Before the season started it was thought that the combination of more players staying in school due to the NBA lockout and with a strong freshmen class would make for a truly great college basketball season in 2012. Sadly as the calendar turns to February we are in the midst of another regular season that has been light on great games, lacks tense conferences races and an overall quality of play that has been quite poor. North Carolina returning their entire starting five from an Elite Eight team was hyped to be a once in a generation time now looks like it will struggle to beat out Florida State was the ACC title and other title contenders Ohio State and Kentucky have struggled offensively for large parts of the season. The Pac 12 seems like it will be the first BCS conference to get only one bid to the tournament and the last year of the mighty Big East seems destined to go out with a whimper.
Mid Major leagues have offered some interesting story lines with Murray State currently sitting in the top ten and having a real chance to go undefeated topping the list. Creighton and Harvard are also ranked, with the Crimson poised to make their first ever NCAA Tournament. The question remains whether or not a mid major making the Final Four would be good for the game as Butler and VCU made it last year and the Bulldogs turned in the worst championship performance of all time. It really seems like a year the sport needs the top seeds to advance as far as possible to ensure marquee games in the later rounds.
The fact that Syracuse topped the polls for six weeks shows just how weak things are at the top. Down center Fab Melo the Orange have been out rebounded in each of the last three games and seemed prime for another March disappointment. Big 12 members Missouri, Baylor and Kansas have all spent time to top 5 this year and have always appeared grossly unworthy of their records when going on the road against the bottom of the league. Duke and UCONN have struggled mightily with chemistry problem and Michigan State lacks the true grit of most Tom Izzo coached teams.
I can take solace in the turn around going on at UMASS this season, but despite their glossy record they aren't nearly as good as the Travis Ford coached teams of four and five seasons ago. Their place on the Tournament bubble is an indictment on the state of college basketball. The Atlantic 10 conference now seems like a two bid league with Xavier and Dayton continue to slide.
We seem destined for another year of major upsets and busted brackets, but the sport could really benefit from having traditional powers dominate the tournament. North Carolina and Kentucky staged the only memorable regular season game to date and would make for a very exciting rematch in a possible title game. With a lack of franchise players in the draft and the stink of UCONN-Butler still fresh in my mind the fewer upsets in the tournament this year the better, when it's time to fill out your brackets if you want what's best for the sport you'll root for "chalk".
Saturday, January 28, 2012
Tuesday, January 24, 2012
Long winded randomness
I've been really slacking on the writing lately while trying to get motivated to finally gain employment. I setup an interview for tomorrow to knock the rust off a little bit and get my face back out there. The lucky company is a marketing agency in Auburn that only sells large knives over the phone. I don't even want to know the kind of people that buy kitchen knives over the phone and would be fired within a week at a commission based company so this is merely an excuse to dress up during the day. I'm doubling my efforts to find something before my birthday so this is a start and should at least make for some good stories. I have so many things to talk about so let's not waste any more time on my lame attempts at professional life.
Sunday was a great day and when that I will remember forever. I've had a chance to attend some great event live but the 2012 AFC Championship game goes right to the top of the list. In the seven minutes that followed Brandon Spikes interception I think I jumped out my chair four times and thought my head was going to explode another three. I look forward to watching an upcoming replay of the game on NFL Network to try to remember everything that happened but Cundiff's kick was in our end zone and I still can't believe he missed it. I've been surprised with the lack of attention Sterling Moore's strip has gotten if the Patriots go on to win the Super Bowl it should join David Roberts steal and Vinateri's field goals as iconic moments of this era of Boston sports. That play was directly in front of me and I thought the season was over other guys had good games but Sterling Moore was the hero of that game.
I also have to acknowledge Colleen McGourty for making the Patriots run through the playoffs special. Everyone was have ever gone anywhere with me knows it's a lot of work and I can be a handful. In this game alone she put up with pregame vomiting, my fuzzy eating and the never ending trips to the bathroom. I have great friends and family to put with all of that and I always appreciate it. It was a long day and she managed to keep smiling which is no small feat when someone is in my company.
