New Years Bowl Predictions

It's time to analyze the bowl games for after New Years Day! Many good games that don't involve the letters BCS! Michigan State vs. Georgia might be the best overall matchup, Pitt vs. Southern Methodist has a surprising storyline you might not know of, Penn State vs. Houston is a game of opposites, but Kansas State vs. Arkansas will have all of the fireworks. Oh, and I prefer the Northern Illinois vs. Arkansas State game over the national title of LSU vs. Alabama.

To view a full list of our bowl game picks, CLICK HERE. We have the safe picks, the scary picks, and the "what were you thinking?" picks. Don't like our picks? LET US KNOW! Send us a message, comment, or tweet @3SNetwork stating your claim!

10 down, 25 to go.....

We've gotten through the first stretch of bowl games, each one providing a great amount of information for fans nationwide. We learned a lot about individual teams, players, coaches, and about college football in general.

First, as a whole, we've learned that the predictable games were, well, predictable. TCU and Boise both won games they should have dominated. Beyond that, the other games were truly pick'em games, and our records so far have exhibited that.

Current Rankings: 

DLav:  8-2

Dots:   7-3

Lost:    6-4

Greg:   5-5

The Panther Chronicles: Merry Chrystmas

We have not posted in a while and its because its been a hectic holiday for all of us to say the least. Its been especially hectic for our fantasy football blogger Greg Beshero because his mother was hospitalized before christmas so we ask all our fans and followers to pray for Gregs mom. We  are also asking patience from all of you. We will get back to posting and podcasting as soon as things get more settled. But in the mean time I'm going to recap the hire of new Pitt football coach, Paul Chryst.

Week 16 Every NFL Pro Football Team Power Rankings

Twas the week of Christmas and all through the land, everyone was watching as to where they would land... That is the NFL Pro Football Power Rankings! Let's see who are the hot teams going into Christmas.

1. The Green Bay Packers (13-1)- With the loss to Kansas City behind them, The Packers can focus on the spiraling Bears. However, with the injuries to key linemen Bryan Bulaga and Derek Sherrod along with Greg Jennings out for the next three weeks, The Packers will have their work cut out for them... but still retain the number one ranking.

2. The New Orleans Saints (11-3)- The NFL's most explosive offense puts the Saints in the number 2 position on the poll. What separates the Saints from the other top teams is that their running game with Darren Sproles and Pierre Thomas and Chris Ivory is highly effective and can be relied upon each week to put up points.

NFL Week 15 Cheers and Jeers

There were plenty of things to cheer about and a few things to jeer during yet another exciting NFL week.  In many ways, there were early Christmas gifts for a lot of Fantasy Players and a few lumps of coal to go around as well!

 

Cheers:  To the Electricians who work for Pacific Gas & Electric who kept the lights on- for most of the game on Monday Night during the surprise power outages.  

Cheers:  To the San Francisco 49ers fans in Candlestick Park who kept their cool during the two power outages on Monday Night Football.

Rules of the Game: Unnecessary Roughness

Steelers’ linebacker James Harrison has done it again. NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has done it again. The Harrison’s excessive actions on the field are only outdone by the overly-excessive punishment dished out by Goodell. In our latest Rules of the Game segment, we analyze the NFL’s crack-down on unnecessary roughness penalties, with special emphasis on helmet-to-helmet contact and “defenseless” players.

Review of Sunday's Fantasy Football Action

Tony Romo's Fantasy Football NFL Night

A look back at last night's fantasy football performance from Tony Romo. a 134 QB Rating, 200+ yards and three passing touchdown, along with a rushing touchdown equals happy fantasy football owners of this pro football player. We also look at fantasy football value in Dez Bryant, Miles Austin and Laurent Robinson. Add in Felix Jones continued fantasy football value and Sammy Morris now grabbing weekly points, and you've got a great offense helmed by Tony Romo. Tampa Bay is flailing, but, if you took our advice for fantasy football sleeper Dezmon Briscoe in deeper fantasy football leagues, this NFL wide receiver grabbed you a few points with 3 receptions for 36 yards and a touchdown, or 9-10 points in standard fantasy football leagues and 12+ in PPR fantasy leagues. All this and more on this episode of the best in daily fantasy football news and fantasy updates...the daily Pigskin Blink.

Cowboys, Buccaneers and Fantasy Football

We take a look at tonight's game with Dallas coming into Tampa Bay, and what it means to your fantasy football team. Tony Romo and his corps of receivers look to be healthy plays, but question marks still arise from the tight end position of Jason Witten with there being that many versatile wide receivers. LeGarrette Blount and Felix Jones are both two talented fantasy football plays for tonight, as well as a potential sleeper in Dezmon Briscoe. All this and more on today's episode.

