2012 NFL Report Cards: NFC

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-Digger's Daily-

When will the Atlanta Falcons (11-1) start earning respect from national media? This team is for real. Perhaps things will change after beating up New Orleans and ending Drew Brees 54 game touchdown streak record last night on Thursday Night Football.

2012 NFL is now entering the final month of regular season play. The playoff picture remains wide open for some, a lock for a select few, and a dismal reminder of what could have been for others.
MVP honors are up for grabs. It's a wide open field with plenty of candidates. A few players to keep an eye on: Matt Ryan (Atl), Aaron Rodgers (GB), Adrian Peterson (Min), Robert Griffin III (Was), Josh Freeman (TB), Brandon Marshall (Chi) and Aldon Smith (SF).

All World All Sports assembled our first ever NFL team by team report card compiled from 11 games played based on Digger's personal rating system.

Team	W-L	Coach	Offense	Defense	Special Teams	Chemistry
NFC East
Giants	7-4	A	C	B-	C	B+
Redskins	5-6	B+	B+	D	D	B
Cowboys	5-6	D	C-	C-	C-	D
Eagles	3-8	D	F	F	F	D
NFC North
Bears	8-3	A	C	A	B+	A
Packers	7-4	A	C	C	C-	A
Vikings	6-5	C	B	C	A	B
Lions	4-7	C	B-	F	F	D
NFC South
Falcons	10-1	A	A+	C	B	A+
Buccaneers	6-5	A	A	C+	C	B
Saints	5-6	D	A	F	B	C
Panthers	3-8	C-	D	D	D	C
NFC West
49ers	8-2-1	A	A	A+	C-	A+
Seahawks	6-5	B-	C	A	B	B
Rams	4-6-1	B-	C-	C-	D	C+
Cardinals	4-7	C-	F	D	D	D

Stay tuned for AFC report cards...

2012 NFL Predictions: Week 13

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-Digger's Daily-

Week 12 netted 10 correct selections. A quick few notables from last weekend...
... Eagles fans want Coach Andy Reid gone.
... Giants looked Super vs Green Bay. A huge bounceback victory.
... Fireman Ed quits (Jets).
... Eli Manning sets Giants TD passing record.
... Peyton Manning 149th win becomes NFL's all time #2 behind Favre (186).
... Houston (AFC) & Atlanta (NFC) own conference best records, 10-1.

Digger's Week 13 crystal ball predictions... (home in CAPS).

THURSDAY

FALCONS 33

Saints 27

SUNDAY

BILLS 28	Jaguars 24
BEARS 24	Seahawks 14
49ers 28	RAMS 9
Patriots 33	DOLPHINS 17
Cardinals 23	JETS 17
Colts 30	LIONS 24
PACKERS 35	Vikings 20
Texans 38	TITANS 13
Panthers 24	CHIEFS 14
BRONCOS 28	Bucs 20
Browns 17	RAIDERS 13
Bengals 31	CHARGERS 21
RAVENS 27	Steelers 3
COWBOYS 36	Eagles 0

MONDAY

Giants 34

REDSKINS 33

Season total 113-63 (64.2%)

2012 NFL Predictions: Week 12

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-Digger's Daily-

Happy Thanksgiving America! Three great NFL games to help pass time while celebrating. Texans in Detroit kicks off the day followed by hated rivals (Washington @ Dallas, New England @ NY Jets).

The playoff picture is beginning to come into focus. Washington (4-6) and Dallas (5-5) share must win situations if they're to catch struggling defending Super Bowl champion Giants (6-4). The Jets (4-6) are just about cooked. They provided fans with false hope after winning their last game. Division leading New England will knock them back to reality.

As for the rest of Week 12 - a few games with huge playoff ramifications coupled with some not so hot games on paper. A few games to keep an eye on....
-Did a week off reset the slumping NY Giants (6-4)? Big test vs Green Bay (7-3).
-Can Minnesota (6-4) knock off division rival Chicago (7-3)?
-Seattle (6-4) playing strong but struggles big time in road games (1-4) plays a Dolphins team struggling to remain relevent.
-49ers D gets a big test in New Orleans.

