NFC
Packers over Giants
NYG had the good defense going but a good D only inspires the bad Eli (makes bad teams good and good teams bad), so their strength becomes their weakness. Plus, Aaron Rodgers is just straight ballin' right now. This game really wasn't close--and OMG there was another fucking Hail Mary!
Seahawks over Lions
I thought Matt Stafford worked his ass off, thought he moved really well in the pocket, but he never had anyone to throw the ball to. The Lions this season had a fortuitous stretch of opponents and a pretty good offense. The Seahawks are looking kinda creaky but they're still plenty good enough to thump the Lions. This game, too, wasn't close.
Packers over Cowboys
I thought the Cowboys should've won this game, they had opportunities (and I'm blaming the philosophical approach, not the rookies, who I thought played pretty well), but they haven't been in the playoffs for a while and though they were the best team in the league, they weren't a complete enough team to stop prime Aaron Rodgers. I'm still not the impressed with the Packers: its just Rodgers by himself, that's tough to keep going in the NFL. Fascinating final 2-3 minutes of this game.
Falcons over Seahawks
The Falcons just straight pounded the Seahawks. The Seahawks started with an impressive TD drive and then did not much for the rest of the game. The Falcons were like a boxer that likes to get punched a little bit to get warmed up. The Falcons let the Seahawks do whatever they wanted on the first drive, gave them a false sense of confidence and then wore them down for the rest of the game.
Packers at Falcons
I was actually more impressed by the Falcons win over the Seahawks than I was by the Packers over the Cowboys. I know, I know: the Cowboys were the best team in the league this season and the Packers are peaking at just the right time, while the Seahawks are fading and jading and ready to fall apart. But the Falcons won by playing the game they've been playing all year long, whereas the Packers are clearly just making it up as they go, which is damn dangerous in the playoffs. I think the Packers could score some points but I am very confident the Falcons will score points--probably a lot of points. The Falcons are sliding into a high level groove, the Packers are rattling along with occasional bursts of brilliance. The fun money is obviously on Aaron Rodgers ballin' out, making 3-4 hero plays down the stretch and the old timey Pack offense rising again....but I ain't seeing it. The Falcon D is good enough to not get destroyed by the Packers and the Falcon O is probably the best in the league, rounding into shape at home at just the right time. I think Falcons run them out of the stadium. The Packers might get loose and run up the score but even then I still just can't see them outscoring the Falcons. I'll take the Falcons to win and cover (-6).
AFC
Texans over Raiders
I thought the Raiders had enough offense to get past the Texans but, man, Connor Cook looked like a flipped over turtle in the sun against that Texan pass rush. Right away you could tell the Raiders had no offense at all and while the Texans didn't look brilliant or anything, they did look like a perfectly ordinary NFL team while the Raiders looked like a beautiful sports car that's only got two tires on it (still beautiful but utterly useless).
Steelers over Dolphins
The Dolphins looked fine for the first few drives but once Matt Moore got hit...I haven't seen anyone drilled in the face like that Traci Lords in her prime (I dunno, too far?)...And they brought him back out! For one play he looked like a homeless man on the expressway, it was cringeworthy to watch. But once they got down to 3rd string, there was just no way they were gonna hang. I've been skeptical of the Steelers all year but they're way better than the Dolphins on a 3rd string QB.
Patriots over Texans
Do you see how this works: Tom Bady got exposed, the Pats played their worst game in years....and they effortlessly scored 30 points. Even on a bad day, they're gonna outscore most everyone they play. The Texan D really is one of the finest in the league--even while being decimated by injuries--but the Texans were never really in that game. Come on. The Pats started slow but they controlled the game comfortably throughout.
Steelers over Chiefs
The Chiefs were the better team, that D played well enough to keep Alex Smith in the game and the Chiefs offense had a few moments of looking pretty good. But not really. The Steelers moved the ball at will, they didn't pile up points but they ate up the clock, played solid D and avoided big mistakes. The Steelers are a veteran outfit that knows what they're doing. But that doesn't mean they're the better team on any given Sunday, it just means they'll play a professional game and expect to be in it at the end. I thought the Chiefs should've/could've won the game.
