Week 3 NFL Picks

Here we are for another week of NFL picks. I was down 1 after week one and I would have tied it back up if not for a Redskin meltdown. So I find myself down two after two weeks. On to the picks.

Tennessee at NY Giants

Loren - Tennessee. I've got to think that the Titans are going to break out one of these weeks, and if Young is going to find a rhythm it will be against a weak Giants secondary. Plus, you know, Chris Johnson.

Derek - NY Giants. I think the Giants are going to have a nice comeback game from last week's mess. They have the D to make Tennessee one dimensional and I don't think Young has looked very good lately.

Dallas at Houston

Loren - Houston. The Texans (dumbest team name in sports) have all the momentum and the Cowboys have all the questions. Great intrastate rivalry with the Texans poised to take over top dog status.

Derek - Houston. I'd like to say the Cowboys are going to turn it around, but I'll take the hot team that proved something last week.

Atlanta at New Orleans

Loren - New Orleans. If Turner were fully healthy I'd be tempted to take the Falcons. The Saints are hemorrhaging yards up the middle and Turner is all power. But he's not and Sean Payton is a sharp coach. They'll figure a way to plug the middle and come out on top in this one.

Derek - New Orleans. Brees at home. That is all.

Indianapolis at Denver

Loren - Denver. I'm probably just goofily giving Derek a freebie here. Moreno won't be playing but, at this point, Buckhalter is a bigger threat off the slant or screen and I see Denver putting it in the air quite a bit. Bob Sanders is out and Demaryius Thomas is showing everyone what a big strong target he is. Still, I'm really just being a homer.

Derek - Indianapolis. I think this would be a massacre if it were in Indy, but it's in Denver so it'll only be somewhat lopsided.

NY Jets at Miami

Loren - Miami. I think the Jets are more likely to have drastic swings their quality of play on a weekly basis. The Dolphins are more consistent and look like they are getting better every week.

Derek - Miami. Dolphins look better than expected on the defensive side. The Jets just aren't as good as everyone, but me, thought they'd be. Miami swept them last year and plays them tough in Miami, especially this time of year.

Green Bay at Chicago

Loren - Green Bay. Other than the Broncos/Colts, this is the game I'm looking forward to most. Should be high scoring, lots of passing yards, big hits, and general NFC North mayhem. Cutler is going to have a much better year this year than last, but Green Bay is going to be a total Juggernaut this year. Rodgers is going to make his case this year for being in the same breath as Peyton Manning, Drew Brees, and Tom Brady.

Derek - Green Bay. Good old fashioned NFC North game. Green Bay can make up for their injured runner while Chicago can't make up for Cutler.

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NFL Pick 'Em - Week 2

Good morning sports fans.

Nice to see we didn't miss a beat from last year with our NFL pick 'em. I'm up a game thanks to Mike Shanahan and a Cowboy's offensive lineman that probably shouldn't show his face in any bars in Dallas for a while.

Now, this isn't NFL pick' em related, but did you see the final play of the Michigan St/Notre Dame game? Spartans, down three in OT, line up for a 40+ yard FG. They run a fake, TE releases down the right side, great block from another player, wide open pass for the TD and game. Guys want to play for a coach with the balls to put it all on the line for a win. Knowing that coach has a brass set might just be the difference that causes a recruit to choose Michigan St over another school. Little things like this can have an avalanche effect in 2 or 3 years and alter the fortunes of your team.

Anyhow, on to the picks.

Pittsburgh @ Tennessee

Loren - Tennessee. If not for a lucky break, the Steelers might be entering this game with an 0-1 record. The Titans offense is clicking much better than Atlanta's was, and they have a defense which will harass Dennis Dixon.

Derek - Tennessee. Even if Big Ben was playing I'd pick the Titans. They look like their going to be good this year. Sure the Steelers will be better against the run, but Johnson is still going to make a bigger impact than anyone on the Steelers.

Seattle @ Denver

Loren - Seattle. As much as I'd like to take Denver (and I think they have a puncher's chance at home), I don't think week one was a fluke for either team. The Broncos will get better but are going to have trouble scoring for a while. The Seahawks are clicking and playing disorganized 49ers team in week 1 was just what the doctor ordered. They'll come in with confidence and leave 2-0.

Derek - Seattle. The one thing Pete Carroll can do is run with momentum. Seattle has that and will continue to roll.

NY Giants @ Indianapolis

Loren - Indy. Don't bet against Manning in two straight games. Peyton, I mean. I see the Colts pulling it together and letting everyone know they aren't dead yet.

Derek - Payton has a message for everyone. He's going to be fine this year and he's going to unleash this meesage for everyone to see.

Baltimore @ Cincinnati

Loren - Baltimore. I'm not taking the Bengals against any halfway decent team until they prove they can play defense. Carson Palmer needs to regain form for the Bengals to succeed and he hasn't looked sharp at all.

Derek - Baltimore. The Ravens D aren't going to let the Bengals score like they did in the second half of the Pats game. Their O is going to be much better this week aswell. I'm thinking they win big.

Houston @ Washington

Loren - Houston. I'm a believer. The Texans (dumbest team name in sports) have a excelling offense, serviceable defense, and an underrated coach. I'm on the bandwagon and even though the Redskins were good to me in week 1, I'm riding the Texans here.

