Things Are Getting Pretty Serious

Just a quick note: I’m writing this post as I watch the national championship game between Oklahoma and Florida (trust me I’m struggling through it, but the Office is a repeat and there is nothing else worth watching on). You know, college football already has enough working against it as it is. Every year, the question of is the BCS champion the real national champion? is always pondered, and lots of years a “split” national championship is settled upon. That’s absolute crap, and that is why college football sucks. I feel like this is what would happen if Donovan McNabb was in charge of college football, but alas he is not, and it still happens. Whatever, I’m past it. PIIIICKS

The first game of the divisional round is going to be an absolute slugfest. They’ll be more hitting and fighting than actual football playing when Baltimore takes on Tennessee, but then again, isn’t that what football is really all about? I expect a similar game to their matchup from the regular season which the Titans won 13-10.
It makes me nervous to take Kerry Collins against the Ravens in the playoffs (see Super Bowl XXXV), but I think I’d be more nervous taking the rookie Joe Flacco against the Titans defense. Both teams are awesome on defense, both teams can pound the running game, but I say the gray beard (Collins) wins a squeaker at home with the crowd behind him. The X-Factor however, is Ed Reed. He’s the man. I really just can’t use words to describe how incredible he is, but I’ll just leave it at that. Also, when I see him have returns like this one last week, I wonder why they don’t use him on special teams more, or on offense. Regardless, he’s the reason why I’m taking Baltimore (+3) to cover.

On the flipside, I don’t see a repeat game of the Cardinals-Panthers regular season game happening tonight. Carolina was 8-0 at home this year, and Arizona was 3-5 on the road. Carolina will shove the ball down the Cardinals throat with Williams and Stewart, who will probably have about a buck-fifty each, and when the Cardinals put eight men in the box? Well then Steve Smith will be there to burn them. I think the Panthers win big, so I’m going with Carolina (-10). Don’t underestimate the combo of Smith-Muhammed in the playoffs. It’s deadly.

I still think that the Giants are the team to beat in the NFC, and the entire league as well, and I don’t trust Philly; not one bit. I think Philly could go 16-0 and tear up the league, but if Andy Reid was still their coach and McNabb was still their QB I would continue to bet against them. Because the Giants lost three of their last four (even though none of them mattered except the game they won against Carolina) and the Eagles beat the Giants at the Meadowlands a few weeks ago, I’ll pick Philadelphia (+4) to cover. But I still have a feeling the G-men will pull it out.

I’m not buying the whole “San Diego is hot” thing (even though they are). The Chargers always play the Steelers tough, Big Ben is banged up, and…Mike Scifres is perhaps the greatest punter ever. I am confident in saying he will be the very first kicker elected into the Hall of Fame. I would bet a moderate amount of money on it (maybe like $20). He will give the Chargers a huge edge in the field position battle. But if I know one thing it’s that you don’t bet against the league’s #1 defense at home in the playoffs…straight up at least. I’ll take San Diego (+6) to cover. I missed the cover on this game in the regular season when Pitt won 11-10 and Polamalu’s return for TD as time expired didn’t count when it should have. This game will be pretty similar, and I will have my redemption.

So I’m taking three underdogs with the spread, but not to win straight up. That is some very risky business, but hey, all that matters is the spread anyways. If one of them wins outright, I still win. Beautiful.

Oh, yeah, and that all-disappointment team is still in the workings and on its way soon. I’m really building the suspense with that one. You people can’t even sit still waiting for it. I can feel it.