NFL Week 10 Preview & Predictions

This week features four great divisional battles and one surprising Game of the week in my Top 5 for the NFL's Week 10.

5. New Orleans Saints (6-3) @ Atlanta Falcons (5-3) - 1:00 PM EST, FOX

The New Orleans Saints travel to the Georgia Dome on Sunday for yet another big game against the Falcons. The NFC South rivals have had some pivotal matchups over the past few years. This one is no exception as the winner is in first place in the division. New Orleans has had a rocky past few weeks (2W over IND & TB, 1L to STL). The Saints will most likely lean heavily on quarterback Drew Brees' arm in this one. Starting runningback Mark Ingram has missed the past two games with a heel injury and is questionable for this one. Backups Darren Sproles and Pierre Thomas have only combined for a total of 658 rushing yards on the season. Atlanta ranks fourth in the NFL in rush defense giving up only 87.2 ypg. The Falcons have won three in a row and four of their last five overall, with the only loss being to still undefeated Green Bay. After missing the previous two games with a strained left hamstring, rookie wide receiver Julio Jones broke out for a big game with three catches for 131 yards and two touchdowns last week. He became the first rookie since the 1970 merger to catch touchdown passes of 80+ and 50+ yards in the same game. Prediction: Atlanta 27 New Orleans 24

4. Detroit Lions (6-2) vs. Chicago Bears (5-3) - 4:15 PM EST, FOX

On October 10, the Detroit Lions went to 5-0 on the season following an impressive MNF win over the Chicago Bears 24-13. The Bears have gone 3-0 since, including big wins over Tampa Bay and Philadelphia. Conversely, after the win, the Lions dropped two in a row to San Francisco and Atlanta before blowing out Denver last week. You can almost certainly bank on some big performances from of the teams' offensive stars. Bears runningback Matt Forte ran for 116 yards in the last matchup. The Lions have the 29th ranked rush defense in the league (137.6 ypg). Lions wide receiver Clavin Johnson caught 5 catches for 130 yards and a touchdown. The Bears have the 26th ranked pass defense in the league (264.3 ypg). My x-factor of the game is Lions runningback Jahvid Best. Best has missed the past two games with a concussion, but coming off the bye, he appears to be healthy. He ran all over the Bears in the last matchup. He had 12 carries for 163 yards and a touchdown. Prediction: Lions 24 Bears 16

3. Pittsburgh Steelers (6-3) @ Cincinnati Bengals (6-2) - 1:00 PM EST, CBS

Carson Palmer refused to play and Chad Ochocinco was traded. The Cincinnati Bengals were forced to start a rookie quarterback and were picked to finish last in the AFC North. Halfway through the season, they are 6-2 and tied for the division lead. Their record might be embellished by a cupcake schedule so far, but rookie quarterback Andy Dalton has the Bengals riding their longest winning streak in more than 23 years. This Sunday they face the Pittsburgh Steelers in the first of four straight divisional games. The Steelers are coming off a tough loss to the Baltimore Ravens last Sunday night. They played well in the game, but quarterback Ben Roethlisberger threw a costly interception when the team was driving and the defense couldn't stop Joe Flacco and the Ravens on their final drive of the game. The Bengals always give the Steelers a tough game, especially at Paul Brown Stadium. Prediction: Steelers 20 Bengals 6

2. New England Patriots (5-3) @ New York Jets (5-3) - 8:20 PM EST, NBC

Just one month ago, the New England Patriots handed their archrival New York Jets their third straight loss. Now, the Jets have a chance to do the same to the Patriots with a win at home on Sunday night. Patriots runningback BenJarvus Green-Ellis was the star of the last matchup. He ran 27 times for 136 yards and 2 touchdowns. However, Green-Ellis has stuggled since, rushing for only a combined 119 yards over the Patriots' last 3 games. Quarterback Tom Brady has been held in check the past two weeks as well. Jets cornerback Darrelle Revis will be matchuped against Patriots wide receiver Wes Welker. This leaves Brady's other favorite target, tight end Ron Gronkowski, as my x-factor for the game. Gronkowski struggled in the previous Jets game, but is coming off three straight games of at least 7 catches and 74 receiving yards. Prediction: Jets 20 Patriots 17

1. New York Giants (6-2) @ San Francisco 49ers (7-1) - 4:15 PM EST, FOX

With all these great divisional games this week, who would have believed this would be the best game of the week at the beginning of the season? The two teams have a combined 13-3 record. First-year coach Jim Harbaugh has the 49ers at 7-1 halfway through the season. The same 49ers team that has finished at or under .500 the past eight seasons. The 49ers haven't looked dominate in most of their wins, but they are one overtime instant replay overturning against Dallas from possibly be undefeated. The Giants are coming off a big come-from-behind win over the Patriots last week. They will be without starting runningback Ahmad Bradshaw (broken bone in his right foot) again this week. The 49ers offense will most likely revolve around one of the best runningbacks in the game right now in Frank Gore. Gore has rushed for over 100 yards in five straight games and has scored four rushing touchdowns over that stretch. Prediction: 49ers 20 Giants 16

