3rd & Long
Tom Brady is a douchebag
First off, this has been some horrible football these last two weekends.
I'll be backing the two teams that went out and actually won their playoff games, the Cardinals and the Steelers.
I'm going to review last week to explain this weeks plays -
AFC
Tennessee - dominated and shreeded a "great" Ravens defense. Lets face facts, Tennessee didn't make the plays, the Ravens forced a few key turnovers, and took Johnson off the field. Had Johnson remained in that game and kept the offense balanced Tennessee was on their way to a blowout win. It didn't happen, they didn't make the plays, the Ravens are lucky to still be playing. Outside of one deep completion to Mason the offense did not show up. Collins was untouched in the first half.
Pittsburgh - rested and confident, Parker looked healthy for the first time in a long time, this team dominated from start to finish. Big Ban played very well, and was not intimidated by the rush (huge factor) They stuffed the run game, and even though Rivers was able to complete 2 long plays (opening drive TD, and the long screen to Sproles) they were totally shut down by the best defense in football.
Adding to what my eyes saw, the Ravens did not leave Tennessee healthy. They are coming into Pittsburgh this weekend beat up and overmatched, this is going to be a blowout for the Steelers, don't even think about taking those points.
NFC
Cardinals are playing very well on both sides of the ball. Granted, the Eagles will bring a much better defense than either Atlanta or Carolina did, but this team will get their points anyway. The Carolina game was never a game. The Arizona defense has forced turnovers all season long. The running game with Edge & Hightower is being used very effectively to keep pressure off Warner, and Boldin will be back in the lineup Sunday. Larry Fitzgerald is the best receiver in the game right now, he was the main option and they couldn't stop him, I'd like to see Assante jump his routes come Sunday, I could use a good laugh.
The Eagles - once again they come away with a win, but let's face the facts, the last two weeks they have won against what turned out to be one dimensional offenses. Minnesota got nothing from the QB, and neither did the Giants. Eli was untouched and had receivers running free, HE couldn't get the ball there. This Birds offense has done nothing for the past several weeks, if you take away Westbrook you effectively shut them down. Giants and Vikings did far more to lose those games than the Eagles did to win them.
Forget about the Thanksgiving blowout at the Linc, that was a perfect spot for the Eagles (I had them) This is the 3rd straight on the road in the playoffs for the Birds, and these two couldn't be more different teams than they were in the last matchup. This is a monumental game for the Cards franchise.
I'll be backing the two teams that went out and actually won their playoff games, the Cardinals and the Steelers.
I'm going to review last week to explain this weeks plays -
AFC
Tennessee - dominated and shreeded a "great" Ravens defense. Lets face facts, Tennessee didn't make the plays, the Ravens forced a few key turnovers, and took Johnson off the field. Had Johnson remained in that game and kept the offense balanced Tennessee was on their way to a blowout win. It didn't happen, they didn't make the plays, the Ravens are lucky to still be playing. Outside of one deep completion to Mason the offense did not show up. Collins was untouched in the first half.
Pittsburgh - rested and confident, Parker looked healthy for the first time in a long time, this team dominated from start to finish. Big Ban played very well, and was not intimidated by the rush (huge factor) They stuffed the run game, and even though Rivers was able to complete 2 long plays (opening drive TD, and the long screen to Sproles) they were totally shut down by the best defense in football.
Adding to what my eyes saw, the Ravens did not leave Tennessee healthy. They are coming into Pittsburgh this weekend beat up and overmatched, this is going to be a blowout for the Steelers, don't even think about taking those points.
NFC
Cardinals are playing very well on both sides of the ball. Granted, the Eagles will bring a much better defense than either Atlanta or Carolina did, but this team will get their points anyway. The Carolina game was never a game. The Arizona defense has forced turnovers all season long. The running game with Edge & Hightower is being used very effectively to keep pressure off Warner, and Boldin will be back in the lineup Sunday. Larry Fitzgerald is the best receiver in the game right now, he was the main option and they couldn't stop him, I'd like to see Assante jump his routes come Sunday, I could use a good laugh.
The Eagles - once again they come away with a win, but let's face the facts, the last two weeks they have won against what turned out to be one dimensional offenses. Minnesota got nothing from the QB, and neither did the Giants. Eli was untouched and had receivers running free, HE couldn't get the ball there. This Birds offense has done nothing for the past several weeks, if you take away Westbrook you effectively shut them down. Giants and Vikings did far more to lose those games than the Eagles did to win them.
Forget about the Thanksgiving blowout at the Linc, that was a perfect spot for the Eagles (I had them) This is the 3rd straight on the road in the playoffs for the Birds, and these two couldn't be more different teams than they were in the last matchup. This is a monumental game for the Cards franchise.
