Playoff picks: Cowboys @ Vikings

Playoff picks: Cowboys @ Vikings

Favre knows how to relax...so much more to add to this photo but..

So this game isn’t going to unfold like everyone expects…all the analysts are crazy over how good the Cowboys are, but I bet the Vikings will show up this week for these reasons…

  1. They are 8-0 at home
  2. Favre has had two weeks of rest (he is 40 and has never missed a game for 18 years, time off benefits him more than any player)
  3. The Vikings are the 2 seed and by all accounts, they are the underdog
  4. Adrian Peterson is so due

The Cowboys are a talented team and they finally got the monkey off their backs but I can’t see them winning Sunday.

Key Matchup

Cowboys OLBs Spencer and D. Ware versus Vikings OTs McKinnie and Loadholt – I see Favre neutralizing this matchup by doing screens to Taylor and AP while mixing up little dump offs to Shiancoe and P Harvin. And then at some point this will slow them down thus opening up the deep pass to Berrian and/or Sydney Rice.

Prediction – Vikings 34-17

This is the perfect setup game for Viking fans, big win and then big diss next week. Favre has been good in the divisional playoff games at home, and poopy in other games. But what do I know, I was 0 for 4 last week.

Other picks: Cardinals 38 Saints 24, Colts 23 Ravens 17, Chargers 27 Jets 6.

Published on January 15, 2010 1:33 pm.
Filed under: 2009 Season, Predictions, playoffs Tags: , , , , ,

Wild Card Week: Packers at Cardinals

Wild Card Week: Packers at Cardinals

So looking ahead to this Sunday’s showdown between Green Bay and Arizona. Last year the Cardinals were the epitome of a dark horse team. Talented but limped at the end of the regular season. They got shelled by the Patriots and the Vikings. Then they went on to barely lose to the Steelers in last year’s Super Bowl.

This year they have been up and down but again aren’t getting much attention coming into the playoffs. The Packers have been flying just above the radar. I think if they didn’t lose on a last second TD pass to the Steelers things would be different for them. They would’ve finished the season on an 8 game winning streak and for some reason it seems the sports media picks more up on that then a team that won 7 of 8.

Anyways, I think this game will be totally unlike last Sunday’s game. Hopefully the Packers won’t come in over confident after dismantling a uncaring Cardinals team 33-7. But the Packers are on a roll and have lots of skilled players healthy and playing at a high level.

Players to watch

  • Clay Matthews – Is there anyone that can block him on AZ?
  • Greg Jennings – So due for a gigantic game and he’s the type of player who shines in big games
  • Kurt Warner – He’s either really good or really bad
  • Adrian Wilson – Hasn’t played in either game against Packers but I’ve always liked him
  • KR on AZ – Not sure who this is, but Packers are real susceptible to the big returns

Key Matchups

Warner vs Packer’s secondary – No question the scariest matchup for the Packers. I’m hoping this ISN’T a repeat of the Steelers game a few weeks ago where Roth threw for 500 yards. For sure AZ will look to exploit the Packers depth in the defensive backfield by spreading them out with 4 wides…IE Jarret Bush, Josh Bell, Underwoord.

In my mind, the main difference here is AZ doesn’t have an all-pro type tight end to contend with AND Boldin is either out or will be hampered by the knee.

Rodgers vs Cardinals secondary – Well they’ve played twice already (even though it was preseason) and Rodgers has absolutely lit them up. Will things change this time when everything is on the line?

Ryan Grant / Brandon Jackson / Ahman Green vs Cardinals D-Line – If the Packers can run the ball that will only add to their O’s dominace in this game. Another thing to look for in early.

Packer Defensive Pressure vs AZ O-line – This will probably determine the game. How AZ deals with Green Bay’s 3-4 and Capers blitz packages will be key early on. If the Packers can get constant pressure and hit warner and stuff the run (like they’ve done the past 9 out of 11 games) this could get ugly quick.