It's day two of thirteen days of Super Bowl hype and I'm already bored of it. I'll preview the game at a later date but kudos to the Giants for managing to shut down Twitter after their win and continuing to shatter ratings records. I fully expect next weekend's game to be the most watched Super Bowl in history. I'm also calling out Jackson Crockett in writing for flying during the game and foolishly trying to avoid the score until Monday night. It did not work on "How I Met Your Mother" and has no chance of working in the real word.
Shame on the Orlando Magic for scoring 57 points against the Celtics last night when they were missing Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo. It is performances like that they make people hate the NBA. It is the only sport where team give phone in games routinely during the season. If I was coaching I would have booted the starters to the locker room after the third quarter or least gotten into someone's face. I don't think it means much for the Celtics who are still fatally flawed but guys like Glenn Davis who care more about his welcome video then the game do major damage to the league.
College basketball polls need to be abolished. They serve no purpose what so ever and provide casual viewers no real idea of where a team would be seeded in the tournament. Undefeated Murray State is currently #9 and would be an underdog against at least 30 teams on a neutral court. There is no world that exist where Missouri is the second best team in the country and Harvard should not be ranked in any poll ever. It's not football we don't need polls it's time to get rid of them.
Tim Thomas if I went to a Bush inauguration you can go to the White House. The less I know about your personal politics the better. By skipping the event you made the day about you and not the team's accomplishments. Keeping playing well and don't hurt yourself in the silly All-Star pickup game. It's hard to believe they've dominated for long stretches this year and are still behind the Rangers in the conference standings.
Calling all high school athletics directors in seven "formal" years on the staff at Wachusett the team has made the playoffs each year. One coach hired from this staff has turned around what was the worst program in the city. Coach Gibbons and Coach Dion have a proven system I have mastered and can win with. The team looks poised to make another deep playoff run again this year someone give me a one year shot at this so I can other things in my life.
I'll stop the rambling here and I'll be back soon maybe as a knife salesman. Happy 30th wedding anniversary to my parents, no one saw that coming. (kidding) Everyone have a great week and if you find grammar errors send them to @mattodeez he's the only one who gives a shit:)
Sunday was a great day and when that I will remember forever. I've had a chance to attend some great event live but the 2012 AFC Championship game goes right to the top of the list. In the seven minutes that followed Brandon Spikes interception I think I jumped out my chair four times and thought my head was going to explode another three. I look forward to watching an upcoming replay of the game on NFL Network to try to remember everything that happened but Cundiff's kick was in our end zone and I still can't believe he missed it. I've been surprised with the lack of attention Sterling Moore's strip has gotten if the Patriots go on to win the Super Bowl it should join David Roberts steal and Vinateri's field goals as iconic moments of this era of Boston sports. That play was directly in front of me and I thought the season was over other guys had good games but Sterling Moore was the hero of that game.
I also have to acknowledge Colleen McGourty for making the Patriots run through the playoffs special. Everyone was have ever gone anywhere with me knows it's a lot of work and I can be a handful. In this game alone she put up with pregame vomiting, my fuzzy eating and the never ending trips to the bathroom. I have great friends and family to put with all of that and I always appreciate it. It was a long day and she managed to keep smiling which is no small feat when someone is in my company.
It's day two of thirteen days of Super Bowl hype and I'm already bored of it. I'll preview the game at a later date but kudos to the Giants for managing to shut down Twitter after their win and continuing to shatter ratings records. I fully expect next weekend's game to be the most watched Super Bowl in history. I'm also calling out Jackson Crockett in writing for flying during the game and foolishly trying to avoid the score until Monday night. It did not work on "How I Met Your Mother" and has no chance of working in the real word.
Shame on the Orlando Magic for scoring 57 points against the Celtics last night when they were missing Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo. It is performances like that they make people hate the NBA. It is the only sport where team give phone in games routinely during the season. If I was coaching I would have booted the starters to the locker room after the third quarter or least gotten into someone's face. I don't think it means much for the Celtics who are still fatally flawed but guys like Glenn Davis who care more about his welcome video then the game do major damage to the league.
