NFL Playoffs - Division Round Sunday

Saturday, I went 1-2 in my picks, with Seattle taking care of business at home vs. New Orleans, and Bill Belichick reminding everyone why the Patriots are still the team no one wants to face in the playoffs. Last Sunday, I went a perfect 2-2, so does history repeat itself today for me?

Sunday's games:

San Franscico 49ers vs. Carolina Panthers (10:05 am PT/12:05 pm CT, FOX) - If last night was a great defensive schowcase for the Seahawks, then this grudge match between San Fran and Carolina will be a showcase between two of the best, most physical defenses playing. Carolina's top linebacker Luke Kuechly has been terrific in his 2nd year in the pros, and the Panthers boast the second best defense in the NFL (301.2 yards/game). San Fran is no pushover, boasting a shutdown front seven, ranging from Aldon Smith and Ahmad Brooks to Justin Smith and Patrick Willis. The two QB's are a part of the new school-style of playmakers who have a good arm, a great run game, and can keep plays alive with their legs - Colin Kapernick and Cam Newton. The last time these two played, it was Week 10, and the game was a low-scoring affair and the Panthers won 10-9.

My pick: 49ers - This team is getting better and healthier at the right time. Michael Crabtree is back from injury, and the offense is probably one of the best on the postseason with Anquan Boldin, Vernon Davis in the air and Frank Gore on the ground. And in a game of physical D, I trust Kap to make the big plays to get the victory.

San Diego Chargers vs. Denver Broncos (1:40 pm PT/3:40 pm CT, CBS) - Everthing on paper screams Denver should take care of the surging Bolts today: Wes Welker, who's been out with a concussion for the last 6-7 weeks with a concussion is at full strength, as well as cornerback Defensive Backs Champ Bailey and Dominic Rodgers-Cromarte. Our go-to power back Ryan Mathews is a game-time decision with an aggrivated knee injury. Denver boasts the best offense in the history of the NFL with a total of 600+ total points scored. Manning has 5477 yards passing, breaking Drew Brees's single-season record two years ago, and has thrown for 55 touchdowns, also a new single-season record. And he has limitless weapons at his disposal - Eric Decker, Julis Thomas, Knowshown Moreno, Demaryus Thomas and Welker. Add to the fact that Manning wants to atone for last year's AFC Divisonal game debacle where Baltimore tied the game and played two overtime matches for them to get the victory and eventually win Super Bowl XLVII. There should be no chance in Hell that San Diego pulls off, what would be, the biggest upset in recent postseason memory, right?

My pick: Chargers (UPSET) - ....And yet, that's exactly what I think they could do. Why???? Because San Diego has Peyton's number. They're 2-0 vs. Manning in the playoffs, including one in the Divisonal round in 2008, back when he was with Indy and boasted superior firepower as well. Phillip Rivers is 6-2 all time as a starter when playing at Invesco Field and the defense is playing great football with the return of pass rusher Melvin Ingram. There's something about this team that knows what they're up against and know full well that they don't stand a chance, and yet, they don't care. They're playing with house money and have nothing to lose. 

NFL Playoffs: Divisional Round Saturday

Now, we've widdled the teams down to 8: Denver, New England, Indianapolis and San Diego from the AFC, and Seattle, Carolina, San Francisco and New Orleans from the NFC. Last week, I went three for four in my picks and I went with a system of splitting up the games that between the two days given, and I'm going to do that again today. Onto the picks!

Saturday's games:

New Orleans Saints vs. Seattle Seahawks (1:35 pm PT/3:35 pm CT, Fox) - Last week, Drew Brees finally won a road game, beating the Eagles 26-23. This week, he and his high-powered offense have a much bigger task: playing in the nosiest, most hostile environment in football that is CenturyLink Field, and playing perhaps the toughest defense in the NFC. Seattle's coming off a bye-week, and now face the task of figuring out how to better protect their QB, Russell Wilson from the Saint's very tough front seven. 

