So What Do He Have Left In The Playoffs??

            

The NFL's Final Four remains...as every win from here on out gets you a trophy.  Next week, the AFC and NFC champions will be crowned with the Vince Lombardi trophy getting handed out two weeks later.

For the first time in a long time...you can actually fathom any four of these participants able to win the Super Bowl.  And all of these teams were preseason picks as a Super Bowl caliber team early on.  So, why the surprise??

NO COLTS.  The team that went 13-0 to start the season went 1-3 to end it....with the only win coming due to a goal line fumble in the closing seconds against Arizona.  This is the ultimate shock since, again, this team was 13-0 and deemed unstoppable.  While not many people will come down on coach Tony Dungy after the tragedy that hit his family, it will be noted in the history books that the Colts certainly did not benefit from their "rest" in the final two games and then subsequent bye week. 

NO PATRIOTS.  For only the second time in the last 5 years, a team other than New England will be celebrating on sport's biggest stage.  No Tom Brady theatrics.  No Adam Vinatieri late game kicks.  No Bill Billichick roaming the sideline with his "going to the store at 2am to get my pregnant wife some ice-cream" wardrobe. 

NO EAGLES.  We all have come to deal with this for a while now....but this is the first NFC Championship game since January 2001 that doesn't have the Philadelphia Eagles competing in the game.  So, we are missing that zest that Sal Palantonio gets discussing the Eagles [the same one that Peter Gammons gets when discussing either the Red Sox or Pedro Martinez] and those stories of Philly-fan threatening the fans of their opponent.

JAKE DELHOMME IS THE MAN!  Take this for what it is worth....but Jake Delhomme may as well be Joe Montana out there.  He leads all four NFL quarterbacks with an impressive 5-1 record....which only one of those games being in Charlotte.  Delhomme has been in two postseasons...and both times he's been in the NFC title tilt [of course, he got to the Super Bowl last time too].  In fact, add all the wins the other three QBs have in the postseason....and it equals the 5 that Delhomme has. 

THOSE LOW SEEDS ARE GOOD AFTER ALL.  I threw up a blog entry about how no #5 or #6 seed has gotten to the Super Bowl under the current format.  Now, Carolina [#5] and Pittsburgh [#6] are trying to buck that trend. 

BUT TECHNICALLY, THE ARE ALL SORT OF CHAMPIONS.  While Seattle and Denver will be known as NFC and AFC West champions, respectively.....the Panthers and Steelers weren't that far off.  Both teams actually tied for their division championships...but due to tiebreakers [division records] they both fell a tad bit short.  For Carolina, the opening week loss to the Saints sunk their division hopes....while a bad loss to the Ravens dropped the Steelers to 2nd place.  Of course, if you look right now....both of these teams are 13-5 [with the playoff games added in] while those division winners [Bengals and Buccaneers] finished 11-6.

AND THOSE TEAMS ARE HOT.  Sure are.  The Steelers are on a 6 game winning streak that has seen them beat the Bengals and Colts on the road....both teams that the Steelers lost to in the regular season.  The Panthers have won 8 of their last 9 road games...with their only loss coming in Chicago a few months ago and, well, we saw them take revenge. 

BUT, FOR THE 13TH STRAIGHT YEAR, BOTH #1 SEEDS WON'T MEET.  The last time the #1 seed in the AFC and the #1 seed in the NFC met in the Super Bowl was waaaaay back in 1993 when the Cowboys and Bills tangled.  It hasn't happened since...and won't happen this year since Indianapolis fell.

THERE ARE FOUR GREAT COACHES.  You have Mike Holmgren, who was a postseason regular with both Green Bay and Seattle....including a Super Bowl win and a Super Bowl loss.  You have Mike Shanahan who won two Super Bowls at the end of the 1990s.  You have John Fox, who like Delhomme is 5-1 in the postseason as head coach.  Before that, he took a rag tag Giants defense and took them to a Super Bowl.  And you have Bill Cowher who seems to always end up in the AFC Championship game despite key free agent defections every single year [this year, it was Plaxico Burress]. 

EXPERIENCE PAYS.  As I just noted...all four coaches remaining have led teams to the Super Bowl [a combined 6 Super Bowls with 3 wins].  Heading into the postseason, the only starting QB with more than one win in the playoffs was Jake Delhomme [Big Ben got one win last year].  All these QBs have suffered tough letdowns in their last postseason game [Delhomme barely lost Super Bowl XXXVIII, Plummer was run out of Indy, Big Ben was flustered at home against the Pats, Hasselbeck lost a heartbreaker last year].  And the key stat of these playoffs is that the 5 quarterbacks who made their first ever postseason start [Leftwich, Simms, Grossman, Palmer, Eli Manning] went a combined 0-5.

NFL Divisional Wrap-Ups

                 

SEAHAWKS 20-REDSKINS 10 (Sportz 4-1 in playoffs).  Hey, I called this thing 24-13...not bad.  Despite losing Shaun Alexander very early in the game to a concussion....the Seahawks were still able to execute their gameplan and beat the surging Skins.  Despite the loss of Alexander and 3 turnovers....Seattle was able to move the ball down the field quite methodically at times.  The real story, however, was the Seattle defense.  They got pressure on Mark Brunell, clamped down on Clinton Portis and did a spectacular job on Santana Moss. 

Yet, the Skins were still in this thing.  They trailed 14-3....essentially started drives inside their own redzone....were stuck with 2nd and 3rd down and longs....yet crawled back to 17-10 and had a shot to get it to 17-13 [c'mon John Hall!!!].  Hall missed a FG late that would've put the Skins down 4 with plenty of time remaining....but the miss seem to demoralize the team....and me.  More on the Skins season and future as a whole at a later time. 

So, the Seahawks have won a playoff game for the first time since 1983...when they beat the Los Angeles Raiders at home in the Kingdome in the AFC playoffs.  They'll host a conference championship game next week for the first time ever...with a shot at the Super Bowl on the line.

                            

BRONCOS 27-PATRIOTS 13 (Sportz 5-1):  As I said, don't throw the blanket "until they are knocked off, they are the champs and I'm picking them" statement out there.  In Denver, you saw a team who won 10 straight postseason games lose to a team that has lost 3 straight postseason games.  Why?  Mistakes.  Things that experienced champions who get the "well, theyare the champs" statements as reasons they will win games don't do. 

New England turned the ball over FIVE times....which were good for 24 Bronco points.  There were errant throws by Tom Brady.  Adam Vinatieri....aka Mr Clutch....missed a field goal attempt.  There were Pats defenders shoving each other on the sidelines.  They were penalized twice as much as Denver....for nearly 4 times as many yards.  Even those "breaks" that championship teams get didn't go the Pats way.  A very questionable pass interference call set up Denver's first TD....and a close fumble call after the Champ Bailey interception set up the game winning TD. 

Of course, it takes a good team to beat the Pats in the postseason...and the Broncos are it.  I mean, they became the first team in this Patriots Dynasty to beat New England in consecutive meetings.  And this team moves on to face either Indy or Pittsburgh next week for the AFC title.  Don't worry....we will hear from the Patriots again.

                             

STEELERS 21-COLTS 18 (Sportz 5-2):  I guess there was rust on the Offensive Machine!  Everything people feared of turned to be true....there was rust.  For a team that is built on timing and cohesiveness, the time off obviously hindered their ability to run their offense.  Of course, that Pitt defense did a lot of hindering too.  They were up in Peyton's grill all afternoon long.  Hitting him, rushing him, screwing up his timing.  And they also did a bang up job keeping Edge in check.  And you gotta give it up to that Pittsburgh offense...who jumped on the Colts early and did just enough to hang onto this thing.

