Pitt (-6) over Balt
Watching Balt they looked like a team getting every break in order to get to this point. The go to Miami and Chad Panny basically hands them the game. The Dolphins coaching staff abandonded the run early because it was no working and then by the time they needed to get the ball into Browns hands there was just no reason because they were too far back. Then they go to Tenn in a game where Tenn was running the ball to the outside with ease. Tenn Loses a speed running back and then the game plan was gone. Still Tenn had about 5 oppertunities to get on top of Balt but turnovers and bad coaching caused them exit the playoffs early. Now Balt goes into Pitt, their third straight road game. The offense is easy to game plan against, the ravens will run the ball even on third and long to establish it. They will look to Mason when they need a play and they will do just about enough to make it possible for the defense to keep them in the game. On Pitts side they have the home field and Hienze is a nice place to back the steelers. They have just about the same talent on defense and they should make it uneasy for Flaco today. Tenn did not get to Flaco enough and it was far to easy for him to set in the pocket and find receivers. The Pitt offensive line has started to come together after playing in the same spots all season. This is huge considering that was the biggest question. I still do not think it is up to the standard but they are good enough to give Ben some time. These teams know each other well and the past weetings show Balt can play with them and thats why I was shocked the line opened at five. I was leaning Balt but considering they have gotten the bouces up to this point I just think Pitt keeps them at bay and makes them win the game and they will sputter.The Pitt will get on top and stay that way playing good enough offense and defense. Crowd will be loud the temp will be cold the rookie will play good but not good enough while the running game is bottled up. Pitt is healthy and ready, Big Ben needs to just play it safe on some plays and not force things or try to do to much and the steelers get my vote.
Philly (-4) over Ariz
I like the offense of Zona but if you watched the past two games Warner has not seen ANY pressure. Atl gave him all day and Carolina decided not to blitz. I think Johnson has his blitz package dialed up and Warner makes some mistakes. Carolina handed them the game with turnovers and I do not see them getting that result today either. This will come down to the "small hands" of Warner and the defense of philly. Everyone is talking about how the Arizona defense has been play, I just do not see them repeating that type of performance. They are a good unit but the season shows they are not the Ravens or Baltimore. They have dogs up front so the philly o-line needs to play well and let Donavan find the safety read. I do not like backing a team that has not been sharp on offense but I think the weapons Philly has will be enough to score points while Kurt Warner makes mistakes. LJ Smith, Jackson and Curtis need to step up. They hold the cards and then players like Baskett will need to be counted on to make a few plays. The one player that needs to play well is Westbrooke, I have not seen explosiveness from him in the past two games but I think he will get lost on a few plays and be open to be a game breaker. Weather will not be a factor so I think Akers has a slight advantage since he was feeling good from sixty as the season ended. Fitzgarld and Boldin are tough to blanket but philly has the players to be physical with them. One of my biggest questions is how the LB's handle hightower. See I am not buying stock in E James but I worry about a guy like Hightower in this game as he might not get the full attention of the LB's and thats a no no. All I wanna see is pressure on warner early and often and we might get a glimpse of his happy feet and scared play. If it happens early I like philly a lot.
GOOD LUCK ALL
Cheers
Irish
Watching Balt they looked like a team getting every break in order to get to this point. The go to Miami and Chad Panny basically hands them the game. The Dolphins coaching staff abandonded the run early because it was no working and then by the time they needed to get the ball into Browns hands there was just no reason because they were too far back. Then they go to Tenn in a game where Tenn was running the ball to the outside with ease. Tenn Loses a speed running back and then the game plan was gone. Still Tenn had about 5 oppertunities to get on top of Balt but turnovers and bad coaching caused them exit the playoffs early. Now Balt goes into Pitt, their third straight road game. The offense is easy to game plan against, the ravens will run the ball even on third and long to establish it. They will look to Mason when they need a play and they will do just about enough to make it possible for the defense to keep them in the game. On Pitts side they have the home field and Hienze is a nice place to back the steelers. They have just about the same talent on defense and they should make it uneasy for Flaco today. Tenn did not get to Flaco enough and it was far to easy for him to set in the pocket and find receivers. The Pitt offensive line has started to come together after playing in the same spots all season. This is huge considering that was the biggest question. I still do not think it is up to the standard but they are good enough to give Ben some time. These teams know each other well and the past weetings show Balt can play with them and thats why I was shocked the line opened at five. I was leaning Balt but considering they have gotten the bouces up to this point I just think Pitt keeps them at bay and makes them win the game and they will sputter.The Pitt will get on top and stay that way playing good enough offense and defense. Crowd will be loud the temp will be cold the rookie will play good but not good enough while the running game is bottled up. Pitt is healthy and ready, Big Ben needs to just play it safe on some plays and not force things or try to do to much and the steelers get my vote.
Philly (-4) over Ariz
I like the offense of Zona but if you watched the past two games Warner has not seen ANY pressure. Atl gave him all day and Carolina decided not to blitz. I think Johnson has his blitz package dialed up and Warner makes some mistakes. Carolina handed them the game with turnovers and I do not see them getting that result today either. This will come down to the "small hands" of Warner and the defense of philly. Everyone is talking about how the Arizona defense has been play, I just do not see them repeating that type of performance. They are a good unit but the season shows they are not the Ravens or Baltimore. They have dogs up front so the philly o-line needs to play well and let Donavan find the safety read. I do not like backing a team that has not been sharp on offense but I think the weapons Philly has will be enough to score points while Kurt Warner makes mistakes. LJ Smith, Jackson and Curtis need to step up. They hold the cards and then players like Baskett will need to be counted on to make a few plays. The one player that needs to play well is Westbrooke, I have not seen explosiveness from him in the past two games but I think he will get lost on a few plays and be open to be a game breaker. Weather will not be a factor so I think Akers has a slight advantage since he was feeling good from sixty as the season ended. Fitzgarld and Boldin are tough to blanket but philly has the players to be physical with them. One of my biggest questions is how the LB's handle hightower. See I am not buying stock in E James but I worry about a guy like Hightower in this game as he might not get the full attention of the LB's and thats a no no. All I wanna see is pressure on warner early and often and we might get a glimpse of his happy feet and scared play. If it happens early I like philly a lot.
GOOD LUCK ALL
Cheers
Irish
