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I remember waking up one Christmas morning before the roosters and sprinting down the stairs at mom and dad’s house. I may have actually touched 3 stairs on the way down before making a hard left to the living room.
There it was, what I can only describe as a sea of presents. Santa Claus had not only come to town, but he’d seemingly left all of 02536’s presents under our tree. Every package said “To: Richie” or “To: Danny.” It was awesome.
I shook my little brother awake, and then repeated the Superman jump downstairs with him. He was groggy-headed until he saw the pile, it woke him up instantly. It turns out children don’t need coffee, they just need a visit from the North Pole to wake them up.
Then came the worst part, the wait.
You see we had made an agreement with mom and dad that they would be allowed to sleep until 8:30 AM. We had argued for 7, they wanted 10, we found a middle ground. In hindsight I feel guilty for having made them wake up that early because they probably hadn’t gotten to bed until after 2 AM. But, when you’re 10, taking the well-being of others into account is hardly at the top of your priority list, especially when the big guy in the red suit is on his way to town.
Vegas would not have given odds at whether or not we’d be actually able to wait until 8:30 AM, remember that’s 180-minutes of waiting for two kids that were staring the mother lode in the eye, with permission only to empty our stockings, which were packed full of chocolate coins. We were bouncing off the walls to begin with, throw in a sugar rush and it’s a miracle that we weren’t using our parents’ bed as a trampoline. Only having received several Star Wars figures and GI Joes, with the Kung Fu grip, in our stockings satiated our need to tear through wrapping paper like a Honey Badger through a cobra.
Ironically all I really remember about our haul from that Christmas was the amount of presents. I can’t recall what the “big present” was that year, or whether or not I was actually 9-, 10- or 11-years old. It was one of the formative years that’s for sure.
Seconds after writing that last paragraph my cell phone rang, and wouldn’t you know it, it was my mommy. I told her about this column, and she laughed. She said that the big present was probably “a bike, or a boom box or a stereo…and there were plenty of Star Wars figure, probably the Millennium Falcon.”
Yes, I was and still am a huge Star Wars fan. I’m hoping to get the Blu Rays of the movies for Christmas, and I don’t even have a Blu Ray player yet (maybe that will be under the tree too, or picked up on December 26).
“It’s too bad you don’t still have all of that stuff, it’s probably worth a ton,” Mom said.
Actually I do have one of those old figures at my desk at The Enterprise, an original 1978 Chewbacca action figure. It’s missing the gun and is hardly in pristine condition. According to Ebay it’s worth about $10.
But for me it’s worth a whole lot more. It’s a trip on that Millennium Falcon back to my childhood every time I turn my head to the right while I’m pounding on these keys. Maybe something you get, or give, on Sunday will do the same for someone in 2031. I hope so.
Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to all of our readers. God bless us, every one.

Okay, it’s crunch time as me, my best friend (despite his lack of social skills and taste) and my son, who picked this week solely on overall record, make the mad dash for the finish line in our picks contest. We’re heading into the home stretch of the NFL season, with Thursday games (we all had Atlanta by the way), Saturday games, and then a slew of Sundays. Fantasy football leagues are headed down to the wire. It’s fun, and it’s maddening.

Eagle One and I had an interesting conversation last night about fantasy football. We both admitted to hating it, and loving it. I said “everyone hates it in December when they’re not in the playoffs, but when it’s August you can’t wait for it to start. It’s a sickness.”

And on top of it all we have one of the most intriguing match-ups of the year this weekend with the Patriots and Broncos battling it out in the Mile High. Can the Pats stop Tebow? Can the Broncos defense slow down Tom Brady? Can the announcers stop gushing? We’ll get to that, but before we do, check out this

Onto the picks, this week EO decided to chime in with some thoughts as well, so this read might be a bit big. His thoughts are in italics, as well as idiotic and half-true.

Dallas at Tampa Bay: Life in the NFL is truly a year-to-year experience. During the 2010 season the Bucs were the darlings and Raheem Morris was the hottest young coach going. Now the Bucs are foundering and Morris is on the chopping block. The Cowboys need this one on Saturday night and Tampa is in freefall, so give me the Cowboys in a rout.

I hate the Cowboys but Tampa is bad so I have to take Dallas.

• Rich Picks: Cowboys
• Matt Picks: Cowboys
• Rye Picks: Cowboys

Miami at Buffalo: Ugly game here. Miami had been rolling, lost one and then they fired Sparono, which I think was a mistake. It seemed like they were figuring it out with the gangsta Head Coach. Now they’ve got an interim and they’re heading to Buffalo on a cold weekend. Miami in the cold is never a good thing, so give me the Bills.

the battle of the Who Cares bowl.  I’ll take Buffalo in the cold windy confines of Ralph Wilson Stadium

• Rich Picks: Bills
• Matt Picks: Bills
• Rye Picks: Bills

Seattle at Chicago: Somehow, someway the Seahawks are still in the mix for a playoff spot, and so are the Bears. Both teams need this one, but the Bears quarterback situation is horrible. I like the way that Seattle is playing right now — and I can’t believe i just typed that — so I’m going with Tavaris and company.