My pick: Seahawks - To me, this team has just too good a running game (Marshawn Lynch is a beast) and too deep on defense to let Brees pick them apart. He has the weapons on offense, but I'm not sure how he - or players like Jimmy Graham and Marques Coleston will fare against the league's best passing defense (just 172 passing yards given up per game). 

Indianapolis Colts vs. New England Patriots (5:15 pm PT/7:15 pm CT, CBS) - Like most of us, I was surprised how Andrew Luck led his Colts from a 20+ deficit and beat the Chiefs 45-44 last Saturday. This week, he'll be squaring off against Tom Brady and a Patriots team that's quite simply not the same, frightening team we've seen in year's past: Wes Welker left to play with Denver, Rob Gronkowski is out with a torn ACL, and Aaron Hernandez is standing trial for murder. The good news is that Colts wide receiver T.Y. Hilton will be out for tonight's game; not because he's injured, but because Bill Belichick will make sure he's as much of a non-factor as possible.  

My pick: Colts - Like I said, New England doesn't scare me like they have everyone. Brady doesn't have the same offensive firepower, and although their defense is decent, I believe in the abilities of Andrew Luck and that Trent Richardson will come alive - or, at least, give Indy some resemblance of a running game.

NFL Playoffs - Wild Card Weekend Part II

Well, thanks to the Chiefs defense not even showing up in the 2nd half, I'm 1-2 so far in my Wildcard picks. On to tomorrow's slate of games!

Sunday games

San Diego Chargers vs. Cincinnati Bengals (10:05 am PT/12:05 pm CT, CBS) - This match up honestly has all the makings of a blowout waiting to happen: On paper, Cincy's stacked with talent, on both sides of the ball. Just the names A.J. Green, Marvin Jones and BenJarvis Green-Ellis scare the crap out of me, going up against what has to be the worst San Diego Secondary I've ever seen plus a mediocre front seven that should be better than how they've played (especially how Defensive Linemen like Corey Liuget & Kendall Reyes had breakout seasons last year, and not lived up to expectations this season). And defensively, Linebacker Vontaze Burfict and Defensive End Michael Jordan are excellent pass rushers. Also, add how the Bengals are a perfect 8-0 at home, how my Chargers basically lucked into the postseason, thanks in part to terrible officiating during the waning seconds of the Kansas City home game, the fact that this team is ranked 3rd in total defense this year, and how the home team hasn't won a postseason game since 1991 & would love to get that monkey off their back, and it should add up to a swift exit for San Diego.


My pick: Chargers (UPSET) - Yes, I'm basing this in blind faith because I am a Charger fan, but also because this Bengals team relies on whether or not QB Andy Dalton will be terrific and throw for 300+ yards, or be the guy who throws interception after interception. He has thrown 33 TD's and over 4200 yards, but he's also thrown 22 interceptions, and can be erratic. Plus, for some reason, the Bolts have played their best when the odds are increasingly against their favor this year. Also: I love the play by Phillip Rivers this season - quick passes, fresh wide outs like rookie Keenan Allen, RB Danny Woodhead and two terrific TE's: the legendary Antonio Gates, and his protege, Ladarius Green. Lastly, RB Ryan Mathews has finally come into his own as a power back, giving this Charger offense more balance. Again, this is just blind faith because it's my team, but I really do feel that San Diego's going to surprise on Sunday.




San Francisco 49ers vs. Green Bay Packers (1:40 pm PT/3:40 pm CT, FOX) - Aaron Rodgers came back at the right time for Green Bay. Thanks to some last second heroics in Chicago, the Packers won the NFC North crown at 8-7-1 and are now poised to do damage. Rookie RB Eddie Lacy has been a beast, with over 1100 yards rushing and 10 TD's and WR Jordy Nelson has been terrific as well, with 1300+ receiving yards and 8 TD's. Meanwhile, San Fran's been on a hot streak coming in, winning 6 straight to capture the third playoff berth under Jim Harbaugh. Colin Kapernick, who didn't have quite the season many expected after his breakout year which ended with a trip to last year's Super Bowl game, but nevertheless had a solid sophomore season with 3100+ passing yards and 21 touchdowns, coupled with finally having an elite no.1 wide receiver in in Anquan Boldin, stellar playing by tight end Vernon Davis and running back Frank Gore, and great guys on defense - nose tackle Justin Smith, and pass rushers Ahmad Brooks and Aldon Smith, and we have a team that's going to be difficult to beat, regardless of venue and weather conditions.


