NFL Week 16 Picks and Predictions

WEEK 15 RESULTS 

• Picks - Straight Up: Overall - 145-79 (.647), Last Week - All Games - 7-9, Locals - 1-2, Big Games - 1-2
• Picks - Against the Spread: Overall - 114-103-7 (.525), Last Week - 6-10, Locals - 1-2, Big Games - 1-2
• Knockout Pool - Knocked Out in Round 2 (L, KCY def. GBY) (Teams used this season: ARZ, NYG, PIT, TBY, SDG, OAK, DAL, SFO, HOU, PHL (L), NE, ATL, NO, NYJ, GBY (L))
• Start 'Em/Sit 'Em Three-Play: Overall - 23-21-1 (.522), Last Week - 1-2, QB - 7-8 (L, Grossman WSH 9, Flacco BAL 20), RB - 6-8-1 (L, Tate HOU 2, Lynch SEA 12), WR - 10-5 (W, Thomas DEN 11, Jackson SDG 8)

WEEK 16 PICKS
Straight Up (win/loss) 

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

Against the Spread (spreads in parentheses)

• Locals: NYJ (-3 vs NYG), NE (-9.5 vs MIA), PHL (+2 at DAL)
• Big Game Covers: KCY (-2.5 vs OAK), DET (-2 vs SDG), ATL (+6.5 at NO)
• Other Covers: HOU (-7 at IND), DEN (-2.5 at BUF), BAL (-12.5 vs CLE), JAX (+7.5 at TEN), MIN (+6.5 at WSH), CAR (-7.5 vs TBY), ARZ (+4 at CIN), PIT (-13.5 vs STL), SFO (-2 at SEA), GBY (-12.5 vs CHI)

Knockout Pool 

• Round 3: Baltimore (vs CLE)

WEEK 16 PREDICTIONS
Start 'Em/Sit 'Em Three-Play

• QB: Start Kyle Orton KCY (vs OAK), Sit Eli Manning NYG (at NYJ)
• RB: Start LeGarrette Blount TBY (at CAR), Sit Steven Jackson STL (at PIT)
• WR: Start Santana Moss WSH (vs MIN), Sit Torrey Smith BAL (vs CLE)

***
Upcoming Schedule for Sports With The StatMan:

• SWTS 221: Football Night: Week 16 Recap/Week 17 Preview; Hockey Talk - NHL Week 12 (Monday 11pm ET) - Episode Page
• SWTS 222: Fantasy Weekend: NFL Week 16 and 17, NHL Week 12 (Wednesday 11pm ET) - Episode Page

Find the show and get in touch with the show:

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

NFL Week 15 Picks and Predictions

WEEK 14 RESULTS

• Picks - Straight Up: Overall - 136-65 (.677), Last Week - All Games - 11-5, Locals - 3-1, Big Games - 1-2
• Picks - Against the Spread: Overall - 108-93-7 (.536), Last Week - 9-7, Locals - 1-3, Big Games - 2-1
• Knockout Pool - Round 2 (W, NYJ def. KCY) (Teams used this season: ARZ, NYG, PIT, TBY, SDG, OAK, DAL, SFO, HOU, PHL (L), NE, ATL, NO, NYJ)
• Start 'Em/Sit 'Em Three-Play: Overall - 22-19-1 (.536), Last Week - 1-2, QB - 7-7 (L, Palmer OAK 6, Newton CAR 24), RB - 6-7-1 (W, Grant GBY 23, Wells ARZ 2), WR - 9-5 (L, Burleson DET 2, Colston NO 26)

WEEK 15 PICKS
Straight Up (win/loss)

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

Against the Spread (spreads in parentheses)

• Locals: NYJ (+2.5 at PHL), NYG (-6.5 vs WSH), NE (-6.5 at DEN)
• Big Game Covers: DET (Pick 'em at OAK), BAL (-2.5 at SDG), PIT (+1 at SFO)
• Other Covers: ATL (-11.5 vs JAX), DAL (-6.5 at TBY), CIN (-6 at STL), BUF (-1.5 vs MIA), TEN (-6.5 at IND), SEA (+3.5 at CHI), MIN (+6.5 vs NO), HOU (-6.5 vs CAR), GBY (-13.5 at KCY), ARZ (-7 vs CLE)

Knockout Pool

• Round 2: Green Bay (at KCY)

WEEK 15 PREDICTIONS
Start 'Em/Sit 'Em Three-Play

• QB: Start Rex Grossman WSH (at NYG), Sit Joe Flacco BAL (at SDG)
• RB: Start Ben Tate HOU (vs CAR), Sit Marshawn Lynch SEA (at CHI)
• WR: Start Demaryius Thomas DEN (vs NE), Sit Vincent Jackson SDG (vs BAL)

***
Upcoming Schedule for Sports With The StatMan:

• SWTS 219: Football Night: Week 15 Recap/Week 16 Preview; Hockey Talk - NHL Week 11 (Monday 11pm ET) - Episode Page
• SWTS 220: Fantasy Weekend: NFL Week 15 and 16, NHL Week 11 (Wednesday 11pm 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 14 Picks and Predictions

