Oh Brett Favre you were starting to fake some people out. I've known for a long while that you were a gun slinging, egotistical, media whore, interception machine, but you even made me drop my guard for a moment! All season long I've posted blog after blog which forecasted that Favre the phony would throw a critical interception at the worst possible moment.
Why would anyone not think this way? Favre has 317 career interceptions and an additional 30 playoff INT's. Only Dan Marino, Peyton Manning, and Fran Tarkenton have more career TOUCHDOWNS then Favre does interceptions in the history of the NFL. Favre has thrown more than 20 interceptions in a single season SIX times!
He has thrown two of the most egregious interceptions I have ever seen. In 2003 in a playoff over time game at Philadelphia, Favre threw a back footed floater about 40 yards down field. There wasn't a Packer within 20 yards of the ball and Brian Dawkins looked as if he was fielding a punt. Needless to say he intercepted the pass and a few moments later David Akers & the Eagles ended the Packers season.
The second despicably bad interception was his last throw as a Packer. In the 2007 NFC Championship game the Packers had been let off the hook not once but TWICE by Lawrence Tynes who missed both game winning field goal attempts. You'd figure with the temperature being approximately minus 72 that this would discourage the Giants and invigorate the Packers to steal a win in what had seemed to be a magical season for Green Bay. This is probably true if you have anyone but Brett Favre under center. In his typical boner fashion this boner threw an interception on (I believe) the VERY FIRST PLAY of over time!!! Again, needless to say, a few moment later Tynes gained redemption and kicked a frozen brown block through the uprights propelling the Giants into the Super Bowl.
I'd personally like to say fuck you to Favre for this one in particular. I would have preferred he held that interception in him for another week. In that case my living room would currently be decorated with 19-0 apparel.
All the while we have irrefutable evidence, as the officials would say, of how much Brett Favre sucks (well I guess he doesn't suck in the sense that JaMarcus Russell sucks but aside from his incredible longevity he is a top 15 quarterback at best). You would never know any of this if you were, for instance, a foreigner who came over to America to learn about the National Football League. This foreigner would tune into Sportscenter, pregame shows, and watch each game to see analyst after analyst after announcer after analyst giving Favre a never ending knob job.
"He's a warrior."
"This guy here is such a competitor, does it get any better than Brett Favre?"
"Nobody has more fun out there than Brett Favre."
I honestly want to know, what is each of these idiots actually DOING when they see him throw another interception?
(Pans to Ron Jaworski's house as Jaws is coming back from the bathroom.... "Hmm, I wonder how the Bears got the ball back. The Vikings must have punted.")
I however heard two of the most asinine comments I have ever heard regarding Favre courtesy of Terry Bradshaw and Tom Jackson. Prior to the NFC Championship Bradshaw said, and I'm paraphrasing, 'I have loved watching Brett Favre and he in my opinion is the greatest quarterback to ever play.'
Made me want to puke. Off the top of my head without even stopping to try and think of other players, I would rather have: Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, Joe Montana, Steve Young, John Elway, Dan Marino, Bart Starr, Roger Staubach, Otto Graham, Johnny Unitas, Fran Tarkenton, Ben Roethlisberger, Troy Aikman, and Kurt Warner.
Notice that I didn't put Bradshaw on there. That overrated piece of crap won four Super Bowls riding a hellacious defense and stellar running game. Had you replaced Bradshaw with Favre... well... uhhh... ok I'll put Bradshaw in there too cuz at least he didn't fuck it up for his team.
The second comment from Tom Jackson came AFTER the Vikings crushing loss to the Saints. Jackson said, and I quote, "That’s the thing about Brett Favre; he’s not afraid to throw an interception. That’s one of the things I most admire about him." Ummm... what?!?!?! Tom, if you want me to throw on some shoulder pads, a helmet, and throw 15 picks a game for the Vikings I'd be happy to. It's been my life long dream to garner your admiration and, shit, you don't seem hard to please!
It's maddening!!! Maddening, maddening, maddening, maddening!!!!
So as the Saints-Vikings game kicked off, I all but had black and gold pumping through my veins. After all, what's worse than the Colts in the Super Bowl? Brett Favre being the opponent! As the game moved on though something funny happened....
I watched this game by myself so here's a bit of a synopsis of what went through my head...
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- Jeeze, they couldn't capitalize on that Reggie Bush turnover!! Oh man ANOTHER Vikings fumble?! They took out Peterson, my gahd they are falling apart!
(Shots of Brett Favre talking AP through it on the sideline, keeping him & his team mentally in the game)
- Holy shit what a hit!! He musta broke his ribs on that?? No flag!?!?! Favre just got clipped below the knee, jesus!!!
(Shots of Brett Favre grimacing but continually getting up and fighting)
- Fuck me, I'm not actually starting to pull for the Vikings am I? I mean I hate Favre but even the most venomous hater like myself can't do anything but admire that he's fighting his balls off for this.
