Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Arizona Cardinals
Line: Steelers -7
O/U: 46.5
Nobody saw this coming, I assure you of that. Remember back in early January when television analysts were annoyed that the NFL playoff system allowed 8-8 and 9-7 teams to participate? Well, the 8-8 team beat a super bowl favorite, and the 9-7 team is playing on Sunday. So I guess the system is just fine. It has been a great run for Arizona. Alas, every good thing must end. I would love to see Cardinals fans finally get to enjoy that trophy, but I can't see it happening. Pittsburgh was good all year, but peaked at the right time, and is playing very well right now. I have picked the Cards to cover in every round so far, but even with a 7 point spread, I can't do it again.
Steelers -7. Pittsburgh hoists another trophy...does it make them the greatest franchise in NFL history? Steelers 28-20.
Thursday, January 29, 2009
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
RECAP - CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND
This week: 1-1 (7-3 playoffs)
Have no fear; Underdog is here!
Philadelphia Eagles @ Arizona Cardinals
Line: Eagles -4
O/U: 47
My Pick: Cards +4. Arizona goes to the Super Bowl with a 33-30 victory!
Result: Cards 32-25
I picked it, but still can't believe it myself! What a huge win for that franchise, and for those Arizona fans who have stayed with the team through its struggles. I can't wait to see what they can put together against Whisenhunt's old team, and the #1 defense in the league. Too bad the super bowl is in the Eastern Time Zone, though...
Got the team right, got the score wrong...
Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Line: Steelers -6
O/U: 34
My Pick: Ravens +6. Steelers Travel To Tampa With a 10-7 Win! And I expect both of those to be defensive Touchdowns...
Result: Steelers 23-14
It was the extra defensive touchdown that put this game away, and cost me against the spread. Pittsburgh's offense had some success, and like people said all week, the Ravens D looked a little off, a little old, a little tired...just not the same team. We'll see how Pittsburgh plays against the high-flying Cards...Polumalu better be at 100% for that one, as he will be desperately needed!
Have no fear; Underdog is here!
Philadelphia Eagles @ Arizona Cardinals
Line: Eagles -4
O/U: 47
My Pick: Cards +4. Arizona goes to the Super Bowl with a 33-30 victory!
Result: Cards 32-25
I picked it, but still can't believe it myself! What a huge win for that franchise, and for those Arizona fans who have stayed with the team through its struggles. I can't wait to see what they can put together against Whisenhunt's old team, and the #1 defense in the league. Too bad the super bowl is in the Eastern Time Zone, though...
Got the team right, got the score wrong...
Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Line: Steelers -6
O/U: 34
My Pick: Ravens +6. Steelers Travel To Tampa With a 10-7 Win! And I expect both of those to be defensive Touchdowns...
Result: Steelers 23-14
It was the extra defensive touchdown that put this game away, and cost me against the spread. Pittsburgh's offense had some success, and like people said all week, the Ravens D looked a little off, a little old, a little tired...just not the same team. We'll see how Pittsburgh plays against the high-flying Cards...Polumalu better be at 100% for that one, as he will be desperately needed!
Friday, January 16, 2009
PREVIEW - CHAMPIONSHIP WEEKEND
Philadelphia Eagles @ Arizona Cardinals
Line: Eagles -4
O/U: 47
Who would have thought that the league's perpetual bottom-rung team would be hosting the NFC championship game? Looks like Arizona has finally become a legit contender, with most of the credit due to Ken Whisenhunt. Before he arrived, many of the pieces were in place, but the attitude of the team, top to bottom, needed a change. As for the Eagles...well, what can I say? They are ridiculously inconsistent, yet have won at the right times. I have no doubts that Arizona will put up 30...heck, they've only been held under 29 at home once all year. I wonder, however, if the Eagles can keep up. The Arizona defense has been impressive in the postseason, and the Eagles may be overconfident after beating the Cards by 28 the last time they faced. Not only do I have reason to believe that the Cards may pull it out, but I also think that if the Eagles win, it will be close.
