Looking back on my regular season predictions I think I did pretty good. Manning broke the td record while I got 5 of the 6 AFC playoff teams (badly missing on the Chargers and Texans records) and 4 of the 6 NFC teams (again, badly missing on my Tampa pick, while underrating the Panthers. My playoffs picks are going to be different from what I actually want to happen, but we shall see what happens. I am hoping for a Broncos domination, mostly because I want Peyton to finish off the greatest regular season a qb has ever had with another super bowl. I think Peyton is the greatest qb of all time and he gets criticized way too unfairly for his lack of playoff success. Take away Peyton off of any of the teams he has been on and they probably don't even make the playoffs. Take Tom Brady off the Patriots and Matt Cassell of all people still leads them to an 11-5 record. I will stop my Peyton tangent and get on to my picks, but here's hoping for a Peyton dominated postseason.
Wildcard Round
Bengals over Chargers
Colts over Chiefs
Eagles over Saints
Packers over 49ers
Divisional Round
Broncos over Colts
Patriots over Bengals
Eagles over Panthers
Seahawks over Packers
Championship Round
Broncos over Patriots
Seahawks over Eagles
Super Bowl
Seahawks over Broncos - This was my prediction before the season started so I am sticking with it now. I hope the Broncos are able to pull it off and Peyton shuts up everyone at least for a little while, but I think the Seahawks are the best all around team.
Til Next Time,
Dallas
Monday, December 30, 2013
Monday, September 9, 2013
NFL Season picks
Just to clarify, I did these picks last week, but because of a couple different things going on I did not have time to post them, but this isn't reactionary to yesterday. I started out by going through the entire schedule and picking win-loss records for everyone, but I decided against that and instead will just give my division order of finish for everyone. Without further ado, here are my 2013 NFL predictions.
AFC
East
1. Pats
2. Bills
3. Dolphins.
4. Jets
Despite the Jets win over my Bucs yesterday they are going to be a terrible team. The dolphins are overrated while the Bills are underrated but none of them will beat the Pats for the division. Pats win by at least 3 games and get a bye in the first round.
North
1. Bengals
2. Ravens
3. Browns
4. Steelers
I have everyone in this division finishing within 2 games of each other and until 3 days ago had the Steelers winning the division. Ravens will drop off from last year and the Browns will be better than most people think as long as they can figure out their play calling and not let Weeden throw all day. After what happened to Pouncey yesterday I think a bad season just turned into a disaster for the Steelers.
South
1. Colts
2. Texans
3. Titans
4. Jaguars
After the Colts almost blew the game to the Raiders yesterday I am a bit less confident about this pick but this is what I went with so I am sticking with it. Jaguars will battle with the Raiders and Chargers for the worst team in the league, while the Titans will be mediocre at best. Texans will be right there with the Colts and both teams will be in the playoffs at the end of the season.
West
1. Broncos
2. Chiefs
3. Raiders
4. Chargers
The Chiefs are going to be much better than last year and I think they get the last wild card spot, but they won't compete for the division with the Broncos. If the coaches let him, Peyton Manning will break the touchdown record this year for 2 reasons. 1. their defense is bad enough to let other teams hang around and score points and force the Broncos to keep putting up points themselves, and 2. the Broncos don't have a running game, so all their offense is going to come from Peyton and the receivers. Manning should have been co-mvp last season, but he will win it outright this year.
AFC final standings
1. Broncos
2. Patriots
3. Colts
4. Bengals
5. Texans
6. Chiefs
7. Ravens
8. Browns
9. Bills
10. Dolphins
11. Steelers
12. Titans
13. Jets
14. Raiders
15. Chargers
16. Jaguars
NFC
East
1. Cowboys
2. Eagles
3. Giants
4. Redskins
After last night's game this is another division I am a little nervous about. The giants turned it over 6 times on the road and the Cowboys barely won the game. I think this division is very close all year and Cowboys will pull it out in the end. The Redskins are the most over hyped team in the NFL and they will not be as good as advertised. I picked the Eagles to go 15-1 last year and they went 4-12. This year I am buying into the Chip Kelly hype and picking them to make the playoffs as the last wild card team.
