NFL Week 1 Game Predictions

As a regular feature this season, I thought it would be fun to predict the games each week.  I did pick every game in my season predictions but with the way things change from week to week I thought it relevant to do a weekly pick sheet as well. 

I’ll post my weekly predictions every week, before the first contest takes place.  Typically I’ll try and have the predictions up sometime on Saturdays for normal weeks, and of course earlier on those weeks with Thursday or Saturday games.  I’ll begin each week with a rundown how I fared the previous week and for the season

Thursday Night Game

Saints @ Packers

This should be a really fun game to get the season started, perhaps a preview of the NFC Championship game.  I’m expecting a good paced, fairly high scoring matchup.  Key Players: (Saints) Brees, Thomas, Ingram, Colston, Graham (Packers) Rodgers, Jennings, Finley, Driver, Nelson, Grant, Defense.  This game has the makings for a “whoever has the ball last wins” vibe to it.  However, with GB having an elite defense, I think that will become the biggest difference maker in this matchup.  PACKERS 38  SAINTS  28

Sundays Games

Falcons @ Bears

While I do think the bears will put a decent showing together, I’m much more interested in seeing how Atlanta looks this year.  Key Players: (Falcons) Ryan, Turner, White, Gonzalez, Jones, (Bears) Cutler, Forte, Peppers, Briggs, Urlacher, Williams.  I’m expecting a high scoring offense for the Atlanta this year.  They should be a pretty fun team to watch.  The Bears won’t be as bad as some are projecting, but it’s highly unlikely they repeat as Division champions.  That said I expect a closer score than many might think. FALCONS 31 BEARS 24

Bengals @ Browns

Outside of keeping up with the Cedric Benson legal tales and whether or not Carson Palmer decides to return, there’s not much to look forward to from the Bengals this year.  One thing to watch though is AJ Green, the 4^th overall pick in April’s Draft, who should come alive as the season progresses, but probably can’t expect much in his first.  Cleveland looks to be on the rise and should take this game rather easily.  Key Players: (Bengals) Dalton, Green, Benson (Browns) McCoy, Hillis, Cribbs.  The Haden Vs. AJ Green matchup should be interesting to keep an eye on as well.  BROWNS 21 BENGALS 13

Bills @ Chiefs

Not many expect much from Buffalo this year.  The Chiefs are the defending AFC West Champions.  The Bills couldn’t stop the run last year.  The Chiefs led the league in rushing.  Key Players: (Bills) Fitzpatrick, Johnson, Jackson, Merriman, Dareus (Chiefs) Cassel, Charles, Jones, Bowe.  Buffalo is much improved on defense though and KC did not impress me in the preseason.  I’m going for a big return out of Merriman in this one as he goes up against a banged up Chiefs QB.  BILLS 24 CHIEFS 17

Eagles @ Rams

There are lots of interesting angles to watch for in this game.  On the one hand you have the “Dream Team” in Philly.  On the other, a team that’s on the rise, that should compete for their division, that’s being led by an up and coming QB.  Key Players: (Eagles) Vick, McCoy, Jackson, Maclin, Defense (Rams) Bradford, Jackson, Sims-Walker, Hendricks.  Its’ just too much a test for the young Rams this week.  EAGLES 35 RAMS 21

Lions @ Buccaneers

This should be another fun game to watch.  The big question for Lions fans is “ Can Matthew Stafford stay upright and healthy for an entire season?”  Tampa surprised everyone last year and it can’t be expected to happen again.  Key Players: (Lions) Stafford, Johnson, Best, Defense (Buccaneers) Freeman, Blount, Williams, Winslow.  These teams seem to matchup well on paper, yet Detroit’s defense looks dominant, giving them the edge.  LIONS 31  BUCCANEERS 27

Titans @ Jaguars

This game won’t be pretty.  Lots of roster turnover in both cities.  Just this week Jacksonville waived their starting QB.  Just last week Tennessee saw their star RB first report to camp.  Key Players: (Titans) Hasselback, Johnson, Britt (Jaguars) MJD. I’m expecting a lot of wheels turning but not much ground gained in this one.  I’ll give it to Jacksonville seeing they’re at home, but really this one will go to whoever wants it more.  JAGUARS 16 Titans 13

