Top 10 Packers' Losses

By: Joe DiGerolamo

Sundays loss to the 1 win Lions really got me thinking. It got me asking myself one question: Does anybody lose more heartbreaking games than the Green Bay Packers? After hours of traveling down a very depressing and painful road with my good friend, Jack Daniels, I realized that no... nobody loses like the Green Bay Packers. Now because I am a glutton for punishment, I’ve decided to breakdown the top 10 Packer losses in my lifetime. As they say, “misery enjoys company” so come read along with me.

1. 1. 
      
2. 10. January 4, 2003 - Falcons @ Packers NFC Wild Card Playoffs

I hate Michael Vick. Always have, always will. The fact that he is the first quarterback ever to come into Lambeau Field during the post season and beat the Packers is really a disturbing fact. The Packers were held scoreless in the first half as they went into halftime down 24-0 which is just embarrassing. Justice would later be served however as Vick and the Falcons would lose to the Eagles in the NFC Championship. 

9. November 15, 2015 - Lions @ Packers Week 10

What a nightmare. I’m 23 years old and this is the first time in my life that the Lions came into Lambeau and won. What a classic Packers loss too. They caught a ton of breaks and had you really believing they could beat a 1 win team at home until the inevitable happened and they blew it. First, we get 2 missed PATs from Matt Prater. Then, we get the Justin Perillo TD to bring the game within 2 points but the conversion unsuccessful. Game over right?! Nope. The onside kick bounces right off of Megatron’s hands and the Packers recover! The Packers drive down field into field goal range for Mason Crosby! They’re gonna do it! Ball is snapped, kick is up and its BLOCKED! Not by the Lions, but by holder Tim Masthay! LOL 

8. January 10, 2010 - Packers @ Cardinals NFC Wild Card Playoffs

This one wasn’t as heartbreaking as some of the others but its a tough loss because it was such a fun game to watch. An absolute shootout in the desert which saw Aaron Rodgers throw for 423 yards and 4 TDs and Jermichael Finley showed all that potential that we always heard about recording 159 receiving yards. GB Puts up 21 in the 4th to tie it and take it to OT. In extras, Rodgers over throws a wide open Greg Jennings who would have strolled into the end zone and would have sent the Pack to the next round. A play later, Rodgers drops back, fumbles and its returned to the end zone for a Arizona TD and ball game. Devastating way to lose as is, but then on the replay we see that Cardinals DB Michael Adams had a face full of Rodger’s facemask and there was no flag. Cardinals go to New Orleans, Green Bay goes home. 

7. January 15, 2012 - Giants @ Packers NFC Divisional Playoffs

Nothing is as humbling as when a 15-1 team doesn’t win a single playoff game. Thats what happened in 2011, the year after the Packers won the Super Bowl. Everyone in Packerland was overlooking the Giants and pretty much stamped their ticket to back to back Super Bowls. Eli Manning had other ideas as he marched right into Lambeau and beat the tar out of the Packers. It was one of those games that even though there was still plenty of time left and the score was close you knew the game was over at the half. The final nail in the Packers coffin happened with 4 seconds left in the half. Eli throws a hail mary to Hakeem Nicks which is caught. The Packers shouldn’t have even came out for the 2nd half. 

6. September 24, 2012 - Packers @ Seahawks Week 3

This could very easily be the top game on this list but I decided to put it at 6. Hands down the most embarrassing moment in Monday Night Football history. The night that Roger Goodell went from clueless putz to a full blown diabolical villain. This was the night where Roger whipped out his 2 inch pecker and pissed all over the Shield. If you recall the NFL refs were on strike so the NFL decided to hire total amateurs to replace them. Each game on the NFL slate to this point had countless bad calls and a billion penalties. On the final play of the game, Wilson rolls out, throws a duck towards the end zone, Golden Tate pushes Sam Shields 10 yards and its still intercepted by MD Jennings. After the interception, Tate rips the ball out of Jennings hands and that coward, Lance Easley throws his hands up to signal a touchdown. Don’t worry though, its under review, they have to overturn it, right!?!? WRONG! Touchdown Seattle. Unbelievable. The worst part of all of this garbage was that loser Goodell stood by the decision! Its wild that even though the replacement refs “made the correct call” that by the next Sunday the strike was over and the real refs were back. If you are reading this Roger, I hate you. 