North
1. Packers
2. Bears
3. Lions
4. Vikings
This is another division that I do not think will be close. The Packers are the best team in the division and it's not close. the lions will battle the Bears for second but Green Bay wins the division running away. The Vikings get another exciting year from AP but that's about it as they will have another top 10 draft pick next season.
South
1. Bucs
2. Falcons
3. Saints
4. Panthers
This is the one that will most likely come back to haunt me. Even before yesterday I knew it was a long shot to pick my Bucs to win the division but after yesterday's debacle I don't see how they can do it. Josh Freeman is a terrible quarterback and you just can't win in this league without a good qb. More than likely the Falcons win this division but this is most definitely a heart and not head pick.
West
1. Seahawks
2. 49ers
3. Rams
4. Cardinals
The Seahawks and Niners are the 2 best teams in the league and will be neck and neck the whole season. The thing that sucks for one of these teams is that they will finish 2nd in the division but be the 5 seed in the playoffs. It will be close but I think Seahawks get the division while the Niners still make the playoffs. The Rams will be mediocre and finish with no more than 7 wins, while the Cardinals once again have another high draft pick as well.
NFC Final Standings
1. Seahawks
2. Packers
3. Cowboys
4. Bucs
5. 49ers (even though they'll have the 2nd best record)
6. Eagles
7. Falcons
8. Saints
9. Giants
10. Panthers
11. Bears
12. Lions
13. Redskins
14. Rams
15. Cardinals
16. Vikings
MVP - Peyton Manning
Coach - Andy Reid
Offensive ROY - EJ Manuel
Defensive ROY - Alec Ogletree
Playoffs
Wildcard round
Cowboys over Eagles
49ers over Bucs
Colts over Chiefs
Bengals over Texans
Divisional round
Broncos over Bengals
Patriots over Colts
Seahawks over 49ers
Packers over Cowboys
Championship round
Broncos over Patriots
Seahawks over Packers
Super Bowl
Seahawks over Broncos - I think the Seahawks are the best overall team in the NFL, especially once Percy Harvin comes back, but part of this pick is also because the Super Bowl is being played outside in New York this year and they are forecasting a huge storm already. If the game is played in bad weather, I favor Seattle.
I'm sure most of these will be wrong, but as always it is fun to pick anyway.
Til Next Time,
Dallas
AFC
East
1. Pats
2. Bills
3. Dolphins.
4. Jets
Despite the Jets win over my Bucs yesterday they are going to be a terrible team. The dolphins are overrated while the Bills are underrated but none of them will beat the Pats for the division. Pats win by at least 3 games and get a bye in the first round.
North
1. Bengals
2. Ravens
3. Browns
4. Steelers
I have everyone in this division finishing within 2 games of each other and until 3 days ago had the Steelers winning the division. Ravens will drop off from last year and the Browns will be better than most people think as long as they can figure out their play calling and not let Weeden throw all day. After what happened to Pouncey yesterday I think a bad season just turned into a disaster for the Steelers.
South
1. Colts
2. Texans
3. Titans
4. Jaguars
After the Colts almost blew the game to the Raiders yesterday I am a bit less confident about this pick but this is what I went with so I am sticking with it. Jaguars will battle with the Raiders and Chargers for the worst team in the league, while the Titans will be mediocre at best. Texans will be right there with the Colts and both teams will be in the playoffs at the end of the season.
West
1. Broncos
2. Chiefs
3. Raiders
4. Chargers
The Chiefs are going to be much better than last year and I think they get the last wild card spot, but they won't compete for the division with the Broncos. If the coaches let him, Peyton Manning will break the touchdown record this year for 2 reasons. 1. their defense is bad enough to let other teams hang around and score points and force the Broncos to keep putting up points themselves, and 2. the Broncos don't have a running game, so all their offense is going to come from Peyton and the receivers. Manning should have been co-mvp last season, but he will win it outright this year.
