Winless In Seattle
Steve Sauro
Elliott SmithWith some help...
January 7th 2012 03:30
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Playoff Picks!
After my guest writer posted an impressive 14-2 last week, I thought it was only appropriate to invite him and The Cuz (from past articles) to help with the playoff picks. And, yes, I felt like Wally Pipp last week. Enjoyed the time off only to find out that my replacement killed it. Whatever, onto the picks:
Saturday games:
The Cuz:
Cincinnati @ Houston- Unless you live in one of these two cities, I'm certain you don't care how this game ends up. The only teams that evoke less emotion out of NFL fans are the Rams, Cardinals and Seahawks. Wait, did I just buy into the Sportscenter/ East Coast bias? FML. Ok ok, let's put this matchup into perspective by taking a look at the next game up on Saturday.
Detroit @ New Orleans- You think the Lions might be a little mad they drew the hottest team in the NFL right now? Let's look at the other wildcard/division champ match ups this weekend. Atlanta gets to play the Giants, Pittsburgh (hobbled or not) gets the Donkos, and Cinci gets a beat up Houston team who just spent the last 3 weeks losing to Carolina, INDY, and Tennessee.
Predictions- Cincinnati spends all day finding ways to mess with Houston's fourth-string QB and wins 23-10. The Lions enjoy the first 15 minutes of being in the playoffs before realizing they're playing against a Saints team hell bent on not losing in the first round again (thanks again Marshawn, please stay in Seattle). Good effort by the Lions, but I can't see how they don't lose by 14 .
Side prop- I'm placing the over/under of references to the Saints being a Super Bowl ready team by the announcers at 5.5. Place your bets.
Elliott:
Cincy @ Hou: The only thing I'm looking forward to in this game is the chance that the Texans lose a quarterback and still wins. Seriously, how is it that they can keep plugging in quarterbacks who are successful and the Seahawks have three that shouldn't start for the local high school? Whatever. Congrats for somehow getting Jake Delhomme to work out. Had they not tried for a 7-yard 2 pt conversion last weekend and just gone to OT, I'm certain they would have won. Also, I'm protesting Cincy being in the playoffs. There were like 6 teams with a shot at the playoffs, and all lost their last game except Tennessee. We should be watching Hasselbeck and Locker in this game.
Det @ NO: Here's the thing with the Lions. I think they peaked too early, highlighted by the loss to Green Bay's practice squad on Sunday. The offense is fantastic, and there's going to be a ton of points, but they aren't beating the Saints at New Orleans.
Picks: Cincy loses because even they know they're not supposed to be in the playoffs. Plus, Houston is a good team and it's going to be awesome when then win out and then Jeff Garcia or Jeff George is starting the Super Bowl. Saints win because, well, because Drew Brees.
Side Prop: I think the over easily hits on your side prop Cuz. I also think the announcers will somehow proclaim the Saints as the NFC favorite after they drop 50 on the Lions. The other side prop should be the amount of times I do a shot when Houston's QB of choice makes a great play, followed by me picturing Tarvaris Jackson standing in the pocket for 15 seconds before getting sacked by 5 guys. I'll put the o/u at 7.5.
Winless:
CIN @ HOU: Hate that these teams are in the playoffs. Don't get me wrong- I like to see different teams get in...but... Bengals/Texans? Is this Punk'd? Don't care who wins, but gun to my head pick? Go with the home team. I'll take Houston.
DET @ NO: Two high powered offenses meeting in dome? Yowza... I'll stick with the trend of taking the home team here. Especially if you throw in the factor of playoff experience- aka something NO has and DET has heard of. Taking the Saints.
Sunday games:
Elliott:
Pit @ Den: Here's the thing with Tebow: He's not good. A few weeks ago, I wrote about how his entire team plays out of their mind to make up for Tebow's lack of skills. Well, that worked for a while but now the other teams have adjusted to his playing style (hint: Defend the run!). Still, the Stealers lost Mendenhall and they don't get Ryan Clark due to the weirdest injury I've ever witnessed. Denver has a chance. I'll be rooting for them, I just can't pick them to win. Stealers win, but it ends closer than anyone predicts.
