If you have been watching basketball for an extended period of time, you should have a good idea of what clutch is. When I think of clutch, I think of Magic using Kareem's "sky hook" to beat the Celtics. I think of Rober Horry hitting that shot after the Divac tip out to beat the Sacramento Kings. . Even though I have many to pick from, I think of Kobe beating the Heat with a 3 and Jordan hitting "the shot" against Cleveland, twice. Shots like these go back many years and there are many of them. The part we forget is that fact that the great players that we remember hitting these clutch shots have also missed many of these shots but we still call them clutch. I'm not gonna start defending LeBron James with the exception that he has made some clutch shots and he has missed as well. There are analysts and journalist who claim LeBron isn't clutch like Kobe and that's why he still hasn't won a ring. This is incorrect and basketball fans should know that.
LeBron hasn't hit game-winning shots like Kobe but he hasn't played as long as Kobe either. Its the same ignorance when it comes to comparing Kobe to Jordan. No one has done what Jordan has done and no one will. Sure Kobe is close but still not yet on Jordan's level. When you take away the MVPs and the rings and even the scoring totals, you are left with one question: Who do you want taking the last shot? Fans will go to the star of their team but everyone will think of Jordan. A clutch player is a player that is playing on a level that no one else it. Jordan set the bar of greatness at a level that no one has reached yet. I'm not saying this level is unattainable but so far, it hasn't been. Kobe is close and even MJ himself is reported as saying so. LeBron is the most "complete" player in the league today but that doesn't make him the best. For the first time since Jordan left the game, there isn't a player that is "the best" in the NBA. The arguments that can be made for Kobe or LeBron, I can counter with a Howard, Rose, DWade or Dirk.
When Dallas won last year, all the talk was about how the Heat failed. No one, outside of Dallas ever said that the Mavericks were the better team. The Mavs, as a team, played great team basketball. Players such as Tyson Chandler and JJ Berera played up to potential on the NBAs biggest stage. That is what wins championships. Championships are a part of the equation of what's clutch but not the answer. If that was the case, the Bill Russell would be considered the Greatest Of All Time and not Jordan.
Wednesday, January 18, 2012
Monday, January 16, 2012
Down Go the Packers........
After a blowout and a 4th quarter shoot-out on Saturday, we were treated to a very ugly Ravens win over the Texans and the Packers show they aren't who some hoped they were. The Giants went to Green Bay, and picked a fight. Something no one did all season, except for the Kansas City Chiefs. Was this a case of the Packers not being able to shake off the rust of not playing since Christmas Day? The answer is no. The Giants are playing up to their potential.
Eli Manning has a Super Bowl ring but when the subject of "elite" QBs come up, his name isn't near the top. Sure his numbers are mind-blowing like Brees, Brady and big brother Payton, but he has shown that if you give him a opening, he will find a way through. While folks are throwing out MVP honors to Brees and Brady, Eli and silently kept his composure and guided his team to the NFC championship game. A month ago, no one would have believed that possible. All the Giants did was play "playoff" football for the last 4 games of the season and earned their way into the playoffs. A beat down of the Falcons led to the 15-1 Packers. The Giants didn't talk about being disrespected or under rated. They went into the "frozen tundra" and beat the Packers.
The Packers, have no excuses and you cheese heads need to stop lying to yourselves about how good the Packers are. Having a defense that was last or next to last all season, doesn't win championships. The Packers enjoyed a schedule where they were able to play teams at the right time and racked up wins. Don't forget, this same Giants team, without RB Bradshaw, and lost by 3. So the Giants already knew they could score on the Packers coming into this game. The only question was could they get to and rattle Aaron Rodgers. The answer was yes and yes. Rodgers was sacked 4 times and had a INT. I don't want to hear about the 8 dropped passes. Yes, there was a huge one in the endzone but what about the other 12 incomplete passes? Who was at fault for those? The Giants got to and hurried Rodgers, disrupting his timing and stopping the Packers pass attack. Champs make adjustments and the Packers didn't. The Packers are experiencing exactly what they made teams experience last year. So for the second straight post season, the "best" QB in the NFL has gone home early.