Most people will remember that wild finish.  That pick that was overturned.  The Bettis fumble on the Colts' 2-yd line.  The game saving tackle by - Big Ben?  And the horrific shank of a FG attempt by "some idiot kicker."  Yep, Vanderjagt will get heat, as will Manning, for blowing the Colts greatest opportunity to win a Super Bowl.  I mean, home field advantage, the Super Bowl in a dome not too far away and the Patriots already eliminated.  But, the Colts played pretty soft...just as Joey Porter predicted. 

I don't see how this could be any more disappointing?  I mean, just one month ago...this team was looking for perfection [13-0 was as far as they got].  Now, this team lost 3 of their last 4 games....with the lone win coming at home BARELY over the lowly Arizona Cardinals.  When will it be your year, Colts??

              

PANTHERS 29-BEARS 21 (Sportz 6-2):  It's funny.  Heading into the playoffs...all you heard about was how great the Colts offensive unit was...and how great that Bears defensive unit was.  Well, we saw that Colts offense sputter....what about da Bears?

Same thing.  How else could Steve Smith...the one guy that everyone in the friggin' NFL knows is the biggest threat on that Carolina offense....go off for 218 yards, 12 catches and a pair of TDs????  Smith had SIX plays of 20 yards or more.  Not the Panthers team....just STEVE SMITH!!  The Panthers made a mockery of that vaunted Bears defense by rolling up 434 yards of offense...including 311 in the air. 

COY winner Lovie Smith may get a bit of heat for plugging in Grossman after a total of 7 career starts...but who else did he have?  However, Grossman [like Carson Palmer, Byron Leftwich, Chris Simms and Eli Manning last week] lost his first career playoff game. 

On a bad note, Panther RB DeShaun Foster broke his ankle and is done for the season. 

Carolina Strikes Back

                                        

Charlotte, NC is my hometown...so I go to Charlotte.com from time to time to see what's going on back home.  Well, I got a hold of this great piece about Sunday's Panthers-Bears game.  Enjoy.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Lighten up, Bears fans ... that is, if you can
Well bless your heart, Chicago, we should lose a few pounds, too
SCOTT DODD
sdodd@charlotteobserver.com
Lighten up, Bears fans ... that is, if you can

So the Chicago Sun-Times says Bears fans are smarter, richer and more loyal than their Panthers counterparts.

Oh yeah, Chicago Sun-Times, well ... you're fat.

But that's Men's Fitness magazine talking, not us. The mag just named Chicago "Fattest City in America."

Better take down those "Windy City" signs and replace them with "Winded City."

Actually, we polite Charlotteans have no desire to get into a war of words (unlike your defensive end Adewale Ogunleye, who said the Panthers "don't deserve" the credit they get). We'd rather sit you down for some sweet tea and tangy 'cue (which is why we have our own waistline problems, so we sympathize).

But you had to go the filthy Philly route, taking your shots like the Philadelphia Daily News did two years ago before the NFC Championship game. You see how well that worked out for them.

Here's some of what the Sun-Times said Thursday:

In one article, the paper wrote that the Panthers organization is "known as much for its controversy as its football. ... Most word-association tests that start with `Carolina Panthers' would end with 'cheerleaders.' "

We knew the TopCats' little brush with the law would come up eventually. (At least we have cheerleaders. The Bears disbanded their squad 20 years ago -- and haven't seen a Super Bowl since.) And of course, they rehash Rae Carruth, Fred Lane and all the other Panthers' crimes and tragedies.

But from a city best known for Al Capone? You ain't exactly untouchable on that front.

Another article takes the demographic demolition route:

"Bears fans are smarter, richer and, well, maybe drunker than Carolina Panthers fans. Just like you'd figure? On top of that, Panther fans are more likely to prefer slurping specialty coffee drinks and to have pet pussycats. ... A bigger percentage of Bears fans finished college and earn more than $75,000 a year than their Carolina counterparts."

They pinned all that on a Scarborough Research analysis of NFL fans, throwing in that when Bears fans drink beer, they "go for the good stuff" -- tasty imports and microbrews -- while Panthers fans "guzzle light beer."

We're not thin-skinned enough to take offense at any of that. It's just data, after all, and some might even be right on the money (especially the part about drunk Chicagoans), although our statistics show more wealthy folks here in Charlotte.

No, where the Chicago scribes really get in trouble is when they question the loyalty of Panthers fans, saying they haven't been around long enough to match the Bears fans' fervor.

Sirs, this is the South. We don't take loyalty lightly.

The Sun-Times quoted Chicago sports marketing guru Marc Ganis, who said: "At most, Panther fans have been around for 11 years. I'm not saying one is better than the other, but the depth of emotion for their team is greater for Chicago fans."

We know some fervent Panthers fans who would beg to differ, but we'll let the Panthers players stick up for them.

"You're in the South," safety Marlon McCree said. "Football is king down here. If you had the team two years, it wouldn't matter. ... Our fans support us, they're loud, they make the other team take timeouts. They're the best in the NFL."

McCree might rhyme with hyperbole, but fans will appreciate the sentiment. Veteran Panthers Mike Minter and Mike Rucker were a little less extreme, acknowledging that fans who've followed Da Bears all their lives might have a closer connection. But Panthers' fans are getting better all the time, they say.

"You start to see our fans traveling more. You start to see them in different stadiums," Rucker said. "That grows by winning."

And Minter had probably the best comeback: "At the end of the day, it doesn't matter. The fans aren't out there playing."

Good thing for Chicago fans. Because they're really fat.

Carolina Strikes Back

Here's what some Carolina fans wrote to us or posted on the Observer's Panther Tracks blog in response to the Chicago Sun-Times articles Thursday:

• "Before we got the team, I watched the Super Bowl for the commercials. But I guess being a Bears fan, so did you."

• "From my experience, a Panther fan since '95 and living in Chicago since '79, the Carolina fans seem to support the team throughout (i.e. 2001 season), whereas the Chicago fans turn on and off ('85 lovers '87 haters). One year they love everyone, then they want everyone from the owner to the towel boys/girls fired."

• "The people of the Carolinas remember what it was like to not have a team of their own. We didn't become fans by default or because it was handed down from family. ... This is OUR team, not our grandfather's team!"

• "Kinda funny how the entire country hasn't heard a peep out of Bears fans in 10-15 years but now, all of a sudden, they have a winning season and they are `the greatest fans on the planet.' Ha ha, keep wishing, Chicago."

• "The Bears don't have cheerleaders 'cause it's too stinkin' cold!"

• "Apparently we're not stupid enough to burn our own city down." We're pretty sure a cow got blamed for that.

Kobe Bryant Is The TEEN WOLF

                    

If you are between the ages of 25 and 35...you know about some Teen Wolf. 

Well, Bill Simmons [the resident Chowd that's not named Peter Gammons at ESPN.com] wrote an interesting piece on how Celtics coach Doc Rivers sucks.  Somehow, he links that to how Kobe Bryant is a ballhog and then drops this nugget:

"There's an illusion of team play in place (the triangle, a set rotation, role players at every position), so none of the Lakers realize that Kobe is the wolf from "Teen Wolf" and they're basically the "Other Guys.""

I litterally "LOLed" at the analogy.  It's funny...yet true.  If you know the movie, you know that once The Wolf steps onto the court...he is unstoppable.  Even by his own team.  He dunks, breaks ankles, boards and handles like Jordan.  He even steals the dribble from his teammates and scores buckets as if these guys are just there to take the ball out for him.  Essentially, turning into a Wolf makes you one heck of a hoops player.  Meanwhile, the Wolf's coach just sits back, eats hard boiled eggs, and dispenses useless knowlege that makes "everything else cream cheese."  All Phil Jackson needs is some eggs to eat.

Otherwise, the analogy is pretty much true.  As a Laker fan, I will defend Kobe's game to no end.  But, on a team with pretty much a D+ roster of role players....Kobe must take the game over for the Lakers to win.  Success in Laker Town is Kobe going off and hoping that someone else will get hot that night to support him.  But, hey, it works.  The Lakers have a pretty good record when Kobe goes off on these massive point outputs....while the Sixers struggle even with Allen Iverson carrying the load.  Just like Teen Wolf, it is Kobe Time and everyone else just gets out of the way.

