While I don't particularly like being wrong very much, if I do make a mistake, I'll make sure to say that I've done so. It's something I started a few years back, being more honest about who I am and being able to acknowledge when I'm wrong.
That said, these playoffs obviously haven't been too good for me. Not only did the Giants get beaten in their first game, but the Cardinals have continuously tried to turn my picks into a weekly crapshoot.
Atlanta? Gone.
Carolina? Obliterated.
Philly? Done.
So now comes my dilemma. How do I pick against Arizona, the truest of underdog, the one which has proven me wrong for the last month? How do I pick against Kurt Warner, Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Bouldin? It seems like everything is going their way right now, just as it did last year for the Giants, who faced a far tougher test in the Super Bowl in the undefeated, record-breaking (scum of the Earth) Patriots. These are just the Steelers.
Ho hum.
But the problem with this Steelers team, the reason I think far too many people think the Cards are going to win, is because they have consistently done whatever it took to win games. Shannon Sharpe said it best during the post-game show following Pittsburgh's controversial win over the Ravens toward the end of the season:
Pittsburgh and Ben Roethlisberger always look horrible; they never look like they're going to win the game...until they HAVE to. Roethlisberger doesn't make the good pass until he HAS to, the critical third-down conversion. Any time they have a play he HAS to make, he always makes it. It shows you just who he is.
I agree.
I think there will be at least three different times when the Steelers will be facing a third-and-long situation where they need to continue a drive, either because they're trailing by less than a touchdown or because they need to keep the clock moving to keep the ball out of Warner's hands. In those situations, Roethlisberger will probably have to evade a strong rush and keep the play alive, which is his specialty. I think he'll find Hines Ward or Santonio Holmes or Heath Miller and keep Pittsburgh alive. The Steelers defense is one of the best ever. They'll have more than enough schemes for Mr. Warner, believe you me.
Steelers 24, Cardinals 10
Of course, now that I've said this, the Cardinals will probably prove me wrong.
Friday, January 30, 2009
Tuesday, January 27, 2009
Battling
Today something happened that was so insignificant in the grand scheme that there's no way I should have let it get to me.
So, of course it did.
I've got to do better. Here's to doing better!
I want an omelette.
So, of course it did.
I've got to do better. Here's to doing better!
I want an omelette.
Monday, January 26, 2009
The Gifts You Don't See Coming
Sometimes I just have to sit back and think about how God impacts us far beyond our realization.
For instance, had I obtained Chicago employment already, I would have missed out on the chance to celebrate the birthday of my mother and grandmother, which share the same birthday. My mom was born on my grandma's 20th birthday. We celebrated this weekend.
As I sat in Lucille's watching the two most pivotal people in my life, I couldn't help but thank Him and appreciate the time I'd been given. It was a surprise for the both of them and they thanked me for planning it all out.
It was their gift, but I think I may have benefited the most.
For instance, had I obtained Chicago employment already, I would have missed out on the chance to celebrate the birthday of my mother and grandmother, which share the same birthday. My mom was born on my grandma's 20th birthday. We celebrated this weekend.
As I sat in Lucille's watching the two most pivotal people in my life, I couldn't help but thank Him and appreciate the time I'd been given. It was a surprise for the both of them and they thanked me for planning it all out.
It was their gift, but I think I may have benefited the most.
Tuesday, January 20, 2009
1.20.09
Pride.
Happiness.
Numbness.
Continued state of disbelief.
In one day, something changed.
Things seem infinitely more possible now.
I can tell my future kids to work harder because he did and look where he got.
I can look at him now and fully know I can do it.
The doubt is gone.
Praise God.
Happiness.
Numbness.
Continued state of disbelief.
In one day, something changed.
Things seem infinitely more possible now.
I can tell my future kids to work harder because he did and look where he got.
I can look at him now and fully know I can do it.
The doubt is gone.
Praise God.
Monday, January 19, 2009
A Sweet Sound
Lately I've taken to listening to jazz. Don't get me wrong, it's not like I've been against it before or don't have the CDs of various artists. Truth is, I've been a fan for quite some time, just not enough to actively seek out John Coltrane or Louis Armstrong or what have you. I think part of me thought it best served those in another age bracket, preferably the 35-55+ range, not 18-25.
