New Blog - New Article

I started a new blog called Strictly Politics http://strictly-politics.blogspot.com/ and this is my first post to it. I also created a forum to discuss my articles, as well as others, that can be found here http://garfieldjones.com/forum/


Ronn Cantu
asks a very interesting question in the blog
Iraq Veterans Against the War; he
wants to know, "What, Exactly, Are We Dying For?"
I am going to try to answer
that question.


First, let me dispense with the obvious, you should not have been there to begin with. It would be nice to say that you are there fighting terror, avenging the deaths of 3000+ people - not all of whom were Americans as the favored rhetoric goes since 911. It would be nice to blame Osama Bin Laden and some nebulous, loosely affiliated group of parasitic beasts called, "Al Qaeda," but their acts nor words had anything to do with civilians and soldiers being killed in Iraq.


Before continuing, a word about "Al Qaeda." "Al Qaeda" is a marginalized movement in the Arab/Muslim world given greater significance by American politicians elevating them to the level of an evil Arab/Muslim force. They have been given undue credibility by linking them to the Arab/Muslim mainstream.


Arabs/Muslims have never had any love for "Al Qaeda," considering that Arabs/Muslims more often than not, have always been the favorite target of "Al Qaeda." When things go boom and "Al Qaeda" claims responsibility, you can usually be sure that it is in an Arab/Muslim nation; though admittedly, not always the case. What's interesting is that "Al Qaeda" is to Arabs/Muslims what groups that worship The Turner Diaries is to America's world, extremely fringe.


Part of the "misunderstanding" between the American public and the Arab/Muslim public is that we do not involve ourselves in each other's media to any great extent. I put quotations around misunderstanding since that is effectively what it is. We do not hear those in the Arab/Muslim world who speak out against Al Qaeda because we do not read their newspapers, we do not watch their TVs, we do not listen to their radio, we do not read their blogs or ezine publications. When we do read about Arabs/Muslims that do condemn groups such as "Al Qaeda" and their actions, it is invariably in English and in our media. The thought never really occurs to us that there are just not that many Arab/Muslim voices in our media to reach the crescendo of condemnation that we figure we are owed, thus, we form the impression that there are more Muslims who must agree with Bin Laden, than who disagree.


We count on other people to tell us what the Arab/Muslim world is saying and if all they ever tell us is what Bin Laden wants us to say, then we are only really hearing what they want us to know. The truth is, America has more friends in the Arab/Muslim world than enemies, yet the perception is that "they all" want to destroy us. This may be a useful tool to some but obviously detrimental to all.


Blame is a two way street in this issue, the Arab/Muslim world feels that the entire western world is against them for the same reasons, they do not read our newspapers, they do not watch our TV, they do not listen to our radios nor read our blogs and ezine publications. They rarely hear the rational because or journalists, publishers, etc do not cater to their audience...nor should they have to. They hear the same thing we hear, the loud, the obscene, the fringe. They hear when noted American public figures say things such as, "We should invade their countries, kill their leaders, and convert their people." They hear when Americans that speak loud enough talk of clashes of civilizations, denounce their religion, way of life, and ridicules all that they hold to be holy. They rarely hear when those same people are ostracized as being out of touch or fringe or marginal; just as we never hear the same. So fundamentally, misunderstandings are at the root of all evil on every side.


The twisted truth though, is that a misunderstanding is not the answer to "What, Exactly, Are We Dying For?" The answer to that is, when evil confluences, major evil happens, and the invasion of Iraq was a major evil. There is just no other way to describe how the US administration manipulated the misunderstandings of the public through propaganda (a willing media shares a large part of the responsibility) to create the circumstances which allowed congress to sandbag its constitutional duties, and for a large portion of the American public to become a bloodthirsty, war-mongering, throng.


