Giants v. Jets for Princess - Week 16

It's Christmas Eve and week 16 of the NFL season is upon us, with all the holiday happenings swirling around the past few day, I lost track of the days. I thought I had an extra day to get ready for the big NY showdown between the Giants and the Jets today. Luckily Princess the Camel didn't.

Both the Giants and the Jets are playng for their playoff lives today. If the Giants lose to the Jets today they're done and might as well go home and spend New Years Day with their families instead of with the Cowboys in MetLife Stadium. If the Jets lose to the Giants, mathematically they're not finished, they still have a chance of making the playoffs with a lot of help from others, which is unlikely.

So who does Princess like today? Well she is sticking with her favorite and picking the Giants over the Jets today.

"...This is a tough one, anything can happen. It’s almost like one of them is going to win by accident. I know Rex is going to have his defense psyched for the game but somehow I think the Giants defense is going to be better and if Eli can get his game together the Giants should win!..."

Well, we'll see. Princess (and I) thought that last week the Giants were going to prevail against the Redskins and we know how that turned out.

For those keeping track, Princess's pick record stands at 9(W) - 6(L) thus far this year.

Princess the Camel Picked Super Bowl XLIII Winning Steelers

Princess the Camel did it again.  The prognosticator of Popcorn Park Zoo, in choosing the Pittsburgh Steelers over the Arizona Cardinals, successfully picked the winner of Super Bowl XLIII.

In a game that went down to the wire and almost foiled Princess's prediction, the Steelers came from behind with about 2:38 left to play in the game,to defeat the Cardinal (and me) 27-23. 

Princess's record for picking the winner of NFL games this year finishes at a very impressive 17-5.

My record of picking winners on the other hand was not so good, out of the 11 games that made up this years NFL playoffs, my record was a dismal 3-8. 

The only pleasure that I receive from the outcome of this game, is in knowing that while the Cardinals did not emerge as winners of  Super Bowl XLIII, they did cover the point spread and as a result, I am now a few bucks richer than I was a few hours ago.

So lets hear it for the Pittsburgh Steelers, winners of their sixth Super Bowl title, the most out of any other team in the NFL.

It was a great NFL season, I already can't wait until the start of next season in order root for the Giants return to the big game.

NFL- Divisional Playoffs Preview for Jan. 11th

The Giants will look to put an end to their division rival's postseason when they host the Eagles on Sunday. Jason Horowitz and Charley Casserly go inside the number to breakdown this playoff game.

Eagles vs. Giants Preview


The Chargers may be 2-14 in Pittsburgh, but those two wins came in the postseason. Charley Casserly and Jason Horowitz take an in depth look at this intriguing playoff matchup.

Chargers vs. Steelers Preview

NFL - Divisional Playoffs Preview for Jan.10th

The Carolina Panthers have yet to lose a game at home this season. Jason Horowitz and Charley Casserly see if the Arizona Cardinals can put an end to that streak this weekend.

Cardinals vs. Panthers


The Titans meet the Ravens in the AFC playoffs. The Titans allowed the second-fewest points per game in the NFL. The Ravens were thirdin that category.

Titans vs. Ravens

Eagles' McNabb talks Giants gameplan

Eagles QB Donovan McNabb chats with the media about the Giants gameplan, defensive coordinator Steve Spagnuolo and the rest of the Big Blue defense. He also has a laugh at a question from a television personality who quotes a dramatic proclamation from Sports Illustrated. (Video by Andrew Mills)

Analysis of the Giants - Eagles matchup

Star-Ledger writers Jenny Vrentas, Steve Politi, and Mike Garafolo discuss the upcoming Giants game against the Philadelphia Eagles. Are the Eagles looking like the Giants last year? (Video by Chris Faytok - The Star-Ledger)

Princess the Camel Picks The Giants Over the Eagles This Weekend

This is welcomed news if you are a Giants fan, the prognosticating camel of Popcorn Park Zoo, Princess, has chosen the NY Giants over the Philadelphia Eagle in this weekends NFL playoff matchup of  NFC East Division rivals according to the Asbury Park Press.  

Princess's record in predicting the out come of NFL games this year stands at 15-3.  John Bergmann, the general manager of the Popcorn Park Refuge has been quoted as saying "This is Princess' third year of picking teams. She's always had an edge, but this year is unbelievable, no human can predict, no computer can calculate winners with such accuracy."

As a big Giants fan myself, I love this prediction and will take good news anywhere I can get it. If memory serves me correctly, I believe that Princess also picked the Giants over the Patriots in the Superbowl last year.  

To be fair to Eagle fans, I must mention that Princess split this years games between the two teams this year, her pick of the Giants over the Eagle in week 14 was wrong, the Eagles won that game 20-14. So I suppose the Eagles still have a small chance at victory.