5. 2012 - 2013, all 4 games vs. San Francisco 

I couldn’t pick one. Each game played between GB & San Fran from 2012 - 2013 was a total train wreck. The worst part is, they were pretty much all the same game. Kaepernick runs all over the Packers D, they look clueless, have no idea how to stop it, then implode on the sidelines. Colin really owes Dom Capers some millions. Without him, he wouldn’t have gotten that monster deal and without Colin, I’d be a much happier person. 

4. 2009 vs. Brett Favre & The Vikings

Another time where I can’t pick one. Both games were just awful. It was tough enough seeing the greatest player in Packers history wearing that disgusting, purple jersey but then he straight up kicked the Packers ass both times they played. We all know the story, Favre retired, then unretired, Packers went with Rodgers, traded Favre to the Jets, he retires again, unretires again and signs with the Vikings for revenge and gets it. (sidenote: just realized I put this game at  #4... get it? #4, like Favre’s jersey number) Thankfully, the next season the Packers would beat Brett and the Vikes both times and would win the Super Bowl. Favre retired for good and is getting his jersey retired with the Packers next week, so all is good with Brett and the Packers :-)

3. January 11, 2004 - Packers @ Eagles NFC Divisional Playoffs

This might not be a top 3 game for all other Packer fans out there but for me it definitely is because of where I live. As a south Jersey native, I’m in the heart of Eagle country aka 90% of the people I associate with are Eagle fans. I remember it like it was yesterday, the Packers were rolling up 14-0. Our boy Robert Ferguson caught a touchdown which is just bananas if you think about it cause he had 13 career TDs in 8 years. I was feeling good. Then the Eagles battled back but time was running out. Late in the 4th on 2nd down McNabb gets sacked, bringing up 3rd and 26. A McNabb incompletion and here comes 4th and 26. We got this. No way they convert this! All the Packers have to do is not give up 26 yards! McNabb drops back and finds a WIDE OPEN Freddy Mitchell in the middle of the field. FREDDY FN MITCHELL!!! First down, Eagles. The rest is history. Eagles score, take it to OT, Packers win the toss, Favre throws an interception that looked like a punt and Akers drills a field goal that knocks Green Bay out of the playoffs and sends a 12 year old Joey Units, to his bedroom to cry himself to sleep. 

2. January 20, 2008 - Giants @ Packers NFC Championship

I don’t even know what to put for this one. It was just so bad. This was one of my favorite Packer teams of all time and they had such a brutal ending. It was looking great for GB. Game in Lambeau where its like -200 degrees, Coughlin’s face almost fell off, Favre vs. Eli, hellllooooo SUPER BOWL!!! JKJKJK. The Giants hang tough and take it to OT where the Packers have the ball. It could have been a storybook ending to the career of #4.  He could have gone down the field, threw a game winning TD and could have been the 1 in 18-1 in Arizona when he beats the Patriots and could have rode off into the sunset as Super Bowl MVP. INSTEAD, he throws an INT to Corey Webster and Lawerence Tynes bangs home a field goal to send the Giants to the Super Bowl. Now, Eli is the 1 in 18-1, not Brett. 

1. January 18, 2015 - Packers @ Seahawks NFC Championship

The cool thing about this game is that it literally can’t get any worse. This is it. Nothing will ever be as bad as this game. Just can’t lose a worse game. Not possible. It was one of those times where I didn’t want to celebrate until it was an absolute lock because I just had a bad feeling all day long. I was going to go over every single back breaking play of this game but I started to write it and got really depressed. I remember getting 2 text messages, one from my brother and one from my good friend, Mike Rodgers, both messages were about the same. “Congrats on the Super Bowl Units!” I didn’t respond because I just knew... the Packers are losing this game. Then what do you know, fake field goal, onside kick botched by Brandon Bostick, Wilson TD and successful 2 point conversion, Seattle wins the toss and Wilson throws a game winner to absolute crush me.

