Week 10 Predictions: Colts Will Remain Undefeated

By Dan Shouse
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

There is really only one game in the NFL this week that has our undivided attention. That is of course the Patriots taking on the unbeaten Colts in Indy on Sunday Night Football. With that in mind, lets get to the picks.

Colts 31 Patriots 28

I hope I am wrong, but I just see Peyton Manning leading the Colts on a last minute drive to give the Colts the win. Plus I like the Indy defense just a little more than the Patriots defense. The Colts look like they have the ability to pressure Brady and disrupt his timing. Also the Colts dodged a huge bullet last week at home against the Texans, so I expect them to look better this week.

Steelers 24 Bengals 17

Last time these teams met, the Bengals came away with a last second comeback win. This time the game is in Pittsburgh, and expect no such heroics from the Carson Palmer and company. The Steelers will regain the top spot in the AFC North.

Cowboys 30 Packers 20

Look for the recent trends with these teams to continue. Tony Romo will be solid again, and the Packers will have a difficult time keeping Aaron Rodgers upright. Rodgers was sacked 6 times against the Bucs last game. The Cowboys should at least equal that number.

Eagles 27 Chargers 24

Both of these teams have been tough to figure out. One game they will look great, the next game they will look terrible. The Chargers have struggled at times to stop the run. With Brian Westbrook back from injury, and LeSean McCoy playing well, the Eagles have just the running backs to give the Chargers fits.

Redskins 20 Broncos 17

The Broncos offense has struggled the past two games, and the Redskins actually managed to move the ball at times against the Falcons last time out. The Redskins have to score at least 20 points once this year right? The Redskins defense will force a few turnovers, give the offense a short field, and for once the Redskins will take advantage. It is time for Denver to panic.

Titans 28 Bills 7

The Titans have started to look more like the team everyone expected to see at the start of the season. It's the Titans all the way in this one.

Saints 44 Rams 7

The Saints will have no problem staying unbeaten. The Saints will score at least 40 points. The Rams may not score 40 points the rest of the season.

Dolphins 21 Buccaneers 3

Last week the Bus shocked the Packers to get their first win of the season. Don't expect it to happen again. The wildcat will keep the Dolphins offense on the field, and the Dolphin defense will make Josh Freeman struggle.

Vikings 31 Lions 10

Brett Favre has another big day, and Matthew Stafford will continue to struggle. Stafford threw 5 ints last week. He has only 5 TD passes on the season. Yikes.

Jets 23 Jaguars 16

The once confident Jets have looked rather ordinary the past month. The Jags have been bad on the road. The home field makes a big difference, and the Jets will get a little of their swagger back - at least for this week.

Falcons 28 Panthers 13

It is time for the Falcons to get on a roll. Matt Ryan has far too many weapons to look as average as he has for most of the season. He will get it together this week.

Chiefs 6 Raiders 3

The NFL is looking at the possibility of having Tom Cable undergo therapy to deal with some of his personal issues. I will need therapy if I have to watch this game. These are arguably the two worst teams in the league. Maybe this game should be blacked out and spare us all from having to watch.

Cardinals 38 Seahawks 14

Strangely enough, the Cardinals have look bad at home this year. That trend will come to an end. The Seahawks have not played well on the road, and have been out of sync on offense the entire season. Cards win big.

Ravens 27 Browns 0

Why are the Browns on MNF? The Ravens will look great in this one, but doesn't everyone look like a Super Bowl contender when playing the Browns.

Sunday Night Showdown: Patriots primed to hand Colts first loss

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

So how good are the New England Patriots? And how good are the Indianapolis Colts?

Well, we shall see on Sunday night when the 6-2 Pats travel to face the 8-0 Colts in a showdown that every NFL fan is eagerly anticipating.

What's going to give? Plan on the defenses playing a gigantic factor in the outcome at Lucas Oil Stadium.

We all know that Peyton Manning and Tom Brady -- perhaps the two best quarterbacks (you could make a case for Drew Brees, too, but he doesn't have any Super Bowl rings) in the league right now -- will be chucking the ball every which way, but it's going to come down to which defense can deliver big plays, because I'm expecting some points to be put on the board in the best regular season battle, hands down, of the season.

If you love football, these are the games you wait for all week. And this one is almost here.

No doubt the Pats must be licking their chops -- especially Brady and wide receivers Randy Moss and Wes Welker, and even tight end Benjamin Watson -- with the shot of facing three backups in the secondary since cornerbacks Marlin Jackson and Kelvin Hayden and strong safety Bob Sanders are all out. In steps rookies Jerraud Powers and Jacob Lacy to fill the void at corner.

I bet they've been wetting themselves all week long thinking about facing the Pats' receivers and tight ends. Good luck youngsters, you're going to need it. And that's why the Pats should expect a lot of Cover-2 from the Colts, trying to limit the big play Pats running right by the secondary. The Colts will want Brady to dink and dunk the ball down the field, hoping the Pats stall on scoring touchdowns by putting together lengthy drives instead of striking fast with Moss burning the secondary on long TDs.

And if Laurence Maroney can get the running game going, look out because the Pats will be virtually impossible to stop. But don't forget the Colts feast on rushing the passer with Dwight Freeney and Robert Mathis using their great spin moves to beat offensive tackles and sack the quarterback. So the Pats better protect Brady, just like they did last week against the Dolphins.

And the Pats defense better be ready for a heavy dose of Manning. Everyone knows the Colts can't run the ball -- they average only 85.4 yards per game -- but running back Joseph Addai is a threat in the passing game with 34 catches and 2 scores.

But the major targets are Reggie Wayne on the outside and all-everything tight end Dallas Clark, who is Manning's binkie. Whenever the QB is in trouble, he's always looking for Clark over the middle. Clark might be a tight end, but he runs precision routes and most linebackers and safeties can't cover him.

So all eyes will be on New England safety Brandon McGowan, who has excelled in coverage all season. If McGowan can hold his own vs. Clark one-one-one, then it would allow the Pats to double Wayne on the outside at times. But if Clark is a handful, expect the Pats to pay extra attention to him.

Belichick always takes one weapon away in a game and it's got to be either Wayne or Clark. My guess is Clark this week.

It's basically going to be pick your poison vs. the Colts, just the Pats. While the Colts have Wayne and Clark to deal with, they've also got lesser known speedster wideouts Austin Collie and Pierre Garcon that have had big games this season, too.

I think the Colts have way too many weapons to keep down, but the Pats could give up yards but not TDs, just like the 49ers and Texans did the last couple of weeks.

You would think the Colts are primed for their first loss, but it's going to take a huge defensive effort from the Pats to sneak out a win and knock the Colts from the unbeaten.

Mind you, it won't be a blowout for either team, they are both too talented and know each other too well (it's the 10th meeting between the two teams in the last 7 years, including 3 playoff games).

But this is the chance for the Pats to avenge last year's 18-15 loss to the Colts.

I expect the Pats to pick on the Colts' secondary all night long, while the Colts do the same with mixed results (some field goals instead of TDs).

Brady outshines Manning on the road (Manning throws for more yards, however), but Maroney's late fourth-quarter TD is the difference.

Prediction: Patriots, 35-30

Fantasy Football Friday: Week 10 Edition

By Jim Ingram
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff
Welcome to week 10 of the Fantasy Football Season! Finally, it's the last week of byes as we see just the Houston Texans and New York Giants resting on the sidelines this week. I can't tell you how happy it makes me to know I'll have my entire team ready to go each week. Now, onto the analysis.
Week 10 Best Match ups:
1. Patriots @ Colts - The usual suspects will be all over the fantasy board on Sunday night. I do like Maroney a lot in this game, so you can read below for that information. Watch out for a huge game from Dallas Clark as well
2. Vikings @ Lions - The only player on the Lions I like is Calvin Johnson, but love Brett Favre and Sidney Rice for the Vikings
3. Ravens @ Browns - This is going to be a running game galore for the Ravens. Look for a major game from Ray Rice and Willis McGahee. They both score this weekend. I also love the Ravens defense for the most obvious reasons.
Put em' in the Lineup:
QB - Ben Roethlisburger, Brett Favre, Mark Sanchez
Roethlisburger is taking on the 25th ranked pass defense in the Cincy Bengals. Brett Favre takes on the lowly Lions, and Mark Sanchez has two straight double digit fantasy games.
RB - Ladell Betts, Lawrence Maroney, Marshawn Lynch
Betts is now the feature back while Portis sits with a concussions. I know they take on the Broncos, but the Redskins always stay with the run. Maroney has scored a TD in the past 3 games, and will be essential to a Pats win on Sunday night. Marshawn Lynch needs to be fed the ball for the Bills to win on Sunday
WR - Eddie Royal, Steve Breaston, Mike Wallace
Eddie Royal is finally on the same page as Kyle Orton. Even if Anquan Boldin plays, Breaston will get enough time and passes thrown his way for a 3rd fantasy wide receiver. Mike Wallace has scored in 3 of the past 4 games, and has 50+ yards in all 4.
TE - Ben Watson, Fred Davis
Watson scores a touchdown against the Colts on Sunday night. Mark my words. Fred Davis just has to be the safety valve for Jason Campbell against the Broncos. There's now way he doesn't catch 5 balls in my opinion.
DEF - NY Jets, Broncos, Ravens
The Jets are playing the Jaguars and will blanket them this weekend. The Broncos play the Redskins and the Ravens take on the Browns. Pretty obvious.
Make em' ride the Bench:
QB - Kyle Orton, Joe Flacco, Matt Ryan
I don't trust Orton right now. Unless you're snake bitten, you shouldn't have to use Orton. I don't like Flacco against the Browns because I think they'll be up big early and will resort to the run. Matt Ryan has really struggled lately. He's thrown for less than 200 yards in 3 of the past 4 games, and even when he threw for 289 he had 3 interceptions.
RB - Jamal Lewis, Jamaal Charles, Knowshon Moreno
I shouldn't even have to put Lewis on this list. You should just know not to play him. Jamaal Charles needs to prove he can score double digit points, and Moreno doesn't get the ball enough.
WR - Mike Sims-Walker, Anquan Boldin
Sims-Walker will be going head to head with Darelle Revis. Even if Boldin plays, I don't think he's that healthy.
TE - John Carlson, Donald Lee
John Carlson has not scored a touchdown since Week 1 and Lee has not been getting a ton of targets from Aaron Rodgers.
DEF - Bills, Eagles
The Titans have been moving the ball on people lately, so watch out for the Bills defense this week. I don't like the Eagles either against the Chargers.

Action-packed Pac-10 weekend

By Chris Maza
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Who needs a championship game? The Pac-10 is involved in a playoff of its own right now.

Flying under the radar for most of the season, Arizona has put itself in a prime position to grab the Pac-10 title. While everyone was talking about Oregon, USC and even Cal, Arizona was busy putting together a 13th-ranked offensive attack. Now at 4-1 in the PAc-10, the Wildcats face a difficult home stretch, which starts this week with a showdown on the road against Cal. It's the Bears' final home game, but they will be without the team's best offensive weapon in Jahvid Best. Cal's defense has been questionable at best, holding only one Pac-10 team (UCLA) below 400 total yards. Arizona has to be drooling after watching Oregon State pass for 342 yards and a pair of touchdowns. The Wildcats have one of the most underrated quarterbacks in football in Nick Fowles, a sophomore who is in the top-20 in passer rating and the second-best completion percentage in the nation.

A win at Cal sets up a huge matchup between the Wildcats and the Ducks, who take on Arizona State in the late-late game. Oregon looked to be the toast of the Pac-10 after beating USC in punishing fashion, but stumbled a week later in a stunning lost to Stanford, which opened the door. This weekend's opponent Arizona State is not as potent as Stanford by any stretch of the imagination, but has proven able to hang with quality opponents. The Sun Devils have lost games against two ranked opponents (Georgia and USC) by a combined eight points and lost to Cal by just two. The backfield with LaMichael James and newly reinstated LeGarrett Blount face the sixth-ranked rushing defense, so Jeremiah Masoli, as usual, will the the x-factor. Defenses have to stay honest against the dual-threat quarterback and no one has been able to stop him recently (775 total yards over his last two games against USC and Stanford).

Upstart Stanford has pushed its way into the Pac-10 picture with the huge win over Oregon. Now the Cardinal has to make sure it doesn't suffer a let-down in the heart of the toughest part of their schedule. While Andrew Luck has had a solid season, it's the Cardinal's running game that needs to get going as it has all season. Stanford has scored multiple touchdowns on the ground in all but one game this year (against Wake Forest when they scored zero), and found pay dirt four times with the run in back-to-back wins over Arizona State and Oregon and neither of those defenses is anything to sneeze at. USC's defense has to be at its best and that unit has been very inconsistent. Oregon State and Oregon both had big days against the Trojans. They bounced back against Arizona State, but the Sun Devils aren't exactly a marquee running team.

Predictions:
Arizona 23, California 16
Oregon 51, Arizona State 17
USC 28, Stanford 24
With the win, Oregon stays on top in the Pac-10 at 6-1, followed by Arizona at 5-1, setting up next week's game with all kinds of championship implications. If Oregon wins out, they become the first non-USC Pac-10 champion since 2003. If Arizona wins out, they take the title. USC is still hanging on, but needs a lot of help. Still, fans of other Pac-10 teams still have to be nervous.

One more year ...for Ken Griffey, Jr.

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Remember Ken Griffey Jr. when he was that young stud with the sweet swing and the guy that seemingly made every amazing catch in center field?

Yes, that was about 15-20 years ago when Griffey was first beginning to make a name for himself in the Majors.

Well, while Griffey's skills have diminished over the years -- as they should -- he's still hanging around after agreeing to a one-year deal with the Seattle Mariners.

Good for Griffey.

The game used to be about him, putting on a show for the fans with his head-scratching skills, but now Griffey is a reserve player that's more like a coach.

His leadership and passion to help the younger players is why the Mariners had no issues with bringing him back at a bargain basement price of a base salary of $2 million.

Griffey, who has 630 career home runs, 1,829 RBIs and a .285 average, has been a joy to watch over the years.

I don't remember the 2009 version of Griffey as a .214 hitter with 19 home runs, I remember the Seattle days of back-to-back 56 HR seasons (in 1997-98) and seven 40-plus HR seasons in the first 12 years.

Those were the days for Griffey, and then injuries broke him down after his first season with the Reds (he never should have left Seattle, either).

The production has tapered way off, but Griffey's still got that sweet left-handed swing that every father wants their kid to have.

If you're in the 30-plus age group, I'm willing to bet a Griffey poster hung somewhere on your wall, or you wanted to be just like him growing up on the baseball diamond.

Griffey's no doubt a first-ballot Hall of Famer. And if you want to show your kid what a left-handed swing should look like, just watch a Seattle Mariners game this season.

One more year and it may be retirement time for Griffey.

Either way, it's been a great career for Ken Griffey, Jr.

It's V-Mart Over V-Tek

By Rick Eggleston
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

With the baseball season coming to its official close on the field following the Yankees’ impressive six-game drubbing of the Phillies — so much for picking Philly — all eyes turn to MLB's general managers meetings in Chicago.

Not surprisingly, the Red Sox arrived in Chi-Town this week with their own issues. At the top of their list is veteran catcher Jason Varitek, who has until midnight tonight to decide whether to exercise his $3 million player option after the team announced that it wouldn’t pick up his $5 million team option. That’s because they wisely picked up last season’s mid-year acquisition — and Varitek replacement — catcher Victor Martinez’ $7.1 million team option instead.

While working out a long-term deal with Martinez has yet to be discussed, the Red Sox would be smart to get something done soon. Martinez, whose .303 average, 23 homers and 108 RBI ranked him among the team’s offensive leaders, is the Sox’ catcher of now and for the future. Varitek, on the other hand, is yesterday’s news.

Should Varitek, who’s coming off a career-worst season at the plate where he finished with a .209 average, activate his player option, he’d become a $3 million backup catcher for the Sox. Not a bad payday for guy whose skills both defensively and offensively have deteriorated in recent years. Thus, Varitek’s value has decreased, and he would be hard-pressed to do any better in free agency.

The exact opposite remains true for Martinez, who if he’s permitted to reach free agency if the Sox don’t hammer out something with the former Indians backstop soon, will be able to command top dollar on the open market. Whether he elects to do that is entirely up to the Sox, who certainly possess the resources to get him to stay.

Then again, Martinez could play hardball and choose to test the waters himself no matter what the Sox offer. Hopefully, this won’t be the case for the mere fact Scott Boras isn’t Martinez’s agent.

What we learned this week in college football: Week 10

By Chris Maza
Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Notre Dame will be looking for a new head coach this offseason
Notre Dame needed to win out to have any hopes of a BCS bowl and a 23-21 loss to Navy destroyed those chances. Weis can't take all the blame for that loss. A lot of it was poor execution. Freshman kicker Nick Tausch missed two field goals, including a chip shot. Either of those go through and it completely changes this game to another "gutsy," close win for the Irish. Robby Parrish fumbled on the third play of the game, giving the Mids great field position to set up their first score. Jimmy Clausen fumbled on the one-yard line to end a possible scoring drive and Michael Floyd failed to turn around after obviously misunderstanding which play was being run and had a ball that ended up being intercepted bounce off his back. But at the end of they day, the bus driver is held responsible if there's a crash, no matter how unruly the students may be. Fans endured the last two seasons because of the promise of the near future. That future has arrived and, while it's really been no fault of the offense most of the time, that future brings with it another season without a BCS berth. That is the goal and it has not been achieved.

TCU is the best of the Non-Automatic Qualifying teams
Even before the upcoming matchup between Utah and TCU, TCU has pulled themselves above the rest. By simply staying undefeated. Utah's loss to Oregon was a tough one, but a loss nonetheless and looks a bit more empty at this point. Oregon beat USC, but couldn't back it up against Stanford. While Boise State is also undefeated, Louisiana Tech almost made me look like a genius as the Broncos had all kinds of trouble putting them away. Houston needed a last-second field goal to beat a Tulsa team that gained over 500 yards on them and has been mediocre team in the C-USA.

Cincinnati has no business being in the BCS top 5, but there they are
The Bearcats have made a very weak case overall, yet they keep holding their place near the top of the BCS rankings. Against UConn they did little to improve their resume. UConn, still reeling after the loss of Jasper Howard and playing with a backup quarterback, pushed Cincinnati to the brink in a 47-45 loss, outscoring the Bearcats 35-10 in the second half. On the season, Cincinnati has played a schedule that boasts a 34-40 record, a .488 winning percentage. Their toughest opponent to date has been South Florida and they beat them and the Bulls lost their starting quarterback for the season after Week 3.