Hampton Forecast 53 – 36 (.596)
Trojan Horse 46 – 35 (.568)
Blue House Lives 38-36 (.514)

This is a must win for both teams. The 49ers will have to have a very explosive running attack to prevail this week. The Packers should win.
Hampton Forecast
Packers 33 – 49ers 13
Blue House Lives
Packers 14 – 49ers 10
Trojan Horse
Packers 28 – 49ers 15

Super Bowl

Baltimore Ravens vs Green Bay Packers

Every one faired well last week and here is how we stand for the season:

Hampton Forecast 47 – 33 (.588)
Trojan Horse 42 – 31 (.575)
Blue House Lives 35-31 (.530)

The Packers and the Falcons are the two most consistent teams in the NFC.  The team that wins this game, will have home field advantage through the playoffs.  The Packers have more weapons at wide out, but the Falcons have more weapons in the running game.  The Packers D has a slight edge.  Aaron Rodgers ability to run may be will create a few extra opportunities.  I give the Pack the edge:
Hampton Forecast
Packers 33 – Falcons 28
Blue House Lives
Falcons 27 – Packers 25
Trojan Horse
Falcons 28 – Packers 21

The Raiders backs will no doubt have the upcoming hit in mind...

The biggest news of the last week was the Vikings cutting the slacker/slanderer Randy Moss and the Titans claiming him on waivers. Moss was cut after following up an unnecessary berating of a caterer with a sloppy lazy performance where he quit on a ball that would have been an easy touchdown. While Donald Childress hurt them equally as much (again) last week Moss might as well go. If he isn’t going to try for balls or put forth the effort into running his routes he a waste of space. Also Shawn Merriman was claimed by the Bills. Good luck with that.

Kansas City Chiefs @ Oakland Raiders
The Raiders vs the Chiefs. For decades it has been one of the NFL’s fiercest rivalries, and for the first time in around since 2001 they meet with something on the line. The Chiefs at 5-2 control their own destiny in the West, while the 4-4 Raider do as well. Yest they are a game and a half back, but they have both games versus each other remaining. Their offenses are very similar. They both rely on a stable of running backs to driver their offenses. They start with their lightning fast backs, Jamaal Charles for KC and Darren McFadden for the Raiders. After that they bring in the power runners, Thomas Jones and Micheal Bush. They both shorten the game on offense and play lockdown D. Not since the Cowboys and 49ers in the mid nineties have two rivals been so similar. Both have two excellent Tight Ends Tony Moeaki and Zach Miller respectively. Both have ONE healthy down the field threat, Dwayne Bowe and Darrius Heyward Bay (finally). This means the difference maker should be Special Teams. KC has the edge their with Javier Arenas and Dexter McCluster returning kicks, however the Chiefs have flirted with disaster over the last two weeks, while I like them, something tells me:

Hampton Forecast
Raiders 33 – Raiders 27
Blue House Lives
Chiefs 24 – Raiders 17
Trojan Horse Pick
Raiders 27 – Kansas City 24

The Buccaneers are 5-2. However those wins have came against the Panthers, the Browns, the Bengals, the Rams and the Cardinals. Carolina, Cleveland and Arizona have been horrible this year, not getting any consistent offense going. The teams they have beaten have a combined record of 12-24. So I’m not impressed. Atlanta two losses have come against the Eagles and the Steelers. They have beaten Saints, a more impressive feat than beating the Rams, especially considering it was before the injury to Bush and Thomas. Tampa Bay’s defense can hold it close, but Atlanta will hold off that unimpressive offense.

