With both of the teams I picked to go to the Super Bowl knocked out, and having some level of disgust for three of the teams remaining in the Super Bowl hunt, the New Orleans Saints have become my last saving grace for a rooting interest in the Super Bowl.
Lets start by breaking down the other three teams, in order of least amount of hatred, to most:
The New York Jets- Definitely my least amount of hatred of the three, but being a Red Sox fan, its just hard for me to root from any team from New York. I hate New York. I hate the people, I hate the city, they are arrogant and treat most people like lesser human beings and this team embodies the city. Rex Ryan has been cocky from day one since showing up in New York, bringing a bravado that this city embraces. If the Jets seemed more humble, I'd have less of a problem rooting for them. I also only picked them to win three games this year, so they have that working against them. But I will definitely be cheering for them to beat the...
Indianapolis Colts- a team that I have hated for many years, as they are the Titans division rivals. I respect the hell out of Peyton Manning, but that doesn't mean I have to like him. I've had to watch them succeed while the Titans have failed and I'm getting sick of it. Not to mention this team gave the old "F you!" to their fans by deciding not to pursue an undefeated season and laying down in the last two games. And that just screams of cowardice to me. Any team that shows that kind of blatant disregard for their fans is not ok in my book. Speaking of blatant disregard for fans...
Minnesota Vikings- not a disregard to Vikings fans, but disregard to Packers fans for Brett Favre. The greatest slap in the face from one player to his legions of devoted fans in the history of professional sports. How can anyone root for this guy? Never mind all the gushing we've had to put up with over the years from John Madden and just about every other analyst. If this guy wins a Super Bowl, it will be like dropping an atomic bomb on the state of Wisconsin. I have hated him ever since his first flip flopping show when he went and signed with the Jets, but that was nowhere near as much of an atrocity as what he has done this year with division rival Minnesota. I don't particularly have anything against this team, but as long as Favre is their QB, I will be pulling as hard as I can against them. And does anyone really want to deal with the media frenzy for two weeks that will come from a Favre Super Bowl? Which is why I say that my only hope this year, for a Super Bowl that I can enjoy, are the New Orleans Saints.
The New Orleans Saints have been a long suffering franchise that has never won a Super Bowl, and is only a few years removed from the tragedy of Hurricane Katrina. They have a quarterback in Drew Brees that I have loved for a long time, that I think throws the prettiest ball in football, and needs to validate himself in the eyes of everyone that thinks you have done nothing until you have a ring. They have an outstanding fanbase and they show it every time they are at home in the Super Dome. This is a team I can get behind.
So of course, just based on the fact that I want them to win so bad, and would feel so dirty that I couldn't live with myself, I am picking the Saints (-3.5) to handle the Vikings this weekend.
And on the other side, I'm taking the Jets (+8) to upset the Colts. The Jets, on paper, should lose this game. But on paper, the Packers should have beaten the Cardinals, and the Bengals and Chargers also should have beaten the Jets. This team has the football Gods on their side. The Colts are the team that laid down in their first matchup, allowing this very Jets team to make the playoffs, and go on this run. All they had to do was actually try to win in week 16, and the Jets do not even make the postseason. This is really bad Karma. On top of that, everyone will be backing the Colts in this game, which hasn't been a good thing so far this year (actually, it never is, this is why Vegas stays in business). So because of this, I am picking the Jets, with the Karmic Gods on their side, to knock out the Colts, who chose to let them into the playoffs.
Jets. Saints. Super Bowl XLIV. And you know who I'll be rooting for. Who Dat!
Friday, January 22, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
NFL Playoffs: Round 2
Ever been punched in the stomach? I was this weekend. Now the Packers, who I have steadfastly supported all year long, were in the process of being blown out. I'm sure you all watched as they crawled back into the game, using skill and outstanding play calling that included a brilliant onside kick. Greg Jennings made a couple of circus catches that kept them in the game. But all of this was just a set up for the stomach punch.
After tying the game and forcing overtime (after Rackers missed a 34 yard field goal attempt that would have won it for the Cardinals, the ultimate tease) the Packers had the ball. Well, we all know what happened. A tuck rule type fumble that was kicked up inadvertently into the air by Aaron Rodgers, intercepted and returned for the winning score. Crazy. Now of course, 2 plays earlier the refs misses a helmet to helmet hit call on the QB. That very play they missed a very obvious facemask call. Did the Cardinals deserve to win that game? Yes, absolutely. Both teams played their hearts out (well the offenses anyway), the problem wasn't who won, its how it happened. It was completely gut-wrenching, and it could have been averted, if everything was made reviewable by the NFL. They are afraid of slowing down the game. I am afraid of not getting the call right. Which do you think fans are more concerned with?