College basketball polls need to be abolished. They serve no purpose what so ever and provide casual viewers no real idea of where a team would be seeded in the tournament. Undefeated Murray State is currently #9 and would be an underdog against at least 30 teams on a neutral court. There is no world that exist where Missouri is the second best team in the country and Harvard should not be ranked in any poll ever. It's not football we don't need polls it's time to get rid of them.
Tim Thomas if I went to a Bush inauguration you can go to the White House. The less I know about your personal politics the better. By skipping the event you made the day about you and not the team's accomplishments. Keeping playing well and don't hurt yourself in the silly All-Star pickup game. It's hard to believe they've dominated for long stretches this year and are still behind the Rangers in the conference standings.
Calling all high school athletics directors in seven "formal" years on the staff at Wachusett the team has made the playoffs each year. One coach hired from this staff has turned around what was the worst program in the city. Coach Gibbons and Coach Dion have a proven system I have mastered and can win with. The team looks poised to make another deep playoff run again this year someone give me a one year shot at this so I can other things in my life.
I'll stop the rambling here and I'll be back soon maybe as a knife salesman. Happy 30th wedding anniversary to my parents, no one saw that coming. (kidding) Everyone have a great week and if you find grammar errors send them to @mattodeez he's the only one who gives a shit:)
Friday, January 20, 2012
1/20/12
So it's Friday and I've really been slacking on the writing, but let's get on with the show. Championship weekend is upon us and I am rooting hard for a Giants-Patriots Superbowl rematch. Getting revenge on the team that denied us sports immortality would be greatly satisfying and a fitting way to mark the Patriots return to the top of the NFL. It seemed clear watching from my frozen seats last week that Brady is locked in right now and determined to get ring number four. Both Brady and Belichick are greatly aware that they have left more then one Superbowl slip through their fingers in the past seven seasons and finally getting ring number four would cement there respective greatest of all time cases. Baltimore presents the biggest defensive challenge the Patriots have faced all year but lack consistent offensive weapons. The Patriots defense will force Joe Flacco into turnovers and pull away late 31-17.
The Giants-49ers will be a physical battle that should go right down to the wire. As impressive as 49er quarterback Alex Smith was last week in a big comeback win over the Saints, he is no Eli Manning. Manning is a proven playoff winner especially on the road and a more consistent playoff performer then even his brother Peyton. I see Eli leading a late drive to secure a comeback win 20-17. The two weeks of build up to the Superbowl will be difficult, but the chance for revenge is the most appetizing matchup for all Patriot fans.
I attended a Celtics-Raptors game this week and it is amazing to see in person just how far the team has fallen. Paul Pierce missed four easy layups and seemed incapable of ever finishing at the basket. It was even more painful watching Kevin Garnett who has now vertical leap at all and no longer defend players one on one. The team's championship window is permanently closed and if I was Danny Ainge I would start the rebuilding process now. Look for at least two of the big three to be traded before the March trading deadline as Ainge aims to gather multiple first round picks in this year's deep draft.
The Bruins play has leveled off as of late, but they have a big game on Saturday against the Rangers. The Rangers currently sit one point ahead of the Bruins for the first place in the Eastern Conference. These two usually play tight checking low scoring games, so let's hope the game features some physical play.
Happy 25th birthday wishes go out to my brother Matt. He's a stand up guy who was smart enough to break free of our fair city and make a great life for himself in New York City. I admire him greatly for showing ambition and following his dreams. I hope his next year is as good as his last and that he continues to find success in his new surroundings. I am very much looking forward to visiting him for the first time in earlyMarch
I am growing quite tired of terribly played low scoring high school basketball games. I don't know if I'll even come back to coach for real next season. In the past few months I've lost a lot of my passion for the game. Maybe an inspired playoff run will change my mind we'll see, but right it just not the same that it once was.
Have a good weekend everybody, I'll be live at Gillette again this weekend with my partner in crime Colleen McGourty. It shouldn't be as epically cold as it was last weekend and as long as were not driving through snow on the way there it should actually be a comfortable day. I'll take a look back at the games on Monday, I really hope my predictions hold true and we have awesome Super Bowl parties to plan!
