First off, I want to introduce myself. My name is Jake, I live in Houston. I'm glad I found this place. I've read a lot of bloggers material today from predictions to their favorite teams' rants, it's great. I enjoyed it. Sports, baby sports!
Okay here's the layout I'm going to do for the remainder of the season. I'm going to pick 4 games each week and break them down/predict them. I'm currently in a pick em league over on Yahoo and I'm currently 33-27 overall heading into Week 5. I haven't done as good as I have liked to this point. It may be me, but NFL and especially College has been very hard to pick this season. I'm talking about picking the spreads as well in College, it's brutal. But no worries on the NFL side because I'm poised to get back and nail more W's on my W-L total. I'm determined to get the 4 games I post here in a moment correct. So sit back and take notes and take these bad boys to Vegas. (jk of course)
Tex787's NBA Basketball fan blog archive for 10/2008
| View blog | Archive | Friends' blogs
October 2008
October 03, 2008
October 06, 2008
Tex787
It was an interesting week in the National Football League. A few surprises, a big meltdown by one team and one bruised and battered team found a way to win a big prime-time game. Let's get right to it--game by game.
Titans 13 Ravens 10
This game turned out to be exactly what everyone thought it would be: A slug out between two of the top tier NFL defenses. Titans found a way to win late with Kerry Collins leading Tennessee 80 yards to score in the 4th. A 11 yard strike to Alge Crumpler proved to be the difference with 1:56 remaining in the game. Both Quarterbacks had around the same stats, but Collins one uped Flacco with a TD which was the game. What this game tells me is that both teams are similar in their approach, but Titans are just slightly a better team. They hung in there and found a way to win. Tennessee now stands at 5-0, not sure if anyone predicted that start by the blue crew. I know I didn't.
Titans 13 Ravens 10
This game turned out to be exactly what everyone thought it would be: A slug out between two of the top tier NFL defenses. Titans found a way to win late with Kerry Collins leading Tennessee 80 yards to score in the 4th. A 11 yard strike to Alge Crumpler proved to be the difference with 1:56 remaining in the game. Both Quarterbacks had around the same stats, but Collins one uped Flacco with a TD which was the game. What this game tells me is that both teams are similar in their approach, but Titans are just slightly a better team. They hung in there and found a way to win. Tennessee now stands at 5-0, not sure if anyone predicted that start by the blue crew. I know I didn't.
Posted by Tex787 | 0 comment(s)
October 09, 2008
Tex787
On Saturday night, the Phoenix Suns will face the Denver Nuggets outside at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden (home to Pacific Life Open--one of the major events on the men's and women's pro tours) in a pre-season match-up. This is only the second time in NBA's history that a game will be played outdoors. The first being a 1972 preseason game where the Suns defeated the Bucks in San Juan, Puerto Rico at a baseball stadium.
The NBA is following in the NHL's tracks of having it's game being played outdoors. As you remember, NHL took its game on ice on New Years day with the Sabres/Penguins.
The 16,000 seat Indian Wells Tennis Garden will have an intimate feel to it. I can imagine how fun the atmosphere will be for the fans and the players. Suns said they picked the Nuggets for their star players (Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson) and because there are direct flights from Denver to Palm Springs.
The NBA is following in the NHL's tracks of having it's game being played outdoors. As you remember, NHL took its game on ice on New Years day with the Sabres/Penguins.
The 16,000 seat Indian Wells Tennis Garden will have an intimate feel to it. I can imagine how fun the atmosphere will be for the fans and the players. Suns said they picked the Nuggets for their star players (Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson) and because there are direct flights from Denver to Palm Springs.
