A.J. Green

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NFL 2014: Week #7-The Furnace’s Five Best Bets

Posted by fantasyfurnace on October 18, 2014
Posted in: NFL. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , . 6 Comments

Our record this season, although over .500 could be on life support without an outstanding week in this Week #7. We’ll need some Luck from Andrew, and some help from two Marshall’s, a WR in Chicago & a RB on Seattle, and hope that this is the year of the Buffalo, just to get more on the winning side. Let’s get right to this week’s picks…

*Home team in CAPS 

COLTS -3 over Bengals- If the usually defensive-minded Bengals can give up 37 points to the Panthers then try to imagine what the team (Indianapolis) with the most yards per game (444) could do. Andrew Luck has had a quarterback’s ‘dream year’ to date thanks in part to the “Hotel being open”, in the person of T.Y. Hilton… The Bengals will play this one without the services of A.J. Green once again, and while we know that WR Mohammed Sanu with get the bulk of the targets in his place, so do the Colts…

With A.J. Green's return still up in th air, Mohammed Sanu should wee lots of action says the AP Photo/Al Behrman. Photo:

With no timetable set, A.J. Green’s return is still up in the air which means that Mohammed Sanu should see lots of action on Sunday says the Furnace. AP Photo/Al Behrman.

BEARS -3 1/2 over Dolphins- The last time we touted the Dolphins was for their game across the pond in London, a game that saw them outplayed by the Raiders. Our thinking is twofold: first, the Bears have more talent on their team than the Raiders, and second the Bears have yet to win at Soldier Field (0-2) and that should change this week. Sack specialist DE Willie Young will take his NFL leading 7 sacks and put some pressure on Chad Henne all afternoon.

Seahawks -7 over RAMS- Although our reasoning here might not sound very scientific, this is our take. Although the Rams looked good and stayed with the San Francisco 49ers for the entire first half in Week 6, they faded into obscurity in the following two quarters. Seattle, losers of just 2 of their last 19 games played at CenturyLink, lost at home to the upstart 5-1 Dallas Cowboys in Week 6 and will be eager to get back to their thie winning ways against the Rams, a less talented team than the Cowboys.

BILLS -5 1/2 over Vikings- When two mediocre teams play each other, we would prefer to pick the team with a more balance attack, (the Bills), and a team that is playing at home, (the Bills). We would not pick the team that has trouble scoring, (the Vikings). How much trouble have they had putting up points? How about this stat; Minnesota has scored just 29 points in their four losses (3-7-9-and 10) and so since we feel that Buffalo will beat the Bills, we are willing to give up the 5 1/2.

Look for #22 RB Fred Jackson to continue his strong season vs the under-achieving Vikings. Photo: AP

Look for #22 RB Fred Jackson to continue his strong season vs the under-achieving Vikings. Photo: AP

STEELERS -3 1/2 over Texans- Just cannot see the Steelers losing two in a row especially after their thorough butt-kicking they took at the hands of the Cleveland Browns last week. It’s a Monday Night game which means a big stage for the home town Steelers, a raucous crowd, and what we think will be a big night for Big Ben!

 

 

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2013: Week #1-The Furnace’s Five Best Bets

Posted by fantasyfurnace on September 6, 2013
Posted in: NFL. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 3 Comments

Here we are in our third year of posting our Five Best Bets; one of two of our most popular regular features during the football season. We’re glad to be back and wish all of you good luck!!

*Home team in CAPS

1. SAINTS over the Falcons- Saints head coach Sean Payton returns for his first game back following his year long suspension as of a result of the ‘Bountygate’ issues.  Lifetime, Payton is 10-2 against the Falcons and we see no reason why that shouldn’t turn into 11-2 come Sunday. Drew Brees and company have all the manpower they’ll need plus the added emotional lift they will garner from Payon’s return.

Head coach Sean Payton returns to the Saints' sidelines after a year away from the Ronald Martinez/Getty Images North America. Photo:

Head coach Sean Payton returns to the Saints’ sidelines after a year away from the club. Photo: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images North America.

2. Chiefs over the JAGUARS- This will mark veteran head coach Andy Reid’s debut for Kansas City who were smitten with the turnover bug last season. This was a team that last year sent six players to the Pro-Bowl and we see no reason why the Chiefs won’t have the biggest turn around of any other NFL team this year.  Dwaye Bowe who is destined to make this a breakout season catching the rock from new Chief’s QB Alex Smith, along with Jamaal Charles, are just too much for the offensively challenged Jags and so a double-digit win should be in the offing for the Chiefs.

3. Bengals over the BEARS- We just don’t trust Jay Cutler especially this weekend as he’ll go up against arguably a team with a top ten defense in the league. This season there is no excuse why the ‘Dalton gang’ should not post double-digit wins. They have the offensive weapons including two sleepers in WR Mohammed Sanu and RB Giaovanni Bernard and a top five receiver in A.J. Green. The Bears defense which is always their cornerstone should keep this game close but the Bengals will win their first game of the season.

4. REDSKINS over the Eagles- Although we really don’t know what to expect from second year stud RGIII, just his presence and throwing arm should be more than enough to stifle the Maclin-less Eagles. If Michael Vick can stay upright it might make the score closer but with Vick, an injury is just one play away.  We’ll get a first-hand look at Chip Kelley’s new offense but with Alfred Morris, Fred Davis, Pierre Garcon and the rest of the ‘Skins offense, the birds will be flying south after this Monday-Nighter.

