southgadawg

To me Glennon actually has some potential at QB for the Bucs. It just seemed to me that penalties and lack of discipline are actually some of the worst issues they have (and yeah I know the Falcons weren't much better on that end). I also saw a lot of drops from the Bucs receivers. Those things can't happen and you expect to win (just look at some of the Falcons losses where almost all of them entailed some critical penalties and mental lapses).

OUCH already lost several close ones that went the opposite of the way I predicted them (although I knew they'd be close). Lions, Dolphins, Pats and Bears already let me down.

Not really. It just makes sense that SOMEBODY had to get some targets. Chances were with Douglas being that player. TBH though several of the Falcons' "no names" had targets too, just didn't make the plays for the most part and Douglas did.

Guess it is time to pick the lesser of two evils ........go Red Sox. LOL guess I have been pulling for losers all year though since my Braves bowed out, the Falcons and Dawgs been bit bad by the injury bug. Hopefully I haven't jinxed the BoSox.

I think in all those games Matt Ryan still had a very healthy Roddy White on the field. This game he will basically have Tony G, Harry Douglas and NOT much else. I'd be surprised if Douglas doesn't have at least 6 catches. Not sure if he will have a TD though unless he breaks free on something. I'd look for the Falcons to go double TE in the redzone (and not for running either) oh btw: Bucs 21 Falcons 24

Viking fan I will admit that I was alluding to the Barbary Pirates and also to such things as the Perdicaris Incident for examples of America reacting to threats to it's people. These did happen in the Mediterranean area against what turns out to be Muslim threats (and I want to say that I personally have known quite a few Muslims in my life that I was very good friends with. I think it is the radical element , that they themselves need to police more, instead of the actual religion of Islam that has been the issue). I didn't mention any "puppet" gov'ts (although many, and obviously you) are of the opinion that this is an issue. In fact as I alluded to earlier I am not a total fan of some of the things that the United States has done over there. I will say that imho the reasons for the terrorism (which was the basis for my response to Philadelphia) isn't primarily something different the American gov't itself has done with a change in policy....it is however as you alluded to a cumulation of several things which definitely include Israel becoming a nation (which many would say was initiated by the British and the United Nations...of which of course America is a part). Terrorism itself dates back in most accounts to the Middle East possibly starting with the Jewish Sicarii and then definitely with the Muslim Hashhashin. Not sure who was the first to start suicide bombing but certainly the practice of sending a "soldier" on a suicide mission in desperate times is probably a tactic as old as warfare itself (and in terrorist's minds they are at war). Religion has been one of the principal reasons for fighting wars for many centuries. Terrible sadistic things have been done in the name of religion on all sides. Sadly too often the "religious" reasons don't even "line-up" with that religion's basic teachings. At one time the Middle-East was one of the largest world wide centers of culture and knowledge...hopefully one day it can return to that state. Peacefully.

Sorry Philadelphia but if you will go and read your history books (or at least research American involvement outside it's borders---since today's history books don't include as much real history as 50 or 100 years ago..more political correct spin in my opinion) then you will see that America has long taken a stand that it will not be beset by enemies even if they are on the other side of the world. That trend in American politics goes back to at least around 1800. (not just the last 40 years--you are way off on that one). I am NOT saying America should always be used to police the world by any and all means...what I am saying is that no matter where you when you pose a threat to America or it's people then it should be acted upon with due diligence and devastating consequences.

Definitely a lot of issues brought into question here. I believe that the United States Gov't should protect it's citizens but it is very difficult sometimes in this "modern" world that we are living. Radicals and others can find ways to strike here from on the other side of the world and hide in areas that are not friendly to the United States. In my mind that should NOT give them protection. Teddy Roosevelt was said to "Speak softly and carry a BIG STICK". That "stick" was the American military. It was not afraid to go across the world even then if it was decided that there was a danger to the American public. Neither you nor I am privy to all the details of what has occurred. It is certainly a rough situation. I will say that on the question of should another country enter the U.S. and do likewise?.....Wasn't that more or less what the terrorists on 911 did? They attempted to strike at people who in their mind were a terror to their own thinking. Their own way of life. That drew out some repercussions for sure (and would certainly again). Definitely troubled times we live in.

At one time not too long ago it appeared that Josh Freeman was an up and coming quarterback. He had a very good season in 2010 but has shown regression the last two seasons. Do I think he is a hall of fame qb in the waiting? Certainly not. But do I think he could be vastly better than Christian Ponder and Matt Cassel? Yes I do. Will he? LOL nobody knows. But tbh I wouldn't be shocked if by the season's end Freeman is firmly entrenched as the Vikings' QB for next season. Only time will tell if the change in scenery does him well or not.