Of course, the problem occurs when Michael J Fox doesn't want to be the Wolf anymore...and the guys have to suck it up and all get involved to beat that Soviet team [well, they weren't Soviet....but weren't all pasty white movie athletes in the 1980s Russians???].   Well, in LA....if the Wolf don't show up, the Lakers don't win.

And just like the Wolf, the organization turns a blind eye to Kobe's flaws since they are winning.  I mean....dude's a freaking werewolf!!!!!  But, as long as he can make those dunks....chicks dig it.  Sure, Kobe can be a jerk...but that's okay as long as he's pouring in the points. 

         

Here is my tangent......what about that Teen Wolf??  Was that the worst basketball ever filmed or what?

I mean, there isn't one ounce of athleticism on that court in the entire movie.  Everyone dribbles with their right hand....while staring at the floor.  Sure, every so often a nice play gets made.....but then they have to loop it in the film about 6 more times.  No, I wasn't expecting the insane Rucker Park rip off that made Above The Rim stunning to watch.....but I was expecting Jimmy Chitwood to run on the court and say to the Wolf that he'll "make it." 

Of course, the best scene in the movie was at the dance....when the synthesised music gets cranking and everyone does the Teen Wolf dance.  Ah...an 80s classic!

For other fun Teen Wolf sporting items....go to:

and McSweeney's Internet Tendency: Covering Teen Wolf: One Coach's Guide.

If you can think of other horrible hoops movies....please list them in my comments section.  I'll beat you to the punch on these:

Blue Chips.  One On One.  Like Mike.  Eddie.  The Sixth Man.  Celtic Pride. 

Will Bengals Be Back in 2006??

       

The Cincinnati Bengals enjoyed successes they haven't had in nearly 15 years.  And one would think with the young careers of Marvin Lewis, Carson Palmer, Rudi Johnson and Chad Johnson....not to mention guys like Odell Thurman and Deltha O'Neal on defense.....would guarantee that this team could be on a rise such as a team a few miles to the northwest, the Colts. 

But they may see a hiccup in the road next season.  With Carson Palmer smashing up his knee....any hopes of making a Super Bowl run was dashed in the early moments of their first postseason game in a decade and a half.  The injury could have lingering effects into the 2006 season....whether that means missing camp, missing a few games or just adjusting to his rebuilt knee. 

If Palmer can't go....then who does??  Jon Kitna, who came in relief for Palmer, will be a free agent and the Baltimore Ravens are very interested.  Obviously, staying in Cincinnati means backing up Palmer [when healthy] and taking less money [the team just signed Palmer up until 2012].  In B-more, he'll see some more cheese and have a legit shot at displacing Kyle Boller as the Ravens' starter.  With no Kitna, the team will almost assuredly go after a veteran free agent since Craig Krentzel is their 3rd QB.

But that's just if Palmer cannot come back.  Eventually he will and will continue his development into one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL.  You cannot really say that about the defense.

The defense ranked 28th in the league.  If it wasn't for their excellent ability to get takeaways....they'd never stop anyone.  They spent the 2005 draft getting linebackers David Pollack and Odell Thurman.  Thurman was a Defensive ROY candidate...while Pollack missed camp and never truly recovered.  With a year under their belts, they should improve.  In the secondary, there are guys [like Tory James] who will be getting big pay raises and may end up being cap casulties. 

The biggest killer will be the schedule.  In 2005, Cincinnati benefitted from playing a sked with some downtrodden teams.  The Packers, Bills, Lions, Titans and Texans littered their path...as well as a flailing Vikings team.  They also got the Bears before they were the Bears who we know and love now. 

In 2006 the Bengals will play 7 games against teams that qualified for the playoffs this season [including 6 that are still alive].....and 10 games against teams that finished with a .500 or better record.  Here it is....

HOME:  Patriots, Panthers, Steelers, Chargers, Falcons, Ravens, Browns, Raiders
ROAD:  Colts, Broncos, Buccaneers, Steelers, Chiefs, Ravens, Browns, Saints

I would almost guarantee that one of those Bengals-Steelers games will be on NBC's Sunday Night Football [remember, the games the NFL deems as premier matchups will be on SNF...not on Monday]....as well as two more as possibilities.

DIVISIONAL WEEKEND PREVIEW

This weekend's set of divisional games is dripping with subplots.  In each of the four Divisional games....it is a rematch of a regular season contest [only Seattle-Washington has changed venues].  You have Mike Shanahan v Bill Billichick.  You have defensive gurus Lovie Smith v John Fox with their #2 and #3 defenses battling.  Both #6 seeds are still alive.  There is exactly ONE team from each NFL division still alive [division champs Bengals, Giants and Buccs are gone...but 2nd place teams and understudys Steelers, Redskins and Panthers are still around]. 

One game will be in the rainy Northwest.  One will be in thin air.  One will be in a frozen ancient stadium.  And one will be in a dome.  Only Seattle and Carolina haven't won the Super Bowl....with only Seattle not even getting there.  Another oddity.  The top seeded Colts have been to the Super Bowl as an AFC team and an "NFC" team.  The other top seed, Seattle, just recently joined the NFC after 25 years in the AFC. 

REDSKINS AT SEAHAWKS

         

CREDENTIALS:  Washington won in Tampa last week, 17-10, to advance to the divisional round.  Seattle finished with an NFC-best 13-3 record and a NFC West title.

ODDS:  Seahawks by 9

WTF???  In the last month of the season, Matt Hasselbeck threw just 16 incompletions and 9 TDs.  He had an NFL record 76.1% completion rate in December.

OUTLOOK:  Sure, these two teams met early in the season...but that was looooong ago.  Both will try to run the football all day.  The Skins want to use Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts to control the field and control the clock.  Seattle will look the league MVP Shaun Alexander to move the ball down the field, get first downs and become the excellent red zone threat he's been all season long.   The best bet for Washington would be to get an early lead because I don'tsee them able to come from behind in Seattle.  Also, Washington has been winning of late due to takeaways....so winning the turnover battle is paramount. 

There are a ton of key matchups....but the main one will be the Redskins defensive line against the Seahawks O-line.  The Skins lineman have been doing a great job in the last several weeks of getting pressure on the QB.  However, Seattle's line does a great job keeping people off of Hasselbeck.  With the West Coast Offense, there are more shorter drops and routes...giving the Skins line even less time to get to the backfield.  Oh, and that Seattle line is the line that produced the NFL's leading rusher and the single season TD record holder, Alexander.   And remember that the Redskins' Renaldo Wynn broke his arm last week and is gone. 

Despite the odds, Washington can win this game.  They must dominate in the trenches, move the ball effectively, and keep 3rd downs less than 5 yards.  As evident against Tampa, the Skins struggled to stay out of 3rd and longs and were pathetic converting them.  That means Washington must get 4+ yards on first down.  Whether that's a Portis rush, screens to Moss or a dump off to Cooley....the Skins need to have positive gains on first down.  Third and longs could be disasterous with a Seahawks team that led the NFL in sacks.  Doing that keeps the ball moving and Shaun Alexander off the field. 

SPORTZ PICK:  Washington's offense will be a bit better....as Seattle's defense isn't as stout as Tampa's.  But Seattle's offense is a lot better.  Expect a steady dose of Shaun Alexander...forcing the Skins to come up to the line.  When that happens, look for Hasselbeck to get big plays against the Skins beat up secondary.  If they can do all that, they'll get their first postseason win since 1984.  Seahawks 24-13

PATRIOTS AT BRONCOS

CREDENTIALS:  New England polished off Jacksonville, 28-3 last weekend.  Denver won the AFC West.

