BOWLER: 5 points (65 possible points)
BENNY: 5 points (30 possible points)
DIRTY: 5 points (60 possible points)
It’s a dead heat after one round. The story of the Wildcard weekend was the Indianapolis Colts who lost in overtime to an LDT-less (basically) San Diego Chargers squad. While I agree that the NFL needs to overhaul their overtime protocol, I’m still wondering how it ever got to free football in the first place. Did Sproles and Rivers play out of their mind? Did Peyton and Dungy show their true colors and overachieve in 2006? I’ve heard a lot of buzz about how San Diego is now the real deal and Roethlisberger is shaky after that concussion. However, I see things differently. I believe there is a reason they were 4-8 at one point this season. More to the point, I think Mike Tomlin’s defense baffles the Chargers, at home, below freezing in the snow. I see no sleeper potential here, it’s the end of the line.
Before we move on, I just want to console the Atlanta and Miami fanbases. What a wild, exhilarating ride. It reminds me of the 2001 Bears. You’ve just been given a whiff of success after five years of futility. This is what you’ve asked for, a glimmer of hope only to end with a one-and-done. If we break this down, these unexpected surges into the playoffs are built very precariously. The Dolphins employed a wildcat offense that was somewhat gimmicky. The Ravens exploited this scheme by stacking the box with five linebackers to plug up all the gaps. The Falcons got tremendous efforts from a rookie quarterback and a long time understudy, first time start at running back. Much like the adaptation to the wildcat, I see the league adjusting to Atlanta and a resultant regression to the mean.
Saturday: Baltimore at Tennessee
This is all about who protects the ball. Joe Flacco and Kerry Collins aren’t a great matchup, but the real show will be on the defensive side. Baltimore 17, Tennessee 13.
Saturday: Arizona at Carolina
With Boldin out, the Panthers double-team Fitzgerald and overwhelm them on the ground. This will be over before the 4th quarter. Carolina 38, Arizona 14.
Sunday: Philadelphia at New York Giants
Easily the best game of the weekend. I’ve already picked the Giants to move on, but I’m not as confident in them as I was earlier in the season. Giants 31, Eagles 27.
Sunday: San Diego at Pittsburgh
As I wrote above, this will be an exercise in smash mouth football. It will be heavy on controlling the clock and low on points. Pittsburgh 24, San Diego 10.
Ok, I gotta run. Liverpool/Stoke City is underway. Come on you Reds (or Teals?)!
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