- 09:06 AM
- 12/15/19
Props to Howard on Methuselah and the Mammals' pick over my grounded Iggles.
Dallas by 5
Atlanta by 3
Buffalo by 2
Cleveland by 15 LOCK
Green Bay by 12 LOCK
Minnesota by 18 LOCK
San Francisco by 7 (UPSET SPECIAL)
Miami by 4 LOCK
Tampa Bay by 5
Houston by 9 LOCK
L.A. Chargers by 12 LOCK
Oakland by 10 LOCK
New England by 13 LOCK (pray for Mahomes)
Arizona by 3
Seattle by 7 LOCK
Philadelphia by 10 (Eli won't save the Giants)
posted by jjzucal at 10:08 AM on December 05, 2019
Houston by 5
Atlanta by 10 LOCK
Buffalo by 11 LOCK
Chicago by 15 LOCK
Pittsburgh by 18 LOCK
Cleveland by 3
New Orleans by 6
Oakland by 9 LOCK
Seattle by 3 LOCK
Detroit by 12 LOCK
Jacksonville by 2
New England by 10 LOCK
San Francisco by 5 LOCK
L.A. Chargers by 3
posted by jjzucal at 11:24 AM on November 21, 2019
Oakland by 5
Detroit by 10
Baltimore by 12 LOCK
Buffalo by 14 (Cleveland, we hardly knew ye) LOCK
Kansas City by 19 LOCK
New Orleans by 7 LOCK
N.Y. Giants by 5 (I live in New Jersey; it's the Jersey Derby: who gives a &*%&?)
Tampa Bay by 11 LOCK
Indianapolis by 25 LOCK
Green Bay by 12 LOCK
Pittsburgh by 2
Minnesota by 8 (how does Jason Garrett keep his job? Does he have compromising photos of Jerry Jones?)
San Francisco by 5
posted by jjzucal at 10:23 AM on November 07, 2019
Minnesota by 19 LOCK
Seattle by 5
Philadelphia by 3
Chicago by 9 LOCK
Detroit by 13 LOCK
Tennessee by 7 LOCK
Indianapolis by 4 LOCK
L.A. Rams by 15 LOCK
New Orleans by 7 LOCK
Jacksonville by 17 LOCK
San Francisco by 2
New England by 20 LOCK
Houston by 13 LOCK
Kansas City by 3
Pittsburgh by 19 LOCK (This is the Monday night game? Pray for the viewers)
posted by jjzucal at 10:49 AM on October 24, 2019
Fresh off a 29-point performance, we go for ... 25. We're becoming the Dolphins of SpoFi.
Arizona by 6 (TD at :00)
Buffalo by 3
Oakland by 5 (scoring the second TD in Spurs' stadium after Bayern)
Tampa Bay by 7
N.Y. Giants by 10
Philadelphia by 17 LOCK
Pittsburgh by 6
New England by 19 LOCK
Carolina by 3
Atlanta by 5
L.A. Chargers by 11 LOCK
Dallas by 5
Kansas City by 14 LOCK
San Francisco by 3
posted by jjzucal at 08:13 PM on October 05, 2019
29 points ... made it almost an exercise in futility!
Green Bay by 5 (O/U on Eagle drops: 6) LOCK
Atlanta by 3
New England by 17 LOCK
Kansas City by 10 LOCK
Oakland by 3
L.A. Chargers by 13 LOCK
N.Y. Giants by 9
Baltimore by 10 (last season was a cruel tease for Browns' fans) LOCK
Houston by 2
L.A. Chargers by 7
Arizona by 3
Minnesota by 6
Denver by 3 (FG as time expires to crush Jax fans)
Dallas by 14
Pittsburgh by 5
posted by jjzucal at 09:06 AM on September 25, 2019
Huh, I thought I posted an entry last week ...
Tennessee by 9 (LOCK)
Cincinnati by 5
Dallas by 30 (LOCK)
Green Bay by 2 (LOCK)
Atlanta by 10 (LOCK)
Kansas City by 3 (Total offense O/U: 1,050)
Minnesota by 4
New England by 34 (LOCK)
Philadelphia by 13 (LOCK)
Arizona by 6
Tampa Bay by 15 (LOCK)
L.A. Chargers by 5
San Francisco by 12 (LOCK)
Seattle by 5
L.A. Rams by 14 (LOCK)
Washington by 7
posted by jjzucal at 11:30 AM on September 19, 2019
I just found the email in the spam file ...
