Friday, January 8, 2010

STONE COLD LEAD PIPE DOCKS - PLAYOFF EDITION



Suman's Pix:
(Last Week 3-2)
(Overall 48-37-2)

Bengals -2.5

Neither quarterback is really playoff tested. Neither quarterback is playing well. Both teams have gaping deficiencies: the Bengals don't have a big play threat, and the Jets can't throw the ball in cold weather. The Bengals are playing a home playoff game (or any playoff game for that matter) for the first time since Carson Palmer's knee was wrecked by Kimo Van Olhoffen on the first play of the game in 2005. Let's hope this goes better. And I think it will. It should be pretty shitty conditions in Cincy, and the Sanchise doesn't play well in cold weather (at least not yet). I'll take the home team that has a chip on their shoulder.

Eagles +4
The Eagles got spanked last week, but you gotta believe they were holding something back. The McNabb to Desean Jackson combo has been lethal this year, and it seemed like they didn't really unleash it last week. There is no way the Eagles play as bad as last week. On the other hand, I think this might finally be Tony Romo's year to advance in the playoffs. The Cowboys are playing about as well as anybody. But I think this game will turn into a shootout and whatever team with the ball last will win on a late fg. So I'll take the 4 points here.

Ravens +3.5
I don't like the Ravens this year. Something just seems missing. But I really don't like the Patriots now that Wes Welker is done. That's why I'm taking the points here. Ray Rice could explode for a huge day, and I think he'll be the difference. He is a star in the making, and this could be his coming-out party. The Patriots just seem too banged up all over the field...with Tom Brady and Welker being the most important injuries. Brady is playing, but I think still hurt. and I don't think they have enough playmakers on the defensive side of the ball. Besides, the last 2 times these teams have played the Pats have gotten lucky, so I think things even out this time.

Cardinals pick 'em
I really love both these teams, and if they were playing any other team I would choose them both. 2 big factors go into my thought process here: an injured Charles Woodson is more of a blow than an injured Anquan Boldin; and never bet against Kurt Warner. He is magical this time of year, for whatever reason. Both offenses are too explosive. Both defenses have come around. And in many ways these 2 teams are mirror images of each other. But the Cards are legit, being the first team to make the playoffs the year after they lost the Super Bowl, in a long time. Plus, a Vikings/Packers matchup next week just seems a little too perfect.

IP's Pix:
(Last Week 3-1-1)
(Overall 40-33-5)

Bengals -2.5

Oh yee of little faith. The general consensus is the Jets will come into Ohio and roll the Bungals based on last week’s trouncing they gave Cincy. I beg to differ; I think the Bengals are going to be a serious player this postseason. I feel that Carson Palmer has a lot to prove and has a chip on his shoulder. I feel that they will be hungrier and show why they are respected on both sides of the ball. Sanchez needs tot throw the ball well this game even with his stellar running attack and I just do not think he can do it. Look for Cincy to win this one by 6.


Cowboys -4

Remember my saying never bet against McNabb in a big game that is not the Super Bowl? Well I am going against my own advice here and taking the Cowboys. They got too much talent and contrary to public opinion, Romo has been sick with it all year. Look for Dallas to roll the Eagles, and McNabb to be on his way to Washington. And I will go even further and say Dallas will be playing in the Super Bowl this year. YESSIR!!!!! Cowboys by 9


Packers PICK 'EM

Too many injuries to Arizona, and Aaron Rodgers is too good. Green Bay by a lot.


Raven +3

The Patriots have to overcome too much in this game. The last time the teams played alto of favorable calls went the Pats way. I do not see it happening this time. They have too many injuries and the defense is average at best. Look for the Ravens to pull this emotional game out. Ravens by 4.


