StatMan On Football: The Unstoppable Force and the Immovable Object

Welcome to StatMan On Football, our weekly football column.  We might tackle a local football topic or a national football topic, but look for it right here every Tuesday (or, in this case, Wednesday).  This week, we take a look at the upcoming Sunday night matchup between AFC East arch-rivals, the Patriots and the Jets.

The Patriots and Jets, improbable as it sounded just two weeks ago, are neck and neck in the division, joined by the underdog Buffalo Bills, in a three-way tie for first halfway through the regular season schedule.  In a season of unbelievable storylines, this has to be right up there.

This time, the trash talk should subside.  There is more on the line than idle chit-chat, as long as Rex Ryan keeps his brash talk under wraps.  Both teams respect each other and both teams know a win is not a given this Sunday at MetLife Stadium.  The Patriots are in no mood for joking around, as they are losers of two in a row and almost dropped the last game they won at home to the Cowboys.  The Jets are feeling good, but why wake the sleeping giant?  It is normally what the Jets do, but this time should be different.

The Patriots were playing like the unstoppable force they have been.  New England scored 30 or more points in 14 straight contests and, outside of a playoff loss to these same Jets and a surprising four interception performance by Tom Brady against Buffalo early this year, they are a sure bet.  The Jets played like windmills against opposing teams’ running attacks earlier this year.  But, after a mediocre start, the Jets beat the Dolphins as the defense made a comeback.  Following that win, the Jets came back late against San Diego and suffocated Buffalo after the bye week.  Their play and their results may not be immovable objects, but the indomitable spirit that the Jets have is certainly immovable. 

Derrick Mason wavered and complained openly.  He is gone.  The rest of the team stopped pretty quickly, which tells me that Ryan continues to have his finger on the pulse of his team.  After Darrelle Revis’s incident on Mike Francesa’s radio show before the San Diego game, the Jets have not done as much talking.  No wrestling appearances.  No YouTube embarrassments.  They were anonymous for a week.  They appeared in Buffalo and took care of business and Ryan seemed humble. 

The Jets’ confidence is starting to set in with this team and they believe again.  That alone makes this matchup a must-see.

What is your take on the Patriots and Jets this week?  Feel free to leave a comment.  I'll announce the best stuff on the Sports With The StatMan show.

NFL Week 7 Picks and Predictions

WEEK 6 RESULTS

• Picks - Straight Up: Overall - 62-28 (.689), Last Week - All Games - 8-5, Locals - 2-2, Big Games - 1-2
• Picks - Against the Spread: Overall - 45-40-5 (.528), Last Week - 6-6-1, Locals - 3-1, Big Games - 1-2
• Knockout Pool - 6-0 (ARZ, NYG, PIT, TBY, SDG,OAK)
• Start 'Em/Sit 'Em Three-Play: Overall - 12-6, Last Week - 2-1, QB - 4-2 (W, Dalton 16, Manning 11), RB - 2-4 (L, Torain 2, Gore 18), WR - 6-0 (W, Jones 11, Maclin 10)

WEEK 7 PICKS
Straight Up (win/loss)

• Locals: SDG (at NYJ), BYE for NYG, NE, PHL
• Big Game Winners: TEN (vs HOU), DET (vs ATL), TBY (vs CHI in London)
• Other Winners: DEN (at MIA), WSH (at CAR), CLE (vs SEA), PIT (at ARZ), OAK (vs KCY), GBY (at MIN), DAL (vs STL), NO (vs IND), BAL (at JAX)

Against the Spread (spreads in parentheses)

• Locals: SDG (-1 at NYJ), BYE for NYG, NE, PHL
• Big Game Covers: HOU (+3.5 at TEN), DET (-3.5 vs ATL), TBY (+1 vs CHI in London)
• Other Covers: DEN (+1 at MIA), WSH (+1 at CAR), CLE (-2.5 vs SEA), PIT (-3.5 at ARZ), KCY (+4.5 at OAK), GBY (-9.5 at MIN), DAL (-13.5 vs STL), NO (-14.5 vs IND), BAL (-9.5 at JAX)

Knockout Pool

• Round 1: Dallas (vs STL)

