Rose Bowl & Wild Card Weekend
AFC:
1. Indianapolis
2. Denver
3. Cincinnati
4. New England
5. Jacksonville
6. Pittsburgh
NFC:
1. Seattle
2. Chicago
3. Tampa Bay
4. NY Giants
5. Carolina
6. Washington
Refering to our original 09/19 prognostications, we managed to pick 4 out of 8 division winners and 10 out of 12 playoff teams.
Wild Card Playoff Picks (against the spread)
Washington at Tampa Bay -2.5: Washington after losing 3 straight (which good teams don't do) closed with 5 straight wins, creaming both the Cokeboys and G-men in the process. Take away their 4 non conference losses and they post only 2 losses on the year to the Giants and Bucs.
The Bucs started 5-1 then survived the loss of starting QB Brian Griese, finishing out 6-2 with losses to New England and Chicago. A stout defense with ball control offense is their strength.
The regular season match up at TB was decided in the last second on a 2 point conversion, TB 36-35 as the Skins lost the turnover battle 3-1.
In this redux, which will be the most exciting of the weekend, we like the OVER at 37, and despite the Skins 4-4 road record we like the Skins +2.5, but we like the Bucs to win in a nail biter.
Carolina at NY Giants -3: The G-men finished 5-3, losing to Minnesota, Seattle and Washington, then struggled at Oakland to lock up the division and a home game. Eli Mannings unseasoned rookie like mistakes will cost this team in the playoffs.
The Panthers finished a lackluster 4-3 losing to Chicago, Tampa and Dallas, but took care of business 44-3 in Atlanta to stay in the picture. The Panthers 45 sacks and 23 interceptions attest to an opportunistic defense, which does not bode well for NY's QB Manning.
Carolina plays better on the road 6-2, but their lack of a running game or rushing defense is disturbing. The G-men seem to play down to the level of competition when at home, therefore, we like the Panthers +3, but NY somehow to win (the networks like NY).
Jacksonville at New England -7.5: Jacksonville started 2-2, and has gone 10-2 since closing 8-1 with 3 straight wins and posting 6-2 on the road. The Jags have a stout defense 19 picks & 15 fumbles with 47 sacks to go with a ball control offense, but their level of competition is suspect.
The defending Super Bowl champs played the toughest schedule this year and got no breaks with an injury riddled secondary, resulting in 10 picks, 8 fumbles and 33 sacks, while going 5-3 at home. The Pats revived their running game and jelled defensively of late closing 6-2, and allowing just 10 points in a brillant three game stretch just prior to season end.
And yes, Belichik is a genius, holding out Dillon, Bruschi and Brady (1/2 game) as the Pats tanked the Miami closer, avoiding red hot Pittsburgh, and setting a path for Denver, rather than Indy, and letting Pittsburgh do the dirty work. New England wins an ugly game in cold weather and covers the 7.5.
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati +3: The Bengals have oddles of offense, and a scrappy defense taking 31 picks and 15 fumbles. But, over the last six games the defense has allowed over 30 points per game and 400 yards of offensive yardage.
Besides a pourous defense that is not getting the breaks of late, the Bengals dropped their last two 37-27 at home to Buffalo and 37-7 at KC, championships are not won this way.
These teams split the regular season, both winning on the road. Cincy won on the road with an aerial show during the Steelers 3 game drought. Pittsburgh controlled their win in Cincinnati with a dominant running game and blitzing package which forced mistakes.
Pittsburgh has 45 sacks, a dominant running game and stout defense which allowed only 33 total points over the last 4 games. The Steelers closed 4-3, losing three straight (which goods teams don't do), then winning out to crawl in the back door.
How good are the Steelers? The Pats took a very rare home loss in December to avoid them. The Steelers are FAVORED in a road playoff game for a reason. We expect a redux of the early season matchup with Pittsburgh wins in an "upset", covering the three and heads to Indy next.
Side bets: We also like Super Bowl Finalist bets for Chicago vs New England and Chicago vs Denver, both paying 21 to 1.
The Rose Bowl: We stand by our previous prognostication, USC wins and easily covers 8. We still cant find any Texas fan willing to take 10 or 13 points.
Heard through the Grapevine "the call" has been made: certain parties have suggested SC (in an effort to boost ratings and satisfy sponsors) to "keep it competitive" through the 1st half.
