NFL Championship Weekend

Well, I redeemed myself last weekend, going 4-0 in the Divisional Games. (5-3 for the playoffs). I shouldn't get a head of myself as it was chalk last week. Of course, in the NFL Fantasy Pick'um, they got my pick wrong. I only went 2-2 on the site. Maybe I clicked the wrong buttons or something. The week is a hard.

San Fransisco 49ers (5) at Seattle Seahawks (1)

I don't know. The momentum is with San Fransisco. They seem to be playing their best football of year. An in recent weeks the Seahawks offense has seem to sputter. This is as close a game as possible. I should pick San Fransisco, but I just can't seem to shake this felling Seattle is going to pull it out. Seattle goes to the Super Bowl, 17-14.

New England Patriots (2) at Denver Broncos (1)

Paper, paper, paper. I look at this game and say how can New England even be here! I said that all season long, but here we are. I have to go with my heart, New England. Honestly, I can see this game going anyway, but low scoring. I will not be surprised if Denver wins by 20 points. But I can see New England doing the same. I think it the game is going to hinge on the Patriots passing game. Yes, I said passing game. The way the Pats have been running the ball and injuries to the Bronco's defense, tell me that. If the Bronco's overplay the running game it will be vulnerable to the pass. New England 37-31.

PS Wes Welker will drop a third down and seven pass late in the game, forcing Denver to kick a FG when down by 9.

NFL Playoffs Divisional Round

OK, for those of you who are still there, I stunk up the house last weekend (1-3). However, I don't think I was in the minority. That Indianapolis comeback was something else. Philadelphia's defense was what it was advertised to be. Lastly, Cincinnati are what they are. They will never win anything with Marvin Lewis as coach. The team is to poorly coached.

Let's see if I can redeem myself.

New Orleans Saints (6) at Seattle Seahawks (1) (Saturday 4:35pm)

New Orleans surprised me last week. Drew Brees had an OK game, 20-30 250yds, 1 TD, 2 Picks. The surprising stat was the 185yds rushing. I don't think they will be able to do that against Seattle. I think New Orleans is going to be out matched. If Marshan Lynch has a big week New Orleans is in trouble. Seattle 27-14.

San Fransisco 49ers (5) at Carolina Panthers (2) (Sunday 1:05pm)

San Fransisco won last week, but the game was closer than I thought it would be. Did the cold affect San Fransisco more than thought or was Green Bay better. Who knows? Carolina has much better defense than Green Bay. I don't think Kaepernick will be able to run like he did last week. Carolina won 10-9 during the year, but SF didn't have Crabtree or Davis for the game. How much of a difference? SF 17-10.

San Diego Chargers (6) at Denver Broncos (1) (Sunday 4:35pm)

I don't even know how San Diego got here. But they now have two of the most dangerous elements in playoffs, Confidence & Nothing to Lose. They are playing with house money. They've beaten the Broncos already in Denver. I won't call this one a toss up. I want San Diego to win. My feeling is if you are playing a team for the 3^rd time, edge goes to the better team, and the Broncos are the better team. It will take a Payton Manning playoff choke job for the Chargers to win. Denver 38-21.

Indianapolis Colts (4) at New England Patriots (2) (Saturday 8:35pm)

What the Colts and Luck did last week was amazing. Even though Chiefs' player were dropping like flies come back from 28 points down is historic. It is going to rainy and windy in Foxboro, but Luck has decent number in “bad” weather. As Patriots fan, I can't see how New England is 12-4. Here we say “In Bill we trust!” If Brady doesn't get flustered by Mathis and the Colts defense, I think New England gets a pretty easy win. I'm not sure they do that. NE 21-17.

NFL Wild Card Weekend

Earlier I posted my NFL playoff preview, ranking the teams in each conference. That does not mean the two #1 teams (Seattle & Denver) will meet in the Super Bowl. Right now, I would give no team more than a 20% chance of winning it all. Match-ups mean a lot in the playoffs. So here are my picks for the four wild card games this weekend.