I'm all in

Whisenhunt vs McCarthy – This is the wild card of the game. Green Bay plays pretty much the same D as the Steelers and Whisenhunt used to coach against that D every day in practice when he was offensive coordinator. Look for them to do deep posts or deep crossing routes in the middle of the field against Green Bay. It seems to me that its some sort of known hole in this D. I’ve seen Pittsburgh, Cincy, and AZ in the preseason do this successfully against Green Bay.

Predictions

I have a feeling McCarthy gets the last laugh on Sunday. If this game is close watch for a ballsy call to lift the Packers. If you were playing poker with him, McCarthy would be the type of guy who quietly plays by the book until you relax and think you know what he’s up to. Then when your not looking he bluffs his way through the biggest pot of the night on like 8 high.

The Cardinal players are trying to make the case that everyone is doubting them and what not…But thats hogwash, they were in the Super Bowl last YEAR! And Green Bay was 6-10!! So really, the Packers have NOTHING to lose and should play loose. Plus they are mostly young and out there having fun bashing heads around. Oh and talent wins in the playoffs and while they may be young, Green Bay has more…During their 7-1 run, they’ve stayed away from mental breakdowns also.

What gives? Plus the NFL is fixed right? And there’s no game bigger for the sponsors then a rematch of Favre’s Vikings and the Packers.

Green Bay 38 Cardinals 24

Published on January 7, 2010 9:59 pm.
Filed under: 2009 Season, Predictions, Uncategorized, playoffs Tags: , , , ,

Week 17 Picks

It’s the last week of the regular season and I don’t recall another final week with not so much drama involved. Most playoff spots are decided, except for the AFC. So this week is more of a guess as you have no clue who’s going to play (or not play)

Packers @ Cardinals – Green Bay has nothing to play for, they either have the 5 or 6 seed. The Cardinals could be in the running for the 2 seed if the Vikings fall in the early game. If Vikings lose, Cardinals 28 Packers 16…otherwise I see this being a preseason type game as they will most likely have a Wild Card rematch next week. Packers 33 Cardinals 30.

Side note: I’m hoping the Vikings lose so the Cardinals play all out in this game while giving the Packers the opportunity to rest ailing players.

Giants @ Vikings – Even though they have been reeling (losing 3 of 4), the Vikings are still a good team, and they are especially good at home. Will the Giants try to gain some respect after last week’s debacle? Probably not. Vikings 36 Giants 20.

Bears @ Lions – This could end up being the game of the week because its all about pride. Should be a brusing game that the Bears will walk away with towards the end. Bears 38 Lions 29.

Published on January 3, 2010 10:32 am.
Filed under: 2009 Season, NFC North, Predictions Tags: , ,

Brad Childress hates Tom Powers

So after a MNF loss to the Bears, the Vikings now have to get ‘help’ to earn the #2 seed in the playoffs. The Vikings played good in the second  half an injury riddled Bears but it wasn’t enough as Jay Cutler threw an overtime TD pass. The Vikings did nothing in the first half and moved the ball at will in the second half. It makes me wonder who was calling the plays here, maybe Favre tried to prove a point by not audibling any of Chilli’s play calls in the first half. Anyways, after the game it was fun to watch Childress explain the game. Notice during minute nine when he’s responding to questions from Tom Powers. You can tell Chilli didn’t appreciate him too much.

This reminded me of an article last week where Mr. Powers wrote about interviewing Childress while he was in a towel after last week’s loss. I agree with Chilli here, first of all Powers shouldn’t be hanging around the locker room so long. And if you are, that means the Vikings trust you a bit and won’t report on any meetings (arguments) you overheard.

So now the Vikings need the Cowboys to beat the Eagles next week (and beat the Giants) to secure the #2 seed. Otherwise we could potentially see Favre vs Packers III.

Published on December 29, 2009 8:37 am.
Filed under: 2009 Season, Bears, Favre, Game Summary, NFC North Tags: , , , ,

Charles Woodson for MVP?

Charles Woodson for MVP?