Bowl Predictions

We're now down to TWELVE HOURS UNTIL BOWL SEASON! That means we need to break down EVERY SINGLE bowl game to help you make your bowl selections and also to give a little insight into some of the teams you might not know quite as well. Our first podcast will examine every pre-New Year's bowl game, including some great matchups like Notre Dame vs. Florida State and Northwestern vs. Texas A&M. If there's one game I recommend watching, it's Southern Miss vs. Nevada. Triple digit scores might easily be reached out there in Hawai'i.

To view a full list of our bowl game picks, CLICK HERE. We have the safe picks, the scary picks, and the "what were you thinking?" picks. Don't like our picks? LET US KNOW! Send us a message, comment, or tweet @3SNetwork stating your claim! Better yet, fill out the Bowl Pick'em Challenge by CLICKING HERE to fully prove your worth! We'll accept submissions all through the bowl season, but no credit will be given for the games completed prior to submission! Best of luck!

Jaguars lose to the Falcons

A recap of the Jaguars - Atlanta matchup, and what players dominated the night including Matt Ryan, Michael Turner, Julio Jones and Roddy White.

Fantasy Football Toolkit for December 15th, 2011

Sorry, but the video keeps going fubar...I guess the radio station isn't the only one with technical problems today!

Audio bandwidth shared with Fantasy Football Toolkit.

Week 15 Fantasy Football Sleepers

It's simple now in fantasy football at this point in the NFL season...is your fantasy football player hot? Are they in the middle of a fantasy football trend for your pro football team? Are injuries hurting your fantasy football playoff dreams? Let's delve into those NFL players who aren't in the glaring fantasy football eye and show pro football that they can hold their own.

Jaguars, Falcons and Fantasy Football

The Jacksonville Jaguars look to come int the Atlanta Falcons and grab their first back to back wins this season. Atlanta, however, looks to keep their playoff hopes rolling on the backs of Julio Jones, Roddy White and Tony Gonzalez. Look for Maurice Jones-Drew to have a sub-MJD day (meaning 80-90 yards and a touchdown), as well as Matt Ryan and the Falcons' receiving corp. The Falcons' defense should also have a great day, sitting back and waiting for Gabbert and his mistakes this season to fall into their hands throughout the game.

The Panther Chronicles: Graham bails and Pederson must Pay.

After one year as coach of the Pittsburgh Panthers, Todd Graham bolts from the Steel City to head west to Arizona State, where he was introduced today as the Sun Devils' next head coach. That makes three coaching changes in the past 12 months for Pitt. So who now will take over as Panthers head coach? Local names like Mike Stoops and Todd Haley sound like great ideas, even former offensive coordinator Frank Cignetti or QB Tino Sunseri's father Sal. Or will it be another no-name, maybe FIU's Mario Cristobal. No matter who it is, the general consensus seems to be that another position needs to be replaced before the head coach: AD Steve Pederson.

Week 15 NFL Pro Football Power Rankings

As we enter the week before Christmas, here are the NFL Pro Football Power Rankings for week 15.

1. The Green Bay Packers- This team is very deep. Despite losing Greg Jennings to injury, they found that they still have a great running game with Ryan Grant.

2. The New Orleans Saints- Drew Brees is playing like an NFL MVP with 1,364 yards this year, 11 TDs and O interceptions within the last four games.

3. The Pittsburgh Steelers- The Steelers are one of the grittiest teams in the NFL led by one of the toughest QBs. Roethlesberger's performance against the Browns with a high ankle sprain was an exercise in pure will and toughness.

Demarco Murray, Big Ben and Sleepers in Fantasy Football

Today we look at Demarco Murray's IR inclusion and it's impact on fantasy football rosters. We also look at Big Ben's injury and if he'll be ready for Monday night. Also, I take a look at wide receiver sleeper options, and why the Rex Grossman at quarterback and Jabar Gaffney at wide receiver might just be a good combo in fantasy football circles.

Chris Paul - Hornet for Life!

The NBA will be starting up in less than two weeks now. Christmas day. Yet with so few days before the start of the season, many big names on the trading block could find new homes within a week of the start of the season! CHAOS!

Among those is Dwight Howard, who now is lowering his trade demands from Orlando. Many thought he could be traded to the Lakers and become a modern-day Shaq. This appears unlikely now. However, the Chris Paul fiasco is giving everybody in the NBA a headache, and EVERY player / coach / owner / fan has a reason to be interested in the trade discussions between LA and NO.