Chicago is in rapid free fall with no parachute.  Marshawn Lynch is becoming a beast again.  Seattle in a mild upset.

• Rich Picks: Seahawks
• Matt Picks: Seahawks
• Rye Picks: Bears

Tennessee at Indianapolis: We could really have a 16-0 and an 0-16 team in the same season. The Colts will do there part in keeping that alive here as the Titans run all over them.

Indy may not score in this one.  Titans crush ‘em.

• Rich Picks: Titans
• Matt Picks: Titans
• Rye Picks: Titans

Green Bay at Kansas City: Slam dunk for the Packers here, but going forward potentially losing Greg Jennings for the playoffs (they are saying 2-3 weeks, but we’ll see on that) could be very, very big. Something to keep an eye on.

Green Bay may score 70 points in this one.  GB without a doubt.

• Rich Picks: Packers
• Matt Picks: Packers
• Rye Picks: Packers

Cincinnati at St. Louis: Man, those Rams are horrid. Cincy needs it to keep hope alive and wins by a lot.

The Bungals come back from a tough loss and beat a St Louis team that will fire it’s entire coaching staff after the season.

• Rich Picks: Bengals
• Matt Picks: Bengals
• Rye Picks: Bengals

New Orleans at Minnesota: The Saints are fun to watch and they’ll put up Madden-like numbers in that game. The may hit the over number by themselves.

The Saints go marching in to Minny and beat them silly.  The Vikings are horrible.

• Rich Picks: Saints
• Matt Picks:  Saints
• Rye Picks: Saints

Washington at New York Giants: The G-Men are the Jason Voorhees of the NFL. You think they’re dead and then they go into Dallas and pull off an impressive comeback win. It pains me to admit it, but Eli gets it done at crunch time. This week he won’t have to worry about crunch time because they’ll have the game in hand by then.

I hate to say it, but Eli Manning is becoming a damn fine QB…Giants roll.

• Rich Picks: Giants
• Matt Picks: Giants
• Rye Picks: Giants

Carolina at Houston: TJ Yates, who knew? Yates came through huge last week and somehow, someway the Texans could be your No. 1 seed in the AFC playoffs. It all seems a little 2001 Patriots-esque down there doesn’t it. Texans romp.

The Texans pulled out a miracle last week.  The Panthers are tough.  I’m taking Cam Newton and Carolina in a huge upset.  Texans clinched their playoff spot and will have a let down.

• Rich Picks: Texans
• Matt Picks: Panthers
• Rye Picks: Texans

Detroit at Oakland: Again a team that needs to win against a team that is struggling. Megatron hasn’t been heard from much in a while, I have a feeling he will be this weekend in a big Lions win.

NDonkeykong Suh may rip someone’s head off this week.  I like Detroit to go into Oakland and squeak one out.

• Rich Picks: Lions
• Matt Picks: Lions
• Rye Picks: Lions

New England at Denver: Even Eagle One is coming around on the Tebow Experience. It’s hard for me to root against the guy, but I will this weekend because my loyalty to the Patriots comes first. I have to run to Boston early on Sunday for an errand, but I’m making sure to do so to get back in time for kickoff. I haven’t looked this forward to a regular season game in a while, it’s like a Christmas present come early. Speaking of which, we had our annual early Christmas at mom and dad’s last week. I hit on 2 of the 4 scratch tix they got me, pocketed $125, not bad huh. Oh, Pats win a fun game.

Pats put an end to Tebow-mania and “crucify” the Broncos.

• Rich Picks: Patriots
• Matt Picks: Patrios
• Rye Picks: Patriots

Cleveland at Arizona: Don’t look now, but the Arizona Cardinals aren’t all that bad. John Skelton looks — gulp — pretty good behind center. Cleveland is maybe my least favorite team to watch, they’re about as exciting as their uniforms. The Cards are tough at home and will get the W.

Cards have been playing great football and nothing will change this week against the Turds…I mean Browns.

• Rich Picks: Cardinals
• Matt Picks: Cardinals
• Rye Picks: Cardinals

Baltimore at San Diego: I want to pick Baltimore because they’re better, but I have that funny feeling that this might be one of those games that they don’t show up for. The Ravens lay eggs about once a month, and this could be a prime spot, on the road, going to the west coast. San Diego is still alive in the west, and very well could have gained some ground already if the Pats beat Denver earlier. If I’m going to come back on Mattie I need to pick up a game or two along the way, so I’m gambling and going with the Bolts.

Phillip Rivers has killed me this year in Fantasy Football – why should this week be different against the top defense in football.  Ravens win.

• Rich Picks: Chargers
• Matt Picks: Ravens
• Rye Picks: Ravens

Pittsburgh at San Francisco: Man, another game that’s tough to call. In a bubble, or vacuum, or piece of paper, I’d say that the Steelers are the better team and the ones to pick. However, Ben’s got a bum foot and the 49ers can make a statement in this one. With a nod to my boy Easy E out in Cali, who’s a new daddy (congrats buddy, can’t wait to meet you offspring) I’m going with the 49ers.

gonna be low scoring with two really good defenses and some banged up offenses, but I think San Fran gets it done with home field advantage.