Cards +4. Arizona goes to the Super Bowl with a 33-30 victory!
Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Line: Steelers -6
O/U: 34
What? The two regular season meetings were decided by a TOTAL of 7 points, the Ravens are at the top of their game, and the Steelers are favored to win by 6? No way. Unless Ray Lewis and Ed Reed don't show up, this game is going right down to the wire. Pittsburgh looked very impressive last week, but Balitmore is awfully consistent. You know exactly what you're going to get. They'll come out and hit you in the face, and if you can withstand it and make a couple of plays, more power to you. Every now and then the Ravens will put together some offense, but that Steelers D is awfully good too. I'd say defense is a wash, with both teams having the skill to beat the other. Can Wee Willie Parker get anything going against such a ferocious run defense? Will Flacco be pressured into multiple game-changing errors? There are too many variables. There is only one way I can go.
Ravens +6. Steelers Travel To Tampa With a 10-7 Win! And I expect both of those to be defensive Touchdowns...
Line: Eagles -4
O/U: 47
Who would have thought that the league's perpetual bottom-rung team would be hosting the NFC championship game? Looks like Arizona has finally become a legit contender, with most of the credit due to Ken Whisenhunt. Before he arrived, many of the pieces were in place, but the attitude of the team, top to bottom, needed a change. As for the Eagles...well, what can I say? They are ridiculously inconsistent, yet have won at the right times. I have no doubts that Arizona will put up 30...heck, they've only been held under 29 at home once all year. I wonder, however, if the Eagles can keep up. The Arizona defense has been impressive in the postseason, and the Eagles may be overconfident after beating the Cards by 28 the last time they faced. Not only do I have reason to believe that the Cards may pull it out, but I also think that if the Eagles win, it will be close.
Cards +4. Arizona goes to the Super Bowl with a 33-30 victory!
Baltimore Ravens @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Line: Steelers -6
O/U: 34
What? The two regular season meetings were decided by a TOTAL of 7 points, the Ravens are at the top of their game, and the Steelers are favored to win by 6? No way. Unless Ray Lewis and Ed Reed don't show up, this game is going right down to the wire. Pittsburgh looked very impressive last week, but Balitmore is awfully consistent. You know exactly what you're going to get. They'll come out and hit you in the face, and if you can withstand it and make a couple of plays, more power to you. Every now and then the Ravens will put together some offense, but that Steelers D is awfully good too. I'd say defense is a wash, with both teams having the skill to beat the other. Can Wee Willie Parker get anything going against such a ferocious run defense? Will Flacco be pressured into multiple game-changing errors? There are too many variables. There is only one way I can go.
Ravens +6. Steelers Travel To Tampa With a 10-7 Win! And I expect both of those to be defensive Touchdowns...
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
RECAP - NFL DIVISIONAL WEEKEND
This Week: 3-1 (6-2)
I wish I did this well in the regular season! With only 3 games left to play this year, I am guaranteed of a winning record in the playoffs. Nice. Now I have to decide which storyline I want to see in the Super Bowl. Let me outline them for you...
Ravens v. Cards: The one between two teams people would not have been surprised to see miss the playoffs entirely before the season started...
Ravens v. Eagles: The Battle of I-95, and the first, and likely only, #6 v #6 Super Bowl
Steelers v. Eagles: The Battle of Pennsylvania
Steelers v. Cardinals: Great defense vs. Great Offense...which wins super bowls? (I know, that one's a stretch...)
From Undefeated to One-And-Done
Baltimore Ravens @ Tennessee Titans (Sat Jan 10th, 4:30pm)
Line: Titans -3
O/U: 34.5
My Pick: Ravens +3. It's tough to beat an outstanding defensive team twice in one year. Ravens 16-13.