(5) Kansas City Chiefs at (4) Indianapolis Colts (Saturday 4:35pm)

The more I look at this game, the more confused I get. All the signs point to Indy. They have already beaten the Chiefs (23-7 in KC). They come in on 3 game winning streak. KC faltered down the stretch. But something keeps nagging at me. The Chiefs will welcome Pro Bowl linebacker Justin Houston back and if Tamba Hali can join him, could they harass Andrew Luck into a few mistakes? Offensively, I love Jamal Charles, but I think the key will be WR Dexter McCluster. I think he is a bit underrated and could be overlooked. Going against conventional wisdom, I am going to pick Kansas City, 27-23.

(6) New Orleans Saints at (3) Philadelphia Eagles (Saturday 8:10pm)

As I said in my preview, if the Saints were at home, they would a big favorite. On the road (18ppg, 3-5 they year, 0-5 in playoffs) and in cold weather (high 20's), I do not like them at all. Can they win? Yes. Sean Payton & Drew Bress are 2^nd best coach/QB combo in the league. The Eagles secondary is one of the worst and New Orleans defense is one the best. The key will be how Chip Kelly & Nick Foles handle their first playoff experience. If Philadelphia doesn't turn the ball over it will be an easy win, 34-17.

(6) San Diego Chargers at (3) Cincinnati Bengals (Sunday 1:00pm)

Let me say just one thing, If Cincinnati loses this game, Marvin Lewis should be fired on the spot! While San Diego is a scrappy team, they do not belong in the playoffs. If it weren't for choke jobs by Baltimore & Miami, they wouldn't be. Cincinnati has the best all around talent in the AFC. I have feeling this will be on of those games where San Diego may score a fluke or late TD to make it look respectable. Cincinnati, 28-23.

(5) San Fransisco 49ers vs (4) Green Bay Packers (Sunday 4:35pm)

The Packers are bit like the San Diego Chargers, they got real lucky to make the playoffs. But even with Aaron Rodgers playing, I give GB only slim chance. San Fransisco is right up there with Seattle as the best team in NFL. I think Kaepernick, Gore, Davis & Boldin will eat up Green Bay's D. I can understand why fans in Green Bay don't want go to the game. The weather will keep this game from being a blood bath, SF 23-10.

2013 NFL Playoffs

You know, when I hear the talking heads on TV or the radio, it drives me crazy. I always think my opinion is as good as their's. I know it is their job, and they have access to better information than I do, but that doesn't stop me. So, what does that mean, nothing.

That said here are my views on the NFL Playoffs.

The AFC: This conference is wide open because there are no good teams. What I mean is all the teams have flaws. So more pronounced than other. Some in ways you can't see on stats sheets.

1.  Denver Broncos – They are the favorites, and should be. The defense is suspect, 19th in yards per game at 356 and 22nd in points per game at 24.9 (just behind Tampa Bay and ahead of Cleveland). With the injury to Von Miller, it could be disastrous. The saving grace, the offense. It is simply the best in NFL, bar none. The thing that will hurt them is the weather. No just the cold or rain, but the wind. If they get into bad weather game with wind, they are in trouble. Payton Manning is just not a good bad weather quarter back. He goes from great to just very good. I am not predicting that the Bronco will reach the Super Bowl, I am just saying they are the favorites to reach the Super Bowl.
2. Cincinnati Bengals – The Bengals are, talent wise, the best team in the AFC. You don't always win with talent (See Detroit Lions). If things fall right for this team, watch out. The offense averages 26.9 ppg (T6th) and defenses gives up only 19.1 ppg (T5th) (both with KC, but more on them later). Andy Dalton is a better than average QB ( about 15 or 16 if you take out some of the backups). Ben Jarvis Green-Ellis and Giovanni Bernard at RB. WRs, Marvin Jones, Mohamed Sanu and the great AJ Green. The offense is as explosive as any. The defense is lead by LBs Vontaze Burfit and Ray Maualuga. This team could win it all. One big problem, Marvin Lewis. I don't think he has it. The team doesn't appear ready to win. Let me give you a scenario. Week 17 vs the Ravens, not a good team right now, but they know how to win. Cincinnati leading 27-17 in the 4th quarter, 1st and goal on the 1, Dalton throws an awful pass that gets intercepted, easily. A TD would have ended the game right there. Then Burfit get a roughing the passer penalty, followed by an unsportsmanlike penalty on Adam Jones. Baltimore goes from the 20 to the 50 with out doing in anything. But the defense holds, forcing a 4th and 10. Flaco heaves up pray, which is intercepted at the 16 by Dre Kirkpatrick. IT WAS 4TH DOWN. If he just knocks it down, they have ball at the 50! They may survive that vs Baltimore, but against Denver, New England, Seattle or San Fransisco, I doubt it.
3. New England Patriots – I admit, I am a Patriots fan. New England has lots of flaws. On offense, no outside threats, they are shaky in the Red Zone, and O-line is getting banged up. Because of this, they were on 3rd in the NFL in scoring (1pt behind #2). On defense, no Vince Wilfork, no Jerod Mayo. New England gives up 1st downs on 42.24% of 3rd downs (26th in NFL). So, they only rank 10th in ppg given up (21.1). What the Bengals aren't, the Patriots are. They just don't make stupid mistakes. Oh, and they have a quarterback named Tom Brady.
4. Indianapolis Colts - They are threat if they can play their best. Andrew Luck will be in a Super Bowl someday, just not this year. With out Reggie Wayne, they just don't have enough. Playing at home vs the Chiefs in the 1st round. So they should get win at home.
5. Kansas City Chiefs – See Cincinnati. The problem being, they are not as talented. Kansas City played a weak schedule that helped them. If they can keep Jamal Charles going, they have a puncher's chance. Andy Reid helped this team gel. I just don't think they have enough for the playoffs. Against teams with winning records, 1-4. I took out the loss to SD in week 17 and didn't include the win vs Dallas (8-8). The one win was an early season win vs Philadelphia. The losses, 1 vs SD and 2 vs Broncos and a drubbing vs Indianapolis (their 1st round opponent). Let's see what they can do next year.
6. San Diego Chargers – All I need to say is they needed OT at home to beat a depleted Kansas City team. Wait til next year, or the year after that, maybe 2016..

