KELSO
2008 PERSONAL BEST FOOTBALL CLUB
Saturday, January 10, 2009
NFL Playoff Game Of The Year
100 Units
Titans (-3) over Ravens
4:30 PM -- AFC Divisional Playoffs - LP Field
Tennessee by 7-10
TV: CBS Comments: The first thing one must consider in this American Football Conference showdown is the weather, and it could be downright dreadful. The weather forecast calls for an 80% chance of rain, with a game-time temperature of 45 degrees and with winds out of the west-southwest at 13 miles per hour. That might put the damper on a team that figured to be a low-scoring battle between two ball control teams. Baltimore comes into this game 12-5 SU and 13-4 ATS while Tennessee is 13-5 and 12-4 in those categories, with the figures meaning both have played above expectations all season. However, there are three edges Tennessee, which beat Baltimore 13-10 in Baltimore in the fourth game of the season, has that I believe will make the difference. 1. While both teams have excellent running games, the efficiency of the quarterback is going to be a major factor—and Tennessee has a big edge with the grizzled and seasoned old pro in Kerry Collins. He is no world-beater but he does not make the mistakes that get teams beaten. As much respect as I have for Baltimore rookie Joe Flacco, he will be facing a one of the most aggressive defenses in the NFL and it has not been lost on me that he completed 9-of-23 passes for just 135 yards in last week’s playoff win over Miami. The Titans are no Miami, to say the least. 2. Tennessee had last week off to get ready for this while the Ravens had to play in the wild-card round at Miami. A rested team this deep into the season always has some edge. 3. Tennessee is at home. Both these teams play great defense, with Tennessee giving up just 14.9 points and 293.6 yards per game and Baltimore surrendering just 14.6 points 261.9 yards per outing. The quality of defensive play almost insures a close game and I believe the Titans have a far better chance of taking Flacco out of the game than the Ravens have of rattling Collins.
Mostly cloudy with a 30-percent chance of rain. Winds blowing from the Northwest at 5-15 m.p.h. Game-time temperature: Around 45.
Paid and confirmed