I really need to do better this week! Seahawks @ Cardinals Bucs @ Falcons Rams @ Panthers Bengals @ Lions Chargers @ Jaguars Bills @ Dolphins Patriots @ Jets Cowboys @ Eagles Bears @ Redskins 49ers @ Titans Browns @ Packers Texans @ Chiefs Ravens @ Steelers Broncos @ Colts Vikings @ Giants Tiebreak:47

No offense guys....but I have read a lot of talk in this thread about QB play (although certainly not the main focus of the thread). I want to know since when is the quarterback THE team? I know they get held accountable probably as much as any individual in team sports...but seriously they are only as good as the team around them. Think how many "good" (and notice I didn't say "great" quarterbacks have had less than thrilling seasons (and I am talking about winning percentage NOT stats) for their team when injuries decimate that team's starters? All the game is about when you boil it all down is scoring more points than YOUR opposition in each given game. So far the Chiefs have done that. The Chiefs appear for now as a good team that is learning what it can and can't do. Do they have weaknesses? Certainly. But for now it has been enough. They will be tested sure enough when they meet the media darling Broncos who have one of the greatest quarterbacks of all-time.

ouch...guess i shouldn't had picked as many upsets as I did. Not a good week for me.

Beltran is one of those players who always seems to come up big in the post season.

tragic

Giants @ Bears Packers @ Ravens Bengals @ Bills Lions @ Browns Rams @ Texans Raiders @ Chiefs Panthers @ Vikings Steelers @ Jets Eagles @ Bucs Jaguars @ Broncos Titans @ seahawks Saints @ Patriots Cardinals @ 49ers Redskins @ Cowboys Colts @ Chargers Tiebreak: 49

I'd rather see the Pirates and the Athletics. I haven't been a dodgers fan since the days of Ron Cey, Steve Garvey, Davey Lopes and the bunch.

I understand that Gonzalez was trying to use Carpenter as he had all season....BUT this wasn't the regular season. Carpenter had already been lit up one game. Not sure if he had big butterflies in his stomach or not. I do know that in big games some players just can't step up against the tougher competition. Some players step up great. Garcia had pitched a great game and the Braves had a strong season when leading going into the 8th inning. Not in the playoff though. Guess it is easy to say in retrospect that Kimbrel should had been in the game.

Wondering if I am the only one who is actually thinking of whether the Falcons should fire Nolan or not. I don't think it is that drastic yet by any means (i mean it is obvious that he was going to have some no-names this season and injuries to Sean Weatherspoon and Kroy Biermann among others definitely hasn't helped). The Falcons are young on defense so if nothing else this season their record may stink but these guys will get in a lot of experience they wouldn't have any other way. HOPEFULLY it isn't so bad to scar them forever.

It seems that the Falcons have had as many injuries to KEY personnel this season as they had from 2008-2012 combined. Looks very tough for them for the remainder of the year. Oh well, let's see what type of players we can draft next season lol.

I can't remember who I was talking with before the season ever started but at the time I remember saying that if the Falcons had some key injuries I wouldn't be surprised if they started the season terribly and MIGHT even finish with a record as bad as 3-13 (I was really counting on wins against the Jets, Cardinals, and the Bills---this was before the Bucs apparently took a nosedive as well.). LOL I will admit that wasn't what I EXPECTED but I realized it could be very bad. Now I look at this team and it's issues after so many key personnel have been injured and I am deathly afraid it could very well LIKELY end up that badly. The Falcons have been very close in some games but they are NOT finishing it out and cannot make key defensive stops. Not a good season at all in the making.

The Braves are not out of it yet, but after a DISMAL performance yesterday they will have to have a miracle in games #4 and 5.

Congrats to the Pirates for advancing. I am really wanting the both the Pirates and the Braves to advance so we might see some sort of replay from the classic battles the two shared in the early 90's. Both teams have very young cores and we could see both teams in the playoffs for a few years in the row. Wouldn't that be nice? (of course I want the Braves to come out on top lol).

Someway I feel I have really stunk so far this season. Suprising my record is anywhere close to what it is: Bills @ Browns Patriots @ Bengals Lions @ Packers Seahawks @ Colts Ravens @ Dolphins Saints @ Bears Eagles @ Giants Chiefs @ Titans Jaguars @ Rams Panthers @ Cardinals Broncos @ Cowboys Texans @ 49ers Chargers @ Raiders Jets @ Falcons Tiebreaker:49

I looked at CBS and ESPN's "expert" predictions. I think in the Braves/Dodges series from about a total of 25 experts only 4 (edit: thought it was only one till i looked at them more in depth) of them picked the Braves. I fully understand that Clayton Kershaw and Zack Greinke have been outstanding this season but of all the teams they have trouble against in their career the Braves (while not the worse) are not a team they have had great success against. Also Kris Medlen and Mike Minor have had outstanding success against the Dodgers. Certainly anything is possible but I think someway the Braves are going to beat at least one of those aces and I wouldn't be surprised if they beat both of them.

Well Rays have already gotten in to the postseason via beating the Rangers last night. So here are the rest of the games imho: AL wildcard Indians > Rays ALDS Red Sox > Indians Athletics > Tigers ALCS Athletics > Red Sox NL wildcard Pirates > Reds NLDS PIrates > Cardinals Braves > Dodgers NLCS Braves > Pirates World Series Braves > Athletics