Week 17 - The Bitter End!

Three weeks ago, we were flying high. The playoffs were in our site, Super Bowl dreams dancing above our head. We can see paradise from our house. But like a woman scorned, the door shut on the G-men. Last week's loss to the Packers pretty much ended "Big Blue's" chances for the playoffs, and the only thing left now is who to blame for this debacle. What it all comes down to now is, if the Giants don't play their 'A' game against Washington this week. If not, I think you'll see Coughlin get his walking papers on Monday.

Enter Bill Cowher.

Last week saw 5 upsets, leading our picks under .500, ending our double digit streak. The last week of the season has us with a chance at over 60% percent for the season. Oh well, so much for 70!


Last Week’s Results
Against the Spread: 7-9
Head to Head: 7-9

Season to Date
Against the Spread: 109-89-42
Head to Head: 151-89


Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker.com

Sunday, January 2nd.

Miami at New England
Line: Pats by 4½
Smooth’s Pick – New England (33-17)

Minnesota at Detroit
Line: Lions by 3
Smooth’s Pick – Detroit (21-16)

Carolina at Atlanta
Line: Falcons by 14
Smooth’s Pick – Atlanta (23-10)

Oakland at Kansas City
Line: Chiefs by 3
Smooth’s Pick – Kansas City (20-14)

Pittsburgh at Cleveland
Line: Steelers by 5
Smooth’s Pick – Pittsburgh (23-20)

Buffalo at NY Jets
Line: None
Smooth’s Pick – NY Jets (17-14)

Tampa Bay at New Orleans
Line: Saints by 7½
Smooth’s Pick – New Orleans (27-21)

Cincinnati at Baltimore
Line: Ravens by 9½
Smooth’s Pick – Baltimore (24-21)

Chicago at Green Bay
Line: Packers by 10
Smooth’s Pick – Green Bay (20-17)

NY Giants at Washington
Line: Giants by 4
Smooth’s Pick – NY Giants (31-20)

Jacksonville at Houston
Line: Texans by 3
Smooth’s Pick – Houston (24-17)

Dallas at Philadelphia
Line: None
Smooth’s Pick – Philadelphia (26-23)

Tennessee at Indianapolis
Line: Colts by 9½
Smooth’s Pick – Indianapolis (30-14)

San Diego at Denver
Line: Bolts by 3
Smooth’s Pick – Denver (24-19)

Arizona at San Francisco
Line: Niners by 6
Smooth’s Pick – Arizona (19-13)

St. Louis at Seattle
Line: Rams by 3
Smooth’s Pick – Seattle (16-13)


Next weekend - Playoff Picks!

The Recluse Puts His Jersey On

I appreciate the guest post, Jamie Guy

Now, I don't leave the house often. Especially in a New York winter; for the last two days the sky has been grey without even the fun of precipitation. Not to mention, if it does snow, the streets are white for about thirty minutes before the icy, pedestrian-induced slush rules the streets.

New York makes my lifestyle easy. I do my work from my home (or should I say my room). If I put my bills in the mail, I leave them with the door-man. I have my groceries delivered for chrissakes. I thank a higher-being (haha) daily for indoor plumbing.

Yesterday my girlfriend interrupted my hibernation, however. When she called, an odd exchange took place. I immediately knew that she wanted to go out, and she immediately knew that I knew her reason for calling. But like all great women, she had a plan. "Oh, okay honey," she said, "it's just that I picked up two tickets to The Knicks game tonight."

I was beat. The Knicks are on a seven game winning streak and Stoudemire has scored thirty points in how many consecutive games? Not mention this gave me my first opprtunity to sport my worn-out Patrick Ewing replica from the early nineties. Perfect. I got dressed, set myadt Alarm , and merrily skipped my way to MSG.

------------------------------

Thanks, Jamie!

Looks like the Knicks are well on there way to making the playoffs this season with their outstanding play the last few weeks. Whether they make a strong run at Boston and Miami and eventually the Lakers depends on their ability to pick up a few more big men. I'm thinking Carmelo Anthony and/or Chris Paul.

Will it happen this season or next? We'll see!

Live365 Fantasy Football League Championship Results - Metal Maniacs Win Title!

Live365 Fantasy Football League Championship
Autobots 105
Metal Maniacs 110

As expected, Michael Vick (25-43 for 263 yards, 1 TD and an INT) had a monster day, leading all scorers with 21 points. But it wasn’t enough, as the Metal Maniacs captured their second league title by defeating the hard-charging Autobots in one of the best match ups of the season. The Maniacs charged to a 108-70 lead with the final game on Tuesday night.