I'm not sure if it's a sign of me growing older or just a reaction to my current status, a way to cope without having to admit how much this whole thing is getting to me. Who knows...One thing of which I'm sure is I'm quickly gaining an even greater appreciation for it.
One of the reasons jazz carries such appeal for me is the way anything can be acceptable.
Sharp on a note?
That's OK.
Missed key stroke on the piano or accidental squeak of the sax?
It's just the nature of the beast. Keep playing and it will all round itself out.
Errors are never that, they're simply variations of the way it was meant to be, interpretations of the original creation. If only we each took the same approach to life, not worrying about what someone might think if we make a mistake and (God forbid!) come off looking something close to human.
Kick a crack in the sidewalk and stumble?
That's OK.
Find out you were wrong about something you thought to be true?
It's just the nature of the beast. Keep talking and learning and everything will figure itself out.
So often in life we wonder what others are thinking, wonder if we're being accepted in the eyes of a club or specific social group or what have you. If we all just decided to live our lives as best we could and not worry about what anyone but God thinks, we'll all be better served in the process.
One way we can do that is to take another lesson from jazz and improvise. It's a strength in the art form and should be utilized more in the real world. Sure, we plan our lives will go a certain way. We'll work our way up through the entry-level job and pay our dues, then move on to the next employer with the higher pay rate, work our way through that company, possibly get married and start a family by 30 or 35, then keep progressing up through the ranks to get to that salary we think will make everything right with the world.
That isn't how God moves and it sure isn't how life works.
Life comes in the glitches. It's not only about what happens, but how we respond to what has happened. Life is about the subsequent and continuous forks in the road that various crises impart into our lives while we're busy planning our future. It's the improvisations that make life worth living, that bring unexpected joy or heartache to our lives. I, for one, would hate to live a life exclusively pragmatic. I need to improvise.
Sure, we make mistakes, those are bound to happen.
We can either let it ruin the song or we can keep on playing.
The choice is ours.
I'm not sure if it's a sign of me growing older or just a reaction to my current status, a way to cope without having to admit how much this whole thing is getting to me. Who knows...One thing of which I'm sure is I'm quickly gaining an even greater appreciation for it.
One of the reasons jazz carries such appeal for me is the way anything can be acceptable.
Sharp on a note?
That's OK.
Missed key stroke on the piano or accidental squeak of the sax?
It's just the nature of the beast. Keep playing and it will all round itself out.
Errors are never that, they're simply variations of the way it was meant to be, interpretations of the original creation. If only we each took the same approach to life, not worrying about what someone might think if we make a mistake and (God forbid!) come off looking something close to human.
Kick a crack in the sidewalk and stumble?
That's OK.
Find out you were wrong about something you thought to be true?
It's just the nature of the beast. Keep talking and learning and everything will figure itself out.
So often in life we wonder what others are thinking, wonder if we're being accepted in the eyes of a club or specific social group or what have you. If we all just decided to live our lives as best we could and not worry about what anyone but God thinks, we'll all be better served in the process.
One way we can do that is to take another lesson from jazz and improvise. It's a strength in the art form and should be utilized more in the real world. Sure, we plan our lives will go a certain way. We'll work our way up through the entry-level job and pay our dues, then move on to the next employer with the higher pay rate, work our way through that company, possibly get married and start a family by 30 or 35, then keep progressing up through the ranks to get to that salary we think will make everything right with the world.
That isn't how God moves and it sure isn't how life works.
Life comes in the glitches. It's not only about what happens, but how we respond to what has happened. Life is about the subsequent and continuous forks in the road that various crises impart into our lives while we're busy planning our future. It's the improvisations that make life worth living, that bring unexpected joy or heartache to our lives. I, for one, would hate to live a life exclusively pragmatic. I need to improvise.
Sure, we make mistakes, those are bound to happen.
We can either let it ruin the song or we can keep on playing.
The choice is ours.
Sunday, January 18, 2009
As Promised...
My picks! (cue single trumpet making the ta-dah sound.)
Ok, so they're a little late, but technically they're still before the games have started, so I'm going to give them...and THIS time they'll be better (I hope).
