Don’t miss my fearless predictions for the NFL season, including the Super Bowl Champion, as well as my stone-cold lock picks for this week's games later in today’s blog.
The Marlins enjoyed a day off yesterday, and they open a three-game series this weekend against the Washington Nationals. Here are the expected pitching matchups for the series with the Nats, including tonight’s game where rookie phenom Jose Fernandez will take the mound for his next to last start this season, before the team shuts him down:
FRIDAY Dan Haren vs Jose Fernandez 7:10 pm
SATURDAY Tanner Roark vs Jacob Turner 7:10 pm
SUNDAY Stephen Strasburg vs Nathan Eovaldi 7:10 pm
The Marlins are still the worst offensive team in the majors. This is the sorry reality: The Marlins have now been held to three runs or less 87 times this season, and their record in those 87 games is 17-70. Taking it one step further,
When scoring three runs in a game - 6-16
When scoring two runs in a game - 9-17
When scoring one run in a game - 2-21
Of course, they lead the majors in getting shutout, having been blanked 16 times so far this season. Ouch.
The Fish are still at the bottom of the list in runs scored in MLB, with 448 runs in their 138 games, an underwhelming 3.24 runs per game. Here are the rest of the bottom-dwellers:
TEAM W-L Runs
Marlins 52-86 448
White Sox 56-83 524
Phillies 63-77 528
Padres 62-77 532
Giants 62-78 534
In contrast, the Boston Red Sox (85-57) lead MLB with 729 runs scored and the Detroit Tigers (81-58) have plated 707. The Sox have played 1 more game than the Tigers.
In the Major Leagues yesterday, first in the National League,
Reds 6 Cardinals 2
Tood Frazier hit two home runs. Jay Bruce and Shin-Soo Choo also connected long distance. The Cardinals are now 1 1/2 games behind Pittsburgh in the NL Central, and they square off in a weekend series in St. Louis.
D-Backs 4 Giants 2
Paul Goldschmidt hit a two-run double, Martin Prado and Aaron Hill added RBI hits, all in the fifth inning.
Over in the American League,
Red Sox 9 Yankees 8 (10 innings)
Stephen Drew tied the game in the top of the ninth with a two-out, two-strike RBI single against Mariano Rivera and Shane Victorino drove in the deciding run in the 10th with a hit. The Yankees had come back from a 7-2 deficit scoring six runs in the seventh inning.
Royals 7 Mariners 6 (13 innings)
Mike Moustakas ended the game with a homer in the bottom of the 13th inning. Alex Gordon also homered in the game, Billy Butler went 5-5 and Emilio Bonifacio went 4-6 with two runs scored.
Orioles 3 White Sox 1
Adam Jones, JJ Hardy, and Brian Roberts all connected long distance.
Astros 3 A’s 2
Jose Altuve and Chris Carter drove in runs for the Astros.
Angels 6 Rays 2
Collin Cowgill drove in three runs as the Angels improved to 10-3 over their last 13 games.
