Honesty compels me to report that Mike Francesa, sports talk host on FOX Sports TV and WFAN Radio, was right on both games against my predictions last week. On the year, I have purposely predicted vs Francesa in 8 games, compiling a (4-4) record.
Perhaps channeling Francesa, a favorites “touter,” as opposed to the late, great Beano Cook, who only predicted underdogs on the air, I predict all three home favorites will win and cover the point spread in tomorrow’s NFL games.
A shaky nod to slumping Detroit (Lions), a seven point favorite vs the Chicago Bears in the CBS telecast beginning at 12:30 eastern time tomorrow.
It is noteworthy that all six teams playing holiday games tomorrow are NFC teams and for the first time ever, I suppose, the other network, in this case AFC/CBS will telecast an all NFC holiday game.
The Fox/NFC network shows the battle for first place in the NFC East between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Dallas Cowboys.
Last year there were “spread shenanigans” that cost Dallas bettors vs Oakland. Not this year: Dallas by 7 points as a 3 point favorite at home vs the Eagles.
Last year the Seattle Seahawks on their way to the Super Bowl title won two and covered the spread in all three clashes with fierce rival San Francisco (49ers).
Not in this one as I say one point “fave” SF 23 Seattle 20 in the night time tilt on NBC.
NFC
There are two almost certain division winners in the AFC. One is the New England Patriots whose record is (9-2). The other team that is beyond a prohibitive favorite to win a divisional title in the AFC is Indianapolis (Colts). Their record is (7-4).
Love them as some do, or dislike them intensely, as many more feel, the New England Patriots and their sustained on the field excellence deserve “mucho” respect.
Times change so much concerning language, mores and even perspective but the N.E. Pats continue to win.
They almost certainly will win a 6th straight and incredible 12th divisional title, in the 14 years under the current format in place, starting with the 2001 season.
Speaking of 2001, two far different, in terms of importance, events took place that continue to have effect. There were “the events of September 11th” and the emergence of Tom Brady as N.E. quarterback.
Perhaps Colts quarterback Andrew Luck will someday, at least approach Tom Brady’s greatness as a “QB” (quarterback).
For now, he and his “Indy” Colts have virtually assured themselves of a second straight divisional title and third straight playoffs appearance.
The incredible dominance by AFC North teams vs NFC South teams, invoking the horrible General Sherman destruction of southern city Atlanta in this country’s Civil War, continued with the Baltimore Ravens’ upset win at the New Orleans Saints last night.
The Ravens are now (7-4). The Saints are (4-7), but despite their third straight loss, are tied for first in the woeful NFC South.
Meanwhile in the high quality AFC North, the Ravens’ (7-4) mark leaves them in a three way tie for second place and one half game out of first place.
AFC North teams (the Cincinnati Bengals, Pittsburgh Steelers, Cleveland Browns and the Ravens) have an incredible (10-1-1) record vs NFC South teams (the Atlanta Falcons,Carolina Panthers, Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Saints).
The lone victory by an NFC South team vs an AFC North team was the Buccaneers’ win vs the Steelers. The (2-9) Bucs are still in the playoff hunt because the NFC South winner will not only be in the playoffs, but as the “4” seed will host the NFC “5” seed in a wild card round playoff game.
AFC North
This year Alabama was smart and did not lay it on their weak opponent before the game against Auburn. Favored Alabama will get some revenge for last year’s kickoff return loss when it hosts Auburn this week.
Once again Florida State struggled mightily, this time as a 17 point favorite at home vs Boston College, but again they prevailed, winning (20-17).
Oregon covered the spread vs Colorado and as is the case with Alabama and Florida State, if the Ducks (Oregon) win their remaining games, they will be one of the four teams in the first college football playoff.
The current fourth team Mississippi State won easily vs Vanderbilt but perhaps were hurt by the fact their likely one remaining opponent, Mississippi lost its third game.
First Mississippi State must travel to Mississippi and win their “Egg Bowl” game which will not be easy. Then would that win enable them to hold off TCU, Baylor or Ohio State to qualify for the playoff. Stay tuned.
The new book, “2014 World Series Champions: San Francisco Giants ,” is now available, and after reading it, I can strongly recommend it.
The book details the World Series winner’s entire season with special features, including details on all the post season games.
The Giants as a great, venerable franchise have quite a history and it is covered in the book.
