NFL Week 15 Christmas Miracle Part 2

By Dan Rodgers

We will start with my team for Part 2. The Jets were in prime position to make the playoffs after needing help, yet again. Just like two seasons ago, the Jets needed a lot of help to make the playoffs, and took advantage of the help they got.

A few weeks ago, Oakland, Cincinnati, and Tennessee lost to give the Jets the lead for the sixth seed. They controlled their own destiny to make the playoffs, but instead they felt like making it interesting by losing and giving the teams a chance. Not only did they lose to the Eagles, whom they've NEVER beaten (0-9), but they got incredibly embarrassed on offense and defense. Santonio Holmes got a taunting penalty after catching a touchdown to cut the lead to 28-10. All of this after the receiver let a ball go through his hands that was intercepted and fumbled the ball that was returned for a touchdown.

The Jets play the Giants in a game that will most likely decide both team's playoff fate. Surprisingly enough, the Jets still control their destiny based on a lucky tiebreaker with the Bengals. The Giants play the Cowboys in the final week of the season, if they win both games, they are playoff bound.

This madness was just the beginning of the late games. The Raiders scored 10 points in the fourth quarter to take a 13-point lead on the Lions. Matt Stafford led the Lions on a 71-yard drive in under three minutes to cut the lead to six. After forcing a punt, Shane Lechler did what he does best, and pinned the Lions at the two yard-line with just over two minutes to play. Unfortunately, that was way too much time for Detroit.

The game-winning touchdown drive included a 48-yard completion to Calvin Johnson. Megatron also caught the game-winning touchdown, his second on the day. The Lions left over a minute for the Raiders to attempt the tying field goal, which they did. Sebastian Janikowski attempted a 65-yard field goal, which was blocked. If Oakland had won the game, they would have the tiebreaker over the Jets, so New York caught another huge break.

The Cardinals were wetting the bed against Cleveland, but were able to come back and kick the game-winning field goal in OT. I'm not going to spend too much time on this, but it was an incredible game, and the Cards kept their playoff chances alive by getting to 7-7.

The final late game was Tom Brady vs. Tim Tebow, and the game did not live up to the hype. The Broncos actually took a 16-7 lead in the second quarter, but we all know that you can't kick field goals if you want to beat the Pats. After the 16-7 lead, the Pats responded with 20 unanswered points, with three Denver fumbles in the mix. The Denver offense isn't built for huge comebacks, especially when the defense is struggling to stop the opposition.

The Pats scored a touchdown in the third, and everyone thought it was "Tebow Time" when the Broncos cut the lead back to 11. Brady responded with a touchdown drive of his own that killed way too much clock. Tebow and two other Broncos lost fumbles, and the Pats didn't turn the ball over. I hate the Pats, but they shut up the Broncos, Tebow and all of his followers of Tebowism.

The night games only made everything else even more interesting... but we'll get to those tomorrow.

Rodgers That

NFL Week 15 Picks

By Dan Rodgers

Well, I nailed Atlanta on Thursday night and Dallas looks good tonight. 2-0 is not a bad way to start the week before getting to Sunday.

I am out of town visiting family so I'm just going to post the lines and my picks and not get in to much else.

Was/NYG 6.5 The Skins suck, but they will play the Giants tough. NY SU
GB 13.5/KC The Jets beat KC by four possessions and there is no reason for the Packers to do less than that
NO 7/Min I can't quite figure out why this spread is only a touchdown, but I'll take it...
Sea/Chi 3.5 Clearly Chicago isn't at all good without Cutler and/or Forte, Seattle will at least keep it close if not pull this one out
Car/Hou 6 I have faith in T.J. Yates
Ten 7/Ind The Titans must be pissed about last week and the Colts are beyond lucky they covered last week
Cin 7/Stl Sources say Kellen Clemens is starting for the Rams, and you know Cincy will play their hearts out considering the heartbreaking loss last week (SURVIVOR 11-3)
Mia/Buf 1.5 I have no comment on this game...
Det 1/Oak The Lions are the better team and the Packers really exposed Oakland's defense
NE 7.5/Den I think that New England's defense is bad enough and Denver's defense is good enough to keep this game within a touchdown, but the Pats probably win
NYJ/Phi 3 I can't believe the Jets are underdogs... I love them in this spot
Cle/Ari 6.5 Cleveland is just a terrible team and Arizona is playing well, let's see how they respond as favorites
Bal 3/SD Flying across the country is always tough and Ravens don't do it well. See Seattle game earlier this season
Pit/SF 1 If Big Ben doesn't play, San Fran should take care of business