What's Wrong With Sports: Rock em Sock em Athletes, Part 2

A few months ago I commented on how much fighting and on-field altercations have taken over the sporting world. Sadly, in the last two weeks, a few more incidences have occurred on the field and on the court that have to make us wonder what is going on. Between Ndomukong Suh's now infamous stomp on Thanksgiving and the terrible Xavier-Cincinnati brawl on Saturday, things are just getting out of hand, not just due to what's happening on the field, but because of the punishments being dished out.

Beast Mode, Steven Jackson, Fantasy Football

Sam Bradford tried to be a fantasy football and NFL god last night, only to see Marshawn Lynch (Beast Mode) and Steven Jackson show why they can do what they do. Fantasy owners also saw a few points from the Seattle Seahawks Defense and Seattle Special Teams' play. All this and more fantasy football and pro football discussion on today's episode.

Cheers & Jeers- Week 14 NFL Pro Football

Week 14 of NFL Pro Football had it's ups and downs. Here is a sampling of what I call Cheers & Jeers. What everyone (almost) cheered about and what is certainly jeerable.


Cheers: The Denver Broncos- under the leadership of Coach John Fox and QB Tim Tebow- besting the Chicago Bears in overtime with a 51yard field goal by Matt Prater to take the lead of the AFC West.

Jeers: The Kansas City Chiefs, under the leadership of their GM Scott Pioli, firing coach Todd Haley after losing their 8th game

Sunday's NFL Action Fantasy Football Review

We look at yesterday's games, MJD and Tony Romo's big performance, how Ryan Matthews and DeAngelo Williams keep on rolling, Michael Bush and Philip Rivers snapping back in the game, and the Atlanta trio of receivers all getting it done. this and more on this episode of the Pigskin Blink.

Injury Reports, Fantasy Football Studs and more.

Today we look at the injuries and status of fantasy football players in their NFL games. Why Drew Brews is a solid stud from New Orleans' Saints, along with Marshawn Llynch from the Seattle Seahawks and Greg Jennings from the Green Bay Packers. Chaz Schilens looks like a deep sleeper with Jacoby Ford and Denarius Moore out again this week. And Jason Whitten and Dez Bryant are studs with Laurent Robinson and Miles Austin still questionable. All this and more on today's episode.

Final Big East Power Rankings

Since I am a big Pitt fan and hopefully a future graduate student, I decided to do a Big East Power Ranking from the epic spectacular regular season that we all witnessed this year #sarcasm

I will do one more ranking when the bowl games are over with but for now lets took a look at how these powerhouse programs have performed this season.

1. West Virginia (9-3, 5-2). The Hoopies won three straight after losing at home to Louisville and got the Big East automatic berth into the BCS after emerging from a three-way tie atop the league standings. First year coach Dana Holgerson turned around a potentially disasterous first season into a succesful BCS season.  I'm not sure how well Dana and his squad will fare in the BIG 12 but this year they are Kings of the Big Least.

Who Will Strike the Heisman Pose?

Who will win the Heisman Trophy tomorrow evening? All five finalists have merited their trip to the finals, but they all have great reasons to not be the next one striking the Heisman pose. It’s time to analyze why each finalist should and should not get his name on the Heisman Trophy.

Fantasy Football Sleepers Week 14

Slowly, but surely, we are making our way towards the NFL Post-Season...which means it's about time to start playing our fantasy football post-season and playoff games. Let's look ahead to each position to give you a heads up on players available in most leagues, even deep ones.

Pigskin Blink for Friday December 9th, 2011

A review of last night's game, as the Pittsburgh Steelers win in an ugly one, seeing a few injuries, and some poor play at times, 14 - 3. Antonio Brown was solid, grabbing 150+ yards with a touchdown, while James Harrison might have another fine in the mail come Tuesday morning. This and more on today's episode!

Fantasy Football - Start/Sit Advice Week 14

3SN teams up with the Ryan and Christian Show on ESPN radio 1240 WBBW for a weekly fantasy football discussion for the week. The sleeper pickup of the week: Devin Aromashodu. See who else is worth a pickup, and who to start and sit in this the first week of Fantasy Football Playoffs!

Fantasy Football Preview Steelers Browns

A preview of Thursday Night's game. The Cleveland Browns look to clamp the Steelers' offense in these teams' first meeting this year. However, the Steelers sport a solid fantasy football squad on offense to contend. That and more on this episode of the Pigskin Blink.

