Final week of Regular Season for NFL teams

Playoff spots up for grabs

The AFC still has playoff spots available going into Sunday's games while the NFC teams are playing for who goes where in the first week of the postseason.

The AFC could be quite simple...if San Diego wins...they're in...let's go Bolts!!

Pickin' em!!!

Cleveland @ Baltimore

A sweep of the Browns keeps Raven hopes alive!

Ravens 27-20

Dallas @ Washington

Skins have nothing to lose...but the game.

Cowboys 30-21

Indianapolis @ Tennessee

Colts recover for the playoffs.

Colts 40-17

Jacksonville @ Houston

Last time to be amazed by J.J. Watt this season!

Texans 34-20

San Diego @ Kansas City

Need it on the road Bolts!!!

Chargers 27-23

NY Jets @ Miami

Dolphins finish positive...

Dolphins 28-13

Chicago @ Minnesota

The Bears may show what could have been to close out season!

Bears 28-24

Buffalo @ New England

Patriots 35-30

Philadelphia @ NY Giants

Eagles 24-21

New Orleans @ Tampa Bay

Saints 40-24

Oakland @ Denver

Broncos 41-21

Arizona @ San Francisco

49ers close out with win...

49ers 23-17

St Louis @ Seattle

Seahawks 30-14

Carolina @ Atlanta

Win and in...I think...LOL!! Coin flip says Panthers!

Panthers 38-31

Detroit @ Green Bay

Lions looking to "Roar" into  the postseason!

Lions 34-27

Cincinnati @ Pittsburgh

Steelers are playoff ready!

Steelers 24-21

Back next week for the wildcard round!!!

Thursday nights game

Who will watch?

Tonight's offering of Tennessee - Jacksonville has no affect on the NFL landscape except maybe next season's draft order.

Neither team has shown consistency with the Titans taking a narrow 16-14 win in Tennessee earlier this season. Jacksonville has beaten Cleveland and the NY Giants so far and will be the slight favourite from my POV in this one.

Jaguars 24-20

Week 15 NFL Picks

Time to step forward contenders

This week sees NFL teams looking for a final push into the postseason with three games left. It seems as though no one wants to win the NFC South but a team from that division could be dangerous come the post season. Additionally, the NFC East has a showdown when Dallas travels to Philly looking to keep pace with the Eagles in the division. 

There a a few intriguing games so let's pick 'em!

Pittsburgh @ Atlanta

Not a given for the Steelers, let's call an early upset!

Falcons 34-30

Washington @ NY Giants

NY Giants 27-17

Miami @ New England

Dolphins take a blow to playoff hopes.

Pats 40-21

Oakland @ Kansas City

Records should be out of the window...but KC needs a win.

Chiefs 31-27

Houston @ Indianapolis

Colts 27-24

Jacksonville @ Baltimore

Ravens 34-21

Green Bay @ Buffalo

The Packers visit Buffalo in what has to be the perfect road trip conditions wise. May be primed for upset!

Bills 28-27

Tampa Bay @ Carolina

Panthers 30-17

Cincinnati @ Cleveland

Browns have proved me wrong a few weeks in a row...will have to again this week!

Bengals 35-24

NY Jets @ Tennessee

Jets 23-14

Denver @ San Diego

Purely from a Bolts fan!!

Chargers 30-24

San Francisco @ Seattle

Niners have been reeling, there are problems by the Bay! They won't find a cure-all this week!

Seahawks 27-14

Minnesota @ Detroit

Lions 31-17

Dallas @ Philadelphia

The Cowboys dropped a big one to the Eagles in Dallas. It will be much tougher in Philly but the Boys will come up short again.

Eagles 28-20

New Orleans @ Chicago

Bears 30-28

Enjoy the games...until next week!

State titles up for grabs in Virginia

VHSL to crown six Saturday

The 2014 VHSL season finishes with championships for divisions 1A-6A to be decided in Salem, Lynchburg and Charlottesville.