• Rich Picks: 49ers
• Matt Picks: 49ers
• Rye Picks: Steelers

It’s not only Christmastime, but it’s all cold and flu time. I felt okay this morning, but it got worse and worse as the day progressed, probably spending 2.5 hours inside a moving tube — the Amtrak Christmas Train — wasn’t the best of ideas. It was a great time for the kids, but having to hear 3 dozen kids, including my own, take over the PA to sing 1 of 3 Christmas songs that each and every kid knows started to get old pretty quick.

Seriously, are there any songs other than “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town,” “Rudolph” or “Jingle Bells.” I was also upset that not one of the kids went the wise guy route and broke out the “Batman smells/Robin laid an egg” verse for Jingle Bells. I thought my daughter might do it, but apparently she was more focused on winning Amtrak Idol.

Right now our Picks Idol is Eagle One, he gained a game on me last week and now he’s up 2 for the shortened season. I’ve got 3 weeks to make up the ground … and I plan on doing it. Rye’s a little bit further behind, but still has a chance.

Houston at Cincinnati: The battle of the rookie quarterbacks with tons on the line. I want to take the Texans so badly, but can’t do it because a rookie making his first start, on the road against a team that’s pretty good and has to win is not a good recipe for success. Gimme the Bengals in a fun game.

• Rich Picks: Bengals
• Matt Picks: Bengals
• Rye Picks: Texans

Minnesota at Detroit: The Lions are still in the hunt for a playoff spot, but they can ill afford to screw up. I think they’ll gain some traction here as long as Nate Burleson isn’t called for another 3 offensive pass interference penalties. Seriously, when was the last time anyone was called for more than 1 in a game. I saw Burleson get flagged for 3 in 2 drives. He’ll bounce back from that and the Lions win big.

• Rich Picks: Lions
• Matt Picks: Lions
• Rye Picks: Lions

New Orleans at Tennessee: New Orleans looked awesome the other night, but they were at home. Here it’s going to be a real struggle for them. Tennessee will keep it close, but can’t score enough points to beat the Saints, who are closing in on the 2 seed.

• Rich Picks: Saints
• Matt Picks: Saints
• Rye Picks: Saints

Kansas City at New York Jets: The Jets are keeping hope alive. Welcoming Tyler Palko to town has to feel good, as long as NY defends the Hail Mary well I think they roll.

• Rich Picks: NY Jets
• Matt Picks: NY Jets
• Rye Picks: NY Jets

Philadelphia at Miami: The big question is this, have the Dolphins bounced back enough to save Tony Sporano’s job? Over the last month they’re one of the best 5 or 6 teams in the league. The Iggles have been my kryptonite all year, so they’ll probably win this one, but I’m taking Miami.

• Rich Picks: Dolphins
• Matt Picks: Eagles
• Rye Picks: Eagles

New England at Washington: Yes the Patriots looked very sloppy in the 4th quarter last week, but they still won. Don’t think for a second that Belichick isn’t loving that his team has fallen asleep with big leads so he has something to yell about. He’s at his best when he’s grouchy. Pats win again.

• Rich Picks: Patriots
• Matt Picks: Patriots
• Rye Picks: Patriots

Atlanta at Carolina: The Falcons do nothing for me, but they win every week. The Panthers are exciting, but they find ways to lose. Falcons win, we all yawn.

• Rich Picks: Falcons
• Matt Picks: Falcons
• Rye Picks: Falcons

Tampa Bay at Jacksonville: I cry for my buddy Ando every week when his Jags find a way to break his heart in a new way. This week it’ll be the old fashioned one, they’ll just get run over. Bucs win.

• Rich Picks: Buccaneers
• Matt Picks: Buccaneers
• Rye Picks: Buccaneers

Indy at Baltimore: Duh, Ravens.

• Rich Picks: Ravens
• Matt Picks: Ravens
• Rye Picks: Ravens

Chicago at Denver: Tebow Time! Tebow Time! Timmy T will once again lead a comeback in the 4th quarter to defeat the Bears in an ugly one at Mile High. Devin Hester will probably do something big this week for the Bears, but he’s really the only weapon they have, so Denver will get by.

• Rich Picks: Broncos
• Matt Picks: Broncos
• Rye Picks: Broncos

San Fran at Arizona: The Cardinals pulled off a big upset at home last week, can they do it again? I wish I could say yes, but they don’t have the weapons to put up enough points. The 49ers will kick 6 field goals again and win 20 (with a safety) to 7.

• Rich Picks: 49ers
• Matt Picks: 49ers
• Rye Picks: 49ers

Oakland at Green Bay: A month ago I thought this would be interesting, then the Raiders reverted to the old Raiders, a stupid group of moronic players that find ways to shoot themselves in the foot and threaten to shoot people off the field. Packers go to 13-0.

• Rich Picks: Packers
• Matt Picks: Packers
• Rye Picks: Packers

Buffalo at San Diego: San Diego, technically speaking, still has a heartbeat for the playoffs. The beat up Bills don’t, so I’ll take the team that they haven’t already made funeral arrangements for. Chargers by a field goal, 27-24.

