Super Bowl XVLI

Let’s talk about the Super Bowl.

Firstly, I was right in thinking it would be rematch of a fairly recent Super Bowl. I was just about seven years too early. On a later date, I’ll address the conference championship games. Right now, it hurts too much for us poor, 35 yard field goal victims.

So it’s Giants vs. Patriots in the Super Bowl. A rematch of the infamous Super Bowl XLII—the one that changed how the recent Patriots were seen for a long time and still does today. And this one could have similar ramifications. Here they are.

If the Giants win:

Tom Coughlin will be seen as an elite coach.

Eli will be “Elite Eli”, as he claimed he was before the season started.

The Giants pass rush, their entire defense, will go down as a unit that performs well under pressure and as one of the elite units, if it isn’t already.

The Patriots’ legacy will be challenged – except for Belichick’s. (More on this later).

If the Patriots win:

Belichick will go down in history s the modern Walsh, with Tom Brady as his Montana, unequaled in the last fifteen years.

The Patriots will prove that they don’t choke in the big games, playoff games, in recent memory.

Defense doesn’t need to win championships.

However, I think the Giants will win. Here’s why – defense still wins championships.

They’ve already beaten New England once this season. It will be a close game, don’t get me wrong. But Eli will pull it out, like he has all season, setting the record for fourth quarter touchdowns this season. The Giants are their best under pressure and there is no greater pressure than the Super Bowl.

New England has offense, but several key players are banged up. Notably “Gronk” and Matt Light. Those two players could tip the balance in favor of the Giants if they don’t play well. And the Giants are fairly healthy. Advantage – Giants.

But I really feel that the Giants’ defense will tip this game for New York. They’ve got great players n every level—defensive line, linebackers and secondary. Because their front four can bring so much pressure, so consistently, they will throw Brady off, out of rhythm. This takes the pressure off the ‘backers and the secondary. The secondary is opportunistic, and many of them were here for the last Super Bowl—notably, Webster, the leader. They will not waste any misfires by Tom Brady. And there will be some, with all the pressure brought in the trenches.

With ‘Gronk’ hobbled, the pressure will rest on the shoulders of the other receivers and running backs. Wait, they have other offensive players? The Giants need to be careful of Welker, always a threat, but manageable with their big linebackers to jam him on the line of scrimmage. Just don’t let him out into the flat. He’ll kill you out there.

All this being said, I think that it will be a low scoring, close game.

23-20 Giants.

Bring it Super Sunday. 

Conference Championships

Here we are, basically two weeks away from the Super Bowl. Now, let me begin by saying I'm proud to report that both of my Super Bowl picks are still in the game. That's better than last year, when they both got knocked out in the second round. I think both championships this year will be good, close games, but here's who will come out on top and why. 

Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots
In my bracket, I have the Ravens in the Super Bowl. So I can't exactly back down now. I've said all along that I'm not scared of New England. Baltimore has won playoff games on the road there before. They key for the Ravens in this game is simply to run the ball. It will take clock away, keeping Brady and company off the field, and exploit one of the Patriots' major weaknesses -- one of the worst run defenses in the league. Also, Joe Flacco has to play well. He's been under heavy fire, from both inside the locker room and out, being called the weak link on a team that has a star running back and defense. If you're going to believe in the Ravens, you must believe in Joe Flacco. And Cam Cameron's ability to call runs - lots of them. Ray Rice can make up the difference if Flacco struggles. Yes, Tom Brady is formidable. But the defense isn't. And they say defense wins championships. It'll be a good game, regardless of who wins. But I think it's the Ravens' game to lose.

New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers
This is an interesting game, one no one would have predicted at the beginning of the season, featuring another one of my Super Bowl bracket picks -- the Giants. San Francisco is a great story. Rookie Coach, redeemed first round quarterback. But right now I believe that's where the story rends. Alex Smith is not Eli Manning. When both defense are as stellar as these two, then to get the result of the game, one must look at the respective offenses. Yes, the 49ers have Frank Gore and Vernon Davis. But the Giants have Bradshaw, Jacobs, Cruz and Eli. For all the Eli haters out there, you must admit that he has at least gotten it together at the end of the season and in the playoffs. I'm not saying that the Giants are going to blow them out -- but I do believe they will win with a combination of hot offense and stingy defense.


Conclusion? 
Super Bowl XLVI will be Ravens v. Giants, a rematch of Super Bowl XXXV. 

Divisional Round 2011

So, here are the picks for this weekends playoff games.

Saints over 49ers. The spread is 3.5, in favor of the Saints and I would take the Saints.
Reasoning -- at the very least, the Saints will win by a touchdown. They say offense sells tickets and defense wins championships. That principle has had a lot of influence on the picks this week, because several of these match ups show a heavily offensive team with a heavily defensive one. Regardless, I think the Saints offense is too much for the 49ers defense in this case. Saints by a touchdown.

Patriots over Broncos. The spread is 13.5 in favor of the Patriots. I want to say Denver will beat the spread.
Reasoning -- Tim Tebow. If he can continue the upward trend, he has a chance to keep this game close. The defense will have to play better than they did in the last meeting. Remember, Denver owned the first quarter last time. They did fall apart, but they showed they have the potential. Don't be surprised if Denver wins this one -- the Patriots haven't won a playoff game since 2007.

