Congrats to the Cubs; I Hate Ties; Week 9 Picks
The Chicago Cubs are World Series champions.
There's a sentence that hasn't been written since Teddy Roosevelt was in office.
What a game. Game 7 of the 2016 World Series was one of the best baseball games I've ever watched. Back and forth, home runs off pitchers who had dominated all postseason, critical errors, extra innings and heck, we even had a rain delay. It had everything a World Series Game 7 should have. And the Cubs came out on top.
As a diehard Reds fan, I obviously want to see the Reds win the World Series every year, but I have to say I'm happy for the Cubs and their fans. 108 years is a long time to wait and what I'm most happy about is the fact we won't have to hear how it has been 109 years since the Cubs won the World Series at the start of next season.
The Reds were awful last year and although I think they'll be better in 2017, the Cubs will be just as good as they were this year. So many young, talented players on that roster, it's insane.
I'm going to be that guy and say the Cubs repeat in 2017. Who has a better team than them? Right now, no one in my opinion. Not good news for the Reds or the rest of Major League Baseball for the foreseeable future.
Enjoy it Chicago, while you can, you never know how long it will be before the next World Series championship.
Now, on to the NFL.
No more ties, please.
After watching four and a half hours of some of the most frustrating football I've ever watched, I'd at least like to see a winner.
Last week's Bengals-Redskins game ended in a 27-27 tie, the second tie in as many weeks this season in the NFL. The Seahawks and Cardinals tied 6-6 in Week 7.
Both the Bengals and Redskins had numerous opportunities to win and lose the game, but neither one did enough to seal the victory. One of the biggest reasons why this game ended in a tie was because of the poor play, much like in the Seahawks-Cardinals game, of the kickers.
Bengals K Mike Nugent missed a 51-yard field goal and an extra point, while Redskins K Dustin Hopkins missed a 34-yard field goal in overtime. Hopkins also missed a 55-yard field goal earlier in the game.
The two missed field goals from 50+ yards I understand, those aren't easy even in the best conditions, but missing an extra point and a 34-yarder to win the game is inexcusable. Instead of one of these teams making the 7-hour flight back to the US with a crucial win under their belt, both teams make that long ride back with basically nothing.
What is really perplexing, besides the fact that there seems to be no good kickers in the NFL apart from 43-year Adam Vinatieri, is why the NFL still has ties? Why not have the same overtime rules in the regular season as you do in the playoffs where someone has to win the game, no matter how many 15 minute quarters it takes.
I know injuries, especially head injuries, are of concern in the league and if you keep having to play overtime quarters, injuries could pile up. But how many overtimes games are there every year anyway? Not that many and the majority of them have a final result before the 15 minute overtime period is up.
The NFL has had 22 ties since 1974 and there have been just five this decade. So, NFL, please, use the playoff overtime rules for the regular season and we can end the frustration that comes with a tie football game.
On to my picks for this week's slate of NFL action.
Week 9 Picks (Home team in CAPS)
Atlanta over TAMPA BAY (Thursday, 8:25 p.m. ET, NFLN): The Buccaneers are giving up 27.0 PPG this season and that's not good news as the number one scoring team in the NFL, the Atlanta Falcons, visit on Thursday night. The Falcons have had the best offense in the NFL all season and I just don't see the Buccaneers being able to stop them. QB Matt Ryan will throw the ball all over the field and expect WR Julio Jones to have a big day. Jones was banged up last week and managed just three catches for 29-yards against the Packers.
MINNESOTA over Detroit (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX): For as the Vikings offense has looked the past two weeks, 20 combined points, they're still one of the better teams in the NFC. QB Sam Bradford has to play better and maybe a change in offensive coordinator -- Norv Turner resigned earlier this week -- will help the Vikings put some more points on the scoreboard. Being at home will help the Vikings as Minnesota is giving up just 12.3 PPG at home this season where they are 3-0. With this game being at U.S. Bank Stadium, I like the Vikings.
NY GIANTS over Philadelphia (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX): Taking the Giants here because they're at home. Eagles are just 1-3 on the road and have lost three of their last four games. The Giants defense showed up in London two weeks ago, albeit against the Jaguars, but I think they'll continue to get better and help the Giants get the win Sunday against rival Philadelphia.
