Red Light District Hockey – Ranking all five Winter Classics
Los That Sports Blog – Video: Red Bull Follows Deron Williams From Game In New Jersey To Party In New York
Fight Hub TV – Oscar De La Hoya “Canelo Alvarez could do damage against a Mayweather Jr.”
Guyism – VIDEO: Supercut of pun-master movie reviewer Gene Shalit is hilariously bad

Unathletic Mag – This Is Why Fans Should Avoid Running Onto A Football Field (Video In Post)
Lost Letterman – UCLA Fan’s Marriage Proposal Rejected
Sports Talk Network – Terrell Suggs: “We dont need God on our sidelines”
Caged Insider – JDS: Lesnar was right to retire, Overeem aint number two

Philadelphia Sports Daily – Lurie Says Andy Reid Will Return
Crystal Ball Run – Urban Meyer To His Players: No Twitter For You
Moon Dog Sports – Cowboys Owner Jerry Jones Should Hire Bill Polian
Fight of the Night – Alistair Overeem’s UFC Deal Includes Share Of The PPV Revenue

As always home teams in caps.

INDIANAPOLIS 16, Jacksonville 10
New Orleans 32, ATLANTA 27
Houston 30, TAMPA BAY 20
CINCINNATI 27, Pittsburgh 24
UPSET – CAROLINA 26, Tennessee 21
PHILADELPHIA 26, Arizona 20
KANSAS CITY 27, Denver 24
Buffalo 24, DALLAS 18
CLEVELAND 20, St. Louis 13
MIAMI 23, Washington 17

Baltimore 24, SEATTLE 16
SAN FRANCISCO 32, New York Giants 26
CHICAGO 30, Detroit 23

New England 27, NEW YORK JETS 23
GREEN BAY 36, Minnesota 30

I’m going with Carolina as my upset based off of Cam Newton’s comments this week. Cam pretty much said his season has been a failure because he doesn’t have the wins. He’s become a leader on that team in a very short period of time and I think a comment like this will get his teammates to rally behind him.

There were two games that I went back and forth with because of late scratches.

Philadelphia – They’ve got no DeSean Jackson today because of his alarm clock not going off and causing him to miss a team meeting (cough cough bullshit). I still think the Eagles will win but lowered the margin of victory. Jackson hasn’t been much of a factor and well the Cardinals don’t have Kevin Kolb.

Washington – They decided to start Rex Grossman over John Beck. I had Miami winning this game but as of hearing this news I thought of flipping this game in the ‘Skins favor. Then I remembered what Grossman did in his last start, four interceptions on 22 passes.

I’ve got the Colts getting their first win this week against the Jaguars. Jacksonville has arguably the worst offense in the NFL and I think they’ll make Indy’s defense look better then it actually is. I also see Indianapolis players starting to play with more fire, much like the Miami guys did, as they near an 0-16 season. They’ve got a winnable game and the guys should come out fired up ready to get off the goose egg.

The late games today should be great.

I’ve got Chicago continuing the roll they’re on by squeezing out a win over the Lions. The reason, I don’t see Matt Forte turning the ball over in key situations again.

Much like last week my heart tells me the Giants will win but because of injuries I just can’t pull the trigger. They get Hakeem Nicks back but could lose Mario Manningham, and there is still no Ahmad Bradshaw. The 49ers defense is much better then the Patriots, so I’m not sure if Eli can carry them to a win again. If he does, his MVP chances could skyrocket (yes, I know Aaron Rodgers has that on lock down).

Patriots / Jets on Sunday Night Football should be a great game. The Jets are on a roll while the Patriots are actually on a two game losing streak. They’re tied for first and the winner is pretty much in control of the division. (Sorry Bills fans, I still have doubts). I think the Patriots pull this one out on the road, there’s no way they lose three straight. They look bad right now but you know Bill has been up their asses all week.

