The park is mine

by Heartless James McNeil

Jacksonville Jaguars at San Francisco 49ers

Sunday 4:05pm Candlestick Park

Black Hawk Down.

by Heartless James McNeil

Atlanta sports teams will break your heart. Just ask loyal Falcons fans who lovingly followed them to a super bowl meltdown. Ask the Braves fans who witnessed their club win thirty eleven pennants, but capture only one lousy World Series crown. Now, the Hawks are here to put you on a crash course to Heartbreak Ridge.

Things to do in Denver when you're dead.

by Heartless James McNeil
Denver cost me big time Sunday. The hard luck Broncos could not deliver against their arch-enemies, the San Diego Chargers. A second quarter appearance by Kyle Orton was a moot point for the Denver offense that was, at times, nonexistent.

Three Turkeys

                                                                                       
by Heartless James McNeil



Tomorrow, we have three NFL games on Thursday, because of the Thanksgiving holiday. Traditionally, these

The Gambler wins it all

It was a three man race, but only one took the prize. Steve McNeil, of Lumber City GA, beat out our own Eric “Speedy” Stegall, and two time champ Kinte Clements……..

Parity

by Heartless James McNeil
Upsets and shockers. What is an upset? Kansas City beating Pittsburgh at home, with a fieldgoal?. Oakland defeating the on again/off again Cincinnati Bengals? Roger Goodell wants you to believe there’s parity in the NFL. And maybe there is a little bit of evenness in this sport of champions.

Razor's Edge

by Erving "Enforcer" Conaway

Inianapolis Colts at Baltimore Ravens

Sunday 1:00pm M&T Bank Stadium

As the pendelum swings the razor-sharp executioner’s blade, Peyton Manning suddenly appears with a full pardon. How many times will we see the Colt’s opponents (and fans) underestimate the Horseshoe.           

Not at xosolid.com.

Welcome to Duval County

by Heartless James McNeil
Buffalo Bills at Jacksonville Jaguars
Sunday 1:00PM Jacksonville Municipal Stadium
Newly elected head coach Perry Fewell had this to say on his many problems he’s inheriting from newly ejected coach Dick Jauron, “We are who we are. We have that identity. We’re going to try to give a little spark, but we are who we are.”

The Mile High Club

                                          by Heartless James McNeil

San Diego Chargers at Denver Broncos 
Sunday 4:15 - Invesco Field at Mile High Stadium
Okay fellas, this game is serious. Nobody else on the staff wanted to take this matchup. No problem. That’s why I’m editor-in-chief. That’s why I’m called Heartless James.

Animal Thug

by Heartless James McNeil
Cleveland Browns at Detriot Lions
Sunday, Nov 22 1:00   Ford Field
LeBron James is looking for work in Cleveland. And I'm not talking about
the Caviliers either.

He'll be going to the New York Knicks(or anywhere else)next

year, while Jay-z writes his new theme song for his new victory dances. He

was quoted as saying that he was willing to play wide receiver for the ailing

Browns.

Not a bad idea, if he brings his 28 points a game to the field(the Browns

average 8.7 a game). Even Mangini liked the idea. Side note to Mangini;

start looking for another line of work.

Down to buisness. The Browns travel to Ford Field on Sunday to play

the Detriot Lions in the battle for a two win season. Some analyst might

look at this game as a coin flip, but the experts at xosolid.com(me)don't

quite think so.

As I stated earlier, the Browns average 8.7 points a game, ranked dead

last in the NFL. And the Lions don't fare too much better, ranked 26th,

with their 15.9. Which is more than enough to whip Cleveland. Last week,

Matt Stafford threw for 224 yards and a TD, but was sacked three times.

Probably because their O-line is ranked 29th in the league. Cleveland is

faring a little better with a 22nd ranking, which Quinn doesn't seem to be

taking advantage of.

Don't get me wrong. I think Brady Quinn is a beast. Well, a thug beast

anyway. A first round pick 3 years ago, Quinn was thought to become

a mover and shaker in the midst of some quality quarterback prospects.

But last week, against theRavens, he went 13-39 for 99 yards, with 2
picks. And some experts now question his arm strength. I might beg to

differ, the way he busted up Terrel Suggs' knee last Monday; a nasty

low block that might cost Suggs a lot of playing time.

One day Brady will be a great QB, just not this Sunday.

On defense, the Lions and the Browns are ranked 31st and 32nd,

respectfully. Please note that there are only 32 teams in the NFL.

Detroit should'nt have to worry about Cleveland's gimmick version

of the Wildcat offense. Cribbs was shook up a little last game,

and might be doubtful. Plus, the Lions defensive coodinators claim

they can shut down the Cat, like they claimed they did against Miami

in their last bout.