• Rich Picks: Chargers
• Matt Picks: Chargers
• Rye Picks: Bills

NY Giants at Dallas: I’m going with my gut, and it tells me that the Giants are going to win. They played really well last week against the Pack and came close, this week I think they further jumble the NFC East race. Giants in a good one.

• Rich Picks: Giants
• Matt Picks: Giants
• Rye Picks: Cowboys

St. Louis at Seattle: With the exception of the people that have Marshawn Lynch determining a big fantasy game, who is going to cut out 3.5 hours to watch this one on Monday night? I’ll watch the highlights of the Seahawks win on Tuesday morning.

• Rich Picks: Seahawks
• Matt Picks: Seahawks
• Rye Picks: Seahawks

For the picks contest we’ve all got Pittsburgh over Cleveland tonight. Big surprise.

*** Albert Pujols signed today for ludicrous money, $250M over 10 years. He’ll make more than me this year on the first day of his contract. I’m in the wrong business.

It makes sense to break the bank for him if you’re the Angels, but it’s going to be hard to write those checks towards the latter years of that contract. He will be 32 years old (in Dominican years) on Opening Day this year.

Through the first 10 years of his career he’s put up unreal numbers. He’s swatted 445 homers and could make a legitimate run at Bonds* record if he stays healthy. If anyone was going to land A-Rod money again it was Albert. He’s got a .328 career average and a ridiculous career OPS of 1.037. No one’s worth that kind of dough, but if any baseball player ever came close it would be him.

*** The MIAA sent out a press release yesterday about the Cathedral team having a touchdown taken away because the player scoring the TD “taunted” by raising his arm in celebration before crossing the goal line, which is technically a violation and a flag-able offense.

I talked to a prominent local Head Coach about the ruling yesterday. He said that the ref made the right call and that the player turns his head and is talking trash while on his way to the end zone. Personally I did not like the ruling. If you’re scoring a TD in the biggest game of your life and you raise your arm in celebration you’re just human. You’re happy in that moment and you’re giving a genuine reaction. I think the ref ruled correctly on the letter of the law, just not its’ spirit.

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The Philadephia Eagles are like an abusive girlfriend. Eagle One, Rhino and myself would like nothing more than to completely separate from the so-called “Dream Team” and just be done with it. Yet, somehow, someway we keep coming back to them when it is time to put in the picks. The three of us all called for a Philly win on Thursday night, and we all took it on the chin. I tweeted out our picks, at @Capenews_Rich (you really should be following me), with this “For our picks contest, me, Eagle One and Rhino all are taking the Iggles tonight. I have a bad feeling about that.”

My inner Han Solo was dead on. I knew Seattle was the play, but couldn’t get past what should be, and deal with what really is.

Of course we all got this one wrong just a few hours after EO said that we’ll have to pick against the spread next year because this is just too easy picking winners. I swear, sometimes you know what’s going to happen before it does. I fully expect that EO’s on his way to a 5-11 week (let’s hope at least), he’s already 0-1.

Standings: Matt: 39-8; Rich: 38-9; Rye: 32-13.

Tennessee at Buffalo: The Bills circled the wagons, minus the unfathomable Fred Jackson, last week and played their little hearts out before a couple of un-clutch drops by Stevie Johnson late in the game cost them a chance to stay alive in the AFC East. The Titans, on the other hand, seem to have convinced Chris Johnson that he should play hard after getting his money and that they still have a chance, which they do. Since Tennessee needs it more, I’m going with the Titans. If they go 4-1 from this point they could make the playoffs.

Rich Picks: Titans

Matt Picks: Titans

Rye Picks: Bills

Kansas City at Chicago: Can’t you hear the promos now “Palko … Hanie … it’s the Chiefs and the Bears, on CBS.” Both teams can be passed on, but each has pitiful QBs. Both teams stop the run, and these are run-based offenses. This is the early leader for ugliest game of the week, and I think the Bears will find a way to kick one more field goal in a 9-6 final.

Rich Picks: Bears

Matt Picks: Bears

Rye Picks: Bears

Atlanta at Houston: You have to feel for the Houston Texans’ fans. Since the team moved to town it’s never made the playoffs. This year it seemed that the Texans had finally put it all together and were one of the AFC favorites, until the owner of the Houston Voodoo doll decided to wreak havoc on the QB situation and take down Schaub and Leinart. Now it’s on to some kid named Yates who had never played before last week. The Hawks, on the other hand, hardly seem impressive, but are piling up wins week after week. They’ll add another one this week and we’re all going to be saying “how the heck is Atlanta 8-4?”

Rich Picks: Falcons

Matt Picks: Falcons

Rye Picks: Texans

Oakland at Miami: This week’s strangest stat I found is this. The Miami Dolphins are 3-8 for the season, yet have scored more points (212) than they have allowed (206). Say what? The Dolphins are showing a feisty side we didn’t think they had. Oakland is in the driver’s seat in the AFC West and even though Miami will hang tough, I’m going with the Raiders.

