Day 25: Dodgers, Angels, NFL Pick 'Em and more

HEADLINES

1) The Dodgers pulled out an amazing win after trailing 2-1 with two outs in the bottom of the ninth to take a 2-0 lead over the Cardinals. Are you giving the Cardinals any chance at winning this series?

Ben: Not really. I'll give them a small chance, but it's highly unlikely. They had a heartbreaking loss last night and that totally demoralizes a team at this point in the season. I think they could get a win in Game 3, although I don't think it's a sure thing. Padilla eats up innings and has the potential to get through 6 innings with minimum damage. That, along with the fact that Manny and Either haven't really had big games makes me think this one is almost over.

Boz: No. The Cardinals will win game three with the Dodgers sending Vincente Padilla to the mound. However, Chad Billingsly will win game four and clinch the NLDS for Los Angeles. After losing Carpenter's start to open the series, the Cardinals needed, I repeat NEEDED, to win Wainwright's start. Wainwright did everything possible to win the game but let Ryan Franklin lose it for him in the ninth. I would make the argument that Wainwright should have pitched the ninth, but then again Matt Holliday should have caught a fly ball to help Franklin win the game.

2) The Angels had a nice start in their attempt to finally beat the Red Sox in a playoff series, taking game one 5-0 behind a strong start from John Lackey. Are the Angels finally going to get past the Red Sox in the playoffs?

Ben: Nope. I won't believe it until I see it. It's similar to the trouble the Red Sox had getting past the Yankees. You just couldn't believe they were going to do it until they finally pulled it out. And although the Sox rotation is down from recent years, they still have Beckett and Dice-K has potential wins with Lester coming back in Game 4. That is pretty formidable. Plus, at some point, the offense will put something together. I'll take the Sox in 5.

Boz: Yes. I don't think that they Red Sox's starting rotation is as strong as everyone thought with Beckett struggling down the stretch a bit. With that being said, Beckett's postseason numbers speak for themselves. However, they don't have much after Beckett and the Angels have too much offense. I have the Angles winning in five games.

3) Sam Bradford returns from a right shoulder injury in No. 19 Oklahoma's Big 12 opener against Baylor. Can the Sooners still win the Big 12?

Ben: They could, but they won't. They're offense has taken a giant step backward from last season and there defense still has holes. I'll take Texas to win in two weeks, with an upset from Texas Tech or someone like that down the line.

Boz: No. They won't get past Texas next weekend. I also think they'll drop one more game to either Kansas, Missouri or Nebraska. It's great that Sam Bradford is finally back from injury but it's a week too late after the loss at Miami last Saturday. Bradford coming back helps but the Sooners have too many other injuries to deal with. I know they don't have any losses in the Big 12 yet, but that'll change when they take on the Longhorns.

4) Michael Vick is set to star in an eight-part reality series on BET titled "The Michael Vick Project." Is this a good move for Vick?

Ben: No. They wouldn't give you a TV show if they knew you were going to be boring and not get into trouble. Vick is going to slip up and will be caught drinking, partying, or messing around in shady ways and it will tilt the perception of him again. There is no way he goes the entire eight shows without some type of incident.

Boz: I think that depends. If Vick gets through the entire series without any problems then it's great for Vick because the television show would be a wonderful medium to showcase a different Michael Vick. However, if Vick slips up in any sort of a way, it'll be out there for everyone to see, which would damage him. I still hope for the best for Michael Vick and I hope that he can continue this tranformation. I'm glad that he is doing the reality show, I just hope that he makes the most of it.

NFL PICK 'EM

Last week        Ben: 2-4        Boz: 5-1
Season             Ben: 9-10      Boz: 14-5

1) Cincinnati (3-1) at Baltimore (3-1)

Ben: BALTIMORE. Defense is still amazing, and the offense is starting to develop into something Brian Billick was looking for before he got canned. Cincy has a chance later in the season, but right now, I don't think they're ready to challenge the Ravens.

Boz: BALTIMORE. The Ravens are a legit contender in the AFC, the Bengals are not. They've been a nice story to start the season, but they still aren't in the league of the Ravens. Cincy hasn't won a tough road game yet and still won't after this week.

2) Pittsburgh (2-2) at Detroit (1-3)

Ben: DETROIT. Don't listen to me.

Boz: PITTSBURGH. Even if Willie Parker can't play against the Lions, Rashard Mendenhall showed last week why the Steelers drafted him in the first round two years ago. Plus, it looks like Dante Culpepper is going to be starting for the Lions, when is the last time he won a game as starter?

3) Atlanta (2-1) at San Francisco (3-1)

Ben: SAN FRANCISCO. It's in San Fran, and that defense will suffocate the running game of Atlanta. I'm still not sold on Matt Ryan airing it out 40 times a game, something he might have to do Sunday.

Boz: SAN FRANCISCO. The 49ers are a legit contender in the NFC and might have one of the best defenses in the conference. They'll have a tough test with Matt Ryan, Michael Turner and Tony Gonzalez, but I think the Niners will espace with a close win at home. Look for Glen Coffee to have a good week filling in for Frank Gore.

4) Houston (2-2) at Arizona (1-2)

Ben: ARIZONA. The Texans have been killed this season by good players at skill positions (see Chris Johnson) and I think Fitzgerald, Boldin, Warner, Wells, and Pope tear them apart. Also, Adrian Wilson will help negate Andre Johnson a little.

Boz: ARIZONA. The Texans have been way too inconsistent in order to pick them on the road this season. Kurt Warner and his trio of wide receivers will pick apart the Houston offense.

5) New England (3-1) at Denver (4-0)

Ben: DENVER. I'm going upset here and picking the surprise Broncos. Don't know why, but maybe the home field advantage helps them.

Boz: NEW ENGLAND. I still don't know how the Broncos are undefeated at this point. Their defense is pretty good, but their offense is not. The Patriots are just starting to get rolling and will end the Broncos' undefeated run.

6) New York Jets (3-1) at Miami (1-3)

Ben: J-E-T-S, JETS, JETS, JETS! I was about to pick Miami, but then remembered that Chad Pennington is done for the year and since Chad Henne is basically a rookie, I'll take the rookie with more experience, and that goes to Mark Sanchez. The Jets have a good D and a good running game to help put pressure on Henne. This week, he won't be able to answer.

Boz: MIAMI. I know the Jets defense is tough, but Miami's isn't bad either. Mark Sanchez looked like a rookie quarterback last week and I don't think it's safe to write in the Jets as AFC champs. I like Henne as a quarterback and the running game for the Dolphins is always good. I like the upset.

HAPPY HOUR

Ben: Happy 39th Birthday Annika Sorenstam. One of the most accomplished women's golfers of all-time and talented enough to challenge the PGA when she went to Colonial and just barely missed the cut. I pulled for Sorenstam constantly, and really enjoyed watching her compete. Probably the closest thing to Tiger Woods there has been, or will be, in golf.

And a congrats to Jim and Pam Halpert for finally tying the knot in The Office last night!

Boz: Happy 50th Birthday to Mike Singletary. Samuri Mike was the captain and the heart of the Monsters of the Midway Bears defenses in the mid-80s. He was a 10 time pro bowl selection and led the Bears to the a Super Bowl win in Super Bowl XX, arguably one of the best teams of all time. He is now quickly turning around the San Francisco 49ers into a NFC contender.