NFC Championship Game
Eagles at Cardinals: Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought the Cardinals would have done what they did to the Panthers. I mean, it wasn't even close. Carolina scored the first touchdown of the game, then gave up 30 straight. I mean, that just isn't good math. Arizona was aggressive throughout, even despite being without one of its best receivers, Anquan Bouldin. It dominated the line of scrimmage with what most people thought was an inferior offensive line and it got Edge involved early once again. I can't tell if Wisenhunt is a genius for basically resting Edgerrin the entire season or if he's just becoming a better coach, using all the weapons he's been given a little better than he had been. Either way, the Cards (especially Kurt Warner) will be smelling the Super Bowl. Unfortunately for them, it seems like the Eagles have some special this year, almost exactly like the Giants did last year. The funny thing is that even if Philly wins the Super Bowl, I doubt they'll bring McNabb back. But that's another discussion for another day. Right now it's about the NFC Championship and the Eagles are playing too well for Arizona to stop them. They're on a mission...Eagles 27, Cardinals 16
AFC Championship Game
Ravens at Steelers: For a true football fan, one who appreciates those games where the announcers are always warning that it's a man's game and that everyone should put their hardhats on, this is one of the most highly anticipated games of the year. Ravens/Steelers is always tough, always grimy, always a little dirty and cheap. If it was a woman, it'd be that one who cusses a little too much for your liking and smokes and might not be the one you take home to Mom, but is ALWAYS the one you tell your boys about. Just this season, Steelers wideout Hines Ward (who I'm told would smile to your face even while he's shanking you) was accused by Ravens players to be a cheapshot artist for the way he blocks downfield. Then, of course, in their first meeting of the year on a Monday night game, Hines totally demolished Ed Reed, who, as I've said before, has probably been the best coverage safety in the game for the last 5 years or so. I mean, it's never a good thing when the back of your head is the first thing to hit the ground after you've been hit. So because of that hit, word got out that the Ravens players had put a bounty out on Ward for when they faced each other in the next game later in the year. Ray Lewis had already taken care of Pittsburgh's rookie running back Rashard Mendenhall for talking trash prior to their first meeting by way of breaking his shoulder on a hit and ending his season. I'm guessing he won't be talking much next year.
The second meeting didn't have as much visible bad blood (although I'm sure there was plenty of cordial discussion amongst the guys during the game), it did treat us to a controversial finish, which should make Ravens/Steelers III all the more intriguing. Usually, when two teams play each other three times, whichever one lost the most recent game winds up being the winner of the third, but in those rare occurances, some teams get swept. Even as I type this, I'm not sure which way I'm going to go with this pick. Baltimore looks a whole lot like their Super Bowl team that leaned on an amazing defense and just told the quarterback to not make any mistakes. The Steelers, coincidentally enough, have the best defense in the league. It actually ranks with some of the best defenses to ever play since the NFL/AFL merger. Every time you think they can't win or that they'll roll over, the Steelers find a way to win. That said, I just don't know that Ray Lewis will let his team lose. Baltimore wins ugly, the only way they know how...Ravens 13, Steelers 9
Here's to hoping I do a little better this week!
Ok, so they're a little late, but technically they're still before the games have started, so I'm going to give them...and THIS time they'll be better (I hope).
NFC Championship Game
Eagles at Cardinals: Never in my wildest dreams would I have thought the Cardinals would have done what they did to the Panthers. I mean, it wasn't even close. Carolina scored the first touchdown of the game, then gave up 30 straight. I mean, that just isn't good math. Arizona was aggressive throughout, even despite being without one of its best receivers, Anquan Bouldin. It dominated the line of scrimmage with what most people thought was an inferior offensive line and it got Edge involved early once again. I can't tell if Wisenhunt is a genius for basically resting Edgerrin the entire season or if he's just becoming a better coach, using all the weapons he's been given a little better than he had been. Either way, the Cards (especially Kurt Warner) will be smelling the Super Bowl. Unfortunately for them, it seems like the Eagles have some special this year, almost exactly like the Giants did last year. The funny thing is that even if Philly wins the Super Bowl, I doubt they'll bring McNabb back. But that's another discussion for another day. Right now it's about the NFC Championship and the Eagles are playing too well for Arizona to stop them. They're on a mission...Eagles 27, Cardinals 16
AFC Championship Game
Ravens at Steelers: For a true football fan, one who appreciates those games where the announcers are always warning that it's a man's game and that everyone should put their hardhats on, this is one of the most highly anticipated games of the year. Ravens/Steelers is always tough, always grimy, always a little dirty and cheap. If it was a woman, it'd be that one who cusses a little too much for your liking and smokes and might not be the one you take home to Mom, but is ALWAYS the one you tell your boys about. Just this season, Steelers wideout Hines Ward (who I'm told would smile to your face even while he's shanking you) was accused by Ravens players to be a cheapshot artist for the way he blocks downfield. Then, of course, in their first meeting of the year on a Monday night game, Hines totally demolished Ed Reed, who, as I've said before, has probably been the best coverage safety in the game for the last 5 years or so. I mean, it's never a good thing when the back of your head is the first thing to hit the ground after you've been hit. So because of that hit, word got out that the Ravens players had put a bounty out on Ward for when they faced each other in the next game later in the year. Ray Lewis had already taken care of Pittsburgh's rookie running back Rashard Mendenhall for talking trash prior to their first meeting by way of breaking his shoulder on a hit and ending his season. I'm guessing he won't be talking much next year.