Rich Picks: Raiders

Matt Picks: Raiders

Rye Picks: Raiders

Denver at Minnesota: You would not believe the argument I got into over Tim Tebow the other night. My friend Ronaldo believes “Tebow sucks,” I of course am pro-Tebow. We went back and forth with this heated discussion for about 45 minutes. I claimed he was in the top half of the league’s QB’s, he said he was one of the worst.

Since it’s a forgone conclusion I’m taking Denver, here’s the list of starting quarterbacks that are worse, in my opinion than TT: Vince Young, Caleb Hanie, Christian Ponder, Josh Freeman, Tavaris Jackson, John Skelton, Sam Bradford, Matt Moore, Colt McCoy, TJ Yates, Blaine Gabbert, Whoever is starting for Indy this week, Tyler Palko and, wait for it, Phil Rivers (the way he’s playing now).

That would make Tebow QB No. 16 o 32, right in the middle of the league. I realize he throws an ugly ball, when they allow him to huck it, but right now he’s winning games and making good decisions. That’s a recipe for starting in this league, and keeping your job.

Rich Picks: Broncos

Matt Picks: Broncos

Rye Picks: Broncos

Indy at New England: Vegas opened the line on this one at 21 points. If I were putting money down I’d have no problem giving up 3 TDs to Indy this weekend. Would you?

Rich Picks: Patriots

Matt Picks: Patriots

Rye Picks: Patriots

Cincinnati at Pittsburgh: The Red Rocket, Andy Dalton, has been fun to watch this year and gives Cincy fans reason to be pretty pumped about the future. Still, the Bengals are not ready to go on the road and win at Pittsburgh. With 5 games left, they’ve got a schedule that says 3-2, with losses to Pitt and Baltimore. That would put them at 10-6, and make them a wild card team that no one will want to play.

Rich Picks: Steelers

Matt Picks: Steelers

Rye Picks: Steelers

Carolina at Tampa Bay: Wow, this is a tough one. My first thought was to say TB, but then I thought that SuperCam might find a way. I’m going with my initial thought because Tampa is 3-3 at home, and Carolina is just 1-4 on the road. It’ll be ugly, but the Bucs get it done, 24-23.

Rich Picks: Buccaneers

Matt Picks: Panthers

Rye Picks: Buccaneers

NY Jets at Washington: The Redskins just befuddle me. I thought they were dead in the water, and then they go into Seattle and play awesome. The Jets need this one, but if we know anything at all, it’s that the Jets never make things easy on themselves. Washington will make it a game, but somehow keep their playoff hopes alive.

Rich Picks: NY Jets

Matt Picks: NY Jets

Rye Picks: NY Jets

Baltimore at Cleveland: Come on. There’s no way that the Browns beat Baltimore. Right?

Rich Picks: Ravens

Matt Picks: Ravens

Rye Picks: Ravens

Dallas at Arizona: For some reason the Cards always seem to give Dallas a good game. Dallas finds itself in the driver’s seat for the NFC East, and I think they’ll get over this speed bump.

Rich Picks: Cowboys

Matt Picks: Cowboys

Rye Picks: Cowboys

Green Bay at NY Giants: The G-Men are sinking fast. Their schedule has been really tough, and since beating the Patriots on the road they’ve gone south in a big way. Maybe they are the team that finds a way to end the Packers’ perfect season, but I think not. Green Bay has responded to every challenge and I see them putting a hurting on the Giants, who are coming off a short week.

Rich Picks: Packers

Matt Picks: Packers

Rye Picks: Packers

St. Louis at San Francisco: If I picked the Rams I think my bro Elias would jump on a cross-country flight just to slap me across the face. With a newborn at home I will keep him in place and go with his superb 49ers team, who have had 10 days to prepare for the hapless Rams.

Rich Picks: 49ers

Matt Picks: 49ers

Rye Picks: 49ers

Detroit at New Orleans: If you’re a fan of defense this is not your game. New Orleans is ramping up right now and they looked downright awesome against New York. With Suh not in the lineup for the suddenly reeling Lions, the Saints keep it going.

Rich Picks: Saints

Matt Picks: Saints

Rye Picks: Saints

San Diego at Jacksonville: Both of these teams are pretty horrible right now. With a new Head Coach trying to figure things out, I don’t like the Jags’ chances. San Diego is better, but they’re not good.

Rich Picks: Chargers

Matt Picks: Chargers

Rye Picks: Chargers

You know I love going to someone else’s house for the holidays because it is so stress-free. You bring a side, or dessert, and then gorge yourself. We host Christmas at our house every year, and let me tell you, it’s more stressful than waiting in line on Black Friday for 1 of 5 $199 42-inch 1080 flat screens in the days leading up to it.

The only downside is that this year I am absolutely and completely leftover free. No turkey sandwiches, or Tetrazini or soup. No green bean casserole, no stuffing. That part stinks.

For the record, we did pick the Thanksgiving Day games, I just couldn’t get them up online in time, so you’ll have to take my word for it. Matt and myself both picked the 3 winners, and Rye went 2-1, he liked San Francisco.