Chicago by 5
L.A. Rams by 10 (Lock)
Philadelphia by 13 (Drop Dead, Lead Pipe Lock)
J-E-T-S by 7 (Lock)
Minnesota by 3
Baltimore by 12 (Lock)
Jacksonville by 8
Cleveland by 10
Chargers by 4
Seattle by 11
Tampa Bay by 9
Cowgirls by 10 (Lock)
Arizona by 3
New England by 14 (Lock)
New Orleans by 13 (Lock)
Oakland by 5
posted by jjzucal at 09:51 AM on September 05, 2019
Edmonton by 5
Saskatchewan by 14
Hamilton by 3
Toronto by 10
posted by jjzucal at 09:27 AM on August 22, 2019
Winnipeg by 5
Saskatchewan by 13
Edmonton by 15
Hamilton by 12
posted by jjzucal at 10:09 AM on August 08, 2019
Thanks ... Maplewood Town, indeed, was in the system.
posted by jjzucal at 10:06 AM on August 08, 2019
Toronto has acquired injured QB Zach Collaros to replace injured QB James Franklin. I'm not entirely sure that's how it's supposed to work.
Uh, no ... that ain't how it's supposed to work.
Winnipeg by 26
Saskatchewan by 18
Ottawa by 5
Edmonton by 10
posted by jjzucal at 10:56 AM on August 01, 2019
Ottawa by 5
Edmonton by 18 (if there is one blessing with ESPN/ESPN2 now not carrying many games, it's that I don't have the chance of stumbling upon my Argos)
Hamilton by 17
Saskatchewan by 7
posted by jjzucal at 11:19 AM on July 25, 2019
I've gotten anger from basketball and baseball coaches, too -- but not abusive as Aaron Boone.
Sorry, a one-game suspension was a joke. Should have been at least three games ... when you put fingers in an official's face, you are attempting to embarrass him/her. Suspension was too lenient.
posted by jjzucal at 12:46 PM on July 20, 2019
As the article stated, the attorney believed he had little chance for victory in federal court, thus the $75,000 max lawsuit to keep it in Louisiana (where he'd likely get a very sympathetic judge or jury).
As for the various sports/leagues, if I have one objection to the CFL's review system, it's that penalties (mostly pass interference) can be assessed after review. I guess it's the same as assessing PK's after VAR, but my problem is that it's easy to spot faults at slow speed and from multiple angles.
Review has its place: in-bounds/out-of-bounds catches, offside plays in soccer. Let's not broaden it to the point where it becomes silly.
posted by jjzucal at 11:41 AM on July 20, 2019
Calgary by 19
Winnipeg by 6
Montreal by 3
Saskatchewan by 13
I will not play a Draft Kings team this week, but it's just as well given last week's pitiful lineup.
posted by jjzucal at 09:38 AM on July 18, 2019
Since I don't see "edit" on my screen (maybe it's the computer), my DraftKings Week 5 team:
Masoli (QB), Stanback (RB), Stafford, Ellingson (WR), Rhymes, Lankford (Flex), Calgary (Def/ST).
Week 4: no cash.
posted by jjzucal at 11:59 AM on July 11, 2019
Edmonton by 10
Winnipeg by 16
Montreal by 4
Hamilton by 6
posted by jjzucal at 10:30 AM on July 11, 2019
Sorry I'm late and missed the opener ...
Ottawa by 6
I wish the Argos would come out of their coma, but ...
B.C. by 20
Saskatchewan by 3
As an aside, my Draft Kings team: Davis (QB), Madu (RB), Banks, Whitehead (WR), Cunningham, Rhymes (Flex), Calgary (D/ST).
posted by jjzucal at 08:55 PM on July 04, 2019
Still plenty of room left in the Jersey Meadowlands.
Any day Little Jimmy Dolan gets royalty screwed is a good day. Add in Kyrie, and it's a better day.