But the Autobots couldn’t take advantage of the receiving duo of Jeremy Macklin (6 catches for 74 yards) and DeSean Jackson (2 catches for 32 yards), as they both combined for only 10 points. Vick also fumbled in the third quarter (-1), making the outcome even more crucial on points. The Maniacs had seven players in double figures, including Arian Foster (135 total yards and a TD for 19 points) who should be considered for league MVP honors.

With the victory, the Maniacs receive a $50 dollar gift certificate from Live365.com and bragging rights for the whole year. The loss wasn’t all bad for the Autobots, as they receive a $30 dollar gift certificate from Live365.com for their second place showing this season.


3rd Place Game
Midwest Crushers 82
Choirboys 93

With no options at QB, the Crushers were at the mercy of the Choirboys, both Brett Favre and Donovan McNabb were inactive for the week. Also inactive was Malcolm Floyd with a hamstring injury. That and a poor showing by the Giants defense (45 points allowed for 0 points) gave the Choirboys the third place game victory. Despite the loss, the Crushers still had big days from Jamaal Charles (117 total yards and 2 TD for 23 points, leading all scorers) and Kellen Winslow (7 catches for 98 yards and 2 TD’s for 21 points) and kept the game close to the end. The Choirboys, who take home a $10 dollar gift certificate from Live365.com, were led by Dwayne Bowe (6 catches for 153 yards and a TD for 23 points).


5th Place Game
Smooth Jazz and More 100
PVR Wasted Bandwidth 69

It took all season to do it, by Michael Crabtree (6 catches for 122 yards and a TD for 18 points) finally showed his fantasy worth, as Smooth’s Crew took the consolation bracket over PVR. Mario Manningham (4 catches for 132 yards and a TD) led all scorers with 19 points.


7th Place Game
Tackling Dummies 60
Fumbles and Stumbles 105

Matt Forte’s 22 points (19 carries for 113 yards and a TD [169 total yards]) gave the Fumbles the victory over the Dummies and finished their first season over .500 for the first time, taking seventh place for the year.


What a way to end a year, one of the most exciting finishes in league history. For those participating this season, we’d like to thank you for making it happen. Congratulations to Annette for winning the season title, again (How do you do it? I want your secret!). Big thanks to league commissioner, “the big dawg” and “choirmaster365” for stepping up to the plate this season to run the league and provide the prizes (Maybe next year we can add a bigger prize like an iPad or something.).

See ya next year!

College Football Bowl Picks - Part II

Last Week's Results

Against the Spread: 2-5-1
Head to Head: 3-5

Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker.com


Monday, December 27th.


Independence Bowl
Sheveport, Louisiana
Air Force vs. Georgia Tech
Line: Air Force by 2½
Smooth’s Pick – Air Force (33-24)


Tuesday, December 28th.


Champs Sports Bowl
Orlando, Florida
(22) West Virginia vs. N.C. State
Line: West Virginia by 2½
Smooth’s Pick – West Virginia (24-17)



Insight Bowl
Tempe, Arizona
(14) Missouri vs. Iowa
Line: Missouri by 3
Smooth’s Pick – Missouri (27-24)


Wednesday, December 29th.


Military Bowl
Washington, D.C.
East Carolina vs. Maryland
Line: Maryland by 7½
Smooth’s Pick – Maryland (30-14)



Texas Bowl
Houston, Texas
Illinois vs. Baylor
Line: Baylor by 1
Smooth’s Pick – Baylor (26-20)



Alamo Bowl
San Antonio, Texas
(16) Oklahoma St. vs. Arizona
Line: Oklahoma St. by 5½
Smooth’s Pick – Oklahoma St. (21-19)


Thursday, December 30th.


Armed Forces Bowl
Dallas, Texas
Army vs. SMU
Line: SMU by 7
Smooth’s Pick – SMU (37-7)



Pinstripe Bowl
The Bronx, New York
Kansas St. vs. Syracuse
Line: Pick ‘em
Smooth’s Pick – Syracuse (28-17)



Music City Bowl
Nashville, Tennessee
North Carolina vs. Tennessee
Line: North Carolina by 2
Smooth’s Pick – Tennessee (20-17)



Holiday Bowl
San Diego, California
(17) Nebraska vs. Washington
Line: Nebraska by 14
Smooth’s Pick – Nebraska (38-13)


Friday, December 31st.


