Ten & Six With Mike Otto: Week 11 (Thursday Bonus!)

Tennesseein' is Tennebelievin'...

Well hello again, football fans!  It's Thursday and that means it's time for Ten & Six's Week 11 kickoff!

It's been a week since the Vikings beat Washington on Thursday night football, the Packers lost, Jay Cutler's hurt, the Lions are still in Detroit... Good time to be a Vikings fan (especially if you don't put to much stock into things like "overall record" or "quarterback ratings").  Week 11's upon us and we're kicking it off with Andrew Luck & the Colts heading to Tennessee to face the Titans.

Mikey, who takes the W tonight?

Indianapolis (6-3) at Tennessee (4-5)

Andrew Luck had a terrible game last week and his team only put up 8 points as a result. It is very apparent the Colts will go as Luck goes. The young quarterback still has some streaky to him, which is not totally unexpected but a little troubling regardless. Luck always follows a bad game up with a bounce back, all-pro performance.

This does not bode well for the Titans who, surprise, (EARTH SHATTERING REVELATION COMING) lost The Jake Locker to a season ending Lisfranc injury. I've been following football my whole life and all I know about a fucking Lisfranc is its in our feet, and if you hurt it, you're fucked. If The Jake (Hurt) Locker ever gets over the injury bug (and that's a big "if") he might actually have a shot at being the best Titans QB since the late great Air McNair. Word of advice to Jake, don't piss off your girlfriend/estranged wife, and if you do, never fall asleep around her. Colts win easy 26-13.

Final Score

Indianapolis: 26
Tennessee: 13 

There you have it, football fans!  The Colts get back on track and Jake Locker should be careful what he wishes for!

Be sure to check back here at Newest Industry on Saturday for Mikey's breakdown of last week's victory, this week's terrifying showdown against Percy & the Seahawks, and the rest of his league picks!

 

 

For more Mike Otto be sure to give him a follow on Twitter (@SwervinTaters).  He can also be found right here on Newest Industry contributing to our Trendsetting column.

 

For more Newest Industry be sure to give us a follow on Twitter (@NewestIndustry1) to stay up on the work being done by all of our contributors.  More importantly, we have a Facebook page here.  Trivial as it seems, stopping by and giving us a "Like" is a free & legitimate way to support the blog.

 

Ten & Six With Mike Otto: Week 11 - Picks!

Just another player in your game or two... You may hate me but it ain't no lie...

Hello again, football fans! Welcome to Ten & Six With Mike Otto: Week 11!

Yes, YOUR Minnesota Vikings are on the bye this week, but that doesn't mean our NFL coverage stops (and, evidently, neither do the Vikings cheerleaders).

As you can see, Mr. Otto is still thinking thoughts about the NFL and we here at Newest Industry feel like we would be selling you short if we didn't give them to you. I mean, really, what else are you going to do on a Saturday night? Go out to the bar? See a movie? Call up your girlfriends? Get all sexy to go out with your girlfriends? Drink gin & tonics and look sexy with your girlfriends? We know you're sitting at home refreshing the computer, waiting and hoping for the moment Mike's knowledge bombs arrive, spraying knowledge shrapnel all over your iPad.

At least, that's what we assume you're doing. Say “hi” to your girlfriends for us. We're around.

Mikes record (including Thursday's game) is 98-65-1.

Anyway, let's get to the games. Michael, thoughts on Week 11?

Interesting week in the NFL! My picks went 9-4-1 and Christian Ponder had a bounce-back performance as I predicted.

Being that it is the Vikings bye week, I am going to wait to fully recap the dominant performance against the Lions until next week. Hell, I deserve a break too.

Now, let's all just cross our fingers and hope nobody gets arrested over the next week (including me).

On to the picks!

Green Bay (6-3) at Detroit (4-5)

Aaron Rodgers is going to destroy the Lions secondary. Christian Ponder looked like a Pro Bowl quarterback against them for God's sake! What's an actual Pro Bowl QB going to look like?

Probably some sort of pass-throwing automaton with shitty facial hair.

Detroit's success was so short-lived that I feel a little bad for them...

Wait, no I don't! Fuck off, Detroit!

Packers win 38-26

(Fuck off, Green Bay too)

Arizona (4-5) at Atlanta (8-1)

Bird battle. Battle Birds.

Battle of the birds?

Much like the outcome would be in nature, you have to believe the Falcons will devour the Cards.

Or do you? I smell an upset in this one.