Does this potentially make Brooklyn an Eastern Conference challenger in 2020-21?
posted by jjzucal at 10:54 AM on July 03, 2019
Edmonton by 5
Montreal by 3
Calgary by 7
Saskatchewan by 10
posted by jjzucal at 08:55 AM on June 27, 2019
Ottawa by 11
B.C. by 6
Toronto by 4
posted by jjzucal at 09:01 AM on June 20, 2019
Saskatchewan by 6
Edmonton by 17
Calgary by 10
B.C. by 12
posted by jjzucal at 09:35 AM on June 12, 2019
I went to the link but, just in case:
Boston in 6
Dallas in 6
Islanders in 7
San Jose in 5
Most goals: Marchand
Goalie: Rask
Most goals (and 6 in game): Boston
Shutout: Dallas
Next Flyers' Stanley Cup: 2026
posted by jjzucal at 08:09 PM on April 25, 2019
My picks:
in
Stars in 6
Islanders in 7
Sharks in 5
Top goal scorer: Marchand
Top goalie (save %): Tuuka Rask
Team scoring 6: Bruins
Team with shutout: Stars
Boston in 6.
posted by jjzucal at 08:06 PM on April 25, 2019
My picks:
Stars in 6
Jets in 5
Flames in 5
Golden Knights in 4
Lightning in 6
Maple Leafs in 7
Capitals in 6
Islanders in 7
Top goal scorer: Gaudreau
Top goalie (save %): Marc-Andre Fleury
Team scoring 6: Lightning
Team with shutout: Blues
Someone has to show the Maple Leaves some love!
posted by jjzucal at 10:12 AM on April 10, 2019
Do we tell Oliver Luck most knockout soccer matches have penalty kicks after 30 minutes of overtime?
I thought Vince McMahon told us the XFL would be "football" ... here comes the gimmicks.
posted by jjzucal at 10:08 AM on April 10, 2019
Everyone laughed at me when I started Joe Hart over Ederson (I expected Arsenal to score). I'll accept the Burnley clean sheet, thank you very much!
posted by jjzucal at 09:28 PM on August 14, 2018
Last season: cruising with the front pack.
This season: trailing well behind the peloton.
Toronto by 5
Edmonton by 10
Montreal by 15
Calgary by 17
posted by jjzucal at 12:37 PM on August 02, 2018
There is no truth to the rumor that ESPN has offered a payment to the Alouettes in return for a Manziel start. And yet ...
Montreal by 9
Winnipeg by 12
Saskatchewan by 14
posted by jjzucal at 12:40 PM on July 26, 2018
Surely I deserve bonus points for being the only one with guts to go with B.C.
Hamilton by 5
B.C. by 18
Toronto by 6
Calgary by 17
posted by jjzucal at 02:08 PM on July 19, 2018
Now that I've spotted everyone a week's advantage, the comeback begins here?
Calgary by 15
Edmonton by 6
British Columbia by 13
posted by jjzucal at 04:16 PM on July 12, 2018
Calgary by 18
Winnipeg by 10
Edmonton by 6
Saskatchewan by 22
Germany by ... never mind.
posted by jjzucal at 02:44 PM on June 28, 2018
Saskatchewan by 15
Ottawa by 10
Edmonton by 6 (the "Johnny Football" Football Show will not be seen on ESPN this week)
Toronto by 5
posted by jjzucal at 02:39 PM on June 21, 2018
Wait until Johnny learns how wonderful is Edmonton in October (BRRRR)!
Edmonton by 9
Saskatchewan by 12
Manziels by 6 (as per TSN/ESPN demand to league office)
British Columbia by 16
posted by jjzucal at 12:16 PM on June 14, 2018
Tim Legler is dead to me. The Sixers would do well to stay away from LeBron. My fear is that LeBron not only would harm the play of Ben Simmons, but also Joel Embiid. Wherever he goes, LeBron will demand to be "The Man" ... the Sixers have a nice set up with Simmons and Embiid heading a club with a good group of veteran role players. I believe LeBron would destroy that.
posted by jjzucal at 01:29 PM on June 11, 2018
There aren't any managers left who are synonymous with a club.
Among the top four tiers, only one manager - Paul Tisdale at League 2 Exeter - remains of managers who took over their club in the 2000's. The longest tenured Premier League managers will be Eddie Howe (Bournemouth) and Sean Dyche (Burnley), who became their clubs' managers 18 days apart in October 2011.
posted by jjzucal at 09:32 PM on April 21, 2018
With all the talk (distraction?) last season - will he or won't he sign a new contract? - I think this has become Exhibit A for someone staying one season too long.
It's being considered a resignation, not a retirement, but where would Arsene go? I couldn't see him staying in the Premier League: he's now likely "damaged goods" to the large clubs; the others couldn't/wouldn't pay him the salary he would demand. Maybe one of the large French clubs (his home nation)?
posted by jjzucal at 02:25 PM on April 20, 2018
This was a solution in search of a problem: the losing team had eight previous innings to NOT be the losing team but could get a "Get Out of Jail Free" card by selecting their starting hitters?
