Admin Steve
01-13-2012, 07:40 PM
OK, I admit that I blew the wild card games last week. The two teams I got right (Saints and Texans) won by wider than predicted margins, and I was simply smoked on the other two. The Falcons were totally dominated by the Giants, and the Steelers were too banged up to compete against the Tebow Karma. Good thing I don’t make a living at this prediction stuff.
Before I get into this weekend’s games, I have to note two items: First a word for Ravens fans who’ll be attending the game at M&T Bank: According to the Houston Chronicle, the Ravens–Texans game is turning out to be the hottest ticket in the NFL playoffs. Ticketmaster claims the average resale price for tickets to the Ravens-Texans is $451, fully $100 more than the second highest price for the Saints-49ers game. The article noted that almost 18% of the tickets bought on resale have gone to Texas buyers. Now that doesn’t mean that Texans’ fans will occupy 17% of the seats at the Bank, but it might ensure a sizable enemy fan presence on Sunday. No matter. Bring it on, Y’all.
Secondly, a few words about # 85. Earlier this week, Derrick Mason announced his retirement from football. I often wrote about the Raven whom I fondly called “Ubermensch” (Superman) for his unselfish play and tough game exploits, like playing with one arm while he and the Ravens shut down the Cowboys in the last game at Texas Stadium in 2008. It was just one of many great memories for me. Retiring as the Raven with the most career catches and pass yards, he merits consideration for the Ring of Honor or, at a minimum, having his number 85 retired. Thanks for everything, Derrick!
THIS WEEK’S PLAYOFF PICKS
New Orleans at San Francisco, Saturday 4:30 PM (FOX)
The Saints are the hottest team in the playoffs. They lit up a good Detroit Lions team last week by the tune of 45-28, a score that did not reflect their dominance. A dome team, they’ll be playing outdoors this weekend but the San Francisco weather will be mild and dry, so that won’t be an issue. The 49ers had the week off and will play before a rabid, playoff-starved crowd. Both teams have veteran, tested units on both sides of the ball with the 49ers having a statistical edge on defense. But this game will come down to the quarterbacks and that’s where the game will be won. The 49ers are a rare playoff home dog for a reason. One reason. The Saints have Drew Brees and the Niners have Alex Smith. Smith will get San Francisco into field goal range; Brees will get the Saints into the end zone. Multiple times.
Saints 30, 49ers 13
Denver at New England, Saturday January 14th 8:00 PM (CBS)
I completely whiffed on the Broncos win against the Steelers. I predicted Denver wouldn’t even score against Picksburg! I was so rooting for a Steelers win, first at Denver and then in New England, so that the conference championship game would be held here at The Bank. This week Denver plays, not an injured team with a quarterback on a balky ankle, but a rested, playoff-tested team with the Nephew of God at quarterback. The weather will be cold but not a game issue. Tim Tebow has to work his magic (or whatever he does) for a second week in a row against an even better playoff team. After the Broncos beat the Steelers my brother, Ed the Dispassionate, wrote me and asked – “Now, are you a believer?”
My answer is still……No.
Patriots 34, Denver 24.
New York Giants at Green Bay, Sunday January 15th 4:30 PM (Fox)
The most intriguing game of the weekend. A few weeks ago Green Bay was headed for an unbeaten season and Aaron Rogers was the master of the NFL. Then the Packers lost to the awful Kansas City Chiefs and suffered some key injuries on the offense. On top of all that, this week their offensive coordinator lost his son in a terrible accident and won’t be available for the game. The Giants, meanwhile, have been red-hot, beating the underachieving NY Jets and Dallas Cowboys to get into the playoffs, then convincingly whipping the Atlanta Falcons in the Wild Card round last week. The cards seem to be falling in the G-Men’s favor. The weather will be positively balmy for Wisconsin in mid-January with highs in the lower 20s and no winds, so maybe Tom Coughlin’s nose and cheeks won’t light up like a Christmas tree. Eli Manning and Aaron Rogers will do the lighting up.
The spread is Packers -8.5 which is high, but I still have to go with the home team. You won’t see Aaron Rogers throwing ridiculous picks like Brett Favre did the last time these teams met in January on the Frozen Tundra, and that will be the difference.
Packers 27, Giants 24
Houston at Baltimore, Sunday January 15th 1:00 PM (CBS)
The Texans bounced the Cincinnati Bengals out of the playoffs in a home Wild Card win. A close game turned on rookie defensive end J.J. Watts’ fantastic interception and touchdown return that helped restore the Bengals to Bungles status. It was a dominating win at Reliant Stadium, the first home playoff win for a Houston team in over 20 years. The Ravens are one of 2 teams playing this weekend that are undefeated at home. The Ravens defeated the Texans earlier this year at 29-14, in a game that featured 5 Billy Cundiff field goals. The Texans even led at one point before the Ravens pulled away in the 4th quarter. The teams are evenly matched with top-notch defenses (#2 & #3) and strong running games. But this game, like the others this weekend, will eventually turn on the play of the quarterbacks. Joe Flacco versus rookie T.J. Yates? No contest.
Ravens 23, Texans 13.
THE FESTIVUS CONTINUES!