I suppose it is instructive to think back and remember the mood after 911, the whole world cried out for justice, the whole world cried out for blood, and the whole world went after it; first, by demanding that the Afghan government produce Bin Laden, and second, by invading Afghanistan when they did not comply. Allow me to segue for another moment with regards to Afghanistan. We went there, not to build a nation, not to free a people, but to topple a government in order to find one man. The overriding concern there though was that one man who everyone acknowledges is no longer there. The fighting part of that mission should have ended a long while ago and we (the Western World) should be there as nothing more than peacekeepers at this point.
After 911, after Afghanistan, the US administration turned its attention to Iraq. They made allegations, assured a skeptical world that they were right, and demonized anyone and everyone that stood in the way of "their truth." Remember freedom fries, freedom wine, Natalie Maines, Democrats, Max Cleland...this list could go on and on, but you get the point. The tactic was despicably evil and un-American, but it worked, so it continued. It was interesting to watch a Fox News show on a Sunday morning, hear the latest catch phrase or attack and then watch it spread to every conservative newspaper, radio show, blog, forum, newsgroup, and affiliated television station within days.


Whether it was an attack or a defense, it was and is a well-oiled machine that disseminated information to the rank and file at a blistering pace. The rank and file was just not any rank and file, theirs were hungry, eager participants in any deception that was asked of them, ready and willing to regurgitate anything that was fed to them happily- why? Because they were team players and they were on the winning team. They were doing the beating and not being the beaten and in this new world of "for us or against us," there could be no inkling of being for anyone that was not on "MY" team, not on God's team. When you mix all that with that heady dash of religion, that God is on our side and nobody else's, you now have the ingredients for a free people, willingly making idiotic blunders in the name of truth, freedom and the American way, using lies, oppression, and decidedly un-American tactics to get their way.


The thing I find odd is that goodness, justice, right, and God is on everyone's side. I remember reading recently, with stunned incredulity, a statement made by Kim Jong-Il that justice was on his side and that because of that, the DPRK would and could withstand any challenge. Bin Laden claims God his on his side. Hussein claimed that God was on his side. George Bush claims that God is on his side. Everyone claims that God and/or justice is on their side- and they know it without a shred of doubt- and that they are, in fact, acting justly and honorably. Gentlemen, God is on her own side!


The beautiful part about what they did and how they did it is some of the creative rhetoric and blatant manipulation that they employed. Nowadays, should I dare ever bring up the present circumstance in Iraq to try to square it with what was being argued at the time, the answers I get- usually in the form of questions- would lead me to believe that we all just jumped into it holding hands. They would have you believe that there was no debate at the time, that we all agreed that invading Iraq was the right and only thing to do. They cannot remember answering concerns with obfuscations, they cannot remember answering evidence with lies (nor producing lies as evidence), they cannot remember answering doubt with fear mongering, they cannot remember their own complicity. Though I must admit, the last part of that statement applies less and less since there are many who willingly admit, that today they realize that they had been lied to and manipulated.


I am moving off topic way too often, so let me conclude this with my actual answer to Ronn Cantu:


At this point you are there in Iraq because somebody…not going to name names here…somebody came up with reason after reason of why Iraq was dangerous. Somebody, said, “You are either with us, or against us.” Somebody said, “…Axis of evil,” “mushroom clouds,” “Terrorism,” “9 1 1,” “Terrorism,” “3000 dead,” “Saddam Hussein,” “He gassed his own people,” and so on. I like the last one best considering that they never mention where he got the gas from and they never mention how they reacted when he allegedly did so. They also never mention the disputes with regard to this, disputes that they were complicit in concocting.


Anyways, you are there because at this point not being there may be far worse than making a political about why you should not have been there in the first place. Americans put on the blinders and allowed their leadership to manipulate them into a situation that cannot be manipulated out of. Now Iraqis and Americans are paying a high price in blood that cannot be stopped any time soon.


The interesting thing is that some estimates have Americans killing as many Iraqis in 5 years as they had for Saddam killing people over a 35 year span; it kind of begs the question, are the Iraqis better off? Some Americans would argue that it’s a high price but a worthy price to pay for freedom and democracy. Yet if you were to ask the question, would you be willing to see 300000 Americans die to bring freedom and democracy to Iraq or Iran or North Korea, how many would say it’s a terrible price to pay but one that is worth it?

