NFL Picks Week 4

My upset pick came early this week. I took the Vikings as 7 point underdogs on the road against the Rams. While the Vikings did not win the game, the Rams did not cover so I am 0-1 in victories but 1-0 with points. Last week was not great. Let's see what happens this week.

Bengals @ Falcons (-5): The Falcons defense is a MASH unit. So the Falcons will need to score points in a big way to keep up with the solid Bengals offense, who were outmuscled by the Panthers. This is close but I think back to back road games close to each other will help the Bengals

Points: Bengals
Victory: Bengals

Dolphins @ Pats (-7): Its put up or shut up time for both teams. If the Dolphins win this, they prove they are for real and will have a 3 game lead on NE. I think it's closer than Vegas thinks. but NE sneaks by

Points: Dolphins
Victory: Pats

Eagles (-4) @ Titans: Philly's defense has not been great this year, but neither has Tennessee's offense. Give me the road team

Points: Eagles
Victory: Eagles

Texans @ Colts (-1.5): The Texans have been a disappointment offensively and somewhat defensively. This is essentially a pick'em, so no points call here. Give me the Colts

Victory: Colts

Lions @ Cowboys (-3): I have no idea what to do with this game. Lions were bad against the run the first two weeks which plays to Dallas' strength. Lions can score a lot of points though, which might make Dak forced to pass. Give me the road team in a minor upset

Points: Lions
Victory: Lions

Jets @ Jaguars (-7.5): The question with this game is the spread. It started at 9 points and has come down to 7.5. Fournette is questionable to play. If it was under 7, I would take the Jags with the points. It's not. And Blake Bortles is still back there playing a game Jets defense.

Points: Jets
Victory: Jaguars

Bills @ Packers (-10): So I guess blowing out Minny didnt count for much, huh? This spread is too high IMO. I like the Pack, but once again, back to back road games close to each other. Bills will be game.

Points: Bills
Victory: Packers

Buccaneers @ Bears (-3): Saw half of Fitztragic/Fitzmagic on Monday Night. I think Fitz will have another average game, but the Bears will sneak on by. This line is perfect. I think Bears will be fine

Points: Bears
Victory: Bears

Browns @ Raiders (-3): What we saw on Baker Mayfield on Thursday is that if you play back, like the Jets did, he can pick you apart. You need a good pass rush to rile him up. Luckily the Raiders...oops. Baker becomes the talk of the league

Points: Browns
Victory: Browns

Seahawks (-3) @ Cardinals: Dont trust a rookie QB against this defense, no matter how ruined it is. They still have the knowledge and power to confuse.

Points: Seahawks
Victory: Seahawks

Giants @ Saints (-3.5): Giants defense has played Bortles, Prescott, and Watson. This is a big step up. The Saints, on the other hand, have not showed they can stop anybody either. Yet, gimme the home team

Points: Saints
Victory: Saints

Niners @ Chargers (-10.5): Well this spread probably flipped the moment JG's injury status became public. I like the Chargers in this game, but that is a huge spread especially for a team that will play road games at home hehehehe.

Points: Niners
Victory: Chargers

Ravens @ Steelers (-3.5): That spread is pretty big for a rivalry game. Ravens will be pumped and the Steelers will have to answer inner questions. Close game

Points: Ravens
Victory: Steelers

Chiefs (-4.5) @ Broncos: Can the Chiefs hot passing attack overcome their league worst passing defense? The Broncos are a solid defense and a balanced offense. I like Mahomes over Keenum but rivalry games in the AFC West are close.

Points: Broncos
Victory: Chiefs

NFL Picks Week 3:

So last week in my first venture in picks I went 6-7 against the spread and 7-7 in terms of victories. Already this week, I am ahead 1-0 in both because I picked the Browns to beat the Jets, who will be looking for a new HC very shortly. Anyway, here we go:

Saints at Falcons (-3): The Saints defense has been a huge disappointment this year, but the Falcons defense is banged up. So this could be a high scoring affair. Give me the Falcons at home

Points: Falcons
Victory: Falcons

Colts at Eagles (-6.5): This point spread scares me. Eagles D has not been quality the first two weeks of the year. I'm going to go split on this one