Digger tore it up in Week 11 posting a season high 13 correct picks out of 14 games.   Season total improved to 103-57 (64.3%). Take away replacement ref games and winning percentage skyrockets to 71%. Place your bets. Bye week's are done. Get ready for a full slate of games for the remaining six weeks of regular season NFL action. Here's how Week 12 shakes out... (home in CAPS).

THURSDAY
Texans 38 LIONS 20
Redskins 27 COWBOYS 24
Patriots 41 JETS 3

SUNDAY
BEARS 21 Vikings 17
BENGALS 33 Raiders 17
Steelers 21 BROWNS 14
COLTS 30 Bills 28
Broncos 38 CHIEFS 10
Seahawks 24 DOLPHINS 21
Falcons 28 BUCS 24
Titans 31 JAGUARS 20
Ravens 24 CHARGERS 13
CARDINALS 23 Rams 21
SAINTS 44 49ers 21
GIANTS 31 Packers 27

MONDAY
EAGLES 17 Panthers 14

Stay tuned for team by team report cards.

2012 NFL Predictions: Week 11

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-Digger's Daily-

We're on a roll. 10 correct selections last weekend increases Digger's record to 90-56 (62.3%). It was a weekend filled with concussions, turmoil and questions besieging many teams.

Key injuries from the likes of Jay Cutler, Michael Vick and Ben Roethlisberger will keep teams off scrambling to fill in major holes in upcoming games. Turmoil in New York surrounding Giants woes and Jets quarterback controversy. Philadelphia fans are at wits end with head coach Reid.

Big games everywhere this weekend and a needed rest for defending NFL champs (Giants).

THURSDAY
BILLS 31 Dolphins 17

SUNDAY
FALCONS 45 Cardinals 14
COWBOYS 30 Browns 10
Packers 33 LIONS 20
Bengals 27 CHIEFS 9
REDSKINS 21 Eagles 20
Bucs 24 PANTHERS 21
TEXANS 34 Jaguars 17
RAMS 20 Jets 13
Saints 51 RAIDERS 24
BRONCOS 28 Chargers 21
PATRIOTS 35 Colts 23
Ravens 24 STEELERS 6

MONDAY
49ERS 24 Bears 20

Stay tuned for team by team report card.

All World All Sports Picks Baseball's Best of 2012

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-Digger's Daily-

Next week MLB announces the 2012 award winners. This past baseball season was fantastic from beginning to end. We were treated to great individual and team accomplishments. No hitters, triple crown, sensational rookies and breakout performances. I'm guessing most winners will not be debated - except for one (AL MVP).

MLB announced the 2012 finalists - award winners revealed next week. Here's my take...

AL MVP
Adrian Beltre Solid season by Rangers 3B offensively & defensively. Rangers most consistant player all season long. Was 2004 MVP runner up.
Miguel Cabrera Tigers 3B completed baseball's first Triple Crown since Yaz won in 1967. No player was more valuable to his team.
Robinson Cano Yankees 2B is one of the games best hitters but not so hot with RISP.
Josh Hamilton Here's the paper thin nominee. Hamilton finished with great numbers but it was an up and down season which had management questioning his desire. Surprised he's a finalist.
Mike Trout Rookie Angels sensation garnered a ton of attention after a superb rookie season.
Probably the most contested award of the year. Talking heads seem evenly divided between Cabrera & Trout.

Winner: Miguel Cabrera. MVP award should be given to the player most valuable to his teams success. Let there be no doubt. Tigers would not have won the AL Central without Cabrera. Triple Crown winner did it all season long. Moved from 1B to 3B when Detroit signed Prince Fielder. Hit in the clutch.

NL MVP
Ryan Braun Brewers outfielder won in 2011. One of NL's top players knocked a career high 41 HR.
Chase Headley Break out season for Padres 3B. Career best in most offensive categories.
Andrew McCutchen Hands down winner if voting was conducted at July's end. Not so hot finish doomed Pirates - and his chances of winning.
Yadier Molina Baseball's premier defensive catcher posted career high's in batting. He is one of the games best signal callers. A true MVP. Great clutch performer.
Buster Posey Great comeback season after a devastating injury nearly ended his career. NL's leading hitter with little to no lineup protection propelled Giants to NL West crown.

Winner: Buster Posey. Giants standout performer on one of NL's weakest hitting teams.

