MY BOLD AFC PREDICTIONS FOR THE 2013 NFL SEASON!

AFC East

1) New England Patriots (10-6) Rumors of the Patriots demise are overstated. I don't think they have the horses to reach the Super Bowl this season, but they've got more than enough to take the AFC East crown.

2) Miami Dolphins (8-8) New logo, new look on offense, solid defense. Sorry Fins fans, while Tannenhill makes strides this season as QB, the team still has too many question marks (especially at running back, tight end and offensive line) to seriously contend for the post season.

3) Buffalo Bills (6-10) There is a real possibility that an undrafted rookie free agent will start at QB for the Bills on opening day. That doesn't bode well for a team that needs more playmakers on both sides of the ball. Yes, from 1990 to 1993 the Bills lost four consecutive Super Bowls. Despite this, Buffalo fans can only glance back wistfully at those teams when compared to today's edition.

4) N.Y. Jets (4-12) The Jets turn in a truly Twilight Zone worthy season during Rex Ryan's swan song.

AFC North

1) Cincinnati Bengals (12-4) This may be the year the Bengals finally put it all together.  They've got talented playmakers on offense and a solid defense. In addition, Andy Dalton continues to make strides and show flashes that he can be an elite NFL QB. This might be Marv Lewis' year to make a deep run in the post season.

2) Baltimore Ravens (9-7) Ray Lewis, the Ravens' heart and soul (at least on defense) for the past decade is gone. I think Baltimore competes this season, but I expect a drop-off from last year. 

3) Pittsburgh Steelers (9-7) After every season, it seems the Steelers watch as a lot of home-grown talent moves to other teams for bigger paydays. This past offseason was no exception as playmaker Mike Wallace went to South Beach to catch passes from Ryan Tannenhill instead of Ben Roethlisburger. Despite this, the Steelers always seem to find a way to compete, and I see them as a factor in the AFC North division race late in the season as usual.

4) Cleveland Browns (6-10) The good news: the Browns are improved. The bad news: In the AFC North that will only translate to six or seven W's. 

AFC South

1) Houston Texans (12-4) The Texans are a solid, solid team. This could be Houston's year to finally put it all together and make it to the Super Bowl (something the Oilers were never able to do while they were in Houston). They will be tested by a tough regular season schedule, but if they can avoid last year's late season letdown, they could go far in post season play.

2) Indianapolis Colts (10-6) Andrew Luck will show that his rookie season was no fluke.  However, the Colts still need more pieces if they hope to take another step toward the big game, especially on defense.

3) Tennesse Titans (8-8) The Titans find out if Jake Locker is the real deal at QB this season.  If not, they still have Chris Johnson. I think a tough early season schedule keeps Tennessee from seriously contending for a playoff berth.

4) Jacksonville Jaguars (2-14) The team introduced what had to be one of the worst logo updates in NFL history. They had a chance to land ex-Jet Tim Tebow during the offseason and passed. Sure Tebow may not be an elite NFL QB, but he is well loved in Florida and would have put tails in seats at least. The team lacks talent on both sides of the ball and one has to wonder if owner Shahid Khan is pulling a page from the playbook of the film "Major League" by making the team so toxic to local fans that they stay away, leaving him with no choice but to uproot and move to greener pastures. 

 AFC West

1) Denver Broncos (12-4) Denver should again be a favorite to win the AFC West (easily) and move deep into the playoffs.  However, Peyton Manning isn't getting any younger, and when I watch the Broncos I still see a team that can look like world beaters one week and then look very mediocre the next.

2) Kansas City (8-8) Don't expect a lot of excitement from the Alex Smith dink-and-dunk offense, but the team should be better in 2013.

3) San Diego Chargers (7-9) The Norv Turner regime finally unravelled in San Diego last season. I don't see a rebound for the Chargers in 2013 either. It will be interesting to see if the new coaching staff and team leaders can keep the team motivated.

4) Oakland Raiders (4-12) These guys are a looong way from their "Just Win" days.

My bold NFC predictions for the 2013 NFL Season!

NFC East

1) Dallas Cowboys (9-7) Okay...homer pick here. The Cowboys are my team and always have been. But it's been a while since the Boys have taken home a Lombardi and unfortunately, I don't see them doing it this year either. Tony Romo seems to be the Danny White of our time. He'll put up great numbers during the regular season, but when it's crunch time, he's been uncanny in his ability to choke games away. Still, I think the Boys have enough talent to take the division this season and I'll cross my fingers come playoff time.