Points: Colts
Victory: Eagles

Bengals at Panthers (-3): This one to me is a coin flip. But the Panthers are the healthier team and the home team

Points: Panthers
Victory: Panthers

Packers (-3) at Skins: This game is tight. Rodgers vs. a very tenacious pass rush by Washington. In the end. give me the more talented signal caller

Points: Packers
Victory: Packers

Niners at Chiefs (-6):  This could be a shootout. KC has the worst pass defense in the NFL. And the Niners defense is not far behind that. Think this game could be close

Points: Niners
Victory: Chiefs

Broncos at Ravens (-5): UPSET PICK OF THE WEEK: I can't trust Joe Flacco against that Broncos defense. And I think the Ravens defense is a bit overrated because they played Buffalo in Week 1. Give me the road team

Points: Broncos
Victory: Broncos

Bills at Vikings (-16.5): HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. 16.5 point spread in the NFL? Per Trey Wingo it's only happened 3 times in the last 5 years, and the Pats were the favored team each time. If the Bills were at home I would take that spread. But alas they are not.

Points: Vikings
Victory: Vikings

Titans at Jaguars (-6.5): Don't like this spread one bit. Divisional game and the chance for a big letdown for the Jags after last week's romping of NE. Give me those points.

Points: Titans
Victory: Jaguars

Giants at Texans (-6): Another spread that I don't really like.  Two offenses that have struggled against two defenses. I will take Watson over Eli, but give me the points

Points: Giants
Victory: Texans

Raiders at Dolphins (-3):  This could be the double whammy for Miami. A let down and a trap game, looking ahead to a trip to NE. I think Gruden gets his first win here.

Points: Raiders
Victory: Raiders

Chargers at Rams (-7): Give me the Rams as their fanbase will overwhelm the imposter LA team

Points: Rams
Victory: Rams

Cowboys at Seahawks (-3): Another minor upset. After seeing Seattle's OL against Chicago and Dallas's DL against NYG, I can't pick Seattle even at home.

Points: Cowboys
Victory: Cowboys

Bears (-4) at Cardinals: The Cardinals are the NFC version of the Bills. The Bears are the NFC version of the Jets. Gimme DA BEARS

Points: Bears
Victory: Bears

Pats (-6) at Lions: After seeing Sam Darnold stuggle in his last two weeks, the question becomes how bad is this Lions defense. The Pats will put that on full display.

Points: Pats
Victory Pats

Steelers (-2.5) at Buccaneers: If this were at home, I would have picked the Steelers I think. But in Tampa, Fitzmagic will reign again.

Points: Bucs
Victory: Bucs

NFL Picks: Week 2

After thinking about it for a little bit, I thought to myself, Why can't I do NFL picks? If enough people like it, I might do this every week. So the inaugural ADD picks. (Not counting last night when the Bengals held on to beat the Ravens).

Chiefs at Steelers:  Steelers are a 5 point favorite at home after a lackluster tie against Cleveland. Chiefs come in with young Mahomes and a slew of weapons. Ultimately give me the Chiefs with the points but give me the Steelers to survive at home.

Points: Chiefs
Victory: Steelers

Colts at Skins: Washington is a 6 point favorite at home after beating up Arizona last week. Colts started out strong but faded against the Bengals. Washington's pass rush will be tough on Andrew Luck and crew. Give me Washington

Points; Skins
Victory: Skins

Dolphins at Jets: Jets are a 3 point favorite at home after walloping the Lions, while the Dolphins had to wait through two lightning delays to beat Tennessee. I don't think the Jets will have as easy a time against Miami, but Ryan Tannehill has not played well against the Jets in his career. If Darnold can hold onto the ball, the Jets should win

Points: Jets
Victory: Jets

Chargers at Bills:  Chargers are a 7 point favorite on the road. Buffalo may very well be the worst team in the NFL this year, at least the team with the worst QB situation, which showed in a massacre against Baltimore. Easy pickings

Points: Chargers
Victory: Chargers

Panthers at Falcons: Falcons are a 6 point favorite at home. They lost close to Philly. Carolina smothered Dallas. Expect this game to be tight but the home team squeaks out a victory

Points: Panthers
Victory: Falcons

Vikings at Packers:  Pack are a 1 point favorite at home after an all time great comeback against Chicago. Vikings handled San Fran rather easily. This game is a pick'em essentially so no points. I think Minnesota will clamp down on a hampered Aaron Rodgers.