Meineke Bowl
Charlotte, North Carolina
South Florida vs. Clemson
Line: Clemson by 5½
Smooth’s Pick – Clemson (30-21)



Sun Bowl
El Paso, Texas
Notre Dame vs. Miami (FL)
Line: Miami by 3
Smooth’s Pick – Miami (34-16)



Liberty Bowl
Memphis, Tennessee
UCF vs. Georgia
Line: Georgia by 6½
Smooth’s Pick – Georgia (24-21)



Chick-fil-A Bowl
Atlanta, Georgia
(19) South Carolina vs. (20) Florida St.
Line: South Carolina by 3
Smooth’s Pick – Florida St. (33-30)


Saturday, January 1st., 2011


TicketCity Bowl
Dallas, Texas
Northwestern vs. Texas Tech
Line: Texas Tech by 9½
Smooth’s Pick – Texas Tech (27-12)



Capital One Bowl
Orlando, Florida
(7) Michigan St. vs. (15) Alabama
Line: Alabama by 10
Smooth’s Pick – Alabama (34-24)



Outback Bowl
Tampa, Florida
Florida vs. Penn St.
Line: Florida by 7
Smooth’s Pick – Florida (28-26)



Gator Bowl
Jacksonville, Florida
(21) Mississippi St. vs. Michigan
Line: Mississippi St. by 4½
Smooth’s Pick – Mississippi St. (31-20)



Rose Bowl
Pasadena, California
(3) TCU vs. (4) Wisconsin
Line: TCU by 3
Smooth’s Pick – Wisconsin (30-21)



Fiesta Bowl
Glendale, Arizona
Connecticut vs. (10) Oklahoma
Line: Oklahoma by 17
Smooth’s Pick – Oklahoma (44-20)


Monday, January 3rd., 2011


Orange Bowl
Miami, Florida
(5) Stanford vs. (12) Virginia Tech
Line: Stanford by 3½
Smooth’s Pick – Stanford (33-24)


Tuesday, January 4th, 2011


Sugar Bowl
New Orleans, Louisiana
(6) Ohio St. vs. (8) Arkansas
Line: Ohio St. by 3½
Smooth’s Pick – Arkansas (27-24)


Thursday, January 6th, 2011


GoDaddy.Com Bowl
Mobile, Alabama
Middle Tenn. St. vs. Miami (OH)
Line: Miami (OH) by 1
Smooth’s Pick – Miami (OH) (24-21)


Friday, January 7th, 2011


Cotton Bowl
Arlington, Texas
(11) LSU vs. (19) Texas A&M
Line: Pick ‘em
Smooth’s Pick – LSU (35-24)


Saturday, January 8th, 2011


BBVA Compass Bowl
Birmingham, Alabama
Pittsburgh vs. Kentucky
Line: Pittsburgh by 3
Smooth’s Pick – Kentucky (34-21)


Sunday, January 9th, 2011


Fight Hunger Bowl
San Francisco, California
(14) Nevada vs. Boston College
Line: Nevada by 7½
Smooth’s Pick – Nevada (36-31)

Week 16 – Win a Super Bowl, then talk!

The shocking win in the Meadowlands had E-girls fans gloating all week. Well, I’m through mourning the loss my Giants suffered at the hands of Philly last week, which was about 5 minutes. I was in full defensive mode, as I reminded E-girls fans about their inability to capture the NFL’s most treasures prizes, the Vince Lombardi trophy. Last I heard, Philly was still in search of it, while my Giants have three of their own. So give them credit where credit is due. They won the battle last Sunday. But Giants fans have won the war...three times over!

So E-girls fans! Win a Super Bowl, then talk!

Last week, gave us another 10 win week, on the road to a 70% percent prediction rate for the year. Nice! This week, both New York teams can clinch playoff births with victories.

Last Week’s Results
Against the Spread: 9-6-1
Head to Head: 10-6

Season to Date
Against the Spread: 100-80-42
Head to Head: 144-80

Odds Courtesy of Bookmaker.com


Thursday, December 23rd

Carolina at Pittsburgh
Line: Steelers by 14
Smooth’s Pick – Pittsburgh (28-14)


Saturday, December 25th

Dallas at Arizona
Line: Cowboys by 7
Smooth’s Pick – Dallas (31-10)


Sunday, December 26th

San Francisco at St. Louis
Line: Rams by 2
Smooth’s Pick – St. Louis (17-10)

Baltimore at Cleveland
Line: Ravens by 3
Smooth’s Pick – Baltimore (21-13)

Detroit at Miami
Line: Dolphins by 3
Smooth’s Pick – Miami (18-12)

New England at Buffalo
Line: Bills by 7½
Smooth’s Pick – New England (30-21)