The second meeting didn't have as much visible bad blood (although I'm sure there was plenty of cordial discussion amongst the guys during the game), it did treat us to a controversial finish, which should make Ravens/Steelers III all the more intriguing. Usually, when two teams play each other three times, whichever one lost the most recent game winds up being the winner of the third, but in those rare occurances, some teams get swept. Even as I type this, I'm not sure which way I'm going to go with this pick. Baltimore looks a whole lot like their Super Bowl team that leaned on an amazing defense and just told the quarterback to not make any mistakes. The Steelers, coincidentally enough, have the best defense in the league. It actually ranks with some of the best defenses to ever play since the NFL/AFL merger. Every time you think they can't win or that they'll roll over, the Steelers find a way to win. That said, I just don't know that Ray Lewis will let his team lose. Baltimore wins ugly, the only way they know how...Ravens 13, Steelers 9
Here's to hoping I do a little better this week!
Monday, January 12, 2009
Sooo....
That whole picking thing didn't go so well for old Sean.
Suffice to say, considering the Steelers saved me from only having one win, I had what can be described as a "rough week."
The one that still gets me is the Cardinals beating the Panthers. I just sat watching with my mouth agape. It was one of the most shocking playoffs games I've seen, to be topped by the Giants/Vikings NFC Championship game from 2001 (2000 season) and probably some other one I just can't think of right now.
The Eagles are playing well right now, but I went with my team. The Panthers were playing better than anyone, but that week off must have thrown some rust on to the bearings. Now that the Cards have officially dusted off Edgerrin James, it actually might be tough to stop them. Maybe the Earth is coming to an end soon...
I digress...
To summize, last week's record was a stellar 2-4.
I'll do better this week, promise. I'm not this bad, I swear.
Picks later in the week.
Suffice to say, considering the Steelers saved me from only having one win, I had what can be described as a "rough week."
The one that still gets me is the Cardinals beating the Panthers. I just sat watching with my mouth agape. It was one of the most shocking playoffs games I've seen, to be topped by the Giants/Vikings NFC Championship game from 2001 (2000 season) and probably some other one I just can't think of right now.
The Eagles are playing well right now, but I went with my team. The Panthers were playing better than anyone, but that week off must have thrown some rust on to the bearings. Now that the Cards have officially dusted off Edgerrin James, it actually might be tough to stop them. Maybe the Earth is coming to an end soon...
I digress...
To summize, last week's record was a stellar 2-4.
I'll do better this week, promise. I'm not this bad, I swear.
Picks later in the week.
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Follow My Dreams?
Ever since I can remember, I've had a strange relationship with my dreams.
Like most people, I forget most of the ones I have. Unlike most people, though, the ones I remember wind up coming true and become a deja vu. I don't know what the dream/reality ratio is, but it's always been higher for me than others. That's why I'm a little nervous...
The last two nights have treated me to some of the worst dreams I think I've ever had. (Well, aside from the one where I killed Dirk Nowitzki for some reason and then was on the run the rest of the time.)
I won't get into the details, but the first involved great injury to one of my best friends. The other had to do with an infestation the likes of which would have paled Arachnophobia to a minor spider problem.
I pray neither happens. There would be no joy in Muddville for sure.
Like most people, I forget most of the ones I have. Unlike most people, though, the ones I remember wind up coming true and become a deja vu. I don't know what the dream/reality ratio is, but it's always been higher for me than others. That's why I'm a little nervous...
The last two nights have treated me to some of the worst dreams I think I've ever had. (Well, aside from the one where I killed Dirk Nowitzki for some reason and then was on the run the rest of the time.)