Today in MLB, in the National League,
Brewers @ Cubs 2:20 pm
Kyle Lohse vs Chris Rusin
Braves @ Phillies 7:05 pm
Mike Minor vs Cliff Lee
Dodgers @ Reds 7:10 pm
Chris Capuano vs Mike Leake
Nationals @ Marlins 7:10 pm
Dan Haren vs Jose Fernandez
Pirates @ Cardinals 8:15 pm
AJ Burnett vs Joe Kelly
Rockies @ Padres 10:10 pm
Juan Nicasio vs Burch Smith
D-backs @ Giants 10:15 pm
Patrick Corbin vs Yusmeiro Petit
Over in the American League,
Red Sox @ Yankees 7:05 pm
Felix Doubront vs Andy Pettite
White Sox @ Orioles 7:05 pm
John Danks vs Scott Feldman
Mets @ Indians 7:05 pm
Zack Wheeler vs Scott Kazmir
Blue Jays @ Twins 8:10 pm
RA Dickey vs Mike Pelfrey
Tigers @ Royals 8:10 pm
Anibal Sanchez vs James Shields
Astros @ A’s 10:05 pm
Dallas Keuchel vs AJ Griffin
Rangers @ Angels 10:05 pm
Matt Garza vs CJ Wilson
Rays @ Mariners 10:10 pm
Alex Cobb vs Hisashi Iwakuma
In case you missed it, totally off-base column by Jim Caple of ESPN. Here are his “pennant race” odds:
Is there an explanation for what happened to the Toronto Blue Jays this season:
Jayson Stark of ESPN breaks down the postseason schedule
Here are the up-to-the-minute standings in MLB:
Here are the individual league leaders in MLB:
TODAY’S TRIVIA QUESTION: Peyton Manning threw seven touchdown passes yesterday as the Denver Broncos crushed the Baltimore Ravens 49-27. He joins YA Tittle, Joe Kapp, George Blanda, Sid Luckman, and Adrian Burk to share the NFL record for touchdown passes in a game. What is the Miami Dolphin team record for most touchdown passes in a game? The answer comes later, alligator.
Here are this week’s top-25 in college football:
Here is this week’s complete schedule, including last night’s scores:
The Canes will meet the Florida Gators tomorrow at noon at the Seven Names Stadium. The Gators will be more of a test than the Owls. ESPN will carry the game. Tailgate parties will begin at around 4:00 am.
I'll take Florida minus the points in this game, but it will be close. The Gators are favored by 3.
This game between the Gators and Hurricanes gives each team a chance to impress their recruits:
The “Battle of the Writers” - Florida vs Miami. Good stuff:
The Herald’s Manny Navarro and Susan Miller Degnan have the latest scoop from the University of Miami:
The FIU Panthers will take on Central Florida and their high-powered offense here at FIU Stadium tonight. Game time is at 8:00 pm, and it will be broadcast by CBS Sports Network on your cable or satellite system. Plenty of good seats available. Looks like it is going to be a LOOONG season at FIU. I'll take Central Florida minus the points. UCF is favored by 24.
Here’s the latest news from Westchester:
Here’s the latest from Tallahassee and FSU:
From Gainesville and the University of Florida:
The Dolphins kick off their regular season this Sunday in Cleveland against the Browns. Game time is 1:00 pm, and you can watch the game on CBS.
Is this the year for Ryan Tannehill?
Last night in the NFL,
Denver 49 Baltimore 27
The Denver Broncos and the Baltimore Ravens opened the NFL season yesterday in Denver, and Peyton Manning showed the world he is still the man. Manning tied the NFL record for touchdown passes in a game with seven as the Broncos came back from a 17-14 deficit at halftime to crush the Ravens 49-27. Manning completed 27-42 for 462 yards, and no interceptions. Wes Welker, Julius Thomas, and Demaryius Thomas got two TD passes each, the other one went to Andre Caldwell.
Here is the complete schedule for the rest of the games here in week 1 in the NFL. Some of the betting lines are moving around like crazy, the usual for the first week of the season. I will be picking five games each week, on Fridays, including the Sunday night game and the weekly edition of Monday Night Football. When there are Thursday games, I will have those picks on Thursday, in addition to the five picks for Sunday and Monday night. Here we go with the rest of this week's schedule, including my five picks, as I start the season 1-0 against the spread, after last night's Denver win:
Sunday
1:00 pm
MIAMI @ Cleveland - 1 1/2 CBS
I’m counting on the fact that I like the Fins’ second year QB, Ryan Tannehill, more than the Browns’ second year QB, Brandon Weeden. Tannehill has some new toys this season, with the addition of Mike Wallace and Brandon Gibson, although, at least in my mind, the jury is still out on Gibson. Lamar Miller is the new starter at running back, but there is a black hole at the tight end position. The defense, especially against the pass, will be better than last year, when the Fins finished 27th in the league. Weeden will probably improve under new Browns head coach Rob Chudzinsky, and their new offensive coordinator, Norv Turner. Miami needs to stop running back Trent Richardson, who is ready and healthy for 2013. The Fins have lost four straight games to the Browns, but I am going with the Dolphins plus the 1 1/2 points, only because my heart speaks louder than my head.