(Vikings ball 2 minutes and change left. Completion, completion, SEEEEEEED to Sidney Rice. 10 yard run by Chester Taylor)
- Oh my gahd they are going to win this game. Favre!! FAVRE?!?! BRETT FAVRE has held his team together and displayed the type of gritty winning performance that would put Willis Reed to shame!!!!!
- Damn this is a big play, 3rd down... oh shit he has maaad room to run...
*************************************
ROPE A MOTHER FUCKING DOPE!!!!
*************************************
(Favre rolls right and that gun slinging, egotistical, media whore, interception machine throws completely across his body to a covered Sydney Rice, PICKED OFF!)
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I mean could there have been a more fitting ending to this? The microsecond after the interception I knew this game was over. They didn't need to flip the coin in over time because 100 out of 100 times the Saints would have won the toss. They didn't need to review a single play, they didn't need to even play the effing over time. That game was over.
Just another case of Brett Favre being Brett Favre. I just can't believe he was starting to rope me in..... I feel dirty.....
Thursday, January 28, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Championship Games
There we go... 1-3 in the divisional round. That's more like my prediction track record. I got the Colts right but the Saints, Vikings, and Jets wrong. I thought the Saints would win but that it'd be a tighter game. That's the Jeckyll-Hyde Cardinals for ya... That puts my playoff picks at 4-4. I can still pull off a respectable 7-4 finish, but before I give you my terrible predictions here are a few thoughts....
- These playoffs have been brutally bad. We have had eight games thus far and only two have been close. The Cardinals-Packers wild card game and the Jets-Chargers from last weekend. For many people around here (myself not included), seeing the Jets win doesn't even qualify as a good game. Every other game has been brutal. Off the top of my head this is the worst playoffs since 2000. I did my best to recall 2001 to 2008 and was able to think of some pretty memorable or at least competitive games each year.
In 2000 the Wild Card Round featured the Ravens smoking the Broncos, the Dolphins beating the Seahawks, Eagles over the Bucs, and the Saints over the Rams (decent game - Hakim fumble lost it for the Rams). Then the 2nd round had the Ravens over the Titans (good game - Ray Lewis taking the ball from Eddie George for a TD and upset win), Raiders rolling the Dolphins, Giants destroying the Eagles, and the Vikings smoking the Saints.
To make matters worse in 2000 the Ravens beat the Raiders in a boring game while the Giants annihilated the Vikings 41-0. The Super Bowl was a 34-7 rotten matchup that Baltimore won. Hopefully 2009 doesn't match 2000 in its entirety.
- Sucks to be a Chargers or Cowboys fan. You have talented teams that should be competing for Super Bowls but each has a complete turd running the show in Norv Turner and Wade Phillips respectively. Guess what happened after each team's loss/poor efforts this weekend? Turner gets a three year extension and Phillips does too! Now that's two teams to scratch off the list of contenders next year!
- I have totally whiffed on the Jets up to this point, and maybe now I'm just listening to too much Michael Felger on 98.5, but this is a team that probably could have gone 11-5 this year had Sanchez not stunk it up so badly in a few games - granted that is what most rookie qb's do. Fans of the Patriots, Dolphins, and Bills (if they exist) should definitely be a little uncomfortable in years to come. That defense is top notch and if Mark Sanchez becomes an average to decent QB it's a 10 win team each year for the next few seasons.
- I guess last week gives one point to "rest" in the rest versus rust debate. Colts & Saints rolled their opponents.
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME PREDICTIONS
Jets @ Colts (-7.5)
- I thought the Jets would lose to the Bengals. I thought they'd lose to the Chargers. I was dead ass wrong each time. Well... third time's a charm. I like the Colts to win and cover in this game. It is a tall tall task to beat Peyton Manning and the Colts. They are at home, rested up, and the most fucking savvy team in the league by a long shot. It will take a huge effort to keep this game close - which the Jets are capable of - but it will take a monumental effort to actually close the deal and win this game.
- These playoffs have been brutally bad. We have had eight games thus far and only two have been close. The Cardinals-Packers wild card game and the Jets-Chargers from last weekend. For many people around here (myself not included), seeing the Jets win doesn't even qualify as a good game. Every other game has been brutal. Off the top of my head this is the worst playoffs since 2000. I did my best to recall 2001 to 2008 and was able to think of some pretty memorable or at least competitive games each year.
In 2000 the Wild Card Round featured the Ravens smoking the Broncos, the Dolphins beating the Seahawks, Eagles over the Bucs, and the Saints over the Rams (decent game - Hakim fumble lost it for the Rams). Then the 2nd round had the Ravens over the Titans (good game - Ray Lewis taking the ball from Eddie George for a TD and upset win), Raiders rolling the Dolphins, Giants destroying the Eagles, and the Vikings smoking the Saints.
To make matters worse in 2000 the Ravens beat the Raiders in a boring game while the Giants annihilated the Vikings 41-0. The Super Bowl was a 34-7 rotten matchup that Baltimore won. Hopefully 2009 doesn't match 2000 in its entirety.
