Week 16 Pick'em

Lions @ Dolphins (-3.5)
Dolphins are out and the Lions are coming on strong.

vs Spread: Lions (+3.5)
Straight Up: Lions

Washington @ Jacksonville (-7)
No MJD?  I like the Skins to cover.

vs Spread: Skins (+7)
Straight Up: Jags

Niners @ Rams (-2.5)
Bradford and the Rams play well at home.  Time to put the Niners out of their misery.

vs Spread: Rams (-2.5)
Straight Up: Rams

Patriots @ Bills (+7.5)
Bills are playing inspired ball and I like them to cover.

vs Spread: Bills (+7.5)
Straight Up: Patriots

Jets @ Bears (-2.5)
Statement game for both teams.

vs Spread: Bears (-2.5)
Straight Up: Bears

Ravens @ Browns (+2.5)
Ravens need this much more than the Browns.

vs Spread: Ravens (-2.5)
Straight Up: Ravens

Titans @ Chiefs (-4.5)
Chiefs need to keep on winning.

vs Spread: Chiefs (-4.5)
Straight Up: Chiefs

Week 15 Pick'em

Chiefs @ Rams (-3)
Matt Cassel will be in the starting lineup and the team that runs the ball more effectively today should come out victorious.  This is a must win game for both teams playoff hopes because the Chargers are surging and the Rams are in the thick of things in the subpar NFC West.

Straight Up: Chiefs
vs Spread: Chiefs (+3)

Texans @ Titans (-1)
Matt Schaub's OT interception last Monday was one of the worst QB decisions I've ever seen.  Pump faking at the same receiver that you throw towards off your backfoot only seconds later?  Shockingly bad after how well he played in the second half.  The Titans don't have the offence to match though.

Straight Up: Texans
vs Spread: Texans (+1)

Jaguars @ Colts (-4.5)
The Colts aren't used to being in this situation, nor is this young Jags team.  The Colts and Manning are a different beast in the friendly confines of Lucas Oil Stadium.

Straight Up: Colts
vs Spread: Colts (-4.5)

Cardinals @ Panthers (-2.5)
Wait, a team with one win is favoured against a team with 4 wins?  C'mon man.

Straight Up: Cardinals
vs Spread: Cardinals (+2.5)

Browns @ Bengals (pick)
The battle of Ohio is between a team that is overachieving and one that is underachieving.  I'll take the home team in a coin flip.

Straight Up: Bengals
vs Spread: Bengals

Bills @ Dolphins (-5.5)
I give respect to the Bills for not folding and playing tough football lately.  It is a sign that Chain Gailey has command of the locker room.  The Fins are still in the wildcard race and should win a close one at home.

Straight Up: Dolphins
vs Spread: Bills (+5.5)

Eagles @ Giants (-3)
The Giants pass rush is a tough matchup for Vick.  The big key is going to be if the Eagles D can stop the Giants run game.  All the signs point to the Giants.  They are at home.  They run the ball very well.  But I have blind faith in #7.

Straight Up: Eagles
vs Spread: Eagles (+3)

Redskins @ Cowboys (-9.5)
The Rex Grossman Era may begin in Washington today.  The Cowboys are scoring at will, but are without Dez Bryant and Roy Williams today.

Straight Up: Cowboys
vs Spread: Redskins (+9.5)

Lions @ Bucs (-4)
The Bucs are for real and a home game against the Lions is a must win at this point in the season.

Straight Up: Bucs
vs Spread: Bucs (-4)

Saints @ Ravents (-2.5)
The Ravens secondary got exposed last Monday, and Drew Brees is playing extremely well as of late.

Straight Up: Saints
vs Spread: Saints (+2.5)

Falcons @ Seahawks (+6)
Michael Turner will touch the ball 30 times today if the conditions in Seattle are bad.  The Seahawks are as bad as the conditions should be.

