Suman aka Richboy's Pix:
(Last week 1-3)
(Overall 12-10-1)
Ravens at Steelers (Steelers -5)
Let me preface this by saying that there is a real good chance the Super Bowl is going to be the Ravens v. Cardinals. Think about it. There are good potential storylines everywhere. If its Cardinals v. Steelers you got Whisenhunt going against his former team and the Cardinals flashy offense against the Steel Curtain. If its Eagles v. Steelers you got the Keystone State Bowl. If its Eagles v. Ravens you got McNabb going against the team that he originally got benched against earlier in the year, and we'll hear about 4 million stories and read 6 million columns about how McNabb has come full circle. That leaves us with Ravens v. Cardinals. No real major story lines that I can think of. And in this crazy NFL season where nothing is going according to script it leaves us a perfect Super Bowl that doesn't make sense. Nobody, not one person in the entire world, had a Ravens v. Cardinals Super Bowl this year. Or ever.
But I just can't do it.
I can't pick against these Steelers. I can't pick against a QB that had a "spinal concussion" and acted like nothing really happened. I can't pick against a team that constantly tortures me as a Browns fan. I'm sick of it. They can't be stopped. Maybe its the constant growth hormone that has been pumped into Steelers players for decades, but they are just a different breed. This year the bounces have gone the Steelers way, but they've also done their part in creating their own good fortune. Their defense is just disgusting. And Big Ben is playing like a guy thats been their before. He's a modern day John Wayne. He's probably the toughest guy in the league. This guy had a concussion 3 weeks ago! Remember when Aikman, Young, Montana, EVERYONE else who had a concussion??? They looked like idiots when they came back on the field. He looked better!
Add to this that this Ravens team never should have left Tennessee with a W. Now sometimes all it takes is a lucky break for a team to capitalize on and go all the way, but I think the Ravens luck stops here. Joe Flacco hasn't made that big mistake in the playoffs yet which I find amazing. But its a credit to his poise, and the play calling. But to beat the Steelers I don't think the Ravens can just keep it conservative. I think Flacco has to make plays, and I don't believe he can against this D. Its true that these 2 teams have played 2 close games, but I don't buy the theory that "its hard to beat a team 3 times in a year." I believe in the theory that "once might be luck, but twice is a trend." The Steelers continuously beat the Browns because they are better. And they will beat the Ravens for the third time this year because they are better.
Iggles at Cardinals (Cardinals +4 bought hook)
I hope this happens just so I can read at least 3 more columns from Norman Chad about this magical run. Let me quote NC again for the first time..."nobody comes into University of Phoenix Stadium and walks out a winner." That dome with that noise and that defense being that amped is going to be THAT special. I just feel it. Somehow McNabb will get chewed out in the media again after this game because I just have a feeling that the Cardinals D will be the difference in this one. Even though he doesn't deserve it. I'm not a one track mind person that thinks any less of McNabb or Ewing or Barkley or (fill in the blank) because they didn't win it all. I think McNabb is great. But on this day, I have to go with Kurt Warner. He's just special in big games. And if Larry Fitzgerald somehow makes a leaping-in-traffic-Barnum-and-Bailey catch in this one I will lose my mind. But the one thing that I don't see getting played up in the media this week is that Arizona D. They have been great so far in the playoffs, and at home I see it happening one more time. Gimme the points, and the Cards in a blowout.
Vik aka Docksquad's Pix:
(Last week 2-2)
(Overall 45-37-5)
Ravens at Steelers (Steelers -5)
Everytime I pick against these damn Steelers, they always wax. On top of taking the L, we have to hear it from our friend Cohin talk shi, which is the worst. So for this week, f it, I am going to ride the Steelers into the Super Bowl. The Steelers proved to me last weekend that their offense is capable of putting up pts, and that is all they needed to become a legit threat to win the Super Bowl this year. Their offensive line that has taken a beating all year long, stepped up to the plate, and opened up holes for FWP, and protected Big Ben vs a pretty decent defense. As long as they play somewhat decent, and keep Big Ben alive vs this crazy Ravens defense, they should win this game. FWP showed a nice burst last weekend, so maybe he is back to great form that made him a big time player before this year. Their D is plain nasty, and they will definitely get to Flacco today. It will be interesting to see if Flacco can combat this zone blitzing defense along with the pressure that comes along with such a big game. I will take the Pitt D in that matchup as I see them rattling Flacco early. Tomlin has also proved to me he is a solid coach, as he has been consistent all year long. Now don't get me wrong, I love the Ravens! I hope they win the Superbowl. I just think that playing 3 weeks on the road, and after playing such a physical Titans team, is going to catch up to them this week. The Titans physical style definitely beat up the Ravens last weekend. It seems like half of the Ravens didn't even practice this week. I think that will come into play big time this weekend, and even though I see a low scoring, physical game in this one, I think the Steelers pull away in the second half after leaning hard on the Ravens all game long.
