Championship Weekend Picks!

Now these past few days have been a fun football party. Seahawks and Patriots won in almost blowout fashion, each letting the teams making it interesting in the 4th quarter. The 49ers did the same in the early matchup on Sunday against the Panthers. While it looked to be same formula in the Bronco-Charger game, but Manning managed to hang on. Here are the match-ups for next weekend:

NFC Championship

San Francisco 49ers @ Seattle Seahawks

AFC Championship

New England Patriots @ Denver Broncos

My picks are for the Seahawks & Broncos to meet in 

Super Bowl XLVIII

Running A Snowy Trail

Tonight's run was a tough one. Temps were bone chilling. Winds relentless. At least the slush wasn't frozen yet. Ran mostly on back neighborhood roads. My phone died halfway through, so the stats aren't accurate. The run ended up being a total of 4.92 miles in the cold. After coming off the trail full of snow, finally ran 2.28 miles in 22:26 on the road, which was cleared of snow. It was rough but it was worth it.

Here's a loud video of me running through the snow along the lakefront. There's a path somewhere below the snow

2014: New Year, New Goals

With the new year here, we all have plans, goals or resolutions. This year I'm not setting anything because I know I'll just let myself down. I am going to try to do my best to run a few races, set some PRs and maybe try to run a marathon.

I've started using the Nike+ app on my iPhone, which has a marathon training plan. I've been able to follow it for a few days and my body has been feeling it. So far over the last week I've just done 3+ miles. Thursday the mileage starts going up.

 I hope all of you out there focus on fitness this year, your body will thank you and your families will to, with the extra time they will get to spend with you in the future. Happy 2014 Everyone!!

NFL Season at a Glance

So my preseason picks weren't to far off, but it wasn't perfect.
Here's a look at the teams I thought would make the playoffs. Now lets hope that the NFl playoffs live up to the exciting expectations we always have for them. I'm sure they will. Even without my team in the chase, I always get pumped for the exciting football which is coming up.

NFC:                              AFC:

Cowboys                       Bengals

Saints                             Patroits

Packers                          Texans

 49ers                             Browns 

Falcons                           Broncos 

Seahawks                         Chiefs

So 8 out 12 isn't terrible. I feel like I wasn't the only one who predicted success out of the Texans and Falcons. I almost had it right with the Cowboys, I'll learn my lesson next year. Otherwise, my reach pick of the Browns was way off. My Super Bowl pick of the Broncos over the Saints still has a chance but I'm gonna lean towards the two #1 seeds, Denver & Seattle, making it to  New York on Feb. 2.  We all love football so I hope everyone enjoys Wild Card Weekend coming up as well as all the Bowl Games in the next few days.

As for my NFL picks for the year, I did pretty well, even though I missed a couple weeks. Here are the results of my picks and confidence points:

NFL Picks: 108-70, 61% correct (I should've gone to Vegas!)
Confidence Points: 715/1305, .547

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYBODY!! HAVE A FUN & SAFE 2014!!

Always catching up..

Every time I feel like I'm keeping up online with anything, I get distracted for a couple weeks and fall behind. I didn't get my picks in near end of the year, but I'll make sure to post all my Week  17 picks. On Monday I'll take a look at my preseason picks and see how close I was.

Right now, I'm enjoying some Samuel Adams Boston Lager, which was a Christmas gift from my father, and watching some college football. I managed to sneak a look at possible future Vikings quarterback, Teddy Bridgewater lead his Louisville Cardinals 36-9 over the Miami Hurricanes in the Russell Athletic Bowl. After that I flicked on the Gopher Basketball game. I got to see the Gophers dominate the Texas A&M-Corpus Christie Islanders. Pitino's Gophers came out after halftime and only allowed 3 points through the first 12 mins of the second half. Which I then turn on the Buffalo Wild Wings Bowl with Michigan and Kansas St.

Earlier today I managed to get out and run around Commishioner's Park in Naperville. Follow me on Nike+.