Steelers @ Ravens

Here we have another marquis matchup, between division rivals, with excellent offenses and defenses. Key Players: (Steelers) Big Ben, Wallace, Ward, Mendenhall, Defense (Ravens) Flacco, Rice, Boldin, Evans, Defense.  This game will come down to whichever teams makes the fewest mistakes.  RAVENS 20 STEELERS 16 

Colts @ Texans

There’s lots of storylines with this game.  How will Kerry Collins fare in Peyton Manning’s offense?  Will Arian Foster play?  Will Austin Collie Play? How will Houston’s revamped defense look in live action?  Key Players: (Colts) Collins, Wayne, Clark, Addai, Defense (Texans) Schaub, Johnson, RB’s, Daniels, Defense.  They’re at home and not having your QB is too much too overcome most times, therefore I’ll take the Texans here.  TEXANS 42 COLTS 21

Panthers @ Cardinals

Here’s another game with a few storylines.  For Carolina it’s seeing Cam Newton’s first game, but also Rivera’s first game as a HC.  For Arizona it’s Kevin Kolb’s first game as the Cardinal’s starting QB.  It’s also interesting to see how Beanie Wells will handle the workload as the Arizona starting RB.  Key Players: (Panthers) Newton, Smith, Williams, Olsen, Stewart, Shockey (Cardinals) Kolb, Wells, Fitzgerald.  Having to travel across the country, having a rookie QB in his first game ever and going against a defense that’s ranked pretty consistently over the past few years appears to be too much for Carolina to overcome in this game.  CARDINALS 21 PANTHERS 10

Vikings @ Chargers

I just have a bad feeling about this game.  As much as I like Donovan McNabb I can’t sell this move working out for him or the Vikings.  Lacking at the WR position, having an aging offensive line and one of your premier defensive stars suspended are just three of the pieces going against Minnesota.  Key Players: (Vikings) McNabb, Peterson  (Chargers) Rivers, Matthews/Tolbert, Jackson, Gates, Defense.  Oh yeah, I think the Chargers are going to kill people this year.  CHARGERS 49 VIKINGS 12

Seahawks @ 49’ers

This is another game I won’t be watching.  Seattle won their division last year with a losing record.  They let their starting QB leave town, replacing him with two third string guys.  The 49’ers won’t be that good either but have upside to them, which includes a pretty decent RB and a not too shabby defense. Key Players: (Seahawks) Lynch, Miller (49’ers) Gore, Edwards, Crabtree, Defense.  49’ERS 13 SEAHAWKS 6

Giants @ Redskins

This is yet another of the lower rated games this week.  Washington is not in NY’s class, however with a myriad of defensive injuries the playing field is somewhat leveled.  Key Players: (Giants) Manning, Nicks, Bradshaw/Jacobs, Manningham (Redskins) Hightower, Moss. This game comes down to QB play.  Eli Manning is easily 10x the signal-caller that Rex Grossman is, however he does make costly mistakes and has looked terrible in the preseason.  That all said I just can’t pick the Redskins until they show me something.  They could win, it won’t shock me if they do, I’m just not going to say they will. GIANTS 17 REDSKINS 13

Sunday Night Game

Cowboys @ Jets

This should be a fun game to watch.  There’s a few storylines to pay attention to.  What Cowboys receiver will spend the night on Revis Island?  Will NY allow their young QB to sling the rock around to his talent receiving corps, or will they be nothing more than glorified decoys, hoping to assist the running game?  Key Players: (Cowboys) Romo, Jones, Austin, Bryant, Witten, Ware (Jets) Sanchez, Mason, Burress, Holmes, Greene, LT, Keller, Defense.  I’m probably going completely against the grain with this pick but I just have a feeling that Dallas steals this one.  COWBOYS 14 JETS 13

Monday Night Games

Patriots @ Dolphins

By the time the second game gets going this one should be well in hand.  I can’t find anything interesting to say about Miami, except perhaps that Brandon Marshall has looked really good in preseason and how Reggie Bush will be used.  New England is a premier team and shows no sign of coming back to earth.  Key Players: (Patriots) Brady, RB’S, Ochocinco, TE’s, Defense (Dolphins) Marshall, Bush, Bess.  PATRIOTS 56 DOLPHINS 3