- Sucks to be a Chargers or Cowboys fan. You have talented teams that should be competing for Super Bowls but each has a complete turd running the show in Norv Turner and Wade Phillips respectively. Guess what happened after each team's loss/poor efforts this weekend? Turner gets a three year extension and Phillips does too! Now that's two teams to scratch off the list of contenders next year!
- I have totally whiffed on the Jets up to this point, and maybe now I'm just listening to too much Michael Felger on 98.5, but this is a team that probably could have gone 11-5 this year had Sanchez not stunk it up so badly in a few games - granted that is what most rookie qb's do. Fans of the Patriots, Dolphins, and Bills (if they exist) should definitely be a little uncomfortable in years to come. That defense is top notch and if Mark Sanchez becomes an average to decent QB it's a 10 win team each year for the next few seasons.
- I guess last week gives one point to "rest" in the rest versus rust debate. Colts & Saints rolled their opponents.
CHAMPIONSHIP GAME PREDICTIONS
Jets @ Colts (-7.5)
- I thought the Jets would lose to the Bengals. I thought they'd lose to the Chargers. I was dead ass wrong each time. Well... third time's a charm. I like the Colts to win and cover in this game. It is a tall tall task to beat Peyton Manning and the Colts. They are at home, rested up, and the most fucking savvy team in the league by a long shot. It will take a huge effort to keep this game close - which the Jets are capable of - but it will take a monumental effort to actually close the deal and win this game.
- It may not be pretty at times, but I really can't bet against the Colts. Their clutchness this season has been uncanny. I could not be more sure of the Colts during a tight game. It's like watching the 2003 & 2004 Patriots. The game might be close, might get sloppy, but shit-fuck they'll pull it out. It's maddening how many breaks they get, but then again championship teams will make & get these breaks along the way (which includes our Patriots many-a-time).
Colts 24 - Jets 16
Vikings @ Saints (-2.5)
- Have I mentioned that I hate Brett Favre? My gahd I hate Brett Favre.
- The Vikings pass rush is totally a game changer. That should be the model for the next direction of the Patriots defense. Screw this bend but don't break wimpy shit. Get yourself a stud who pins his ears back and gets after the quarterback. I'd say Jared Allen is a top 5-10 player in the NFL.
- We all saw Reggie Bush play last weekend... All I got is six words for that performance... "WHERE THE FUCK HAS THAT BEEN?!?!?!" Did anyone who watched this guy play for USC NOT think this would be the standard Reggie Bush performance? Has there been a more disappointing player in the past 10-15 years??? Yeah I know, I know, there have been complete flops like Ki-Jana Carter or Ryan Leaf but, fuck... Reggie Bush was Gayle Sayers. Reggie Bush was Barry Sanders. Just look at the guy! He's built like a mack truck, he's lightning quick, I'd say he's the best athlete to step on a football field since Deion Sanders or Bo Jackson. I can only hope that he can stay healthy and put together a career that matches the flashes of brilliance he displays but I'm afraid that's probably not the case. I think Sean Payton knows this too. I'm hardly the first to think this, but Payton probably did his best to keep Bush fresh knowing that he will need to unleash him for the playoffs.
- I think the Saints as a whole are America's choice of the final four teams. First off, you have all the Katrina stuff with New Orleans. On top of that, they unquestionably have the best uniforms in the league, the best logo, and a roster filled with likable players. At the very least they need to come through for us here in the New England region. Most of us would rather get AIDS than see the Jets, Colts, or Vikings (Favre) hoist the Lombardi Trophy. And shit... it's been a rough year for us. The Lakers won the NBA title (screw you Nagle) while the Yankees won the World Series. We may have had a great run here in this decade but it's definitely ended with a giant wet turd plopped on our face. The Saints are our last hope of ending on a positive note...
- Plus I've kept saying it throughout the season (and have been wrong thus far) but I think Favre has a critical INT in him at the worst possible time.... we can only hope....
New Orleans 34 - Minnesota 27
New Orleans 34 - Minnesota 27
Monday, January 11, 2010
Wild Card Thoughts & Divisional Round Predictions
I shockingly went 3-1 in my wild card predictions. I was correct on Dallas, Baltimore, and Arizona. I blew it on Cincinnati. Here are some of my thoughts on the weekend and my predictions for the next round.
Jets - Bengals
- The Bengals can't pass for shit... What happened with Carson Palmer? It was just a short time ago you had Manning, Brady, and Palmer as the top 3 QB's in the league. I don't know if Palmer is now even in the top 15 any more.
- Marvin Lewis wasted his two challenges before the 1st quarter was over. Are you serious guy? The second challenge was on a 15 yard pass he felt Cotchery didn't catch (which he clearly did). Whooooooooo caaaaaaress at that point??!!! You HAVE to save your last challenge for a turnover, a touchdown call, or any other big play that may occur in the 2nd half. Coaches can be great motivators, they can know the game inside and out, but c'mon how about you use common sense every once and awhile. In 2008 BB wasted a challenge on a too many men on the field call against Indy (which he lost). It's 5 YARDS!!! Who caaaaareeeessss????!!! One other thing while I'm on a tangent about coaches, it's a tight game in the 2nd half, it's 2nd and 3 n the play clock is winding down.... WHYYYYY burn a timeout when you can just take a measly 5 yard penalty??? Time outs are so critical. Anyway back to this match up...
