Weekend NFL Picks, or why I haven't become rich on Sports Action....
Another weekend of NFL Playoff action is upon us, and I figured for fun (and to provide a text archive for others to look and laugh at) I'd give my playoff picks for this weekend. As usual, take these with the required grain of salt and all that...
Game 1: Carolina at St. Louis
The Rams laid a stinker on the field against the Lions in the last game of the year, as the offense continued to not play up to form. However the defense continues to impress, and should be able to keep the mostly ineffective Panthers offence under control. And even though the Panther will force a few mistakes from Bulger, I expect the healthy Faulk to play the key role and confuse the young defense. Panthers special teams will keep it closer than it seems, but expect a decent sized Rams win.
Game 2: Titans at New England
In my mind, the best way too attack the Belichick's defensive system has been with a good, running QB to mix up the D line and his schemes. That's why I always thought a healthy Titans team would be the one to have the best chance of upsetting the Pats. Problem is the Titans are far from healthy, as McNari has a barrage of injuries making him a pocket passer. Which means New England can send linebackers into coverage and on blitzes and not worry about contain on the QB. Add to that the fact that McNair has seemed to force the ball at times to compensate for his injuries, and you have the formula for some turn overs. I suspect the Titans will try to avoid this by mixing in more of the run, and Eddie George seemed to be back to his old self against the Ravens. But he's hurt as well, and New England is also a wonderful run stopping team. Add in home field, and the fact New England is a passing team (It was the passing game that kept the Ravens in the game last week) and I just can't see how the Titans can win. McNair will keep it close for most of the game, but in the end the Pats should win by more than a touchdown.
Game 3 - Colts at Cheifs
Depending on the conditions at game time, I can easily see this game being one of the higher scoring playoff contests of all time. Both the Colts and the Cheifs are poster child for the modern, attacking offences. But as intriguing as the offence match up is, the key to this game is the defense and special teams. And that's why I favor Indy slightly over the Cheifs, as the Colts D has been playing better lately than the Cheifs. Not that much better mind you, but they still managed to hold Denver to 10 points last weekend and have a bit more of a swagger than the Cheifs D which was shredded in the last half of the season. I can see the Colts D making a stop or two in the game, but not the Cheifs. Instead they'll have to rely on Holmes for ball control to keep and to keep the Colts on the bench (Much like Denver did in the regular season against Indy) to win the game. And hope for great field position from Hall and the return game. But Indy's special teams are also top notch, and they have the championship swagger now. The Cheifs will get into the mid 20's for points, but the Colts should be in the 30's and have the mild upset.
Green Bay at Philly
The Packs magical run in the playoff will head into Philly this week, where sadly (for Green Bay fans) it will come to an end at the hands of the Eagles Defense. Green Bay will be able to run on the Eagles, don't get me wrong, as Ahman Green should get a 100 yard plus game. But the Eagles bend but don't break on D, and should them to field goals. No, what the Eagles will do is get in Favre's face with a pass rush he hasn't seen in 3 weeks. Sure Favre's was able to save a somewhat lackluster season with a legendary game against Oakland (I doubt I could do that if I knew my dad died) and some great drives against the Seahawks. But those are not top NFL defensive units or pass rushes, Philly is. And Favre has struggled against those this year, and he should struggle against them throwing a few picks that will turn the game. Philly also has it's offence clicking finally, with mobility from McNabb and one of the best multi-back running games in the league. And they should be able to run and throw on Green Bay, who could not stop the Seahawks in the second half (except for the one INT in OT). It's been a fun ride for Green bay, but it ends here
On to anime thoughts, and the new winter anime are starting to slowly hit the digisub scene. I've only had a chance to see Mezzo (based on the H anime) which was quite enjoyable and fun. And had non of the icky H bits. I only wish the famous musician was called Lennon McCartney instead Paul Lennon...
And ROD TV continues with the cliffhangers, almost hitting Marmalade Boy level. Though the animation quality was still down, it didn't really matter. It's still addicting...
Game 1: Carolina at St. Louis
The Rams laid a stinker on the field against the Lions in the last game of the year, as the offense continued to not play up to form. However the defense continues to impress, and should be able to keep the mostly ineffective Panthers offence under control. And even though the Panther will force a few mistakes from Bulger, I expect the healthy Faulk to play the key role and confuse the young defense. Panthers special teams will keep it closer than it seems, but expect a decent sized Rams win.
Game 2: Titans at New England
In my mind, the best way too attack the Belichick's defensive system has been with a good, running QB to mix up the D line and his schemes. That's why I always thought a healthy Titans team would be the one to have the best chance of upsetting the Pats. Problem is the Titans are far from healthy, as McNari has a barrage of injuries making him a pocket passer. Which means New England can send linebackers into coverage and on blitzes and not worry about contain on the QB. Add to that the fact that McNair has seemed to force the ball at times to compensate for his injuries, and you have the formula for some turn overs. I suspect the Titans will try to avoid this by mixing in more of the run, and Eddie George seemed to be back to his old self against the Ravens. But he's hurt as well, and New England is also a wonderful run stopping team. Add in home field, and the fact New England is a passing team (It was the passing game that kept the Ravens in the game last week) and I just can't see how the Titans can win. McNair will keep it close for most of the game, but in the end the Pats should win by more than a touchdown.
Game 3 - Colts at Cheifs
Depending on the conditions at game time, I can easily see this game being one of the higher scoring playoff contests of all time. Both the Colts and the Cheifs are poster child for the modern, attacking offences. But as intriguing as the offence match up is, the key to this game is the defense and special teams. And that's why I favor Indy slightly over the Cheifs, as the Colts D has been playing better lately than the Cheifs. Not that much better mind you, but they still managed to hold Denver to 10 points last weekend and have a bit more of a swagger than the Cheifs D which was shredded in the last half of the season. I can see the Colts D making a stop or two in the game, but not the Cheifs. Instead they'll have to rely on Holmes for ball control to keep and to keep the Colts on the bench (Much like Denver did in the regular season against Indy) to win the game. And hope for great field position from Hall and the return game. But Indy's special teams are also top notch, and they have the championship swagger now. The Cheifs will get into the mid 20's for points, but the Colts should be in the 30's and have the mild upset.
Green Bay at Philly
The Packs magical run in the playoff will head into Philly this week, where sadly (for Green Bay fans) it will come to an end at the hands of the Eagles Defense. Green Bay will be able to run on the Eagles, don't get me wrong, as Ahman Green should get a 100 yard plus game. But the Eagles bend but don't break on D, and should them to field goals. No, what the Eagles will do is get in Favre's face with a pass rush he hasn't seen in 3 weeks. Sure Favre's was able to save a somewhat lackluster season with a legendary game against Oakland (I doubt I could do that if I knew my dad died) and some great drives against the Seahawks. But those are not top NFL defensive units or pass rushes, Philly is. And Favre has struggled against those this year, and he should struggle against them throwing a few picks that will turn the game. Philly also has it's offence clicking finally, with mobility from McNabb and one of the best multi-back running games in the league. And they should be able to run and throw on Green Bay, who could not stop the Seahawks in the second half (except for the one INT in OT). It's been a fun ride for Green bay, but it ends here
On to anime thoughts, and the new winter anime are starting to slowly hit the digisub scene. I've only had a chance to see Mezzo (based on the H anime) which was quite enjoyable and fun. And had non of the icky H bits. I only wish the famous musician was called Lennon McCartney instead Paul Lennon...
And ROD TV continues with the cliffhangers, almost hitting Marmalade Boy level. Though the animation quality was still down, it didn't really matter. It's still addicting...