NFL Week 14 Pro Football Power Rankings

As we enter into the last four weeks of the NFL pro football season, here are the power rankings of the 32 NFL pro football teams along with some candid remarks about each team.

1. The Green Bay Packers- Green Bay is starting to show potential cracks in their structure. Eli Manning nearly bested this team last week except for the last minute heroics of Aaron Rodgers guiding the Packers to a game winning field goal drive. Green Bay stays undefeated and on top of our rankings.

2. The San Francisco 49ers- Jim Harbaugh has this team believing in itself again as the 49ers claimed their 18th division title in the Super Bowl Era and its first title since 2002. Although the win was against the hapless Rams, the 49ers are a very strong team worthy of #2 status on our rankings.

Flying like my name is Baldwin!

The Fantasy Football Toolkit returns for another round of sound. This week, we look at deep sleepers, how badly Blount and Bush let us down this week, why our expectations for Eli Manning and the Seattle Seahawks' defense are so high, and why it's fun to email people and not eat like Andy Reid at a buffet.

Bowl Predictions - Pitt and Penn State

Both Keystone teams got bowl games that are a bit disappointing, but what's done is done, and now it's time to analyze the Compass Bowl and the TicketCity Bowl.

Pittsburgh (6-6) takes on Southern Methodist (7-5) in the BBVA Compass Bowl on January 7th. If you wonder how excited we are about Pitt's return to Birmingham for the second straight year, you probably ought to read the latest Panther Chronicles: Compass Bowl, Part 2.  As for the game itself, the Mustangs have struggled on offense in their three biggest conference games of the year, scoring only 17 points in three games against Houston, Southern Miss, and Tulsa. However, they did beat TCU. Pitt wins this game if they rely on their defense, especially the secondary, and puts Tino Sunseri in the position to make smart and not force him into tough situations. If Tino holds on to the ball, the Panthers will be victorious.  Our experts both pick Pitt to win by double digits.

Penn State (9-3) will face Houston (11-1) on January 2nd in the TicketCity Bowl in Dallas. Close to home for Houston, it still will not be a home matchup - PSU travels too well. In possibly Tom Bradley's last game as head coach, one of his historic defense will take on one of the greatest quarterbacks in the history of college football in Case Keenum. Can the Nittany Lions defense keep Houston off of the score board? Or, a better question, can the McGloin-led offense put enough points on the board to keep up?  The experts agree it will be a great game, but are split on who the victor will be!

It's a Rematch!

We analyze the five BCS games and a few other intriguing bowl games in our latest podcast.

It's a rematch! LSU and Alabama will face-off again with the winner being crowned as the 2012 BCS National Champion. Heisman hopefuls Tyran Mathieu and Trent Richardson lead their teams into battle in New Orleans. Hopefully somebody will score a touchdown this time.

In the other BCS matchups, Michigan and Virginia Tech get shocking at-large bids to the Sugar Bowl. Lots of controversy in these selections. The Orange Bowl has ACC champ Clemson facing Big East champ West Virginia. Here appears to be a high scoring game. The Rose Bowl between Wisconsin and Oregon will probably be high-scoring as well, though the size of Wisconsin's line will probably make the difference in this matchup. Finally, the "runner up game" between Oklahoma State and Stanford will feature two of the top QBs in the country.

Chargers Jaguars Recap Fantasy Football

A look at last night's game between the San Diego Chargers and the Jacksonville Jaguars. The studs were out in full force for San Diego's offense, and only Maurice Jones-Drew (MJD) was really set and ready for Jacksonville. That and more on this episode of the Pigskin Blink, a daily look at fantasy football and the NFL and everything else to make your fantasy football team hum!

Week 13 NFL Review Game by Game

This week saw many 30+ point games, given way to many, many opportunities for fantasy football value. From the continued solid play of Aaron Rodgers, Cam Newton, Marshawn Lynch and Ray Rice. Fantasy owners also saw a reemergence of Shonn Greene, Pierre Garcon and Christian Ponder. We'll cover these fantasy football players and more as we take a look back at Week 13 in the NFL season, in the 360 Sports Network's Week 13 NFL Week in Review.

The Panther Chronicles: BBVA Compass Bowl part 2

Pitt (6-6) will play SMU (6-6) on January, 7th in the Compass Bowl in Birmingham, Alabama. Talk about a real barn burner in the making right?  As we all know Pitt played in this bowl last year against Kentucky and Pitt won. This was a game that was over shadowed by the firing of Dave Wannstedt, Michael Haywood, and Pitt's second head coaching search in 2 weeks.