AL CY YOUNG
David Price 2010 runner up led AL with 2.56 ERA.
Justin Verlander Can JV pull off back to back awards?
Jered Weaver Began 14-1, finished 20-5.

Winner: Jered Weaver. AL Cy Young is a tossup. Weaver gets our nod even though Verlander seems locked in to win again.

NL CY YOUNG
R.A. Dickey Dickey was Mets MVP. Knuckleballer had a terrific season. Led NL with 230 K.
Gio Gonzalez Led NL with 21 wins and Nats to NL East title.
Clayton Kershaw Defending NL Cy Young winner led NL with 2.53 ERA, 1.023 ERA & 6.7 H/9.

Winner: R.A. Dickey. Dickey is our pick. Don't be surprised if Gio wins.

AL MANAGER
Bob Melvin, A's 94-68
Buck Showalter, Orioles 93-69
Robin Ventura, White Sox 85-77

Winner: Buck Showalter Orioles season stunned baseball. Orioles nearly won powerhouse AL East. Buck deserves much credit creating a winning atmosphere and superb handling of Baltimore's bullpen.

NL MANAGER
Dusty Baker, Reds 97-65
Bruce Bochy, Giants 94-68
Davey Johnson, Nationals 98-64

Winner: Davey Johnson. DJ skippered Washington to baseball's best record. 1st winning season since franchise moved from Montreal after 2004 season.

AL ROOKIE
Yoenis Cespedes, Athletics
Yu Darvish, Rangers
Mike Trout, Angels

Winner: Mike Trout. Led AL in runs scored (129) & stolen bases (49) while playing in only 139 games. Unanimous.

NL ROOKIE
Todd Frazier, Reds
Bryce Harper, Nationals
Wade Miley, Diamondbacks

Winner: Bryce Harper. Miley was a close 2nd in our book. However, Harper seemed to energize the Nats helping them capture the NL East.

2012 NFL Predictions: Week 10

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-Digger's Daily-

Week 9 featured many memorable moments led by Tampa Bay's (4-4) Doug Martin shredding Oakland's (3-5) defense for 241 rushing yards. Atlanta remains undefeated (8-0) after holding off limping Dallas on SNF. Brees keeps adding to his NFL record consecutive TD passing streak. Will New Orleans be the team to take down Atlanta?

Big games on tap for Week 10. Every week could be make or break for underperforming teams and their frenzied coaches. 10-3 in Week 9 brings season total to 80-52.

THURSDAY
Colts 24 JAGUARS 10

SUNDAY
Giants 27 BENGALS 23
DOLPHINS 21 Titans 17
VIKINGS 20 Lions 17
PATRIOTS 30 Bills 14
SAINTS 34 Falcons 28
BUCS 24 Chargers 23
Broncos 30 PANTHERS 16
RAVENS 28 Raiders 24
SEAHAWKS 23 Jets 14
Cowboys 27 EAGLES 21
49ERS 27 Rams 6
BEARS 21 Texans 20

MONDAY
STEELERS 34 Chiefs 10

Bye: Arizona, Cleveland, Green Bay, Washington.

2012 NFL Predictions: Week 9

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-Digger's Daily-

All World All Sports & Digger would like to extend our deepest sympathies to all those suffering nasty effects from Hurricane Sandy. Many continue to remain in the dark. Some completely wiped out. Please remain patient, safe and seek shelter before our next storm arrives in a couple of days.

Our power came back only a few minutes ago. Hopefully a busy Sunday football schedule serves as a slight distraction from realities of the storm. Only Sunday/Monday predictions since lack of power prevented publication before Thursday's Chargers/Chiefs contest.

8-6 during Week 8 brings season total to 70-49.

SUNDAY (home in CAPS)
Broncos 33 BENGALS 20
Ravens 20 BROWNS 6
PACKERS 42 Cardinals 10
Bears 30 TITANS 14
Dolphins 26 COLTS 23
Panthers 17 REDSKINS 16
Lions 28 JAGUARS 17
TEXANS 30 Bills 10
SEAHAWKS 23 Vikings 21
RAIDERS 24 Bucs 21
GIANTS 27 Steelers 23
FALCONS 36 Cowboys 21
MONDAY
SAINTS 44 Eagles 17