2011 NFL Predictions

I have gone through every game on the NFL schedule to come up with the most accurate predictions possible for each team. I have taken into consideration that the Jaguars are going in a new direction at Quarterback, the Colts will have to play this season without Peyton Manning and the fact that the new kickoff rules could hurt teams with a good return game.

Also the "dream team" in Philadelphia could go through a nightmare early in the season with that Offensive Line. Protecting Michael Vick and keeping him healthy is the key to this teams success.

I predict the Packers will beat the Chargers in Superbowl XLVI after a great NFL season!
Here are my regular season record predictions for each team:

NO 13-3
AT 12-4
TB 9-7
CR 3-13

GB 12-4
DT 10-6
CH6-10
MN 2-14

AZ 10-6
SL 8-8
SF 8-8
SE 3-13

PH 10-6
DL 9-7
GI 7-9
WA 5-11

HU 10-6
TN 8-8
ID 6-10
JK 5-11

BT 13-3
PT 12-4
CL 9-7
CN 3-13

SD 13-3
KC 6-10
OK 6-10
DN 3-13

JT 13-3
NE 12-4
MI 6-10
BF 4-12

PACKERS WIN 13TH WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP

We did it Packer fans, we really did it. Our Green Bay Packers just won the Superbowl without playing their best game. After the veterans Donald Driver and Charles Woodson went out in the second quarter this team did what they did all year and fought through it, fought through mistakes like all the dropped passes and some misfires by Aaron Rodgers. It was a 31-25 victory over the Steelers to win Superbowl XLV, that is all that really matters. Also Aaron Rodgers has now tied Brett Favre with ONE SUPERBOWL TITLE and just won SUPERBOWL MVP, something #4 never did. Aaron Rodgers is already the better quarterback in my book!

This is really just the beginning. This team is mostly young and will have many more opportunities in this decade to win championships. It is never easy to repeat but it looks like this team is still improving. They will continue to grow together and with the injured players back will have more great players on the roster than they can keep.

I think the 2011 Packers might just blow out a lot of teams when they learn how to stop making these mistakes. The first goal will be to win the NFC North division title that we failed to earn this year. Earn the home field throughout the playoffs and take an easier route to the next World Championship, this one in Indianapolis. I need to earn some money and go to Superbowl XLVI. I feel very confident that the Packers will be there and be a much better team than they are right now!

Troy Polamalu wins by a hair!

Clay Matthews lost out by two votes to Troy Polamalu for the 2010 NFL Defensive Player of the Year. I did not see this one coming. I thought Clay would win almost every vote, Troy did miss two games but hey, the real prize will be won on Sunday. Human nature tells us that Troy might lose his edge just a little while Clay apparently has more to prove. Not that they needed any more motivation but Matthews and his teammates just got some.

Troy received 17 votes, Clay 15, James Harrison (also a Steeler) 8, Julius Peppers (Bears) 6, his teammate Brian Urlacher 2, and the Ravens Ed Reed and Haloti Ngata both received 1 vote. Interesting to see how both of this years Superbowl teams have such dominating Defensive players. Pittsburgh has Troy and James while Green Bay has Clay and last years' Defensive Player of the Year, Charles Woodson. These four stars will be trying to stop two of the most elusive quarterbacks in the game in the biggest battle of all on Superbowl Sunday!

Now is the time for Troy Polamalu and Clay Matthews to take their competition to a new level in Dallas Cowboys stadium. They already are considered marketing adversaries, with Polamalu's jersey the top seller in the league, and both representing hair products.

Who will win superiority on Sunday?

Troy Polamalu has had a good run, known as one of the best players in the game now for several years.

Is it time for Clay Matthews to take over?

I think so!

Twitter having an effect on the NFL

Who is that guy on the left and why have I posted this picture from his facebook photos? Does he play in the NFL? What does he have to do with this story? Read on and find out!

All the tweets during and after the NFC Championship game on Sunday have caused quite a stir. I don't think people in general think while tweeting, or doing a status update on facebook, about the fact that everyone in the world could find out what they were thinking at the time. The Jay Cutler situation was the first incident that became a huge story but this has been going on for a while now. With social networking we are truly living in a whole new world.

