Are the Eagles a L_ck next week vs Arizona?

[JDeuce]

Calling an NFL road favorite a lock is silly in the regular season, but downright preposterous in a conference championship game. Anything can happen.

As has been mentioned already in here, Arizona is a solid home team. They didn't fluke their way to this game...they beat two very, very good teams. I'd say beating a hot Falcons squad and then previously undefeated at home Panthers team was a tougher path to this game than beating the Vikings and Giants.

A buddy of mine is a season ticket holder for the Cards. He said the noise level was deafening in the first home game against Atlanta...he had to shout at the top of his lungs for his brother (sitting right next to him) to hear anything. I can only imagine how insane the crowd will be this week, especially since the Cards have never gotten this far in the playoffs before. Even if it's 80 degrees and sunny outside, the roof will almost certainly be closed to give Zona that extra advantage whenever Philly has the ball. McNabb won't get out of this week without making a mistake or two.

Plus, Anquan Boldin might be back...giving Zona another deep threat.

Right now, I'm leaning towards the Cards (and Ravens, for that matter) on the money line.

 

[RonMexico]

Calling an NFL road favorite a lock is silly in the regular season, but downright preposterous in a conference championship game. Anything can happen.

As has been mentioned already in here, Arizona is a solid home team. They didn't fluke their way to this game...they beat two very, very good teams. I'd say beating a hot Falcons squad and then previously undefeated at home Panthers team was a tougher path to this game than beating the Vikings and Giants.

A buddy of mine is a season ticket holder for the Cards. He said the noise level was deafening in the first home game against Atlanta...he had to shout at the top of his lungs for his brother (sitting right next to him) to hear anything. I can only imagine how insane the crowd will be this week, especially since the Cards have never gotten this far in the playoffs before. Even if it's 80 degrees and sunny outside, the roof will almost certainly be closed to give Zona that extra advantage whenever Philly has the ball. McNabb won't get out of this week without making a mistake or two.

Plus, Anquan Boldin might be back...giving Zona another deep threat.

Right now, I'm leaning towards the Cards (and Ravens, for that matter) on the money line.

I like both dogs too but that doesn't mean alot I SUCK

 

[dogball]

Pinny at 3.5 .

 

[GoGoBird]

Calling an NFL road favorite a lock is silly in the regular season, but downright preposterous in a conference championship game. Anything can happen.

As has been mentioned already in here, Arizona is a solid home team. They didn't fluke their way to this game...they beat two very, very good teams. I'd say beating a hot Falcons squad and then previously undefeated at home Panthers team was a tougher path to this game than beating the Vikings and Giants.

A buddy of mine is a season ticket holder for the Cards. He said the noise level was deafening in the first home game against Atlanta...he had to shout at the top of his lungs for his brother (sitting right next to him) to hear anything. I can only imagine how insane the crowd will be this week, especially since the Cards have never gotten this far in the playoffs before. Even if it's 80 degrees and sunny outside, the roof will almost certainly be closed to give Zona that extra advantage whenever Philly has the ball. McNabb won't get out of this week without making a mistake or two.

Plus, Anquan Boldin might be back...giving Zona another deep threat.

Right now, I'm leaning towards the Cards (and Ravens, for that matter) on the money line.

didnt say Lock. Eagles fans travel very well so dont think that stadium will be as loud as some think.

Still waiting on the arguments for Arizona. So far 2 pages and not much substance. Maybe this game is a L_ck.

 

[stevo101]

I wonder if Mcnabb knows the overtime rules in the playoffs?

 

[stevo101]

didnt say Lock. Eagles fans travel very well so dont think that stadium will be as loud as some think.

Still waiting on the arguments for Arizona. So far 2 pages and not much substance. Maybe this game is a L_ck.

Arizona has been a dog the past two weeks and won straight up. And looked really good doing I might add. No one gave this team a chance to win the wildcard game. When they did, they surely were not going to win the division game. But we all know what happened. This reason alone is why this is not the l word or " the strongest gut feeling all year" play. Im still looking at this game and I am still undecided who I will play. I have a lean to Arizona as of right now.

 

[boyzfan]

i lost on zona twice. i did not think there was a chance in hell they would make it as far as they would. that being said i took philly at -3 and waiting for zona to do it to me again.

 

[LIONSJUNKIE]

I have Philly -2

But I can't envision Philly going toe to toe on offense with Zona...Defense will step up again...

How much vig did you pay :think2: I haven't seen the game under 3 anywhere.

 

[Scans33]

Tough game to cap no doubt ... but, am I in the minority in that the defending SB champs were a pretty good team?? :think2: An 11-1 start and then coasted (much like the Cards) .... since when does beating the top seeded champions in their house get discounted? The Cards beat Atlanta at home, while the Eagles won on the road - and the Giants win seems to be almost overlooked now ........ ok.

IMO the under looks real good - that's where my money will be ......

 

[billbeater]

not surprised at all if mcnabb stinks it up in zona... :drink:

 

[LarryDavid]

Zona is gonna be a zoo. This game is far from a lock for Philly.

 

[GoGoBird]

Why does it seem like everyone thinks this line is fishy..people were really expecting Eagles to be a 6 point favorite?? Say what?? Personally expected the opener to be at Eagles -1.5 or 2. If this was the Wildcard week and Eagles played in Arizona then maybe it would have been 6 because of the public's perception of Arizona being trash. But now that Arizona has pulled off 2 big wins the opening line was pretty much correct and if anything looks like they are begging for Arz money. Don't get caught up in the line crap...cap the game and get the best number you can.

Expecting this line to possibly hit a solid 4 everywhere before the Arizona backers come in and knock it back down. Should settle at 3.5 or 3.

