This season – as well as giving a consensus on all the matches – we’ll be taking a closer look at a few matches a week. I picked this match early on, Andrew and Graham will look at different matches later on this week.

What a way to open the new season! The Minnesota Vikings @ New Orleans Saints in a repeat of the NFC Championship match last year and a match which really was the definition of ‘epic’. It had everything… even overtime. So I think it is fair to say that as neutrals all of us at Mac are looking forward to seeing how this one plays.

You’ll have to excuse me, but it has been many months since I have written a prediction article! Let’s start by having a look at the Saints…
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The saga continues as Darrelle Revis continues to sit out of training camp demanding a new deal to make him the highest paid cornerback in the NFL. I can’t help but think Revis is throwing his dummy out of the pram a little here.

He is still in his rookie contract, which he signed and had no problem signing at the start. He is guaranteed $1million this year, and apparently by sitting out he has waived a clause in that contract guaranteeing him a hefty $20million over the last 2 years of his contract. If reports are to be believed he is currently getting fined $16,523 a day for every sit out. Surely he is the one worse off here? … More

In the second instalment in this series on Fantasy Football, I’ll be looking at players to avoid in the early rounds this year… for one reason or another. There will basically be 2 kinds of player in this category. First, let’s start with those who will miss the start of the season (or even more).

Vincent Jackson – I love Vincent Jackson. The guy is a great player and has won me many a fantasy game over the years. He’s usually my first receiver pick in the draft, that’s how much faith I have in him when he plays. Unfortunately this season he has a 3 game suspension. On top of that he has refused to sign his tender as a restricted free agent, and rumours are flying around that because of this we might not see him play even after his suspension finishes. I hope not, because he is talented and a great guy to watch play. If it was up to me I’d be leaving him to the free agency wire and keeping a close eye on how events unfold.

Santonio Holmes – Santonio Holmes, fresh from a move to the New York Jets from the Pittsburgh Steelers, is joining a very, very good team. It’s just a shame he won’t be playing for the first 4 games. Usually you’d see Santonio go in the first 3 rounds of a draft, and rightly so. He is a solid receiver and will get you points. But missing 4 games AND a bye week means 5 total weeks of zero production. If you see him still there in the later rounds then by all means grab him as a bench warmer for half the season, but don’t waste a good pick in getting him early.
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Well, it’s that time of the year again. Yes, Fantasy Football is almost upon us. In the first of a short series, I’m taking a look at good value picks. Later on I’ll look at people to avoid and for those in deep drafts, those who could be a good sleeper pick.

Well, obvious choices aside (AKA the Yahoo! Rankings Top 25) I see the following as good value picks you should be able to get after the first 2 rounds:

Anquan Boldin – The guy just loves getting yards and touchdowns. He moved to the Baltimore Ravens this year where no doubt he will be the main guy. After so many years in Arizona basically playing second fiddle to Larry Fitzgerald we finally get to see what he can do as a No. 1. Boldin and QB Joe Flacco have been practising together all off-season to get their chemistry right so expect big things from Anquan, and you can get this player as a 3^rd round or 4^th round pick.

Santana Moss – Santana has been the Redskins number 1 guy for going on four years. His numbers have always been solid, and yet he never really seems to stand out from a lot of other number 1 wide receivers. Andre Johnson, Randy Moss, Greg Jennings, Braylon Edwards, Brandon Marshall, Larry Fitzgerald… These are the names you hear banded around all the time. That’s great for us Fantasy players though. Santana will be available at round 5, possibly 6 and will provide you with a good load of points. He did well with Campbell throwing to him, now he has Donovan McNabb who will greatly improve the passing game.
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Being my first ‘Division’ prediction, ever, I figured I might as well do one for the division I know most about! The AFC North is usually an entertaining and exciting division. The matches are played well, and are usually close. Rivalry is fierce and the bouts are relentless. It’s always difficult predicting without seeing the four pre-season matches, but I’m going to give it a go.

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M&T Stadium, Baltimore

Well, the draft is over and the mini-camps are getting underway. Figured I’d wait until this point to give my opinion on the last few months, well, as a Raven anyway.

The Anquan Boldin Trade:
This really did take me by surprise. I could see us trading for a solid wide receiver, but to be honest I never really expected it to be Boldin. A pleasant surprise by all means though. Boldin really is a quality player. He may have had a few injuries lately but his effort and his production is nothing to be dismissed. I really can’t wait to see him in the Purple of Baltimore. He came at a pretty reasonable price too. A 3^rd and 4^th round draft pick? Bargain, especially since we recouped those by trading down in the draft.
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It’s round about this time of year when us folk of the UK begin to get REAL excited about the NFL. Why you ask? No, not the play-offs… It’s only a few weeks before we get the e-mail about Wembley tickets going on sale for the International series, that’s why!

