The Crystal Ball 2008 The Divisionals

We’ve gone from 12 to 8, and after Sunday, we’ll be down to 4. How fast the playoffs move. Don’t blink or you might miss this weekend. As we’ve all heard, this is rematch weekend. Half the teams will be hoping for different outcome, and the other half will be looking for a new ending. But before we can taste those treats, let’s clean up the crumbs from last week.


Opening Kickoff

Boy, I chose so poorly when it came to last week’s game, I fully expected the knight from Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade to appear before me near the end of the Eagles/Vikings game, point a bony finger at me and bellow you chose poorly. The surprise was he didn’t.


Recap

Arizona 30 – Atlanta 24

Unfortunately, I did not get to see much of this game. But what I did see told me everything. Whisenhunt ratcheted up his defense, revealed an effective running game and Matt Ryan finally showed that he is a rookie. If you were a Falcon fan or supporter, like I was, that’s a deadly combination. The result, Atlanta gets to bask in a successful season that unfortunately ended and Arizona gets to celebrate their first home playoff win since Truman was in office.


San Diego 23 – Indianapolis 17 OT

Now that’s staying classy San Diego trotting out the powder blue uniforms for the playoffs.

I just loved the story of Peyton Manning growing his playoff hair. Not a beard like most people would, just his hair. He did not want to get a hair cut since the Colts started their winning streak and he didn’t want to jinx it. Now that’s in depth reporting you can only get from Al and John.

Reason # 1042 why Norv Turner is a bad coach: One series went like this, 1st down incompletion, second down run for 8 yards. Now with a super manageable 3rd and 2 what does he do? Pass, incompletion, punt and on the very next series Peyton burns them for a go ahead touch down. Awful, just awful play calling and game management. Why would you pass on short yardage when your running back Darren Sproles has been tearing apart the Colt defense?

Was anyone else curious how San Diego could be charged a 4th team time out for injury without some sort of on field punishment or ramifications? I need someone at the NFL to explain that one to me.

4th quarter, 1:48 left, ball on Colts 38, Chargers ball with the team down by three. Was anyone surprised that at this point the Chargers had zero timeouts? Norv Turner strikes again!

Hmmm, overtime. Al’s explanation that you play until a winner emerges seemed to be directed at someone. I wonder who?

Yes, overtime rules could use a cleaning up, but quit whining about how if you lose the coin flip you might never touch the ball. If your defense does its job, you will. Obviously here, the Colt defense did not do its job, Peyton never touched the ball and the world lost its mind. Yeesh.

The Chargers now officially scare me. They won that game in spite of Norv Turner. Despite a few questionable calls, the Colts played horribly. Their defense gave up too much yardage too often and kept on the field too long. But thanks to Norv, the Chargers had trouble capitalizing. Yet still they found a way to snatch the win. That mixture of talent, lucky breaks and an ability to get it done when it matters most frightens me, almost as much as Darren Sproles frightens me, and that’s off the charts. .


Baltimore 27 – Miami 9

Man, how lucky is Baltimore and Miami? They get Ed “Big Guns” Hochuli!

Miami had a nice little season, and played tough all year. They even worked hard to keep this game from being a ridiculous blow out. Their opening defensive and offensive drives showed they had the potential. But they just did not match up well with Baltimore and it showed often.

The Ravens won for three reasons. One, Joe Flacco made no major mistakes. Efficiency and taking care of the football will take any quarterback far and now it’s taken Flacco to the record of first rookie quarterback to win a playoff game on the road. Two, the Ravens special teams were aggressive and opportunistic, much like their defense and running game. That extra point block was sweet. And three, if you cannot stop Ed Reed you are done. Two picks, one run back for a touchdown and constant harassment of Pennington and Dolphins receivers all afternoon. Ed Reed is the best free safety in the league. I wish he played in Pittsburgh with the best strong safety in the league.

I’ll give one big cookie to Dolphin Ronnie Brown for a wickedly good one handed catch for Miami’s only touchdown. Just fabulous concentration and effort demonstrated by the star running back.

The funniest part of the broadcast easily was watching Bill Parcells throw his phone in frustration. That’s it Bill, continue acting like a petulant child. That always helps matters.


Philadelphia 26 - Minnesota 14

Oh MAN I knew Joe Buck would show up sometime to ruin my weekend.

Joe, I beg of you, stop saying “depends on the spot” when referring to whether a team gets a first down. We know it depends on the spot. It ALWAYS depends on the spot.