WEEK 7 PREDICTIONS
Start 'Em/Sit 'Em Three-Play

• QB: Start Kevin Kolb ARZ (vs PIT), Sit Joe Flacco BAL (at JAX)
• RB: Start Tim Hightower WSH (at CAR), Sit Arian Foster HOU (at TEN)
• WR: Start Greg Little CLE (vs SEA), Sit Mike Wallace PIT (at ARZ)

***

Upcoming Schedule for Sports With The StatMan:

• SWTS 203: Baseball Playoff Talk - World Series; Hockey Talk - NHL Week 3 (Monday 11pm ET) -Episode Page
• SWTS 204: Football Night: Week 7 Recap/Week 8 Preview; Hockey Talk - NHL Week 3 Weekend (Wednesday 11pm ET) - Episode Page
• SWTS 205: Fantasy Weekend: NFL Week 7 Recap and Week 8 Preview, NHL Week 3 Recap and Week 4 Preview (Saturday 11am ET) - Episode Page

Find the show and get in touch with the show:

• Show page: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/The-StatMan
• Twitter: http://twitter.com/gstatman
• Random Musings blog: http://gstatman.blogspot.com
• iTunes: Search "Sports With The StatMan"

NFL Week 6 Picks and Predictions

WEEK 5 RESULTS

• Picks - Straight Up: Overall - 54-23, Last Week - All Games - 9-4, Locals - 1-2, Big Games - 2-1
• Picks - Against the Spread: Overall - 39-34-4, Last Week - 8-5, Locals - 1-2, Big Games - 2-1
• Knockout Pool - 5-0 (ARZ, NYG, PIT, TBY, SDG)
• Start 'Em/Sit 'Em Three-Play: Overall - 10-5, Last Week - 1-2, QB - 3-2 (L, Orton (-1), Freeman 3), RB - 2-3 (L, Tomlinson 1, Best 26), WR - 5-0 (W, Floyd 20, D. Jackson 16)

WEEK 6 PICKS
Straight Up (win/loss)

• Locals: NYJ (vs MIA), BUF (at NYG), NE (vs DAL), WSH (vs PHL)
• Big Game Winners: DET (vs SFO), BAL (vs HOU), NO (at TBY)
• Other Winners: CIN (vs IND), PIT (vs JAX), GBY (vs STL), ATL (vs CAR), OAK (vs CLE), MIN (at CHI)

Against the Spread (spreads in parentheses)

• Locals: NYJ (-7.5 vs MIA), BUF (+3.5 at NYG), DAL (+7 at NE), WSH (+2.5 vs PHL)
• Big Game Covers: DET (-4.5 vs SFO), BAL (-7 vs HOU), NO (-4 at TBY)
• Other Covers: IND (+7 at CIN), PIT (-13 vs JAX), GBY (-14.5 vs STL), ATL (-4.5 vs CAR), OAK (-7 vs CLE), MIN (+3 at CHI)

Knockout Pool

• Round 1: Oakland (vs CLE)

WEEK 6 PREDICTIONS
Start 'Em/Sit 'Em Three-Play

• QB: Start Andy Dalton CIN (vs IND), Sit Eli Manning NYG (vs BUF)
• RB: Start Ryan Torain WSH (vs PHL), Sit Frank Gore SFO (at DET)
• WR: Start James Jones GBY (vs STL), Sit Jeremy Maclin PHL (at WSH)

***

Upcoming Schedule for Sports With The StatMan:

• SWTS 200: Baseball Playoff Talk - LCS Wrap, World Series Preview; Hockey Talk - NHL Week 2 (Monday 11pm ET) -Episode Page
• SWTS 201: Football Night: Week 6 Recap/Week 7 Preview; Hockey Talk - NHL Week 2 Weekend (Wednesday 11pm ET) - Episode Page
• SWTS 202: Fantasy Weekend: NFL Week 6 Recap and Week 7 Preview, NHL Week 2 Recap and Week 3 Preview (Saturday 11am ET) - Episode Page

Find the show and get in touch with the show:

• Show page: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/The-StatMan
• Twitter: http://twitter.com/gstatman
• Random Musings blog: http://gstatman.blogspot.com
• iTunes: Search "Sports With The StatMan"

