Please enjoy our picks & analysis.

AL EAST:
Yankees 98-64 Division Winner: The Yankees were the best team in the division last year & ran away with it in the closing games of the season. And they were probably the third best team on paper in the division to the Red Sox & Rays; once again proving championships aren’t played on paper. The Yankees upgraded their weakness; their rotation in heavy fashion by trading for Michael Pineda, purchasing Mr. Kuroda & sending AJ Burnett to baseball purgatory. And the Yankees still haven’t purchased a DH yet. Oh not to mention Nick Swisher is a free agent at the end of the year so will probably hit 40 homeruns, 38 of which during blowouts.

Rays 92-70: The Rays will continue to be a force in the east. The Rays have the second best pitching staff in baseball & can do consistently what the Giants can’t; win games by outscoring the other team by one if need be. A full season of Matt Moore will keep the Rays in contention all season until Albert Pujols rigs the Angels into playoffs on final day of the season.

Blue Jays 84-78: The last time the Blue Jays were relevant in this division I think Pat Hentgen was starting for them. They will continue to have a bunch of players who hit .240 but hit 35 to 50 homeruns. The difference will be the starting pitching continuing to improve.

Red Sox 82-80: The worst clubhouse in baseball has only slightly changed; due to John Lackey’s bizarre injury after his worst season. The loss of Tim Wakefield is more detrimental than most realize. Kevin Youkilis will cause this team to implode.

Orioles 42-120: Terrible pitchers & terrible hitters; not even a godly manager can do much with this roster.

AL CENTRAL:
Tigers 94-68 Division Winner: Best pitcher in baseball? Check. Best infield in baseball history? Possible. Elite manager? Check. Underrated bullpen? You betcha. Look for Max to continue his improvement.

Royals 88-74: Some of the best young hitters in baseball suddenly play in Kansas City. If the starting pitching can contribute anything this year the team will be in wild card contention for months.

Twins 82-80: Whatever happened to Justin Morneau? The pitching staff is horrible, the bullpen is terrible because the Twins went on a money purge allowing good relievers to leave last year. And now Cuddyer & Kubel have gone on to better things. If Mauer & Morneau don’t have the best years of their careers the Twins may very well be contracted.

White Sox 78-84: Your big winter acquisition was a new manager? And one with no experience at that? God it must suck to be a fan of Chicago baseball these days. Guess you guys must root for Northwestern’s team huh?

Indians 70-92: A little more Pedro Serrano & a little less Lonnie Chisenhall could really help this team. Apparently adding Derek Lowe who at his best was mediocre is something to be impressed about?

AL WEST:
Rangers 95-67 Division Winner: Yu really think this team is going to stop winning?

Angels 93-69 Wild Card: Overspending on an average pitcher & a declining star can actually improve your team; well if you were terrible.

Athletics 70-92: Why does Billy Beane keep getting rewarding for making the playoffs like 9 years ago? Another team that should be contracted.

Mariners 62-100: If this team didn’t have Jesus they’d probably win 12 games; they have that little talent & Ichiro is in a tailspin.

NL EAST:
Phillies 90-72 Division Winner: Every team in the division got better except the Mets, but who’s dumb enough to pick against Sir Roy Halladay?

Nationals 87-75 Wild Card: God like pitcher? Check. Most underrated pitcher in baseball (Jordan Zimmerman)? Check. God like power? Check. Epic beards (Jayson Werth)? Check. Best rotation in the division? Very possible. Bryce Harper hitting 20 homers this year? A given.

Marlins 85-77: If Josh Johnson can learn how to throw the ball without getting hurt this is a potential World Series team, but we’ll assume Johnson will only pitch 15 games like always.

Braves 85-77: Young arms don’t last forever. Are these kids Smoltz, Glavine & Maddux or Avery?

Mets 33-129: When a team buys Frank Francisco & has vastly improved their bullpen that pretty much tells you how much they suck.

NL CENTRAL:
Reds 82-80 Division Winner: Frazier, Votto & Bruce = a good start; can the pitching get back to 2010 form?

Cardinals 81-81: A 500 record is assuming that Berkman has another career year. How does a team with this little talent succeed every year? Hopefully David Freese has a great season.

Brewers 70-92: Fielder gone. Braun suspended. Greinke mental. Miracles only happen so often.

Cubs 70-92: You’d think 104 years of rampant mediocrity would result in some effort; not bloody likely.

Pirates 66-96: After doing good for a while last year the management proved they don’t want to win by trading for AJ Burnett.

Astros 62-100: Remember when steroids were legal & this was one of the best teams in the National League? No wonder people want them to change their name to “Bush” at least then they have an excuse as to why they absolutely suck.

NL WEST:
Rockies 85-77 Division Winner: Carlos Gonzalez & Troy Tulowitzki take this team on their back this year.

Diamondbacks 83-79: Mr. Kennedy…………………Kennedy went 21-4 last year. And he didn’t even pitch that great late in the season.

Giants 82-80: Sorry but Buster Posey & Pedro Sandoval can’t bat for everyone else in the lineup.