ODDS:  Broncos by 3

WTF???  Denver has won 13 of the last 16 meetings with New England. 

OUTLOOK:  This should be a great game.  You have the Broncos playing at home....and own one of the best home field advantages in the NFL.  But, coming in is the New England Patriots.  Winners of 3 of the last 4 Super Bowls [and the last 2] and riding a 10-game playoff winning streak.  Tom Brady, the clutch QB of our era.  Bill Billichick, the best big game coach of our era.  Also coming in is a poor rush attack and a team nailed by various injuries this year.  Of course, ask Jacksonville how badly they are beaten up. 

There are a ton of key matchups....but the main one will be if New England can hold up that Bronco stable of backs.  New England has had the best run defense in the NFL over the second half of the season....but Denver has a duo of nice backs in Mike Anderson and Tatum Bell who burned them before.  And when they need a tough yard, Ron Dayne is out there.  In the earlier meeting, Denver bowled over the Pats for more than 180 rushing yards.  The Pats must keep these guys in check and force Jake Plummer to beat them....which is another difficult task to stop.

One of the interesting problems with Plummer is that you want to put pressure on him....but you want to contain him as well.  Collapse the pocket around him.  If you allow him to scramble out, he can make plays.  And with a shaky New England secondary, it is tough to ask them to stick with guys for extended periods of time.  Rest assured, Billichick will have a solid defensive gameplan in place for Plummer and the run game.  But will he have the personel to pull it off?  That will be the cat and mouse game thatMike Shanahan and Bill Billichick will play all night. 

SPORTZ PICK:  All great things come to an end.  I hate the "they are champs until they lose" reason to pick New England.  Yes, they are the champs until they lose....but that blanket statement doesn't explain why they'll win this game.  To me, New England is still in it's Dynasty Era....but all those injuries to the secondary will be exposed with Ashly Lelie and Rod Smith make big plays and Tatum Bell gets some huge runs.  Tom Brady and Co will do their best to keep pace on the scoreboard....but Denver employs some darn good DBs that can lock down the Pats receivers at times.  That's why I am going with Denver.  New England's 10-game playoff win streak comes to an end....but they will most assuredly be back next season to make another run.    Broncos 30-20

STEELERS AT COLTS

                                     

CREDENTIALS:  Pittsburgh won in Cincinnati 31-17 to get to this game.  Indianapolis finished with the NFL's best record....14-2. 

ODDS:  Colts by 9

WTF???  The Steelers have won 6 of their last 7 games against the Colts.  However, those 6 wins were all in Pittsburgh...and the one loss was the lone game in Indianapolis, which was played earlier this year. 

OUTLOOK:  Now we will get to see if it is Rest or Rust.  The Colts essentially rested everyone for their final 2 games of the season...and hasn't played a truly meaningful game in a month.  The Steelers, on the other hand, have won 5 games in a row...and needed every one of those wins just to get to this point.  One loss...and the Chiefs would be here right now.  You can laugh off the rust factor....but remember that the Colts rested their main guys in the preseason....and then they struggled with their timing in the first few weeks of the regular season. 

There are a ton of key matchups....but the main one will be how well the Steelers' secondary keeps up with those Colts receivers.  They did a great job holding down Cincy's stout wide-outs to limited damage.  But that was with Jon Kitna running the show.  This is Manning....and these are Harrison, Wayne, Stokley, Clark and James...among others.  Pittsburgh did do a nice job holding down the Colts receivers after a shaky start in the November meeting. 

For Pittsburgh to win...they must keep those guys in check.  Indianapolis wants to jump on the Steelers early and then run them to death.  Ya know, the Steeler plan.  So Pittsburgh must find ways to stay in this game and have a legit shot in the final quarter.  With that Colts running game and their improved defense...it will be hard for that Pitt offense to mount a major comeback. 

SPORTZ PICK:  The rest certianly helps one Colt....Edgerrin James.  He will be really fresh and ready to carry the offensive load.  I think the Colts will break the game open in the middle 15 mintues of the game...and James will bleed Pittsburgh dry.  Colts 27-10

PANTHERS AT BEARS

                           

CREDENTIALS:  Carolina dominated the Giants last week, 23-0, to get to this game.  Chicago was the surprise team of the NFL...winning the NFC North and getting a 1st round bye

ODDS:  Bears by 3

WTF???  Carolina has a +21 turnover margin and was the least penalized team in the NFL.

OUTLOOK:  This should be a close, low scoring game.  The NFL's #2 and #3 defenses collide.....with two of the best defensive lines out there.  Both teams force turnovers too.  As stated, the Panthers have a +21 turnover ratio....while the Bears finished 2nd in the NFL with 24 picks.  However, their turnover differential was just +6, due to the fact that they turn the ball over too.  Chicago will try to keep the ball on the ground with Thomas Jones [who had a great season] and get possession passes to guys like former Panther Mushin Muhammad. 

There are a ton of key matchups....but the main one will be how the Bears approach the Panther passing attack.  Granted, it is Delhomme to Steve Smith for the most part....but no one seems to be able to stop it.  In the previous game these teams played, Smith had 14 catches for 169 yards.  But no scores.  The secondary must do a better job in that regard.  Chicago will try to bring pressure to Delhomme, forcing him to make throws when he isn't set [and those tend to sail] and getting some picks that way.  If he can set up and make clean throws....he has the ability to pick the defense apart.  In a game where both defenses can stop both runners, the ability to move the ball in the air could be the difference.  Carolina's passing attack is a big, big advantage. 

And don't discount experience again.  Not just playoff experience...but game experience.  Grossman has played the equivalent of 6 quarters this season....yet must lead his team in a playoff game against the #3 defense in the NFL with big game defensive backs.  Meanwhile, Carolina has guys that have come up huge in playoff games [Delhomme, Foster, Manning] and aren't nervous of the atmosphere. 

SPORTZ PICK:  Well, both defenses will hold their ground.  And I know it seems trite, but protection of the football will be huge. I mean, it is a major deal here.  Chicago loves to pick the ball off....and Delhomme is known as a gunslinger.  However, if Jake can keep his throws on target and build a bit of a lead....then it will be a steady dose of DeShaun Foster the rest of the way.  I think that the Panthers can get Smith open [they did before]....Foster will be adequate enough to keep the chains moving....and the Panther secondary will expose Grossman's short prep time.  So, yes...just one week in and I'm already going against my pick for NFC Champion.  Here ya go, Mom.   Panthers 20-13

Hey, Texans....Don't Draft Vince Young!!

                  

The Houston Texans have pretty much been on the clock for a couple months now....and technically been on the clock for about 10 days.  And rumors keep pouring in.

First one has the Texans selecting Reggie Bush, the Heisman winner from USC, with the top pick no matter what happens.  Not a bad pick.  He could be the next LaDanlian Tomlinson and isn't just a fluke player who did well for just one colliegate season. 

Then comes word that the correct PR thing to do is select Texas' Vince Young....who had the mother of all National Championship games...to be David Carr's replacement and a ticket seller.  Yep, that would be quite popular.

But I don't think that Houston should select either of these guys.  And, no, I don't think they should select Matt Leinart either.  Or LenDale White.

No....they guy they need is D'Brickashaw Ferguson from Virginia.  Who???  He's an athletic left tackle who is excellent in pass protection as well as bowling over guys for the running game.  That's Houston's biggest weakness since they came into the league...and that's where they need to go next. 

They need him.  David Carr was sacked a league-high 68 times this season....a stat he's led in three of the four seasons since he came into the NFL in 2002.  You would think that after drafting a QB with the #1 overall pick in the 2002 Draft and the #1 overall pick in your franchise's history that protecting him would be a priority.  It has not been.  And while David Carr hasn't devloped as the 2003 top pick Carson Palmer....he isn't exactly Joey Harrington [who was taken 2 spots after Carr] either.  Carr does have some issues to work out on his own....but being able to stand in the pocket will facilitate things quicker.  Of course, Carr could be a free agent if the Texans don't pick up an option package to keep him. 