NFL week 8

Arizona at Green Bay 1:00 p.m.
Arizona breaks out of their funk
score ARZ 23 - GB 10

Atlanta at Cincinnati 1:00 p.m.
Score CIN 26 - ATL 17

Baltimore at New Orleans 1:00 p.m.
score NO 30 - BAL 27

Houston at Tennessee 1:00 p.m.
score TEN 18 - HOU 15

Jacksonville at Philadelphia 1:00 p.m.
PHI 24 - JCK 21

Seattle at Kansas City 1:00 p.m.
SEA 20 - KC 10

San Francisco at Chicago 1:00 p.m.
CHI 33 - SF 13

Tampa Bay at N.Y. Giants 1:00 p.m.
NYG 26 - TB 23

St. Louis at San Diego 4:05 p.m.
SD 17 - STL 14

Indianapolis at Denver 4:15 p.m
IND 23 - DEN 21

N.Y. Jets at Cleveland 4:15 p.m.
NYJ 17 - CLE 10

Pittsburgh at Oakland 4:15 p.m.
PIT 30 - OAK 6

Dallas at Carolina 8:15 p.m.
The coach is making some suspect decisions with my Cowboys.
CAR 27 - DAL 17

New England at Minnesota 8:30 p.m.
NE 36 - MIN 27

NFL results

Oh boy what a stinker of a week that was. That's what happens when you have no time to take a really good look at the match ups. This week will be no differnet since I may not have the time.

overall record for the week
5 wins - 8 losses

For the season
65 wins - 35 losses

Abbr week 7 picks

I do much better when I have more time to this but we can only deal with what we have.

season totals so far 60 wins - 27 losses

Carolina at Cincinnati 1:00 p.m. 130 119
Carolina to win
score CAR 19 - CIN 16

Detroit at N.Y. Jets 1:00 p.m. 125 158
Jets to win
score NYJ 24 - DET 21

Green Bay at Miami 1:00 p.m. 147 107
Miami to win
score MIA 27 - GB 24

Jacksonville at Houston 1:00 p.m. 110 144
Houston to win
score HOU 27 - JCK 21

New England at Buffalo 1:00 p.m. 146 143
Patriots to win
score NE 33 - BUF 19

Philadelphia at Tampa Bay 1:00 p.m. 122 181
Eagles to win
PHI 37 - TB 24

Pittsburgh at Atlanta 1:00 p.m. 118 153
PIT to win
score PIT 23 - ATL 19

San Diego at Kansas City 1:00 p.m. 152 123
SD to win
score SD 34 - KC 12

Denver at Cleveland 4:05 p.m. 117 107
Denver to win
score DEN 28 - CLE 16

Arizona at Oakland 4:15 p.m. 110 147
Arizona to win
score ARZ 31 - OAK 17

Minnesota at Seattle 4:15 p.m. 130 143
Seahawks to win
score SEA 20 - MIN 17

Washington at Indianapolis 4:15 p.m. 125 123
Indy to win
score IND 33 - WAS 15

N.Y. Giants at Dallas 8:30 p.m. 125 123
Dallas to win
score DAL 24 - NYG 21

Abbr NFL week 6 predictions

Buffalo at Detroit
Buffalo to win and cover BUF 24 - DET 21
Carolina at Baltimore
Ravens to win and cover BAL 19 - CAR 16
Cincinnati at Tampa Bay
Cincinatti to win and cover CIN 27 - TB 19
Houston at Dallas
Dallas to win but I pick Houston with the 13 point spread DAL 27 - HOU 17
N.Y. Giants at Atlanta
Giants to win NYG 23 - ATL 20
Philadelphia at New Orleans
Saints to win NO 30 - PHI 27
Seattle at St. Louis
St. Louis to win a very close game STL 33 - SEA 30
Tennessee at Washington
Washington to win but I take the Titans with the 9.5 spread WAS 20 - TEN 17
Kansas City at Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh to finally win again but I take the Chiefs with the spread PIT 29 - KC 27
Miami at N.Y. Jets
Jets to win and cover MYJ 27 - MIA 10
San Diego at San Francisco
San Diego to win but I take the 49'ERS with the 10 point spread SD 30 - SF 24
Oakland at Denver
Denver to win and cover DEN 40 - OAK 12
Chicago at Arizona
Bears to win and cover CHI 34 - ARI 17

NFL week 5 results

Abbreviated results this week.

Another miserable 9-5 week.

Season so far:
52-22

Evil v. Evil

Choosing between evil and less evil only means that evil wins.

