NFL 2012: Week 6 Picks; Reds Season Comes to an End
A very good season of Cincinnati Reds baseball has come to an end and it sure didn't end the way fans had hoped. I haven't written much about the Reds this season, but I have enjoyed watching them play baseball in 2012. I just wish I could have seen more. Thursday's loss to the San Francisco Giants was beyond disappointing, it was heartbreaking. For the Reds to be up 2-0 after playing almost perfect baseball out in San Francisco to come home and lay an absolute egg for three straight games in front of 44,000 loyal and dedicated Reds fans is gut wrenching.
Yes, the Reds had a very good season. They won 97 games, they won the NL Central Division for the second time in three years and they won a playoff game for the first time since 1995. But when I look back at the 2012 season, I'll only think about the three games that got away down at Great American Ballpark. This Reds team has a lot going for them and I expect them to contend again in 2013, and for the sake of the fans I hope they do.
It's not easy being a professional sports fan in the city of Cincinnati, especially in my lifetime since 1990. The Reds and Bengals have been bad, and quite often, very bad in that time frame and the fans in this town deserve better. They continue to go to games, spending lots of money to do so, and they've supported these teams through years and years of frustration that they deserve to see one of them win a home playoff game. When that will be though, is the million dollar question.
The Reds did have a good season and I surely did enjoy watching them this year, apart from the final three games of course, but I'm still disappointed. This team was capable of winning the World Series, something they haven't done since 1990, and one has to wonder if this team can ever win another one. Thanks for a good season Reds and here's to hoping next year is even better.
Now my picks for week six of the NFL season.
Week 6 Picks (Home team in CAPS)
Pittsburgh over TENNESSEE: Not many people thought Tennessee could upset Pittsburgh, but they proved me and everyone else around the country wrong Thursday night. So, picks for this week are off to a solid start at 0-1.
ATLANTA over Oakland: The Raiders had two weeks to prepare for the Falcons, but that still won't be enough as Atlanta stays undefeated.
MIAMI over St. Louis: The Dolphins are only a few plays away from being 4-1 and QB Ryan Tannehill is has been pretty impressive thus far in his rookie season.
Indianapolis over NY JETS: The Colts coming back from a 21-3 deficit to beat the Packers for head coach Chuck Pagano, who is battling leukemia, is one of the best NFL stories in years. Andrew Luck continues his rookie success as the Colts win another one for Chuck against the pitiful Jets.
PHILADELPHIA over Detroit: Mike Vick and the Eagles may be turnover prone, but the Lions have lost their magic from last season.
BALTIMORE over Dallas: The Cowboys are an average team whether owner Jerry Jones believes it or not. Lots of problems in Big D and a loss to the Ravens on Sunday won't help matters.
TAMPA BAY over Kansas City: Chiefs QB Matt Cassel is out with a concussion, so former Notre Dame QB Brady Quinn will get the start at quarterback. But I doubt he will help much as the Chiefs continue to struggle. Tampa Bay isn't very good either, so the Chiefs do have a chance if RB Jamal Charles can have a big day.
New England over SEATTLE: The 12th man will be rocking Sunday afternoon in Seattle, but I think the Patriots, who have been red hot on offense, make the trip out to the Pacific Northwest and get the win.
ARIZONA over Buffalo: The Bills couldn't stop a nose bleed right now as they have given up 97 points in the last two games with 90 of them coming in the last six quarters. Ouch.
SAN FRANCISCO over NY Giants: A rematch of last year's NFC Championship game and I like the 49ers to get revenge as the best team in football, in my opinion, gets yet another impressive win.
Minnesota over WASHINGTON: Are you surprised by the Vikings 4-1? I am and I think they win again in Washington even if RG3 plays after suffering a concussion last week.
HOUSTON over Green Bay: Preview of Super Bowl XLVII? I thought so back in August, but what has happened to the Green Bay Packers? They need a win in the worse way, but I just don't see it happening down in Houston. The Texans on the other hand, look like a Super Bowl contender.
Denver over SAN DIEGO: Peyton Manning and the Broncos have been up and down this season, but I look for them to get back to .500 with a win over division rival San Diego.
Bengals over BROWNS: A minor setback for the Bengals last week as they let one slip away against the Miami Dolphins, but a win against the Browns on Sunday will leave them in good shape as the schedule starts to tougher.
After Cleveland, the Bengals host Pittsburgh on Sunday night football, and then following the bye they play Denver and the NY Giants. Going into those games at 4-2 is much better than going in 3-3, so I would call Sunday's game a must win.
This week the offense needs to find a way to run the ball and needs to improve on third down. Going 2-14 like the Bengals did last week makes it hard to win ball games. The defense forced some early turnovers and gave the offense good field position against the Dolphins, but they weren't able to take advantage of those opportunities, which ultimately lead to them losing the game.
