That Was Football Heaven

What a day, both games came right down to the wire and both should have gone to overtime, thanks Billy Cundiff. I did finally lose a game since the Giants won but 9-1 ain't to shabby, and I'm happy the Giants ended my run. As bad as it may be that I have to hear about the Patriots for two weeks, I'm very excited for the rematch. I will bleed blue on February 5th.

AFC --- First off, let me say this, Joe Flacco impressed me today. 22/36, 306 yards, 2 TD's, yes his one INT was bad but TFB gave it right back to the Ravens on the next play. He threw the game winning TD pass to Lee Evans and he dropped it (Former Bills luck), but he gave the Ravens a chance to tie it in the last minute. Next, even though his teammates didn't throw him under the bus, Billy Cundiff is a bum. That kick was worse than the Mike Vanderjagt kick against the Steelers in the '05 playoffs. To have your season end on a kicker shanking one has to kill you. John Harbaugh/Ray Rice/T-Fizzle's face looked just like the Colts players did in '05. Also, Tom F. Brady did not play his best game and I really don't know why. He only got sacked once. T-Fizzle (His new nickname, coined by #1 Patriots fan Matthew Lee) from Ball So Hard U was never heard from, in the biggest game of James Harrison's and LaMarr Woodley's career, aka SB XLIII, they combined for 2 sacks, forced fumble, and a 100 yard pick six, just saying. Either way Tommy Boy missed a wide open Gronk for six early in the game and never really seemed comfortable in the pocket. Props to the Pats though, winning ugly isn't a stat and that's what they did. 5 Super Bowl appearances since 2001 is incredible. I hate them, but I will tip my cap to that amount of success.

NFC --- My first loss of the postseason but, "I am 8-0 this postseason, I am due for a loss so expect the unexpected. Good luck to Giants fans, I am rooting for them." I love quoting myself. The Niners defense showed up. They are my favorite NFC defense, like wow. They never miss a tackle. They get to the QB (6 sacks, 12 QB hits). If they didn't hit each other they would create turnovers. Aggressive is all I'm trying to say. I also believe in destiny and all that stuff. This is the same exact story of the 2007 Giants. They stink mid-year, everyone counts them out, they got hot and sneak into the playoffs, they go on the road beat the Packers, Lawrence Tynes hits a game winning overtime field goal in the NFC Championship to get to the Super Bowl to play the AFC's #1 seed New England Patriots. We have all seen this movie before. However this time around, I think Eli is the best QB in the league (let that settle in your brain for a minute), I honestly believe that. He has the pocket presence, he's not afraid to take a hit, accuracy, and he has weapons. He will not be the MVP this year because Rodgers and Brees had better numbers, but Giant fans at least give him credit because you would have been 4-12 without him.

GIANTS/PATRIOTS II --- You are going to have to wait for my prediction on that one. Thanks for reading.

Conference Championships

On Monday I knew what my picks were going to be. Ravens +7.5 and Giants +2.5, outright winners Patriots and Giants. However through the week I've started question my picks. I feel like the public loves the Giants, so they will clearly lose now. The public also loves the Pats and Joe Flacco is getting called out by the second best safety of my generation (anyone who thinks he's better than Troy Polamalu, shut up). But everyone loves the Pats and expect them to win.
I've been going back and forth in my mind about what is actually going to happen. If I was forced to make a pick Friday I would have gone with the Niners -2.5 and Pats -7.5, but Saturday I had a chat with Subway Joe. He said, "I win more often when I stick with my gut feeling." He's on the Pats -7.5 and Giants outright (love Subway Joe, he has an actual bookie, but he doesn't listen to me, and I give him winners, just saying). Either way he made a great point so here we go. I am 8-0 outright this postseason, just saying.

