I am an avid sports fan. Anyone who knows me, knows I follow any sport that the majority of the general public is interested or invested in. Sorry, but that excludes MLS, PBA and Tennis. Most of the time it excludes PGA and LPGA, but sometimes there are things that catch my attention:
1. Orange Pants
2. Women playing in a PGA event
3. Wrecked SUV's (especially the painted black variety)
With the groundwork now being laid down, I want to say that this week of NFL Playoff Football has me very excited. Listening to all the "experts" make their picks and defend them is always interesting to me, regardless of where in the season we are. But when the "experts" are just about split down the middle, some are even jumping ship mid week, it adds a little to it.
Ravens/Steelers (Saturday 4:30 pm)
This game has become one of the biggest rivalries in the NFL today. Two teams that are separated by only 248 miles. I suppose some people don't realize how small of a distance this is. My job requires me to travel, and by travel I mean drive a car, more than 248 miles a day more than I can count. Because of the proximity, the teams are in relatively the same region of the country. Why am I pointing this out? Because they have to build similar rosters due to their environments. It's cold where these teams are, and getting hit by a 300 pound dude in 15 degree weather hurts! Both of these teams pride themselves on being "mean", or "tough". They both think they are the best at what they do. Some would argue that they are. Either way, this game is going to be a slobber knocker! They met early on in week 4 at Heinz Field. The Ravens pulled out a 17-14 victory in that game. Later on they locked horns again in week 13 at M&T Bank Stadium, and the Steelers pulled out a 13-10 victory. Two things pop out to me when looking at these past two matchups: there isn't going to be a lot of offense in this game, and home field advantage doesn't exist between these two teams. Normally, I would feel the need to dive into QB comparisons on all that jazz, but I think the Defenses cancel that out. I do feel that Big Ben is the superior QB, but let's not forget the nose job he suffered last time these teams met. That will put your QB on the same level of a lesser QB in an instant. The Ravens went out and got Boldin specifically for this type of game. Because of this, I like the Ravens.
Prediction: Ravens 17 - 14
Packers/Falcons (Saturday 8:00 pm)
This is the game that I have the most confusion on. I'm not confused about which team to pick, however. I'm confused by all the "experts" telling the world how great Aaron Rogers is and how he's going to go INTO Atlanta and beat the best team in the NFC. Sometimes I would like to reach into the television and slap some of these guys across the face. I mean, seriously!?! I know Rogers has finally won a playoff game, but it's just that: 1 PLAYOFF WIN. If that hadn't found gold in Starks with the running game, Rogers would be back in Green Bay this week cleaning out his locker and saying his goodbyes for the off season. The Packers weren't even in the playoffs in week 15. They had to beat a mistake prone Giants and and Bears team that had nothing to play for other than not getting hurt. I could be way off on this, but I think all the Fantasy Footballers out there have seriously skewed Rogers value. Atlanta has been on top all season. They simply find a way to win nearly every time they take the field. They only factor that makes me think a bit is that Atlanta beat Green Bay 20 - 17 in week 12 in Atlanta. I hope the Falcons don't assume the same thing is going to happen because it's at the same venue, and it wasn't that long ago.
Prediction: Atlanta 28 - 17
Seahawks/Bears (Sunday 1:00 pm)
I have some personal interest in this game. But I pride myself on being a realistic fan of the teams I pull for. Example, the Bears are favored by 10 and that makes me nervous. The Seahawks rose up and handed the reigning Superbowl Champion Saint a knuckle sandwich last week. No one, and I mean no one, saw that coming. These guys are young and have nothing to lose....a VERY dangerous combination. Then there's the popular topic of the Gunslinger, Jay Cutler. You really do never know which Jay is going to show up each week. One thing you can count on, however, is that he's going to come to play. This is the first playoff game of Cutlers career. No one wants their playoff record to be 0 - 1. Another thing the Bears have in their favor isn't playing at home, but not having to travel to Seattle. The Seahawks won in week 6 at Solider Field, and that will keep the Bears defense hungry and grounded. I think this game will come down to Special Teams play. Kicking it to Hester would be the worst thing to happen to Seattle postseason football.
Prediction: Bears 21 - 13
Jets/Patriots (Sunday 4:30 pm)
I'm keeping this short and sweet. The Jets don't know when to shut their mouths.
Prediction: Patriots 35 - 7
That's my story, and I'm sticking to it.
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