With 5:16 left in the 4th

Some questions answered as I watch with 5:16 left in the 4th....

Can the Bears average secondaery step up and stop Wayne and Harrison? More or less
Can Urlacher stop Clark? Pretty Much
Which Grossman shows up tonight? The rookie That needs a lot of work

Is Manning an big game quarterback? In an open stadium? In the rain? Possibly, wasn't impressed
Is the Colt's defense for real? A resounding YES!
Can their fabulous O line hold off the Bears attack? OH YEAH!

Superbowl Pick

After getting my tail kicked in the Conference Finals, I have the audacity to pick DE GAME!
Can the Bears average secondaery step up and stop Wayne and Harrison?
Can Urlacher stop Clark?
Which Grossman shows up tonight?

Speaking of questions....
Is Manning an big game quarterback? In an open stadium? In the rain?
Is the Colt's defense for real?
Can their fabulous O line hold off the Bears attack?

We will find out. My pick, I think it will be close, Adam Veniteri close, but when the gun sounds the winner will be:

DA
BEARS!!

CONFERENCE TIME!!

Okay, we are nearing the end of this forced march called the NFL Playoffs. We are down to the final four, the best of the best.

New Orleans at Chicago 3:00 FOX
I would love to say that I think the Saints can use there offense to roll over the Bears and finish this Cinderella story in Miami. It won't be that easy. It all comes down to which Rex Grossman shows up at Soldier Field. The Saint's D, especially their secondary is suspect while the Bears, with the possible exception of the Ravens is the best in the league. Much like Grossman this is a coin toss.
Pick: New Orleans

New England at Indianapolis 6:30 CBS
Here we go again! Oh hell Indy's D looks really good, which has been the surprise of the playoffs, just ask the Ravens. Peyton hasn't looked especially good the last couple of weeks but it seems that they are doing just enough to win. However, I just can't pick Brady to lose a big one.
Pick New England

Divisonal PlayOffs Review

The road to the Superbowl XLI continues. There are some good games on tap with the highlight being in the AFC as Manning take on the Baltimore defense and New England tries to contain the force of nature that is LaDainian Tomlinson.

Saturday, Jan. 13
Indianapolis 15 Baltimore 6
Wanna see the stats for a defensive game?
IND: P. Manning (15-30, 170), D. Rhodes (14-56)
BAL: S. McNair (18-29, 173), M. Clayton (6-73)
Yep and it was about as interesting too, low score and sloppy offensive (yep in both senses of the word) play. Most of us were probably shocked... when we woke up. Indy moved on but Colts fans shouldn't get there hopes up. BTW was that Eli or Peyton QB-ing for Indy?
Pick: Baltimore (WRONG)

Philadelphia 24 New Orleans 27
DEUUUUUCE!
Pick: New Orleans

Sunday, Jan. 14
Seattle 24 at Chicago 27 1:00 pm FOX
Wow! Instead of bing a snoozer this was a fun and interesting game. I don't often like to be completely wrong but damn!
Pick: Seattle (WRONG)

New England 24 at San Diego 21 4:30 pm CBS
New England couldn't stop LT and they still won! Brady proves that in the last two minutes he is STILL the one you want behind center.
Pick: San Diego (WRONG)

Great games, for the most part, and I go a paltry 1-3 this week. Not detered in any way Conference picks coming up.

Divisional Playoffs Weekend

The road to the Superbowl XLI continues. There are some good games on tap with the highlight being in the AFC as Manning take on the Baltimore defense and New England tries to contain the force of nature that is LaDainian Tomlinson.

Saturday, Jan. 13
Indianapolis at Baltimore 4:30 pm CBS
Baltimore buzzsaws the Indy O-line and forces Peyton into an interception bonanza.
Pick: Baltimore

Philadelphia at New Orleans 8:00 pm FOX
Garcia has been phenomenal this season, however NOLA is at home and they have Brees, Bush, and DEUUUUUCE! Look for a tough battle, but the Saints will go marching into the next round of the playoffs.
Pick: New Orleans

Sunday, Jan. 14
Seattle at Chicago 1:00 pm FOX
The questions surrounding Hasselbeck are nothing compared to Lovie Smith's problems at QB. Griese or Grossman? Is there a third option? I don't see either one able to execute, even against a banged up Seattle secondary. The tipping point will be, can Hasselbeck return to form and perform against the Bears superior "D". I say yes, and go with a minor upset in an extremely close and maybe a snoozer of a game.
Pick: Seattle