Patriots 27, Ravens 23 --- BAL +7.5. I am suppose to be rooting for the Ravens, but it's a lose lose situation for me. If the Ravens win then I have to hear about how Joe Flacco is an elite QB, plus then I have to handle two weeks of T-Sizzle talking junk about either NFC team, wait that sounds pretty fun (kind of like what Joey Porter did in Super Bowl XL). Honestly it would be entertaining to see the Ravens during media day because they say whatever the hell they want (Steeler mentality), sure we may offend you but we are here to win the game. I'll be rooting for the Black and Purple but I'm not sure if they will be able to stop the Gronk, Aaron Hernandez, and Wes Welker. If they can keep the Patriots in the mid 20's they will have a shot, but Flacco needs to show up. If the Pats do win I hope I lose on the spread and they kill the Ravens by 20 or more and Joe Flacco throws 3 or more INT's. However the Ravens have only lost by more than a TD 11% of the time under Jimmy Harbaugh, so I'll take those odds and hope my New Rochelle homie, aka Ray Rice keeps them in the game.

49ers 21, Giants 17 --- SF -2. I have no idea on this game. I want the Giants to win. But I have seen the Niners play two full games this year. Aldon Smith dominated the Steelers O-Line (sure that's not an amazing task) but last week he got after Aaron Rodgers. Another reason I like the Niners, Dashon Goldson. I don't get impressed often by a player I've never heard of (he is a pro bowler, so I should have known him) but wow. Last week against the Saints, he was a combo of Ed Reed and Polamalu. Add in Patrick Willis, Carlos Rogers, Navarro Bowman, former Bungal great, Justin Smith. The defense is hard to deal with. My gut also tells me Mike Iupati, Joe Staley, and Anthony Davis control the Giants front 4 (sorry JPP, you are a beast). All that being said I wouldn't want to be a Niners fan if they are up by less than a TD with 5 minutes left and Eli is about to get the ball.

Regardless if the Giants lose, Eli is a top 5 QB right now. Top 5 in order... 1. TFB (that hurts, but he has been to 6 AFC Championships in 11 full seasons) 2. Big Ben (kiss the 2 rings) 3. Eli Manning (Peyton overshadows him, but the Giants would have won 4 games without him this year, similar to the colts). 4/5. It's a tie between Drew BREEEEESSSS and Aaron Rodgers, Yes Drew set some records this year and Aaron beat the Steelers in the SB last year but I'll take 2 super bowls over 1 every day of the week.

So my Super Bowl prediction is Patriots vs 49ers. I am 8-0 this postseason, I am due for a loss so expect the unexpected. Good luck to Giants fans, I am rooting for them.

And the home of the JETS

I really didn't want to make this post out of respect to one of my friends who is a huge Jets fan and took me to the Giants at Jets game. I'll root for the Jets 9 times out of 10 because I want you to feel the like a winner, like my Steelers have twice in my life. I have Patriot friends also but the Pats have broken my heart far too many times. The Jets are a little like the Ravens, sure they beat the Steelers in the regular season but come playoff time, lets be honest we know what happens.

Reason to blow up the team but your owner Woody/ GM Tannebaum are too stubborn to fire Rexy --- I loved Hard Knocks, I think Rex is hilarious and his players do love him. But I am getting the feeling that he is a tad like Norv Turner/Wade Phillips (aka made to a coordinator, not a head coach). The real meaning of this post is about to happen. Yo Holmes. Yo Holmes. As a Steeler fan I will tell you when I heard they traded a Super Bowl MVP for a 5th round pick, I was pissed off. He was drafted to be the number one option for Big Ben and he was well one his way, just like Plaxico was (yeah, he's Jet also), but he decided to smoke weed like it was his job so Dan Rooney (who is smarter than me) said, "if you aren't 100% sold into being a Steeler, than get out" (made up quote but its the truth).
Sure I was heated when they let him go, but gun to your head right now, would you take Yo Holmes over Mike Wallace and Antonio Brown...Don't worry I'll wait for your answer (2 pro-bowlers, if you didn't know).