AFC final standings
1. Broncos
2. Patriots
3. Colts
4. Bengals
5. Texans
6. Chiefs
7. Ravens
8. Browns
9. Bills
10. Dolphins
11. Steelers
12. Titans
13. Jets
14. Raiders
15. Chargers
16. Jaguars
NFC
East
1. Cowboys
2. Eagles
3. Giants
4. Redskins
After last night's game this is another division I am a little nervous about. The giants turned it over 6 times on the road and the Cowboys barely won the game. I think this division is very close all year and Cowboys will pull it out in the end. The Redskins are the most over hyped team in the NFL and they will not be as good as advertised. I picked the Eagles to go 15-1 last year and they went 4-12. This year I am buying into the Chip Kelly hype and picking them to make the playoffs as the last wild card team.
North
1. Packers
2. Bears
3. Lions
4. Vikings
This is another division that I do not think will be close. The Packers are the best team in the division and it's not close. the lions will battle the Bears for second but Green Bay wins the division running away. The Vikings get another exciting year from AP but that's about it as they will have another top 10 draft pick next season.
South
1. Bucs
2. Falcons
3. Saints
4. Panthers
This is the one that will most likely come back to haunt me. Even before yesterday I knew it was a long shot to pick my Bucs to win the division but after yesterday's debacle I don't see how they can do it. Josh Freeman is a terrible quarterback and you just can't win in this league without a good qb. More than likely the Falcons win this division but this is most definitely a heart and not head pick.
West
1. Seahawks
2. 49ers
3. Rams
4. Cardinals
The Seahawks and Niners are the 2 best teams in the league and will be neck and neck the whole season. The thing that sucks for one of these teams is that they will finish 2nd in the division but be the 5 seed in the playoffs. It will be close but I think Seahawks get the division while the Niners still make the playoffs. The Rams will be mediocre and finish with no more than 7 wins, while the Cardinals once again have another high draft pick as well.
NFC Final Standings
1. Seahawks
2. Packers
3. Cowboys
4. Bucs
5. 49ers (even though they'll have the 2nd best record)
6. Eagles
7. Falcons
8. Saints
9. Giants
10. Panthers
11. Bears
12. Lions
13. Redskins
14. Rams
15. Cardinals
16. Vikings
MVP - Peyton Manning
Coach - Andy Reid
Offensive ROY - EJ Manuel
Defensive ROY - Alec Ogletree
Playoffs
Wildcard round
Cowboys over Eagles
49ers over Bucs
Colts over Chiefs
Bengals over Texans
Divisional round
Broncos over Bengals
Patriots over Colts
Seahawks over 49ers
Packers over Cowboys
Championship round
Broncos over Patriots
Seahawks over Packers
Super Bowl
Seahawks over Broncos - I think the Seahawks are the best overall team in the NFL, especially once Percy Harvin comes back, but part of this pick is also because the Super Bowl is being played outside in New York this year and they are forecasting a huge storm already. If the game is played in bad weather, I favor Seattle.
I'm sure most of these will be wrong, but as always it is fun to pick anyway.
Til Next Time,
Dallas
Saturday, April 20, 2013
NBA Playoff Predictions
Hello to the few people who actually read this; I have not written anything for months and it is pretty sad because I am constantly thinking of things I want to write about, but haven't made the time to do it. I am going to try to write a bit more but we will see if it actually happens. As for today, I am going to give my predictions for the NBA playoffs which begin in just a few hours. Here goes:
First Round
#1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #8 Houston Rockets
As much as I would love to see OKC go down early because Russell Westbrook drives me insane and Kevin Durant has started to really annoy me, I don't think Houston stands a chance in this series. OKC will want to prove they are better off with Harden (even though they aren't) and will play balls to the wall from the get go. These games will be entertaining and high scoring, but OKC is just too good.
Thunder in 5
#2 San Antonio Spurs vs #7 Los Angeles Lakers
I find it rather funny how many "experts" are talking about how dangerous the Lakers are against a "beat up" Spurs team. The Lakers shouldn't even be in the playoffs; they needed the help of the NBA (50-16 free throw advantage last Friday and only win by 2, one of many games handed to the Lakers this season) and the Utah Jazz. If the Jazz don't lose a whole bunch of very winnable close games this season, the Lakers are sitting at home right now. No worries though, they shall be there soon enough; if Tony Parker is healthy for this series, he will destroy the Lakers backcourt all series. Lakers will win one game, possibly even two because sadly more Lakers games means more money for the league. In the end, Spurs are way better than L.A.