NFL week 4 results

Oh my my my, what a tough week for the football pundit. Things did not go exactly as foreseen, placing a noticeable dent in the record. But there is always next week! This week's record with the spread was absolutely dismal in the most pathetic of ways...are you ready for this?...5 measly wins, 9 excruciating losses. Bad enough for me to say that when it comes to the spread, if I say go left, the smart move would be to go right.

Without the spread was not all that exciting but at least it was on the winning side. I know a lot of teams late in the season that would be excited- positively thrilled- to have it; 9 wins, 5 losses. The overall record for the season stands at 43 wins, 17 losses which is still pretty respectable in a league that places great value on 50/50. Anyways, enough of this low self-esteem, beating myself about the head- it is off to the results.

IND vs NYJ - Colts are favored by 8
Prediction: IND 30 - NYJ 19
Result: IND 31 - NYJ 28
Can there be any doubt that the Jets are for real? I keep expecting Pennington to self-destruct with that shoulder of his but he seems healthy as a thoroughbred. Barlow keeps running in TDs and the Jets just keep giving teams that should whip them, trouble. Manning, Manning, Manning! This guy has a nose for winning: win by whatever means necessary! If he has to run the ball himself, that's what he will do, and he will not fail! Indy scored a lot of points so what does it say about that D allowing so many points? When they meet a team with an exceptional defense and a good enough offence, can the Colts come through? Doubt it.

SD vs BAL - Chargers are favored by 2.5
Prediction: BAL 20 - SD 17
Result: BAL 16 - SD 13
We were close in this in this one. The Ravens defense is a marvel to behold. Not much to say about this game, it was not exactly "memorable."

BUF vs MINN - Buffalo is favored by 1
Prediction: BUF 23 - MINN 15
Result: BUF 17 - MIN 12
I knew those Vikings were imposters! I mean come on, the Vikings winning football games without a QB and WR...I mean, how long did you expect it to last? They are now 2-2 and heading to where I expected them to be, the cellar. Da Bills (sorry Bears fans) on the other hand, are going to threaten to push one of the "elite" teams out of the playoff race. Mind you it is a little too early still to say that one 2-2 team is on the way to the playoffs and the other 2-2 team is on the way to the dungeons, but it's just a feeling.

DAL vs TENN - Dallas is favored by 7.5
Prediction: DAL 27 - TENN 20
Result: DAL 45 - TEN 14
How about them Cowboys?! Steamrolling towards their date with Baltimore in the Superbowl. OK, so it was the Titans, so it was the Titans at home, it was still the Titans. I should have known better than to think that the Titans could run with the Boys. Question. Will the Titans win a game this year? The watch is on.

KC vs SF - Chiefs favored by 7
Prediction: KC 22 - SF 19
Result: KC 41 - SF 0
OUCH!!! What a whupping! What an embarrassment! Niners, Niners where are you Niners? What is with the emotional rollercoaster, one week up, one week down, one week stinking to high hell?! Two weeks ago you come out like champs against the Rams and since then nothing. I mean really, is it emotion? Do you guys have to be emotionally ready for every game or are you warriors? I mean, I can only throw my two cents of questions in with everybody else's after this pitiful effort. Nice win KC.

CAR vs NO - Carolina favored by 7.5
Prediction: NO 27 - CAR 24
Result: CAR 21 - NO 18
Should have seen the letdown coming after a big win 6 days earlier. The pride was gone, the fun was not there, the swagger was gone...come on Saints, keep marching in! What's with the Panthers? This team is supposed to dominate this year and for some reason they are having a heck of time winning games: they just keep squeaking through.

ATL vs ARZ - Atlanta favored by 7
Prediction: ATL 19 - ARZ 13
Result: ATL 32 - ARZ 10
Let's face it, the best thing about Atlanta is not Vick and the offense, but defense and special teams; and that just might be good enough to make the playoffs. I though the offense would have been just as mad as the defense about being embarrassed, but I guess there is only so much you can do with 6 plays. Arizona needs to make that QB change at least for a few weeks, may as well give the new blood a bit of time on the field.

MIA vs HOU - Dolphins favored by 4
Prediction: MIA 17 - HOU 14
Result: HOU 17 - MIA 15
OK, let's officially put an end to all the talk about Miami being a good football team and contending for a playoff spot this year; this team is going nowhere!