I purposely don't want to talk about the Texans/Ravens game. That game was so hard to watch. It didn't seem like a playoff game but all to often, that is how the Ravens like to play. I didn't think it was possible but TJ Yates looked worse at QB then Joe Flacco, and that's saying alot. Yates threw 3 INTs and the Texan offense was overwhelmed by the Ravens. Once the Ravens got the lead, that defense wasn't going to let it get away. That is all I have to say about this game. It was a typical Ravens football game. Can't wait to see this defense against Brady and the Patriots. AFC Championship Game, Sunday, January 22, 2012 3pm EST/12pm PST.
Eli Manning has a Super Bowl ring but when the subject of "elite" QBs come up, his name isn't near the top. Sure his numbers are mind-blowing like Brees, Brady and big brother Payton, but he has shown that if you give him a opening, he will find a way through. While folks are throwing out MVP honors to Brees and Brady, Eli and silently kept his composure and guided his team to the NFC championship game. A month ago, no one would have believed that possible. All the Giants did was play "playoff" football for the last 4 games of the season and earned their way into the playoffs. A beat down of the Falcons led to the 15-1 Packers. The Giants didn't talk about being disrespected or under rated. They went into the "frozen tundra" and beat the Packers.
The Packers, have no excuses and you cheese heads need to stop lying to yourselves about how good the Packers are. Having a defense that was last or next to last all season, doesn't win championships. The Packers enjoyed a schedule where they were able to play teams at the right time and racked up wins. Don't forget, this same Giants team, without RB Bradshaw, and lost by 3. So the Giants already knew they could score on the Packers coming into this game. The only question was could they get to and rattle Aaron Rodgers. The answer was yes and yes. Rodgers was sacked 4 times and had a INT. I don't want to hear about the 8 dropped passes. Yes, there was a huge one in the endzone but what about the other 12 incomplete passes? Who was at fault for those? The Giants got to and hurried Rodgers, disrupting his timing and stopping the Packers pass attack. Champs make adjustments and the Packers didn't. The Packers are experiencing exactly what they made teams experience last year. So for the second straight post season, the "best" QB in the NFL has gone home early.
I purposely don't want to talk about the Texans/Ravens game. That game was so hard to watch. It didn't seem like a playoff game but all to often, that is how the Ravens like to play. I didn't think it was possible but TJ Yates looked worse at QB then Joe Flacco, and that's saying alot. Yates threw 3 INTs and the Texan offense was overwhelmed by the Ravens. Once the Ravens got the lead, that defense wasn't going to let it get away. That is all I have to say about this game. It was a typical Ravens football game. Can't wait to see this defense against Brady and the Patriots. AFC Championship Game, Sunday, January 22, 2012 3pm EST/12pm PST.
Sunday, January 15, 2012
Super Bowl XLVI: Two Tickets Punched.......
Some have said that the Saints/49ers games was one of the best in playoff history. Since when does one quarter make a great game? It doesn't. Don't get me wrong, the 4th quarter was great. I would even say it was one of the best 4th quarters in playoff history. There were some great plays throughout the game but its the 4th quarter, mainly the last 5 minutes, that made this game exciting.