New England @ Buffalo + 10 CBS
Cincinnati @ Chicago - 3 CBS
Oakland @ Indianapolis - 10 CBS
Kansas City @ Jacksonville + 3 1/2 CBS
Tennessee @ Pittsburgh - 7 CBS
Seattle @ Carolina + 3 1/2 FOX
Minnesota @ Detroit - 5 FOX
Atlanta @ New Orleans - 3 FOX
Tampa Bay @ NY Jets + 3 1/2 FOX
The Bucs defense is ready to give Jets’ rookie QB Geno Smith his welcome into the NFL. Although QB Josh Freeman will be facing a Jets defense that finished eighth-best in the NFL last year, he should be able to connect with his WR tandem of Vincent Jackson and Mike Williams, who combined for 135 catches and 17 TD’s last season. Bucs RB Doug Martin returns after a terrific rookie season, in which he had 1,454 yards and rushed for 11 TD’s. I’ll take Tampa Bay and give the points.
4:25 pm
Green Bay @ San Francisco - 4 1/2 FOX
The Packers are looking for a little payback after the thrashing they took in the 45-31 loss to the 49ers in last season’s divisional playoffs. 49er QB Colin Kaepernick passed for 263 yards and ran for a QB record 181 yards, while accounting for four TD’s against the Packers, while RB Frank Gore ran for his usual 110 yards and a touchdown. Too much 49ers offense for the Packer defense on Sunday, I’ll take San Francisco minus the 4 1/2 points.
Arizona @ St. Louis - 4 1/2 FOX
8:30 pm
NY Giants @ Dallas - 3 1/2 NBC
Two teams looking to get back to their usual levels of excellence. The Giants missed the playoffs last year and finished 9-7, losing five of their final eight games. The Cowboys finished 8-8, their third season in a row where they did not make it to the post season. In their head to head matchups, the Giants have won six of their last eight games against the Cowboys, and the G-men have won all four games at Cowboys Stadium since it opened in 2009. I’m really torn in what should be a close game, but I’ll take the Giants plus the 3 1/2 points.
Monday Night
7:00 pm
Philadelphia @ Washington - 3 1/2 ESPN
10:20 pm
Houston @ San Diego + 3 ESPN
I love the Texans defense, especially DE J. J. Watt and his 20 1/2 sacks last season, and the addition of future hall of fame safety Ed Reed is going to make them even better, once he is 100% healthy. The Texans can run the ball, with all-pro Arian Foster and Ben Tate, who should get more carries this year as they try and reduce Foster’s workload. QB Matt Schaub has some wonderful weapons at the receiver position, with Andre Johnson and highly-touted rookie DeAndre Hopkins. Over on the other sideline, QB Phillip Rivers had a miserable season last year, and this year will be in a new offensive scheme with less emphasis on deep passes. His receivers, including Malcolm Floyd, Eddie Royal, and former Patriot RB Danny Woodhead should benefit from that change. San Diego is 4-0 against the Texans all-time, but I look for that to change in this game. I’ll take the Texans minus the 3 points.
Here’s ESPN’s NFL Nation Blog, with news from all around the league:
We can all continue to sleep at night, knowing full well that Aaron Hernandez remains in jail, where he belongs.
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As promised, without further ado, here are my predictions for the NFL this season:
AFC EAST
New England Patriots 10-6
They won’t win their usual 12 games, but 10-6 should be enough to win the division. They still have Tom Brady and Bill Bellichick. That, and their defense will be even better than last year. Remember, no team has more takeaways over the last three seasons than the Patriots.
