American League Wild Card Race

As we all know, September is coming to an end. That also means that the MLB regular season is coming to an end too. Like most years, the wild card race gets very close around this time of season. In the American league, teams are separated by 1 game each. With 4 games for each team left, things are getting crazy...

In the American League, there is still 3 teams that have a shot at 2 Wild Card spots. Tampa Bay, Cleveland, and Texas.
As Tampa Bay has a 1 game lead over Cleveland who has a 1 game lead over Texas. So, Texas needs to step it up on their next games.

For the Rangers, they are playing the Angels for their last 4 games at home. That is good and bad for them.
Good: They are at home playing for the state of Texas that wants to see them make it to the playoffs.
Bad: The Angels have a solid 39-38 record away.

For the Indians, they are taking on the Twins for their last 4 games away. The Twins have underperformed this year and have only a 32-45 record at home. This is good news for the Indians. They also are already in 2nd for the Wild Card, so they have an advantage over Texas.

For the Rays, they are playing the Yankees in 1 game and the Blue Jays the next 3, all away. The Rays are already standing with a 1 game lead over Cleveland, so there is room for some error. The Blue Jays are 38-40 at home, so not awful but certainly not good either.
The Blue Jays are in last place in the AL East, a very tough division consisting of the Red Sox, Orioles, Rays, Yankees, and Blue Jays.

I think the Wild Card Playoff game will be between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Cleveland Indians.
The Indians have an easy next 4 games which could easily be 4 wins. The Rays don't have a very hard next few games, but they should be fine.
As for the Rangers, I do not think they will be able to get enough wins to get into the 1 Game Playoff. Even if they won all of their games, it will still be close due to the fairly easy end of the season the Rays and Indians have.
It will be interesting to see how this race finishes and of course how the whole playoffs go.

Week 2 Score Projections

 

Hello Everyone!
Welcome to Mike Phelan's blog.
This post will consist of projected scores for the NFL Games for Week 2.
Here we go:

St. Louis @ Atlanta:
St. Louis had a good game against Arizona last week with a 27-24 win. You could expect another good game out of  Jared Cook the Tight End that had 2 TDs last week. He has proved him self worthy of more receptions.
As for Atlanta, they had a tough loss against New Orleans last week 23-17. But, that doesn't mean they will do bad every week. With Roddy White hurt, Matt Ryan has limited receivers this week. Julio Jones will be very important as will Tony Gonzalez.
I'm going with Atlanta this week. They are the better team, but they also have more options for TDs.

27-13

 

  



Carolina @ Buffalo:

Both of these teams suffered a loss last week. Carolina had a very low scoring game with a 12-7 loss. Don't give up on them, though. Buffalo played pretty good the second half, but penalties ate them up. they lost 23-21 to the Patriots in a close game.

Everyone on the Panthers didn't do very well except Steve Smith with their only TD. Cam Newton didn't perform well either.

E.J. Manuel did pretty well his first start last week. No INTs and 2 TDs. No bad...

I'm going to have to say Buffalo this week. Even though C.J. Spiller was weak last week, he is a top tier RB and that's better than what Carolina has.

 

21-17

 Minnesota @ Chicago:

Last week, Minnesota lost 34-24 to Detroit. Chicago beat Cincinnati 24-21.

For Minnesota, I don't see them doing a lot this week. Adrian Peterson IS their offense. Chicago has one of, if not the best defense in the league. Minnesota's ultimate weapon won't have as productive a week as he usually does.

Chicago's defense can win them games. Their offense isn't bad, but it's better than Minnesota's.

I'm going with Chicago.

 

 

24-13

 

 

Washington @ Green Bay:

Both teams ended last week with an L. Green Bay vs SF: 28-34. Washington vs Philadelphia: 27-33.

Aaron Rodgers is one of the best quarter backs right now. RG3 however, isn't as good. Green Bay has so many options for Rodgers which helps Green Bay a lot. Washington runs a lot with RG3 and Alfred Morris. RG3 had 2 passing TDs but also 2 INTs.

My money is on Green Bay this week.

  

27-21

 

 

Miami @ Indianapolis:

Both teams came out with Ws last week but against not too intimidating teams. Miami wins against Cleveland: 23-10 and Indianapolis beat Oakland: 21-17.

Andrew Luck is proving himself as a good QB at a young age. Miami Dolphins defense is underated, though. I expect this to be a close game but with Indianapolis coming out on top.

 







17-14

 

Dallas @ Kansas City:

Both teams had great games last week. Both offensively and defensively. Kansas City allowed 2 points against Jacksonville. Dallas allowed 31 points, but they shut down Eli Manning for about the first half.