There are some of the usual suspects and a few newbies looking to snare state titles so I'll just pick a few involving teams from my neck of the woods.

Group 1A Championship

Essex vs Altavista

Altavista always seems to be here let's give them the win!

Altavista by 8

Group 2A Championship

Wilson Memorial vs Glenvar

Glenvar has been under my radar this season but have kept winning the big ones. 

Glenvar by 3

Group 3A Championship

Magna Vista vs Lafayette

Gotta pick the team that my old school morphed into here, plus Magna Vista, save falling behind GW Danville, can stay with anyone in a shootout along with seeming to come up with just enough big plays from the defensive and special teams.

Magna Vista by 2

Group 4A Championship

Lake Taylor vs Salem

A tough task for Salem in this one but the Spartans are primed for the challenge. But, teams from the Eastern part of the state are due....

Lake Taylor by 8

Good luck to all and enjoy the games!!

Thursday night pick

Cards visit old home looking for win

The Arizona Cardinals travel to their old St. Louis home to visit the suddenly intimidating Rams. Arizona is looking to solidify their position atop the NFC West and post season jumble.

Though the Rams haven't been scored on for two games, it may be tough to keep Arizona out of the end zone. 

In the end I'll go with the Cardinals to come out with a tough win.

Cards 23-17

NFL Week 14 picks

Moving time in the NFL

For some teams, this weekend is the one to make a move towards division crowns or playoff spots. 

No need for long lead ups so let's just pick 'em.

Pittsburgh @ Cincinnati

The Steelers need to win to keep pace, the Bengals need to win to say ahead of the pack in the AFC North. So ...picking the home crew...

Bengals 30-27

St. Louis @ Washington

Who knows why but will tip the Redskins.

Redskins 24-21

Carolina @ New Orleans

Who wants to win the NFC South???

Saints 34-27

NY Jets @ Minnesota

Vikings 24-20

Baltimore @ Miami

Ravens can't afford to lose two in a row....

Ravens 31-21

Indianapolis @ Cleveland

Colts 35-20

Tampa Bay @ Detroit

Lions 40-17

Houston @ Jacksonville

Texans 30-21

Buffalo @ Denver

Broncs 34-27

Kansas City @ Arizona

Another big one here....used to be an interstate battle...

Cardinals 23-21

Seattle @ Philadelphia

Seattle can't afford the loss.

Seahawks 28-24

San Francisco @ Oakland

Battle of the Bay may be one sided....

49ers 35-20

New England @ San Diego

Bolt on Chargers....Bolt on!!

Chargers 30-26

Atlanta @ Green Bay

Packers 38-31

Until next week...

Thursday night football

Cowboys ride into Chicago

Dallas steps into the Thursday night spotlight at Chicago tonight needing a win to right the ship heading into that time of year where they have been known to sputter. Chicago as predicted has been all over the shop but it could be one of those nights where Cutler and Co play decent football and defend the home turf.

With a slight bit of trepidation .... I'm gonna say the Bears may pull a surprise...

Bears win 30-27

Week 13 NFL picks

Finishing off big football weekend

The NFL serves up some tasty morsels to finish off a big weekend of football. Green Bay hosts New England and Denver visits Kansas City as the 2014 season rounds into the playoff drive.

Hoping there will be some good ones to close out the week...let's pick 'em!

Washington @ Indianapolis

Colts 34-20

Tennessee @ Houston

Texans 23-10

Cleveland @ Buffalo

Browns continue to surprise? Maybe so!

Browns 27-24

San Diego @ Baltimore

Chargers need a big one on the road!! And get it!

Chargers 30-20

NY Giants @ Jacksonville

NY Giants 34-24

Cincinnati @ Tampa Bay

Bengals 40-20

Carolina @ Minnesota

Panthers start playoff push here?