Week 1: 7-9 ATS 10-6 SU
Week 2: 10-6 ATS 13-3 SU
Week 3: 11-4-1 ATS 10-6 SU
Week 4: 9-7 ATS 13-3 SU
Week 5: 6-7 ATS 7-6 SU
Week 6: 10-3 ATS 10-3 SU
Week 7: 9-3-1 ATS 10-3 SU
Week 8: 7-6 ATS 9-4 SU
Week 9: 8-6 ATS 9-5 SU
Week 10: 9-7 ATS 9-7 SU
Week 11: 6-5-2 ATS 11-2 SU
Week 12: 8-7-1 ATS 12-4 SU
Week 13: 8-8 ATS 10-6 SU
Week 14: 9-6-1 ATS 12-4 SU
Total: 117-84-6 ATS 145-62 SU

I love Arizona and Cincy this week... I also like Green Bay and New Orleans, but you will have to make a judgement call on whether their offenses will be on full blast.

Rodgers That

NFL Week 10: picks and preview

By Dan Rodgers

Last week was frustrating because of all the backdoor covers and terrible play by some of the teams. I still ended up over .500 ATS and SU. So far, I'm picking about 60% ATS and 70% SU. I would like to up both of those by at least five percent by season's end.

The reason I'm posting the games so early is because there was a death in the family and I will be out of town. I'm not sure if I will be able to post or update these, but this is how I feel about them right now.

Oak/SD 7 So this game was last night, but honestly I thought San Diego was going to cover ... They clearly suck
Hou 3/TB I'm hearing a lot of mixed opinions on this game, but I think Tampa is so inconsistent and Houston is the better team...
Ari/Phi The line has yet to be released for this game, but it doesn't matter because the Eagles should kill the Cards (SURVIVOR 8-1)
Was/Mia 4 The Skins have shown their true colors recently and I think Miami gets two in a row
Den/KC 4 This is divisional game in a division that sucks and is sometimes tough to predict. Denver SU
Jax 3/Ind Another awful game this weekend that people have mixed opinions about. This is one of four games left that I think Indy has a chance to win... but they won't
Buf/Dal 5.5 I love the Cowboys in this game. Buffalo is coming off a bad loss and is not good on the road
Stl/Cle 3 As I said right above, another awful game. I think St. Louis is going to be pissed about last week and will take this one SU.
NO 1/Atl Finally, a better game... people have mixed opinions on this one as well. I think Atlanta needs to get back on track at home
Ten/Car 3 Tennessee doesn't have much going for them and I think Carolina should take care of business at home... Cam makes plays
Pit 3/Cin While this is a good game, it is tough to read. Cincy has only played one good team, a 5-point loss to San Fran... I think Pittsburgh is too good for them
Det/Chi 3 I was confused by this because Detroit is young and talented and the Bears are inconsistent. I think it will be a close game and I like the upset Detroit SU
NYG/SF 3.5 The 49ers are playing fairly well and I think the Giants are a bit overrated. I think San Fran will pull this one out
Bal 7/Sea Seattle usually plays tough at home and Baltimore might come out flat after an emotional last second win against Pittsburgh... Ravens SU
NE/NYJ 1 A lot of people are not sure why the Jets are favored here, but New England is struggling and the Jets are playing well... I think they take the division lead
Min/GB 13 Last time these two played Minnesota came back and only lost by six, and I think they play them tough again. The Packers defense isn't that good GB SU

Week 1: 7-9 ATS 10-6 SU
Week 2: 10-6 ATS 13-3 SU
Week 3: 11-4-1 ATS 10-6 SU
Week 4: 9-7 ATS 13-3 SU
Week 5: 6-7 ATS 7-6 SU
Week 6: 10-3 ATS 10-3 SU
Week 7: 9-3-1 ATS 10-3 SU
Week 8: 7-6 ATS 9-4 SU
Week 9: 8-6 ATS 9-5 SU
Total: 77-51-2 ATS 91-39 SU

This is a tough week for survivor, but the Philly spread should be more than seven and I think they are safe even though they are struggling. Arizona is just plain bad, which I am surprised by, but they've be consistently bad so we must take advantage of that.