So with that, the Packers were eliminated. I will take a good long look at this team and might very well pick them again next year. I just think they are set up for greatness. They had a championship caliber team, but injuries and a stomach punch game were all it took to knock them off. Such is the case with any NFL team, and that's why they play the games. On to round 2.
Ravens at Colts
I am going to be rooting for the Ravens the rest of the way, which I think will probably only last this game. I have a huge man-crush on Ray Rice, love Flacco, Derrick Mason is an ex-Titan that I have a ton of respect for and I hate the Colts. Of course I am going to be pulling for this team! However, unless the Colts suffer from the "rust" side of the rest vs rust argument, I think they will be able to win the game. But it should be closer than people think. I'll take the points, Ravens (+7).
Jets at Chargers
I have to say the Chargers will win the Super Bowl now. I could only have seen Green Bay stopping them and now, its time for Phillip Rivers, LT and the gang to get their Super Bowl. I think they roll through the Jets by bombarding them all day with their aerial attack. Chargers (-9).
Cowboys at Vikings
This is the marquis matchup of the weekend. I can't wait for it. The Cowboys got the big playoff monkey off their back and prove to be one of the hottest teams in football. On the other side, Minnesota stumbled into the playoffs and who knows how well Favre is holding up. I hate to root for the Cowboys, but I hate Brett Favre even more. I'm going with the hot hand of Tony Romo over old Brett. Cowboys (+3)
Cardinals at Saints
This one could be just as much of a shootout as the Packers/Cardinals game of last week. I don't really know who to pick, so I will stick with my theory of riding the hot hand and take the Cardinals. I don't think there will be a hangover from the week before. If anything, they will be fired up. I don't know if they can win, I think so, but I'm not certain. Either way it will be close, and they are getting 7 points, so I am all over Cardinals (+7).
That will do it for me this week. See you around next week for the Championship round! And of course, the Super Bowl in 3 weeks!
After tying the game and forcing overtime (after Rackers missed a 34 yard field goal attempt that would have won it for the Cardinals, the ultimate tease) the Packers had the ball. Well, we all know what happened. A tuck rule type fumble that was kicked up inadvertently into the air by Aaron Rodgers, intercepted and returned for the winning score. Crazy. Now of course, 2 plays earlier the refs misses a helmet to helmet hit call on the QB. That very play they missed a very obvious facemask call. Did the Cardinals deserve to win that game? Yes, absolutely. Both teams played their hearts out (well the offenses anyway), the problem wasn't who won, its how it happened. It was completely gut-wrenching, and it could have been averted, if everything was made reviewable by the NFL. They are afraid of slowing down the game. I am afraid of not getting the call right. Which do you think fans are more concerned with?
So with that, the Packers were eliminated. I will take a good long look at this team and might very well pick them again next year. I just think they are set up for greatness. They had a championship caliber team, but injuries and a stomach punch game were all it took to knock them off. Such is the case with any NFL team, and that's why they play the games. On to round 2.
Ravens at Colts
I am going to be rooting for the Ravens the rest of the way, which I think will probably only last this game. I have a huge man-crush on Ray Rice, love Flacco, Derrick Mason is an ex-Titan that I have a ton of respect for and I hate the Colts. Of course I am going to be pulling for this team! However, unless the Colts suffer from the "rust" side of the rest vs rust argument, I think they will be able to win the game. But it should be closer than people think. I'll take the points, Ravens (+7).
Jets at Chargers
I have to say the Chargers will win the Super Bowl now. I could only have seen Green Bay stopping them and now, its time for Phillip Rivers, LT and the gang to get their Super Bowl. I think they roll through the Jets by bombarding them all day with their aerial attack. Chargers (-9).
Cowboys at Vikings
This is the marquis matchup of the weekend. I can't wait for it. The Cowboys got the big playoff monkey off their back and prove to be one of the hottest teams in football. On the other side, Minnesota stumbled into the playoffs and who knows how well Favre is holding up. I hate to root for the Cowboys, but I hate Brett Favre even more. I'm going with the hot hand of Tony Romo over old Brett. Cowboys (+3)
Cardinals at Saints
This one could be just as much of a shootout as the Packers/Cardinals game of last week. I don't really know who to pick, so I will stick with my theory of riding the hot hand and take the Cardinals. I don't think there will be a hangover from the week before. If anything, they will be fired up. I don't know if they can win, I think so, but I'm not certain. Either way it will be close, and they are getting 7 points, so I am all over Cardinals (+7).
That will do it for me this week. See you around next week for the Championship round! And of course, the Super Bowl in 3 weeks!