MIAMI over NY Jets (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): Both of these teams are going nowhere with the Patriots way ahead in the division and numerous teams, primarily in the AFC West, leading the way in the Wild Card. So, they big thing or the main reason to watch this game is to see the Jets number one ranked rush defense try and stop Dolphins RB Jay Ajayi, who has rushed for a combined 428-yards the past two games. The Dolphins have knocked off the Bills and Steelers behind Ajayi's running the football, so I think he'll be able to run the ball effectively against the Jets to get the Dolphins another win.
KANSAS CITY over Jacksonville (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): The Jaguars have been a tremendous disappointment this season and head coach Gus Bradley may be get fired by season's end if things don't turn around. QB Blake Bortles has played like anything but a franchise quarterback and if he continues to struggle, so will the Jaguars. Kansas City has won three straight and is 3-0 at home this season. They'll continue their winning ways this Sunday as they beat up on the Jaguars.
Dallas over CLEVELAND (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX): Cleveland played well last week against the Jets, but another second half melt down lead to the Browns remaining winless. Things won't get any easier this week at home against Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott and the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas rushes for 200-yards as the Browns fall to 0-9.
Pittsburgh over BALTIMORE (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): If QB Ben Roethlisberger is indeed able to come back and play this Sunday against the Ravens, then no question I think the Steelers will win. If Big Ben can't play I still think the Steelers can win in Baltimore. The Ravens have lost four straight and have not looked good in the process. Steelers get the win in this heated rivalry no matter who starts for them at QB.
New Orleans over SAN FRANCISCO (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, FOX): The difference in this game, and the reason why I'm picking the Saints here, is QB Drew Brees. Brees is having another spectacular season ranking second in TD and completion percentage and ranking third in yards and passer rating. The 49ers have the seventh best passing defense in the league, but they haven't face a QB like Brees all season. Brees and the Saints number one passing attack will lead them to a win and a .500 record.
Carolina over LOS ANGELES (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, FOX): Wouldn't surprise me at all if the Rams win this one coming off a bye, but the Panthers are a desperate team. The Rams biggest hurdle to winning this game will be QB Case Keenum. Keenum has been awful throwing 7 INT and 4 TD in the last three games. If Keenum plays poorly, the Rams have no chance. The Panthers will have the advantage with Cam Newton at QB, so I'm going with Carolina.
GREEN BAY over Indianapolis (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): With so many injuries last week in Atlanta, Aaron Rodgers and Green Bay almost pulled out a victory. Absolutely no running game and Rodgers was missing Randall Cobb and Ty Montgomery at receiver and yet the Packers still managed to put up 32 points and 331-yards of offense. The Falcons defense is not very good, 25th in total defense, but the Colts defense is even worse, 29th in the league giving up 402.5 YPG. Rodgers should have some of his weapons back and that is not good for Indianapolis. Packers put up 30+ in the win.
SAN DIEGO over Tennessee (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): I know the Chargers are 3-5, but I still think they have one of the better teams in the AFC. All of their losses have been decided by eight points or less and they've beaten Denver and Atlanta. With the Titans making the long trip out West and the Chargers playing well at home I like San Diego to get the win.
OAKLAND over Denver (Sunday, 8:30 p.m. ET, NBC): The Raiders have only beaten the Broncos once in the last nine meetings, but that win came last December and that was a Denver team that went on to win the Super Bowl. The Raiders have been one of the best stories in the NFL this season and have dominated on the road winning all five of their road games. This will be one of the biggest games at "The Black Hole" in sometime and I expect Oakland to play well and knock off the Broncos. Come Monday morning, the Oakland Raiders will be all alone in first place in the AFC West in November. Who predicted that at the beginning of the season? My guess is no one.
SEATTLE over Buffalo (Monday, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN): This should be one of the best games we've had on Monday nights this season and I expect the Seahawks to come out on top. Long trip for the Bills out to Seattle and with RB LeSean McCoy banged up and a game-time decision, I don't think the Bills have enough weapons on offense to beat the Seahawks. Buffalo will have a new weapon this week though as they brought veteran WR Percy Harvin out of retirement. It's uncertain if Harvin will play or not, but if he does, he could give the Bills a spark on offense. I don't think it'll be enough though as the Seahawks win.
Byes: Arizona, Chicago, Cincinnati, Houston, New England, Washington
Last Week: 10-3 (counted that WSH-CIN tie as a loss, really hate all of these ties)
Overall: 69-51 (.575)
There's a sentence that hasn't been written since Teddy Roosevelt was in office.