So that's it. I don’t want to write anymore. This blog has ruined my night. I hope you enjoyed it atleast. 

Welcome Back

Out of Our League is officially back! Be on the look for our first couple of podcasts being released on Monday October 5th and written pieces should be up weekly. But for now welcome back, buds. 

A Random Assortment of (Crazy; Possibly Delusional) Opinions Concerning College Basketball

Derek DeNote

Hoov has been politely pestering me to write an article for quite some time because, to be frank, I’m the real genius behind Out of Our League. But, with my busy schedule, I haven’t really had the time to write or even to think of something to write about. But now I’ve decided to dedicate one hour to OoOL, and you’ll read (and probably enjoy) this.

Why, JoJo, why?!

1. Since it’s almost Thanksgiving or possibly past Thanksgiving (depending on when Hoov gets around to putting this up) let’s be thankful for something. I’m thankful that Roy Williams is not at the helm of my college basketball team. I think I am officially able to say that he is the worst coach that has ever won two National Championships, which is probably more of a compliment than a disrespectful statement. I’m not saying Belmont is bad team, but when you’re one of the most prestigious basketball programs in NCAA history, you should be able to handle Belmont on your home court pretty easily. And that’s not all! How about an 8 seed last year in the tournament and not even getting to the Sweet Sixteen? And then the preseason scandal surrounding one of their best players?  Has North Carolina lost all accountability? And to further support my idea of Roy Williams’s worth (or lack thereof), just watch him on the sidelines. I think he’s pondering why JoJo’s comeback never escalated to anything instead of why he’s wasted lottery talent in James Michael McAdoo.

   

   Quinn Cook may not be dishing out a ton of turnovers,
   but his opponents frequently get their just-desserts. LAUGH!

2. Quinn Cook and Jabari Parker are one dangerous combination. Not so fast my friends! I don’t mean a dangerous combination for Dukes opponents. I mean a dangerous combination for Duke and quite possibly detrimental to their season.  I’m not sure where to start here, so I’m going to start with the guy I’d take first in the upcoming NBA Draft, Jabari Parker. He’s good (bold statement). I think he’s without a doubt the best of the big three in this class, but I think Duke is going to suffer from Austin Riversism. (The great thing about a blog is you can make words up and it doesn’t really matter) Austin Riversism is when a team, particularly Duke, has a player that it depends on entirely too much. This Duke team is absolutely loaded with talent, so Jabari (we’re on a first name basis) doesn’t need to put the team on his back. Rodney Hood or Rasheed SULAIMON could be the best player on the vast majority of BCS-level teams. Duke needs to go back to their team basketball and stop giving the ball to Jabari at the top of the key and watching him take stepbacks.  Okay, now onto Quinn Cook. I do not understand Coach K’s love fest for Cook at all. People that don’t watch them play and just glance at the box score must think I’m doing some hardcore drugs, considering he’s only averaging slightly more than 1 turnover per game. But if you take into account the ridiculous amount of shots he takes that leads to easy buckets that number probably skyrockets around to 4 or 5. Also, he can slap the floor all he wants, but if his guy continues to get paint touches (what Buzz Williams likes to call them) then it’s really not intimidating anyone.
3. I can’t really think of a third thing to write here, so let’s just bash the ACC as a collective bunch. The supposed to be best conference in basketball had a rough weekend.  North Carolina goes down to Belmont  (and before you ask, yes. I realized I already wrote an incoherent paragraph about this two points ago, but I want to reiterate it).  Virginia goes down to an VCU, an Atlantic 10 school albeit a very good one, but still a non-BCS. (And before you ask, yes. I realized this wasn’t this past weekend, but nonetheless should still be brought to everyone’s attention).  Notre Dame went down to Indiana State at home, but don’t forget ND went down to the Hawks of Saint Joeseph’s last year and Mike Brey still had them ready for the Big East tourney. My guess Brey will have them ready for the Big Ea-goddamnit the ACC tournament this year. Maryland went down to an Oregon State team that just suffered defeat by Coppin State, so using the transitive property of inequality, Coppin State is better than state-foe Maryland (Goddamn Nystrom would be proud of that usage and, before you ask, yes. I realized Oregon State was missing their best player and I’m only like 10% serious when I say Coppin State is better than Maryland). Needless to say Boston College has been kind of a letdown. All the hype coming into the season and they’ve already suffered defeats from A10 foe, UMASS, Big East contender, Providence and lastly the basketball power of Ohio-Toledo. That seat might be getting a little hot, Steve. And lastly, Syracuse got into a barnburner with St. Francis. Yes, a win is a win, but when you barely escape from a team that offered me a basketball scholarship, you have to re-evaluate yourself. (Them offering me a basketball scholarship may or may not be a complete lie, you can determine that for yourself)