The Giants-49ers will be a physical battle that should go right down to the wire. As impressive as 49er quarterback Alex Smith was last week in a big comeback win over the Saints, he is no Eli Manning. Manning is a proven playoff winner especially on the road and a more consistent playoff performer then even his brother Peyton. I see Eli leading a late drive to secure a comeback win 20-17. The two weeks of build up to the Superbowl will be difficult, but the chance for revenge is the most appetizing matchup for all Patriot fans.
I attended a Celtics-Raptors game this week and it is amazing to see in person just how far the team has fallen. Paul Pierce missed four easy layups and seemed incapable of ever finishing at the basket. It was even more painful watching Kevin Garnett who has now vertical leap at all and no longer defend players one on one. The team's championship window is permanently closed and if I was Danny Ainge I would start the rebuilding process now. Look for at least two of the big three to be traded before the March trading deadline as Ainge aims to gather multiple first round picks in this year's deep draft.
The Bruins play has leveled off as of late, but they have a big game on Saturday against the Rangers. The Rangers currently sit one point ahead of the Bruins for the first place in the Eastern Conference. These two usually play tight checking low scoring games, so let's hope the game features some physical play.
Happy 25th birthday wishes go out to my brother Matt. He's a stand up guy who was smart enough to break free of our fair city and make a great life for himself in New York City. I admire him greatly for showing ambition and following his dreams. I hope his next year is as good as his last and that he continues to find success in his new surroundings. I am very much looking forward to visiting him for the first time in earlyMarch
I am growing quite tired of terribly played low scoring high school basketball games. I don't know if I'll even come back to coach for real next season. In the past few months I've lost a lot of my passion for the game. Maybe an inspired playoff run will change my mind we'll see, but right it just not the same that it once was.
Have a good weekend everybody, I'll be live at Gillette again this weekend with my partner in crime Colleen McGourty. It shouldn't be as epically cold as it was last weekend and as long as were not driving through snow on the way there it should actually be a comfortable day. I'll take a look back at the games on Monday, I really hope my predictions hold true and we have awesome Super Bowl parties to plan!
Friday, January 13, 2012
A Bunch of Weekend Thoughts
I had the intention of writing more this week, but that BCS Title game was so terrible that I lost all my motivation. I could not be more fired up for this weekend. I will be freezing my ass off in section 123 of Gillette Stadium Saturday Night as Tebowmania rides into town. I've had season tickets for ten years but have skipped paying the playoff cost the last three years, now with me back in my seats the Pats can overcome their playoff losing streak. The Patriots have hosted two Saturday night games in the divisional round in the Brady era the famous snow/tuck rule game and a Titans game when it was -5 outside. The weather looks bearable and when you combine the opponent the situation and the company I haven't been this excited for a game ever. I expect the Pats to roll 38-14!
Before I get to Saturday I have a fundraiser Friday night for the Minutes for Memories foundation. I encourage all to donate to foundation which raises money for Addison Russell who was paralyzed when struck by a jet ski in 2006. The foundation has formed a wheelchair soccer team I am a member of that we are unveiling Friday. Those who know me are well aware that I struggle playing with others and have not adopted well going from coach to player. While I disagree with the team's coaching style which they week showed us how to drive left and right and forwards and backwards (no joke) I have great respect for Addison and foundation founder Matt Roach. I'm glad to have the opportunity to help them out and raise awareness for a great cause. As mind numbing as I find the coaching at times I will stick around until we start playing games and I can show off my scoring touch. (insert insult here) If you'd like to make a donation please visit www.minutesformemories.org
Moving on to some of the other NFL games of the weekend I'm sticking with my picks from my preview column Saints, Ravens and Giants. I was one of the first to arrive on the Giants bandwagon and am now nervous from all the over crowding. I wish they just shut their months and played with a quiet confidence, but I guess with the Jets missing the playoffs someone in New York has to fill the trash talking void. A angry Aaron Rodgers and healthy Packers team scares me but I'm backing my UMASS guy Victor Cruz. Giants 28-24! I love Jim Harbaugh but I'm not backing Alex Smith over Drew Brees even if the 1985 bears defensive was behind him. Saints 27-17! Not much to say about Houston-Baltimore other then T.J. Yates is on the road. Ravens 24-3!
