Mid-Season Form

It's hard to believe that the 2005 NFL Season has passed the halfway pole. I thought a little prognosticating assessment was in order. Just how good is the guru?

First of all, to the numbers. At the halfway point I am a very respectable 86-44 in the win/loss column. That's about 67%. Considering that those first couple of weeks of the season are so difficult to predict, and that I'm running in double digit win totals 5 of the last 6 weeks, I think making my self-imposed goal of 70% for the year is in reach.

Secondly, considering the broader range of prediction, my 2005 NFL Preview (which is accessibly thru the menu to the right), you have to be impressed. In the AFC: I predicted an awakening in Buffalo that Losman wasn't ready at QB. Enter veteran journeyman Kelly Holcomb who is quietly gaining momentum as the starter. I told you that everyone's darling pick for this year the Houston Texans would be dead last. Have you seen the standings? Better yet, have you seen them play? I predicted that Kansas City Chief's coach Dick Vermiel would cry on camera before year's end. Did you see his the video from this past weekend's emotional win over Oakland? (By the way, don't be fooled by my poking fun at Vermiel's tearful post-game speech. That scene followed Vermiel's making one of the most gutsy calls in coaching history to win the game - way to be THE MAN coach!)

Looking at the NFC: You will have to re-read my prediction about the Philadelphia Eagles. I told you that the real opponent for the Eagles this year would be Terrell Owens. Don't think that we've heard the last of it either. This T.O. strand of the bird-flu is the 16 week variety. Catch also that last sentence in my preview of the Chicago Bears season. I mentioned that if rookie Kyle Orton played well it might spell the end of Rex Grossman's time in Chicago. Well, don't look now but the Bears are winning and Grossman is due back from injury in the next couple of weeks. What to do Lovie? (I'm not calling YOU Lovie... the Bears' coach is named Lovie... not that I don't love you and all, but...) And in the West I mentioned that Mike Martz might be singing his swan song in St. Louis. If you open a window and listen to the west you'll hear that melody in the air.

Go ahead - call someone and tell them that the Gridiron Guru is amazing. Tell them to check this spot on Thursdays for rock-em-sock-em-robot sure picks. Remind them that prognosticators in Vegas charge hundreds of dollars for their advice, and that my numbers are better - and free. Watch for a couple of gamble/upset picks* this week, I'm feeling confident! I will stop being so cocky now and return to my humble persona, small font size, and this weekends locks.

This week's 'rock-em-sock-em-robot, g.i. joe, lone ranger-and-tonto" picks for week 9: Lions over Cardinals; Jaguars over Ravens; Colts over Texans (and if they only send Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison - Peyton & Marvin over the Texans); Bills over Chiefs*; East Rutherford Giants over Vikings; Patriots over Dolphins; Bears over 49ers; Raiders over Broncos*; Panthers over Jets; Falcons over Packers; Seahawks over Rams; Bucs over Native Americans (Redskins); Steelers over Browns; Eagles over Cowboys. Bye: Bengals - watching the Steelers (caution: objects in your rear view mirror are closer than they appear); Saints - watching ESPN to see if Terry Bradshaw is really going to buy the team; Chargers - watching the Raiders/Broncos game to see if I get that upset call right; Titans - watching their season sink like Titanic.