Week Four NFL Sunday Football Day Previews

Can Tom Brady and the Patriots get a win in Buffalo? (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Its NFL Sunday Gals and Pal and here is the slate of games to be on the lookout for. This is a bit of a quieter week, not a lot of anticipated matchup between equally matched opponents but this is a league that often comes with surprises. I mean who would have thought that New England and Green Bay would be 1-3 and Arizona undefeated?

Here are the games I’m tuning into:

New England Patriots at Buffalo Bills

Last year when the Patriots headed to Buffalo they came back with a big L and QB wunderkind Tom Brady threw four interceptions. Of course later that season Brady led the Pats to a Super Bowl appearance but this is not the same New England team with Josh McDaniels offense that so far isn’t really working.

Now I know many of you are thinking but it was officiating that cost New England the win last week on the road in Baltimore- that is a bit true but looking at the numbers the Patriots have only converted 42% third down plays and only have four sacks on average. Brady has a completion rate of 67% which is pretty good.

But comparing the numbers the Patriots only have 109 rushing yards per game compared to the Bills’ 178 yards- they are leading the league is rushing. For total rushing yards for the season the Bill have almost 230 more than their opponents. The addition of Mario Williams has added depth and with the return of Fred Jackson the Bills might have a shot at making the Patriots 1-4.

I am picking the Patriots to win- but I think it is going to be closer than Patriots fans want.

San Francisco 49ers at New York Jets

The 49ers got the wind knocked out of their sails after their loss to the Minnesota Vikings last week after opening the season with impressive wins against Green Bay and Detroit. West Coast teams that play 1:00 east coast games typically do not do well. Of course the 49ers were really smart and headed out early to get used to the time change. And they get the added bonus of playing a Jets team that is a lot of talk but no action.

The Jets are 1-1 for the season losing 10-27 at Pittsburgh and then winning by a field goal at Miami last week- and Miami is terrible this year. Plus defensive leader Darrelle Revis is out with ACL issues- probably for the entire season. That is a big blow because this Jets team is in desperate need of leadership on any side of the ball.

Looking at the numbers 49ers only have 5 more total yards per game than the Jets, but the real difference is in the rush yards per game- 49ers have 141, 7^th in the league compared to the Jets’ 100. Also the Jets have only stopped 44% of opponents third down plays and allow an average of 25 points per game. Now with the Revis injury look for that number to go up.

If the Jets are going to win then they need to work on the run. If they can’t figure that out it won’t be close

San Fran gets the win in this contest.

New Orleans Saints at Green Bay Packers

Talk about two teams needing a W right now. New Orleans is still winless and unless they figure out a way to beat a Green Bay team that is still upset about the Monday Night Massacre that finally pushed the NFL to get rid of the replacement refs on the road.

Yeah that’s a tall order for Drew Brees and crew. The Saints offensively have more yards per game- almost 75 more in fact- than the Packers. The Saints are also 6^th in the league for passing yards.

Green Bay is 26^th in the league for yards, 21^st in the league for passing yards and 27th in the league for rushing yards. The offense is only 5 yards per carry.

I think Green Bay still has the edge- it’s a home game after an emotional loss on the road. But if the Saints can figure out how to defend they could finally get a win.

Did I mention that may predicted these two teams would be in the playoffs this year?

New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles

This is the game I’m most excited about.

Great divisional matchup between two clubs that are really going though some growing pains. The Giants really need a win since they have already loss one game in the NFC East to the Dallas Cowboys.

The Eagles are rushing 130 yards per game- and it should be higher considering that hello the Eagles have the best running back LeSean McCoy. McCoy has already rushed for 261 yards this season.

Giants are second in the league in passing yards and third for total yards- you can’t discount the combination of Eli Manning and Victor Cruz- and this is just the type of game that can bring out the Salsa in the end zone.

Key for the Eagles to fly high over the Giants- using the beat up secondary of the Giants and get the ball in the hands of DeSean Jackson and the return of Jeremy Maclin could be enough to get the win.

I am not picking a winner because I’m an Eagles fan and my dad is a Giants fan- yeah I don’t know how our relationship survives this either- my little sister is a Cowboys fan for God’s sake and our step-dad is a Redskins fan so we have the entire NFC East covered in the Hernandez/Rice/Graves family.

Happy Football Sunday Gals and Pals. Which match ups are you on the lookout for?

Related articles

• NFL Preview – New England (1-2) at Buffalo (2-1) (ET) (kansascity.com)
• Giants vs. Eagles: Philadelphia scouting report (bigblueview.com)

Oh those crazy Mountaineers

Oh the campaign to save couches in Morgantown is on.  Maybe it was because of joining the Big 12, maybe it was because there is a shortage of quality seating, or perhaps the couches are terrified at the end of a Mountaineers victory.