Posted by Tex787 | 0 comment(s)
October 10, 2008
Tex787
Week 5 is in the books. I went 2-2 last week (3-1 if the Texans would have hold on to the lead) but anyways...We put Week 5 in the history books and we open up a new chapter: Week 6! Just like last week and for the remainder of the season I'll pick 4 games every Friday. I'll break them down and predict them so you can take notes and ride the cash train from Vegas after the week! (JK!) Overall Record: 2-2Last Week's Record: 2-2 So without further ado....let's begin. Hit the music. *Classic NFL Films music hits* 1) Detroit Lions @ Minnesota Vikings The Vikings won a crazy game against the Saints on Monday Night. They stand at 2-3 on the season and look to even up their record with a win over the Lions on Sunday. Lions' WR Roy Wil
Posted by Tex787 | 0 comment(s)
October 13, 2008
Tex787
It was a Sunday of last second heroics. 5 games were decided in the closing seconds. A few of them killed me in my pick-ems. I went 1-3 in my picks in my weekly dig here! Bah humbug as Ebenezer Scrooge would say. Despite my hideous pick skills again (grr!) it was a good Sunday of professional football. Instead of covering each game like I did last week here, I'll cover the games that were the more 'exciting on the weeks' slate'.
Falcons 22 Bears 20
The Bears took the lead with a half minute left. Falcons fans filed for the exits as the Bears players celebrated on the sidelines. Matt Ryan looked at the scoreboard and the game clock as he and the offense went back onto the field after a 10 yard pouched kickoff return by Harry Douglas put the Falcons on their 44 yard line. Ryan then quickly threw a dart to receiver Michael Jenkins for a gain of 26. Jenkins went out of bounds with 1 second left in the game. The officials reviewed the catch to see if Jenkins stepped out. The catch stood and the Falcons sent out kicker Jason Elam to try and win the game. Elam missed a field goal in the 4th. With 1 sec remaining...the field goal try was up...and good. Elam went from goat to hero in a span of 8 minutes as the Falcons remarkably came back and won the game pushing their record to a surprising 4-2. Falcons are gaining more attention every week now as rookie quarterback Matt Ryan has showed poise and confidence. Ryan on the day went 22-30 for 301 yards and a touchdown throw. RB Micheal Turner rushed 25 times for a measly 54 yards. On the Bears' side QB Kyle Orton threw for 286 yards off a 26-43 day with a touchdown throw. The fourth quarter to this game resembled a roller-coaster. Up, down, sideways...yet the Falcons manged to win (barely), but a win is a win in the National Football League and the Bears are sent out of Atlanta with a bitter bitter loss.
Falcons 22 Bears 20
The Bears took the lead with a half minute left. Falcons fans filed for the exits as the Bears players celebrated on the sidelines. Matt Ryan looked at the scoreboard and the game clock as he and the offense went back onto the field after a 10 yard pouched kickoff return by Harry Douglas put the Falcons on their 44 yard line. Ryan then quickly threw a dart to receiver Michael Jenkins for a gain of 26. Jenkins went out of bounds with 1 second left in the game. The officials reviewed the catch to see if Jenkins stepped out. The catch stood and the Falcons sent out kicker Jason Elam to try and win the game. Elam missed a field goal in the 4th. With 1 sec remaining...the field goal try was up...and good. Elam went from goat to hero in a span of 8 minutes as the Falcons remarkably came back and won the game pushing their record to a surprising 4-2. Falcons are gaining more attention every week now as rookie quarterback Matt Ryan has showed poise and confidence. Ryan on the day went 22-30 for 301 yards and a touchdown throw. RB Micheal Turner rushed 25 times for a measly 54 yards. On the Bears' side QB Kyle Orton threw for 286 yards off a 26-43 day with a touchdown throw. The fourth quarter to this game resembled a roller-coaster. Up, down, sideways...yet the Falcons manged to win (barely), but a win is a win in the National Football League and the Bears are sent out of Atlanta with a bitter bitter loss.