Dumping Carr and drafting Young means the team has basically admitted to being a rebuilding team and still hasn't found a way to protect him [though Young can run for his life a bit better].  So Carr will most likley stay.

As for Reggie Bush....well there is this guy named Domanick Davis already in Houston.  Davis just signed a 5-year deal in August and isn't going anywhere.  He's one of the best receiving backs in the NFL....averged over 100 yards of total offense per game.  His biggest problem is health...as he missed 5 games this year.  Houston can have a Davis-Bush backfield where the switch them around to keep them both fresh and healthy. 

I'd just like them fit some puzzle pieces together to make the other one's work.  Not just say "screw it" and start a new puzzle. 

Of course, Ferguson won't be the #1 pick in the draft.  If Houston holds on to it....they'll will most likely select Bush.  But Bush is wanted....nay, needed....by several NFL teams.  And some of those with high draft picks wouldn't mind making a deal to get him.  The New York Jets....at #4...would love to bring Bush in to replace aging Curtis Martin.  So might Green Bay at #5 or San Francisco at #6 or #7.

The "Dancing Bear" should be the Texans' guy.  So deal the pick, Houston.  Let New York get Bush.  Sure, ol' Reggie will be a great player....but Ferguson will make Davis, Carr and Johnson into greater players.

Why not accent what you have already??

Penguins Coach Rips Team

                            

Rarely do you see a head coach completely dress down his players in public.  Maybe a verbal jab here....a cryptic message there....sometimes calling out a guy.  But rarely does a coach just completely throw his team under the bus.

Well, Michel Therrien did.  Therrin is the head coach of the Pittsburgh Penguins...who lost Tuesday night to Edmonton 3-1.   His Pens are the worst team in the Eastern Conference [only Columbus and St. Louis have less points].....and only St. Louis was won less than the 11 games that Pittsburgh has coralled.  They've given up more goals than anyone in the NHL.  And they've lost 8 of the 11 games since Therrin has taken the Pens job. 

And there is what Michel Therrin is bent about.  His defense.  He calls them out in a meet and greet with the press after the loss to the Oilers.  Below is his statements....

-"I'm not impressed.  It's a pathetic performance. Half of the team doesn't care."

-"It's like, are we going to be happy to play eight minutes?  I'm not going to be happy to play eight minutes.   What those guys will say if we take 50 percent of their salary because they only played for 50 percent of the time?"

-"That defensive squad, I'm really starting to believe their goal is to be the worst defensive squad in the league.  And they're doing such a great job at being the worst.  They turn the puck over, they have no vision, they're soft. I've never seen a bunch of defensemen soft like this."

-"There's not one guy who was close to doing something.  Maybe Max Talbot, at the end, with 1 second left."

-"They pretend to care, but I know they don't care. ... I'm so disappointed about lots of guys. Very disappointed, because they don't care."

TO WATCH IT....Click here [FOXSports.com - NHL- Pittsburgh Penguins Team Front], then scroll down to the VIDEO portion that says "Pens Coach Rips Team"

GET RID OF THE PRO BOWL!!!!!

                        

Since you are reading this....you most likely have checked my blog out before.  So you know I love my football.  With my NFL Sunday Ticket, I've watched a least part of every freaking game this year.  The one game I won't watch?  The NFL Pro Bowl. 

It is the dumbest idea.  I mean, we all know why the game is held after the season....because an injury mid season in that game could be devestating.  Understood.  But why have this game at all???

*Most of the players don't even play in this game.  Many of them are getting those nagging injuries dealt with...some in surgery, some in rehab, some with rest. 

*That's good for those NFL reporters who go on and on and on and on about the "snubs".  Don't cry for the snubs....they'll get to Hawaii.  They'll be plenty of guys dropping out and letting these snubs find their way in.

*Um, some guys are a bit rusty.  I'm sure all those Charger defenders will be psyched to be in the Pro Bowl.  Problem is that they will not have played a game in 43 days.  Just like all the non-playoff players. 

*We don't need to see an NFL coach with a flower shirt on and a lei.  And is there a freaking law that you MUST wear a Hawaiian shirt in Hawaii??  Does anyone just wear a t-shirt....or a polo shirt??  Why must those coaches [even the NCAA hoops coaches in those Maui Classics] insist on wearing that garb???

*It is the biggest anti climatic event in the history of mankind.  I mean, the NFL builds and builds and builds into a Super Bowl frenzy.  I mean....the Wildcard Weekend, Divisional Round, Conference Championships and then the Super Bowl.  The two weeks of buildup to the ultimate sporting event of our year.  The thing that even non-sports fans get into.  The betting, the parties, the events, the commercials, the game.  After that game and the aftermath....you get the Pro Bowl  Ugh.  A meaningless game.

*And it isn't even a real NFL game.  Therules change.  I mean, there is like, no blitzing and limited coverage packages and the like.  So, more offense and nobody gets hurt.  Why not just have two-hand touch?  Or flag football?  Or just not have the game at all?

I vote to get rid of this game.  Football is known for their "teams" and awards.  I mean, the NCAA's All American Team doesn't go and play games.  The ACC All Conference Team doesn't take on the Big XII All Conference team in a game.  So why should the AFC and NFC match wits?  After all, we kinda know who is the better conference when that conference champion wins the Super Bowl a week earlier. 

Unlike the NBA or Major League Baseball....there really are no "dream teams".  We all loved seeing that Shaq-Duncan-Garnett front line in the NBA all star game.  Or those murderous lineups you can throw up there in the Midsummer Classic.  But no one needs to see a Manning-to-Chad Johnson TD pass.  Or Tom Brady handing the ball off to Larry Johnson. 

No.  Just give us the ALL PRO team and let that be that.  That's all we really care about anyways.  Well, that...and not seeing a Redskin helmet on a blue uniform covered with white stars. 

Wildcard Weekend Review

There were some common threads amongst the four NFL Wildcard Weekend games.  Here is just what I saw.....

DON'T TURN IT OVER:  If any of you watched FOX's pregame show, you'd note that Jimmy Johnson stated that the key is to be the team with the least mistakes.  How true this weekend!  The losing teams this weekend were the Giants [5 turnovers], Buccaneers [3], Jaguars [2] and Bengals [2] who combined for TWELVE TURNOVERS......while the Redskins [1], Panthers [0], Patriots [0] and Steelers [0] combined for just ONE.  Now, any simpleton knows that turning it over means you're not gonna have a good time, but these numbers really, really, really put that theory into a bright display. 

EXPERIENCE IS KEY:  In three of the games [the Washington-Tampa Bay game excluded] there was a clear experience gap between the teams.  In each case, the experienced team won handily.  New England just played with poise and confidence.  Pittsburgh wasn't shaken by an early 10-pt defecit.  Carolina had an outstanding defensive game plan.  Those three teams have been to conference championship games.....with Carolina and New England bringing Super Bowl experience.  On the other side, all three QBs were shaken.  Obviously, the Carson Palmer injury was unfortunate.  But Eli Manning and Byron Leftwich were left confused in their first playoff starts. 

RARE SHUT OUT:  The Giants became the first home team to be shut out in a playoff game since Tampa Bay in 1980. 

DON'T TRUST THESE BYE TEAMS:   Having a bye is a nice thing.  You get to rest your weary players.  You don't have to play that extra game to get to the Super Bowl.  But don't exactly give these four bye teams a pass into the Conference Championships.  All four have issues...at least prior playoff issues.  We all know about the Colts inability to beat New England in the playoffs.  Well, if the Pats and Colts can match up....it could be quite a fight that New England may come out as the victor.  That would mean the Pats would've knocked off Denver, who've looked horrible in the recent playoff games.  Over in the NFC, Seattle hasn't won a playoff game in over 20years...and have lost their only two playoff games at Qwest Field.  Chicago hasn't won a playoff game in a decade...and lost their last playoff game in which they were a #2 seed [2002]. 