Panthers 30-17

Arizona @ Atlanta

Cardinals 31-17

New England @ Green Bay

Time of the season when defense needs to pick up, always a question mark for Green Bay.

Patriots 34-30

Denver @ Kansas City

Denver needs a bounce back win but Kansas City lies in wait hope to shuffle the West Division standings.

Chiefs 24-21

Oakland @ St. Louis
Rams 28-23

New Orleans @ Pittsburgh
Turnaround time for Steelers??
Steelers 34-28

Until next week ... 

Big Friday football wise

VHSL/NCAA picks

The football frenzy will continue over the next few days with high school action reaching the quarter-finals in Virginia and several season ending rivalry matches happening in the NCAA.

Now let's make a few picks....

VHSL Playoffs

GW-Danville @ Salem

This one will entertain as the Eagles drop in on the Spartans looking to advance. Slight edge to GW.

GW by 4

Northside @ Magna Vista

A rematch with Magna Vista having the home field advantage this season. The Vikings have valiantly defended their crown through lots of injuries but may run out of steam here.

Magna Vista by 8

Glenvar @ Giles

Giles by 12

Richlands @ Gate City

Gate City by 12

Parry MacCluer @ Altavista

Altavista by 7

George Wythe @ Honaker

George Wythe by 3

Galax @ Haysi

Galax by 2

Liberty - Bealton @ Jefferson Forest

Jefferson Forest by 13

NCAA

Western Kentucky @ Marshall

The Herd looking toward finishing 12-0 and playing in the best bowl possible.

Marshall 38-24

Arkansas @ Missouri

Missouri 28-20

Colorado State @ Air Force

Air Force 30-28

Arizona State @ Arizona

Arizona 23-21

Stanford @ UCLA

UCLA 28-26

Virginia @ Va Tech

This one is for a bowl bid essentially....

Va Tech 34-24

Back with more in a day or so.....

Thanksgiving Day picks

Tasty games to go with the feast

The NFL mainly, with extra treats from the NCAA, will serve up some enticing football games to go with the turkey hangover for fans to close out a big day.

We have Chicago-Detroit, Philadelphia-Dallas and Seattle-San Francisco from the NFL to go with the NCAA's offering of TCU-Texas and LSU-Texas A&M.

Ok, let's quickly pick them....something to distract from the smell of turkey cooking in the kitchen!

LSU @ Texas A&M

Both will go bowling but neither will call this season a roaring success. Hmm...home team?

Texas A&M 35-30

TCU (5) @ Texas

The Horned Frogs will be looking to implement the NCAA hoop strategy of survive, win and hopefully advance forward into the Football Four in a few weeks. This one will be entertaining.

TCU 38-24

NFL

Chicago @ Detroit

The Lions put and end to any faint playoff ideas the Bears may have.

Lions 28-21

Philadelphia @ Dallas

The Eagles head to Texas looking to separate themselves from Dallas for a couple of weeks at least in the NFC East. Will the showcase be kind to Jerry's Kids?

Cowboys 27-23

Seattle @ San Francisco

The two games between these two over the next few weeks could determine who keeps playing/who goes home come January. Coin flip but coin tilted in 49er favour.

49ers 24-23

More picks to come....

NFL Week 12 picks

Questions to be answered still

Week 12 will start to separate contenders from pretenders as the 2014 NFL season heads into the home stretch.

Detroit-New England and Arizona-Seattle are two of the big ones on tap today so let's pick 'em and see what happens.

Cleveland @ Atlanta

Falcons need his one to continue plat off push.

Falcons 30-20

Tennessee @ Philadelphia

Eagles 34-21

Detroit @ New England

Going against the odds and taking the Lioms for a big road win.

Lions 28-24

Green Bay @ Minnesota

Packers 40-23

Jacksonville @ Indianapolis 

Colts 42-17

Cincinnati @ Houston

Bengals  drop a tough one on the road.