Raiders @ Broncos

I doubt this one will entice too many East Coast viewers to watch the entire game.  I expect both teams to be pretty bad this year.  Only storyline I can think of is that both teams have new HC’s.  In addition each time has a one-time elite college QB buried on their depth charts, Pryor because of suspension and Tebow because they like Orton and Quinn better right now.  Key Players: (Raiders) Campbell, McFadden (Broncos) Orton, Lloyd.  DENVER 19  RAIDERS 10

Fantasy Football League Week One Predictions

 Fantasy Football Week 1 Matchups

1.            LeGarrettesBlountWrap Vs. Blood & Thunder

There’s too much power for Blood & Thunder to overcome here.  With Foster looking like he’ll sit B & T will have to rely on his stud receivers, who get negated by LGBW’s QB’s throwing them the ball. Would need perfect storm to pull this one out.  LGBW  122   B & T  89

2.            Deadliest Catch Vs. Iron Pigs

Bad Matchups for the Iron Pigs.  Decent ones for DC. 

DC 105  Iron Pigs 90

3.            6 Wide Vs Mission Repeat

Close one but I’m not going to bet against 6 Wide where Vick could put up 30 and his receivers are not getting the love they deserve this week.  6 WIDE 114  Mission: Repeat  111

4.            Clean Slate Vs. Cinderella Story

Tough one to pick, as anything can happen.  You have lots of these players on both teams that can be feast or famine.  I’m going to go out on a hunch, on the basis that I feel Fitzpatrick will light KC up on Sunday and I really like Lloyd Vs. Oakland. Clean Slate 98   Cinderella Story 92

5.            F&^% Philly Vs. Manning Vs. Food

Without a roster filled in I can’t pick MVF here.  But even with considering the players out there still, I can’t come up with a scenario he wins.  FP 93  MVF 74

6.            Repeal Obama Vs. 7 QB’s Deep

This should be a good matchup to keep an eye on.  RO has 5 guys with chances for really nice production.  7 QB’s has 5 as well, but one of those is a kicker so I’m going with RO here, in an ultra-competitive game.  Repeal 98  7QB’s 97

Fantasy Football League Draft Results & Rankings

When i created the logos LeGarrettesBlountWrap was called Skavemaster.

12 years ago, a group of fraternity brothers started a fantasy football league.  A few of the names have changed over the years, but the principle of good friends, football and the right to talk smack has continued to this day.

Last Saturday we held our annual draft.  Keeping the draft as an event has always been one of the focal points of the league.  It gives the guys a chance to depart their everyday lives, albeit for a day.  It gives all a chance to catch up with the goings-on in each other’s lives, face to face and not in a chat box on a computer screen.

This write up is a review of the draft.  Some of the players will undoubtedly change by the time the opening kick-off takes place.  Rosters will change routinely as the year goes on, as everyone tries to put their team in the best possible chance at achieving the ultimate bragging rights, a Championship.

We run a 12 team, non-PPR (points per reception) league, with two starting QB’s, 3 WR’s, 2 RB’s, 1 TE, 2 Flex spots (WR/RB) & (WR/TE), 1 Kicker and 1 Team Defense (Special Teams are not included in D stats), and 4 bench roster spots.

Teams

Skavemaster (since changed to LaGarettesblountwrap)

QB’s  Josh Freeman, Tony Romo, Tarvaris Jackson

WR’s Brandon Marshall, Austin Collie, Anquan Boldin, Johnny Knox, Michael Crabtree, Mike Thomas

RB’s   Jamal Charles, Legarrette Blount, Chris Johnson, Darren Sproles,

TE’s   Kellen Winslow

K       Josh Brown

D       Atlanta

6 Wide

QB’s  Michael Vick, Kevin Kolb, John Beck

WR’s Dwayne Bowe, Roddy White, Reggie Wayne, Mario Manningham, Kenny Britt

RB’s   Jahvid Best, Danny Woodhead, Michael Bush, Thomas Jones

TE’s   Jermichael Finley, Todd Heap

K       Matt Bryant

D       Philadelphia

F#$%^ Philly

QB’s  Mark Sanchez, Sam Bradford, Cam Newton

WR’s Dez Bryant, Jordan Shipley, Andre Johnson, Brian Hartline, Plaxico Burress, Randy Moss

RB’s   Matt Forte, Joseph Addai, Ladainian Tomlinson

TE’s   Rob Gronkowski

K       David Akers

D       NYJ

Deadliest Catch

QB’s  Ben Roethlisberger, Matt Hasselbeck

WR’s Santonio Holmes, Jeremy Maclin, Sidney Rice, Jordy Nelson, Hines Ward

RB’s   LeSean McCoy, Tim Hightower, Michael Turner, Cedric Benson, Mark Ingram, Ronnie Brown

