Ummm...yeah, right. That went well. The first Eli pick (I'm assuming there will be another one before I finish writing this post) was a big time fuck up. Spotting the Eagles a touchdown throws everything out of the window...there's the second pick, by the way.
That first pick was a product of bad play calling, which was suspect all game. Deep in their own territory and against the wind- after that personal foul call for blocking a dude out of bounds, they marked off from the spot where the punt was fielded, rather than spot of foul or end of the run...those commies at the NFL have so many rules that they can't get their logic straight- they call a naked waggle right. With two defenders closing in, E. Manning fluttered one into coverage. Asante Samuel didn't repeat the favor granted Eli in the Super Bowl.
That was probably the sign that it wasn't happening. But, the Giants recovered and re-took the lead. The Eagles couldn't move the ball...Steve Smith must have been terrible with eggs. I knew for sure that it was over when Carney missed the second FG attempt. So, philthy again gets the best of the Apple.
STEELERS (-6.5) over Chargers - You know how you stop a little muthafucka like Sproles; you don't try to blow him up- you hold him up so your teammates can pound the shit out of him. I told Omar Epps...I mean Tomlin as much in a call earlier. That's how it's going to work out...I think. One of these home teams has to win.
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Rugby for fairies, Divisional Playoff, Sunday game 1
Carolina laid an egg. East of Tucson, who would have believed it?
To blame that loss on Delhomme doesn't give full credit to the Cards. The real problem was that the Panthers couldn't stick the one guy they had to stick. Warner and Fitzgerald carved up the Panthers' repeatedly blown coverage. The birds took the game to the Panthers. The Panthers, always on the back foot, had no answer. Down 14 - 7 and sensing his team was already in trouble, he summoned his inner Brett Favre. This game was over when Delhomme threw that pick. The rest of it was a train wreck.
I write off that one...I wouldn't have gone near that game. After splitting yesterday, it leaves us 3 - 3, same as flipping a coin.
GIANTS (-4) over Eagles - People are putting a lot of stock in the Eagles' earlier victory at the Meadowlands. At this point, that means as much as the Titans' regular season victory over the Ravens, the Panthers' regular season victory over the Cardinals and the Steelers' regular season victory over the Chargers.
The Giants have to worry that, lacking the difference-maker that Plaxico has been against the Eagles, the Eagles will stack the box to dare E. Manning to beat them through the air. The perception is that this is a suspect receiving corps and, without someone who can make plays, much less someone who can bail out E. Manning when he throws up a chicken, he can once again be rattled.
Further, in the past, we could always count on both McNabb and Reid to blow the game. Now that Reid seems to have lit a fire under McNabb's ass by benching him, we can only count on Reid to do the honors. That's still enough.
It's also thought that the home-field advantage is neutralized by playing another northeast-based team. I disagree there. The Giants have lost three playoff games in Giants Stadium. None of those teams- L.A. Rams (SoCal), Vikings (dome), Panthers (53 degrees in Charlotte at game time last night- play(ed) in their home games in the cold. I've seen the Giants dominate the 'skins, Bears and Eagles (not to mention the rapes of the Niners and Vikings).
With that in mind, I don't think the Eagles will shut down the Giants' running game suffient to tee off on E. Manning. I see the Giants winning this by 7 - 10 points.
To blame that loss on Delhomme doesn't give full credit to the Cards. The real problem was that the Panthers couldn't stick the one guy they had to stick. Warner and Fitzgerald carved up the Panthers' repeatedly blown coverage. The birds took the game to the Panthers. The Panthers, always on the back foot, had no answer. Down 14 - 7 and sensing his team was already in trouble, he summoned his inner Brett Favre. This game was over when Delhomme threw that pick. The rest of it was a train wreck.
I write off that one...I wouldn't have gone near that game. After splitting yesterday, it leaves us 3 - 3, same as flipping a coin.
GIANTS (-4) over Eagles - People are putting a lot of stock in the Eagles' earlier victory at the Meadowlands. At this point, that means as much as the Titans' regular season victory over the Ravens, the Panthers' regular season victory over the Cardinals and the Steelers' regular season victory over the Chargers.
