NFL Week 13

TEN @ DET: TEN (DET is struggling so much, and just when it seems they might be able to start putting things together, more things fall apart. I don't think they'll have the ignominy of being the only team to go 0-16, but this won't be the game to reverse their fortunes. Collins is still doing very well, and if his receivers can catch the ball, TEN should be able to deliver on both the pass and the run. 27-12)

SEA @ DAL: DAL (Two quarterbacks back in action for the third game after injuries, and Romo looks pretty good, while Hasselback is still struggling. What with the passing game and a decent run defense, DAL should dominate. 33-21)

ARI @ PHI: ARI (Frankly, right now Philadelphia is probably going to be more hostile towards their home team than the other team. If McNabb isn't stellar, he is going fighting down the resounding chorus of boos. That kind of strips away the benefit of home field advantage. PHI seems to be crumbling, and at the moment, I don't see any reason to believe that the crumbling will stop. McNabb seems to be on his way out, and a big rebuilding process looms in the horizon. On the other hand, ARI--while coming off a loss--is a team that is all together and performing well. The only problem will a west team going east, which so far has spelled doom. We'll probably see a first half controlled moderately well by PHI, but ARI will probably come alive in the second half and win not just the game, but their division. 24-23)

SF @ BUF: BUF (Hopefully Edwards has rediscovered confidence, especially after a high-scoring thumping of KC. SF is doing all right, but they have a number of factors against them. Their season is essentially over, while BUF is still fighting for a playoff berth, and they are a west team coming east. While I think ARI will overcome that, I don't think SF will. 32-19)

BAL @ CIN: BAL (A top notch defense against the league's worst offense should at least keep this a low scoring game for CIN. Flacco is doing well, still, and I expect that he'll keep the race alive atop the AFC North. 24-9)

CAR @ GB: GB (It wasn't until the second-half, as NO started to open the divide between the two teams, that GB progressed from workman-like to forced to struggling. Against the league's highest powered offense, GB stood toe to toe until one mistake really turned the game against them. Both teams, though, have fluctuated with lopsided victories and losses. However, CAR in the last three games has lost big, and then played very close games, very sloppy games, against two of the league's worst teams. In GB's last three games, they lost big to NO, thumped CHI, and very nearly beat MIN. I think they have the edge this game. 30-27)

NYG @ WAS: NYG (NYG is steamrolling at the moment, and WAS has just started to get their feet back under them. However, they are at home, and this game is by far more important to them than to NYG. If WAS wins, then they'll have only split their games head-to-head, not devastating by any means, and NYG will maintain a 2 game lead in any case. Normally this would lead me to lean towards WAS, but NYG's defense is still playing strong. They won a high-scoring match against ARI, squashed BAL, and won a shoot-out against PHI. WAS has lost against DAL, lost against PHI, and only picked up a win against hapless SEA. It will take some serious effort on their part to win, and I don't think we'll see it. 24-20)

NO @ TB: TB (While NO is great at racking up the yards, they don't do well on the road. Moreover, TB has a top-rated pass defense, which means that Drew Brees might struggle. NO is predominantly a passing team, and it will be interesting to see if TB can truly ruin the passing game. Either way, it will be tough. If it comes down to a shootout, TB will still probably eek out a win, but it will probably be TB in the lead the whole time, though never comfortably. 27-24)

IND @ CLE: IND (Manning seems to be back in rhythm, while CLE has to go on without their star rookie QB, as Quinn has a broken finger. We'll probably see more of a running game, but IND should keep the game well in hand. 27-16)

MIA @ STL: MIA (MIA has been doing fairly well this season, though their record might make them seem slightly better than they are. But while STL has won a pair of interesting games, they've done nothing since, dropping five straight. In the past three games, they've averaged barely more than a touchdown a game. MIA should be able to run all over STL. 27-13)

ATL @ SD: ATL (I think that what we'll see is a game predominantly controlled by ATL's running game, assisted by a passing game that should do well against SD's last-place pass defense. While Rivers will probably be able to keep it close, ATL should be able to punch it home with their running duo. 31-21)

KC @ OAK: KC (While OAK managed to run up the score on DEN, KC has been more consistent in their play of late. They've managed to score points and play some good games in their recent losses. Even the blowout against BUF shouldn't be that demoralizing considering KC scored 31 points. KC should be able to move the ball against OAK and score. OAK, on the other hand, is struggling, even with their victory over DEN. In their four prior games, they barely managed to meet that total they scored against DEN. In this case, the more consistent play should win. 28-13)

PIT @ NE: PIT (This will be NE's first big challenge to their offense, and it is quite possible PIT will shut them down. Expect this one to be close. 20-17)

DEN @ NYJ: DEN (And only because I feel obligated to pick DEN. NYJ looks to have this well in hand, with a power offense that has taken on beaten down the league's last undefeated team. DEN looks sloppier and sloppier, though that in part is due to injuries. The hope will be that Cutler will be able to throw the ball sufficiently to keep the game a tight race, and that DEN will come through at the end with a last-second field goal. 34-31)

