As the road to the Super Bowl got underway this past weekend, I share with you my thoughts on the games and those moving on.
SEAHAWKS 41 - SAINTS 36
Rarely is it a shock when an underdog knocks off a favorite in any professional sport. Even if a team is bad in comparison to the others around its respective league, the members of that team are still in the top 1% of people who play that sport. They are pros for a reason after all. Still, this game was a big surprise. Being a ten point underdog, at home and in the playoffs, is almost unheard of. The Saints offense performed well, but the injuries at the running game really hurt them in establishing a balanced attack. More importantly, a defense that was ranked fourth in the league was beat all day long, culminating in an unbelievable run by Marshawn Lynch that had more broken tackles than a Bass Pro Fisherman event. Lots of credit has to go to Matt Hasselbeck and the offense as well. The receivers route running was stellar, and Hasselbeck made all the throws. Next week the Seahawks travel to Chicago, where they should meet the end of their season. The Bears defense is relentless and reliable. Without the "12th Man" at Qwest behind them, I expect the 'Hawks to lose big. PREDICTION: BEARS 27 - SEAHAWKS 10
JETS 17 - COLTS 16
Last year the Colts sent the Jets packing en route to the big one down in Miami. This year the Jets flipped the script behind a revamped defense and a beat up Colts offense. It also helps when your running back duo combines for over 200 yards on the ground. Of all the high profile moves in the off season, LaDanian Tomlinson has provided the best return on his dollar. Peyton Manning was still his old self, moving the Colts into field goal winning position before the defense gave it back, but you have to wonder if this is the beginning of the end. Manning is still an elite QB, but it seems continuing to carry the offense by himself may be too much to ask. Next week the Jets renew their war of words with the Patriots in Foxboro, where they should be shown the exit. The Jets do a very good job of disguising Mark Sanchez's typical so so play, but gimmicks don't work against the best in football. Especially in their own house. PREDICTION: PATRIOTS 31 - JETS 17
BALTIMORE 30 - CHIEFS 7
Look out. When the Baltimore offense performs as well as they did Saturday, they are as tough to beat as anyone else in the league. Ray Rice and the ground game was productive as usual, but I felt alot of that success was due to Joe Flacco's ability to spread the ball around. The Ravens defense may be old, but its still a league front runner and had 5 turnovers to show for it. Jamaal Charles' one big run excluded, the Chiefs were unable to open up their offense at all. An offense that goes three and out make for a weary defense. A weary defense makes for extra running room and holes in the coverage. Next week the Ravens head to Pittsburgh. These games are always physical, low scoring tests of will. Another slug fest seems imminent. PREDICTION: BALTIMORE 15 - PITTSBURGH 13
PACKERS 21 - EAGLES 16
This is one of those games where you wonder if Green Bay won it, or Philadelphia lost it. I would say the Eagles lost it. Don't get me wrong. The Packers offense was sound, and their defense was very well prepared for Mike Vick and his run/pass style offense. Still, as bad as the Eagles played the difference in the game were two chip shots for an otherwise clutch kicker, and they had a better than average chance for a go ahead score in the final minutes. More production on the offensive side of the ball likely would have led to a 10 point win. Next week the Packers head to Atlanta in a showdown of two of the leagues best young quarterbacks. The breakdown match up at position and sides of the ball is close on all accounts, except for the Packers defensive line and Falcons run game. This should be the highest scoring game of the weekend. PREDICTION: FALCONS 34 - PACKERS 28
Go Bears!!
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