Distance - 3.33 miles
Time - 29:39
Pace - 8:53 ppm
kCal - 433
Temp - 50*F










Week 17 Picks:

Detroit @ Minnesota                   Lions
Green Bay @ Chicago                 Bears
Houston @ Tennesse                   Titans   
Carolina @ Atlanta                      Panthers
Baltimore @ Cincinati                 Ravens
Jacksonville @ Indianapolis         Colts
New York @ Miami                      Dolphins
Washington @ New York             Giants
Cleveland @ Pittsburgh                Steelers
Denver @ Oakland                        Broncos
Buffalo @ New England               Patriots
Tampa Bay @ New Orleans          Saints
San Francisco @ Arizona              49ers
Kansas City @ San Diego              Chargers
St. Louis @ Seattle                        Seahawks
Philadephia @ Dallas                     Eagles

Week 14 NFL Picks

So I've missed the last couple weeks of picks, my bad. I'll post my current stats soon. I managed to get 2 of my 3 teams to the playoffs. I can't complain too much aside at myself for not starting Eric Decker last week. 

 

My picks

Houston @ Jacksonville         Texans  1

Minnesota @ Baltimore             Ravens

Indianapolis @ Cincinnati          Colts

Atlanta @ Green Bay.               Packers

Cleveland @ New England        Patroits 

Oakland @ New York Jets.       Raiders

Detroit @ Philadelphia               Eagles

Miami @ Pittsburgh.                 Steelers

Buffalo @ Tampa Bay.               Bills

Kansas City @ Washington       Chiefs

Tennessee @ Denver.                Broncos

St. Louis @ Arizona.                  Cardinals

New York Giants @ San Diego Chargers

Seattle @ San Francisco.          Seahawks

Carolina @ New Orleans.          Saints

Dallas @ Chicago.                     Cowboys

Happy Bday Dave

Week 11 NFL Picks

Fantasy teams all came through, went undefeated this past week in all my leagues. My picks weren't as clean as I hoped but my selections still are hovering over a .500 average. Here they are:

Fantasy teams 3-0, Overall 22-8

My picks were 8-5, Overall 76-55

Confidence Points 73/104, Overall 629/1131 .5562

Week 11 Matchups, Picks & Points

Indianapolis @ Tennessee         Colts.        7. 

Minnesota @ Seattle             Seahawks.    15. 

New York Jets @ Buffalo          Bills.          2. 

Baltimore @ Chicago             Ravens.       8. 

Cleveland @ Cincinnati         Bengals.       1. 

Washington @ Philadelphia    Eagles.        9. 

Detroit @ Pittsburgh                 Lions.        10. 

Atlanta @ Tampa Bay        Buccaneers.     3. 

Arizona @ Jacksonville          Cardinals.     6. 

Oakland @ Houston                Raiders.       4. 

San Diego @ Miami               Chargers.      5. 

San Francisco @ New Orleans   Saints.      13. 

Green Bay @ New York Giants  Giants.     12. 

Kansas City @ Denver            Broncos.     14. 

New England @ Carolina        Patriots.       11. 

Week 10 NFL Picks

Well I managed to forget to make my picks before the Vikings/Redskins game. It was a compelling game down to the end, but at least the Vikings won. Since I forgot to make picks, I'm not doing a 1 point confidence picks, so that why I'll be missing one. We'll here goes. 

Fantasy teams 2-1, Overall 19-8

NFL Picks 9-4, Overall 68-50

Confidence Pts. 69/91, Overall 556/1027 .5414

Seattle @ Atlanta.                    Seahawks.    14

Detroit @ Chicago.                   Bears.           3

Philadelphia @ Green Bay.       Eagles.          8

Jacksonville @ Tennessee.       Titans.           6

St. Louis @ Indianapolis.          Colts.            9

Oakland @ New York Giants.    Giants.          7

Buffalo @ Pittsburgh.               Steelers.       5

Cincinnati @ Baltimore.            Bengals.       2

Carolina @ San Francisco.        49ers.          11

Houston @ Arizona.                  Cardinals.    10

Denver @ San Diego.                Broncos.      13

Dallas @ New Orleans.              Saints.         12

Miami @ Tampa Bay.                 Buccaneers. 4

Finishing Picks & Points

I had a very good week of picks last time. Here are my stats. Sorry I was in a hurry to get these up. 

-Went 2-1 in fantasy teams, Overall 17-7

-My week 8 picks were 10-3, Overall 59-46

-Confidence Points 76/91, Overall 487/936 .5202

Bengals 1

Cowboys 12

Chiefs 11

Titans 2

Saints 9

Redskins 6

Panthers 3

Eagles 4

Seahawks 13

Ravens 5

Patroits 10

Colts 8

Packers 7

Week 9 NFL Picks

I pick the Bengals for tonight's game. 1 confidence points. I'm running behind but figured I'd post it. It's 0-0 in the first quarter right now. 

