Saturday, January 15, 2005
Playoffs Part Deux
I was a disappointing 2-of-4 in the wild card games last week, although I was not thoroughly disappointed with the results. Seeing Minnesota get its revenge on the rival Packers was sweet if you're a Vikings fan. I don't particularly care if the Vikes go all the way, but something tells me they will give Philadelphia a run for its Lombardi Trophy. Can I predict better this weekend? Let's see...
SATURDAY:
N.Y. Jets @ Pittsburgh -- Now we get to see how determined the Steelers are to overcome their underachiever reputation. The Jets struggled on offense against the Chargers on the road last week before being gifted an OT victory. Pittsburgh's defense is pretty good, and at home I think they'll prevail (unfortunately). Steelers, 21-17.
St. Louis @ Atlanta -- Michael Vick is a game-maker. That much we know. What we don't know is how he'll perform in the postseason, especially after sitting out the last couple of regular season games and with the team coming off a first-round bye. The Rams have kept the engine warm, winning a tough game in Seattle last week and knocking off the playoff-seeded Eagles and Jets in the final two weekends of the regular season. They have to have a lot of confidence right now. I'm looking for the upset. Rams, 34-27.
SUNDAY:
Minnesota @ Philadelphia -- It's tough to read this game because all signs say Philly is the dominant team in the NFC, having lost just a pair of regular-season games. No one expected the Vikes to get by the Packers last weekend. We could say this is a case of role reversals, with the Vikings once the elite team in the NFC. Who can forget the year the 15-1 Vikes got bounced in the second round after a first-round bye? That Minnesota team was cocky and overconfident -- just as the Eagles appear to be now. Perhaps the Vikes, staggering into the playoffs, aren't taking anything for granted this time. They'll be indoors, which usually bodes well for the Vikings, and they have the potential to deliver an upset on the road. The Eagles, if they don't lose here, should be very wary of this team. I'm going out on a limb to call the upset. Lack of Terrell Owens will be a factor. Vikings, 37-24.
Indianapolis @ New England -- A Sunday night game. I'm glad I don't have to pick this for points! This will be a rematch of the season's very first game, which was played on a Thursday night in New England, and which the Patsies won. Peyton Manning got hot after that, setting the league single-season TD record. He looked great at home last weekend in the blowout of Denver. But the Patriots actually have a defense, and they also have an experienced Stupor Bore MVP QB in Tom Brady. If it's cold and snowy... This could be one for the ages, perhaps the most serious test for the next champ, whichever team it may be. I'm going with experience and the home field advantage. Patriots, 41-38.
Glenn 8-D 12:37:00 PM
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