buzz: October 12, 2010 (right click to "save as target)

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Voice over talent provided by Morgan Thomas.

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.

Jeter moving? - The SFB Podcast (9/10/2010).....

Yankee fans are wondering what management will do concerning Derek Jeter impending free agency and now comes a report Jeter has put his penthouse up for sale. That should ratchet up the talk radio discussions a few notches and also cause a few heart attacks. Also, while the AL playoff teams seem set, the NL now looks like all the playoff spots may not be decided until the last week or weekend. I'll discuss those stories, plus other news around MLB, the Saints / Vikings game and what else is going on in the NFL and a great story about Dwight Howard. Enjoy.

The SportsFan Buzz: September 10, 2010 (right click to "save as target)

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Voice over talent provided by Morgan Thomas.

NFL 2010 - Week 1 picks.....

AFC and NFC previews:
NFC: The SportsFan Buzz: NFC 2010
AFC: The SportsFan Buzz: AFC 2010

Playoff Team Predictions:
AFC: Patriots / Bengals / Colts / Chargers / Ravens* / Texans*
NFC: Cowboys / Packers / Saints / 49ers / Giants* / Vikings*
Super Bowl: Colts / Packers
2010 Champion: Packers


NFL Week 1 picks (Home Team in Caps)

SAINTS (-4 1/2) over Vikings
Rematch of the NFC Championship, but the Vikings have many questions entering the season. No Sidney Rice and how healthy is Brett Favre's ankle lead the list. The Superdome will be rocking and that helps Drew Brees and the Saints roll to a comfortable victory.

Panthers (+7) over GIANTS
I like the Giants to rebound but a touchdown is too much. The Giants will look different on offense with Ahmad Bradshaw now the starting running back. Was that pre-season "sack attack" by the Panther defense for real? New York wins, but the Panthers keep it close by running DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart to help protect first year starter Matt Moore.

Dolphins (-3) over BILLS
Expect heavy doses of Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams and look for Brandon Marshall to make a nice debut for his new team. Be interesting to see how much the Bills use CJ Spiller, but Buffalo does not have any other offense and that helps Miami get an opening day victory.

STEELERS (+2 1/2) over Falcons
Rashard Mendenhall for Pittsburgh and Michael Turner for Atlanta will get plenty of carries, so it will be a matter of which defense stops the run better. Look for the Steeler defense to step up and help while Dennis Dixon steps in for suspended Ben Roethlisberger.

BEARS (-6) over Lions
The Mike Martz / Jay Cutler marriage gets off to a good start against the Detroit defense that will be better with Ndamukong Suh anchoring the middle of that line. I like the Lion offense with Matthew Stafford be better, but he might see lots of Julius Peppers on Sunday.

Bengals (+4 1/2) over PATRIOTS
This has game of the week written all over it. Four great receivers on the field between Randy Moss, Wes Welker, Chad Ochocinco and Terrell Owens. The Bengal running game and defense is better then New England and keeps it close. Could also be a straight upset.

Browns (+3) over BUCCANEERS
An ugly opening week game. Both teams in the full rebuilding mode, but Cleveland has just enough offense to beat Tampa Bay.

JAGUARS (-2 1/2) over Broncos
Two teams that are going to struggle mightily this year. Denver got really beat up during the pre-season and will struggle to score and put any pressure on the Jacksonville offense.

Colts (-2 1/2) over TEXANS
This is a very important game for the Texans, but it is still Peyton Manning on the other side of the field. Matt Schaub, Andre Johnson and Mario Williams are ready to get Houston over the hump, but this Colt game will be a little detour to that destination.

TITANS (-6) over Raiders
The Raiders are an improved team, but the Titans have Chris Johnson and he is on a mission. Tennessee is looking to reverse the terrible start they had in 2009 and they should with a home victory over Oakland.

Packers (-3) over EAGLES
A tough test for the Kevin Kolb era in Philadelphia against Green Bay. He catches a break with Al Harris missing the first six weeks, but Aaron Rodgers shows why he is one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL as the Packer offense rolls against a suspect Eagle defense.

49ers (-3) over SEAHAWKS
Pete Carrol starts his Seattle coaching debut against the team favored to win the NFC West. While Seattle is improved, the 49ers will be much better and that starts showing here in week 1. Frank Gore starts off what could be a huge year for one of the league's best running backs.

Cardinals (-4) over RAMS
Derek Anderson leads the Cardinals, replacing the retired Kurt Warner, and the lowly Rams is the perfect foe to help get off to a good start. St. Louis fans get to see Sam Bradford's first NFL start and can hope it is the start of a bright future.