Highly impressed by the Syracuse Orange basketball team. They seem finally poised to make the Final Four that they've been lingering on the edge of the last three seasons. The Big East is way down this year and a road date with Uconn could be the only thing keeping them from an undefeated regular season. The team is ten deep, plays great defense and finally capable of overcoming Scoop Jardine's turnovers and terrible shots. I'm thinking Matt O'Donnell should be planning a trip to New Orleans.
I promise to have great stories on Monday as I become the first cripple to go from a cripple fundraiser to a strip club bar crawl and spend five drunken hours in a freezing parking lot in the same weekend. Have a great weekend everyone!
Before I get to Saturday I have a fundraiser Friday night for the Minutes for Memories foundation. I encourage all to donate to foundation which raises money for Addison Russell who was paralyzed when struck by a jet ski in 2006. The foundation has formed a wheelchair soccer team I am a member of that we are unveiling Friday. Those who know me are well aware that I struggle playing with others and have not adopted well going from coach to player. While I disagree with the team's coaching style which they week showed us how to drive left and right and forwards and backwards (no joke) I have great respect for Addison and foundation founder Matt Roach. I'm glad to have the opportunity to help them out and raise awareness for a great cause. As mind numbing as I find the coaching at times I will stick around until we start playing games and I can show off my scoring touch. (insert insult here) If you'd like to make a donation please visit www.minutesformemories.org
Moving on to some of the other NFL games of the weekend I'm sticking with my picks from my preview column Saints, Ravens and Giants. I was one of the first to arrive on the Giants bandwagon and am now nervous from all the over crowding. I wish they just shut their months and played with a quiet confidence, but I guess with the Jets missing the playoffs someone in New York has to fill the trash talking void. A angry Aaron Rodgers and healthy Packers team scares me but I'm backing my UMASS guy Victor Cruz. Giants 28-24! I love Jim Harbaugh but I'm not backing Alex Smith over Drew Brees even if the 1985 bears defensive was behind him. Saints 27-17! Not much to say about Houston-Baltimore other then T.J. Yates is on the road. Ravens 24-3!
Highly impressed by the Syracuse Orange basketball team. They seem finally poised to make the Final Four that they've been lingering on the edge of the last three seasons. The Big East is way down this year and a road date with Uconn could be the only thing keeping them from an undefeated regular season. The team is ten deep, plays great defense and finally capable of overcoming Scoop Jardine's turnovers and terrible shots. I'm thinking Matt O'Donnell should be planning a trip to New Orleans.
I promise to have great stories on Monday as I become the first cripple to go from a cripple fundraiser to a strip club bar crawl and spend five drunken hours in a freezing parking lot in the same weekend. Have a great weekend everyone!
Monday, January 9, 2012
A Look back at a Wild Weekend
My predictions for Wildcard Weekend went quite well with my only miss being Denver's huge upset over Pittsburgh. I missed the second half because I was busy losing a rock fight of a basketball game to hated rival St Johns, but I have never been more stunned by the outcome of an NFL playoff game. The Steelers defense continued to risk big plays down the field for the sake of not giving up five yard runs, it was a flawed game plan that cost them the game. The Tim Tebow bandwagon had all but emptied after three straight losses, but when I saw him unleash his crazy eyes after a second quarter touchdown run I knew the Broncos were destined to win. The Denver wins clearly lays out the road to a Patriots Superbowl appearance as they would now only have to win one game against a team with a winning record (Houston-Baltimore winner) to qualify for the Superbowl. I will preview Pats-Broncos later in the week and cannot wait to be in attendance Saturday night.