Texans 30-27

Tampa Bay @ Chicago

Bears 31-21

Arizona @ Seattle

The Cardinals head north for a big one but the Seahawks are finding ways to win when they need a big one.

Seahawks 21-17

St Louis @ San Diego

Chargers 35-27

Miami @ Denver

Miami comes in looking to pull off a big one but Denver will bounce back from last weeks showing!

Broncos 28-17

Washingron @ San Francisco

49ers 34-24

Dallas @ NY Giants

Dallas to have a letdown?

Giants 31-30

NY Jets @ Buffalo Bills

When will they play?

Bills 27-21

Baltimore @ New Orleans
Saints 28-27

Enjoy the action this week...

VHSL Playoffs Week 2

Round 2 for VHSL teams

Virginia high schools have reached the second round of the march for state titles and the action will intensify in a a few hours with games kicking off around the state.

My picks for the week.

Monticello @ Magna Vista

Though I know nothing about Monticello, Magna Vista was business as usual last week and will be tough to beat at home.

Magna Vista by 15

Courtland @ GW Danville

GW by 18

Woodgrove @ Salem

Salem by 20

Brookville @ Northside

This one could be the game of the round but in the end, giving the nod to Northside to move on.

Northside by 4

Union @ Glenvar

Glenvar by 3

Christiansburg @ Western Albemarle

Blue Demons could surprise again this weekend.

Christiansburg by 2

Radford @ Honaker

Honaker by 12

Eastern View @ Jefferson Forest

Jefferson Forest by 10

Gate City @ Buckingham

Buckingham by 8

Altavista @ Lunenburg Central

Altavista by 13

Enjoy....see ya next week...high school wise...

NFL Week 11 picks

NFL Games around the corner

The NFL has reached Week 11 of the 2014 season and there are still question marks aplenty around the league.....some may be answered over the weekend so let's take a look and pick a few...

Seattle @ Kansas City

Renewal of old AFC West rivalry, Seattle has been winning despite not having a legitimate deep threat among their receivers. Might be time to leave the door ajar for other NFC West teams.

Chiefs by 30-27

Atlanta @ Carolina

Panthers by 35-27

Cincinnati @ New Orleans

Both come in needing a "W".

Bengals by 24-20

Tampa Bay @ Washington

Bucs by 27-21

Denver @ St. Louis

Denver by 28-17

San Francisco @ NY Giants

49ers by 24-21

Minnesota @ Chicago

Bears by 31-28

Houston @ Cleveland

Texans 23-21

Oakland @ San Diego

Chargers 31-20

Detroit @ Arizona

A big one in the desert...

Cards by 28-24

Philadelphia @ Green Bay

Packers 35-31

New England @ Indianapolis

Pats slow the Colts down...

Pats by 35-28

Pittsburgh @ Tennessee

Steelers 30-17

Enjoy the games .... back next week....

Playoff time in Virginia

VHSL Playoffs underway soon

The 2014 edition of Virginia's high school football playoffs will be kicking off throughout the state with some of the favourites coming in with question marks after injuries to key players last weekend.

Ok....let's pick some games....

Martinsville @ Giles

Tough task for the Bulldogs but they will put best effort forward....

Giles by 28

Chatham @ Marion

Marion by 20

Cave Spring @ Magna Vista

The Warriors will be slowed by the loss of starting quarterback but have plenty of weapons.

MV by 16

Fauquier @ GW-Danville

GW by 24

Tunstall @ Monticello

Could be a tight one.....going with Tunstall for upset

Tunstall by 8

Dan River @ Buckingham

Dan River by 10

Charlottesville @ Salem

Salem by 24

Blacksburg @ Northside

Vikings are hurting but should get through this one.

Northside by 13

PH-Roanoke @ Colonial Forge

Colonial Forge by 12

Christiansburg @ Heritage

Heritage by 9

Good luck and play hard to all.....