CHI @ MIN: MIN (In CHI's last four game, two have been losses, and the two wins were against teams that currently have two wins between them. When CHI and MIN last met, it was a 48-41 shootout, and it will probably seem that way at first. MIN will probably take control of the game late in the third and never look back. 30-21)

JAC @ HOU: HOU (HOU played it close last time, and for their record they're doing fairly well. JAC, on the other hand, is really struggling. Isn't about time that HOU didn't end up at the bottom of their division? Well, if they win this one, they'll have at least one week not there. 23-20)

Confidence: 10-6

Week 12: 13-3
Week 11: 13-3
Week 10: 11-3
Week 9: 8-6
Week 8: 8-6
Week 7: 6-8
Week 6: 8-6
Week 5: 9-5
Week 4: 7-6
Week 3: 12-4

NFL Week 12

CIN @ PIT: PIT 24-10

NE @ MIA: NE 33-20

PHI @ BAL: BAL 17-10

HOU @ CLE: CLE 28-24

SF @ DAL: DAL 34-26

NYJ @ TEN: NYJ 24-23

BUF @ KC: BUF 21-19

CHI @ STL: CHI 24-10

MIN @ JAC: MIN 28-27

TB @ DET: TB 21-9

OAK @ DEN: DEN 34-16

CAR @ ATL: ATL 31-25

WAS @ SEA: WAS 24-20

NYG @ ARI: NYG 21-17

IND @ SD: IND 30-22

GB @ NO: GB 34-30

Confidence: 11-5

Week 11: 13-3
Week 10: 11-3
Week 9: 8-6
Week 8: 8-6
Week 7: 6-8
Week 6: 8-6
Week 5: 9-5
Week 4: 7-6
Week 3: 12-4

American Catholic Doings

I have a new post up at the American Catholic, another Screwtape letter like this one, only addressed back to Wormwood, like C.S. Lewis' original work.

NFL Week 11

NYJ @ NE: NYJ (I just think that it is time. Favre has improved with NYJ continually, and they're capable of racking up the points. NE is still a a great team, but will be hard pressed. 30-21)

OAK @ MIA: MIA (OAK is terrible, and while MIA is only about average, they have everything they need to keep their winning streak alive. 20-9)

DET @ CAR: CAR (DET is still floundering, and a couple of weeks isn't quite enough to work a new quarterback into an offense. 28-17)

CHI @ GB: GB (This will probably be a tough struggle for both teams. I expect turnovers to make a large difference, and GB will sneak past with a fourth quarter field goal. 31-29)

NO @ KC: NO (KC did well against SD last week, but SD's offensive performance left much to be desired. Brees will probably throw for another 400+ yard game, but this time I think he'll find the endzone often enough to carry a win. 27-21)

BAL @ NYG: NYG (In the end, I think Manning will lead his team to victory, though Flacco will have played his heart out. 21-20)

PHI @ CIN: PHI (McNabb will probably lead his team to some big scoring. 28-17)

MIN @ TB: TB (I give this to the home team, but this will be a game to watch. 24-21)

HOU @ IND: IND (IND finally seems to have found traction, and HOU looks to have lost what they had. Still, this will probably be a close game. 24-18)

DEN @ ATL: DEN (Home team call on this one. If Cutler can cut back on throwing interceptions, he should be able to lead the Broncos to score. And I'm predicted that Ryan will be so surprised at how BAD the DEN defense is, that he'll fumble the ball. 31-27)

STL @ SF: SF (This is a great match up. Hopefully one team will emerge with third victory this season. I think SF is better prepared to do that, and has the home field advantage. 24-10)

ARI @ SEA: SEA (I'm picking this as my upset of the week. Hasselback looks to be coming back, and that could revitalize SEA. ARI was not exactly stellar on Monday, and now they're at SEA, which is notoriously hard to play in. 27-23)

TEN @ JAC: TEN (I don't think it is time just yet. JAC will probably struggle on the run, but keep up with TEN until the end. 16-13)

SD @ PIT: PIT (I think Big Ben will tear apart SD's secondary, and SD won't mount much on offense. 24-14)

DAL @ WAS: DAL (Romo's back, and PIT showed what it takes to crush WAS. I think the rivalry makes it a tough game, but DAL will avenge its home loss to WAS. 26-20)

CLE @ BUF: BUF (I just don't find CLE to be a convincing team. They were doing well against BAL, true, but their score against DEN isn't that surprising, given how terrible DEN's defense is. I think Quinn will make mistakes, Edwards will be a little more consistent, and BUF will pull out a close win. 22-20)

Confidence: 11-5

Week 10: 11-3
Week 9: 8-6
Week 8: 8-6
Week 7: 6-8
Week 6: 8-6
Week 5: 9-5
Week 4: 7-6
Week 3: 12-4

Atheists At It Again, This Time in DC

There's a new story today about atheists running ads saying "Why believe in a god? Just be good for goodness' sake." What is so disturbing about this is that it is attack against the religious, and their only justification is this:

Our reason for doing it during the holidays is there are an awful lot of agnostics, atheists and other types of non-theists who feel a little alone during the holidays because of its association with traditional religion.