Two of the 16 Packers on I.R. were tweeting back and forth the other day about how they would not be included in the team picture at the Superbowl because it would be taken on Tuesday and the the injured players don't fly in until Friday. Word quickly got out to the media and it became a controversy that the Packer organization quickly rectified. The team picture will now be taken on Friday. This was an easy fix that possibly would not have happened if there was no twitter.

Gone are the days of having to read about the game after the game is over. You can get play-by-play stats and opinions. Everything is immediate and sometimes conclusions drawn too quickly. To people over 40, like me, this is crazy. I am glad that I am using the Internet for so many different things these days. Some post 40 people don't use computers very often, or even own one, and are really missing out.

I have found through use of facebook that my friends and I are much more brutally honest with each other in facebook comments that we would be in reality, face to face. This can cause some unnecessary disagreements that would be less likely to exist without facebook. As a matter of fact, Paul Eggers (one of our great sportswriters on this blog, pictured above) seems to have two different personalities. In person I think he is an okay guy with only the one big fault (being a Viking fan) but on line...well, I will leave it at that.

Anyway, this new world has some great advantages including things like this blog. No newspaper ever wanted my writings but I can blog all I want. The facebook stuff can be fun and keep friendships alive with miles between us BUT it can also be a huge time waster and one of my New Year's resolutions is to be on facebook less. I am not doing so well so far because I love commenting about the Packers. A week or so after the Superbowl is over I think I will be able to cut down my facebook time. I have a twitter account as well but almost never use it because facebook has already used up my free time. Anyway...I am just kind of curious about what you all think about this new world with the social networking.

How often do you facebook and twitter?

Do you agree about the effects it has on professional sports?

Superbowl XLV (Packers/Steelers)

Congratulations first to both the Bears and the Jets for coming back from way down to make these games entertaining. Both the Bears and Jets looked over matched today but kept on fighting, never gave up, and had a chance in the end. These teams have been underrated all season by many people, including me, let me say now that they both earned the right to be part of football's final 4.

Green Bay 21 Chicago 14

Pittsburgh 24 New York 19

Congratulations to the Packers and Steelers. They now head to Dallas for what should be an epic Superbowl. The Packers are an early two point favorite. It is like Vegas now sees the Packers as the #1 seed they should have been. In fact if the Packers would have been able to win at Chicago and Atlanta in the regular season they would have won the North, finished in a 12-4 tie with the Falcons and therefore would have been the #1 seed in the playoffs. The road less traveled has been difficult for the Packers but possibly even more rewarding.

As a Packer fan I can honestly tell you that I thought they would make it to Superbowl XLV from the very beginning. When injuries threatened to kill the season I said hey, it is still early enough in the season to fight through and still make it. When some wrote off the Packers at 8-6 when the Bears won the North, I told everyone the path the Packers would take to make it to Dallas. It all played out as I expected, except for one thing. I expected the championship game to be at New Orleans. I thought it would be sweet to knock out the champs. After the Seahawks took care of the Saints, the collision course was set. The Packers took out the rival Bears to get to the big one but I must say two things about the Bears. "They are better than I thought they were" if they had a better option at quarterback than Jay Cutler they could be a championship team. They might have found that better option in the forth quarter today in Caleb Hanie, a guy I know nothing about. He gave his team a chance today, that is all I know. So, Chicago faces another off-season unsettled at the most important position, cool!

The Pittsburgh Steelers are consistently a great team. The Green Bay Packers have been through a lot and become a great team. BOTH TEAMS ARE FAR FROM PERFECT, this has a chance to go down as the greatest Superbowl because more now than ever in the NFL, anything can happen!

CHAMPIONSHIP SUNDAY IS FINALLY HERE

Today brings us the biggest ever game in the Packers/Bears rivalry as they battle for the NFC Championship belt.

It also brings us an AFC title tilt. This Steelers/ Jets contest should come right down to the wire and might even bring us our first NFL playoffs overtime under the new overtime rules.

The result of it all might be Packers/Steelers in Superbowl XLV. These are the leagues two largest fan bases, how cool would that be?