- On the flip side Rex Ryan's game plan couldn't have been drawn up or executed more perfectly. Sanchez was incredibly efficient and they ran right down Cincy's throat.
- It pains me to say this but the Jets are a top 4 AFC team at this point. They deserve to be where they are and although the Chargers will probably beat them, the feisty Jets will be a tough out. They got a big break from the Colts but credit goes to the Jets for taking advantage and rallying behind this break.
Cowboys - Eagles
- What's to say here? The Cowboys are the real deal Holyfield and now all you hookers and ho's know how I feel. I think they cruise into Minnesota and put the beat down on the Vikings. I'll call a double digit Cowboy win.
- I like a lot of the pieces the Eagles have but I kind of think it's time to pull the plug on the Donovan McNabb era. There are a few reasons for this. They have DeSean Jackson, Brent Celek, Jeremy Maclin, and LeSean McCoy. If they do it right this core of studs could have a nice 5-7 year window. McNabb has 1 year left on his contract and Kevin Kolb is waiting in the wings. Why not trade McNabb to one of 8,000 teams who could use a QB and get something in return for him? Turn the reigns over to Kolb, who looked good in his two starts early in the year, and move on.
Now who would want McNabb? Hmm... In no particular order Broncos, Bills, Browns, Raiders, Panthers, 49ers, Seahawks, Redskins, Rams... Why not try to get the Bills or Browns 2nd round pick (about #36 overall) for him???
Ravens - Patriots
- Brutal. Just a brutal performance. It's one thing to lose when you know the Patriots played as well as they could but they just didn't show up. Hats off to Baltimore they were flying around on defense. It looked like it was 11 on 15 when the Pats had the ball. I will save more ranting about the Pats for another blog... moving on.
Cardinals - Packers
- This one made me feel smart. Everyone was overlooking the Cardinals but man they play everybody tough. Last season they surprisingly had a pretty nice home field advantage and that held true in this match up.
-The Cards have the most under appreciated player of the past 10-12 years in Kurt Warner. What has this guy done besides pass for 300 yards per game at an unprecedented clip, win playoff game after playoff game, and set super bowl yardage records? Every player, coach, and opponent has nothing but the greatest things to say and utmost respect for him. He was replaced on the the Rams by Marc Bulger, replaced by Eli Manning when on the Giants, and then finally by Matt Leinart with the Cardinals. He didn't, bitch, mope, complain, or hold out. He instead supported his team, worked his ass off, won back his starting job, and took the Cardinals to the Super Bowl. I wouldn't be surprised if he did it again this year. I hope Kurt Warner decides to come back next year too but if he doesn't he's a hall of famer in my mind and I bet he gets into Canton.
...small side tangent... I HATE this bull shit "Yeah he's only good cuz he played with so and so." "Kurt Warner isn't good, he played with Marshall Faulk, Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce, Larry Fitzgerald, and Anquan Boldin." The way I look at it they all played with Kurt Warner, I've never seen a more accurate passer. Regardless it's a stupid argument. I shit you not I watched two episodes of the NFL top 10, one was the most clutch QB's of all time in which Joe Montana was #1. The other was best hands and Jerry Rice was #7. One person complained that Montana shouldn't be #1 because he had Jerry Rice and all that talent around him. On the other episode someone bitched that Jerry Rice didn't have great hands because the ball was always thrown perfectly to him by Joe Montana and Steve Young. God just shut the FUCK up!!!! Stupid stupid stupid argument.... if I had a nickel too for every Pats hater saying that BB is only good cuz of Brady or Brady is only good cuz of the system... When you say Player X is only good because of a system, coach, player, fans, or anything else you are pretty much saying I'm a dumb pussy who just doesn't want to give a guy any credit.
- To all the Packers fans out there... Oooooh weeee Aaron Rodgers is nasty. Mark it down, that man will win Super Bowls... plural, Super Bowls. Look at his numbers versus Favre's. He's already on par with any season Favre had in Green Bay. But shit, regardless of numbers, the guy can just make plays. Give him a better offensive line and he will be incredible.
On to my predictions... again in chronological order...
Arizona @ New Orleans (-7)
That's a pretty tall line for a team that was stumbling down the stretch. You don't think Warner, Fitz, Boldin & company will pass all over the Saints? I know I know... I get a raging clue to Fitz, Warner, and the Red unis which clouds my judgment, but I think this game will be pretty tight. I don't quite expect a track meet like Zona's last game but this should get into the upper 20's or 30's.
One thing I really like for New Orleans is their home field advantage. Not only do they play in a loud ass crazy dome but this region is more wrapped around their Saints than just about any other football team (outside of the Packers) can say.