Straight Up: Falcons
vs Spread: Falcons (-6)

Jets @ Steelers (-4)
The Jets have dropped their last 2 and have a very tough matchup in Pittsburgh.  The Steelers D is great at home and Sanchez has struggled lately.

Straight Up: Steelers
vs Spread:  Steelers (-4)

Broncos @ Raiders (-8)
It's Tebow time in Denver.  I think it's too early and I hope this doesn't derail Tebow's career but I expect him to struggle today.  I really hope he doesn't though.

Straight Up: Raiders
vs Spread: Raiders (-8)

Packers @ Patriots (-14.5)
The Packers are without Aaron Rodgers and will start Matt Flynn at Quarterback.  The Packers have their backs against the wall and everyone is writing them off tonight.  I expect the team to rally around Flynn and keep it closer than the spread, but they don't beat the Pats at home.

Straight Up: Patriots
vs Spread: Packers (+14.5)

Season Straight Up: 119-85
Season vs Spread: 88-110-6

Thursday Night Pick'em

Niners @ Chargers (-10)
The Niners are without their best player Patrick Willis.  Alex Smith played well last week but the Chargers are a different beast at home and, aside from the hiccup against the Raiders, have been playing exceptional football lately.

vs Spread: Chargers (-10)
Straight Up: Chargers

AFC REDZONE TEAM

It's that time of year.  Pro Bowl voting is well underway and with three games to go, the players have stated their case for the 2010 campaign.  The Redzone team is NOT my Pro Bowl picks, but rather the guys on offence or defence that I wan't lining up for me going into the 2010/11 NFL playoffs.

Starting Quarterback - Tom Brady

He has a quarterback rating of 109.9, has his team leading the AFC with a record of 11-2 and hasn't thrown an interception since October 17th.  How many people thought Brady's play would improve after the Patriots released Randy Moss?  In the words of John Gruden, 'he put on clinics against teams you're not supposed to be able to do that to' (Jets, Steelers, Bears).  He is the clearcut MVP of 2010 and with home games likely throughout the playoffs, it's hard to make an argument as to why they won't be in the Super Bowl.  

Backup Quarterbacks - Peyton Manning/Phil Rivers

Both these guys are the sole reason their teams are in the playoff hunt.  Manning has received a lot of criticism lately for his string of poor performances leading up to the Titans game.  Apparently when Peyton throws 4 interceptions, he also throws for 350 yards and 3 touchdowns.  He has been missing some of his best playmakers for most of the season and has still put up solid numbers.  Rivers has also been missing Vincent Jackson, and Antonio Gates has been banged up.  Oh, and these guys have absolutely zero running game to help them out.

Starting Running Back - Arian Foster

Leads the NFL in rushing (1,330), yards from scrimmage (1,834) and rushing touchdowns (13).  It really is a mystery as to why the Texans are not accumulating more wins with him in the backfield along with Matt Schaub and Andre Johnson.  The offence doesn't seem to be the problem, and Foster is a big reason why.  He is a big, physical back with great receiving ability and doesn't have to come off the field on 3rd down.

Backup Running Backs - Jamaal Charles/Maurice Jones-Drew

Charles might have been the starter if the Chiefs gave him more carries.  He is averaging a whopping 6.1 yards per carry and is also a big receiving threat out of the backfield.  Limiting his carries just might payoff if the Chiefs get into the playoffs because a well rested Charles could be extremely dangerous.  Mojo doesn't have a high average or a ton of touchdowns but he is the reason the Jags are in first place in the AFC south and is 2nd only to Foster in rushing yards.

Starting Wide Receivers - Reggie Wayne/Andre Johnson

A couple of boys from the U.  Reggie Wayne has been the one constant for Peyton Manning and has managed to thrive even facing double coverage.  Another guy who always faces double coverage is Andre Johnson, who has put up great numbers on a seriously injured ankle for most of the year.  