Note: All stats courtesy of NFL.com, additional content from the Baltimore Sun, San Francisco Chronicle, Houston Chronicle, Vegas Insiders, and ProFootballTalk.com
More... (http://ravens24x7.com/columns/Fran-The-Fan/Divisional-Weekend-Picks)
Before I get into this weekend’s games, I have to note two items: First a word for Ravens fans who’ll be attending the game at M&T Bank: According to the Houston Chronicle, the Ravens–Texans game is turning out to be the hottest ticket in the NFL playoffs. Ticketmaster claims the average resale price for tickets to the Ravens-Texans is $451, fully $100 more than the second highest price for the Saints-49ers game. The article noted that almost 18% of the tickets bought on resale have gone to Texas buyers. Now that doesn’t mean that Texans’ fans will occupy 17% of the seats at the Bank, but it might ensure a sizable enemy fan presence on Sunday. No matter. Bring it on, Y’all.
Secondly, a few words about # 85. Earlier this week, Derrick Mason announced his retirement from football. I often wrote about the Raven whom I fondly called “Ubermensch” (Superman) for his unselfish play and tough game exploits, like playing with one arm while he and the Ravens shut down the Cowboys in the last game at Texas Stadium in 2008. It was just one of many great memories for me. Retiring as the Raven with the most career catches and pass yards, he merits consideration for the Ring of Honor or, at a minimum, having his number 85 retired. Thanks for everything, Derrick!
THIS WEEK’S PLAYOFF PICKS
New Orleans at San Francisco, Saturday 4:30 PM (FOX)
The Saints are the hottest team in the playoffs. They lit up a good Detroit Lions team last week by the tune of 45-28, a score that did not reflect their dominance. A dome team, they’ll be playing outdoors this weekend but the San Francisco weather will be mild and dry, so that won’t be an issue. The 49ers had the week off and will play before a rabid, playoff-starved crowd. Both teams have veteran, tested units on both sides of the ball with the 49ers having a statistical edge on defense. But this game will come down to the quarterbacks and that’s where the game will be won. The 49ers are a rare playoff home dog for a reason. One reason. The Saints have Drew Brees and the Niners have Alex Smith. Smith will get San Francisco into field goal range; Brees will get the Saints into the end zone. Multiple times.
Saints 30, 49ers 13
Denver at New England, Saturday January 14th 8:00 PM (CBS)
I completely whiffed on the Broncos win against the Steelers. I predicted Denver wouldn’t even score against Picksburg! I was so rooting for a Steelers win, first at Denver and then in New England, so that the conference championship game would be held here at The Bank. This week Denver plays, not an injured team with a quarterback on a balky ankle, but a rested, playoff-tested team with the Nephew of God at quarterback. The weather will be cold but not a game issue. Tim Tebow has to work his magic (or whatever he does) for a second week in a row against an even better playoff team. After the Broncos beat the Steelers my brother, Ed the Dispassionate, wrote me and asked – “Now, are you a believer?”
My answer is still……No.
Patriots 34, Denver 24.
New York Giants at Green Bay, Sunday January 15th 4:30 PM (Fox)
The most intriguing game of the weekend. A few weeks ago Green Bay was headed for an unbeaten season and Aaron Rogers was the master of the NFL. Then the Packers lost to the awful Kansas City Chiefs and suffered some key injuries on the offense. On top of all that, this week their offensive coordinator lost his son in a terrible accident and won’t be available for the game. The Giants, meanwhile, have been red-hot, beating the underachieving NY Jets and Dallas Cowboys to get into the playoffs, then convincingly whipping the Atlanta Falcons in the Wild Card round last week. The cards seem to be falling in the G-Men’s favor. The weather will be positively balmy for Wisconsin in mid-January with highs in the lower 20s and no winds, so maybe Tom Coughlin’s nose and cheeks won’t light up like a Christmas tree. Eli Manning and Aaron Rogers will do the lighting up.
The spread is Packers -8.5 which is high, but I still have to go with the home team. You won’t see Aaron Rogers throwing ridiculous picks like Brett Favre did the last time these teams met in January on the Frozen Tundra, and that will be the difference.
Packers 27, Giants 24
Houston at Baltimore, Sunday January 15th 1:00 PM (CBS)
The Texans bounced the Cincinnati Bengals out of the playoffs in a home Wild Card win. A close game turned on rookie defensive end J.J. Watts’ fantastic interception and touchdown return that helped restore the Bengals to Bungles status. It was a dominating win at Reliant Stadium, the first home playoff win for a Houston team in over 20 years. The Ravens are one of 2 teams playing this weekend that are undefeated at home. The Ravens defeated the Texans earlier this year at 29-14, in a game that featured 5 Billy Cundiff field goals. The Texans even led at one point before the Ravens pulled away in the 4th quarter. The teams are evenly matched with top-notch defenses (#2 & #3) and strong running games. But this game, like the others this weekend, will eventually turn on the play of the quarterbacks. Joe Flacco versus rookie T.J. Yates? No contest.
Ravens 23, Texans 13.
THE FESTIVUS CONTINUES!
Note: All stats courtesy of NFL.com, additional content from the Baltimore Sun, San Francisco Chronicle, Houston Chronicle, Vegas Insiders, and ProFootballTalk.com
More... (http://ravens24x7.com/columns/Fran-The-Fan/Divisional-Weekend-Picks)