Left field

Lineman NFL picks Week 13

We got our season back pointed in the right direction with a 4-2 Week 12 but now the always-interesting Week 13. The Lineman has had some bad luck this season but expecting only good things this Sunday and a first 6-0 of the season.

Record: 37-35. Last week 4-2; Pick of the Week: 10-2

PICK OF THE WEEK San Diego Chargers (4-7) at Jacksonville Jaguars (3-8) (Line Chargers minus-2.5) The Chargers have zapped me so many times this season I am starting to feel like a Tazer test dummy.

Normally, taking a team on a six game losing skid making a cross-country trip would be like sticking  your finger in an electric socket but not when the opponent is the toothless Jaguars, who have benched  their starting quarterback (Blaine Gabbert), fired their head coach (Jack Del Rio) and sold the team all  in the last seven days.

In past year’s you would include Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers in the same conversation with  Drew Brees, Tom Brady and Aaron Rodgers but this season he has played more like Colts Curtis  Painter tossing more interceptions (a league worst 17) than touchdowns (16).

San Diego is loaded with explosive offensive talent with tight end Antonio Gates, speedy wide  receivers Vincent Jackson and shifty running back Ryan Matthews but Rivers has just not been able to  light the fuse.

Still the Bolts offensive woes seem minor compared to the Jaguars who are last in the league in  scoring (12.5 point per game), total offense (250 yards per game) and passing yards (131.3 ypg). The one and only real scoring threat the Jags have is running back Maurice Jones-Drew, who ranks  second in league rushing yards with 1,040-yards.

The Lineman: Week Eight NFL picks

Back on track with a combined 9-3 record over the past two weeks which means I head into Week Eight on Halloween weekend showing no fear for what lies ahead.

Yes, it’s Halloween and the Lineman would never let it go by without all kinds of frightening references. Record: 23-19; Last week 4-2; Pick of the Week: 5-2

PICK OF THE WEEK

Detroit Lions (5-2) at Denver Broncos (2-4) (Lions minus-0.5)

OK, you got what you wanted Mile High City, Tim Tebow is calling plays but be careful what you wish for Broncos fans. The Tebow love-in is in full bloom in Denver, Bronco faithful hailing Timmy Touchdown as the second coming of Pro Football Hall of Famer John Elway after he pulled out an unlikely 18-15 win over the Dolphins last week. But a win, like a good Halloween costume, can hide many warts and Tebow was covered in them until his late game heroics.

For 55 minutes, the game featured “Tebow the Terrible” until “Tebow Terrific” arrived and I have to admit the guy finds a way to win. But sorry Tebow fans, there is no way this week as the ornery Lions are coming to town.

The Lineman: Week Seven NFL Picks

By Steve Keating

That was more like it, a very solid 5-1 effort in Week 6 after a very tough month of average results.

Could we be perfect in lucky Week 7? Feels good.

Record: 19-17. Last week 5-1

Pick of the Week: 5-1

PICK OF THE WEEK

Green Bay Packers (6-0) at Minnesota Vikings (1-5)

The Lineman: Week Six NFL picks

The Lineman took a few hard hits early last week but recovered with a couple of late scores to win my last two picks and finish with a sort of respectable 2-4. The word of the week for Week Six is “desperation” for me and several teams.

