I'm not a big fan of public money for stadiums, and apparently the city of St Louis won't finish paying for the Edward Jones Dome until 2021 - all while losing The Rams' $500K annual rent. The EJ Dome was built in 1995, becoming another stadium has only a 20 year shelf life. That is pretty ridiculous and wish the NFL would stop holding cities hostage. New fancy stadiums are all nice to ogle, but I continue to appreciate that Green Bay, in the smallest market, has managed to keep Lambeau Field the crown jewel of NFL stadiums for all of these years.

I think the LA stadium has a lot more private money that has been raised, which is out of necessity (luring a team in the first place with a plan that is ready to green light without the city trying to find the funds). But it's also only fair to a large market that is in a state with constant budget issues.

Anyways, looking forward to some great games this weekend.

KC - New England
I'm still not really buying KC. The Texans barely won one of the worst divisions in football. New England is banged up, but I don't see KC knocking them off. Andy Reid will misuse the clock and KC will run out of time. I mean, Andy Reid v. Belicheck? Come on.

GB - Arizona
The Packers got destroyed by the Cardinals a few weeks ago, but they are coming off one of their best wins in weeks. The Redskins weren't quite the power house the Cardinals have been, especially on defense, and this could easily be another blow out. Still, the Packers got a little spark, and their defense has been playing solid all season. It really depends on which Packers team shows up, and shows up early, because they won't be able to dig themselves out of an early hole like they did last week. I remember GB playing the 14-2 Falcons in 2010 in Atlanta as a serious underdog and they destroyed them. I'm going with a Green Bay upset (as a fan, if I wasn't a Packers fan, I'd probably put money on the Cardinals)

Seattle - Carolina
The Seahawks are playing with borrowed money after last week's miracle (well, it's the Vikings, so for anyone paying attention, it was all too typical). Seattle has the experience, they've been the NFC champs 2 years in a row. Last week was a slog for Seattle, everything looked a little off, and they won thanks to a broken play and a missed chip shot - but they won. Carolina narrowly defeated Seattle earlier in the season, beating a team twice, especially in the playoffs, is never easy. This will probably be the most exciting game of the weekend. There is always that team that goes 14-2 or 15-1 in the regular season and blows it in the playoffs (2010 Falcons, 2011 Packers, the Chargers and Colts from 2002-2010 pretty much, etc.). I'm still not buying the Panthers, I think Seattle eeks this one out.

Pittsburgh - Denver
The Broncos are going with their aging backup QB. Peyton finds a way to blow games, Rothlesberger finds a way to win. Steelers win.

[Edited on 1/14/2016 by porkchopbob]

Speaking of Super Bowl I, what a difference 50 years makes. Len Dawson at half time of Super Bowl I, down down 10-14 to Green Bay.

Meanwhile, the hero of Super Bowl I, Green Bay's Max McGee, was nursing a serious hangover after partying in LA the night before because he didn't expect to play:

"McGee told starting receiver Boyd Dowler, "I hope you don't get hurt. I'm not in very good shape," alluding to his hangover.[3] Dowler went down with a separated shoulder on the Packers' second drive of the game, and McGee, who had to borrow a teammate's helmet because he had not brought his own out of the locker room, was put into the game. A few plays later, McGee made a one-handed reception of a pass from Bart Starr, took off past Chiefs defender Fred Williamson and ran 37 yards to score the first touchdown in Super Bowl history. This was a repeat of his performance in the NFL championship game two weeks earlier, when he had also caught a touchdown pass after relieving an injured Boyd Dowler. By the end of the game, McGee had recorded seven receptions for 138 yards and two touchdowns, assisting Green Bay to a 35-10 victory."

I love that story. McGee went on to be the color commentator for the Packers radio broadcasts, which we always had on instead of the TV announcers.

Awesome story, PCB!

Meanwhile, the 49ers have have hired Chip Kelly as their next coach. I would think that means Kapernick just got a reprieve, seems like the type of QB for Kelly's system.