Spurs in 5
#3 Denver Nuggets vs #6 Golden State Warriors
I love watching Steph Curry play, and I think he will score a lot in this series. That being said, I think Denver is just a better overall team and plays similar to how Golden State plays, only better. If healthy, I think Denver wins this series easily, but that is a big if right now. Ty Lawson and Kenneth Faried are dealing with injuries and Galinari is already done for the year. I am banking on Lawson and Faried being okay, and Nuggets winning the series fairly easy. If those two aren't healthy, this paragraph never happened.
Nuggets in 5
# 4 Los Angeles Clippers vs #5 Memphis Grizzlies
A rematch of last year's first round where the Clippers took out the Grizzlies in 7. I think Chris Paul is the best player in this series, but the combination of Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol is far better than the combination of Blake Griffin and Deandre Jordan. If Memphis is able to keep those two out of foul trouble, they should be able to slow the games down and win a very low scoring, hard fought series.
Grizzlies in 6
#1 Miami Heat vs #8 Milwaukee Bucks
Not much to say about this series. Miami is far superior and Lebron is just playing on a level far above anyone else in the league.
Heat in 4
#2 New York Knicks vs #7 Boston Celtics
I am 100% biased in making this pick, but I really think that if Garnett can stay on the floor for a solid 30-35 minutes a game, and if good Jeff Green shows up, the Celtics will take down the Knicks. I could be way off the the Knicks could sweep Boston, but I just don't see it happening. The Knicks rely way too heavily on 3 pointers and in the playoffs, games slow down and scoring is much more difficult. Boston has a very good defensive backcourt and Paul Pierce seems to play his best against New York. I know Melo is playing well right now, but I just have a feeling about this one. Celtics will steal game 1 today, and they won't lose back in Boston.
Celtics in 6
#3 Indiana Pacers vs #6 Atlanta Hawks
Not to be mean, but nobody cares about this series other than the players families, and they might not even show up. Nobody is watching this series, and luckily it won't last long. Even though they have struggled lately, the Pacers are the better team.
Pacers in 5
#4 Brooklyn Nets vs #5 Chicago Bulls
With Joakim Noah hurt it makes this series very difficult to predict. If he was healthy I think Bulls win easily, but without him the Nets will be able to force feed Brook Lopez all they want. We all know Carlos Boozer isn't playing defense against anyone. I am hoping Noah is able to play because I really want to see a Bulls Heat matchup in round 2, and I really really want Deron Williams to just go home as soon as possible.
Bulls in 6
Second Round
Thunder vs Grizzlies
If the Clippers beat the Grizz in round 1, I think OKC takes them out quickly in round 2. If the Grizz advance, however, I think they match up really well with OKC and can slow them down enough to frustrate both Westbrook and Durant. The one toss up: officials. If Durant and Westbrook get every call, the Grizzlies will be in trouble because they have to be able to keep Gasol and Randolph on the floor. If the officials let them play in this series, I think Memphis is able to pull the upset.
Grizzlies in 6
Spurs vs Nuggets
I think this series will be very entertaining. Tony Parker and Ty Lawson both run their teams extremely well and the defenses might not show up for either team. Denver is extremely tough at home, so if they can steal a game in San Antonio, watch out. I think this series goes back and forth, but in the end, home court wins out.
Spurs in 7
Heat vs Bulls
As I said before I hope this series happens. Not because I actually think the Bulls can win the series, but because they won't just roll over for Miami. Chicago is very tough team that isn't scared of the Heat in any way. Miami will win the series and it won't go past 5 games, but Chicago will make them work for every bit of it. This series will test Lebron's patience because Chicago will go at him time and time again with physical play. Let's just hope the 6'8, 250 lb freakish athlete doesn't spend the whole series whining.
Heat in 5
Pacers vs Celtics
If Boston is able to upset New York, I actually like this matchup for them. Indiana likes to slow it down just like Boston does. Boston won the regular season series 2-0, with the last game being cancelled. I think this is a very physical, low scoring, at most times "boring" series that will feature a lot of missed shots. Again I think Boston steals home court in the first 2 games and takes care of business at home.