Hampton Forecast
Falcons 31 – Buccaneers 23
Blue House Lives
Falcons 20 – Buccaneers 17
Trojan Horse
Falcons 30 – Buccaneers 17

Hampton Forecast
Ravens 33 – Dolphins 25
Blue House Lives
Ravens 18 – Dolphins 16
Trojan Horse Pick
Dolphins 19 – Ravens 16

Hampton Forecast
Bears 34 – Bills 30
Blue House Lives Upset Pick of the Week
Bills 10 – Bears 7
Trojan Horse
Bills 38 – Bears 28

Hampton Forecast
Texans 33 – Chargers 27
Blue House Lives
Texans 30 – Chargers 21
Trojan Horse Pick
Chargers 35 -Texans 27

Hampton Forecast
Colts 42 – Eagles 34
Blue House Lives
Colts 28 – Eagles 21
Trojan Horse Upset Pick of the Week
Colts 31 – Eagles 24

Brad Childress has been giving plenty of reasons not to like referees. A stolen Super Bowl appearance comes to mind.

Last week I came to a realization, that my love of the game had managed to block out over the years. It hasn’t just been the Cheatriots getting calls. There are a group of teams that will get every call that can possibly go there way. The Packers are one of those teams, especially when playing at Lambeau Field. The Steelers are one of those teams as displayed by having a Dolphin come out of the pile with the ball wasn’t clear evidence of the Dolphins recovering a fumble at their goal line with seconds left. It was enough evidence for the Saints on the infamous onside kick, that it looked like a Colt originally had the ball during instant replay. Everyone knows my feelings towards the calls the Saints got during the playoffs last year. It seems to not be the NFL though, just some sorted love affair of the Referees themselves.

This article states that a NFL official states what I yelled (combined with many expletives) during Sunday night’s game.

Visanthe’s overturned TD, was indeed a TD. Give the Vikings those 4 points and then when they get the ball inside the Packers Redzone with under one minute they run AP forcing the Packers to burn their time outs and IF the Packers contain AP 3 times in a row, Longwell hits the game winner. But beyond that the Quareles TD catch was deemed to have been in the same category as Calvin Johnson’s opening week catch. Not one. This is the 2nd game that the NFL has said that the Vikings were robbed in out of their last 8. How about we resolve this issue in game? You can fine players and you can fine coaches. How about fines for Referees blow calls. There could be added penalty for blown instant replay calls as the ref has all the time he needs to make the correct decision and there is NO EXCUSE for that shit. Brad Childress received a $35k fine for releasing his conversation in which this information was released to him, and I applaud him for doing it anyway.

As for our picks Scooter and John didn’t submit any last week so the polls are now as follows:

Hampton Forecast 30-19 (.612)
Blue House Lives 23-19 (.548)
Trojan Horse 23-19 (.548)

Hampton Forecast
Bengals 33 – Dolphins 27

Blue House Lives

Trojan Horse

Dolphins 24 – Bengals 14

Hampton Forecast
Chiefs 33 – Bills 26

Blue House Lives

Trojan Horse

Chiefs 38 – Bills 21

Hampton Forecast
Packers 34 – Jets 24

Blue House Lives

Trojan Horse

Jets 24 – Packers 16

Hampton Forecast
Titans 34 – Chargers 30

Blue House Lives

Trojan Horse

Titans 19 – Chargers 17

Hampton Forecast
Raiders 38- Seahawks 22

Blue House Lives

Trojan Horse

Seahawks 21 – Raiders 17

Hampton Forecast
Steelers 33 – Aints 27

Blue House Lives

Trojan Horse

Saints 27 – Steelers 20

Hampton Forecast
Texans 41 – Colts 37

Blue House Lives

Trojan Horse

Colts 34 – Texans 24

Didn't Kevin Kolb play the wonkey eyed guy in the Water Boy?

