Week 16 Top 10

Another exciting week is in the books and we're one Sunday away from the Playoffs. Not much debate about this weeks top 10 as we head into the final week of the season.

1) Patriots - Take a load off, Brady. (CL)
2) Falcons - The Falcons will likely have home field advantage throughout the playoffs but just proved they are beatable in Atlanta. (CL)
3) Ravens - Still praying for a Steelers loss Sunday, but nobody wants to play this team in the playoffs, just ask the Patriots. (AB)
4) Saints - Big momentum builder at the right time. Hello Post Season. (AB)
5) Steelers - A win in Cleveland is the difference between No. 2 and No. 6. (CL)
6) Bears - Today, the NFC North and a No. 2 seed. Tomorrow, the World? (AB)
7) Packers - Win and they’re in. Who else thinks this team could Shock-And-Awe the NFL? (AB)
8) Chiefs - All year people were just waiting for the other shoe to drop on the Chiefs season. Still waiting. (CL)
9) Eagles - The two extra days of rest didn’t do anything for the Eagles playoff chances. (CL)
10) Jets - Sneaking into the playoffs again. Hardly noteworthy. (AB)

Honorable Mentions - Colts, Rams (yeah, thats right).

Week 16 Picks, and Happy Holidays

Doing some iPad blogging this post-Xmas morning. Hope everyone enjoyed their Christmas, now let's see if my picks this week will grant your favorite teams some holiday cheer...

I had the Steelers and the Cowboys in the early games (and we all know how those turned out) as for the rest of the games:

Patriots, Rams, Ravens, Dolphins, Bears, Redskins, Chiefs, Buccaneers, Eagles, Texans, Colts, Packers, Chargers, Falcons.

Ok typing on this thing is weird, but playing Madden is a heck of a lot of fun. Enjoy the games everybody, and on behalf of myself, Chris, and our families, we wish you all the happiest of holidays!

Week 15 Top 10

Boy-howdy, things are getting exciting as we make the final push towards the playoffs. There were some epic games this weekend and some changes in our top 10 lineup as well:

1) Patriots - NFL Reaction is considering just ranking 2-10 through the rest of the season. (CL)

2) Falcons - Does this rematch against the Saints even matter anymore? (AB)

3) Ravens - When Ray Rice is that active, this team is unstoppable. (AB)

4) Eagles - Turned a shellacking into a motivating win; that’s what good teams do. (CL)

5) Jets - Much needed win and confidence boost in the Steel City. (CL)

6) Bears - On their way to the NFC North Title...who knew. (AB)

7) Steelers - No Troy = No Spark + No Win. (CL)

8) Saints - A hard fought road loss in Baltimore is nothing to be ashamed of, but it looks like there will more tough road games in the near future. (AB)

9) Colts - Taking out Jacksonville and grabbing control of the AFC South should never have been a question, right? (AB)

10) Chiefs - Cassell will have his mettle tested in the playoffs, if Kansas City makes it. (CL)

Week 15 Picks

Let's talk about some of the big games first...

I'm going with the Eagles over the Giants. It's a battle for the division and while both teams have been holding their own this year, the Eagles and Mike Vick have an X-factor in their playing style that I just can't ignore.

The Jets are spiraling downward at the wrong time and now they're heading to Pittsburgh. The Steelers should have no trouble putting away the Jets this weekend.

The Jaguars are looking to take the division with a statement win over the Colts. I can never count Maning down in any situation, but Indy has been struggling this season and Jacksonville is playing tough at the right time. I'm taking the Jaguars.

No brainer here, the Patriots are unstoppable, and should have no problem dealing with Green Bay, especially without a healthy Aaron Rodgers.

Finally the game I'm having the biggest struggle with: the Saints head to Baltimore to face my Ravens and, while I'm a devoted fan, aren't convinced that the Ravens can play four solid quarters against the reigning Champions. I'll still take my Ravens, but won't be surprised if I'm wrong.

As for the rest:

Dolphins, Cowboys, Bengals, Texans, Rams, Cardinals, Buccaneers, Falcons, Raiders, Bears

Enjoy the games everyone!