STL vs DET - RAMS are favored by 6.5
Prediction: STL 33 - DET 17
Result: STL 41 - DET 34
ST. Louis at home is always a great show and they did not disappoint. But what's with the Lions scoring 34 points? A lot of people had a great game in this shootout. Too bad Detroit was looking for their first win in ST. Louis, it's not the place to expect that to happen.

CIN vs NE - Bengals favored by 6
Prediction: CIN 40 - 28
Result: NE 38 - CIN 13
Boy did I goof on this one. Hail to the Patriots, they are back! Looks like they didn't need Branch and what was that other guy's name?...Who cares, New England has Brady, Bellichek, Dillon, Gabriel, Watson, Maroney and Bruschi-that's right, we are starting to remember their names- winning is back in the New England spirit. The rest of the league had better watch out because the old guard is not ready to step down.

JCK vs WAS - Jags favored by 2.5
Prediction: JAGS 23 - WAS 20
Result: WAS 36 - JCK 30
My coin flip turned out wrong. It was a tough game to call and a hard won Redskins victory.

CLE vs OAK - Cleveland favored by 1.5
Prediction: OAK 21 - CLE 17
Result: CLE 24 - OAK 21
Oakland now joins the official list of this years losers that we can say, without reservation, will not make the playoffs. Will they win a game? In keeping with my thought that no team goes unbeaten in the NFL and no team goes winless, they will have a few chances to win just 1 game; next week in San Fran, Oct 22 in ARZ, and at home Dec 3rd against the Texans. The rest of the schedule is pretty tough for them and they may do the impossible- go the entire season winless. Too bad they could not meet the Titans to guarantee that only 1 team will go winless this season; we might have two.

CHI vs SEA - Bears favored by 2.5
Prediction: CHI 26 - SEA 23
Result: CHI 37 - SEA 6
Are Da Bears the best team in football? Hard to argue against it the way they mauled the Seahawks. I have reservations against claiming them the #1 contender because the Hawks were missing Alexander, but how much of a difference could the reigning MVP make?...that's where my reservations come from. Should be an interesting game next week against that Bills offense.

PHI vs GB - Eagles are favored by 10.5
Prediction: PHI 27 - GB 24
Result: PHI 31 - GB 9
Well, at least they kept it close for 1 half. This one was a little strange. I am used to the Eagles coming out early and scoring a lot of points and then wearing down as the game goes on. For them to be strong late, tells me that this team is back on track. And how about McNabb? When he decides it, he can put this team on his shoulders and walk them to the promise land, if only he could also play special teams and defense, this year's Superbowl would be all but locked up. That's not to say that the Eagles are lacking on special teams and defense, but imagine calling the play by play, McNabb with another TD, McNabb runs the kick all the way back for a TD, McNabb blocks another one, McNabb with yet another sack...McNabb is Superman!

And there we have it! The record was dismal this week but as with all things in the NFL as the season rolls on, it just gets harder and harder. The good teams will falter against the bad teams and the bad teams will rise up against the good teams. 'Any Given Sunday, any team in the NFL can beat any other team in the NFL.'

NFL week 5 predictions

We are going to put last week behind us and stop crying about the record. 9-5 was an anomaly, an abnormality, a blip in the face of football time...we hope. Without any further adieu, let's get to it.

(home teams are in bold)

IND vs TEN - the Colts are favored by 18.5
Colts are 4-0 | Titans are 0-4
18.5! That’s a big number, a really big number. It speaks to how helpless and hapless the football world sees the Tennessee Titans. I believe the only question in this game is not whether Indy will win it, but by how much. I have to believe that the 4-0 Titans have way too much pride going into this one not to put up a hell of a fight, I mean, they are still an NFL team…sort of. I am procrastinating on this one because it would be silly to pick the Colts with that big a spread, and it would be silly to think the Titans can amount to anything other than embarrassed in this one. OK, my mind is made up. I have zero face in the Indy defense to keep opponents off the board, even the Titans.
Prediction:
W/O Spread Indy
W/Spread Titans
Score: IND 34 – TEN 17