The Giants have to worry that, lacking the difference-maker that Plaxico has been against the Eagles, the Eagles will stack the box to dare E. Manning to beat them through the air. The perception is that this is a suspect receiving corps and, without someone who can make plays, much less someone who can bail out E. Manning when he throws up a chicken, he can once again be rattled.
Further, in the past, we could always count on both McNabb and Reid to blow the game. Now that Reid seems to have lit a fire under McNabb's ass by benching him, we can only count on Reid to do the honors. That's still enough.
It's also thought that the home-field advantage is neutralized by playing another northeast-based team. I disagree there. The Giants have lost three playoff games in Giants Stadium. None of those teams- L.A. Rams (SoCal), Vikings (dome), Panthers (53 degrees in Charlotte at game time last night- play(ed) in their home games in the cold. I've seen the Giants dominate the 'skins, Bears and Eagles (not to mention the rapes of the Niners and Vikings).
With that in mind, I don't think the Eagles will shut down the Giants' running game suffient to tee off on E. Manning. I see the Giants winning this by 7 - 10 points.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Rugby for fairies, Divisional playoff, Saturday Game 2
This is a case where the puncher won. I suppose you can say the Ravens stole that game, if you count monopolizing all the big plays as stealing. Even though Flacco went up top about 8 times, I thought the Ravens, when not under duress, were a little conservative on offense. It's kind of like a poker player that either folds (pre-flop) or goes all in.
Of course, it doesn't work as well in poker because you don't get to hit people...and therein lies the difference between the two teams. As I always say, this game is 90% hitting. The Titans are plenty tough, but the Ravens are on another level, mentally as well as physically. It's as if they think they only exist to hit.
So, anyway, if you weren't fascinated by the hitting, it might not have been your type of game. Moving on...
PANTHERS (-9.5) over Cardinals - It's a lukewarm pick, to say the least. This is a lot of wood to lay, begging for a backdoor cover. It looks like weather will not be a factor. There shouldn't be much rain and it is a balmy evening. Nevertheless, Boldin is out and I doubt the Cardinals will jump out to a two touchdown lead this time around, especially if they resort to pounding the run. Even with a late score, I can't see the Cardinals putting up more than 17 tonight. It's really a matter of the Panthers' number.
Of course, it doesn't work as well in poker because you don't get to hit people...and therein lies the difference between the two teams. As I always say, this game is 90% hitting. The Titans are plenty tough, but the Ravens are on another level, mentally as well as physically. It's as if they think they only exist to hit.
So, anyway, if you weren't fascinated by the hitting, it might not have been your type of game. Moving on...
PANTHERS (-9.5) over Cardinals - It's a lukewarm pick, to say the least. This is a lot of wood to lay, begging for a backdoor cover. It looks like weather will not be a factor. There shouldn't be much rain and it is a balmy evening. Nevertheless, Boldin is out and I doubt the Cardinals will jump out to a two touchdown lead this time around, especially if they resort to pounding the run. Even with a late score, I can't see the Cardinals putting up more than 17 tonight. It's really a matter of the Panthers' number.
Rugby for fairies, Divisional Playoff, Saturday Game 1
I'm waiting on the weather for the night game.
I dug through the playoff results since 1978. I didn't get the spreads for these games, so I'm working off straight up results. I've determined that the only results that really apply are those from 2002 onward.
There is a marked contrast, for both conferences, in the results pre- and post-2002, when the NFL added a division to each conference. The results were more extreme in the NFC. In the 3-wildcard era (1990-2001), the home team was 22 - 2 in the divisional round, with the vast majority being drubbings.
Since 2002, the balance has swung back toward the road teams. In the AFC, the home team is 7 - 5, but only four wins were by more than 3 points...