Just as expected the Jaguars outscored the Bills last week.  The Bills may very well, go winless this year.  However I see them going 2-14.   The Ravens did what the Titans couldn’t do and established the run versus the Broncos.  Not just with Ray Rice, however.  Joe Flacco and Willis McGahee also had rushing TDs.  That really leaves me wondering what Timothy Dalton was thinking by not giving Chris Johnson the ball as often as possible.  The Chiefs held much stronger than I expected.  Their defense hassled the Colts defense all day, but their offense just couldn’t do enough.  I don’t see them winning over the Texans either, but they have a very real chance of taking the West.  A 3 wins out of their 5 remaining divisional games should be enough.  Arian Foster was injured vs the Giants.  Nothing major, but the loss of a running threat for a couple quarters made their offense one-dimensional enough for the Giants to hassle Schaub into a few poor throws.  The Giants capitalized on those opportunities putting up all kinds of points.  The Titans answered every score by the Cowboys, and if you can do that, you win the game.  Chris Johnson found the endzone twice, both however, were mild scampers.  The Vikings… In typical Favre Fashion they broke my heart again.  All three of their losses boil down to 1 missed play.  The Berrian drop week 1 versus the ‘aints.  The Harvin bobble week two at Miami.  Finally Favre’s overthrow of Harvin last week.  A lot of people will say the interception was what killed them, but if the overthrow hadn’t happened, the game would have been decided already.  I’ve realized the 49ers’ problem.  They don’t play 4-quarters.  Until they do they won’t win.  Unless they play the Browns.  The Packers lost in one of the most heartbreaking ways possible.  Crosby misses a 50+ yarder as time expires, on a kick that had enough power to be good from 70.  The wind caught just enough of it to ding it off the left post.  They then got the ball first in overtime, but a poor throw from Rodgers lead to excellent field position for the Redskins, and Woodson apparently wanted a Redskins jersey as he couldn’t stop grabbing them.

Hampton Forecast
Falcons 31 – Eagles 24

Blue House Lives
Eagles 24 – Falcons 17
Trojan Horse Pick

Eagles 24 – Falcons 13

Hampton Forecast
Ravens 38 – Cheatriots 27

Blue House Lives
Ravens 20 – Patriots 16

Trojan Horse Pick

Ravens 27 – Patriots 20

Hampton Forecast
Texans 30 – Chiefs 24

Blue House Lives
Chiefs 28 – Texans 24

Trojan Horse Pick

Texans 34 – Chiefs 20

Hampton Forecast
Jets 28 – Broncos 24

Blue House Lives

Jets 13 – Broncos 6

Trojan Horse Pick

Jets 28 – Broncos 17

Hampton Forecast
Vikings 38 – Cowboys 24

Blue House Lives
Vikings 20 – Cowboys 19

Trojan Horse Pick

Cowboys 31 – Vikings 21

Hampton Forecast
Titans 33 – Jaguars 27

Blue House Lives
Titans 24 – Jaguars 20

Trojan Horse Pick

Jaguars 24 – Titans 21

The 49ers are still in the NFC West at 0-5.  The Raiders are a game and a half out in the AFC West.  Which conference is ultimately worse?  I’m not sure, but if the 49ers don’t beat themselves, they SHOULD beat the Raiders.

49ers 33 – Raiders 24

Eagles 24 – Falcons 17

Dolphins 21 – Packers 17

Hampton Forecast 18-17 (.514)

Blue House Lives 18-17 (.514)

The headline on the Vikings official site

Last week I took a shot at Tom Coughlin.  I get very frustrated that he often loses the respect of his team, and the Giants are very inconsistent.  However, I must give him his props on a very classy call Sunday night.  The G-Men, up 14, drove easily down the field making it inside the Bears 10 yard line as the two minute warning arrived.  After seeing that the Bears were going to let them run the clock out, and not use their timeouts.  The Giants assumed victory formation instead of running up the store.  Very classy Tom.  Very classy.

