NFL - Week Ten Preview

It's a flashback weekend in the NFL when the Dallas Cowboys face the Pittsburgh Steelers on Sunday.
These two storied franchises have played in many classics through the years, including going at it in three Super Bowls.
The Pittsburgh Steelers won Super Bowls 10 and 13 over Dallas (21-17 in 10 and 35-31 in 13) before the Cowboys got some revenge 17 years later by winning 27-17 in Super Bowl 30.
Some of the names throughout the years include Terry Bradshaw, Roger Staubach, Troy Aikman, Lynn Swann, John Stallworth, Franco Harris, Rocky Bleier, Jack Ham, Jack Lambert, "Mean" Joe Greene, L.C. Greenwood, Andy Russell, Mel Blount, Drew Pearson, Tony Dorsett, Bob Lily, Randy White, Ed "Too Tall" Jones, Michael Irvin, Emmitt Smith and countless others.
Let's not forget the legendary coaches either.  Chuck Noll and Tom Landry in the 1970's along with Bill Cowher and Jimmy Johnson (and yes Barry Switzer) in the 1990's.
This Sunday when they meet up in Pittsburgh, it will be Dak Prescott and Ezekiel Elliott's turn for Dallas and Ben Roethlisberger, Le'Veon Bell and Antonio Brown for the Steelers.
The Cowboys have been rolling since losing the season opener to the New York Giants, winning seven consecutive games.  The Steelers are 4-4 and are coming off a loss to the Baltimore Ravens (on the road) last week. Roethlisberger saw action in the game after missing two weeks with a knee injury.
Regardless the outcome this weekend, these two teams should be in contention for the playoffs the rest of the way.
For a brief look at all of the games, here is the capsule previews for all of the action.

Minnesota (5-3) at Washington (4-3-1) - This game could go either way, although the Vikings have been reeling lately.

Green Bay (4-4) at Tennessee (4-5) - Who cares?

Chicago (2-6) at Tampa Bay (3-5) -  See above comment.

Kansas City (6-2) at Carolina (3-5) - Both of these teams are hot right now.

Atlanta (6-3) at Philadelphia (4-4) - The Eagles need this game.

Los Angeles (3-5) at New York Jets (3-6) - Joe Namath played for both of these teams once upon a time.

Denver (6-3) at New Orleans (4-4) - The Saints are rolling right now, the Broncos not so much.

Houston (5-3) at Jacksonville (2-6) - The Jags could win this game. Which Houston team will show up?

Miami (4-4) at San Diego (4-5) - The Dolphins have won three straight games, but that streak ends this weekend against the Bolts.

Dallas (7-1) at Pittsburgh (4-4) - Can the Steelers slow down the Cowboys? This game likely will go down to the wire.

San Francisco (1-7) at Arizona (3-4-1) - Cardinals roll !

Seattle (5-2-1) at New England (7-1) - The Sunday night "prime time" game between the two teams that went at it in the memorable Super Bowl two years ago.  A must see game!

Cincinnati (3-4-1) at New York Giants (5-3) - Eli and the G-men taking on the Bengals on Monday Night Football . . . take the Giants.


The Heftyinfo picks for Week Ten  . . . . .   (Home teams are listed in bold;  Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)

Baltimore over Cleveland
Washington over Minnesota 
Green Bay over Tennessee
Tampa Bay over Chicago
Carolina over Kansas City
Philadelphia over Atlanta
NY Jets over Los Angeles
New Orleans over Denver
Jacksonville over Houston
San Diego over Miami
Pittsburgh over Dallas
ARIZONA over San Francisco
New England over Seattle
NY Giants over Cincinnati


Last Week's Record:  11-2

SEASON RECORD:  86-45-2

Lock of the Week Record:  9-0


 

AMERICA - WTF?

Donald Trump is the President of the United States?

Strange but true.

NFL - Week Nine Review

The Oakland Raiders are for real.
They showed that Sunday night in Oakland as they manhandled the defending Super Bowl champion Denver Broncos, 30-20 as running back Latavius Murray scored three touchdowns to lead the way to victory. The Raiders defense limited the Broncos to a paltry 33 yards rushing in the game.
The New York Giants held off the Philadelphia Eagles, 28-23 behind four touchdown passes from Eli Manning and the defense getting two interceptions, plus holding the Eagles four times on fourth
down.

