NFL Picks: 2011 Week 1

by | Sep 8, 2011 | 2011 season, NFL Picks

As another NFL season rolls around, we figured we’d bring back something we used to do here at Zoneblitz—weekly NFL picks with a little bit of analysis.  Week one is below.  We’ll also be adding in some NFL Gambling picks.

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Season ends with Super game

by | Feb 5, 2011 | 2010 season, NFL Gambling, NFL Picks, Super Bowl

I have a confession to make. I’m not really a fan of the Super Bowl.

It’s partially because as I was growing up many of the games failed to meet expectations. As entertaining as some of the advertisements can be, in my eyes they’ve never made up for sitting through a 56-10 drubbing in what is supposed to be the NFL’s showcase game.

It’s also partially because my team has never managed to win the big one, so yes, I admit to some sour grapes.

But primarily it’s because it means the season is ending and we’ll be subjected to several months before the next meaningful matchup. This year’s big game in Dallas is even more bittersweet, as the out-of-touch honchos of the National Football League and its Players Union have shown little urgency in their efforts to solve the collective bargaining issues — meaning there’s a shot this could be the last game in a long, long time.

So, while I like the marathon of the season and the chase of the playoffs more than the Super Bowl itself, at least this years version should provide an interesting game.

Pittsburgh vs Green Bay (-2.5) at Dallas: Over/Under 45.5

Both of these NFL heavyweights have been around forever. The Steelers have six Vince Lombardi trophies. The Packers have three. The Packers have Aaron Rodgers, who can complete finish the masterful job he has done replacing legendary Brett Favre with a win Sunday. The Steelers have Ben Roethlisberger, who can take another step in rehabilitating his image by winning a third Super Bowl ring. (more…)

Championship Sunday picks

by | Jan 23, 2011 | NFL Picks

It’s time for me to throw up my hands and admit that I’m just not going to get my arms around the 2010 season. Every time I think I’ve got it figured out someone throws another curve ball and I end up .500 in picks. But it’s too late to stop now.

We find out today who plays in the Super Bowl. I have hunches, but I can see scenarios where any of the four teams move on. Here’s my guess (http://www2.vegas.com/gaming/):

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NFL playoffs continue with divisional games

by | Jan 15, 2011 | NFL Picks, NFL Random Thoughts

I haven’t had a very good handle on the NFC all season long. I thought the Bears were going to suck. I was wrong. I thought the 49ers were going to win the NFC West. I was wrong — although in fairness to me, there really wasn’t a team that ended up deserving to win that putrid, dreck-filled division.

Anyway, the trend continued last week. I hit the two AFC matchups, even nailing the scenario in which the Jets would beat Indy, almost to a T.

But the NFC games stymied me. But what the hell. Let’s have another go at it this week, eh? (Pointspreads via Vegas.com)

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Sunday to be Super for Colts or Saints?

by | Feb 7, 2010 | NFL Gambling, NFL Picks

I don’t know if it means I know something or if it was a case of the blind squirrel finding a nut, but I nailed the conference championships, picking the Colts to beat the Jets both straight up and against the spread while guessing the Vikings would beat the spread but lose a close one to New Orleans. That puts me at 7-3 straight up and 6-4 against Vegas lines for the playoffs. And so on to the Super Bowl.

Straight up: Colts
Spread: Saints +5

The Super Bowl presents another intriguing match-up between two high-powered offenses going against defenses that have been vulnerable at times this season.

Among the most interesting aspects of this tilt will be the quarterback duel between Peyton Manning and Drew Brees – a match-up that brings back memories of Staubach vs Bradshaw or Montana vs Elway. With Dwight Freeney injured and either out or playing at less than full strength and the Saints sporting a very good offensive line, I expect Brees to have plenty of time to throw. The same should be true of Manning, who is rarely sacked.

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