I swear working with Joe is making Troy dumber. Troy actually said during the broadcast, referring to the intensity of the game, “during games like this, playoff type games”…. Troy THIS IS A PLAYOFF GAME.

Childress is an idiot. I know, I’m not revealing a big secret of the universe, but this one particular sequence really bugged me. Viking special teams gave up a great run back on a punt, but the Viking defense stifled the Eagles on three straight plays. During the third down play the Eagles were called for holding. With the penalty it would have been 3rd and 19 from the Eagles 35. Without it, it was 4th and 9 from the Eagles 25 and set up Philadelphia for a 43 yard field goal attempt. Yes, giving the opposition another shot is risky, but you just gave them 3 points. I know, field goals can go awry, but when you’re indoors with a kicker like David Akers, that’s basically conceding the points.

Adrian Peterson, magic man. He didn’t have a great start, but a 40 yard touchdown run will make up for that fast.

It seems to me that the Eagles got their money’s worth with Asante Samuel.

I could ramble on about the endless gaffs made by Brad Childress. For Pete’s sake he made Reid look like Belichick. But only one question is worth asking, and if I were a Vikings fan or the owner I’d be asking it for the next six months. With almost 8 minutes left in fourth quarter, with the game still close, why did Adrian Peterson spend the remainder of the game on the sidelines and why was the game put into the hands of the very inconsistent Tarvaris Jackson?


The Steel Pit

No game to review this week, as Pittsburgh had a nice week to sit back, relax and heal which more than a few players desperately needed. So let’s take this week to clear out a few stories and snippets from Steeler Nation as we prepare for the return of the Super Chargers.

Linebacker James Harrison was named the defensive player of the year. Quite an honor by itself, but it must be even special for a man who was cut by Baltimore, and even cut several times by Pittsburgh.

Ben Roethlisberger practiced all week and passed all post concussion tests to be cleared for action on Sunday. Ben gave an interview this week regarding the injury, the upcoming game, his status and overall health. Roethlisberger in the interview also stated he felt that the Heinz Field turf, oft maligned, helped save him from a more serious injury. Now, all of you in Steeler Nation who clamor for a better playing field after hearing that do you really want to change the turf now?

I thought this was a nice article about the growth of Mike Tomlin. I just thought you might enjoy.

During the season, Aaron Smith had an unexplained absence that was stated as a family issue. To me, that means a sick child. Unfortunately I was not wrong, but fortunately things are not grim and looking up in the Smith household. His story, and that of his brave son, can be found here. A prayer or two for their family, and all those suffering from leukemia as well, would be appreciated by all.

In ownership news, the Steelers have completed their restructuring plan. The plan will break down with Dan and Art II owning 30 percent of the team, two of the brothers selling portions of their shares, the two involved in gaming operations to sell all of their shares and the Steelers to have three new investors, James Haslman III of Knoxville, Tenn., Thomas Tull of Los Angeles, and the Paul family based in Pittsburgh and Los Angeles. This will leave Dan and Art II as primary owners, clear the team of any issues with gaming and insure the Steelers remain in Pittsburgh where they belong. Now everyone breathe deeply.

And in news of the upcoming game, SI.com’s Bucky Brooks did a breakdown comparison between the Chargers and Steelers in anticipation of the San Diego/Pittsburgh game. It looked good to me until I saw his coaching comparison. He called the coaching between the teams even, and I must say I am thoroughly insulted. Can you honestly tell me these two are even? No way, Tomlin is by far the superior coach. Since their winning streak and first round playoff win everyone has been touting the brilliance of Norv Turner, but how quickly we forget. Remember, they had to reel off those wins because Norv initially guided the team to a 4-8 record. And they keep touting his so far 3-1 playoff record. When did he amass this record? This year and last, when he was coach of an uber talented Charger team, a team which he is consistently underutilizing and talent he keeps wasting. Before last season, Norv’s playoff record as a head coach was 0-0. And why was that? BECAUSE HIS HORRIBLE COACHING NEVER EVEN GOT HIM INTO THE POST SEASON!


NFL The Alternative Universe

Atlanta rookie head coach Mike Smith was named coach of the year. It’s a shame they did not go further in the playoffs, but after last season everything is a big win for the Falcons.

Thank goodness Peyton Manning is out of the playoffs. We need more commercials. I love the Mastercard one with him in different cities thwarting people’s attempts to insult him. But the new Oreo commercial with Eli and the Williams sisters is nothing short of brilliant.