Well there are my three crazy opinions about college basketball so far. I hope they’re not so delusional that you stop reading, but hey if you do, then I won’t have to continue to write these!

Tip-Off: Thoughts, Predictions, etc. on the Eve of College Basketball

Matt Hoover

It’s been a hot minute since anyone has posted anything of significance here on Out of Our League. (I’m ignoring Derek and Joe’s woeful attempt to pick football games. I’m trying to forget about the hundred or so dollars that the Straight Cash Homie Locks of the Week ended up costing me.) But today is a new day. Really, though, it’s not just any new day; it’s College Basketball Eve. In case you've yet to catch on, NCAAM is sort of our thing here at OoOL. In reality, we're more of a college basketball blog than a sports blog. So luckily for us and for you, it is, once again, our season to shine! Here are a few things to keep in mind as we set off down the road to JerryJonesville and this year’s Final Four...

Coach Cal is excited for the nation to witness the power
of this fully-armed and operational Kentucky squad. 

1. The Year of the Juggernaut? My intuition might be way out of whack, but, to me, it feels like this year’s top teams are all completely, completely loaded. Darth John Calipari, Dark Lord of the Wildcats, has mustered what many are considering to be the most talented group of players ever assembled in the history of college basketball down in Lexington. Tom Izzo is returning the entire Appling-Harris-Payne trio as well as many supporting cast members from last season’s impressive Sweet 16 run (which could have easily been an Elite 8 run in any of the other tournament regions. As you'll recall, the Midwest was brutal.) up at Michigan State. Freshman Jabari Parker and Mississippi State transfer Rodney Hood will make K’s Dukies absolutely loaded at the wings. Defending champions Slick Rick and the Ville return a ton of players from their deep team last year and figure to compete for the trophy again this season. Additionally, Slick Rick and the Ville has all the makings of an outstanding band name. If anyone is in the market for a band name, contact me and we'll hammer out some sort of agreement. I haven't even mentioned Kansas, Arizona, Ohio State, Syracuse, or Michigan yet, and there’s a strong argument that any one of those teams could make a deep, deep run in March. It feels like a very top-heavy group of teams. I’m sure it will be a season full of surprises as usual, but there is a ton of talent all over the college basketball landscape this year, particularly at the top.

2. Post-Tourney Pressure. The trajectory on which a few good games in a NCAA Tournament can launch your college basketball career is absurd and unprecedented throughout team sports. Mitch McGary, a 6-10 hustle player (read: white and unathletic) who averaged 7.5 points per game for Michigan last season, is a Preseason First Team All-American pick because he played out of his God damn mind for about 3 ½ games in March. Andy Enfield, who was virtually unknown to the college basketball world before that fateful weekend in Philadelphia last March, is making well over a million dollars this season as the head coach of USC’s program because he won 2 games. Speaking of FGCU, I will probably never forget the names Brett Comer, Sherwood Brown, and Chase Fieler as long as I am a fan of basketball. These are just a few examples of how heavily tournament success is weighed. It’s a little much at times. It will be interesting to see how McGary, for example, responds to the vast expectations that have been placed upon him. Last year, it was easy for him to get away with his lack of athleticism and technical know-how since he was probably Michigan's 5th option on offence, but he won't have the luxury of sneaking up on teams this season. Can he be a go-to guy? (SPOILER ALERT: probably not)

