There were a lot ofsurprises this weekend from the NFL, only one game went the way most people predicted it, including my self.
I thought the Seattle was largely underrated this season, even though they play in the worst division in all of the NFL. For any team to go into Seattle and win is always a tough thing to do. Seattle was 7-1 at home during the regular season, 8-1 overall. There are a lot of things that come into play with playing in Seattle, like the weather and the crowd. Now that Seattle has moved on in the playoffs, maybe they will get some respect going into their game with Green Bay...Let's hope Matt Hasselbeck doesn't predict that "We want the ball, and we're going to score" My Pick: Green Bay, but close.
The New York Giants will travel to Dallas to play the Cowboys for the third time this season, and Eli Manning showed some flashes of brilliance this weekend. He finally impressed me, and I know my opinion doesn't really matter about how good Eli is. But now the Giants have to go into a hostile environment in Dallas, with a better team on the other side of the ball, and a better pass rush coming at him this weekend. My Pick: Dallas wins going away.
The best game of the weekend, didn't really start until the fourth quarter. When the Steelers finally woke up and made it a game, they couldn't do what they normally do, get pressure on the quarterback. David Gerrard looked impressive, and I know he ws largely impressive during the year, but I think Jacksonville is a little to over matched when it comes to facing New England. My Pick: New England big.
The most uninteresting game of Wild Card weekend was the Chargers vs Titans game. This game was borderline, similar to the NBA--- unwatchable. The game had no cache, it had no flair, even thought we had probably the most potent offensive player in the game in LaDainian Tomlinson, he was largely shut down. He averaged 2 yards a carry, and was a minimal impact in the passing game. I love watching LT play, but yesterday was absolutely disgusting---and not in the good way. It as a boring game from start to finish, and I found myself changing channels between a movie and golf. SD will get a rude awakening this weekend when they play in Indianapolis. My Pick: indianapolis big.
Also, here is my pick for the CFB National Title Game tonight. A close game after OSU takes and early quarter lead. Les Miles will then fire up the troops at half-time, and LSU comes from behind to win the game. Final Score: 28-21 LSU.
How is Rivers throwing for 194 yards in the second half a minimal day passing? Also, I'm not saying that the Chargers will win (although they certainly could and I will be picking them), but it should be an excellent game, not a blow out.
Any other Packer fans nervous about Saturday? I am big time! The front 7 for the Hawks is the best in the NFL, and I see there speed giving us lots of problems. The staple of the Pack ground game, the strech, will not work vs. the speedy gap splitting Hawks. Any turnovers by Brett and we could get blownout.Coach Holmgren is due , i will not be sleeping well this week as my heart says Pack23-20 but my head says take the 8pts and play the moneyline as Seattle breaks my spirt in a 27-23 upset. I can feel the pain already!!
Last edited by spikescratch on January 7th at 11:20 AM.
I hope you are right about Eli but I think he has learned to take what the defenses are giving and not trying to make the big play every down. I am a Cowboy fan and will travel six hours to the game and it would disappoint me if we can't pull it out. It will be tough without TO since the other recievers have not been ablt to hold on to the ball. The drops start to play mind games with Romo and we need his confidence more than ever.
Well, spikescratch, I wouldn't worry too much there, yea the front 7 are scary howeva' it's the other side of the ball = Burleson, Branch, Hackett, Engram Pollard, and Morrison/Weaver out of the backfield... everybody picking the Pack like they did the Skins...this little blue wave team from the NW that had a Lombardi ripped by refs two years ago maybe coming to send a message...