Fantasy-Football-First

John Charles Last Week: 9-7
John Charles Thurs. Night: 0-1
John Charles Season: 111-95-3 ( 53.8 % )

Readers Last Week: 12-4
Readers Thurs. Night: 1-0
Readers Season: 109-97-3 ( 52.9 % )

What a great record last week from the consensus of the Readers on this site. You all went an impressive 12-4 and have pulled within just a few games of myself. We have a great weekend of games on tap and an added bonus of an East Coast storm to make it all the more interesting.

It’s been kind of hectic these last few days getting ready for the holidays so today’s column will be pretty much a “quick hits” picks column. Every year I say to my wife that I want to get it all done early and yet every year I am the lonely guy at the mall on Xmas eve. This year we all get a present from the NFL and that’s a rare Christmas game. But before we get to that, we need to get through this weekend.

Let’s do this Xmas style.

Dallas at New Orleans ( -7 )

I love the Saturday night games and would welcome them throughout the entire season. This one figures to be a high scoring affair as New Orleans goes for the perfect record and Dallas is fighting for their wild card lives. Throw in the fact that it’s fantasy football playoffs time and all eyes will be on Drew Brees, Tony Romo and a half dozen running backs and it’s going to be a ratings bonanza. I think New Orleans wants the perfect record bad and will be airing it out against a Dallas team that I don’t trust in December. Take New Orleans.

Xmas Style- Saturday night will be a big night for office parties across the country. Is there anything worse than going to your spouse’s office party? You don’t know anyone. You’ve been warned not to tell any of your usual jokes and stories. Your wife forbid you to do any shots in case you get in that magical zone which gets you out on the dance floor. Every guy that you get introduced to makes you wonder if they are the one that flirts with your wife all day. I usually just find myself by the bar secretly making fun of the guys from the IT department. Happy Holidays.

Green Bay at Pittsburgh ( -2 )

The playoffs start here for the Steelers. Thanks to Jacksonville’s loss last night, the Steelers still have a pulse. Green Bay needs this game as well to stay in control of the #5 seed in the NFC. Green Bay had a great game last week rushing the ball and that will need to continue if they want to go far. I have gone with Pittsburgh the past few weeks thinking it was their Back Against the Wall game and they have let me down each time. Sometimes you are what you are. Take Green Bay.

Xmas Style- Out of all the cities I have been to, my favorite around Xmas time is Washington, DC. I know it’s a tourist thing to do but going down to see the National Christmas Tree and the trees representing all the States is good clean family fun.

Miami at Tennessee ( -3 )

Big game for both teams as that last wild card spot in the AFC is up for grabs. Is there any way Tennessee’s Chris Johnson doesn’t go #1 in your fantasy draft next year? Look for him to get 25+ carries and make this wild card race all the more messier. Take Tennessee.

Xmas Style - We went out and got our Christmas tree last week at the same place we always do and it was 30 dollars. Last year it was 80. Pleasant surprise and when I inquired to the clerk about why it was so much cheaper this year, their response was ” I dunno”. All week I have been thinking about it. For some strange reason I need to know why the price of Christmas trees have dropped so dramatically. These are the weird things that keep me up at night.

New England at Buffalo ( +7 )

I have come to the following conclusions regarding the Patriots: 1. Tom Brady is hurt and why the Patriots never go out and get a quality veteran backup baffles me. 2. The Patriots can’t defend the pass. 3. Randy Moss is in shut down mode. Patriots haven’t won a game on the road in the United States all year and yet they continue to be road favorites. I’ll take the points. Take Buffalo.

Xmas Style - My wife got me up early on Black Friday to go to Target to get our son’s major gift, an air hockey table.  We had a long debate about whether these Black Friday deals were worth it or just a bunch of hype.  As I was hauling this 50 pound box out of the store at 6 am, I kept reminding myself that I was getting a good deal.  Until yesterday when I saw the same item 20 bucks cheaper.  Darn you Target.  Never again on Black Friday.

Arizona at Detroit ( +12.5 )

Arizona came back to earth last week and Kurt Warner looked totally out of it.  Detroit plays better at home but I think Arizona runs away with this one.  Take Arizona.

San Francisco at Philadelphia ( + 8 )

This is an intriquing game because of the line.  San Francisco can play anyone tough when they get the running game going early.  They may not win but they keep it close.  We saw that last week in their win over Arizona and earlier this year in a loss to Indianapolis.  Normally I don’t like West Coast teams playing on the road in the 1pm games but I am feeling like this might be another close game in which both teams will be utilizing a major emphasis on the run.  8 points seems a few too high to me so I’ll take them.  Take San Francisco.

Xmas Style – The best outdoor venue for a concert that I have ever been to is the Greek Theatre in Berkeley, California.  Truly amazing experience.  The only negative was that is was sooo cold that night.  One of the coldest I have ever been at an outdoor event.  Did I mention it was in September?  I bet that area is  really nice around Xmas time.

Atlanta at NY Jets ( -4.5 )

I mentioned on last week’s podcast that I predict the Jets to win their last 4 games and make the playoffs.  This would be game number 2 of that 4 game stretch.  Take NY Jets.

Xmas Style – The other day at an office Secret Santa gift exchange, one person gave their person a 25 dollar American Express gift card.  That person, in return got a 25 dollar American Express gift card.  I guess the only one who made out in that exchange was American Express.  Happy Holidays.

