One down and 255 games left (plus 11 in the playoffs)! After a 7 month absence the NFL finally had a meaningful game which kicked off the 2015 regular season. Sure the result was predictable, but it was far more captivating than Deflategate, domestic violence, PED use and anything that has to do with the Commissioner. By the way, Roger Goodell was not in Foxboro for the opener and he wasn’t missed.
What did we learn in the New England Patriots 28-21 triumph over the Pittsburgh Steelers? Nothing actually.
–Tom Brady ignored the controversy and again played like the most accomplished quarterback ever. A routine 25 of 32 for 288 yards, 4 TD’s and no picks. Oh yes, for good measure he completed a team record 19 in a row. Take that Roger, who would have preferred to have watched Jimmy Garoppolo (Pats back-up QB) from the comforts of his Lazy Boy.
–Rob Gronkowski reaffirmed he is the best tight end in the game with three touchdown receptions not to mention a key fumble recovery near the Steelers goal line.
–The Steelers defence was as porous as advertised.
–The Patriots were favored by 7 and they won by 7 although the score flattered the Steelers who got a last second TD when it didn’t matter.
–So we knew the Patriots were going to be pumped (sorry, that really wasn’t intentional) for the opener, the offences would be ahead of the defences and the home team would win but it was still fun that the “Game” had returned.
–If one was wondering the home side has won 12 of the last 13 League NFL Kickoff games.
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Amidst the culture of the NFL, many fans compete in a growing trend, where participants speculate and pick weekly winners in a popular contest widely referred to as THE FOOTBALL POOL.
Prince George is no different than most cities as interest in the NFL elevates by participating in a pool. Some, like the one hosted by 94.3 the Goat are free. Others have a token entry fee.
There are wide spectrums of pools that include:
• Time frame: weekly winners or season-long chase.
• Elimination pools: pick one team each week to win, keep going until the last player is left alive;
• Survivor pools: pick one team each week to lose, keep going until the last player is left alive;
• Team-win pools: draft certain teams whose wins count for you during the season.
Here are some guidelines that I try to follow when picking winners:
• Know the line: Vegas odds makers are professionals who know what they are doing when they establish a line. Use that as a gauge.
• Past reputations: Avoid picking teams living off previous reputations that have not been successful recently.
• Key to Success: The blueprint for winning a pool is “nailing” the games that are close on the spread (three or less points). In this realm, upsets are common. Still, it is important to have some basis for believing the so called better team will lose.
• Have an even keel approach: Do not get discouraged about having a bad week. Standings fluctuate and it only takes a few games to change the direction of the leaderboard.
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Week one this year is difficult picking a team in both an Elimination and Survivor pool. I generally don’t like taking a road team as a lock even if they are 7-point favorites like Green Bay over Chicago. No line in the
opening week has a game above a converted touchdown. There are 8 road favorites or half of the games. My best guess for a sure fire win is Denver (-4.5) over visiting Baltimore but even that one can be debated.
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Did I hear right with the Cleveland Browns? They start the season with a player, a coach and a GM all on the suspended list. If that is not bad enough, the Browns have none of the five players they drafted left on their roster from the Julio Jones trade with the Atlanta Falcons from 2011. Yes, this is the same Cleveland team that has been dealing with the Johnny Football issues for more than a year. I’m not sure the Browns are the most laughable organization in all of North American pro sports but they have succeeded through ineptitude to put themselves at or near the front of the discussion.
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Did you know that in each of the past 27 years at least one NFL team has increased its win total by five or more games from the previous season? Last year, for example, Houston went from two wins in 2013 to nine in 2014. With this in mind, who will that team(s) be in 2015? The best candidates would appear to be Tampa and Tennessee (both 2-14 last season). The New York Jets (4-12) are also in the running for a big climb.
In reverse, I’m not sure the Dallas Cowboys (12-4) will take the biggest tumble but don’t be surprised if they miss the playoffs.
From the Quote Rack:
A Massachusetts middle school has temporarily named itself after Tom Brady. I hear it’s temporary in case the NFL wins its appeal.
In England, Bertie the Tortoise set a new Guiness record speed for his species by sprinting at 0.62 mph—he was immediately signed as the newest running back for the Cleveland Browns.
Contributor Bill Littlejohn of South Lake Tahoe, California
The Cleveland Browns have suspended offense line coach Andy Moeller for his role in an “unspecified incident.” Who does Moeller think he is? A player?
Tim Tebow said after the Philadelphia Eagles’ last preseason game “I’m not going to worry about what I can’t control.” Like most of his passes?
Contributor Janice Hough of Palo Alto, California www.leftcoastsportsbabe.com
My top 3 tips to Tim Tebow if he tries out for the CFL: 1. Don’t throw down the middle. 2. Don’t throw to the left. 3. Don’t throw to the right.
Tampa Bay QB Jameis Winston’s mind for football is way above that of a typical rookie. He says that he has a photographic memory. Guess it ran out of film the day he forgot to pay for his crab legs and was arrested for shoplifting.
Comedy writer TC Chong of Vancouver (http://alwaysfunny.com/)
CoCo Vandeweghe pounding her racquet to smithereens at the U.S. Open has gone viral. She lost the match, but she’s a smash hit.
Scientists have found some varieties of lice are resistant to over-the-counter medicated shampoos. That’s a bit of a head-scratcher.
Comedy writer RJ Currie www.Sportsdeke.com
And in case you missed it:
In the Little League World Series championship game, a team from Japan defeated one from Pennsylvania. I’d still like to commend the Philadelphia Phillies for giving it their all.
Brad Dickson of the Omaha World Herald
Hartley Miller is the sports director and morning news anchor for 94.3 the Goat. His column appears Fridays on myprincegeorgenow.com. Send along a quote, note, or anecdote to [email protected]
Follow him on twitter: @Hartley_Miller