NFL Picks and New Favorite Airline (Video)

We took last week of due to the Thanksgiving holiday, but we are back in the saddle today. A couple of lines look a bit odd to me so that always puts me on edge. Here's what I like:

Buffalo +4.5 at Minnesota:
The Bills continue to play hard and should have beaten the Steelers last week. Minnesota's season is over. Playing for new coach Leslie Frasier won't be enough. And, just reported, Percy Harvin and Steve Hutchinson are down today. Go Bills.

Tennessee -3 vs. Jacksonville:
I've made my opinion of the Jags known more than once and it's cost me. Kerry Collins is back. Maybe we'll have a Randy Moss sighting. Look for Every Coach's Dream to have a big day after a relatively quiet season. Lay the three.

Denver +9 at Kansas City:
It's 23 degrees in Kansas City. The Chiefs have won three in a row, the Broncos have lost three since smoking KC a month ago. The Chiefs are in the playoff hunt, but I think 9 is too many. Look for Denver to at least make a game of it.

NY Giants -7.5 vs. Washington:
The Giants continue to have late season troubles and barely handled the Jags at the New Meadowlands (least creative name ever?) last week. But, I look for them to get off early in this one and force Donovan McNabb to have to throw. The one thing the Giants definitely do well is rush the passer. G-Men cover.

UPDATE: Late Games:

San Diego -13 vs. Oakland:
The Chargers are playing as well as anyone. Oakland is in shambles after a recent three game win streak. The Chargers might win by 30.

Dallas +6 at Indianapolis:
Dallas is 3-0 ATS since the coaching change. I'm hesitant to go against Peyton in a big home game, but I like getting 6 and think that will be enough. Take the 'Boys and the points.

The sharps like Tampa, Carolina and Arizona all getting points. As you see fit. I'll be on Pittsburgh in a small way. Can't pass up the Steelers getting points, doesn't happen very often.

I'll have some picks up for the late games by 3:30 EST. And now for your entertainment, my new favorite airline:

Paying Homage to the Kid. More Sidney Crosby.

UPDATE 12/5: I guess I was a little early with my homage. Sid knocked in two more last night as the Penguins dismantled the Blue Jackets 7-2. Here is what Columbus defenseman Mike Commodore had to say about Crosby:

We don't see him much anymore, which is great. Thank God. He can stay in the east. We'll stay in the west. He's the best player in the league. It's got to be fun to watch. I know it's not fun for us to play against. The reason why he's the best player in the world--yea, he's talented, yea he's skilled, but there's other guys who are just as talented and skilled as he is--but it's determination. It's determination on the puck. He never gives up on a puck. He works hard on the puck and that's why he's the best in the world.

Pretty much sums it up.
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On Wednesday December 1, Sidney Crosby was named the NHL Player of the Month for the month of November. Sid had 26 points (12 goals, 14 assists) in 14 games and finished the month with an active 13-game point streak, the longest in the league this season and the third-longest of his career.

On Thursday Sid went out and got a start on being player of the month for December as well. He recorded the seventh hat trick of his career and his second in three games as the Penguins beat the Atlanta Thrashers 3-2. It was also Sid's first-ever natural hat trick, scoring three in succession. The goals showed off Crosby's amazing arsenal. The first came on a tough pass that, uncharacteristically he didn't handle cleanly. After whiffing a quick wrister, Sid stickhandled and chipped the puck over the goalie while gliding away from the net. All in about a second and a half. The second was a clean breakaway. Sid went to the backhand. Watch how quickly he slotted the puck between the goalie's legs after he got him moving. The third just might be the best tip you will ever see. After watching it try getting your hands in position and see if you can visualize what he actually did. Then think about doing it. With a slapshot coming at you waist high. While you are facing the other direction.

Hard to imagine that a guy who has won a Stanley Cup, a gold medal, the league MVP, been named the youngest team captain ever, is the face of the league and just was named Player of the Month may be underrated. Well, if he isn't universally recognized as the best player in the world, then he is.

Enjoy the highlights and make sure you are paying attention when the Penguins play. Even the greatest players don't play at this consistently high level very often.

