This is the Life... Divisional Round

[Clem D]

3-1 plus 1400 last week.
ytd 41-24-2 +18190


Where do I start with this weeks slate of games? No place like the beginning of the weekend. Washington comes to Seattle to take on the topseeded Seahawks. The Skins have won six straight to get to this point and are starting to believe in a little bit of destiny. I'm believing in their destiny also. Their destiny is to be playing golf early next week. They made a nice run to get to this point, but the gas tank is now on empty.This is their third consecutive road game and 5th out of 7. Coming off a hard hitting game with the Bucs in which they barely escaped, I look for the Skins to be fatiqued and a little flat on Saturday. Seattle will have an enormous homefield advantage in this game and that should outweigh the Holmgren "Dolt" Factor. Taking the fresher team here whos Offensive line should dominate the warn out SKins. Hassleback and the receivers will go to school on what Simms was able to do throwing. Alexander will benefit from Joe J and the receivers doing their part on a marginal NFL Secondary.
The Seahawk Defense has improved down the stretch and should be able to control scrimmage limiting what Portis can do. If they succeed in that it will be a long day for Brunell and company.

I think you will see 14-0 Seattle before you have put a dent in your first beer.

Seahawks -9
1650/1500

 

[emmitt]

clem

clem

nice to see you on seatlle!!! bol emmitt

 

[addikted]

Gotta love it, great record mixed with a great anaylsis and even some added humor. Best of luck Clem!

 

[Dizzayton]

Respectfully disagree. I don't think it is wise to bet against a team that has won six straight and is getting 9 points. You could say that Seattle has won alot of meaningful games in a row also, but they did lose the last game of the season so they are no longer on that streak. Gibbs is also 17-5 in the playoffs. I think Seattle is a pretty good team. But I also think Washington to hang close and is a turnover/special teams/Moss big play touchdown away from pulling the shocker. This game reminds me a little bit of NYJ/PITT last season. And a familiar big play character from that game will be in Seattle on Sunday. I think Washingto has the better defense, and that is the main reason for the play. It should be interesting.

 

[Clem D]

Dizzayton,
I think vegas is hoping that people take the 9 with the 6 game win streak. The bye for Seattle is huge. Trust me when I tell you Washington is a very tired beat up team. If Washington covers I will be the first to give them and you props, but this one jumped right out to me.

 

[Dice34]

When I saw this line i was like damn.......I know the redskins O didn't get off the bus on saturday, but that was bound to happen after winning 5 in a row. Their D won the 6th, and very fortunate to come away with the win......I think their O will come to play on Sat.........

Looking at Seattle, they struggled against the NFC east this year, L-in OT at Wash 17-20, W at home vs Dal 13-10, W at home vs NYG 24-21....both Dal and NYG games, Seattle was lucky to come away with the victories, only the Decimated Eagles they handled.......when you look at teams Seattle faced that resembled a D, they include a L to the Jags and 3 pt win over the Falcons along with the 3 other NFC east teams, other wise its a fairly soft Defensive schedule they faced.......

Yeah, they beat the Colts, who only played their starters for a quarter, but they also beat the Niners by 2 and Titans by 4.....That niners game could of just been the Seahawks going in too confident and the Titans game came before their anticipated game with the Colts..........

I agree with you that the Redskins are beat up and now travel across the country into a home stadium where the Seahawks havent lost this year, but I really feel the Redskins O comes to play..........I'll take Joe Gibbs over Mike Holmgren anyday.......If Washington bottles up Alexander (which I think they will) I don't think Seattle has the speed at WR to blow this game open......

But you're the man Clem...........I feel the Redskins can keep this under the 9, maybe a 4-7 pt victory for the Seahwaks, if the TO's are equal.......

 

[Mjolnir]

wash lost a def end with broken arm. im leaning towards seattle but 9 points is an awful lot.

 

[xxxFTWxxx]

Love Seattle, I teased it down to be safe. No choke job in this game.

Also like the Colts to win, as well as Pats and Carolina.

 

[Clem D]

Game 2

Patriots at the Broncos.
New England is the Darling pick this week. All you here is the Pats are back. The truth is they have not played anyone down the stretch except for Tampa who's offense was very one dimentional.

Sun 11/27 at Kansas City L 16-26
Sun 12/4 NY Jets W 16-3
Sun 12/11 at Buffalo W 35-7
Sat 12/17 Tampa Bay W 28-0
Mon 12/26 at NY Jets W 31-21
Sun 1/1 Miami L 26-28
Playoffs
Sat 1/7 Jacksonville W 28-3

Denver knew damn well that the Jags could not win in foxborough so I'm sure Shanahan spent plenty of time breaking down all the Pats film he could get. The Broncos can run on anyone and I feel the Pats run defense has looked good because of who they have played. I think the week off for Denver and Homefield adv will be huge for this team. Broncos strength on Defense is the secondary and they should take away Branch and or Givens. I dont thik Dillon is in a spot where he can carry this team by carrying the rock. Brady can only do so much. In the end I think he will fall short. The line is a gift. It's telling me a 13-3 team would be a pick to a 10-6 team on neutral field.