And after interviewing with the Eagles, Tom Coughlin has withdrawn his name from consideration, "not the right fit."

Anyways, looking forward to some great games this weekend.

KC - New England
I'm still not really buying KC. The Texans barely won one of the worst divisions in football. New England is banged up, but I don't see KC knocking them off. Andy Reid will misuse the clock and KC will run out of time. I mean, Andy Reid v. Belicheck? Come on.

GB - Arizona
The Packers got destroyed by the Cardinals a few weeks ago, but they are coming off one of their best wins in weeks. The Redskins weren't quite the power house the Cardinals have been, especially on defense, and this could easily be another blow out. Still, the Packers got a little spark, and their defense has been playing solid all season. It really depends on which Packers team shows up, and shows up early, because they won't be able to dig themselves out of an early hole like they did last week. I remember GB playing the 14-2 Falcons in 2010 in Atlanta as a serious underdog and they destroyed them. I'm going with a Green Bay upset (as a fan, if I wasn't a Packers fan, I'd probably put money on the Cardinals)

Seattle - Carolina
The Seahawks are playing with borrowed money after last week's miracle (well, it's the Vikings, so for anyone paying attention, it was all too typical). Seattle has the experience, they've been the NFC champs 2 years in a row. Last week was a slog for Seattle, everything looked a little off, and they won thanks to a broken play and a missed chip shot - but they won. Carolina narrowly defeated Seattle earlier in the season, beating a team twice, especially in the playoffs, is never easy. This will probably be the most exciting game of the weekend. There is always that team that goes 14-2 or 15-1 in the regular season and blows it in the playoffs (2010 Falcons, 2011 Packers, the Chargers and Colts from 2002-2010 pretty much, etc.). I'm still not buying the Panthers, I think Seattle eeks this one out.

Pittsburgh - Denver
The Broncos are going with their aging backup QB. Peyton finds a way to blow games, Rothlesberger finds a way to win. Steelers win.

[Edited on 1/14/2016 by porkchopbob]

Not to sure I would dissmiss KC that quick. They won they're first game, dropped 5 and, won 11 straight. Not the toughest of scheuldues, but played some decent teams. Not to many won 11 in a row this year. Andy Reid is no slouch. Not saying they will come out and give the Pats the beating they deserve, but who knows. I just hope its a good game and not a blow out, unless NE is on the losing end. 😛

I like GB, but they have been WAY TO MUCH Jekylll and Hyde this year..real hot then cold.
Dont trust them in Arizona agaisnt the Cardinals/ Bruce Arians offense. He will keep the gas on them, and Palmer can get the ball down the field.

Its a toss up in my mind in Seattle v Carolina.

Pitt and Denver will be interesting. Manning might not be as strong physically, but he has a sharp mind, and Kubiak will build a plan around him for that offense. Game manager? If that does not work, PM might be on a short leash. Osweiler has got a knee injury, so we shall see. I could see Pitt winning this one if Denver cant generate any offense.

[Edited on 1/15/2016 by jszfunk]

[Edited on 1/15/2016 by jszfunk]

Not to sure I would dissmiss KC that quick. They won they're first game, dropped 5 and, won 11 straight. Not the toughest of scheuldues, but played some decent teams.

And yet, no one holds the fact that the Patriots play in the AFC East against them... 😛

Not to sure I would dissmiss KC that quick. They won they're first game, dropped 5 and, won 11 straight. Not the toughest of scheuldues, but played some decent teams.

And yet, no one holds the fact that the Patriots play in the AFC East against them... 😛

😛

Actually, that is a very frequent topic of the conversation every time the long-term success of the Pats comes up and I understand why. However it is worth noting that they have won 76% of their reg season games since 2001 (182-58) but only 37% of those games have been against AFC East teams so they are obviously doing something right. And this year the Pats were 4-2 within their division (so were the Bills) and the Chiefs were 5-1.