My pick: Niners - This one's almost a no-brainer for me. Rodgers maybe back from injury, but I doubt they'll be able to cool off this team, which really shows little to no signs of slowing down one inch.

NFL Playoffs - Wild Card Weekend

For the first time in the playoffs that I can remember, each team comes into the postseason with some sort of baggage - none more so, than on Wild Card weekend. As I go through this weekend's match-ups, these picks feel like crap shoots due to the fact how these games can go either way, and it wouldn't surprise me in the slightest.


Saturday's games:



Kansas City Chiefs vs. Indianapolis Colts (1:35 PM/3:35 CT, NBC) - In one corner - the Colts have won four of the last five games to close out the regular season and have won their first AFC South crown under head coach Chuck Pagano and QB Andrew Luck, and their second trip to the postseaon in two years. Despite losing their best WR in Reggie Wayne for the year and not having much of a run game (Indy's pickup of RB Trent Richardson from the Browns hasn't paid dividends), Luck has still found ways to win ballgames with the lackluster talent he has at his disposal. Also, the Colts' D under defensive coordinator Grey Manunsky has performed exceptionally well, especially the prodution from veteran OLB Robert Mathis leading with 19.5 sacks this season. In the other corner - the Chiefs, under Andy Reid, have experienced a major turnaround from last year's dismal 2-14 season. First, they've finally found much needed stability at the QB position with Alex Smith. He doesn't have the completion percentage or QB ratings like with a Peyton Manning or Phillip Rivers, but he doesn't make too many mistakes with the ball (only 7 picks this year) and he has a great supporting cast of talent at his disposal, from wideouts Dwayne Bowe and Dexter McCluster to a potent run game with Jamaal Charles. Unfortunately, Kansas City's really cooled off, from being unbeaten at the break, to going 2-5 since. Add in injuries to core defensive plays Linebackers Justin Houston and Tamba Hali, and their defense went from being the best and most feared in the AFC, to banged up and losing that fear factor.

My pick: Chiefs - I like what Luck has done this season, but there's just not enough offensively for me to back them. KC's going to have fresh starters (Reid rested his key starters last week vs. San Diego) and they're getting back at least Houston as their pass rusher. I see Smith continuing to play solidly and a big game by Charles against an average rushing Indy D.




New Orleans Saints vs. Philadelphia Eagles (5:10 PT/7:10 CT, NBC) - Amazing the difference one year can do for a team that was trending downward. Owner Jeffrey Lurie fired Reid after 14 seasons with the Eagles and coming off his worst season as a HC, going 4-12 in 2012, and facing uncertainty with Michael Vick as their starter. In comes former Oregon Ducks coach Chip Kelly with his spread offense and a promising QB in Nick Foles who took the reins when Vick wend down with another injury, and the Eagles end up winning 10 games and clinch the NFC East on the last week of the season at Dallas. Even more impressive than the first-year head coach winning a division crown and Foles' being a surprising success is the fact that the Eagles (with WR's Riley Cooper and DeSean Jackson, TE Brent Celek, RB LeSean McCoy) have an offense that rivals Drew Brees's and Manning's. Speaking of New Orleans, the Saints took a tumble the last five games of the season, losing the lead on the NFC South and a potential bye week as the no.2 seed in the NFC playoff seeding (that went to Carolina). Adding insult to injury, the Saints have historically had problems winning away from the Superdome (they're 3-5 on the road in the postseason). Still, Brees and his arsenal (WR's Marques Coulston and Kenney Stills; TE Jimmy Graham; and RB's Pierre Thomas and Darren Sproles) can still do serious damage. I'm expecting a shootout, even in the cold weather at Philly.