Steelers at Pats
The Pats on a bad day will still score a ton of points. I think they'll figure out the Steelers eventually and I suspect the Pats D will have some wrinkles for Roethlisberger and company. LaVeon Bell is the key to the Steeler attack now and the reason the Steelers can sit on leads and keep the other QB off the field. Belichik will stop Bell first and take his chances with Roethlisberger going over the top. If the Pats can avoid the big plays, they should easily take the Steelers. The Pats offense glides at this point and I don't think the Steelers will stop them. I'll take the Pats (-6) to win and cover.
I was flummoxed on the 1st round games, I had all four underdogs to at least cover, instead not one of them even put up a good game. The Raiders and Dolphins were cooked by injuries, the Lions and Giants were big play offenses that didn't get lucky. All four games were pretty flat.
The next round was good. Texans put on a pretty good show, the Seahawks started strong and looked kinda scary at first, while the Cowboys and Chiefs really should've played better at home but both still had chances to win late. But the winning teams were the better teams and the semi-finals looks pretty damn good after such a slow start to this season. The first half of the year had a weird shadow over it, all the teams (except Cowboys and Pats) looked mediocre, there was no real buzz about anything this year. But after Thanksgiving, NFL got really good. Its interesting for the Cowboys to be good again, they accounted for huge TV ratings all year. And these last three games are gonna make for good football.
I got Pats-Falcons for big trophy. Two really good offenses, two not bad defenses, shaping up to be a scorefest, haven't had one of those in a while.
Showing posts with label steelers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label steelers. Show all posts
Saturday, January 21, 2017
Monday, January 18, 2016
NFL Playoffs Wrap Up
Chiefs 20-27 Pats
The Pats get the ball with about 7 minutes left and a two TD lead. Instead of handing off to Steven Jackson and running off some clock, they pass 3 times and go three-and-out. Why? I appreciate wanting to stay true to the offense and keeping up the intensity but at that point running off clock is more important than scoring points. I've always had a soft spot for the Brady-Belichick Pats (and Vladimir Putin, too, so....ya know) and I admire the desire to run through the finish line but, dude, there are times when Belichick does the dumb thing instead of the easy thing (go back and check out that absurd L they suffered to the Eagles this year). The Chiefs were so discombobulated by the end (that last scoring drive was just plain weird in their lack of intensity and proper clock management) that it didn't matter that the Pats gave them a chance to win. But one o' these days Belichick's high octane machismo is gonna get the Pats shot in the foot. I was right on the winner and the fave but I thought the Pats would keep it under (which they would have if they'd just run out the clock on that 4th quarter drive). Pats go to Denver next.
Packers 20-26 (OT) Cards
The Cards played tight, man, the anuses were clinched that night. That said I was impressed with the Packer defense (best I saw them all year long) and Rodgers was able to run up good yards with receivers even the fiercest Packer fan had never heard of. And OH MY GOD--another hail mary TD!?!? One thing when it comes against the sorry Detroit Lions but the mighty Arizona Cardinals should never have allowed that. I'll be generous and say it was redeemed by the brilliant (brilliant!) play call of a shovel pass to Fitsgerald on the goal line. But really this game was all about the Cards playing tight and the Packers playing like solid professionals. The Cards were the better team on both sides of the ball but they better come strong against the Panthers or they will get run out of the stadium. I was right on the winner but I missed the fave and the over. Cards off to Charlotte next week.
Seahawks 24-31 Panthers
I thought the Panthers would whomp the Seahawks and for the 1st half I was correct, Panther sup 31-0 at halftime. But the Seahawks let it all hang out in the 2nd half and the Panthers played rather tentative and Seattle had their shot at pulling off the miraculous comeback. But the deficit was just too large and time ran out on them. This was such a 1st half/2nd half kinda game that its hard to definitively say the Panthers were the clearly superior team but they definitely came out stronger and punched the Seahawks early. The Panthers play with a swagger that is gonna be tough for the hesitant Cards to keep up with. I was right on the winner, the fave and the over in this one.
Steelers 16-23 Broncos
Roethlisbeger shrugged off injuries and played well in this game (I thought the horse tranquilizers might wear off at halftime but he played well throughout). The Broncos moved the ball okay but struggled to put into the end zone, piling up FGs to stay in the game. The Steeler D played well, the offense had moments but the Broncos really were the better team despite Peyton Manning's so-so performance. The Bronco D is solid but the offense would be better served by putting Peyton out to pasture and letting Brock Osweiler manage the game. I thought the Broncos would score more and while I was right on the winner, the Broncos failed to cover and the points were under. The Pats are coming to town next week.
