NFL 2013

[MrHat]

Also Von is back and apparently put on 20 pounds of muscle and worked with a pass rush specialist the whole time he was suspended.

[ghost]

Har.  He put on 20 pounds of muscle in the time he was suspended for violating the league's drub policy?   

For clarity, Miller's troubles had nothing to do with performance-enhancing drugs.

....yet. 

[sickrubik]

They were overlooking the Jags, no matter what they said.

You don't think Peyton will have the entire team ready for the return game to Indy? If they can't overcome that emotional hurdle, they will lose in the playoffs when the heat is on.

I actually did not have anything negative to say about Manning and the skill positions, did I? Quite the opposite.

Read what I wrote again, it is all about the Offensive line issues and secondary issues, which are all incredibly valid.

I also call bullshit on the overlooking the Jags thing. You can't talk about Peyton's and Broncos work ethic on one hand and then say they didn't prepare for this game. It also throws the Jags accomplishments under the bus.

Go back and watch the game again. The broncos were out of sync with the pressure on Peyton all day. If Indy can muster that (and I think they can), we're in for a long day. Which is why I said that we have to score. This is all going to be on Peyton's shoulders.

Har.  He put on 20 pounds of muscle in the time he was suspended for violating the league's drub policy?   

For clarity, Miller's troubles had nothing to do with performance-enhancing drugs.

....yet. 

The dude has put on tons of muscle since college without failing a test for PEDs, and given he's tested all the time now, I don't think he's going to be relying too much on PEDs. I will NOT BE SURPRISED if he does fail, of course. But I just really hope he doesn't as the next strike is a year loss.

[Paelos]

How did I not notice you didn't have Green Bay in the top 10? You are crazy for that alone. Green Bay is top to bottom a better team than Dallas in just about every possible way, and they are better than both Detroit and Chicago. Yes, they are missing two wideouts for potentially weeks (Cobb may be 6-8 weeks, Jones might be back this weekend) but I don't think that hurts them enough to drop them out of the top 10.

I disagree. Those injuries are gigantic. Besides Nelson, there's no more important receiver to the Packers than Cobb. Mostly because he's one of the two go-to threats to get first downs. If Jones misses the Cleveland game, they are in big trouble there.

I've also seen nothing out of them that says this is their division to command (while I have seen that out of the Cowboys). They beat a Detroit team without Calvin Johnson, and they haven't faced Chicago at all. I want to see how they handle a good defensive team in Cleveland this weekend.

[Paelos]

Read what I wrote again, it is all about the Offensive line issues and secondary issues, which are all incredibly valid.

I also call bullshit on the overlooking the Jags thing. You can't talk about Peyton's and Broncos work ethic on one hand and then say they didn't prepare for this game. It also throws the Jags accomplishments under the bus.

The Denver line has allowed the fewest sacks and fewest QB hits of anyone in the NFL. The team overlooked the Jags, whether or not Peyton did. I don't mind throwing the Jags under the bus, since the rest of the NFL will do that routinely this year on their way to a 1-15 record.

The secondary is a problem in yards, but they are ball-hawking (4th in interceptions). They are going for picks because they know the offense will score.

[sickrubik]

Read what I wrote again, it is all about the Offensive line issues and secondary issues, which are all incredibly valid.

I also call bullshit on the overlooking the Jags thing. You can't talk about Peyton's and Broncos work ethic on one hand and then say they didn't prepare for this game. It also throws the Jags accomplishments under the bus.

The Denver line has allowed the fewest sacks and fewest QB hits of anyone in the NFL. The team overlooked the Jags, whether or not Peyton did. I don't mind throwing the Jags under the bus, since the rest of the NFL will do that routinely this year on their way to a 1-15 record.

The secondary is a problem in yards, but they are ball-hawking (4th in interceptions). They are going for picks because they know the offense will score.

The "ball hawking" all comes late game when we are playing from ahead and the opposing teams HAVE to throw it up. It's all clutch stuff, which is GOOD TO HAVE, don't get me wrong. It's also why we have slide to 32 in pass defense.

The Denver line that allowed the fewest sacks came from before the injuries starting to stack up on that line. Look again at the game, if you can. The Jags game was the first game where the injuries showed itself to be a concern. It was the first game where a team has gotten as much pressure as the Jags did, and Peyton had a shitty day (2 INTS, plenty of incomplete passes, lots of over/under throws), which by most standards was still a great day.

I think I've stated that I have faith in this team, but I think there is a distinct roadmap for an Indy upset. You're acting like I'm expecting them to get blowout. I could see a tight game, where the final score is within 4 points.

If Indy gets the pressure, causes some turnovers and some defensive stops, they can pull it out.