Now onto the real message of this post. When the Steelers decide an offensive player isn't worth the money to pay for their huge contract, please listen (defense gets a bit of a break because they grow linebackers on trees). This post is mainly at Plaxico and Yo Holmes. When the Steelers traded/didn't resign either player I was upset because they were great weapons.
Sure Plax had the game winning SB XLII catch and was a huge part of the Giants, but he then shot himself in the leg with a gun. Yes. Shot himself. The Steelers have won twice without him.
Now onto Yo Holmes (aka Santonio Holmes, for those who didn't know). Bro, Bro, you had a hall of fame career in your hands. Straight up play maker with the mindset of Hines Ward. I will always respect the fact that you carried the Steelers to the SB XLIII championship. The punt return against the Chargers, Catch and run vs the Ravens, and then the best play in SB history. But you love your weed. With all that being said, I am proud to say the Steelers made the greatest decision I have ever seen.
What has he does as a Jet? He got straight cash homie. What else? If he was a team player he would make Nacho Sanchize better than Joe Flacco (which isn't much but its better than Caleb Hanie) (double quotations? yeah that was a shot at both Nacho and Flacccccooooo), Yo Holmes, from THE Ohio State University, has his ring and SB MVP and guaranteed cash. He has no motivation. I feel bad the Jets got suckered into his act but they need to cut him and they needed to cut him yesterday.
The fact that Rexy named him a captain is why I think he was made to be a coordinator. Big Ben isn't even a captain because Mike Tomlin understands the whole Rapelisberger ordeal. The 3 Jets captains should have been Mangold, Bart Scott, and LT.

In conclusion, I love Rex, he is entertaining and all but I honestly don't think he has it in him to win it all (sorry guns). I feel like deep down most Jet fans will agree that he and Nacho have two more years left to prove themselves, and I would take Tomlin/Big Ben, Brady/Belichick, Luck/Manning/I would be a better coach than Jim Caldwell, Schaub/Kubiak, Phil Rivers/oh wait Norv is their coach still, notice how I left out Flacccccoooo and all other north QB's.

Either way I named 5 teams in the AFC that I would take over yours and that's biased because I'm not a Flacco guy or an Andy Dalton fan. In all honestly the Jets need to clean house, which they will not do, but I know how this story ends....Rexy gets fired, Nacho gets the boot and becomes Matt Leinart/David Carr, and the Jets end out being a playoff contender every year but Super Bowl?!?!

Child Please.

My Worst Nightmare

Before I get into this post, can I get a little love for the fact that I am 8-0 for the first two rounds of the playoffs.

I knew it was coming. Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots in the AFC Championship. The two teams I hate the most fighting for a spot in the Super Bowl. No matter who wins I have to deal with another two weeks of Super Bowl coverage on a hated team. My top five all-time most hated teams go like this, Patriots, Ravens, Yankees, Duke, Team Canada. This will be the heavyweight battle sunday.

Root for the Ravens? --- They are from the AFC North, so I can at least feel good that the Steelers lost the division to best team in the AFC. I also respect the way the play. Their style is very much like the Steelers. Play great defense (apparently not against Tebow) and run the ball (well that's 70's Steelers). I really do respect Ray Lewis. He is and will be the greatest linebacker I have ever seen play, plus if they win the Super Bowl he may retire. Also when I attended Iona, I met Ray Rice's uncle and I love/hate that little guy. He's tough to bring down and always seems to make big plays (only added the hate because he kills the Steelers). The reason why it would kill me for them to win the AFC is because of Joe Flacco. He sounds a lot like Roberto Luongo. Why are we suppose to pump his tires? What has he ever won? He manages the game. I'll be honest he throws a great deep ball, but take Ray Rice off the team and he is Tarvaris Jackson. For him to even be mentioned as a top 10 QB makes me sick. If he gets to the Super Bowl he then makes himself the Ravens starter for at least 5 more years.