The Pats get the ball with about 7 minutes left and a two TD lead. Instead of handing off to Steven Jackson and running off some clock, they pass 3 times and go three-and-out. Why? I appreciate wanting to stay true to the offense and keeping up the intensity but at that point running off clock is more important than scoring points. I've always had a soft spot for the Brady-Belichick Pats (and Vladimir Putin, too, so....ya know) and I admire the desire to run through the finish line but, dude, there are times when Belichick does the dumb thing instead of the easy thing (go back and check out that absurd L they suffered to the Eagles this year). The Chiefs were so discombobulated by the end (that last scoring drive was just plain weird in their lack of intensity and proper clock management) that it didn't matter that the Pats gave them a chance to win. But one o' these days Belichick's high octane machismo is gonna get the Pats shot in the foot. I was right on the winner and the fave but I thought the Pats would keep it under (which they would have if they'd just run out the clock on that 4th quarter drive). Pats go to Denver next.
Packers 20-26 (OT) Cards
The Cards played tight, man, the anuses were clinched that night. That said I was impressed with the Packer defense (best I saw them all year long) and Rodgers was able to run up good yards with receivers even the fiercest Packer fan had never heard of. And OH MY GOD--another hail mary TD!?!? One thing when it comes against the sorry Detroit Lions but the mighty Arizona Cardinals should never have allowed that. I'll be generous and say it was redeemed by the brilliant (brilliant!) play call of a shovel pass to Fitsgerald on the goal line. But really this game was all about the Cards playing tight and the Packers playing like solid professionals. The Cards were the better team on both sides of the ball but they better come strong against the Panthers or they will get run out of the stadium. I was right on the winner but I missed the fave and the over. Cards off to Charlotte next week.
Seahawks 24-31 Panthers
I thought the Panthers would whomp the Seahawks and for the 1st half I was correct, Panther sup 31-0 at halftime. But the Seahawks let it all hang out in the 2nd half and the Panthers played rather tentative and Seattle had their shot at pulling off the miraculous comeback. But the deficit was just too large and time ran out on them. This was such a 1st half/2nd half kinda game that its hard to definitively say the Panthers were the clearly superior team but they definitely came out stronger and punched the Seahawks early. The Panthers play with a swagger that is gonna be tough for the hesitant Cards to keep up with. I was right on the winner, the fave and the over in this one.
Steelers 16-23 Broncos
Roethlisbeger shrugged off injuries and played well in this game (I thought the horse tranquilizers might wear off at halftime but he played well throughout). The Broncos moved the ball okay but struggled to put into the end zone, piling up FGs to stay in the game. The Steeler D played well, the offense had moments but the Broncos really were the better team despite Peyton Manning's so-so performance. The Bronco D is solid but the offense would be better served by putting Peyton out to pasture and letting Brock Osweiler manage the game. I thought the Broncos would score more and while I was right on the winner, the Broncos failed to cover and the points were under. The Pats are coming to town next week.
Friday, January 15, 2016
NFL Playoffs Round 2
Chiefs at Pats (-5)
Chiefs have freight trained their way through the last two months of football, absolutely plowed the Texans in Houston last week, they're running the ball well, playing good D, not turning the ball over, playing good special teams--and the last time they played the Pats (fall of 2014) they won like 400 to nothing. One could argue they're the hottest team left in the final eight. The Pats, on the other hand, have lost 4 of their last 6 games, feature mostly injured players in the skill positions and the offensive line and various off-field weirdness this week appears that the team is entire disarray. Yeah, I'm taking the Pats. The Pats scored less then 27 points only 4 times this year and as well as the Chiefs are playing, I don't see them stopping the Pat attack. Nor do I see them moving the ball on this kinda underrated Pats D. The Chiefs are a team of managers, they've got a bunch of dudes that don't make dumb mistakes but without Jeremy Maclin (questionable as of now) they're devoid of playmakers and to win in Foxboro, they'll need some special plays. I'll take the Brady-Belichick attack to grind down the Chiefs, easily cover and stay under (44.5). I'll say Pats 27-10.
