2009...Year of the Bird? Not so fast!

As of now there are 4 teams with a chance to win the big game and 3 of them have birds as mascots....the Ravens, Cardinals, and Eagles.

And then there's Pittsburgh.

They don't even have an animal as a mascot, they have a metal.

I've always liked the odd man out, so here's to the Steelers winning the Superbowl!

Eagles take Giants Lunch!!!

The Eagles Defense beat up the Giants Offense 

Final score 23 - 11

Looking forward to Chargers vs. Steelers starting right now!!!

Lazy fan picks sundays games!

Philadelphia at New York

There's something about the way the Giants have been playing the last month that doesn't instill confidence in the defending Super Bowl champs.

That and Donovan McNabb has played like an All Pro since he was benched by coach Andy Reid in late November.

Eagles 27   Giants 20

San Diego at Pittsburgh

The hottest team in the league,  lead by QB Phillip Rivers,  heads east to face the Steelers and Defensive MVP James Harrison.

Both teams are playing hard nosed D, but the Chargers are riding the momentum of the last 6 weeks while there are questions about starting Steelers QB Ben Roethlisburgers health.

San Diego 20  Pittsburgh 17

Saturday picks

Baltimore at Tennessee

Baltimore is playing lights out D behind S Ed Reed and the Titans are slipping. Expect Tennessee QB Kerry Collins to finish a number of plays on his back.

Baltimore 24 Tennessee 17

Arizona at Carolina

Weather will be a factor in Carolina today, that and the Panthers running game.

Carolina 31 Arizona 27

Breaking down Sunday's games....

Taking a look at the games on Sunday.
First on the docket...

Baltimore at Miami

Baltimore leads the league in turnover differential with +34 and Miami leads the league with fewest turnovers at only 17....somethings got to give! 

The Ravens defense is typically stifling and hard hitting. But Dolphins QB Chad Pennington, fresh off his 2nd 'comeback player of the year' award,  is extremely accurate and the RB combo of Ronnie Brown and Ricky Williams allows their 

'wildcat' formation to keep opposing D's on their toes.

When the Dolphins are on D, look for LB Joey Porter to be disruptive on inside and corner blitzes. He had 17.5 sacks and 4 forced fumbles. Rookie Ravens QB Joe Flacco has played quite well this year and would've gotten more attention if fellow rookie Matt Ryan hadn't completely turned the Falcons around.

Miami 24 Baltimore 20

Philadelphia at Minnesota  

Philly's traditional offensive style of throwing the ball 70% of the time is something that coach Andy Reid is constantly criticized for. Well, this is the one game where the Eagles would be wise not to mess with their usual formula. 

The Vikings have the most formidable D line with the "Williams Wall" and Jared Allen coming off the egde. Their secondary, however, is suspect and prone to giving up big plays.

QB Tavaris Jackson has played well this month, but he's still young and needs to move around the pocket to find opportunities downfield. RB Adrian 'purple jesus' Peterson will have to carry the load offensively, and if you remember the way the Eagles D shut down Mike Vick a couple years ago in the NFC championship game, you know that they'll find a way to keep Peterson locked up and make Jackson beat them with his arm.

Eagles 28 Vikings 17

 

Wildcard round breakdown...and a beer mention!

The playoffs rule!
Wildcard round this weekend and I'm breaking down the games.

Here's Saturdays lineup...


Indy at San Diego

Peyton Manning is in top form coming into the playoffs. 

He had a slow start this year after surgery on his knee, 

but the Colts have won 9 in a row with Peyton single handedly

 willing the team to at least 5 of the victories.

Phillip Rivers has flown under the radar in San Diego this season.

He leads the league in QB rating, has thrown 34 touchdowns to 11 picks, 

passed for over 4000 yards and all this without a premier wideout and 

LaDanian Tomlinson having the worst year of his career.

That being said, the Colts are the more consistent and 

well rounded team and I expect them to put a whipping on the Chargers.

LT and tight end Antonio Gates may be out, and if they do play, they won't be close to 100%.

Colts 27  Chargers 13

Atlanta at Arizona

This one is a bit tougher to call in my opinion.

Both teams find themselves in unfamiliar territory... playing football in January!

The Falcons are a young team, led by rookie QB Matt Ryan and first year starting RB

Michael Turner. They've outplayed expectations all year and have a solid chance of upsetting

the Cards at home...if their defense can limit the explosive arial attack of QB Kurt Warner and his now 3 talented WR's Boldin, Fitzgerald and Rookie Steve Breaston.

Arizona 31 Atlanta 24

Now I'm going to take a second to talk about my all time most consumed beer. I was going to call it my favorite, but I prefer to believe that my favorite beer is one i have yet to drink!

Sierra Nevada Pale Ale

This perfect little potion is the reason I look like a bloated soccer fan.

I've been to the brewery with my good friend Lou.

We both got a sampler, and like kids in an alcoholic candy store, put it back in about 10 minutes.

It turns out that's the equivalent of 3+ beers, too fast.

 The car ride home was strange and I'm pretty sure we drank marijuana smoke out of a frozen glass later(?!?)...

Chico California is crazy.

I'll talk about the other games in another post... i'm lazy.