TE’s   Dallas Clark

K       Nate Kaeding

D       San Diego

Manning VS. Food

QB’s  Eli Manning, Peyton Manning, Drew Brees

WR’s Santana Moss, Pierre Garcon, Danny Amendola, Mike Wallace, Derrick Mason

RB’s   Ahmad Bradshaw, Fred Jackson

TE’s   Vernon Davis

K       Empty

D       Empty

3       Empty Roster Spots

Cinderella Story

QB’s  Tom Brady, Donovan McNabb

WR’s DeSean Jackson, Lance Moore, Deion Branch, Mike Williams(SEA), Steve Smith(CAR), Terrell Owens

RB’s   BenJarvus Green-Ellis, Frank Gore, Jonathan Stewart, Ricky Williams

TE’s   Jason Witten, Antonio Gates

K       Stephen Gostkowski

D       Baltimore

Clean Slate

QB’s  Ryan Fitzpatrick, Matt Cassel, Andy Dalton, Luke McCown

WR’s Wes Welker, Brandon Lloyd, Lee Evans, Roscoe Parrish, Donald Driver, Braylon Edwards

RB’s   Adrian Peterson, Steven Jackson, Jerome Harrison

TE’s   Marcedes Lewis

K       Dan Carpenter

D       Pittsburgh

Mission Repeat

QB’s  Kyle Orton, Aaron Rodgers

WR’s Larry Fitzgerald, Malcolm Floyd, Davone Bess

RB’s   Peyton Hillis, Ray Rice, Knowshon Moreno, Montario Hardesty, Roy Helu, Willis McGahee

TE’s   Jared Cook, Brandon Pettigrew

K       Billy Cundiff

D       Chicago

Iron Pigs

QB’s  Jay Cutler, David Garrard, Matt Schaub, Jason Campbell

WR’s Vincent Jackson, Percy Harvin, Chad Ochocinco, Marques Colston

RB’s   Felix Jones, Rashard Mendenhall, Ryan Matthews, Reggie Bush, Daniel Thomas

TE’s   Dustin Keller

K       Sebastian Janikowski

D       New England

Repeal Obama

QB’s  Matt Ryan, Alex Smith, Chad Henne

WR’s Calvin Johnson, Greg Jennings, Robert Meachem, Steve Smith(PHI), Emmanuel Sanders

RB’s   Darren McFadden, Shonn Greene, Beanie Wells, Marshawn Lynch, James Starks

TE’s   Aaron Hernandez, Tony Gonzalez

K       EMPTY

D       NY Giants

7 QB’s DEEP

QB’s  Phillip Rivers, Joe Flacco, Colt McCoy

WR’s Hakeem Nicks, Mike Sims-Walker, Kevin Walter, Julio Jones, Jacoby Ford

RB’s   Ryan Grant, DeAngelo Williams, Brandon Jacobs, C.J. Spiller, Mike      Tolbert

TE’s   Visanthe Shiancoe

IR      Mikel LeShoure

K       Neil Rackers

D       Green Bay

Blood & Thunder

QB’s  Matthew Stafford, Rex Grossman, Kerry Collins

WR’s Miles Austin, Mike Williams(TB), Stevie Johnson, Nate Burleson, AJ Green, Roy Williams

 RB’s  Arian Foster, Maurice Jones-Drew, Pierre Thomas, Ben Tate

TE’s   Jimmy Graham

K       Mason Crosby

D       San Francisco

Just for a little fun I always do a Post-Draft, Preseason rankings, so this year won’t be any difference.

1.            Legarrettesblountwrap-   A strong initial lineup, hard to argue with what’s been put together so far.  Yet, just bear in mind, something always goes wrong for this team.  It’s almost as if Karma or some other force has caught up with him.  That or he’s been cursed.  But for this moment, bask in the glory of your odds-on-favorite.

2.            6 Wide-     With Vick, Bowe, White, Wayne and Finley tough to make a case against.  However, this teams downfall could be at the RB spot, a crew led by Best and Woodhead might need some help.  Although, to quote the manager, “Running Backs are overrated!”