This should be an interesting week and unfortunately, I don't feel too confident. We shall see.

@dhrodgers52

Rodgers That

Looking back: NFL Saturday

By Dan Rodgers

Divisional Round - Saturday

Baltimore Ravens (+6.5) 3 Indianapolis Colts 20

My prediction: Ravens 26 Colts 20

I predicted the Colts score on the money, but the Ravens decided to end their season and I wasn't expecting it. I want to apologize to everyone about that the Ravens' decision to lay down against a rival in a playoff game. I assumed that they would show up like the did last week and at least put up a fight. BUT, you all know what assuming does, it makes an ASS out of U and ME. The Colts didn't play well, but they forced a few mistakes and watched the Ravens shoot themselves in the foot...over and over again. I don't want to hear about penalties and complaints about the refs because nothing would have changed the Ravens playing so terrible. Talk about a recent sophomore slump, Flacco looked pretty good early on this season but his "injuries" have just completely thrown off his game. Better luck next year.

Arizona Cardinals (+7) 14 New Orleans 45

My prediction: Cardinals 38 Saints 44

So, I was kind of spot on in the Saints/Cards game, but I figured the Cardinals wouldn't suck like they did and at least put up half the points they did against Green Bay. However, they laid a second half egg and were held to only fourteen points. I was pretty on target in predicting the Saints score and the over was money. The Saints kept the game exciting putting up 45 points including a few electrifying plays from Reggie Bush. The Cardinals gave up a remarkable 45 points in consecutive weeks. The more impressive thing is that they won one of those games. The Saints will roll in the NFC Championship and will face Dallas or Minnesota. This is the first time that New Orleans has hosted the big game so they will be pumped and that dome will be rocking.

Rodgers That

Division Saturday Preview

By Dan Rodgers

House sitting with the girlfriend. I was in Delaware so this preview is going to be a bit late. This is going to be an excellent Saturday full of football. First off, we should have an offensive explosion.

Cardinals (+7) at Saints

The Arizona Cardinals head to the Big Easy to take on the Saints. This should be over a 70 point-plus game. Look for the Saints to shock everyone and put up a ton of points even though many "experts" expected them to be out of sync due to losing their last three games and having the bye week. I look for them to barely reach the 40's while the Cardinals will be close behind in the high 30's. The defenses in this game will once again get embarrassed, but the Saints will get the last laugh because they'll put up more points. Kurt Warner might have played his last playoff game and who knows what that will mean for Fitzgerald and Boldin. Also, look for both rushing attacks to be utilized because of the hype in the passing game.

My prediction: Cardinals (+7) 38 Saints 44

Ravens (+6.5) at Colts

I love, beyond recognition, the Ravens to AT LEAST cover the spread in this game. I will not make any promises but don't act surprised if the Ravens pull this one out. The Colts will probably focus in on stopping Ray Rice so Joe Flacco will probably have to do better than the 35 passing yards he had last week. I expect the Ravens defense to have a similar repeat performance of what they did last time to the Colts when they held them to only 17 points. I expect the Ravens to at least punch it into the end zone once, but if they get down to the goalline and they don't give it to McClain I will go crazy. Look for a couple turnovers but Peyton won't go down without a fight.

Ravens (+6.5) 26 Colts 20

If I were a betting man (laughs), I would take the over in the Saints/Cards game and Baltimore to cover the spread.

See you tomorrow.

Rodgers That

NFL Sunday Recap

By Dan Rodgers

I was a bit closer on with these predictions, but I seem to be struggling with my NFC picks and my AFC picks are right on. Hopefully this will improve.

