random thoughts

NFL Divisional Playoff Games

Colts vs Ravens - I like Peyton Manning to lead the Colts to victory over a very good Baltimore Defense. Look for Peyton to recover from last weekends game where he played poorly, throwing 3 ints; 2 of which were to Ty Law. The Colts wideouts should be able to use doubles moves and get the Ravens corners to jump, inturn opening up deep routes. Colts 24 Ravens 17

Eagles vs Saints - The Eagles are the hottest team in the NFC but they run into the best team in the NFC in this game. Andy Reid has done a marvelous job with Jeff Garcia at the helm but look for Drew Brees to continue and make big plays for the Saints. Reggie Bush will look to excite in his playoff debut and Joe Horn should return. The Eagles secondary is banged up and the Sean Payton will exploit that leading to a shootout which I don't think Garcia can handle. A couple mistakes from Garcia will do the Eagles in. Another letdown for the Philly fans.
Saints 34 Eagles 21

Pats vs Chargers - In what should be the most exciting divisional game in years, the most dominant team of this decade goes to the most dominant team of this year. What does Bill Belicheck have in store to shut down the high powered Bolts offense and League MVP Ladanian Tomlinson and Can Marty win a playoff game? The Pats will keep this one tight into the 4th but unlike last year with a Tom Brady INT ending the former champs hopes, look for the Pats Defense to be the reason this year. With a close game late in the 4th, the Chargers will give the ball to LT and with the Pats focused solely on him, he will then throw a TD pass and send the Chargers onto the Conference Championship. Chargers 28 Pats 24

Seahawks vs Bears - If only Tony Romo hadn't screwed up, what a game this coulda been. Instead we focus on Rex Grossman and whether he'll be ready to play. I don't think it matters with the Bears Defense making some big plays and shutting down Shaun Alexander. Look for Devin Hester to make a big play and spark the Bears to a fairly easy win. Bears 27 Seahawks 13


Some other quick notes. The Gators won the national title because they simply were the better team and Urban Meyer outcoached Jim Tressel. I can't believe Tressel was outcoached by anyone and believe it was the first time that ever has occurred. Troy Smith can't play QB in the NFL. How lucky are the Gators to have been in the game when you realize South Carolina had them beat if only they knew how to convert Kicks. So Spurrier wins them one championship and then helps win them another. I said it here 2 years ago when Urban Meyer took over that he would win an SEC Championship and compete for the National Title within 2 years.

The New York Knicks will win the Atlantic with an under .500 record. Isiah will still get fired.