Backup Wide Receivers - Dwayne Bowe/Brandon Lloyd

Bowe doesn't have a ton of catches but considering this blog is called Redzone, he may be the MVP.  Bowe leads the league in receiving touchdowns (14) and is a monster in the redzone.  I was tempted to put Terrell Owens in here ahead of Lloyd because I believe his success is more a product of McDaniels system, but his stats are too good to deny him here.  

Starting Fullback - Lawrence Vickers

I'm sure Mike Tolbert will be in the Pro Bowl because he got so many carries this year but I'm picking my fullback based on what the position truly is.  A menacing blocker who paves the way for his ball carrier.  Peyton Hillis has been a monster this year but if you throw on the film, you frequently see him running over safeties.  That's because Vickers is busy pancaking the linebackers.

Starting Tight End - Antonio Gates

This is a no brainer.  Despite battling injuries all season, Gates is having a great year and has done so drawing triple coverage at times.

Backup Tight End - Marcedes Lewis

Lewis has put up similar numbers to other AFC Tight Ends but distances himself in the redzone registering 9 touchdowns.

Starting Tackles - Michael Oher/Joe Thomas

These two monsters are the cream of the crop and have the majority of their careers ahead of them.  They are a rare breed that excel in both pass protection and run blocking.  

Backup Tackle - Matt Light

Ryan Clady could be put in here based on name alone but Light has done a great job protecting Brady's blindside and keeping him upright has resulted in great things for the Pats.  He isn't great in the run game but he doesn't need to be a bulldozer in the Patriots offensive scheme. 

Starting Guards - Ben Grubbs/Ryan Lilja

Lilja has been great in his first season in Kansas City.  The Chiefs run game has been great this season and his ability to pull and make contact with linebackers is second to none.  Grubbs is a big, physical, in-line blocker who is shockingly agile in pass protection.  Had Logan Mankins not sat out most of the year, he would've been a lock based on how he has played lately.

Backup Guard - The Bills boys

Eric Wood and Andy Levitre have played exceptional this year despite the Bills brutal record.  Wood battled injuries as a rookie in 2009 and has come back and, along with Levitre, has established himself as a leader on the offensive line.  There isn't a lot to be optimistic about in Buffalo, but these two guys help.

Starting Centre - Nick Mangold

Mangold was by far the best centre in the league last season, but this year the gap wasn't as significant.  Guys like Maurkice Pouncey and Alex Mack have closed the gap, but Mangold still is the prototype NFL centre and his intelligence is a huge asset. 

Backup Centre - Alex Mack

Alex Mack was a highly touted draft pick last year and has lived up to the billing.  The browns have a great young O-line with him and Joe Thomas as the anchors. 

Starting Defensive Ends - Mario Williams/Dwight Freeney

Super Mario hasn't had an amazing year by his standards but is still a menace to deal with.  If the Texans can learn how to cover receivers, Williams will put up better numbers.  Teammate Robert Mathis has 0.5 more sacks, but Freeney is the more dangerous player off the edge.  

Backup Defensive End - Robert Mathis

Like Freeney, Mathis is extremely explosive and, although undersized, is one of the best pass rushers in the league.

Starting Defensive Tackles - Haloti Ngata/Vince Wilfork

Ngata and Wilfork are probably the two most powerful players in the NFL.  Wilfork is the ultimate space-eater and is instrumental the success of the Patriots 3-4 scheme.  Ngata, like Wilfork, demands a double team and physically dominates his opponents.  

Backup Defensive Tackle - Terrance Knighton

Knighton's emergence last season made John Henderson expendable.  He has continued to grow and is an outstanding run-stopper.  Him and rookie Tyson Alualu will control the middle of the Jags defence for years to come.

Starting Outside Linebackers - Cameron Wake/James Harrison

Wake is leading the NFL in sacks (14) and is very similar to Freeney in terms of explosiveness.  This guy is a physical freak whose dominance in the CFL translated to the NFL better than most.  Harrison, a former defensive MVP, has been fined a bunch this year for 'illegal' hits.  While only half of these hits should've drawn fines, he sets the tone for one of the most physical defences in the NFL.

