2007 Divisional Playoffs Review

2-2 Last week. As it turns out, my 3 underdog to 1 favorite was a good ratio, but I just had to change the Packers and the Colts around to get optimal results, oh well, such is the way the cookie crumbles. This is what happened.

Saturday’s Games…

Seattle Seahawks (+9) @ Green Bay Packers: LOSS
(Line: Tuesday, 3:00pm EST: 5Dimes)

As it turned out, Brett called on the football gods to toss snow upon this game, which allowed his team to throw snowballs around and get into their comfort zone, while the Hawks just flew farther and farther away. Seattle started out the game with two gift fumbles from Ryan Grant, and all of a sudden they were up 14-0. Even I knew that wasn’t going to last, stating, “This is the worst thing that could happen to the Seahawks.” They didn’t have to fight very hard for their big lead, and everyone knew the Packers weren’t going to give up. The Hawks didn’t even get close to covering, and if it weren’t for two fumbles down in the Packers own zone, Seattle probably doesn’t put up a touchdown on the day. It all came down to 3rd down, as Seattle would play great defense on 1st and 2nd only to piss away their hard work by allowing Brett to complete a long 3rd down pass, or miss a tackle, or just about anything to lose. It was hard to watch.

Jacksonville Jaguars (+15) @ New England Patriots: WIN
(Line: Tuesday, 3:00pm EST: 5Dimes)

“15 points? In the playoffs? Yeah, it might happen, but right now I think the Jaguars are one of the Top 5 teams in the NFL, and I’d take any single one of those teams and 15 points against the Patriots. I like New England, and think the Patriots passing attack could do a number on the Jaguars defensive backs, but likewise, the Jaguars will put enough ground power into their offensive attack to put up points on the Patriots. In the end, I think this game will easily go over the total, and will finish within two touchdowns, making the Jags a winner in New England against the spread. However, I don’t plan on seeing the Patriots lose this game, thus 17-0 is just a duke it out, tough game with the Jags away from coming true. The only thing keeping me away from putting a lot of money on this game is what the Patriots did to the Steelers. However, I picked the Pats over the Steelers, and that was because they are prone to mistakes. The Jaguars won’t make as many mistakes this week.” (Me) I think I said it pretty well, and the only thing I got wrong was the Jaguars run game getting stymied. I figured they’d have a nice day against the Pats. Either way, this game finished over my total (49) and covered easily. Tied at half time, and down only a score and a two point conversion in the 4th quarter, I think the Jags will prove to be the toughest test the Pats face on their way to a Super Bowl win.

Sunday’s Games…

San Diego Chargers @ Indianapolis Colts (-8.5): LOSS
(Line: Tuesday, 3:00pm EST: Belmont)

“After having terrible luck with a 4th down interception and fumble that gave Tom Brady and the Patriots a second chance last season, the Chargers get to try their chances out in Indianapolis this time around, against the second powerhouse in the AFC, the Indianapolis Colts. San Diego pulled the monkey of their collective back by taking down the Titans in a pretty ugly game last week. The key to the win was Phillip Rivers finally getting the job done when his team needed him the most. However, Rivers won’t complete those same passes against a healthy and fast Colts secondary. Rivers threw ducks in San Diego last week, and they were complete, sometimes for touchdowns. This week, those will be intercepted. If the Colts stop LT, they’ll stop the Chargers, and take this game with relative ease. I just have a feeling that the Colts are indeed going to walk away with this one.” (Me) Nice feeling, jackass! The Colts stopped LT early, but still got stooped. Phillip Rivers had an even better game this time around, but he got hurt, and then Billy Volek led the Chargers down for the game winning touchdown. Weird game for the Colts, I almost got the feeling that they might take this one late, but after the Rivers’ injury, they just looked like they shut it down, expecting to just get the win. They weren’t in a hurry at all, and a late dropped pass ended the game for them. I couldn’t have been more wrong about this one.

New York Giants (+9) @ Dallas Cowboys:
(Line: Thursday, 1:00am EST: 5Dimes)

“Alright, I’m taking the Giants. I know I’ve been criticizing them, calling them “the worst team in the playoffs” but the last two weeks of solid play has me convinced that they’ll play close with the Cowboys. Not only have they been good, but once again, the Cowboys are looking mediocre coming into the playoffs. Tony Romo and his offense hasn’t been hitting the gas of late, and maybe they’re just holding back for the big show, but I’m not comfortable with them right now. The Giants defense has played very tough, and Eli Manning hasn’t been doing things to kill their chances. I still think the Cowboys win this one, but by no more than a touchdown.” (Me) Those who follow me know, there’s nothing I like more than having the Cowboys lose and covering the spread on that game. I like Romo, really, I do, but it wasn’t his fault. His receivers dropped a bunch of balls, and in the end, the Giants pass rush was just too much for Dallas’s offensive line. Good game, though. Marion Barber is a beast, they should have given it to him 30 times.

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