[Segoris]

How did I not notice you didn't have Green Bay in the top 10?

And here I thought you were just not feeling well since you didn't comment on that

I do agree they are still top 10, as long as Rodgers has 1 legitimate target while Lacy is healthy that will be the case imo. The issue is that 6-10 is a crapshoot still.

[ghost]

Once you get out of the top 5 teams they all suck.  Then it's just a debate about which team's uniform you like better.

[HaemishM]

The issue is that 6-10 is a crapshoot still.

I think 2-9 is a crapshoot too. 

[Nevermore]

My rankings haven't changed. 

[Paelos]

I think I've stated that I have faith in this team, but I think there is a distinct roadmap for an Indy upset. You're acting like I'm expecting them to get blowout. I could see a tight game, where the final score is within 4 points.

If Indy gets the pressure, causes some turnovers and some defensive stops, they can pull it out.

I think you're seeing things that aren't there. The line is Denver -7 on the road in an emotional game. That's a gigantic number given the circumstances.

If Denver is remotely balanced in their attack, and they protect the football, they aren't in line for an upset in my mind.

[ghost]

Denver is going to paste them.

[sickrubik]

I think I've stated that I have faith in this team, but I think there is a distinct roadmap for an Indy upset. You're acting like I'm expecting them to get blowout. I could see a tight game, where the final score is within 4 points.

If Indy gets the pressure, causes some turnovers and some defensive stops, they can pull it out.

I think you're seeing things that aren't there. The line is Denver -7 on the road in an emotional game. That's a gigantic number given the circumstances.

If Denver is remotely balanced in their attack, and they protect the football, they aren't in line for an upset in my mind.

I don't give a shit about betting lines when it comes to talking about this sort of thing. I just don't. Especially with the craziness that is this season.

This Broncos squad is great, but there are some concerns with our defense because of the last two weeks, and our offensive line was almost a joke for the first half. We may not have given up many sacks, but sacks are fucking overrated. Pressure is where it's at and the O Line gave up a lot of pressure and Manning ate dirt on more than one occasion on Sunday. Adjustments came late and it was better in the second half, but the injuries are mounting up and there are cracks there.

And I'm not going to throw Indy under a bus. They're a tough team. Again, I'm not expecting us to get blown out and the season to tank. We'll still win the division and... go on to lose in the second round of the playoffs. :D I gave the roadmap for a Broncos victory; I'm just not ready to chalk up a W for this one.

[HaemishM]

I might quibble about the order a bit, but the only one on there I would have a problem with is Dallas. I'd put Cincy or San Diego on there before or at about the same level as Dallas.

Here's what I want to know... where the fuck did you get your insight on picking games this year?  I know a couple of guys that handicap football and both are having a terrible time picking winners.   You've been on fire.

No idea. I do tend to watch at least 2 games each Sunday, but I'm starting to wonder if I shouldn't find a good sports bookie and make a little money out of whatever it is.

[Hoax]

You're not betting against the spreads making those picks. If you can't beat the spreads they don't pay you shit.

That said since you're having a good year you could try finding a site that would let you parlay all moneylines and then bet a 3-team parlay (try to get to 1:1 or better) and a big lottery-ticket style one every week. If you want to have even more fun with less money you can try open parlays, where you get to add more teams to it each week.

[HaemishM]

Are there any legal football betting web sites out there? I'm hardly a gambler so I know jack and shit about any of that.

[WayAbvPar]

The Wire Act prohibits the transfer of sports betting information via telephone, and has been extended to the Internet. So no, not really, unless MS specifically has legalized it.

[Paelos]

I don't give a shit about betting lines when it comes to talking about this sort of thing. I just don't. Especially with the craziness that is this season.

Teams with a 7 point of more spread this season have gone 22-5 straight up. Only two teams with a 7 point or more spread have lost since Week 3, and that's the hapless Falcons and Texans.

I've talked to several Indy people. They think if the good Indy shows up, they can keep it close, but they are depressed right now after last night.

My overall point is this. Only a Denver fan would see warnings where you're seeing them. I'm not saying it's a pushover in Indy at all, but OMG THE LINE AND THE SECONDARY. I'm rolling my eyes at that when you are currently undefeated and number 1 in O line rating.

[HaemishM]

Amazingly enough, that has not happened.  

[sickrubik]

I don't give a shit about betting lines when it comes to talking about this sort of thing. I just don't. Especially with the craziness that is this season.

Teams with a 7 point of more spread this season have gone 22-5 straight up. Only two teams with a 7 point or more spread have lost since Week 3, and that's the hapless Falcons and Texans.