Miami Dolphins 9-7
I really look for Ryan Tannehill to improve from last year’s rookie season. A second year of working with Mike Sherman and Coach Philbin will help, as will the new toys he has at his disposal. Gotta hope that the running game is able to run behind that suspect offensive line, although it seems that they are getting comfortable with their new zone blocking scheme. The defense will be better, especially against the pass, where they were 27th in the NFL last year. Here’s another Dolphins prediction: If the Fins do not make it to the playoffs this season, say goodbye to GM Jeff Ireland.
Buffalo Bills 5-11
EJ Manuel has the potential to be very good, and he has some talent around him, like Fred Jackson and CJ Spillers. In Buffalo, it will all depend on the defense. This team may still be a year away from being a serious contender.
NY Jets 4-12
Too many issues in Jetville. QB is going to be a problem, no help from receivers, and their running game is suspect, at best. It wouldn’t shock me if Rex Ryan was let go during the season.
AFC WEST
Denver Broncos 12-4
This team may win all their division games this season. With Peyton Manning at the helm, the Broncos’ three WR set will drive the rest of the AFC crazy. Defense may struggle at first, with Von Miller suspended for the first six games. But, they get to play in the weak NFC West.
San Diego Chargers 7-9
Philip Rivers needs a lot of help. A questionable running attack, spearheaded by the unreliable Ryan Mathews. No #1 wide receiver to keep the pressure of TE Antonio Gates. Their defense is going to struggle once again.
Kansas City Chiefs 7-9
I think it is going to take new head coach Andy Reid more than one season to right this ship, although he does have a quality QB in Alex Smith. Great receiver in Dwayne Bowe and a terrific running back in Jamaal Charles, but they need to stay healthy. Wouldn’t surprise me to see this team even surpass the .500 mark.
Oakland Raiders 2-14
The real question in Oakland is: Who will they draft with next year’s #1 pick - Jadeveon Clowney or Teddy Bridgewater?
AFC NORTH
Cincinnati Bengals 10-6
People need to remember that this team has made it to the postseason the last two seasons. This may be the year that they have a good run in the playoffs. Besides, Andy Dalton is one of my QB’s in my fantasy league.
Pittsburgh Steelers 9-7
They’re not the Steelers of old, but they’re not going to fall off the face of the earth, either. Their O-line has to protect Ben Rothlisberger and make their running game relevant once more. Their defense is still as solid as anyone, remember they were the #1 ranked defense in the NFL last year.
Baltimore Ravens 8-8
It will be tough for the Ravens to repeat this season. Too many losses on defense and too many injuries on offense. They still have RB Ray Rice, and he is a stud. Let’s see what QB Joe Flacco brings to the table after signing that huge contract.
Cleveland Browns 6-10
New head coach Rob Chudzinski and new offensive coordinator Norv Turner will make QB Brandon Weeden a lot better, although it may take longer than this season. Their defense promises to be very aggressive, but that opens the door for big plays. They play in a very tough division, but the Brownies are headed in the right direction.
AFC SOUTH
Houston Texans 11-5
Could this be the year for Matt Schaub to take the Texans to the next level? They have a very good offense, with one of the better defenses in the league. It could be their year.
Indianapolis Colts 9-7
Year Two of the Andrew Luck era is here, and that alone should have the Colts with a winning record. Their defense has to get better, especially against the run, and all the teams in the AFC South can run the ball.
Tennessee Titans 7-9
The Titans need for RB Chris Johnson to return to form, and they need QB Jake Locker to stay healthy all season.
Jacksonville Jaguars 4-12
Three head coaches in three years. Is QB Blaine Gabbert the answer? Can their defense play? I may be a little generous in predicting a 4-12 record.
NFC EAST
New York Giants 10-6
They still have Eli Manning and he has some weapons in his arsenal, in stud wide receivers in Victor Cruz and Hakeem Nicks and a solid tight end in Brandon Myers. Look for RB David Wilson to make a real splash this season. Very competitive division.