 

[dogball]

I expected the line to be 2.5 or 3 philly. I do not think Arizona is a Super Bowl caliber team but that means less and less recently as a " hot " team can do anything in the age of parity . Philly is much better defensively, this game reminds me of when the giants went in to Arizona this year. I am going to take Philly, I am comfortable laying 3.5 .
Philly 27
Zona 17

 

[MackDonald]

It's a bitch playing in the desert.

 

[VIEJODINOSAUR]

How much vig did you pay :think2: I haven't seen the game under 3 anywhere.

Opening line at CRIS and IAS...went to three minus money right away...:toast:

 

[VIEJODINOSAUR]

This game is far from easy...Arizona has been playing well on the defensive side of the ball...this is for the NFC title...no easy games when you get this far...

 

[JETE]

-4 right now at bookmaker

 

[Toby1]

Why does it seem like everyone thinks this line is fishy..people were really expecting Eagles to be a 6 point favorite?? Say what?? Personally expected the opener to be at Eagles -1.5 or 2. If this was the Wildcard week and Eagles played in Arizona then maybe it would have been 6 because of the public's perception of Arizona being trash. But now that Arizona has pulled off 2 big wins the opening line was pretty much correct and if anything looks like they are begging for Arz money. Don't get caught up in the line crap...cap the game and get the best number you can.

Expecting this line to possibly hit a solid 4 everywhere before the Arizona backers come in and knock it back down. Should settle at 3.5 or 3.

i agree go-go/ all you hear is this line is fishy? dont get it either. gl im with ya on Eagles

 

[odetokermit]

The biggest fear with Philly at the moment...

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR class=trend_lineEven><TD class=bt_td width=72>2009-01-18</TD><TD class=bt_td width=150>PHILADELPHIA EAGLES<!--Away is Open Favorite - Away is Currently Favorite--> </TD><TD class=bt_td width=46>-3</TD><TD class=bt_td width=72>-4.0 -200</TD><TD class=bt_td width=46>78%</TD><TD class=bt_td width=46>41%</TD><TD class=bt_td width=46>72%</TD><TD class=bt_td align=middle width=58 rowSpan=2></TD><TD class=bt_td width=62></TD><TD class=bt_td rowSpan=2> </TD></TR><TR class=trend_lineEven><TD class=bt_td width=72>15:00 EST</TD><TD class=bt_td width=150>ARIZONA CARDINALS<!--Home is Open Underdog - Home is Current Underdog--> </TD><TD class=bt_td width=46>49.5</TD><TD class=bt_td width=72>47.0 +170</TD><TD class=bt_td width=46>22%</TD><TD class=bt_td width=46>59%</TD><TD class=bt_td width=46>28%</TD><TD class=bt_td width=62></TD></TR><TR><TD class=bt_spacer colSpan=30>

</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Over the years following this board, I've always wondered why a line moving with the favorite during the week is a bad omen inre to the final result. Coldweather is succesful ..he almost always bets with the house (for the dog).. So why does this phenomena occur..

My theory is that ..

the general public.. to some degree.. represents or reflects the mind set of the players in the locker room. If one team thinks they are the outright favorite, then their focus isn't quite as intense as that of the dog .... The favorite gets a little distracted during practices, film study, walk throughs, interviews, family, friends. The focus isn't as intense.

Think of these two teams playing tug of war.. where the dog (Arizona) gets three extra feet (3 points) from the center line.. The tug of war game starts, all things being even, this game should end in a tie.. (the favorite winning by 3)..50 guys pulling on either side of the rope makes for an extremely taught line.. whats going to give one team the edge over the other? Probably 60% of the time, the dog covers..

The dog of course feels that they need every advantage to win the game. They are extremely focused, they block out all of the distractions.. they study film of their opponent.. they look for every angle.. And in this, the dog wins (covers) in the contest..

In my opinion, the best coaches should be measured as much by their ability to motivate and keep a (favorite) focused as for their x's and o's.. Eliminate the distractions, keep the team united with a singular focus..

Coaches ..imo.. that come to mind are Belichick and Tuna. Look at what Belichick did last season when the Pats were heavy favorties in every game.. For that matter, take a look what he did this year with a scrub at QB.. Coaches that are leaders of men.. that know what strings to pull to get the most out of a team each and every week.. On the other hand, I don't like coaches like John Fox or Jack Del Rio for the same reasons..

If I was owner, I would hire a coach based on their ATS when they were favs.. Heck.. I would hire a coach based on his ATS record .. period!

All this being said, you have two teams with coaches that have played the underdog psych card.. Wisenhut (sp?) has his team feeling dissed, angry and extremely focused.. hence the two playoff wins.

The Eagles have come together with an "us versus the world" mentality. The team, coaches, owner and fans are all growing beards as a sign of unity.

I'm not so sure these teams have been successful because of parity.. it's in part because of the singular intense focus. The Ravens should be included in this as well.

All that being said, who's going to win the game? The Eagles have more experience, played in a tougher division, have more proven coaches and they've been here before (hence they are the favs)... but Arizona has played the role of the pissed off dog perfectly and are that dog at home again this weekend.

Both teams will be focused and ready to play.. That being said, will the Eagles players lose their edge as favorites in the contest.. I'm a homer and a little biased.. so fade me if you like.. but I think the "psyche" edge is going to be equal for these two teams. That being said, the Eagels have imo the edge in most other categories.. I'll wait till game time to make my final decision but at this point am leaning towards the Birds. I am also leaning towards a small play on the over.

I like the Ravens in the other game for the same reasons mentioned above..

Good luck with your selection..

 

[Dilrod]

Carolina in my teaser was a lock too.