LSJ - Week 2

Locks

The first lock of the week is the G-men over the Rams.  The Rams are an up and coming team and the Giants were handled last week by the Redskins, however, it won't happen this week.  I don't think the Rams have enough weapons for Bradford yet, and I think the Giants have a little bit of pride in them they are going to show the league.  The Rams may cover the 7 point spread, but they won't upset the Giants this week.  Giants win 24 - 20.

The second lock of the week is the Saints over the Bears.  I did not see the Bears winning last week, but I really don't see them winning in Nawleans this week.  The Saints are great at home, and Brees won't let his team go 0-2 to start the year.  The Saints have had 3 extra days to get ready for this game, the Saints win 27 - 16.

Shocks

The first shock of the week is the Sunday night game Eagles against the Falcons.  The Eagles biggest weakness this year is the offensive line.  Vick returns to Atlanta, and he will have his supporters there, but unfortunately for him they won't be on the field.  The Falcons D will pressure Vick all night and force a couple of bad throws, resulting in Falcons points.  Its going to be a close one, but Matty Ice comes through for the dirty birds 24 - 23.

The second shock of the week is the Cardinals over the Redskins.  Rex Grossmen threw for over 300 yards against the Giants, but it won't happen again against the Cardinals.  Grossmen will remember he is Grossman and come back to earth.  The Cardinals with Kolb will do enough to beat the Redskins on the road 23 - 17.

Jocks

The first jock is Matt Shaub of the Texans.  The Dolphins will fix some of their problems defensively, but that just means Shaub will throw for over 300 yards and not 500 yards like Brady.  Shaub will add two touchdowns in their win over fins.

The second jock is Drew Brees.  As mentioned earlier he and Sean Peyton will not want the Saints to start the season 0-2, and there will be no better way than to let Brees lead the attack.  Brees will throw for over 275 yards and two scores in their win.

Call 909-4SL-SHOW and tell Chris and Matt why the picks are spot-on, or why you think they are wrong.  Or hit us on Twitter @sidelinershow!

NFL Week 12 - Continued

Since I gave locks with no shocks I have only upsets for Sunday & Monday.

Shocks

The Colts are favored by three but they will go down to the surging 'Bolts Sunday night.  Chargers win 31 - 23.

The Cardinals will take down the 49ers at home 23 - 16.

Jocks

Eli Manning will throw for 300 yards and 2 scores against the Jags.

LS&J Playoff Style - Divisional Weekend

Arizona at New Orleans

Arizona is coming off a shootout win over the Green Bay Packers last Sunday night.  The highest scoring game in playoff history taught us one thing, if Arizona’s defense doesn’t show up again this week the Cardinals playoff run will be over.  Shootouts are fun to watch, but not so much for defensive coordinators.  Aaron Rodgers is a pretty good quarterback, but Drew Brees right now is even better.  New Orleans struggled down the stretch losing their last three.  That streak ends tonight in New Orleans as the Saints will go marching up and down all over the 11 players alledgedly playing defense.  The Saints win 30-20.

The player to watch in this game will be my supposed “man crush” Drew Brees.  If he throws for 300 yards and three touchdowns the Saints will not lose.  Pierre Thomas will play tonight and do just enough to keep the Cards D honest with the run.  Brees will manipulate the safety’s and hit the open man, rust schmust. 

Baltimore at Indianapolis

Ahh the latest Baltimore team against the original team from Baltimore.  Grudge match.  Rematch.  That’s right the two teams met in Indianapolis in Week 11. The Colts won a squeaker 17-15, allowing Baltimore 5 field goals.  Baltimore will have to score touchdowns to win this game, and I do expect a close game considering how Baltimore’s D demolished Chris’ Patriots last week.  Also, because Peyton and the offense could show rust early in the game since they haven’t played meaningful minutes since early December.  The Fightin Peyton’s will be too much for Baltimore this week, the Colts will win a squeaker 20-17.

The player to watch this week is again Ray Rice.  He is the Raven’s offense, and he must get it going against the Colts D to keep Baltimore in the game.  Peyton has had some of his worst days against Baltimore, he will be good enough but not great.  Rice will run for 100, catch for 50, and score at least one touchdown.  A nice day at the office, but not good enough.

Dallas at Minnesota

To me, this is the toughest game to pick.  The teams seem to be matched pretty evenly with Minnesota getting a slight edge because they are playing at home.  But being the homer I am, I can’t pick against the Cowboys.  Especially the way that D is playing right now.  Romo’s record on the road is better than at home in December and January so there’s another good sign.  I look for the Cowboys to put a lot of pressure on Favre forcing him into some bad decisions.  Also, look for Adrian Peterson to have at least one fumble.  The Cowboys win in the last two minutes, 24-23.

The player to watch in this one is Adrian Peterson.  He will be what keeps Minnesota in the game.  Dallas hasn’t played a running back like him all year, speed and strength.  Peterson will rush for 125 yards and two touchdowns.  Ultimately, it will be his one fumble problems that end the season early for the Vikes.