Packers at Cards (-7.5)
The Packers started 6-0, stumbled down the stretch but looked like the old school Pack against the Redskins last week. Ehhh, I'm not buying it. I think Aaron Rodgers is amazing (won't get any MVP votes this year, but dude he's the only reason they've gone this far!) but the rest of the team is so uninspiring. But the Redskins are even more uninspiring, thus what looks like a resurgence was merely a mirage. The Cards, on the other hand, are the truth. They've been stomping people all year long, Carson Palmer is better than he's ever been, Bruce Arians is probably the Coach of the Year and that D is as good as any squad in the league. I do not see them blowing this one. I think Rodgers runs for his life and gets little help from his teammates. Cards to easily cover but I'll go over (50) because I think points will get scored. I'll say Cards 37-20.
Seahawks at Panthers (-2)
The Seahawks are coming off a gritty, gutty (lucky as shit) win in the frozen tundra of Minneapolis last week. Though they've made 3 straight NFC Finals, they don't seem like the juggernaut they've recently been. Last week's victory was a tough one, we'll see what they have left. Though the Panthers lost only once this year, they're giving only 2 points at home to a team that just got lucky as hell after a frustrating physical game in blistering cold. Are we still not convinced that the Panthers are good? Dude, the Panthers scored below 27 points only 3 times this year: 20 in a W in week 1, 24 in a W in week 2, 13 in their inexplicable loss to the Falcons in Week 16. Scoring points shouldn't be a problem though it is worth noting that the only good team the Panthers played all year long (Colts, Eagles, Packers all disappointing) was the Seahawks whom they beat 27-23 in week 6. They've played the Seahawks each of the last 4 years now, playing them stout each time and this time (I'd say) come in as the superior team. I'm convinced the Panthers are good, I think Cam Newton and Ron Rivera are on the short lists for MVP and Coach of the Year, I think the home fans in Carolina are ready for a big victory and I don't think they'll be the least bit intimidated by the big bad Seahawks. In short, I think the Panthers are gonna crush the shit out of the Seahawks. I'll say Panthers 38-13, which is Panthers and the over (44.5).
Steelers at Broncos (-9; opened at -5.5).
The Steelers got even luckier than the Seahawks last week and IMHO never should've gotten this far. Even at their best I didn't think they were a very strong team outside of an insane ability to chuck the ball down the field. They come into this game without #1 WR Antonio Brown, #1 RB D'Angelo Williams (actually #2 but Laveon Bell has been out for many many weeks) and #1 (in our hearts) QB Ben Roethlisberger. The punters clearly have no love for the depleted Steelers going on the road and I can't disagree--since I didn't think they'd be good enough even WITH all those guys! The Broncos have the #1 D in the league, a crazy home field advantage and have had a week to get healthy (as opposed to a week of the Steelers getting even more banged up). This would seem like a gimme, right? Well, yes and no. Another one of Broncos' upsides is that they have one of the greatest QBs of all time, Peyton Manning....except that Peyton's been shite all year long and except for a recent victory over al-Jazeera, has looked very very (very) bad for most of this season. But he's back in the lineup when frankly Brock Osweiler would be better for this team. Look, the Steelers are coming in depleted against the top defense in the league, the Broncos need only a solid manager to guide this team to victory. If Peyton does just enough to win, the Broncos will romp; if he tries to do too much, he might just Favre this game away. This game is so one-sided its scary. If Osweiler were playing, I'd take the Broncos and give the points without hesitation...but Peyton freaks me out. I'll still go ahead and take the Broncos to win big (say, 34-16) but of all the home faves, I feel like the Broncos have the best chance to blow it. I'll go ahead and say Broncos and the over (39.5) but, man, I wouldn't put MY money on it.
Chiefs have freight trained their way through the last two months of football, absolutely plowed the Texans in Houston last week, they're running the ball well, playing good D, not turning the ball over, playing good special teams--and the last time they played the Pats (fall of 2014) they won like 400 to nothing. One could argue they're the hottest team left in the final eight. The Pats, on the other hand, have lost 4 of their last 6 games, feature mostly injured players in the skill positions and the offensive line and various off-field weirdness this week appears that the team is entire disarray. Yeah, I'm taking the Pats. The Pats scored less then 27 points only 4 times this year and as well as the Chiefs are playing, I don't see them stopping the Pat attack. Nor do I see them moving the ball on this kinda underrated Pats D. The Chiefs are a team of managers, they've got a bunch of dudes that don't make dumb mistakes but without Jeremy Maclin (questionable as of now) they're devoid of playmakers and to win in Foxboro, they'll need some special plays. I'll take the Brady-Belichick attack to grind down the Chiefs, easily cover and stay under (44.5). I'll say Pats 27-10.