Week 10 NFL picks

Some surprise teams look to continue

In Week 10, there are some surprise teams with top records in the NFL, equally there are some teams that have underachieved so this week there are a few games that may help to sort them out. 

Buffalo and Miami have big games on tap as both teams battle New England for the AFC East lead.In another key game, San Francisco visits New Orleans with both teams looking to turn their season around.

Let's pick 'em!

Kansas City @ Buffalo

The bills have surprised and may be lying in wait for the Chiefs.

Bills 31-27

Miami @ Detroit

Dolphins have been on a roll but a visit to the Lions Den should fix that!

Lions 28-27

Dallas @ Jacksonville

Cowboys 31-17

San Francisco @ New Orleans

The 'Niners are who I'm giving the slight edge to in this one.

49ers 35-30

Tennessee @ Baltimore

Ravens 34-20

Pittsburgh @ NY Jets

Steelers 30-14

Atlanta @ Tampa Bay

Falcons 30-24

Denver @ Oakland

Broncos 34-10

St Louis @ Arizona

Cardinals 31-21

NY Giants @ Seattle

Seahawks 27-21

Chicago @ Green Bay

Bears continue decline!

Packers 30-21

Carolina @ Philadelphia

Time for a surprise in Philly!

Panthers 35-27

Until next week....

Final week in Timesland

Teams tune up for playoffs

Most playoff spots are settled but seeds could swing drastically pending results of the final week of football. So let's quickly pick ten!

Bassett @ Magna Vista

MV by 26

GW-Danville @ Martinsville

Been a few years since this one was close

GW by 38

Carroll County @ Patrick County

Cougars close with a win!

PC by 6

Halifax County @ Tunstall

Tunstall will and Halifax may see action next week so both are hoping to come out of this one with a bit of momentum. Gotta go with the home team.

Tunstall by 17

Chatham @ Appomattox County 

Chatham for the win and playoff entry!

Chatham by 7

Christiansburg @ Blacksburg

Home farewell to coach Dave Crist but better chance of win in first round of playoffs next week...

Hidden Valley @ Cave Spring

Hidden Valley by 9

Salem @ Pulaski County

Salem by 22

Glenvar @ Giles

Giles by 18

William Fleming @ Patrick Henry

PH by 10

Playoff time next week!!

Thursday night picks

Battle of Ohio and NCAA on tap

The surprising Cleveland Browns step into the Thursday night for a game with Cincinnati and Clemson meets Wake Forest in the NCAA offering of the week.

Let's pick 'em!

Clemson (21) @ Wake Forest

The Tigers have quietly won five in a row and are still in position to win their division of the ACC and advance to the conference title game if Florida State slips. They will not get ambushed in Winston-Salem.

Clemson by 38-20

Cleveland @ Cincinnati

The Browns continue to surprise and contend for the AFC North title. This week will be a tough test on the road against the Bengals. Records pretty much go out of the window when these two meet but looking for Cincy to hold the Browns at bay.

Bengals 30-27

Enjoy the games...

High School picks...

High Schools in playoff shuffle

Entering Week 10, High schools back in Southwest/South Central and all other parts of Virginia are doing their best to get into the playoffs over the next two weeks.....should be some exiting football!! 

Let's pick a few games...

Martinsville @ Bassett

Bengals are hoping for a decent playoff seed and need the win.

Bassett by 19

Franklin County @ Halifax County

Franklin County by 15

Magna Vista @ Patrick County

Magna Vista by 48

Tunstall @ GW Danville

GW by 36

William Campbell @ Chatham

William Campbell by 8

Gretna @ Dan River

Dan River by 22

Salem @ Hidden Valley

The Local Derby goes to Salem this season.

Salem by 16

Covington @ James River

Covington by 9

William Fleming @ Rockbridge County

Fleming by 16

Glenvar @ Radford

Glenvar by 10

Enjoy the games.....trying to get these posted just before game time!!!