New York at San Diego

The Jets are riding high, playing themselves into the playoffs then delivering the goods once arriving.  Well, the J-E-T-S, JETS JETS JETS, will L-O-S-E LOSE, LOSE, LOSE this weekend against the stronger Chargers.  The Bolts have won 11 in a row, and against some pretty good teams.  Phillip Rivers is showing he is an elite quarterback and he will lead the Chargers against the best D in the league.  The Chargers haven’t been held under 20 this season.  The lowest they scored was 20 at Dallas in December.  I don’t think the Jets will be able to put enough points on the board to offset the Chargers offense.  The Chargers win 27-17.

The player to watch in this matchup is Antonio Gates.  Revis and Jackson will be a great matchup, but that will leave Gates to pickup any slack for Jackson’s lower productivity.  Norv will find the week spots in the Jets D that will allow for Gates to catch the ball in the soft spots.  Expect the big tight end to have 8 catches for 100 yards and a touchdown.

That’s the playoff’s this week, tune in Tuesday night at 10:00 pm eastern to see how we did, plus more.  Catch the podcast on iTunes or live Tuesday night at www.blogtalkradio.com/sidelinershow .

LS&J Playoff Style - Wild Card Weekend

For Wild Card Weekend we will do something different for LS&J.  I am going to pick the winners for all four games and then a player to watch.  

Jets @ Bengals

In the first of three rematches from Week 17, the Jets meet the Bengals.  The Bengals were 6-2 at home and the Jets were 5-3 on the road.  The Jets dismantled the Bengals in Week 17, but I don’t think the Bengals were properly motivated.  What did they have to play for?  I think the Bengals will have a chip on their shoulders after losing to the Jets BAD last week on national television.  The Bengals will win 23-17 over the Jets.  

The player to watch is Cedric Benson.  All eyes may be on the Chad Ochocinco and Darrelle Revis matchup but in really matters how Cincy runs the ball.  If they can get Cedric going then maybe Chad might catch a ball or two.  If they don’t it could be a long afternoon for Ochocinco and Co.  I think Cedric will run for a C Note and have a score to boot.

Eagles @ Cowboys

The next matchup is another matchup from Week 17.  But not only is this a rematch, it is a divisional rivalry.  Dallas embarrassed Philly by shutting them out, but Dallas’s D won’t score it’s third shutout in a row.  Wade has the D hitting on all cylinders and Romo just had the best year of any Dallas quarterback, and Dallas has had more than it’s share of hall of famer’s at the position.  Dallas will beat Philly for the third time this year, but it will come down to the last five minutes of the game.  Cowboys 27 and the Eagles 23.

The players to watch are DeMarcus Ware, Jay Ratliff, and Anthony Spencer.  These guys HAVE to get pressure on McNabb if Dallas is going to win it’s third straight over Philly and get the first playoff win since 1996.  Ware didn’t record a sack last week but Ratliff got two.   These guys will get 5 sacks on McNabb or force him into a bad pass resulting in an interception.  A Dallas win will be on the back of the D.

Ravens @ Patriots

New England just hasn’t been the New England we have all come to expect over the past several years.  And it only got worse when Wes Welker went down with a knee injury last week and will miss the playoffs.  The Pats looked bad earlier this year when Welker was out.  Welker caught 120 passes from Brady, and that’s with missing three games.  Brady lost his favorite target, and the Ravens will make sure New England loses the game.  Baltimore look to put pressure on Brady and shutting down Moss will be easier with no Welker.  Baltimore wins 24-20.

The player to watch is Ray Rice.  Baltimore is still a run first team and the running starts and ends with Rice.  Ray will run for 100 yards and score at least two touchdowns.  One of his TD’s may be receiving because Flacco also likes to throw to him, he’s the leading receiver with 78 receptions.  For the Ravens to win, Rice will have a big day, count on it.

Packers & Cardinals

The last of the grudge matches happens in the desert Sunday night.  The Packers are the team no one wants to play and the Cardinals are looking for an identity.  Warner looks like the Warner of New York and not the Warner of the Rams, which is not good news for Cardinal fans.  Also, with Anquan Boldin doubtful to play in Sunday’s game there is only one team to take.  The Packers will win going away 38-24.

The player to watch is Aaron Rodgers.  He had a great year throwing for over 4,400 hards with 30 TD’s and only 7 pics.  Rodgers will throw for over 300 yards and multiple touchdowns in a laugher in the desert.  Grant will keep the defense honest while Rodgers makes the big plays, sorry Arizona, just be glad you broke the Super Bowl Loser hex.  

Tune in Tuesday at 10:00 pm eastern, for Chris and Matt discussion of the pics and the week that was in the NFL and more.  Listen live at www.blogtalkradio.com/sidelinershow .