Result: Ravens 13-10
You knew it would be a low scoring, defensive battle. Anyone who took "the Over" is crazy, and deserves to have lost his or her money. In a dog fight, never bet against Ray Lewis and the Ravens. I actually may end up having to go against my own philosophy this week...so I guess we'll change the adage to "never bet against Ray Lewis and the Ravens in a dog fight, unless it's against the Steelers or is run by Michael Vick..." Yes, yes, that was in poor taste. But a pack of trained pit bulls would beat the Ravens in a true dog fight, so it had to be added. Sorry Tennessee, it was a great season, but when it was all said and done you proved the media right. You just weren't as good as you thought you were.
Shocker
Arizona Cardinals @ Carolina Panthers (Sat Jan 10th, 8:15pm)
Line: Panthers -10
O/U: 48.5
My Pick: Cardinals +10. Carolina should still win the game, 30-27.
Result: Cardinals 33-13
I wonder when the last time a playoff team beat the spread by 30 was...My thought is in 1991 when the Bills beat the Raiders 52-3...chances are that spread was not 19 or more! Anyway, how about the new-look Cardinals that can run the ball! Now Philly has to travel to the desert, where Arizona knows they can score a ton of points, and try to beat a very different Cards team than they faced last. Philly won the prior meeting by 28, but that was on the east coast, back when the Cards didn't travel well. They certainly showed up this week in Carolina. Consider that on the road, the run game is very important to control tempo and all sorts of other stuff, and without one, Arizona just couldn't put it together away from U of Phoenix Stadium. Their 3 road wins? SF, SEA, and STL. Nobody good. Now Edge is performing, taking the pressure off Warner a little, and even without Boldin, the Cards are one win away from the promised land.
No Way...
Philadelphia Eagles @ New York Giants (Sun Jan 11th, 1:00pm)
Line: Giants -4
O/U: 40
My Pick: Giants -4. New York wins 24-14.
Result: Eagles 23-11
I guess the loss of Plax really was that big a deal...And just when I was starting to believe this team truly was good! Philly is proving Skip Bayless right, in that he said 6 weeks ago that they were playing the best football in the NFL. Now only the "lowly" Cardinals stand in the way of an improbable Super Bowl run. Remember, if you will, that the Tampa Bay Bucs had to lose to the Oakland Raiders for the Eagles to even have a shot at the postseason with a win over Dallas. So if Philadelphia earns a trip to Tampa, they ought to stop in and thank the Bucs for being so inept... they'll be in the neighborhood anyway!
New Favorite
San Diego Chargers @ Pittsburgh Steelers (Sun Jan 11th, 4:45pm)
Line: Steelers -6
O/U: 38
My Pick: Steelers -6. Pittsburgh wins 23-10.
Result: Steelers 35-24
Pittsburgh won in decisive fashion, and all of the other high seeds lost. So naturally they're the new Super Bowl favorites. It must be nice to be a sports fan in that city right now....harboring the number one college basketball team in the country, and essentially the #1 NFL team in the country. We'll see what happens in round 3 of Steelers/Ravens, but the first 2 were decided by a total of 7 points, the Ravens are far better and more confident now than they were then, and it is VERY hard to beat the same team 3 times in one season. Then again, the Steelers looked REALLY good in the second half against San Diego. And they're at home. Thank god I have a couple of days to make up my mind!
I wish I did this well in the regular season! With only 3 games left to play this year, I am guaranteed of a winning record in the playoffs. Nice. Now I have to decide which storyline I want to see in the Super Bowl. Let me outline them for you...
Ravens v. Cards: The one between two teams people would not have been surprised to see miss the playoffs entirely before the season started...
Ravens v. Eagles: The Battle of I-95, and the first, and likely only, #6 v #6 Super Bowl
Steelers v. Eagles: The Battle of Pennsylvania
Steelers v. Cardinals: Great defense vs. Great Offense...which wins super bowls? (I know, that one's a stretch...)
From Undefeated to One-And-Done
Baltimore Ravens @ Tennessee Titans (Sat Jan 10th, 4:30pm)
Line: Titans -3
O/U: 34.5
My Pick: Ravens +3. It's tough to beat an outstanding defensive team twice in one year. Ravens 16-13.