Posted by Tex787 | 0 comment(s)
October 17, 2008
Tex787
Week 6 is in the books. I went a ugly 1-3 last week as me and the crystal ball stunk it up. On Tuesday I suspended the crystal ball for 1 week. My crystal ball picked the Patriots over the Chargers on Sunday Night. Not only did the Patriots lose...they got rolled. I don't have the persona of the Houston Texans. I'm not patient. I have the persona of Jerry Jones. I've only been picking for 2 weeks going on to my third this week, but my crystal ball was already on a short leash after week 1 for picking the Texans over the Colts.
So no crystal ball this week. I'm going to use my own prediction powers this week. If the crystal ball behaves, I'll let him out for Week 8. If he acts up like Pacman...then well...I'm not afraid to suspend him for say...a month or so. I mean....I just can't have distractions in my pick ems. My crystal ball hangs around the clubs. That little thing gets women left and right, but it does not get picks right because its head is not in predictions. Thats why he's suspended this week. I went Roger Goodell on his ass. But anyways I regress. Ahem. Week 7 is upon us. I can feel it. Hit ze music!
So no crystal ball this week. I'm going to use my own prediction powers this week. If the crystal ball behaves, I'll let him out for Week 8. If he acts up like Pacman...then well...I'm not afraid to suspend him for say...a month or so. I mean....I just can't have distractions in my pick ems. My crystal ball hangs around the clubs. That little thing gets women left and right, but it does not get picks right because its head is not in predictions. Thats why he's suspended this week. I went Roger Goodell on his ass. But anyways I regress. Ahem. Week 7 is upon us. I can feel it. Hit ze music!
Posted by Tex787 | 0 comment(s)
October 21, 2008
Tex787
Week 7 is officially in the books as Tuesday, the 21st of October rolls around today. This week's Fallout report will cover the most interesting games from the week 7 slate in the National Football League. The alarm is going off in Big D as the Cowboys struggle for the second week in a row to find a win, the Vikings put up 41 in a loss, and Brett Farve gets the ball three times in overtime against the struggling Raiders, but can't chip any points in. I'll cover those happenings....right now!
Rams 34 Cowboys 14
Going in to this game, I was not alone. A lot of people thought even without Tony Romo at the helm that the Cowboys could come away with a win. Even after all the chaos of injuries, the Roy Williams acquisition and the suspension of Adam Jones. I mean we're talking about a bad Rams team...right? Well...ever since a couple of weeks ago since St.Louis fired Scott Linehan and brought in defensive coordinator Jim Haslett, this team has responded in a positive way. The Week 6 game between the Rams and Redskins was a game of mishaps on the Redskins part. What I think most people overlooked (including myself) was the RAMS in that game and just blamed that loss on Washington's turnovers.
Rams 34 Cowboys 14
Going in to this game, I was not alone. A lot of people thought even without Tony Romo at the helm that the Cowboys could come away with a win. Even after all the chaos of injuries, the Roy Williams acquisition and the suspension of Adam Jones. I mean we're talking about a bad Rams team...right? Well...ever since a couple of weeks ago since St.Louis fired Scott Linehan and brought in defensive coordinator Jim Haslett, this team has responded in a positive way. The Week 6 game between the Rams and Redskins was a game of mishaps on the Redskins part. What I think most people overlooked (including myself) was the RAMS in that game and just blamed that loss on Washington's turnovers.
Posted by Tex787 | 0 comment(s)
October 23, 2008
Tex787
The Houston Rockets will play their final pre-season game tonight against the Sacramento Kings. There's been several bright spots on the team; Von Wafer and DJ Strawberry have both arisen to the challenge and have both played good ball, new acquisition Ron Artest (despite a below average FG%) has been in good shape for the preseason as he tries to fit in with the team, Yao Ming is healthy and Aaron Brooks is steadily looking like the player many predicted he would develop his NBA game into. So the Rockets do have a few things to be happy about heading into the regular season.
However... The same constant is still there; Tracy McGrady.
McGrady has played a total of 12 minutes in the preseason all coming from a game against the Boston Celtics a couple of weeks ago. He'll get some playing time tonight against the Kings to see how his body and his knee re-acts. I support T-Mac, he's done some good things for the team and the community, but as I listened to the radio this morning one of the hosts brought up a good point:
However... The same constant is still there; Tracy McGrady.