Chicago at Baltimore ( – 11 )

If the season ended right now the Ravens would be the last Wild Card in the AFC .  They moved this game time to 4pm to give the stadium more time to clean up after this weekends snowstorm.  A cold windy day featuring  2 cold weather teams.  You have to love it.  What I love is getting 11 points in a game where the total should be in the 30′s.  This is my Upset Pick of the Week.  Take Chicago.

Xmas Style – I flew in to BWI airport about 10 years ago after a big snowstorm.  They plowed the airport parking lot and even though it cleared the lanes of the parking lot, it completely covered the cars with snow.  On the shuttle bus, a young lady was having an attitude about how they didn’t dig out people’s cars for them.  She demanded the driver to call into the station to have someone come out and dig out her car for her.  The driver said to just stand by her car and someone will be out to dig out her car.  3 hours later, I finished digging out my car by hand and noticed her as I was driving out still standing by her car.  As I drove by, I rolled down my window and said “Happy Holidays” as I passed her.  That was the last time anyone gave me the finger. 

Cleveland at Kansas City ( -2 )

When these 2 teams hook up you have to throw out the records.  Cleveland has been playing much better lately under Brady Quinn.  Every time I have seen Kansas City play this year I have not been impressed.  I can’t believe I am taking Eric Mangini in a road game but Kansas City is making me do it.  Take Cleveland.

Xmas Style – Back in my single days, I used to give whatever girl I was dating a “trip” for Xmas.  It would always be a place that I wanted to go so basically it was a trip for me and I wouldn’t have to go alone.  One year I gave my girlfriend a trip to Cleveland to go to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.  She was so thrilled to be going to Cleveland in January.  We did discover a great sports bar in Cleveland called Cooperstown, owned by Alice Cooper.  We had a great time there.  I just did a google search on it and I’m sad to see it closed 5 years ago.  Oh, things didn’t work out with that girlfriend either.

Houston at St. Louis ( +12.5 )

Houston is my Survivor Pool Pick of the Week so I am counting on you to win this road game.  Word tonight is that Steven Jackson has the flu.  This has a Back the Brinks Truck Up Pick of the Week feel to it.  Take Houston.

Xmas Style- I asked my 6 year old if he wanted to try some Egg Nog.  He said “no way”.  I later asked my 6 year old if he wanted to try some Christmas Milk.  He loved it. 

Cincinnati at San Diego ( -6.5 )

For the last 3 years I have taken Chris Henry as my last pick in my fantasy draft.  I reserve my last pick for a player that has the most potential but for some reason no one has taken.  I don’t think I ever started him but I always took him with that last pick because the potential was there.  Unfortunately, we’ll never know.  He was going to be a free agent this off season and someone would have given him a chance.  I am saddened at the thought of his 3 young children who lost a parent because of a situation that you wouldn’t expect your parents to be in.  I am not sure what emotional effect this has on the game but I do know that San Diego is the better team.  Take San Diego.

Xmas Style – I don’t care how many Chargers fans are wearing their Santa hats on Sunday, it just doesn’t feel like Christmas to see someone in shorts and a t shirt wearing a Santa hat.

Oakland at Denver ( -14 )

All signs are pointing to a potential playoff game of Denver and New England and I would love that.  I do like Denver in this game but you’ll need 3 scores to beat me because I am taking these points.  Take Oakland.

Xmas Style – I used to have friends that lived in Denver and I went out to visit them one year and was introduced to Fat Tire Amber Ale.  It was love at first sip and I am very happy to see that Fat Tire has made it out to the East Coast and I can now buy it at the grocery store here in Georgia.  Another Xmas miracle.

Tampa Bay at Seattle ( -6.5 )

Tampa Bay is battling for that first overall pick in next years draft.  They wouldn’t mess that up by winning here, would they?  Note to Seattle -  it’s Justin Forsett time.  How about 20 touches this weekend?  Take Seattle.

Xmas Style -  Another year for Xmas, I gave my girlfriend at the time a trip to Seattle.  We did some exploring and found ourselves on a ferry to Bainbridge Island.  If you ask me now what would be my ideal place to live, my answer is Bainbridge Island, Washington.  With the average home being around 7 figures, I don’t see the moving vans showing up anytime soon.

Minnesota at Carolina ( +9 )

Not too much on the line in this one but Brett Favre does like to show up when the national tv cameras are rolling.  Take Minnesota.

Xmas Style – What ever happened to Christmas carolers?  We used to get them all the time when I was growing up in Rhode Island.  Now the only thing to come knocking on my door are kids selling things from pizza kits to magazines.  Come to think of it, that was a pretty awkward 2 minutes standing there at the door in my underwear while people are singing Deck the Halls.

NY Giants at Washington ( -3 )

Here’s what I know about trying to pick NFC East games- I don’t know how to do it.  There’s no such thing as home field advantage and every game is a toss up.  In this one, I am just going to go with the team that needs it more and that’s the Giants.  Take NY Giants.

Xmas Style – If Santa is reading this, I need a new Patriots jersey to replace my Richard Seymour one.  Since I only wear defensive players jersey’s , a XXL Jerod Mayo jersey would be just  fine.

Good Luck in Week 15.