After going 2-6 so far in the NFL playoffs, my hopes of being even .500 at the end of it all are now gone. With that in mind, here are my almost-certain-to-be-wrong picks for the NFC & AFC Championship games....
Sunday, Jan. 23
Atlanta at Philadelphia, 3:00 p.m. on FOX
Atlanta was very impressive against the Rams last week. Their defense played well, and their offense was even better. The Eagles, on the other hand, gave the Vikings every opportunity to win, but Minnesota kept blowing those opportunities.
Philly will be at home for this game, but TO is still out at least until the Super Bowl. If they even make it that far. And they won't. FALCONS BY 9
New England at Pittsburgh, 6:30 p.m. on CBS
The Pats utterly stifled Manning and the Colts last week. Yes, the miserable weather was a factor, but the New England defense was a bigger factor. Pittsburgh, on the other hand, is very lucky to still be playing right now. The Jets should have won last week, but they managed to collapse, as I have been predicting for weeks now.
The Steelers are at home this week, so this should be a close game. (If it was to be played in New England, I would expect an easy win for the Patriots.) But "Big Ben" will choke under the pressure, and New England will be able to largely contain Pittsburgh's running game. NEW ENGLAND BY 6 (and no more than 34 total points scored)
Article comments
1 - andy marsh
I'll buy those picks. Let's hope you do a little better this week!
2 - The Theory
as a PA kid I'm definately hoping the trend continues and you have another off-week. haha.
I've GOT to pick both Eagles and Steelers.
3 - spiderleaf
Hmm.. let's see... Atlanta has no D to speak of and Philly's D is top ranked.
Philly barely even had to play that game against the Vikings... the one fumble that turned into a touchdown for Philly was offset by the Mitchell touchdown which was called a touchback... had he just gone down instead of reaching out the Birds woulda put one in for sure (a stupid rule if I ever saw one... why on earth does a ball going out of bounds in the end zone automatically give the ball to the other team?)... they also messed up by not kicking the field goal at the end of the half, a mistake they won't make again... Westbrook is on fire, McNabb accurate, "The people's champ" is proving his mettle and the Freak can run down Vick...
My prediction is the exact opposite of yours for the game.
4 - RJ
Where's Temple? Where's MK?
These are BIG games, folks. I want some predictions! :)
5 - Temple Stark
I know when I'm being called out :-)
I haven't been commenting on the play-offs because I don't know enough.
That said ... Steelers and Falcons
Ben would have got over his nerves - and his teammates will be there for him to support hi mat every turn. Steelers by 10.
Atlanta - well, no reason but I just like to watch Vick confound every member of the opposing team - struck dumb with a "What do I do now George? What do I do? look. Atlanta, by 3.
And I want to thnak you for being about the only person I've seen or read that said "Yes, the miserable weather was a factor"
Yeah, I think so. Horizontal snow is easy on no man or woman.
6 - spiderleaf
Remember though guys that Atlanta's D on the road is terrible -- out of the 47 sacks this year 31 came at home and they consistently let up over 40 more points on the road then at home.
Then there's that fearsome Philly crowd to contend with...
(yeah, I'm an Eagles fan in case you haven't guessed... have been since the days of Cunningham)
In the other game I pick NE by 6
7 - MCH
Yo, RJ (Bobby) Elliott...are you dillusionary? You just missed 4 of the 6 playoff games, and you're still pretending to be an expert football prognosticator?
You better stick with making fun of dismembered combat veterans.
8 - andy marsh
I heard my team is gonna be at the game! Most of the Giants live close enough to commute to the Eagles game! spider - that's when I started HATING the eagles, back in the days of Cunningham!
9 - spiderleaf
andy, it looks like we are fated to always disagree...
;)
10 - andy marsh
always? Let's hope not spider. There has to be something!
11 - spiderleaf
How about soup? Do you like soup?
12 - andy marsh
Depends...what kinda soup?
13 - bhw
Red, white, and blue soup, with little star and long noodle pasta.
14 - andy marsh
Never had red, white and blue soup, but hey, I'll try almost anything once.
15 - RJ
So, I went .500 this week. (And I won a $5.00 bet!)
New England vs. Philly in the Super Bowl. I'm picking the Pats...
16 - RJ
I predicted: "Big Ben" will choke under the pressure
And I was correct! 3 INTs, and only one TD...
17 - RJ
"Yo, RJ (Bobby) Elliott...are you dillusionary?"
[sic]...
"You just missed 4 of the 6 playoff games,"
Uh, actually I had blown 6 of 8 at the time the post was written. Quite a math wizard, aren't you?
"and you're still pretending to be an expert football prognosticator?"
When did I ever claim to be an "expert football prognosticator"? Uh, lemme see...never?
The REAL question is: Why don't you ever have the guts to make picks of your own?
18 - Temple Stark
ohmygod. See I know I don't know Jack about football. I actually WANTED the Eagles and Steelers to win so 1-1 there.
Eagles game was good. I skipped the fourth quarter of the NE V PS game
19 - andy marsh
I pick NE in a blow out over the Eagles in the Superbowl!
20 - The Theory
N.E. vs Eagles won't be a blow out by any strech of the imagination. N.E. has to be favored in the game... But if Philladelphia comes out on all cylinders (especially if T.O. is healthy enough to play), they'll give the Pats a better run for their money than The Steelers.
21 - MCH
"The REAL question is, why don't you ever have the guts to make picks of your own?"
- RJ (Bobby) Elliott
Bobby, like most so-called "defense Hawks" who choose to hide-out in college during time of war, you're attempting to confuse "guts" with "gall." Anyone can make a fool out of themselves by attempting to predict sporting outcomes (you're 3-for-10 in the playoffs). Unlike yourself, I've already enlisted and served my country during a time of war.
Actually, the REAL question is...why are you letting brave people die in your place in Iraq while you remain safely in Florida, writing punk bellicose war comments?
22 - andy marsh
I've only known one other person on here that hated you this much RJ and I thought she was gone!
23 - copygodd
i'm going with the patriots and the eagles.