In other action around the NFL the Drew Brees passing barrage against the Lions and The Giants dominate performance over the Falcons only strengthened my beliefs about the NFC playoff picture. I said last week and continue to belief that the New York Giants are the only team that can dethrone the Packers. Eli Manning is a great road quarterback and they can pressure Aaron Rodgers by only rushing four. A lot of people our hoping on the Giants bandwagon after yesterday, but you heard it here first that Green Bay is going down next week. This sets up the dream scenario for Drew Brees and the Saints. They have to go on the road to face the dangerous 49ers, but will be able to outscore them even if they don't bring there A game. While I would favor the Giants against any NFC team on a neutral field, no one is beating the Saints in the dome.
Saturday was a great day for local hockey fans as the Bruins hosted the Canucks and four local colleges played a doubleheader at Fenway Park. The Bruins lost to the only team that has a chance to beat them this season the Bruins themselves. They allowed Vancouver to score four goals on eleven power play chances and had forwards Milan Lucic and Brad Merchand ejected early in a 4-3 defeat. We love the Bruins for playing on the edge, but if they fail to repeat as Stanley Cup Champions it will be because of their own undisciplined play. In the only game of the college doubleheader we cared about Don "Toot" Cahoon and the UMASS hockey team beat Vermont 3-2 in OT. The team showed great heart in killing off a five minute major with two minutes to go in regulation and scored shortly after getting there own power play chance in the final minute of overtime.
LSU squares off with Alabama in the long overdue BCS National Championship tonight. I was not looking forward to this game as I hate rematches and was bored by the 9-6 game the teams played in November. As the never ending bowl season has played out and we have seen team after team fail at playing any type of basic defense, I have actually come to look forward to this game. With a minimum of ten future NFL starters on the defensive end of the ball tonight we should see a game without 500 missed tackles. I see LSU capping off an undefeated season with a 14-10 win due in large part to the advantage of playing in the New Orleans Superdome where like the Saints they simply don't lose.
I will be back writing again tomorrow to recap the football game and give some thoughts on the first half of the college basketball season. I will also detail how you can donate to the Minutes from Memories foundation which has there big kickoff Fundraiser on Friday Night. As for me I am off to watch the Showtime premieres from last night highlighted by the return of "Shameless" as I try to figure out a way Wachusett can score more then 45 points a game. See ya tomorrow everybody!
In other action around the NFL the Drew Brees passing barrage against the Lions and The Giants dominate performance over the Falcons only strengthened my beliefs about the NFC playoff picture. I said last week and continue to belief that the New York Giants are the only team that can dethrone the Packers. Eli Manning is a great road quarterback and they can pressure Aaron Rodgers by only rushing four. A lot of people our hoping on the Giants bandwagon after yesterday, but you heard it here first that Green Bay is going down next week. This sets up the dream scenario for Drew Brees and the Saints. They have to go on the road to face the dangerous 49ers, but will be able to outscore them even if they don't bring there A game. While I would favor the Giants against any NFC team on a neutral field, no one is beating the Saints in the dome.
Saturday was a great day for local hockey fans as the Bruins hosted the Canucks and four local colleges played a doubleheader at Fenway Park. The Bruins lost to the only team that has a chance to beat them this season the Bruins themselves. They allowed Vancouver to score four goals on eleven power play chances and had forwards Milan Lucic and Brad Merchand ejected early in a 4-3 defeat. We love the Bruins for playing on the edge, but if they fail to repeat as Stanley Cup Champions it will be because of their own undisciplined play. In the only game of the college doubleheader we cared about Don "Toot" Cahoon and the UMASS hockey team beat Vermont 3-2 in OT. The team showed great heart in killing off a five minute major with two minutes to go in regulation and scored shortly after getting there own power play chance in the final minute of overtime.
LSU squares off with Alabama in the long overdue BCS National Championship tonight. I was not looking forward to this game as I hate rematches and was bored by the 9-6 game the teams played in November. As the never ending bowl season has played out and we have seen team after team fail at playing any type of basic defense, I have actually come to look forward to this game. With a minimum of ten future NFL starters on the defensive end of the ball tonight we should see a game without 500 missed tackles. I see LSU capping off an undefeated season with a 14-10 win due in large part to the advantage of playing in the New Orleans Superdome where like the Saints they simply don't lose.