College Football Week 11 Preview & Predictions

5. #19 Nebraska @ #12 Penn State - 12:00 PM EST, ESPN

Nebraska is traveling to without a doubt the most hostile environment in college football right now, a very unhappy Happy Valley. Two weeks ago, Nebraska looked dominate against Michigan State in 24-3 win. Then, last week in typical Big Ten fashion they choked and lost to a backup quarterback led Northwestern team. Penn State is adrift with scandal, the firing of their president and one of the most legendary coaches in the history of sports, and rioting students. Meanwhile, the football team is the only Big Ten team who remains undefeated in conference play. The question is can interim coach Tom Bradley rally the troops and get his team to focus on what they've been doing best, winning football games. Prediction: Penn State 27 Nebraska 10

4. #17 Michigan State @ Iowa - 12:00 PM EST, ESPN2

The Big Ten has some very intriguing games this weekend. Last week, Iowa was coming off a humiliating loss to Minnesota 22-21. In order for them to have a chance at a Big Ten championship, the Hawkeyes would most likely have to run the table the rest of the way. Last week, they accomplished step one in a hard-nosed win over Michigan 24-16. Michigan State survived the upset bug who paid them a visit last week in the form of the Golden Gophers. Iowa sits a game behind the Spartans in the Legends Divisions standings. If Iowa can pull the upset at home again this week, they will have completed a miraculous comeback that will amazingly propel them into first place in the division. Prediction: Iowa 21 Michigan State 20

3. #20 Auburn @ #15 Georgia - 3:30 PM EST, CBS

Many people said Georgia was no longer a contender after they started the season 0-2. Now, the Bulldogs have rolled off 7 victories in a row and control their fate atop the SEC East. They can clinch the division with a win over Auburn and a Florida win over South Carolina (12 PM EST, CBS). The Dawgs will also be welcoming back standout freshman runningback Isaiah Crowell back from a one-game suspension. Auburn is rested and healed coming off a bye. Before that, the Tigers bounced back from a pounding at the hands of LSU to win 41-23 over Ole Miss. Prediction: Auburn 23 Georgia 20

2. TCU @ #5 Boise State - 3:30 PM EST, Versus

These two Mountain West heavyweight fighters have had some great bouts over the past few years. TCU's only losses this season are a 2 point loss the opening week to Baylor and a overtime loss to SMU. This year's version of the Horned Frogs does not have nearly as talented of a defense as past years. They are also missing Andy Dalton, who is now a leading candidate for NFL Rookie of the Year as the starting quarterback for the surprising Cincinnati Bengals. TCU has won 4 straight games and 21 consecutive against MWC opponents. However, the Horned Frogs will have a tough time pulling the upset on the blue turf at Bronco Stadium. Boise State hasn't lost a conference home game since 1998 (That is 13 years ago!). The Broncos are led by star quarterback Kellen Moore. Interestingly enough though, Moore hasn't thrown a touchdown pass in either of his last two games against TCU. Prediction: Boise State 41 TCU 24

1. #7 Oregon @ #4 Stanford - 8:00 PM EST, ABC

While last week's game of the week featured a defensive battle, these week's game of the week will almost certainly showcase an offensive explosion. In last year's matchup, Oregon came out victorious 52-31, largely due to LaMichael James, who ran for 257 yards and three touchdowns. Stanford has won 17 consecutive games since (the nation's best winning streak) and will counter with this year's Heisman hopeful Andrew Luck, who NFL scouts say might be the best prospect since Payton Manning came out of Tennessee. The offensive matchup should be a stellar one. Stanford's 48.2 ppg vs. Oregon's 46.0 ppg. Oregon's 510.67 ypg vs. Stanford's 505.78 ypg. The Cardinal are 9-0 (7-0 Pac-12), while the Ducks' (8-1, 6-0 Pac-12) only loss was a week one loss to #1 LSU. Will Andrew Luck's senior year run of luck continue, or will he be out of luck against the Ducks? Prediction: Stanford 48 Oregon 45

Yale Quarterback Witt at Cross Rhodes

Yale's senior quarterback Patrick Witt runs an effective pro style offense. Witt has no shortage of options in his life right now. He has a full time job offer from Boston Consulting Group on the table. He also has two others options, but unfortunately, they are both on November 19.

Yale plays rival Harvard at noon on that Saturday. Witt also has the prestigious offer of interviewing in Atlanta for a chance to be a Rhodes Scholar. His interview would take all day, as even if he had his first interview in the morning, he could be called back later in the afternoon.

Witt has had NFL scouts closely monitoring his games throughout the season. He is projected as a possible late round pick. Yale history professor Dr. John Merriman is very impressed by Witt's excelling academically and athletically. He said, "Patrick, he's the only I've known here that - male or female - that's really a great athlete and a great scholar."

Witt's family, friends, and teammates will support him no matter what he decides. He says he has had teammates tell him to go to the interview, and he has had professors tell him that he should play in the game.