Although we don’t know what teams will be heading over, the chance to see a live NFL game isn’t something that comes around every day (only once a year I’m afraid, kind of like Christmas except there’s no fat dude wearing red – unless the Cardinals turn up). The buzz is amazing, and considering the Patriots v Buccaneers game sold out in 72 hours, I’m expecting the same thing to happen this year. Luckily I got my interest registered early on. Now Christmas rarely comes twice a year, so pinch me because I must be dreaming, but the talk is that we’re getting two games this year!

You can guarantee that at one, if not both of the games us guys at MAC will be meeting up for a few beers and a bit of banter which makes the game all the better. As the old joke goes… A Redskins fan, Miami fan, and Ravens fan walk into a pub. You’ll probably get to see the outcome later!

Anyway, enough ranting from me. What games would you guys want to see at Wembley this year?

Yes, they’re late (sorry Andrew, been a very bust week – C). But here are our picks for the NFL 2009 week 14 matches.

Sunday 13th December

New Orleans Saints @ Atlanta Falcons
C - A few times this season we have seen the Saints on the brink of defeat, only for them to claw their way back and snatch victory. It’s this that makes a team great. The Colts too have done this. No one seems to be able to kill the game off against them. They are beatable for sure, but it’s just finding the right team to do it on the right day. For that reason, i’m backing New Orleans to take the win here and remain undefeated. Atlanta are a decent side, but i feel the Saints are stronger across the board.

A – A lovely NFC South Matchup… The Saints can count themselves lucky last week after just edging past the Redskins – I don’t want to talk about it, but the upshot is that they’ve booked their place in the post season and are looking odds on for a first round bye. The Falcons are 2 games down on a wildcard spot and only one game up on the Panthers, who are starting to get going (albeit it a little late!). They need this one.
But the lucky wins they’ve had, combined with when they’ve been playing well, is starting to make me think that the Saints could go unbeaten this season. I’m going with my heart here and backing them in this game.

G – We all predicted an easy win for the Saints last weekend and almost ended up looking very silly. While they are still unbeaten, we know they can be beaten. That said I don’t think they will drop their record in this game. Saints Win.
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So, as Andrew does not have access to the site at the minute you have me to welcome you to this weeks MAC predictions. I, Craig, will be your host. Now, I’m not one for introductions, so without further ado let’s see what we think of the upcoming match.

Pittsburgh Steelers @ Cleveland Browns

C – Hmmmm.. this is tougher than it should be. After a strong performance against the Chargers last week you’ve gotta give the Browns credit. They are slowly improving. Quinn, while inconsistent, has proven he can play well. The Steelers are really having a horrible time at the moment. 2 divisional losses to the Ravens and Bengals, and losses against the Chiefs, and the Bills. All in 4 games. So… going off this information i have, and wanting the Steelers to lose to keep the Ravens in the hunt for the Wildcard spot… i’m going for a Browns win!

A - Graham here delivering Andrew’s phone vote. He said something about champers, a Rolls Royce and a ditch. I couldn’t really understand him over the phone before they took him back to the cells. You think he would have learned not to use his one phone call to call me by now, but he wanted to make sure that the readers got the predictions. Tempted as I am to put him down for the Browns, I did just make out that he said the Steelers….followed by ‘You’ll never pin it on me copper’….

G – It is hard to rate the Browns here in what should be a business like win for the Steelers. Lets just hope Quinn and co can pull out all the stops to deliver a close Thursday night game. My pick – Steelers.

Picture credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/daveynin/

Yet another early start this week, and they continue to catch us out.

Here are our thoughts for tonight’s AFC East matchup:

New York Jets @ Buffalo Bills
C – I’m liking the look of the Jets for this one. Fresh off a good win last week, and up against the defence ranked 32nd across the NFL. They’ll be looking at utilising the running game more this week so expect Thomas Jones to have a good game. The Bills themselves though are not to be scoffed at. TO seems to be coming into his element a little bit with some big stats finally, so the Jets D need to stay aware. I’m still gonna go for the Jets win.

A – I’m still not sure about divisional matches being played away from home like this one will be. However, as a Wembley goer perhaps I should be quiet about this!
The Bills have played well the last two weeks, but I’m reminded of so many teams who see an immediate improvement when they change coach (especially the Rams last year!). The Jets are on paper a stronger side across the board, and I think I have to fancy the Bills to fall to 0-2 in Toronto.

G – There are a lot of people in Canada who are very pleased thay are getting to see this game. Support is predicted to be strong for the Bills, but will that be enough? I am expecting a close game, but see the Jets coming out on top.

Image Credit: jrgcastro