New England at San Diego 4:30 pm CBS
Can the balanced New England attack keep up with #21? Well New England is a bit banged up in several key places, most notably Brady, who is nursing a shoulder injury. NE's secondary and D-line is also hurting, and that is bad news when you have to keep LT contained at the corners and stuffed up the middle. It'll be a close and exciting game, probably the best this weekend, but the Chargers move on to the Conference and the Pats go home.
Pick: San Diego

WIldcard Weekend In Review

Saturday, Jan. 6
Kansas City 8 Indianapolis 23 4:30 pm, NBC
Green looked horrible (14-24, 107) and Manning flung the ball all over the field going 30-38 (268yds) and Indy's pourous run defense stepped up and kept Johnson in check by allowing him only 32 yds rushing.
Pick: Indianapolis

Dallas 20 Seattle 21 8:00 pm, NBC
A wild game with an even wilder ending. Romo played better than I thought 17-29, 189, and almost wore the heroes halo. However the K-ball controversy steams up and a battered and bruised Seattle moves on to the Divisional round.
Pick: Seattle

Sunday, Jan. 7
N.Y. Jets 16 New England 37 1:00 pm, CBS
Oh sweet damn I shouldn't HAVE touched this game with a ten foot pole. This is what happens when you pick with your heart and not your head.
Pick: New York Jets (WRONG)

N.Y. Giants 20 at Philadelphia 23 4:30 pm, FOX
Giants end a disappointing season with a heartbreaker of a loss.
Pick: Philadelphia

Okay so here's the tally Wild card weekend record (3-1). Coming soon Divisional Playoff analysis and picks.

Flash Gordon, Quarterback New York Jets

Somehow this just encapsulates the Jets season......

You just didn't say that!

Thisis just sheer brilliance-I couldn't stop laughing at work!!

But it's so true!

WILDCARD WEEKEND!!!!!!!

THIS WEEK'S SCHEDULE

Each team name below links to the corresponding their depth chart; while the following goes to the injury list for wild card teams. So folks, grab your finger food of choice, your beverage of preference and GET READY FOR SOME FOOTBALL!!!!!

Saturday, Jan. 6
Kansas City at Indianapolis 4:30 pm, NBC
Trent Green (KC-QB) is nursing an injured ankle while two Indy wide-outs are questionable. Doesn't matter. This will be a shootout at the Dome and in those Peyton comes through, even in the playoffs.
Pick: Indianapolis

Dallas at Seattle 8:00 pm, NBC
Tough game with two tough teams. Can Romo rise to playoff caliber? I say no and Seattle puts the Cowboys out to pasture.
Pick: Seattle

Sunday, Jan. 7
N.Y. Jets at New England 1:00 pm, CBS
Oh sweet damn I shouldn't touch this game with a ten foot pole. After splitting the season series my hopes may to raised too high. I will go out on a limb here for the upset. The Jets have momentum and will beat the ultimate momentum killers, in a heart attack inducing game.
Pick: New York Jets

N.Y. Giants at Philadelphia 4:30 pm, FOX
The Giants haven't proved that they have moved on from the "Tenessee Massacre" a few weeks back. Hell, they almost went belly up against Washington. Eli is one bad game away from getting the nickname "Footsteps" Manning while other key players are battered and bruised. Philly is slightly hobbled, but Garcia has looked totally Pro-Bowl. The Eagles soar and end the Giants season.
Pick: Philadelphia

Results Week 17

Correct Pick are in Orange and BOLD, incorrect picks are in red.

Saturday. Dec 30, 8:00 PM
N.Y. Giants at Washington
While I was having flashback to the Titans game a few weeks ago, Tiki decided to force the issue. Glad I got this one wrong.
Pick: Washington
Result: Giants 34 Washington 20

Sunday, Dec. 31, 1:00 PM
Carolina at New Orleans
New Orleans barely tries and is able to avoid any major injuries. I like the Saints chances this year. Their strength is offence however their defence while not top flight is serviceable. They have the ability to go far in this wide open playoffs.
Pick: Carolina
Result: Carolina 31 N.O. 21

Cleveland at Houston
Houston wins against a team that makes Jeff Wiggle look like a bowl of French Roast Espresso.
Pick: Houston
Result: Houston 14 Cleveland 6