If I had to make the decision, I would play in the football game because I made a commitment to the team. I would need to fulfill my duty to my teammates and try to lead them to victory the best I could.

What do you think Patrick Witt should do? Comment below and tell me what you think and why.

NBC Nightly News Article and Video: http://dailynightly.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2011/11/07/8681959-qbs-dilemma-harvard-game-or-rhodes-interview

Frazier's Bout with Cancer Might be Done, but his Legacy Will Live on Forever

Legendary boxer Smokin' Joe Frazier has died after one last fight. This one with liver cancer. Frazier is considered by many to be one of the greatest boxers of all time. Below are some of his amazing accomplishments:

• 32-4-1 (27 KO) as a professional
• World Heavyweight Champion from 1968-1973
• Won Heavyweight Gold Medal in 1964 Summer Olympics
• Defeated Muhammad Ali in the "Fight of the Century" in 1971

Frazier passed away at the age of 67.

Excellent article and video tribute can be read/seen here: http://espn.go.com/boxing/story/_/id/7206261/joe-frazier-former-heavyweight-champion-dead-67

Eli Manning Shines Again, Phillip Rivers Flops Again

With the first pick of the 2004 NFL Draft, the San Diego Chargers select Eli Manning. The Chargers decide later that they would rather Phillip Rivers, who was picked by the New York Giants. The two players were traded that day. Today, Manning (without his starting running back and leading wide receiver) proved once again why the Giants have been and still are the clear winners in this trade. Manning has the ring to prove it and led his team on amazing comeback in Foxborough to beat the Patriots once again.

The Patriots led 13-10 midway through the fourth quarter. Manning found Mario Manningham for the touchdown to put the Giants up 17-13. Tom Brady had the answer though hitting Ron Gronkowski for the 14 yard score. Pats lead 20-17 with 1:36 left. Eli Manning gets the ball on his 20. What does he do? He leads his team on a game-winning drive, capping it off with 1 yard pass to tight end Jake Ballard. The Giants now remain in control of the NFC East, with a solid 6-2 record (How did this team manage to lose at home to the Seahawks?).

Philip Rivers was coming off a performance where he basically single-handily lost the game on MNF last week (My take on that game is linked below.). How does he respond to start this game? He throws two pick-sixes in the first quarter! Are you kidding me? Despite Aaron Rodgers' stellar play, the Chargers somehow remain it. In the fourth quarter, Rivers completed two touchdown passes to wide receiver Vincent Jackson. The Packers lead is trimmed to 45-38 with 6:25 left in the game. The Chargers get the ball back with 1:05 remaining. They have a chance to tie it up. Chargers tight end Antonio Gates makes a big catch and then draws a pass interference call moments later. Two plays after, Rivers drops back to pass and throws his third interception of the game. The Packers take a knee and remain undefeated. All of the top three teams in the AFC West lost, so they now all remain tied for the division lead with abysmal 4-4 records.

People were ridiculing Eli Manning last year when he threw a career high 25 interceptions. Rivers has thrown 7 in his last 3 games this year. He has 14 total on the season through 8 games. As far as I can tell, Eli Manning is clearly a better quarterback than Philip Rivers. He has history, a Super Bowl ring, and his current play to prove it.

New York Daily News article (February 2008) discussing the fall out from the Manning-Rivers trade: http://articles.nydailynews.com/2008-02-10/sports/17891084_1_eli-manning-nick-kaeding-ernie-accorsi

My take on Philip Rivers' meltdown last week on MNF: http://fireawayblog.blogspot.com/2011/10/rivers-late-fumble-treats-chiefs-to.html

Sunday Review: Stumblers and Studs (Nov. 6th)

Never saw it coming for this weekend's stumbler.

#1 Boston College looked like they had a free game this past Saturday against a UMass Minutemen hockey squad with only one win on the year. Unfortunately, free games often become freak games.

Welcome to Amherst, City of Upsets.

UMass played Boston College hard all night long, taking a 1-1 tie into the third period. Once there, it took less than five minutes for Steven Guzzo to give the Minutemen the lead. And despite trading goals late in the period, Massachusetts held on to the lead, burying an empty-net goal to secure the 4-2 win over #1 BC.

 

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Ferris State was expected to win. But when everyone else in the top 10 is losing, kudos is given to the stud that FSU is proving themselves to be. 

#10 Ferris State (8-2-0) maintained a strong start to the season over a recently-struggling Bowling Green State hockey team. BGSU (4-5-1) started the season with a five game unbeaten streak; they have proceeded to drop their last five games.  The Falcons fell to Ferris by scores of 4-0 and 5-3.

Ferris State gets "stud" status for this week, despite having a weak schedule so far this year. Their competition has been less than mediocre, playing struggling squads from BGSU (5-game losing streak), Miami University (4-6-0, only two CCHA conference wins) and St. Lawrence (only one win [1-5-0]). 

It will be a statement weekend for the Bulldogs, as they face #11 Lake Superior State University in Big Rapids, MI this Friday/Saturday. Lake State is coming off a home-series split against Bemidji State.