2) N.Y. Giants (8-8) The Giants are the proverbial girl with the curl in the middle of her head...when they are bad, they are very, very bad; when they are good, they win Super Bowls. This season, I think the division crown eludes the G-men...and perhaps the playoffs as well.

3) Washington Redskins (7-9) I think RG III comes back to earth this season. Don't get me wrong, I like the kid. I think he's a class act and I think he will be a good NFL quarterback. But one has to wonder if he'll be 100% recovered from last season's injury by the start of the season. Even if he is healthy, he's going to show some rust early. I also don't think RB Alfred Morris has a repeat of his amazing 2012 season. I think the Skins stumble out of the gate and don't right the ship soon enough to make the post season.

4) Philadelphia Eagles (5-11) Welcome to the NFL, coach Kelly. I think in two, maybe three seasons he has the Eagles contending, but not this year.

NFC North

1) Green Bay Packers (10-6) One can never discount a team that has Aaron Rogers behind center. However, I don't think the Packers have an easy time of it this season. I don't think the Pack have addressed their deficiencies on defense and that will be telling, especially when the playoffs roll around.

2) Detroit Lions (9-7) The Lions are the ultimate ying-yang franchise. During years they aren't expected to do much, they end up surprising a lot of people. Conversely, during years they are picked to do well, they end up underachieving (see 2012 season). I think this is a year they end up surprising people. I don't see them taking the division crown from the Packers, but I can see them slipping into the post season. 

3) Minnesota Vikings (8-8) Adrian Peterson will shine again in 2013, but probably not as brightly as he did in 2012. I also don't see QB Christian Ponder as the guy who will take the Vikes to the promised land.  I'm sure Minnesota fans are hoping the team finds that guy before Peterson retires. 

4) Chicago Bears (7-9) The Bears take a slide backwards this year. They'll win a few they probably should lose and they'll lose a few they probably should win. 

NFC South

1) New Orleans Saints (11-5) Sean Payton is back, Drew Brees is still behind center, and the Saints will be playing with a chip on their shoulder this season. I think that translates to a hard-won NFC South division crown.

2) Atlanta Falcons (10-6) Many are favoring the Falcons to make the Super Bowl this season. They do have a lot of talent, especially at wide receiver. However, the Falcons always seem to find a way to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory. Make no mistake, Atlanta will make the post season, but I think the Saints leap-frog them for a division crown in 2013.

3) Carolina Panthers (8-8) With Cam Newton, and a strong defensive front, the Panthers will contend. But I don't think they have the pieces in place to get past New Orleans or Atlanta.

4) Tampa Bay Buccaneers (6-10) The Bucs seem to be a team in search of an identity. That's not a good place to be in a division with teams like New Orleans and Atlanta.

 NFC West

1) Seattle Seahawks (10-6) The Seahawks have a lot of talent. In fact, I think they have enough to reach the Super Bowl. Time to see if Pete Carroll can translate his college success to the pro level. 

2) San Francisco (9-7) I think NFL defenses catch up to last year's phenom Colin Kaepernick in 2013. The 49ers have a tough defense, but I think they'll struggle at times on offense this season.

3) St. Louis Rams (8-8) Jeff Fisher shows everyone why he is one of the best coaches in the league. The Rams are one or two seasons away from seriously contending for the NFC West crown and a post season berth.

4) Arizonal Cardinals (7-9) The Cards may have finally found a QB in Carson Palmer who can replace Kurt Warner. Unfortunately, I don't think it will be enough to elevate Arizona from the NFC West cellar.

Next up ... AFC Predictions!

It's the most wonderful time of the year ... football season

It's my favorite time of the year. Football season is fast approaching. In a couple of weeks, the NFL preseason kicks off as my Cowboys take on the Miami Dolphins in the Hall of Fame Game. Both teams have high expectations for the season. The Dolphins put some offensive weapons around last year's rookie QB Ryan Tannenhill. The team is hoping the addition of $60 million man Mike Wallace and TE Dustin Keller will allow Tannenhill and the Miami offense to stretch the field and be more explosive. GM Jeff Ireland is also hoping last year's leading receiver Brian Hartline continues to put up impressive numbers, especially since he gave Hartline a 5-year $31 million contract to stay. In fact, Ireland and the Dolphins opened the checkbook during the offseason, adding free agents on both offense and defense. On paper, the Dolphins look like one of the NFL's most improved teams. Ireland had better hope that what looks good on paper translates to the W-L column. I have a feeling if the Dolphins don't make a serious run for the playoffs this year, Ireland will be looking for a new job at the end of the season.