With a tremendous 12-1 week last week, Eagle One nudged ahead of me by a single game. He’s now 25-6 overall, I’m 24-7 and Rye is a respectable 22-9.

This week’s picks …

Vikings at Falcons: Normally this is a slam dunk, but with Adrian Peterson out of action for this one, I just don’t see how it’s even competitive. The Falcons roll.

• Rich Picks: Falcons
• Matt Picks:Falcons
• Rye Picks: Falcons

Browns at Bengals: Cleveland has a way of keeping games close, partly because they make teams play ugly, almost as ugly as they play. It won’t matter, the Bengals bounce back and keep pace for a wild card spot.

• Rich Picks: Bengals
• Matt Picks: Bengals
• Rye Picks: Bengals

Buccaneers at Titans: Tampa has underperformed and been spastic all season long. The Titans are still in the hunt, and are a decent home team. Some how, some way, Titans win a close one.

• Rich Picks: Titans
• Matt Picks: Titans
• Rye Picks: Titans

Panthers at Colts: If ever there were a game that the Colts were going to win, this would be the one, right? Naah. SuperCam will have fun in this one.

• Rich Picks: Panthers
• Matt Picks: Panthers
• Rye Picks: Panthers

Cardinals at Rams: Having to sit through this one would be punishment. These two teams are just a mess. Arizona is 1-5 on the road, and the Rams are 1-4 at home. I’m going to go with the Rams, and regret it.

• Rich Picks: Rams
• Matt Picks: Cardinals
• Rye Picks: Rams

Buffalo at NY Jets: The Bills are officially done. It was fun while it lasted, but now with their best player, Fred Jackson, done for the year, it’s going to get ugly. Jets need to win, and the will.

• Rich Picks: NY Jets
• Matt Picks: NY Jets
• Rye Picks: NY Jets

Houston at Jacksonville: Under normal circumstances this is a slam dunk, but having to play Matt Leinart at QB is hardly normal for Houston. With Andre Johnson coming back, and Arian Foster still in the fold, the Texans still have enough.

• Rich Picks: Houston
• Matt Picks: Houston
• Rye Picks: Houston

Chicago at Oakland: Thank God that the NFL didn’t got to 18 games, we’d be watching UFL players by the playoffs. Another starting QB went down, in Jay Cutler, and with it the hopes of the Bears to have a chance to be a major player in the playoffs.

• Rich Picks: Oakland
• Matt Picks: Oakland
• Rye Picks: Bears

Redskins at Seahawks: I just haven’t a clue. The Seahawks have a great home field, and you never know which Washington team is going to show up. They’re going coast-to-coast, so give me the Seahawks.

• Rich Picks: Seahawks
• Matt Picks: Seahawks
• Rye Picks: Seahawks

Patriots at Eagles: The Pats’ defense has been getting better, and they’re facing Vince Young. I’ll take that.

• Rich Picks: Patriots
• Matt Picks: Patriots
• Rye Picks: Patriots

Broncos at Chargers: It might cost me the contest, but I’m riding this Tebow thing for all it’s worth. The Chargers are heading south quickly, and the Broncos find ways to win.

• Rich Picks: Broncos
• Matt Picks: Chargers
• Rye Picks: Chargers

Steelers at Chiefs: We all saw what the Palko era is all about for the Chiefs, and it ain’t close to good.

• Rich Picks: Steelers
• Matt Picks: Steelers
• Rye Picks: Steelers

NY Giants at New Orleans Saints: The Saints in night games are almost automatic. The city is alive and the team feeds off it, and they say that alcohol is a depressant. New Orleans will win a track meet.

• Rich Picks: New Orleans
• Matt Picks: New Orleans
• Rye Picks: New Orleans

So as we head to the big part of Week 11, Rich holds a slight lead over Matt and Rye for first place, but it’s way early to worry about that. So far I have gone 11-4 (Thank you Tim Tebow and the Miracles) while both Rye and Matt are 10-5.

Speaking of Eagle One, our fearless public servant had himself quite the night this week. While patrolling Route 3 late at night he was called to the scene of an accident, a common occurrence in his line of work unfortunately. He believed that there was a fatality when he arrived on the scene, but thankfully not of the human persuasion.

A motorist had struck a deer. After attending tot he person behind the wheel, shaken but otherwise okay, he went to the road to check on the animal, which showed no signs of life. Now had my brother been there, he probably would have been thinking about how to strap that buck to front of his truck to get it home to make some jerky. Eagle One, though, wanted to clear the highway.

He circled it quickly, and then briefly looked away. All of a sudden Bambi opened its eyes and kicked him lightly. Needless to say EO was caught off guard. According to him he nearly had to call in a “code brown” over the radio. I’ll leave it to your imagination to figure that one out.

Since Matt had such a scary week, I’m letting him do the analysis.

