Wildcard weekend was definitely interesting as I went 1-3 on sides but a perfect 4-0 on totals. For those that follow me, I have been very average on totals in the past so what a surprise that my weekend turned out profitable based on totals. For right now I am going to post my sides for Divisional Play. I will rank them later on in the week and provide my totals as the week goes on.
NY Jets at Pittsburgh....These two teams played less than a month a go with the Steelers winning by a score of 17-6 in Pittsburgh. This will be the 3rd road game in a row for the Jets with them losing at Stl and winning at San Diego. Pittsburgh starters will be coming off of the bye week but in essence a 2 week bye after resting their starters in Buffalo. The key for the Jets to hang around in this game won't be the run but the pass. They broke out a little vs Chargers but it won't be so easy this time. Pittsburgh is 8-0 at home su and 5-3 ats. Steelers have beaten the best at home all year in beating Jets,Eagles,Patriots, and Ravens. I see a very physical game where the 2 headed monster of Bettis/Staley wearing down the Jets front 7 and Rothlisburger making enough plays with Burress,Ward, and others to take advantage of a weak secondary specifically Barrett to win the game comfortably.
Steelers 28 (-9) Jets 10
St. Louis at Atlanta...Another rematch from Week 2 where the Falcons mauled the Rams 34-17. Back in Week 2, Falcons were revved up to get revenge on Rams for ly embarrassing 36-0 defeat on MNF. Atlanta posts the best running game in football going against one of the worst rushing defenses in the Rams. Rams were able to hold Alexander lw to 40 yards rushing when he had previously gained 150 and 176 in the other 2 matchups. Atlanta is 7-1 su and 4-4 ats at home this year. There are 2 keys to this game imo. First, the Falcons offensively have got to score at least 24+ points to win this game. They have struggled offensively which means Vick is going to have to stand in the pocket and come up with some big passing plays. They will get their yards on the ground to control the clock but it is essential for them to come up big on big passing downs specifically 3rd down. Vick killed the Rams with his legs the first time so I expect Rams will really focus on keeping him in the pocket. The second key to this game is the Rams offensive line. Falcons DL is a bad matchup for the Rams as they harassed Bulger into several key turnovers the first time and this time the Rams line is in worst shape than the first meeting. If this line can give Bulger some time, he has been hot and will be able to exploit a vastly overrated secondary. In conclusion, I see a very tight football game coming down to the end but feel the Rams experience will find a way to pull out one of the best games in the playoffs.
St. Louis 27 (+7) Atlanta 24
Minnesota at Philadelphia... Another early Week 2 rematch that was dominated by the Eagles on MNF. Though Eagles dominated, I felt Vikings hung with them for the majority of the game and this time they will get a chance to play them without T.O. The key to this game is the unknown effect the loss of T.O. will have on the Eagles offense. Reid failed to play his starters enough to figure out what needs to be done offensively to overcome T.O. loss. The only drive to go on was the first drive two weeks ago in Stl. This is very important as Minnesota will get their points in this one. Eagles have a very beat up interior defensive line with Simon and Hollis Thomas beat up or out. This happens to be the strength of the Vikings with Birk at center and their stable of running backs in Williams,Bennett, Moore, and Smith. The key for Eagles since we all know they are a west coast passing team will be their ability to run the ball effectively with Westbrook. Westbrook will need to carry the ball a minimum of 20+ times in this game and gain above 100 yards for the Eagles to play at the level they are accustomed to. Vikings defense will be able to blitz McNabb from all over the place without T.O. so it will be important for their defense to make the tackles and especially on tough to bring down McNabb when they get the chance. In conclusion, I have said all year even when Eagles were winning that they would not make it to the Super Bowl and not even back to the Championship game. I am going to stick with that prediction with the Vikings moving on again in Philly.
Minnesota 34 (+9.5) Philadelphia 24
Indianapolis at New England..... This will be the game imo that decides who will represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. Bellichick as has been well documented has owned these two teams matchups with Manning. During the first match up that opened the season, I truly believed that Indy's best chance to beat the Patriots was to run the football. The teams that have beaten them in the past were not big passing teams but solid rushing teams. Knowing Bellichick he will be ready to overcome the loss of Ty Law with another genius scheme to throw off the rhythm of Manning and his receivers. This is where the key to this game comes in for me. Tony Dungy. If this guy is ever to become the bride instead of the bridesmaid it is essential for his team to be prepared to do the opposite of what Bellichick will be expecting and that is to RUN THE FOOTBALL WITH EDGERRIN JAMES. If they can establish the run, it will force Bellichick and Crennel to adjust at halftime which will then open up to the passing game. Formations will be important to sell to the Patriots they will be passing which means lots of 3 and 4 wr sets and out of the 4 wr sets shifting James in motion back into the backfield to run the football. If Indy does not do this they WILL NOT WIN THIS FOOTBALL GAME. But with all this said I think they are ready to take the next step and will on their march to the Super Bowl.