Record: 14-16; Last week: 2-4; Pick of the Week: 4-1

PICK OF THE WEEK St. Louis Rams (0-4) at Green Bay Packers (5-0) (Lines Packers minus-14.5) The NFL’s best team against probably the league’s worst team (we say probably only because the Miami Dolphins have also yet to win a game). St. Louis has had a bye week to think about their visit to Lambeau but the Rams could have had a year to prepare and it would be the same result – a blowout. With a razor-sharp Aaron Rodgers at the controls the Packers are averaging a league best 34 points while the Rams are at the bottom of the heap averaging just 11.5. The Packers still have a few areas they could improve on, such as pass defence after giving up an average of 299 yards per game – third worst in the league. But Charles Woodson and Morgan Burnett are tied for the lead in interceptions with three each while Rams quarterback Sam Bradford has thrown just three touchdowns. Danario Alexander is the Rams’ top pass catcher with a measly 196 yards. Rodgers has thrown for 1,721 yards and a league-best 14 touchdowns and will likely add to both those numbers against a Rams secondary that has lost its two top cornerbacks to injury. Even when they were winning last season, the Rams were crummy on the road. The Pack are great at home. Giving up more than two touchdowns always leaves me jittery and there is always a chance the Packers could be in a generous mood and let up on their overwhelmed opponents. But I still expect to see plenty of Lambeau Leaps this Sunday. Take the leap. Give up the 14.5 and take the Packers. - – - - Philadelphia Eagles (1-4) at Washington Redskins (3-1) (Line Eagles plus .5) I could just cut and paste my reasons for taking the Eagles again because they are the same reasons I picked Philadelphia over the Bills a week ago (a wrong pick). The only difference from last Sunday is that the Eagles are even more desperate for a win. After four straight losses the “Dream Team” tag has been removed from the Eagles but is Philadelphia as bad as their 1-4 record? I think not. The Eagles offence ranks third, averaging 445 yards per game and first in rushing but quarterback Michael Vick has been prone to the big mistake, tossing a league-high seven interceptions including four against the Bills. Philadelphia’s more significant issues are on defence where they rank near the bottom of the league against the run, surrendering an average of 26.4 points and 140 yards on the ground. Defence has been the Redskins strength, Washington allowing just 15.8 points per game (third best behind Baltimore and San Francisco) and leads the NFL in sacks – not good news for an already banged up Vick. Great defence, coming off a bye week and playing at home everything would seem to be in the Redskins’ favour. But the Eagles are in desperation mode and so am I. Take the Eagles and the half point. - – - - Carolina Panthers (1-4) at Atlanta Falcons (2-3) (Line Falcons minus-4.5) The Eagles and Falcons are birds of a feather – both failing miserably to live up to pre-season expectations. The Falcons tailspin has not been nearly as dramatic as the Eagles but this is another team that needs to get things figured out in hurry (like this Sunday) or risk falling to the bottom of the NFC South. First-year quarterback Cam Newton may not quite be ready for the Hall of Fame as some would have you believe by the lavish praise but he is a lock for rookie of the year taking command of a Panthers offence that ranks fifth in total yards and passing. Newton has passed for seven touchdowns, run for five more and developed a special chemistry with wide receiver Steve Smith, who ranks second in pass catching with 609 yards. Atlanta has just been out of sync on both sides of the ball. The Falcons are a tough out at the Georgia Dome and this is the week when things finally start to click in Atlanta. Newton is also due for a wonky game and I think this is it. Take the Falcons and give up the 4.5. - – - - Houston Texans (3-2) at Baltimore Ravens (3-1) (Line Ravens minus-7.5) No All-Pro wide receiver Andre Johnson and no pass rushing maestro Mario Williams, means no chance for the banged up Texans against a well-rested Ravens team playing at home and coming off a bye week. It is hard to give up more than a touchdown against a team that has played as well as the Texans but, with their two biggest playmakers sidelined with injuries, it is hard to see Houston having any chance here. The Ravens defence, led by Ray Lewis (this guy still scares me), is the league’s stingiest allowing just 14.3 points a game while Joe Flacco and the Baltimore offence are starting to find their stride averaging 35 points in their three wins. M&T Bank Stadium has been a house of pain for visitors, the Ravens going 12-1 in their last 13 home games. The Texans have never beaten the Ravens and it won’t happen this week. Houston we have a problem. Take the Ravens and give up the 7.5. - – - - New Orleans Saints (4-1) at Tampa Bay Buccaneers (3-2) (Line Saints minus-4.5) New Orleans let me down last week when they failed to cover against the Panthers but I am giving them another shot this Sunday because 4.5 points seems to a little light against a Saints offence that is starting to fire on all cylinders. Drew Brees is the NFL’s second ranked quarterback tossing 1,789-yards and 12 touchdowns and is at the controls of a Saints attack that sits second in total yards (452 yards per game) and passing yards (336). Last week the Buccaneers were spanked 48-3 by the San Francisco 49ers, matching their worst loss in club history. Both defences have struggled giving up an average of 25 points a game but it is hard to see Tampa Bat quarterback Josh Freeman keeping pace with Brees. The Saints quarterback has an arsenal of weapons to choose from while the Bucs lost one of their biggest threats last Sunday when running back LeGarrette Blount went down with a knee injury. New Orleans should also be very motivated this week with a win allowing them to open up a two-game cushion on their NFC South rivals at the top of the division standings. Bucs stopped here. Take the Saints and give up the 4.5. - – - - Miami Dolphins (0-4) at New York Jets (2.3) (Line Jets minus-7.5) For me, a week off in Miami would never seem like a bad thing. Not sure, however, the winless Dolphins enjoyed their bye week as much I would have. So it’s back to work for the Fish and a visit to the Big Apple for the Monday Nighter against a Jets team that finally appears ready to take flight. Dolphins have a new look coming out of the break but it is a scary one, with backup Matt Moore in at quarterback for injured Chad Henne. Miami ranked near the bottom of the league averaging just 17 points a game with Henne calling plays so it is difficult to see Moore as any kind of upgrade – especially going against a Jets defence that ranks fifth against the pass. New York quarterback Mark Sanchez continues to come under scrutiny but expect him to silence his critics, for one day at least, with a big day against the NFL’s second worst pass defence. Both teams are desperate (see, I told you that was word of the week) for wins. Miami coach Tony Sparano likely needs one to keep his job while the Jets need a victory to stay in touch with the 4-1 New England Patriots and Buffalo Bills in the AFC East. The Dolphins have a history of playing the Jets tough, but give me the improving Jets against Matt Moore in the Monday Night prime time spotlight. Jets cleared for takeoff. Take the Jets and give up the 7.5