Padres 81-81: Petco Park seems to make pitchers appear better than they are; look for that trend to continue.

Dodgers 75-87: Now we know why Joe Torre left; the only kids on the team who try are Matt Kemp & Clayton Kershaw. Mattingly must really be pissed the Yankees hired Girardi over him now huh?

Dux’s Analysis:
ravens – ray lewis will murder brady for the win
giants – alex smith sux
u cant spell ex-lax without alex smith

Sco0′s Picks: Playoff Record 5-3

Sco0′s Competent Analysis:
Due to the new kickoff rules starting teams farther from the endzone, 2011 was the year of record breaking offensive production. However, we’ve rung in the new year and it’s all about defense Defense DEFENSE! It’s playoff time and QBs are getting shaky in the knees while DBs are getting the hungries. This week, the Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers will be victorious, bringing slight redemption to their pathetic and stinky fanbases. Harbaughs unite in Indy and lick each other’s faces.

Fred’s Picks: Playoff Record 4-4

Fred’s Competent Analysis:
Everything’s coming up Harbaugh! While the Ravens struggled offensively against the impenetrable Houston Texans defense; the New England Patriots have a defense that is so horrible it broke records. The only team the Patriots beat of note was the Broncos. The Ravens have dominated against real teams: beating the Steelers twice, Bengals twice, Texans twice & 49ers. Just one of those wins is more impressive than all of the Patriots wins combined. John’s squad wins 27-13 because they are the far superior team.

Everything broke right for the 49ers this past weekend – Alex Smith became a quarterback & the Giants overcame repeated ref riggage to eliminate the only team in the NFC that could’ve sent the 49ers out of the playoffs. The Giants beat the Packers when the Packers played their worst game of the season & as mentioned they also beat the refs. Unfortunately the deck is stacked too high against Eli. Not only are the 49ers at home & therefore the refs will obviously rig in their favor, but it’s also supposed to rain all weekend in San Francisco; making an already illegally damp field even wetter. 49ers trounce Giants 33-19.

Grizzly’s Picks: Playoff Record 4-4

Grizzly’s Incoherent Babbling:
Patriots defeat Ravens 27-10
Patriots have offense and some defense
Ravens have defense and some offense
If the Ravens are as strong as they claim, why ddi they allow Houston to come all the way back
if not for the Ravens D, houston might have actually won that game
Patriots will just runover everyone on their quest to the SuperBowl
don’t let an early lapse in offense fool you
who cares if they are down 10-0? They might end up scoring the final 27 or so
they did it the last 2 weeks in the regular season and could do it again
Brady > Flacco

In an highly unlilkely NFC championship matchup, Giants WILL beat the 49ers
regardless, if there is a power outage, Giants will find a way to take care of Alex Smith
49ers beat everyone up in the NFC West and the West really isnt that good
Giants couldn’t beat the Redskins twice but, they beat Cowboys twice and took care if Green Bay at Green Bay!
Eli > Alex Smith
If the Giants trail in the 4th, Eli will put them out of their hole

49ers blew a 17 pt lead and trailed in the 4th before a miracle happened
Not miracles Sunday for 49ers
Not Today
No Boors Head Deli Meat for you
Giants win 16-13

Sco0′s Picks: Last Week 3-1

Fred’s Picks: Last Week 2-2

Grizzly’s Picks: Last Week 2-2

Sco0′s Picks:

Fred’s Picks:

Grizzly’s Picks:

To Coastal Carolina University’s AD Hunter Yurachek our present is a clue; since he clearly doesn’t have one after firing David Bennett earlier this month. Yeah; this guy -> David Bennett

For Buffalo Bills’ backup quarterback Tyler Thigpen we hope for a contract extension for calling out CCU on such a dumb decision. Mr. Thigpen may not be Tom Brady but he clearly gets it!

To 49ers wide receiver Braylon Edwards we offer two thumbs up for his scholarship contributions to a number of young scholars in Ohio.

To 49ers defensive ends Aldon & Justin Smith we give them the key to the city of San Francisco. We know they’ll defend it well!

To the New York Mets we offer an ATM machine; as clearly they are in need of one. Mets fans enjoy 5th place for until the Wilpons get lost.

A tip of the cap to Dan Orlovsky for winning his first NFL game recently. It would’ve been pretty dubious for him to lead two teams to 0-16 records; so we’re glad he didn’t get that distinction.