Throughout the coarse of the game, you got a feeling that something "magical" was going to happen. The momentum never swung one way or the other for any extended period of time. Coach Harbaugh out coached Sean Payton. Harbaugh made some great play calls like the QB keeper with 2 minutes to go in the 4th where Alex Smith ran for the go-ahead touchdown. The blocking down field was perfect and Smith ran in untouched for the 28 yard score. Maybe the 49ers were celebrating a little too much when the Saints got the ball. Brees made a perfect pass to Graham for a 66-yard touchdown pass. It was Brees' 62 pass attempt (a playoff record) and it put the Saints up by 3. But there was still time on the clock for the 49ers to, at least, tie the game. With 40 seconds to play, on 2nd and 10, Alex Smith found Vernon Davis over the middle and Davis took the ball inside the 20. The 49ers were in business. Never mind a tying field goal, the 49ers were thinking touchdown and punch their ticket to the NFC championship game. Now, 14 seconds to play. The ball is on the Saints 19 yard line and its 3rd and 3. Once again, Smith found Vernon Davis at the goal line. Touchdown 49ers! With 9 seconds to play and a 4 point lead, the 49ers took care of business and now wait for the winner of the Giants/Packers game. For those who questioned if the 49ers were for real now realize that they are. The 49ers are now one game away from returning to the Super Bowl for the first time since 1994.
What was supposed to be the game of the day turned out to be just what most people, not living in Denver, thought it would be. The Patriots were the Patriots and the Broncos were the Broncos. I've always said that if teams don't let the game come down to the end of the game, the Tebow can't beat you. For the second time this season, the Patriots did exactly that. The only difference between this playoff game and the regular season game is that Brady led the Patriots to score after score and had the Broncos on their heels from the very beginning. The Patriots game plan was simple: make Tebow match Brady, pass for pass. The Patriots put the Broncos in a position where they had to throw the ball, which is not a strength of the Broncos. What was most impressive was the Patriot offensive and defensive lines controlled the field the entire game. Something the Patriots hadn't done all year. It was almost like the Patriots "flipped a switch" and looked like the Super Bowl winning Patriots. A very scary sight for any team. I'm sure some "Tebow apologists" will say that the Bronco defense caused the loss but the offense could only manage 10 points on the 32nd ranked defense in the league. Forget all the nonsense and just except the truth, the Broncos and Tebow aren't as good as some thought they were. The Broncos didn't make the playoffs because of what they did. They made the playoffs because of what the Raiders didn't do. I have no sympathy for the Broncos or Tebow. I will give Tebow another chance though. He will now have a full training camp and pre-season to get better at the QB position. We will see. For the Patriots, they now wait to see if they will host the Texans or the Ravens.
Can't Wait!!
D!
Throughout the coarse of the game, you got a feeling that something "magical" was going to happen. The momentum never swung one way or the other for any extended period of time. Coach Harbaugh out coached Sean Payton. Harbaugh made some great play calls like the QB keeper with 2 minutes to go in the 4th where Alex Smith ran for the go-ahead touchdown. The blocking down field was perfect and Smith ran in untouched for the 28 yard score. Maybe the 49ers were celebrating a little too much when the Saints got the ball. Brees made a perfect pass to Graham for a 66-yard touchdown pass. It was Brees' 62 pass attempt (a playoff record) and it put the Saints up by 3. But there was still time on the clock for the 49ers to, at least, tie the game. With 40 seconds to play, on 2nd and 10, Alex Smith found Vernon Davis over the middle and Davis took the ball inside the 20. The 49ers were in business. Never mind a tying field goal, the 49ers were thinking touchdown and punch their ticket to the NFC championship game. Now, 14 seconds to play. The ball is on the Saints 19 yard line and its 3rd and 3. Once again, Smith found Vernon Davis at the goal line. Touchdown 49ers! With 9 seconds to play and a 4 point lead, the 49ers took care of business and now wait for the winner of the Giants/Packers game. For those who questioned if the 49ers were for real now realize that they are. The 49ers are now one game away from returning to the Super Bowl for the first time since 1994.