Root for the Patriots? --- Their only positive, Joe Flacco doesn't play for them. It's not only that the Patriots have broken my heart far too many times, 2001 and 2004 AFC Championships. I'll never get those memories out of my mind. '01 TFB gets hurt and Drew Bledsoe beats them along with a Troy Brown punt return. '0415-1, Big Ben's rookie year in the Big Ketchup bottle, Rodney Harrison 98 yard pick six, Deion Branch waving goodbye to the crowd on a long td catch. Plus every CBS game Jimmy and Phil never say a bad word about the organization. I really don't want Bill "the bum" Belichick or Tom F. Brady to win their fourth to match Chuck Noll and Terry Bradshaw.

Final Decision --- Lets go RAVENS. If the Ravens win the AFC they keep Chuck Noll as the head coach with the most rings. Hopefully T-Sizzle from Ball So Hard U can get to TFB and joe flacccoooo doesn't screw up. Either way whoever gets to SB XLVI, I will be rooting for the Giants or 49ers.

Divisional Playoffs Day 2

I started yesterdays post with the stat that home teams have never gone 8-0 in the first two rounds of the playoffs. They are currently 6-0, thanks to the 49ers and Patriots winning. If I were the Packers or the Giants I would not want to face the 49ers. Their defense is tough. They make every hit count and try to take the ball away on every play. Also apparently Alex Smith is pretty good in the 4th quarter. As for the Patriots, they played pretty well. I have no idea how the Steelers lost to the Broncos now.

Ravens 24, Texans 14 --- BAL -7.5. Similar to the 49ers this is the first Ravens home playoff game in a while. They are going to be pumped up. The defense should be able to stop TJ Yates, however Arian Foster should be able to slow down the pace of the game and keep the Texans in the game for awhile. As for the Ravens offense just give the ball to Ray Rice. DO NOT let Flacco throw more than 25 times. Joe Flacco is my most hated athlete. Why are we suppose to pump his tires? What has he ever won? Call me when you win a Super Bowl pal and even when you do it will only mean you are a little better than Trent Dilfer. Your team will win you a super bowl, it will have nothing to do with you. Sorry, not a Flacco guy, but the Ravens will win today.

Giants 34, Packers 31 --- NYG +7.5. The first home team to lose in the playoffs will be the defending Super Bowl Champions. The Giants will come into Lambeau and get the win today. I think this will happen because Eli and the Giants offense are playing as well as the Packers offense, so they will be able to score with them. As for the defense it's clear who has the edge. JPP and the Giants d-line will be able to get to Aaron Rodgers, similar to the way the 49ers got to Drew BREEEESSS. Sure Brees threw for over 400 yards and had 4 TD's but he also had 2 INT's and didn't look comfortable in the pocket until the 4th quarter. I think the Giants will be able to do the same thing to Rodgers. He will make some great throws and they will be able to score but the Giants will create one or two key turnovers to lead to the win.

Divisional Playoffs Day 1

All four home teams won in the wild card round. Home teams have never gone 8-0 in the first two rounds of the playoffs, so which home team will go down this week. I don't think either home team loses today but I like both underdogs to keep it close and one to win.

49ers 20, Saints 17 --- SF +4. I won't shock me if DREW BREEEESSS carries the Saints to a victory today against the 49ers. However the Saints have never won a road playoff game in franchise history. Also the Niners are rested and will be pumped up for the fact that this is there first home playoff game since 2003. I think rookie Aldon Smith gets to Brees and possibly forces a key turnover. The Niners should also be able to key the Saints offense off the field with time killing drives due to a strong running game.

Patriots 34, Broncos 28 --- DEN +13.5. Everything in my brain tells me that the Patriots should roll the Broncos and win this game easily. However the Pats have lost their last two playoff games and are on 3-14 against the spread when favorited at home in the playoffs. Also add in the fact that Tebowmania is rolling again. Something in my bones tells me the Broncos keep the game close. Their defense should be able to get to Tom Brady a few times and make him a tad jittery in the pocket. The GRONK will not be stopped today which will be the difference, but there is chance Tebow Time will happen.

Wild Card Round Day 2

Yesterday was very predictable. The Bengals became the Bungals again turning the ball over 3 times and DREW BREEEEEESSS throws for 466 yards and 3 touchdowns. I'm expecting to get shocked today, and that will most likely end out making me cry or at least hitting something.