McGrady has played a total of 12 minutes in the preseason all coming from a game against the Boston Celtics a couple of weeks ago. He'll get some playing time tonight against the Kings to see how his body and his knee re-acts. I support T-Mac, he's done some good things for the team and the community, but as I listened to the radio this morning one of the hosts brought up a good point:
Posted by Tex787 | 0 comment(s)
October 24, 2008
Tex787
We put Week 7 behind us and tackle Week 8. I went 3-1 last week in my picks (without the crystal ball mind you). If you remember I suspended the crystal ball indefinitely last week for acting up and being unsuccessful in its picks. It hung around the clubs, etc..but it did not focus on what I bought it for: .....making football picks! So I suspended it, grounded it from distractions. I'm glad to announce it has acted in line and it will make its comeback tonight in Week 8! After having a long talk with it, I feel like its the right time to bring it back. Even after going a good 3-1 last week, I have faith in my crystal ball. I have faith in its predictions. So without further ado, hit ze music!
Overall Record: 6-6
Last Week's Record: 3-1
*Classic NFL Films music hits*
Overall Record: 6-6
Last Week's Record: 3-1
*Classic NFL Films music hits*
Posted by Tex787 | 0 comment(s)
October 28, 2008
Tex787
A week filled with late game nervousness and dominant performances. The Texans were the ones doing the prowling as they tore apart the Bengals. 'America's Team' didn't look so sharp, but they found a way to win. The NFL brought a real shootout to London (hopefully no one was hurt!) and Brett Favre didn't look good for the second consecutive week, but thankfully for the Jets, they played the Chiefs. I'll cover those games in this week's Fallout report!
Before I begin, I just want to make something clear. The crystal ball made its return last Friday. I hyped it up, I basically said "yes the crystal ball sucked the past couple weeks, but I have faith in it. It will come back and win this week and every week" yada yada. Well my crystal ball since I started picking has gone 0-3 in its "Upset Picks". It picked the Buccaneers over the Cowboys. Yes, it was a close game, but the Cowboys still won. My best week with the crystal ball picking with me is 2-2. My best week with me picking alone is 3-1. The crystal ball has been nothing but aggravation.
Before I begin, I just want to make something clear. The crystal ball made its return last Friday. I hyped it up, I basically said "yes the crystal ball sucked the past couple weeks, but I have faith in it. It will come back and win this week and every week" yada yada. Well my crystal ball since I started picking has gone 0-3 in its "Upset Picks". It picked the Buccaneers over the Cowboys. Yes, it was a close game, but the Cowboys still won. My best week with the crystal ball picking with me is 2-2. My best week with me picking alone is 3-1. The crystal ball has been nothing but aggravation.
Posted by Tex787 | 0 comment(s)
October 30, 2008
Tex787
Every expert on television, news columnist, sports reporter to your chat room and forum users all say the Houston Rockets can go deep into the playoffs if A: They can keep Tracy McGrady and Yao Ming healthy and B: If Ron Artest can keep his composure on and off the court. Earlier tonight, if a single game was any indication; Rockets fans will have something to cheer about in late April and May and fellow NBA teams can expect Houston to be a legit threat all season.
During the 4th quarter Yao was fouled hard going up for a shot by Mavericks' Josh Howard. Ron Artest rushed up and gently brushed up against Howard as he tried to separate the big man and Howard. Officials then decided to give Artest a technical. No doubt, if it wasn't for Artest's past reputation no technical would have been called (most likely!).
During the 4th quarter Yao was fouled hard going up for a shot by Mavericks' Josh Howard. Ron Artest rushed up and gently brushed up against Howard as he tried to separate the big man and Howard. Officials then decided to give Artest a technical. No doubt, if it wasn't for Artest's past reputation no technical would have been called (most likely!).
Posted by Tex787 | 0 comment(s)