What was supposed to be the game of the day turned out to be just what most people, not living in Denver, thought it would be. The Patriots were the Patriots and the Broncos were the Broncos. I've always said that if teams don't let the game come down to the end of the game, the Tebow can't beat you. For the second time this season, the Patriots did exactly that. The only difference between this playoff game and the regular season game is that Brady led the Patriots to score after score and had the Broncos on their heels from the very beginning. The Patriots game plan was simple: make Tebow match Brady, pass for pass. The Patriots put the Broncos in a position where they had to throw the ball, which is not a strength of the Broncos. What was most impressive was the Patriot offensive and defensive lines controlled the field the entire game. Something the Patriots hadn't done all year. It was almost like the Patriots "flipped a switch" and looked like the Super Bowl winning Patriots. A very scary sight for any team. I'm sure some "Tebow apologists" will say that the Bronco defense caused the loss but the offense could only manage 10 points on the 32nd ranked defense in the league. Forget all the nonsense and just except the truth, the Broncos and Tebow aren't as good as some thought they were. The Broncos didn't make the playoffs because of what they did. They made the playoffs because of what the Raiders didn't do. I have no sympathy for the Broncos or Tebow. I will give Tebow another chance though. He will now have a full training camp and pre-season to get better at the QB position. We will see. For the Patriots, they now wait to see if they will host the Texans or the Ravens.
Can't Wait!!
D!
Wednesday, January 11, 2012
Is LA Capable or Ready to Become Sports Mecca?
Los Angeles has always been a place that everyone wants to visit if not live. Who wouldn't? LA has great beaches, great weather and so many choices of entertainment that there wouldn't never be a person who could say LA is a boring place. Even the police chases are exciting in LA. But is LA a sports haven? Not like it used to be. If you call Los Angeles home as a professional sports team, there is one rule: WIN!! Clippers and Kings, you are on the clock!
In the 1980s, LA was the place to be. The Raiders were contenders and the Rams weren't bad either. The Lakers were the team of the decade winning 5 NBA championships. The Dodgers were contenders and won 2 World Series titles. Even the Angels had playoff teams. If there was a down side, it would be the Clippers and the Kings (NHL) but the success of the other 5 professional sports teams were holding up their end so well, it didn't bother anyone that the Kings and Clippers just couldn't compete.
The 1990s brought about a championship drought in Los Angeles. The Lakers lost in the 1991 NBA Finals and both the Raiders and Rams left in 1994. There were no superstars left especially after Magic was forced to retire due to his HIV infection. The Kings enjoyed a few good seasons, especially after acquiring Wayne Gretzky (the Michael Jordan of hockey). The Kings won the franchises only Western Conference Title in 1993 but lost in the Stanley Cup Finals to Montreal. 1993 also saw the LA area gain another team. The Anaheim Ducks became the new NHL franchise. The Angels tried to carry the load but buckled under the pressure. The Angels blew a 13 game lead in August 1995 and lost the one game playoff to the Seattle Mariners. If it could go wrong for LA teams, then it did. But some hope was given when the Lakers signed Shaquille Oneal and draft day traded for Kobe Bryant. Over the next 4 years, the Lakers would build itself into a championship team led by Shaq and Kobe. Adding Phil Jackson as coach wasn't a bad idea either. 1997, the Women's National Basketball Association began and LA was awarded the Sparks. The Sparks became post season mainstays from the 1999 season going forward.
Since 2000, the Lakers have won 5 more championships. The Sparks won twice and were Western Conference champions for 3 straight years. The Angels won its first in franchise history in 2002 and continued to be a playoff franchise throughout the decade. I know, the Angels play in Anaheim but let's face it, its still the LA market. Sports in Los Angeles was looking good in the early 2000s and the decade looked promising. The Ducks got in on the championships with its first in 2007. Once again, Los Angeles was a city of champions. The Dodgers started to put together teams that would once again be contenders including back to back appearances in the NLCS in 2008-09. 2009 also teased baseball fans when both the Angels and Dodgers won their respective divisions and made it as far as the Championship Series in both leagues. They both lost but it was a great ride. Los Angeles Galaxy of the Major League Soccer, won the MLS title 3 times (2002,2005, and 2011).