Atl @ NYG: As much as I like how the Falcons have played these last few weeks, I really like Eli Manning at home. Did you know he had 6 4th quarter comebacks this year? And still only 9 wins? That's a team that could have easily lost 10 games this year. Still, the experience is what matters and they have that over the Falcons. I say it's close, but the Giants win. And that the Giants get killed next week.
The Cuz:
Pit @ Den: The only way Denver wins this game is if the defense for the Broncos does the scoring instead of the offense. Possible, but not likely. Haven't seen the line for this game, but if it's over 23.5, take the under. Rapelessburger can't move, Tebow can't throw, Mendenhall is out due to only having 1 knee left, and I couldn't tell you who Denver's running back(s) is/are besides Tebow. Calling Pit to win this one 6-5.
Atl @ NYG:
The NFC East really is terrible this year, but very few are willing to admit it. As long as the Falcons realize they are the better team, they win in the most lopsided game of the week. I'll take the over on this game as Atlanta shows off why they are a legit #3. ATL 34, NY 17
Winless:
ATL @ NYG: Offensively, these teams are damn near the same across the board -yards, points, turnovers. Except for the glaring difference in the rushing game. The New York Giants rank dead last in the NFL with 89 yards on the ground per game (compared to Atlanta's 17th ranked 114 per game). Defensively, Atlanta has the statistical edge in most categories, slightly. Except for the glaring difference in the rushing game. The Atlanta defense ranks 6th in the NFL only allowing 97 yards per game. See a trend? Seeing as how both teams come into this game relatively healthy - we should see most match ups be 1st vs 1st. This one should play out by the numbers...That said, I'm going with the numbers (Vegas) and sticking with the home team in the playoffs by taking the New York Giants.
PIT @ DEN: I heard Brady Quinn was getting like half the 1st team reps in practice this week... then I heard he wasn't... then I heard he was... To put that into perspective -who cares? If Denver's defense remembers that stretch where they didn't allow a TD for like 20 quarters -I could be the QB for the Broncos and get the W. The anointed one gets my upset pick of the decade. Broncos for the win.
Saturday games:
The Cuz:
Cincinnati @ Houston- Unless you live in one of these two cities, I'm certain you don't care how this game ends up. The only teams that evoke less emotion out of NFL fans are the Rams, Cardinals and Seahawks. Wait, did I just buy into the Sportscenter/ East Coast bias? FML. Ok ok, let's put this matchup into perspective by taking a look at the next game up on Saturday.
Detroit @ New Orleans- You think the Lions might be a little mad they drew the hottest team in the NFL right now? Let's look at the other wildcard/division champ match ups this weekend. Atlanta gets to play the Giants, Pittsburgh (hobbled or not) gets the Donkos, and Cinci gets a beat up Houston team who just spent the last 3 weeks losing to Carolina, INDY, and Tennessee.
Predictions- Cincinnati spends all day finding ways to mess with Houston's fourth-string QB and wins 23-10. The Lions enjoy the first 15 minutes of being in the playoffs before realizing they're playing against a Saints team hell bent on not losing in the first round again (thanks again Marshawn, please stay in Seattle). Good effort by the Lions, but I can't see how they don't lose by 14 .
Side prop- I'm placing the over/under of references to the Saints being a Super Bowl ready team by the announcers at 5.5. Place your bets.
Elliott:
Cincy @ Hou: The only thing I'm looking forward to in this game is the chance that the Texans lose a quarterback and still wins. Seriously, how is it that they can keep plugging in quarterbacks who are successful and the Seahawks have three that shouldn't start for the local high school? Whatever. Congrats for somehow getting Jake Delhomme to work out. Had they not tried for a 7-yard 2 pt conversion last weekend and just gone to OT, I'm certain they would have won. Also, I'm protesting Cincy being in the playoffs. There were like 6 teams with a shot at the playoffs, and all lost their last game except Tennessee. We should be watching Hasselbeck and Locker in this game.