I won't get into the details, but the first involved great injury to one of my best friends. The other had to do with an infestation the likes of which would have paled Arachnophobia to a minor spider problem.
I pray neither happens. There would be no joy in Muddville for sure.
Monday, January 5, 2009
I Pick 'Em
Anyone who knows me knows that I'm a huge football fan. Actually, to say huge really doesn't quantify the just how much I love the sport. There are so many intrinsically human virtues to be learned while playing it. I was lucky enough to play 11 years and have followed for longer than that.
Needless to say, with the NFL playoffs being here, I'm a little more than pleased. I don't bet on the games, mostly because there's no "lock" in the NFL and I couldn't handle leaving my money up to someone else. I'd rather play poker and leave it up to myself rather than whether or not Eli got a good night's rest the night before. I do, however, like to pick the games and have gotten pretty good at it if I do say so myself. I stay up on The League and so I can comfortably make picks and stick by them. In this week's Wild Card Weekend, I went 3-1 with my only loss coming by way of the stupid, refs who officiated the Chargers/Colts game. (I had Colts winning, 24-21. That defensive holding call in OT was such a sham. Absolutely horrible. I guess it's a bit of karma that after all the hard-luck calls the Chargers got during the regular season, a couple finally go their way in the playoffs. But I don't accept that.)
So, I'm thinking maybe I'll post my picks on here from here on out so that I actually proof that I can pick 'em...you know, aside from having to refer people to Josh so they can ask him whether or not I said it. Anyway, without further adieu...
NFC Division Series Games
No. 6 Eagles at No. 1 Giants: Given how well Philly is playing, I'm sure most people will probably pick them, citing their current run, the fact that they already beat The New York Football Giants last month and that the Giants have injury (Mammoth Jacobs) and idiocy (Plexibrain) problems. All of those are valid points and, for the record, it seems like Jacobs means much more to them than Plax. (Unfortunately, Mr. Burress probably won't realize that fact until after he's been traded to the Raiders for their second and third pick in this year's draft.) Brandon Jacobs' style may make him injury-prone, but it also inspires his teammates and makes the collective toughness of the team spike up to Ray Lewis levels. He'll be ready to go, and so will the Giants...Giants 27, Eagles 20
No. 4 Cardinals at No. 2 Panthers: In their win against the Falcons, the Cardinals proved that A) a motivated Edgerrin James is better than almost any other running back in The League, B) Kurt Warner wins the award for Professional Football Player Who Most Looks Like An Actor In A Disney Film Trying To Play An Actual Football Player In His Uniform, C) Larry Fitzgerald is Amazing (but I already knew this, having had him in my fantasy league all season), D) they'll still probably lose to Carolina in a lopsided affair. Yes, they're playing better than they did all of last month and yes, they were able to stop The Burner from running all over them, but Jake Delhomme is no rookie QB and DeAngelo (he's acheived one-name status) is too, too good to be held down by a porous run D. The Panthers O-line is very good and Delhomme will change up the cadences a little more to keep the Cards linemen from getting off faster than the offense, like it did against Matt Ryan and the Falcons. This one won't be close...Panthers 34, Cardinals 17.
AFC Division Series Games
No. 6 Ravens at No. 1 Titans: Baltimore will probably be a trendy upset special here, simply because of how well it played against the Dolphins and that absolute MONSTER of a defense. (Seriously, any time Ray Lewis is your third-best player on defense, you're in pretty good shape.) I told Josh last night that Ed Reed would get two picks and return one for a touchdown. Of course, now it just seems like I made it up. Regardless, those two won't be his only interceptions for this post season. I've never been a big Titans fan. I've always thought they'd crumble under the pressure. I mean, come on, Kerry Collins is their leader. The same guy who looks like he's in a permanent drunken haze. Yes, I know he's sober now and I'd congratulate him on that if I ever meet him, but there's no way he doesn't throw three picks and lose at least one fumble against this Ravens D. They're just too good and playing too well...Ravens 23, Titans 12.