Victory: Vikings

Browns at Saints: Saints are an 8.5 point favorite at home after getting humiliated by the Buccaneers and Ryan Fitzpatrick. The Browns are tough minded and much improved. They will run the ball a lot to keep the ball out of Drew Brees' hands. It won't be enough but it will be close

Points: Browns
Victory: Saints

Eagles at Bucs: Eagles are a 3 point road favorite which is kind of telling. This is my upset special this week. When Ryan Fitzpatrick is hot, he can stay hot for a few weeks. And the Eagles offense was not great against Atlanta. Give me the home team

Points: Bucs
Victory: Bucs

Lions at 49ers: Niners are a 5.5 point favorite at home. After watching the Lions Monday Night, why would I pick them, especially on the road?

Points: Niners
Victory: Niners

Cardinals at Rams: Rams are a massive 12 point favorite at home. This is a case where the point spread is dangerous to play. And yet I can understand why the big margin. I'm going to throw caution to the wind and take the Rams

Points: Rams
Victory: Rams

Patriots at Jaguars: Jags are a 1.5 point favorite at home. Give me the Pats. No explanation needed

Points: Pats
Victory: Pats

Raiders at Broncos: Denver is a 5.5 point favorite at home. I have a feeling this rivalry game will be close so give me the home team

Points: Raiders
Victory: Broncos

Giants at Cowboys:  Dallas is a 3 point favorite at home. This has the feeling of a low scoring affair with two struggling offenses, but the Giants have more playmakers and in the end will pull it out

Points: Giants
Victory: Giants

Seahawks at Bears: Chicago is a 3 point favorite at home. Their defense should be problematic for Russell Wilson but Trubisky has had problems of his own. This might be toughest game for me to call. I'm going to cautiously take Chicago but Seattle with the points

Points: Seahawks
Victory: Bears

What do you think?

Our Lord and Savior, Steve Harvey?

It is very rare in anything to say that one person can make such a big difference in an industry that is known for copycats and regurgitation. But what I am about to say is the absolute truth and I will fight anyone who tries to come at me.

Steve Harvey, by himself, has brought game shows back to life.

In 2010, Family Feud was on life support. The show had been in syndication since 1999, and it was on its last legs. The producers replaced John O'Hurley with Steve Harvey, who had the show more formatted to his humor. The first big result of this was this moment, IMO:

That is the moment Family Feud, IMO, rose from the ashes. The ratings took off and in a few years, Family Feud passed stalwarts Wheel of Fortune and Jeopardy! to become the top rated game show in syndication.

But that was just the beginning.

ABC, looking for some programming for the summer, decided to bring FF back home (Family Feud, with Richard Dawson aired on ABC from 1976-1985). They commissioned Celebrity Family Feud, which had already flopped with Al Roker on NBC a few years earlier.

This time it wouldn't be a flop.

It was a hit. ABC, sensing a pattern, commissioned more game shows from the past. To Tell The Truth, which has aired in every decade since the 1950s (only TPIR has done that) with Anthony Anderson. The $100,000 Pyramid, whom some consider to be the greatest game show ever, with Michael Strahan. Match Game with Alec Baldwin, which has proven to be the best version since the classic Rayburn version. The Gong Show, with a disguised Mike Myers as host. All of these shows have lasted more than one season and have helped ABC to great and shocking summer success.

In a way, it's not surprising. In an age where we are inundated with negativity from everywhere, it is great to sit back and watch people win stuff and have fun doing it, while we watch and don't have to worry about the next storm or political crisis.

But we would never have gotten to this point if it not for a brilliant decision to hire Steve Harvey to host Family Feud and respark the love that Americans and people in general have for game shows.

It is also ironic that I am typing this right around the 20th anniversary of the previous game show renaissance. Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? premiered in Britain in September 1998 and changed the game show format forever. I should do a separate post about that in a few days, but with me and my jumpiness, we will see. hehehehehe

Anyway what's your favorite game show?