Steelers job just got harder...Antonio Brown is OUT this weekend.

Not to sure I would dissmiss KC that quick. They won they're first game, dropped 5 and, won 11 straight. Not the toughest of scheuldues, but played some decent teams.

And yet, no one holds the fact that the Patriots play in the AFC East against them... 😛

😛

Actually, that is a very frequent topic of the conversation every time the long-term success of the Pats comes up and I understand why. However it is worth noting that they have won 76% of their reg season games since 2001 (182-58) but only 37% of those games have been against AFC East teams so they are obviously doing something right. And this year the Pats were 4-2 within their division (so were the Bills) and the Chiefs were 5-1.

Division games are always tough, playing a team twice.

We just don't know enough about KC. Of those 5 games they lost, 4 were to playoff teams (GB, Denver, MN, Cincy). Since then they've only played 2 other playoff teams (Denver and Pittsburgh) and they won both of them. Teams in September are very different than teams in January, I think it depends on how banged up NE is. That's why they play the games I guess. Either way, 11 games in a row is no easy feet, but it only gets harder.

All true, but the Patriots played four playoff teams...all year.

You play the schedule you are given. Blowing off teams because they aren't deemed worthy is an insult to all those teams. Pretty hard to win in the NFL.

No one was more shocked and disappointed by the way they started the season than the Chiefs themselves. The loss to Denver in Week 2 was as close to a playoff loss (of which I am quite familiar) as it gets. It's one thing to get beat, it's another to give it away.

I have no idea if the Chiefs will beat the Patriots. I am not expecting the Chiefs to beat the Patriots. I'm not a smack talker in that regard. I do know that the Chiefs defense is stacked with talent and the DC, Bob Sutton, was with the Jets for 12 years and knows the Patriot offense as well as anyone. I keep hearing about the woes of the Patriot O-line and it's no secret that you've got to get after Brady to get him off his game, but, that's still more easily said than done.

Alex Smith isn't the greatest QB of all time but he makes very, very few mistakes. He's also 3-40-1 when the opponent scores 24 or more points. 😮

I have a feeling that the teams that the Patriots played this season responded to the Deflategate stuff by physically beating on the Patriots as much as possible. Just because you lose the game doesn't mean you didn't beat the hell out of the winner. That's just speculation, though.

Not to sure I would dissmiss KC that quick. They won they're first game, dropped 5 and, won 11 straight. Not the toughest of scheuldues, but played some decent teams.

And yet, no one holds the fact that the Patriots play in the AFC East against them... 😛

😛

Actually, that is a very frequent topic of the conversation every time the long-term success of the Pats comes up and I understand why. However it is worth noting that they have won 76% of their reg season games since 2001 (182-58) but only 37% of those games have been against AFC East teams so they are obviously doing something right.

Well, sure. That doesn't make the Bills, Jets and Fish suck any less over that span of time. 😛

Steelers job just got harder...Antonio Brown is OUT this weekend.

Steelers job got harder when their QB tore ligaments in his shoulder last week. When he came back in the game, his passes were all floaters and he couldn't throw 10 yards. I seriously doubt you can recover from that in one week.

Steelers job just got harder...Antonio Brown is OUT this weekend.

Steelers job got harder when their QB tore ligaments in his shoulder last week. When he came back in the game, his passes were all floaters and he couldn't throw 10 yards. I seriously doubt you can recover from that in one week.

Absolutely, that's an even bigger deal. I meant over and above that, now with Brown out it gets even harder. And it makes me even more po'd that the Pats dropped those last two games to the Jets and Dolphins (AFC East teams, by the way Bhawk 😉 ) because I'd much rather they be facing the beat up Squeelers versus the red hot Chiefs this weekend.

All true, but the Patriots played four playoff teams...all year.

You play the schedule you are given. Blowing off teams because they aren't deemed worthy is an insult to all those teams. Pretty hard to win in the NFL.