NYG vs WAS – Giants are favored by 3.5
Giants are 1-2 | WAS is 2-2
My opinion is that the Giants really are not a very good football team. They have heart, they can compete, but Shockey brings them down. A divided team is a vulnerable team and this team has had to polarize around the coach or around Shockey. Little things will be done and smaller things yet will not be done in this game. A missed block here, trying a little too hard there, and more than enough blame to go around. I say this game will serve as a wake up call for the Giants. It is the Redskins all the way in this one.
Prediction: WAS 20 – NYG 17

MIN vs DET – Vikings favored by 6
Minnesota is 2-2 | DET is 0-4
This may be a great opportunity for Detroit to break out of the ranks of the winless. I like this years Vikings, they keep surprising me with their play; except for last week, and the week before…who am I kidding, I can’t pick the Vikings! But they are at home, so maybe I should. Their defense has been pretty average, but average is a far cry better than Detroit’s sieve. Detroit has scored more points and did quite well against the Seahawks in week 1. There may be an upset but I have to lean towards the Vikes.
Prediction:
W/O Spread Minnesota
W/Spread Lions

NO vs TB – Saints are favored by 6
NO is 3-1 | TB is 0-3
If only the Bucs could score a point or two then maybe this would be interesting. Reggie Bush score his first two NFL touchdowns. New Orleans all the way!
Prediction: NO 37 – TB 13

STL vs GB – ST. Louis favored by 3
STL is 3-1 | GB is 1-3
The Packers are going nowhere fast this season but the Rams seem to stumble on the road. Favre and the Pack have too much pride not to feel the sting from Monday nights humiliation on national tv, so look for them to rebound at Lambeau. The upset is in the making.
Prediction: GB 23 – STL 20

NE vs MIA – NE favored by 9.5
Patriots are 3-1 | MIA 1-3
Miami is finished, the Patriots rejuvenated. Lookout for the rout!
score: NE 43 – MIA 23

CHI vs BUF – Bears favored by 11
Chicago is 4-0 | Buffalo 2-2
The Bears are good, really freaking good! But so are the Bills. I fully expect the Bears to win but the Bills will be a handful. They have a solid offence, and a solid enough defense to keep the Bears on their toes. The Bills will look to control possession of the ball with their running game; 11 points is way too much.
Prediction:
W/O Spread Chicago
W/Spread Buffalo
score: Chicago 17 – BUF 13

CAR vs CLE – Panthers favored by 8
Carolina is 2-2 | Cleveland is 1-3
This is a statement game for the Panthers. This game will be for them to state whether they are legitimate contenders or overblown pretenders. They should be able to handle anything the Browns throw at them and dish it back three times. This is the game where Carolina proclaims, “We are way above just average!” Carolina all the way.
score: CAR 30 – CLE 20

JCK vs NYJ – Jaguars favored by 7
Jacksonville is 2-2 | Jets are 2-2
Well! Somebody has got to stand up and be counted! This is the game of the weekend. These are two good teams. The Jets have scored more but allowed more scores than the JAGS. Should Jacksonville win this, it will be purely by defense. 7 points is too much.
Prediction:
W/O Spread Jags
W/Spread Jets
score: JCK 23 – JETS 17

KC vs ARZ – KC is favored by 2.5
Kansas City is 1-2 | Arizona is 1-3
This is a slap in the face of Chiefs who just showed the entire NFL last week that they are a force in this league. I say they prove it again by tromping all over a good Arizona defense in Arizona.
Prediction: KC 33 – ARZ 13

SF vs OAK – SF is favored by 3.5
San Francisco is 1-3 | OAK is 0-3
The only thing worse than the Raiders defense and the Raiders offence is the 49’ers defense. I am going to hold my nose and pick hapless over more hapless. I say the Niners, because they at least can put some points on the board.
Prediction: SF 31 – OAK 10

PHI vs DAL – Eagles favored by 2.5
PHI is 3-1 | DAL is 2-1
I take back my game of the weekend comment before, this is the GAME OF THE WEEKEND! I like the Eagles, but I love the Cowboys so I have to go with the Boys upsetting the birds in front of all those booing Philly fans. The Eagles can score, but the Dallas D can shut down just about anybody. Dallas all the way!
Prediction: DAL 26 – PHI 23