The Titans lost a heart breaker surrendering the lead late after having multiple chances to put the Broncos away.  It was bad.  Feed CJ.  Feed him.  Don’t bring in Javon Ringer.  Feed Chris Johnson.  The Ravens out willed the Steelers, retaking the lead with 40 seconds remaining to take control of the AFC North.  The Eagles golden lamb, Micheal Vick went out early vs the Redskins, and Kevin Kolb was disappointing again.  As such, Donovan McNabb won another game at Lincoln Financial Field.  The Packers having just lost a game they should have won Monday vs the Bears, managed to do the opposite and win a game they should have lost at home vs the Lions.  They managed to hold off a powerful Lions attack losing time of possession roughly 75-25.  As mentioned the Giants bested the Bears, ending their undeserved undefeated run.  What I didn’t mention, is that the Giants sacked Jay Cutler 9 times (really 10 as Cutler threw the ball as he was going out of bounds) during the first half.  The last of which was so harsh that Cutler suffered a concussion and may miss this week as well.  They also banged up Todd Collins, forcing the Bears to bring in their 3rd Stringer.  Now if only they could play the Broncos, Tim Tebow could finally take the field.  The Chargers rebounded as if they were never down, destroying the Cardinals.  Their Defense only allowed an XP and a FG (a fumble recovery led to the XP), and their offense totaled over 400 yards.  Lastly, the Dolphins got off to a fierce start vs the Patriots, yet Henne started forcing passes, and the momentum was lost after two long drives were ended from inside scoring position allowing the Cheatriots to limp into the half down only 7-6.  The Cheatriots opened the 2nd half with a 103 yard kick-off return and never trailed again.

The Jacksonville Jaguars have looked very good twice and very bad twice.  The Buffalo Bills have looked very bad twice and not quite as bad twice.  The Bills haven’t won yet, and most people, myself included, think they will have the number 1 pick next year.  Their best shots at a win are either this week vs Jacksonville or week 10 vs Detroit.  Either way offensive fans will love this match-up. Neither team plays defense very well, and both teams can put points on the board.  It will be a shoot-out and I give the edge to the team with the all star back.

Hampton Forecast

Jaguars 38 – Bills 29

Blue House Lives

Jaguars 21 – Bills 17

Trojan Horse Pick

Jaguars 27 – Bills 13

The Broncos find themselves right in the middle of the AFC West.  One win below the Chiefs and one win above the Raiders. Their offense has been putting up tons of yards this year and looks incredibly impressive thus far.  However they’ve made several mistakes thus far and against defenses much worse than the Ravens.  Those mistakes will prove deadly as Kyle Orton remembers why the Bears got rid of him.

Hampton Forecast

Ravens 33 – Broncos 19

Blue House Lives

Ravens 28 – Broncos 14

Trojan Horse Pick

Ravens 28 – Broncos 21

The Kansas City Chiefs are on the best streak they’ve had in years, and I really think they can end up on top of the West this year.  They are the last undefeated team in the league, but while their lossless streak may have lasted the longest it won’t go any further than the other 3-0 teams.  The Colts don’t lose in Indy.  Quarterbacks play so badly while visiting the RCA dome, it generally takes two weeks to get back on pace.  Just ask Eli.  Freeney and Mathis ate him alive, and Matt Cassell isn’t as composed, talented, or game tested as the younger Manning Brother.  Not only that but the Colts are coming off a bad beat, and Peyton is very scary when he’s angry.

Hampton Forecast

Colts 42 – Chiefs 17

Blue House Lives

Colts 28 – Chiefs 24

Trojan Horse Pick

Colts 35 – Chiefs 17

The Giants defense looked amazing vs the Bears last Sunday.  They sacked Jay Cutler 9 times in the first half knocking him out of the game with a concussion.  They then knocked Todd Collins out of the game as well.  The Texans, even without Andre Johnson, dominated the Raiders last week.  The biggest factor was running back Arian Foster.  He sat out for a quarter and a half do to disciplinary reasons and still put up 187 all purpose yards finding the endzone twice.  If the Giants can put up points they can beat the Texans who have a questionable defense.  I still think the Texans prevail.