As for my Cowboys, I'm hoping for a playoff berth this year, but I won't hold my breath. I'm not one of those Cowboys' fans who has a massive man-crush on quarterback Tony Romo. I'm still flabbergasted the team agreed to pay him like he was Tom Brady or Peyton Manning (6 years, $108 million!!!).  The only thing Tony consistently seems to do well, is choke in big games.  In last year's win-or-go home game against the Washington Redskins, this play still haunts Dallas fans.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=veWJGifzUlA

No, that wasn't a video I made. If it had been, I would have had to bleep out most of what I said following that play. But I think most of you get where I'm going. Romo has done stuff like this so many times in big games, I almost expect it. His defenders love to talk about all the great stats he puts up, which is true. I'm sure Tony is great guy to have on your fantasy football team. However, true Cowboys' fans care about only one thing: winning Super Bowls. That's something that hasn't happened in a while....a long while. Tony Romo isn't the only reason this is so, but he's been a major contributor.

The verdict is still out on Jason Garrett as well. The ex-backup QB for the Cowboys is supposedly a smart guy (Princeton grad), but he has been less than impressive so far as the head coach of the Cowboys. His play-calls have left me scratching my head...often.  Maybe its because I'm not a Princeton grad and simply can't grasp the bigger picture that he envisions.  However, I will say this: if the Boys have another less than stellar season (.500 or less) I say it's time to let Garrett and his grand vision ride off into the sunset.

Jerry Jones. Ah...what can one say? He's an easy target, what with the face-lifts and all. Each season, I keep hoping he realizes he needs to hire a 'real' football person to be his GM, and each season I'm disappointed. My only consolation is that he's not getting any younger. One can only wonder how many more Super Bowls the Cowboys might have won if Jimmy Johnson and Jerry Jones could have peacefully coexisted.

That aside, it's almost time for some NFL and college football!  Life is good!

Odds N Ends 

Looks like future Hall-of-Fame tight end Tony Gonzalez might take one more shot at getting to the Super Bowl. Tony Gonzalez could return to falcons...

Has there ever been a more volatile season in college hoops, rankings-wise?  This has definitely been the Year of the Upset!  Get ready for another shake up in the polls as we head into March Madness. College Rankings...

On another college hoops note: My Wildcats took down the Gators at Rupp! We might make the Tourney after all. *fingers crossed* Kentucky knocks off Florida...

Jacksonville Jaguars -- They have an ugly new logo and apparently, are working hard to stay awful. Jaguars announce some big changes...

Yeah, they've been sputtering so far in the WBC, but Go USA! USA over Italy...

Speaking of baseball, while I've enjoyed the WBC, my enthusiasm for major league baseball is probably at an all-time low. As Opening Day fast approaches, all I can say is *yawn* Wake me up when it's football season.  

Another Super Bow...er Big Game in the books. Okay, I have to confess, I didn't really have a dog in this fight. I just wanted a good game.  During the first half, it didn't look like this would be the case. When Jacoby Jones returned the second half kickoff 109 (okay, 108) yards for a TD to put the Baltimore Ravens up 28-6, I was ready to turn off the game. Then the lights went out, literally.  The Big Game stalled out for half an hour, while NFL officials ran around trying to figure out exactly happened and the talking heads on TV jabbered and jabbered and jabbered.  Did I mention they jabbered?  When play resumed, it seemed the momentum gods decided they'd done enough for Baltimore and jumped over to the San Francisco 49er's sideline. As the third quarter came to a close, the 49ers had closed the gap to 28-23.

Yes, the Super Bowl (there I said it, NFL. Sue me!) turned out to be a real thriller, and with under two minutes to play, and the Ravens leading 34-29, it came down to San Francisco having four downs to score a winning touchdown from inside the Baltimore's 10 yard line. The Ravens held on to win, maybe literally. On fourth down Colin Kaepernick lofted an incomplete pass intended for Michael Crabtree. In the replay it appeared that Crabtree and Jimmy Smith, the DB covering him, were more interested in wrestling each other than concentrating on the ball.  After the play, Niner coach Jim Harbaugh was livid on his sideline. He wanted a holding call, and I think he had a point. Unfortunately, it also looked like Crabtree pushed Smith to the turf, which is offensive pass interference. Seemed like a good no-call to me but I'm sure there will be controversy over this for years to come.