WEEK 13 RESULTS

• Picks - Straight Up: Overall - 125-60 (.676), Last Week - All Games - 12-4, Locals - 4-0, Big Games - 2-1
• Picks - Against the Spread: Overall - 99-86-7 (.534), Last Week - 9-7, Locals - 2-2, Big Games - 1-2
• Knockout Pool - Round 2 (W, NO def. DET) (Teams used this season: ARZ, NYG, PIT, TBY, SDG, OAK, DAL, SFO, HOU, PHL (L), NE, ATL, NO)
• Start 'Em/Sit 'Em Three-Play: Overall - 21-17-1 (.551), Last Week - 1-2, QB - 7-6 (W, Moore MIA 20, Fitzpatrick BUF 14), RB - 5-7-1 (L, Williams CAR 2, Bush OAK 3), WR - 9-4 (L, Decker DEN 2, Nelson GBY 9)

WEEK 14 PICKS
Straight Up (win/loss)

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

Against the Spread (spreads in parentheses)

• Locals: KCY (+9 at NYJ), NYG (+3.5 at DAL), NE (-9 at WSH), MIA (-3 vs PHL)
• Big Game Covers: CIN (-3 vs HOU), CHI (+3.5 at DEN), NO (-4 at TEN)
• Other Covers: PIT (-14 vs CLE), GBY (-11.5 vs OAK), IND (+16 at BAL), DET (-10.5 vs MIN), ATL (-3 at CAR), TBY (-3 at JAX), ARZ (+3.5 vs SFO), SDG (-7 vs BUF), SEA (-10 vs STL)

Knockout Pool

• Round 2: NY Jets (vs KCY)

WEEK 14 PREDICTIONS
Start 'Em/Sit 'Em Three-Play

• QB: Start Carson Palmer OAK (at GBY), Sit Cam Newton CAR (vs ATL)
• RB: Start Ryan Grant (vs OAK), Sit Beanie Wells ARZ (vs SFO)
• WR: Start Nate Burleson (vs MIN), Sit Marques Colston (at TEN)

***

Upcoming Schedule for Sports With The StatMan:

• SWTS 217: Football Night: Week 14 Recap/Week 15 Preview; Hockey Talk - NHL Week 9 Weekend (Monday 11pm ET) - Episode Page
• SWTS 218: Fantasy Weekend: NFL Week 14 and 15, NHL Week 10 (Wednesday 11pm 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 13 Picks and Predictions

WEEK 12 RESULTS

• Picks - Straight Up: Overall - 113-56 (.669), Last Week - All Games - 13-3, Locals - 3-0, Big Games - 3-0
• Picks - Against the Spread: Overall - 90-79-7 (.531), Last Week - 6-6-1, Locals - 1-2, Big Games - 2-1
• Knockout Pool - Round 2 (W, ATL def. MIN) (Teams used this season: ARZ, NYG, PIT, TBY, SDG, OAK, DAL, SFO, HOU, PHL (L), NE, ATL)
• Start 'Em/Sit 'Em Three-Play: Overall - 20-15-1, Last Week - 3-0, QB - 6-6 (W, Sanchez 27, Smith 4), RB - 5-6-1 (W, Benson 18, Rice 7), WR - 9-3 (W, Burress 11, Bryant 3)

WEEK 13 PICKS
Straight Up (win/loss)

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

Against the Spread (spreads in parentheses)

• Locals: NYJ (-3 at WSH), GBY (-6.5 at NYG), NE (-20.5 vs IND), SEA (+3 vs PHL)
• Big Game Covers: CIN (+7 at PIT), ATL (-2.5 at HOU), NO (-9 vs DET)
• Other Covers: CHI (-7 vs KCY), TEN (+1.5 at BUF), OAK (+3 at MIA), CAR (+3.5 at TBY), DEN (+1.5 at MIN), CLE (+6.5 vs BAL), ARZ (+4.5 vs DAL), SFO (-13 vs STL), SDG (-3 at JAX)

Knockout Pool

• Round 2: New Orleans (vs DET)

WEEK 13 PREDICTIONS
Start 'Em/Sit 'Em Three-Play

• QB: Start Matt Moore MIA (vs OAK), Sit Ryan Fitzpatrick BUF (vs TEN)
• RB: Start DeAngelo Williams CAR (at TBY), Sit Michael Bush OAK (at MIA)
• WR: Start Eric Decker DEN (at MIN), Sit Jordy Nelson GBY (at NYG)

***

Upcoming Schedule for Sports With The StatMan:

• SWTS 216: Football Night: Week 7 Recap/Week 8 Preview; Hockey Talk - NHL Week 3 Weekend (Monday 11pm ET) - Episode Page
• SWTS 217: Fantasy Weekend: NFL Week 7 Recap and Week 8 Preview, NHL Week 3 Recap and Week 4 Preview (Wednesday 11pm 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"

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"