No. 4 Chargers at No. 2 Steelers: Having just beaten the only other team that was as hot as them, the Chargers are probably all fired up to play a team with which they're familiar for yet another opportunity to prove people wrong about them. The Steelers, on the other hand, were beaten by Tennessee and then lost Ben Roethlis-no one buy him another-berger to a concussion in the season finale. His tally might not be in the Steve Young or Troy Aikman range yet, but it's getting up there. Can a possibly still hazy QB who holds onto the ball too long succeed against a typical Ron Rivera attacking-style defense? I think he can. Plus, he'll have that defense ready to make up for any sudden changes he might give them. One of the best defenses ever (statistically) against a groinless L.T. and little kid who runs around like he's had too much sugar? I'll take the D...Steelers 24, Chargers 16.
BONUS!!! Fiesta Bowl!
No. 10 Ohio State vs. No. 3 Texas: Texas has every reason to win this game. With a big win, they can possibly steal enough votes to be AP's national champ. They're still upset about the whole "We beat Oklahoma by 10 points on a neutral field" thing, so they'll want to make the Buckeyes their personal soapbox. The Big Ten hasn't won a BCS game since Ohio State stole the title from Miami in 2003. That's a while. Ohio State, specifically, has looked HORRIBLE in any big non-conference game over the last couple years. But maybe that's the biggest reason why they just might have a shot. Their senior class this year has been simply embarrassed on a big stage. This just might be the right time for them to get their revenge....and a true freshman just might be the person to get them that win. Pryor is legit. I'm still glad Tressel didn't play him more against USC, or else it would have made my Saturday a little more tense. He's way better since he was then and everything I've seen from him says special talent. He's like Vince Young, but with a better throwing motion and no schitz emotional problems. I know it's not logical. I know I'll probably hear about this one from my friends, but I gotta do it...Buckeyes 31, Longhorns 28.
EXTRA BONUS!!! Championship Game!
No. 1 Oklahoma vs. No. 2 Florida: For whatever reason, this game has been really tough to figure out. Some days I think Florida's pair of young RBs will be too quick for the Oklahoma linebackers and secondary. Then I think about how that Sooners' offense could just dominate every phase of the game against a young Florida defense still probably a year away from being able to really come through when necessary. That no-huddle is no joke and Bradford runs it like a finely tuned machine. Tim Tebow may not become the best pro, he may look like an old-school quarterback taking his yearbook picture when he sets up to pass, but he's no loser. He seems to become inhabited with some crazy spirit and will his team to victory. That said, I will never pick an SEC team, much less root for one. The defense will be non-existent, the QBs will play their hearts out and, in the end, Sam Bradford will show everyone why he won the Heisman in the best championship game since Texas/'SC...Sooners 48, Gators 44.
Needless to say, with the NFL playoffs being here, I'm a little more than pleased. I don't bet on the games, mostly because there's no "lock" in the NFL and I couldn't handle leaving my money up to someone else. I'd rather play poker and leave it up to myself rather than whether or not Eli got a good night's rest the night before. I do, however, like to pick the games and have gotten pretty good at it if I do say so myself. I stay up on The League and so I can comfortably make picks and stick by them. In this week's Wild Card Weekend, I went 3-1 with my only loss coming by way of the stupid, refs who officiated the Chargers/Colts game. (I had Colts winning, 24-21. That defensive holding call in OT was such a sham. Absolutely horrible. I guess it's a bit of karma that after all the hard-luck calls the Chargers got during the regular season, a couple finally go their way in the playoffs. But I don't accept that.)
So, I'm thinking maybe I'll post my picks on here from here on out so that I actually proof that I can pick 'em...you know, aside from having to refer people to Josh so they can ask him whether or not I said it. Anyway, without further adieu...
NFC Division Series Games
No. 6 Eagles at No. 1 Giants: Given how well Philly is playing, I'm sure most people will probably pick them, citing their current run, the fact that they already beat The New York Football Giants last month and that the Giants have injury (Mammoth Jacobs) and idiocy (Plexibrain) problems. All of those are valid points and, for the record, it seems like Jacobs means much more to them than Plax. (Unfortunately, Mr. Burress probably won't realize that fact until after he's been traded to the Raiders for their second and third pick in this year's draft.) Brandon Jacobs' style may make him injury-prone, but it also inspires his teammates and makes the collective toughness of the team spike up to Ray Lewis levels. He'll be ready to go, and so will the Giants...Giants 27, Eagles 20
No. 4 Cardinals at No. 2 Panthers: In their win against the Falcons, the Cardinals proved that A) a motivated Edgerrin James is better than almost any other running back in The League, B) Kurt Warner wins the award for Professional Football Player Who Most Looks Like An Actor In A Disney Film Trying To Play An Actual Football Player In His Uniform, C) Larry Fitzgerald is Amazing (but I already knew this, having had him in my fantasy league all season), D) they'll still probably lose to Carolina in a lopsided affair. Yes, they're playing better than they did all of last month and yes, they were able to stop The Burner from running all over them, but Jake Delhomme is no rookie QB and DeAngelo (he's acheived one-name status) is too, too good to be held down by a porous run D. The Panthers O-line is very good and Delhomme will change up the cadences a little more to keep the Cards linemen from getting off faster than the offense, like it did against Matt Ryan and the Falcons. This one won't be close...Panthers 34, Cardinals 17.