I think this game goes back and forth and that the Saints normally shitty ass kicker will end it with a game winning field goal. The Saints will win but the Cardinals will cover. New Orleand 34 - Arizona 31.
Baltimore @ Indianapolis (-7)
One thing I am trying to suck less at is choosing to go with my gut instead of being influenced by 'experts' opinions. My gut tells me the Colts will be the rusty, sloppy, tight playoff team they always have been. The rest will hurt much more than help and this game will be something like Baltimore 10 Indianapolis 7 at half time. I think the crowd gets on the Colts and I really wouldn't be shocked to see this being a one score game going into the 4th quarter. My gut though is also saying that Joe Flacco isn't good enough to go into Indy and win this round. The Colts will look pretty crummy for a bit but they will put together enough in the second half to win the game. I will take them to barely cover. Indianapolis 21 - Baltimore 13.
Dallas @ Minnesota (-2.5)
Oh my Gahd is this line serious? I guess it has to be with Minnesota playing at home after a bye. I say take Dallas all day and all night people. They are hot as hell, Favre will throw a pick in a tight situation, and the Minnesota crowd will have a bit of a Red Sox pre-2004 feel of expecting something to go wrong ala Gary Anderson's missed field goal in the 1998 NFC Championship Game... It all looks to me like a pretty handy win by the Cowboys. Dallas 34 - Minnesota 20.
NY Jets @ San Diego (-9)
This is a very tough line in my opinion. I don't think there is any question that San Diego wins but nine is a lot of points. The Jets have been playing great and their fans ought to be proud of the season.
It's all about expectations and performance. When expectations are a bit cloudy - rookie coach and qb - but you are able to sneak into the playoffs and win a game, then shit that's a great year. That's what kind of blows about being a Pats fan these days. Expectations are insane and anything short of a Super Bowl is seen as a failure. The 11/12 year old Joe, fresh off the 1994 Patriots playoff run and amazing 10-6 season, would boot my 26 (almost 27) year old self in the yam bag 12 or 13 consecutive times for being such a spoiled dick NFL fan.
I think flying across the country with a rookie QB, and relatively inexperienced team, against the soaring Chargers, is too tall of a task. Maybe the Jets keep it close for a half but I like San Diego to cover. San Diego 24 - NY Jets 10.
Jets - Bengals
- The Bengals can't pass for shit... What happened with Carson Palmer? It was just a short time ago you had Manning, Brady, and Palmer as the top 3 QB's in the league. I don't know if Palmer is now even in the top 15 any more.
- Marvin Lewis wasted his two challenges before the 1st quarter was over. Are you serious guy? The second challenge was on a 15 yard pass he felt Cotchery didn't catch (which he clearly did). Whooooooooo caaaaaaress at that point??!!! You HAVE to save your last challenge for a turnover, a touchdown call, or any other big play that may occur in the 2nd half. Coaches can be great motivators, they can know the game inside and out, but c'mon how about you use common sense every once and awhile. In 2008 BB wasted a challenge on a too many men on the field call against Indy (which he lost). It's 5 YARDS!!! Who caaaaareeeessss????!!! One other thing while I'm on a tangent about coaches, it's a tight game in the 2nd half, it's 2nd and 3 n the play clock is winding down.... WHYYYYY burn a timeout when you can just take a measly 5 yard penalty??? Time outs are so critical. Anyway back to this match up...
- On the flip side Rex Ryan's game plan couldn't have been drawn up or executed more perfectly. Sanchez was incredibly efficient and they ran right down Cincy's throat.
- It pains me to say this but the Jets are a top 4 AFC team at this point. They deserve to be where they are and although the Chargers will probably beat them, the feisty Jets will be a tough out. They got a big break from the Colts but credit goes to the Jets for taking advantage and rallying behind this break.
Cowboys - Eagles
- What's to say here? The Cowboys are the real deal Holyfield and now all you hookers and ho's know how I feel. I think they cruise into Minnesota and put the beat down on the Vikings. I'll call a double digit Cowboy win.
- I like a lot of the pieces the Eagles have but I kind of think it's time to pull the plug on the Donovan McNabb era. There are a few reasons for this. They have DeSean Jackson, Brent Celek, Jeremy Maclin, and LeSean McCoy. If they do it right this core of studs could have a nice 5-7 year window. McNabb has 1 year left on his contract and Kevin Kolb is waiting in the wings. Why not trade McNabb to one of 8,000 teams who could use a QB and get something in return for him? Turn the reigns over to Kolb, who looked good in his two starts early in the year, and move on.
Now who would want McNabb? Hmm... In no particular order Broncos, Bills, Browns, Raiders, Panthers, 49ers, Seahawks, Redskins, Rams... Why not try to get the Bills or Browns 2nd round pick (about #36 overall) for him???
Ravens - Patriots
- Brutal. Just a brutal performance. It's one thing to lose when you know the Patriots played as well as they could but they just didn't show up. Hats off to Baltimore they were flying around on defense. It looked like it was 11 on 15 when the Pats had the ball. I will save more ranting about the Pats for another blog... moving on.