Cardinals coming out of the bye, seeing a suddenly vulnerable Falcons team that just lost their first game? I'm guessing Matty Ice's confidence is shaking and he can't help but think, “here we go again” with the late season struggles.

Calling a big upset. Cards win 20-19.

Tampa Bay (5-4) at Carolina (2-7)

Josh Freeman has played his way out of his role as my punching bag. I can say all the terrible things I want about the “Tampa Culpepper,” but it would make me look dumb (as it has numerous times this season).

Now, let the record show that I feel quite comfortable looking dumb. However, I'm trying to flip the script... turn the page... jibber the rigging.

So do your thing, J-Free! Ball hard! Bucs win 28-23.

Cleveland (2-7) at Dallas (4-5)

Perpetual man-child Brandon Weeden takes his band of poorly dressed, average football players on the road to Jerry Jones' “House Of Crazy" (patent pending).

Hide your kids! Don't let them watch! Especially if you ever want them to have a chance at playing fundamentally sound football. Between these two teams I'll bet we see 20 penalties.

Jerry Jones will die with his cold, icy hands all over the Cowboys franchise and that's just too bad. From time to time I actually myself feeling for Tony Romo. Then I walk out my front door and ride my dragon to my job at the brandy factory.

Cowboys win 24-19.

New York Jets (3-6) at Does It Really Matter?

Really though, does it? I could put any team in the NFL (and probably a few Canadian teams) as the home team and the result would be the same. The opponent doesn't matter right now.

All that matters is this: It's Mark Sanchez, Rex Ryan, and the Jets are on the road.

They will lose.

They will look stupid.

They will finger point.

What a disaster. Rex Ryan has completely lost this team. I will take Any Team to beat the Jets this weekend 35-13.

(Editor's Note: The Jets play the St. Louis Rams this week.  To quote Mikey, "does it really matter?")

Cincinnati (4-5) at Kansas City (1-8)

Fear not, Kansas City! Brady Quinn has been cleared to play!

Turns out he could have been cleared weeks ago, but kept failing the concussion test because of his lazy eye and his response to every question was “Muscle Milk!”

It took the Chiefs training staff weeks to realize that's just normal Brady.

Reports indicate Matt Cassel is going to start anyway, which really makes him the loser in all of this. Bengals win 17-6.

Jacksonville (1-8) at Houston (8-1)

Wait, they're actually going to play this game? If this were Madden 2013 I would definitely do the “quick simulate” on this one.

The only chance the Jaguars have is if a pregame meteor blows up Matt Schaub, Arian Foster, Andre Johnson, J.J. Watt, David Carr's ghost AND all their first born sons.

Even then, it's still a close game in the 4^th quarter. Texans win big 42-20.

New Orleans (4-5) at Oakland (3-6)

The Raiders defense is in such shambles that they let Joe Flacco drop 55 on them! I'm not even mad. That's impressive.

Drew Brees could study the construction of floral arrangements all week. No need for a game plan in this one. Just show up. That's as far as the Saints game plan needs to go this week.

Carson Palmer, you should have stayed retired. Saints win big, 110-17.

San Diego (4-5) at Denver (6-3)

Norv Turner has officially gone into “freak out” mode. I watched his post-game presser last week and left being more certain of one truth than ever before: Norv Turner is not a man.

Here me out here.

He can't even get mad like a man. His voice gets all high pitched, his eyes well up with tears, and he asks snarky rhetorical questions. You know who that sounds like? Most girlfriends I've had!

Also, generally, women aren't good at coaching football. Most women like wearing baby blue. It's always a woman doing those Pro-Activ commercials. All those acne scars? You know Norv is on that Pro-Activ payroll.

I've just given you plenty of checkmarks for the “Norv's A Woman” column. If anyone has any evidence Norv isn't a female masquerading as a terrible NFL coach, please tweet it to me: @SwervinTaters

Until then I'm going to call him Norva Turner. It's OK, Norva. I'd be sad if Philip Rivers was my boyfriend too. Broncos win 38-24.

Indianapolis (6-3) at New England (6-3)

Andy Lucky!

Chucky Strongy!

Andy Lucky!

Chucky Strongy!

I think the rookie goes to Cocksborough and shows up Captain America!

“I may not be banging a supermodel, Tom Brady, but I'm balls deep in your end zone right now!” - Andrew Luck after this Sunday's game.

Colts win 27-24.

(Editor's Note: Newest Industry refuses to divulge its sources from the future. Also, Andy Lucky refers to everybody by their full name. Of course, we refer to him as Andy Lucky.  We suppose fair is fair.)