Derek - Washington. Can you say let down week? Sure both of these teams are posed for it, but Washington has a vetern coach and QB and are playing at home.

New England @ NY Jets

Loren - New England. Yes, the backtracking begins now. I'm taking the Patriots and officially

regret taking the Jets to win the division. Overreaction after week 1? Did you see the Jets?

Derek - New England. My fault on not picking New England last week. But we all know my feelings on the Jets. Their BAD, they have NO QB.

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2010 Roofball games

This past Sunday, 9.12.10 the 2010 Roofball Games were held. The Roofball Games are a smaller Roofball event held every other year. There are three events, Time trial, Team competition and the Head-to-head time trial.


Time Trial:

Each player gets 1 minute to score as many points as possible. The record for the most ponits was 56 entering the day. The first competitor Ruben Schug put up a 62, a great beginning to a great day. Later on in the competition Matt Azar also posted a 62. Ruben was able to best Matt in a 30 second throw off to win the gold. New comer Cliff Pfenning took the bronze medal with a 39. As far as the Portland Men on Sports crew I (Derek) scored a 35, Loren 21, and Ryan -14.


Team competition:

The team competition is a bracketed format where three people join up to throw 10 innings. Two players throw three times while an anchor throws 4. Our Portland Men on Sports team comprised of Loren, Ryan and myself were the defending champions and had a lot of confidence going into it. However they only scored a 24 in the opening round but made it through to the finals with the wild card. In the championship round team PMS needed a ping to win on their last throw. I stepped up and threw a ping and caught the ball for good measure. It was nice to win another Roofball Games Gold medal.


Head-to-head Time trial:

The Head-to-head time trial is a tournament style event. Roofballers are matched up and play at the same time with 1:00 minute to score as many points as possible. I received a bye in the first round due to my score in the regular time trial event. Ryan won his first round match up while Loren fell just short. Ryan an I were matched up in the second round. I pulled down the victory but I have to say there was a lot more contact than you'd normally see. I moved on to the semi finals but lost and had to play in the Bronze medal game. I had my best game of the day throwing a 48 and took home the Bronze.

In 2008 Team PMS took home 6 out 9 possible medals in 2010 we had 4. While it wasn't a great day medal count wise it was pretty dang good. The 2010 US Open will be held on 9.26. For more info leave a comment or email president@roofball.org.

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NFL Pick 'Em - Week 1

Happy freakin' NFL season at last, eh sports fans?

As usual, Derek and I will be making our standard six-pack of picks throughout the season with the loser forced to perform a safe but humiliating stunt. Which reminds me, I still haven't given Derek the "John Elway is the greatest QB ever" placard for his car.

On to the picks:

Atlanta @ Pittsburgh

Loren - Atlanta
I think the Falcons will be a strong playoff team this year behind a rebounding Matt Ryan, a healthy Michael Turner, and a breakout year from Roddy White. They just need the defense to perform adequately and that shouldn't be a problem against the Steelers' shuffled offense.

Derek - Pittsburgh.
Sure I'll take the inexperienced QB. Why? Because he has a very experienced team around him. I'm not sold on the Falcons including Matt Ryan. Turner is a great back but he is worked over every game.

Cincinnati @ New England

Loren - New England
This is the pick I'm second guessing myself on. The Pats defense has looked a little ragged and old, not what you want to bet on against an offense like the Bengals. Of course, the Bengals have to prove that offense can really perform and I give the edge to the Pats at home until the Bengals prove it.

Derek - Cincinnati.
I'm taking a risk here but I think the O brothers in Cincinnati will do enough to outscore the Pats.

Dallas @ Washington

Loren - Washington
I said it on the show and I'll say it again: I think these Redskins are gonna surprise some people. Solid coach, healthy Clinton Portis, improved (if controversial) defense. Plus, the Cowboys have looked miserable in the preseason and I don't trust Wade Phillips further than I could throw that chunky egg layer.

Derek - Dallas
You don't need to trust Wade Phillips. But you can trust the more talented experienced team. The Redskins will be better this year than last, but it's not hard to improve from where they were. The 'Boys outscore the Redskins easily.

Baltimore @ NY Jets

Loren - Baltimore
Yes, I did pick the Jets to make the post-season. I may have even (gulp) picked them to win their division. However, I also picked the Ravens to make the post-season and I like them to come out with a strong dose of Ray Rice and control the ball, letting Flacco settle in.

Derek - Baltimore.
I've said it the last two shows, I don't think the Jets are going to be that good. Heck I don't think they have the best D in this game and while Flacco is not a flashy QB he is a solid QB and a lot better than Sanchez.

Arizona @ St Louis

Loren - Arizona.
Though Bradford seems to be doing his best to prove his doubters wrong, and Derek Anderson probably isn't a starting QB on a playoff team, I'm taking the Cards for one reason: Larry Fitzgerald.

Derek - Arizona.
Why are we picking this game? You'll have to ask Loren, I was thinking Green Bay v. Philly but whatever. Arizona a decent team versus St. Louis, possibly the worst team in the league. It's that easy.

Indianapolis at Houston

Loren - Indianapolis
Hey, until these guys stop winning 12 or more games a year, you take 'em every time. The odds are with you. :)

Derek - Indianapolis.
I'm sticking with the Colts (Manning) until someone knocks them off the top of the division. Houston is a solid squad but the Colts are a Superbowl contender.

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