I will be back writing again tomorrow to recap the football game and give some thoughts on the first half of the college basketball season. I will also detail how you can donate to the Minutes from Memories foundation which has there big kickoff Fundraiser on Friday Night. As for me I am off to watch the Showtime premieres from last night highlighted by the return of "Shameless" as I try to figure out a way Wachusett can score more then 45 points a game. See ya tomorrow everybody!
Tuesday, January 3, 2012
NFL 1st Round Playoff Preview and Superbowl Pick
After an extended holiday break I'm back to break down the NFL Playoffs.
Saturday's Wildcard Games:
Texans vs Bengals 4:30pm
Saints vs Lions 8:00pm
The Saturday games are probably the least appetizing of the weekend but should be close entertaining games. Most Patriot fans will be rooting for the Bengals to pull the upset, as a win by the #6 seeded Bengals would guarantee them to be the Patriots Divisional Round opponent. Houston is nursing yet another injury to the Quarterback position as TJ Yates left Sunday's game with a left shoulder injury. While Yates is expected to play, any setback during the week would force Houston to turn to turnover machine Jake Delhomme.
With both teams expecting to start rookie quarterbacks this game will come down to the trenches. Houston feature the dynamic backfield duo of Arian Foster and Ben Tate and both will have to have big days for Houston to advance. The Bengals counter with the productive duo of Cedric Benson and Bernard Scott. I give Houston the overall edge in the running games as they possess a better offensive line and the Bengals run defense was gashed by Ray Rice for over 180 yards in last week's must win game.
The game's key matchup will be Bengals WR AJ Green against former Bengals CB Johnathan Joseph. Andy Dalton's effectiveness hinges on his ability to hit Green on 2 to three jump balls deep down the field a game. Joesph who was the biggest free agent pickup of the season, should limit Green and be the unsung hero in a 17-14 Texans win. I also expect the crowd to play a huge role in the team's first playoff appearance in franchise history.
There's not a whole lot to say about Lions-Saints as it is a rematch of a recent Sunday Night Football telecast. It will be a crowd pleasing shootout but the Lions pass defense almost makes the Patriots secondary look good. Lions QB Matthew Stafford and WR Calvin Johnson will put up points early but they're not beating Drew Bress in the Superdome. I expect the Saints to win big 49-28.
Sunday's Wildcard Games:
Giants vs Falcons 1pm
Broncos vs Steelers 4:30pm
There's no doubt in my mind the game of the weekend is Giants-Falcons. Matt Ryan will be able to use Julio Jones and Roddy White to expose the Giants secondary, but the Giants success will be determined by its defensive line. A finally healthy and motivated Osi Umenyoria terrorized the Cowboys and should do the same to Matt Ryan. The emergence of my favorite UMASS alumni Victor Cruz and a newly discovered running game led by a health Ahmed Bradshaw will carry the Giants to a 31-24 win.
I am a fan of Tim Tebow but he's not moving the ball on the Steelers defense. This game could get tough to watch as Big Ben and his deep group of talented pass catchers will overcome injuries in the running game and crush the Broncos 24-3.
Divisional Playoffs:
Patriots over Steelers
Ravens over Texans
Giants over Packers
Saints over 49ers
I will break down this round in more detail when it happens, but I just wanted to get on the record with my official picks. No one beats Tom Brady on a Saturday Night in Foxboro and there's no way he loses four playoff games in a row. If my wildcard picks are right and then end up playing the Steelers it will be the most excited I've ever been for a Patriots game ever. I know I might be going overboard on the Giants but this is the team I thought would beat Green Bay in the regular season and now they're finally healthy.
Championship Games:
Saints over Giants
Patriots over Ravens
Not at all a homer pick. The Ravens have struggled on the road all year and the weak Patriots secondary will tempt them to put the game in Joe Flacco's hands. The Patriots will return to the Superbowl with a 24-20 win. I said it above and I'll say it again no one is beating Drew Brees in the Superdome. Green Bay's loss will allow them to host this game after they squeak by the 49ers and they will sail by the Giants 34-21.