Baltimore (7-2) at Pittsburgh (6-3)

Byron Leftwich is still alive?!?

How are the Steelers going to win without team captain and groping specialist Big Ben?

He is the only quarterback to have a British clock tower named after him.

Being that this is a Mike Tomlin-coached team, I think the Steelers keep this one close but lose in the end. Ravens win 21-17.

Chicago (7-2) at San Francisco (6-2-1)

Jay Cutler is officially out for this game.

He also, officially, has a really weird neck.

Moss gets in the end zone against these Bears. He was burning Charles Tillman during the cornerback's early years. Mr. Peanut Tillman will find out just how little things have changed in the last 10 years.

And I'll be laughing! Niners win 19-16.

Wait... this just in... Jay Cutler's status for Monday Night's game has officially been changed from “out” to “out of the closet.”

Boom! There you have it, America! Week 11 is almost certainly going to play out exactly as you've just read. May as well skip football this Sunday. Hang out around the house. Take your wifey to brunch. Check your text messages to make sure your girlfriends don't need rides home from a night of terrible mistakes (we're not writing blogs 24/7 y'know.  We get out sometimes).

For more of young Michael Otto, be sure to give him a follow on Twitter (@SwervinTaters). Remember, he's giving out free retweets to anybody who can prove the existence of Norva Turner's penis.

 


For more Newest Industry, we can be found on Twitter as well (NewestIndustry1). Be sure to give us a follow to stay up on the work being done by all of our contributors. More importantly, we have a Facebook page here. Stop by and give us a “like” and we promise not to hit on you and your sexy girlfriends tonight. Promise.

Ten & Six With Mike Otto: Week 10 (Thursday Bonus!)

Luckstrong!

Well hello again, fooball fans!

Welcome to Week 10 of the NFL season!  As always, Mike Otto has joined us to discuss this week's Thursday Night Football game between the Indianapolis Colts and the Los Angeles Jacksonville Jaguars.

Mike, what do you think about this one?

 

INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (5-3) at JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS (1-7)

Chuckstrong lives!

The Colts inspirational season continued last week with a big win at home over the Dolphins.  Plus, early this week we all found out Chuckstrong's cancer had gone into remission!

Word is Jacksonville residents wish their hometown team would go into remission as well, or, at the very least, undergo some treatment to rid the team of Blaine Gabbert.

All joking aside, that is great news for Chuck and his family as well as the Colts organization.  I won't lie, I'm kind of rooting for the Colts this year.  I mean, how awesome would it be if Andrewie Lucky and Peytie Manny met in the playoffs?

Gotta keep the momentum rollin' against a godawful Jags team.  I think the Jags make it close, but in the end lose 27-20.

And there you have it.

Be sure to give Mike Otto a follow on Twitter (@SwervinTaters) to stay up to date on his maniacal rantings.  Mike will be right back here on Saturday with his picks for the rest of the league as well as his breakdown of Sunday's Vikings/Lions game.

This blog also has a Twitter account (@NewestIndustry1) which you should follow to stay up on all the work being done by our contributors.  More importantly, we also have a Facebook page here.  Stop by and give us a "like" if you happen to be in the neighborhood.

Ten & Six With Mike Otto: Week 2 - Minnesota Vikings at Indianapolis Colts (Plus Picks!)

1-0! Ponder v. Luck!

Hey football fans! Welcome to Week 2 of Mike Otto's Ten & Six.  This week Mike breaks down Sunday's matchup between the pride of Minneapolis, the Minnesota Vikings and the pride (?) of Indianapolis, the Colts.  Talk to us, Mikey.

 
Well, it's Week 2 in the NFL.  I went 9-6 with my picks last week (though I didn't submit a pick for the Cowboys/Giants game, but I would have been wrong anyway).

I'm pretty satisfied with that, though my personal goal is to be at least 10-6 on picks each week.  That being said, let's jump into this week's slate of games!

(Editors Note: In case you missed it, Mike predicted a Packers victory Thursday night.  Mike posted that pick (as he will all future Thursday night picks) on our Facebook page, which you can check out here.)

Kansas City (0-1) at Buffalo (0-1)

A battle of two teams that got destroyed in their first game.  A battle of seriously overpaid QB's, especially in Ryan Fitzpatrick's case.  Who will win? Bills! 24-21 in a close game between two even-matched teams.

New Orleans (0-1) at Carolina (0-1)

Cam Newton played the worst game of his pro career last week and Drew Brees got upstaged by RG III at his home turf.  A battle of two hungry, angry elite quarterbacks.  I'm not betting against Drew Brees.  Saints win 35-21.