This is beyond absurd. First, there's a spirit of Christmas that all can share. Second, these atheists who feel a little alone during the holidays, if they really do exist in any significant number, are whiners at best. They're the equivalent of the sulking child who didn't want to go to the party, and once there refuses to have fun. If they're feeling alone and left out, especially because of the religious traditions surrounding Christmas, that's because they're determined to be alone and left out, isolating themselves because they cannot be bothered to accept that most other people appreciate Christmas in one form or another.

This is as just as idiotic as becoming upset about someone wishing you "Merry Christmas" when you don't celebrate Christmas. The only reason to take offense at someone wishing you well at the holiday times is because of a chip on a shoulder and a grudge against religion.

American Catholic Doings

I have a new post at The American Catholic blog, talking about the benefits of a well-applied eighth commandment for the Republican Party. I know that the Democratic Party would benefit from it as well, but I'm more concerned with the party that at least claims to represent my views.

Good News in AIDS Research

It seems scientists have developed a new killer T cell that is much improved in tracking down the HIV virus, even in infected cells where HIV tends to hide quite nicely.

Yet there are some questions to ask. While I'm all for developing a vaccine or cure, I have to wonder. How much would this treatment cost? Hopefully not much, but we're talking about genetically engineering white blood cells. I would almost think that they would have to be taken from the patient to avoid the immune system from battling the augmented T cells themselves.

I ask about cost for one reason alone. We funnel billions of dollars annually into AIDS research, AIDS awareness programs, AIDS treatment, and so on. And yet, AIDS would practically vanish from the world in a generation if those who had AIDS stopped having sex. And not having sex is free. I know that is highly impractical, and that there are other ways to contract AIDS than from sex, even ones that don't involve drug use with needles. Yet still I wonder just how much money is spent every year because we humans believe that it is more important to enjoy momentary physical pleasure than to stop the spread of this lethal disease.

NFL Week 10

DEN @ CLE: DEN (Two struggling teams, but I think DEN's offense will be able to move the ball against CLE. I expect it will be a tough game for both teams, with lots of mistakes, and lots of blown defensive opportunities. 28-25)

NO @ ATL: NO (NO has had a rocky season thus far, but ATL is not as impressive as they may seem. They blew out OAK last weekend, but more impressive was NO's defeat of SD in London. Even with injuries, I think NO's high-powered offense will come through. 32-20)

TEN @ CHI: TEN (I think Grossman will have a difficult time moving the ball against TEN, but I think it will probably be another close one. 16-14)

JAC @ DET: DET (This is probably a mistake, but I think this is DET's chance to make their first (and possibly only) win this season. 24-23)

SEA @ MIA: MIA (I still don't think MIA is all that good, but SEA is doing pretty poorly, as well. IF MIA can slow down SEA's 31st-ranked offense, they should win handily. 21-10)

BUF @ NE: NE (I think BUF has the ability, but that homefield advantage will be the deciding factor. 21-19)

STL @ NYJ: NYJ (STL is having issues, and despite two wins after changing coaches, they're not on track to do much better than they started. Favre might make a few more mistakes this week, but I don't think that will be enough to turn the game around for STL. 24-14)

GB @ MIN: MIN (I don't have any good feel for this, so I'll take the team with a good rusher over the team with a poor run defense. 28-24)

BAL @ HOU: BAL (BAL seems to be chugging along strong, while HOU is struggling somewhat with injuries. 14-12)

CAR @ OAK: CAR (CAR should have this one handled. 27-13)

IND @ PIT: PIT (Even without Big Ben, PIT's defense may be more than Manning can handle. 21-18)

KC @ SD: SD (If SD loses this one, they're in a world of hurt, but I sincerely doubt KC stands much of a chance. 31-13)

NYG @ PHI: NYG (It will be a tough game, but NYG has the defense to shut down PHI (although that doesn't mean the defense will do so) and Manning is doing well this season. If he avoids throwing three picks like he did against CLE, this should be a NYG victory. 28-27)

SF @ ARI: ARI (ARI is doing well, SF is struggling and went down hard against a poor SEA team. 26-19)

Confidence: 9-5

Week 9: 8-6
Week 8: 8-6
Week 7: 6-8
Week 6: 8-6
Week 5: 9-5
Week 4: 7-6
Week 3: 12-4

Indoctrination.

You just have to catch them young and tame them, right?

Funny how when you do it, it is simply teaching the children the truth about life, the universe, and everything. When someone else does it, it is brainwashing.

It would be nice if there were some kind of objective standard to measure against, wouldn't it?

American Catholic Doings

I have a new post on American Catholic, an acerbic quiz showing how Obama fails on many Catholic social teachings, things that seem to keep cropping up whenever debating with people on the left.