At the end of 2011, the LA sports world was rocked. The Angels signed 3-time MLB MVP Albert Pujols and the Clippers acquired Chris Paul in a trade from the New Orleans Hornets. For the Angels, a big bat was added for the next 10 years for $254 million. The Angels also signed pitcher CJ Wilson and added yet another ace to a pitching staff that consists of Jared Weaver, Dan Haren, and Ervin Santana. The Clippers, already with future superstar Blake Griffen and Deandre Jordan, brought in CP3 and veteran PG/SG Chauncey Billups. The Clippers look to take their piece of LA by putting together a team that can now compete for championships. The excitement is back in LA. The Lakers are still there and the Dodgers are nearing the end of bad ownership and will return a division contending team in 2012. I won't go as far as to say that LA teams will sweep the championships in sports but it will be fun to watch. LA sports fans have not had this much excitement for a long time. It feels great. Even in this economy, expect sports bars all around LA to enjoy a great year.
By no we all know that a football stadium in being planned to be built in Los Angeles, right next to Staples Center. What makes this so interesting is LA has no NFL team. Many teams have been rumored to be moving here but that short list has gotten even shorter. The real question is who does LA want here? Not easy to answer because any team that comes to Los Angeles must understand that you have to win. Any team that is winning doesn't have aspirations to leave the city they are in now. That short list consists of the Raiders, Chargers and Jags. The Jags just got a new owner who swears he isn't interested in coming to LA. The Chargers say that they want the team to remain in San Diego, so that leaves the Raiders. It was reported yesterday by the Associated Press that new Raiders GM Reggie McKenzie stated he is committed to getting a new stadium and will listen to the AEG group that owns the Staples Center and the proposed Farmers Field. 
So now the question is, does LA sports fans want the Raiders back? There is no simple or easy answer. I'm a Raiders fan and I don't know. I do know that there are many Raider Nation members in Los Angeles. Over the years, I have been to many sports bars and have seen the LA chapter of Raider Nation out in force, including during the 4-12 and 5-11 seasons. The marketability is already there dispite LA technically being a secondary market for the Chargers. There are many that feel the Raiders can't be loved in LA again. I feel that with such a NFL drought in LA, fans would forget and forgive the last 18 years for a chance to get behind a contender. Of the possible teams that could come to LA, the Raiders show the most promise to be a winner. I'm including the many problems that the Raiders have being the least disciplined and most penalized team in the NFL, for starters. Don't forget that the Raiders gave LA the only NFL title in 1983. So there is a championship connection already. The Raiders made the playoffs 9 times in 13 seasons in Los Angeles.No matter what happens in the coming months and years with regard to the NFL, Los Angeles sports is poised to make a run at greatness in 2012. Just think, the Lakers and Clippers could wind up in the Western Conference Finals and the same with the Kings and Ducks. The Angels and Dodgers could finally meet in the World Series. They are the only inter-market teams to never do so. So many possibilities, so much fun to watch.
D!
Friday, January 6, 2012
Who Got Dwight?
The big free agent story in the NBA remains open and unfinished. Where will Dwight Howard go? Given how trades, all of a sudden can be vetoed for any reason, teams need to be careful. Orlando wants to drop payroll and get youth and talent in exchange for Howard. That is fine however, how many teams that are contenders have the necessary pieces and are willing to part with said pieces still remains as the question of the day. Howard has "released" his dream list of possible destinations: Lakers, Nets, and Dallas. This list is crap and here's why:
The Nets are trying to sell seats for the new arena in Brooklyn. Its no secret to anyone that the ownership does want to win championships but not more than they want to make money and fill the Amway Center. The Nets know that by physically moving to New York, they will have to contend with the Knicks' fan base. The only way the Nets can move in on the Knicks is to win. If you don't believe that then go ask the Clippers. Good luck with that! The Nets haven't been relevant since Jason Kidd was there and really were just a team that was the healthiest at the end in the east but I digress. Now that Lopez is hurt, the only real piece to trade with the Magic has ended any possible trade. Looking at the rest of that roster, Howard would be better served and more of a contender if he stay in Orlando. How are the Nets better then what he has now with just him and Deron Williams? The answer is that they aren't.