Celtics in 6
Conference Finals
Spurs vs Grizzlies
This series will be very close throughout. They split the season series, and 3 of the 4 games were decided by 4 points or less, 2 of them in overtime. Parker will win the point guard matchup while the combination of Gasol and Randolph will be very tough for the Spurs to handle. The key to the series is going to be Kawai Leonard. If he plays well, spurs win a close hard fought series.
Spurs in 7
Heat vs Celtics
As much as I would love to, I can't be that big of a homer. Boston will be tired and worn down by the time they get to this point, and Miami will run through them for the most part. Boston won't go down without a fight, but the series won't be as close as I would like it to be. Barring a Lebron injury, Celtics don't have a chance.
Heat in 5
NBA Finals
Spurs vs Heat
I think this will be a fun series to watch, and it wouldn't shock me if the Spurs won. Gregg Popovich is the best coach in the NBA by far and he will have the Spurs ready to go. That being said, I don't see any way the Spurs can contain both Lebron and Wade. Kawai Leonard can slow one of them down, but that's it. The Spurs will be more tired after 2 straight 7 game series, while the Heat won't have played more than 5 games a series, and they won't here either. Really hope I am wrong, but I think Miami takes it for the 2nd straight year, and Lebron keeps moving up the list of all time greats.
Heat in 5
There you have it. I will be back next weekend to make my (wildly speculative) NHL playoff picks.
Til Next Time,
Dallas
First Round
#1 Oklahoma City Thunder vs #8 Houston Rockets
As much as I would love to see OKC go down early because Russell Westbrook drives me insane and Kevin Durant has started to really annoy me, I don't think Houston stands a chance in this series. OKC will want to prove they are better off with Harden (even though they aren't) and will play balls to the wall from the get go. These games will be entertaining and high scoring, but OKC is just too good.
Thunder in 5
#2 San Antonio Spurs vs #7 Los Angeles Lakers
I find it rather funny how many "experts" are talking about how dangerous the Lakers are against a "beat up" Spurs team. The Lakers shouldn't even be in the playoffs; they needed the help of the NBA (50-16 free throw advantage last Friday and only win by 2, one of many games handed to the Lakers this season) and the Utah Jazz. If the Jazz don't lose a whole bunch of very winnable close games this season, the Lakers are sitting at home right now. No worries though, they shall be there soon enough; if Tony Parker is healthy for this series, he will destroy the Lakers backcourt all series. Lakers will win one game, possibly even two because sadly more Lakers games means more money for the league. In the end, Spurs are way better than L.A.
Spurs in 5
#3 Denver Nuggets vs #6 Golden State Warriors
I love watching Steph Curry play, and I think he will score a lot in this series. That being said, I think Denver is just a better overall team and plays similar to how Golden State plays, only better. If healthy, I think Denver wins this series easily, but that is a big if right now. Ty Lawson and Kenneth Faried are dealing with injuries and Galinari is already done for the year. I am banking on Lawson and Faried being okay, and Nuggets winning the series fairly easy. If those two aren't healthy, this paragraph never happened.
Nuggets in 5
# 4 Los Angeles Clippers vs #5 Memphis Grizzlies
A rematch of last year's first round where the Clippers took out the Grizzlies in 7. I think Chris Paul is the best player in this series, but the combination of Zach Randolph and Marc Gasol is far better than the combination of Blake Griffin and Deandre Jordan. If Memphis is able to keep those two out of foul trouble, they should be able to slow the games down and win a very low scoring, hard fought series.
Grizzlies in 6
#1 Miami Heat vs #8 Milwaukee Bucks
Not much to say about this series. Miami is far superior and Lebron is just playing on a level far above anyone else in the league.
