First of all let me rank my plays this weekend from 1 through 8. 1 being my play of the weekend and 8 being just a small lean.
1- Philadephia/ATL over 39
2-Oakland -5
3-Philadelphia -7.5
4-San Fran +6
5-Oakland/NYJ under 47.5
6-Pittsburgh +5
7-San Fran/TB under 39
8-Pittsburgh/TEN under 44
PHILY-ATL
I really have felt strongly about the under in Philadelphia all week. It is the one play that I have not thought twice about. My rationale being that is simple. When McNabb went down, this team had to really step it up on the defensive side of the ball. They played great. I know it is the playoffs and tension is at an all-time high, but you are going to see a Philadelphia defense that isnt going to be quite as intense. This is going to be more of a shootout type game. I really like Philly to light up the scoreboard and win something like 34-17.
TENN-PITT
I have switched opinons on this one a few times, but I keep coming back to the same ideas. Pittsburgh has been on the cusp of the Super Bowl for a few years now. Granted they do not have the best defensive team this year. They give up big plays, but that run D can keep teams honest. If Pittsburgh can protect the ball and not give up huge plays, this is the best team they have had in many many years. 5 points is a huge over-reaction to a poor performance last week. What doesnt kill you makes you stronger. I think Pitt realizes that they have a chance at the Super Bowl this year in a year that they may have written off about a month and a half ago. I look for an inspired performance, but conservative enough to win a close one. 23-20
SAN FRAN-TB
This one is also a bit confusing. I really liked Tampa Bay when the line came out, but I have looked into a few figures and came out with a San Fran cover. I liked San Fran to make the Super Bowl at the beginning of the year, but they have not played to their potential. Garcia has been subpar and the defense has been poor in the secondary. This one is going to come down to who can run the ball and control the clock. I like San Fran in this department. Tampa Bay hasnt been able to run the ball all year and it is going to hurt them. San Francisco was given a wake up call last week, and I look for it all to carry over to this week. I would love to predict the outright upset, but I just cant force myself. This will be a hard hitting defensive battle that Gramatica will pull out in the end. 17-14
OAK-NYJ
The Jets are playing "scary good" right now. One problem, well two problems....it is extremely hard to keep momentum going after they have blown out 2 very decent teams at home, then going on the road to play the AFC's best team. It is going to prove impossible. Oakland has been preparing for this game for 2 weeks now, and I look for them to be able to stop the run, and keep the clock moving. Rain is supposedly going to be a factor in this game, and I hope it is (hence, half the reason I have the under in this game) This is going to be a quick game with all of the quick passes and runs. I like the raiders to make a statement that this is their year to win it all and blow out the jets.
31-10
GOOD LUCK!
1- Philadephia/ATL over 39
2-Oakland -5
3-Philadelphia -7.5
4-San Fran +6
5-Oakland/NYJ under 47.5
6-Pittsburgh +5
7-San Fran/TB under 39
8-Pittsburgh/TEN under 44
PHILY-ATL
I really have felt strongly about the under in Philadelphia all week. It is the one play that I have not thought twice about. My rationale being that is simple. When McNabb went down, this team had to really step it up on the defensive side of the ball. They played great. I know it is the playoffs and tension is at an all-time high, but you are going to see a Philadelphia defense that isnt going to be quite as intense. This is going to be more of a shootout type game. I really like Philly to light up the scoreboard and win something like 34-17.
TENN-PITT
I have switched opinons on this one a few times, but I keep coming back to the same ideas. Pittsburgh has been on the cusp of the Super Bowl for a few years now. Granted they do not have the best defensive team this year. They give up big plays, but that run D can keep teams honest. If Pittsburgh can protect the ball and not give up huge plays, this is the best team they have had in many many years. 5 points is a huge over-reaction to a poor performance last week. What doesnt kill you makes you stronger. I think Pitt realizes that they have a chance at the Super Bowl this year in a year that they may have written off about a month and a half ago. I look for an inspired performance, but conservative enough to win a close one. 23-20
SAN FRAN-TB
This one is also a bit confusing. I really liked Tampa Bay when the line came out, but I have looked into a few figures and came out with a San Fran cover. I liked San Fran to make the Super Bowl at the beginning of the year, but they have not played to their potential. Garcia has been subpar and the defense has been poor in the secondary. This one is going to come down to who can run the ball and control the clock. I like San Fran in this department. Tampa Bay hasnt been able to run the ball all year and it is going to hurt them. San Francisco was given a wake up call last week, and I look for it all to carry over to this week. I would love to predict the outright upset, but I just cant force myself. This will be a hard hitting defensive battle that Gramatica will pull out in the end. 17-14
OAK-NYJ
The Jets are playing "scary good" right now. One problem, well two problems....it is extremely hard to keep momentum going after they have blown out 2 very decent teams at home, then going on the road to play the AFC's best team. It is going to prove impossible. Oakland has been preparing for this game for 2 weeks now, and I look for them to be able to stop the run, and keep the clock moving. Rain is supposedly going to be a factor in this game, and I hope it is (hence, half the reason I have the under in this game) This is going to be a quick game with all of the quick passes and runs. I like the raiders to make a statement that this is their year to win it all and blow out the jets.
31-10
GOOD LUCK!