As for the quote, to cite "star" players in other sports is a flawed argument. Basketball, hockey and football have free substitution, so players could go to the bench for rest and return; thus, the "stars" often are in at game's end. Soccer doesn't have free substitution, so the "stars" must be physically able to go 90/120 minutes or potentially find themselves sidelined.
One beauty of baseball is "strategy" -- pinch-hitters, defensive replacements and relief pitchers are part of late-inning strategy. Here's the GOJF card: I pull my 25-HR, .300 hitting 3B in the 7th for defensive purposes, but I get to bring him back to hit in the 9th. If my new 3B hits just .240 (but is a vacuum with great range), I could skip him in the order, let my first 3B hit, then bring the defensive 3B back if the 10th inning is needed. No strategy there!
posted by jjzucal at 03:19 PM on February 23, 2018
I'd love to see the period between innings trimmed to 1:30, but it means fewer commercials: less money that comes to the clubs. I really have a problem with the visits, especially since it includes players that "do not require either to vacate their position": an infield/pitcher meeting often is one to discuss strategy on defense or how to pitch to a batter; will infielders now have to yell strategy to the pitcher?
Why do I have a feeling much of this will be forgotten by the All-Star break? Sort of like defining the strike zone, then the strike zone returns to whatever umpires call.
posted by jjzucal at 09:37 PM on February 20, 2018
I was thinking about him: players must stand for National Anthem, no players with criminal backgrounds. It seems Vince is looking to attract the "Boycott NFL" folks but I believe he'll learn something quickly: that group is small (relative to all NFL fans) and will get smaller as more objectors return to watching the NFL by the end of 2019.
posted by jjzucal at 10:22 AM on January 27, 2018
If only I remembered to post for two weeks ...
Many congrats, Tron; thanks, rcade ... now I'll sit for four months of SportFi Premier League fantasy "garbage time."
posted by jjzucal at 10:03 AM on January 05, 2018
There's a bug that has jjzucal out of sort in the standings.
The "bug" was my brain going into massive lock mode. Didn't realize until Monday night I forgot to make my picks.
Baltimore by 13 LOCK
Minnesota by 12 LOCK
Chicago by 14 LOCK
Cincinnati by 5 LOCK
L.A. Rams by 6
Kansas City by 7 LOCK
New England by 23 LOCK
Atlanta by 3 LOCK
N.Y. Jets by 3
Washington by 10 LOCK
Carolina by 13 LOCK
San Francisco by 6 LOCK
Seattle by 5
Arizona by 10 LOCK
Philadelphia by 18 LOCK
Pittsburgh by 15 LOCK
posted by jjzucal at 10:07 AM on December 23, 2017
Well, isn't this embarrassing! I just realized, as I saw the Patriots escape from Pittsburgh, that I missed these. Guess who won't be third any more!
posted by jjzucal at 07:26 PM on December 17, 2017
Who raised that damn hurdle over which I tripped? ... I must have lost quadruple points for blowing two chances at an Eagles' NFC East championship.
Atlanta by 5
Buffalo by 14 LOCK
Cincinnati by 10 LOCK
Green Bay by 13 LOCK
Oakland by 7 (without penalties to extend the game)
Dallas by 20 LOCK
Tampa Bay by 9 LOCK
Minnesota by 5
San Francisco by 10
Denver by 3
Arizona by 6
L.A. Chargers by 7
Philadelphia by 16 LOCK
Seattle by 13 LOCK
Pittsburgh by 17 LOCK
New England by 21 LOCK
posted by jjzucal at 07:45 PM on December 07, 2017
According to many media outlets, it appears the justices may be inclined to overturn the federal ban.
posted by jjzucal at 05:17 PM on December 04, 2017
I was among those who voted against the referendum, not because of the betting, but because of the limitations on where bets could be placed. While betting parlors/offices and online betting are standard in many countries, New Jersey would limit betting sites to the racetracks and casinos, presumably to attract business to each.
Here's more background on the law and history.
posted by jjzucal at 04:42 PM on December 03, 2017
I was out all day and got in just in time to see Shania Twain perform in a snowstorm ... which, I presume, she's never done.
Watching the blockers running with Cassius Vaughn's 109-yard fumble return, I had one thought: "Get out of the way!" Thankfully, one went for a block, the others gave room, and my frown turned to a smile. You know the rest of the story.