The Student Government of West Virginia University has creates a PSA video urging Mountaineers to lay off the lighting fluid and use that couch for napping.

Burning of couches after big wins is tradition- one of those who outsiders are like huh? It is so engrained in their culture that there is even a WVU site called We Must Ignite This Couch.  It got so bad that according to GQ magazine  between 1997 and 2003 there were over 1,100 couch burnings.

I’m not sure what the WVU student body has against comfortable furniture or maybe part of the application process is an essay entitled “What are you preferred methods for starting a couch fire?”

And couch burning is also good for weddings, and assassinations of terrorists.  I mean nothing says Go USA better than a couch on fire.

So Mountaineers for the sake of all furniture everywhere please put down your pitchforks and lighter fluid… after all what did that couch do to you?

 

Related articles

• West Virginia Would Like You to Please Stop Lighting Your Couches on Fire (bleacherreport.com)
• Big 12 Commissioner to Lead WVU Homecoming Parade (wsaz.com)

Why, yes — there will be a Victoria’s Secret at Cowboys Stadium | Shutdown Corner – Yahoo! Sports

Victoria’s Secret is coming to the NFL  (Photo credit: Steve Rhodes)

Why, yes — there will be a Victoria’s Secret at Cowboys Stadium | Shutdown Corner – Yahoo! Sports.

Well this is a first- on Monday the Dallas Cowbows will unveil a Victoria’s Secret store inside Cowboys Stadium.

This may seem like an interesting combination- but with Victoria’s Secret’s PINK line doing NFL and College gear it actually could be a great partnership.

According to Yahoo! Sports the store will include branded items for games including tees, sweats, hoodies, tank tops, underwear, and sports bras.

If nothing else the famous Dallas Cowboy‘s Cheerleaders can model the stuff.

This is just another reminder why you the female fan is important for the NFL.  Recognizing the growing female fan base, the NFL has been actively seeking products and merchandise that appeals to the gals.

A Letter from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell

Roger Goodell at the 2010 NFL Draft. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell during Super Bowl XLIII, Feb. 1, 2009, at Raymond James Stadium in Tampa, Fla. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Look what I got in my in-box today. I do have to say that while it is commendable for the NFL to admit that the replacement refs were a failure it is a little bit too late- just ask the Patriots and Packers.

This entire mess was about money- don’t let them kid you about that. I, like so many football fans, am happy that finally the focus can be on the players and not the calls of the game.

Until one of the regular refs botches a call- it will happen.

“To NFL Fans:

The National Football League is at its best when the focus is on the players and the action on the field, not on labor negotiations.

All of us who love the sport appreciate the skills and dedication of the players and coaches. That is why we are focused not just on what happens on the field but what our game will be like in another decade or two. The NFL has always tried to look ahead, to innovate, and to constantly improve in all we do.

We recognize that some decisions may be difficult to accept in the passion of the moment, but my most important responsibility is to improve the game for this generation and the next.

I believe in accountability, not excuses. And I regret we were not able to secure an agreement sooner in the process and avoid the unfortunate distractions to the game. You deserve better.

As a lifelong fan, this wasn’t an easy process for anyone involved. I particularly want to commend the replacement officials for taking on an unenviable task and doing it with focus and dedication in the most adverse of circumstances.

Our new agreement gives long-term stability to an important aspect of our game, officiating. More important, with this agreement, officiating will be better in the long run. While the financial issues received the most attention, these negotiations were much more about long-term reforms. For example, beginning with the 2013 season, the NFL will have the option of hiring a number of officials on a full-time basis to work year-round, including on the field. In addition, the NFL will have the option to retain additional officials for training and development purposes, and may assign those additional officials to work NFL games.

We are moving forward with the finest officials in sports back on the field. It’s time to put the focus where it belongs – on the clubs and players and our magnificent game, with a special thanks to our fans for their passion.”

Roger Goodell

Related articles

• Roger Goodell: ‘That’s the beauty of sports’ (espn.go.com)
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Week 5 College Football

Logan Thomas of Virginia Tech following his team’s loss to Clemson in October 2011. Will there be smiles after a win? (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

This weekend is filled with so much college football the Gal Pal just can’t handle it! Here are the games I’m going to be on the lookout for- even while cheering on my beloved Wahoos, live at Scott Stadium tomorrow. If you want to meet up with the Sports Gal Pal she’ll be tailgating with the Camp Wahoo gang.