Result: Ravens 13-10
You knew it would be a low scoring, defensive battle. Anyone who took "the Over" is crazy, and deserves to have lost his or her money. In a dog fight, never bet against Ray Lewis and the Ravens. I actually may end up having to go against my own philosophy this week...so I guess we'll change the adage to "never bet against Ray Lewis and the Ravens in a dog fight, unless it's against the Steelers or is run by Michael Vick..." Yes, yes, that was in poor taste. But a pack of trained pit bulls would beat the Ravens in a true dog fight, so it had to be added. Sorry Tennessee, it was a great season, but when it was all said and done you proved the media right. You just weren't as good as you thought you were.
Shocker
Arizona Cardinals @ Carolina Panthers (Sat Jan 10th, 8:15pm)
Line: Panthers -10
O/U: 48.5
My Pick: Cardinals +10. Carolina should still win the game, 30-27.
Result: Cardinals 33-13
I wonder when the last time a playoff team beat the spread by 30 was...My thought is in 1991 when the Bills beat the Raiders 52-3...chances are that spread was not 19 or more! Anyway, how about the new-look Cardinals that can run the ball! Now Philly has to travel to the desert, where Arizona knows they can score a ton of points, and try to beat a very different Cards team than they faced last. Philly won the prior meeting by 28, but that was on the east coast, back when the Cards didn't travel well. They certainly showed up this week in Carolina. Consider that on the road, the run game is very important to control tempo and all sorts of other stuff, and without one, Arizona just couldn't put it together away from U of Phoenix Stadium. Their 3 road wins? SF, SEA, and STL. Nobody good. Now Edge is performing, taking the pressure off Warner a little, and even without Boldin, the Cards are one win away from the promised land.
No Way...
Philadelphia Eagles @ New York Giants (Sun Jan 11th, 1:00pm)
Line: Giants -4
O/U: 40
My Pick: Giants -4. New York wins 24-14.
Result: Eagles 23-11
I guess the loss of Plax really was that big a deal...And just when I was starting to believe this team truly was good! Philly is proving Skip Bayless right, in that he said 6 weeks ago that they were playing the best football in the NFL. Now only the "lowly" Cardinals stand in the way of an improbable Super Bowl run. Remember, if you will, that the Tampa Bay Bucs had to lose to the Oakland Raiders for the Eagles to even have a shot at the postseason with a win over Dallas. So if Philadelphia earns a trip to Tampa, they ought to stop in and thank the Bucs for being so inept... they'll be in the neighborhood anyway!
New Favorite
San Diego Chargers @ Pittsburgh Steelers (Sun Jan 11th, 4:45pm)
Line: Steelers -6
O/U: 38
My Pick: Steelers -6. Pittsburgh wins 23-10.
Result: Steelers 35-24
Pittsburgh won in decisive fashion, and all of the other high seeds lost. So naturally they're the new Super Bowl favorites. It must be nice to be a sports fan in that city right now....harboring the number one college basketball team in the country, and essentially the #1 NFL team in the country. We'll see what happens in round 3 of Steelers/Ravens, but the first 2 were decided by a total of 7 points, the Ravens are far better and more confident now than they were then, and it is VERY hard to beat the same team 3 times in one season. Then again, the Steelers looked REALLY good in the second half against San Diego. And they're at home. Thank god I have a couple of days to make up my mind!
Thursday, January 8, 2009
PREVIEW - NFL DIVISIONAL WEEKEND
Baltimore Ravens @ Tennessee Titans (Sat Jan 10th, 4:30pm)
Line: Titans -3
O/U: 34.5
I'm very excited that we get to see this matchup again, as the Ravens were almost the team to end Tennessee's long win streak early in the season. This game could be a tough one for the Titans, as their somewhat one-dimensional run-heavy offense should be pretty easy for the Ravens to key on, and when they do throw the ball, Ed Reed will be there. I worry about Flacco being unable to move the offense against the Titans D, but with Haynesworth and Vandenbosch each a little dinged up, they may not be as effective. But of course Flacco doesn't need to do anything, because Ed Reed and the defense will score all the touchdowns they needs anyway!