Packers at Cards (-7.5)
The Packers started 6-0, stumbled down the stretch but looked like the old school Pack against the Redskins last week. Ehhh, I'm not buying it. I think Aaron Rodgers is amazing (won't get any MVP votes this year, but dude he's the only reason they've gone this far!) but the rest of the team is so uninspiring. But the Redskins are even more uninspiring, thus what looks like a resurgence was merely a mirage. The Cards, on the other hand, are the truth. They've been stomping people all year long, Carson Palmer is better than he's ever been, Bruce Arians is probably the Coach of the Year and that D is as good as any squad in the league. I do not see them blowing this one. I think Rodgers runs for his life and gets little help from his teammates. Cards to easily cover but I'll go over (50) because I think points will get scored. I'll say Cards 37-20.
Seahawks at Panthers (-2)
The Seahawks are coming off a gritty, gutty (lucky as shit) win in the frozen tundra of Minneapolis last week. Though they've made 3 straight NFC Finals, they don't seem like the juggernaut they've recently been. Last week's victory was a tough one, we'll see what they have left. Though the Panthers lost only once this year, they're giving only 2 points at home to a team that just got lucky as hell after a frustrating physical game in blistering cold. Are we still not convinced that the Panthers are good? Dude, the Panthers scored below 27 points only 3 times this year: 20 in a W in week 1, 24 in a W in week 2, 13 in their inexplicable loss to the Falcons in Week 16. Scoring points shouldn't be a problem though it is worth noting that the only good team the Panthers played all year long (Colts, Eagles, Packers all disappointing) was the Seahawks whom they beat 27-23 in week 6. They've played the Seahawks each of the last 4 years now, playing them stout each time and this time (I'd say) come in as the superior team. I'm convinced the Panthers are good, I think Cam Newton and Ron Rivera are on the short lists for MVP and Coach of the Year, I think the home fans in Carolina are ready for a big victory and I don't think they'll be the least bit intimidated by the big bad Seahawks. In short, I think the Panthers are gonna crush the shit out of the Seahawks. I'll say Panthers 38-13, which is Panthers and the over (44.5).
Steelers at Broncos (-9; opened at -5.5).
The Steelers got even luckier than the Seahawks last week and IMHO never should've gotten this far. Even at their best I didn't think they were a very strong team outside of an insane ability to chuck the ball down the field. They come into this game without #1 WR Antonio Brown, #1 RB D'Angelo Williams (actually #2 but Laveon Bell has been out for many many weeks) and #1 (in our hearts) QB Ben Roethlisberger. The punters clearly have no love for the depleted Steelers going on the road and I can't disagree--since I didn't think they'd be good enough even WITH all those guys! The Broncos have the #1 D in the league, a crazy home field advantage and have had a week to get healthy (as opposed to a week of the Steelers getting even more banged up). This would seem like a gimme, right? Well, yes and no. Another one of Broncos' upsides is that they have one of the greatest QBs of all time, Peyton Manning....except that Peyton's been shite all year long and except for a recent victory over al-Jazeera, has looked very very (very) bad for most of this season. But he's back in the lineup when frankly Brock Osweiler would be better for this team. Look, the Steelers are coming in depleted against the top defense in the league, the Broncos need only a solid manager to guide this team to victory. If Peyton does just enough to win, the Broncos will romp; if he tries to do too much, he might just Favre this game away. This game is so one-sided its scary. If Osweiler were playing, I'd take the Broncos and give the points without hesitation...but Peyton freaks me out. I'll still go ahead and take the Broncos to win big (say, 34-16) but of all the home faves, I feel like the Broncos have the best chance to blow it. I'll go ahead and say Broncos and the over (39.5) but, man, I wouldn't put MY money on it.
