Aside from the Carolina-Cardinals game last week I was pretty much spot on last week. I honestly don't regret that pick though. How many people thought after Carolina marched down the field for a score, and then held the Cardinals, that this game would not be a blowout? I also thought the Giants were going to come back, bust not get the cover on the Eagles, but Eli was Eli.
Last week I was 3-1, if you looked at my final scores I was 3-1 with the totals, so I think I will attempt to guess them this since there are only 4 possible bets on the board.
Pickin ATS for the Playoffs 5-3
Philly @ Arizona +4 49.5
Here we are, at the moment I have been fearing the most. The Arizona Cardinals are one home game away from making it to the Super Bowl, and burying my foot in my mouth. I originally started posting with how excited I was to bet against this team. I said they couldn't run or stop the run. I said Kurt Warner was a turnover waiting to happen. I lost some substantial wagers on them in this postseason, but luckily had the Steelers and Ravens to bail me out.
The Eagles have probably been an even bigger enigma than the Cardinals. They tie the Bengals, McNabb gets benched against the Ravens, and the season is in disarray. This act is followed up by reeling off a few impressive victories, only to no show against the Redskins. They get a blessing in a Raiders win over the Bucs, then beat the snot out of the Cowboys.
I keep hearing about this team of destiny thing for the Cardinals, but look at the Eagles. McNabb and Reid were on their way out, and now McNabb is playing at a level I haven't seen him play at in years. He is scrambling around and making plays happen and did you see the zip on his balls against the Giants. He is playing the QB position like a man possesed.
The Cardinals are a great story and they have proved me wrong this postseason. However, I always think there is one team that looked way to good the week before, and this week it was the Cardinals. I'm going to give them one more shot here and take the Eagles. They will not have the gift of 6 turnovers in this game, and the Eagles will probably blanket Fitzgerald and make Edge or Breaston beat them (assuming Boldin is not going to be a factor). The Eagles should be able to get to Warner, and the Cardinals will be so busy gameplanning against Westbrook after last game that McNabb will be able to pick them apart.
The Pick: Philly 27 Arizona 21
Baltimore at Pittsburgh -6 34
Steelers-Ravens III: MANS GAME! Could not dream of a better matchup for a hardcore football fan. This game looks to have a bounty on all 53 players for each team. Look for the third string QB's to exchange words in this heated rivalry.
The Ravens are as physical team as there is in this league, and Ray Lewis motivates his teammates like no other. However, I could not help but notice this team does have some weaknesses. How was it that Kerry Collins was seemingly able to find Justin Gage at will on 3rd down? How was is that LenDale White was able to catch balls out of the backfield for long gains? They did make the plays when it mattered, but when you play against a team that has already beaten you twice, they will find ways to exploit these weaknesses better than any other team.
The Steelers looked as complete as any teams in the playoffs last week. Parker looks like he is finally healthy, the line was clear some holes and protect Big Ben, and the D was as good as advertised.
At some point I have to wonder when the rookie QB on the road thing has some merit, and I figure this will be the game it does. I get borderline outraged when I hear that Flacco is playing mistake free football. Did anyone see the backward pass he rifled at McLain from 5 yards away, that could have been 6 the other way easily. The big 3rd down to setup the game-winning field goal was a great throw, but it should have been a delay of game. In a big situation he showed his rookie colors and should have gotten a delay of game call, but got lucky.
At this point of the season you need your QB to be able to step up and make a few plays for you, especially when you face a run D as good as the Steelers. I expect this to be an intense game, but in the end I need to finish my other half of the Pennsylvania Parlay.
The Pick: Pittsburgh 16 Baltimore 6