NFL DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS

Year to date: 6-1. +4 units

In case you haven’t been able to pay attention closely, there is not a single noteworthy team in the NFL this year.  Sure, somebody had to earn No.1 seeds in each conference, but that’s purely semantics.  Recent history also has demonstrated that the bye week is nice to have, but hardly provides an insurmountable edge.  It also wasn’t too long ago when the best team in the NFL was the NY Jets(!).  They had just defeated the Patriots and Titans (on the road!) in a span of 10 days prior to Thanksgiving, and had maintained a healthy squad.  Now the head coach’s job, let alone the moniker “Mangenius,” has been revoked, and nobody (read: me) would shed tears if legendary QB Favre finally retires.  From top to bottom, with exception of the Lions, it’s all about “Any Given Sunday” so one’s default bias should be to take the points!  Go Cards!

RAVENS (+3) vs. Titans. 1 unit.  Besides K Rod Bironas, the Titans offense does not match up well against the Ravens.  No WR playmakers and an immobile QB means the Thunder and Lightning running attack will probably be stifled by my favorite defense.  Titans like to go to its TEs, but the Raven’s LB corps is the strongest in the league.  The injury status of ancient C Kevin Mawae doesn’t help prospects and he was deemed a Pro Bowler this year.  I like the Ravens skilled players just a little more, and as long as continually improving QB Joe Flacco holds his own, the birds should win a black and blue type game. Follow-up: Forecast didn't account for total lack of discipline by the home Titans. Ravens D is nowhere close to prime vintage. That being said I hope Rex Ryan is next Jets head coach.

CARDINALS (+10) vs. Panthers. 1 unit.   The oft-quoted stat you’ve been hearing is thatArizona was 0-5 while playing in the East Coast this year; blown out three times. So what?Football players don’t specialize in geography, cartography, or anything to do with Rand McNally.  Psychology is the only thing that really matters at this level.  What’s important is that one of those games was a 4-point loss to Carolina that could have gone the other way.  The injury to WR Anquan Boldin dampens my spirits if he can’t play at full strength, but nobody is giving the DL and secondary the credit they deserve for last week; they have a shot at taking away Steve Smith this time.  A team playing with confidence and zero pressure is extremely dangerous.  That’s enough for me to disregard the line that simply reflects a dearth of Arizona Cardinal fans.  Don’t forget to put a little aside for an outright upset.  Follow-up: Combination of Cards making plays and Jake Delhomme stinking up the joint was all she wrote. While 'Zona's D met my expections, the Panthers DC should be fired for not taking away Larry Fitzgerald.

EAGLES (+4) vs. Giants. 1 unit.   The remarkable 180 degree reversal in perception of Coach Tom Coughlin and QB Eli Manning is breathtaking.  Last year was a fairy tale run.  This time around upholding the role of defending Champs and lacking the services of Plaxico "Sure Shot" Burress will be major burdens. Another big one is a hobbled Justin Tuck. The only reason why they had a chance against the Pats last season was that the pass rush simultaneously featured 3 DEs playing at a Pro Bowl level. What happens this year if the Eagles seize an early lead, and they have to abandon their dominating run attack? Depending on Eli Manning is still something to be avoided methinks. The Eagles D has been very solid over the past month+: It’s not like trying to stop Adrian Peterson last week was an easy task.  And forget about being intimidated by a familiar division rival.  If the Eagles shoot out of the gate early like I think they will and take advantage of the Giants’ rust, the consensus opinion of Coughlin will soon join mine again. The Donovan McNabb redemption run rolls on. Y’know kind of like Manning’s last year.  Bring on the renewal of Chunky Soup commercials! Follow-up: When you face a great D, you have to try passing earlier in the game. Eli has always preferred up-tempo so why not explore that earlier?  Coughlin needed to give Eli a chanve to get into rhythm despite the bad early INT.  

CHARGERS (+6) vs. Steelers. 0.5 units.  My take the points mantra is suffering a crisis of confidence for this matchup.  I don't see superstar RB LaDainian Tomlinson playing with his injury, and last week's hero Darren Sproles is unlikely to provide a similar impact.  It's just hard to repeat, the little man's probably beat up, and Heinz field conditions is unfavorable to benefit a "cutter."  SD will need a big game from 3rd string speedster Michael Bennett.  Said crappiness of field has always been a bane to opposing kickers, too.  K Nate Kaeding is very talented, but also has a choking problem in the playoffs.  Lastly, whenever a player is arrested during the playoffs (WR Vincent Jackson's DUI) the team has not played well.  Despite the negatives I think Phillip Rivers should continue to be a major difference maker while I'm expecting less-than-stellar play from Ben Roethlisberger who is returning from a recent concussion.  I would also think Steelers opt for a more conservative to protect its QB.  Watch out for the trick plays in this game. Follow-up: The Chargers hardly embarassed themselves, and even snuffed out that trick play I was looking for.  Steelers were both solid and opportunistic.  I particularly liked how often they threw the ball deep with max protection. Controlling the ball 98.11% of the 3Q was all she wrote.