My last post about the Browns, I stated that poolers would'nt have to

worry about these dogs winning any games for the immediate future.

Right now, Las Vegas is giving Cleveland about 4 points on the spread.

I'd listen to them. Detroit wins.

Game of Attrition

By Erving "Enforcer" Conaway




Miami Dolphins at Calolina Panthers
November 19,  Thursday 8:20pm











A pooler's point of view. When looking in the mirror, we all know that our worst enemy can be ourselves. And with both teams in this matchup, this is the case.

You can look for this to be a game that's going to be won in the trenches. This will be a game of attrition and possession, which Miami will win. The Dolphin's average time of possession is 32:30 vs the Panther's 30:20. Chad Hinne and Pat White are good game managers. Yes, I said it!!  Chad Hinne and Pat White are good game managers, who play their roles well, by not trying to do too much. Meanwhile, Ricky Williams is still showing flashes of a Pro Bowler.

The Panthers go into this game with the third ranked rushing offense, and the Fins with the fourth. Take my advice: Jake Delhomme wil cause the Panthers to lose this one. For example, he's known for trying to force the ball in tight coverage, and what's even more disturbing, is when you throw 13 interceptions with only 7 TD's. That's an indication that the playaction pass needs work.

Furthermore, the Dolphins scheme well on Defense. So, Panthers, if you're listening, run the ball and all is good; throw the ball more than usual, and you'll walk away the Carolina Kittens! Especially with your 23rd ranking in scoring vs. Miami's 13th. Which is amazing for a team that hardly passes the ball.

Miami wins. Just call it at long shot. I call it a sure shot.

Circle the Wagons, Washington at Dallas

by Heartless James McNeil




 WASHINGTON REDSKINS AT DALLAS COWBOYS

        Sunday, November 22, 1:00p
        Cowboy Stadium












I finally got around to looking at this matchup, and came to a conclusion; the Redskins could win this game. That being said, they shouldn't. The Cowboys are at home, in a dome, and you'd expect them to score a lot. But not against Washington, I feel..

The Redskins have the No. 1 pass defense in the league (fifth D overall, while we're talking). So, I don't see Romo taking it to the air all evening. Not with DeAngelo Hall out there lurking with 4 INTs in his resume this year. So that leaves the Cowboys with the running game. Sounds good, since the Skins are 24th against the rush. Okay, so we go to Marion Barber.

Oops. I forgot to mention that Barber is questionable for Sunday with a thumb injury. But  he only had 26 yards in five carries last week versus Green Bay. Roy Williams added 105 yards on 5 carries with a TD. All for a grand total of small potatoes offense for Dallas, adding to the fact that their offensive line allowed Romo to get sacked 5 times.

On the flipside of that injury coin, Albert Haynesworth is also questionable with a bum ankle.

From a pooler's perspective, you go into this game feeling that either pick you make, you're probably wrong. Well, that's how it is when you have a team like Dallas that just isn't performing. Take solace in this, Cowboy fans. The Washington Redskins have yet to win an away game this year. However, the skins won there last year with Zorn(he was calling plays in those days). And please remember, both sides, that this is a rivalry game.

But I'm going with Dallas. Romo will just have to sink me.  Solid.

What can brown do for you?

What can the 1-8 Browns do for up and coming poolers looking to win on Sunday? Not a damn thing, but keep losing. We want Cleveland to continue to give us just one more easy pick to our goal of selection heaven.

Note to Mangini: You want to run the Wildcat Offense? Get rid of Quinn or Anderson(doesn't matter). Use the survivor as backup then go and get Michael Vick next season. At least you will sell tickets.

On a lighter note, in defense to the Browns defense, they held Baltimore to one offensive TD. Maybe a precursor to Detroit. Not.

Kinte and OPIE split the belt for week 10

This week Kinte"Coach K"Clements(pictured left), and Jason"OPIE"Young(pictured right), both of Lumber City GA, split the  local football pool, each scoring 9-4, forgoing the Monday Night football game, due to same selection. This now makes Kinte Clements a 2 time champ, also winning week 5.
"I'm always in the race, up to the last minute, on Monday, every week," said Kinte in a phone interveiw this morning.  Mr. Young, interveiwed later this evening, stated that he was pleased to be a winner. Congrats to both winners. Mr. Clements is slowly becoming a force in office pool handicapping, as well as up-and-coming pooler,  Mr. Young.

I'm with stupid............ An Open letter to Bill

It's one thing for me to be wrong on one of my weekly picks that I feature. I can deal with that. Even though I spent all week analyzing this game, masterfully dissecting an epic match-up with razor-keen precision.

But it's another thing to lose with this pick, because the coach of said team, decides to play the Madden 10 video game in real life football. Damn, Bill.

