Simple. Colts have too much firepower behind Manning's arm. They're going to the Super Bowl unless the Jets or Chargers show they're unstoppable. Whether it's Wayne or Collie, they're going to move the ball 300 yards ot more throgh the air. The running game will pick up because of this.
What makes this hard in any way difficult is how well the Ravens have been playing. But it's not going to hold up this week. Their offense is too weak to score enough points against the Colts defense. Rice can run, and will well this game, but without the complementary attack through the air, they'll not make enough third downs to sustain drives, especially in the second half.
Look for the running game to stall, and for Flacco to throw a few interceptions trying to bring the Ravens back late. Won't happen. Kinda pulling for the Ravens, given how hot they've been the past few weeks, but I can't bring myself to see them winning this one.
Ravens 17, Colts 24
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Playoffs: Cardinals at Saints Prediction
Look for both offenses to have big days. Hightower will run wild on the Saints, Thomas on the Cards. Bouldin, Fitzgerald, etc will catch a number of passes, racking up plenty of yards after catch. Colston, Bush, and Moore will also catch short passes and turn them into more.
The key to victory for both teams will be defense. Sharper will need to lead the Saints to victory, who will need a few interceptions to deflate Warner and the Cardinals offfense. This may take place, but not until the second half, where the Saints will pull close behind Reggie Bush's running and catches out of the backfield.
The defense on the other side of the ball will be tighter than last week, but will open up in the second half, and the Saints will put some 4th quarter points on the board.
It will be exciting and close the whole way. Defense and turnovers, uh-huh.
Cardinals 31, Saints 34
The key to victory for both teams will be defense. Sharper will need to lead the Saints to victory, who will need a few interceptions to deflate Warner and the Cardinals offfense. This may take place, but not until the second half, where the Saints will pull close behind Reggie Bush's running and catches out of the backfield.
The defense on the other side of the ball will be tighter than last week, but will open up in the second half, and the Saints will put some 4th quarter points on the board.
It will be exciting and close the whole way. Defense and turnovers, uh-huh.
Cardinals 31, Saints 34
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Playoffs: Packers at Cardinals Prediction
The third of three rematches, the first two of which ended up the same as last week. I see this one bucking the trend, going the going to the home team Cardinals.
Look for this matchup to be a close one, with turnovers being the key. Rodgers and Warner are both ready for this; whichever one throws the least interceptions will lead their team to victory.
The Cardinals will score early and often. Rodgers will have to get over his nerves and the crowd noise to lead his team. This is his real test as an up-and-coming starter. This may come in the second half, allowing the Packers to make a game of it, but the first half play of the Cardinals' defense will impress.
I think Arizona is in the driver's seat at home, with Fitzgerald and Hightower handling the air and ground attacks, putting in solid games with Warner at the helm.
Warner's postseason experience will ultimately make the difference.
Packers 24, Cardinals 31
Look for this matchup to be a close one, with turnovers being the key. Rodgers and Warner are both ready for this; whichever one throws the least interceptions will lead their team to victory.
The Cardinals will score early and often. Rodgers will have to get over his nerves and the crowd noise to lead his team. This is his real test as an up-and-coming starter. This may come in the second half, allowing the Packers to make a game of it, but the first half play of the Cardinals' defense will impress.
I think Arizona is in the driver's seat at home, with Fitzgerald and Hightower handling the air and ground attacks, putting in solid games with Warner at the helm.
Warner's postseason experience will ultimately make the difference.
Packers 24, Cardinals 31
Playoffs: Ravens at Patriots Prediction
Brady's been hot, and it's hard to call a game against him. But there's no sense in making predictions that aren't bold. So here goes.
Faulk and Moss need to have strong games against a Ravens defense that's been performing lately for New England to live up to theie expectations. Alsokm with Wes Welker out, New England needs someone to step up and take over his ultility position. I don't know the Patriots bench well enough to say who's in the position to step up.
But the Ravens made it all the way to the AFC title game last year, and are hungry for more. They struggled down the stretch, but have the tenacity to make it as a Wild Card contender. Baltimore has not beaten New England in some time, but their drive will hold up long enough to get out to an early start.
Flacco's got to keep it together for the entire game, and he'll rely on Rice having a big game, which I think he will. But even bigger will be the play of Baltimore's defense, their bread and butter, and what will take them through this game.
Brady may lead a 4th quarter comeback, but it will be too little too late, unless the Ravens make too many mistakes - penalties, turnovers, etc. Think upset in the great north.
Ravens 31, Patriots 23.
Faulk and Moss need to have strong games against a Ravens defense that's been performing lately for New England to live up to theie expectations. Alsokm with Wes Welker out, New England needs someone to step up and take over his ultility position. I don't know the Patriots bench well enough to say who's in the position to step up.