Backup Outside Linebackers - Tamba Hali/Terrell Suggs

Hali is second in the AFC in sacks (11) and has really flourished since being moved to outside backer from end.  He is not as much of a liability in coverage as many thought he would be and he is as stout in the run game as he is rushing the passer.  Suggs has rebounded from an awful 2009 campaign and is back registering double digit sacks.  

Starting Inside Linebackers - Jerod Mayo/Ray Lewis

Up until a few games ago Mayo was setting a ridiculous pace for tackles in a season.  He is still leading the NFL with 148 tackles (12 more than the second placed player).  He doesn't have a lot of flashy stats such as sacks, interceptions or forced fumbles, but he is a tackling machine; exactly what you want from an inside linebacker.  Ray is fifth in the league in tackles and has 2 picks, 2 sacks and a touchdown so far this season.  The Ravens defence seems to have fallen off a bit this year but that is not due to Ray.

Backup Inside Linebackers - Stephen Tulloch/Paul Posluszny

Tulloch is having a great year for the Titans and is similar to Mayo in terms of production.  He is emerging as the new leader of the Titans D.  Posluszny is another one of those few shining lights in Buffalo.  If the Bills learn how to draft under Gailey then they have a nice core to build around (Levitre, Wood, Posluszny, Byrd, Spiller).

Starting Cornerbacks - Darrell Revis/Nnamdi Asomugha

I think McCourty will be in the Pro Bowl ahead of Revis due to his numbers, but that's why this isn't the Pro Bowl picks.  It's the Redzone team.  Revis was slowed early in the season with hamstring injuries but has regained his form and is a pure shutdown corner in the NFL.  If I'm picking one corner to have on my team right now, it's Revis.  If Revis is 1, then Asomugha is 1A.  He doesn't have the stats, but that's because teams refuse to throw on him.  He is right back in the discussion for best corner in the league.  

Backup Cornerbacks - Devin McCourty/Antonio Cromartie

As a rookie McCourty is leading the NFL in interceptions (6) and is the #1 corner on a defence that has developed into one of the league's best at this point in the season.  He is mature beyond his years and has received nothing but high praise from Belichick (whose opinion I think we can trust).  Cromartie has thrived in New York and his combination of height and speed is unmatched by any other corner in the league.  

Starting Free Safety - Michael Griffin

Griffin was a bit shaky in pass coverage against the Colts, but Peyton Manning tends to do that to players.  He has 90 tackles and 4 picks.  Solid production.

Starting Strong Safety - Troy Polamalu 

The difference in the way the Steelers D plays with him and without him is astronomical.  He is not only one of the more gifted athletes on the field, but he also has one of the highest defensive football IQ's in the league.  

Backup Safety - Eric Berry

For a rookie this guy has been great.  He covers well, ball hawks and helps in the run game.  Oh and he's a rookie. 

Return Specialist - Marc Mariani

Kicker - Dan Carpenter

NFC Squad will be released next week.

Week 14 Pick'em

Raiders @ Jaguars (-4)
The Jaguars have overachieved to this point in the season.  The Raiders put a beat down on a surging Chargers team last week.  Even though they are on the road, the Raiders can run the ball and stop the run, should be a low scoring affair.

vs Spread: Raiders (+4)
Straight Up: Raiders

Bengals @ Steelers (-8.5)
The Bungles are back.  They seem to play divisional opponents close though.

vs Spread: Bengals (+8.5)
Straight Up: Steelers

Browns @ Bills (pick)
Peyton Hillis is the perfect weapon against the weather in Buffalo.  The Browns have beaten some quality teams in the last 2 months and are superior to the Bills at this point.

vs Spread: Browns
Straight Up: Browns

Packers @ Lions (+7)
Packers have some tough games coming up and need this win to remain ahead in the Wild Card race.

vs Spread: Packers (-7)
Straight Up: Packers

Falcons @ Panthers (+7.5)
I said it last week, the Falcons are the best team in the NFC.