The defending champs just don't have enough to even be in the conversation. The Mavs could talk to another team to get involved but why would any team in the west want to help the Mavs repeat? A better question is what team would want to help some other team land Howard? The Mavs aren't young by any stretch and they already have a championship so why try to get Howard when you know you don't have the money to pay anyone else to come after you max out Howard? The answer is that Howard to Dallas isn't going to happen nor is it even logistically possible. Sorry Mavs fans.
With the Lakers, I'm not sold on them still wanting Howard as much. Especially the way Bynum has come out of his suspension balling. The Lakers need to be looking at the PG position and not the center position. As much as I like Derek Fisher, he's isn't the Fisher of 2004 and earlier. Fisher right now is a position filler who can handle the ball but asking him to guard the likes of Ty Lawson, Westbrook, and CP3 is too much. The next guy off the bench is no better. Please Laker fans, don't even fix your mouths to utter the name Blake or Barnes. You may be a little eccentric but you not crazy. The reality in Laker Land is a PG. Someone who can run Mike Brown's offense and create their own shot. This would take a lot of pressure off of Kobe which let's face it, isn't a spring chicken anymore. Kobe may only be 32 but he is in his 16th year. That is a lot a mileage especially the way Kobe brings his "A" game every night. While bringing in Howard wouldn't be a step back statistically for the Lakers, it isn't forward movement. Having to give up Bynum and Gasol, doesn't nothing to help you win. Go get a PG Lakers. That is your primary need.
You can agree or disagree but I'm not wrong. Orlando actually needs to show Howard how much they want him to stay. If I was Orlando owner, I would pull in Howard and tell him that the plan moving forward is to sign Deron Williams in the offseason. That would make Howard happy and keeps him in Orlando which is where Howard wants to be anyway. Explain to Howard that after Williams, we will get after what ever other free agent SG and SF Howard would want. Orlando has already lost a dominate big man and we all know what Shaq did after he got out of Orlando. If Orlando doesn't want a repeat of the summer of 1996, then they had better make Dwight Howard a happy man. Those who don't learn from their mistakes are doomed to repeat them. -George Santayana (1863-1952)
D!
The Nets are trying to sell seats for the new arena in Brooklyn. Its no secret to anyone that the ownership does want to win championships but not more than they want to make money and fill the Amway Center. The Nets know that by physically moving to New York, they will have to contend with the Knicks' fan base. The only way the Nets can move in on the Knicks is to win. If you don't believe that then go ask the Clippers. Good luck with that! The Nets haven't been relevant since Jason Kidd was there and really were just a team that was the healthiest at the end in the east but I digress. Now that Lopez is hurt, the only real piece to trade with the Magic has ended any possible trade. Looking at the rest of that roster, Howard would be better served and more of a contender if he stay in Orlando. How are the Nets better then what he has now with just him and Deron Williams? The answer is that they aren't.
The defending champs just don't have enough to even be in the conversation. The Mavs could talk to another team to get involved but why would any team in the west want to help the Mavs repeat? A better question is what team would want to help some other team land Howard? The Mavs aren't young by any stretch and they already have a championship so why try to get Howard when you know you don't have the money to pay anyone else to come after you max out Howard? The answer is that Howard to Dallas isn't going to happen nor is it even logistically possible. Sorry Mavs fans.