Hampton Forecast

Texans 34 – Giants 27

Blue House Lives

Texans 20 – Giants 14

Trojan Horse Pick

Giants 34 – Texans 24

The Titans look great week and bad the next.  The reason being is they get Chris Johnson the ball one week and don’t the next.  If the Titans can get Johnson 25-30 touches they win.  If they get him 20 or less as they did in both of their losses, well I just quote Kel Mitchell.  ”Ahhhhwww, here it goes!”  That’s for their entire season with Texans and Colts playing like they no doubt will.  The Cowboys almost won both of their losses.  A holding penalty cost them the game vs the Redskins.  One score was the difference vs the Bears.  Granted the Bears lucked their way to 3-0, having actually lost the first game.  (Yes.  I am stubborn.)  This game is either teams’ to win, however I feel it will likely be lost, not won having seen all the Titans games this year.  However like Striker and the Vols:

Hampton Forecast

Titans 31 – Cowboys 30

Blue House Lives

Cowboys 24 – Titans 17

Trojan Horse Pick

Titans 24 – Cowboys 21

Whoohoo!  The Vikings FINALLY added another receiver worth getting excited about.  Randy Moss has finally become Brett Favre’s primary target as he should have done before going to the Raiders.  If that had happened then, odds are the Packers wouldn’t have had their off years, Brett Favre wouldn’t have considered retiring, and Aaron Rodgers would have ended up being dealt instead of Brett Favre.  But Thompson doesn’t know how to run an organization and the Packers struggled for 3 years before Favre’s Revival, and departure. Anyhoo.  Moss handled Revis Island in week 2.  He can handle him again.  Percy Harvin is more explosive than Wes Welker.  Adrian Peterson is the most dependable back in the league.  Jets lose, but more importantly.  VIKINGS WIN!

Hampton Forecast

Vikings 36 – Jets 22

Blue House Lives

Vikings 18 – Jets 17

Trojan Horse Pick

Vikings 19 – Jets 17

Philadelphia Eagles @ San Fransisco 49ers

The 49ers still haven’t won a game.  They were picked to win the NFC West and even though they have started 0-4 they are only 2 games back.  It wouldn’t shock me if they won the West, but I’m not going to bet on any one in the West. They are horrible.  If the league was just, then the 3rd place in the wild card would get their spot, since they will no doubt finish with a better record and strength of schedule… since the NFC West teams do play the NFC West teams twice each.  The Golden Child, Kevin Kolb will get his 2nd start as his back up will be out for two weeks with a rib cartilage injury.  The Eagles have looked horrid with Kolb in.  That won’t change vs a very physical 49ers team, that will control the clock using Gore.  The 49ers will get their first win before Kevin Kolb.

49ers 24 – Eagles 19

Vikings 18 – Jets 17

Hampton Forecast 14 – 14 (.500)

Trojan Horse 13-15 (.464)

Can the seemingly superhuman Colts run the bandwagon Saints off their rails?

First things first. The Jets came out with a few shiny plays just for the Colts, in what reminded myself of the Auburn – Alabama game this year. The underdogs came out swinging for the fences, but just couldn’t keep up with the big boys. The Jets got the 17 points that every analyst other than the Houzh gave them, but failed to keep to Colts under that mark for the last two quarters. The Colts will represent the AFC in Miami.