My pick: Saints - Philly's had an amazing run, but Foles is an unproven QB playing in his first postseason game, and Kelly's defense is going up against one of the elite passing attacks in football. Did I forget to mention that the Eagles on defense are dead last in opposing passing yards (289.8/game) and 29th in yards allowed (394/game)?

Superbowl XLVII Thread

VS

All Predictions, Comments and thoughts go here.

Edit From The Count: With the score 28-6 Baltimore it appeared the Superbowl's streak of great games was over and we were headed towards an old school Superbowl ass kicking...then the power went out... and the game got good...really good. Baltimore got a stop with a minute and a half left and no they should not have thrown a flag there and held on for a 34-31 win. Great game. Didn't watch Beyonce and muted the commercials. So don't ask me about those things. I just watched the game and in the end that turned out to be one of the best.

AFC NFC Championship games

San Francisco 49ers Vs Atlanta Falcons
Baltimore Ravens Vs New England Patriots

It says here the 49ers and Patriots win giving us half a Harbaugh Superbowl.

49ers 28 Falcons 24 half a Harbaugh  Superbowl now complete.

Superbowl XLVII Will be Harbowl I Baltimore 28 New England 13.

It's getting close! Can you fell it? Soon the big game will be here... Tazon Latino!

Greatest Catch in Tazon Latino "herstory"Credit yogafrog.blogspot.com

Division Playoffs Day 2.

Ok if the first weekend was Fernando Fiore and Feliz Fernandez then today was Ilia Calderon and Satcha Pretto. What will tomorrow be?

Houston Texans Vs New England Patriots
Seattle Seahawks Vs Atlanta Falcons.

Atlanta wins a crazy game against Seattle 30-28. Brian Billick opines...the Seattle Seahawks are now the team to beat. You can't make this shit up. 

New England wins 41-28. Honestly I missed a good chunk of the game to watch Nebraska-Michigan State. I did here Phil Simms say Houston should kick a field goal and then kick an onside kick...down 13 points.  

Divisional Playoffs

It's The Baltimore Ravens vs The Denver Broncos And San Francisco 49ers Vs Green Bay Packers. no helmets because they clutter the page :) But all thoughts on the games go here...

So far through one half of the Broncos Ravens game this is already better than anything we saw last week. Great game.

The officiating in this game has been awful. Not one-sided towards Denver yet like I feared but awful none the less.

Also Gumbel and Dildorf. WE GET IT! IT'S COLD. But near as I can tell the wind is not blowing that hard and believe it or not the game has been played in much colder weather than this.

Yeah that made for last weeks stinkers big time. In the end Baltimore didn't have to but I don't get why neither coach let their QB's win the game. That overtime looked like a game coached between John Fox and Jim Caldwell.

It's no secret I am not as much an Erin Andrews person as most  male sports fans and the fact that she is wearing a Siberian overcoat and scarf for the second week in a row while working a football game in 50 degree temperatures isn't helping. 

So glad the option can't work in the NFL  

It's OK Green Bay trophies are people with self-esteem issues.

Final Scores...

24  9

 24 14

The Wild Card round this year was a dud IMHO 

Final Scores

Today's Scores

19    13                        


24 10     

Tomorrow's Games

VS 

VS           


Thoughts go here. Just hope the games are better than today's duds.

         

          

Playoffs? You Wanna Talk About Playoffs?

Yeah I post it every year but it never gets old.

VS                           
Is it me or didn't we just see this playoff game last year? The Texans have hit the skids but I think they win this one.

VS                        

The Packers still haven't stopped Adrian Peterson and I doubt they do tomorrow night. However the Vikings are still QB'd by Samantha Steele who will make just enough bad mistakes for the Packers to survive and move on.

The countdown to Tazon Latino starts tomorrow!