Detroit at Dallas
Shocked me, but hell, even John Kitna has good days.
Pick: Dallas
Result: Detroit 39 Dallas 31

Jacksonville at Kansas City
A nail biter, but these two excel at that.
Pick: KC
Result: KC 35 Jacksonville 30

New England at Tennessee
The team that never sleeps ends the reign of the comeback kid. However Steve Young is a player to watch next year.
Pick: NewEngland
Result: New England 40 Tennessee 23

Oakland at N.Y. Jets
The Jets finally an convincingly beat a bad team. On to New England.
Pick: NYJ
Result: NY Jets 23 Oakland 3

Pittsburgh at Cincinnati
Heartbreak and bad luck that's the Bengals' way. I give kudos to Cowher and the Steelers for playing so hard when their was nothing left to win but pride.
Pick: Cincinnati
Result: Pittsburgh 23 Cincinnati 17

Seattle at Tampa Bay
No reason to really go that deeply into this mercy killing.
Pick: Seattle
Result: Seattle 23 Tampa Bay 7

St. Louis at Minnesota
St. Louis ended the season by skewering the Vikings and the Vikings firing another head coach.
Pick: Minnesota
Result: St. Louis 41 Minnesota 21

Sunday. 4:15PM
Arizona at San Diego
San Diego dozes off but still has enough to beat the lowly Cards
Pick: San Diego
Result: San Diego 27 Arizona 21

Atlanta at Philadelphia
Philadelphia and a resurgent Jeff Garcia march on.
Pick: Philadelphia
Result: Philadelphia 24 Atlanta 17

Buffalo at Baltimore
Yep.
Pick: Baltimore
Result: Baltimore 19 Buffalo 7

Miami at Indianapolis
Well Indy proves they can win in the Dome, again, but can they win in the playoffs?
Pick: Indianapolis
Result: Indy 27 Miami 22

San Francisco at Denver
Broncos tamed, damn I should know better.
Pick: Denver
Result: San Fran 26 Denver 23

Sunday. 8:15 PM
Green Bay at Chicago
It was a pure nostalgia pick, but lets not forget... (phone rings) excuse me a sec. Hello? Hey LOVIE!!! Yeah whats up babe. Can I play quarterback?.......
Pick: Green Bay
Result: Green Bay 26 Chicago 7

This Week 11-5, Overall 22-9! Upcoming THE PLAYOFFS!!!! YEAH BABY!!!

J-E-T-S! MAKE THE PLAYOFFS!!!!

WEEK 17: For Whom The Bell Tolls

Saturday. Dec 30, 8:00 PM
N.Y. Giants at Washington
Oy! Besides all their efforts to the contrary the NY Meltdown's might still make the playoffs. I don't think they can recover enough to beat the improved Skins. Joe Gibb's ends the season on a winning note and the Giants slip to 7-9. What then for the Gints? They need Green Bay, Carolina, Atlanta and St. Louis to all lose on Sunday, which is entirely possible.
Pick: Washington

Sunday, Dec. 31, 1:00 PM
Carolina at New Orleans
Does rookie coach Payton play it safe and sit his A-team? Odds are he does. New Orleans has the division and the bye clinched. Carolina has everything to play for, especially if the Giants lose on Saturday. New Orleans puts the starters on vacation and Carolina wins.
Pick: Carolina

Cleveland at Houston
Yikes! Aren't the college bowl games on New Years Day?? Houston in a rout, like anybody gives a damn.
Pick: Houston

Detroit at Dallas
Can the Lions beat the playoff bound boys? Well the Lions ain't the Eagles, so Dallas wins... big.
Pick: Dallas

Jacksonville at Kansas City
A big game even though both teams are barely over .500. A win by either team can change the playoff picture, but both need a lot to happen make that happen. I like KC in this one.
Pick: KC

New England at Tennessee
Can Tennessee's comeback kid douse the playoff clinched Pats? Hard one here, but I take New England.
Pick: NewEngland

Oakland at N.Y. Jets
Okay win or lose the Jets season shocked everyone. Credit Mangini, and a relatively injury free season. The Jets seize their own destiny by stepping on Oakland's throat.
Pick: NYJ