Week 8 Power Rankings

Week 7 brought a variety of games. The good was Peyton's return to Indy. The bad was watching the Chicago Bears team's injuries pile up. The ugly was, The Debacle In The Meadowlands, between now 1-5 Vikings losing to the 1-6 Giants. It was a collection of bad offense, average defenses and awful special teams with 3 fumbles, 8 penalties, 3 sacks, an interception thrown and a return touchdown. Here's a look at how I rank all the teams.  Here's ESPN's Power Rankings

1. Kansas City Chiefs 7-0 (#5-week 7) - Best defense in the NFL. Alex Smith is 12-2 in last 14 starts.

2. Denver Broncos 6-1 (1) - Peyton's MVP show, records will fall. 2565 yards, 25 TDs, 123.3 Passer Rating, 71.6 Completion Pct.

3. Indianapolis Colts 6-1 (9) - Lots of Big W's: @SF, SEA, DEN Luck looks very poised, losing Wayne opens a lot of looks for T.Y. Hilton. 

4. Seattle Seahawks 5-2 (2) - Home Field Advantage is an understatement, and Percy Harvin is on the mend. 

5. New Orleans Saints 5-1 (4) - 2nd Best Home Field Advantage. Drew Brees looks in MVP form, too bad there's that guy in Denver. 

6. New England Patroits 5-2 (3) - Who's Brady throwing to this week? I'll call them "The Questionables" Gronk? Edelman? Amendola? Hoomanawanui !?!

7. San Francisco 49ers 5-2 (6) - Which 49ers team will show up this week? Kaepernick has been improving the last few weeks. 

8. Cincinnati Bengals 5-2 (12) - Big week by Andy Dalton = Big Week for AJ Green = Wins

9.  Green Bay Packers 4-3 (7) - If injuries don't mount up, they'll make a run. Rodgers still has Jordy Nelson to throw the deep bomb to. For now. 

10. Dallas Cowboys 4-3 (13) - New look D, makes Cowboys division standouts. As long as Romo doesn't blow it. 

11. Detroit Lions 4-3 (10) - Reggie Bush looks amazing at home, not so much elsewhere.

12. Philadelphia Eagles 3-4 (17) - Chip Kelly's offense could be something if his QBs weren't dropping like flies. 

13. Chicago Bears 4-3 (8) - Injuries to Cutler & Briggs may have cost Bears season. Holes too big to fill.

14. San Diego Chargers 4-3 (18) - Can Rivers and Bolts make another run in Nov/Dec??

15. New York Jets 4-3 (16) - For all we know, Geno Smith could be the QB that none of us thought he would be. 

16. Baltimore Ravens 3-4 (15) - If Ray Rice can get healthy, the champs have a shot in this bad division. 

17. Miami Dolphins 3-3 (11) - Tannehill & the Fins are the best team in Florida. Not saying much? 

18. Tennessee Titans 3-4 (14) - My sleeper team this year, won't make playoffs, but will cost someone the postseason. 

19. Atlanta Falcons 2-4 (22) - Underacheiving is the most common word in ATL, at least Steven Jackson comes back from injury this week. 

20. Buffalo Bills 3-4 (24) - Fred Jackson is playing like everyone thought CJ Spiller would. 5 TDs, 380 rush yards, 25 receptions for 215 yards.

21. Carolina Panthers 4-3 (26) - Finally above .500, strong defense needs to be paired with a better than average Cam & Co. 

22. Arizona Cardinals 3-4 (21) - "Carson Palmer, is not who we thought he was!!" -Dennis Green, somewhere. 

23. Cleveland Browns 3-4 (20) - I have no idea what to think about the Browns. They could be good, but they are the Browns!