#10 QB RGIII will be back but might alter his game somewhat to stay away from further injury, however he still has a lethal, accurate arm. Look for him to be sliding following runs this season

#10 QB RGIII will be back but might alter his game somewhat to stay away from further injury, however he still has a lethal, accurate arm. Look for him to be sliding more following runs this season. Photo: Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

5. Texans over the CHARGERS- Even with San Diego’s additions of Manti Te’o, Danny Woodhead, and an aging Dwight Freeny, the Texans, on the road in their first game of the season will win this one going away. WR DeAndre Hopkins was a smart pick up for Houston as he will distract some of the attention and double teams that seem to be always going the way of Andre Johnson, and will make a decent compliment to Johnson, someone the Texans have been looking for over the past few seasons.  Would not be surprised if RB Ryan Matthews sustains some sort of injury in this one.

NFL Playoff Predictions: A weekend for upsets…

Posted by fantasyfurnace on January 4, 2013
Posted in: NFL. Tagged: , , , , , , , , , , , , , . 7 Comments

NFL WILDCARD WEEKEND!

The NFL playoffs are upon us and we’re taking our 51-29 regular season record into this weekend hopeful that we’ll be able to duplicate our 8-2 record in last year’s playoffs as well as correctly picking the eventual Super Bowl winner, finishing at 9-2. In order to be successful once again, we’ll need for some of the teams in the first round to upset their opponents; always a risk. Here’s who we like…

*Home team in CAPS

SATURDAY:

Bengals over the TEXANS- We are strong believers that the teams that peak the latest have the better chance at success. Case in point the Bengals have won 7 of their last 8 games of the regular season-their one loss coming at the hands of the Dallas Cowboys who, with 3:44 left in the fourth quarter kicked a 40 yard field goal for the win. By contrast, the Texans come into Reliant Stadium limping; losing 3 of their last four games including a rout by the Patriots and losses to the Vikings and Colts. Cincinnati has the offense in Andy Dalton, BJGE, A.J. Green and a stellar defense with Michael Johnson and Geno Atkins combining for 24.5 sacks on the season. The Texans are 4.5 point favorites, however we’re picking the Bengals to win this one outright.

PACKERS over the Vikings- The last time QB Christian Ponder met the Pack at Lambeau Field, he had 2 interceptions, threw for a meager 119 yards and managed a QB rating of only 41.9. In last season’s meeting at Green Bay, Ponder finished with one INT, 190 passing yards and a QB rating of 52.3. Temps are due to be dropping into the 20’s for Saturday’s game and Adrian Peterson, who has over 400 yards rushing in their two games vs the Packers this season, has been experiencing some abdominal injuries and so the hits he’ll be expecting will not bode well for the top MVP candidate. The Packers need to keep the ball out of A.P.’s hands however, as clearly Ponder won’t tear apart the Pack’s secondary given his past performances there. The Vikes have lost their last two games at Green Bay by a combined score of 68-21. Packers by double-digits…

#7 Vikings QB Christian Ponder has had a tough go of it at Lambeau Field and Saturday should be no exception. Photo: Adam Bettcher /Getty Images

#7 Vikings QB Christian Ponder has had a tough go of it at Lambeau Field and Saturday should be no exception. Photo: Adam Bettcher /Getty Images

SUNDAY:

Colts over the RAVENS- Talk about a team roaring into the post-season, the Colts are 9-2 over their last eleven and have won 5 of their last six, making them one of the hottest teams in the league. Of course, a lot has to do with their emotional state as head coach Chuck Pagano wages his battle against Leukemia. Now that he’s back on the sidelines, there will be a renewed intensity on the field by this group. Couple that with the steady maturation of first round pick Andrew Luck. He has done his best impression of last year’s version of Eli Manning by putting together seven game-winning drives in the fourth quarter or overtime. Throw in his 4,384 passing yards, an NFL rookie record, and you can see why we’re so high on the youngster. It should be a loud and emotionally charged game in Baltimore given the recent news of  17 year veteran MLB Ray Lewis’ impending retirement, but when it’s all over we look for the Colts to win this one outright. Not sure why the Ravens are 6.5 point favorites coming into this game losing 4 out of their last five…

#12 Colts QB Andrew Luck should have plenty of it vs the Ravens and with coach Pagano back on the sidelines to pull off the upset. Photo: vegassharps.com

#12 Colts QB Andrew Luck should have plenty of it vs the Ravens and with coach Pagano back on the sidelines to pull off the upset. Photo: vegassharps.com

REDSKINS over Seahawks- This could be the toughest game of the weekend to predict given that both teams come into this one with a combined 14-1 record over the last eight weeks. Both have very talented and able quarterbacks. However the odds-makers made the ‘Skins a home dog for this contest perhaps because they’re not convinced that RGIII is at 100% or maybe because of the 170 points that the Seahawks have put up over their last four games (even though two of their opponents were Buffalo and Arizona). We’re going with Washington here because of another reason; one less obvious. In the confines of CenturyLink Field, the Seahawks are 8-0 and part of that is due to the 12th man being their stadium that boasts one of the noisiest arenas in the NFL. However, they have lost 5 games on the road which, if nothing else, shows their vulnerability. Landover can get pretty rowdy as well and we love the combo of RGIII and Alfred Morris. ‘Skins in a close one.