SD vs PIT – Chargers favored by 3.5
San Diego is 2-1 | PIT is 1-2
The defending champs have a lot to prove in this one; it’s the game that ultimately decides their fate this year. They won their first game with Batch and have ridden Big Ben since. The question is, has Roethlisberger finally recovered from his summer stupidity? I say yes, I say Big Ben gets it going in this game against a very good Chargers team. I say Pittsburgh puts the rest of the NFL on notice by winning this tough game on the road. They will want the other teams to know that to be the champ, you gotta beat the champ!
Prediction: PIT 23 – SD 20

DEN vs BAL – Denver favored by 4
Denver is 2-1 | BAL is 4-0
Denver is favored? That thin mountain air must have infected somebody’s thought patterns. OK, so Denver is at Mile High, so what…well not exactly so what, it’s a tough place to win. Baltimore is one of 4 teams that can walk into Denver and shut down that offence: the others are CHI, ATL, and SD. OK, so they are 1 of 2 teams (Chicago) that can do it; and do it they will.
Prediction: BAL 17 – DEN 14

NFL week 4 results

Oh my my my, what a tough week for the football pundit. Things did not go exactly as foreseen, placing a noticeable dent in the record. But there is always next week! This week’s record with the spread was absolutely dismal in the most pathetic of ways…are you ready for this?…5 measly wins, 9 excruciating losses. Bad enough for me to say that when it comes to the spread, if I say go left, the smart move would be to go right.

Without the spread was not all that exciting but at least it was on the winning side. I know a lot of teams late in the season that would be excited- positively thrilled- to have it; 9 wins, 5 losses. The overall record for the season stands at 43 wins, 17 losses which is still pretty respectable in a league that places great value on 50/50. Anyways, enough of this low self-esteem, beating myself about the head- it is off to the results.

IND vs NYJ - Colts are favored by 8
Prediction: IND 30 - NYJ 19
Result: IND 31 - NYJ 28
Can there be any doubt that the Jets are for real? I keep expecting Pennington to self-destruct with that shoulder of his but he seems healthy as a thoroughbred. Barlow keeps running in TDs and the Jets just keep giving teams that should whip them, trouble. Manning, Manning, Manning! This guy has a nose for winning: win by whatever means necessary! If he has to run the ball himself, that’s what he will do, and he will not fail! Indy scored a lot of points so what does it say about that D allowing so many points? When they meet a team with an exceptional defense and a good enough offence, can the Colts come through? Doubt it.

SD vs BAL - Chargers are favored by 2.5
Prediction: BAL 20 - SD 17
Result: BAL 16 - SD 13
We were close in this in this one. The Ravens defense is a marvel to behold. Not much to say about this game, it was not exactly “memorable.”

BUF vs MINN - Buffalo is favored by 1
Prediction: BUF 23 - MINN 15
Result: BUF 17 - MIN 12
I knew those Vikings were imposters! I mean come on, the Vikings winning football games without a QB and WR…I mean, how long did you expect it to last? They are now 2-2 and heading to where I expected them to be, the cellar. Da Bills (sorry Bears fans) on the other hand, are going to threaten to push one of the “elite” teams out of the playoff race. Mind you it is a little too early still to say that one 2-2 team is on the way to the playoffs and the other 2-2 team is on the way to the dungeons, but it’s just a feeling.

DAL vs TENN - Dallas is favored by 7.5
Prediction: DAL 27 - TENN 20
Result: DAL 45 - TEN 14
How about them Cowboys?! Steamrolling towards their date with Baltimore in the Superbowl. OK, so it was the Titans, so it was the Titans at home, it was still the Titans. I should have known better than to think that the Titans could run with the Boys. Question. Will the Titans win a game this year? The watch is on.

KC vs SF - Chiefs favored by 7
Prediction: KC 22 - SF 19
Result: KC 41 - SF 0
OUCH!!! What a whupping! What an embarrassment! Niners, Niners where are you Niners? What is with the emotional rollercoaster, one week up, one week down, one week stinking to high hell?! Two weeks ago you come out like champs against the Rams and since then nothing. I mean really, is it emotion? Do you guys have to be emotionally ready for every game or are you warriors? I mean, I can only throw my two cents of questions in with everybody else’s after this pitiful effort. Nice win KC.