Ravens +3. It's tough to beat an outstanding defensive team twice in one year. Ravens 16-13.
Arizona Cardinals @ Carolina Panthers (Sat Jan 10th, 8:15pm)
Line: Panthers -10
O/U: 48.5
You can't give a team ten points in the playoffs. First of all, Arizona knows the line, and will be out to prove something. If they can use the run game a little bit to keep pressure off Warner, they may have a shot at winning, let alone covering. Carolina is good, but has played some questionable games this year. The week off may not help them; it gives them too much time to think, and may take away some of the momentum they built late in the season. Arizona is awful in the Eastern Time Zone, but the closest game they played in the east all season was a 4-point loss at Carolina. Also of note, in Carolina's last game, which meant the difference between a first round bye and a trip to Arizona, they held a 30-10 lead, only to let New Orleans' excellent passing offense come all the way back. Carolina won by 2. So, in short, 10 is a bit steep for a playoff spread.
Cardinals +10. Carolina should still win the game, 30-27.
Philadelphia Eagles @ New York Giants (Sun Jan 11th, 1:00pm)
Line: Giants -4
O/U: 40
What a game this could be. Both teams won their regular season meeting at the other's building. So advantage Philly? The Giants' Super Bowl run was all on the road, without having to deal with the pressure of being New York's team...this year, they'll have to do it all at home! The problem is that I just can't trust Andy Reid's Eagles. They are too inconsistent. Even a look at last week will show that the Eagles really didn't get too much going offensively. Against the Giants, I don't expect things to be much different. New York may be without Burress, but they're getting used to it. The run game is outstanding. Philadelphia will have to play their best game on both sides of the ball to beat the G-men, and I just don't think they will.
Giants -4. New York wins 24-14.
San Diego Chargers @ Pittsburgh Steelers (Sun Jan 11th, 4:45pm)
Line: Steelers -6
O/U: 38
I'm not going to be too long-winded with this one, as there is a very simple expanation for why I feel the way I do. NO LT. That is all. Without LaDainian, the Steelers D (#1 in the league) will not let Sproles get free, and will put a ton of pressure on Rivers, forcing him to make mistakes. They only won the first meeting by 1 point, but the Steelers should win this one by plenty.
Steelers -6. Pittsburgh wins 23-10.
Line: Titans -3
O/U: 34.5
I'm very excited that we get to see this matchup again, as the Ravens were almost the team to end Tennessee's long win streak early in the season. This game could be a tough one for the Titans, as their somewhat one-dimensional run-heavy offense should be pretty easy for the Ravens to key on, and when they do throw the ball, Ed Reed will be there. I worry about Flacco being unable to move the offense against the Titans D, but with Haynesworth and Vandenbosch each a little dinged up, they may not be as effective. But of course Flacco doesn't need to do anything, because Ed Reed and the defense will score all the touchdowns they needs anyway!
Ravens +3. It's tough to beat an outstanding defensive team twice in one year. Ravens 16-13.
Arizona Cardinals @ Carolina Panthers (Sat Jan 10th, 8:15pm)
Line: Panthers -10
O/U: 48.5
You can't give a team ten points in the playoffs. First of all, Arizona knows the line, and will be out to prove something. If they can use the run game a little bit to keep pressure off Warner, they may have a shot at winning, let alone covering. Carolina is good, but has played some questionable games this year. The week off may not help them; it gives them too much time to think, and may take away some of the momentum they built late in the season. Arizona is awful in the Eastern Time Zone, but the closest game they played in the east all season was a 4-point loss at Carolina. Also of note, in Carolina's last game, which meant the difference between a first round bye and a trip to Arizona, they held a 30-10 lead, only to let New Orleans' excellent passing offense come all the way back. Carolina won by 2. So, in short, 10 is a bit steep for a playoff spread.
Cardinals +10. Carolina should still win the game, 30-27.