BUT, THEN AGAIN, THEY ARE GREAT HOME TEAMS:  Seattle, Chicago, Indianapolis and Denver are a combined 30-2 at home this season.  Those lone two losses?  Chicago lost to Cincinnati in Soldier Field very early in the season.  The other loss was that Colts loss to the Chargers that ended their run for a perfect season.  The road teams [Washington, New England, Pittsburgh and Carolina] are 21-11 this year away from their stadiums.

HOW ABOUT THESE COACHES:  You have Bill Billichick, Mike Shanahan, Joe Gibbs and Mike Holmgren who have combined for NINE Super Bowl championships.  The other coaches, John Fox, Lovie Smith, Bill Cowher and Tony Dungy are no slouches themselves.  Fox and Cowher have led their teams to Super Bowls. 

OH BROTHER, WHERE FOR ART THOU?:  Interesting brother issues.  Both Tiki [Giants] and Ronde [Bucs] Barber were ousted from the NFC playoffs this weekend.  Eli Manning was bounced from the playoffs...eliminating a scenerio that he'd meet his brother Peyton in the Super Bowl.  Matt Hasselbeck will lead his Seahawks against Washington.....where his brother Tim was a backup QB for the last few years [he was cut this past offseason].

FROM THE OTHER SIDE:  Here is the The Buccaneers blog about the Skins victory of the Bucs:

"To be honest, Washington was the team I was more afraid of, even tho I knew Carolina was gonna beat the pants off the Giants -- as they no doubt felt as if they had something to prove.  "We" won the Division, they didn't.  Can't you see Fox telling his team that they "needed to show" everyone who the *real* Division Champ was?  I can.

I was afraid of the Redskins because of history, and history has a way of doing things to people.  We beat them on a questionable two-point conversion, and we beat them in our last playoff meeting.  But I did like our chances against them.

The Skins were coming off a five win gig (as I said earlier) and looking at their total offense, the Bucs should have won this game easily. 

14 points is hard to overcome -- not impossible, just hard.

One of the things I think played against us was our QB's lack of experience.  Example:  After a fumble he stood there looking at the ball instead of diving on it.  Washington recovered.

He's been having passes tipped a lot lately .. Isn't that double-pump something designed to throw off a Defense's timing?

And that last minute TD that wasn't.  I do not understand that rule.  If the ball slips, even a fraction of an inch, it's ruled incomplete, but yet a ball carrier can make it one millimeter diving into the endzone, have the ball pop out, and it's still a TD.  The rule on fumbling is that the ground cannot cause the fumble.  So why is this "incomplete pass" rule on the books?  It just makes no sense to me.

And from buccaneers.com ... This pretty much says it all.

"Don’t blame the Buccaneers’ defense if they can’t enjoy one of the most dominant performances in NFL playoff history...Without the ‘W,’ it's a hollow victory.

You can look at the offensive total amassed by the Washington Redskins on Saturday in two ways:

1) It was the fewest yards ever gained by a winning team in an NFL playoff contest; or

2) It was the fewest yards ever allowed by a losing team in an NFL playoff contest.

The Buccaneers’ top-ranked defense held the Redskins to 120 yards of total offense despite losing, 17-10. That’s an extremely impressive accomplishment by a defense that has been the league’s best for the last decade but it is, unfortunately, something of a moral victory. The Redskins will live to fight another day in the 2005 playoffs while the Buccaneers will begin preparing for 2006.

The Buccaneers’ defense came into the first round of playoffs as the top-ranked unit in the league, having grabbed that title from Chicago on the last weekend. It’s safe to say, however, that few analysts really considered the ’05 Bucs the best defense in the league, unlike in 2002, when the rankings title was just the last validation of what everyone already knew. This year, most gave that distinction of best defense to the Bears, who would have been the Bucs’ second-round opponent had they won.

Perhaps itis particularly impressive, then, that this defense came out and stymied an offense that, over the last five weeks of the regular season, had averaged 326 yards and 28 points per game. Behind Clinton Portis’ five straight 100-yard rushing games, the Redskins’ offense was rolling coming into the postseason. They expected similar success on Saturday.

At the beginning of the 2005 season, which most observers felt would be another tough one for the Buccaneers, the team made a point of studying the factors that most often lead to wins and losses in the NFL. It should come as a surprise to no one that giveaway/takeaway differential was at top of that list. In the end, it is the reason the Bucs are not celebrating one of the best defensive performances in NFL playoff history.

“It is funny, ironic, that the thing we stressed most is the thing that we could not get over, and that was the turnover margin,” said Simeon Rice.  "We held them in yards. We had more yards than them. Everything, statistically, went our way, except for the turnover margin.”

And the score Simeon, the final score."

Skins, Pats, Panthers and Steelers Advance

If any of you watched FOX's pregame show, you'd note that Jimmy Johnson stated that the key is to be the team with the least mistakes.  How true this weekend!  The losing teams this weekend were the Giants [5 turnovers], Buccaneers [3], Jaguars [2] and Bengals [2] who combined for TWELVE TURNOVERS......while the Redskins [1], Panthers [0], Patriots [0] and Steelers [0] combined for just ONE. 

Here are some recaps on the games.....

                       

REDSKINS 17-BUCCANEERS 10 (Sportz 1-0)

It didn't come down to a Mike Alstott 2-pt conversion this time.

Of course, nothing about this game mirrored the 36-35 Bucs win a few months ago.  Instead of the shootout there...it was defensive struggle, and I mean struggle.  Both defenses performed great with hard hits, good coverages and excellent tackling.  The difference was that the Skins got 3 turnovers to the Bucs 1.  And all three turnovers were as huge as you could get.

The first one was a LaVar Arrington pick that set the Redskins offense inside the redzone.  Soon after, Clinton Portis ran in the game's first score...a TD run to give Washington a 7-0 lead.  A quarter later, Cadillac Williams was nailed, he coughed it up, Marcus Washington ran a bit with it, fumble, and Sean Taylor swooped in and returned it for a defensive TD and a Skins 14-0 lead. The final takeaway was the final play.  With the Bucs with a bit momentum and attempting to tie the game, Chris Simms had his pass tipped [which was happening all day] and Marcus Washington picked it off to, essentially, end the game.

And that's about all the excitement for Skins fans during this game.  The Skins did everything they could to lose this one.  Their offensive output is the worst in postseason history by a winning team.  Mark Brunell threw for a mere 41 yards.  Sean Taylor gets ejected for spitting in a Bucs player's face [which cost the Skins 15 yards and an automatic first down after Tampa was stopped on 3rd down].  Even the most important punt of the game....one with just over 1:00 remaining...was shanked for 14 yards. 

So on to Seattle to face another team the Skins saw earlier this season...the Seahawks in which the Redskins beat in overtime way back in September.

Hail to the Redskins!

        

PATRIOTS 28-JAGUARS 3 (Sportz 2-0)

Let's talk about respect. 

I mentioned that the Jags were getting NO respect from anyone.  Well, they showed why.  They were handled pretty easily by New England, 28-3.

Tom Brady made a comment that no one respects the Patriots.  How can we not?  They've won 3 of the last 4 Super Bowls....including the last two.  The win over the Jags gives them 10 straight postseason wins....an NFL record.  Not to mention they won the AFC East despite being decimated with injuries.

Of course, the Pats are getting to the point where people want someone else to win.  I mean, they are entering Lakers and Yankees territory now. 

Even if they thought they weren't respected....they freaking took it on Saturday.  After a yawner of a first half....New England jumped on Jacksonville in the third quarter and just dominated a rusty Byron Leftwich. 

New England now heads to Denver to try to make it 11 in a row.  And remember, New England is not scareed to go on the road and win a playoff game.  Just ask Pittsburgh.  Twice.

