Pack Predictor: 2012 Topps Chrome Football Rack Pack

Football is the sport of early winter; and the playoffs is the peak of football's power.  I feel like the two playoff weekends before the Super Bowl are generally more exciting (and this past weekend was especially so). What better way to greet "Conference Championship" week than with the opening of a rack pack of the eponymous Topps Chrome brand?

And not only that, I consulted with the pack wrapper, and it told me that it could predict the future.  So I'm going to see how true that is....points will be assigned based on the pack contents to determine the Super Bowl XXXXIIIIIII participants.

Jay Cutler: Was once a Bronco, who were beaten by the Ravens last week....Ravens +3,

Dont'a Hightower: Patriots rookie....Patriots +5

D'qwell Jackson: Against Baltimore this year, he had 8 total tackles in two games, but Baltimore swept the season series.....Ravens +2

Rueben Randle: Giants beat the 49ers and lost to the Falcons and Ravens.....Falcons +2, Ravens +2

Frank Gore: 49ers starting running back since 2006, ran for a career 2nd best 1215 yards and 8 TDs in 2012. ...49ers +7

Mychal Kendricks: No Eagles cards will be worth any points; there was nothing positive about that team in 2012.

Dwayne Allen Tall Boy Insert: The Colts lost to the Patriots this year,allowing 59 points and lost to the Ravens in the playoffs....Patriots +2, Ravens +3

Tim Tebow: What a strange season he had, only played in 40 plays the entire year. You would think he'd make a good backup running back with the threat of an option pass....Jets were swept by the Patriots and destroyed by the 49ers. 49ers +2, Patriots +4

Ryan Broyles Tall Boy Insert: Had his only 100 yard receiving game against the Texans, whom the Patriots beat....Patriots +2

Ryan Tannehill XFractor: I thought he had better stats this year; only 12 TDs and 13 Int this year.  Dolphins lost to New England twice this year....Patriots +4

TJ Graham Orange Refractor: Bills also lost to New England twice this year.....Patriots +4

Larry Fitzgerald Orange Refractor: This was a season to forget for Fitzgerald.  He didn't even crack 800 receiving yards. The Cardinals beat the Patriots, lost to the Falcons, and got swept by the 49ers. ....Ravens +3, Falcons +2, 49ers +4

Fletcher Cox: No points awarded on Eagles cards.

Larry Fitzgerald: No points awarded on duplicate players

Ray Rice Orange Refractor:  If this guy has 160 total yards or more, the Ravens will probably win.....Ravens +7

Final Totals: Patriots over Ravens: 21-20
49ers over Falcons: 13-4

So this predicts a Patriots vs. 49ers Super Bowl with the most foolproof system ever devised.

For Football Week 2: Two 2012 Topps Football Packs

I decided to try my "luck" and see if I could at least snag a base rookie from the latest Topps offering of football cards.  I think the last time I opened a pack of football cards was 1991, so this is a new experience either way.  I love September and the confluence of the ending of baseball season and the opening of football season.

Pack 1
300-Eli Manning, not a bad start, getting a 2-time Super Bowl MVP award winner.  He was the QB on my fantasy team last year (lost in the finals of this long-time league again)

80-Chris Johnson-C2K is looking for a bounceback season, not quite to the heights of his 2000 yard season  in 2009.  His 2011 is a testament to the perils of holding out all preseason.

320-AJ Green:  He gained 1000 yards as a rookie WR last year, the 15th time that has happened.

163-Green Bay Packers team card-They were 15-1, and didn't make the Super Bowl.  Home-field advantage doesn't mean as much as it used to.

101-San Diego Chargers team card-They have the powder blue uniforms on, it's a nice card.

Game Time Giveaway: It looks like the site is up-unlocked a Tony Romo card, is that good for the site?  Apparently, a card is 1:14 codes instead of a token...not bad.

1965 Topps Tall Boy Insert 16: Miles Austin:  What a strange shape for a mini.

258-Randy Moss:  He is a 49er this year after not playing last year and barely playing in '10.  Can he be a contributor?

413-Aaron Corp- Signed as a free agent after the draft as a Bill, did not make a roster.

126-Quinton Coples-The DE was the Jets 1st round pick in 2012

61-Brandon Gibson-The Rams WR was born in Germany.

106-Mark Ingram-The former Heisman winner had an injury plagued rookie season, but will be the principal rusher on the Saints this year.


Pack 2
52-Alex Smith-He turned the corner last year and had his first 3000 yard passing season, leading the 49ers to the NFC championship game.

408-Marcell Dareus-The DT had the most sacks by a Buffalo rookie in a decade according to the back of the card.

2-Javhid Best-The talented Detroit player has been having concussion problems.  I know how hard those are to shake, and mine weren;t as severe as what a football players' would be.

302-Shane Lechler-He averaged over 50 yards per punt last year and still didn't  lead the league!

122-Jared Cook-This TE was my sleeper pick in the draft for those who miss out on the top ones...he's still sleeping.

87-Joe Haden-He's supposedly one of the top CBs in the league, but is being suspended for 4 games for violating the league substance abuse policy.

1957 Topps Rookie Reprint Red 15-Kendall Wright- a rookie starting receiver in a vintage design, nice.

Prolific Playmakers insert Darren Sproles-had an amazing 86 receptions last year as a running back and averaged 6.9 yards per carry.

196-Curtis Lofton-This Saints LB had 147 tackles last year and a statue of his likeness in his hometwon of Kingfisher, OK.

51-Gerell Robinson-The Arizona St. alum is on the Arizona Cardinals practice squad.

278-Juron Criner-This WR was the 5th round pick by the Raiders

160-Mark Sanchez-Signed to an extension and challenged by the Tebow, I predict a career year this year for Sanchez.