AFC Wild-Card:

Baltimore Ravens (+3.5) 34 New England Patriots 23

My prediction: Ravens 33 Patriots 14

I was right on with the Ravens on this prediction but apparently I gave the Pats a little too much credit. They actually would have had 34 points, but they went for a two-point conversation to go up 21 points. Ray Rice had 159 yards and two touchdowns. Tom Brady was responsible for two touchdown passes, three interceptions and a lost fumble. The Ravens completely dominated the game from the start jumping out to a 24 to nothing first quarter lead. Ray Rice set the pace early with an 83-yard run on the first play from scrimmage. The Pats didn't even stand a chance once the Ravens scored again off a Brady fumble.

NFC Wild-Card:

Green Bay Packers (PK) 45 at Arizona Cardinals 51

My prediction: Packers 37 Cardinals 27

I couldn't have been more far off on this one, but it was crazy game to watch. The game set the NFL record for the highest scoring post-season game in history. The Packers came back from a 31-10 third quarter deficit to tie the game at 45 with under two minutes left. Kurt Warner drove the Cards down the field and with 16 seconds left they lined up for a "chip-shot" field goal. Rackers pulled it wide left and Aaron Rodgers knelt down to send the game to OT. The Packers won the toss and on third down and 10 to go, I saw a crazy play. Rodgers was sacked and had the ball knocked out of his hand, but as it was headed to the turf Rodgers was taken off of his feet and kicked the ball back into the air. Karlos Dansby caught the ball in mid-air and ran it in for the game winning touchdown. Just absolutely deflating to me because I was definitely rooting for my bro A-Rodge. Better luck next year. Good luck in New Orleans Kurt and the Cards.

Rodgers That

Sunday Preview

By Dan Rodgers

Ravens (+3.5) at Patriots

I definitely love the Ravens in this game to at least cover the spread. Primarily because of that half point but if you just look at the match up: the Ravens had numerous opportunities to beat the Pats earlier this season and the Pats are injured. Brady primarily has numerous injuries including ribs and a finger. I personally think the Ravens will win out right, but if you're going to put your money on anything definitely on the Ravens to at least cover. Patriots won't be able to do anything besides win by a field goal if that.

My prediction: Ravens (+3.5) 34 Patriots 23

Look for a high scoring game and multiple turnovers. Ray Rice should have 150+ yards and 2 touchdowns. Tom Brady will have 2 touchdowns and a turnover or two.

Packers (PK) at Cardinals

Recently the spread has gone more in the Packers favor because of the beat down the laid on Arizona last week. Green Bay is the hottest team in the NFL right now winning seven of their last right games with their only loss coming at the hands of the Pittsburgh Steelers on a last second touchdown pass. One of my favorite young players, Dominique Rodgers-Cromartie, is slightly injured but he will play. Look for the Packers to air it out like they did last week to open up the ground game with Ryan Grant. The game won't be nearly as much of a blowout as it was last week, but it Green Bay will win by double digits.

My prediction: Green Bay (PK) 37 Arizona 27

Rodgers That

Are you ready for some football?

San Francisco @ Arizona - MNF

I do not see San Fran keeping this too close. So for all of you who took the Cards to cover this week (-9.5), I think you are in great position to win this one. Even though the Cards don’t have too much of a defense and I love Frank Gore and his down hill power running style; the 49ers are one dimensional given their lack of ability to move the ball in the air (~200 yards per game). The Cards explosive pass offense with Fitz and Boldin, as mentioned above, and power running game with Edge and rookie Tim Hightower (7 rush td’s, where did that come from?). Anyway, given this is a divisional game, you should assume it would be relatively close, but I say a late touchdown by San Fran makes it look closer than it is.

Rodgers' Pick: Arizona 37 San Francisco 23

The 49ers are not showing much promise with the way their playing right now. That team is in a bit of turmoil right now and I am looking forward to seeing who new head coach mike Singletary will kick off the field this week. On the other side, the Cardinals have the 1st rated scoring offense in the NFL. Kurt Warner is playing like a true veteran and getting the ball to the real playmakers on that team, Anquan Boldin and Larry Fitzgerald. It is a divisional game so it could be a lot closer then expected, but I can't see the 49ers holding on past the first half.

Price's Pick: Arizona 34 San Francisco 17

Leatherman's Pick: Arizona 34 San Francisco 21