NFL Week 5 Picks and Predictions

WEEK 4 RESULTS

• Picks - Straight Up: Overall - 45-19, Last Week - All Games - 13-3, Locals - 3-1, Big Games - 2-1
• Picks - Against the Spread: Overall - 31-29-4, Last Week - 8-8, Locals - 2-2, Big Games - 1-2
• Knockout Pool - 4-0 (ARZ, NYG, PIT, TBY)
• Start 'Em/Sit 'Em Three-Play: Overall - 9-3, Last Week - 3-0, QB - 3-1 (W, Campbell 15, Fitzpatrick 7), RB - 2-2 (W, Hunter 9, Mendenhall 6), WR - 4-0 (W, Harvin 10, Wayne 5)

WEEK 5 PICKS
Straight Up (win/loss)

• Locals: NE (vs NYJ), NYG (vs SEA), PHL (at BUF)
• Big Game Winners: GBY (at ATL), DET (vs CHI), HOU (vs OAK)
• Other Winners: TEN (at PIT), KCY (at IND), CIN (at JAX), MIN (vs ARZ), NO (at CAR), SFO (vs TBY), SDG (at DEN)

Against the Spread (spreads in parentheses)

• Locals: NE (-9.5 vs NYJ), SEA (+10 at NYG), PHL (-3 at BUF)
• Big Game Covers: ATL (+5.5 vs GBY), DET (-5.5 vs CHI), OAK (+6 at HOU)
• Other Covers: TEN (+3.5 at PIT), KCY (+1.5 at IND), CIN (+1.5 at JAX), MIN (-3 vs ARZ), NO (-6.5 at CAR), SFO (-2.5 vs TBY), SDG (-4 at DEN)

Knockout Pool

• Round 1: San Diego (at DEN)

WEEK 5 PREDICTIONS
Start 'Em/Sit 'Em Three-Play

• QB: Start Kyle Orton DEN (vs SDG), Sit Josh Freeman TBY (at SFO)
• RB: Start LaDainian Tomlinson NYJ (at NE), Sit Jahvid Best DET (vs CHI)
• WR: Start Malcom Floyd SDG (at DEN), Sit DeSean Jackson PHL (at BUF)

***

Upcoming Schedule for Sports With The StatMan:

• SWTS 200: Baseball Playoff Talk - LCS Wrap, World Series Preview; Hockey Talk - NHL Week 2 (Monday 11pm ET) - Episode Page
• SWTS 201: Football Night: Week 6 Recap/Week 7 Preview; Hockey Talk - NHL Week 2 Weekend (Wednesday 11pm ET) - Episode Page
• SWTS 202: Fantasy Weekend: NFL Week 6 Recap and Week 7 Preview, NHL Week 2 Recap and Week 3 Preview (Saturday 11am ET) - Episode Page

Find the show and get in touch with the show:

• Show page: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/The-StatMan
• Twitter: http://twitter.com/gstatman
• Random Musings blog: http://gstatman.blogspot.com
• iTunes: Search "Sports With The StatMan"

NFL Week 4 Picks and Predictions

The NFC East is bunched up and topsy-turvy with the Eagles in last-place and the other three teams, including the previously-hapless Redskins, at 2-1.  The Jets and Patriots both ran up against two of the most surprising teams so far this season in losses on the road to Oakland and Buffalo, respectively.  The Patriots play at Oakland this week and both (!) teams have already lost to Buffalo this season.  What has gotten into the Buffalo Bills and can their run continue at Cincinnati this week.  Read on to find out.

WEEK 3 RESULTS

• Picks - Straight Up: Overall - 32-16, Last Week - 10-6, Locals - 0-3, Big Games - 2-1
• Picks - Against the Spread: Overall - 23-21-4, Last Week - 10-5-1, Locals - 1-2, Big Games - 2-1
• Knockout Pool - 3-0 (ARZ, NYG, PIT)
• Start 'Em/Sit 'Em Three-Play: Overall - 6-3, Last Week - 1-2, QB - 2-1 (L, McCoy 20, Roethlisberger 21), RB - 1-2 (L, T. Jones 3, McFadden 31), WR - 3-0 (W, Gaffney 6, Nicks 2)

WEEK 4 PICKS
Straight Up (win/loss)

• Locals: BAL (vs NYJ), NYG (at ARZ), PHL (vs SFO), NE (at OAK)
• Big Game Winners: HOU (vs PIT), DAL (vs DET), ATL (at SEA)
• Other Winners: BUF (at CIN), TEN (at CLE), CHI (vs CAR), WSH (at STL), NO (at JAX), KCY (vs MIN), GBY (vs DEN), SDG (vs MIA), TBY (vs IND)

