NFL 2011 Week 4 Picks

Last week I was 10-6.  I did pretty decent with my Rob Gronkowski pick, was right that a WR for the Ravens would be a fantasy stud but picked the wrong one, totally blew it on the Josh Morgan sleeper pick and Philip Rivers didn’t show up for KC as he should have.  We’ll see how things go this week, hopefully I’m wrong on the Browns again…

Who Cares?

Chicago 31 over Carolina 16
Minnesota 38 over Kansas City 13
St. Louis 17 over Washington 16
New York Giants 24 over Arizona 21
Tampa Bay 34 over Indianapolis 16

Upset Special:

Cincinnati 38 over Buffalo 35
Denver 21 over Green Bay 18

No Brainers:

New Orleans 35 over Jacksonville 9
Philadelphia 31 over San Francisco 14
Atlanta 27 over Seattle 17
San Diego 27 over Miami 13

Tough Calls:

Detroit 31 over Dallas 27
Pukesburgh 24 over Houston 23
New England 41 over Oakland 34
New York Jets 17 over Baltimore 14

THE BROWNS:

Tennessee 29 over Cleveland 13

Week 3 Fantasy Studs: (Top Scorers in each position)
QB: Tom Brady (NE)
RB: Adrian Peterson (Min)
WR: DeSean Jackson (Phil)
TE: Jermaine Gresham (Cin)
D/ST: New Orleans Saints
SLEEPER: Dezmon Briscoe (TB)

Michael Vick, Dogs, and the Imago Dei

This is ridiculous on a few levels:

First, it’s ridiculous because it is a huge misunderstanding of grace.  Carlson says I believe fervently in second chances…BUT…Vick killed a dog.  There are no second chances for that.  But grace isn’t about the magnitude of the sin—as if God can forgive murder so long as it’s not that of a child.

The truth of the matter is that being a Christian isn’t about second chances.  Being a Christian is about being a new creation.  It’s not a second, third, or 7.4 millioneth chance. 

Secondly, it’s ridiculous because it totally misunderstands the imago Dei.  This goes against the grain of our society, but humans are actually more important than animals.  That’s not to say that we have a free pass to abuse animals—it’s actually quite the opposite.  Our unique status as co-regents with the King of the universe means that we should actively care for creation—not kill it. 

But let’s say that somebody blows his stewardship of creation.  Like Michael Vick.  Rather than caring for creation (cute little puppies) he decides to make a quick buck, have a little “fun”, and engage in dog fighting.  Yep, that’s wrong.  But you don’t shed the blood of a MAN because he shed the blood of a DOG. 

One is created in the image of God, the other is not. 

The last ridiculous thing about this is that I’m prone to having a Tucker Carlson response to sin.  The sin of others and the sin in my own heart.  I can be tempted to treat certain sins as less forgivable.  My unpardonable sin isn’t dog murder—but there are some things that I have a hard time forgiving.  Even things in my own life that I have a hard time receiving grace for. 

I can also forget that our identity, no matter how much we mar it, is still wrapped up in the imago Dei.  No matter how far of a downward spiral, no matter how pale it becomes, people are still people that are unique and made in the image of God.  The fundamental thing about my identity is not a particular sin—it’s that I’m made in the image of God.  And for those of us that are believers we are being renewed (restored) day by day into the image of God. 

That’s why what Tucker Carlson says here is ridiculous.

Fantasy Football

Football season is upon us.  That means that fantasy football season is also here.  Since, I am a Browns fan I typically am relegated to following my fantasy teams after about week 2.  If you love Fantasy Football I have two opportunities for you to join a fun league. 

The first league will be the Borrowed Light League.  I hope to have 20 teams that sign up for this.  If you are interested just leave a comment with access to an email and I will send you a link.

The second league will be the FB Jasper League.  If you come to FB Jasper or even if you do not you can join this league by also leaving a comment with access to an email. 

You can sign up for both leagues, but slots are filling up fast so be certain to respond quickly.  If you only want an invite to one of the leagues be certain to put which league you desire to join.

How Long Until Drew Brees is Sidelined?

Since 2001 those on the cover of Madden games have been under a curse. 

• 2001 Eddie George—horrible season, never returned to his Super Bowl form
• 2002 Daunte Culpepper—horrible season, blows out both knees never the same
• 2003 Marshall Faulk—injured ankle, Faulk never again rushed for over 1,000 yards
• 2004 Michael Vick—fractured fibula one day after release, then that whole dog thing
• 2005 Ray Lewis—poor season, injured the next, but returned to form
• 2006 Donovan McNabb—injury plagued season w/sports hernia, missed final 7 games
• 2007 Shaun Alexander—broke his foot, never the same
• 2008 Vince Young—first time in his career injured, spiraled out of control
• 2009 Brett Favre—continues to retire and unretire (chalk it up to brain contusions)
• 2010 Troy Polamalu/Larry Fitzgerald—Fitzgerald may have broken the curse, but Polamalu missed most of the season with injury

This leads us to our original question.  How long until the jinx strikes Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees?  My prediction he breaks his coccyx in week 7 against the Browns. 

A Potential Reason to Get Fired as a Coach

No...I have no clue why Lane Kiffin got fired.

2008 NFL Schedule Released

The 2008 NFL Schedule was released a few minutes ago. The Browns have a very tough schedule this year, playing against their own division, the AFC South and the NFC East. That means Colts, Jags, Titans, Cowboys, Eagles, Skins, Giants. The Brownies have 3 Monday Night games, 1 Thursday night, and 1 Sunday Night. I am excited about that, but a little disappointed in all of the 3:00 starts. Here is the complete Browns schedule:

Sept 7 Dallas @ Cleveland 3:15
Sept 14 Pittsburgh @ Cleveland 7:15
Sept 21 Cleveland @ Baltimore 3:15
Sept 28 Cleveland @ Cincinnati Noon
Oct 5 Bye Week
Oct 13 NY Giants @ Cleveland 7:30
Oct 19 Cleveland @ Washington 3:15
Oct 26 Cleveland @ Jacksonville 3:05
Nov 2 Baltimore @ Cleveland Noon
Nov 6 Denver @ Cleveland 7:15
Nov 17 Cleveland @ Buffalo 7:30
Nov 23 Houston @ Cleveland Noon
Nov 30 Indianappolis @ Cleveland Noon
Dec 7 Cleveland @ Tennessee Noon
Dec 15 Cleveland @ Philadelphia 7:30
Dec 21 Cincinnati @ Cleveland Noon
Dec 28 Cleveland @ Pittsburgh Noon

I will optimistically give the Browns 9 wins. I am predicting beating Baltimore, Cincy, and Pittsburgh at least once. Houston, Buffalo, and Denver. Probably split with the NFC East, beating Washington and the Giants. And beating either Jacksonville, Indy, or Tennessee. Tennessee might be weaker this year, and they always play Jacksonville well. It is possible that they could sweep both Baltimore and Cincy. A twelve win season is not out of the realm of possibility. But as all Browns fans neither is a five win season. Go Brownies!