Andy B Sports

All three of my predictions are in games involving AFC North teams. Going into this week, the Cincinnati Bengals lead the division with a (7-3-1) record. The Baltimore Ravens, Pittsburgh Steelers, and Cleveland Browns all have (7-4) records.

I predict the underdogs will cover the spread in games involving the Browns, Steelers and Ravens.

The San Diego Chargers as a 6 point underdog visiting Baltimore will play very well and maybe even upset the Ravens.

The Browns, a three point underdog will go right to the wire and pull a slight upset at Buffalo vs the Bills.

The New Orleans Saints, somewhat shocking losers in their last three games, all as a home favorite, will play very well at Pittsburgh vs the Steelers. The home team (Steelers) are 5 point favorites.

I will offer predictions on three big college football games, all having playoff implications.

Alabama, the top rated team, and seeking a fourth title since 2009 all under coach Nick Saban, will win (30-14) vs Auburn. The “Tide” (Alabama) is a ten point favorite.

Mississippi University will complicate the playoff picture by pulling a slight upset in their game at home vs Mississippi State. They are a two point underdog.

Florida State, for at least the ninth, maybe tenth time in their twelve regular season games, will win but not cover the spread.

Seven point plus favorite Florida State 29 Florida 24 is my prediction.

Here are two memorable games among the many played on this holiday in the host cities of Detroit and Dallas.

In 1962, the Detroit Lions handed the reigning and eventual repeat champion Green Bay Packers their only defeat of the season, winning (26-10) on Turkey Day.

Detroit lineman Roger Brown played a game for the ages that day. It must be noted, however, that Green Bay guard Fred “Fuzzy” Thurston’s mother died a day or two before.

Both Brown and Thurston were greats and that day perhaps due to Thurston’s mother’s death, Brown was dominant vs Thurston.

40 years ago in Dallas, the Cowboys trailed the Washington Redskins and things looked gloomy for Cowboys fans when QB Roger Staubach was knocked out of the game. But obscure backup quarterback Clint Longley hurled a long game winning touchdown pass to the great receiver Drew Pearson.

Longley did not do much before or after that game, one reason being he played behind the great Dallas quarterback, Roger Staubach.

Click here for a Thanksgiving memory

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.