Vik's Pix:
(Last Week 3-2)
(Overall 36-34-1)

Bengals -2(bought hook)
I think everyone is expecting the Jets to come into this game and wax the Bengals like they did last week, but I don't see that happening. I like the Bengals by a touchdown in this one, and the reason I think that, is because of their defense. The Bengals finally get their most important player on defense back this week in big
DT Domata Peko. Their defense just has not been the same since he went down, especially their run defense. Until he went down, the Bengals were one of the best teams in the NFL vs the run. So you can see just how important he is to this D. They also get two other key defensive players back in Crocker and Geathers. Crocker is another huge player, who plays the run really well. This is perfect timing, because they are all coming back just in time to face the Jets, who have a great rushing attack. I see the Bengals shutting down the Jets running game and leaving this game in the hands of Sanchez or as the Jets like to call him, the Sanchize. I think this will spell doom for the Jets. Sanchez has struggled after his hot start, and he has is a pick machine. He also has shown that he struggles in cold weather, and it's not going to be balmy tomorrow in Cincy this weekend. I hate to say this, but another important thing to remember is that Bumson is back and ready to go. He has been huge for this squad, and I see him having a big day tomorrow. Lastly, even though Revis will shut down Ocho, look for the rest of the Bengals to have a nice outing on the offensive side of the ball. I think Palmer and the Bengals are due, and their stadium will be rocking. I'll take the squad with the chip on their shoulders, the Bun, uhhh, Bengals!

Eagles +4

I know the Cowboys smoked last week, but I expect a huge bounce back game from the Eagles in this one. I also expect
McNabb and DJax to bounce back in this game as well. I also don't see the Cowboys beating the Eagles three times this year. That is very hard to do in the NFL, especially vs a good team, anchored by a good Coach. Also, Andy Reid has not lost a first round playoff game. I see Andy Reid coming up with a game plan that combats the Cowboys rowdy pass rush. Look for a lot of screens, dump offs, and quick passes to counter it. I also see them getting DJax involved from the get go. He is too good of a play maker to be shut down out of this game. And overall this Eagles offense has too many playmakers to go out without a fight. I see the Eagles pressuring Romo all game long, causing him to make some mistakes. I also know that they will come up with a strategy to stop Miles Austin. Until Romo and the Cowboys can prove to me that they can win a playoff game, I will have to pick against them. One thing to note is the Cowboys kicking situation. They don't have one. The one they have is known to choke in big moments, and that could come into play in this one too. In the end, I see this game being a wild one, and it coming down to a last minute FG, so I will take the pts.

Pats -3
I love both of these teams, so it sucks that they are playing each other in the first round. The Pats are battle tested, and I think it helps them pull through this weekend. The best weapon for the Ravens is Ray Rice. The Pats 3-4 will gear up and make it their mission to stop him. I also know the
Hoody monster will come up with a good strategy for stopping Ray Rice, and he will try to see if Flacco can beat them. The Pats secondary is also playing better as of late, so I think they will be fine. Again, you can count on the Pats D focusing on stopping the run in this one. On the offensive side of the ball for the Pats, I know losing Wes Welker was huge for them. But that being said, Edelman is a Welker clone who can fit in nicely for the Pats this weekend. He did earlier in the year, so I look for him to come through in this game as well. The Hoody will find ways to get around this, and Brady will do what he does best, and that is win games. In the end I will take Tom Brady over Joe Flacco any day, and I will take the Hoody vs anyone in a first round matchup. I think it will take an elite Qb to knock off the Pats, and that won't happen until the next round. The Pats by a touchdown.

Packers pk
I hate the Packers, but I have to pick them in this one. I'm secretly hoping for the Mush effect, so I hope it works. Anyways, the Packers have been one of football's hottest teams and they are playing great on the defensive side of the ball. They have had a solid offense since last year. AR has done a great job, and he has been better than I expected. Side note, this game is also on the Cards turf, and that should help the Packers offense as well. It isn't that much of a disadvantage for them in this one. Anyways, this year their offense has not missed a step, but it's their D that has surprised me. I did not think that their conversion to the 3-4 would be this good, this fast. I hate the Packers, but I got to give credit where credit is due. Their D is what has propelled them into the playoffs this year. Woodson is playing great football, and him vs Fitz will be a heavy weight battle to watch. I know Breaston is solid, but he is not Boldin. If Boldin was playing, I would rethink my pick, but without him, I just can't see myself laying money on the Cards. Also, the Cards run game has been improved as of late, but the Packers are stout vs the run. They will shut down the Cards running game, and make Warner beat them through the air. And with Woodson covering Fitz, I don't see them being able to keep up in this one. I see the Packers getting knocked out next round, but winning this game.

gluck playaz...

2 comments:

Mauricio said...

Hello friend, I looked at your blog and is very good, greetings and welcome to my sports page

Juan said...

I lost $22k by betting on these horrible picks. You make me sick.