Cardinals - Packers
- This one made me feel smart. Everyone was overlooking the Cardinals but man they play everybody tough. Last season they surprisingly had a pretty nice home field advantage and that held true in this match up.
-The Cards have the most under appreciated player of the past 10-12 years in Kurt Warner. What has this guy done besides pass for 300 yards per game at an unprecedented clip, win playoff game after playoff game, and set super bowl yardage records? Every player, coach, and opponent has nothing but the greatest things to say and utmost respect for him. He was replaced on the the Rams by Marc Bulger, replaced by Eli Manning when on the Giants, and then finally by Matt Leinart with the Cardinals. He didn't, bitch, mope, complain, or hold out. He instead supported his team, worked his ass off, won back his starting job, and took the Cardinals to the Super Bowl. I wouldn't be surprised if he did it again this year. I hope Kurt Warner decides to come back next year too but if he doesn't he's a hall of famer in my mind and I bet he gets into Canton.
...small side tangent... I HATE this bull shit "Yeah he's only good cuz he played with so and so." "Kurt Warner isn't good, he played with Marshall Faulk, Torry Holt, Isaac Bruce, Larry Fitzgerald, and Anquan Boldin." The way I look at it they all played with Kurt Warner, I've never seen a more accurate passer. Regardless it's a stupid argument. I shit you not I watched two episodes of the NFL top 10, one was the most clutch QB's of all time in which Joe Montana was #1. The other was best hands and Jerry Rice was #7. One person complained that Montana shouldn't be #1 because he had Jerry Rice and all that talent around him. On the other episode someone bitched that Jerry Rice didn't have great hands because the ball was always thrown perfectly to him by Joe Montana and Steve Young. God just shut the FUCK up!!!! Stupid stupid stupid argument.... if I had a nickel too for every Pats hater saying that BB is only good cuz of Brady or Brady is only good cuz of the system... When you say Player X is only good because of a system, coach, player, fans, or anything else you are pretty much saying I'm a dumb pussy who just doesn't want to give a guy any credit.
- To all the Packers fans out there... Oooooh weeee Aaron Rodgers is nasty. Mark it down, that man will win Super Bowls... plural, Super Bowls. Look at his numbers versus Favre's. He's already on par with any season Favre had in Green Bay. But shit, regardless of numbers, the guy can just make plays. Give him a better offensive line and he will be incredible.
On to my predictions... again in chronological order...
Arizona @ New Orleans (-7)
That's a pretty tall line for a team that was stumbling down the stretch. You don't think Warner, Fitz, Boldin & company will pass all over the Saints? I know I know... I get a raging clue to Fitz, Warner, and the Red unis which clouds my judgment, but I think this game will be pretty tight. I don't quite expect a track meet like Zona's last game but this should get into the upper 20's or 30's.
One thing I really like for New Orleans is their home field advantage. Not only do they play in a loud ass crazy dome but this region is more wrapped around their Saints than just about any other football team (outside of the Packers) can say.
I think this game goes back and forth and that the Saints normally shitty ass kicker will end it with a game winning field goal. The Saints will win but the Cardinals will cover. New Orleand 34 - Arizona 31.
Baltimore @ Indianapolis (-7)
One thing I am trying to suck less at is choosing to go with my gut instead of being influenced by 'experts' opinions. My gut tells me the Colts will be the rusty, sloppy, tight playoff team they always have been. The rest will hurt much more than help and this game will be something like Baltimore 10 Indianapolis 7 at half time. I think the crowd gets on the Colts and I really wouldn't be shocked to see this being a one score game going into the 4th quarter. My gut though is also saying that Joe Flacco isn't good enough to go into Indy and win this round. The Colts will look pretty crummy for a bit but they will put together enough in the second half to win the game. I will take them to barely cover. Indianapolis 21 - Baltimore 13.
Dallas @ Minnesota (-2.5)
Oh my Gahd is this line serious? I guess it has to be with Minnesota playing at home after a bye. I say take Dallas all day and all night people. They are hot as hell, Favre will throw a pick in a tight situation, and the Minnesota crowd will have a bit of a Red Sox pre-2004 feel of expecting something to go wrong ala Gary Anderson's missed field goal in the 1998 NFC Championship Game... It all looks to me like a pretty handy win by the Cowboys. Dallas 34 - Minnesota 20.
NY Jets @ San Diego (-9)
This is a very tough line in my opinion. I don't think there is any question that San Diego wins but nine is a lot of points. The Jets have been playing great and their fans ought to be proud of the season.
It's all about expectations and performance. When expectations are a bit cloudy - rookie coach and qb - but you are able to sneak into the playoffs and win a game, then shit that's a great year. That's what kind of blows about being a Pats fan these days. Expectations are insane and anything short of a Super Bowl is seen as a failure. The 11/12 year old Joe, fresh off the 1994 Patriots playoff run and amazing 10-6 season, would boot my 26 (almost 27) year old self in the yam bag 12 or 13 consecutive times for being such a spoiled dick NFL fan.