Superbowl:
Saints over Patriots
This would be a great game but we never have any luck in Indy and would get worked over by Brees in 38-34 shootout. It's a winnable game for the Patriots but I don't think we'll be lucky enough to have the ball last in this one. I'm on the record with my picks and will break down the later rounds as they happen.
Saturday's Wildcard Games:
Texans vs Bengals 4:30pm
Saints vs Lions 8:00pm
The Saturday games are probably the least appetizing of the weekend but should be close entertaining games. Most Patriot fans will be rooting for the Bengals to pull the upset, as a win by the #6 seeded Bengals would guarantee them to be the Patriots Divisional Round opponent. Houston is nursing yet another injury to the Quarterback position as TJ Yates left Sunday's game with a left shoulder injury. While Yates is expected to play, any setback during the week would force Houston to turn to turnover machine Jake Delhomme.
With both teams expecting to start rookie quarterbacks this game will come down to the trenches. Houston feature the dynamic backfield duo of Arian Foster and Ben Tate and both will have to have big days for Houston to advance. The Bengals counter with the productive duo of Cedric Benson and Bernard Scott. I give Houston the overall edge in the running games as they possess a better offensive line and the Bengals run defense was gashed by Ray Rice for over 180 yards in last week's must win game.
The game's key matchup will be Bengals WR AJ Green against former Bengals CB Johnathan Joseph. Andy Dalton's effectiveness hinges on his ability to hit Green on 2 to three jump balls deep down the field a game. Joesph who was the biggest free agent pickup of the season, should limit Green and be the unsung hero in a 17-14 Texans win. I also expect the crowd to play a huge role in the team's first playoff appearance in franchise history.
There's not a whole lot to say about Lions-Saints as it is a rematch of a recent Sunday Night Football telecast. It will be a crowd pleasing shootout but the Lions pass defense almost makes the Patriots secondary look good. Lions QB Matthew Stafford and WR Calvin Johnson will put up points early but they're not beating Drew Bress in the Superdome. I expect the Saints to win big 49-28.
Sunday's Wildcard Games:
Giants vs Falcons 1pm
Broncos vs Steelers 4:30pm
There's no doubt in my mind the game of the weekend is Giants-Falcons. Matt Ryan will be able to use Julio Jones and Roddy White to expose the Giants secondary, but the Giants success will be determined by its defensive line. A finally healthy and motivated Osi Umenyoria terrorized the Cowboys and should do the same to Matt Ryan. The emergence of my favorite UMASS alumni Victor Cruz and a newly discovered running game led by a health Ahmed Bradshaw will carry the Giants to a 31-24 win.
I am a fan of Tim Tebow but he's not moving the ball on the Steelers defense. This game could get tough to watch as Big Ben and his deep group of talented pass catchers will overcome injuries in the running game and crush the Broncos 24-3.
Divisional Playoffs:
Patriots over Steelers
Ravens over Texans
Giants over Packers
Saints over 49ers
I will break down this round in more detail when it happens, but I just wanted to get on the record with my official picks. No one beats Tom Brady on a Saturday Night in Foxboro and there's no way he loses four playoff games in a row. If my wildcard picks are right and then end up playing the Steelers it will be the most excited I've ever been for a Patriots game ever. I know I might be going overboard on the Giants but this is the team I thought would beat Green Bay in the regular season and now they're finally healthy.
Championship Games:
Saints over Giants
Patriots over Ravens
Not at all a homer pick. The Ravens have struggled on the road all year and the weak Patriots secondary will tempt them to put the game in Joe Flacco's hands. The Patriots will return to the Superbowl with a 24-20 win. I said it above and I'll say it again no one is beating Drew Brees in the Superdome. Green Bay's loss will allow them to host this game after they squeak by the 49ers and they will sail by the Giants 34-21.
Superbowl:
Saints over Patriots
This would be a great game but we never have any luck in Indy and would get worked over by Brees in 38-34 shootout. It's a winnable game for the Patriots but I don't think we'll be lucky enough to have the ball last in this one. I'm on the record with my picks and will break down the later rounds as they happen.
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