Philadelphia Eagles @ New York Giants (Sun Jan 11th, 1:00pm)
Line: Giants -4
O/U: 40
What a game this could be. Both teams won their regular season meeting at the other's building. So advantage Philly? The Giants' Super Bowl run was all on the road, without having to deal with the pressure of being New York's team...this year, they'll have to do it all at home! The problem is that I just can't trust Andy Reid's Eagles. They are too inconsistent. Even a look at last week will show that the Eagles really didn't get too much going offensively. Against the Giants, I don't expect things to be much different. New York may be without Burress, but they're getting used to it. The run game is outstanding. Philadelphia will have to play their best game on both sides of the ball to beat the G-men, and I just don't think they will.
Giants -4. New York wins 24-14.
San Diego Chargers @ Pittsburgh Steelers (Sun Jan 11th, 4:45pm)
Line: Steelers -6
O/U: 38
I'm not going to be too long-winded with this one, as there is a very simple expanation for why I feel the way I do. NO LT. That is all. Without LaDainian, the Steelers D (#1 in the league) will not let Sproles get free, and will put a ton of pressure on Rivers, forcing him to make mistakes. They only won the first meeting by 1 point, but the Steelers should win this one by plenty.
Steelers -6. Pittsburgh wins 23-10.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
RECAP - WILD CARD WEEKEND
Picks: 3-1
Next Week: 0-4 here we come! Geez. What a crazy divisional round we're in store for. All four games could honestly go either way. I can't wait to see spreads when I make my picks on Thursday! (yes, I could look now, but it's all part of the process...)
#3!
Atlanta Falcons @ Arizona Cardinals (Sat. Jan 3rd, 4:30 pm)
Line: Falcons -2
O/U: 51
My Pick: Cards +2. Arizona can keep up with the NFC until they have to travel East. Which would be their next stop...Cards win a wild one, 37-34.
Result: Cards 30-24
Only the third postseason win in Arizona Cardinals history! Clap, clap, clap. Now they travel (bad) to the east (really bad) to play the red-hot Panthers (ouch!). One and done again. Sorry Cards fans.
No Manning Bowl :-(
Indianapolis Colts @ San Diego Chargers (Sat. Jan 3rd, 8pm)
Line: Colts -1
O/U: 51
My Pick: Colts -1. Indy wins another great game, 33-31.
Result: Chargers 23-17 (ot)
Simply put, Indy did not score enough points. I know that sounds like a very Madden thing to say, but it is very true. I expected Indy to allow some points, as the Chargers have a good offense...but I didn't expect Manning and the Colts to be held to only 17 points. If the Chargers D can do that to the Colts, what can they do to Pittsburgh? That'll be a tough game to call.
Tuna, Fish go down!
Baltimore Ravens @ Miami Dolphins (Sun. Jan 4th, 1pm)
Line: Ravens -3
O/U: 37.5
My Pick: Ravens -3. Baltimore drowns the fish 27-16.
Result: Ravens 27-9
Ed Reed is the best safety in the NFL. That is all that needs to be said. I was right on with this game. Although my predicted score here is 27-16, I thought it was 27-10 while I was watching the game, and save for a blocked extra point, which no one can predict because it happens so infrequently, I was dead on. At 10-3, Ravens driving near the end of the first half, I said that the Ravens would settle for a field goal (13-3), would score the first TD in the 2nd half (20-3), the Fins would get one back (20-10), and the Ravens would score again late to put it away (27-10). All of that happened. But Miami missed an extra point. Now let's see if my "Ravens ESP" can keep me in the loop this week!
Which team are we Watching?
Philadelphia Eagles @ Minnesota Vikings (Sun. Jan 4th, 4:30pm)
Line: Eagles -3
O/U: 42
My Pick: Eagles -3. Philly wins 20-14.
