Wild Card Weekend Thoughts

Here are my musings and opinions on what transpired over Wild Card Weekend in the NFL:

- Man, the Ravens are good. I know they are a bit streaky, but when they are on, it is difficult to do anything against them. With the exception of one long touchdown run, the Ravens' D was dominant. Turnovers, sacks, pressure. Just beautiful. And I know that Suggs and Lewis get a ton of credit, but when will Jameel McClain get noticed. He is a solid young linebacker who finds himself in the right spot more often than not. No, I am not biased because McClain went to Syracuse... Well, maybe a little. Glad my AFC representative in the Super Bowl survives another week.

- KC, what happened. Was Charlie Weis leaving really that big of a blow that you lost all of your drive? Not impressed at all.

- Who the hell do the Seahawks think they are? Winning a playoff game? Boy, did everyone have that one wrong, including me. Roman Harper cannot cover at all, and Marshawn went full-out Beast Mode on that touchdown run. How the Saints seemed so ill-prepared is beyond me. How their defense came up so small boggles the mind. Greg Williams might have lost his head coaching job in Denver after that.

- We need a better definition of roughing the punter/running into the punter. I also fully endorse a 10-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for punters who flop in order to draw the penalty.

- Peyton Manning lost that game to the Jets. Why? He didn't challenge Revis once. I am sorry, but I don't buy the dominance of Revis Island, because I have seen him get beat. Randy Moss beat him so bad that he missed the following 3 games. Reggie Wayne has every right to be pissed as hell at Peyton for not throwing to him. Law of averages- your pro bowl WR is going to beat this corner once or twice, and they should have taken advantage. Not enough down field throws. Way too much running for the Colts. Just a terrible game plan all around. And Vinatieri is clutch as hell, but he can't play defense also. Stop the Jets on that last drive. Send some pressure. Just dismal.

- The Packers GMs and scouts should all get raises for finding all of these nobodies that just helped them dominate the Eagles. Random RBs and WRs that come together and provide Aaron Rodgers with weapons and a solid running game. NFC Super Bowl goes on the road and takes it from Vick and Co. Aaron looked pumped...



- Speaking of Mr. Vick: He gets hit too much. I know that isn't a fantastic insight or anything. Just a fact. He wants to make the big play with his feet when he is out of the pocket, and that just leads to him getting hit hard. The Eagles think they have their new QB. I would caution them and their fans, because Vick could keep missing 4-6 games a year with concussions, broken ribs and twisted ankles if he keeps this play up, and Kolb might not be there to fill in next season.

- Andy Reid lost another playoff game. When will people start pointing out that he comes up small too. With another QB. At home. Loss.


Enjoy your day, folks. I should be posting my predictions for this weekend tomorrow or Wednesday. Spoiler Alert, I am sticking with the Ravens and Packers as my Super Bowl picks.

The Great 8's

It would be a dream come true- To be in the same room with two of my favorite athletes of all time, to talk to them about their sports, get autographs, get to know them. Well, the people that paid $800 a ticket to a charity event got just that. Cal Ripken Jr and Alexander Ovechkin got together for a fund-raising event. I am jealous of those that could afford to go, and hope that they cared about these two like real fans do. Here's a nice article about the event.

Pens-Caps 24/7

HBO ended it's 4-part series on the Washington Capitals and the evil Pittsburgh Penguins last night. It was fantastic, and I am not saying that just because the Caps won the Winter Classic 3-1 on New Years Night. No, I am saying it because it captured the personalities of all of the players and coaches. It gave the fans an inside look at their teams. It provided a story of the slumping Caps turning their season around and taking down their rivals in a matter of weeks. I loved it. Dan Steinberg of the Washington Post loved it too. If you have a chance, find it online, on demand or wait for it to come to DVD. Great series, and great win. GO CAPS!

NFL Wild Card Week Predictions

Hello everyone! Now that it is the playoffs, I figured I would give you my predictions (and my crazy reasons behind them) for the 4 games on this weekend's Wild Card slate. We will start in the NFC.

Saints at Seahawks:

Yes, I know that Qwest Field has an amazing atmosphere, and is one of the toughest places to play. Yes, I know that the 12th man can be intimidating. However, I also know that the Seahawks are in the playoffs with a losing record- the first time that has ever happened. I also know that the Saints finished at 12-4, and beat the #1 seed on the road. They are a little banged up, but I don't see how Drew Brees lets the cool Seattle air stop him from moving the Saints through to the 2nd Round and a match up with the Bears. Give me Who Dat Nation, 24-10.

Packers at Eagles:

I was wrong about how good the Eagles would be, but that is because I didn't factor in Vick in my preseason predictions. He has been outstanding (for the most part) and actually looks like he knows how to throw now. He is solid, McCoy, Maclin and DeShawn are solid. However, Aaron Rodgers is just as good with his arm, Greg Jennings will be the best WR on the field, Donald Driver always makes big plays when they matter, and the Packers aren't as banged up as the Eagles are. Green Bay might be the hottest team in the playoffs (NFC at least. Calm down, New England), and I think they will be able to go into Philly a second time and upset the NFC East champions. It'll be a shootout, but I like the Packers 20-17.