Thus, another football season comes to a close. Let us all observe a moment of silence...

As a sports gaming enthusiast, one of the forums I often visit online is Table Top Sports (http://forums.delphiforums.com/tabletopsports). I found a post about a game called Solitaire Football. Back in January of 2012 someone posted asking if anyone had heard of the game. A short discussion ensued and then died out a few days later. A year later, Mike Keely, the creator of the game found the thread. Although he hasn't really done anything with the game since the late 90s, he still had collection of old seasons. Several people asked for information and what might be available to purchase. Since I had never heard of this game myself, I corresponded with Mr. Keely via e-mail and ordered the 1992 season along with some great teams. I received my copy of the game a few days ago and immediately delved into it. 

It's definitely a no frills game. There's no fancy color printing or die-cut cards. Everything is DIY in that department. It reminded me a little of Kerstetter's Football (http://boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/12805/kerstetters-football). While Kerstetter's definitely had slicker packaging, Solitaire Football seems to have deeper game play -- at least that's my impression after my first limited outing with it. Gameplay is driven by FACs rather than dice.

I decided to pit the '58 Colts against the '58 Giants as my learning game. I played one quarter. It was slow going at first, as I often had to stop and refer back to the rules, but toward the end of the quarter things were speeding up.

The '58 Giants received the opening kickoff and went three-and-out. Johnny U tested the Giants' secondary early. On the first play from scrimmage, he hooked up with Raymond Berry for 18 yards. Two plays later Lenny Moore turned a short pass from Unitas into a 38 yard gain. Unfortunately, a holding call brought that back, and the Colts were forced to punt. 

Starting from the New York 36, Frank Gifford broke through the line into the Colts' secondary for 19 yards. Despite the good gain, the drive stalled at the Colts' 38, and Pat Summerall missed the field goal try.  Taking the ball at their own 20, the Colts launched a 14-play drive that was capped by a 6-yard TD pass from Unitas to Jim Mutscheller. The Giants' front four put good pressure on Unitas when he dropped back into the pocket to pass, but each time he was able to evade the pass rush and scramble for yardage. 

The Giants took the kickoff and have driven from their own 18 to the Baltimore 25, where they are looking at a 3rd and 8. That's where I'll pick it up again, maybe sometime this weekend.

Looking at first quarter stats, things look reasonable.


Colts -- 7;  Giants -- 0
Scoring: Mutscheller, 6 pass from Unitas (Myhra kick)

TEAM STATS
                   Colts       Giants
First Downs            8            3
Rushes-Yards       11-51        12-64
Passing Yards         41           26
Passes             3-5-0        2-3-0
Sacks-Yards Lost     0-0          0-0
Return Yards           3           26
Fumbles-Lost         0-0          0-0
Penalties-Yards     2-30          1-5

INDIVIDUAL STATS

Colts Rushing        ATT  YDS  LNG  TD
Alan Ameche            4   21    7   0
Johnny Unitas          3   13    5   0
Lenny Moore            3   13    7   0
L.G. DuPre             1    4    4   0

Colts Passing        ATT  COM  YDS  LNG  TD  INT
Johnny Unitas          5    3   41   18   1    0

Colts Receiving      REC  YDS  LNG   TD
Raymond Berry          2   35   18    0
Jim Mutscheller        1    6    6    1

Giants Rushing       ATT  YDS  LNG   TD
Frank Gifford          4   39   19    0
Alex Webster           3   11    6    0
Mel Triplett           4   10    6    0
Phil King              1    4    4    0

Colts Passing        ATT  COM  YDS  LNG  TD  INT
Charley Conerly        3    2   26   19   0    0

Colts Receiving      REC  YDS  LNG   TD
Bob Schnelker          1   19   19    0
Frank Gifford          1    7    7    0

All-in-all, I'm having fun with this one so far and I'm glad I stumbled across this lost gem! Based on the buzz generated by the Table Top Sports forum for this game, I wonder if Mr. Keely might be tempted to add more seasons to the collection? If he wants a professional redesign of his game, I know someone who does good work inexpensively. *cough* me *cough* :)