Matty D’s Week 13 NFL Cold Hard Locks

Featuring the G-Man

 

So NFL Week 12 came and went and the Cold Hard Locks never appeared. To be honest, our intern Bowden dropped the ball and forgot to post them and on top of that the Senior Executive Producer Jarred vetoed us posting our picks late. As it turns out though, Matty D and the G-Man differed only on one pick.

 

NFL Week 12 Thunderblog Picks:

 

Both – Steelers over BROWNS

Both – LIONS over Bucs

Both – PACKERS over Vikings

Both – CHIEFS over Chargers

Both – Bears over RAMS

Both – Panthers over DOLPHINS

Both – RAVENS over Jets

Both – TEXANS over Jags

Both – Titans over RAIDERS

Both – Colts over CARDINALS

Both – GIANTS over Cowboys

Both – Niners over REDSKINS

 

The only game missing? The awesome Sunday Night showdown between smarty pants Manning and the true American Brady. Matty D was so distraught after choosing the Patriots to win. At half it was 24-0 Broncos and it seemed as if the G-Man was going to take the week and win. But let’s be honest, there is a reason his name isn’t in the headline. These are COLD HARD LOCKS and I never lost faith in the Patriot Way. Brady dragged his boys all the way back to get the win in OT and Matty D took the week!

 

(On another note we both had awful weeks as Matty D went 5-8 and the G-Man went 4-9, so maybe these locks aren’t as stone cold right as I imagine.)

 

Season record:

Matty D – 45-33

G-Man – 41-37

 Matty D is 4-1-1 in the weekly challenge.

 

The battle continues in the Thunderdome…

 

NFL Week 13 Cold Hard Locks

 

Thanksgiving Day means football starting at 12:30 and there’s a great slate of games this week. Matty D is looking to create more separation in the pick’em showdown while the G-Man is just trying to find a spark to ignite the comeback. Soon our gullets will be full and the couches will be packed as we all unwind with our families and friends to watch America’s favorite Thanksgiving tradition, FOOTBALL.

 

(Underlined denotes home team. G-Man and Matty D have same picks unless otherwise noted.)

 

Lions over Packers – 27 to 21

We have the same pick here. I can’t speak for the G-Man but this Turkey Day Special would have a separate outcome if Mr. Rodgers was playing. But alas he is not and so Stafford, Megatron, and Reggie will bounce back after two rough weeks to steal the win for the first time in over a decade.

 

Cowboys over Raiders – 31 to 24

For the record, I am a Matt McGloin fan. And the Penn State product is going to make this a game. But as much as I hate to say it, Romo and Dez will have success against a leaky Raider defense. Look for Dallas to stay atop the NFC Least for one more week.

 

Steelers over Ravens – 20 to 17

It is going to be close, this is Pittsburgh-Baltimore. And even though Ray Lewis is no longer around, this game will be lower scoring than expected. But the Steelers have some mojo going here and Big Ben is showing why he is a two-time Superbowl champion.

 

Eagles over Cardinals – 20 to 17 (OT)

This is one of the toughest picks of the weekend. As I die-hard Eagles fan, I like what I’ve seen from Nick Foles and our defense has been playing well of late. But I have to respect what the Cardinals have been doing on the field. They have a top-5 defense and an improving offense led by the resurgent Carson Palmer. This game should be a physical battle. I see it coming down to one big play and I feel as if DeSean Jackson will make it, whether it’s a catch or a punt return, to put the Eagles in field goal range to win in overtime!

 

Browns over Jaguars – 13 to 7

This is a game with two teams going nowhere. And with Brandon Weeden back at the helm for Cleveland, this game is going to be a battle of the inepts. But the Browns have a really good defense and I see them holding the awful Jaguar attack to just a single touchdown as Cleveland moves to 5-7.

 

Colts over Titans – 28 to 17

The Colts need this game to bounce back after getting manhandled the last two weeks in a row. The Titans aren’t a bad team but Andrew Luck won’t let his Colts lose three games in a row. He will find his targets and Donald Brown will continue to out-play Trent Richardson as the Colts roll and lock up the AFC South.

 

Bears over Vikings – 34 to 24

I am giving the Vikings more points than normal here simply because the Bears have an awful run defense (I can’t believe I just typed that). But without Briggs and Melton in the box, the Bears are getting run over faster than a deer on a Nascar track. Problem is that the Bears can play offense with Forte, Marshall, and Jeffreys, and they will rip apart the Purple People Eaters up the in the dome for a much needed win to stay in the wildcard race.

 

Dolphins over Jets – 17 to 9

This would be a game I don’t really want to watch except I enjoy watching Geno Smith through interceptions and look terrible. I don’t know why I don’t like him, but I really, really don’t like him. Plus I hate the Jets in general simply for being an NYC team. Geno will get smacked all day by Cameron Wake and crew while Ryan Tannehill will do just enough with Mike Wallace and Brian Hartline to secure the W in a pretty meaningless game.

