Wild Card Weekend

[lostinamerica]

NFL YTD: 40-29 (+7.40*)
NCAA Regular Season: 44-40 (-0.33*)
NCAA Bowl Season: 7-8 (-1.20*)


Washington(+2') over Tampa Bay (1.50*)
- - After a brilliant run of five must win games, the last three involving heated division rivals, my intuition wonders how much is left in the Redskin's tank for the team to elevate several notches and match the extra energy I expect from the home team Buccs in this one. Tampa appears to be peaking pretty well, and Jon Gruden has always had a flair for pushing the right buttons with his best teams . . . These Skins have the look of a Joe Gibbs club, while QB Simms is still a definite concern and nothing has come easy for Tampa this season . . . Capping over intuition and taking the points.

Thomas Boswell

What they're saying in D.C.


GL

 

[lostinamerica]

TEASE New England(-1') over Jacksonville w/ Carolina(+9) over New York Giants (1*)
- - My observations and perceptions of Jacksonville under HC Jack Del Rio have not progressed beyond that of a team that frequently wins the battles and loses the war. The Champs may not paint a masterpiece, but I see them continuing as the better team tonight . . . I expected considerably more than the incomplete performances being delivered by Carolina this year under HC John Fox ( Delhommes play action passing rather lame without threat of a running game ) , while I look to find chafing by the end of the year with a Tom Coughlin coached team. Carolina should be able to assert themselves on this stage, but I'm not exactly holding my breath.( Defensive "hiccups" )

GL

 

[lostinamerica]

I will be on Seattle . . .


Pittsburgh(-3)(+102) over Cincinnati (1*)
- - I had strong plays on Pittsburgh in the first matchup and on Cincinnati in the second matchup; this matchup is a lot harder to call, but I'm on Pittsburgh . . . Cincinnati does not remind me of many teams that come up large during their playoff runs; Pittsburgh, HC Cowher notwithstanding, reminds me of a lot of teams that have made it all the way to the Super Bowl, albeit coming up short in the big game, or have given a great effort and an extended run in failing to reach the big game. Pittsburgh's run of outscoring Chicago, Minnesota and division rival Cleveland (27-21SU record) by 80-12 is the mark of a team with some unfinished business on their agenda; Cincinnati needs to step out of character to stop yapping (it ain't just Chad) about their date with destiny in Detroit. Pointspread notwithstanding, I see lower expectations and less pressure on healthy Pittsburgh's shoulders this January, and they're ability to matchup with the Bengals was evident in October. Whether or not Cincinnati jumps in front, I don't think either of these rivals makes it out of the woods until after a very late possession in this game.

Ebb and flow

Sacrifice something you normally do

Sophomore jinx


GL

 

[lostinamerica]

NFL Post Season: 3-0 (+3.52*)
NFL Regular Season: 40-29 (+7.40*)
NCAA Regular Season: 44-40 (-0.33*)
NCAA Bowl Season: 7-8 (-1.20*)


Early leans:

Seattle(-9) over Washington
- - From every direction.

TEASE Carolina(+9) over Chicago w/ New England(+9') over Denver
- - I wouldn't mind being wrong about both sides of those equations.

Indianapolis(-9') over Pittsburgh
- - The Steeler's defense will need to be exploited.

GL