With the Lakers, I'm not sold on them still wanting Howard as much. Especially the way Bynum has come out of his suspension balling. The Lakers need to be looking at the PG position and not the center position. As much as I like Derek Fisher, he's isn't the Fisher of 2004 and earlier. Fisher right now is a position filler who can handle the ball but asking him to guard the likes of Ty Lawson, Westbrook, and CP3 is too much. The next guy off the bench is no better. Please Laker fans, don't even fix your mouths to utter the name Blake or Barnes. You may be a little eccentric but you not crazy. The reality in Laker Land is a PG. Someone who can run Mike Brown's offense and create their own shot. This would take a lot of pressure off of Kobe which let's face it, isn't a spring chicken anymore. Kobe may only be 32 but he is in his 16th year. That is a lot a mileage especially the way Kobe brings his "A" game every night. While bringing in Howard wouldn't be a step back statistically for the Lakers, it isn't forward movement. Having to give up Bynum and Gasol, doesn't nothing to help you win. Go get a PG Lakers. That is your primary need.
You can agree or disagree but I'm not wrong. Orlando actually needs to show Howard how much they want him to stay. If I was Orlando owner, I would pull in Howard and tell him that the plan moving forward is to sign Deron Williams in the offseason. That would make Howard happy and keeps him in Orlando which is where Howard wants to be anyway. Explain to Howard that after Williams, we will get after what ever other free agent SG and SF Howard would want. Orlando has already lost a dominate big man and we all know what Shaq did after he got out of Orlando. If Orlando doesn't want a repeat of the summer of 1996, then they had better make Dwight Howard a happy man. Those who don't learn from their mistakes are doomed to repeat them. -George Santayana (1863-1952)
D!
NFL Playoffs 2011-2012
The first game on Saturday will be the Bengals visiting the Texans. I don't know what to expect out of this game. On paper, the Bengals should win mostly due to Houston using their 3rd string QB. Not that Yates is not a good QB, but I have more trust in Andy Dalton. Dalton emerged out of the Carson Palmer, take my ball on go home (retire) episode and led his team to the playoffs. Not an easy feat considering the Bengals had to play the Ravens and Steelers twice. Dalton also made his case for why he should be Rookie of the Year. I love Cam Newton but Andy Dalton got his team to the playoffs when no one thought is was possible. Sorry Cam. The Texans have been holding on since losing Matt Shaub and Andre Johnson being in and out of the lineup. If Houston can establish a running game and take pressure off of Yates, then expect the Texans to win this game. The Bengals can score so keeping the Cincy off the field is the priority to win this game. Remember the last time these teams met, it was a 20-19 Texans win. The Bengals haven't beaten a good team all year so this games isn't just about moving on in the playoffs but whether this Cincy team is as good as they seem. Then again, Houston isn't itself either. My pick is a push.
The Lions have to forget that they are in the playoffs for the first time since 1999. They must forget that loss to the Saints back on December 4th. They have to forget that they aren't supposed to win. Easier said then done, I know. The bottom line, this time around, the Lions will have Ndamukong Suh. Say what you want about him, he is a difference maker. Suh will put pressure on Brees and possibly hurry some passes. The key for the Lions is to limit how much time Brees and the Saints offense is on the field. The Lions need to score touchdowns when in the red zone and not settle for field goals. Brees and the Saints will be exactly who the are. They are gonna throw it all over the field and dare the Lions to keep up with the scoring. The Saints have proven over the last couple of years, that they can lose to lesser teams. The Saints need to remember, most teams shouldn't be able to go into the Superdome and win. The Lions need to prove they belong in the playoffs. My pick is the Lions by 3.