Indianapolis 31 (+2) New England 24
This will set up my predicted Championship games as follows:
AFC Indianapolis at Pittsburgh
NFC Minnesota at St. Louis
Best of luck and all opinions wanted!
NY Jets at Pittsburgh....These two teams played less than a month a go with the Steelers winning by a score of 17-6 in Pittsburgh. This will be the 3rd road game in a row for the Jets with them losing at Stl and winning at San Diego. Pittsburgh starters will be coming off of the bye week but in essence a 2 week bye after resting their starters in Buffalo. The key for the Jets to hang around in this game won't be the run but the pass. They broke out a little vs Chargers but it won't be so easy this time. Pittsburgh is 8-0 at home su and 5-3 ats. Steelers have beaten the best at home all year in beating Jets,Eagles,Patriots, and Ravens. I see a very physical game where the 2 headed monster of Bettis/Staley wearing down the Jets front 7 and Rothlisburger making enough plays with Burress,Ward, and others to take advantage of a weak secondary specifically Barrett to win the game comfortably.
Steelers 28 (-9) Jets 10
St. Louis at Atlanta...Another rematch from Week 2 where the Falcons mauled the Rams 34-17. Back in Week 2, Falcons were revved up to get revenge on Rams for ly embarrassing 36-0 defeat on MNF. Atlanta posts the best running game in football going against one of the worst rushing defenses in the Rams. Rams were able to hold Alexander lw to 40 yards rushing when he had previously gained 150 and 176 in the other 2 matchups. Atlanta is 7-1 su and 4-4 ats at home this year. There are 2 keys to this game imo. First, the Falcons offensively have got to score at least 24+ points to win this game. They have struggled offensively which means Vick is going to have to stand in the pocket and come up with some big passing plays. They will get their yards on the ground to control the clock but it is essential for them to come up big on big passing downs specifically 3rd down. Vick killed the Rams with his legs the first time so I expect Rams will really focus on keeping him in the pocket. The second key to this game is the Rams offensive line. Falcons DL is a bad matchup for the Rams as they harassed Bulger into several key turnovers the first time and this time the Rams line is in worst shape than the first meeting. If this line can give Bulger some time, he has been hot and will be able to exploit a vastly overrated secondary. In conclusion, I see a very tight football game coming down to the end but feel the Rams experience will find a way to pull out one of the best games in the playoffs.
St. Louis 27 (+7) Atlanta 24
Minnesota at Philadelphia... Another early Week 2 rematch that was dominated by the Eagles on MNF. Though Eagles dominated, I felt Vikings hung with them for the majority of the game and this time they will get a chance to play them without T.O. The key to this game is the unknown effect the loss of T.O. will have on the Eagles offense. Reid failed to play his starters enough to figure out what needs to be done offensively to overcome T.O. loss. The only drive to go on was the first drive two weeks ago in Stl. This is very important as Minnesota will get their points in this one. Eagles have a very beat up interior defensive line with Simon and Hollis Thomas beat up or out. This happens to be the strength of the Vikings with Birk at center and their stable of running backs in Williams,Bennett, Moore, and Smith. The key for Eagles since we all know they are a west coast passing team will be their ability to run the ball effectively with Westbrook. Westbrook will need to carry the ball a minimum of 20+ times in this game and gain above 100 yards for the Eagles to play at the level they are accustomed to. Vikings defense will be able to blitz McNabb from all over the place without T.O. so it will be important for their defense to make the tackles and especially on tough to bring down McNabb when they get the chance. In conclusion, I have said all year even when Eagles were winning that they would not make it to the Super Bowl and not even back to the Championship game. I am going to stick with that prediction with the Vikings moving on again in Philly.
Minnesota 34 (+9.5) Philadelphia 24
Indianapolis at New England..... This will be the game imo that decides who will represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. Bellichick as has been well documented has owned these two teams matchups with Manning. During the first match up that opened the season, I truly believed that Indy's best chance to beat the Patriots was to run the football. The teams that have beaten them in the past were not big passing teams but solid rushing teams. Knowing Bellichick he will be ready to overcome the loss of Ty Law with another genius scheme to throw off the rhythm of Manning and his receivers. This is where the key to this game comes in for me. Tony Dungy. If this guy is ever to become the bride instead of the bridesmaid it is essential for his team to be prepared to do the opposite of what Bellichick will be expecting and that is to RUN THE FOOTBALL WITH EDGERRIN JAMES. If they can establish the run, it will force Bellichick and Crennel to adjust at halftime which will then open up to the passing game. Formations will be important to sell to the Patriots they will be passing which means lots of 3 and 4 wr sets and out of the 4 wr sets shifting James in motion back into the backfield to run the football. If Indy does not do this they WILL NOT WIN THIS FOOTBALL GAME. But with all this said I think they are ready to take the next step and will on their march to the Super Bowl.
Indianapolis 31 (+2) New England 24
This will set up my predicted Championship games as follows:
AFC Indianapolis at Pittsburgh
NFC Minnesota at St. Louis
Best of luck and all opinions wanted!
:banger: :smoker2:
