Thursday, September 26, 2013

NFL Picks: Week 4

Fresh off my first winning week of the NFL season, let's see if I can keep this going.

49ers -3: 5.9 units to win 5.0 units
Bills +3.5: 2.8 units to win 2.5 units
Browns +4.5: 2.8 units to win 2.5 units

Overall Record: 5-11 (-14.3 units)

Pending Futures
Lions to win the NFC North: 5.5 units to win 27.5 units
Cardinals over 5.5 wins: 3.1 units to win 2.5 units
Broncos under 11.5 wins: 2.9 units to win 2.5 units
Patriots over 11 wins: 2.5 units to win 3.6 units
Eagles over 7.5 wins: 2.6 units to win 2.5 units
Redskins over 8.5 wins: 2.5 units to win 3.0 units
Trent Richardson +3.5 Rush TDs over Arian Foster: 2.9 units to win 2.5 units
EJ Manuel to win Offensive RoY: 5.0 units to win 87.5 units

College Football Picks: Week 5

Another solid week pushes the record above 68%. I'll take that pace all day, every day.

Not really feeling this week's slate though. Let's try to make the most of it.

Oregon/Cal Under 84: 2.8 units to win 2.5 units
LSU +3.5: 2.8 units to win 2.5 units
Texas A&M -14: 2.8 units to win 2.5 units
Central Florida +7: 3.1 units to win 2.5 units

Upset of the Week- USC +6: 2.8 units to win 2.5 units
Pick of the Week- Houston -2: 4.4 units to win 4.0 units


Overall Record: 15-7 (+35.3 units)
Upset: 2-1
PoW: 2-1
PoY: 1-0

Thursday, September 19, 2013

NFL Picks: Week 3

Pretty terrible week which can be summarized perfectly with the way I lost my Eagles-Chargers over 27.5 1H wager:

With the score 13-10, twice in the final five minutes of the first half, the Chargers lost fumbles inside the Eagles' 10 yard line. Of course, the under hit. Just a bad week...again on the pro side. 

Good news on the Futures side of the ledger where my Trent Richardson and EJ Manuel wagers are looking better than they were before the season.

Saints-Cardinals over 48: 2.8 units to win 2.5 units
Cowboys -3: 6.5 units to win 5.0 units
Colts +10: 2.8 units to win 2.5 units


Overall Record: 3-10 (-19.0 units)

Pending Futures
Lions to win the NFC North: 5.5 units to win 27.5 units
Cardinals over 5.5 wins: 3.1 units to win 2.5 units
Broncos under 11.5 wins: 2.9 units to win 2.5 units
Patriots over 11 wins: 2.5 units to win 3.6 units
Eagles over 7.5 wins: 2.6 units to win 2.5 units
Redskins over 8.5 wins: 2.5 units to win 3.0 units
Trent Richardson +3.5 Rush TDs over Arian Foster: 2.9 units to win 2.5 units
EJ Manuel to win Offensive RoY: 5.0 units to win 87.5 units

College Football Picks: Week 4

Perfect 3-0 week. Love it.

This week is pretty boring both in terms of quality games and opportunities so will keep the wagers to a minimum amount.

San Jose State +4: 2.8 units to win 2.5 units
Rutgers Pk: 2.9 units to win 2.5 units
Stanford -7: 2.9 units to win 2.5 units

Upset of the Week- Utah State +7: 2.8 units to win 2.5 units
Pick of the Week- Marshall +11: 2.8 units to win 2.5 units


Overall Record: 11-6 (+28.1 units)
Upset: 2-1
PoW: 2-1
PoY: 1-0

Thursday, September 12, 2013

NFL Picks: Week 2

An ugly Week 1 which I'd like to forget.