This would set up what might turn out to be the most watched television event ever.

No matter what, today's championship action is going to be great.

My best guesses are:

Packers 23 Bears 7 in a game that might be a defensive struggle early and a Packer blowout late!

Steelers 23 Jets 17 in a game that will go on for a while and be an absolute classic.

Performance Enhancers: Are they good or bad for sports and where do you draw the line?

The latest internet buzz surrounding the topic of performance enhancing drugs (PEDs) involves a spray derived from a substance found on deer antlers. Similar to Human Growth Hormone (HGH) when it was first used as a PED in the late 1990's, it is very difficult to test for naturally occurring IGF-1, the active ingredient in this new PED. In order to test positive, a blood test must be conducted at the right time because the substance does not stay in a human body for extended periods of time like other PEDs. Currently, neither the NFL or MLB use blood tests to test for PEDs.

Although this PED is new, the discussion about the use of PEDs in sports is not. Athletes have always looked for competitive advantages and the lines are becoming increasingly blurred. How do you differentiate between what should be a legal performance enhancing substance (such as a protein shake) and an illegal one (steroids)? More importantly, is it possible for leagues to eliminate the use of PEDs since as soon as effective tests are developed for one PED a new PED takes its place? The biggest questions about PEDs though are: are they good or bad for sports, and what message are we sending to our children by embracing their use in professional sports?

After the baseball strike of 1995, attendance of MLB games plummeted by over 20%. By 1998 in the midst of a home run chase fueled by the use of PEDs, MLB attendance hit a record of 70.6 million fans, up 12% from 1997. With its popularity on the rise, MLB and Commissioner Bud Selig did not address the steroid issue until 2003 and MLB did not impose stiff penalties for PED users until after Congress became involved in 2005. Despite the fact that several top tier players (e.g. Alex Rodriguez, and Manny Ramirez) have tested positive for steroids, attendance at MLB games has remained well above post-strike attendance marks notwithstanding the economic recession the country finds itself in.

This begs the question, have leagues and fans accepted the fact that athletes will use PEDs? Are we willing to allow athletes to use PEDs so they can perform at their best and we can be more entertained? Most importantly, what message does this send to our children? Should we tell our children that PEDs are not for them but that professional athletes play by a different set of rules? Is that message really different than the reality that professional athletes are afforded certain privileges by society that the rest of us are not (Brett Favre, Tiger Woods, Kobe Bryant, Ben Roethlisberger)?

It's an interesting discussion but if the purpose of sports is to entertain us and PEDs provide a way for them entertain us more, maybe it is time for us to embrace their use in professional sports. Since the use of PEDs seems to be widespread, allowing their use in professional sports is possibly the only way to truly level the playing field. There will always be athletes who figure out ways around PED testing. Is it fair to punish the athletes who play by the rules since they are at a disadvantage against the ones who find ways to take PEDs?

If it isn't then professional sports need to do one of two things. Either legalize PEDs or impose even stiffer penalties on those caught using them. I'm not talking about a 50 game suspension, I'm talking about a lifetime ban. If we as fans believe that PEDs are detrimental to sports then let's make the punishment so severe that it actually deters athletes from using them. For those of you who feel this is too harsh, it really isn't any different than what would happen to most people if they were caught one time for felony use of a recreational drug. Most people would be terminated from their current job and have a difficult time finding new employment. Why should a professional athlete be treated differently?

Football's Final Four

Since the other writers on this blog have put my face and name out there I no longer see any reason to try to be objective when I write about the Green Bay Packers. I will tell you exactly what I think and you are free to give your opinions in the comments. If fact, we strongly encourage you to make comments and become a follower.

I go by mjtrescher but my name is Mike Trescher and I have been right about the Packers since we started this blog so you have no reason to doubt me.

