http://hamptonroads.com/node/475310 Sports en-us Copyright 2009 PilotOnline.com / HamptonRoads.com. Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:50:20 -0500 A 9-4 NFL picking week last time for the blogger in this blog-space, highlighted by calling the Broncos' first loss in Baltimore, and then of course low-lighted by totally misreading the Giants-Eagles game that turned quickly into a fiasco for the stumbling G-Men. http://hamptonroads.com/2009/11/picks-are Fri, 06 Nov 2009 18:24:02 -0500 Close calls for the top of the NFL's top last weekend with New Orleans and Indianapolis holding on to their undefeated status through seven games. Proving again the typically fickle nature of the league where practically anybody can beat anybody, the only other top-10 team to win (three were off) was the Minnesota Vikings. http://hamptonroads.com/2009/11/powerful-saints-find-way Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:09:55 -0500 The Dallas Cowboys. Time to re-evaluate them, perhaps, here in Week 8. They looked really strong in taking out the Atlanta Falcons 37-21 last week, a pounding (unforeseen, I admit) that helped bring about a 9-4 picking week for this here blog-prognosticator. Still 70 percent (72-31), though, on the season. Seattle comes to The House That Jerry Built this Sunday. http://hamptonroads.com/2009/10/picks-halfway-point Fri, 30 Oct 2009 18:06:46 -0400 New Orleans. Indianapolis. They're the best the NFL has to offer as the league schedule hits the halfway point. Any debate -- i.e. Denver, New England, Minnesota, Pittsburgh? No, didn't think so. Next case . . . http://hamptonroads.com/2009/10/powerful-tussle-top-0 Tue, 27 Oct 2009 17:02:23 -0400 In his postgame comments to the media, Redskins coach Jim Zorn reported tight end Chris Cooley, who left Monday's 27-17 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles in the first quarter, had a broken ankle. "We're quite certain (the tibia) is fractured in some way. We'll make a better diagnosis tomorrow, but he will be out for a while now. http://hamptonroads.com/2009/10/postgame-another-long-night-fedex-field Tue, 27 Oct 2009 01:08:06 -0400 Sorry, but you watch enough dreary Washington Redskins games, it can dull you to the reality that there really is captivating pro football out there. That's probably why I enjoyed the Vikings-Steelers clash -- Steelers win 27-17, Vikings fall to 6-1 -- so much. http://hamptonroads.com/2009/10/heinz-field-fun-flaws-and-all Sun, 25 Oct 2009 20:35:53 -0400 The Vikings were moving in for at least the tying field goal. Their previous possession had ended in a 77-yard fumble return by Pittsburgh's LaMarr Woodley. But after Percy Harvin's 88-yard kickoff return, Minnesota got the ball back. It was at the Steelers' 19 with less than two minutes left. http://hamptonroads.com/2009/10/steelers-d-does-it-again-vikings-take-first-loss Sun, 25 Oct 2009 16:17:42 -0400 Percy Harvin just returned the second kickoff of his career for a touchdown -- an 88-yard sprint that brought the Minnesota Vikings to within 20-17 of the Steelers with 6:09 to play. http://hamptonroads.com/2009/10/harvin-goes-distance Sun, 25 Oct 2009 16:04:10 -0400 Percy Harvin just took a huge shot from Pittsburgh's safety Ryan Clark on an attempted reception deep down the field. Harvin has become a go-to guy for Brett Favre on third downs, and this was 3rd-and-10 from the Minnesota 24. Harvin took the shot on his left shoulder, which is already injured to a degree, and stayed on one knee on the field for 10 or 15 seconds before jogging off the field http://hamptonroads.com/2009/10/harvin-down-not-out Sun, 25 Oct 2009 15:26:20 -0400 Pittsburgh had the ball for barely four minutes in the second quarter, but the Steelers used the precious seconds well, particularly toward the end of the first half. In 75 seconds, Ben Roethlisberger took the Steelers 91 yards in  eight plays -- the last one being a 40-yard dart over the middle to rookie Mike Wallace. http://hamptonroads.com/2009/10/steelers-half Sun, 25 Oct 2009 14:34:28 -0400