Cleveland (0-1) at Cincinnati (0-1)

Poor Brandon Weeden. He got caught under the flag before the game.  Then he got caught in his own body during the game.  Yup, Ol' Noodle Arm Weeden had 4 INT's, a QB rating of 5.1, and somehow performed worse than The Dog Murderer.  This week The Red Menace, Andy Dalton, bounces back & Cincy wins this easy, 27-14.

Houston (1-0) at Jacksonville (0-1)

The Jags really needed a win last week, because they certainly won't be getting one against Houston.  The Texans run game never got going last week against the Dolphins and they still won easily.  If the Texans stay healthy this year (not bloody likely), they will be scary.  42-21 Texans roll.

Oakland (0-1) at Miami (0-1)

You never miss the long snapper until he's injured.  Oakland now knows that after 2 blocked punts swung the momentum out of their favor last week against the Chargers.  Ryan Tannehill has a hot wife and a cold (throwing) shoulder.  LOL tee-hee. Raiders win 21-10.

Arizona (1-0) at New England (1-0)

As long as Tom Brady & Bill Belicheck are involved, New England will be good.  Kevin Kolb saved the day for Arizona, but if the Seahawks receivers don't drop 2 TD's it's never close.  This week the Cards Have. No. Chance. Pats win 31-14.

Tampa Bay (1-0) at New York Giants (0-1)

The Giants came out a little flat against the Cowboys and paid for it.  Tampa Bay looked ten times more disciplined in Week 1 compared to last season.  Josh Freeman turned in a pretty decent performance for being the quarterback equivalent of a flaming pile of car wreckage.  Giants win 28-17.

Baltimore (1-0) at Philadelphia (1-0)

The Dog Murderer barely pulled out a win against a crummy Cleveland defense.  Against Ray Lewis & Ed Reed he will be made to look like a rookie all over again.  Love the Ravens defense, been dynamic for the last decade.  Ravens win 28-13.

Dallas (1-0) at Seattle (0-1)

Tony Romo was at his improvisational best in Week 1 against the Giants and really carried the Cowboys with his play.  I think Seattle is a better team than how they played last week.  Marshawn Lynch's health is key, as is providing Russel Wilson time.  I think it's a close game won by Tony Romo in the 4th quarter.  27-20 Cowboys.

Washington (1-0) at St. Louis (0-1)

The RG III Show goes on the road!  I'm not sure I've ever seen another QB outshine Drew Brees like Mr. Griffin did last weekend.  The Rams put up a valiant fight against the Lions, only to be crushed in the 4th quarter under the weight of the realization that they are indeed the St. Louis Rams. Skins win 28-17.

New York Jets (1-0) at Pittsburgh (0-1)

I don't think anyone expected the Jets to put up that many points Week 1.  The Steelers may have lost, but if I had to bet, I'd say The Steel Curtain finishes the season with a better record.  If only because I truly believe Rex Ryan is fat & doomed.  Steelers take this one 24-17.

Tennessee (0-1) at San Diego (1-0)

Phillip Rivers & Norv Turner managed to get off their man-rags long enough to win a football game last Sunday.  Chris Johnson just seems to get worse & worse the farther he gets into that fat contract.  Not even San Diego can piss this game away.  Chargers win 27-13.

Detroit (1-0) at San Francisco (1-0)

Randy Moss must be getting some serious deja vu now.  First the Packers, now the Lions?  If he runs over a traffic cop this week I'm gonna start to get a little freaked out.  Moss will get in the end zone again this week and, if I was a betting man, I'd say it will be on a 30+ yard pass with Chris Houston covering him.  Chris Houston, you're gonna learn the hard way that you don't call out Moss before you play him.  Niners roll 31-20.

Denver (1-0) at Atlanta (1-0)

Could be the game of the week with two of the most complete teams in the league.  Peyton Manning is healthy and Matt Ryan looks ready to take the next step with Julio Jones.  I think the Falcons take this one at home 35-28.


On to The Purple...

First off, I want to go through a couple negatives and positives that I saw last week against the Jaguars.  First up, the positives:

-Matt Kalil: He dominated and gave up no sacks.

-Adrian Peterson: He's healthy, he's still fast, and it appears the knee injury isn't even in the back of his mind when he's carrying the ball.

-Percy Harvin: He can line up anywhere on the field and defenses have no idea how to stop him.

-CP7: Had an awful 1st half, but kept his cool, showed composure, and the game started slowing down for him.

-Erin Henderson: 8 tacks, 1 for a loss, and played every defensive snap.  No glaring mistakes from him is a very positive sign.