Hold on! The NFL Today is interviewing "Pacman" Jones. Who cares WTF he said. CBS dropped the teaser lead-in, like this was going to be some 60 Minutes-type shit. He starts babbling, like the ignorant muthafucka that he is, when some other voice is heard, after which the camera expertly zooms out so that his lawyer is seen talking. As soon as I saw the lawyer, I'm thinking, Kleinfeld is my brother!
As I was saying, the scales have tipped toward the road teams. So...
Ravens (+3) over TITANS - The Ravens have a stellar road playoff record. I tried to convince myself that I was selling the Titans short. I don't see this as a favorable matchup for Kerry Collins. RayRay gon' give him flashbacks of XXXV and the fans flashbacks of mugging Eddie George.
I dug through the playoff results since 1978. I didn't get the spreads for these games, so I'm working off straight up results. I've determined that the only results that really apply are those from 2002 onward.
There is a marked contrast, for both conferences, in the results pre- and post-2002, when the NFL added a division to each conference. The results were more extreme in the NFC. In the 3-wildcard era (1990-2001), the home team was 22 - 2 in the divisional round, with the vast majority being drubbings.
Since 2002, the balance has swung back toward the road teams. In the AFC, the home team is 7 - 5, but only four wins were by more than 3 points...
Hold on! The NFL Today is interviewing "Pacman" Jones. Who cares WTF he said. CBS dropped the teaser lead-in, like this was going to be some 60 Minutes-type shit. He starts babbling, like the ignorant muthafucka that he is, when some other voice is heard, after which the camera expertly zooms out so that his lawyer is seen talking. As soon as I saw the lawyer, I'm thinking, Kleinfeld is my brother!
As I was saying, the scales have tipped toward the road teams. So...
Ravens (+3) over TITANS - The Ravens have a stellar road playoff record. I tried to convince myself that I was selling the Titans short. I don't see this as a favorable matchup for Kerry Collins. RayRay gon' give him flashbacks of XXXV and the fans flashbacks of mugging Eddie George.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
more Rugby for fairies
2 - 2 after the weekend. I'd be ahead of the game, only owing the bookies the vigs instead of my ass. I've always done better during the Divisional round...probably because I can no longer bet on the three saps that buried me.
I didn't watch the Ravens maul the Fish, but it went to plan. The bandwagon for a repeat of 2000 Purple Reign is now boarding. Now, they're nowhere near that good. That team would have never gotten steamrolled like they did against the Giants in Week 11. That team could have played defense for 60 minutes and still won. But RayRay still gon' fuck somebody up.
I watched 2 1/2 quarters of the Eagles. One of the dudes in the room kept bitching for the Eagles to run the screen to Westbrook. I explained to him that they have to set it up; you can't just run a screen wheneverthefuck you want. Of course, I was gone by the time they actually ran it, so I can imagine the dude was screaming "I told you to run the screen to Westbrook!" at the TV when they scored on it. The bandwagon for the-Eagles-are-this-year's-Giants is now boarding. Yeah, I'm not too happy we have to play these muthafuckas. There's time to get into that.
So, we move to the Divisional round. As indifferent as I've become to the sport, for my money, it's the best weekend of the season. A long time ago, some dude figured out- now, were going back 15 years, like, as of 1993- (aside - I used to have this, like, magic book n'shit, that a mailman buddy of mine pulled out of...hold on, let me stop there- I don't know the statute of limitations on that one and that shit's federal...anyway, I was like that coach in The Waterboy that stole the playbook) that the teams that had the bye were about 71% ATS in the Divisional round. I'd sure like to know what those numbers are today. I'd also like to know what the breakout is by home team and away team...in other words, the Divisional record of the team that won at home the previous week and the Divisional record of the team that won on the road.
My guess would be that the teams playing their second consecutive road game fare better. In this case, it would mean that the Ravens and Eagles have a better chance than the Cardinals and Chargers. Now all we need is for someone to do it. Hey, if I had that kind of time, I'd post more often.