Now, that, I cannot deal with. I thought I taught you better than that? On FORTH down, no matter how short, while deep in your own endzone, you punt the ball. Bill, you weren't playing the Detriot Loins last night. You were messing with Peyton"Not Eli" Manning guest starring the 8-0 Indianapolis Colts.

Yeah, I'm mad at you, Bill.  But it'll pass. Just not today. You're a great coach, with many more great things to do, and this debacle will be forgotten in the following years. But, even Joe Girardi, of the New York Yankees, can't compare to the level of second guessidness(is that a word?) that you will endure in the following WEEKS.

Final word on Bengals vs. Pittsburgh

      Keep this in mind. Cincinnati has given Pittsburgh the most trouble at Heinz Field since 2003. They've split 3-3 against their rival Steelers there.

Carson Palmer said, "It's a game. We're not going to look too far ahead of who's on the schedule, who's left, worry about playoff implications, worry about home-field advantage. We don't need to be thinking about any of those things... they're in a must-win situation. We feel we're in a must-win situation."

And that's the situation good Poolers are in. We must have Cincy to win. Yes, it's a risk to take in a tough week like week 10, but you have to take chances. At least, this being the most calculated chance.

On last week's game vs the Ravens, Chad Ochocinco said, "Today was a statement game. I want every game to be a statement game."  That's swagger trash talk, Chad. Please deliver..........Solid.

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   

Second thoughts on KC vs Oakland

This game is giving me mad headaches. I've studied it and studied it over and over again. Kansas City should win this one. No second thoughts. No regrets. Not the case.

On one hand, here you have the Chiefs, who OWN Oakland Coliseum for the last 6 sessions there. Last season,  Matt Cassel got it done there with fire ass passing(Well, with the Pats anyway) Plus, you have all the Tom Cable distractions going on. Then, there's the fact that the Raiders aren't that good anyway, starring an unproven JaMarcus Russell(He's not that bad). So why worry?

Reason #1:  No Larry Johnson to put up stupid yards rushing. Well, no Larry Johnson period. Another Tom Cable-esqe distraction to fuel  more turmoil to a 1-7 squad looking for a precious win. Reason #2:  No Tony Gonzalez either. The two main reasons KC has had puppet master control over the Raiders at their own field.

But here's my bottom line. I'm still going for the Chiefs. Kansas Ctiy is just going to have to break me. Conversations between me and my office pool foes have led me to believe that there will be a 50-50 split with this match up. Like I said, Kansas City will just have to break me. Solid...........

Bears lose to 49'rs in low scoring chess match

Former Chicago great Mike Singletary, now 49'rs head coach, had little to say on his 10-6 win against the ailing Bears Thursday nignt.

"They're just another team on the schedule," he was quoted as saying.

Wow. The Bears are in trouble. Shit, they let me down last week.  Let's look at this in a Pooler's point of view. Next week vs Philly(at home mind you), expect them to lose this one. Let's also disregard must win situations(last night was one.) The next week, when they go to Minnensota with Favre and them, things look uglier. It all adds up to 2 weeks that you can pick the bears as losers without losing sleep. Don't worry about savy players who claim to have done endless research and conclude that Smokey can win these games. They're just wanting to donate more money to your local office pool.
 Three weeks from now, against St. Louis, I'm not so sure. We'll have to see how those guys fare. But if I were a gambling man, I'd say          the Rams will bust that ass too. Stay tuned........

Nicky wins Week 9

Monday night, Nicky Stegall of Lumber City GA, beat out all ESPN analysts by going 11-2 in the local football pool. Runner up was one-time champ Kinte Clements, whose total points for the Monday Night Tie-breaker were way too conservative at 16. Tough luck Kinte. Congrats, Nick. You have the belt. For now.

Heartless James Week 10 picks

Chicago at San Fransico  NO PICK
ATLANTA at Carolina
Tampa Bay at MIAMI
Detroit at  MINNESOTA
Jacksonville at NEW YORK JETS
CINCINNATI at Pittsburgh
NEW ORLEANS at St. Louis
Buffalo at TENNESSEE
DENVER at Washington
KANSAS CITY at Oakland
Seattle at ARIZONA
DALLAS at Green Bay
PHILADELPHIA at San Diego
NEW ENGLAND at Indianapolis
BALTIMORE at Cleveland   24 points
                                                                            *winners in all caps

Week 10: Pats vs. Colts

Sunday night, it goes down. The Patriots visit Indianapolis in a week 10 showdown that is sure to thrill and amaze all hardcore gridiron action junkies. Off the head, I'm going with NE. The Colts can't seem to score in the last 2 games, and the Pats seem to be able to heat it up in later quarters. Will Peyton and crew be exposed for being lucky thus far? I think so.
PATRIOTS 24   COLTS 13