Patriots -12.5: 2.8 units to win 2.5 units
Eagles -7: 3.3 units to win 2.5 units
Eagles-Chargers 1H over 27.5: 2.9 units to win 2.5 units
Bills +3: 3.0 units to win 2.5 units
Cowboys +3: 2.9 units to win 2.5 units
Giants +4.5: 2.8 units to win 2.5 units
Lions -1.5: 3.8 units to win 3.5 units


Overall Record: 1-5 (-8.4 units)

Pending Futures
Lions to win the NFC North: 5.5 units to win 27.5 units
Cardinals over 5.5 wins: 3.1 units to win 2.5 units
Broncos under 11.5 wins: 2.9 units to win 2.5 units
Patriots over 11 wins: 2.5 units to win 3.6 units
Eagles over 7.5 wins: 2.6 units to win 2.5 units
Redskins over 8.5 wins: 2.5 units to win 3.0 units
Trent Richardson +3.5 Rush TDs over Arian Foster: 2.9 units to win 2.5 units
EJ Manuel to win Offensive RoY: 5.0 units to win 87.5 units

College Football Picks: Week 3

Sam Houston State, my pick of the year, covered...barely, but they still covered and that's all that matters. That turned last week into a very positive one even though I only went 1-3.

Texas A&M +8.5: 3.6 units to win 3.3 units

Upset of the Week- Wisconsin +5.5: 2.8 units to win 2.5 units
Pick of the Week- Louisville -12.5: 4.8 units to win 4.4 units


Overall Record: 8-6 (+17.9 units)
Upset: 1-1
PoW: 1-1

PoY: 1-0

Sunday, September 8, 2013

11 Things I Know I Know: Week 1

1. I know the 49ers-Packers game lived up to its billing as "America's Game of the Week." Back and forth, high scoring, hard hitting, trash talking, mixed with great individual performances. Loved every second of it.

2. I know the Steelers should be embarrassed about their performance and seriously concerned about the year ahead. Pittsburgh was gifted a 2-point lead one second into today's game (must be an NFL record for quickest points scored, right?) against Tennessee. Unfortunately, they may not see another lead the rest of the season. The offense was a joke, they lost Maurkice Pouncey and Larry Foote for the year, and the defense gave up 16 points to the hapless Titans offense which may not seem like much but these are Jake Locker's Titans.

3. I know the Bengals and Cardinals have to be kicking themselves right now. They each blew 11-point leads on the road in the last 20 minutes. If Cincinnati has Super Bowl aspirations, that can't happen. If the Cardinals want to have any shot at the playoffs (or at least over 5.5 wins), they can't afford things like this.

4. I know the Free Agent Bowl was a dud. The Browns and Dolphins combined to spend over $100m in the first week of free agency. Didn't seem to matter. Mike Wallace had one catch for 15 yards. Paul Kruger, Dannell Elerbe, and Brent Grimes combined for eight solo tackles and a sack. Miami's not complaining after a W, but the game was a snoozefest.

So was the Top of the Draft Bowl. Kansas City had the first and Jacksonville had the second pick in the 2013 NFL Draft. The Jaguars looked like they'll be selecting in the same vicinity come 2014.

5. I know we will look back at Lavonte David's late hit on Geno Smith today as the sole reason Jadeveon Clowney won't be playing for the Jets the next 10 years. What was David thinking?

6. I know the following teams had better hope Week 1 was an aberration and they didn't actually spend their money in the wrong places:

   a) The Falcons: spent first and second round draft picks on defensive backs only to give up 357 yards through the air to Drew Brees.
   b) The Bucs: spent a first rounder (to acquire Darrelle Revis) and $41m+ to sign Dashon Goldson away from the 49ers and still gave up 214 through the air to the lowly Jets.
   c) The Vikings: spent a first rounder on Cordarrelle Patterson and $47m+ on Greg Jennings who combined for four catches and 43 yards against the atrocious Lions secondary.


7. I know if I were commissioner for a day I would make these two changes:

   1) When a team correctly challenges a call, they would not be penalized a challenge. Isn't the goal to get all calls correct? Why should a coach that made the correct call be harmed in any way.

   2) Enforce excessive celebration penalties for only the truly excessive celebrations. These guys get paid to score touchdowns. Why is it such a big deal that they celebrate with teammates? Refs are now actively looking for any reason to throw the flag.