3. Monster Freshmen. Most people who follow basketball have probably heard of Kansas’s Andrew Wiggins. Most people who follow basketball have also read headlines that say things like, “You’ve Probably Heard of Kentucky's Andrew Wiggins, but Have You Heard of Kentucky’s Julius Randle (and/or Duke’s Jabari Parker)?”All three will likely be impressive to behold. Plenty of NBA teams are said to be “Riggin’ for Wiggins,” but teams who are “Putting Out the Candle for Randle” or “Intentionally Making Our Outlook Darker for Parker” won't be disappointed, either. It will be fun to watch these three, as well as Kentucky’s Harrison twins, Zona’s Aaron Gordon, and various other frosh develop throughout the season. Obviously, Kentucky’s success depends almost entirely on its freshman being able to gel by tourney time, but they're an extreme example. Plenty of very, very good teams will rely on their freshmen this season.

4. This Tuesday. Even though games start on Friday, Tuesday will serve as the spiritual opening day for college basketball. A number of decent matchups are peppered between now and then, but the first two absolutely must-watch games of the season can be seen back-to-back on ESPN Tuesday night. First, raw talent and experience clash in a battle of the nation’s top 2 teams. Darth Calipari leads Kentucky against Izzo’s Michigan State squad. People are jumping on the Michigan State bandwagon much earlier this year compared to the last few years, which makes me somewhat uncomfortable. I actually expect that both Kentucky and Michigan State will be slightly worse than people expect early in the season. A team as young as Kentucky, in spite of all their talent, will probably need a few games to start to get in sync, and Izzo's teams are notorious for getting of to comparatively slow start and then quietly building up momentum on their way to a deep tournament run. It’s an intriguing matchup that will definitely provide an huge early test for both teams. Afterwards, don’t pick up that remote! The nation’s top two freshmen will likely be matched up against each other as Wiggins, coach Bill Self, Derek’s boy Charlie Weis, and Rock-Chalk nation take on Parker, the K-man, Derek’s boy Rasheed SULAIMON, and the Blue Devils. Here we have another top five matchup between two loaded teams that I suspect may initially be better than the teams in the previous game. Both are going to be freakishly athletic this year. Tuesday night is essentially going to be a mini Final Four. Let’s light this candle.

Generally, this article has been pretty bland. I'm not really in the full spirit of the season yet. To make up for how plain Jane this has been, I'll leave you with a few predictions, some standard and some controversial, for the upcoming season. Enjoy.

Let's all try to appreciate Marshall while he's still with us.

• Florida will appear in yet another Elite 8. They'll also beat Kentucky at least once.
• In 4 months, no one will remember who Wichita State is.
• Jim Boeheim will challenge Roy Williams for the title of Grumpiest Old Man in the ACC.
• Bo Ryan, John Thompson III and Frank Haith combined will win fewer tournament games than Slick Rick the Brick Pitino.
• Aaron Craft will win the Peyton Siva award (which, of course, is given annually to the player who has been on his team for 40 years).
• Amile Jefferson will be average 10 points per game for Duke.
• John Calipari will personally oversee the final phases of the construction of the second Death Star.
• Adreian Payne will literally eat Mitch McGary alive at some point this season.
• Kentucky will begin the NCAA tournament with 4 losses. No more, no less.
• LaSalle and Temple will both miss the field in March.
• Tim Higgins doesn’t get this fantasy league together until March.
• Derek and I will decide to try to get tickets for the Sweet 16 and/or Elite 8 at Madison Square Garden. We'll think too deeply into my piss-poor, flat out inexcusable performance last year (in which I grossly overpaid for tournament tickets by purchasing them way too early) and end up not getting tickets because we wait too long and it sells out.
• Marshall Henderson’s reckless lifestyle will cost him his life. That’s right. He'll be dead before the season is over. You heard it here first.
• Wisconsin will average just under 8 possessions per game.

Two Final Thoughts:

1. Feel free to sleep on North Carolina. The fact of the matter is Dean Smith has forgotten more about the game of basketball than Roy Williams will ever know.

2. It’s absolutely amazing that Kevin Ware is on schedule to play in Louisville’s second game of the season. As you’ll probably recall, his shin injury in the Elite 8 last year was the worst thing you have ever seen. 