Send us what gifts you’d give athletes to sportsnewscenter@hotmail.com

Consensus Picks:

Sco0′s Analysis:
- Falcons will probably shutout Vikings
- Bengals somehow will beat Browns by 2
- Titans are terrible & Bucs will win by 24
- Cam Newton will fail for 3 quarters then beat Colts at end
- Cards only beat Eagles so they will lose rest of season, Rams win
- Bills are terrible but will come back to beat worse Jets
- Texans will run all over Jaggers
- Raiders will “raid” the Bears of a win
- Seahawks are making their run for the division. Seattle by 34
- Eagles don’t have Vick so they have a chance. They’ll lose by 4
- Tebow will win out. Broncos by 5
- Chiefs are done for the season. Steelers by 18
- Giants season is in freefall. Saints by 19

Arty’s Picks:

Grizzly’s Picks:

Fred’s Picks:

Grizzly’s Picks:

Arty’s Picks:

MRM’s Picks:

Scoot’s Picks:

Grizzly’s Picks:

Scoot Brueglen’s Picks:

Scoot’s Analysis:
The Jets are trash and should have 5 losses. Nick Folk will need 6 field goals to have a chance because Sanchez will certainly fail. Buffalo 24 – Jets 15

Tampa Bay always pulls out one big victory against the Saints each season. Since that has already happened, expect them to lose. Saints 44 – Bucs 21

The long awaited 2008 Superbowl rematch will expose the Giants. Since they no longer have helmet-catchers, they will flail and die. Patriots 44 – Giants 14

Packers look destined for a perfect season and their offense and defense will dominate the Chargers in all aspects. Chargers 24 – Packers 23

This snoozefest will be a game to forget for sure. Baltimore defense will turn meat patties into roethless burgers. Ravens 16 – Steelers 16

Bears will keep it close but we all know they’ll blow it. Black coaches have difficulties in pressure situations. Eagles 19 – Bears 16

Fred’s Picks:

Fred’s Analysis:
The Jets can’t run the ball well, they can’t pass the ball well & they can’t stop the run. The Bills picked off a future hall of famer named Tom Brady 4 times earlier this season. If Sanchez isn’t picked off 6 times I’ll be shocked. Bills roll 34-3

Neither Tampa nor New Orleans tried in their previous game. But New Orleans got killed by one of the worst teams in the league; at least Tampa got embarrassed by an average team. Therefore I think Tampa eeks one out here. Tampa 24 New Orleans 20

I expect a shootout here, much like their Week 17 matchup of yesteryear. Same result in the end Patriots 38 Giants 35

Rivers has yet to play a decent game this year & even if he has a good one here the Chargers can’t keep pace with Rodgers. Packers 47 Chargers 35

Unlike Scoot I have some insight on this game. The Steelers have a mediocre offensive line, so Big Ben will be small benjamin all day long. The Steelers also feature a mediocre running back; as a result Big Ben has to throw more. The Ravens have a great defense & should have no problems on offense against an aging, injured, decrepit defense of the Steelers. Ravens 39 Steelers 14

If Matt Forte doesn’t have at least 200 total yards of offense & three touchdowns against the porous Eagles defense then the Bears might as well cut him. But since Mr. Forte wants his money expect a hall of fame type day out of him. We’re talking better than Murray’s numbers against the Rams. That & a little ref riggage will prevent the Eagles from winning. Bears 38 Eagles 22

Oakland @ Houston:
Grizzly’s Pick: HOUSTON; Houston is the team to beat in the south
Fred MRMins Pick: The Raiders should be charged up after the passing of Al Davis but they are facing a team that is far superior. Look for the Raiders bereavement to keep the game closer than it should be with the Texans winning 31-20.

Tampa Bay @ San Francisco:
Grizzly’s Pick: TBAY; Tbay will show what philly and cincy tried to do the past 2 weeks but failed
Fred MRMins Pick: Potentially the best game of the week. Two teams destined for playoff contention can solidify their playoff hopes. Expect a defensive battle with the 49ers pulling it out 17-13.

Jets @ Patriots:
Grizzly’s Pick: JETS; jets WILL NOT go into their MNF game against Miami under .500
Fred MRMins Pick: The Jets have looked like a high school football team the last few weeks; expect that to continue with the Patriots smacking them around 45-3.

Green Bay @ Atlanta:
Grizzly’s Pick: GBAY; Atlanta is a diff team and will not win the championship game of last year that should have happened
Fred MRMins Pick: Atlanta’s offense has looked stagnant at times this season. Green Bay’s offense has yet to sputter this year. I expect more of the same with the Packers winning 42-24.

Chicago @ Detroit:
Grizzly’s Pick: DETROIT; Detroit to remain undefeated
Fred MRMins Pick: The Bears are a mediocre team that seems to have outplayed who they are for some time now. The Lions continue to improve in every facet of the game. If Stafford doesn’t get hurt the Lions should coast to a 34-10 victory.

Houston @ New Orleans:

Fred’s Pick: New Orleans defense has looked terrible against everyone this year, so expect Houston to win by 2 TDs
Grizzly’s Pick: Houston by 1

New England @ Buffalo:

Fred’s Pick: Upset Special!!!! Expect Buffalo to win on a late field goal
Grizzly’s Pick: New England by 2 TDs

Green Bay @ Chicago:

Fred’s Pick: Green Bay coasts to a blowout victory 34-10
Grizzly’s Pick: Green Bay in a high scoring affair

Atlanta @ Tampa Bay:

Fred’s Pick: Atlanta wins it late, but not as late as Grizzly thinks! A late TD by Ryan leads Atlanta to 17-10 victory.
Grizzly’s Pick: Atlanta over Tampa Bay in OT