Giants 27, Falcons 21 --- NYG -3. I would not want to be the team facing the Giants right now. They have a very similar feel to the 2007 Super Bowl Champions team. 2 straight wins to win the NFC East. Eli Manning has proven that he is a top 5 quarterback in the league, while Matt Ryan is 0-2 in playoff games. I think the Giants will be able to slow down Michael Turner and also be able to get to Matty Ice.

Broncos 13, Steelers 10 --- DEN +9. Stone cold lead pipe lock. Bet your house, your kids, your wife that the Broncos cover the spread. I think they win the game outright. It makes no sense at all, I know this. The Steelers have not let up a touchdown during the past two weeks, while the Broncos have lost three straight and only managed a field goal last week to back their way into the AFC West crown. People are overlooking the fact the the Steelers won't have Ryan Clark or Maurkice Pouncey and oh yeah, the quarterback is playing on a bum ankle. They are also 5-3 and on the road and traveling to Denver is always a challenge. Say I'm crazy but I know exactly how this game is going to happen. The Steelers will be in the lead the entire game and will appear to be dominating, however they will get held to field goals. Shaun Suisham will miss at least one field goal, trust that. Meanwhile Tebow will most likely get bottled up but will make one or two deep throws that will get the Broncos in field goal range and eventually with under five minutes left they will get into the endzone. Thus, the Steelers are about to get Tebowed. I'm probably the only person in the world that thinks this is going to happen and I really hope I'm wrong, but watch the game I'll be right.

Playoff football is almost a painful experience for me now after the Super Bowl last year, just thinking about that game makes me sick. Maybe the Browns have it figured out, just don't to the playoffs and you don't have the anxiety of waiting for your season to end to an 8-8 team with a terrible QB. PLAYOFFS?!?!

Wild Card Round Day 1

This may not be my longest post ever because it's January 7th and it's 60 degrees in CT. Yep, so I'm at work not being bored. Too many people to deal with. Tomorrows post will be much better because I will talk about the Steelers.

Texans 21, Bengals 20 --- CIN +4. I really think the only reason the Texans will win is because the game is at home. Reliant Stadium is going to be jacked up for the first game playoff game in franchise history. Also the Bengals are 0-4 all-time in road playoffs and they haven't won a playoff game since 1991. Sorry to pile on the Bengals its just fun. Great season for them in all seriousness, but I think it ends today.

Saints 43, Lions 35 --- DET +10.5. The Lions first playoff game since 1999. They are going to be ready to play. However that may be a bad thing if they get too pumped up and make dumb penalties, Ndamukong Suh. I think they stay close in this game because the offense should be able to keep up with Drew BREEEEEESSS. However the Saints could be the team coming out of the NFC so they will get the win at home.

PLAYOFFS?!?! PUMPED

Review of my 2011 Preseason Predictions

My Predictions were not the best this year. I correctly picked six playoff teams but any dope could have told you the Patriots, Steelers, Ravens, Packers, Saints, and Falcons would be in the playoffs. I'll go through each division and then my awards, which were very stinky.

AFC East --- I had the Patriots being the 15-1 seed in the AFC, which they are, but I also added Fat Albert Haynesworth and Ochocinco would have big years, not so much. The Jets flopped. I had them going 11-5, however I did question if Nacho Sanchez was ready to win a Super Bowl, I know the answer to that one now. Tony Sparano ended out swimming with the fishes and despite the Bills hot start they ended out being a long way from making the playoffs.

AFC North --- My bias had me having the Steelers winning the North at 12-4. They did go 12-4 but so did the Ravens who earned the crown by beating the Steelers twice. For some reason I thought the Browns would be an improving 7-9 team. They won 4 games in typical Brownies fashion. My biggest blunder of the predictions was the Cincinnati Bengals. My statement on the predicted to be 2-14 team, "The Bungals are going to suck. Plain and Simple." I also crowned them the worst team in the league and said I'd be shocked if they won 4 games. Well 9-7 and a wild card is good way to shut me up. Congrats Bengals.