Friday, January 8, 2016
NFL Playoffs
Chiefs (-3) at Texans
The Texans have a solid D....and not much else. Though they've played well for the last two months, they don't have any really impressive wins. The Chiefs don't really either but their early season losses are better and hide the fact that they were actually pretty good all year long. The Chiefs are the better team, better QB, better weapons, probably even a better D line and though the offense isn't overwhelming, they don't turn the ball over and that's the only hope the Texans have to score points. I just don't see how the Texans move the ball at all. Gotta take the Chiefs to cover.
Steelers (-2.5) at Bengals
The Steelers are the popular pick as dark horse these days, while the Bengals haven't won a playoff game since...shit, I don't even know. But I watched both of these squads a lot this year: the Bengals are a legit squad on both sides of the ball and even with a backup QB, I think they can preserve field position and score points; the Steelers are so-so on D, a running game that is nice but nothing superlative, and while they have a great receiving corps, I'm not overhwelmed by the pass protection. If Big Ben can get over the top down field to his receivers then they can beat anyone in the league, but beyond that I don't think they're a very good team. Also, Big Ben is capable of throwing many many interceptions. I see the latter, I think the Bengals D is stout and I think even AJ McCarron will be good enough to get past the Steelers. I'll take the Bengals to cover and win.
Seahawks (-3.5) at Vikings
A strange thing looking over the Seahawks schedule this year: their most impressive win is at Minnesota in Week 13 (I'm not buying into a win at Arizona in Week 17, the Cards didn't need it, didn't put forth their best effort). Otherwise they lost to every other good team they played: Packers, Panthers, Bengals, Cards (in addition to getting inexplicably swept by the mediocre Rams). The Vikings lost in Week 1 at San Francisco but the other losses are legit: @Broncos, Packers, Seahawks, @Cards. Their wins include Chiefs, @Raiders, @Falcons, Giants, @Packers. The Vikings also remind me as a better version of the Rams, who seem to own the Seahawks. Both teams have been playing well for the last two months, so how do we weight the Seahawks victory at Minnesota in Week 13? Was that a preview of what's to come or where the Vikings playing opossum? I think the Vikings are legit, that D line is one of the best in the league, Bridgewater is underappreciated, Peterson is one of the best RBs in the league and I'm still kinda skeptical of the Seahawks and trying to win in someone else's house twice in the same year is pretty rare. All that said, I think the Seahawks' advantage is in the coaching: they've made deep runs the last 3 years, I think they can do it again whereas the Vikings staff has no track record whatsoever. I feel like the Vikings can hang but if the Seahawks get an early lead, I think they'll squeeze the life out of the Viking running game. I'll take the Seahawks to cover (but I wouldn't be surprised to see the Vikings show more than they've shown so far).
Packers (-1) at Redskins
Packers started off 6-0, looked great, arguably the best team in the league heading into their Week 7 bye. Then the wheels came off. Lost @Broncos (no sweat, Bronco D is solid, that particular game is when the Broncos finally got their running game going). Lost @Panthers (no sweat, that was the moment we all finally realized that the Panthers are actually good). Lost to the Lions (red flag! Dude, the Lions were trying to sooooooo hard to give that game away! And the Packers still couldn't take it!). Win @Vikings (sigh of relief for Packers fans, good win on the road against a feisty division opponet). Lost to Bears (uh oh, Packer fans getting the sweats again). Win @Lions (nice to get the W but that was the luckiest win anyone has seen in years, not exactly a confidence boost). Back to back W's against the Cowboys and @Raiders (okay, getting back to business, winning the games that ought to be won). Then finished with back to back losses to @Cards (no sweat, the Cards are frickin' good this year) and Vikings (uh oh, that was basically a home playoff game). Outside of Aaron Rodgers I think the Packers kinda suck. The D is not stout, those recievers are actually pretty terrible, offensive line isn't inspiring confidence, special teams isn't too special--what makes anyone think they're going to win a playoff game on the road when they basically just lost one at home? Redskins started mediocre, more or less stayed mediocre but they have won 6 of their last 8 games. They seem to have found their QB of the future and the D isn't bad. But are they better than the Packers? Well, they might be. The Packers are not terribly impressive right now and I think the pressure is on Rodgers to make plays in this game; if he does, the Packers can win but if the Redskins can keep him from doing big things, I think the Redskins can win. Indeed, I'll take the Redskins to win it at home.