        

PANTHERS 23-GIANTS 0 (Sportz 2-1)

There are some things you just can't explain.  How can the #3 offense get blanked??  This was the first time a home team was shut out in a playoff game since Tampa Bay lost at home....in 1980....to the Los Angeles Rams. 

This was complete domination. 

First Downs:   Carolina 23, New York 9
Yards:  Carolina 335, New York 132
Rush Yards::  Carolina 223, New York 41
Time of Possession:  Carolina 42:45, New York 17:15
Turnovers:  Carolina 0, New York 5

Ouch, babe.

A big key was the Panthers ability to lock up Tiki Barber.  A buddy of mine said at work today, "they need to get him the ball any way they can."  He had just 13 carries and 3 receptions.  Jeremy Shockey.....just 3 catches.  Plaxico Burress....ZERO.  Meanwhile, Carolina's stars went off.  Steve Smith caught 10 passes....and scored 2 TDs.  DeShaun Foster ran for 151 yards. 

Now Carolina goes back to Chicago, where they lost earlier this season 13-3. 

    

STEELERS 31-BENGALS 17 (Sportz 3-1)

It is a shame to think that these Bengals waited 15 years to get into the playoffs....then their best player suffers a horrible injury on his first pass attempt.  It could be viewed a dumb-luck.  It could be viewed as another notch on the Bengals franchise's history of bad things happening in their shiniest moments [see: Stanley Wilson]. 

Aside from that, Jon Kitna came in a did quite a job in the first half.....even netting Cincy a halftime lead.  But, they wouldn't score again.  The Steelers decided edge in experience seemed to take over.

After that point, they essentially shut down any big plays from Cincinnati, and they made fewer mistakes.  The Bengals suffered 90 yards in penalties, a 40-yards pass interference call [which cost them the lead]. a failed 4th down and two untimely interceptions. 

Pittsburgh goes to Indianapolis to take on the frontrunning Colts. 

Hey, I Am No Jeff Zillgitt

                                              
                                                Jeff Zillgitt

Jeff Zillgitt at USATODAY writes a column called "The Zen Zone".  Apparantly, he's been picking NFL games all year long.

In his recent playoff entry, USATODAY.com - Regular-season reflections and playoff picks to savor, he writes "this gig gets stressful when readers rely on you for correct predictions. Bear in mind, I'm no Wayne Allyn Root. I'm just a guy who digs the NFL, watches the games, does research and types out a few words.  At any rate, I enjoy making the picks, and I'm ready for the wild-card games, albeit with some trepidation. There should be four close games this weekend.  For the fun of it (well, for the fun of it and for ego gratification), let's see how I stacked up against other prognosticators this season."

He then goes thru the web and finds various experts NFL picks this season and lists them.

I, the Sportz Assassin, went 182-74 this season.  So. it was neat to look at Mr. Zillgitt's list to see how I performed against those experts. 

23-Joe Theismann, ESPN: 148-92 (for objectivity's sake, Theismann did not pick any Sunday night games)
22-Bob Costas, HBO: 156-100
21-Eric Allen, ESPN: 157-99
20-Mike Golic, ESPN: 162-94
19-Cris Carter, Yahoo!: 165-91
18-Ira Miller, San Francisco Chronicle: 168-88
17-Dan Marino,HBO: 168-88
16-Ron Jaworski, ESPN: 169-87
15-Jerry Greene, Orlando Sentinel: 169-87
14-Greg Cote, The Miami Herald: 169-87
13-Brandon Funston, Yahoo!: 170-86
12-Chris Mortensen, ESPN: 171-85
11-Mark Schlereth, ESPN: 171-85
10-Can Inman, Contra Costa Times: 171-85
9-Mike Harmon, Yahoo!: 172-84
8-Terry Bannon, Chicago Tribune: 173-83
7-Mark Maske, The Washington Post: 173-83
6-Tom Sorensen, The Charlotte Observer: 176-80
5-Cris Collinsworth, HBO: 178-78
4-Merrill Hoge, ESPN 179-77
3-Sean Salisbury, ESPN 180-76
2-SportzAssassin, Sportz Assassin.com:  182-74 [I added it into his mix].
1-Jeff Zillgitt: 183-73

Yes....a very good year indeed....and a tip of the cap to Mr Zillgitt. 

Oh, and Mr. Zillgitt has Tampa, New England, New York and Pittsburgh winning this weekend. 

Herm Edwards Will Be the New Chiefs Head Coach

                          

Apparantly KC did get their man....and Edwards got his contract.

Edwards will leave the New York Jets and become the head man at Kansas City.  Both teams have agreed on compensation to "trade" Edwards to the Chiefs....and it is believed that Edwards has already agreed to a contract with Kansas City. 

Under the agreement, the Jets will receive a middle-round pick, believed to be a fourth-rounder, in the upcoming 2006 draft.  Not as biting of a deal as, say, Bill Billichik going from the Jets to the Patriots several years ago. 

Wildcard Weekend

WASHINGTON AT TAMPA BAY

                                

CREDENTIALS:  Tampa Bay [11-5] surprisingly surpased Carolina and Atlanta for the NFC South crown.  The Redskins won their final 5 games, three of which were on the road, to end the season 10-6.

ODDS:  Buccaneers by 2.5

WTF???  The Redskins played the SECOND toughest schedule [only San Diego's was tougher]...in which the Skins played 10 games against teams who finished the season with a winning record.  By contrast, the Buccaneers played the SECOND EASIEST schedule [only the Seahawks sked was easier].

OUTLOOK:  These two teams are very similar.  Lefthanded QBs who weren't opening day starters?  Check.  Top notch running backs?  Check [Clinton and Cadillac].  Big play receiver?  Check [Moss and Galloway].  Bruising defenses?  Check.  Super Bowl winning coaches?  Check.  History?  Check.  The last time these two played....the game was decided when Jon Gruden went for a 2-pt conversion to win the game by one point.  The last time these two played in the postseason [the Skins last playoff game]...the game was decided by one point.  In that game, a potential game winning FG was foiled when Redskins' QB Brad Johnson [who later won a Super Bowl as the QB for the Bucs] mishandled the snap. 

There are a ton of key matchups....but the main one will be the QBs.  Chris Simms has played well...but he still can make mistakes.  Under pressure.  The Redskins put pressure on all game long...as Gregg Williams loves to mess with a QB's timing.  This could really play into the Skins' advantage...especially since they've improved their takeaway numbers over the last month.  On the other side, Mark Brunell is a bit banged up...but he's been here before.  As the Jags' QB in the 1990s, Brunell has seen his fair share of playoff games.  He throws it away when there's nothing....he goes thru his progressions nicely....and he'll even tuck it in and run for a few yards here and there.  I think in a defensive struggle....this is somewhere the Redskins could find an advantage. 

SPORTZ PICK:  I don't think this game will look anything like the 36-35 shootout it was earlier in the year.  Marty Kifkin and Gregg Williams are two of the best defensive coordinators around...and both have seen the other offense recently.  But, with all the similarities these teams has....ah, screw it.  I'm bucking the trends.  Sure, Tampa beat them earlier this year.  Sure, Tampa has won 5 of 6 at home against the Skins.  But Portis had his best game [144 yards] in Tampa earlier this year...and they are my team...lol.   Redskins 24-21

JACKSONVILLE AT NEW ENGLAND

                                  

CREDENTIALS:  New England won the weak AFC East with a 10-6 record.  Jacksonville finished with a 12-4 record....the fourth best record in the NFL.  Too bad the #1 record [Colts] played in their same division.

ODDS:  Patriots by 8

WTF???  Best stat.  Tom Brady is 9-0 in the playoffs.  Nuff said.