3.            IRON PIGS-       Loaded backfield, 2 WR studs and a potential QB stud in Schaub.  Well rounded team.

4.            BLOOD & THUNDER-  While lacking severely in the QB position, an overall well-rounded talent pool.  2 Stud RB’s, 2 Stud Wr’s and another potential stud in Stevie Johnson, a Stud TE and a potential Stud at QB in Matt Stafford.  Only problem I see is depth.  This team, if healthy, will vie for playoff positioning, but one or two injuries it could be vying for last place.

5.            Deadliest Catch-         Pains me to rank this team so high, seeing they’ve been a nemesis over the years for me.  Yet, while appearing shallow at WR (with only Maclin and Holmes) and QB (with Big Ben), the backfield is pretty dominant.  McCoy and Turner are studs, Benson is going to get an overflow of carries in that situation over in Cinci and I really like what I’m seeing out of Tim Hightower.

6.            Repeal Obama-  Really struggled with # 5 and #6.  I love Jennings and Megatron at WR, and really like the potential at RB here (with RunDMC, Greene, Bean and Lynch).  I’m probably undervaluing Matt Ryan, so a case for # 5 can be argued.

7.            F&^% Philly-     This isn’t your typical team, it’s value isn’t found in star powered names. I put them at #7 because of potential.  I can see Bryant and Burress and now with Peyton M. down Addai producing much more than expected prior.  I love Bradford and A.J. and Forte could produced #1 numbers as well

8.            Mission Repeat-          4 Studs and some really nice TE’s place them just a notch above the team at #9

9.            7 QB’s Deep-     Not going to find much better at QB than Rivers and Flacco.  Nicks is top 7 at WR.  MSW has serious potential with Bradford, and a RB committee that one or 2 of which will produce very well.

10.        Cinderella Story- This is a team that I really like, however I just don’t like the situations a lot of his players are in.  Brady, D-Jax, Gore and Gates will get it done.  But Moore, Branch, Law Firm are all in crowded situations.  Stewart earned the starting job but Carolina resigned D-Will, who was given the job by new coach Rivera and stuck with a Rookie QB.  This team has top 5 potential if all cylinders click.

11.        Clean Slate-       Another potential, potential, potential situation. Fitzpatrick can be very good, but not sure he can carry the Qb’s, Cassel is fine, but in a run first scheme.  Will Lloyd return to last years #’s?  Signs point to yes, but that’s the only time in his career he’s ever produced.  Welker’s a ppr guy, which we don’t play, and Evans may finally be used right, but we’ll have to see.  AP & S-Jax is a nice 1-2 punch in the backfield, and TE value drops with lack of signal caller.  If all things click, playoffs a possibility still.

12.        Manning VS Food- Team was filling out nicely but extenuating circumstances came crashing down and left his team hollow.  But there are still some guys out there, and on any given week… 

Underlaying of Blueprint

Truck Passing Rocky Highway

Haven't had the opportunity to post anything here for a couple days.  Not sure when i'll get the time to do anything meaningful.  been a bit out of it past couple days.  Hopefully I'll get out to a show or have time to either paint or review a couple albums or books I've been meaning to do.  Anyhow, I just whipped this up.  The thought was that I wanted to do a drawing of a truck kicking up rocks as it passed a freeway.  I wanted to draw it as a child would.  Anyhow, just something to pass the void.  Thanks.

Sqwerm Logo Ideas page 1

Someone told me I should get a logo and ditch the little blogger symbol. Anyhow, thought I post them as I come up with ideas.  Probably be a while before I get one I actually like.  I kind of like the 1st one, but they say you'll know it when you see it.  Anyhow, pretty much all I have today.  If I get a few minutes later I'll probably go see The Debt and put something up tonight or in the morning, if not probably won't get a review done until sometime next week.  Otherwise it'll be more of whatever strikes my fancy.

Crayontastic

Just playing around with some crayons today.  Originally started this piece out with the idea of Russian Dolls in mind.  As I was playing around I thought about continuing on that line of thought but altering the shapes of the outer shells, then place them in some kind of futuristic, yet primitive garden.  Finally I scrapped the whole garden idea, I didn't like the way the crayons made it all look, probably because I'm not that great with crayons, but I kept these odd mushroom looking pieces, but there not really supposed to be mushrooms, I was aiming for those lawn lights that pop up out of the ground as it gets dark.  Anyhow, just playing around with crayons today.