The Browns are 0-5, but they have been in games in the fourth quarter, so the Bengals need to jump out to an early lead and keep their foot on the throttle. Cincinnati has the better team and I think they win the Battle of Ohio for the second time this season and improve to 4-2. Bengals 27, Browns 17.
Byes: Chicago, New Orleans, Carolina, Jacksonville
This Week: 0-1
Last Week: 11-3
Overall: 48-30
 |
| One can only wonder how things might have turned out differently for the Reds had Johnny Cueto not gotten hurt in game one. (Jeff Gross/Getty Images) |
It's not easy being a professional sports fan in the city of Cincinnati, especially in my lifetime since 1990. The Reds and Bengals have been bad, and quite often, very bad in that time frame and the fans in this town deserve better. They continue to go to games, spending lots of money to do so, and they've supported these teams through years and years of frustration that they deserve to see one of them win a home playoff game. When that will be though, is the million dollar question.
The Reds did have a good season and I surely did enjoy watching them this year, apart from the final three games of course, but I'm still disappointed. This team was capable of winning the World Series, something they haven't done since 1990, and one has to wonder if this team can ever win another one. Thanks for a good season Reds and here's to hoping next year is even better.
Now my picks for week six of the NFL season.
Week 6 Picks (Home team in CAPS)
Pittsburgh over TENNESSEE: Not many people thought Tennessee could upset Pittsburgh, but they proved me and everyone else around the country wrong Thursday night. So, picks for this week are off to a solid start at 0-1.
ATLANTA over Oakland: The Raiders had two weeks to prepare for the Falcons, but that still won't be enough as Atlanta stays undefeated.
MIAMI over St. Louis: The Dolphins are only a few plays away from being 4-1 and QB Ryan Tannehill is has been pretty impressive thus far in his rookie season.
 |
| ChuckStrong shirts in honor of Colts head coach Chuck Pagano's fight against leukemia. (Photo Courtesy ColtsProShop.com) |
PHILADELPHIA over Detroit: Mike Vick and the Eagles may be turnover prone, but the Lions have lost their magic from last season.
BALTIMORE over Dallas: The Cowboys are an average team whether owner Jerry Jones believes it or not. Lots of problems in Big D and a loss to the Ravens on Sunday won't help matters.
TAMPA BAY over Kansas City: Chiefs QB Matt Cassel is out with a concussion, so former Notre Dame QB Brady Quinn will get the start at quarterback. But I doubt he will help much as the Chiefs continue to struggle. Tampa Bay isn't very good either, so the Chiefs do have a chance if RB Jamal Charles can have a big day.
New England over SEATTLE: The 12th man will be rocking Sunday afternoon in Seattle, but I think the Patriots, who have been red hot on offense, make the trip out to the Pacific Northwest and get the win.
ARIZONA over Buffalo: The Bills couldn't stop a nose bleed right now as they have given up 97 points in the last two games with 90 of them coming in the last six quarters. Ouch.
SAN FRANCISCO over NY Giants: A rematch of last year's NFC Championship game and I like the 49ers to get revenge as the best team in football, in my opinion, gets yet another impressive win.
Minnesota over WASHINGTON: Are you surprised by the Vikings 4-1? I am and I think they win again in Washington even if RG3 plays after suffering a concussion last week.
HOUSTON over Green Bay: Preview of Super Bowl XLVII? I thought so back in August, but what has happened to the Green Bay Packers? They need a win in the worse way, but I just don't see it happening down in Houston. The Texans on the other hand, look like a Super Bowl contender.
Denver over SAN DIEGO: Peyton Manning and the Broncos have been up and down this season, but I look for them to get back to .500 with a win over division rival San Diego.
 |
| Andy Dalton and the Bengals offense could not get anything going last week as Cincinnati fell to Miami 17-13. (Joe Rimkus Jr./Miami Herald) |
After Cleveland, the Bengals host Pittsburgh on Sunday night football, and then following the bye they play Denver and the NY Giants. Going into those games at 4-2 is much better than going in 3-3, so I would call Sunday's game a must win.
This week the offense needs to find a way to run the ball and needs to improve on third down. Going 2-14 like the Bengals did last week makes it hard to win ball games. The defense forced some early turnovers and gave the offense good field position against the Dolphins, but they weren't able to take advantage of those opportunities, which ultimately lead to them losing the game.
The Browns are 0-5, but they have been in games in the fourth quarter, so the Bengals need to jump out to an early lead and keep their foot on the throttle. Cincinnati has the better team and I think they win the Battle of Ohio for the second time this season and improve to 4-2. Bengals 27, Browns 17.
Byes: Chicago, New Orleans, Carolina, Jacksonville
This Week: 0-1
Last Week: 11-3
Overall: 48-30
Comments
Post a Comment