This will be an interesting game for sure. Kansas City has some good scoring options as does Dallas.

My vote is for Kansas City this week.

 

24-21

 

Cleveland @ Baltimore:

Let's face it. Cleveland is the worst team. They may have Trent Richardson but basically no one else. Baltimore, the Champions of last year had a tough loss last week to Peyton Manning and his Broncos 49-27. Though Baltimore defense lost some key players, their offense is still pretty good. Obviously it will be enough to beat Cleveland.

Baltimore on top.

 

24-7

 

Tennessee @ Houston:

Tennessee had a low scoring win last week against Pittsburgh 16-9. Houston barely won last Monday against San Diego: 31-28

Houston has a bunch of options. With a backfield of Arian Foster and Ben Tate and Andre Johnson as a WR and Owen Daniels at TE, their offense is deadly. Tennessee defense probably won't be able to play well against Houston because of their deadly offense and defense.

Houston is going to win this.

 

27-10

 

San Diego @ Philadelphia:

San Diego barely lost last week against Houston: 28-31. Philadelphia beat Washington 33-27.

Mike Vick did very well last week. As did LeSean McCoy and DeSean Jackson. San Diego behind Phillip Rivers performed well, but they probably won't be able to put up numbers like that for a while. I'd be surprised.

I'm going with Philadelphia.

 

24-17

 

Detroit @ Arizona:

After a strong week 1 for Detroit with a 34-24 win over Minnesota, there is no doubt they won't want to start off 2-0. As for Arizona, they lost 27-24 to St. Louis. With the addition of Reggie Bush, the Detroit offense got much better. They already have Calvin Johnson, or Megatron. Arizona however, is certainly not as good as they have been past years.

I'm going with Detroit.



24-7

New Orleans @ Tampa Bay:

New Orleans left Atlanta last week with smiles and a W in their 23-17 victory. Tampa Bay lost to the Jets last week at the end 18-17.

New Orleans is one of the better teams behind QB Drew Brees. They also have many options like TE Jimmy Graham, Marques Colsten and more. Tampa Bay and Josh Freeman don't have as much options which is why I'm going with New Orleans.

21-17

Jacksonville @ Oakland:

Probably the least exciting game this week. Both teams lost last week. Jacksonville vs Kansas City: 28-2 and Oakland vs Indianapolis: 17-21.

Even though both teams aren't very good, they have some good players. Oakland and Rookie QB Terrelle Pryor and RB Darren McFadden covered major rushing yards last week.

As for Jacksonville, they didn't play good at all last week. The only positive was the 2 points were the first score of the game.

Sorry Jacksonville, but Oakland's got you this week.

17-3

Denver @ New York Giants:

Last weeks game for Peyton Manning was incredible. 7 TDs was amazing. They beat Baltimore 49-27. The Giants lost to Dallas 36-31. Eli's performance was no where near as good as his brother Peyton's.

Both teams have great receivers. Denver has Wes Welker and Demaryius Thomas. They also have TE Julius Thomas who did great as well.

The Giants have Victor Cruz who played great and Hakeem Nicks.

This is an exciting game because it consists of great players and a sibling battle.

I thing Peyton and the Denver Broncos will come out on top though.

 

30-24

San Francisco @ Seattle:

San Francisco beat Green Bay last week: 34-28. Seattle beat Carolina 12-7.

San Francisco is a great team overall. They have an amazing defense and a great offense behind Colin Kaepernick. Many options on offense which helps make a great team.

Seattle is known for their defense though. They are maybe the best in the league on defense.

This should be a great game, though. I don't think Russel Wilson's Seattle Seahawks will win however. Colin Kaepernick's San Francisco 49'ers have this one.

 

21-13

Pittsburgh @ Cincinnati:

With a bad week 1 in a 16-9 loss to Tennessee Titans, the Steelers are going to look to rebound. Cincinnati did well however. But, they lost 24-21 to the Chicago Bears.

Ben Roethlisberger had an awful first week, but we should not think this will be the normal for him. He is a good QB, but he is lacking options this year.

A.J. Green, the 2nd best WR in the league had 2 TDs and almost a third last week. You will most definitely expect him to do good. Andy Dalton is looking sharp, too.

But anyway, I think Cincinnati takes this Monday night game.

 

21-14

 

Thank you for reading these projections. Feel free to tell me how bad or good I did after the games.

Good luck to Fantasy Owners and I hope you can use these projections to your advantage.

 

-Mike Phelan