Well that did not exactly work out as planned. Pretty woeful weekend of predictions for someone who allegedly watches games on a regular basis. 1-3 straight up and 2-2 against the spread. Only my local Jets threw me a lifeline and even that one was a little too close for comfort. I personally thought “Mr. Reliable” Adam Veniteri had finished them off by a foot (Zing. Thank you, Daily News) but then Cromartie goes and saves their season with a killer kickoff return. What makes my prognostication ineptitude especially depressing is that my lovely Better Half went 3-1 when I asked her who would win last weekend. 3-1 with little to no knowledge of what has transpired over the season other than Rex Ryan was funny on Hard Knocks, Mark Sanchez is cute and Joe Flaaco’s name is funny when said in a Baltimore accent. She took Green Bay, the Jets and the Seahawks. What a trifecta. If she would have gone with the team that used to applaud her high school band at band camp in Westminister, MD, she could have been a cool 4-0. Me, on the other hand, an ugly 1-3. I guess that means the only way to go is up. Hopefully.
A WEEKEND OF RUBBER MATCHES
Ravens @ Steelers (-3)
What Happened: Ravens squeak out a victory even though Charlie Batch is the Pittsburgh starting QB. Down 14-10, Flaaco directs a 4th quarter drive that ends with Captain Unibrow finding T.J. Houshmanzadeh in the back of the end zone with 34 seconds left.
Second Matchup: December 5, 2010: Steelers win 13-10 in Baltimore
What Happened: Another defensive slugfest. Hanging on to a 10-6 lead with 3 minutes to play, Joe Flaaco fumbles after being sacked by esteemed hair product spokesman, Troy Polamalu. Little Ben then drives the Stillers to the end zone. Also remembered as the game where fellow Highland High alum Haloti Ngata (pictured) broke Little Ben’s nose. Cheers immediately rang out from girls passed out in bathroom stalls from across the country.
Third Matchup:
What Will Happen: As noted in Peter King’s MMQB (a solid read from a nerdy dude), the Ravens & Steelers have tangled 8 times in the last 3 years. All have been low scoring games that could have gone either way. Take a look:
Steelers, 13-10
Seven of eight were within 4 points. That means all except one went down to the final possession. So we know (a) it is going to be low scoring and (b) it will be close. Against my better judgment and week 17-found disgust for Joe Flaaco, I am picking the visiting Ravens. They seemed to be clicking on all cylinders against the woefully overmatched Chiefs and I think they will bring that swagger to Heinz Field. Suggs and a certain former Highland Ram superstud should be able to terrorize Rothlesberger due to an injury depleted O-Line. Mike Wallace and his faux-hawk are the X-factors but I think Joey Flaaco use the whole field and find all of his quality receivers as he did against KC. Of all the picks I feel the worst about this one but, hey, fortune favors the bold.
The Pick: Ravens 17 – Steelers 14
Better Half Pick : Bawlmer
Packers @ Falcons (-2.5)
First Matchup: November 28, 2010: Falcons win 20-17 at home.
Second Matchup
The Pick: Dirty Birds 27 – Packers: 17
Better Half Pick : Green Bay
First Matchup: November 28, 2010: Falcons win 20-17 at home.
What Happened: After tying the Packers tie the game at 17 with 56 seconds remaining, Falcon returner Eric Weems breaks a nice kickoff return that is made even nicer by a Pack facemask penalty. Starting at the GB 49, Matt Ryan (I refuse to use his stupid nickname) completes four straight short passes to set up a game-winning 49 yard field goal.
Second Matchup
What Will Happen: Color me surprised about the Pack’s upset of the Iggles. However, if I would have know the Packers would find a back in Starks that could pound the ball for 120 yard then I may have picked differently. If they can continue to run the ball like they did in Philly, they are a much more dangerous team than I originally thought. That said, I am taking the Dirty Birds. After last week’s huge win, everyone is talking up the Pack to come out of the NFC and I think there may be a let down. Falcons can run the ball too and are beasts at home. While the Pack may be the only NFC team with a chance to actually win the Super Bowl, the Birds win this one for Gonzo. (12 years in the League, one of the best TEs ever, 0 playoff victories (0-3), crazy)
The Pick: Dirty Birds 27 – Packers: 17
Better Half Pick : Green Bay
Seahawks @ Bears (-10)
First Matchup: October 17, 2010: Seahawks win 23-20 at Chicago
What Happened: Seahawks sacked Cutler six times. Bears were 0 for 12 on third down. Seattle got 111 yards on the ground.
Second Matchup:
The Pick: Bears: 27 – Seahawks – 13
Better Half Pick: Da Bears
First Matchup: October 17, 2010: Seahawks win 23-20 at Chicago
What Happened: Seahawks sacked Cutler six times. Bears were 0 for 12 on third down. Seattle got 111 yards on the ground.