Against the Spread (spreads in parentheses)

• Locals: NYJ (+3.5 at BAL), NYG (-1.5 at ARZ), PHL (-9 vs SFO), NE (-5 at OAK)
• Big Game Covers: HOU (-3.5 vs PIT), DAL (-2 vs DET), ATL (-4 at SEA)
• Other Covers: BUF (-3 at CIN), TEN (Pick 'em at CLE), CHI (-6 vs CAR), WSH (-2.5 at STL), NO (-7 at JAX), KCY (+2 vs MIN), DEN (+12.5 at GBY), MIA (+7 at SDG), IND (+10 at TBY)

Knockout Pool

• Round 1: Tampa Bay (vs IND)

WEEK 4 PREDICTIONS
Start 'Em/Sit 'Em Three-Play

• QB: Start Jason Campbell OAK (vs NE), Sit Ryan Fitzpatrick BUF (at CIN)
• RB: Start Kendall Hunter SFO (at PHL), Sit Rashard Mendenhall PIT (at HOU)
• WR: Start Percy Harvin MIN (at KCY), Sit Reggie Wayne (at TBY)

***

Upcoming Schedule for Sports With The StatMan: 

• SWTS 194: Baseball Playoff Talk, NHL Preview: Central and Southeast Divisions (Monday 11pm ET) - Show Preview
• SWTS 195: Football Night: Week 4, NHL Preview: Northeast and Atlantic Divisions (Wednesday 11pm ET) - Show Preview
• SWTS 196: Fantasy Weekend: NFL Week 4 Recap and Week 5 Preview, NHL Fantasy Preview: Defensemen and Goaltenders (Saturday 11am ET) - Show Preview

Find the show and get in touch with the show:

• Show page: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/The-StatMan
• Twitter: http://twitter.com/gstatman
• Random Musings blog: http://gstatman.blogspot.com
• iTunes: Search "Sports With The StatMan"

NFL Week 3 Picks and Predictions

We have our first meeting between local teams this week as the Giants travel down the Turnpike to take on the Eagles.  Will Michael Vick run roughshod over the Giants in a repeat of last season's big comeback?  We pick that game, and all others, right here.

WEEK 2 RESULTS

• Picks - Straight Up: Overall - 12-4, Locals - 3-1, Big Games - 3-0
• Picks - Against the Spread: Overall - 7-7-2, Locals - 1-3, Big Games - 1-1-1
• Knockout Pool - 2-0 (ARZ, NYG)
• Start 'Em/Sit 'Em Three-Play: Overall - 5-1, QB - 2-0 (Newton 26, Sanchez 17), RB - 1-1 (Addai 9, C. Johnson 6), WR - 2-0 (J. Nelson 18, S. Johnson 13)

WEEK 3 PICKS
Straight Up (win/loss)

• Locals: NYJ (at OAK), PHL (vs NYG), NE (at BUF)
• Big Game Winners: NO (vs HOU), GBY (at CHI), ATL (at TBY)
• Other Winners: CAR (vs JAX), MIA (at CLE), TEN (vs DEN), DET (at MIN), SFO (at CIN), SDG (vs KCY), BAL (at STL), SEA (vs ARZ), PIT (at IND), WSH (at DAL)

Against the Spread (spreads in parentheses)

• Locals: NYJ (-3 at OAK), NYG (+9 at PHL), NE (-7 at BUF)
• Big Game Covers: NO (-4 vs HOU), GBY (-3.5 at CHI), ATL (+1.5 at TBY)
• Other Covers: CAR (-3 vs JAX), MIA (+2.5 at CLE), DEN (+6.5 at TEN), DET (-3 at MIN), SFO (+2.5 at CIN), SDG (-14.5 vs KCY), BAL (-4 at STL), SEA (+3 vs ARZ), PIT (-10.5 at IND), WSH (+5.5 at DAL)

Knockout Pool

• Round 1: Pittsburgh (at IND)