NFL Pro Football Cheers and Jeers, Week 13

This past week in NFL Pro Football, there were both things that we can all cheer about and things that we jeered. Here is my take on the week that was.

Cheers: Tim Tebow, QB of the Denver Bronco's leading his team to a 5th straight win.

Jeers: Brett Favre, former QB of Minnesota, New York Jets, and Green Bay Packers stating that he would entertain offers from the Chicago Bears to finish the season this year.

Cheers: Justin Houston, rookie of the Kansas City Chiefs who has made six starts for the Chiefs this season and had not recorded a sack- Houston in the game against the Chicago Bears collected 3 sacks on Chicago QB Caleb Hanie, registered 7 tackles and forced a fumble on one of the sacks.

Jeers: Detroit Lions Linebacker Ndamukung Suh, on the first game of his two game suspension, crashes his car into a tree in downtown Portland, Oregon injuring two women.

Week 13 Fantasy Football Review

Sunday's Best Fantasy Football Games & Deep Sleepers

The Daily Pigskin Blink looks at today's games, and some injuries in major contests as Carolina plays in Tampa Bay, Green Bay Packers visits the New York Giants, the Detroit Lions look to squeak one out from the New Orleans Saints and Oakland squares off against the Miami Dolphins. As for deep, deep sleepers that might pan off today, and into the next few weeks, look to Brandon Saine (RB - Green Bay Packers), Chaz Shilens (WR - Oakland Raiders), Brandon LaFell (WR - Carolina Panthers) and Greg Little (WR - Cleveland Browns) for some unknown, and little-used talent.

For solid plays for sleepers, or lightly owned talent, I think a running back like Maurice Morris without Kevin Smith being healthy for the rest of the year is solid. Mark Ingram in the Sproles, Thomas, Ingram RBBC Saints' play could find some pretty great value for where he will be played and how readily available he is in leagues. Maybe even an increased batch of looks for Decker this week with Minnesota possibly containing most of the rushing game of Denver could be money.

All this and more on today's Pigskin Blink.

Penn State Football - Coaching Search

In the aftermath of Joe Paterno's firing, it's time to begin looking for the next long-term coach in Happy Valley. Tom Bradley is the interim coach and will coach the team through the bowl game, but will he be hired for next season? Dan Mullen looks to be the top candidate, but Pat Fitzgerald, Chris Peterson, Greg Schiano, Mike London, and Tony Dungy are strong possibilities. We analyze and discuss who we believe will be best for the Nittany Lions next year in our latest podcast.

Rules of the Game: The Completed Catch

To kick off our new feature on examining some confusing rules in sports, let’s start with one of the most controversial rules in professional football: What constitutes a catch?

According to Rule 8, Section 1, Article 3 of the NFL rule book:
“A forward pass is completed…or intercepted… if a player, who is inbounds:
a). secures control of the ball in his hands or arms prior to the ball touching the ground; and
b). touches the ground inbounds with both feet or with any part of his body other than his hands.”

Eagles lose to the Seahawks, and more Fantasy Football news

Philadelphia takes a pounding at the hands of the Seattle Seahawks last night. Vince Young isn't productive, while LeSean McCoy and Riley Cooper have solid fantasy football games. Tarvaris Jackson isn't a solid quarterback option as of yet, and in this NFL game, Marshawn Lynch was breathing fantasy football points. All this and more, on today's edition of the Pigskin Blink

Where you at Belicheat?

Is Bill Belichick still Bill Belichick? What I'm trying to say is that I think Belicheat...oh my bad...Belichick may have lost his "touch".  What happened to the mad scientist being able to turn reclamation projects into acts of pure genius? Ala Corey Dillon and Randy Moss. When Bill Belichick brought in Ochocinco and Albert Hanynesworth, many thought they were the favorites to win the AFC.  Haynesworth has been waived and Ochocinco cant even get on the field. Now it might be to early to judge Ochocinco but the consensus seems to be that he just can't grasp the offense and will eventually be cut by the team.  I kind of feel bad for him. He wanted so badly to be a Patriot and now that he is finally on the team, he is known as a non-factor and bust. Oh well...

Eagles and Seahawks Preview

A look forward to the Philadelphia Eagles (4-7) coming into the Seattle Seahawks (4-7) tonight. Vince Young, Riley Cooper, Jason Avant and LeSean McCoy are all solid plays (along with Brent Celek). For Seattle, look for Marshawn Lynch to have another stellar performance.