This next bit is going to sound like the whiny complaints of a disappointed and spiteful fan. Therefore I will start by representing both sides. The Vikings didn’t deserve to win. Adrian Peterson failed to open his arms widely enough to receive the ball once, and straight up dropped the ball a second time to kill a drive inside the Saints five yard line just before halftime. He put the ball on the ground a third time, but managed to recover that mistake. Percy Harvin also had a fumble as did Bernard Berrian. Brett Favre threw two interceptions one of which can only be explained by “The luck of the Favre. “ That being said, they still should have won it. There defense played miraculously to keep it a game. The offense managed to come back on their next possession after each turnover. The real problem because obvious during the first quarter. The Saints Defense was trying to hurt Brett Favre, and the referees were going to let them do it. The first quarter alone saw Darren Sharper, Brett’s form Packer team mate lowered his helmet and hit Brett in the chin after one pass was thrown. Later that drive Bobby McCray, A.K.A the biggest douche bag the league has seen since Albert Haynesworth, committed helmet to helmet contact twice after that on the same drive. One of those three penalties was called. This behavior continued the entire game. At one point Brett Favre had dropped back 25 times and been hit 11 times after the throw. Seven of those hits were with helmets lowered. One was a pile drive, which was obvious to everyone except for Troy Aikman, who was either drunk is has been rendered punch drunk by the amount of concussions he suffered over his career. Even the refs felt the need to call that one, as it is one of the new rules that is strictly enforced. However another of the leagues new rules, which single handedly won the Patriots as game vs. the Ravens, went ignored. The rule is simple:

A player may not forcefully and intentionally strike a quarterback in, or below the knees. This rule was designed for Tom Brady after he went down in last year’s season opener vs. the Chiefs. The rule has been highly recognized and called throughout the year. After the first of Brett’s interceptions Bobby McCray dove full speed into the back of Brett’s legs injuring his left ankle. No flag was thrown, so instead of First Down and Ten from inside the Saint’s 30 yard line, the Vikings found there defense taking the field once again. All in all Brett still had a chance to win in the two minute drive as the Vikings were in Ryan Longwell’s range. An untimely penalty forced to Vikings to take to the air and Brett Favre threw his that pass that might haunt him for the rest of his life for the 2nd time in three years.

The Game goes to overtime and the Saints get the ball. Vikings lose. Every Vikings and Favre fan new it then and there. However the Vikings defense stops Peirre Thomas on 4th down by dislodging the ball from his grasp as he attempts the first down. The first down marker can even be easily seen behind him in the close up of the ball shifting. The ball never crosses the marker. However first down Saints. Next the sure handed Meachum drops a sure catch forcing Hartley to attempt a 52 yard kick to win the game, or the refs can ignore the fact that the tail of the ball touched the ground and place it at the 22 and give the Saints the win. So yeah the Saints win the most vulgar lopsided game that has ever been witnessed. They blood-thirstily ignored the rules and tried to take Brett Favre out of the game. Officials turned blind eye after blind eye and…….

Oh. A Bush was in attendance and is a Saints fan. That makes sense.

Super Bowl Preview

February 7th, 2010

Miami, Florida

New Orleans Saints vs. the Indianapolis Colts

The scene is too large. McCray isn’t allowed to simple ignore the rules and beat the ever living shit out of Peyton Manning after the ball is thrown. Personal Fouls aren’t ignored because the play clock for the first quarter runs out with a live ball still in play. The Replay officials actually watch what happens and make adjustments accordingly. Pass interference isn’t called on a ball that was thrown seven feet over the head of Colston. The Colts win:

Colts 38 – Saints 28 – Referees 0 (it’s the Super Bowl)

Also I would like to state for the record:

If an apology isn’t made to the Vikings for the horrible calls that handed the Saints the game, I hereby resign as an NFL commentator. I am disgusted at how one sided games have been called for the home teams, during certain games this year. The Ravens – Patriots game was horrid. The Vikings – Steelers game was even worse. This game made me physically sick. Everyone who watched the game should be entitled to $20 movie voucher for the time wasted watching a game that had a decided out come before it had even started. This fact was made abundantly clear when a Brett Favre Sears commercial that states “I’ll see you in Miami, or will I?” was aired for the first and only time in the commercial break that lead to half time. Yeah. I’m done. I have never seen a game more clearly given to the other team, and yes I did watch the AFC Championship game where the Tuck A.K.A. Brady rule was invented.

Hampton’s Record: 23-16 (.590)
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