Lions kicker Matt Prater was clutch.

The Detroit Lions stunned the Minnesota Vikings, 22-16 in overtime for a big road win. Detroit trailed 16-13 with just over 30 seconds to play in regulation when QB Matthew Stafford rallied them down the field to set up kicker Matt Prater, the Heftyinfo NFL Player of the Week, for a game tying 58-yard field goal as time ran out.
In the extra session, Stafford connected with wide receiver Golden Tate for a 28-yard TD pass to win the game and send the Vikings to their third consecutive loss.


                                                         Around the NFL  . . . . . . .  

The Dallas Cowboys won their seventh straight game as they blasted the host Cleveland Browns, 35-10 as QB Dak Prescott threw for three touchdowns and RB Ezekiel Elliott scored two rushing touchdowns . . .  The Carolina Panthers won a yawner on the road, 13-10 over the Los Angeles Rams despite gaining just 244 total yards in offense . . .  The Indianapolis Colts knocked off the host Green Bay Packers, 31-26 behind a pair of scoring runs by Frank Gore and a 99-yard kickoff return by Jordan Todman. Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers had three TD passes in the loss . . .   Baltimore beat the visiting Pittsburgh Steelers, 21-14 to spoil the return of QB Ben Roethlisberger. A 95-yard TD pass from Joe Flacco to Mike Wallace and a blocked punt for a score made the difference for the Ravens in the win  . . . New Orleans (4-4) steam rolled past the host San Francisco 49ers, 41-23 as QB Drew Brees had three TD passes to go with 323 passing yards. Running back Mark Ingram rushed for 158 yards and scored twice as both teams combined for 1,057 yards in offense . . .   Kansas City beat the stubborn Jacksonville Jaguars, 19-14 as kicker Cairo Santos made four field goals to offset two TD passes by Jags' QB Blake Bortles . . .  The  Miami Dolphins (4-4) won a wild game against the New York Jets, 27-23 in a game that had four lead changes. Kenyan Drake took a kickoff back 96 yards for the deciding touchdown in the fourth quarter after Jets QB Ryan Fitzpatrick threw an 18-yard TD pass to WR Jalin Marshall . . .  The San Diego Chargers put on an offensive show as they toppled the visiting Tennessee Titans, 43-35. Chargers RB Melvin Gordon had a career best 196 yards rushing and 65 receiving yards to go with a touchdown while QB Philip Rivers had two TD passes and the Chargers defense scored two touchdowns (fumble return and interception). Titans QB Marcus Mariota ran for a score and threw for three more scores in defeat . . .  The Atlanta Falcons blasted the host Tampa Bay Buccaneers, 43-28 last Thursday night as QB Matt Ryan had 344 yards passing to go with four TD passes . . .  In the Monday Night Football game, the Seattle Seahawks (5-2-1) beat the Buffalo Bills, 31-25 behind a pair of TD passes from Russell Wilson to tight end Jimmy Graham. The loss was the third straight for the Bills, who slipped to 4-5 for the season.
 

WEEK NINE SCORES
Atlanta 43, Tampa Bay 28
Dallas 35, Cleveland 10
Baltimore 21, Pittsburgh 14
NY Giants 28, Philadelphia 23
Miami 27, NY Jets 23
Kansas City 19, Jacksonville 14
Detroit 22, Minnesota 16 (OT)
New Orleans 41, San Francisco 23
Carolina 13, Los Angeles 10
Indianapolis 31, Green Bay 26
San Diego 43, Tennessee 35
Oakland 30, Denver 20
Seattle 31, Buffalo 25

Vote

No matter who you should decide to vote for, just exercise your right to do so. The choice for President of the United States of America here is Hillary Clinton.
God Bless America!