I Feel the Earth Move...

under my feet. I feel the sky......

Jeff Reed signed with the San Francisco 49ers yesterday. I had to laugh. Reed was a great kicker for the Steelers and I wish him only the best, but he was never one to let you forget how difficult it was to kick in Heinz Field. The media played right along basically making every 40+ yard field goal sound like an Act of God. This year Skippy seemed to lose his mind, calling management liars during training camp, ripping the fans that booed him and saying he wasn't going to make excuses, and then, basically, making excuses. So away he went when he missed his seventh field goal of the season a few weeks back.

Now his new home stadium is going to be Candlestick Park where a baseball pitcher once got blown off the mound during the all-star game. As my friend Dave Bryan from Steelers Depot noted, now the earth, not just the sod, may actually move under his feet. Funny stuff.

Oh, and Reed's first game this week? At Green Bay on the The Frozen Tundra of Lambeau Field. This may all have him dreaming of Heinz Field. Knock 'em dead, Jeff.

The Terrible Podcast - Episode 6 (12/3)

Part 1: A look at Ben's injury and Art Rooney's surprising comments on NFL officiating and whether they are targeting the Steelers.

Part 2: Our preview of Sunday night's huge divisional matchup with the Ravens.

Part 3: A look at some other games this week and, of course, our money picks.

We will be back on Monday to breakdown Sunday night's action. Be sure to follow us on twitter @hammerspeaks and @TerriblePodcast and get all your latest Steelers info at SteelersDepot.com. You can also find us on iTunes.

I'm back in the saddle and promise to getting some blog posts rolling next week.  Lots to talk about.

The Terrible Podcast - Episode 5 (12/1)

Back from a rockin' Thanksgiving vacation, the blog is ready for the stretch run as we close out 2010. Here is the podcast, Episode 5, we did Wednesday. Episode 6, The Ravens Preview and Our Picks, will be up Friday afternoon. Check back around 3:00 pm EST and remember to check out SteelersDepot.com for all the latest and greatest Steelers' info on the internet.

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Making the Rounds

The Terrible Podcast Episode 2 will be up later today both here and at SteelersDepot.com. In Part 1 we take a look at Mike Tomlin's press conference, injuries and fines levied by the league and in Part 2 we look at the AFC playoff race.

We will have our iTunes account open shortly and you can subscribe a variety of ways.

I was a guest on Craig Wolfley's podcast on Tuesday. Thanks to Craig, Frank Murgia and The Talent Network for having me on. You can listen to or download the show here.

I will be hosting the afternoon drivetime show on 970 AM this afternoon from 3-7. I'll be on-site at Hemingway's Cafe on Forbes Avenue in Oakland. Listen in or, better yet, stop by and start the holiday festivities.

Happy Thanksgiving.

Quick Thoughts on Steelers-Raiders

Overview:

The Steelers couldn't have asked for a better opponent this past Sunday than the Oakland Raiders. The Raiders strengths fit right in to what the Steelers do well and the Steelers had the added incentive of the Raiders win last year at Heinz Field. The Steelers were coming off an embarrassing defeat at home on national television to the New England Patriots and had something to prove, to themselves and their fans. And they did, despite a plethora of penalties that Coach Tomlin didn't always agree with. An excellent game across the board.

Injuries:

Overall the Steelers came out of this game in reasonably good shape. The offense line again got dinged up with Maurkice Pouncey suffering a knee bruise/thigh contusion, Chris Kemoeatu suffering cramps (?) and Jonathan Scott having a leg injury. None of the injuries are expected to be serious, a good thing as the Steelers are already a bit shorthanded on the offensive line.

A couple new injuries were reported for the first time in Mike Tomlin's press conference Tuesday: Antonio Brown apparently has some swelling on his knee which will slow him this week and may mean he doesn't get a helmet on Sunday. Matt Spaeth suffered a concussion and will undergo the requisite testing.