SUNDAY GAMES
Ravens over Texans. The spread is 9, in favor of the Ravens. Take the Ravens. TJ Yates is going to have a long day.
Reasoning -- The Ravens are playing at home. They're strongest there. TJ Yates is a rookie quarterback, who has definitely impressed me, but he's still a rookie. He's got a lot of learning to do here, and it's not going to be pretty. With a week off, Baltimore is rested and prepared for this.

Giants over Packers. The spread is the Packers favored by 8. Take the Giants.
Reasoning -- Remember 2007. Please. This Giants team reminds me so much of that one. Yes, the Packers are an offensive powerhouse. But the Giants can bring the pressure like no one else in the NFC. I would not be surprised to see them win, as they almost did in week 13. So, I'm just going to go out on a limb and pick them. Sorry, Packers nation.

Playoffs Round 1

Alright here's the second set of playoff picks for wild card weekend. Giants over Falcons (NY giant beat spread 3). Steelers over Broncos but Broncos beat spread (9 or 8.5). Wasn't so great on spread picks yesterday, but got both winners.

Playoffs day one

Just wanted to throw a quick post up here about the playoffs!
I'm taking the Saints over the Lions, but think the Lions will beat the spread (10.5). Then hoping the Texans can pull it out like last time. So, what the heck, Texans. Cincy to beat the Spread (3).

Let it begin!

Week 17 Picks!

Here are the final picks of the 2011 season, though they are ironically the first picks of 2012. Playoffs are on the line for a lot of the teams here. Ravens and Giants win their respective divisions. Denver loses, but gets in. Whatcha think? Wish I could say the Bills would knock off New England...

Ravens (11-4) v. Bengals (9-6)

Pick: Ravens

Lions (10-5) v. Green Bay (14-1)

Pick: Lions

49ers (12-3) v. Rams (2-13)

Pick: 49ers

Jets (8-7) v. Dolphins (5-10)

Pick: Dolphins

Bears (7-8) v. Vikings (3-12)

Pick: Bears

Bills (6-9) v. Patriots (12-3)

Pick: Patriots 

Panthers (6-9) v. Saints (12-3)

Pick: Saints

Redskins (5-10) v. Eagles (7-8)

Pick: Eagles

Colts (2-13) v. Jaguars (4-11)

Pick: Colts

Titans (8-7) v. Texans (10-5)

Pick: Texans

Buccaneers (4-11) v. Falcons (9-6)

Pick: Falcons

Steelers (11-4) v. Browns (4-11)

Pick: Steelers

Chiefs (6-9) v. Denver (8-7)

Pick: Chiefs

Chargers (7-8) v. Raiders (8-7)

Pick: Chargers

Seahawks (7-8) v. Cardinals (7-8)

Pick: Seahawks

Cowboys (8-7) v. Giants (8-7)

Pick: Giants 

Week 16 wrap

Pleased to report that the WRAP is back! Week 16 tied up for your reading pleasure. 

Giants v. Jets (29-14)

This battle for New York was a lot closer than the score indicates. However, a few key mistakes by Mark Sanchez of the Jets killed them, putting the game completely out of range. These included a safety and an interception, as well as a fumble into the end zone – all of which were caplitzated on by the Giants. The Giants are fighting to keep their Coach in his job. This game showed that a team, even one which talks, needs to show up on game day to win, something the Giants know only too well from losses to the Seahawks and Redskins. And now Rex Ryan has thrown Sanchez under the bus. They say his players love him, but they won’t much longer if he keeps this up.

Chargers v. Lions (10-38)

Well, hello to you too, Detroit. You’ve finally clinched a playoff spot and are rocking into the last week of the regular season. This game was more about the Chargers than how Matt Stafford got snubbed for the Pro Bowl. The Chargers lost, throwing them out of the playoff race. Who are these Chargers? And will Norv Turner make it through the New Year? This team has consistently underperformed, but who is at fault for that? And now Drew Brees, Darren Sproles and Michael Turner (all former Chargers) have made a name for themselves ON OTHER TEAMS. Someone needs to right the ship here.

Broncos v. Bills (14-40)

Looks like Tim Tebow has been figured out by the AFC East. First the Patriots take them to town, then the Bills. I’d be worried about going into next week, Tebow fans, I mean Bronco fans. At the rate he’s turning the ball over, the Chiefs will have easy pickin’s this Sunday. Seriously, PICKS. Tebow needs to refocus and change his game – he’s now too predictable and the defense has fallen apart on him. Remember that Romeo Cranel comes from the same tree as Bellichik and that he’ll be watching the tape from the Bills and Patriots games. Sorry Tebow.

Dolphins v. Patriots (24-27)

If there had been anyone but Brady and the Hoodie on that sideline, the Dolphins would have won this game. Who are these Fins? They’ve really gotten it together in the second half of the season. Unfortunately, they couldn’t hold on to this game but the fact remains that they did play well. Considering they have nothing to play for, they’ve really put together a strong second half campaign. Yes, they will finish below .500. But good things have started to take hold in Miami.

Falcons v. Saints (16-45)

This game is notable for two reasons. The lesser one is that the Saints are NFC South champions. The bigger one is that Drew Brees finally broke Dan Marino’s single season passing record. I was heart broken when he didn’t achieve the feet in 2008, and honestly thought he’d never get another shot at it. But I am so glad he did, as is the whole city of New Orleans and his teammates. He’s a brilliant quarterback and a generally great guy. He is an example of the standard for NFL players. It has swung back from the loudmouths to the quiet, hardworking team players. And it’s a great change.