Last Week – 9-4
Season 70-30
UPSET – 4-3
LOCK – 5-2
Correct Scores – 0
Partially Correct Scores – 6

“I was a big Emmitt Smith fan,” Jackson said. “Playing running back and the things he was doing when he was with the Cowboys, I think everybody down there that plays running back wants to be just like him, me included. Definitely my idol. That’s why I wear No. 22 now.” (Dallas Morning News)

Here’s more showing his affection for the Dallas Cowboys organization.

“I’ve yet to play there. I’m excited to play there,” Jackson said Wednesday about playing at Cowboys Stadium. “Growing up in the state of Texas, you either want to play for the Cowboys or you want to play against them.

“I’m getting the opportunity to go down there and play, and I’m coming down with a team that’s doing really well right now. And we know we’ve got to win this game. So it’s a big game. You’ve got to show up and play big.” (Dallas Morning News)

I’m thinking Fred Jackson is poised for one of the biggest games of the season because of all this. A homecoming game, playing his idol’s former team AND the team he loved growing up will all get the adrenaline flowing more then normal. The question is can he contain it?

As usual home teams in caps.

DALLAS 26, Seattle 19
LOCK – Atlanta 33, INDIANAPOLIS 16
BUFFALO 31, New York Jets 20
HOUSTON 27, Cleveland 13
San Francisco 23, WASHINGTON 20
NEW ORLEANS 33, Tampa Bay 17
UPSET – Miami 22, KANSAS CITY 20

Cincinnati 23, TENNESSEE 20
OAKLAND 30, Denver 13
NEW ENGLAND 24, New York Giants 20
St. Louis 20, ARIZONA 16
Green Bay 27, SAN DIEGO 24

PITTSBURGH 23, Baltimore 20
Chicago 25, PHILADELPHIA 22

Lock is Atlanta over Indianapolis, pretty much needs no explanation. My upset does. Kansas City may be hot lately but I like how Miami performed against the Giants last week. If it wasn’t for an almost perfect game by Eli Manning they would have pulled off the upset. The Dolphins played with some urgency and I expect that again this week, the difference will be the Chiefs don’t have an Eli Manning.

I expect Buffalo to put some big points on the Jets defense. I know, I know how do I figure. Well Buffalo has been a high scoring machine at home this year, while the Jets defense has been very generous on the road.

The Patriots / Giants will be a great game but it pains me to say New England should pull it out. The Giants defense will terrorize Brady like they did in the Super Bowl. The difference this time isn’t a Plaxico Burress or David Tyree but it’s the lack of the Giants two best weapons, Hakeem Nick and Ahmad Bradshaw.

The 49ers are 3-0 on the East Coast this year and I expect them to beat the banged up ‘Skins to go 4-0, it will be close though.

Here’s my real shocker this week, more then the Dolphins. I think the Bears will go into Philadelphia and win Monday night. Yes, the offense was spectacular last week, they looked like the dream team they were supposed to be but who did they play, the Dallas Cowboys. Yes, their defense is good but the ‘Boys game planned for classic Andy Reid aka pass happy abandon the run. Chicago won’t make that mistake. The Eagles defense will tee off on Jay Cutler but I think the Bears will lean heavy on Forte, who should consistently get to the Eagles linebackers. If Cutler minimizes the turnovers and just make the passes he’s given the Bears could pull this off. I have these two teams very evenly matched this week, which means I can bust big on this pick. Meaning watch the Eagles go and blow the Bears out but I’m sticking with my gut, a Bears upset.

Last Week – 8-5
Season 61-26
UPSET – 3-3
LOCK – 4-2
Correct Scores – 0
Partially Correct Scores – 6

Your opinion when Felix Jones comes back, we still use Murray as starter and Jones as third down back?