The Texans have a solid D....and not much else. Though they've played well for the last two months, they don't have any really impressive wins. The Chiefs don't really either but their early season losses are better and hide the fact that they were actually pretty good all year long. The Chiefs are the better team, better QB, better weapons, probably even a better D line and though the offense isn't overwhelming, they don't turn the ball over and that's the only hope the Texans have to score points. I just don't see how the Texans move the ball at all. Gotta take the Chiefs to cover.
Steelers (-2.5) at Bengals
The Steelers are the popular pick as dark horse these days, while the Bengals haven't won a playoff game since...shit, I don't even know. But I watched both of these squads a lot this year: the Bengals are a legit squad on both sides of the ball and even with a backup QB, I think they can preserve field position and score points; the Steelers are so-so on D, a running game that is nice but nothing superlative, and while they have a great receiving corps, I'm not overhwelmed by the pass protection. If Big Ben can get over the top down field to his receivers then they can beat anyone in the league, but beyond that I don't think they're a very good team. Also, Big Ben is capable of throwing many many interceptions. I see the latter, I think the Bengals D is stout and I think even AJ McCarron will be good enough to get past the Steelers. I'll take the Bengals to cover and win.
Seahawks (-3.5) at Vikings
A strange thing looking over the Seahawks schedule this year: their most impressive win is at Minnesota in Week 13 (I'm not buying into a win at Arizona in Week 17, the Cards didn't need it, didn't put forth their best effort). Otherwise they lost to every other good team they played: Packers, Panthers, Bengals, Cards (in addition to getting inexplicably swept by the mediocre Rams). The Vikings lost in Week 1 at San Francisco but the other losses are legit: @Broncos, Packers, Seahawks, @Cards. Their wins include Chiefs, @Raiders, @Falcons, Giants, @Packers. The Vikings also remind me as a better version of the Rams, who seem to own the Seahawks. Both teams have been playing well for the last two months, so how do we weight the Seahawks victory at Minnesota in Week 13? Was that a preview of what's to come or where the Vikings playing opossum? I think the Vikings are legit, that D line is one of the best in the league, Bridgewater is underappreciated, Peterson is one of the best RBs in the league and I'm still kinda skeptical of the Seahawks and trying to win in someone else's house twice in the same year is pretty rare. All that said, I think the Seahawks' advantage is in the coaching: they've made deep runs the last 3 years, I think they can do it again whereas the Vikings staff has no track record whatsoever. I feel like the Vikings can hang but if the Seahawks get an early lead, I think they'll squeeze the life out of the Viking running game. I'll take the Seahawks to cover (but I wouldn't be surprised to see the Vikings show more than they've shown so far).
Packers (-1) at Redskins
Packers started off 6-0, looked great, arguably the best team in the league heading into their Week 7 bye. Then the wheels came off. Lost @Broncos (no sweat, Bronco D is solid, that particular game is when the Broncos finally got their running game going). Lost @Panthers (no sweat, that was the moment we all finally realized that the Panthers are actually good). Lost to the Lions (red flag! Dude, the Lions were trying to sooooooo hard to give that game away! And the Packers still couldn't take it!). Win @Vikings (sigh of relief for Packers fans, good win on the road against a feisty division opponet). Lost to Bears (uh oh, Packer fans getting the sweats again). Win @Lions (nice to get the W but that was the luckiest win anyone has seen in years, not exactly a confidence boost). Back to back W's against the Cowboys and @Raiders (okay, getting back to business, winning the games that ought to be won). Then finished with back to back losses to @Cards (no sweat, the Cards are frickin' good this year) and Vikings (uh oh, that was basically a home playoff game). Outside of Aaron Rodgers I think the Packers kinda suck. The D is not stout, those recievers are actually pretty terrible, offensive line isn't inspiring confidence, special teams isn't too special--what makes anyone think they're going to win a playoff game on the road when they basically just lost one at home? Redskins started mediocre, more or less stayed mediocre but they have won 6 of their last 8 games. They seem to have found their QB of the future and the D isn't bad. But are they better than the Packers? Well, they might be. The Packers are not terribly impressive right now and I think the pressure is on Rodgers to make plays in this game; if he does, the Packers can win but if the Redskins can keep him from doing big things, I think the Redskins can win. Indeed, I'll take the Redskins to win it at home.
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