• Rich Takes:Packers
• Matt Takes: Packers
• Rye Takes: Packers

• Rich Takes: Lions
• Matt Takes: Lions
• Rye Takes: Panthers

• Rich Takes: Jaguars
• Matt Takes: Browns
• Rye Takes: Jaguars

• Rich Takes: Raiders
• Matt Takes: Raiders
• Rye Takes: Vikings

• Rich Takes: Bills
• Matt Takes: Dolphins
• Rye Takes: Dolphins

• Rich Takes: Dallas
• Matt Takes: Dallas
• Rye Takes: Dallas

• Rich Takes: Ravens
• Matt Takes: Ravens
• Rye Takes: Ravens

• Rich Takes: 49ers
• Matt Takes: 49ers
• Rye Takes: 49ers

• Rich Takes: Rams
• Matt Takes: Rams
• Rye Takes: Seahawks

• Rich Takes: Hawks
• Matt Takes: Hawks
• Rye Takes: Hawks

• Rich Takes: Bears
• Matt Takes: Bears
• Rye Takes: Bears

• Rich Takes: NY Giants
• Matt Takes: NY Giants
• Rye Takes: NY Giants

Kansas City at New England: Do you have to ask?  A rookie coming into Foxboro for his first start.  Pats D will look good for second straight week.

• Rich Takes: Patriots
• Matt Takes Patriots
• Rye Takes: Patriots

So in Week 1 of the Super Contest between Eagle One, Rye and myself not too much was determined. EO and myself each went 10-4, Rye was 9-5.

Here’s our take on Thursday Night Football.

NY Jets at Denver: Back and forth I’ve gone on this one. Part of me thinks the Jets are going to come to town and make Tim Tebow look really bad, but then again the Broncos are just finding ways to get it done and are 3-1 with TT as the QB.

I’m going with the Broncos because they run a crazy offense that the Jets have not had much time to prepare for, on top of having the late game on Sunday night, and getting hammered there. I’ll probably regret it, but I’m going with Denver.

Rich Picks: Broncos
Matt Picks: Jets
Rye Picks: Broncos

So it appears that I’m going to have to get a primer into mixed martial arts and UFC-styled fighting. Falmouth High grad Taylor Pimental is going to be entering the world of MMA fighting in the next couple of months, taking on his first amateur bout either in the late winter or early spring, and it’s a big story that I will certainly be covering.

I’ve never cared for this style of fighting. Maybe it’s because when it first was introduced, 10 or 15 years ago, it seemed too barbaric. Every time I saw it there was tons of blood, carnage really. Noses were sideways, and the bouts just seemed like car wrecks.

On Wednesday night I headed over to the gym where Pimental trains. It’s an out of the way little nook where several fighters get together a few nights a week and pound on bags and targets with fantastic violence. Leg kicks exploded with audible cracks. Punches dented the bags and as soon as they expanded back to normal the dents were replaced by a bigger one.

Pimental has potential. He’s 6-3, 210-pounds and athletic. He’s got a motor and his coaches believe in him. At first look, in street clothes, he’s got a bit of a frat boy kinda of look, but when you see him in his element, working like a freak in the gym you can see what might be. It’s a long shot whenever you talk about professional athletics, but maybe he’s got what it takes to make the UFC big time.

Either way, he’s going to turn pro in the next year or so, and have some amateur fights along the way. I’m going to have to learn a little something about this sport.

Anyone that’s read my blog with any consistency over the past few years knows that my best friend is also my biggest nemesis. He goes by the moniker Eagle One, you know to protect his state government ID, and he works in a car, that’s all I can tell you. We’ve been best friends for nearly 20 years, and have spent most of that time making fun of one another and laughing at the other’s expense.

So the dirty bird thinks he can out-pick the NFL against me, even though I’ve picked winners at a clip of .692% for the year, although last week I did have my first non-winning week, going just 7-7 (hey, everyone’s allowed an off day now and then, right?). For the year my record is 90-40, but I’m going to push that to the side and start over at 0-0 so we can go head to head down the stretch. We are going to pass on the Thursday night game of this week, basically because we both forgot that we should have picked that one too.

Matt believes he’s going to win our contest handily, but obviously he’s having delusions. “I’m going to drop you like third period French,” he said. I think he’ll turtle, like the French.

To make things even more interesting, I’ve added a wrinkle into the mix. My 9-year old son, Rye, loves the NFL and watches games with me every Sunday. He loves the Red Zone Channel and his favorite team is the Patriots. He loves Tom Brady, Deion Branch, Rob Gronkowski and The Law Firm. His favorite players not on the Pats, to watch on TV, are Aaron Rodgers, Frank Gore and Matt Schaub, at least this week. He said he’s going to win the contest because “I’m smart.”

Without further adieu, here are our Week 10 predictions …

New Orleans at Atlanta: For me this game comes down to one guy above the rest, and it isn’t either one of the quarterbacks. When Michael Turner has it going, the Falcons are very tough to beat, especially sine he opens things up nicely for Roddy White and Julio Jones. Atlanta seems to have found their mojo over the past few weeks and this is a huge game in the division. I think Turner has a big day against a New Orleans defense that has underperformed quite a bit.