8. I know the best three teams in the NFL are:

   1) San Francisco
   2) Denver
   3) Seattle (did not play well, had to travel across the country to play an early game, still won)

...and the worst three teams are:

   30) Pittsburgh
   31) Cleveland
   32) Jacksonville

9. I know I liked:

   a)  Martellus Bennett channeling his inner Tyrone Prothro to secure a touchdown catch despite (my boy) George Iloka's best efforts.
   b) Thomas Davis flying all over the field, making big plays, and just being healthy.
   c) Joique Bell's TD celebration, arms waving.
   d) EJ Manuel's touch.


10. I know I disliked:

   a) There's no buzzkill quite like every opening kickoff resulting in a touchback. Fans and players are amped...only to see the ball go through the back of the end zone most of the time.
   b) "Flacco" still auto-correcting to "Flaccid" on my phone.
   c) Matt Ryan's first pass this year was nearly identical to his last pass last year: incompletion over the middle to an open Tony Gonzalez.
   d) The Packers getting screwed by the refs again this year (offsetting 15 yard penalties).
   e) Blaine Gabbert. Everything about him.

11. I know the Redskins will beat the Eagles 24-22 (we are going to see some crazy final scores if Chip Kelly follows his always go for two mantra) and the Texans will beat the Chargers 30-26.




11 Things I Know I Know: my feeble attempt to trump the untrumpable Peter King and his "10 Things I Think I Think" which is my favorite part of his weekly MMQB article.

Thursday, September 5, 2013

NFL Picks: Week 1

Falcons +3: 2.6 units to win 2.5 units
Jets +3.5: 2.8 units to win 2.5 units
Panthers +3.5: 2.8 units to win 2.5 units
Reverse Teaser- Ravens Pk / Bills +3.5 / Raiders + 3.5: 1.0 units to win 19.0 units

Late Additions:
Steelers -6: 5.5 units to win 5.0 units 
Reverse Teaser- Lions -12.5 / Bills +3.5 / Raiders + 3.5: 1.0 units to win 19.0 units

Overall Record: 0-0

Pending Futures
Lions to win the NFC North: 5.5 units to win 27.5 units
Cardinals over 5.5 wins: 3.1 units to win 2.5 units
Broncos under 11.5 wins: 2.9 units to win 2.5 units
Patriots over 11 wins: 2.5 units to win 3.6 units
Eagles over 7.5 wins: 2.6 units to win 2.5 units
Redskins over 8.5 wins: 2.5 units to win 3.0 units
Trent Richardson +3.5 Rush TDs over Arian Foster: 2.9 units to win 2.5 units
EJ Manuel to win Offensive RoY: 5.0 units to win 87.5 units

College Football Picks: Week 2

True story: I was in Vegas last week and went to at least seven casinos looking for the moneyline on the Eastern Washington (+27) at Oregon State game. None would take my bet. Did EWU win outright? Of course they did. Now, I hit my +27 wager against the spread but a +1400 moneyline would have been a whole lot sweeter.

No complaining after a winning week though. Light week this week for now with the exception of my pick of the year.

Sam Houston State.

If there was ever a team that would get overlooked it's SHSU right here. Texas A&M is playing 'Bama next week and spending about 2% of their time focusing on an FCS team. No shot they lose here but 38.5 seems like a ton of points. This is the biggest game of the year for SHSU and probably the least important to A&M. SHSU is also ranked 4th in the nation and were national runner's up last year. They can play.

I'm wagering over 8x my normal wager on this one. The FCS has been good to me this year. I will never speak a bad word about the FCS if this one hits. [Note: I never speak a bad word right now, but I'll keep it that way if we cover.]

South Carolina +3: 2.5 units to win 2.5 units

Upset of the Week-Western Kentucky +13.5: 2.8 units to win 2.5 units
Pick of the Week- Notre Dame +4: 2.8 units to win 2.5 units
Pick of the Year- Sam Houston State +38.5: 22.0 units to win 20.0 units


Overall Record: 7-3 (+6.0 units)
Upset: 1-0
PoW: 1-0



NFL Picks: Futures

Lions to win the NFC North: 5.5 units to win 27.5 units
Cardinals over 5.5 wins: 3.1 units to win 2.5 units
Broncos under 11.5 wins: 2.9 units to win 2.5 units
Patriots over 11 wins: 2.5 units to win 3.6 units
Eagles over 7.5 wins: 2.6 units to win 2.5 units
Redskins over 8.5 wins: 2.5 units to win 3.0 units
Trent Richardson +3.5 Rush TDs over Arian Foster: 2.9 units to win 2.5 units
EJ Manuel to win Offensive RoY: 5.0 units to win 87.5 units

11 Things I Know I Know: Season Preview Edition

1. I know the eight division winners will be the: Patriots, Steelers, Texans, Broncos, Giants, Lions, Panthers, and 49ers.