I hear you, and I wouldn't want everything to go as scripted. I'm not into predictions as much as I am into watching the teams battle it out and surprise everyone. I think any of the remaining teams could reasonably win the Super Bowl.

Well, except maybe Denver. I wouldn't put money on old noodle arm.

Weekend Picks

Chiefs (anybody but NE)
Cardinals (Cardinals are not Washington)
Broncos (Steelers beat up)

And of course beating Carolina will be the

SEAHAWKS!!!

[Edited on 1/15/2016 by leafsfan]

Weekend Picks

Chiefs (anybody but NE)
Cardinals (Cardinals are not Washington)
Broncos (Steelers beat up)

And of course beating Carolina will be the

SEAHAWKS!!!

I agree with 3 out of 4. I think Carolina prevails. But they will lose to arizona next week.

From a betting standpoint:

I like the Chefs and 5. It dropped to 4.5 then went back to 5. I think this could be the best of the four games.

Sorry Aaron, but I think Arizona rolls.

As much as I abhor Pete Carroll, I have to think Seattle ekes this one out. Should be a good game.

The last game is a head scratcher. They finally put a line on it. Denver by 9. The fact that they actually put a line on it leads me to think Ben will play even with Brown out. That's a lot of points. Even if he plays, he can't throw downfield which bodes well for Denver. Having said all of that, Denver 27-10 so take the under of 40.

I will own up to my losses Monday.
😉 😛

Trivia: if the Packers make it to the Super Bowl, it will be a rematch. (SB1, SB 31, SB32, SB45).

Patriots back to the AFC Champ game again (that makes five in a row)! Go Steelers!

[Edited on 1/17/2016 by gondicar]

RIP Ted Marchibroda

From a betting standpoint:

I like the Chefs and 5. It dropped to 4.5 then went back to 5. I think this could be the best of the four games.

Sorry Aaron, but I think Arizona rolls.

As much as I abhor Pete Carroll, I have to think Seattle ekes this one out. Should be a good game.

The last game is a head scratcher. They finally put a line on it. Denver by 9. The fact that they actually put a line on it leads me to think Ben will play even with Brown out. That's a lot of points. Even if he plays, he can't throw downfield which bodes well for Denver. Having said all of that, Denver 27-10 so take the under of 40.

I will own up to my losses Monday.
😉 😛

couple of good games...one in particular 😉

had the Patriots in the ABBSpread pool, like that's a shocker, minus the 5 and took GB plus the 7.

thought GB would win in OT but that ended quick.

2 for 2.

I like Carolina and Pittsburgh (only because I'd rather have Pitt. here than Denver there...

Patriots have got their offense back. They look sharp.

RIP Ted Marchibroda

x2 🙁

I was two for two...

...lost both games. 😉

No surprises yesterday - bummed my Packers are done, but what a game! After the last 10 games of the season, a divisional round playoff game felt like found money. Packers left some money on the table, but they put up a good fight.

Hope the Panthers knock the Seahawks out today!

No surprises yesterday - bummed my Packers are done, but what a game! After the last 10 games of the season, a divisional round playoff game felt like found money. Packers left some money on the table, but they put up a good fight.

Hope the Panthers knock the Seahawks out today!

Tough loss for the Pack. It was closer than I thought it would be though.

Just turned on the game and Seattle is getting a beating.

Streak continues. Oh for three. 🙁

Goooooooooooooooooooooo Steelers!

And we're on to Denver for another Peyton-Brady showdown. Should be fun.

I sort of surprised that Denver is a 3 point dog at home considering they beat the Pats once already...

I thought the same thing about N.E. I think the "experts" are begging folks to take the Pats. Only for that reason, I would take Denver. I was frankly shocked when I saw the line.

In the other game, isn't Carolina better than a field goal at home? Don't they say home field is worth about three points? So that means on the so called neutral field, these two teams are even? Not buying that.

My two cents.