• Rich Picks: Atlanta
• Matt Picks: New Orleans
• Rye Picks: Atlanta

Steelers at Bengals: If you had Cincy at 6-2 at this point, well you’re a better man than me. The Bengals have been on the upswing, but let’s take a closer look at their schedule. The only really good teams they faced were San Fran and Buffalo (they split those 2, with a close loss to the 49ers and a closer win over Buffalo), and since they’ve had a cakewalk of a slate. This is their first of 2 against Pitt, and I just don’t see them slowing down the Steelers, who are going to be pretty mad after losing on Sunday night.

• Rich Picks: Pittsburgh
• Matt Picks: Pittsburgh
• Rye Picks: Pittsburgh

Rams at Browns: Is there an uglier football team in the NFL than the Cleveland Browns? They just play the worst games, and they make their foes do the same. St. Louis looked like the worst team in the league over the first half of the season, but they showed something against New Orleans a couple weeks back and the addition of Brandon Lloyd helps them a lot. St. Louis has playmakers, and I will go with that alone.

• Rich Picks: St. Louis
• Matt Picks: St. Louis
• Rye Picks: Cleveland

Buffalo at Dallas: The Cowboys are good at home, awful on the road. This game is in Dallas, and the Bills are not quite as good as they led us to believe they were early on. Ryan Fitzpatrick has slipped back to earth and the Cowboys do a decent enough job against the run and will keep Fred Jackson from killing them. Dallas needs to win this one at home, and I think they will.

• Rich Picks: Dallas
• Matt Picks: Dallas
• Rye Picks: Dallas

Jaguars at Colts: Indy believes … in Suck For Luck. I have not picked them to win a game this year, and I will not.

• Rich Picks: Jacksonville
• Matt Picks: Jacksonville
• Rye Picks: Jacksonville

Broncos at Chiefs: I believe in Tim Tebow. Some weeks that makes me look great, and others it makes me look stupid. He looked pretty good last week against an Oakland team that is much better than this KC team. I’m riding the Broncos. (note: Matt and I are on polar opposites of the Tebow debate, so his pick comes as no surprise).

• Rich Picks: Denver
• Matt Picks: Kansas City
• Rye Picks: Denver

Redskins at Dolphins: The crappiest game on the slate may also be the toughest one to pick. Miami looked like it had a heartbeat last week, while the Redskins looked pretty bad, well except for Roy Helu (who would have won me my fantasy game had he not been on my bench. Who knew about Helu?). I’ve gone back and forth on this one, and have come back to this. Miami won last week, and they’re a pretty bad team. They’re going to have a letdown here and lose to the Skins.

• Rich Picks: Washington
• Matt Picks: Miami
• Rye Picks: Washington

Cardinals at Eagles: Arizona is a bad football team, and the Iggles are still capable of making a run to the postseason, but they have to win this one, and just about every one that follows. They’ll get this one.

• Rich Picks: Philly
• Matt Picks: Philly
• Rye Picks: Philly

Houston at Tampa Bay: Houston right now would be your top seed in the AFC playoffs, and they’ve done it without Andre Johnson. Thank goodness the year is not 2012, or that would just confirm all end of the world scenarios. I’m going with the Texans, they’ve just gotten the job done consistently all year long.

• Rich Picks: Houston
• Matt Picks: Houston
• Rye Picks: Houston

Titans at Panthers: These are the types of games that make picking the NFL a mystery sometimes. Carolina keeps in games, but finds ways to lose them at the end – which I think will end in year 2 of the SuperCam experience, he’s the real deal. Tennessee is a mystery unto itself, not to mention Chris Johnson. I’m totally rolling the dice and going with Tennessee, and I don’t feel that good about it at all.

• Rich Picks: Titans
• Matt Picks: Carolina
• Rye Picks: Carolina

Ravens at Seahawks: Seattle just stinks, and the Ravens have that look of a team that could kill everyone in the postseason.

• Rich Picks: Baltimore
• Matt Picks: Baltimore
• Rye Picks: Baltimore

Detroit at Chicago: Now this is going to be one fun football game. The Lions have not been the same since Jahvid Best went down a few weeks ago. They can’t run the ball at all, not that they ran it all that great with him, but he was a good safety valve for short passes. The Bears stunned me, and quite a few people, with their showing against Philly on Monday Night. I’m going the upset route and taking them against Detroit.

• Rich Picks: Chicago
• Matt Picks: Detroit
• Rye Picks: Chicago

NY Giants at San Francisco: San Fran wins and wins, even though they don’t seem all that good. Harbaugh has found the right mix with Alex Smith and Co. and I’m going to take them, plus there’s always that East Coast team going West thing at work. Give me the 49ers.

• Rich Picks: San Francisco
• Matt Picks: San Francisco
• Rye Picks: San Francisco

Patriots at Jets: I just don’t see the Patriots dropping 3 in a row. I know the Jets defense is good, but Sanchez isn’t. The Pats will find a way on the road and all will be right with the world.

• Rich Picks: Patriots
• Matt Picks: Patriots
• Rye Picks: Patriots

Minnesota at Green Bay: I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again. I will not pick against an undefeated team before it loses.

• Rich Picks: Green Bay
• Matt Picks: Green Bay
• Rye Picks: Green Bay