24. Houston Texans 2-5 (25) - Injuries, Pick 6s, this team is a long way away from preseason Super Bowl contender picks. 

25. St. Louis Rams 3-4 (19) - Bradford's done. If Favre said, "No Thanks" now what? Season's over!

26. Washington Redskins 2-4 (27) - RGIII had his "first game back" against the Bears. I'm optimistic. 

27. Pittsburgh Steelers 2-4 (28) - No run game, old defense. It's opposite year in the Steel City. 

28. Oakland Raiders 2-4 (23) - Terrelle Pryor is the bright spot in the Black Hole that is the Raiders. 

29. New York Giants 1-6 (30) - Turnovers are killing them. Eli has 

15 INTs!

30. Minnesota Vikings 1-5 (29) - Who's the QB this week?? Once they figured that out, 5 wins is a possibility. 

31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0-7 (31) - The sad things is they aren't the worst team in Florida. Schiano will be gone before season's end. 

32. Jacksonville Jaguars 0-7 (32) - 11pts scored in 12 quarters at home. Enough said. 

Biggest Jump - Colts, Up 6

Biggest Drop - Dolphins & Rams, Down 5

NFL Week 8 Picks

Epic Fail!

This past week was a disaster. My picks for the year have been awful so far this year, at least I'm over 50%. But my picks were no match for how terrible the Vikings were on Monday Night Football against the Giants. Freeman's overthrows and lack of an offensive line push for Adrian Peterson. It was hard to watch. 

Last Weeks Results:

• Fantasy Football Teams 1-2,  Overall 15-6 (still 7-0 in Flooring league)

• NFL Picks 7-8, Overall 49-43

• Confidence Points 65/120, Overall 411/845 .486

Here are my Week 8 Picks

Carolina @ Tampa Bay • Panthers • 5

Miami @ New England • Patriots • 6

New York Giants @ Philadelphia  • Eagles • 8

Buffalo @ New Orleans • Saints • 11

San Francisco @ Jacksonville • 49ers • 13

Cleveland @ Kansas City • Chiefs • 10

Dallas @ Detroit • Lions • 1

Pittsburgh @ Oakland • Steelers • 3

New York Jets @ Cincinnati • Benglas • 2

Atlanta @ Arizona • Falcons • 4

Washington @ Denver • Broncos • 9

Green Bay @ Minnesota • Packers • 12

Seattle @ St. Louis • Seahawks • 7

My NFL Power Rankings

So just like the BCS rankings, I felt that I should finally release my power rankings after seeing the teams play for a few weeks, and let everyone debate my thoughts. Unfortunately I'm not going to breakdown each team like ESPN does for their Power Rankings. Here goes.

1. Denver Broncos 6-0

2. Seattle Seahawks 5-1

3. New England Patroits 5-1

4. New Orleans Saints 5-1

5. Kansas City Chiefs 6-0

6. San Francisco 49ers 4-2

7. Green Bay Packers 3-2

8. Chicago Bears 4-2

9. Indianapolis Colts 4-2

10. Detroit Lions 4-2

11. Miami Dolphins 3-2

12. Cincinnati Bengals 4-2

13. Dallas Cowboys 3-3

14. Tennessee Titans 3-3

15. Baltimore Ravens 3-3

16. New York Jets 3-3

17. Philadelphia Eagles 3-3

18. San Diego Chargers 3-3

19. St. Louis Rams 3-3

20. Cleveland Browns 3-3

21. Arizona Cardinals 3-3

22. Atlanta Falcons 1-4

23. Oakland Raiders 2-4

24. Buffalo Bills 2-4

25. Houston Texans 2-4

26. Carolina Panthers 2-3

27. Washington Redskins 1-4

28. Pittsburgh Steelers 1-4

29. Minnesota Vikings 1-4

30. New York Giants 0-6

31. Tampa Bay Buccaneers 0-5

32. Jacksonville Jaguars 0-6

NFL Week 7 Picks

So I know my picks aren't anything anyone wants to take to Vegas, they are about as bad as the Houston fans cheering Schaub's injury. 

At least my fantasy teams are doing well. I can't say the same for my pitiful Vikings. There is a new glimmer of hope for Minnesota fans with Josh Freeman taking over as QB. Let's hope that his NFL worst completion percentage is left in Tampa Bay as well as all his off the field problems. 

Here's how the season has gone for me. 