Friday, January 8, 2010
The Playoffs
After that BS "championship" game in college football last night, I am just so eager for some real football. I'm pumped up for Wildcard Weekend. If anyone wants to know how I did in week 17 for picks, I went 7-9. But enough about that, here is my big Playoff Preview...
AFC Round 1
Ravens at Patriots
The Patriots are 3 point favorites at home against the Ravens, but with the loss of Wes Welker, their best player all season, I have to take the Ravens in this game. I like this Ravens team a lot. I like Flacco as a promising young QB on the rise and Ray Rice is an absolute stud. I can't see the Patriots stopping Rice for 4 quarters, not with their defensive problems. Although the Ravens defense isn't what it used to be, it is still pretty damn good. If Welker was healthy, I think it would be a different story, but Belichick made the bonehead decision to start his starters in a meaningless game. If they were going for undefeated, you play them, if not, you rest them. That game meant nothing, and I think it very well might have cost them their season.
Jets at Bengals
Two teams that I don't really feel deserve to be here, and either one doesn't have a chance in round two, which makes it tough to pick. The Bengals are at home and are 3 point favorites, but again, I like the underdog. I'm not going to factor in the Jets beating down the Bengals last week, because I don't think the Bengals were trying, but the Jets are just playing far superior football. The Bengals have not played well in a long time. The Jets do have a rookie quarterback, and that is a very strong negative factor, but what do the Bengals do that is really good? They have one receiver who will be locked down by Revis. They have a banged up running back and a banged up defense. I just can't see them putting up any points. The Jets have my pick, despite Mark Sanchez.
NFC Round 1
Eagles at Cowboys
I want to pick the Eagles. They have been one of my favorite teams all year long. The Cowboys have a really bad track record in opening round games. It is difficult to beat a team three in a row in the same season. The Eagles have Desean Jackson who can beat anyone by himself. I just can't take this Cowboys team under Wade Phillips in the playoffs until they show me something. They can both put up a lot of points, and it should stay close, but I can't go against one of my favorites this whole year, despite Dallas' success against them this year. The Eagles get my pick at +4.
Packers at Cardinals
If you have been following me all season, you should know that I have picked the Packers in every week of the season. I am a Titans fan, but Green Bay has been my adopted team all year. I picked them to win the Super Bowl. I bet them to win the Super Bowl before the season. I think they are an excellent team that can beat anyone. They can score on the ground and through the air. Their O-Line is playing much better in the second half of the season. Aaron Rodgers has developed as the season has gone on, and is taking fewer sacks and making better decisions. They are the hottest team in the NFC. I love the Packers, despite the fact that they are playing a very good Cardinals team. I can't jump ship now.
AFC Round 2
Ravens at Colts
Jets at Chargers
I don't think either of these games are particularly close. The Jets get blown out and the Ravens lose by a touchdown. The Colts and Chargers are just so much better than everyone else in the AFC. I hope this happens, because it should be a terrific game
NFC Round 2
Eagles at Saints
This is where I think the Eagles run out of steam. I know the Saints have struggled, but they are almost exactly like the Eagles, only a little better at everything. Saints prove their season wasn't a total fluke.
Packers at Vikings
You know what I'm going to say here. I can't pick against my Packers and it is a joyous occasion to pick against Brett Favre. The Packers were humiliated in their last matchup, but this is a completely different Packers team. Favre is falling off the map just as he did last year. The story is very different in the third meeting. Rodgers gets his own vindication.
AFC Championship
Chargers at Colts
I have to take the hot hand, the Chargers, to dismantle the Colts. This is where the fact that the Colts chose to lose their edge in the final two weeks that it hurts them. It will be impossibly difficult for anyone to beat this Chargers team. They just do everything well. The x factor, of course, is Peyton Manning. He is so good under pressure and can will his team to win. He is the best player in the league at this point and is the clear-cut MVP. If they are going to beat the balance of the Chargers, their leader has to come up big, and he definitely can. I think the Chargers win a very close game.
NFC Championship
Packers at Saints
If someone knocks off the Packers, it will be the Saints. However, I don't see it happening. They are just so hot at the right time. What more can I really say about them? I love the team, and I can't pick against them.
The Super Bowl
Packers vs. Chargers
I can't express to you how excited I would be about this game. The Chargers would be a pretty nice sized favorite. The Packers would be the fiery underdog. I'd have a lot to gain by the Packers winning (both in pride and in money). It would give me something to root for. Norv Turner could ruin the season for the Chargers. I think the teams match up evenly across the board. Lots of points would be scored. The two best young quarterbacks in the game, who are going to carry the league for quite a few years. It would just be an outstanding game that comes down to Rivers vs. Rodgers, and I like Rodgers. Packers win. I stick with my preseason pick. I can't wait to watch, and I bet you can't either!