The Eagles went to 10-1 and the Argos won the Grey Cup. All in all, it was a terrific day!
posted by jjzucal at 07:26 PM on December 01, 2017
A) The draw was conducted inside the State Kremlin Palace. B) Russia was the first ball selected. C) Russia received a fairly easy Group A. I'll go full-blown conspiracy theorist: did Putin play with the balls before the draw?
In Group B, who was the last team Portugal would have wanted to face? Diego Maradona now may be more hated in Portugal than in England.
Group G: England is England ... you could group England with Basingstoke, a SportFi club and 23 random players and they'd still figure a way to screw up.
posted by jjzucal at 03:53 PM on December 01, 2017
Washington by 13 LOCK (E-A-G-L-E-S win NFC EAST!)
Minnesota by 3 (Case Keenum: NFL's Some Guy Not Named Carson Wentz Offensive Player of the Month for November)
New England by 20 LOCK
Chicago by 15 LOCK
Tampa Bay by 6
Houston by 5
Miami by 7
Kansas City by 13 LOCK
Jacksonville by 17 LOCK
Baltimore by 11 LOCK
L.A. Chargers by 23 LOCK
Oakland by 20 LOCK (Say a prayer for Geno Smith)
New Orleans by 10 LOCK (Play the OVER)
L.A. Rams by 7
Philadelphia by 17 LOCK
Pittsburgh by 6 LOCK
posted by jjzucal at 08:21 PM on November 30, 2017
Mike Francesa is a few weeks from ending his career at WFAN-AM, but not before he issues a classic rant in McAdoo's direction.
posted by jjzucal at 07:12 PM on November 28, 2017
Toronto by 10
S.J. Green
Over
623
posted by jjzucal at 11:52 AM on November 24, 2017
Minnesota by 13 LOCK
Dallas by 5
Washington by 17 LOCK
Atlanta by 10
Cincinnati by 20 LOCK
Tennessee by 9 LOCK
Kansas City by 15 LOCK
New England by 23 LOCK
Carolina by 10 LOCK
Philadelphia by 21 LOCK
Seattle by 7 LOCK
Oakland by 3
New Orleans by 8
Arizona by 3
Pittsburgh by 19 LOCK
Baltimore by 14 LOCK
posted by jjzucal at 10:36 PM on November 22, 2017
I went back to our predictions: five poor souls took Buffalo. They have our condolences.
posted by jjzucal at 07:33 PM on November 21, 2017
I'm no fan of Rowdy, whose proportions are weird and face kind of terrifying. But I can't call him the worst in a world where Boltman exists.
I stand corrected ... there's Sammy the Shrimp at Southend United.
posted by jjzucal at 11:46 AM on November 21, 2017
Opening of Bills' post-game article: "It was a bold decision by head coach Sean McDermott to start rookie Nate Peterman ..."
Erm, yeah.
Peterman to Bills' receivers - 6 completions, 66 yards. Peterman to Chargers' "receivers" - 5 completions, 84 yards, 1 TD.
posted by jjzucal at 10:28 AM on November 20, 2017
Five Reasons to Hate the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday:
1) Jerry Jones
2) "America's Team"
3) That damn midfield star
4) League's dumbest mascot
5) Drew Pearson's NFL Draft speech
(Yes, I have been trolling Cowgirls' fans on Twitter)
(Yes, I am praying that doesn't blow up in my face)
Cleveland by 2 (Jags step into gopher hole)
Chicago by 9
Baltimore by 7
Tampa Bay by 10
L.A. Rams by 13 LOCK
New Orleans by 15 LOCK
Kansas City by 16 LOCK
Arizona by 6
L.A. Chargers by 10
Cincinnati by 20 LOCK
New England by 9 LOCK
Philadelphia by 24 LOCK
Atlanta by 6
posted by jjzucal at 08:24 PM on November 18, 2017
Saskatchewan by 13
Calgary by 15
Never diminish Glenn Magic
Saskatchewan
posted by jjzucal at 10:21 PM on November 17, 2017
NFL Pick 'Em Week 15: NFC Least Edition
We are the NFC Least of SpoFi.
Baltimore by 18 LOCK
New England by 15 LOCK
Tampa Bay by 10 LOCK
Green Bay by 7 LOCK
Tennessee by 3
Kansas City by 5 LOCK
Miami by 3 LOCK
Philadelphia by 12 LOCK
Seattle by 4
Oakland by 13 LOCK
Arizona by 5
L.A. Chargers by 7
L.A. Rams by 3
San Francisco by 5 LOCK
Pittsburgh by 12 LOCK
New Orleans by 7 LOCK