NFL Holiday Card

Rich Eisen wishes everyone Happy Holidays on behalf of the National Football League

click here to view

Thursday Night Pick 12/16

NEWS:
Both the Chargers and the 49ers try to stay in the playoff hunt as they face off on Thursday Night Football.

REACTION:
I'm taking the Chargers. They're a better team than the 49ers, period.

Delayed Week 14 Top 10

It's the busy holiday season again, so I'll be handling the commentary solo this week. Ok, I'm one day late, but it's no surprise who's at the top again this week...

1) Patriots - Another Super Bowl for Brady and Belichick? I'd take that bet.
2) Falcons - The NFC Road to the Super Bowl will likely go through Atlanta.
3) Steelers - Setting themselves up for a comfortable (and needed) first round bye.
4) Saints - A week 16 rematch with the division leading Falcons awaits, but first a trip to Baltimore.
5) Ravens - This team needs to put together a solid 4 quarters. If they can do it against the Saints, people will be impressed.
6) Eagles - They face the Giants on Sunday...in New York...dun dun duuun.
7) Giants - Their chance to take the division when the Eagles come to town on Sunday
8) Bears - The Patriots made them look pretty awful...at home. Methinks it will be a short playoff run for da Bears, if they make it.
9) Jaguars - Who knew a possible headline in Jacksonville could read: Jags Beat Colts Again, Win Division.
10) Jets - Mayday, mayday.

Honorable Mentions - Chargers, Dolphins (for beating the Jets and staying in the hunt).

Week 13 Top 10

After some big games this past weekend we find a bit of a reshuffle in our top 10.

1) Patriots – They’re baaaaack. (AB)
2) Falcons – The Falcons are lethal at home and it doesn’t look like they will have to play any road games in the playoffs. (CL)
3) Steelers – The big win over the Ravens will mean nothing if the Steelers drop their remaining division games to the Bengals or Browns. (CL)
4) Saints – Can they defend their title in Dallas? The rival Falcons might have the biggest say. (AB)
5) Bears – The surprises keep coming. (AB)
6) Ravens – Blew probably the biggest opportunity of the year on Sunday. (AB)
7) Jets – They are who I thought they were. (AB)
8) Packers – How did a popular NFC Super Bowl prediction at the beginning of the season become a sleeper? (CL)
9) Eagles – Back to back road games against division rivals loom. (AB)
10) Chiefs – Biggest division lead in the NFL, can they put it away with a win over the Chargers? (AB)

Honorable Mentions – Giants, Jaguars

Chris and I are both on the road in Tacoma this weekend for some Showtime Championship Boxing, but we'll do our best to post some things here and there...as always, check NFL Reaction on twitter for quick reactions and updates to the latest NFL news.

Save the date - 1/16/11

NEWS: The Patriots and Steelers put themselves in place for the top two seeds in the AFC after victories this past weekend.

REACTION:
Enjoy this weekend's nighttime divisional tussles? Obviously, the Ravens-Steelers game commanded more eyeballs than the Patriots-Jets as the game stayed close past...oh, the first quarter. But regardless, the bad blood between these pairings is palpable and they usually produce the most competitive and anticipated games in the AFC aside from the clashes between perennial AFC favorites, the Colts and the Patriots.

As the season sits today, there is a very good chance we'll see all four of these teams once again on Jan. 16, 2011 in the playoffs' divisional round - but the match ups will be different. Many things could change in the final quarter of the season but right now the Ravens and Jets seem poised to win on the road as wild card teams against the Chiefs and the Jaguars. This would take the Jets to Pittsburgh and the Ravens to Foxboro for an excellent weekend of football.

Okay, that's a lot of "ifs" and speculation but one thing is already set in stone: The divisional playoff games are followed by the only Monday off for us working stiffs throughout the football season courtesy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. And with that, everyone wins.

Monday Night Madness

Tonight we have another matchup worthy of Mount Olympus. The New York Jets travel to Foxboro for a rematch with their co-division leaders, the New England Patriots. This game could not only determine home who takes the AFC East, but also who gets home field advantage and 1st seed throughout the playoffs. The Patriots have been here before; the Jets are on pretty unfamiliar ground.