Congratulations to Rod Woodson and Dermontti Dawson for making the list of finalists for this year’s Hall of Fame class. There are some heady names on this year’s list, check it out.

Brett Favre has announced he will wait a month to decide his future. Brett, no one cares anymore.

Mike Lombardi has a nickname for Vikings coach Brad Childress, “the gym teacher”. I love Mike and his knowledge of football from a life spent in the game is bar none. But Mike you’re wrong here. A gym teacher is tough, gruff, and has a certain charm that comes from once being a successful athlete, a charm that becomes buried under a mountain of surly attitude when once again they realize they are no longer that athlete. This is not Childress. A high school science teacher is intelligent and knowledgeable in one area (their discipline) yet outside of that field can seem dumb and lacks certain social skills. This is Childress. He’s smart in his area (offensive innovation) yet dumb in others (clock management, play calling, defense) and lacks certain social skills (have you seen his press conferences?) I know, these are generalizations, but think of your high school science teachers and tell me they do not match. Mine do, except for one who was very bright and extremely personable. But I swear that man looked exactly like Childress!

The saga of Pacman Jones rolls on. First, the Cowboys cut the oft troubled defensive back. Then ESPN reported that Jones was involved in an argument with a man involved in a shooting incident that occurred in June of 2007 outside an Atlanta area strip club.

It seems Jones had an argument with this gentleman in the club, and when the man went to leave with two friends, their car was shot at. While police are not specifically looking at Jones as a suspect or actively investigating the case or claims, the man has said he knows Jones had something to do with it and believes Jones arranged for someone to kill him.

Jones predictably has denied involvement in the shooting, going so far as to threaten ESPN with a lawsuit calling the story stupid. He even went on NFL Today to defend himself. Of course he had his lawyer with him during the interview, because obviously Jones is not bright enough to defend himself. And he didn’t, even stating at one point during the interview that he had not been in a strip club for 1, a year and a half, 2, 3 years he doesn’t know, it’s been a long time. Even though video evidence puts him in a strip club a year and a half ago, and that’s the one we know about.

Honestly, the funny part of his antics has long dissipated. It’s now just a sad situation. The confusing part for me is that I cannot even figure out which part is so sad. I’m debating between watching a man with talent allowing his personal demons to implode his life, that he is too stupid and uneducated to know how self destructive he is, that he honestly believes the obvious nonsense that comes out of his mouth or that there is no one in his life that can rap him upside the head and straighten him out. Never mind, no one part is the saddest; it all is sad and pathetic.


Upon Further Review

I’d like to take a look at two things this week. I promise, I’ll be quick but I think both need to have a little extra light shone upon them.

First, since Manning the Older was unceremoniously bounced from the playoffs thanks to an efficient Charger offense, every dink in the world who voted him MVP has been screaming for a revamp of the overtime rules. Look, I like Peyton too but if he would have managed one first down we would not be talking about this.

Honestly I’m sick of this topic. Everyone knows how overtime works. If you get the ball first, you’ve got first crack. If you don’t, then your defense better step up and get the job done toot sweet. This argument I consistently hear that deciding who gets the ball first by a coin flip is unfair is moronic. Who ever said life is fair? Go ask the people of Detroit how fair life is, and I’m not talking about the Lions season either. As a matter of fact, go to any town in any state of the union and find an unemployment office. Talk to the people in those lines who have recently lost their jobs because some rich hedge fund manager or corporate CEO did some funny book cooking to get himself or herself another fat bonus, and then the company collapsed and forced people onto the streets while said fat cats walked away with their bonuses intact and ask those people how fair life is? This fairness argument is so ridiculous and infuriating it drives me insane. Life isn’t fair; it’s one of the few constants in our world. Deal with it.

Ok, I’ve safely put my soap box away. I bring this up because I saw this point/counterpoint argument between Peter King and Don Banks immensely entertaining. I’m siding with Don, obviously, but they both make interesting points. Enjoy.

Ok, and from ESPN.com’s David Fleming, we have an argument for the Prevent Defense. First, Mr. Fleming’s opinion:

“I know everyone's first inclination is to jump up and down and scream about the Prevent Defense, right? But trust me on this, when used in the correct situations and executed properly the Prevent Defense is one of the most effective schemes in the game. It has just become one of those things that poseurs who don't know anything about football like to jump up and down about. But late in games when teams are protecting a lead of more than four points, they aren't battling the scoreboard but the clock and in a situation where one quick score is the worst-case scenario, the Prevent is your best bet.”