I didn't watch the Ravens maul the Fish, but it went to plan. The bandwagon for a repeat of 2000 Purple Reign is now boarding. Now, they're nowhere near that good. That team would have never gotten steamrolled like they did against the Giants in Week 11. That team could have played defense for 60 minutes and still won. But RayRay still gon' fuck somebody up.
I watched 2 1/2 quarters of the Eagles. One of the dudes in the room kept bitching for the Eagles to run the screen to Westbrook. I explained to him that they have to set it up; you can't just run a screen wheneverthefuck you want. Of course, I was gone by the time they actually ran it, so I can imagine the dude was screaming "I told you to run the screen to Westbrook!" at the TV when they scored on it. The bandwagon for the-Eagles-are-this-year's-Giants is now boarding. Yeah, I'm not too happy we have to play these muthafuckas. There's time to get into that.
So, we move to the Divisional round. As indifferent as I've become to the sport, for my money, it's the best weekend of the season. A long time ago, some dude figured out- now, were going back 15 years, like, as of 1993- (aside - I used to have this, like, magic book n'shit, that a mailman buddy of mine pulled out of...hold on, let me stop there- I don't know the statute of limitations on that one and that shit's federal...anyway, I was like that coach in The Waterboy that stole the playbook) that the teams that had the bye were about 71% ATS in the Divisional round. I'd sure like to know what those numbers are today. I'd also like to know what the breakout is by home team and away team...in other words, the Divisional record of the team that won at home the previous week and the Divisional record of the team that won on the road.
My guess would be that the teams playing their second consecutive road game fare better. In this case, it would mean that the Ravens and Eagles have a better chance than the Cardinals and Chargers. Now all we need is for someone to do it. Hey, if I had that kind of time, I'd post more often.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Rugby for fairies, wildcard Sunday
0 - 2. Heading towards my typical 1 - 3 wildcard round. That's why I retired from this shit a long time ago.
Ya' think these officials called enough penalties?!
LDT is a whore, riding the bike like he's Mary Poppins. It's the Playoffs; take some horse steroids and get out there, punk. It's not like they needed him. That little fuck ran buckwild and the Colts had no answer.
It appears that P. Manning is "talent does what it can." The Colts were lucky to be in this. They lucked out twice on fumbles: the one on the kick return- that f'n guy returned two kicks 40 yards sideways towards the left...was there a power pack on that side of the field- right before the half was a fumble, and they were on the right side of Sproles' fumble into the end zone.
I don't know WTF the Colts were thinking, emptying the backfield on 3rd and short with 2:3x left. Granted, we all knew they wouldn't run the ball in that situation (they should have passed on 2nd and 4, while the bolts were still geared up for the run). But, at least give them something to consider. Look at how the Cards won the early game; two Falcons LBs jumped the back...on 3rd and long. The bolts LB had nothing to do except jump P. Manning.
Something that was left unresolved is that final punt that left the Colts buried on the one. The player that downed the punt fish-tailed and knocked over the pylon, seemingly before he landed out of bounds. I wanted a ruling on that (I mean, those fuckers called everything else), but this was never addressed by the broadcast.
With my credibility pretty much shot, it's on to new adventures. I have shit to do today, so we'll bang this out early.
Ravens (+3) over DOLPHINS - It seems logical, as the Ravens already dumped on Miami this year. Of course, the rookie QB lost yesterday and Chad Pennington is anything but. I don't think Chad and his lame arm match up well with the Ravens' D. I hope Ray Ray, Ed Reed and crew didn't visit the ol' stamping grounds this weekend.
Eagles (-3) over VIKINGS - I've taken all four road teams...hmmm. The Vikings ain't winnin' shit with Tavaris Jackson as QB, fuggedaboudet. Their fans must know that, that's why there are still tickets available on the morning of the game. Anyway, I hope I'm wrong on this one. I'd much prefer the Cards in the Meadowlands to the Eagles.
Ya' think these officials called enough penalties?!
LDT is a whore, riding the bike like he's Mary Poppins. It's the Playoffs; take some horse steroids and get out there, punk. It's not like they needed him. That little fuck ran buckwild and the Colts had no answer.
