But if the Corvette ain't starting, you gotta break out the old tricycle. These are some of my favorite sports weekends of the year, and I'll be damned if Drew Brees and the Saints take the field in Seattle without you hearing my thoughts on the games. It's great to be back on the ol' blogspot. It's playoff time- Let's get our hands dirty.
NEW ORLEANS SAINTS (11-5) AT SEATTLE SEAHAWKS (7-9)
The Line: Saints by 10
How They Got Here
The Champs vs. The Chumps? No, too harsh. But there's been a lot of hullabaloo about this matchup. New Orleans starts their title defense after an impressive regular season. It was not quite as dominant as 2009 (after all, they didn't win their division this year.) But the Saints are a team nobody wants to play, as Drew Brees will use every weapon he has to the highest potential. On the other hand...Seattle. An uproar rose across the nation about a sub-.500 team making the playoffs. Sitting at home are the Giants and Bucs (both 10-6) while Seattle is in the tournament with a 7-9 mark. What really is driving people bananas is that the Seahawks get to host this game. Personally, I love it. The 'best' wild card team must always face the 'worst' division leader. The Seahawks may be blown off the field this afternoon, but in my mind they have 100% earned that right. The division is the division. This likely won't happen again, and I have no problem with it. And just imagine if Seattle gives the Saints a whale of a game today...
How the Saints Can Win
Well, they're 10-point favorites in a road playoff game. So clearly, I can write an encyclopedia's worth in this section. There's no doubt that the Saints are more talented than the Seahawks in every phase of football. The Saints score more points per game and give up fewer points. New Orleans has a Super Bowl MVP still in his prime, Seattle is using its second quarterback in two weeks. With a great offense and capable defense, anything less than a New Orleans route would be stunning to the football world. If Brees can get a quick score or eight, the raucous crowd will be neutralized and the Saints can put things on cruise control until the divisional round.
How the Seahawks Can Win
Urban Dictionary defines 'miracle' as "A term used by Insane Clown Posse to explain everything that already has a scientific explanation. This includes but is not limited to: f'ing rainbows, pelicans, music, butterflies, and shooting stars." Ok, so we have a foundation here for Seattle. On the bright side, the Seahawks today are giving a new meaning to 'playing with house money. You talk about having no pressure whatsoever. Seattle can play with a reckless abandon we seldom see in the playoffs. The Saints need to be prepared for everything, because they'll be getting twenty different kitchen sinks thrown at them today. The Saints injuries bear watching as well. They would love to have things in hand early in this game, because they don't want their guys getting any more banged up. And I can't write this section without at least mentioning Leon Washington in the return game.
The Pick
Everyone's rooting for a competitive matchup. Come playoff time, there is no longer 10 games going on at the same time. This game has the country all to itself this afternoon. I tend to love underdogs, so of course I like Seattle's chances more than a lot of people. I have a full belief that the crowd will matter and the Seahawks can stay competitive perhaps until halftime. But despite a valiant effort, Seattle's secondary just won't be able to stay upright. Pete Carroll and his team have already had s successful season in being here. But the stats don't lie. This season, an average game for Seattle had them outscored by 6 points a game. I'm rooting for Cinderella, but I don't think the slipper fits. SAINTS 30, SEAHAWKS 16
NEW YORK JETS (11-5) AT INDIANAPOLIS COLTS (10-6)
The Line: Colts by 2.5
How They Got Here
What a long, strange year it's been since January 24, 2009. The juggernaut Colts overwhelmed the (then) upstart Jets in the AFC Championship. Since then, the Jets got good on offense, bad on defense, and ugly off-the-field. They talked about how great they would be, and did an ok job backing it up through the first half. But much doubt has crept into the minds of Jets fans with defensive breakdowns, struggling against bad teams, and the nightmare of '45-3.' The Jets are where they want to be, but boy do they have a long road ahead. Up first is the pseudo-Colts. They are scary with Manning, Wayne, Freeney, Mathis, and Addai. They are vulnerable without Clark, Sanders, Collie, and several others. Indy was sitting at 6-6 a month ago, and were forced to win out to win the division. Everyone was hoping Jacksonville would take care of business and keep them out. Now that Indy is here, undervaluing them would be a big mistake.
How the Jets Can Win
There are plenty of ways. Shonn Greene burst onto the scene last season based on his monster playoff performances. Yes, Tomlinson beat him out to be the starter this season. But because of that I see Greene as a guy who is fresher than most this time of year. The Colts gave up a billion yards rushing early this season, but have really upped their efforts the last month. They reduced the rushing yards against, but the pass yards really started to pile up. So if Indy sells out to stop Tomlinson/Greene, it will all be on the perhaps-injured shoulder of Mark Sanchez. Out of Holmes, Edwards, Cotchery, and the forgotten-Keller, somebody's going to be running free in this secondary. Efficient passes, and absolutely no turnovers permitted against Peyton and that offense. As far as the defense goes, it's hard to be confident after what Jay Cutler and the Bears were able to do. Holding the Colts under 24 would be satisfactory. The safeties will need to show coverage ability they haven't shown so far this season.
How the Colts Can Win
They have the best player. Manning can win any game on his own, no matter how many injuries the Colts have piled up. We must believe that Reggie Wayne and Pierre Garcon will be largely unavailable to him due to Revis Island and AlCrotraz. But the tape is there on this Jets defense. Manning relentlessly studying tapes of the New England and Chicago games is a troubling thought. Tamme, Blair White, and some other nobodies in the slot will be open the majority of the time. If Manning jumps out quickly, the defense is built for a lead with Freeney and Mathis on the ends. Manning's in his building, and 'one and done' doesn't really roll off the tongue when you're talking about the Colts.
The Pick
Whoa Nellie. There's no doubt whatsoever that Jets fans have tempered expectations about this game. Personally I think it's because everyone was jazzed about playing Kansas City, only to have some unexpected things happen in week 17. Now they're back where it all ended last year, against a guy who is virtually perfect over the years against Rex's defense. Well if you're gonna be the best, you gotta beat the best. Manning and the Colts have never been weaker, but the Jets are underdogs for a reason. It's going to take a big effort. But I don't see it ending today. The season's been too nuts. Jets-Pats III was written in stone long long ago. The Jets need this one to avoid a big step back, and this is the perfect spot to do so. It's Go Time.
JETS 28, COLTS 21
Thanks for reading. We'll preview tomorrow's games...well, tomorrow. Good to be back on the blogspot indefinitely.
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