Now I've said this before, but I fear the Jets have a big let-down coming. They've stood toe-to-toe with some of the lesser teams in the league, and have come away with wins. One could say the Jets have found ways to win and are consistently doing it, but if your young stallion is barely beating slow horses, do you really expect him to succeed against a thoroughbred race champion? (Not my best analogy but I'll stick with it...leave me alone).

That's what the Patriots, namely Brady and Belichick are, thoroughbred champions. The Jets? Sure they're flashy, exciting, and (I'll admit) pretty darn good too, but can they handle the stretch and win when it matters the most?

Call me a skeptic, but that remains to be seen. This is the true test for Gang-Green. They snagged the win early in the season against their division foes, but can they pull off the sweep? Yes, you say? Ok Jets fans, I'll play along. They can absolutely do it, especially this season where anything has and will continue to happen. But consider this, the Patriots have won the last bazilion consecutive games at home, AND have never been swept under the BeliBrady regime. Still feel confident? Yes. anything can happen...but if I'm going to gamble I prefer a much safer bet.

Patriots 34 - Jets 17

Are you ready for some football?

Ravens vs Steelers

Between the holiday shuffle and running errands, I lost track of time and realized we're just over an hour away from kickoff of one of the biggest games of the year. The Steelers head to Baltimore and whenever these two teams meet it's a battle of epic proportions. Now it's even bigger with the AFC North title on the line, and potentially 2nd seed in the AFC heading into the playoffs.

Without further ado I'm just going to spill it: I'm taking the Ravens (duh) to win this one at home and continue their streak toward the post-season...

Ravens 24 - Steelers 20

Weekend Forecast (Week 13 Picks)

Let's start out with a winter weather pick six:

I see a strong front moving towards Tennessee, as the Jacksonville Jaguars look to stay atop the AFC South. My Pick: Jaguars

Heavy noise pollution in Kansas City this Sunday, and the struggling Denver Broncos will have a hard time finding any comfort in the hostile conditions. My Pick: Chiefs

Gathering December storm clouds occupy New York and the minds of Giants Fans, but familiar territory is on the horizon in the form of the division rival Washington Redskins. My Pick: Giants

Tampa Bay can brace itself for another impact, because the Falcons are coming to town. Things get nasty quick when the Bucs play a better team. My Pick: Falcons

Green Bay is too cold for 49ers. My Pick: Packers

Despite being indoors, the Colts have quite the southern gust heading their way. Indy's banged up and might be too frail to handle the resurgent Cowboys. Ether way, it's going to be a blustery battle. My Pick: Colts

Other Picks: Bears, Saints, Vikings, Dolphins, Chargers, Rams, Seahawks

Am I missing something? Don't worry, my Sunday and Monday night predictions are still to come...

Thursday Night Pick

I'm taking the Eagles to trump the Texans tonight in Philadelphia. They lost a tough one in Chicago last week, but watch as Vick and his flock rebound against a Houston team that's having serious trouble on defense this year, despite shutting out the Titans last week. The Texans have a far greater challenge in Vick and the Eagles' potent offense tonight.

Eagles 30 - Texans 20

Week 12 Top 10

Even though many power rankings put the Falcons up top, we're going a different way at NFLReaction.com. Behold this week's top 10:

1) Patriots - The Pats are back in top form, and can still be better... scary. (AB)
2) Falcons - Best team in the NFC... undisputed. (CL)
3) Ravens - Perfect opportunity to solidify themselves as a playoff-ready team on Sunday Night. (AB)
4) Jets - I fear this team is headed for a big crash...could start Monday night in Foxboro. (AB)
5) Steelers - Penalties, fines and ugly wins might be enough for a division title. (CL)
6) Saints - Returning to old from at just the right time. (CL)
7) Bears - Took down a red hot Mike Vick. (CL)
8) Packers - Hung tough against the Falcons and still a safe bet to win the division. (AB)
9) Eagles - Still leading the division, but no gimmes left on the schedule. (AB)
10) Chiefs - You're in the Top 10 but check the December rearview mirror for the Chargers. (CL)