The NFC: This conference is wide open because there are so many good teams. The NFC is stacked this year. There are 3 teams I would rank above Denver: Seattle, San Fransisco and Carolina. New Orleans at home would get the nod, too. (You may notice something about this list)

1. Seattle Seahawks – All around a great team. Tied for 8th in scoring in NFL. Russell Wilson has that "IT" factor. Other than Wilson and Marshawn Lynch, nobody on the offense stands out. However, the defense ranks 1st, giving up only 14.4 ppg. Everybody looks at Legion of Boom and Seattle's #1 pass defense, but rushing defense only gives up 101.6 ypg (T6th in NFL). All the games are home, with that insane crowd. The Seahawks will be hard to beat, but not impossible.
2. San Fransisco 49ers - Again a all around solid team. Ranked 11th in offense in the NFL. Colin Kapernick is a solid quarterback, he won't lose the game (like Joe Flaco in that regard). But I would want to bet my house on him. The defense, on the other hand, is strong (3rd in the NFL). Other than Patrick Willis, can you name another defensive player on the team. The big advantage is coaching, Jim Harbaugh, IMO, is the best coach in the NFC. (and, yes, I did originally write John:) And, they are playing their best football right now. I only give the slight edge to Seattle because they are at home and SF is a wild card team.
3. Carolina Panthers – They have had a great season. I think Cam Newton is coming into his own this year. He is playing like a NFL quarterback. And their defense (Number 2 in NFL) is playing lights out. This year is the 1st step for something big for this team. With the #2 seed in the NFC, I can see them playing for NFC Championship. But, I still think they are 2 years away. They benefited from playing a weaker schedule this year, but not by much.
4. Philadelphia Eagles – What can you say about this team? They are as likely to win but 20 points as loss by 20. Defensively they are average. Going up against a high powered offense will be a problem. Luckily, it will be New Orleans at home. The offense is hitting on all cylinders right now. Can you believe that Nick Folds is highest rated QB in the NFL? (I would have loved to see those odds in Vegas before the season started.) With LeSean McCoy, the NFL leading rusher, and DeSean Jackson, I think I could have the highest passer ranking in the NFL. I read a quote from Chip Kelly earlier this year saying he didn't force they players into his system, but he built his system around his players. If Philly can improve it defense, watch out, but they don't have enough this year.
5. Green Bay Packers – Arron Rodgers. When healthy, the best QB in the NFL! Realistically, I was surprised they even made the playoffs. They just don't have players around Rodgers to compete in the NFC (put them in AFC). I think they will lose at home to SF.
6. New Orleans Saints – At home, they would be one of the best teams in NFL. On the road, not so much. I can't believe such a Jeckel & Hyde team. Though, the wild card game against Philadelphia should be something to see. If it is a nice day, maybe. Other wise, a 1st round loss.

