Real scary: Pats are waiting for you guys (Favre, Moss)

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Happy Halloween, Vikings.

When the Patriots host the Minnesota Vikings on Sunday for a Halloween showdown in Foxboro, all eyes won't be on the Patriots. Those spooky eyes will be directly on Vikings QB Brett Favre and WR Randy Moss.

And you can bet the Patriots' defense will be looking to haunt those two guys.

If you're a Patriots fan, aren't you all jacked up for this Sunday's game?

And there's no doubt it's because of the story lines that Favre and Moss have created on their own.

Well, we know about Favre and his photography abilities, but now this "injury" is really creating a sideshow. And Favre has always like the attention directly on himself. Will he play, won't he play? Of course he's going to play, it's all about him. His ankle is messed up, I guess. But he might play? Well, it can't be that bad, right?

Pats fans want Favre to play anyway. Favre gives the Pats the best chance to win. Yes, I said it. Mr. Favre is an interception machine. He's so gutsy ...blah, blah, blah. He's a gunslinger who forces the ball into double- and triple-coverage a lot. So he's not that smart at protecting the ball, and that's been well documented over the years. You can bet your house that he'll throw one, two or even three picks the Patriots' way if he plays. And you'd like your chances if he did that, right?

And welcome home Randy Moss. You got your wish, and Bill Belichick traded you away. Hope you enjoy your new contact because that's all you really cared about anyway. I have no issues with you as the player, but when you were constantly yapping about wanting to get a new deal and taking away from the success of the team, you completely lost me and then I purposely lost my New England Patriots Randy Moss jersey.

But the Pats aren't afraid of you, either. Yes, you can still run the deep route with the best of them, but we know you get really frustrated with double-coverage. And the Pats will be doing that to you this Sunday. Plan on a cornerback playing bump-and-run, and then a safety over the top of you at all times. Do you think Belichick will let you beat him? Not a chance. The Pats will probably even let you go over the middle, but there will be a price to pay. And we all know you don't like to take hits over the middle. So what are you going to do Randy?

The Patriots are really looking forward to you guys enjoying Halloween New England style. And that means a helmet full of candy and a long trip back to Minnesota with another loss to your record.

Happy Halloween from Patriots Nation.

Superhero Cliff Lee is not a machine

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

He's no superhero.

Yes, I'm talking about the all-mighty golden arm Cliff Lee.

Hey, he's one of the best left-handed pitchers in the game, but even Mr. Lee can't put up goose eggs on the scoreboard all the time.

And Lee showed he's not bullet proof after last night's stinker on the grandest stage against the San Francisco Giants in Game 1 of the World Series.

Isn't Lee suppose to be an ace? He sure didn't deliver the goods for the Rangers -- like an ace should. Well, mind you, Giants ace Tim Lincecum didn't, either, but at least he kept his team in the game.

Lee choked, face it Lee lovers.

This is the same guy that came into the Series with a glossy 7-0 career record in the postseason. But he completely bombed. He was not an ace last night, he was a lost pitcher that couldn't make the proper adjustments to get hitters out.

Granted, Lee made both Tampa Bay and New York Yankees hitters look like Little Leaguers in the playoffs, but the Giants flipped the script and made the lefty look like a No. 5 starter, at best.

Look at Lee's pitching line: 4 2/3 IP, 8 H, 7 R, 6 ER, BB, 7 K. Makes you sick, doesn't it? He also threw 104 pitches, so the Giants really worked him over and hit their pitches.

Yes, Lee is good, but maybe this is a message to the rest of the baseball fans out there that put Lee in this invincible category, that the lefty is not a machine and not automatic every time he touches the hill. He's a darn good pitcher, no doubt, but give credit to the Giants because they humbled Lee and the Rangers -- at least for one night.

I envision Lee bouncing back when he takes the ball for his next start, but what happens if the Giants light him up like a Christmas tree again?

(Cue cash register sound).

That noise you just heard is the cash register closing a bit for when Lee tries to chase down this magical 5-year, $100-150 million contract in the offseason.

Is he worth that much cash if he can't deliver the goods in the World Series?

Stay tuned.

Is this a trap game for Patriots?

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

I know, the Patriots are rolling. Fresh off a gigantic overtime win vs. my Super Bowl pick, Baltimore, the Pats now travel to San Diego.

And this should scare New England fans.

I know the Chargers haven't played well, but they are still dangerous.

Here's five questions I have entering today's showdown in San Diego.

1. Can Tom Brady have a "breakout" game?

-- I know he's Tom Brady and all, but he hasn't had that game yet that you just shake your head and say he's the best QB in the NFL (note: I'd still take Brady over Manning or Brees, any day of the week, however). It may happen today, however.

2. Will we see a commitment to the running game?

-- Not a chance. The Pats pass to set up the run. And with a cast of characters like BenJarvus Green-Ellis and Danny Woodhead in the backfield, do you expect either guy to carry the load? No way.

3. Will Phillip Rivers torch the New England secondary?

-- I think Rivers will have a great day in the air, as long as TE Antonio Gates plays. If he doesn't, his security blanket is gone, and advantage Pats. Remember, this defense is still a work in progress, but they are making great strides. If the Pats get a good pass rush, the secondary will look just fine.