Don't bet on a teams mystique or past reputation, play the team who is better on the field in the mile high city.

Denver -3 1100/1000

31-23

over 43.5
550/500

 

[addikted]

Don't bet on a teams mystique or past reputation, play the team who is beeter on the field in the mile high city.

Very well stated, can't agree more with that statement.

 

[Livin' Large]

I'm glad to see you on Denver! I posted the same thoughts about Dillon and the Patriots' running game in my thread. 3.4 yards per carry won't get it done on the road in the playoffs. One of the commentators on Saturday kept saying, "Dillon is running like he's angry." Yeah, he's angry because he's totally frustrated with the offensive line's run blocking. Also, Dillon is injured. He can't break that first tackle at the line of scrimmage like he normally does when he's healthy. Good luck Clem!

 

[Gmarco]

Wash / Sea reminds me alot of the Eagles / Minn playoff game last yr. Minn has good road win vs GB in first round and comes in to Philly getting 9. Everyone was jumping on the Vikings, even buying the the point.

If you look at the playoffs, it seems as though the rested team at home always comes out strong. If someone has time to look into it, I bet that the home team in the second round goes at least 3-1 every year. Just my opinion.

 

[Clem D]

Yea it is usually money in the bank gmarco.. last year I believe was an exception

 

[AR182]

originally i liked wash + the points, but changed my mind & took seattle...that's my best bet....

good luck, clem...

 

[DerekNJND]

Don't bet on a teams mystique or past reputation, play the team who is better on the field in the mile high city.

Denver -3 1100/1000

31-23

Agreed. Still kicking myself for taking the pats +3 their FIRST time at Denver. Wont be making THAT mistake again. The score DOES NOT reflect the whooping the pats got in the first half of that game.

Pats may be playing better than they were the first time in Denver, but well enough to win a road playoff game after the beating they took last trip to Denver? Doubt it. Books know bettors will be hitting NE HARD this week, and you gotta think this line is playing off of that fact.

 

[Dizzayton]

Not so fast Gmarco

Not so fast Gmarco

Before comparing this Wash/SEa to Philly/Minny, remember that Minny had the second worst Defense in league and had lost 4 out of 5 going into the playoffs.

 

[SixFive]

typically, isn't this the week of the playoffs to bet the home faves that didn't play in the wildcard first weekend?

GL, clem.

 

[the_fix_is_on]

Hi Clem,
I agree with your Denver pick, but I can't see the Seahawks covering 9 pts. Everyone is bashing the 'Skins because their offense stayed in the cooler last Saturday. I think the 'Skins felt that they had the Bucs right where they wanted them. . . trying to catch up against their defense with a first year quarterback. It almost cost them the game (or at least a tie) when Tampa's wide receiver dropped the TD pass.
I don't think the same scenerio will take place in Seattle. However, if by some fluke of nature, the 'Skins jump out to another 14 point lead, they won't sit on it. They'll keep putting pressure on Seattle's defense. I think the 'Skins learned a vital lesson on squatting on a lead last Saturday.
I hate to go against you, Clem, but I see a close game, with the Skins pulling out another road victory. . . or at least a cover.
JMHO.
Rich aka The Fix

 

[Hersh24]

Clem,

I'll be rockin' with the folks at Invesco this Saturday with my beloved Broncos. Couldn't agree more, we have to be the most overlooked 13-3 team in history. Belichick is not a huge advantage over someone like Shanahan and the homefield will make the difference. Go Broncs!

 

[dalygolfer20]

As printed elsewhere:


Seattle's offensive line is the best in the NFL
Offense = Seahawks
Gregg Williams has the 'Skins ready, week in and week out
Defense = Skins
'Hawks get the edge thanks to kicker Josh Brown
Special teams = Seahawks
Both head coaches have championship experience
Coaching = BOTH
Qwest Field has one of the more underrated home crowds
Intangibles =Seahawks
Matt Hasselbeck ... Doesn't get enough credit as a leader
Wild card = Seahawks

Seahawks win...if you dont like the line take the $$$$line....

As a professional player, I can attest that this is all you look forward to all year... Seahawks have had no luck in the previous post seasons, but you can count on them being RESTED and READY.. No matter if they were beat earlier this year by the skins, it means SSOOOOO much more this time and the worst player on the team is now an equal to the best,,, is ability will be there,,,PROMISE.. MR MVP and his NUMBER one offensive line will win and Hasselback will throw all over the place for they are loaded with recievers down to a good tight end.... As the MAD PISSER said 14 - 0 before that 1st Corona hits bottom....