Tennessee at Kansas City
Line: Chiefs by 4½
Smooth’s Pick – Tennessee (24-21)

NY Jets at Chicago
Line: Bears by 1
Smooth’s Pick – NY Jets (20-16)

Washington at Jacksonville
Line: Jags by 7
Smooth’s Pick – Jacksonville (23-14)

San Diego at Cincinnati
Line: Bolts by 7
Smooth’s Pick – Cincinnati (24-13)

Indianapolis at Oakland
Line: Colts by 3
Smooth’s Pick – Indianapolis (34-27)

Houston at Denver
Line: None
Smooth’s Pick – Houston (26-19)

NY Giants at Green Bay
Line: Packers by 3
Smooth’s Pick – NY Giants (28-17)

Seattle at Tampa Bay
Line: Bucs by 6
Smooth’s Pick – Tampa Bay (21-13)

Minnesota at Philadelphia
Line: Eagles by 14
Smooth’s Pick – Philadelphia (35-17)


Monday, December 27th

New Orleans at Atlanta
Line: Falcons by 2½
Smooth’s Pick – Atlanta (17-14)

Live365 Fantasy Football Results - Semi-Finals

Championship Semi-Finals

All Winners in BOLD

Autobots 94
Choirboys 72

Michael Vick (21-35 for 242 yards, 3TD’s and an INT [10 rushes for 130 yards and a TD] for 39 points) led the Autobots to their 7th straight victory and defeated the defending champion, Choirboys. Ryan Fitzpatrick (16-26 for 223 yards, 2TD’s and an INT for 16 points) led all scorers for the Choirboys, who were outmatched.


Midwest Crushers 67
Metal Maniacs 69

Matt Ryan threw for three TD’s and an INT (17 points), as the Maniacs narrowly defeated the Crushers to get to their second championship game in two years. Jamaal Charles (11 carries for 126 yards and a TD) led all scorers for 20 points for the Crushers, who will face the Choirboys for 3rd place.


Consolation Semi-Finals

Smooth Jazz and More 109
Fumbles and Stumbles 93

Mario Manningham (8 catches for 113 yards and 2 TD’s for 21 points) was one of seven players in double figures, as Smooth’s Crew defeated the Fumbles. Eli Manning (23-39 for 289 yards, 4 TD’s and an INT for 26 points) led all scorers for the Fumbles, who will try to get over .500 for the first time in their history.


Tackling Dummies 87
PVR Wasted Bandwidth 90

Despite having six players in double figures, including team leader, Jason Witten (10 catches for 140 yards and a TD for 21 points); PVR’s managed to squeak out with a victory over the Dummies. Philip Rivers (19-25 for 273 yards and 3 TD’s) led PVR in points with 22, who will take on Smooth’s Crew for the Consolation crown and 5th place.


This Week’s Matchups

Live365 Fantasy Football League Championship
Metal Maniacs vs. Autobots

3rd place Game
Choirboys vs. Midwest Crushers

5th place Game
Smooth Jazz and More vs. PVR Wasted Bandwidth

7th place Game
Fumbles and Stumbles vs. Tackling Dummies

Live365 Fantasy Football League's All-Pro Team Announced

All selections are based on a player’s fantasy point total during the 14 game season.


1st Team


QB Philip Rivers - PVR Wasted Bandwidth


RB Arian Foster - Metal Maniacs
RB Peyton Hillis - Fumbles and Stumbles


WR Dwayne Bowe - Choirboys
WR Brandon Lloyd - Tackling Dummies
WR Calvin Johnson -10th street titans


TE Antonio Gates - WITD Jazz


K David Akers - WITD Jazz


DEF Pittsburgh - Autobots


2nd Team


QB Aaron Rodgers - CC Radio Flyers


RB Adrian Peterson - Midwest Crushers
RB LeSean McCoy - Metal Maniacs


WR Roddy White - Midwest Crushers
WR Greg Jennings - Metal Maniacs
WR Andre Johnson - Polarbear Express


TE Jason Witten - Tackling Dummies


K Dan Carpenter - PVR Wasted Bandwidth


DEF Green Bay - CC Radio Flyers


3rd Team


QB Michael Vick - Autobots


RB Darren McFadden - Smooth Jazz and More
RB Maurice Jones-Drew - Metal Maniacs


WR Terrell Owens - Tackling Dummies
WR DeSean Jackson - Autobots
WR Reggie Wayne - WITD Jazz


TE Vernon Davis - Kittycat365


K Matt Bryant - Tackling Dummies


DEF New England - Kittycat365