Samantha Steele is out the Vikings going with Jack Webb

Final Thoughts on Super Bowl XLVI

Some final thoughts about Sunday's game:

1.) I had New England winning it all. I thought that Bill Belichick and Tom Brady wouldn't let Eli Manning do them in like they did in '08 when the Pats are one win away from 19-0. I thought despite  a busted up Gronkowski and an atrocious defense, that Brady would carry them to their 4th title and march into the history books as the the 49ers of their time, and Brady being mentioned under the same breath as Joe Montana. I was wrong. Eli proved his championship run in SB XLII was no fluke, as he rallied his team late into the 4th quarter again vs. New England. A great game; not as legendary as XLII, but this one held its own. Congrats to the New York football Giants.

2.) Madonna? Meh. It wasn't the clusterfuck that last year's halftime performance was when the Black Eyed Peas stunk up the joint, but Madonna was lip-synching half of the time and she's really shown her age as she was limited in her dancing abilities, but that's not what you wanted to hear me talk about, so let me express the real story of that halftime show...

Who fucking cares!?!?! 


The British rapper M.I.A. didn't whip out a tit, or drop an F-bomb. Yes, it was a publicity stunt to get her name out there, but let's not make this bigger than what it it is.

3.) The Super Bowl ads this year weren't that great. Go Daddy needs to stop with the 'sex sells' crap, as it's merely become one big tease that doesn't equal the payoff. The talking baby for E-Trade was adorable and funny to a point, but now its become tiresome and repetitive. And Audi? Really? Vampires? I mean, unless you were going to kill off the douchebags from Twilight with the new car you're promotion, then this was just a poor commercial overall. There were good ones, though, including Acura's ad with Jerry Seinfeld, the Doritos one with the slingshot baby, and the 30 second teaser spot for Marvel's The Avengers was all sorts of badass. Leave it to Clint Eastwood to deliver the best ad of the night with the "Halftime in America" commercial for Chrysler.



Also: a few words on Battleship, the latest Hasbro game to get the Hollywood treatment: 
This looks like utter crap!
 

Super Bowl XLVI Sunday

21-17

Any thoughts on the game, the entertainment, the commercials, hell the puppy bowl go here. And GO GIANTS!

Another Classic!

Welcome To The Hall Of Fame Eli!

Classy Rush!

Take a look at the Superbowl Since XL

XL Pittsburgh 21 Seattle 10. Competitive but shitty game. bad football, bad officiating, bad Superbowl.
XLI Indianapolis 29 Chicago 17. Minus Rex Grossman this was a fun, entertaining game. I would rate this a good Superbowl.
XLII New York 17 New England 14. Still to me the greatest Superbowl ever.
XLIII Pittsburgh 27 Arizona 23. Great Superbowl with last minute finish. Much of the middle part of the game dominated by Pittsburgh.
XLIV New Orleans 31 Indianapolis 17. Another very good to great Superbowl. Score misleading. Game very competitive. Great QB play.
XLV. Green Bay 31 Pittsburgh. 25. Big early lead by Green Bay but Pittsburgh rallies. Very Good to great Superbowl.
XLVI New York 21 New England 17. Great sequel not decided until last play. maybe not quiet as good as first game played by 2 teams but still great game.

The Superbowl is on a helluva a roll right bow. 6 Good to great games in a row.

Conference Championship Sunday Thread

20-23

   20-17

Any thoughts on the games go here!


Edit From The Count:

Go figure the weather figures to be better in the Boston area than in San Francisco.

Gameday Forecast courtesy of The The Weather Channel

For Foxboro:

Gametime Forecast: Partly cloudy with a high in the lower 30s, light winds

For San Francisco:

Gametime Forecast: Overcast with showers at times, high in the mid 50s, moderate winds

I am not sure how much more the NFL could have asked for today. The first game decided on the last play when Baltimore's Billy Cundiff missed a short 32 yard field goal that would have tied the game the 2nd game decided in Overtime as the Giants beat the 49ers 20-17. I this is an announce announcement that after 3 years in the wilderness I have found my team. The New York Giants. The one with the cool Manning.