Cowboys (-4) over REDSKINS
The Cowboy offensive line looked terrible during the pre-season, but with the Redskins not sure about Albert Haynesworth's playing time, Tony Romo and the O-line dodge a week one problem. Not sure if Donovan McNabb and the Redskin offense can score enough against a tough Cowboy defense lead by DeMarcus Ware.

Ravens (+2 1/2) over JETS
The pre-season hype is over for the Jets and it is time to play the games for real. The Ravens have really improved their offense with the addition of Anquan Boldin and Ray Rice running the ball and will not be afraid to attack the Darrelle Revis led New York defense. The Ravens are beat up in the secondary, but their front seven is still excellent and will harass Mark Sanchez into mistakes.

Chargers (-5) over CHIEFS
Kansas City will run the ball with Thomas Jones and Jamaal Charles at that Charger defense, but can they be effective in the air? Philip Rivers has his own new weapon in Ryan Mathews to hand off to, and the Charger passing game (even minus Vincent Jackson) will be too much for the Chiefs and propel San Diego to an opening night divisional victory.

NFC Preview 2010 - The SFB Podcast.....

Can the Saints follow up their marvelous Super Bowl season with another run at the championship? Now in his third full season as the starter, can Aaron Rodgers take the Packers deep in the playoffs? Will the Cowboys become the first team to play a Super Bowl on their home field? Is Brett Favre and the Viking healthy enough to compete again this year? Or is their another team out there lurking to be this year's surprise of the NFC. I will look at all sixteen NFC teams in this team by team preview. Enjoy.

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

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Voice over talent provided by Morgan Thomas.

Super Bowl 44 & The SportsFan Buzz Podcast (2/8/2010).....

Super Bowl 44 is over and the New Orleans Saints are the NFL Champions after defeating the Indianapolis Colts 31-17 down in Miami. Mike Tricarico joins me as we review the game and discuss why the Saints won, the Colts lost, and what we thought were the key plays in the game. We also talk about The Who's halftime show and the Super Bowl commercials. Got to love Betty White and Abe Vigoda. Enjoy.

Has a sports team or athlete broken your heart? Do you have a sports related romance story, or romance rlated sports story? Let us know here in a comment of on The SportsFan Buzz page on Facebook.

Mike on Twitter.

The SportsFan Buzz: February 8, 2010 (right click to "save as target)

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The SportsFan Buzz Podcast (2/4/2010).....

Mike Tricarico joins me on the podcast as we preview Super Bowl 44 between the Colts & Saints. Both of us give our thoughts about who will win the game and why. We also babble about the Pro Bowl, Rex Ryan's "one finger salute" and Kim Kardashian being "famous". We also go over some Super Bowl prop bets including Carrie Underwood's national anthem.

Has a sports team or athlete broken your heart? Do you have a sports related romance story, or romance rlated sports story? Let us know here in a comment of on The SportsFan Buzz page on Facebook.

Mike on Twitter.

The SportsFan Buzz: February 4, 2010 (right click to "save as target)

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The SportsFan Buzz Podcast (1/25/2010).....

All that's left standing after three weeks of NFL Playoffs are two teams, the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints. The Colts defeated the New York Jets 30-17 to take the AFC crown, while the Saints worked overtime in taking care of the Minnesota Vikings 31-28, to claim the NFC crown. Mike joins me on the podcast to review what happened on Championship Sunday, and thinks I set my daughter's bedtime too early. Enjoy.

*** I was incorrect when stating The Beatles did not win any musical Grammys prior to their breakup in January 1969. In fact they won five musical Grammys along with the many techincal ones I thought they had only won before they separated. This is why I talk sports and not music. ***

Mike on Twitter.

The SportsFan Buzz: January 25, 2010 (right click to "save as target)

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Voice over talent provided by Morgan Thomas

Championship Game Picks & The SportsFan Buzz (1/21/2010).....

The AFC and NFC Championships are on the line this weekend. Mike and I preview the two games and breakdown what we think the teams need to do to win. Do we think the #1 seeds will survive? Also, we poke a little fun at the J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets. Enjoy.
Mike on Twitter.

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

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Voice over talent provided by Morgan Thomas

(home team in CAPS)

Jets (+7 1/2) over COLTS
SAINTS (-3 1/2) over Vikings

Divisional Round (0-4) Yes, 0 wins!
2009 Playoff record (2-6)
2009 regular season (85-79-2)

Divisional Round Review - The SportsFan Buzz Podcast (1/17/2010).....

Mike and I review the four NFL Divisional Playoff games and discuss the New York Jets upset victory over the San Diego Chargers. And yes, I was 0-4 on my picks. Enjoy.

The SportsFan Buzz: January 17, 2010

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Voice over talent provided by Morgan Thomas