And now onto the AFC!

Jets at Colts:

Rex says that it is personal. I say the Ryan brothers are a combined 0-6 playing Peyton when he actually cared. The Jets look less impressive than they did in the middle of the season, and Sanchez's arm is a bit dinged up. At least he doesn't have to play outside this week. It will be closer than some Colts fans would like, but Peyton Manning will advance his team at least one round. Give me Indy 17-14 at home.

Ravens at Chiefs

I think the playoff seeding worked out great for the Ravens. They don't have to go play Peyton, who has a tendency to destroy them. Instead, they get to go face KC in Arrowhead. While it isn't a sure thing, the Ravens should be able to control the ball and keep it away from the Chiefs' dangerous running attack. Suggs, Lewis, Ngata and the rest of the D will be able to get to Cassel before he has a chance to find Bowe deep, and Ed Reed will always be lurking for a slightly messed-up throw. I don't think that the Chiefs' corners can contain Mason or Boldin either. Am I biased because I picked them to go to the Super Bowl? Sure. But it doesn't mean I am wrong. Quoth the Ravens, 21-13.

Enjoy your weekend of football!

The Russian Spy

Fantastic mew SportsCenter commercial featuring the most exciting man in sports-

Happy New Year

I completely forgot to do this, but Happy New Year to you all, 3 days late. I hope 2011 is infinitely better to you than 2010 was to all of us.

A Look Back at My NFL Predictions

Ok, so let's look at the teams I said would win the divisions, and my picks for the wild cards as we head into the NFL playoffs.

NFC:

Predictions
East: Dallas
South: New Orleans
North: Green Bay
West: San Francisco
Wild Cards: Washington and Minnesota


Actual
East: Philadelphia
South: Atlanta
North: Chicago
West: Seattle
Wild Cards: Green Bay and New Orleans

Ok, so not my best work. I, like everyone else, figured the Cowboys would build on last year and take the NFC East. I also had far too much faith in Mike Shanahan, who doesn't know how to coach. I didn't think that the Eagles would do well because I have no faith in Kevin Kolb. They won with Mike Vick. I think my pick was still valid, because they didn't make the playoffs with him as the starter. I had Atlanta at 9-7, and they did even better, getting the #1 seed in the playoffs. New Orleans will be a tough match for any time, and at 12-4 were good enough to win every other division. Chicago surprised me too. Cutler wasn't terrible, and the Packers were injured, but still gutted out the 6-seed. As for Seattle... Well, they made with a losing record, so me picking the 49ers doesn't count because that division doesn't count this season.


AFC

Predictions
East: Miami
South: Indianapolis
North: Baltimore
West: San Diego
Wild Cards: Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Oakland and Kansas City all tied at 10-6

Actual
East: New England
South: Indianapolis
North: Pittsburgh
West: Kansas City
Wild Cards: Baltimore and New York Jets

Record-wise, with a lot of these teams, I wasn't far off. The Jets managed to do well in spite of Sanchez late in the season. Miami went 7-9, and will fire their coach and QB because of it. New England and Tom Brady (my fantasy football heartthrob) showed why they are a dominant franchise, getting rid of Randy Moss and improving. Indy won it again, but didn't win 12 like I said they would. The streak is over. The Steelers won 3 of their first 4, all without Big Ben. The Ravens had a few disappointing losses that cost them the top spot. I still like them in the playoffs and to get to the Super Bowl. Kansas City might be my favorite pick. I didn't have them winning the division, but I did get their record exactly right. Booyah to that. They will have a tough time against the Ravens though.



Other predictions I liked:

- Oakland going 10-6. They didn't do it, but 8-8 and 6-0 in the AFC West is very impressive. Jason Campbell looked great in a new city, and I am happy for him.

- Tampa Bay's young guys being solid. I told you Mike Williams would be good. I told you I liked Josh Freeman. They just got a lot better a lot faster than I thought they would. I thought 2011 would be their year. Instead, 2010 saw them win 10 games. LeGarrette Blount might be a new star RB, and Freeman looks like the best QB in that draft. And, oh yeah, MIKE WILLIAMS!

- Picking Ahmad Bradshaw in fantasy. Yeah, he had fumble problems. But he also helped me win two of my leagues with his carrying and catching.

- Drafting Clinton Portis in fantasy. Did he do anything? No. Did I trade him for Calvin Johnson, straight up, because my friend was desperate for a starting RB and approached me with the trade? Yes I did. Thank you Andrew.

- Being Wacko for Flacco. Back to the playoffs for the 3rd straight year.

Predictions I kind of regret:

- Anything I said about the Redskins that was positive.

- Having faith in Carolina

- Having faith in Miami

- Having little faith in St. Louis, Buffalo and Detroit. All did better than I said.

- Drafting Ryan Matthews in fantasy. Not a good season, until week 15.

- Russel Okung being miles better than Trent Williams, though neither is as good as Roger Saffold.

Well, there it is. I got some right. I got some wrong. My Super Bowl picks, Baltimore and Green Bay, are still alive. Enjoy the playoffs!