Are you ready for some FOOTBAAAAALLLL?!
I am. I'm ready for this stupid weekend to be over so the Bears can put their award-winning coach and middle linebacker on display for the whole nation to see. But first, let me tell you how this weekend's games are gonna go down...
Game 1: Redskins at Buccaneers - If Tampa wants to win, they'll have to get to Brunell early and often. The Washington O-line is too big for Tampa's D, which is based largely on speed and quickness, and attacking the ball. If they don't disrupt the pass game early, they'll end up on their heels watching Clinton Portis run for about 175 yards. Last matchup went to Tampa, thanks to a big game from Chris Simms (279 yds, 3 TD) who led a 4th quarter drive for the win. Sadly for the Bucs, this is Simms' first playoff appearance, and he's facing a good Washington defense that will be looking for revenge. I look for Washington to jump out to a 10 or 14 point lead, with Tampa riding rookie Cadillac Williams back into the game in the second and third quarters. In the end, the experience of Mark Brunell versus Chris Simms will lead the 'Skins to victory. Call it 23-16 Washington.
Game 2: Jaguars at Patriots - Everybody is picking the Patriots in this game. That's sad, because with the exception of a fluke 24-21 loss to the Rams, the Jacksonvill has toughed out every victory they should have all season. Past the Rams, they lost two to Indy and one to a Denver team that completely shut down their running attack (high rusher: Fred Taylor with 14 yards). Usually, a 12-4 team that won 4 out of 5 games without their starting QB gets that QB back and is a home favorite over a 10-6 squad that lost some crappy games throughout the year. Of course, usually that 10-6 team isn't the defending champions and one of the hotter teams in football (you can ignore that last-game loss to Miami where Matt Cassell played QB). This particular sports enthusiast believes the Pats have been severely overhyped. With the exception of one very impressive 28-0 drubbing of the Bucs (in the snow, where Tampa's Twinkletoes tend to flop), the Pats haven't beaten a quality opponent since Week 5, when they edged the arguably decent Falcons 31-28. Before that, they sneaked out a 23-20 win at Pittsburgh. The Patriots' other seven wins are against crappy teams: the Jets twice, Buffalo twice, Oakland, New Orleans and Miami. Now, we can't blame them for being in a stinky division, but I'm not as high on the Champs as Bristol seems to be. If only because I am loathe to agree with all eight ESPN "football experts," I take the Jags here. If Leftwich is really healthy, I see him as a big-game QB who'll have a big game against an overrated, injury-depleted Patriots' squad. Call it 27-24 Jacksonville.
Okay folks, there's your betting guide. I'll be back to recount my success and tell you about tomorrow's games later...
Game 1: Redskins at Buccaneers - If Tampa wants to win, they'll have to get to Brunell early and often. The Washington O-line is too big for Tampa's D, which is based largely on speed and quickness, and attacking the ball. If they don't disrupt the pass game early, they'll end up on their heels watching Clinton Portis run for about 175 yards. Last matchup went to Tampa, thanks to a big game from Chris Simms (279 yds, 3 TD) who led a 4th quarter drive for the win. Sadly for the Bucs, this is Simms' first playoff appearance, and he's facing a good Washington defense that will be looking for revenge. I look for Washington to jump out to a 10 or 14 point lead, with Tampa riding rookie Cadillac Williams back into the game in the second and third quarters. In the end, the experience of Mark Brunell versus Chris Simms will lead the 'Skins to victory. Call it 23-16 Washington.
Game 2: Jaguars at Patriots - Everybody is picking the Patriots in this game. That's sad, because with the exception of a fluke 24-21 loss to the Rams, the Jacksonvill has toughed out every victory they should have all season. Past the Rams, they lost two to Indy and one to a Denver team that completely shut down their running attack (high rusher: Fred Taylor with 14 yards). Usually, a 12-4 team that won 4 out of 5 games without their starting QB gets that QB back and is a home favorite over a 10-6 squad that lost some crappy games throughout the year. Of course, usually that 10-6 team isn't the defending champions and one of the hotter teams in football (you can ignore that last-game loss to Miami where Matt Cassell played QB). This particular sports enthusiast believes the Pats have been severely overhyped. With the exception of one very impressive 28-0 drubbing of the Bucs (in the snow, where Tampa's Twinkletoes tend to flop), the Pats haven't beaten a quality opponent since Week 5, when they edged the arguably decent Falcons 31-28. Before that, they sneaked out a 23-20 win at Pittsburgh. The Patriots' other seven wins are against crappy teams: the Jets twice, Buffalo twice, Oakland, New Orleans and Miami. Now, we can't blame them for being in a stinky division, but I'm not as high on the Champs as Bristol seems to be. If only because I am loathe to agree with all eight ESPN "football experts," I take the Jags here. If Leftwich is really healthy, I see him as a big-game QB who'll have a big game against an overrated, injury-depleted Patriots' squad. Call it 27-24 Jacksonville.
Okay folks, there's your betting guide. I'll be back to recount my success and tell you about tomorrow's games later...
posted by Kolsky at 1:48 PM
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