What a game. Game 7 of the 2016 World Series was one of the best baseball games I've ever watched. Back and forth, home runs off pitchers who had dominated all postseason, critical errors, extra innings and heck, we even had a rain delay. It had everything a World Series Game 7 should have. And the Cubs came out on top.
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| The Chicago Cubs came back from a 3-1 game deficit against the Indians to win the World Series. (Charles LeClaire/USA TODAY Sports) |
The Reds were awful last year and although I think they'll be better in 2017, the Cubs will be just as good as they were this year. So many young, talented players on that roster, it's insane.
I'm going to be that guy and say the Cubs repeat in 2017. Who has a better team than them? Right now, no one in my opinion. Not good news for the Reds or the rest of Major League Baseball for the foreseeable future.
Enjoy it Chicago, while you can, you never know how long it will be before the next World Series championship.
Now, on to the NFL.
No more ties, please.
After watching four and a half hours of some of the most frustrating football I've ever watched, I'd at least like to see a winner.
Last week's Bengals-Redskins game ended in a 27-27 tie, the second tie in as many weeks this season in the NFL. The Seahawks and Cardinals tied 6-6 in Week 7.
Both the Bengals and Redskins had numerous opportunities to win and lose the game, but neither one did enough to seal the victory. One of the biggest reasons why this game ended in a tie was because of the poor play, much like in the Seahawks-Cardinals game, of the kickers.
Bengals K Mike Nugent missed a 51-yard field goal and an extra point, while Redskins K Dustin Hopkins missed a 34-yard field goal in overtime. Hopkins also missed a 55-yard field goal earlier in the game.
The two missed field goals from 50+ yards I understand, those aren't easy even in the best conditions, but missing an extra point and a 34-yarder to win the game is inexcusable. Instead of one of these teams making the 7-hour flight back to the US with a crucial win under their belt, both teams make that long ride back with basically nothing.
What is really perplexing, besides the fact that there seems to be no good kickers in the NFL apart from 43-year Adam Vinatieri, is why the NFL still has ties? Why not have the same overtime rules in the regular season as you do in the playoffs where someone has to win the game, no matter how many 15 minute quarters it takes.
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| Dustin Hopkins' missed 34-yard field helped seal a tie last week in London. (Kareem Elgazzar/Cincinnati.com) |
The NFL has had 22 ties since 1974 and there have been just five this decade. So, NFL, please, use the playoff overtime rules for the regular season and we can end the frustration that comes with a tie football game.
On to my picks for this week's slate of NFL action.
Week 9 Picks (Home team in CAPS)
Atlanta over TAMPA BAY (Thursday, 8:25 p.m. ET, NFLN): The Buccaneers are giving up 27.0 PPG this season and that's not good news as the number one scoring team in the NFL, the Atlanta Falcons, visit on Thursday night. The Falcons have had the best offense in the NFL all season and I just don't see the Buccaneers being able to stop them. QB Matt Ryan will throw the ball all over the field and expect WR Julio Jones to have a big day. Jones was banged up last week and managed just three catches for 29-yards against the Packers.
MINNESOTA over Detroit (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX): For as the Vikings offense has looked the past two weeks, 20 combined points, they're still one of the better teams in the NFC. QB Sam Bradford has to play better and maybe a change in offensive coordinator -- Norv Turner resigned earlier this week -- will help the Vikings put some more points on the scoreboard. Being at home will help the Vikings as Minnesota is giving up just 12.3 PPG at home this season where they are 3-0. With this game being at U.S. Bank Stadium, I like the Vikings.
NY GIANTS over Philadelphia (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX): Taking the Giants here because they're at home. Eagles are just 1-3 on the road and have lost three of their last four games. The Giants defense showed up in London two weeks ago, albeit against the Jaguars, but I think they'll continue to get better and help the Giants get the win Sunday against rival Philadelphia.
MIAMI over NY Jets (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): Both of these teams are going nowhere with the Patriots way ahead in the division and numerous teams, primarily in the AFC West, leading the way in the Wild Card. So, they big thing or the main reason to watch this game is to see the Jets number one ranked rush defense try and stop Dolphins RB Jay Ajayi, who has rushed for a combined 428-yards the past two games. The Dolphins have knocked off the Bills and Steelers behind Ajayi's running the football, so I think he'll be able to run the ball effectively against the Jets to get the Dolphins another win.