Sports Monday: Eagles Soar 26-14 over Vikings, and More

Eagles beat Vikings, 26-14, in NFC playoffs; Ravens score 17 unanswered points and defeat Dolphins, 27-9, in the AFC; Atlanta's Mike Smith wins AP NFL coach of the year award by one vote; Boston College beats top-ranked North Carolina

Ravens and Rookie QB Embarress Dolphins 27-9:Playoff Recap

Ed Reed and the Ravens defense came up with five takeaways Sunday to win 27-9, spoiling the Dolphins' first playoff game in seven seasons. Jim Nantz and Phil Simms recap the action from Dolphin Stadium.



Rookie quarterback Joe Flacco won his postseason debut against the Dolphins 27-9 on Sunday. Jim Nantz and Phil Simms spoke with Flacco after the game.

Chargers Stun Colts in Overtime, 23-17

The San Diego Chargers upset the Indianapolis Colts in overtime Saturday, 23-17. Darren Sproles accounted for 328 all-purpose yards in the victory.

NY Times: Inside the Playbook Challenge

If anyone is interested, the New York Times has a neat feature this week, it's called the Playbook Challange.

 If you register with the Times, you will be able to fill out an interactive NFL Playoffs bracket to test your knowledge and skill at picking the NFL playoff games and the eventual winner of the Superbowl. 

 You have too not only pick the winner of each game but  the margin of victory each team will win by.   

After you complete the form you are issued a unqiue "url" that you can email or display to others so that they can follow your picks     

"The New York Times Inside the Playbook Challenge allows you to pick the winners and margins of victory for each round of the N.F.L. playoffs, including the Super Bowl. Save your picks, compare them with other readers and test your N.F.L. savvy against New York Times reporters."

If anyone is interested here is my url:

http://projects.nytimes.com/nfl2009/bracket/57648102

Let me know what you think of my picks and we can compare notes. 

One catch however, registration ends today so don't wait, sign up fast and lets see how well everyone picks the winners of this weekends NFL playoffs and all then all of the games right through to the Superbowl. 

NFL Wildcard Weekend Matchups For Sunday Jan. 4th

AFC Wildcard Matchup Baltimore Vs. Miami

NFC Wildcard Matchup Minnesota Vs. Philadelphia

NFL Wildcard Weekend Matchups For Saturday Jan. 3rd

NFC Wildcard Matchup Arizona Vs. Atlanta


AFC Wildcard Matchup San Diego Vs. Indianapolis

North's Lions Loses to West Windsor South 42-20 in CJ Group IV Playoffs

West Windsor-Plainsboro South quarterback Connor Farrell called Middletown North the most physical team the Pirates have played all year, but like the rest of the undefeated Pirates' opponents, the Lions could not touch the senior quarterback.

Farrell shredded the Middletown North defense for 240 yards and three touchdown passes to lead the No. 2 seed Pirates to a 40-22 victory over the No. 7 Lions in an NJSIAA Central Jersey Group IV quarterfinal on Sunday.

Click HERE to read all about the game.

Middletown South Defeats New Brunswick 14-7 In CJ Group III Playoffs

At times, Middletown South played like an inexperienced team, but in the end, the young Eagles did what the Middletown South teams of the last decade do regularly: they won a playoff game.

Senior running back Chris Bungee scored the go-ahead touchdown with 1:49 left and the No. 3 Eagles offense rose from the dead for a 14-7 victory over New Brunswick in the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group III quarterfinal on Friday night.

Middletown South will host Ocean in the sectional semifinals

Read the full story HERE from the Asbury Park Press

Home Field Not Much Of An Advantage: Rockets Mauled By Bears 42-0 in CJ Group II Playoffs

My old and beloved High School team, the Raritan Rockets lost last night to the Delran Bears 42-0 in the opening round of the NJSIAA Central Jersey Group II.

Even though Raritan hosted last nights game, home field advantage didn't seem to matter as the  Rockets were mauled by the Bears in every facet of the game.

The Bears scored on their opening drive of the game and then went on to 4 more touchdowns in the second quater. On the night Delran converted 7 of 12 on third down and 2 of 3 on fourth downs. 

It's to bad, this was a game that most of the pundits called for Raritan but it just goes to show you that game isn't over until it is played on the field.  

Even though the Rockets lost, they can still hold their heads up high for their achievements on the field this year. After going 2-8 last year, this years record of 6-3 is a great improvement. 

They have one more game against Holmdel on Thanksgiving day and if they win, it could still give them a portion of their Shore North division crown this the year.

So lets hear it for the Rockets, go beat Holmdel on Thanksgiving day and win yourselves a piece of that division crown.    

Read about the game HERE