Let’s play out this scenario, let’s say Charles Woodson keeps playing the way he’s playing, the Packers end up like 11-5 or 10-6, and their D ends the season ranked top 5. Would the below tackle be his signature play? Perhaps even the play they show over and over when he goes to Canton someday? It is insane….This is from the December 7th, 2009 Packer / Ravens game. After leading 17-0 and a couple major miscues, Green Bay is suddenly clinging to a 10 point lead, 24-14. Lambeau field is in a state of shock. The Ravens just got a pass interference penalty putting the ball on the 1 yard line. Both teams are fighting to keep their playoff hopes alive…Baltimore brings in their huge defensive tackle, Ngata, to block for Ray Rice. He swings it to the outside, perhaps thinking for a split second that he’ll be able to score untouched. Then this happens..

Watch the replay at the end of this video, its insane! This is one of the craziest tackles I’ve seen in a while. Especially one that hasn’t really been talked about much. He jumps through the offensive line blocks and stretches out to make the tackle, loss of three. Now instead of having an easy chance for a TD at the 1 foot line, they are now backed up. The Ravens go with a pass instead of pounding it in and Flacco ends up throwing a pretty careless INT.

So this single play that doesn’t show up in the stats sheet ensures the Packers are still in the lead for the final Wild Card spot. Simply amazing.

Published on December 10, 2009 11:16 am.
Filed under: 2009 Season, Game Summary, Lambeau Field, Videos Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Favre was so overdue for this!

It was about time for the real Brett Favre to stand up….he finally had some crazy, uncalled-for passes during last night’s 30-17 loss. The Vikings finally played a good all around team last night. And once the Cardinals were up by two scores everything changed. First there was a pass that Adrian Wilson should have return for a TD but dropped. Then another almost INT. Finally after two dropped INTs the Cardinals came through and Favre through picks on two consecutive drives.

The Vikings also came out of that game with a number of injuries. Including a tragic one to LB McDaniel. That didn’t look good. Next week they have to play against another good all-around team, the Bengals.

Sterling Sharpe had some great picks this week, wish I would’ve trusted them.

“I’m picking the Cardinals this week because I don’t think the Viking are that good. You don’t believe me now so obviously nobody is listening to me, even though you should.” Sterling Sharpe, 12/4 NFL Network NFC Roundup.

After yesterday’s games, tonight’s Ravens / Packers game is huge for both teams. The Packers can open up a 1.5 game cushion on the Wild Card spot with a win while the Ravens can get a slight edge for their Wild Card spot with an upset tonight in Lambeau. Hopefully Green Bay comes to play tonight because this is the biggest game of the year for them.

Published on December 7, 2009 9:08 am.
Filed under: 2009 Season, Favre, Game Summary, Old Packers Tags: , , , , ,

Possible Favre / Packer rematch?

Yes there’s still 5 games left, but if both teams continue to play at the same level the possibility of Green Bay coming to Minneapolis for a rematch gets bigger and bigger. Hopefully didn’t just jinx it cuz that game would be unthinkable. Totally agree with Simmons on this one…

Anyway, if this Pack-Vikes playoff game happens, it’s the toughest call for the Sports Gods in years. If Green Bay loses to Favre a third time, they would have to shut down the state for a week so everyone could regroup. If Minnesota blows a home playoff game to Favre’s old team Gary Anderson/Darrin Nelson-style, same thing. In other words, the stakes are too high. The last time we were here? 2003. A Red Sox-Cubs World Series looming. The Sports Gods freaked out. They couldn’t handle it. Bartman/Alou/Gonzalez and Grady/Pedro/Boone happened. I can see the same thing happening this time. Green Bay falls to the sixth seed (or misses the playoffs), the Saints keep the No. 1 seed, something — anything! — to prevent a third Favre-Packers game that would be bigger than all of us. And that’s why it can’t happen.

Published on December 4, 2009 4:59 pm.
Filed under: 2009 Season, Predictions Tags: , , , , , ,