Eagles at Cardinals (Eagles -3 bought hook)
The Iggles have been a team on a mission, and I just think in the end they will close out this fairytale story for these Cards. I love the Cards. I love Warner, Boldin, Fitz, and co., but I just don't see them winning in this game. Defense wins championships in football. As you can see, three out of four squads left, have a top 10 defense. The Cards D has played dope the past couple of weeks, but I just don't see them keeping that up in this game. The Iggles have a top 10 offense and defense, and that is why I give them the edge in this game. I know Westbrook is banged up, but I see him busting a big play in this game like he did vs the Vikings. I also see Philly's crazy blitzing defense getting to Warner, and pressuring him to make some bad throws. Arizona relies heavily on timing routes, and this pressure will definitely disrupt their passing attack. I've seen in the past that when Warner gets pressured and is running around or on the ground, that their flying passing attack gets grounded quick. Yes Edge and Hightower are a solid rb duo, but I don't see them having any success vs this Eagles D today. U of Pho stadium will be rocking today, but I just see the Philly D being the difference in this game. McNabb and Westbrook will do just enough to cover this spread on the offensive side of the ball.
Gluck playaz, and we can't wait until today's games.
Vik aka Docksquad's Pix:
(Last week 2-2)
(Overall 45-37-5)
Ravens at Steelers (Steelers -5)
Everytime I pick against these damn Steelers, they always wax. On top of taking the L, we have to hear it from our friend Cohin talk shi, which is the worst. So for this week, f it, I am going to ride the Steelers into the Super Bowl. The Steelers proved to me last weekend that their offense is capable of putting up pts, and that is all they needed to become a legit threat to win the Super Bowl this year. Their offensive line that has taken a beating all year long, stepped up to the plate, and opened up holes for FWP, and protected Big Ben vs a pretty decent defense. As long as they play somewhat decent, and keep Big Ben alive vs this crazy Ravens defense, they should win this game. FWP showed a nice burst last weekend, so maybe he is back to great form that made him a big time player before this year. Their D is plain nasty, and they will definitely get to Flacco today. It will be interesting to see if Flacco can combat this zone blitzing defense along with the pressure that comes along with such a big game. I will take the Pitt D in that matchup as I see them rattling Flacco early. Tomlin has also proved to me he is a solid coach, as he has been consistent all year long. Now don't get me wrong, I love the Ravens! I hope they win the Superbowl. I just think that playing 3 weeks on the road, and after playing such a physical Titans team, is going to catch up to them this week. The Titans physical style definitely beat up the Ravens last weekend. It seems like half of the Ravens didn't even practice this week. I think that will come into play big time this weekend, and even though I see a low scoring, physical game in this one, I think the Steelers pull away in the second half after leaning hard on the Ravens all game long.
Eagles at Cardinals (Eagles -3 bought hook)
The Iggles have been a team on a mission, and I just think in the end they will close out this fairytale story for these Cards. I love the Cards. I love Warner, Boldin, Fitz, and co., but I just don't see them winning in this game. Defense wins championships in football. As you can see, three out of four squads left, have a top 10 defense. The Cards D has played dope the past couple of weeks, but I just don't see them keeping that up in this game. The Iggles have a top 10 offense and defense, and that is why I give them the edge in this game. I know Westbrook is banged up, but I see him busting a big play in this game like he did vs the Vikings. I also see Philly's crazy blitzing defense getting to Warner, and pressuring him to make some bad throws. Arizona relies heavily on timing routes, and this pressure will definitely disrupt their passing attack. I've seen in the past that when Warner gets pressured and is running around or on the ground, that their flying passing attack gets grounded quick. Yes Edge and Hightower are a solid rb duo, but I don't see them having any success vs this Eagles D today. U of Pho stadium will be rocking today, but I just see the Philly D being the difference in this game. McNabb and Westbrook will do just enough to cover this spread on the offensive side of the ball.
Gluck playaz, and we can't wait until today's games.
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1 comments:
YEAH BABYYYYYYYYYYY!!!! Nice call guys!!! You guys were right this time, I'm proud of you!!!
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