WEEK 3 PREDICTIONS
Start 'Em/Sit 'Em Three-Play

• QB: Start Colt McCoy CLE (vs MIA), Sit Ben Roethlisberger PIT (at IND)
• RB: Start Thomas Jones KCY (at SDG), Sit Darren McFadden OAK (vs NYJ)
• WR: Start Jabar Gaffney WSH (at DAL), Sit Hakeem Nicks NYG (at PHL)

***

Upcoming Schedule for Sports With The StatMan: 

• SWTS 194: Baseball Playoff Talk, NHL Preview: Central and Southeast Divisions (Monday 11pm ET) - Show Preview
• SWTS 195: Football Night: Week 4, NHL Preview: Northeast and Atlantic Divisions (Wednesday 11pm ET) - Show Preview
• SWTS 196: Fantasy Weekend: NFL Week 4 Recap and Week 5 Preview, NHL Fantasy Preview: Defensemen and Goaltenders (Saturday 11am ET) - Show Preview

Find the show and get in touch with the show:

• Show page: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/The-StatMan
• Twitter: http://twitter.com/gstatman
• Random Musings blog: http://gstatman.blogspot.com
• iTunes: Search "Sports With The StatMan"

NFL Week 2 Picks and Predictions

We are catching up as the NFL season moves very fast.  We have analyzed our picks each week during our Fantasy Weekend show on Saturday mornings at 11am ET.  Visit the show page at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/The-StatMan for upcoming shows and show times.

WEEK 1 RESULTS

• Picks - Straight Up: Overall - 10-6, Locals - 3-1, Big Games - 1-2
• Picks - Against the Spread: Overall - 6-9-1, Locals - 2-2, Big Games - 0-3
• Knockout Pool - 1-0 (Arizona)
• Start 'Em/Sit 'Em Three-Play: Overall - 2-1, QB - 1-0 (Henne 35, Freeman 14), RB - 0-1 (Jacobs 2, Hillis 8), WR - 1-0 (Burress 15, Bowe 1)

WEEK 2 PICKS
Straight Up (win/loss)

• Locals: NYJ (W vs JAX), NYG (W vs STL), PHL (W at ATL), NE (W vs SDG)
• Big Game Winners: DET (W vs KCY), NO (W vs CHI), BUF (W vs OAK)
• Other Winners: BAL (W at TEN), IND (W vs CLE), WSH (W vs ARZ), TBY (W at MIN), GBY (W at CAR), PIT (W vs SEA), DAL (W at SFO), CIN (W at DEN), HOU (W at MIA)

Against the Spread (spreads in parentheses)

• Locals: NYJ (-8.5 vs JAX), STL (+6 at NYG), PHL (-2 at ATL), SDG (+7 at NE)
• Big Game Covers: KCY (+7.5 at DET), NO (-6.5 vs CHI), BUF (-3 vs OAK)
• Other Covers: BAL (-5.5 at TEN), IND (-1.5 vs CLE), ARZ (+3.5 at WSH), TBY (+3 at MIN), GBY (-9.5 at CAR), PIT (-14 vs SEA), SFO (+3 vs DAL), CIN (+3.5 at DEN), HOU (-3 at MIA)

Knockout Pool

• Round 1: NYG (vs STL)

WEEK 2 PREDICTIONS
Start 'Em/Sit 'Em Three-Play

• QB: Start Cam Newton CAR (vs GBY), Sit Mark Sanchez NYJ (vs JAX)
• RB: Start Joseph Addai IND (vs CLE), Sit Chris Johnson TEN (vs BAL)
• WR: Start Jordy Nelson GBY (at CAR), Sit Steve Johnson BUF (vs OAK)

***

Upcoming Schedule for Sports With The StatMan: 

• SWTS 194: Baseball Playoff Talk, NHL Preview: Central and Southeast Divisions (Monday 11pm ET) - Show Preview
• SWTS 195: Football Night: Week 4, NHL Preview: Northeast and Atlantic Divisions (Wednesday 11pm ET) - Show Preview
• SWTS 196: Fantasy Weekend: NFL Week 4 Recap and Week 5 Preview, NHL Fantasy Preview: Defensemen and Goaltenders (Saturday 11am ET) - Show Preview

Find the show and get in touch with the show:

• Show page: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/The-StatMan
• Twitter: http://twitter.com/gstatman
• Random Musings blog: http://gstatman.blogspot.com
• iTunes: Search "Sports With The StatMan"