Week 3 Picks

You’re getting write-ups for all the games, so be thankful people…it’s the little things in life. Big Joey D is on absolute fire on Saturday, so take that as you will. I feel like I’m starting to get into mid-season form as well, considering I picked those games in about 3 minutes last week and that’s why you didn’t get a write-up and hey I’ll take 2-1. But, luckily for you, we spent some time on these picks this week and we’re confident. So, here ya go:

Derek

West Virginia (+5.5) over Maryland

Typically you don’t side with dudes named Dana when it comes down to football, but give me Dana’s high-powered offense (and 5.5) and I think they beat that sell out, Edsall. I really wish UCONN could’ve pulled the upset last weekend against the coach that abandoned them, but hey I’ll settle for a WVU victory.

 

USC (-7) over Utah State

USC is in shambles and I’ve been convinced that Lane Kiffin didn’t know what he’s been doing for years (since his stint with the Raiders) but I think everyone else is slowly starting to catch onto that. But, with all that being said USC just has too much talent for Utah State and keep in mind that Utah State lost their head coach this offseason.

 

Texas A&M (-29) over SMU

I’ll be honest I liked SMU when I first saw this, but then remembered SMU gave up 41 to Texas Tech and Texas Tech doesn’t have Johnny Manziel. So, my prediction is a lot of point, a lot of TOPSZN signs, and a lot beer consumed by Johnny after the game. Also like the over here, too people. A&M’s d couldn’t tackle Hoov in the open field and June Jones is gonna spread ya out and throw it all over the field.

 

 

You’re getting write-ups for all the games, so be thankful people…it’s the little things in life. Big Joey D is on absolute fire on Saturday, so take that as you will. I feel like I’m starting to get into mid-season form as well, considering I picked those games in about 3 minutes last week and that’s why you didn’t get a write-up and hey I’ll take 2-1. But, luckily for you, we spent some time on these picks this week and we’re confident. So, here ya go:

Derek

West Virginia (+5.5) over Maryland

Typically you don’t side with dudes named Dana when it comes down to football, but give me Dana’s high-powered offense (and 5.5) and I think they beat that sell out, Edsall. I really wish UCONN could’ve pulled the upset last weekend against the coach that abandoned them, but hey I’ll settle for a WVU victory.

 

USC (-7) over Utah State

USC is in shambles and I’ve been convinced that Lane Kiffin didn’t know what he’s been doing for years (since his stint with the Raiders) but I think everyone else is slowly starting to catch onto that. But, with all that being said USC just has too much talent for Utah State and keep in mind that Utah State lost their head coach this offseason.

 

Texas A&M (-29) over SMU

I’ll be honest I liked SMU when I first saw this, but then remembered SMU gave up 41 to Texas Tech and Texas Tech doesn’t have Johnny Manziel. So, my prediction is a lot of point, a lot of TOPSZN signs, and a lot beer consumed by Johnny after the game. Also like the over here, too people. A&M’s d couldn’t tackle Hoov in the open field and June Jones is gonna spread ya out and throw it all over the field.

Joe

We learned two things last weekend. 1: Mr. Saturday Afternoon is on fire and was a backdoor away from another perfect saturday. (Dammit TJ Yeldon!) 2: Mr Sunday Afternoon should be set on fire. Not only did each team not cover, 2 of the 3 lost! I have to admit though, watching Kaepernick and Vick lose was well worth it. I feel a really good week coming so lets get to it.

 

NCAA

 

Michigan -18 @ Connecticut

 Much like USC the week before, Michigan was embarrassed at home vs. Akron surviving with a 4 point W. I like Michigan to bounce back and prove to the nation that they are one of the top teams in the country. Their opponent, UConn, is a joke. They lost by 2 scores to national powers Maryland and.... wait for it.... TOWSON. If Towson can beat the Huskies by 15, no reason Michigan can’t beat them by 30.

 

Tennessee +17 @ Florida

 Don’t let last weekend’s blowout at Oregon fool you, Tennessee is a good football team. Florida on the other hand has not looked very impressive this year. They opened the year with an unimpressive 18 point victory vs. Toledo and lost against cross state rival, Miami. A piece of me thinks Florida will still win the game, but to quote Lee Corso it will be “closer than the experts think”

 

Louisiana-Lafayette -7.5 @ Akron

 I know what you are thinking, “What kind of degenerate bets on a Louisiana-Lafayette game?” Well, THIS degenerate bets on a Louisiana-Lafayette game! Akron had their Super Bowl last week at Michigan and almost pulled off the biggest upset since Appalachian State. An emotional game takes a lot out of you so I’m going with the Ragin’ Cajuns.

