Gridiron Gab Pick ‘Em Contest – Games and News

Re-Launch of the First Annual Gridiron Gab Pick ‘Em Contest

Due to a few “glitches” last week, the contest was delayed, but the contest will finally get underway this Sunday. I’ve emailed those who initially signed-up, but registration is still open and will remain open until 12:55 PM EST on Sunday.

Instead of doing all the number crunching and record keeping myself, we’ve teamed with Ryan Parr at fantazzle.com to give contestants the smoothest experience possible.

Signing-up is easy, here’s how.

To play, click or copy this link into a browser window – http://www.fantazzle.com/fantasy-games/private.php?2011gabpickem

DO NOT CLICK the Create Account link at the top of the page. Instead click the game link PLAY! From there a box will appear where you can choose to create an account. Once created, you will then be taken to the game where you can make your selections. You can modify or see your selections at any time by going to your Account page –> Games.

If you ever get lost or need to find the game, just use this link – http://www.fantazzle.com/fantasy-games/private.php?2011gabpickem

It is a private game so that is the only way you will be able to come across the game to play.

Remember, a prize will be given at the end of the contest, which will conclude Week 17 after the contests’ playoff schedule. You can read more about the contest HERE.

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*Game of the Week* (10 Points)

Houston Texans (2-0) at New Orleans Saints (1-1)

When: 1:00 PM EST, September 25, 2011

Where: Louisiana Superdome (Stadium Info)

Why:

The Texans and Saints are the Game of the Week for a couple reasons.

For one, the Texans are looking to finally make the postseason for the first time since the franchise joined the NFL in 2002. Houston has showed promise over the last few seasons, but have fallen short of playoff expectations. The Saints will be the first team Houston has faced with a win (Colts, Dolphins) and have been a yearly playoff contender. A win on the road against the Saints, may just prove that the Texans are for real.

The Saints, on the other hand, are trying to prove that they’re still a force to be reckoned with to reach the Super Bowl for the second time in three years. After a week one loss to the Packers, New Orleans took care of business at home against the Bears. With Drew Brees at QB, the Texans’ secondary will certainly be tested early and often. A win against a legitimate playoff contender might just spark yet another superb season for the Saints.

Make sure you check out team stats and series information, found HERE.

The Rest of The Games (5 Points)

New England Patriots (2-0) at Buffalo Bills (2-0) – 1:00 PM EST

– The Bills are certainly a surprise team in the NFL this year. Defeating the Chiefs in week one is nothing to brag about, and neither is beating the Raiders – even if it was in Oakland. It’s the way the Bills are winning that has people around the NFL taking notice to what’s going on in Buffalo. Who would’ve thought the Bills would be a dominate football team?

Meanwhile, the Patriots are…well…the Patriots. Tom Brady is having another MVP-like performance, and the Pats are clicking on all cylinders on offense. The Defense, however, is mediocre at best. Giving-up 416 yards to Dolphins QB, Chad Henne, was followed-up in week two by allowing the Chargers’, Phillip Rivers, to pass for 378 yards through the air.

Bills QB, Ryan Fitzpatrick, has tossed for 472 yards and a mind-boggling 7 touchdowns with just 1 INT. This should be a wild game, with a ton of points scored. While a loss to Buffalo won’t be considered a set-back for the Pats, a win for Buffalo will put the team at 3-0 on the season and give the Bills a ton of momentum for the rest of the season.

Detroit Lions (2-0) at Minnesota Vikings (0-2) – 1:00 PM EST

– Like the Bills, the Lions are 2-0. For the past few seasons, fans and players around the NFL have tagged the Lions as a potential playoff contender. While they’ve fallen short of the playoffs, Detroit has certainly improved steadily over the years, and are far-and-away better than the Lions team that went 0-16 not all that long ago. The Vikings have somewhat struggled in their first two games, but beating a divisional rival to go 3-0 on the season would be huge for Detroit.

For the Vikings, a win would be the first of the season. When the team went out and picked-up Donovan McNabb to lead their offense, it was assumed that they would then be a legitimate playoff contender. So far, though, the Vikings are 0-2 on the season because of their defense, not the offense. In game one against the Chargers, the Vikings had a 10 point halftime lead. In game two, the defense allowed the Buccaneers to come back from 17 points down to win.

The Lions are looking to continue their dominance on the young NFL season, while the Vikings are looking for a win to turn their season around. Both teams, regardless of this games’ outcome, will have to battle the defending NFC North Champion Green Bay Packers, for rights to the division title, but a win in this game for either team will certainly be huge moving forward.

Green Bay Packers (2-0) at Chicago Bears (1-1) – 4:15 PM EST

– Until defeated, the Packers are the team to beat – and the favorites – to win the NFC and reach the Super Bowl. Aaron Rodgers has done a supreme job replacing Brett Favre, and his weapons on offense may very well be the best in the NFL. The Packers rank last in the NFL in terms of passing yards allowed (400), but that’s mainly because Cam Newton played out of his mind in week one. Suring up the defense is a must for Green Bay, and the Bears are a good team to face to rebound on defense.

After destroying the Atlanta Falcons in week one, the Bears were man-handled in New Orleans. Inconsistency in the NFL won’t get you anything except a Top 5 NFL Draft Pick each year. The Bears have a tough task ahead of them on Sunday, but their one win on the season did come at home. Kyle Orton is trying to answer his critics after last year’s no-show in the NFC Championship Game. When Matt Forte is your team’s leading receiver as a tailback, there’s clearly work that needs to be done. Where’s Roy Williams?

The Packers should win this game, but the Bears playing at home will give Chicago a slight advantage. The NFC North has suddenly become quite crowded with the emergence of the Detroit Lions, so every game is critical from here on out. Green Bay is looking to continue their dominance in the NFL, while the Bears are trying to find themselves. A loss won’t hurt the Packers, but it will all but ensure that the Bears are sitting at home after Week 17.

Washington Redskins (2-0) at Dallas Cowboys (1-1) – 8:30 PM EST

– The Redskins are the third surprise team among this week’s picks. In week one, the team handled their divisional rival, New York Giants, and almost let one sleep away against the Cardinals in week two. Nonetheless, they sit at 2-0 and atop of the always drama-filled, NFC East. QB Rex Grossman is playing extremely well, as is newly acquired RB, Tim Hightower.

The Cowboys almost let another win fall by the wayside in week two, barely beating the ‘49ers, 27-24 in OT. The team played well enough to win in week one against the Jets, but a costly INT by Tony Romo sealed the team’s fate. Romo was hurt last week against the ‘49ers, but came back into the game to lead his team to victory. His injury could be the deciding factor in this game. With him, they have a chance. Without him, not so much.

Washington is looking to back-up Grossman’s “guarantee”, and beating the Cowboys – in Dallas at that – could be just what the Redskins need to do so. The Cowboys have more drama than an afternoon soap opera, but have all the talent to be successful and make the playoffs. Starting the season 1-2 could really hamper the Cowboys’ chances of making the playoffs. Starting 3-0 will allow the Redskins to continue to build confidence for the season, which could spell trouble for the rest of the opponents on their schedule.