vs Spread: Falcons (-7.5)
Straight Up: Falcons

Bucs @ Redskins (+1.5)
After watching the way they played the Falcons last week I feel safe saying the Bucs are for real.  They are loaded with young talent on offence.

vs Spread: Bucs (-1.5)
Straight Up: Bucs

Rams @ Saints (-9)
The Saints have won 5 in a row and are hitting stride at the perfect time.  The Rams defence has been playing well and Stephen Jackson can neutralize the time of possession against anyone.

vs Spread: Rams (+9)
Straight Up: Saints

Seahawks @ Niners (-5)
PLAYOFFS?! We talkin 'bout the PLAYOFFS?!  How this game has playoff implications I'll never know but the Niners should ensure that parity remains in the god awful NFC West.

vs Spread: Niners (-5)
Straight Up: Niners

Patriots @ Bears (+3)
Short week, on the road, against a tough Bears defence.  One of the reasons Tom Brady was able to perform surgery on the Jets is that he had tons of time to throw.  The Bears can rush the passer with their front four.

vs Spread: Bears (+3)
Straight Up: Bears

Dolphins @ Jets (-5.5)
The Jets will bounce back after a crippling loss on Monday.

vs Spread: Jets (-5.5)
Straight Up: Jets

Broncos @ Cardinals (+4)
I'm interested to see how the offence runs in Denver without McDaniels.  The QB carousel in Arizona continues.

vs Spread: Broncos (-4)
Straight Up: Broncos

Chiefs @ Chargers (-10)
The Chargers should win at home, but this spread is way too much for a divisional game.

vs Spread: Chiefs (+10)
Straight Up: Chargers

Eagles @ Cowboys (+4)
The 'boys have returned to respectability since Jason Garrett took over.  The Eagles are in the playoff hunt and need this win more than the Cowboys do.  Mike Vick has been sensational.

vs Spread: Eagles (-4)
Straight Up: Eagles

Thursday Night Pick'em

Colts @ Titans (+4)
I expect a shootout in this one just like last week.  Manning should right the ship, but CJ wants to show the nation he is still a top back.

Straight Up: Colts
vs Spread: Colts (-4)

The hottest coach out there might be Josh McDaniels

Earlier today the Broncos made one of the worst managerial decisions of 2010.  They fired head coach Josh McDaniels after going 3-9 in his second season at the helm.  This means that they are now paying Mike Shanahan, McDaniels and whoever the hire for 2011.  Must be nice to have that kind of money.  Perhaps in the coming weeks we will learn more about Spygate 2.0 and whether or not that played a factor in his ultimate dismissal.  I tend to think this was more about wins and losses than some sort of film scandal, but the reality is McDaniels is a free agent, and their should be a number of teams lining up for his services.

McDaniels is an offensive coach by trade.  The Denver Broncos have the 11th ranked offence in the NFL at this point.  This is an offence that is run by Kyle Orton, Brandon Lloyd and Knowshon Moreno.  That is the same Kyle Orton that was mediocre at best in Chicago, and has played better every week since he was paired with McDaniels.  He has a QB rating of 93 so far this season and is 4th in total yards passing.  Brandon Lloyd is leading the league in yards receiving with 1,153.  That is the same Brandon Lloyd that had 2,370 yards receiving combined in his last 7 years in the league.  Knowshon Moreno has been coming on lately and is starting to live up to his billing.  McDaniels drafted him in the 1st round.

I was actually in the Cutler camp the day I heard about McDaniels' decision to trade him.  I thought Josh was over confident for a young coach and maybe cut his nose off to spite his face.  I have since come around and truly believe he should be the most courted coach that isn't currently employed by an NFL club.  Don't forget he was calling the plays when Tom Brady and Randy Moss shattered the single season records enroute to a 16-0 regular season.  Even if you hate his personality, you can't argue that he gets production out of guys that are short on talent (Brady and Moss excluded).  As an offensive coordinator he won't have the same influence on the personality of the team, but will provide a boost to production.

