ZB Notebook 10-23-12

by | Oct 23, 2012 | 2012 season, NFL Random Thoughts

That Monday Night Football matchup between Chicago and Detroit was a barnburner.

Or not.

In one of the uglier games I’ve seen played in awhile, Detroit gave away opportunity after opportunity to take over the game in the red zone while Chicago took enough advantage early in the game to hold on for the win and continued sole possession of first place in the NFC North.

The Lions continued a pattern of playing putrid offense throughout the first three quarters and then making a mad dash at a comeback toward the end of the game.

Four turnovers in the red zone? Can’t win that way in the NFL. Matt Stafford looks lost for three quarters and Detroit has got to do something to get Calvin Johnson involved in games earlier. Right now that’s a bad team. (more…)

ZB Notebook 10-16-12

by | Oct 16, 2012 | 2012 season, NFL Random Thoughts

I think the wear and tear and stress and strain may be getting to Eagles coach Andy Reid. He was getting ready to follow up a hugely disappointing season when the tragedy of his son’s death struck during training camp. And ownership made no bones about the fact that a repeat of 2011 in 2012 would not be acceptable.

Reid looked incredibly tired and worn down by Sunday’s comeback loss to Detroit, barking more aggressively at officials than I recall him doing in the past. Now word has emerged that his embattled defensive coordinator Juan Castillo has been fired and there are even rumors that quarterback Mike Vick may be on the brink of losing his job.

I think the hotseat is getting hotter in Philly – and probably deservedly so, even in spite of the conference championship games and Super Bowl Reid has led the Eagles to since arriving in 1999. I ranked him the sixth most-likely coach to get fired in a preseason list. I’d say he could be as high as number three now – and owner Jeff Lurie may do him a favor.

Reid, frankly, looks tired and worn out. He is a great coach, but it might actually do him some good to take a page from the book of Jeff Fisher by taking a year off to catch his breath and get some sleep.

London Jaguars?: (more…)

NFL Picks, 2012 season, Week 6

by | Oct 11, 2012 | 2012 season, NFL Picks

Sometimes it just takes one.

The New Orleans Saints finally got in the win column Sunday night with a victory over the ever-inconsistent San Diego Chargers. The Saints dug themselves a hole early, but at least one Saints blogger gives the team a chance at a mid-season turnaround, noting that outside of Atlanta, the NFC is devoid of dominant teams.

Thus Travis Dauro, a contributing writer for Canal Street Chronicles (Twitter: CSCTweet), thinks New Orleans still might have a playoff run in its future.

“Now that the Saints have finally gotten into the win column, I am still quite optimistic about the rest of the season,” Dauro says. “While they are only 1-4, there are not that many dominant teams in the NFC this year.”

Dauro joins us for the week six pick segment, which to this point has featured bloggers making the best picks of all. Here’s the wrap-up from last week. Andy and Raising Zona editor Scott Allen hit 10 of 14 games, one more than Tony. That gives our collection of celebrity bloggers a one game lead for the season over Tony and a two game cushion over Andy. Unlike our “Best Bets” our picks are turning out halfway decently this season.

Week five Season
Celebrity Blogger 10-4 47-30
Tony 9-5 46-31
Andy 10-4 45-32

So … here are the picks for week five.

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NFL Best Bets: Week 5 – 2012

by | Oct 3, 2012 | 2012 season, NFL Gambling

I’m going to admit upfront, if you’re using our picks as a basis for gambling on games so far this season, you’re making a big mistake.

I’ve been a disaster and that continued into week four, as my 1-3 took me to 4-12 for the season.

Tony has been better, but not good. His 3-1 brought him to 8-8 for the year.

I feel a turnaround coming sometime soon here, but you’ve been warned.

Here are our picks for week five.

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