The Lineman: Week Five NFL picks

OK, it is not exactly the big week I was looking for but 3-3 at least has the Lineman heading back in the right direction. But catch a look at the Pick of the Week 3-1 (soon to be 4-1).

Good tipping to all.

Record: 12-12. Last week 3-3

Pick of the Week: 3-1

PICK OF THE WEEK

San Diego Chargers (3-1) at Denver Broncos (1-3)

The Lineman: Week Four NFL picks

By Steve Keating

OK, OK; the shine of a 5-1 opening week is really starting to dim but after three weeks the Lineman is still batting .500.

But like the Atlanta Falcons, we get our season turned around in Week Four. Good Luck.

Record: 9-9. Last week 2-4

Pick of the Week: 2-1

PICK OF THE WEEK

New Orleans Saints (2-1) at Jacksonville Jaguars (1-2)  (Line Saints minus-7.5)

Super Bowl XLV: Jets v Falcons?

The NFL’s website really is a model in what a modern sports league should offer its fans and among the many handy features is a playoff picture that shows exactly what the situation would be if the season ended now.

As it stands, the top team in the AFC is the 9-2 New York Jets while in the NFC, the Atlanta Falcons are in control with 9-2. Both teams are almost assured a place in the playoffs but have they got what it takes to go all the way to Dallas?

What tends to indicate they have an opportunity is that in a season full of surprises, the Jets and the Falcons each have one elusive ingredient which is absolutely essential to reaching the Super Bowl.

For the Jets, whose last four games have included two overtime wins on the road and a late, late game-winning touchdown at home to Houston, it is their uncanny ability to come out winners when staring defeat in the face that makes them a team that is so hard to bet against.

Combined with a road record of eight straight regular season wins, a quarterback in Mark Sanchez who is coming of age and a head coach, Rex Ryan, who clearly gets the very best out of his players, the New York team, beaten by the Colts in last season’s AFC Championship game, have good cause for their oft-declared confidence.

This Sunday’s big game against the Patriots will provide a very useful gauge as to whether those factors are now enough to deal with one of the league’s established powerhouses.

When you look at Atlanta, the one word that springs immediately to mind is completeness. The NFL is rightly proud of the unpredictability in the league but one of the reasons for this year’s particularly inconsistent performances is the amount of incomplete teams competing.

New Orleans Saints win Super Bowl: How It Happened

New Orleans Saints 31 Indianapolis Colts 17 … Saints win Super Bowl … this is how it happened.

Superbowl is not the greatest show on earth

North Americans call it “the greatest show on earth” but in reality not much of the world is really paying attention to the Super Bowl.

Sunday’s game between the Indianapolis Colts and the New Orleans Saints will be broadcast in 230 countries and territories but the evidence indicates that in most parts of the world few people will be organizing their days around the game.

Once regularly described as having a “potential global audience of a billion,” conjuring up images of sports bars around the world packed with NFL fans tucking into chicken wings, the figures indicate something different.

The annual survey by Initiative Futures Sports and Entertainment showed last year’s Super Bowl was beaten into top spot in annual sports events, for the first time, by the final of European soccer’s Champions League. Last year there was no soccer World Cup or Olympics which regularly beat Super Bowl.

Last year’s Super Bowl was watched by a global audience of 162 million but the vast majority of those tuning in were in the United States with neighbors Canada and Mexico the next biggest markets.

There is no doubt Super Bowl is the biggest sports and television event in the United States but it is limited in its global impact by a kickoff time which is unsociable in many parts of the world and rules that casual fans find unfathomable.

Week 11 NFL picks

Well, that was a bruising week but 2-4 still leaves the Lineman above .500.

After the last 2-4 we had a big bounce back week so that’s the game plan again.

I was going to start off by making the Miami Dolphins my Pick of the Week but since that game has been played, well that would be cheating (I think).

Anyway, I get the impression many of you think I would still make the wrong pick – even if the game had been played.

But the Lineman can take a hit and is looking for revenge this week — starting with Pick of the Week.