Hold on, let me get that soap box again. Are you nuts? If one quick score is the worst case scenario, the Prevent Defense is your worst bet! Let’s clarify, the Prevent Defense, or PB, is basically a soft coverage setup where you take away deep threats and the sidelines, forcing the offensive team to look to the middle for yardage and thus keeping the clock moving. Theoretically, that should be effective in draining the clock and ending the game. But what really happens? You keep their offense, which is only a bit behind in score, on the field gaining momentum and confidence and keep your defense on the field running ragged and getting further exhausted after toughing it out for 55+ minutes.

If the score is between 4 and 8 points, obviously their team has kept the score close and their offense has been somewhat effective. If they can get a drive rolling, then it is entirely possible for them to move down the field and get an end zone strike. And isn’t that what you are trying to avoid, giving them a chance at a score? If you question whether this plan works, ask Ohio State how they feel about the Prevent Defense after losing out to Texas in the last minute of the game after watching the Longhorns march up the field and make a play when they got close.

If the score is over 8 points, then what does it matter? It would take the other team two scores to tie or go ahead and already they are working against the clock to just get one score. If they are down that much, obviously their offense has been less effective, and your defense has been performing well. So why exhaust your defense with running them ragged trying to execute the Prevent? Play your base defense which has obviously done you well thus far and go after the offense.

Winning a football game is not for the timid. The football gods do not smile upon teams who play scared and try to protect a lead. They grant victory to the bold teams who play to knock out their opponent, because fortune always favors the bold.

I would love to see someone like footballoutsiders.com show some statistics of how effective the Prevent Defense is in stopping a team from tying the game or taking the lead in situations where the trailing team has less than 2 minutes of time left, 1 or no timeouts remaining and down by 4 to 8 points. Something tells me the results would be eye opening to folks who follow David’s confidence and allegiance to the Prevent Defense.

Call me a poseur all you want Mr. Fleming; I maintain the same stance I always have. The Prevent Defense prevents nothing.


Ring around the Rosie

After brief flirtations with the Browns and Favres, Bill Cowher announced he would not be coaching anywhere in 2009. Although I must say, this snippet about a money grab from Cowher in talking to Favres management sure made for a nice soap opera style story.


Oakland – They’ve interviewed candidates, including interim coach Tom Cable, and former coach Jim Fassel is reportedly a candidate as well. But no decision has yet to be made. “For fools rush in where angels fear to tread".

St. Louis – Still interviewing, nothing concrete as of yet. Hmmm, interesting how no one is rushing hiring decisions this year. Perhaps some have learned?

Cleveland – Nope, none have learned. Cleveland pulled the trigger and named Eric Mangini their new head coach. Wow, how depressing is that? In this economy with so many good people out of work, a dink like Mangini can get hired almost instantaneously.

Detroit – If a coach is hired in Detroit, would it make a noise?

New York Favres – Also no definitive answer yet after the failed courtship of Bill Cowher, but former Ravens head coach Brian Billick has been interviewed.

Denver – Owner Pat Bowlen is still interviewing candidates, including Raheem Morris of Tampa Bay, Josh McDaniels of New England and uber hot commodity Steve Spagnuolo of the Giants. The most interesting thing to happen thus far is former Bronco linebacker Bill Romanowski has been campaigning hard for Bowlen to give him the job. Insert your own diet pill joke here.

Kansas City – The position of GM has yet to be filled, so the fate of Herm Edwards remains unclear. But Chiefs ownership has been talking with Patriot head man Scott Pioli and I doubt he’ll keep the underachieving Edwards around, not after working with Belichick.

Indianapolis – Since the season has now concluded, Tony Dungy is currently contemplating his future. I know he said he would step down after this season, but something tells me he may not. Leaving after that loss to San Diego would just be a lingering bad taste in his mouth.

Seattle – Nothing has been settled yet, and no news has been forthcoming. Keep eyes open for the white smoke coming from Paul Allen’s office.


He Said He Said

“This is playoff football.” – NBC’s John Madden during the Colts/Chargers game

Really John? No wonder that preseason kickoff party I threw went over so poorly. This was playoff football! Why did no one tell me?