Here goes, my take on the teams that are still alive in the NFL playoffs:

Packers at Bears: The fact that the road team (#6 seed Green Bay) is a 3 point favorite in Vegas over the home team (#2 seed Chicago) should tell you all you need to know. The Packers have already passed the toughest hurdles of these NFC playoffs with wins at Philadelphia and Atlanta. Chicago is just a quick stop on the way to Dallas for Superbowl XLV.
Anything can happen, this is the NFL after all, but the Packers are playing there best ball at the right time and should beat the Bears by plenty. If you believe in jinxes notice the that the Bears are on the cover of Sports Illustrated right now. My guess is Packers 23 Bears 7 but we might put up as much as 45 again, even with the poor field conditions.

Jets at Steelers: I think the Jets have a real good shot in this one especially with a banged up Offensive Line in Pittsburgh but I am going with the best quarterback in this one.
My guess is Steelers 23 Jets 17 in Overtime!

Packers take out the the top seeded Falcons!

The Green Bay Packers overcame some early mistakes and totally dominated the Atlanta Falcons to the tune of 48-21.

442-194 in total yards, 346-149 passing, 96-45 rushing, 38min-22min in Time of Possession, and the turnover battle 4-1.

Aaron Rodgers was 31/36 for 366 and 3 TD's and also rushed for a touchdown.

Tramon Williams had two interceptions, the first one in the endzone (pictured on the right) and the other one was a pick 6.

These are two players that were snubbed from the Pro Bowl but no matter, they are now just one step away from a much better bowl. They will be voted all-pro when it is all over!

There is not a lot more to say about this game. It was awesome to watch as a Packer fan but I felt that my preview was unbiased when I predicted a simple 24-20 victory. I was thinking of much bigger things but who could have predicted it would go this well? I can't hold back my excitement for this team. I felt all season like the Packers would be in the Superbowl and now it looks like a near certainty. In the AFC I was wrong with the Chargers pick from the start and wrong with the Ravens pick I made when the playoffs started but I do know my NFC. The cream has finally risen to the top.

Years like this don't happen often so you can bet I am going to enjoy it. I also love the way the Packer fans took over the Georgia Dome tonight. To all Packer fans out there, saver this!

These are the good days!

Packers at Falcons playoff preview

Back on November 28, 2010 the Packers traveled to Atlanta for a game that figured to decide who would go on to earn the top spot in the NFC. With this would come home field throughout the playoffs and a first round bye. QB Aaron Rodgers fumbled at the goal line and the Falcons recovered in the end zone and then responded with an 80 yard touchdown drive. Trailing 17-10 in the final quarter, Rodgers, who had a huge day (26-35, 344 yards and a TD both passing and rushing) led a 16 play 90 yard drive to tie the game with 56 seconds left. He converted two fourth downs on the drive, including the touchdown to Jordy Nelson. The Falcons, behind Matt Ryan, who had a good day of his own (24-28, 198 yards, 1 TD) drove down the field after a 40 yard kickoff return by Eric Weems and Matt Bryant kicked the game winning FG to give the Atlanta the victory.

This Atlanta Falcon team is good, damn good. They move the ball with unrelenting efficiency, perfectly content to take what a team gives them. The Defense keeps teams out of the end zone. They don't do anything flashy but they do everything well. They are methodical, disciplined, and resourceful. They don't get the acclaim they deserve. They earned the home field, the bye, and will be rested and ready.

Coach Mike Smith has led the Falcons to a 13-3 record. How and why are they so good? They're fundamentally sound, all across the board and you have to beat them: they won't beat themselves. It is tough to beat a team like that. They have balance on Offense, no offensive line starter has missed a game this season, Michael Turner rushed for 1371 yards and 12 touchdowns and Roddy White caught 115 passes for 1389 yards and 10 touchdowns. They have a sound structure and scheme on defense and don't give up the big play. The have a special team's ace in Weems and an accurate kicker in Matt Bryant. It's a winning formula. The reason Atlanta beat Green Bay was because they made fewer mistakes. With Matt Ryan at quarterback, Atlanta is 20-2 at the Georgia dome. They could certainly do it again.