Det @ NO: Here's the thing with the Lions. I think they peaked too early, highlighted by the loss to Green Bay's practice squad on Sunday. The offense is fantastic, and there's going to be a ton of points, but they aren't beating the Saints at New Orleans.
Picks: Cincy loses because even they know they're not supposed to be in the playoffs. Plus, Houston is a good team and it's going to be awesome when then win out and then Jeff Garcia or Jeff George is starting the Super Bowl. Saints win because, well, because Drew Brees.
Side Prop: I think the over easily hits on your side prop Cuz. I also think the announcers will somehow proclaim the Saints as the NFC favorite after they drop 50 on the Lions. The other side prop should be the amount of times I do a shot when Houston's QB of choice makes a great play, followed by me picturing Tarvaris Jackson standing in the pocket for 15 seconds before getting sacked by 5 guys. I'll put the o/u at 7.5.
Winless:
CIN @ HOU: Hate that these teams are in the playoffs. Don't get me wrong- I like to see different teams get in...but... Bengals/Texans? Is this Punk'd? Don't care who wins, but gun to my head pick? Go with the home team. I'll take Houston.
DET @ NO: Two high powered offenses meeting in dome? Yowza... I'll stick with the trend of taking the home team here. Especially if you throw in the factor of playoff experience- aka something NO has and DET has heard of. Taking the Saints.
Sunday games:
Elliott:
Pit @ Den: Here's the thing with Tebow: He's not good. A few weeks ago, I wrote about how his entire team plays out of their mind to make up for Tebow's lack of skills. Well, that worked for a while but now the other teams have adjusted to his playing style (hint: Defend the run!). Still, the Stealers lost Mendenhall and they don't get Ryan Clark due to the weirdest injury I've ever witnessed. Denver has a chance. I'll be rooting for them, I just can't pick them to win. Stealers win, but it ends closer than anyone predicts.
Atl @ NYG: As much as I like how the Falcons have played these last few weeks, I really like Eli Manning at home. Did you know he had 6 4th quarter comebacks this year? And still only 9 wins? That's a team that could have easily lost 10 games this year. Still, the experience is what matters and they have that over the Falcons. I say it's close, but the Giants win. And that the Giants get killed next week.
The Cuz:
Pit @ Den: The only way Denver wins this game is if the defense for the Broncos does the scoring instead of the offense. Possible, but not likely. Haven't seen the line for this game, but if it's over 23.5, take the under. Rapelessburger can't move, Tebow can't throw, Mendenhall is out due to only having 1 knee left, and I couldn't tell you who Denver's running back(s) is/are besides Tebow. Calling Pit to win this one 6-5.
Atl @ NYG:
The NFC East really is terrible this year, but very few are willing to admit it. As long as the Falcons realize they are the better team, they win in the most lopsided game of the week. I'll take the over on this game as Atlanta shows off why they are a legit #3. ATL 34, NY 17
Winless:
ATL @ NYG: Offensively, these teams are damn near the same across the board -yards, points, turnovers. Except for the glaring difference in the rushing game. The New York Giants rank dead last in the NFL with 89 yards on the ground per game (compared to Atlanta's 17th ranked 114 per game). Defensively, Atlanta has the statistical edge in most categories, slightly. Except for the glaring difference in the rushing game. The Atlanta defense ranks 6th in the NFL only allowing 97 yards per game. See a trend? Seeing as how both teams come into this game relatively healthy - we should see most match ups be 1st vs 1st. This one should play out by the numbers...That said, I'm going with the numbers (Vegas) and sticking with the home team in the playoffs by taking the New York Giants.
PIT @ DEN: I heard Brady Quinn was getting like half the 1st team reps in practice this week... then I heard he wasn't... then I heard he was... To put that into perspective -who cares? If Denver's defense remembers that stretch where they didn't allow a TD for like 20 quarters -I could be the QB for the Broncos and get the W. The anointed one gets my upset pick of the decade. Broncos for the win.
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