I think flying across the country with a rookie QB, and relatively inexperienced team, against the soaring Chargers, is too tall of a task. Maybe the Jets keep it close for a half but I like San Diego to cover. San Diego 24 - NY Jets 10.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
Wild Card Predictions
NFL Playoffs. EASILY my favorite sports weekends of the year. Toss out any baseball dates, the Masters, March Madness, NBA, or NHL playoffs. Tell the Olympics to take a hike too. Don't disturb me or ask me to do anything these days unless you got TV's present... and even then it better be very important!
I made a number of pretty crappy predictions this year, notably taking the Steelers to win it all, but I figure to keep the streak alive and make some crappy round by round playoff predictions too. I'm actually so bad at predicting that I predicted the Cowboys to go to the Super Bowl at the halfway point then at the three quarter poll reverted to missing the playoffs but now in fact they are looking Super Bowl bound again, ugh.
I'll predict these games in order of which time they are on:
New York Jets @ Cincinnati (-3)
Last week's game, ahem, means JACK SHIT when predicting this match up. Cincinnati had nothing to gain by trying to win. Let's say the Bengals tried to beat the Jets, showed them everything they had up their sleeves, but fell short. They would then be rematching the Jets having already played their hand. Instead they did the smart thing and laid down. They sat Cedric Benson, played vanilla offense, vanilla defense, took their beating, and are ready for this week.
Let's not fail to mention that the #4 spot in the AFC is better than the #3. Why not play the rusty, playoff choke artist Colts round two instead of the Chargers? Smart move from Marvin Lewis.
Also did anyone see the Jets celebrate last week? Dunking their coach with Gatorade, doing victory laps around the stadium, and going nuts... Wow I'm impressed. You beat two teams who laid down for you. Texans fans must be pretty pissed off! I think the Jets, pardon my slang, blew their load last week.
I'll take Cincy (-3). Cincinnati 24 - NY Jets 13
Philadelphia @ Dallas (-3.5)
Everything I just said above can be reversed here. The Eagles had EVERYTHING to gain by winning this game. A win last week gives Philly the #2 seed and a first round bye. Instead they got destroyed and are now the #6 seed looking at an ugly rematch.
I know the whole Dallas, Tony Romo gag job is on everyone's minds but this team is peaking at the perfect time. They beat the 'then undefeated' Saints in New Orleans and have pitched back to back shutouts versus the Redskins and Eagles; the latter was riding a six game winning streak going into the game. Every team that has a label as chokers is stuck with that until they show otherwise but that doesn't mean they can't win. See Indianapolis: 2006.
I like Dallas (-3.5) to win a tighter game this week. Dallas 27 - Philadelphia 17
Baltimore @ New England (-4)
I don't really like the feel of this game as a Patriots fan. Brady is obviously dinged up, Welker went down, and I still don't feel like the Patriots have much of an identity. They seem to be living off this Patriots aura, Brady-Belichick are amazing, hey we won a bunch of Super Bowls 5 years ago stuff.
Let's be honest here. Brady has had the ball with a chance to win games against: Buffalo, NY Jets, Denver, and Miami. He could have closed out Indianapolis and Houston. He failed in every game aside from Buffalo on the opening Monday Night. Maybe he needs another year to get back on his feet, maybe the play calling has sucked, maybe he's more hurt then we are led to believe, or most likely this just isn't his season (and I hope this doesn't hold true for years to come).
This has hands down been Belichick's shittiest season. His decision making has been crappy and he just isn't pulling his usual magic that we are accustom to. Hell, look at 2008. They lost Brady and he guided that team to an impressive 11-5 season. It looked like a BB coached team. Maybe it's the turnover on the roster, maybe it's just a few fluky decisions that didn't work out for him, maybe the loss of McDaniels hurt the offense more than we think, but just like with Brady above... it's a bunch of excuses. They just aren't getting it done.
In the Patriots favor is that they have never lost the opening round playoff game with Brady & Belichick. Aside from 2005 they have won at least two playoff games each time they get into the dance. They are also 8-0 at home this season. The cold weather won't mean shit against Baltimore though who also is use to having nippy balls.
To me this just feels like a back and forth game where a gut punch fumble or pick six turns a Patriots 3 point deficit into a Ravens 10 point lead. I hate to do it but...
I'll take the Ravens (+4) to cover and win the game.... Baltimore 30 - New England 20
Green Bay @ Arizona (-3)
The result last week is a lot like the Jets-Bengals game. Means DICK. Arizona had two game plans laid out. One if the Vikings had lost which would have meant a win & Dallas win (which did happen) earns the Cardinals a bye. They had a second game plan if the Vikings won. The Vikings beat the shit out of the Giants so the Cardinals decided to roll over week 17.
