This weekend will be the start of the final seven games of the NFL season. I was gutted last week with my predictions, after a documented 70% prediction record straight up all season long. A 1-3 record with an almost spot on prediction of the Bengals-Jets game, other than that, I was totally in the tank. Regular readers know though that I did predict back in September prior to opening week, I predicted the Super Bowl between New Orleans and San Diego, with New Orleans winning 39-28. At least, I've made the final eight in the playoffs.
Cardinals vs Saints Sat. 4:30pm
Arizona is fresh off a record setting performance in last weeks game against Green Bay. From a fantasy football player standpoint, I wish that game could have continued through the entire OT period. The Saints in the last part of the regular season have not been the dominant team they were in week 10. The Cardinals have been a very streaky team all year and rumors surfaced after the Packers game, that Kurt Warner might just retire at the end of the season.
I fully expect this game to go over on the current line, which is 57 points. Profootballtalk.com is reporting this afternoon that the Saints have resigned runningback Deuce McAllister. Duece is a hometown favorite in New Orleans but hasn't played in over a year. The signing could be a handout to bring a player back for a possible playoff run who means so much for the team, or it could mean that Pierre Thomas's rib injury and Mike Bell aren't fully ready to go.
Either way, the Superdome is going to be one noisy place to play and the Cardinals have had a short week. I expect another offensive shootout, but the Saints move on.
Predictions,
Warner 29-43-380-3td's-2ints
Brees 31/39-355-3td's-0 ints
Saints over the Cardinals 38-34.
Ravens vs. Colts. Sat. 8:30 pm
Memo to the NFL, can we move back to the old playoff format where games in the playoffs were held at 1 and 4pm? Nearly everyone I spoke with this week is sick and tired of these playoff games starting after 8pm. Could someone in Goodell's office possibly look at the ratings in baseball with the World Series starting with the first pitch starting after 8pm? I understand it is the Colts, but as marketable as Peyton Manning is, not everyone in America is in love with him. Peyton pimps himself out to nearly every company that will endorse him, short of feminine hygiene products and filling in for the late Billy Mays.
These two teams met back in November and Indy and squeaked out 17-15 win. The Colts have been off for two weeks, and down the stretch, haven't played a complete game for 4 quarters since week 14. It does appear that the Colts will be fully healthy for this game, even though they have listed 20 players on the 53 man roster to the injury list.
Baltimore will keep this game close, but in the end, the Colts have too many weapons. I just think back to the early season game the Colts played against the Dolphins. Miami controlled the clock for over 45 minutes of the game, but still lost. I believe Manning is pissed off after losing the chance at the perfect season and will find a way to win this game late.
Ray Rice 27-131-1td
Flacco 16-31-175-1td
Manning 33-49-340-3td's
Colts 27 Ravens 24
Cowboys vs. Vikings. 1pm Sunday
In my opinion, this will be the best game of the weekend. The matchup between these two teams in the 1970's created the Hail Mary pass as Roger Staubach launched one up for Drew Pearson in the endzone to win the game. There is alot of offensive firepower coming to the table in this one.
Dallas is on fire right now. Tony Romo is actually playing some great football for the Cowboys and the Vikings stumbled down the stretch. Marion Barber, who has really underachieved this season, is dealing with some knee issues, so Felix Jones and Tanard Choice will carry the running load for the Cowboys. Percy Harvin looks as if he will play this Sunday. Last year, Harvin's involvement in his college team offense made his quarterback look good, and early this year, Harvin's involvement made Favre look good. His return will be the difference this weekend in what I predict to be the highest scoring game of the weekend.
Miles Austin 11-167-2td's
Adrian Petersen-22-137-2td's
Favre 21-38-280-3td's-2ints
Romo 26-41-340-3td's-2ints.
Vikings win this game simply on Favre's will at the end. Vikings 38 Cowboys 37
Jets vs Chargers. 4:40pm Sun.
In week 6 of the regular season, I made the bold prediction that the 6-0 Denver Broncos would be the first team to start 6-0 and miss the playoffs. Denver didn't get a ticket to the playoffs. San Diego made a pretty remarkable run which was overshadowed by what was happening in Indy and New Orleans at the time. San Diego, which suffered early in the year on run defense, has put together one hell of a run here on the playoffs. I believe Phillip Rivers is the best quarterback that not many folks know about.
Some pundits will say the Jets backed into the playoffs, but I'll tip my hat to Rex Ryan, the team is playing lights out defense right now but I believe their run in the playoffs comes to an end this weekend. Darrelle Revis is the best shutdown corner I've seen since Deion Sanders, but he isn't going to be enough this Sunday to handle all the weapons San Diego has.
T. Jones 21-84-1td
M. Sanchez 13-34-145-0td's-3ints
P. Rivers 22-36-290-3td's
Chargers win 31-19
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