No. 12 Texas at Oklahoma State

This is a big road test for the Longhorns who are 3-0 leading up to this divisional match up with Oklahoma State.  Coming off an impressive win against SEC opponent Ole Miss, quarterback David Ash threw for 326 yards and had 4 touchdowns in the Longhorn win.

But don’t discount Oklahoma State whose QB J.W. Walsh threw for 347 yards and too had four touchdowns in last week’s match against Louisiana Lafayette.

I look for the Longhorns to come out of top for this match up- but look for a high scoring game for both sides.

Louisiana Tech at Virginia

Yay I get to talk about my Wahoos- and the fact that we could potentially lose tomorrow L

Louisiana Tech is being called a BCS killer for good reason, they are currently a 2.5 point favorite over the Wahoos and average about 55 points a game.  Right now Virginia is coming off of two awful road losses- Duke (3-1) has a better football record than us that isn’t good.

For Virginia to win the offense must do better than the short passing game plan- especially on 3^rd down!

In hate to say it but I think Louisiana Tech is going to win this one.

No. 25 Baylor at No. 9 West Virginia

Geno Smith seems to have everything going his way- and with Michigan and USC losing he just might be in the minds of Heisman Trophy voters too.

In their Big 12 debut I think West Va is going to have a great offense game and Baylor who seems to have a habit of digging into holes early isn’t going to be able to keep up.

The only reason to watch is it is West Virginia’s first round in the Big 12.

West Virginia wins easily.

No. 18 Oregon State at Arizona

Is Oregon State for real? After coming off of two losing seasons the Beavers are ranked 18^th and are 2-0.  But this will be a true road test for them as they face Arizona.

Under new coach Rich Rodriguez the Wildcats have been getting more media attention but there seems to be issue of a lack of depth- especially on defense that could give Arizona trouble.  But they are coming off of an embarrassing lost to Oregon 49-0 last week.

I’m going to give this one to the Beavers- I just don’t think that Arizona has the talent to keep up with an emerging offense.

No 14. Ohio State at No 20. Michigan State

ESPN’s College Game Day is making the trip out to East Lansing. Will it be the Buckeyes or can Sparta say victor in this Big 10 match up?

This could technically be the Big 10 Championship since the Buckeyes are still suspended from post season play- tattooing can be serious stuff kids.

I think the Buckeyes have a solid shot at a great road victory.  But they have been shaking barely getting by UAB and California.  Michigan State can win if they shake off the demons from two weeks ago with their loss to Notre Dame.

I can’t call this one- I think it is a toss up.  If Michigan St’s wide outs can stop dropping passes then they have a real shot.

Virginia Tech vs. Cincinnati at Fed Ex Field

These former Big East rivals on a big stage- and the last time Hokies played at Fed Ex they lost to Boise State.  Will Beamer Ball be the winning ticket or will the Bearcat chop on some Turkey?

The Bearcats arrive undefeated and the Hokies are looking forward to not losing twice in a season to a Big East foe.  Interesting note that the last time these two teams played it was in 2009 at the Orange Bowl where Hokies shocked the world by winning a bowl game (come on I had to throw one in there).

If the Hokies can jam the offense then they could pull the win.  All the Bearcats have to do is stop Logan Thomas.

I’m not picking a winner because I don’t want to… and you can’t make me.

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Water Cooler Talk: Washington Upsets Stanford; Ravens 3-1

Water Cooler Talk- the least a sports fan needs to know to sound like you know what you’re talking about

Huskies Win

Washington’s Desmond Trufant celebrates his interception against Stanford play late in the second half of an NCAA college football game against Stanford, Thursday, Sept. 27, 2012, in Seattle. Washington beat Stanford, 17-13. (AP Photo/Ted S. Warren)

There is some strange magic in that Century Link Stadium as the Washington Huskies pulled the upset over No. 8 Stanford.

In its first road game Stanford only had 10 first downs, 235 yards and did not score an offensive touchdown.

The Huskies, who last year lost to Stanford by 44 points, came back in the third quarter with a 61-yard touchdown from running back Bishop Sankey- from fourth and 1.

This is also Washington’s first win over a top 10 ranked opponent since 2009 when the Huskies upset then No. 3 USC

Ravens Keep Flying High

In a game where most of the lead up was talking about the return of the regular refs, the Baltimore Ravens added another win.

Quarterback Joe Flacco threw 28 of 46 for 356 yards including a touchdown and ran for another. (Side note the Sports Gal Pal picked up Flacco in waivers for her fantasy team early in the season- very happy right now).

Baltimore defense also helped with a touchdown from an interception.

The poor Browns are now 0-4 for the season.