I believe the Cowboys will still start Felix Jones when he returns from his left high ankle injury. However, Murray will likely get about as many carries as Jones does in games. That would be my best guess. The way Murray has run the ball the last two games, you have to continue to give him his share of carries until he proves otherwise. If it were up to me, I’d start Murray and give him more carries. But I don’t see them doing that with Felix Jones (at least not right away). (Dallas Morning News)

It makes total sense when you think about it. Jones was given plenty of touches earlier this season to prove he could take the starters role and outside of the Washington Redskins game hasn’t done much. He hasn’t really done anything to make Jason Garrett go that’s my guy.

While Murray the rookie has been pretty impressive in the two outings since Jones injury. He’s rushed the ball 33 times for 327 yards. Some will say the numbers are skewed because of his 253 yard outing and they’re right till you see he ran for 74 yards on EIGHT carries against the Philadelphia Eagles.

If anything Murray has earned himself a fair share of carries once Jones returns. He pretty much deserves to keep getting those touches. Personally, I agree with George, Murray will probably take over the starting spot at some point when it’s up in the air. Only thing I’d say is Felix needs to get himself back on the field if he doesn’t want to be the back getting less carries.

As always home teams in caps.

NY GIANTS 34, Miami 20
HOUSTON 23, Jacksonville 13
BALTIMORE 26, Arizona 13
LOCK – New Orleans 32, ST. LOUIS 16
CAROLINA 25, Minnesota 22
TENNESSEE 24, Indianapolis 17

Detroit 24, DENVER 21
BUFFALO 20, Washington 17
Cincinnati 23, SEATTLE 16
SAN FRANCISCO 26, Cleveland 20
New England 30, PITTSBURGH 24

UPSET – Dallas 27, PHILADELPHIA 25
San Diego 30, KANSAS CITY 17

- New Orleans is an easy lock against the Rams, especially after last weeks performancce

- I think the Cowboys pull off a huge upset in Philly tonight. The Eagles may have a 12-0 record coming out of a bye in the Andy Reid era but it’s not as good as it appears. Philly sports talk radio looked at those 12 wins and only 3 or 4 could be considered quality, meaning they’ve been blessed with easy games after the bye. Look for the ‘Boys to steal one late.

- Buffalo struggles with a depleted Washington offense but pulls out the win.

- Denver gives a struggling Lions team a fight but the savior, Tebow once again doesn’t have enough to complete the comeback but does enough to excite his fan base.

- Steelers / Patriots of course the Game of the Week. I think Brady leads the Pats to a late touchdown drive for the win.

- Carolina / Minnesota could wind up as one of the better games this week two. Hopefully it winds up a well played game by both rookie QBs and not a turnover filled mess.

Last Week – No Picks
Season 53-21
UPSET – 3-2
LOCK – 4-1
Correct Scores – 0
Partially Correct Scores – 6

“You’ve got to have some spy guys on him in some type of way,” Ware said. “He’s not a statue that is going to sit back there. I’ve got to have my running shoes on. I can catch him and take him down, but if he gets a couple of steps in front of me, no one is going to catch him.

“He’s probably one of the fastest, most athletic guys on the field and you’ve got to find some way to stop him. Corral the rabbit. He can run, man. He strings plays out and keeps their offense going.”

I don’t know Vick and Bugs have similar form…

Yea, I see the similarities…. But you know what it won’t be a case of Bugs Bunny outsmarting Elmer Fudd… It’s going to wind up like an old episode of the Road Runner and Wile E. Coyote meaning Vick is just going to run all over the Cowboys defense.

1. Green Bay Packers
2. New England Patriots
3. San Francisco 49ers
4. Baltimore Ravens
5. Detroit Lions
6. San Diego Chargers
7. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
8. New Orleans Saints
9. Buffalo Bills
10. Pittsburgh Steelers

11. New York Giants
12. Tennessee Titans
13. Oakland Raiders
14. Cincinnati Bengals
15. Houston Texans
16. Washington Redskins
17. Atlanta Falcons
18. New York Jets
19. Chicago Bears
20. Philadelphia Eagles
21. Seattle Seahawks

22. Dallas Cowboys
23. Kansas City Chiefs
24. Cleveland Browns
25. Arizona Cardinals
26. Carolina Panthers
27. Denver Broncos
28. Jacksonville Jaguars
29. Minnesota Vikings
30. St. Louis Rams
31. Miami Dolphins
32. Indianapolis Colts

Quick Thoughts

- Detroit takes a slight drop after a tough loss but with it being against the also 5-1 Niners, they stay in the Top 5 but get leaped frog by those Niners.

