Wildcard Recap...
Well, with Wildcard Weekend behind us I thought I would offer some quick thoughts before looking ahead at the match-ups for the Divisional Playoff Round next weekend...
Prediction: Saints 34 Seahawks 10
Actual: Seahawks 41- Saints 36
Well, needless to say most people outside of the Seahawks locker room did not see this coming. The Saints were beaten in every facet of the game, which to me was shocking. After they jumped out to a 10-0 lead and also a 17-7 lead, I thought the Saints were home free. Then they decided to take the rest of the day off.
The ultimate cheerleader
The Saints defense allowed Matt Hasselbeck to throw 3 touchdowns in the first-half. As I watched the game I could see the Seahawks feeding off the crowd. They looked possessed and brimming with confidence. The key to beating an underdog, especially one with a great home crowd, is to step on them early - give them no hope. The Saints gave them too much hope.
Links on this game:
One of the greatest runs of all time? Or a microcosm of the whole game?
Saints already with a "to-do list"
Prediction: New York Jets 27 Indianapolis Colts 24
Actual: Jets 17- Colts 16
This game was pretty entertaining, especially in the fourth quarter. I was rooting for the Jets in this game, mainly because I think the Pats have a better chance at handling the Jets than the Colts or Ravens.
In the second half the Jets finally decided to slow the game down and do what they do best, run the ball. There are some parallels between this Jets team and the Ravens team. They have so many offensive weapons and both have a young quarterback, however they are most successful running the ball. At times both the Ravens and Jets get away from that and try to heap more responsibility on Sanchez and Flacco. The Jets ran the ball and controlled the clock against in the second half, only giving Manning and the Colts three possessions.
You think Michelle let Rex see her feet after his victory over Manning?
Sanchez made a few good throws down the stretch, however, inside that dome he was inaccurate and antsy. Foxborough will be even less forgiving, the weather will be nasty and the defense will be better. Sanchez was 18/31 for 189 yards and 1 interception. His quarterback rating was 62.1. You can bet your bottom dollar that Bill Belichick will put the game on Sanchez's shoulders, putting 8 in the box and trying to stop the run.
Links on this game:
Indy seems happy with season...seriously
Prediction: Baltimore Ravens 21 Kansas City Chiefs 17
Actual: Raven 30- Chiefs 7
Well, the Ravens and Chiefs both proved some things on Sunday.
The Ravens proved that they are still a vaunted defense and that their offense can be balanced. Joe Flacco, a guy I still do not believe in, was superb. He leaned on Todd Heap, throwing 10 completions to him for 108 yards. He spread the ball to seven receivers going 25/34 for 265 yards and 2 touchdowns. They passed 34 times and ran it 40 times. The Ravens defense also proved it is still legit, forcing 5 turnovers.
The Chiefs proved that they are "a year away" from truly competing in the playoffs. Matt Cassel was smothered, throwing 3 interceptions and only completing 9 of 18 passes for 70 yards. The Chiefs had the balls for only 18:16 of the game. That is absurd. They ran only 37 offensive plays! To put it in perspective, the Jets had the ball for 18 minutes of the second half on Saturday night and ran 38 plays in that time.
Links on this game:
Reed gets game ball, heads home to family.
Is this what it would be like to have Ray Lewis in an office setting?
Prediction: Green Bay 31 Philadelphia 24
Actual: Green Bay 21 - Eagles 16
This game was a bit boring. The Eagles were victims of a kicker missing two field goals, one early and one late in the game.
The Eagles did everything they needed to do to win the game. They kept the Packers to below 200 yards passing while they passed for nearly 300 yards. The Eagles won the turnover battle and kept the possession time pretty close. 32 minutes to 28 minutes in favor of Green Bay. The Eagles, however, allowed the Packers to run the ball a little bit too much, giving up 132 yards. This was the one thing the Packers should not have been able to do. The Eagles were not able to overcome those rushing yards, 2 missed field goals, and a last minute pick thrown by Vick, which was a gutsy throw.
Wildcard Weekend Pick Record:
3-1 (Damn Saints!)
BCS Championship Game Prediction:
Oregon 35 - Auburn 32
GO DUCKS!!!!!!
Coming up this week...The Divisional Playoffs...
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