AFC South --- A close second to my worst pick would be the Colts winning the south. The day after I posted the predictions it came out that Peyton was going to miss most of the season, so I'm cutting myself some slack. The Texans were picked 2nd and I said Wade Phillips would improve the defense. The Titans also surprised me by going 9-7 and just missing the playoffs.

AFC West --- I did predict the Chiefs to go 7-9, I didn't much else right in the West. Chargers stunk early like they always do, the Raiders did not play Terrelle Pryor, and I had the Broncos in last place. However I said, " bottom line Broncos, just play TEBOW." That worked out pretty well.

NFC East --- My champs were the Cowboys at 11-5, they had their chance in week 17 but fell apart in December like normal. The Dream Team didn't have me sold before the season. I had them at 10-6 and a wild card team but it didn't shock me that Mike Vick got hurt a missed a few games. They will be much better next year. The Giants did what I thought they would do other than Eli Manning. He had a great season and carried the G-men to the division crown. The Redskins were awful, so was Rex Grossman, called that one correct.

NFC North --- The Packers are in the Super Bowl hunt and have home-field advantage like I thought. I didn't think they were going to make a run at 16-0 though. I had the Lions at 8-8 and missing the playoffs but congrats to them on making the playoffs for the first time since 1999.I gave the Vikings to much credit, they only won 3 games. Sorry I love Donovan McNabb, I thought it would work out for him in Minnesota. The Bears, "since 2001, they have won over 11 games three times (not including last year), and twice they failed to win 8 games the next season" the trend continues as the Bears won 8 and missed the playoffs. Some bad breaks for them though, they were looking tough when they had Cutler and Forte.

NFC South --- Predicted the Saints to win and Falcons to make the playoffs. Those things happened. I mentioned I was starting to like Cam Newton. I love Cam Newton now. The Panthers are going to be in the south race next year and for the future. He is a stud. Then the Bucs. Oh the bucs. What happened? From 10 wins in 2010 to 10 straight losses in 2011. Not good and very surprising.

NFC West --- This prediction was pretty much as bad as the Bengals. I had the 49ers at 4-12. Even if I reversed those numbers they still did better than my prediction. These Harbaughs know how to coach. The division race was over in week 8. I am no longer on the Kevin Kolb bandwagon. John Skelton was the main reason the Cardinals fought back to 8-8. The Seahawks still need a franchise quarterback and the Rams were awful. Sam Bradford being hurt didn't help but they don't have much talent.

All of my award picks bombed other than one. Let's start with the good.

Defensive Rookie of the Year --- Patrick Peterson. He should win the award. Peterson made some huge plays on defense and special teams. He single handily beat the Rams with a 99 yard punt return in overtime. He's also younger than me, depressing.

Injuries --- Mark Ingram for offensive ROY and LaMarr Woodley for Defensive POY. Both missed several games which hurt their chances. Ingram wouldn't have a chance anyway, with the years Cam Newton and Andy Dalton had. Woodley may have, considering he had 7.5 sacks in the 4 games before he hurt his hamstring.

MVP --- Philip Rivers. I predicted he may throw for 5000 yards. Instead he went with the 20 interceptions and 7 fumbles. He played great in December like he always does but then it was too late for him and the Chargers.

Coach of the Year --- Jason Garrett. He iced his own kicker to blow a game against the Cardinals. That's all that needs to be said on this pick.

First coach to be fired --- Mike Shanahan. Somehow he is never going to get fired. I must be awesome to make 20 million dollars and only be expected to win 5 games a year.

Worst Team in the NFL --- Cincinnati Bengals. I already mentioned this but I was convinced they were going to be awful. They shocked me. Andy Dalton shocked me. I'm not saying he is going to be a great quarterback but the Bengals did have a great season and made a great move in trading Carson Palmer to the Raiders for a hundred first round draft picks.

My Super Bowl pick has both the number one seeds, Packers over Patriots. I won't change it but I doubt I'll be right.