Dallas Cowboys 9-7
RB DeMarco Murray needs to stay healthy, and the question mark that is the Dallas offensive line needs to step up. Tony Romo should have another solid year, and his receiving corps of Dez Bryant, Miles Austin, along with a healthy TE Jason Witten will help. Their defense should be getter, with new defensive coordinator Monte Kiffin on board.
Washington Redskins 8-8
It’s all going to boil down to Robert Griffin III and Alfred Morris on offense. They need to score points, especially with the porous defense the Redskins put on the field. Safe to say that their secondary isn’t the best in the conference.
Philadelphia Eagles 7-9
New head coach Chip Kelly will try to show that his college offense will work in the NFL. Will Michael Vick flourish or fail in this system? Their defense is going from a 4-3 to a 3-4. It could be interesting in Philly this season.
NFC WEST
San Francisco 49ers 12-4
Colin Kaepernick exploded on the scene last year, and took the 49ers to the Super Bowl. They can run the ball, with Frank Gore, Kendall Hunter, and LaMichael James. Kaepernick will miss WR Michael Crabtree but the addition of Anquan Boldin will more than make up for his absence. Their defense will again be rock solid, and their front seven is possibly the best in the game.
Seattle Seahawks 11-5
What a 2012 season for QB Russell Wilson, and he will again lead an offense with RB Marshawn Lynch and a group of just above average receivers Golden Tate, Sidney Rice, and Doug Baldwin. Their defense should put them in a position to win most of the games against their division opponents. If one of last year’s standout rookie QB’s is going to suffer from a sophomore slump, it will probably be Wilson.
St. Louis Rams 8-8
Watch out for the Rams. If either (or both) the 49ers or Seahawks stumble a bit, this could be the surprise team. Remember that in games inside their division, the Rams were 4-1-1. Sam Bradford will improve head and shoulders this season, and receivers Chris Givens and rookie Tavon Austin are poised for big seasons. On the other side of the ball, remember that the Ram defense led the NFL in sacks in 2012, with 52. They can play.
Arizona Cardinals 6-10
The question here is: How good will Carson Palmer look this season with Larry Fitzgerald on the receiving end of his passes? The other wide receivers in the Cardinals’ four-receiver set Michael Floyd, Andre Roberts, and rookie Jaron Brown. When they go to five receivers, watch for CB Patrick Peterson to switch to offense. Let’s see what RB Rashard Mendenhall brings to the table this season.
NFC NORTH
Chicago Bears 10-6
My surprise pick of the year. The Bears will win the division because of Jay Cutler. He is in a contract year, and working with new head coach Marc Trestman will make him a better QB. He is also my starting QB in my fantasy league. WR’s Brandon Marshall and Alshon Jeffery and TE Martellus Bennett will also make him better. Their defense will still rule, even without the retired MLB Brian Urlacher.
Green Bay Packers 9-7
The Pack still has Aaron Rodgers, and he still has WR’s Randall Cobb, Jordy Nelson, and James Jones, along with TE Jermichael Finley. The Pack still has questions in their running game, although they have high hopes that rookie Eddie Lacy, along with Jonathan Franklin, will be able to carry the load. Their defense will be tested early, as they open against San Francisco and Washington. Remember they struggled mightily against mobile QB’s in the read-option system.
Detroit Lions 8-8
I have to believe that the Lions were a much better team last year than their 4-12 record showed. Reggie Bush will help the offense, and maybe QB Matthew Stafford won’t have to throw the ball 727 times this season, after setting a new NFL record for pass attempts last season. On the defensive side of the ball, their D-line is as good as anyone’s, but they have to be better to cover up for their shortcomings in the secondary.
Minnesota Vikings 7-9
Adrian Peterson’s goal this season is to run for 2,500 yards. After his incredible comeback from injury and racking up 2,097 yards on the ground in 2012, who the hell is going to doubt him? Is Christian Ponder going to turn out to be the answer at QB for the Vikings? This season will tell us a lot. Rookie WR Cordarelle Peterson joins former Packer Greg Jennings and a cast of “could be’s” in Joe Webb, Jerome Simpson, and Jarius Wright. Ponder has total confidence in his TE, Kyle Rudolph, especially in the red zone.
