NFL Sunday Games, Next Week, Too

Ny Giants 24, Tampa Bay 14:
What had yet to be seen for the Giants was finally fulfilled on Sunday. Eli Manning won a playoff game. Personally, I didn't think it would come this week, but the G-Men pulled out the victory over Tampa, and did it quite easily. Their defense controlled the final three quarters, making it impossible to move the ball for the Bucs. But more importantly, Eli made people forget about the missteps earlier in his career. Now comes the hardest test of all. The Dallas Cowboys. Good luck next week Eli, good luck.

San Diego 17, Tennessee 6:
This was the ugly game of the weekend; there usually has to be one. San Diego couldnt do much offensively until later in the game, and thank god their defense was on, or the city of San Diego's collective heads would have exploded. Tennessee looked anemic on offense, led by the highly overrated Vince Young. Their D did a great job of shutting down Ladainian Tomlinson, but they caved at the end and San Diego pulled it out. A good game defensively, but that means a rather sloppy game on the other side of the football. Phillip Rivers was the one to save them in this one. And he needed this for morale. Next comes a huge game against the defending champion Colts. A great game indeed.


As for next week, some great matchups are about to take place, and we can start with Saturday

Sat. 430 pm Seattle @ Green Bay:
-This means a trip back to Lambeau for Mike Holmgren, who led the Packers to their last Super Bowl victory. Seattle played a great game, showing up when they needed to against the Redskins. However, Green Bay has Brett Favre, who is aging gracefully. Favre should exploit the secondary all game against Seattle, in what is shaping up as a shootout for two teams who love to sling it. Matt Hasselbeck is a Favre disciple, having been his protoge for a few years in GB. They both throw the ball all over the place, and are the respective leaders of their franchises. Seattle struggles mightily to run the ball, so Green Bay will load up on the secondary trying not to get beaten deep. It should work for the most part, but this will indeed be a shootout. Favre wins, but not easily.
Green Bay 38, Seattle 31

Sat. 8pm Jacksonville @ New England:
- Obviously, this very well could be the matchup of the entire playoffs. The hottest team in the league in Jacksonville against a team that was hot all season in the Patriots. If there was ever a tough matchup for the Pats, this is the one. Boston should be bracing for a possible upset. We know what the Patriots bring to the table, they have been the story of the season. Brady, Moss, Welker, Belichick. We know what they are all about. However, Jacksonville is less than well known in the public eye, but boast two pro-bowl caliber running backs in Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew that will wreak havoc on the linebackers of New England. With that said, it still remains difficult to pick against a team that has not lost yet this season. I say a FG at the end wins it for NE. A close game, and a great one as well.
New England 34, Jacksonville 31

Be back tomorrow with more useless bullshit.

NFL Saturday Games

All I can say about Saturday's wild-card games on the opening day of the playoffs for the NFL is wow. If this is any indication of the way the playoff will playout, then we are in for a good couple of weeks here. All sports fans need this, as there is a kind of lull in the action from now until baseball opens up.

Seattle 35, Washington 14: Somehow, this game looks like a blowout, but it was certainly closer than it first appears. Seattle blew it open late after a missed FG by Washington in the 4th. After that, Seattle took control. But for the first three periods, this game was as entertaining as it gets. Back and forth, great defense, great offense, great special teams. This game had the whole package. I predicted a Seattle win, and a close one, and that nearly came to fruition until a few late TD's. However, Seattle looked good, and could give Green Bay a run next weekend.

Jacksonville 31, Pittsburgh 29: A hell of a football game that also had it all, including the score being close than that of the earlier matchup. This game REALLY had it all. Pounding hits, big runs, amazing special teams plays. Just when you thought the QB was looking good for either side, an interception was thrown. Just when you thought the defense was shutting it down, the offense blows up for a huge play. A true character test for both sides was won by Jacksonville on a late field goal inside of a minute. Both teams played their asses off til the end, but Jacksonvilly had a little more in the tank, as it was obvious that PIT was rather dpeleted. Good play by all. I predicted a 31-23 win by JAX, but I guess thats close enough. 2-0 is a good start for I.

NFL Weekend Picks

Here are my first playoff week picks. That way, down the road, I can look back and see how incredibly wrong I was...

Saturday 4:30pm Washington @ Seattle:
-Alot of people are hopping on the Redskin bandwagon, and I can understand why. They have faith on their side for one thing (Sean Taylor), and are on a roll. But Todd Collins and playoff win just dont seem to add up in my mind. All in all, this will be a close one I believe, with the Rain and Wind a big factor. The ground games will be on call, and that obviously gives the Redskins an edge. However, Seattle has a great home-field advantage, and I think they overcome the weather and squeak out a close victory. SEATTLE 24, WASHINGTON 20

Saturday 8pm Jacksonville @ Pittsburgh:
-Wow, David Garrard. Who knew that you could lead a team like this? The guy had the tools coming up from East Carolina, and the team obviously saw this by keeping him around behind Mark Brunell and Byron Leftwich. Well, great job, because you have had one of the best seasons this year for a QB and JAX is a team nobody wants to mess with. Pittsburgh can talk tough, but they are depleted all over the place, especially on the O-Line. Look for JAX to continue the hot streak in a victory over PIT.
JACKSONVILLE 31, PITTSBURGH 23


Be back later with the Sunday Games.