But the Ravens made it all the way to the AFC title game last year, and are hungry for more. They struggled down the stretch, but have the tenacity to make it as a Wild Card contender. Baltimore has not beaten New England in some time, but their drive will hold up long enough to get out to an early start.
Flacco's got to keep it together for the entire game, and he'll rely on Rice having a big game, which I think he will. But even bigger will be the play of Baltimore's defense, their bread and butter, and what will take them through this game.
Brady may lead a 4th quarter comeback, but it will be too little too late, unless the Ravens make too many mistakes - penalties, turnovers, etc. Think upset in the great north.
Ravens 31, Patriots 23.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
Playoffs: Eagles at Cowboys Prediction
The Cowboys were impressive in their shutout of the Eagles last week, earning them the chance to host them a second week in a row in Dallas.
This week, the weather in Texas, as with the rest of the country, has turned cold, which may affect the Cowboys. Expect Philly to play with increased intensity following last week's shutout. These two factors will make this game closer than the previous meetings between the two.
Romo, Witten, and Austin are important to the Cowboys success, but Barber and Jones in their running game will be even more important, which must be established early. Most important to success though is the Cowboys defense. They must stop Phill's run hame and make them win in the air.
Speaking of the Eagles air game, look for Desean Jackson to be hot, but the key to an Eagles victory is Donovan McNabb. He made too many mistakes last week. Look to him to change up his game a bit, or return to normal. Because of this, he'll play more conservatively than usual, which will work against him in the end; the Cowboys will appoly pressure late, and he'll throw an interception near the end of the game, allowing the Cowboys to run out the clock late.
Final: Eagles 23, Cowboys 24
This week, the weather in Texas, as with the rest of the country, has turned cold, which may affect the Cowboys. Expect Philly to play with increased intensity following last week's shutout. These two factors will make this game closer than the previous meetings between the two.
Romo, Witten, and Austin are important to the Cowboys success, but Barber and Jones in their running game will be even more important, which must be established early. Most important to success though is the Cowboys defense. They must stop Phill's run hame and make them win in the air.
Speaking of the Eagles air game, look for Desean Jackson to be hot, but the key to an Eagles victory is Donovan McNabb. He made too many mistakes last week. Look to him to change up his game a bit, or return to normal. Because of this, he'll play more conservatively than usual, which will work against him in the end; the Cowboys will appoly pressure late, and he'll throw an interception near the end of the game, allowing the Cowboys to run out the clock late.
Final: Eagles 23, Cowboys 24
Playoffs: Jets at Bengals Prediction
This is one of three rematches this wild card weekend. last week the Jets embarrassed the Bengals. But they were at home.
The difference in this one is Cedric Benson. He didn't play last week, leaving hte Belgals without their running game, which they've come to rely on. Palmer and Ochocinco aren't enough by themselves. If Benson has a good game, the Bengals will win.
On the other side of the sideline, Sanchez will have to play well if the Jets are going to stay in it. The Jets will run well, yes, but unless Sanchez throws a few TDs and the defense keeps Benson under 100 yards, they will not pull it out.
Homefield advantage will also make a difference here. The fans have got to keep their Bengals in it, as they may need a late come-from-behind drive to pull it out.
Final: Jets 17, Bengals 20
The difference in this one is Cedric Benson. He didn't play last week, leaving hte Belgals without their running game, which they've come to rely on. Palmer and Ochocinco aren't enough by themselves. If Benson has a good game, the Bengals will win.
On the other side of the sideline, Sanchez will have to play well if the Jets are going to stay in it. The Jets will run well, yes, but unless Sanchez throws a few TDs and the defense keeps Benson under 100 yards, they will not pull it out.
Homefield advantage will also make a difference here. The fans have got to keep their Bengals in it, as they may need a late come-from-behind drive to pull it out.
Final: Jets 17, Bengals 20
Friday, January 1, 2010
Week 17 Predictions
Sun, Jan 03
SF 24 @ STL 20
IND 14 @ BUF 16
CHI 24 @ DET 13
NE 20 @ HOU 24
ATL 23 @ TB 16
NO 23 @ CAR 24
PIT 23 @ MIA 20
JAC 17 @ CLE 20
NYG 20 @ MIN 31
WAS 17 @ SD 31
KC 16 @ DEN 23
PHI 17 @ DAL 24
BAL 24 @ OAK 20
GB 17 @ ARI 24
TEN 27 @ SEA 13
CIN 24 @ NYJ 21
SF 24 @ STL 20
IND 14 @ BUF 16
CHI 24 @ DET 13
NE 20 @ HOU 24
ATL 23 @ TB 16
NO 23 @ CAR 24
PIT 23 @ MIA 20
JAC 17 @ CLE 20
NYG 20 @ MIN 31
WAS 17 @ SD 31
KC 16 @ DEN 23
PHI 17 @ DAL 24
BAL 24 @ OAK 20
GB 17 @ ARI 24
TEN 27 @ SEA 13
CIN 24 @ NYJ 21
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