More Playoff Picks

A little late, but here are my picks for this weekend's playoff matchups.

Baltimore vs Pittsburgh

Honestly, I think this is just a coin flip game.  However it is important to note that Ben Roethlisberger has won his last 6 against the Ravens.  The game is in Pittsburgh too, but it's not like home-field advantage has played any role in this series. 

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say this game may be slightly physical.

Bottom Line:  Pittsburgh wins by 3

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Green Bay vs Atlanta

I'm not in love with Aaron Rodgers, but I'm not totally sold on Matt Ryan either.  Both are extremely talented, but they need to majorly improve before people start comparing them to Tom Brady and Peyton Manning.

It's hard to go against Green Bay, especially after they proved that they could run the ball this past weekend.  Matt Ryan's nearly flawless home record is going to take another hit this weekend.

Bottom Line:  Green Bay wins by 6 

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Seattle vs Chicago

This game may be the lock of the weekend.  Chicago might win by 20.  It is almost impossible for the Seahawks to match the energy that they played with last weekend, and I can guarantee you that Marshawn Lynch will not be registering any minor earthquakes this week. 

Easy pick.

Bottom Line:  Chicago wins by 13

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NY Jets vs New England

I loathe Rex Ryan.....  Tom Brady is going to be keeping his haircut for at least one more week.  He is too good.

Bottom Line:  New England wins by 7

Random NFL Thoughts and Auburn in kind of Good

I was 2-2 last weekend in my picks.  Not solid.  Here are a few thoughts after a football-packed weekend

1.  The Ravens are sick.  Yes, Matt Cassel was ill-prepared to face a tough D, but Baltimore is a nasty team to only get a wild card spot.  They're gonna take it to Pittsburgh this weekend.
 

2.  People are giving Ed Reed too much sympathy.  His brother, who jumped in a river and went missing, was running away from the cops.  I don't know.  Maybe it's just me, but I find it hard to sympathize with this guy when after all, his brother was not running for a worthy cause.

3.  Why is everyone shocked that Seattle won?  Regardless of the mediocre competition in the NFC West, they still won the division, and they still deserved a playoff spot.  Big props to Pete Carroll and his boys for knocking people off of the New Orleans bandwagon.

4.  Michael Vick is overrated.  I've said it since Kolb got hurt and Vick got the starting job: the NFL is a league of adjustment, and good teams will always find a way to neutralize a potent offense.  It's why the Jets shut down Peyton Manning and Vick struggled for the last few weeks of the season- once enough film gets out, no one is invincible.

5.  I still hate Rex Ryan.  He is so insecure that he says ridiculous things to try and make himself feel better.  I'm not a huge Pats guy, but I hope New England's 45-3 victory over the Jets earlier this year is only a glimpse of what will happen on Sunday.  And by the way... why on earth would you call out Belichick?


Also - Auburn is filthy.  They'll probably suck next year but they were fun to watch. 

And Shout out to Cam Newton... I guarantee you that the allegations made earlier this year were true.  Shouldn't be long until the NCAA cracks down on them; maybe a couple years.  But then again, the NCAA has a horrendous disciplinary policy (Reggie Bush, anyone?) so who knows.

Let's get over it.  Dude is not an NFL QB

Wild Card Weekend

This weekend features some pretty good NFL football.  Here are my picks and explanations... tell me what you think.

Jets v Colts

Once again Rex Ryan could not keep his mouth shut, going out on a limb and proclaiming his Jets to be the best team in the league.  Cool, Rex.  Peyton Manning will continue to let his play do the talking.  Manning and the Colts have only lost once to Ryan, and I don't see them losing tomorrow.


Bottom Line: Colts win by 7

Ravens v Chiefs

Todd Haley is going to need  a flawless performance from Matt Cassel if the Chiefs want to keep this one close.  Baltimore is nasty, and arguably one of the best wild card teams that the NFL has seen in a while.

Bottom Line: Ravens win by 10

Saints v Seahawks

Everyone is handing this game to New Orleans.  I think Seattle is going to put up a fight.  They play in one the loudest stadiums in the NFL, and Matt Hasselback carved up the New Orleans D earlier this year.  My gut goes with the Saints, but don't be surprised if Seattle steals this game.

Bottom Line: Saints win by 3

Packers v Eagles

I gotta go with Aaron Rodgers.  Michael Vick says his thigh is 100%, but even a healthy Vick hasn't proved that he can perform well while being blitzed.  Look for the Packers defense to blitz the heck out of Philly, and Aaron Rodgers will have a huge game.

Bottom Line: Packers win by 6

Luck to Stay at Stanford

Andrew Luck is staying at Stanford.

The sophomore shocked the football world, with his decision coming just days after he torched Virginia Tech's defense in the Orange Bowl.

I'd like to think that he wants to stay because he honestly loves college football and his school, but lets get serious: Who wants to play for the Panthers heading into a potential lock-out season?  Homeboy at ESPN has got it nailed... check out his article below and tell me what you think.


http://sports.espn.go.com/espn/commentary/news/story?page=kreidler/110107