Saturday
Colts @ Baltimore(-4)
Manning didn’t look all that great against a mediocre Chefs defense last week and has a rotten road playoff record and they’re playing an excellent defense on the road. Hmm, seems like a no-brainer, which probably means I’m dead, but whatever. Ravens.
Eagles @ New Orleans(-5.5)
I think it’s time for the Saints to finally get a second playoff win. It’s been a great ride for the Eagles but the Saints are rested, well-coached (never thought I’d say that), and have a nice balanced attack, plus that whole week off/being at home thing. I’m taking New Orleans.
Sunday
Seahawks @ Bears(-9.5)
Is this an interesting game? I’m not sure. I think Chicago will win but Rex will keep it a contest. Maybe Simmons is right, maybe no NFC team should get more than about five or six in these playoffs. Has there ever been a more vulnerable-looing 1 seed? If I’m Seattle I play man all the time and stack the box, daring Grossman to beat ‘em. So, eight seems like too much, so I’ll take the points looking for the Bears to win in a close one, probably on a kick return or a blocked field goal or something.
Patriots @ San Diego(-5)
OK, so, the Bolts having a week off and being at home constitutes a pretty sizeable advantage (which of course applies to all the home teams this weekend). However, the Bolts have a couple disadvantages, too: effectively a rookie QB (and he’s been awful lately), and, of course, Marty and his shining postseason record. LT on one hand, Brady on the other. San Diego has Merriman and New England has… err, what else does New England have? Jabar Gaffney? Please, that guy couldn’t even make the cut on the Texans. I know, I know, make a pick already. Pats. I learned my lesson last week: don’t bet against the Pats in the postseason. Yeah, they may not actually win them all, but it’s dangerous to bet against them.
You know, it’s interesting. I’m down a few games here, so I figured I’d have to go against my instincts in some of these games to give me a chance to win. But you’ve made it easy for me!
Saturday
Colts @ Baltimore(-4)
The Ravens are a solid pick, and they’ve flown beneath the radar for awhile. In the meantime, the Colts have been just squeaking by. I have a feeling that the Colts have finally figured out what they need to do in the playoffs. Is this Dungy’s year? Maybe not, but it just seems everyone is jumping on the Ravens here and that makes me think it might go the other way.
Eagles @ New Orleans(-5.5)
I really like the Eagles. They just won in NO a couple of weeks ago. I don’t see why they can’t do it again. Westbrook will go nuts and Garcia won’t lose it.
Sunday
Seahawks @ Bears(-9.5)
Every time I see the Seahawks I’m amazed that they actually manage to win games. They are so soft defensively and so timid offensively. Anyway, one of their best (if unsure-handed) receivers – Jackson – is out, so that won’t help. I see the Bears rolling in this one. Give the points.
Patriots @ San Diego(-5)
You’ve really fallen into this Pats trap, haven’t you. I’m telling you, they’re not that good. The Jets are awful. They had the easiest schedule in the league and they were lucky enough to sneak into the playoffs. They actually beat the Patriots once this year. No, San Diego is the class along with the Ravens and the Colts. They roll big.
Historically, three home teams win and one road team wins in these games. That means I’ll get at least one wrong. Ha!
God, I hate the Patriots so much.
I can’t believe the Pats won that game. They played great defense, yes, but I couldn’t believe they scored at all, their offense was just scary against the Chargers’ D. And yet, they did it anyway. Hard to believe.
Freakin’ Saints should have gotten a little closer and kicked a figgie to cover near the end. Reggie Bush is damn lucky that neither of his fumbles cost them. Yeah, he’s impressive at times, but he doesn’t take very good care of the ball. No, as a Texans fan, I’m not bitter or anything… (Actually they should have taken Vince but that’s another story.)
So is it all over, or is the difference at 3 with 3 games to go?
Uhh, yeah, here are the standings:
So… it’s over, I win again. Dude, you got killed in the last round of bowl games. You got the Cotton, Sugar, and GMAC and all the others you blew. Ouch.
Now, what’s interesting is that I could still end up breaking even for the season and, of course, there’s the issue of which team ends up being the champ. If it’s the Pats, I have no idea, since I already have a Brady jersey. Troy Brown? If it’s the Saints, I think a Brees jersey would be good, though I might think Deuce. If it’s the Colts… ugh. I guess Cato June just for being a Michigan guy. And for the Bears, I think it’d have to be Urlacher, right?