I've talked to several Indy people. They think if the good Indy shows up, they can keep it close, but they are depressed right now after last night.

My overall point is this. Only a Denver fan would see warnings where you're seeing them. I'm not saying it's a pushover in Indy at all, but OMG THE LINE AND THE SECONDARY. I'm rolling my eyes at that when you are currently undefeated and number 1 in O line rating.

You're again misrepresenting my concerns as more dire than they are. I've been discussing the question marks that ARE there, even if we still win. I've said that it could be a close game, and that I see a good opportunity for them to pull the upset. I haven't even said INDY WILL WIN, I just don't think it's a lock. I watched Peyton get put in the dirt on way more down than is comfortable, especially when he's in his later 30s now. If that continues, and he gets injured, the season is over. Plain and simple. You're acting like I said that the broncos will finish the season 6-10, or that the final score of this game will be IND 45, DEN 12.

Apparently Irsay has no regrets in releasing Manning.

"We've changed our model a little bit, because we wanted more than one of these," Irsay says, flicking up his right hand to show his Super Bowl XLI championship ring.

Nevermind, Peyton is going to light them up.

[Paelos]

I'm acting like a 6-0 fan is concerned about anything other than WE'RE NUMBER 1!!!

If you lose, I'll open the table to concerns. Otherwise,  

[Ingmar]

Thing is, Irsay is right, if they'd kept him there's no way they'd be having the success they are right now because of their cap situation.

[ghost]

Yeah, it was a painful split, but it was the right thing for all parties.

I actually kindof like that Irsay is trying to needle Manning into a verbal scuffle.  It brings some soul to the competition.

[sickrubik]

Thing is, Irsay is right, if they'd kept him there's no way they'd be having the success they are right now because of their cap situation.

His overall point was valid, but his wording was absolutely terrible.

[Ingmar]

Well, especially when taken out of context.

[sickrubik]

Even in context, it's not much better. They could have gone a long way to giving the teams the tools they needed to win multiple championships when he WAS there.

[01101010]

Yeah, it was a painful split, but it was the right thing for all parties.

I actually kindof like that Irsay is trying to needle Manning into a verbal scuffle.  It brings some soul to the competition.

As if Manning has ever been seen or heard off the football field, or commercial set.

[ghost]

Yeah, it was a painful split, but it was the right thing for all parties.

I actually kindof like that Irsay is trying to needle Manning into a verbal scuffle.  It brings some soul to the competition.

As if Manning has ever been seen or heard off the football field, or commercial set.

What does Manning have to do with Irsay running his mouth?   

[MediumHigh]

Seahawks played a good game against the Cardinals news at 11  

[Paelos]

One of my favorite Deadspin writers made a comment I really liked:

I love it when the NFL Network or any other network does a dramatic promo for an upcoming game and they have to find a vague way of pimping an awful team involved. THE AMAZING RUSSELL WILSON HAS THE SEAHAWKS GUNNING FOR THE SUPER BOWL, BUT THE CARDINALS ARE...ALSO IN THEIR DIVISION. You can tell they had very little to work with. BUT THE CARDINALS ARE GEARING UP FOR A FIGHT.

[01101010]

Yeah, it was a painful split, but it was the right thing for all parties.

I actually kindof like that Irsay is trying to needle Manning into a verbal scuffle.  It brings some soul to the competition.

As if Manning has ever been seen or heard off the football field, or commercial set.

What does Manning have to do with Irsay running his mouth?   

Nothing. But the part I bolded is what I was referring to. Manning doesn't talk shit or respond to shit talk. In fact the man is a ghost outside of the football/commercials world. To attempt to needle him is a failed endeavor that Irsay should know already.

[Paelos]

Because we're a good ways into the season and we've seen most of what teams have to offer, I'm going to do some weekend picks for each game against the spread. Feel free to join in as well to see who wins the week, or just to laugh at how little I know about sports betting.

Paelos Week 7 Picks against the Spread:

Jets +4 against the Pats
Chargers -8 against the Jags
Lions -3 against the Bengals
Dolphins -7.5 against the Bills
Chicago +1 against the Skins
Cowboys +2.5 against the Eagles
Rams +6.5 against the Panthers
Bucs +7 against the Falcons
49ers - 4 against the Titans
Chiefs -6.5 against the Texans
Cleveland +10 against Green Bay
Baltimore +1.5 against the Steelers
Denver -7 against the Colts
Vikings +3.5 against the Giants

The MNF game is Giants and Vikings? That didn't work out for the NFL did it? 

[K9]

Gronk is cleared to play

[Malakili]

What a fucking garbage way to end an overtime game.

[Paelos]

Keep laughing at my top 10 Jets, folks. They thrive on your hate.