“It is like the problem when you had the anonymous player saying all that stuff. They are a coward, you know, and that kind of stuff ruined this season.” – Cowboys cornerback Terence Newman

Oh, it was the anonymous player who ruined the season! All this time I thought it was the Narcissistic Players, in the locker room, with the egotistical selfish behavior. You ever get the feeling that one day very soon we’re going to hear Ed Werder reporting about a police standoff with an as of yet unidentified player at Cowboy headquarters? If that happens which question would you try to answer first; which player it could be or why you aren’t surprised. I can’t figure out which would be harder to answer.


"The whole thing [the Rookie of the Year vote] is bogus, because people are voting for it that are not on the same field as the people who are playing." – Titans RB Chris Johnson

Bitter, party of one your table is ready.


"I would have, actually.''- Former Lions president Matt Millen on NBC's Football Night in America Saturday when asked if he would have fired himself this season.

I think your pants are on fire Matt, because you could have and didn’t. It’s called resigning in disgrace.


… the things I didn't like about Round 1:…any news (and I mean any) about Brett Favre's future plans because I know I don't care and I'm pretty sure everyone else agrees with me” – ESPN.com’s Bill Simmons

Hallelujah! Bill, allow me to confirm your thought process, because for cripes sakes I don’t care either! I’d rather hear another story about the brilliance of Bill Belichick than whether or not Favre will play, take a crap, plow his fields or pick his nose.


"A lot of people coming into this game said we were the worst playoff team ever to get in. … I think we rallied around that." – Arizona head coach Ken Whisenhunt

Dang, forgot the disrespect card. It’s so overplayed anymore, I never can tell when it’s being seriously used or just bandied around willy nilly. So foolish I can be.


"Unless there's a perfect situation out there, I'd rather sit out the year and return next year.'' - Former Denver coach Mike Shanahan

Is it just me, or does January of 2010 seem so exciting, thinking of Dan Snyder and Jerry Jones throwing money at Shanahan and Cowher like drunk businessmen trying to woo the hottest dancer at a strip club?


"It will be a lawsuit in a week against ESPN. That's stupid. It's so stupid I have no more comments." – Former Cowboy Adam “Pacman” Jones in response to reports that the Cowboys cut him in due to alleged ties Jones had to a man who accused him of hiring someone to shoot him outside a strip club in June 2007.

I’d laugh, but it’s just sad at this point. I’m taking the under on 2 years until Pacman is either permanently out of football or in prison.


"I'm not going to let one or two guys ruin a career for me or the relationship I had with my teammates. If you polled my past teammates, I bet 90% would say they enjoyed playing with me.” – Favres QB Brett Favre

Ok, I’m gonna poll Thomas Jones, Alan Faneca who always is a blunt quote, the 2007 Packer defense and Aaron Rodgers. I bet we don’t get 50%.


“Explaining why the movie business deserves our disdain: The New York Times reported that the reason movies like Frost/Nixon and Gran Torino are out for a month in only a handful of theaters nationwide is to create a buzz for them and a ticket demand. If I had any principles, I'd boycott Gran Torino, but I can't because I'm an Eastwoodaholic. But that's a good way to improve business, Hollywood. By extorting people”. – SI.com’s Peter King

Ok, Peter, hold up. Before that high horse bucks you, make sure you know two things. One, The New York Times is not completely correct. Yes, studios send movies like Frost/Nixon and Gran Torino into select theaters to create buzz, but not for the consumer. They put them out early to create awards buzz. And the reason they only do select theaters is to focus on media centers (New York and LA) where most critics are located and to make sure they are released before the end of the calendar year. That way they can be included in the upcoming awards season. And the reason they do this so late in the year is so they are the last films on everyone’s mind before the self congratulatory Golden Globes, SAG Awards, Oscars, and every other cockamamie award show nominations are made. It’s a carefully crafted operation that indeed is made to create buzz, but like most major industries it thinks nothing of the consumer and only of itself.

And two, can you honestly with any sort of a straight face condemn the film industry for trying to extort people? Do you not make your livelihood based upon the NFL? Is this not the same NFL that threatened television blackouts in Minneapolis and Phoenix because the stadiums had yet to sell out their playoff games right away? How is this not extortion? Threatening to take away their product from millions of people because people were unwilling to spend hundreds of dollars on a luxury item like playoff tickets in one of the worst economic recessions our country has ever faced certainly sounds like an attempt at extortion to me. And yes, we all know the blackout rules have been in place for decades, so it’s not like this is a new thing. But approaching double digit unemployment is a new thing, and I do not blame people for being hesitant to drop a grand in trying to take a family to a football game when next month they might have trouble just keeping that family fed.