NFC SOUTH
Atlanta Falcons 11-5
Adding RB Steven Jackson and convincing TE Tony Gonzalez to return for one more season could be the moves that take the Falcons to the promised land this season. Matt Ryan and his all-pro receivers Roddy White and Julio Jones will continue to move the ball up and down the field with relative ease. They’re going to have to improve on their #24 ranking last year on the defensive side of the ball.
New Orleans Saints 10-6
Coach Sean Payton is back, and he adds defensive coordinator Rob Ryan to his staff this season, after their defense stunk up the field last season, giving up more than 300 yards passing per game on a regular basis. They need to run the ball, and Mark Ingram needs to play like a first-round pick. They’re not going to get it done with just Darren Sproles and Pierre Thomas. TE Jimmy Graham is a stud, and WR’s Marques Colston, Lance Moore, and Robert Meacham are a nice complement for Drew Brees, who is still among the elite in the NFL.
Carolina Panthers 8-8
A team on the bubble, one that won their last four games last year. Cam Newton led the way with 4,610 yards and accounted for 27 touchdowns. With former offensive coordinator Rob Chudzinski now the head man in Cleveland, the offense falls on the shoulders of Michael Shula. Shula will probably focus a little more on running the ball, something that will make DeAngelo Williams happier, as will the presence of fullback Mike Tolbert. However, Shula knows that Cam Newton is the straw that stirs the drink.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 6-10
Too many inconsistencies on this team for me to fully jump on their bandwagon, starting with QB Josh Freeman, who goes from hot to cold as easy as anyone. He has great receivers in Vincent Jackson and Mike Williams, a very talented and dynamic running back in Doug Martin, but their offensive line is still a question mark. The Bucs’ defense was very good against the run last season, but couldn’t stop the pass, a bad sign when you play in a division with Matt Ryan, Drew Brees, and Cam Newton. They added veteran all-pro CB Darrelle Revis and rookie Johnathan Banks, but they’re going to need the pash rush to be more of a factor this season.
AFC PLAYOFF TEAMS:
AFC EAST
New England Patriots
AFC WEST
Denver Broncos
AFC NORTH
Cincinnati Bengals
AFC SOUTH
Houston Texans
AFC WILD CARD 1
Indianapolis Colts
AFC WILD CARD 2
Miami Dolphins
NFC PLAYOFF TEAMS:
NFC EAST New York Giants
NFC WEST San Francisco 49ers
NFC NORTH Chicago Bears
NFC SOUTH Atlanta Falcons
NFC WILD CARD 1 Seattle Seahawks
NFC WILD CARD 2 Green Bay Packers
AFC CHAMPIONSHIP
Denver Broncos over Houston Texans
NFC CHAMPIONSHIP
Atlanta Falcons over San Francisco 49ers
SUPER BOWL XLVIII
Denver Broncos over Atlanta Falcons
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NOTE TO ALL KIDS AGES 5-16:
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THE ANSWER TO TODAY’S TRIVIA QUESTION: Peyton Manning threw seven touchdown passes yesterday as the Denver Broncos crushed the Baltimore Ravens 49-27. He joins YA Tittle, Joe Kapp, George Blanda, Sid Luckman, and Adrian Burk to share the NFL record for touchdown passes in a game. What is the Miami Dolphin team record for most touchdown passes in a game?
Both Bob Griese and Dan Marino threw six touchdown passes in a game. Griese did it in 1977 in a Thanksgiving Day game against the St. Louis Cardinals, a game won by the Dolphins 55-14. Marino achieved it on September 21, 1986 against the New York Jets. The Jets beat the Fins that day, in overtime, 51-45.
Behave yourselves, and always remember that tomorrow will bring us a brand new day. HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!!!
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