.500 on the year and sadly I've helped neither the faders nor the followers.
I'm not real big on playing these big games, as they usually garner the sharpest lines, but because I have strong opinions on both games, and because I'm chasing the juice, I feel inclined to play both. Anyway...
Indianapolis +3.5
I'd love to see the Pats win this one, but my wallet says Indy.
Talk all you want about New England's defense, but the Colts will move the ball. The question is can Tom Brady win this game for the Pats?
He played brilliantly in the earlier meeting, a game the Colts should have won (but didn't), and he will have to play just as well in this one. The Colts' D got thumped last time, and they've been labeled soft, but, in essence, this should be the perfect matchup for them. What they lack in point of attack, they more than make up for in team speed. The Pats have no threat of a running game, which means Freeney and Co. will be unleashed.
A very overlooked aspect is the absence of perennial Pro-Bowl C Damien Woody. His backup played well last week, but the O-Line is about cohesion, and the Pats offense must deal without their leader.
Bottom line, Manning will be average, and James will be OK. If Brady plays great, the Pats win. Even if the Colts struggle to score points, I still love them to cover. But I don't think they will, and look for an outright win.
Philly -4
I won't lie, this is a tough call.
Pretty much what it boils down to, IMO, is can the Eagles stop the Carolina run game? Now is the part where I hope Stephen Davis doesn't play. Foster has filled in admirably, but Davis' north-south style would prove much more effective vs. Philly. As with the Colts, Philly isn't tough at the point of attack, due mostly to injuries. But their chances against Foster are much better because it takes him longer to get to the line of scrimmage.
Carolina must get into manageable passing situations to win, and that means success running. The Eagles have struggled stopping the run, true, but I don't think Jake Delhomme's scary enough, or Foster able enough (yet) to give Philly problems. Delhomme's led some nice comebacks this year, but if he's forced to come back here, in the NFC championship game, in Philadelphia, against arguably the best secondary in the game, it could get U-G-L-Y.
Good luck,
Space.
I'm not real big on playing these big games, as they usually garner the sharpest lines, but because I have strong opinions on both games, and because I'm chasing the juice, I feel inclined to play both. Anyway...
Indianapolis +3.5
I'd love to see the Pats win this one, but my wallet says Indy.
Talk all you want about New England's defense, but the Colts will move the ball. The question is can Tom Brady win this game for the Pats?
He played brilliantly in the earlier meeting, a game the Colts should have won (but didn't), and he will have to play just as well in this one. The Colts' D got thumped last time, and they've been labeled soft, but, in essence, this should be the perfect matchup for them. What they lack in point of attack, they more than make up for in team speed. The Pats have no threat of a running game, which means Freeney and Co. will be unleashed.
A very overlooked aspect is the absence of perennial Pro-Bowl C Damien Woody. His backup played well last week, but the O-Line is about cohesion, and the Pats offense must deal without their leader.
Bottom line, Manning will be average, and James will be OK. If Brady plays great, the Pats win. Even if the Colts struggle to score points, I still love them to cover. But I don't think they will, and look for an outright win.
Philly -4
I won't lie, this is a tough call.
Pretty much what it boils down to, IMO, is can the Eagles stop the Carolina run game? Now is the part where I hope Stephen Davis doesn't play. Foster has filled in admirably, but Davis' north-south style would prove much more effective vs. Philly. As with the Colts, Philly isn't tough at the point of attack, due mostly to injuries. But their chances against Foster are much better because it takes him longer to get to the line of scrimmage.
Carolina must get into manageable passing situations to win, and that means success running. The Eagles have struggled stopping the run, true, but I don't think Jake Delhomme's scary enough, or Foster able enough (yet) to give Philly problems. Delhomme's led some nice comebacks this year, but if he's forced to come back here, in the NFC championship game, in Philadelphia, against arguably the best secondary in the game, it could get U-G-L-Y.
Good luck,
Space.