Second Matchup:
It all seems to come down to protection. If All-the-Way Jay is not getting bumrushed and has time to find his receivers, they look like a very good team (NYJ, MIN, PHI games). If the line breaks down, then there are sacks/INTs galore and they look like a team that should be drafting in the top 10 (NYG, Pats, Redskins game). This really should become more of an issue in the next round because anything above a C- effort should be enough to take out the Seahawks. Yes, they’re a fun story but they caught a hobbled Saints team (that apparently forgot how to tackle) at the right time. The Bears will get more pressure on Hasselbeck as Juju Peppers will be all over Okung and his severely sprained ankle. After a couple of hits, the old man will revert back to the guy that everyone assumed was finished.
The Pick: Bears: 27 – Seahawks – 13
Better Half Pick: Da Bears
Jets @ Pats (-8.5)
First Matchup: September 19, 2010: Jets win 28-14 in Jersey
Second Matchup: December 6, 2010: Pats win 45-3 in Foxboro
What Happened: An annihilation on a much-hyped Monday Nighter. Brady was Brady (4 TDs, 326 yards); Jets castoff Danny Woodhead extracted some revenge and the Pats D harassed The Sanchize into 3 INTs.
Third Matchup:
What Will Happen: As much as I have drank the green Kool-Aid in the last few picks, I still can’t pick the Jets to win this game because of the matchup of the men lining up under center. Sanchez could end up being a great QB (he showed flashes against the Steelers and Bears) but he isn’t there yet. His accuracy can be atrocious at times (some of those passes on Saturday could have only been caught by Shaq, the young Shaq when he could still jump) and he has a penchant for throwing bad picks in the red zone. Brady, on the other hand, is there. Dude probably had one of his best seasons on a team full of rookies and castaways. It’s amazing. Check out the players that got some time in the End Zone for the Pats:
The Law Firm – 229 rushes/1000 yards/13 TDs – Undrafted
Gronkowski – 42 catches /546 yards/10 TDs – 2nd Round
Wes Welker – 86 catches/848 yards/7 TDs – Undrafted
Hernandez – 45 catches/563 yards/6 TDs – 4th Round
Woodhead – 97 carries/547 yards/6 total TDs – Undrafted
Deon Branch – 48 catches/706 yards/ 5 TDs – 2nd Round
Brandon Tate – 24 catches/432 yards/5 total TDs – 3rd round
The Pick: Pats: 31 – Jets: 24
Better Half Pick: J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets.
First Matchup: September 19, 2010: Jets win 28-14 in Jersey
What Happened: Brady throws 2 of the 4 interceptions that he would throw all season. (That is crazy. 4 total INTs. Eli Manning had 25. Regardless of what you think of his image. Tommy is one of the best all time.) Jets controlled the ground game (136 yards). Sanchez played to his strengths and utilized Dustin Keller. Note: if Keller has a good game, things are likely going well for Gang Green.
What Happened: An annihilation on a much-hyped Monday Nighter. Brady was Brady (4 TDs, 326 yards); Jets castoff Danny Woodhead extracted some revenge and the Pats D harassed The Sanchize into 3 INTs.
Third Matchup:
What Will Happen: As much as I have drank the green Kool-Aid in the last few picks, I still can’t pick the Jets to win this game because of the matchup of the men lining up under center. Sanchez could end up being a great QB (he showed flashes against the Steelers and Bears) but he isn’t there yet. His accuracy can be atrocious at times (some of those passes on Saturday could have only been caught by Shaq, the young Shaq when he could still jump) and he has a penchant for throwing bad picks in the red zone. Brady, on the other hand, is there. Dude probably had one of his best seasons on a team full of rookies and castaways. It’s amazing. Check out the players that got some time in the End Zone for the Pats:
The Law Firm – 229 rushes/1000 yards/13 TDs – Undrafted
Gronkowski – 42 catches /546 yards/10 TDs – 2nd Round
Wes Welker – 86 catches/848 yards/7 TDs – Undrafted
Hernandez – 45 catches/563 yards/6 TDs – 4th Round
Woodhead – 97 carries/547 yards/6 total TDs – Undrafted
Deon Branch – 48 catches/706 yards/ 5 TDs – 2nd Round
Brandon Tate – 24 catches/432 yards/5 total TDs – 3rd round
Every other team in the league had the opportunity to pick each of these guys up. Some of them multiple opportunities. The fact that he makes these guys studs is why Brady is the best QB in the league. Playing at home with a little something to prove now that Rex is yapping, it’s pretty close to a lock. I am going to hedge a bit and say the Jets keep it closer than 10 but not much closer.
The Pick: Pats: 31 – Jets: 24
Better Half Pick: J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets.
No comments:
Post a Comment