In a previous post I spoke on the adventures of car buying, well that adventure has come to a close as I got a 2005 Ford Focus SXT. While this is definitely not what I started out looking for the mileage on the car (75k) and the price (noneya) were definitely in the right range. So I got to spend last weekend doing stuff I would much rather do, watch playoff games.
My quick rundowns and thoughts on each of the 4 contests this weekend
If you're looking for unbiased opinions, this is probably not the right place to shop. I try to be completely objectionable, but sometimes get caught up in rooting for one team or another. If there were gambling or something I might be tempted to pick one side or the other, but thankfully that's still illegal.
Cincinnati (10) @ Houston (31) - Well this game was, um, well it was OK. I didn't really care one way or the other, but was kinda rooting for um, well, uh, I guess the ball? I'm not sure how I actually managed to stay awake for most of this game, but hey, it was a playoff game so I'll just be happy and leave it at that. Great win for Houston, who gets their very first playoff win.
Detroit (28) @ New Orleans (45) - Now this was one fun game. While it got off to a slow start (14 - 10 @ half) the second quarter was an explosion of scoring. Detroit really tried to hang in there but was simply no match for the boys from the Big Easy. Frankly this game could have been a lot closer, but Detroit's defensive backs were showing us exactly why they play defense, dropping at least 3 possible interceptions. This was easily the funnest game to watch all weekend. I'm also loving that Drew Brees and Darren Sproles are succeeding. This makes me happy cause it has to make Chargers' fans sad. :-)
Atlanta (2) @ New York (24) - This game sucked. I would expand, but it really felt like two coaches who really didn't want to win the game at all. I'm normally a big proponent for going for it on 4th and short, but when your offense has been basically useless most of the game, and you're down 7 - 2, probably a good time to get some points on the board and maybe build a little confidence. After the 3rd failed 4th down this game was totally over. Why does everyone keep saying Matt Ryan is so good? Hasn't won a single playoff game. Heck even Tim TEEEEEEBOOOOOOWWWWWW can pull that off.
Pittsburgh (23) @ Denver (29) OT - Ugh. This game was just plain weird. At first it felt like Pittsburgh was going to run away with it, then for some reason they decided that they didn't need to cover anyone and Denver started running away with it. Then Pittsburgh came back and it looked like they would finish it in OT, but alas, the first game with the new weird ass OT rules, turned in to a sudden death OT. I still hate the new OT rule, and this game is a prime example of why it sucks. I'd rather see alternating possessions at your own 40, or just play a 8 or 10 min quarter. Seems kinda lame that Pittsburgh's offense never got to touch the ball again. I'm fairly sure this will all be moot when Denver heads up to New England next week, but I would have much rather watched Pittsburgh @ New England part II than see Brady vs. Tebow redux.
Next weeks games
So now that we know the line up, here's my predictions.Last week (had I written this before then) I would have been 3 - 1 straight up and 4 - 0 against the spread (would have picked Denver to cover, but lose). All lines are using Footballlocks.
New Orleans @ San Francisco (NO -3.5)
This is a scary game for me. I feel pretty good about New Orleans winning this one, and think they will do so comfortably. San Fran will likely hold them down to about 35 points, but I don't think SF's offense could put up 35 points against a college team, so doing it against NO just won't happen.
NO 35 - SF 20
Denver @ New England (NE -13.5)
Here is where the Tebow train will stop. Giving Bellicheck a week to get ready for Tebow when he already destroyed him the last time they played, somehow just doesn't seem fair. It's really tempting to take the points here, but as future Sports Czar Bill Simmons says, "never take the points if you don't think they can win". Well frankly I don't think Denver really stands a chance here. NE has dropped 2 straight home playoff games, this just feels like an eff-you game.
Den 17 - NE 41
Houston @ Baltimore (BAL -7.5)
I don't understand this line at all. While I get it that Baltimore is probably the better team, and T.J. Yates is probably not going to have a very good day, he is a rookie and Baltimore has a pretty good defense, but I wouldn't be surprised if Houston actually won this game. Houston's defense is very good as well and it's not like Joe Flacco has really improved all that much over the last couple seasons. If I'm a Baltimore fan and see Flacco taking the field, with 2 minutes to go needing a FG to win the game, I am not in any way confident. I still expect Baltimore to win, but will take the points.
HOU 17 - BAL 20
New York Giants @ Green Bay (GB -8)
This one is another tricky one. In their regular season match-up in New York, GB barely escaped with a win, (38 - 35). This is just one week after NY got drubbed by New Orleans (that's just not fair). Adding to that Eli Manning is significantly better on the road. New York has a front 4 that can apply pressure, and no one thinks the Giants have a chance to win this game. Putting this all together, and a giant chip on their shoulder this just reminds me of when NYG upset New England in the Superbowl. If I remember correctly, the regular season scores were even the same, so I'm going to go with the same for this game.
NYG 17 - GB 14
Post Season Record
Straight up - 3 - 1
Vs. Spread - 4 - 0
Tonight I'll be watching the Blazers take on the Clippers, hopefully they can bring it. I refuse to watch the "BCS Title Game" cause it should have been LSU & OSU. Sorry but if you're argument is that "every regular season game matters" then you can't say that with a straight face and say that Alabama's home loss to LSU doesn't matter. Go Blazers
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