Saturday, January 21, 2006
Predictions? You want predictions?
Well, it looks like the AFC championship contenders went exactly the opposite of what I expected. I didn't have the Patriots going all the way, but I didn't think they'd get beat by Denver twice. Considering that 17 of the Broncos points came off of Patsy mistakes, it is a wonder the final score wasn't more unfavorable. As for the Indianapolis Colts... well, let's just say that the Tony Dungy curse is alive and well. As a coach he just can't seem to make it over the final hump to get into the Stupor Bore. And Peyton Manning is starting to look like the next John Elway -- brilliant career but no championships. John, of course, finally got two in the end, as I suspect Manning will eventually.
I did much better with the NFC. The Seahawks and Panthers both did as predicted, which means that the stage is set for a showdown in Seattle this weekend. My picks:
Carolina at Seattle: The Seahawks have been dominant at home this season, but they will face a serious test in the Panthers who are well tested on the road in the postseason. Everyone has Seattle crowned as the NFC champ, but I wouldn't be so fast to join that bandwagon. Look for a close, low-scoring game: Panthers, 20-17.
Pittsburg at Denver: Is this Pittsburg's year? If they can get by the tough Denver defense on the road, then my answer would have to be a resounding yes. The Steelers have endured so much disappointment over the past decade with much stronger records that I have to think they are all about business this time. Denver will be tough, but they're not invincible. It was largely the opponent's mistakes that gave them the victory last week. Bill Cowher won't let his team make those mistakes: Steelers: 21-20.
Glenn 8-D 9:56:00 AM
Friday, January 13, 2006
Playoffs, round 2
Well, I did pretty good last week except for the hammering of the Giants at the hands of those darned Panthers. Just goes to show that I have as tough a time predicting Carolina in the postseason as I do in the regular season. I expect similar troubles this week. Let's see how I do in round two.
Carolina at Chicago: The Bears have defied critics this season with their rookie quarterback. But the Panthers have experience on their side. They know how to win on the road in the playoffs. The fact they lost to Da Bears here several weeks ago gives them added incentive. Revenge factor and experience pay dividends: Panthers, 21-15.
Washington at Seattle: Don't count the 'Skins out just yet. In any other year I'd say the Seahawks are doomed, and Washington is a team capable of dooming them. But the birds are the best they've probably ever been -- and well rested. 'Skins like snow, but how will they do in the middle of Seattle's nonstop rains?: Seahawks, 33-24.
New England at Denver: I am a Patriots fan, which isn't hard to be considering their postseason success the past four years. They came close to beating Denver on the road early in the season when they were without Teddy Bruschi and weren't playing that well. The second half of the season they have been quietly fine tuning. Denver at times has looked mortal. This one could be close. I don't know that the Pats have enough gas in the tank to take them all the way, but I think Denver is ready for a big fall: Patriots, 27-24 in OT.
Pittsburgh at Indianapolis: Remember how NawFuL the Steelers looked against the Colts on a Monday night not so long ago? I remember, because I picked the Steelers and regretted it every second of that game. Pittsburgh won't produce that sort of letdown this time, but Indy and Peyton Manning are flirting with the big prize: Colts, 37-20.
Glenn 8-D 9:19:00 PM
Friday, January 06, 2006
Playoff time
Let the carnage commence en route to Stupor Bore XL -- the eXtra Large Stupor Bore. I may have flunked this season of Gehlke Bros. Football predictions, but perhaps I can save face in the postseason. A rundown of wild card games this weekend:
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati -- Cincny makes its first playoff appearance in years. It will be a short one. Pittsburgh always better on the road and rarely loses big games to division opponents: Steelers, 35-24.
Jacksonville at New England -- Patsies quietly improved late in the season and get to play first round at home. Don't count out the 2-time defending champs this early: Patriots, 31-27.
Washington at Tampa Bay -- Joe Gibbs makes the 'Skins look like stupor Bore contenders in his second season since returning from retirement. They won't win the big one, but they'll find a way to get past fraudulent Tampa Bay in a rematch of a game they lost by a point in the regular season: Redskins, 38-36.
Carolina at New York Giants -- I don't have a good read on this game, probably because Carolina always does the opposite of what I think they'll do, but I like the storyline of the two Manning Bros. heading for a championship game clash: Giants, 24-21.
Glenn 8-D 10:22:00 PM
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