CAR vs NO - Carolina favored by 7.5
Prediction: NO 27 - CAR 24
Result: CAR 21 - NO 18
Should have seen the letdown coming after a big win 6 days earlier. The pride was gone, the fun was not there, the swagger was gone…come on Saints, keep marching in! What’s with the Panthers? This team is supposed to dominate this year and for some reason they are having a heck of time winning games: they just keep squeaking through.

ATL vs ARZ - Atlanta favored by 7
Prediction: ATL 19 - ARZ 13
Result: ATL 32 - ARZ 10
Let’s face it, the best thing about Atlanta is not Vick and the offense, but defense and special teams; and that just might be good enough to make the playoffs. I though the offense would have been just as mad as the defense about being embarrassed, but I guess there is only so much you can do with 6 plays. Arizona needs to make that QB change at least for a few weeks, may as well give the new blood a bit of time on the field.

MIA vs HOU - Dolphins favored by 4
Prediction: MIA 17 - HOU 14
Result: HOU 17 - MIA 15
OK, let’s officially put an end to all the talk about Miami being a good football team and contending for a playoff spot this year; this team is going nowhere!

STL vs DET - RAMS are favored by 6.5
Prediction: STL 33 - DET 17
Result: STL 41 - DET 34
ST. Louis at home is always a great show and they did not disappoint. But what’s with the Lions scoring 34 points? A lot of people had a great game in this shootout. Too bad Detroit was looking for their first win in ST. Louis, it’s not the place to expect that to happen.

CIN vs NE - Bengals favored by 6
Prediction: CIN 40 - 28
Result: NE 38 - CIN 13
Boy did I goof on this one. Hail to the Patriots, they are back! Looks like they didn’t need Branch and what was that other guy’s name?…Who cares, New England has Brady, Bellichek, Dillon, Gabriel, Watson, Maroney and Bruschi-that’s right, we are starting to remember their names- winning is back in the New England spirit. The rest of the league had better watch out because the old guard is not ready to step down.

JCK vs WAS - Jags favored by 2.5
Prediction: JAGS 23 - WAS 20
Result: WAS 36 - JCK 30
My coin flip turned out wrong. It was a tough game to call and a hard won Redskins victory.

CLE vs OAK - Cleveland favored by 1.5
Prediction: OAK 21 - CLE 17
Result: CLE 24 - OAK 21
Oakland now joins the official list of this years losers that we can say, without reservation, will not make the playoffs. Will they win a game? In keeping with my thought that no team goes unbeaten in the NFL and no team goes winless, they will have a few chances to win just 1 game; next week in San Fran, Oct 22 in ARZ, and at home Dec 3rd against the Texans. The rest of the schedule is pretty tough for them and they may do the impossible- go the entire season winless. Too bad they could not meet the Titans to guarantee that only 1 team will go winless this season; we might have two.

CHI vs SEA - Bears favored by 2.5
Prediction: CHI 26 - SEA 23
Result: CHI 37 - SEA 6
Are Da Bears the best team in football? Hard to argue against it the way they mauled the Seahawks. I have reservations against claiming them the #1 contender because the Hawks were missing Alexander, but how much of a difference could the reigning MVP make?…that’s where my reservations come from. Should be an interesting game next week against that Bills offense.

PHI vs GB - Eagles are favored by 10.5
Prediction: PHI 27 - GB 24
Result: PHI 31 - GB 9
Well, at least they kept it close for 1 half. This one was a little strange. I am used to the Eagles coming out early and scoring a lot of points and then wearing down as the game goes on. For them to be strong late, tells me that this team is back on track. And how about McNabb? When he decides it, he can put this team on his shoulders and walk them to the promise land, if only he could also play special teams and defense, this year’s Superbowl would be all but locked up. That’s not to say that the Eagles are lacking on special teams and defense, but imagine calling the play by play, McNabb with another TD, McNabb runs the kick all the way back for a TD, McNabb blocks another one, McNabb with yet another sack…McNabb is Superman!

And there we have it! The record was dismal this week but as with all things in the NFL as the season rolls on, it just gets harder and harder. The good teams will falter against the bad teams and the bad teams will rise up against the good teams. ‘Any Given Sunday, any team in the NFL can beat any other team in the NFL.’