Funny how fickle I can be when it comes to football teams. Before last week?s game against the Packers, you couldn?t find support for the Vikings with counterfeit money. After dismantling Green Bay, in the cold confines of Lambeau Field, rumblings are being heard about the Vikes being a sleeper team. Let?s get a grip, shall we? A group of the popcorn vendors could have penetrated the Green Bay defense. That was a horrible unit that failed miserably all season long and stood little chance against a decent Minnesota offense. The Eagles are a huge step up. Everyone has been focused on Philadelphia?s recent loss of Terrell Owens and rightfully so. He helped elevate the Eagles into a legit contender and his absence will be felt. But Owens does not play defense and the Vikings will not have their way here like they did last week. Philadelphia?s defense is a formidable bunch that can slow down the Vikes. The Minny running game has been suspect at best with an array of running backs being inserted in and out of the lineup. We all know the capabilities of Minnesota?s passing game but with Randy Moss on a wonky ankle, it is significantly negated. We saw Minnesota lose four of its final five regular season games to teams much weaker than this opponent. There is some concern about Philly?s mindset. They lost Owens and then went into preventive maintenance mode for the remainder of their schedule, having secured home field for the playoffs. But I'm not concerned. In fact, it actually helps here as Andy Reid lays over Mike Tice and Reid has had ample time to prepare his troops for a strong playoff run in a weak conference. The Vikings are lucky to have gone this far but the ride stops here.
Play: Pha -8
One almost has to feel sorry for the Patriots. Here?s a team that has won two of the past three Super Bowls, has won 19 straight home games and lost only two games this entire season. Even so, all we hear about are the Colts and their prolific ways. It?s understandable. Here in North America, we are a society that enjoys offense and no team provides it better than this Indianapolis bunch. However, it rarely gets you a trophy. The Colts can attest to that and one of their biggest stumbling blocks in pursuing football?s Holy Grail, have been these very same Patriots. New England has owned this team with five straight victories, including three on this field with one occurring on opening week. So why will this day be any different? Some may point out that New England is suffering severely on defense with the loss of Ty Law and possibly Richard Seymour. There is merit to that argument. However, have we all forgotten how vulnerable the Indianapolis defense is? Not to worry because Tom Brady hasn?t. Nor has offensive coordinator Charlie Weiss and both will take full advantage against the Colts 29th ranked defense. This is perhaps the best offensive unit the Pats have had over their current run. In the previous game against Indy, Brady and the Pats actually threw for 320 yards compared to Peyton Manning?s 244. Running back Corey Dillon did not start that day but still managed 86 yards on 15 carries. Dillon will be a key factor on this day as the always savvy Bill Belichick knows that he must control the tempo and can do so with the skills of Dillon. The Colts could be ready to turn a corner. However, I have the 14-2 champions spotting a small number on a field that they have not lost on since the 2002 season. That works for me.
Play: New England +1
Play: Pha -8
One almost has to feel sorry for the Patriots. Here?s a team that has won two of the past three Super Bowls, has won 19 straight home games and lost only two games this entire season. Even so, all we hear about are the Colts and their prolific ways. It?s understandable. Here in North America, we are a society that enjoys offense and no team provides it better than this Indianapolis bunch. However, it rarely gets you a trophy. The Colts can attest to that and one of their biggest stumbling blocks in pursuing football?s Holy Grail, have been these very same Patriots. New England has owned this team with five straight victories, including three on this field with one occurring on opening week. So why will this day be any different? Some may point out that New England is suffering severely on defense with the loss of Ty Law and possibly Richard Seymour. There is merit to that argument. However, have we all forgotten how vulnerable the Indianapolis defense is? Not to worry because Tom Brady hasn?t. Nor has offensive coordinator Charlie Weiss and both will take full advantage against the Colts 29th ranked defense. This is perhaps the best offensive unit the Pats have had over their current run. In the previous game against Indy, Brady and the Pats actually threw for 320 yards compared to Peyton Manning?s 244. Running back Corey Dillon did not start that day but still managed 86 yards on 15 carries. Dillon will be a key factor on this day as the always savvy Bill Belichick knows that he must control the tempo and can do so with the skills of Dillon. The Colts could be ready to turn a corner. However, I have the 14-2 champions spotting a small number on a field that they have not lost on since the 2002 season. That works for me.
Play: New England +1
