Coming off a 4-0 ATS week.
Lets keep it going...
This is the toughest game for me to pick a side. St Louis is playoff tested and they have veterans who know how to play in big games..Marshall Faulk, Torry Holt and Isacc Bruce. They have a good OL and a underrated defense that plays well at home. Their defense is a bit smallish which could be trouble against a real physical Carolina OL and running game. To me the X factor is Bulger. If he plays well St Louis should win easy, if he struggles Carolina could steal this one.
The two defenses St Louis played that are similar to Carolina, SF and Baltimore, gave St Louis all they could handle. They could have easily lost all three games. I believe Carolina's defensive speed, especially on the defensive line will give St Louis fits. The offenses Carolina faced that were similar to St Louis, Indianapolis and New Orleans, their defense was able to control them and keep the games close. Carolina ended up winning all three. That's all you can ask for is for your defense to keep you in the game. I feel Jake Delhomme will make enough plays to keep Carolina in the game.
If you look at the number Carolina offense runs for more yards per game and has a better YPC than St Louis. They also average more yards per play and give up Less yards per play. That tells me Carolina can control both sides of the ball better than St Louis. Carolina's defense gives up less rushing YPG and YPC. Overall Carolina's defense is better than St Louis.
ST and kicking games are close.
This game reminds me of the Atlanta/GB game last year. St Louis like GB lost the last week of the season causing them to lose homefield advantage in the playoffs. GB was down after that game, they lost a lot of confidence. They ended up losing to Atlanta the following week. Did St Louis's lost to Detroit do the same thing to them this year? Going into the playoff it is all about who is playing their best ball. And i fell St Louis is not. They still might have enough to beat Carolina but I think this game will be close. Take Carolina +8
St Louis 27 Carolina 24
This next game is another tough one. If I knew for sure McNair and George were 100%, I would lean towards a Titan upset. Since neither is 100%, and I think Tennessee played a real physical game against Baltimore and may be spent, I have to lean towards NE. See Tennessee's playoff win versus Pittsburgh last year. They won but it took a lot out of them. So you have a well rested team in New England versus a team that is a little beat up. McNair on one good leg against Billichek's defense. NE defense will be coming from all angles and if he can't move like he is capable of things could get ugly. NE is the best TEAM in the NFL. They are not the most talented, fastest, or biggest but they play well together. I think NE will score late to cover the spread. Lets say NE 24-16 (I will be watching and listening closely to the pregame show and if I feel McNair is or close to 100% all bets are off.)
Neither play will be a large play for me...
Best Bets
Carolina +8
New England -6
gl....
Lets keep it going...
This is the toughest game for me to pick a side. St Louis is playoff tested and they have veterans who know how to play in big games..Marshall Faulk, Torry Holt and Isacc Bruce. They have a good OL and a underrated defense that plays well at home. Their defense is a bit smallish which could be trouble against a real physical Carolina OL and running game. To me the X factor is Bulger. If he plays well St Louis should win easy, if he struggles Carolina could steal this one.
The two defenses St Louis played that are similar to Carolina, SF and Baltimore, gave St Louis all they could handle. They could have easily lost all three games. I believe Carolina's defensive speed, especially on the defensive line will give St Louis fits. The offenses Carolina faced that were similar to St Louis, Indianapolis and New Orleans, their defense was able to control them and keep the games close. Carolina ended up winning all three. That's all you can ask for is for your defense to keep you in the game. I feel Jake Delhomme will make enough plays to keep Carolina in the game.
If you look at the number Carolina offense runs for more yards per game and has a better YPC than St Louis. They also average more yards per play and give up Less yards per play. That tells me Carolina can control both sides of the ball better than St Louis. Carolina's defense gives up less rushing YPG and YPC. Overall Carolina's defense is better than St Louis.
ST and kicking games are close.
This game reminds me of the Atlanta/GB game last year. St Louis like GB lost the last week of the season causing them to lose homefield advantage in the playoffs. GB was down after that game, they lost a lot of confidence. They ended up losing to Atlanta the following week. Did St Louis's lost to Detroit do the same thing to them this year? Going into the playoff it is all about who is playing their best ball. And i fell St Louis is not. They still might have enough to beat Carolina but I think this game will be close. Take Carolina +8
St Louis 27 Carolina 24
This next game is another tough one. If I knew for sure McNair and George were 100%, I would lean towards a Titan upset. Since neither is 100%, and I think Tennessee played a real physical game against Baltimore and may be spent, I have to lean towards NE. See Tennessee's playoff win versus Pittsburgh last year. They won but it took a lot out of them. So you have a well rested team in New England versus a team that is a little beat up. McNair on one good leg against Billichek's defense. NE defense will be coming from all angles and if he can't move like he is capable of things could get ugly. NE is the best TEAM in the NFL. They are not the most talented, fastest, or biggest but they play well together. I think NE will score late to cover the spread. Lets say NE 24-16 (I will be watching and listening closely to the pregame show and if I feel McNair is or close to 100% all bets are off.)
Neither play will be a large play for me...
Best Bets
Carolina +8
New England -6
gl....