 

NFL

 

Jacksonville +19.5 @ Seattle

 Sure, Jacksonville is the worst team in the NFL and probably won’t win a game all season and hell, Alabama would give the Jags a run for their money. The bottom line is this, they are still an NFL team and any NFL team that is a 19.5 point dawg is a bet I can’t possibly pass up. A good bet would be to tease them +25.5 and over 35... but do whatever you want to do.

 

Straight Cash Homie Locks of the week

 You read that right, locks, plural. Let’s rap for a minute; I have been awful when it comes to the SCH Lock of the week. Like 2013, Philadelphia Phillies awful. Unlike the Phillies and much like Batman we will rise! So this week I’ll give you 2 absolute locks.

 

New York Giants -1.5 @ Carolina

 Two years ago, the Giants won the Super Bowl. Now, they are sitting at 0-2 looking up at the Cowboys and Eagles. I cannot see Eli Manning starting the year 0-3 but I can see Cam Newton go 0-3, so give me the Giants in a rout, 41-10.

 

 Baltimore +2.5 vs. Houston

 The defending Super Bowl Champs are a dawg at home? I don’t like that kind of disrespect and I’m sure the Ravens don’t either. Next to Philadelphia, Houston has to be the early seasons most overrated team in the league. A come from behind win against San Diego in week 1 and an overtime W vs. Tennessee warrants a top 3 power ranking? To quote Lee Corso again “Not so fast my friend!” The Ravens make a statement and win 24-17.

 

 

Week 2 Picks

Well last week certainly could have gone better, but what I think everyone should remember is that they had fun reading (even though my picks were worse than being a Notre Dame fan from 2002-2012). Regardless, we’re back for another fun week and Joe D even decided to grace us with a write up and I don’t want to get weird about it, but it is absolutely fantastic. But, since he didn’t do a write-up last weekend and was so successful, I’m gonna steal his idea. So here are the picks:

Joe

Before I get into my picks this week, I’d like to take a look back at last weeks picks and give you the analysis that only Mr. Saturday Afternoon can offer. First off I must apologize for not giving you a write up with my picks, I was too busy doing absolutely nothing. Anyway, I went 3-3 last week, undefeated on Saturday with an abysmal Sunday and Monday which tells me I’m more dialed in with my NCAA picks this year so I’ll give you 3 College & 3 Pro this week, sound good? Okay, Lets go!

USC -14 vs. Boston College

I know what you’re thinking, how could I possibly pick USC after losing to Washington State? Well because they’re playing Boston College. I actually watched Boston College vs. Villanova week 1 because I have family ties to both schools and it was honestly painful to watch. Boston College could not move the ball against the Steel Curtain like defense of Villanova and even gave up a fake punt for a touchdown. The Trojans are a team coming of an embarrassing loss and will bounce back at home to beat the Eagles by at least 3 TDs.

Fordham +20.5 @ Temple

This one is simple. Temple isn’t beating any team by 3 touchdowns. I don’t care if it’s Fordham, Buffalo, Camden Catholic or Me, Derek, Hoov and 8 other bums, it won’t happen. All we need from the Rams is one TD and we can celebrate. By the way, how about that Houston backdoor cover last week vs. Temple? #MrSaturdayAfternoon

NFL

Philadelphia -7.5 vs. San Diego

I Believe in Chipadelphia!!!... Actually, no I don’t, but I have to admit they looked pretty good on Monday Night. I question if the Eagles could keep up this style of offense up for 16 weeks but for now, I’ll strike while the iron is hot. Also, the west coast team to east coast trend is real. Look for San Diego to come out sluggish with that 4 hour time difference.