OUTLOOK:  Is there any team who gets less respect than Jacksonville??  As I stated, only the Broncos, Colts and Seahawks [the two #1 seeds and a #2] finished with more wins than the Jags....but no one gives them any love.  There are underdogs by over a TD.....the buzz surrounds the other three matchups....and just being viewed as a pest before a possible Colts-Pats playoff game.  But the Jags are tough.  They have a very solid defense...a pretty good stable of backs...and a nice set of receivers.  They also have a QB controversy...somthing that really isn't nice to have at this point of the season.  David Garrard will sit as Byron Leftwich comes back with his gimpy leg.  As for New England....sure, they've won their last 9 postseason games...but this is the first time in that stretch that they've played in the wildcard round. 

There are a ton of key matchups....but the main one will be the Patriots secondary against the Jags offense.  It is no secret that the Pats defensive backfield is shaky at best....which is evident by the 2nd worst pass defense ranking.  It will be interesting to see how this young group plays against a guy like Jimmy Smith and upcomer Ernest Wilford. 

SPORTZ PICK:  It is hard to go against the champ....even if they are banged up.  Tom Brady led the NFL in passing yards...so expect to see him sling it around a bit on Saturday.  All I know is that the Pats are in Foxboro on a January night.  Smells like a win to me.  Patriots 26-14

CAROLINA AT NEW YORK

                                     

CREDENTIALS:  The Giants surprised many by winning the NFC East with a 11-5 mark.  Carolina surprised many by NOT winning the NFC South...but still ended up with an 11-5 season.

ODDS:  Giants by 3

WTF???  The Giants have never beaten the Panthers [0-2]

OUTLOOK:  Both teams think of themselves as defensively strong teams...but this could turn into a shootout.  Both teams have a bevy of weapons....whether it is Delhomme, Manning, DeShaun, Tiki, Smith, Plaxico or Shockey.  A great matchup will be the NFL's #2 rusher, Tiki Barber, going against the NFL's #3 defense [which is #4 against the rush].  If Tiki is effective, it makes life so much easier for Eli Manning...who'll be making his first playoff start. 

There are a ton of key matchups....but the main one will be the defensive lines.  Both lines are filled with stars....but it will be the ones that show up that should be the biggest factor in this game.  New York's D-line has improved greatly with emerging star Osi Umenyiora helping to revamp Michael Strahan.  But Carolina's line is no joke.  Julius Peppers [from UNC] is a freak of nature.  Michael Rucker is one of the most underrated players in the league.  Both defenses are good against the run and both can get to the QB.  But both defenses have been lit up of late, especially on the ground.  Which one holds up will most likely be playing next week. 

SPORTZ PICK:  You never know with Carolina.  They could stink up the swamp or jump all over New York.  I think the Giants ability to run the ball more effectively than the Panthers will net them this win.  These teams are amazingly close on both sides of the ball.  That's why I think special teams will be important.  In the swirling winds of Giants Stadium, having a guy like Jay Feely kicking for you is a big advantage [though John Kasay is no slouch either].  In a close game, Feely may become the hero.  Giants 16-13   

PITTSBURGH AT CINCINNATI

                    

CREDENTIALS:  Both teams finished the season 11-5 and tied for the AFC North lead.  Both won on each other's field.  However, Cincinnati's better division record gave them the division title. 

ODDS:  Steelers by 3

WTF???  This is the Bengals first playoff game since 1990.  By contrast, the Steelers have been in the playoffs 10 times in the last 14 years. 

OUTLOOK:  To me, this is the best game of the Wildcard round.  There are so many storylines woven into this game.  There are many players and coaches with ties to each other...not to mention these two teams have banged heads twice this year, with the road team winning each time.  In the first game, Pittsburgh took Cincinnati's manhood and knocked the hot Bengals down a peg at Paul Brown Stadium.  In game two, the Bengals exacted revenge, winning a high scoring game at Heinz Field.  However, four turnovers and a gimpy Big Ben didn't exactly bode well for the Steelers....yet they were still right there until the finish. 

There are a ton of key matchups....but the main one will be the Bengals defense against the Steelers rush attack.  The Steelers are one the best running teams...and Cincinnati struggles in that regard [just ask Larry Johnson].  If the Bengals can put a muzzle on Parker and Bettis...it forces Big Ben to pass more, which plays right into the Cincy defensive strengths [the seconday picking off passes].  On the other side, Pittsurgh won't be able to stop the Bengals offense, but they will be able to contain their effectiveness...especially in the redzone. 

SPORTZ PICK:  I am going with the Steelers.  Why?  Well, they've won 11 of their last 14 games in Cincinnati....including earlier this year.  And, well, they've been here before.  This is all knew to Cincy...while the Steelers have been here and done thate.  Not to mention that Pittsburgh is the hottest team in the AFC right now, while Cincinnati is limping in.  Steelers 34-30

Listen to me discuss all of this on

Hook 'Em Horns!!!!

                                

In the biggest college game in years....on a field littered with stars.....it was quite easy to figure out who the best player was.

He wore #10 and you usually can find him in the endzone.

Vince Young completed the Mother of all years.  His national legend was pretty much born in the Rose Bowl on the first day of 2005.  It grew in Columbus....and in Dallas....and in Dallas....and in Houston....and now back in Pasadena.  And though he fell short to Reggie Bush in the Heisman race....there was no doubt who was the biggest star last night.

                

Dude was UNREAL.  Young passed for 267 yards [pretty good] on a nearly insane 30-for-40 clip.  That's 75% to you and me.  Oh, but he also rushed for 200 yards.  Yeah...a double c-note.  Add that to last year's total....and Vince Young has accounted for 829 yards and 7 TDs in the last two Rose Bowls.  He also scored the final three TDs for the Longhorns....and even ran a 2-point conversion in for good measure.

The final TD was the best.  On a 4th down....he scrambled away from a Trojan rush and galloped his way into the corner of the endzone. 

                                   

But as much as I will throw love at Young and the Longhorns...I have to lambast USC and their very questionable playcalling.  With a 5 point lead and under 3 minutes remaining....USC passes the football, which the throw went incomplete and stopped the clock.  On 4th-and-2 just across midfield....the Trojans go for it.  What?  Punt that!!  At that time, Texas had 3 timeouts...so getting that first down wouldn't have iced it.  Not picking up the first down means you give the ball to Texas at their own 45 yard line with 2 minutes left and three timeouts....something you cannot do with a questionable defense [if they had a solid defense, it may be a better option].  Punt it...back them up...and make Young go, at least, 80 yards to beat you. 

USC decided to go for it....make it...and sit on the ball.  They went for it....were stuffed....then watched their defense surrender the lead.  And their Heisman winner was on the sidelines for what essentially amounted to their biggest play. 

The other big controversy will lie in the Longhorns' first TD.  On an option play, Vince Young was tackled...but pitched the ball to Selvin Young who ran it the rest of the way for the score.  Replays show that Young's knee was clearly down before the pitch out....but there was no official review of the play.  In a game of this magnitude in which they reviewed pretty much every borderline play....it is a crime that this play was not looked at. 

Maybe it delayed the inevitable.  No matter what...USC's 34-game winning streak - gone.  Their national championship streak - gone.  Matt Leinart - gone.  Reggie Bush - gone.  All that remains is some orange and white confetti.

                     

And a new legend born.  Vince Young can add another Rose Bowl MVP and a 20-game winning streak heading into next season.  And for those people expecting him to bolt for the NFL....think again.  He may well be back for a magical senior season. 

Mack Brown sure hopes so.  Brown has felt his redemption this year too.  I've been very critical of his inability to win the big game.  When he was the head coach of my beloved North Carolina Tar Heels.....I watched his great teams get smoked by Florida State every year.  Then at Texas, he was getting run over by Oklahoma.  Well, scratch all that.  He beat Michigan in the '05 Rose Bowl....Ohio State at the Shoe....Oklahoma in Dallas....and USC in Pasadena.

Congrats to all of Longhorn nation on a great season and a great game.