Tag Archives: Favre

We all claim to know a lot about a certain topic. I figured after last week’s 3-1 weekend, I knew all there was to know about playoff football. Last night, I figured that I knew enough to figure that the Arizona Cardinals were good enough to beat the New Orleans Saints. The reason I figured, was that
1. they had more momentum going into the game.
2. Kurt Warner hinted at retirement prior to the playoffs starting and of course God loves him so…can’t really go against that logic.
3. They were battle tested after surviving against the Packers.
4. The Saints were reeling.

Those are all fine and well, unfortunately I failed to properly analyze all the factors the Saints had going for them:

1. The Superdome. Many call it the loudest place for a visitor to come, and one of the last true home field advantages left in the NFL.
2. They resigned fan favorite Deuce McCalister to a contract simply to lead them out onto the field. On the cool scale that rates a 8 and it rightfully sends chills down my spine for them to extend that courtesy to a guy who symbolized the Saint franchise for so long.
3. Louisiana. If any one place has karma stored up, who beats N’awlins, right? This entire state deserves everything good coming to them.

So for todays game, I refuse to look past obvious signs when picking today’s games.

(Home team in caps)
Dallas (+3) over MINNESOTA- Calling it for what it is, I just don’t think the Vikings are playing the kind of football that would warrant me having any kind of confidence in them. Plain and simple. More importantly, I think the Cowboys are finally playing up to their ability which was always their knock. Whether it was Romo’s inability to win in December (which, while really funny and good to use in trash talk to Cowboy fans, shouldve never fell solely on his shoulders), the T.O. distraction, or Wade Phillips (come on, stupid coach theory in full effect here), there were always silly factors legitemately holding them back.
What’s changed? Maybe watching himself on the humongo screen has finally wisened up the bunch that they need to play better. Maybe, having all those distractions finally cast aside has freed all parties from this imaginary weight hanging over this franchise. Or maybe they realized how good they were and they decided to play hard each snap. Regardless, I believe firmly in that “a-ha moment”. That moment of epiphany which seldom few have. The Boys had it against the Saints when they decided to go all out and beat the Saints, then unbeaten. Its similiar to when the Giants, having nothing to play for, played all out against the Patriots and gained confidence from the mere fact that they could hang with what many people were already crowning the best team ever. You know how that story ended. The Cowboys walked into the Superdome needing to win that game to stay alive in the playoff race, and in a performance that was flat out dominating, thoroughly out-played the best team in football at the time. That was the sparkplug, which eventually has led them to the Hubery Humphrey Dome in the Twin Cities. Its led them to Brett Favre, Tony Romo’s idol growing up. No need to tell you that in my mind these offenses match up very well against each other. However, the strength of the defenses is a little different. The offensive line of the Vikings have played absolutely atrociously. No doubt in my mind, I see the combo platter of DeMarcus Ware and Anthony Spencer, having a field day and spending so much time on Brett Favre that they may become permanent stitches of his jersey. Brett might have been his idol, but today the student will beat the master. Now, I know, you may be saying, but Swith, what about Wade Phillips, don’t you feel he will make a stupid mistake to ruin it for the ‘Boys? My answer is, remember that Brad Childress is his counterpart today. A man, I’m convinced, got that beard, and head mic for the sole reason that he felt as though no one was taking him seriously. I still don’t.Wade, you’ve met your match.

Jets (+8) over Chargers- The closer I’m getting to game day, the more I want to pick the Chargers here, but let’s see, the Chargers have one of the worst run defenses and the Jets have the best run game in the league. On the flip side, the Chargers have one of the best passong attacks in the league, while the Jets blitz from every angle exposing their secondary to one on one match ups on a receiving corps that averages 6’4 and taller. I get that the Chargers will score points regardless of how many Darell Revis’ there are on the field. I get that the Chargers won’t be run heavy today and put Darren Sproles split wide to use his speed. I get that Norv Turner is excellent at spreading the field against blitzing teams. Ok, so what is my case for the Jets? No homer-ism. I think they can control the clock. They can get enough stops, and Mark Sanchez can be capable enough for another 12-18 effort. Will he throw a pair of picks? Likely. Will he get sacked? Yes. But will the running attack go over 200 yards? Yes. Will Brad Smith be feautured? I think so. Will Jets, regardless of outcome, have a better time of possession. Yah.
As long as the Jets do that, they have a chance to keep it close. My prediction is this: either a very close Jet win, OR a San Diego blowout.

Enjoy Divisional Weekend!