1. Indianapolis
2. Denver
3. Cincinnati
4. New England
5. Jacksonville
6. Pittsburgh
NFC:
1. Seattle
2. Chicago
3. Tampa Bay
4. NY Giants
5. Carolina
6. Washington
Refering to our original 09/19 prognostications, we managed to pick 4 out of 8 division winners and 10 out of 12 playoff teams.
Wild Card Playoff Picks (against the spread)
Washington at Tampa Bay -2.5: Washington after losing 3 straight (which good teams don't do) closed with 5 straight wins, creaming both the Cokeboys and G-men in the process. Take away their 4 non conference losses and they post only 2 losses on the year to the Giants and Bucs.
The Bucs started 5-1 then survived the loss of starting QB Brian Griese, finishing out 6-2 with losses to New England and Chicago. A stout defense with ball control offense is their strength.
The regular season match up at TB was decided in the last second on a 2 point conversion, TB 36-35 as the Skins lost the turnover battle 3-1.
In this redux, which will be the most exciting of the weekend, we like the OVER at 37, and despite the Skins 4-4 road record we like the Skins +2.5, but we like the Bucs to win in a nail biter.
Carolina at NY Giants -3: The G-men finished 5-3, losing to Minnesota, Seattle and Washington, then struggled at Oakland to lock up the division and a home game. Eli Mannings unseasoned rookie like mistakes will cost this team in the playoffs.
The Panthers finished a lackluster 4-3 losing to Chicago, Tampa and Dallas, but took care of business 44-3 in Atlanta to stay in the picture. The Panthers 45 sacks and 23 interceptions attest to an opportunistic defense, which does not bode well for NY's QB Manning.
Carolina plays better on the road 6-2, but their lack of a running game or rushing defense is disturbing. The G-men seem to play down to the level of competition when at home, therefore, we like the Panthers +3, but NY somehow to win (the networks like NY).
Jacksonville at New England -7.5: Jacksonville started 2-2, and has gone 10-2 since closing 8-1 with 3 straight wins and posting 6-2 on the road. The Jags have a stout defense 19 picks & 15 fumbles with 47 sacks to go with a ball control offense, but their level of competition is suspect.
The defending Super Bowl champs played the toughest schedule this year and got no breaks with an injury riddled secondary, resulting in 10 picks, 8 fumbles and 33 sacks, while going 5-3 at home. The Pats revived their running game and jelled defensively of late closing 6-2, and allowing just 10 points in a brillant three game stretch just prior to season end.
And yes, Belichik is a genius, holding out Dillon, Bruschi and Brady (1/2 game) as the Pats tanked the Miami closer, avoiding red hot Pittsburgh, and setting a path for Denver, rather than Indy, and letting Pittsburgh do the dirty work. New England wins an ugly game in cold weather and covers the 7.5.
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati +3: The Bengals have oddles of offense, and a scrappy defense taking 31 picks and 15 fumbles. But, over the last six games the defense has allowed over 30 points per game and 400 yards of offensive yardage.
Besides a pourous defense that is not getting the breaks of late, the Bengals dropped their last two 37-27 at home to Buffalo and 37-7 at KC, championships are not won this way.
These teams split the regular season, both winning on the road. Cincy won on the road with an aerial show during the Steelers 3 game drought. Pittsburgh controlled their win in Cincinnati with a dominant running game and blitzing package which forced mistakes.
Pittsburgh has 45 sacks, a dominant running game and stout defense which allowed only 33 total points over the last 4 games. The Steelers closed 4-3, losing three straight (which goods teams don't do), then winning out to crawl in the back door.
How good are the Steelers? The Pats took a very rare home loss in December to avoid them. The Steelers are FAVORED in a road playoff game for a reason. We expect a redux of the early season matchup with Pittsburgh wins in an "upset", covering the three and heads to Indy next.
Side bets: We also like Super Bowl Finalist bets for Chicago vs New England and Chicago vs Denver, both paying 21 to 1.
The Rose Bowl: We stand by our previous prognostication, USC wins and easily covers 8. We still cant find any Texas fan willing to take 10 or 13 points.
Heard through the Grapevine "the call" has been made: certain parties have suggested SC (in an effort to boost ratings and satisfy sponsors) to "keep it competitive" through the 1st half.
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