- The Giants are also a mover this week after beating the Buffalo Bills. This was the first game all year where I felt the Giants played like a solid team, even with the few big plays they let up on defense. Because of that reasoning, I can’t yet put them back into the Top 10.

- There was a huge battle in the NFC Central between the Saints and Bucs, thanks to the Bucs win they move ahead of the Saints who take a slight tumble in the rankings.

- The Colts continue to bring up the rear at 0-6.

- The Eagles move back into the Top 20 thanks to their win over what was appearing to be a solid Redskins team. I think this is the beginning of the end to the Redskins season, thanks to the reappearance of the real Rex Grossman.

- The Raiders are now 4-2 and moving up my rankings quickly. With them adding a QB of Carson Palmer’s caliber I think they’ll be moving into the Top 10 quickly.

“We’ll evaluate Felix day to day. Sometimes those (high ankle injuries) are hard to get your arm around initially,” Garrett said. “It’s described as a high ankle sprain, but we don’t know the extent of it.” (SportsDay DFW)

It’s never a good sign when a player is in a boot after suffering an ankle injury. Another Cowboys player, Orlando Scandrick, suffered the same fate and misssed almost a month of playing time. This isn’t a good sign for the Cowboys offense.

After Jones went down the Cowboys running game stopped moving. Back-up DeMarco Murray ran the ball ten times for only 32 yards which was sadly a good performance. For the season he’s run the ball 24 times for 71 yards, for a measly 3.0 yards per carry.

If Jones misses much more then this weeks contest against the St. Louis Rams then Tony Romo better start worrying. The Cowboys have the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 8 and you know they’ll already be gunning for him, with no running game to worry about they’ll really tee off.

Here are the picks as always home teams are in caps.

LOCK – GREEN BAY 36, St. Louis 16
Buffalo 27, NEW YORK GIANTS 20
CINCINNATI 26, Indianapolis 17
ATLANTA 31, Carolina 27
DETROIT 26, San Fransisco 23
Philadelphia 23, WASHINGTON 18
PITTSBURGH 24, Jacksonville 17
OAKLAND 27, Cleveland 21
BALTIMORE 30, Houston 27
New Orleans 31, TAMPA BAY 23
NEW ENGLAND 34, Dallas 26
UPSET – Minnesota 24, CHICAGO 20
NEW YORK JETS 23, Miami 16

Very quick thoughts this week.

- Green Bay is the obvious lock by playing the Rams

- Most people will go WTF when seeing I took Minnesota as today’s upset but after seeing them last week there is a reason, Adrian Peterson. The Bears currently have one of the worst run defenses in the NFL so I expect Minnesota to just keep pounding the ball. Look for a very boring Sunday Night game.

- Expecting the Jets to beat the Dolphins but to struggle to do so.

- Bills and Lions keep on rolling.

- Eagles struggle with the Redskins but turn their fortunes around by pulling out a late win, instead of a late collapse. The win won’t be convincing enough though to change fans opinions.

- Panthers/Falcons probably one of the best games of the weekend. I think Falcons pull it out at home but if Newtown gets in a passing groove this could be an upset.

- Texans/Ravens is a game I really wanted to see a couple weeks ago. Now that the Texans don’t have Andre Johnson I go ehh whatever.

Last Week – 8-5
Season 44-17
UPSET – 3-1
LOCK – 3-1
Correct Scores – 0
Partially Correct Scores – 4