AFC Round 1
Ravens at Patriots
The Patriots are 3 point favorites at home against the Ravens, but with the loss of Wes Welker, their best player all season, I have to take the Ravens in this game. I like this Ravens team a lot. I like Flacco as a promising young QB on the rise and Ray Rice is an absolute stud. I can't see the Patriots stopping Rice for 4 quarters, not with their defensive problems. Although the Ravens defense isn't what it used to be, it is still pretty damn good. If Welker was healthy, I think it would be a different story, but Belichick made the bonehead decision to start his starters in a meaningless game. If they were going for undefeated, you play them, if not, you rest them. That game meant nothing, and I think it very well might have cost them their season.
Jets at Bengals
Two teams that I don't really feel deserve to be here, and either one doesn't have a chance in round two, which makes it tough to pick. The Bengals are at home and are 3 point favorites, but again, I like the underdog. I'm not going to factor in the Jets beating down the Bengals last week, because I don't think the Bengals were trying, but the Jets are just playing far superior football. The Bengals have not played well in a long time. The Jets do have a rookie quarterback, and that is a very strong negative factor, but what do the Bengals do that is really good? They have one receiver who will be locked down by Revis. They have a banged up running back and a banged up defense. I just can't see them putting up any points. The Jets have my pick, despite Mark Sanchez.
NFC Round 1
Eagles at Cowboys
I want to pick the Eagles. They have been one of my favorite teams all year long. The Cowboys have a really bad track record in opening round games. It is difficult to beat a team three in a row in the same season. The Eagles have Desean Jackson who can beat anyone by himself. I just can't take this Cowboys team under Wade Phillips in the playoffs until they show me something. They can both put up a lot of points, and it should stay close, but I can't go against one of my favorites this whole year, despite Dallas' success against them this year. The Eagles get my pick at +4.
Packers at Cardinals
If you have been following me all season, you should know that I have picked the Packers in every week of the season. I am a Titans fan, but Green Bay has been my adopted team all year. I picked them to win the Super Bowl. I bet them to win the Super Bowl before the season. I think they are an excellent team that can beat anyone. They can score on the ground and through the air. Their O-Line is playing much better in the second half of the season. Aaron Rodgers has developed as the season has gone on, and is taking fewer sacks and making better decisions. They are the hottest team in the NFC. I love the Packers, despite the fact that they are playing a very good Cardinals team. I can't jump ship now.
AFC Round 2
Ravens at Colts
Jets at Chargers
I don't think either of these games are particularly close. The Jets get blown out and the Ravens lose by a touchdown. The Colts and Chargers are just so much better than everyone else in the AFC. I hope this happens, because it should be a terrific game
NFC Round 2
Eagles at Saints
This is where I think the Eagles run out of steam. I know the Saints have struggled, but they are almost exactly like the Eagles, only a little better at everything. Saints prove their season wasn't a total fluke.
Packers at Vikings
You know what I'm going to say here. I can't pick against my Packers and it is a joyous occasion to pick against Brett Favre. The Packers were humiliated in their last matchup, but this is a completely different Packers team. Favre is falling off the map just as he did last year. The story is very different in the third meeting. Rodgers gets his own vindication.
AFC Championship
Chargers at Colts
I have to take the hot hand, the Chargers, to dismantle the Colts. This is where the fact that the Colts chose to lose their edge in the final two weeks that it hurts them. It will be impossibly difficult for anyone to beat this Chargers team. They just do everything well. The x factor, of course, is Peyton Manning. He is so good under pressure and can will his team to win. He is the best player in the league at this point and is the clear-cut MVP. If they are going to beat the balance of the Chargers, their leader has to come up big, and he definitely can. I think the Chargers win a very close game.
NFC Championship
Packers at Saints
If someone knocks off the Packers, it will be the Saints. However, I don't see it happening. They are just so hot at the right time. What more can I really say about them? I love the team, and I can't pick against them.
The Super Bowl
Packers vs. Chargers
I can't express to you how excited I would be about this game. The Chargers would be a pretty nice sized favorite. The Packers would be the fiery underdog. I'd have a lot to gain by the Packers winning (both in pride and in money). It would give me something to root for. Norv Turner could ruin the season for the Chargers. I think the teams match up evenly across the board. Lots of points would be scored. The two best young quarterbacks in the game, who are going to carry the league for quite a few years. It would just be an outstanding game that comes down to Rivers vs. Rodgers, and I like Rodgers. Packers win. I stick with my preseason pick. I can't wait to watch, and I bet you can't either!
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