“Special Edition” Playoff Pick ‘em & Beat the Spread
On the eve of the conference championships, we have two intriguing match ups to look forward to as the Steelers face the Patriots and the Eagles face the Falcons. Both home teams are from Pennsylvania where the weather is going to be extremely harsh. Let us first examine the AFC Championship game.
Patriots vs. Steelers
In this game, do not look for a repeat performance from their previous match up on Halloween. Pittsburgh will still bring their same game style, nothing but hard nosed football as they attempt to run the football over the Patriots. The Steelers front line is very good and I do continue to see success in their running game, however, New England will be able to cheat and bring Harrison up into the box to stop the run. Why? They probably noticed much like everyone else that Roethlisberger’s hand is still not 100%, as he almost threw that game away against the Jets. If the Patriots do bring the pressure, I do not see Roethlisberger beating the Patriots secondary. Cowher would rather play field position than risk any interceptions this time around. As for New England, I see Belichick confusing the Steelers D by throwing for a whole series before establishing Dillon. This will be a dogfight, and the team that commits the crucial turnover will be going home. Will the Steelers special teams not lose it for them this time, that proved to be their Achilles heel last time when the Patriots went on to the Superbowl. So my prediction, classic Patriots style, last second field goal by Mr. Clutch in the snow.
Patriots 16 Steelers 13
Take the Steelers +3 ½ and under 34 ½
Falcons vs. Eagles
Will the loss of T.O. really be that big of a difference in this game? I did not see it last week against the Vikings; then again the Vikings should not have been in that position to begin with. Atlanta’s D has not been solid lately; however, they make the big plays when it counts. As long as they contain the Eagles receivers and punish them at the line, they should make this game really interesting. Thanks to Westbrook, guys like Pinkston, Mitchell, and Lewis have been receiving one-on-one coverage. Westbrook will be the key man once again in this game and it will be up to the veterans on the Falcons D like Brooking to keep him contained out of the backfield. McNabb has been making good decisions of late and I do not see him losing the game this time around, but will their defense be able to contain Super Vick? If it wasn’t for Michael Vick, the Falcons would be another boring team to watch, with no chance of ever reaching the playoffs. His presence has been so crucial that opposing defenses have to prepare a brand new scheme whenever they face Vick. Knowing Jimmy Johnson, he will not change his scheme much and will continue to use his men to blitz Vick incessantly. Will Vick stay composed and make the right decisions, that much I do not know. I do see Vick burning the Eagles on some blitzes as he scrambles out of the pocket. The underlying factor here is the experience, and the Eagles have it this year. Trotter and the defense will contain Dunn and Duckett forcing Vick to the air. That is where the question mark is, and I err on the side of the Eagles secondary led by the veteran leadership of Dawkins. Eagles finally pull it off with an emotional victory.
Eagles 31 Falcons 27
Take the Falcons +6 and over 37
Patriots vs. Steelers
In this game, do not look for a repeat performance from their previous match up on Halloween. Pittsburgh will still bring their same game style, nothing but hard nosed football as they attempt to run the football over the Patriots. The Steelers front line is very good and I do continue to see success in their running game, however, New England will be able to cheat and bring Harrison up into the box to stop the run. Why? They probably noticed much like everyone else that Roethlisberger’s hand is still not 100%, as he almost threw that game away against the Jets. If the Patriots do bring the pressure, I do not see Roethlisberger beating the Patriots secondary. Cowher would rather play field position than risk any interceptions this time around. As for New England, I see Belichick confusing the Steelers D by throwing for a whole series before establishing Dillon. This will be a dogfight, and the team that commits the crucial turnover will be going home. Will the Steelers special teams not lose it for them this time, that proved to be their Achilles heel last time when the Patriots went on to the Superbowl. So my prediction, classic Patriots style, last second field goal by Mr. Clutch in the snow.
Patriots 16 Steelers 13
Take the Steelers +3 ½ and under 34 ½
Falcons vs. Eagles
Will the loss of T.O. really be that big of a difference in this game? I did not see it last week against the Vikings; then again the Vikings should not have been in that position to begin with. Atlanta’s D has not been solid lately; however, they make the big plays when it counts. As long as they contain the Eagles receivers and punish them at the line, they should make this game really interesting. Thanks to Westbrook, guys like Pinkston, Mitchell, and Lewis have been receiving one-on-one coverage. Westbrook will be the key man once again in this game and it will be up to the veterans on the Falcons D like Brooking to keep him contained out of the backfield. McNabb has been making good decisions of late and I do not see him losing the game this time around, but will their defense be able to contain Super Vick? If it wasn’t for Michael Vick, the Falcons would be another boring team to watch, with no chance of ever reaching the playoffs. His presence has been so crucial that opposing defenses have to prepare a brand new scheme whenever they face Vick. Knowing Jimmy Johnson, he will not change his scheme much and will continue to use his men to blitz Vick incessantly. Will Vick stay composed and make the right decisions, that much I do not know. I do see Vick burning the Eagles on some blitzes as he scrambles out of the pocket. The underlying factor here is the experience, and the Eagles have it this year. Trotter and the defense will contain Dunn and Duckett forcing Vick to the air. That is where the question mark is, and I err on the side of the Eagles secondary led by the veteran leadership of Dawkins. Eagles finally pull it off with an emotional victory.
Eagles 31 Falcons 27
Take the Falcons +6 and over 37
posted by N©23 at 8:44 PM
2 Comments:
Good predictions. What are your thoghts on the Super Bowl?
Still gonna think about it, but you can't go against the Patriots at this point, they are too good.
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