Well, those are my thoughts on NFL Playoff. As always, the NFL is crazy league, could NO or SD reach the Super Bowl, yes. I just don't think so. I will post my picks later in the week. Let me know what you think.

The Secrete Life of Ice

Cool Video from the Science Friday web site.

The Secrete Life of Ice

David Big Adventure - Steampunk Guns

Well, it certainly was a time of it!

David had adventure getting here. David & I had day game of phone tag. He would call me, I would call him. At one point, I had phone off for the Radio session. As I got out, I notice Dave had called not two minutes before. Luckily, I caught him before he turned off his phone. Dave had spent the day with James and some other friends and planing on meeting me at the hotel at 10:30. His plan was to take the MARTA in and walk to the hotel. Of course, he ran late. When he did into the city, he pointed in the wrong direction in not the section of town. Finally, he called to say he was close, but need a police officer's help with directions. Yes, another wrong turn. At this point, I headed out to meet him. Luckily, I knew enough to stay on the same street of the hotel. I was able meet up with him at the Capitol Building. We got back to hotel at about 12:30 am.

I am glad that, at the last minute, I decided to take my laptop ith me. While it still isn't 100%, it's OK for this. One bad thing, I don't have any programs to do any basic editing of the photos I load. So the ones I posted are in the raw form. As an example, here is the photo of the Steampunk mini-squirt gun I bought. I suppose I could have work it more on the photo end, but you don't get that chance in the wild.

The background is that Cosplay for a Cause calendar I bought. I thought that worked out nicely, composition wise.

Dragon*Con Friday!

What a day! AND I left the con early.

I decided that I didn't want to wait in any long lines, so that means many of the popular sessions were out of the question. 

Started out with the Gerry Anderson:UFO panel. Real good recap of the show, learned some tidbits of how the show was produced. It's link to Space:1999. I of course, put two cents in. Honestly, I don't what it is with stuff like this, I can't keep my options to my self. And best of all, plans for UFO: The Movie. The only thing holding it up is financing, so it may be a while. The had a link up up the producer/director Matt Gratzner. The cool thing is most of SFX will be with models and not CGI. The is a head a model studio after all. Still looking forward to this.

Woman dressed as Moon Base Tech.

Ironically, she wasn't at panel.

Next up was Whedonverse 101 - Which was full by the time I got there. So I ended up with my forth choice. Stargate Universe - Year in Review. The True Blood panel had huge line, and Macross panel was 3 hotels away. The Stargate was pretty good for canceled and not well liked series. Lots of debate on what went wrong with series. Ditto with my input on this panel as well.

Wraith - from Stargate Atlantis, not Universe, but beggars can't choosers.

Took a bit of break from here to check out the dealer rooms. Really, not much for me. I bought a small Steampunk gun, a couple of PS 238 Trade Paperback and that was it. Most of the ray guns were either Steampunk or movie prop. I was hoping for something more 50's sci-fi.

At 4:00, I hit the Film Festival Track, Animation show. One film from RISD {Playing for Keeps}, which I hated! There was two I really like. One was history of boxer, John L. Sullivan {Gilded Age Gladiator} and one about the Collyer brothers {Junk Palace}. The others were OK.

Then at 5:30, I by passed trying to get to Buffy: Season 9 for, yes, Taxes for Artist. While it focused mostly on Federal Taxes, I tired, and think succeed in pointing out areas of concern on the state level. I wanted to talk to the host, but didn't want to miss the next session. This one one I would have stayed in line for.

The Atlanta Radio Theater Company.

I really like the idea of Radio Theater. Old time radio is cool, but old. I have always wanted to see it done with up to date themes. Of course, this was a comedy show, so the did a 40's Sci-Fi spoof (set way in the future 1985!), a talk show spoof, a hard boiled detective and a Steampunk Sherlock Holmes. They did not disappoint! Excellent Show!

After the show I decide to call it quits as I am meeting David at 10:30.

One other item I did buy was Cosplay for a Cause 2012 Calendar. Cosplay is basically women dressing up as Japanese Animation characters. All the proceeds go to Japan Relief efforts. And that is the only reason I got it.

Here are some other photos: