Keyes Foresees Super Bowl XLV

The Lombardi Trophy

Here we are the best outcome the NFL could have hoped for Steelers vs Packers. The opposite of what I predicted Jets vs. Bears but what can you do, I started hot and now I'm below zero. One last chance at redemption until next year.

Steelers vs. Packers Both teams are very well coached, both teams have Super Bowl history and both teams have the star QB. We saw the Steelers rediscover their run game against the Jets, that was something I didn't see coming. As I watched the game last week I tweeted sometime in the first quarter the Jets needed to contain Ben Roethlisbergers ability to extend the play. Easy for me to say sitting in my favorite chair with the fireplace on, but it was true. The Jets initial coverage was more than enough to get the job done, it was once he passed the 3-5 second window, escaped from the pocket that he was doing damage. If the Packers want to beat the Steelers they will need to keep Ben in the pocket. His ability to improvise is too high and actually makes him a better QB when he's doing it.

Rashard Mendahalls running game needs to be with in the 75-95 window, anything over that and the Steelers will be in the drivers seat. The one thing I espeically liked from the Steelers was their opening drive. When you put together a drive like that it sends a message you are here for business.

This shouldn't be my last note but it's just the way I write so no disrespect Mike Tomlin... 38 years old and at his 3rd Super Bowl. Mike Tomlin is doing what every coach dreams of, but most of all he's doing it right. You  don't here his name in the paper for anything negative, no media tyraids, no conflicts with players. He's a man who understands the game, his players and his situation.

Switching gears to the Packers, Aaron Rodgers is going to have to put on a MVP performance as I see it. The Steelers defense will be right next to him all day. The one weapon he can use to change that is the big play. Going down field, pass plays of 30 yards or more are very needed in this game. I can't even imagine how much the Packers will miss Jermichael Finley next Sunday. That would have stacked the deck towards the Packers for sure.

The Green Bay running game needs to have positive carries with no turnovers. The ball can't hit the ground.  Starks and company have to understand that every run won't be for 5 plus yards and the run game will give their defense a chance to breath. This lesson is vital.

Finally Mike McCarthy another understated coach, compliments to him as well. I am curious to see what he does to combat the Steelers defense. With  two weeks Troy Polomalu and company have a chance to heal and get back to that blitzing Steeler defense.

My prediction Steelers 33 Packers 28, but don't bet on it....

Future of Sports Technology: NFL

Tablet or Ipad its about the technology

There are some things that I believe would be great assets to the major sports today. Over the next month I will touch on all the major sports and how they can benefit from embracing the technology that is available today and in the future. 


Android Tablet / IPad - Using a tablet for play calling is the next step. Think of the advantages of having your team plays loaded onto a device instead of reading from a card. You can customize your application with your plays the history of the team your playing, the situation of the game and the location to factor in the highest probability of success. You could even use it to surprise your opponent by using plays you never run or have little success on running against. Photo's could be sent to the tablet showing defensive and offensive schemes along with video. This would be a great assistant to the referees as well,  they could now look at the video feed to determine the call on the field challenges, spots of the ball, etc. 


Green Screen Technology -  Right now we see green screen technology in baseball for advertising. It's beyond me why we haven't used it for marking the fields yard lines and goal lines , advertisement on field for football games. Even develop the technology so that you light the field in a certain way to eliminate painting the end zones and yard markers. 


Proximity Sensors - Using proximity technology would allow for determining if a ball broke the plain of a goal line, distance marker, runner out of bounds, field goal misses the upright its endless. Think of the end zone wired from corner to corner and then off the field for 20 ft likened to 3 D cube. You could then determine if the ball broke the plain by a signal to the referees receiver. This technology could be reused again and again. 


These are some items I would like to see the NFL implement and embrace the technology we have available to us.  Next I will address Baseball. 

Keyes Foresees Week 16 NFL

Big week in the NFL for some team not so much for others. So in the spirit of competition I will only pick games that have playoff implications for my Key Picks. Recapping from last week we had an OK performance going 9-6 against the spread and 10-6 outright. Key Picks were 3-0 bailed out by D Jackson of the Eagles in the final seconds, Phillip Rivers and Vincent Jackson torching the 49ers on Thursday Night and Peyton coming through again for the colts. Overall for the year we are at 53-40 vs the spread and 58-35 outright. 


This weeks picks are Chicago at home over the Jets. Jay Cutler is looking better and better, Forte isn't hurt and the game is at Soldier Field. Going with the Colts again but this time on the road in Oakland just because Peyton doesn't want to miss the playoffs. Finally the big one... for all the marbles in the NFC, I look for the Falcons to clinch home field and get that week one bye with "Matty Ice" out playing Drew Brees. That's this weeks Keyes Foresees.

Keyes Foresees Week 15 NFL

Week 14 was a setback going 6-10 vs the spread, 7-9 overall for our first week under 500 in the past 3. Pittsburgh was the only Key Pick to win against the spread and outright. So no sense dwelling in the past when we have week 15 right around the corner. 

Week 15 has Key Picks of the Chargers over the 49ers. I mean can anyone stop Phillip Rivers? Peyton Manning and the Colts over the Jags because he is Peyton. The Eagles and Mike Vick over the Giants continuing to write the script for what will surely be a movie someday and of course it would be great if a good deal of the proceeds went to charities against animal cruelty. 

NFL Renews With Sirius XM

Image via Wikipedia

The NFL and Sirius XM Radio have renewed their content subscription for another 5 years. This time around they are adding the ability to listen to the play by play calls online. For NFL fans who travel this is a must, not to mention Fantasy Sports players like myself. One feature I would like Sirius to add is the ability to get your teams stats through your radio. I may be jumping the gun but I believe Direct TV does this now. In any event Good job NFL and Sirius.

Keyes Foresees Week 13 NFL

Keyes Foresees is rolling into Week 13 with a 13-3 against the spread and 13-3 outright. Key Picks had a perfect week 3-0 and 3-0. For those of you have been following it was a rough start but the ship seems to have been righted. Just as a matter of disclosure I am by no means a handicapper, just a fan. YTD is 29-16 outright and against the spread. You can see the progression at http://keyestosports.blogspot.com/p/coming-soon-keyes-forsees.html

So for Week 13 we have Chicago Bears more than covering the spread vs the  Detroit Lions, St. Louis  Rams continuing their rise with another win on the road for consecutive weeks and in the big MNF New England covers the spread over the  NY Jets. I don't believe it will be even close...at least 2 TD win for New England. Playoffs are getting close...

Keyes Foresees Week 12 NFL

Keyes Foresees Week 11 saw a considerable turnaround in my picks. Vs the spread still needs some work but the overall has seemed to picked up. For week 11  we went 3-0 on the Key Picks outright winner and 2-1 vs the spread. The grand total for Week 11 was 12-4 outright and 9-7 against the spread. This week I look to continue the momentum. My three Key Picks are a Thanksgiving Day blow out for New England vs Detroit, still riding the Jets plane with non stop service through the Cincinnati and I am predicting Cleveland to cage the Panthers in Carolina