College Football Top Ten

Heftyinfo College Football Top Ten                (Week ending November 6)     

1.  Alabama (9-0)
2.  Michigan (9-0)
3.  Clemson (9-0)
4.  Washington (9-0)
5.  Ohio State (8-1)
6.  Louisville (8-1)
7.  Wisconsin (7-2)
8.  Oklahoma (7-2)
9.  Texas A & M (7-2)
10.  Penn State (7-2)
 

NFL - Week Nine Preview

Better late than never, but have been really busy this week (what with the Chicago Cubs winning the World Series for the first time in 108 years) and so now it's time for the NFL Week Nine Heftyinfo preview for the games.
There are some games that appear to be very competitive this weekend, including both prime time games on Sunday night and the Monday Night Football game.
The Denver Broncos face the Oakland Raiders (both 6-2) on Sunday night in a battle for first place in the AFC West.
The Raiders have been blistering on offense this season while the Broncos, once again are doing their thing on defense. Last week, the Broncos avenged a loss to the San Diego Chargers by knocking them off, 27-19 as they sacked Philip Rivers four times and intercepted three passes, including one for a touchdown.
The Raiders won in overtime at Tampa Bay as quarterback Derek Carr had a HUGE game, passing for over 500 yards with four touchdowns.
The Monday night game features the Buffalo Bills (4-4) traveling to take on the Seattle Seahawks (4-2-1) who lost at New Orleans last week.
The Bills have been up and down so far this season, losing their first two games and then winning four in a row prior to losing their last two games. The Seahawks have been banged up of late and are struggling on offense. The defense has been solid once again as the 'Hawks have allowed the second fewest points (109) in pro football through seven games.
Two fierce rivals go at it on Sunday afternoon when the Pittsburgh Steelers play the Baltimore Ravens. These two teams do not like each other and with just a game separating them in the AFC North standings, this tilt should be a good one.

For a look at all of the games this weekend (13 games with six teams having the bye week) the following offers a capsule style look, followed by the picks for the games.

Pittsburgh (4-3) at Baltimore (3-4) - The Ravens are looking to snap a four-game skid and the Steelers are without Big Ben.

Dallas (6-1) at Cleveland (0-8) - One of the NFL's best teams going against the worst team in the league.

Jacksonville (2-5) at Kansas City (5-2) - Two teams headed in opposite directions . . . Take the Chiefs.

NY Jets (3-5) at Miami (3-4) - The loser of this game faces a very tough road ahead if they want to contend for a playoff spot.

Philadelphia (4-3) at NY Giants (4-3) - These teams need to keep pace with the first place Cowboys.

Detroit (4-4) at Minnesota (5-2) - The Vikings were embarrassed by the Bears on national TV last week.

Carolina (2-5) at Los Angeles (3-4) - The Panthers could boost themselves back into contention in the NFC South. A win here would do them well. Rams are struggling.

New Orleans (3-4) at San Francisco (1-6) - Upset Alert?  It's a possibility.

Tennessee (4-4) at San Diego (3-5) - Chargers were rolling until they came across a good defense last week, but the Titans defense isn't all that good . . .  Take the Chargers.

Indianapolis (3-5) at Green Bay (4-3) - Two mediocre teams going at it in this one.

Denver (6-2) at Oakland (6-2) - The Raiders playing a division rival in "prime time" at home in the Black Hole. Must watch game here.

Buffalo (4-4) at Seattle (4-2-1) - The Seahawks should win this game,  but remember that former Seattle player Percy Harvin is back from retirement to play for the Bills.

The Heftyinfo picks for Week Nine  . . . . .   (Home teams are listed in bold;  Lock of the Week is listed in BOLD CAPS)

Atlanta over Tampa Bay
Baltimore over Pittsburgh
Dallas over Cleveland
KANSAS CITY over Jacksonville
Miami over NY Jets
NY Giants over Philadelphia
Minnesota over Detroit
Carolina over Los Angeles
New Orleans over San Francisco
San Diego over Tennessee
Green Bay over Indianapolis
Oakland over Denver
Seattle over Buffalo

Last Week's Record:  7-5-1

SEASON RECORD:  75-43-2

Lock of the Week Record:  8-0

CUBS WIN WORLD SERIES

Believe It !!! 

The Chicago Cubs are the 2016 World Series Champions of Major League Baseball.