Chicago -6.5 vs. Minnesota

The Bears looked impressive in their week 1 victory over the Bengals and traditionally start the season off very strong. The Vikings on the other hand did not look too impressive. The Bears will slow down AP thus shutting down the Vikings chance at leaving the Windy City with a W.

San Francisco +3 @ Seattle

I must really like these games if I’m picking the Eagles, Bears & Niners. As much as I hate to give credit to the big beaked nerd, Colin Kaepernick and his scumbag Head Coach, Jim Harbaugh, San Fran looked really good against my Packers and might just be the best team in the NFL. Although Seattle did cover last week as I predicted, they did not dominate Carolina like everyone expected. I’ll take the 49ers OUTRIGHT!

STRAIGHT CASH HOMIE LOCK OF THE WEEK

Alabama -8 @ Texas A&M

So last week the SCH got off to a slow start when I picked the new look Eagles to go down to RGIII and the Redskins. This week I’m going to go with the game every college football fan has been waiting for since last November, the rematch between Alabama and Texas A&M. Since Nick Saban has taken over at Alabama, the Tide have been tremendous in these “revenge games.” In 2009, Bama beat Florida in an SEC Championship rematch on their way to the National Championship and in 2011 beating LSU in the National Championship after the Tigers beat them earlier in the season. I expect the same result this year and I’ll even give you a final score. 27-14 Tide. 

 

Derek

Oregon State (+3) over Utah

Oregon (-28.5) over Tennessee

Texas (-3) over Ole Miss

Week 1 Picks

Derek DeNote

Out of Our League wasn’t around last football season, and, while I apologize for that, I was quite busy doing big things with my life (like playing copious amounts of NCAA Football). This year Joe and I will be giving great gambling insight, but keep in mind people there is reason why these picks are free. Don’t go betting your mortgage on these (unless, of course, you wanna win your mortgage). But all joking aside, as Colin Cowherd always says, “Don’t bet what you don’t have.” And now without further adieu, here are the picks:

Derek

Cincinatti (-9) over Illinois.

Give me the bearcats in this one for a multitude of reasons. The first being that smokeshow is going to be in attendance and he’s been hyping up this bearcat team all summer, so I’m fairly confident in the W. Tommy Tuberville’s team whooped up on the B1G last week and I’m expecting a repeat performance, expect the run often. Another point, when was the last time Illinois was relevant; Juice Williams, Arrelious Benn? 

South Carolina (+3.5) over Georgia

I want the ol’ ball coach and Connor Shaw in this one. Georgia is notoriously bad in the beginning of the season, but I can guarantee everyone will start talking about Mark Richt on the hot seat and he’ll come close to winning out the rest of the season. This Georgia team is good and at home, but I think Clowney will be a lot for their line to handle (I know, so insightful). Plus you’re giving me a field goal and a half a point to make a mistake and I certainly think South Carolina will keep it close.

Navy (+12) over Indiana

I’m not gonna lie to you, only because I like you, I haven’t watched either of these teams play. But, Navy still runs the option and well, Indiana is still Indiana. No doubting Indiana looked extremely impressive in their opener, but imagine if they actually signed the one-time commit and one-time 5 star, Gunner Kiel.

Notre Dame (+4.5) over Michigan

Notre Dame…outright. I think Notre Dame escapes this one with a W, mainly because I’m not a huge Brady Hoke fan. Also, Brady Hoke probably is a little afraid of Louis Nix…I mean who isn’t and Brady Hoke offended Nix with some preseason comments. Notre Dame’s offense is actually improved with Rees at the helm (Despite my dad still proclaiming that Golson is better than Manziel). Kelly let him loose in the first two drives against Temple and all of a sudden Rees to Daniels was looking like Clausen to Floyd or perhaps Quinn to McKnight for you older fans. I think Kelly kept some things under wraps and the Irish pull out the W.

Joe

NCAA:

Houston (-3) over Temple

Tennessee (+13.5) over Western Kentucky

NFL:

Atlanta Falcons (+3) over New Orleans Saints

Seattle Seahawks (-3.5) over Carolina Panthers

Indianapolis Colts (-10) over Oakland Raiders

And it’s Back!!! The Straight Cash Homie Lock of the Week:

Washington Redskins (-3.5) over Philadelphia Eagles