It appears that P. Manning is "talent does what it can." The Colts were lucky to be in this. They lucked out twice on fumbles: the one on the kick return- that f'n guy returned two kicks 40 yards sideways towards the left...was there a power pack on that side of the field- right before the half was a fumble, and they were on the right side of Sproles' fumble into the end zone.
I don't know WTF the Colts were thinking, emptying the backfield on 3rd and short with 2:3x left. Granted, we all knew they wouldn't run the ball in that situation (they should have passed on 2nd and 4, while the bolts were still geared up for the run). But, at least give them something to consider. Look at how the Cards won the early game; two Falcons LBs jumped the back...on 3rd and long. The bolts LB had nothing to do except jump P. Manning.
Something that was left unresolved is that final punt that left the Colts buried on the one. The player that downed the punt fish-tailed and knocked over the pylon, seemingly before he landed out of bounds. I wanted a ruling on that (I mean, those fuckers called everything else), but this was never addressed by the broadcast.
With my credibility pretty much shot, it's on to new adventures. I have shit to do today, so we'll bang this out early.
Ravens (+3) over DOLPHINS - It seems logical, as the Ravens already dumped on Miami this year. Of course, the rookie QB lost yesterday and Chad Pennington is anything but. I don't think Chad and his lame arm match up well with the Ravens' D. I hope Ray Ray, Ed Reed and crew didn't visit the ol' stamping grounds this weekend.
Eagles (-3) over VIKINGS - I've taken all four road teams...hmmm. The Vikings ain't winnin' shit with Tavaris Jackson as QB, fuggedaboudet. Their fans must know that, that's why there are still tickets available on the morning of the game. Anyway, I hope I'm wrong on this one. I'd much prefer the Cards in the Meadowlands to the Eagles.
Saturday, January 3, 2009
Rugby for fairies, wildcard Saturday, Game 2
0 - 1. Yeah, that first game went well for Bokolis, didn't it? WTF, the Cards didn't beat a good team all year.
Atlanta didn't fire. They couldn't tackle, they didn't rush the passer, never did anything when it mattered. They gave up 3 TDs on big plays. They didn't hold momentum after taking the lead into the locker room. In the second half, they only moved the ball in what could be considered garbage time. They couldn't even give us a sweat; not even when the Cards did them a favor by running a reverse with a little over two minutes remaining, giving the Falcons a 3rd and 16 to defend. Both linebackers jumped the dump off and Warner, full credit to him tonight, found the wide open tight end...game time. They probably would've gotten their asses whupped worse if Boldin didn't tweak the hammy.
Colts (PK) over CHARGERS - I know all the bullshit about the bolts having P. Manning and the Colts' number. I'm sure the Chargers will be game...well, we'll see if LDT- that muthafucka will never be referred to as "LT" in this space...there is only one LT- has another bitch playoff moment. Between that uncertaintly and P. Manning riding in on a 9-game winning streak (the Colts should really vote Sage Rosenfels a full playoff share), I have to take the Colts
Atlanta didn't fire. They couldn't tackle, they didn't rush the passer, never did anything when it mattered. They gave up 3 TDs on big plays. They didn't hold momentum after taking the lead into the locker room. In the second half, they only moved the ball in what could be considered garbage time. They couldn't even give us a sweat; not even when the Cards did them a favor by running a reverse with a little over two minutes remaining, giving the Falcons a 3rd and 16 to defend. Both linebackers jumped the dump off and Warner, full credit to him tonight, found the wide open tight end...game time. They probably would've gotten their asses whupped worse if Boldin didn't tweak the hammy.
Colts (PK) over CHARGERS - I know all the bullshit about the bolts having P. Manning and the Colts' number. I'm sure the Chargers will be game...well, we'll see if LDT- that muthafucka will never be referred to as "LT" in this space...there is only one LT- has another bitch playoff moment. Between that uncertaintly and P. Manning riding in on a 9-game winning streak (the Colts should really vote Sage Rosenfels a full playoff share), I have to take the Colts
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