It is a “must read” for any fan of the current Giants, whose 3 titles in 5 seasons is quite an achievement, my thoughts on expanded playoffs and the wild card presence not withstanding.
Additionally, any baseball fan would be impressed about the exploits of such Giants as Mel Ott, Christy Mathewson and Willie Mays. Their World Series exploits are part of the wonderful book.
2014 World Series Champions: San Francisco Giants is published by Fenn/M&S an imprint of Mc Clelland & Stewart Doubleday Canada Publishing Group.
Last week I was correct regarding two of my three NFL game predictions.
My predictions were purposely made to go against Fox Sports TV and WFAN radio host Mike Francesa’s predictions in all three games.
I will do the same with two “go vs Francesa” predictions this week.
In one, I predict the Detroit Lions will play well as one touchdown underdogs at the red hot New England Patriots.
I also will predict that the Jacksonville Jaguars, a two touchdown underdog at the Indianapolis Colts will lose by less than that 14 point margin.
My predictions are the Lions and Jaguars while Mr. Francesa forecast the Patriots and Colts.
Mike Francesa: often wrong
One never knows, but it is extremely unlikely that any of the contenders for the national title playoff will lose this week.
Once beaten but top ranked Alabama is an overwhelming favorite in Tuscaloosa vs Western Carolina.
Third ranked, but the lone unbeaten and defending champion, Florida State, is a 17 point favorite vs Boston College in a 3:30 pm ABC game.
Perhaps we viewers will be lucky and get to hear Sean McDonough, a true announcing talent, intrinsically good and exponentially so by comparison to the non announcer types such as Chris Fowler and Rece Davis. The latter two also get ABC/Disney college football broadcast assignments.
Elsewhere second ranked Oregon, fourth ranked Mississippi State, sixth ranked Ohio State and seventh ranked Baylor all are over four touchdown favorites. Fifth ranked TCU is idle.
Ray Sadecki, a 20 game winner for the 1964 World Champion St. Louis Cardinals passed away at the age of 73.
He also was the game one starter and winning pitcher for the Cards in the World Series opener in 1964 vs the New York Yankees.
Sadecki also pitched well for the New York Mets in the 1973 World Series. He notched a save in game four.
He pitched many innings and was against the “pitch count” mentality that prevails in today’s game.
Alas, the SF Giants and many of their fans regretted the trade that brought Sadecki to San Francisco, with Orlando Cepeda going to St. Louis.
Despite some tremendous teams SF failed to win a title in the 1960’s, as opposed to relatively mediocre teams winning three in the last five seasons.
Sadecki is part of history as an integral part of the glorious ’64 Cards, who staged a great regular season comeback. He truly helped the 1973 Mets do the same. There was no bogus wild card then. That is why those pennant and division races meant something and Ray Sadecki was a big part of them.
Though they have a tough schedule ahead, and have lost starting quarterback Carson Palmer, the (9-1) Arizona Cardinals are ahead in a bid to be the conference one seed for the first time.
Arizona with Drew Stanton connecting with Michael Floyd for two touchdown passes defeated the (7-3) Detroit Lions. That leaves the Lions tied with the (7-3) Green Bay Packers for the NFC North lead.
The Packers victory, (they ripped the 7-3 Philadelphia Eagles,) left the Eagles and Dallas Cowboys tied with (7-3) records atop the NFC East. The Dallas team was idle.
(4-6) is good enough for a share of the NFC South lead. The Atlanta Falcons won vs the (3-7-1) fellow NFC South team, the Carolina Panthers. After losing to the (6-3-1) Cincinnati Bengals, the New Orleans Saints are also (4-6).
With a 6th straight convincing victory, the New England Patriots are in the lead for the AFC one seed.
Their record is (8-2) which leads the AFC East. The Miami Dolphins are next with a (6-4) mark.
The (6-3-1) Cincinnati Bengals, after an upset win in New Orleans, coupled with the Houston Texans win at the (6-4) Cleveland Browns, lead the AFC North. It is still a division separated by a half game as the Pittsburgh Steelers are at (7-4) while the Baltimore Ravens are (6-4).
(6-4) Indianapolis'(Colts) lead in the AFC South is down to one game. The Houston Texans, with a (5-5) record are a game behind.
In the AFC West, both the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs lead with (7-3) records.
Andy B Sports 