Off the top of my head, teams like San Fran, Cincinnati and Dallas all seem like interesting spots.  The Niners have underachieved on offence for the last few years and if they plan on drafting a quarterback, McDaniels might be a perfect mentor.  Carson Palmer could use someone to provide some direction with that offence and if the combination of two bright young offensive minds in Jason Garrett and McDaniels doesn't scare you, how 'bout when you put them in charge of Tony Romo, Dez Bryant, Miles Austin, Jason Witten, Roy Williams and Felix Jones.  The hurdle their would be that they are both OC's and may not want to co-run the offence.

Eric Mangini, Romeo Crennel and Charlie Weis all had varying amounts of success as head coaches, but they are damn good co-ordinators at the very least.  McDaniels will be no different.

Week 13 Pick'em

Bills @ Vikings (-5)
How significant is the injury to Adrian Peterson?  Percy Harvin is out. The Bills have played everyone competitive, including a 'Shoulda' win against the Steelers.

Straight Up: Vikings
vs Spread: Bills (+5)

Browns @ Dolphins (-6)
The Browns are another team that has been playing teams tough lately.  They matchup well against the Dolphins and can run the ball better than the Fins.

Straight Up: Dolphins
vs Spread:  Browns (+6)

Jaguars @ Titans (-3)
The Titans get Kerry Collins back under centre which should stabilize the offence.  Don't look now but the Jags are leading the AFC South.  Mojo has been piling up yardage as of late.

Straight Up: Titans
vs Spread: Jaguars (+3)

Broncos @ Chiefs (-8)
Handshake 2.0.  Will Todd Haley actually shake Josh McDaniels hand after this one?  He should because I expect them to win.

Straight Up: Chiefs
vs Spread: Broncos (+8)

Redskins @ Giants (-7.5)
Eli Manning and the Giants could use this division win to remain in the playoff hunt.  The Redskins are all but out of it and this should seal their fate.

Straight Up: Giants
Spread: Redskins (+7.5)

Bears @ Lions (+5.5)
The Bears are playing great defence and Jay Cutler is turning the ball over less as of late.  The Lions play everyone close and they had a 'shoulda' win earlier this season when they met and Calvin Johnson got his touchdown disallowed for not taking the ball home with him.

Straight Up: Bears
Spread: Bears (-5.5)

Niners @ Packers (-9)
The NFC West is a joke and the Packers should prove that today.  I like Troy Smith but not as much as I like Aaron Rodgers.

Straight Up: Packers
vs Spread: Packers (-9)

Saints @ Bengals (+7)
The Saints have themselves in great shape to make the wildcard.  The Bengals have squandered a talented roster once again.

Straight Up: Saints
vs Spread: Saints (-7)

Raiders @ Chargers (-13)
The Chargers are the hottest team in the league right now and haven't lost in November/December in 2 years.

Straight Up: Chargers
vs Spread: Chargers (-13)

Falcons @ Bucs (+3)
Falcons are the best team in the NFC, despite what Raheem Morris thinks.

Straight Up: Falcons
vs Spread: Falcons (-3)

Panthers @ Seahawks (-4.5)
C'mon Seattle...Pete Carrol can still get his team into the playoffs, but he needs to start winning these powderpuff home games.

Straight Up: Seahawks
vs Spread: Seahawks (-4.5)

Cowboys @ Colts (-5.5)
Manning needs this one.  At home he gets it.

Straight Up: Colts
vs Spread: Colts (-5.5)

Rams @ Cardinals (+3.5)
What a difference a year makes.  Last year the Cardinals had a star quarterback and the Rams had a QB by committee.

Straight Up: Rams
vs Spread: Rams (-3.5)

Steelers @ Ravens (-3)
What is the over/under on hits tonight that result in fines?

Straight Up: Steelers
vs Spread: Steelers (+3)