AFC Division Series Games
No. 6 Ravens at No. 1 Titans: Baltimore will probably be a trendy upset special here, simply because of how well it played against the Dolphins and that absolute MONSTER of a defense. (Seriously, any time Ray Lewis is your third-best player on defense, you're in pretty good shape.) I told Josh last night that Ed Reed would get two picks and return one for a touchdown. Of course, now it just seems like I made it up. Regardless, those two won't be his only interceptions for this post season. I've never been a big Titans fan. I've always thought they'd crumble under the pressure. I mean, come on, Kerry Collins is their leader. The same guy who looks like he's in a permanent drunken haze. Yes, I know he's sober now and I'd congratulate him on that if I ever meet him, but there's no way he doesn't throw three picks and lose at least one fumble against this Ravens D. They're just too good and playing too well...Ravens 23, Titans 12.
No. 4 Chargers at No. 2 Steelers: Having just beaten the only other team that was as hot as them, the Chargers are probably all fired up to play a team with which they're familiar for yet another opportunity to prove people wrong about them. The Steelers, on the other hand, were beaten by Tennessee and then lost Ben Roethlis-no one buy him another-berger to a concussion in the season finale. His tally might not be in the Steve Young or Troy Aikman range yet, but it's getting up there. Can a possibly still hazy QB who holds onto the ball too long succeed against a typical Ron Rivera attacking-style defense? I think he can. Plus, he'll have that defense ready to make up for any sudden changes he might give them. One of the best defenses ever (statistically) against a groinless L.T. and little kid who runs around like he's had too much sugar? I'll take the D...Steelers 24, Chargers 16.
BONUS!!! Fiesta Bowl!
No. 10 Ohio State vs. No. 3 Texas: Texas has every reason to win this game. With a big win, they can possibly steal enough votes to be AP's national champ. They're still upset about the whole "We beat Oklahoma by 10 points on a neutral field" thing, so they'll want to make the Buckeyes their personal soapbox. The Big Ten hasn't won a BCS game since Ohio State stole the title from Miami in 2003. That's a while. Ohio State, specifically, has looked HORRIBLE in any big non-conference game over the last couple years. But maybe that's the biggest reason why they just might have a shot. Their senior class this year has been simply embarrassed on a big stage. This just might be the right time for them to get their revenge....and a true freshman just might be the person to get them that win. Pryor is legit. I'm still glad Tressel didn't play him more against USC, or else it would have made my Saturday a little more tense. He's way better since he was then and everything I've seen from him says special talent. He's like Vince Young, but with a better throwing motion and no schitz emotional problems. I know it's not logical. I know I'll probably hear about this one from my friends, but I gotta do it...Buckeyes 31, Longhorns 28.
EXTRA BONUS!!! Championship Game!
No. 1 Oklahoma vs. No. 2 Florida: For whatever reason, this game has been really tough to figure out. Some days I think Florida's pair of young RBs will be too quick for the Oklahoma linebackers and secondary. Then I think about how that Sooners' offense could just dominate every phase of the game against a young Florida defense still probably a year away from being able to really come through when necessary. That no-huddle is no joke and Bradford runs it like a finely tuned machine. Tim Tebow may not become the best pro, he may look like an old-school quarterback taking his yearbook picture when he sets up to pass, but he's no loser. He seems to become inhabited with some crazy spirit and will his team to victory. That said, I will never pick an SEC team, much less root for one. The defense will be non-existent, the QBs will play their hearts out and, in the end, Sam Bradford will show everyone why he won the Heisman in the best championship game since Texas/'SC...Sooners 48, Gators 44.
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