Jekyll and Hyde vs Sybil for both these teams is fitting. With the Giants and Falcons, no one ever knew which team would show up. Coming into this game, no one still knows what to expect. The Giants are sounding like the Jets with all the sound bites about them winning it all and this feeling like 2007. News Flash, this is 2012! A win 5 years old doesn't do a thing right now. The Giants seem to play when they want to and seldom when they need to. Eli needs take control and not let Coughlin under coach this team. If you really think about it, Coughlin is a Super Bowl winning coach in spite of himself. He should thank Eli everyday for being his QB. Eli has shown that he can make any WR a star, just ask Victor Cruz. All teams have been saying "we need to go out and win" since the beginning of the season, since the beginning of the game itself. Talking still has never won a game. So shut up and show up. For Atlanta, they are in the playoffs for the 3rd straight year. Last year, the Falcons took a beating at the hands of the Packers. Can Atlanta learn from their past and play like the team they are capable of being? That is up to the Falcons. Atlanta has under acheived on both sides of the ball. Matt Ryan needs to use his talented WRs Jones and White and pick apart the Giant secondary. Just when the Giants make their adjustments, Atlanta needs to give the Giants a nice healthy dose of Michael Turner. Turner is 3rd in the NFL in rushing with 1,340 yards. With the way Turner has performed in the last 2 Falcon playoff games, he needs to show he is a playoff back and not just a regular season one. My pick is the Giants 42-38. 
The NFL world is split on this game. The Steelers are banged up and a walking "MASH unit" while the Broncos backed into the playoffs. I'm not gonna get all over Tebow at all but I will say all the wins he has been credited for was more defense and teams not having a scouting report on Tebow rather then Tebow being a good QB. Fact is fact and if you have another take on it, then I would be happy to hear it. Thinking about this game gives me a headache mostly because Tebow can flip the AFC on its ear and play great. Since he took over, Tebow has won games that no one else has one with the same QB numbers. Tebow's entire career has been about him doing things that everyone else said he couldn't, so why not this time? The answer is the Steelers are a better team then the Broncos have played, even as banged up as they are. The Steelers have barely stayed ahead of the emergency room. No Mendenhall, Big Ben is 80% at best and the Ryan Clark isn't playing. Clark's absence may not hurt as much because Troy Polamalu is playing. Ben at 80% is still better then Tebow. Simply, the Steelers need to "punch" the Broncos in the mouth right from the start. If you put yourself in a position where the game won't come down to the final play then "Tebow Time" will not be a factor, not that it really is anyway. My pick is the Steelers 28-7.D!
Monday, January 2, 2012
The NFL Playoffs Are Here.....
The Lions are a possible sleeper in the NFC. They have played well all season and Stafford has been a beast at the QB position. Being able to throw to Calvin Johnson doesn't hurt either. I am more apt to choose the Lions over the 49ers mostly because the Lions have not yet shown that they are over-whelmed by the situation they find themselves in. The 49ers, on the other hand, have not played well against playoff caliber teams. Even though it was week 2, let's not forget the loss the the Cowboys. The Lions losses were against playoff teams with the one exception being the Bears in week 10. The 49ers didn't over-whelm the teams they should have and had issues closing out games. That is not how to win championships. So the question that remains for both teams is can they rise above their inexperience?
In the AFC, there is no team that anyone can say will outright win. The Steelers are banged up, the Patroits have a terrible defense and the Ravens don't have consistent offensive play. Who ever the Ravens play better not expect to put up many points. Let's face it, this is still the Ravens and that defense is still vicious. Unless you own a TV network, no one outside of Denver wants the Broncos to go any further then Wildcard weekend. I have no issues against Tim Tebow at all. I actually think he's not as bad as some have said. Tebow is a raw rookie talent and if anyone takes some real time to take his natural ability and mold it with basic QB play (Are you listening John Elway?), he can become a beast in the league. I'm tired of hearing about "prototypical" and "unnatural" QB play. Denver will not beat the Steelers no matter how much Tebow magic is displayed.
It will be the Ravens and the Patriots in the AFC championship game. No team will outscore the Pats and no team will run up the score on the Ravens. The Ravens have beaten the teams they may face in the divisional round and there is no reason to think that will change going forward. So here we go. The playoffs are upon us, with a date to Lucas Oil Stadium waiting! Can't Wait!!!D!
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