-Fantasy Football Teams 2-1, Overall 14-4

-NFL Picks Week 6 went 8-7, Overall 49-43

-Confidence Points 68/147, Overall 346/725 .477

Week 7 Picks

Seattle @ Arizona                  Seahawks          13

Chicago @ Washington         Bears                  8

Buffalo @ Miami                    Dolphins              4

New England @ NYJ             Patriots              14

St. Louis @ Carolina              Rams                  3

Dallas @ Philadelphia            Cowboys             5

Cincinati @ Detroit                 Lions                  7

San Diego @ Jacksonville      Chargers            15

Tampa Bay @ Atlanta             Falcons              9

San Francisco @ Tennessee   Titans                1

Cleveland @ Green Bay          Packers             11

Houston @ Kansas City          Chiefs               10

Baltimore @ Pittsburgh           Ravens               6

Denver @ Indianapolis            Broncos             12

Minnesota @ NYG                  Giants                 2

Chicago Marathon

So the Chicago Marathon was this morning and yet again I wasn't in the race field. I need to change that next year. 2013 has been a let down for me on the exercise front. I started this blog to track my running and motivate me and others to get out and run, but I haven't done much of anything this year. I need to start getting out and doing something. 

Yes, the last few months have stressful with seizures, hospital stays, a wedding, and long hard work days, but I know I need to get my runs and exercise in so I have more strength. Hopefully, I can get myself up and outa few times a week through the end of the year. At least I know over the last few years my bigger run months typically come in the winter. Well I hope this scolding of myself will help me and whoever else out there is going through a similar exercise drought. Get out there!!!

Week 6 NFL Picks

With my Vikings on a Bye last week I didn't have to watch them lose, but I did get to see my fantasy teams go undefeated over the weekend. I know some of you are waiting for my video blogs for my leagues which I'm gong to work on over the weekend. I will try to have those done as soon as possible. Now here is a look at how my predictions have gone so far. 

-Fantasy Football Team 3-0, Overall 12-3

-NFL Picks 7-7, Overall 41-36

-Confidence Points 55/105, Overall 278/578 .481

Week 6 Picks

 

NYG @ Chicago                      Bears            6

Carolina @ Minnesota              Vikings          9

Cincinati @ Buffalo                   Bengals         1

Detroit @ Cleveland                 Browns          5

Philadelphia @ Tampa Bay       Eagles           2

Oakland @ Kansas City            Chiefs          13

Pittsburgh @ NYJ                     Jets              8

Green Bay @ Baltimore             Ravens        4

St. Louis @ Houston                 Texans        12

Jacksonville @ Denver               Broncos      15

Tennessee @ Seattle                 Seahawks   14

Arizona @ San Francisco           49ers          7

New Orleans @ New England    Saints         3

Washington @ Dallas                 Cowboys     10

Indianapolis @ San Diego          Colts          11 

NFL Week 5 Picks

Well my Vikings managed to finally grab an elusive victory. Now I get to wait through their bye week until I get to see them start the softer part of their their schedule. As for my fantasy teams, I'm just thankful I have Peyton on one of my teams, should have drafted him in all of them. Happy football everyone. 

Fantasy teams went 1-2, overall 9-3

NFL Picks 7-8, overall 34-29 

Confidence Picks 68/147, overall 223/473 .493

Week 5 Matchups                                          Confidence Pts

Buffalo @ Cleveland               Browns                  3

Seattle @ Indy                        Seahawks              5

Jacksonville @ St. Louis         Rams                     9

Philly @ NYG                          Giants                    1

Kansas City @ Tenn.               Chiefs                    6

Baltimore @ Miami                  Ravens                   7

Detroit @ Green Bay                Lions                     2

New England @ Cincinati        Patriots                 11

New Orleans @ Chicago         Saints                    10

Carolina @ Arizona                  Cardinals               3

Denver @ Dallas                      Broncos                12

San Diego @ Oakland              Chargers              14

Houston @ San Fran                Texans                   4

NYJ @ Atlanta                          Falcons                13

Floorcoverings Video #2

Have a look at my new video for the Flooring Fantasy Football League. Yet again another simple video minus me. I'll make an on screen appearance soon enough in future videos.

Mobile Devices Click Here!!

Go Full Screen !!

All Access Websites

So I'm sitting here watching the the 49er/Rams game, and I'm thinking I'm not the only one without the NFL Network or even cable, but I do have internet. To all of you who want to watch NFL, MLB, EPL or even Cricket games here are some websites.

VIP Box

Sports Hunter

Front Row Live

Justin TV

Here are some for TV & Movies

Hulu

Project Free TV