The key for the Green Bay Packers to beat this team is to match them in playing fundamentally sound and contain that running game. Keep Michael Turner under 100 yards and put the Falcons in passing situations and don't let Roddy White beat you. Veteran Tight End Tony Gonzalez will get a lot of balls thrown his way but it is easier to catch him than White if they get into the open field. The Falcons are not unbeatable. They lost three games, including one to the same Philadelphia team that the Packers just beat. Green Bay will be looking for a bit of revenge but mostly just to take the next step towards the NFC Championship. The Packers are hot at the right time!!! It is not the teams that play the best overall that win championships in the NFL recently, it is the teams that play their best football in January. They have a real confidence these days and match up well against Atlanta.

While not having the balance that Atlanta does the Packers have found some with the emergence of RB James Starks. He will give the play-action pass a real chance to work so look for Aaron Rodgers to use that on the opening drive and try to hit Greg Jennings or Donald Driver for a quick score. Getting ahead early is the key as Atlanta could be a little rusty after the well deserved bye week.

If the Falcons win this game they are almost sure to beat the Seahawks or Bears in the NFC Championship in the Georgia Dome. If the Packers win it they go on the road for the title game. That would be nothing new for them so in either case I would expect the winner of Packers at Falcons to wind up in Superbowl XLV.

Defense is what gives the Packers the edge in this game. Clay Matthews, Charles Woodson, BJ Raji, and Tramon Williams lead a squad that gave up the second fewest points in the league this season. I think Aaron Rodgers wins this game late after a hard fought contest with lead changes and a whole lot of great action. Enjoy it everyone! My prediction is no turnovers by the Packers this time allowing them to have success. Green Bay 24 Atlanta 20.

Steelers Ravens Preview

I don't remember the last time we have had a weekend of playoff matchups like the ones we will see this weekend. Each game is a regular season rematch and two of the games feature division rivals. If that doesn't get you excited you're not a sports fan.

For my money, the most intriguing game this weekend is Baltimore at Pittsburgh. These teams split their regular season games with each team winning on the other's home field. These teams are mirror images of each other. They both feature dynamic, hard hitting defenses, solid quarterbacks who can make plays on the run and outside the pocket, and excellent coaching.

I like Pittsburgh in this game. Although the Ravens did win at Pittsburgh it was in week 4. The final week of Roethlisberger's suspension. With Big Ben back at the helm I believe Pittsburgh's experience on offense will triumph in the end. I look for Troy Polamalu to come up with another big fourth quarter play to salt the game away.

Packers get contributions from everyone in victory at Philadelphia

Tom Crabtree found the end zone early and the Packers finally turned the running game over to James Starks (23 carries for 123 yards) but it was the Defense that held on to this victory for Green Bay. Cornerback Tramon Williams picked off Michael Vick in the end zone to crush a late charge by the Eagles. The Packers escaped the Michael Vick experience with a 21-16 victory.

Aaron Rodgers (18-27-180 3TD's) had just an average game but it was enough today as he gets his first ever playoff win. The Packers did fumble the ball four times and lost two of them. Also each Wide Receiver had a drop with the James Jones drop late in the first half being the reason Green Bay did not blow Philadelphia out.

Two missed field goals by the normally reliable David Akers are a huge reason that the season is over for the Eagles. The injury to DeSean Jackson and a hobbled Michael Vick were a big reason the Eagles could not hit the big plays we have become so accustomed to seeing them win with. Packers Defensive Coordinator Dom Capers really had the Eagles confused by not blitzing as often as expected. On a different day this could have been a step along the Eagles road to the Superbowl but as it is, the Packers move on and Atlanta is the next step along the road to Super Bowl XLV.

It is amazing how Green Bay keeps coming up with players who can step in and get the job done. With 15 players on Injured reserve and three more who could not go today, is there any team with greater depth than the Green Bay Packers?

The Offensive Line played much better today, very few penalties, and great run blocking and blocking on screens on a windy day where a running game is even more important that normal. The Packers know it will take a better performance in the passing game to pull out a win over the Falcons. Expect another nail bitter on Saturday night in the Georgia Dome!

The surprising Seattle Seahawks will now travel to Chicago in the other NFC Divisional round match up. It would appear that the winner of Green Bay at Atlanta would figure to represent the NFC in February at Dallas stadium BUT this is the NFL where anything can happen!