Pittsburgh at Cincinnati
Can Pittsburgh finish a substandard 8-8 or finish a somewhat more humiliating 7-9.? Last year's Super Bowl champs get steamrolled by a hungry pack of Bengals.
Pick: Cincinnati

Seattle at Tampa Bay
Tampa was saved the embarrassment of not being Detroit, Cleavland or Oakland, but not by much. Watch Seattle fold, spindle, and mutilate the Bucs.
Pick: Seattle

St. Louis at Minnesota
Toughie this one...... (flips coin) Minnesota but only by a field goal
Pick: Minnesota

Sunday. 4:15PM
Arizona at San Diego
Kurt Warner goes behind center, maybe for the last time. Nostalgia's nice but he's no Steve McNair. Chargers zap the Cards.
Pick: San Diego

Atlanta at Philadelphia
The boys from Philly show Vick the love, by sacking him almost a half dozen times. The Eagles and the seemingly re-born Jeff Garcia leave Atlanta dangling from Independence Hall.
Pick: Philadelphia

Buffalo at Baltimore
Baltimore. Baltimore. Baltimore
Pick: Baltimore

Miami at Indianapolis
Miami in the last couple of week has shown glimpses of the team they could have been. Colts hide Manning from Z-Tom's hurtin' bombs and come up winners in a close one.
Pick: Indianapolis

San Francisco at Denver
ZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Pick: Denver

Sunday. 8:15 PM
Green Bay at Chicago
Farve's last game?? Pass me the Kleenex, seriously. With the possible exception of McNair Brett might be the toughest SOB in the league. This is pure nostalgia talkin' but Farve pulls one last rabbit out of the hat.
Pick: Green Bay

And there we have it week 17!

Week 16 in Review

Not too shabby, with my Week 16 picks. I went 11-4 with a couple of surprises along the way. The big one was Indy v. Houston. The Colts usually don't crumble like that unless its the playoffs! Houston does deserve its props because, despite their record, they are an underrated team.

I was thrown for a loop, that my Pats v. Jags pick almost came through. Damn did Jacksonville play that good or were the Pats just showing more chinks in their armor. Its irrelevant in the long run, 'cause those Damn Patriots just keep winning.

My wife was shocked when I picked Philly over Dallas, but I knew, as good as Romo seems to be he is not ready for prime time. T.O. just looked awful to me as well.

If the Jets season could be summed up in a movie title it would be "Waiting to Exhale." Well with Miami out fo the way, I am all set up for the crushing defeat at the hands of the Keystone Kops of 06..... Da Raydahs! Or will my Cardiac Jets surprise me?

As far as the Giants are concerned , They plummeted off "Heartbreak Ridge". The Saints defense impressed me as much as their sterling offense. I never understood why the Chargers gave up on Brees like that or why Deuce never received the recognition he has deserved for years. Wanna freak out a NYG fan walk up behind 'em and go "BUSH!" or "DEUUUUUUUCE!" If you are married to a Giants fan, as I am, take it from me... don't. Seriously.

8 PM Tonight
Chiefs (7-7) vs Raiders (2-12) Pick: Chiefs, Correct

Sunday 1PM
Panthers (6-8) vs Falcons (7-7) Pick: Panthers, Correct
Giants (7-7) vs Saints (9-5), Pick: Saints, Correct
Titans (7-7) vs Bills (7-7), Pick: Titans, Correct
Bucs (3-11) vs Brown (4-10) Pick: Browns, Wrong
Bears(12-2) vs Lions (2-12) Pick: Bears, Correct
Skins (5-9) vs Rams (6-8), Pick: Redskins, Correct
Ravens (11-3) vs Steelers (7-7), Pick: Ravens, Correct
Pats (10-4) vs Jags (8-6), Pick: Jags, Wrong
Colts (11-3) vs Texans (4-10), Pick: Colts, Wrong

Sunday 4PM
Cards (4-10) vs 49ers (6-8), Pick: Cardinals, Correct
Chargers (12-2) vs Seahawks (8-6), Pick: Chargers, Correct
Bengals (8-6) vs Broncos (8-6), Pick: Bengals, Wrong

Monday 5 PM
Eagles (8-6) vs Cowboys (9-5) Pick: Eagles, Correct

Monday 8:30 PM
Jets (8-6) vs Fins (6-8), Pick: Jets, Correct

Okay signing off until I get a better handle on Week 17; more specifically the all important injury report.