NFL Playoffs - WC round
Ok, even though it is Sunday morning, and 2 games have been played, I am going to forecast the NFL playoffs right here and let you know where to wager your hard earned cash to get on top. Yesterday, it was a 2-0 day straight up, 1-1 vs spread. That two point conversion in the Seattle game wound up costing me, but overall, it was a good day.
Today, the early game pits the NY Jets in New England to face the Patriots. Big time rivalry game here, been that way especially since the Tuna bowls of the late 90s. This is probably the one match up in the WC round the Pats did not want to see. Jets will not be intimidated in Foxboro where Brady is nearly unbeatable, in fact, he is undefeated in the playoffs there. Breaking this game down further, when the Jets have the ball is going to be the key to the game. How is Pennington's arm? Many in the NY area believe his arm strength and accuracy have dimished as the season has gone on, especially the last 3 weeks. Can Leon Washington or some combo of Jets RBs carry the ball and take some pressure off the QB? Can Coles get open, and outplay the NE secondary, in particular vs Asante Samuel? I see a very low scoring game just like most Jets games this year. However, I see NE pulling away in the 4th quarter behind a couple big passes from Brady. Give me NE 20-13.
In the nightcap, another NY team has a division rivalry game as the Giants head down the NJ turnpike to face the surprising Philadelphia Eagles. In the earlier matchup between these teams at the Linc, the Giants came back after being down big early and defeated the Eagles in OT on a long pass from Manning to Burress. Things have changed dramatically from that point, in particular the last month of the season where the Eagles have not lost, and the Giants only won once. Running the ball is going to be critical for both teams in this one because the QBs are very prone to mistakes if asked to do too much. I think that plays into the Giants hands since Reid's playcalling tends to be heavily skewed towards passing the ball. Will that change now that Garcia is his QB? I am not convinced a zebra can change his stripes, and I am certainly not impressed with the Eagles RB committee strictly running the ball. However, as we saw last week, if the Giants feed Tiki the ball, and mix in an occassional Brandon Jacobs carry, this could possibly wear down the Eagles defense. Clearly, Garcia is playing much better than Manning, which is a huge advantage for the Birds. One has to wonder however if Garcia is due for a bad game? Out on the edge, the Giants have the better #1 WR, and the better TE which should assist Manning. Both teams do not have the best defenses, thats for sure. I see this game being a shootout similar to their two games played during the regular season. My key stat in this game is going to be rushing attempts. Whichever team runs the ball more times in this one will advance to the Divisonal round. At least one road team has to win this weekend after going 6-2 in the WC round the last 2 years. Giants win it by running the ball all over the Eagles defense 30-23.
Today, the early game pits the NY Jets in New England to face the Patriots. Big time rivalry game here, been that way especially since the Tuna bowls of the late 90s. This is probably the one match up in the WC round the Pats did not want to see. Jets will not be intimidated in Foxboro where Brady is nearly unbeatable, in fact, he is undefeated in the playoffs there. Breaking this game down further, when the Jets have the ball is going to be the key to the game. How is Pennington's arm? Many in the NY area believe his arm strength and accuracy have dimished as the season has gone on, especially the last 3 weeks. Can Leon Washington or some combo of Jets RBs carry the ball and take some pressure off the QB? Can Coles get open, and outplay the NE secondary, in particular vs Asante Samuel? I see a very low scoring game just like most Jets games this year. However, I see NE pulling away in the 4th quarter behind a couple big passes from Brady. Give me NE 20-13.
In the nightcap, another NY team has a division rivalry game as the Giants head down the NJ turnpike to face the surprising Philadelphia Eagles. In the earlier matchup between these teams at the Linc, the Giants came back after being down big early and defeated the Eagles in OT on a long pass from Manning to Burress. Things have changed dramatically from that point, in particular the last month of the season where the Eagles have not lost, and the Giants only won once. Running the ball is going to be critical for both teams in this one because the QBs are very prone to mistakes if asked to do too much. I think that plays into the Giants hands since Reid's playcalling tends to be heavily skewed towards passing the ball. Will that change now that Garcia is his QB? I am not convinced a zebra can change his stripes, and I am certainly not impressed with the Eagles RB committee strictly running the ball. However, as we saw last week, if the Giants feed Tiki the ball, and mix in an occassional Brandon Jacobs carry, this could possibly wear down the Eagles defense. Clearly, Garcia is playing much better than Manning, which is a huge advantage for the Birds. One has to wonder however if Garcia is due for a bad game? Out on the edge, the Giants have the better #1 WR, and the better TE which should assist Manning. Both teams do not have the best defenses, thats for sure. I see this game being a shootout similar to their two games played during the regular season. My key stat in this game is going to be rushing attempts. Whichever team runs the ball more times in this one will advance to the Divisonal round. At least one road team has to win this weekend after going 6-2 in the WC round the last 2 years. Giants win it by running the ball all over the Eagles defense 30-23.
posted by Pounder at 5:39 AM
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