Result: Eagles 26-14
When the Eagles are hot, they crush teams with offense. They beat Dallas 44-6, if you'd like a recent example. The defense is good in those games too, but it is the offense that catches one's eye. And yes, I am aware that the defense was responsible for some of the 44 against Dallas, but obviously had some help from McNabb and Westbrook. Against the Vikings, however, they won almost solely with their Defense. Asante Samuel had one of only 2 TDs. The other was the one good play the Eagles put together, Brian Westbrook on a 71-yard screen. Other than that, the Vikings shut down the Eagles offense, and really made them look terrible. Of course, the Vikings were totally shut down, too. Outside the 40 yard TD run by Peterson, he never gained more than 6 yards on a carry. Part of me wonders if the Eagles can beat the Giants without an offense that is clicking. Then again, part of me wonders if the Giants can beat the Eagles with a defense that is playing so well!
Next Week: 0-4 here we come! Geez. What a crazy divisional round we're in store for. All four games could honestly go either way. I can't wait to see spreads when I make my picks on Thursday! (yes, I could look now, but it's all part of the process...)
#3!
Atlanta Falcons @ Arizona Cardinals (Sat. Jan 3rd, 4:30 pm)
Line: Falcons -2
O/U: 51
My Pick: Cards +2. Arizona can keep up with the NFC until they have to travel East. Which would be their next stop...Cards win a wild one, 37-34.
Result: Cards 30-24
Only the third postseason win in Arizona Cardinals history! Clap, clap, clap. Now they travel (bad) to the east (really bad) to play the red-hot Panthers (ouch!). One and done again. Sorry Cards fans.
No Manning Bowl :-(
Indianapolis Colts @ San Diego Chargers (Sat. Jan 3rd, 8pm)
Line: Colts -1
O/U: 51
My Pick: Colts -1. Indy wins another great game, 33-31.
Result: Chargers 23-17 (ot)
Simply put, Indy did not score enough points. I know that sounds like a very Madden thing to say, but it is very true. I expected Indy to allow some points, as the Chargers have a good offense...but I didn't expect Manning and the Colts to be held to only 17 points. If the Chargers D can do that to the Colts, what can they do to Pittsburgh? That'll be a tough game to call.
Tuna, Fish go down!
Baltimore Ravens @ Miami Dolphins (Sun. Jan 4th, 1pm)
Line: Ravens -3
O/U: 37.5
My Pick: Ravens -3. Baltimore drowns the fish 27-16.
Result: Ravens 27-9
Ed Reed is the best safety in the NFL. That is all that needs to be said. I was right on with this game. Although my predicted score here is 27-16, I thought it was 27-10 while I was watching the game, and save for a blocked extra point, which no one can predict because it happens so infrequently, I was dead on. At 10-3, Ravens driving near the end of the first half, I said that the Ravens would settle for a field goal (13-3), would score the first TD in the 2nd half (20-3), the Fins would get one back (20-10), and the Ravens would score again late to put it away (27-10). All of that happened. But Miami missed an extra point. Now let's see if my "Ravens ESP" can keep me in the loop this week!
Which team are we Watching?
Philadelphia Eagles @ Minnesota Vikings (Sun. Jan 4th, 4:30pm)
Line: Eagles -3
O/U: 42
My Pick: Eagles -3. Philly wins 20-14.
Result: Eagles 26-14
When the Eagles are hot, they crush teams with offense. They beat Dallas 44-6, if you'd like a recent example. The defense is good in those games too, but it is the offense that catches one's eye. And yes, I am aware that the defense was responsible for some of the 44 against Dallas, but obviously had some help from McNabb and Westbrook. Against the Vikings, however, they won almost solely with their Defense. Asante Samuel had one of only 2 TDs. The other was the one good play the Eagles put together, Brian Westbrook on a 71-yard screen. Other than that, the Vikings shut down the Eagles offense, and really made them look terrible. Of course, the Vikings were totally shut down, too. Outside the 40 yard TD run by Peterson, he never gained more than 6 yards on a carry. Part of me wonders if the Eagles can beat the Giants without an offense that is clicking. Then again, part of me wonders if the Giants can beat the Eagles with a defense that is playing so well!
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