2. I know the four Wildcard winners will be the: Bengals, Ravens, Redskins, and Packers.

3. I know Cam Newton will win the league MVP.

4. I know EJ Manuel will win Offensive Rookie of the Year.

5. I know Star Lotulelei will win Defensive Rookie of the Year. I love the Star-Luke Keuchly combo.

6. I know the following teams will hit the Over on wins: Patriots (11), Texans (10.5), and Cardinals (5.5).

7. I know the following teams will hit the Under on wins: Broncos (10.5), Falcons (10), and Colts (8.5).

8. I know the Jets will start 3-1, get everyone's hopes up in New York, and then lose their last 12 games to secure the top pick in he 2014 NFL Draft.

9. I know the Cardinals will be the most pleasant surprise in the NFL.

10. I know the Seahawks will be the league's most disappointing team.

11. I know the Texans will beat the Packers to win the Super Bowl.

Wednesday, September 4, 2013

11 Things I Know I Know: Bold Fantasy Predictions Edition

1. I know AP will not finish the season as a top-8 RB. I told you this was the bold edition. Two major factors working in my favor: Christian Ponder (opponents have no reason not to play eight in the box vs. the Vikes) and the injury risk of the running back position.

[Side note: Steele is about 100,000x cooler of a last name than Ponder. If I'm Sam Steele, no way I agree to change my name.]  

Teams that will feature a player with more fantasy points: Tampa Bay, Philly, Baltimore, New York (Giants), New England, Washington, Cleveland, and Chicago.

2. I know DeAngelo Williams will finish the year as a top-12 RB. Jon Stewart is out for at least the first six weeks, and I have to think the Panthers want to limit the hits Cam Newton takes so I'm thinking his rush attempts will be down this year. The opportunities will present themselves to DAW. He will take advantage.

3. I know Vick Ballard will lead the Colts in rushing...by at least 500 yards. Andrew Luck will be second on the team. I do not trust Ahmad Bradshaw's feet.

4. I know Emmanuel Sanders will lead the AFC in receiving yardage. Opportunities will be there with Mike Wallace gone and teams will be keying on Antonio Brown, at least early in the year.

5. I know Matthew Stafford will be a top-2 QB finishing behind only Drew Brees. Reggie Bush adds another dimension to this passing attack, I have had a mancrush on Ryan Broyles since his OU days, and the Scheffler-Pettigrew tight end combo is lethal in the red zone. And oh yea, Calvin still dons the blue and silver.

I'm depending on this guy's right arm to win me a few fantasy titles.

6. I know no Denver RB will finish in the top-25. Montee Ball, Ronnie Hillman, and Knowshon Moreno will all cancel each others' fantasy usefulness out with 600 yard a piece.  

7. I know Stepfan Taylor will be the best rookie RB. Rashard Mendenhall is not making it out of Week 4. Ryan Williams might be released any day. The guy I'm most worried about taking carries from Taylor in AZ is actually Andre Ellington. I'm really bummed first ronder Jon Cooper was lost for the year, but the Cards are my 2013 sleeper anyway.  

8. I know Desean Jackson will be a top-7 WR. Isn't Chip Kelly's offense perfectly designed for guys like Desean? I'm excited to watch what this offense can do in Philly.  

9. RG III will play in all 16 games for the Redskins. Draft with confidence.

10. I know Tavon Austin will be the third best wide receiver on his own team behind Chris Givens and Brian Quick. Maybe we'll even have some Stedman Bailey sightings.  

11. I know Marshawn Lynch will not be a top-12 RB. I think the Seahawks will work Robert Turbin and Christine Michael into the mix eating away at Skittles' numbers.