KANSAS CITY over Jacksonville (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): The Jaguars have been a tremendous disappointment this season and head coach Gus Bradley may be get fired by season's end if things don't turn around. QB Blake Bortles has played like anything but a franchise quarterback and if he continues to struggle, so will the Jaguars. Kansas City has won three straight and is 3-0 at home this season. They'll continue their winning ways this Sunday as they beat up on the Jaguars.
Dallas over CLEVELAND (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, FOX): Cleveland played well last week against the Jets, but another second half melt down lead to the Browns remaining winless. Things won't get any easier this week at home against Dak Prescott, Ezekiel Elliott and the Dallas Cowboys. Dallas rushes for 200-yards as the Browns fall to 0-9.
Pittsburgh over BALTIMORE (Sunday, 1:00 p.m. ET, CBS): If QB Ben Roethlisberger is indeed able to come back and play this Sunday against the Ravens, then no question I think the Steelers will win. If Big Ben can't play I still think the Steelers can win in Baltimore. The Ravens have lost four straight and have not looked good in the process. Steelers get the win in this heated rivalry no matter who starts for them at QB.
New Orleans over SAN FRANCISCO (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, FOX): The difference in this game, and the reason why I'm picking the Saints here, is QB Drew Brees. Brees is having another spectacular season ranking second in TD and completion percentage and ranking third in yards and passer rating. The 49ers have the seventh best passing defense in the league, but they haven't face a QB like Brees all season. Brees and the Saints number one passing attack will lead them to a win and a .500 record.
Carolina over LOS ANGELES (Sunday, 4:05 p.m. ET, FOX): Wouldn't surprise me at all if the Rams win this one coming off a bye, but the Panthers are a desperate team. The Rams biggest hurdle to winning this game will be QB Case Keenum. Keenum has been awful throwing 7 INT and 4 TD in the last three games. If Keenum plays poorly, the Rams have no chance. The Panthers will have the advantage with Cam Newton at QB, so I'm going with Carolina.
GREEN BAY over Indianapolis (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): With so many injuries last week in Atlanta, Aaron Rodgers and Green Bay almost pulled out a victory. Absolutely no running game and Rodgers was missing Randall Cobb and Ty Montgomery at receiver and yet the Packers still managed to put up 32 points and 331-yards of offense. The Falcons defense is not very good, 25th in total defense, but the Colts defense is even worse, 29th in the league giving up 402.5 YPG. Rodgers should have some of his weapons back and that is not good for Indianapolis. Packers put up 30+ in the win.
SAN DIEGO over Tennessee (Sunday, 4:25 p.m. ET, CBS): I know the Chargers are 3-5, but I still think they have one of the better teams in the AFC. All of their losses have been decided by eight points or less and they've beaten Denver and Atlanta. With the Titans making the long trip out West and the Chargers playing well at home I like San Diego to get the win.
OAKLAND over Denver (Sunday, 8:30 p.m. ET, NBC): The Raiders have only beaten the Broncos once in the last nine meetings, but that win came last December and that was a Denver team that went on to win the Super Bowl. The Raiders have been one of the best stories in the NFL this season and have dominated on the road winning all five of their road games. This will be one of the biggest games at "The Black Hole" in sometime and I expect Oakland to play well and knock off the Broncos. Come Monday morning, the Oakland Raiders will be all alone in first place in the AFC West in November. Who predicted that at the beginning of the season? My guess is no one.
SEATTLE over Buffalo (Monday, 8:30 p.m. ET, ESPN): This should be one of the best games we've had on Monday nights this season and I expect the Seahawks to come out on top. Long trip for the Bills out to Seattle and with RB LeSean McCoy banged up and a game-time decision, I don't think the Bills have enough weapons on offense to beat the Seahawks. Buffalo will have a new weapon this week though as they brought veteran WR Percy Harvin out of retirement. It's uncertain if Harvin will play or not, but if he does, he could give the Bills a spark on offense. I don't think it'll be enough though as the Seahawks win.
Byes: Arizona, Chicago, Cincinnati, Houston, New England, Washington
Last Week: 10-3 (counted that WSH-CIN tie as a loss, really hate all of these ties)
Overall: 69-51 (.575)
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