Idiot of the week

“Nearly fell off my chair Sunday in the first quarter of Baltimore-Miami when I heard Simms say Hochuli, who had the biggest gaffe of the year in the Denver-San Diego game in Week 2, and his crew earned the highest grade among the 17 officiating teams in 2008…. Hard for me to believe he could be, based on the enormity of the mistake in Week 2,” - SI.com’s Peter King

Guess who won this week? Ok, I’m going to go big and break this down because I nearly fell off my chair reading his comments.

First, that was but one call. Unfortunately that one call stood out high above amongst a season of great calls of which no one focuses. And NFL executive Greg Aiello even stated at the time Ed would be marked down for that call. So if Ed, despite that call, can still lead the top crew in the league it begs a new question. Does that show how great he is as an official or how terrible NFL officiating has become? I say both.

Second, Ed erred on side of protecting the quarterback, a direct edict from the NFL league offices. If anything that makes him a better referee than most, because rarely do you see referees erring on the side of protecting the quarterback. Remember Peter when the NFL said we will go further in protecting the quarterback? Ever notice how flagrant hits and quarterbacks being drilled and driven into the ground have yet to be consistently called by all officiating crews? Yes, Ed making that call was a mistake. But by blowing a quick whistle in hopes of saving Cutler from getting pounded and injured it was exactly the type of thing the NFL is hoping will help protect arguably the most important player on the field.

Third, I am sick of the lame argument that Hochuli gave Denver that game. If I recall, that play came on second down. San Diego had two chances to stop Denver from scoring the touchdown. And then they had a third chance to stop the 2 point conversion. It’s their own fault they did not stop Cutler and company, not Big Ed’s.

Fourth, San Diego won the AFC West and is advancing in the playoffs; Denver lost the division and is sitting home. Why are we still talking about this nonsense?

So, for harping on this call, for acting incredulous about a talented official receiving just due in spite of a trying season, for showing poor knowledge of overall officiating standards, for not even remembering the league’s stance on quarterback protection, and for just acting way too high and mighty and sanctimonious as of late (specifically this, your movie high horse and your constant harping on the overtime rules), Peter you are an idiot.


On Tap This Week

Ok, ok, last week was a mess, I know.

Last week 1-3
Playoffs 1-3
Season 165 – 103

But I have a secret weapon this week. Home teams historically post an over .700 winning percentage in the divisional round. Wanna guess who I’ll be backing?


Saturday

Baltimore (12-5) at Tennessee (13-3)

Evenly matched teams with similar strengths and mindsets taking on each other. Baltimore is banged up a bit from last week, and Tennessee will be missing center Kevin Mawae. So what is the deciding factor? The quarterback, as always. Jeff Fisher will trust Kerry Collins enough to occasionally put the game in his hands. John Harbaugh will be hesitant to do the same and that will make all the difference. And afterwards poor Ray Ray can cry into his moronic “What’s My Name?” t-shirt.

Titans over Ravens


Arizona (10-7) at Carolina (12-4)

Arizona was 0-5 on east coast this year. Carolina was 8-0. Arizona will potentially be without Anquan Boldin. Carolina will be fully rested. I like the running game Whisenhunt unleashed last week, but it will be too little too late this time.

Panthers over Cardinals


Sunday


Philadelphia (10-6-1) at New York Giants (12-4)

So is Philadelphia’s success based upon McNabb’s reinvigoration or Andy Reid’s playoff beard? I’m going with the beard. It’s always the beard. In quasi seriousness, let’s just quit pumping up the Eagles. Yes, they are hot right now and did pound the Giants in New York. But Brandon Jacobs was not himself in that game, the team was dealing with the Plaxico mess and the Eagles had trouble running against a depleted Vikings defense. Oh, and McNabb is overdue for a meltdown. Now how do you feel about those Eagles?

Giants over Eagles


San Diego (9-8) at Pittsburgh (12-4)

Tomlinson probably won’t play, but that’s no surprise. Like San Diego is concerned with a spark plug like Sproles. Antonio Gates will play, but his ankle sprains may limit him. Charger Vincent Jackson was arrested for DUI this week; he will play but hello distraction! Honestly San Diego scares me, as they are playing pumped up and have played playoff-type pressure football for over a month now. But there in Pittsburgh, and the weather will be inclement and James Harrison will be angry.

Steelers over Chargers