Heat in 4
#2 New York Knicks vs #7 Boston Celtics
I am 100% biased in making this pick, but I really think that if Garnett can stay on the floor for a solid 30-35 minutes a game, and if good Jeff Green shows up, the Celtics will take down the Knicks. I could be way off the the Knicks could sweep Boston, but I just don't see it happening. The Knicks rely way too heavily on 3 pointers and in the playoffs, games slow down and scoring is much more difficult. Boston has a very good defensive backcourt and Paul Pierce seems to play his best against New York. I know Melo is playing well right now, but I just have a feeling about this one. Celtics will steal game 1 today, and they won't lose back in Boston.
Celtics in 6
#3 Indiana Pacers vs #6 Atlanta Hawks
Not to be mean, but nobody cares about this series other than the players families, and they might not even show up. Nobody is watching this series, and luckily it won't last long. Even though they have struggled lately, the Pacers are the better team.
Pacers in 5
#4 Brooklyn Nets vs #5 Chicago Bulls
With Joakim Noah hurt it makes this series very difficult to predict. If he was healthy I think Bulls win easily, but without him the Nets will be able to force feed Brook Lopez all they want. We all know Carlos Boozer isn't playing defense against anyone. I am hoping Noah is able to play because I really want to see a Bulls Heat matchup in round 2, and I really really want Deron Williams to just go home as soon as possible.
Bulls in 6
Second Round
Thunder vs Grizzlies
If the Clippers beat the Grizz in round 1, I think OKC takes them out quickly in round 2. If the Grizz advance, however, I think they match up really well with OKC and can slow them down enough to frustrate both Westbrook and Durant. The one toss up: officials. If Durant and Westbrook get every call, the Grizzlies will be in trouble because they have to be able to keep Gasol and Randolph on the floor. If the officials let them play in this series, I think Memphis is able to pull the upset.
Grizzlies in 6
Spurs vs Nuggets
I think this series will be very entertaining. Tony Parker and Ty Lawson both run their teams extremely well and the defenses might not show up for either team. Denver is extremely tough at home, so if they can steal a game in San Antonio, watch out. I think this series goes back and forth, but in the end, home court wins out.
Spurs in 7
Heat vs Bulls
As I said before I hope this series happens. Not because I actually think the Bulls can win the series, but because they won't just roll over for Miami. Chicago is very tough team that isn't scared of the Heat in any way. Miami will win the series and it won't go past 5 games, but Chicago will make them work for every bit of it. This series will test Lebron's patience because Chicago will go at him time and time again with physical play. Let's just hope the 6'8, 250 lb freakish athlete doesn't spend the whole series whining.
Heat in 5
Pacers vs Celtics
If Boston is able to upset New York, I actually like this matchup for them. Indiana likes to slow it down just like Boston does. Boston won the regular season series 2-0, with the last game being cancelled. I think this is a very physical, low scoring, at most times "boring" series that will feature a lot of missed shots. Again I think Boston steals home court in the first 2 games and takes care of business at home.
Celtics in 6
Conference Finals
Spurs vs Grizzlies
This series will be very close throughout. They split the season series, and 3 of the 4 games were decided by 4 points or less, 2 of them in overtime. Parker will win the point guard matchup while the combination of Gasol and Randolph will be very tough for the Spurs to handle. The key to the series is going to be Kawai Leonard. If he plays well, spurs win a close hard fought series.
Spurs in 7
Heat vs Celtics
As much as I would love to, I can't be that big of a homer. Boston will be tired and worn down by the time they get to this point, and Miami will run through them for the most part. Boston won't go down without a fight, but the series won't be as close as I would like it to be. Barring a Lebron injury, Celtics don't have a chance.
Heat in 5
NBA Finals
Spurs vs Heat
I think this will be a fun series to watch, and it wouldn't shock me if the Spurs won. Gregg Popovich is the best coach in the NBA by far and he will have the Spurs ready to go. That being said, I don't see any way the Spurs can contain both Lebron and Wade. Kawai Leonard can slow one of them down, but that's it. The Spurs will be more tired after 2 straight 7 game series, while the Heat won't have played more than 5 games a series, and they won't here either. Really hope I am wrong, but I think Miami takes it for the 2nd straight year, and Lebron keeps moving up the list of all time greats.
Heat in 5
There you have it. I will be back next weekend to make my (wildly speculative) NHL playoff picks.
Til Next Time,
Dallas
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