Offense: 

The Good:

*Ben Roethlisberger played a great game throwing for three TDs and running for another while getting 55 yards on the ground. Roethlisberger talked about providing more leadership during the week and he delivered in a big way leading the team to 431 yards of total offense and converting all three drives in the red zone. His best performance of the year.

*Mike Wallace continues to impress with three more catches for 116 yards. He's second in the NFL in catches of 20+ and 40+ yards and leads in yards/catch at 23.0. He also has eight TD catches, one in each of the last three games. His 52-yard catch and run was jaw-dropping and he added 19 yards on a reverse hand-off. He is playing at a Pro Bowl level at the moment.

*The offensive line dealt well with various injuries. Guys came off the bench and others were moved around and the unit still did an adequate job of blocking and protecting Roethlisberger.

The Bad:

*The Steelers continue to come out slow since Roethlisberger has taken over at QB. They have only 10 first quarter points in six games and went three and out on their first two possessions on Sunday.

*Rashard Mendenhall fumbled for the first time this year, the Steelers only turnover.

Defense:

The Good:

*The Raiders run-first scheme was just what the doctor ordered as the defense was excellent to a man. They held the Raiders to three points, 182 yards of total offense, rang up six sacks and forced three turnovers. They held yds/gm leader Darren McFadden to 14 yards on ten carries. They will be hard-pressed to play a better game all year.

*Singling out players is probably inappropriate with such a good team effort, but James Farrior continues his recent run of excellent play, leading the team with seven tackles and a sack.

*After questioning Troy Polamalu last week, he was back to his old self this week creating havoc in the box from the edge, recording six tackles and making a nice interception and return to seal the game. The Steelers defense needs to scheme against the opposing offense, but they seem to be markedly more effective when Troy is up in the box frequently.

*James Harrison continues to dominate with five tackles, two sacks, an interception and a forced fumble.

*The secondary seemed to turn the corner after four consecutive tough weeks. Ike Taylor was outstanding and William Gay much-improved.

The Bad:

*Nothing. The penalties, but we'll get to that below.

Special Teams:

The Good:

*Antonio Brown got a helmet for one of the few times this year and looked very dangerous returning punts averaging nine yards on seven returns. He took one punt back but the Steelers committed two penalties on the play. He and Sanders are providing a potent punch in the return game.

*Shaun Suisham didn't exactly get a baptism by fire, but he converted all five extra points in his first game in a Steelers uniform.

*The coverage units were again able to totally shut down the opposition's return game.

Coaching:

The Good:

*Mike Tomlin and his staff get an A+ this week. After the loss to New England Tomlin took the unusual step of putting the team in pads on Wednesday to raise the intensity level. He also made the decision to cut Jeff Reed, bench Trai Essex and dress Antonio Brown. The message was clearly sent and received.

*In such a blowout few in-game decisions have much impact, but both coordinators dialed up excellent game plans.

*Tomlin did an excellent jog keeping the team focused and under control in the face of so many questionable penalty calls. This carried through after the game as well and shows a very disciplined team.

The Bad:

*I'm reaching here, but while I like gadget/trick plays I thought Arians decision to call one on the fourth play of the game was a little early. Nonetheless Ward was open on the play and Roethlisberger underthrew him.

Big Officiating Calls:

*Simply put, it was the worst officiated game in terms of the impact on the Steelers that I have ever seen. The Steelers were flagged 18 times, with 14 accepted, for a total of 163 yards. The personal foul calls on Ryan Clark, LaMarr Woodley and James Harrison were questionable at best (Woodley/Harrison) or just flat out wrong (Clark). The Steelers have a reason to feel targeted when such things happen repeatedly. The League office has already apologized for the two blown calls in the Cincinnati game that almost cost the Steelers the win. It will be interesting to see if its more apologies this week or fines instead. Stay tuned.

*Richard Seymour's $25K fine by the league office for punching Roethlisberger seems light.

Up Next: The 2-8 Buffalo Bills in Buffalo at 1:00 on Sunday. The Bills are coming in off their first two wins of the season, including a big comeback last week in Cincinnati. They will throw the ball aggressively and it will be more of a test than the casual fan might think.