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Ohio University Gangnam Style

Ohio University Marching Band Gangnam Style

Okay I have a slight obsession with the song Gangnam Style after seeing Psy on the Today Show while working out at the gym.  Normally I listen to either Mike and Mike on ESPN.com or my workout list- but seeing a bunch of Koreans bouncing up and down in Rockerfella Plaza makes one take notice.

Its a fun catchy tune- and of course a marching band had to cover it.

One of the best parts of college football games is the marching band- maybe because I’m a band geek but I love marching bands-and Ohio University’s gets it right.

So enjoy Gal Pal Nation.

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Thursday Night Football- Refs come back and oh yeah there is football!

Baltimore Ravens Balanced Approach (Photo credit: Keith Allison)

Ravens Look For Solid Win

So while most of coverage for tonight’s game is going to be focused on the regular refs returning, (Happiness and Joy!), let us not forget that there will be a match up tonight between Cleveland Browns and the Baltimore Ravens.

After almost a full month of regular football the Ravens look solid for both offense and defense- a very good thing in terms of balance as in the past this team has been mainly a defense threat. Right now the Ravens offense ranks fourth in the NFL and quarterback Joe Flacco seems to be finally coming into the big boy ranks with an average of 419.3.

Of course the Ravens are coming off of a huge and controversial win against the New England Patriots– oh those pesky replacement refs- so look for Baltimore to win convincingly against a Browns team that only got 240 total yards against Buffalo at home. Now they are on the road against the Ravens.

Ravens win by three touchdowns- at least

Cardinals Should Fly High Against Huskies

If you don’t want to watch the NFL- or don’t have the NFL Network then turn into ESPN as it shows No. 8 Stanford against Washington.

This should be an easy win for Stanford who has had a week off after beating the Trojans- a win that shot the Cardinals from No. 21 to No. 8. The Huskies are also coming off the bye week and look to create the upset. But Washington’s offense has struggled to score in its first two games.

Stanford’s QB Josh Nunes has looked really good since replacing golden boy Andrew Luck. Throwing for 615 yards and has six scores so far this season.

Look for Stanford to win by 6.

Related articles

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Dear Old UVa: Number One Party School in the Nation

Hoo Knew? The Rotunda is the center piece of UVa- but just around the Corner the nightlife brings happy drunken memories (Photo credit: Phil Roeder)

http://www.playboy.com/playground/view/top-10-party-schools

Playboy has released it Top 10 Party Schools and a big surprise for the Sports Gal Pal is her own beloved University of Virginia ranked number one for its combination of party and sex.

Well it is playboy after all.

What impressed the pollsters was Virginia‘s work hard/play hard atmosphere which made up for its 16^th ranked athletic performance in their review- I guess the 5^th year fifth can make that much of a difference.

I will say with the Corner and the tailgating at football games- the booze flows pretty well. The Camp Wahoo kids alone could have made this survey on their own.

And the best news- no other ACC school made the top ten.

Here is a listing of the top ten:

1. Virginia
2. USC
3. Florida
4. Texas
5. Wisconsin
6. Georgia
7. Vanderbilt
8. Tulane
9. TCU
10. Ohio State

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Water Cooler Talk: Real Refs Back!

The Replacement Ref Failure is Over. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

NFL gives into public pressure and does right thing by bringing back regular officials – Yahoo! Sports.

Overnight the news broke that the NFL and the Real Refs have agreed to terms that will get the Refs back on the field!

Here is the least you need to know to get you through Water cooler Talk this AM.

• The Refs will meet in Dallas on Friday and Saturday to ratify the eight year contract
• The Refs get to keep their pension for the next five years and then it will convert to 401K
• There is a 4% payraise

What the NFL was fighting over was $3.3 million per year in pension payouts.  That equals to $103,125 per team per year in a $9 billion-plus industry according to Dan Wetzel from Yahoo! Sports.

I have to believe that the fan reaction and media coverage after the botched MNF game between Seattle and Green Bay is what finally push the NFL over the edge.  Now comes damage control.

The NFL owners believed that they could simply put in “substitute teachers” to do the jobs of professionals in a $9 billion dollar industry.  These “officials” never had control of the game and never had the full backing from the NFL.  The NFL never truly supported the replacement refs- that was the big mistake.  The replacement refs were afraid of the players and coaches, and really should have had more backbone.  Of course when a 300 plus man in big shoulder pads is on the field with you it is difficult  to have backbone.

So welcome back to the regular crew of zebras…. in a few short weeks I’m sure we’ll be screaming at you for missed calls so enjoy the popularity for at least a weekend.

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