Wrong number perhaps ?

By Hamish Girvan

The Issue of Hazing

The big story in the NFL over the last week is the off the field incidents regarding accusals of bullying within the Miami Dolphins locker room. The Richie Igcognito versus Jonathan Martin story has divided both players and fans, with further implications to raise their head, and obviously money to be made by both parties in exclusive “he said she said “interviews. If someone sends a text saying “I will murder your whole f’ing family” is it bullying or just harmless fun?

Winners just for one day

The weekends round provided upset wins for teams that are struggling. It started last Friday with the Minnesota Vikings getting win number two over the Washington Redskins, the winless Jacksonville Jaguars breaking their duck winning at Tennessee, and the New York Giants winning their third in a row (after losing their first six) giving them a shot in the NFC East divisional title race. The term “On any given Sunday” still applies.

October is for pretenders, November is for contenders

Teams that hit their straps in the lead up to the holidays usually make a deep run into the playoffs. Teams in this category include both the Carolina Panthers and the Detroit Lions. The Panthers are starting to look like the real deal they boasted about last year before a season to forget. Five wins in a row shows great form and they will need to keep this going as the Saints look unstoppable in their division. The Lions are a taking advantage of a division whereby quarterbacks in opposing teams are falling like flies. Green Bay usually a home banker have lost their last two at their home ground – main reason – Quarterback Aaron Rogers, one of the NFLs best, was out for another game and his back up Seneca Wallace was out after one play. Third string quarterbacks rarely step in and win. Other Divisional rival the Chicago Bears are also struggling with an injured Jay Cutler trying to play through an injury. Watch these two teams over the next month.

Early picks

San Diego Chargers over Miami Dolphins – See above for Dolphin distractions

Denver Broncos over the Kansas City Chiefs – Denver at home should be too much for the unbeaten Chiefs

Indianapolis Colts over Tennessee Titans – Titans will feel the pain of a wounded Colts after a loss last week in this divisional game.

New Orleans Saints over San Francisco 49ers – 49ers Quarterback Colin Kaepernick loses again in New Orleans after his last trip there in the Superbowl.

Carolina Panthers over New England Patriots – The Panthers to carry on with their winning streak at home

Baltimore Ravens over Chicago Bears – the Ravens to tough it out against a team that has Quarterback injuries.

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