NFL Wilcard Weekend Playoff Predictions 2008 Picks

Read the Full article here- Wildcard Weekend Playoff Prediction 2008 Picks by Michael Luchies

Atlanta (-2) vs. Arizona

The Arizona Cardinals may have the best wide receiving core ever assembled. Fitzgerald, Breaston, and Boldin make up the most dangerous trio in years if not ever. The problem for the Cardinals lies in their inconsistent running game. The Cardinals are dead last in rushing yards per game at only 73 yards per game. The Falcons do not share the same problem. Michael Turner and the rest of the Falcons average 152 rushing yards per game, which is 2nd overall in the NFL. The surprising Falcons have been led by Michael Turner, rookie QB Matt Ryan, and Pro Bowl wide receiver Roddy White. The Cardinals are 16th in rushing defense and will need a fantastic performance to stop the Falcons rushing attack.

Prediction: Even in Arizona, the Falcons balanced attack will outlast the Cardinals one sided offense. Since the Falcons don’t need to worry about the running attack, they will focus on Kurt Warner and be able to create pressure in the pocket. Expect the Falcons to play an overall solid game and defeat the Arizona Cardinals. Atlanta 31, Arizona 24.

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Free 2008 Music City Bowl Tickets. Vanderbilt vs. Boston College

Read story here; Free Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl Ticket Giveaway courtesy of Stubs4Sale.com.  Youtube Video Contest “Why I want to go to the Music City Bowl”.

The Music City Bowl has increasingly been one of the hottest bowl tickets to get over the last few years. This years game will follow suit. Nashville is a prime location for sporting events and a great place to spend your New Years Eve. Stubs4Sale.com is having a giveaway for two tickets to the game on December 31st. The Vanderbilt Commodores will face off against the Boston College Eagles.

Entires must be made through a Youtube.com video. The video does not have to be more than 15 seconds long. The winner will be the fan that best displays “Why do you want to go to the Gaylord Hotels Music City Bowl” through a Youtube video entry. The video must be titled Stubs4Sale.com Music City Bowl ticket entry. The more creative and original, the better chance you have of winning. Here is your chance Vanderbilt fans, win two completely free tickets to the game!

The winner will be chosen on December 21st. The winner will receive two Row A tickets in the 3rd deck of LP Field. The game is sure to sell out so here is your chance for free tickets, no purchase neccessary.

Visit Stubs4Sale.com, or email Stubs4Sale@yahoo.com for any other details or questions about this contest. Videos can be submitted until December 20th at 11 pm EST.

Detroit Lions Christmas Wish List

Read Detroit Lions Christmas Wish List by Michael Luchies here

It’s that time of the year where everyone is constructing their Christmas wish lists, buying gifts, and thinking about spending the Holidays with family. When thinking about the Holidays it’s always important to think of those who are in need other than those who have everything. Who is in need more than the poor unfortunate Detroit Lions? The Lions are on their way to become the first ever NFL team with a 0-16 season. The state of the Lions is even worse than the Michigan economy, which is not an easy task. Here are several items on the Detroit Lions 2008 Christmas wish list;

A W

Too many L’s and not one W. The Detroit Lions really want a win for Christmas. A 0-16 season will make history, but not the history that the Detroit Lions want. A win would help the Lions spare a little extra embarrassment. Nothing can turn around the Detroit Lions 2008 season, but a win would feel like a Super Bowl victory at this point. The Lions have to attempt to not finish last in the NFL, but it’s going to take a lot at this point to avoid paying out extra millions for the first overall pick in the 2009 NFL draft.

Fan Support

This is one thing on the Lions Christmas list that they won’t get this year. There are a select few die hard fans who will not give up their support under any circumstance, but most fans are fed up with the current state of the Lions. The Lions have not won a playoff game in 17 years, have not been to the playoffs in 9 years, and have only 31 wins in 8 seasons including this year. A fan base will only support a losing team for a certain period. After countless disappointing seasons, draft picks, and coaches, how are there any poor Lions fans left?

Heart, Brains, & Courage

The poor Lions don’t have heart, brains, or courage. At this point I think the Lions want to click their heels together and go home for the year. As defensive player Sean Cody stated “we don’t know how to win”. You have got to want it. You play hard on every play, play smart, and never give up, that’s how you win. The Lions are in desperate need of a heart, brains, and courage before the end of the season.

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Fantasy Football Changes Needed; NFL Fantasy Format Updates

Read Fantasy Football Changes Needed; NFL Fantasy Format Updates by Michael Luchies here

Injuries, upsets, unpredictable games, suspensions, and fines all add to the excitement and unpredictability of fantasy football. It seems like fantasy football is getting more and more complicated every year. Many teams have had drastic changes to their starting lineups throughout the season. Among the players who have come out of nowhere this season include; Tim Hightower, Cedric Benson, the five running backs for the Broncos, Tyler Thigpen, Kolby Smith, Matt Cassel, Ryan Fitzpatrick etc. There is no possible way to predict some of these changes but there are other problems that fantasy football should address. Here are several issues with fantasy football and solutions to make the game more enjoyable;

Increased Running Back Positions Due to the 2+Back System; Over the last 10 years the emergence of the two back system has spread throughout the league. The Giants, Vikings, Lions, Raiders, Cardinals, Jets, Saints, Panthers, Jaguars, Falcons, Buccaneers, and several other teams all use multiple back systems. This is a trend that will not go away. NFL running backs have very short life spans in the NFL and teams are wising up to this fact. Splitting time between backs not only throws the defense off but also keeps both running backs fresh. Soon nearly all teams will have a viable 2nd string back that will get carries every game. This was not the case in the 90’s. Emmit Smith, Barry Sanders, and other all star backs never had a change of pace back that you could mention (besides decent fullbacks). There needs to be an extra running back spot to accommodate this new trend.

Short Term DL Spot:Many fantasy football owners are forced to drop an all-star player who is injured just so they can have a full team of starters for a week. Fantasy football needs a short term disabled list spot where when a player is “doubtful” or “out”, the player can be placed on the DL and another player can be picked up in their place for that week. The change would solve this problem and make many fantasy owners happier players.

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