4. Is Deion Branch a go-to receiver?

-- No, he's not a legit No. 1 receiver, but the Pats don't need that. But he sure does have a great rapport with Brady. The Pats like solid receivers, being flashy is overrated in New England.

5. Who will win this game?

-- As much as my gut says trap game, I'm still picking the Patriots. Brady brings his A+ game today and lights up San Diego.

Prediction: Patriots 31, 24.

Week 7 Picks: Chad vs Jim

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

It's Sunday morning, so that means it's time to unveil the FFS weekly NFL picks by Chad Garner and Jim Ingram. I am the current leader with a 3 game edge over Chad. So far I am 33-25 on the year as Chad is now 30-28. After a disastrous week 5, both of us rebounding in week 6 picking 10 out of 14 winners. Just like the past two weeks, there are only 2 picks that differ between the two of us.

Yankees playing like chumps, not champs

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

It's all over.

If you're a Yankees fan, I know that's how you feel.

The defending champion New York Yankees are getting worked over by the underdog Texas Rangers.

And if this series is any indication, the Rangers are a much better team. Yes, I said it. The Rangers are MUCH better. They are better on offense, defense and clearly have better starting pitching (bullpen, I'd give the edge to the Yanks).

Who expected this? If you're from Texas, I understand you'd pick your boys to win.

But it's mind-boggling to me that the Yanks are playing like a team that doesn't deserve to be in the playoffs. Is it possible for the whole team to be in a slump? (Andy Pettitte has delivered, but who else?).

I'm just baffled with this team. CC Sabathia, the workhorse, gets lit up in Game 1, Phil Hughes follows suit in Game 2 and before you know it, the Yanks are down, 2-1, in the series.

And now the weight of the world is on right-hander A.J. Burnett to deliver for New York in Game 4. Seriously? Who has confidence in this guy? Burnett isn't even confident in himself (well, that's the way he's pitched, anyway).

And offensively, they are a complete mess. Mark Teixeira is not a clutch postseason player (he proved that last year, too). Who is going to step up? Robinson Cano can't carry this entire offense.

Someone step up.

Curtis Granderson, can you hit a curveball? Nick Swisher, where's the power? Jorge Posada, if you see a fastball swing the bat (you take way too many good pitches). Derek Jeter, do your job and get on base and stop swinging at heaters at your eyes and breaking balls down and away. Brett Gardner, if you get on first base (walk, hit, hit batsman, catcher's interference) it's an automatic triple.

Bottom line is, Joe Girardi better shake up this stagnant lineup (put Lance Berkman in there will you?) and get a spark.

Play like champions, not chumps.

It's do-or-die now, if they Yanks don't win tonight at home, it's series over.

And then they better break out the check book to sign lefty Cliff Lee in the offseason.

Week 6 Picks: Chad vs Jim

By Jim Ingram

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Well, week 5 was pretty bad for the both of us, and anyone else except Las Vegas. This week should be a little more straight forward. Even after the terrible week, I have a 3 game lead over Chad, but with us picking every game it's easy to make up several games. Just like last week, there are only two differences in our picks. We definitely think too much alike.

Thought on the Patriots vs. Ravens

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Here are 10 things I'm thinking about in anticipation of the New England vs. Baltimore game on Sunday in Foxboro.

1. Really, is there any way the Patriots can win this game?

Of course they can, but the Pats are going to have to play a near-flawless game to beat the Ravens (they are my Super Bowl pick this year, too). Obviously, easier said than done.

2. Give Bill Belichick two weeks to prepare for anyone, and I'm betting the Ravens are going to see some things the Pats haven't done yet this season. Bank on Joe Flacco making a mistake because he didn't see a particular coverage on film this year.

3. The fans will not be leaving this game early in the fourth quarter. Well, perhaps they may if it's a blowout. But if you can beat the traffic, why not? Brady should even understand that.

4. Tom Brady is going to have some trouble in the passing game. The Ravens ranked first in the NFL in third-down defense. Yes, they get off the field, while the New England defense ranks dead last. Brady and Co. will be frustrated at times in the this game.

5. Stop the run. I'm calling out the Patriots' front right now. If the Ravens keep picking up chunks of yardage on the ground, it's going to be a long game and the Ravens will just keep pounding the rock.

6. I'm not scared of Joe Flacco, but his weapons are pretty dangerous (Boldin, Housh, Heap, Mason, Rice). This game should come down to Flacco winning it.

7. Welcome back Deion Branch. Now do something on the field. If he's open, Brady will find him. But can he get open? I'm cautiously optimistic that Branch is a key piece to this offensive puzzle.

8. I just love the tight ends who can stretch a defense. The Pats have two great rookies in Aaron Hernandez and Rob Gronkowski. They will be feared for many years.

9. I'm really concerned about the New England defense. Even if the Pats stop Ray Rice on the ground, Flacco is solid enough and has enough playmakers that can make it a long day for the Pats' secondary. Boy, that secondary is soft and inexperienced, anyway. They better tighten it up ...and fast.

10. Who will win? Yes, I'm a Patriots fan and I'd love to pick them, but I can't. The Ravens are a premier team in the AFC, and the Pats are a notch below. I think Baltimore is all-around a better team and they'll hold down Brady and force field goals. And we all know what happens when you kick field goals: You lose. Plus, New England's defense is a work in progress, and the Ravens' physical brand of football will wear down the Pats.

Prediction: Ravens win, 24-16