-Blair Walsh: 4-4 with a game-tying 55 yarder and the game winner in OT.  'Nuff said.

Now, the negatives:

-Chris Cook & Josh Robinson: Both gave up big completions that are easy INT's if they just turn around and locate the ball.  It almost cost us the game!

-Mistral Raymond: Still biting on play-action passes in the red zone.  Stop that!

-3rd Down Conversions: One of the major goals the offense set for themselves this year was to limit 3rd-and-longs and improve the 3rd down conversion rate (38% last season).  Well, we were 2/10 on 3rd down against the Jags & it was at least a long 6 yards every time.  This isn't gonna get it done against playoff teams.  I really hope to see some improvement on 3rd downs this week against the Colts.

Well, that's that.  One thing became apparent to me last week:  We have the playmakers to compete in the NFC North.  It's going to come down to play calling and execution for this team.  Now let's look forward!

MINNESOTA VIKINGS (1-0) at INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (0-1)

The Vikings travel to Indianapolis this week to get their look at #1 overall pick Andrew Luck, who was over-matched against a crafty Bears secondary in Week 1.  The Colts run game is pretty much non-existent, so the Vikings can expect to get tested through the air early & often.

The first challenge coming off a 3-13 season is being able to beat bad teams at home.  The Vikings met this test by dispatching the Jaguars at the Metrodome in Week 1.

The next challenge is here in the game this weekend at Lucas Oil Stadium.  The Vikings must beat this Colts team at home in a hostile environment.

IF the Vikings are ready to take the next step, they will beat a far less-complete team, the Colts, on Sunday.  Will they?  I think so.

Three Keys To A Vikings Victory:

Key #1: Get a turnover out of Andrew Luck early.

Doesn't matter how it comes, sack & a fumble or an interception.  Get in his head and make him think twice and the rookie's day will go downhill quickly.

Key #2: Establish the run right away.

The Colts run defense is atrocious and their pass defense isn't much better.  If Adrian gets to the 2nd level he could unleash a big run easily.  Get AP going early and CP7 will reap the benefits in the passing game before long.

Key #3: Trips to the red zone need to end in touchdowns.

We have too many freakishly athletic playmakers (Peterson, Harvin, Rudolph) to not be getting into the end zone every time we get close against this defense.  Red zone touchdowns boil down to two things:  Play calling & QB performance.

Matchups To Watch:

  
Matchup #1: Andrew Luck vs. The Vikings Secondary.

If our secondary can even fight to a draw in this match-up we should win the game.  As long as we don't get torched by the rookie our guys will have done their job.  I think crafty veteran cornerback Antoine Winfield is gonna bait Luck into an ill-advised pass that he will pick off & take to the house.  That's right, America, I'm calling a 'Toine pick six!

Matchup #2: Percy Harvin vs. Vontae Davis.

Davis is the only cornerback on the Colts team worth a damn and no doubt he'll be shadowing Harvin everywhere he goes.  He's good, but Mr. Davis is over-matched on this one.  I think Percy finds the end zone.

Mike's All Purpose Flour Lock Of The Week:

#28 Adrian Peterson

18 carries, 100 yards, 2 touchdowns.  Adrian abuses a weak Colts defense all day en route to a Vikings victory!

Final Takes:

The Vikings need this one.  I predicted 10 victories this season and this was definitely one of them (let's not forget the Vikings play the Niners next week).

The Vikings can't afford to let Andrew Luck get comfortable.  If he's feelin' it he can pick apart a defense.  Let's hit him hard and rattle his cage.  I think Jared Allen gets a couple early sacks, Antoine gets that pick six, and the Vikings jump to an early lead.

Andrew Luck will score some points against our defense, so it's going to be important to keep the pedal to the floor with Peterson, Harvin, & Rudolph.  I think two of those guys get in the end zone and the VIkings win another close, exciting game.

FINAL SCORE:

Minnesota Vikings: 28

Indianapolis Colts: 21

Enjoy the games week and LET'S GO PURPLE!

Blaow!  There you have it, football fans.  Mikey's 9-6 picking the league so far this season and 1-0 picking Vikes game.  Doubt him at your own risk.

For more of Mike's rantings about The Purple, be sure to give him a follow on Twitter (@SwervinTaters)

This blog is also on Twitter (@NewestIndustry1) and, as mentioned earlier, maintains a Facebook page here.  Stop by and give it a 'like' to make sure that Mike's Thursday night picks are delivered directly to your virtual doorstep.