This game here is the hardest for me to predict only because the Cardinals are easily the most Jeckyll & Hyde team in the NFL. I would say about 80% of the people probably feel the Packers are on a nice roll. There always seems to be one game each year in WC weekend where a home team reminds people why they are the home team. This isn't even mentioning that the Cardinals are defending NFC Champions.
I will take the Cardinals (-3). Arizona 34 - Green Bay 30
.... Knowing my track record I fully expect to be 0-4.
I made a number of pretty crappy predictions this year, notably taking the Steelers to win it all, but I figure to keep the streak alive and make some crappy round by round playoff predictions too. I'm actually so bad at predicting that I predicted the Cowboys to go to the Super Bowl at the halfway point then at the three quarter poll reverted to missing the playoffs but now in fact they are looking Super Bowl bound again, ugh.
I'll predict these games in order of which time they are on:
New York Jets @ Cincinnati (-3)
Last week's game, ahem, means JACK SHIT when predicting this match up. Cincinnati had nothing to gain by trying to win. Let's say the Bengals tried to beat the Jets, showed them everything they had up their sleeves, but fell short. They would then be rematching the Jets having already played their hand. Instead they did the smart thing and laid down. They sat Cedric Benson, played vanilla offense, vanilla defense, took their beating, and are ready for this week.
Let's not fail to mention that the #4 spot in the AFC is better than the #3. Why not play the rusty, playoff choke artist Colts round two instead of the Chargers? Smart move from Marvin Lewis.
Also did anyone see the Jets celebrate last week? Dunking their coach with Gatorade, doing victory laps around the stadium, and going nuts... Wow I'm impressed. You beat two teams who laid down for you. Texans fans must be pretty pissed off! I think the Jets, pardon my slang, blew their load last week.
I'll take Cincy (-3). Cincinnati 24 - NY Jets 13
Philadelphia @ Dallas (-3.5)
Everything I just said above can be reversed here. The Eagles had EVERYTHING to gain by winning this game. A win last week gives Philly the #2 seed and a first round bye. Instead they got destroyed and are now the #6 seed looking at an ugly rematch.
I know the whole Dallas, Tony Romo gag job is on everyone's minds but this team is peaking at the perfect time. They beat the 'then undefeated' Saints in New Orleans and have pitched back to back shutouts versus the Redskins and Eagles; the latter was riding a six game winning streak going into the game. Every team that has a label as chokers is stuck with that until they show otherwise but that doesn't mean they can't win. See Indianapolis: 2006.
I like Dallas (-3.5) to win a tighter game this week. Dallas 27 - Philadelphia 17
Baltimore @ New England (-4)
I don't really like the feel of this game as a Patriots fan. Brady is obviously dinged up, Welker went down, and I still don't feel like the Patriots have much of an identity. They seem to be living off this Patriots aura, Brady-Belichick are amazing, hey we won a bunch of Super Bowls 5 years ago stuff.
Let's be honest here. Brady has had the ball with a chance to win games against: Buffalo, NY Jets, Denver, and Miami. He could have closed out Indianapolis and Houston. He failed in every game aside from Buffalo on the opening Monday Night. Maybe he needs another year to get back on his feet, maybe the play calling has sucked, maybe he's more hurt then we are led to believe, or most likely this just isn't his season (and I hope this doesn't hold true for years to come).
This has hands down been Belichick's shittiest season. His decision making has been crappy and he just isn't pulling his usual magic that we are accustom to. Hell, look at 2008. They lost Brady and he guided that team to an impressive 11-5 season. It looked like a BB coached team. Maybe it's the turnover on the roster, maybe it's just a few fluky decisions that didn't work out for him, maybe the loss of McDaniels hurt the offense more than we think, but just like with Brady above... it's a bunch of excuses. They just aren't getting it done.
In the Patriots favor is that they have never lost the opening round playoff game with Brady & Belichick. Aside from 2005 they have won at least two playoff games each time they get into the dance. They are also 8-0 at home this season. The cold weather won't mean shit against Baltimore though who also is use to having nippy balls.
To me this just feels like a back and forth game where a gut punch fumble or pick six turns a Patriots 3 point deficit into a Ravens 10 point lead. I hate to do it but...
I'll take the Ravens (+4) to cover and win the game.... Baltimore 30 - New England 20
Green Bay @ Arizona (-3)
The result last week is a lot like the Jets-Bengals game. Means DICK. Arizona had two game plans laid out. One if the Vikings had lost which would have meant a win & Dallas win (which did happen) earns the Cardinals a bye. They had a second game plan if the Vikings won. The Vikings beat the shit out of the Giants so the Cardinals decided to roll over week 17.
This game here is the hardest for me to predict only because the Cardinals are easily the most Jeckyll & Hyde team in the NFL. I would say about 80% of the people probably feel the Packers are on a nice roll. There always seems to be one game each year in WC weekend where a home team reminds people why they are the home team. This isn't even mentioning that the Cardinals are defending NFC Champions.
I will take the Cardinals (-3). Arizona 34 - Green Bay 30
.... Knowing my track record I fully expect to be 0-4.
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