G-Man – Jets

 

Panthers over Buccaneers – 20 to 14

I am all on board the Cam Newton Bandwagon-Express. To me, he is the ultimate weapon. He can throw and run and unlike an RGIII or a Vick, he stands at 6-4, 260, and can take a hit without crumbling to the ground. The Panthers offense is getting better and their defense is the talk of the NFL Network. But the Buccaneers aren’t playing bad and their defense is pretty solid. This is a divisional game so I expect it to be close with Mike Glennon making a few unexpected plays. But Newton won’t be denied, scoring late to secure the win and keep pace with the Saints.

 

Patriots over Texans – 24 to 10

I feel bad for the Texans. What is going on down there? Even my man the gun-slinging Case Keenum can’t stop the bleeding. In come Brady and the Patriots, fresh off their big win over the Broncos, reminded everyone that they exist and Brady is still the top dog out there. This game shouldn’t be close.

 

Bills over Falcons (Toronto) – 27 to 20

The Falcons make the Texans look good. Traveling to Toronto will not help. I like the Bills and think E.J. Manuel will make some plays against a bad Atlanta defense while Mario Williams and his crew will devour Matt Ryan and keep the Falcon’s season in a tailspin.

G-Man –It’s too cold for the Falcons to fly in Canada plus they’re already eliminated.

 

49ers over Rams – 16 to 10

Do not sleep on these Rams. Their defense is young and athletic led by DPOY candidate Robert Quinn. I am still not sold on Kaepernick as I see him make too many one-read-then-run plays. If the Rams can slow down Frank Gore, the outcome might surprise some. But the 49ers defense is getting better and Aldon Smith might be introducing himself to Kellen Clemons more than once. Plus homefield advantage, I have to take San Francisco.

 

Broncos over Chiefs – 42 to 31

I was going to pick the Chiefs, but then Hali and Houston got hurt. Playing Peyton without your two best pass rushers? Defensive coordinators nightmare. That being said, while Manning and his receiver-extraordinars will rack up the points, the KC offense was pretty darn good last week against the Chargers. Look for Alex Smith and Jamaal Charles to get it going and keep the game close, but there will be too much Manning, who is upset enough after last week.

G-Man – Sorry Andy, Peyton is pissed.

 

Bengals over Chargers – 20 to 17

The G-Man does not love the Bengals and I’m not sure why. (Too much of that Kool-Aid or something) Look, yes losing Geno Atkins and Leon Hall is a blow, but there is still talent on the Bengals defense and their offense is loaded with weapons. Philip Rivers is having a renaissance year, but the rookie Benard and A.J. Green will have the last laugh in this one.

G-Man – Chargers – “GO CHARGERS GO”

 

Giants over Redskins – 23 to 9

I enjoy watching the Redskins to witness RGIII get treated like a rag doll. Yes, that makes me a terrible person. That D.C. situation is toxic and the G-Men will feast on it, smacking poor Robert around all day.

 

Saints over Seahawks – 17-16

Game of the week, hands down. This may very well decide home-field advantage in the playoffs. Why am I taking the Saints? This is Seattle, home of the 12^th man, they never lose at home. Yet they spotted the winless Buccaneers a 21 point lead a few weeks back. This is the Saints and Drew Brees still has a sour taste in his mouth from the last visit up here and the beginning of “Beast Mode”. Plus the Saints can play defense. Brees will find the unstoppable Jimmy Graham for 2 TDs and remember, both Brandon Browner and Walter Thurmond are suspended. You are telling me a team’s #2 and #3 cornerbacks are out and Brees is coming to town? That is why I had to go Saints. Homefield advantage is theirs to lose.

G-Man – Seahawks – I wish this was in the Superdome but Marshawn may go FULL BEAST MODE on the Saints’ Defense again.

 

The G-Man’s Playoff Picture

Also, looking at the standings, pretty sure if the Vikings lose, they’re done (4.5 back of 6th with 5 to play currently). If the Redskins and/or Bucs lose in combination with a 49ers win OR a Cardinals win, they are eliminated (team(s) would then be 5 back of 6th with 4 to play). WAS and TB may be eliminated with just a loss this week, I just don’t know all the tiebreakers.

 

On the flip side, the Seahawks may clinch a playoff birth with a win AND losses by both the Niners and the Cardinals (currently 3 up with 5 to play, under those conditions, Seattle would then be 4 up with 4 to play). It’s a possibility because again, I don’t know all the tiebreakers.

 

Assuming no ties, I don’t think the winner of Denver/KC clinches a birth this week because the at the very least, the winners of PIT/BAL AND NYJ/MIA wouldn’t lose a game on the DEN/KC winner.

 

LONG LIVE THE THUNDERDOME!!!