Dylan Axelrod
DYLAN’S PICKS:
New Orleans Saints (8-2) at Atlanta Falcons (2-8)
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (2-8) at Detroit Lions (6-4)
Minnesota Vikings (2-8) at Green Bay Packers (5-5)
Jacksonville Jaguars (1-9) at Houston Texans (2-8)
San Diego Chargers (4-6) at Kansas City Chiefs (9-1)
Carolina Panthers (7-3) at Miami Dolphins (5-5)
Pittsburgh Steelers (4-6) at Cleveland Browns (4-6)
Chicago Bears (6-4) at St. Louis Rams (4-6)
New York Jets (5-5) at Baltimore Ravens (4-6)
Tennessee Titans (4-6) at Oakland Raiders (4-6)
Indianapolis Colts (7-3) at Arizona Cardinals (6-4)
Dallas Cowboys (5-5) at New York Giants (4-6)
Denver Broncos (9-1) at New England Patriots (7-3)
San Francisco 49ers (6-4) at Washington Redskins (3-7)
Winning Prediction in Bold
Dylan Axelrod makes a living throwing heat for the Chicago White Sox.
So it makes sense that the major league pitcher didn’t throw many curveballs while picking the winners of this week’s NFL games in a fun promotion that is raising money for local youth scholarships to the Junior Lifeguards program.
Axelrod, a local product who played at Santa Barbara High and SBCC, chose the home team in 10-of-14 NFL games being played this weekend. One of the away teams he picked was to be expected: his beloved San Francisco 49ers.
A tough decision came with the Denver Broncos (9-1) playing at New England (7-3). Axelrod likes the Patriots to knock off the team many consider to be the best in the NFL.
“The Patriots got another offensive weapon back in Shane Vereen and are 26-2 in their last 28 games in the second half of the season. Brady pulls out an upset at home in a shoot-out.”
The “Local Celebrities Football Picks” promotion with PresidioSports.com and Santa Barbara Brewing Company?is raising money for local Junior Lifeguard scholarships while simultaneously raising awareness about different events and important causes around town.
Axelrod, currently training at P3 during the White Sox’s offseason, gave a shout-out to the local UCP Work Inc. Mentor Program, for which Axelrod has worked in the past. Having served the community for over 40 years, the program?seeks to enhance the lives of local residents with special needs. Axelrod says he still volunteers his time when he can and encourages others to try it out.
Every week, Presidio Sports is collecting predictions from a local celebrity on the winners of NFL football games. Each correct pick will trigger a donation that will accumulate throughout the season. The promotion will provide at least two scholarships for the seven-week summer camp that promotes fitness and an active lifestyle. For over 40 years, the Santa Barbara Junior Lifeguard program has helped develop youth with strenuous daily workouts, water safety, first aid, surf lifesaving, marine education and competition.
So far, Olympic beach volleyball champion Todd Rogers was nearly perfect. Rogers nailed 12-of-13 winners to really set the bar high. Then professional surfer Lakey Peterson took her turn predicting the winners from the NFL?s Week 9 slate of games. Lakey herself went through the Junior Guards program as a Santa Barbara youngster. Also having participated so far is KEYT Sports Anchor Mike Klan and Australian adventurer Tim Cope.
The “Local Celebrity Football Picks” will be posted online each week and will also appear in the print weekly Santa Barbara Sentinel.
The Santa Barbara Brewing Company, located at 501 State Street since 1995, shows all NFL games and hosts Happy Hour M-F from 3 pm to 6 pm.
