After the second-round of NFL playoff games - 'Divisional Weekend,' my predictions for the 4 games ended up 2-2... Let's recap.
Correct
Saints rout Cardinals 45-14, reach NFC title game
Drew Brees, Reggie Bush and the New Orleans Saints obliterated the Arizona Cardinals, 45-14 on Saturday, moving the ball at will on the Cardinals defense. The Saint defense played well in the victory as well, pressuring and frustrating Kurt Warner and company, forcing 2 turnovers. An important play for the Saints came when they knocked out, for a short time, Kurt Warner just seconds after an interception. Bobby McCray blind-sided the quarterback and Warner was clearly never the same after that.
The stars of the game were Reggie Bush, who finished with 84 yds rushing, 1 TD, 24 yds receiving and 109 yds and 1 TD in the return game; and Drew Brees, who finished 23-32, 247 yds and 3 TDs.
Correct
Colts beat Ravens 20-3, advance to AFC title game
Manning led the top seeded Colts over the Ravens, 20-3, in what looked like a sure Colts victory almost from the outset. At halftime the score read 17-3, with the Ravens looking dejected and unlikely to put up much of a fight. Manning finished the day going 30-44, 246 yds, 2 TDs and 1 INT. Mannings interception by Ed Reed could have shifted the momentum, if it weren't for the astounding hustle play by Pierre Garcon, who chased down Reed and stripped the football from behind.
Flacco and the Ravens offense struggled mightily against the fast Colts defense, who pressured Flacco throughout the contest, forcing him into 2 INTs. They also stripped Ravens running back Ray Rice after a crucial 20-yd run, to secure any doubt of their victory.
Incorrect
Favre, Vikings advance with 34-3 win over Cowboys
Brett Favre and the Minnesota Vikings dismantled the Dallas Cowboys, 34-3, playing with a ferociousness on defense that left the Tony Romo and the Cowboys offense completely unable to move the ball at all. The Vikings defensive line dominated the Cowboys, who failed to protect Romo with any consistency.
Offensively, Farve connected with Sydney Rice for 3 TDs, who had a breakout game in the receivers first playoff game. Rice finished the game with 6 catches for 141 yds and 3 TDs, while Favre went 15-24, for 234 yds and 4 TDs.
Absent again for the Vikings, despite their win, was Adrian Peterson. Peterson recorded just 63 yds on 23 carries, averaging just 2.4 yds per carry. Peterson has not rushed for over 100 yards in his past eight games.
Incorrect
Sanchez, Greene lead Jets to shocker over Chargers
The New York Jets pulled off their second upset this post season, winning 17-14 over the San Diego Chargers. Playing with their usual brand of football - tough defense and a grind-it-out running game, they frustrated the Charger offense and never let them get comfortable all day. Rivers, who got picked off two times in the contest, looked out of sync. Rivers finished the day 27-40 for 298 yds, 1 TD, 2 INTs and 3 Rushes for 4 yds and 1 TD.
Led by the phenomenal defensive play from cornerback Darrelle Revis, who made a circus play for a ball on the ground to intercept a Rivers pass intended for Jackson, the Jets are rolling into the AFC Championship game with a full head of steam. The Jets are 7-1 in their past 8 games, averaging opponents to just under 10 points a game in that span.
New Bracket
Although I expected the Chargers to win on Sunday, I can help but feel happy for the NY Jets, who played their hearts out in San Diego. The Cowboys complete meltdown did surprise me, but I am not surprised that Favre and the Vikings played well. This weekend should highlight two very intriguing games.
AFC CHAMPIONSHIP
New York Jets @ Indianapolis Colts
Sunday, January 24th - Lucas Oil Stadium (Indianapolis), 12:00 p.m. PST, CBS
NFC CHAMPIONSHIP
Minnesota Vikings @ New Orleans Saints
Sunday, January 24th - 3:40 p.m. PST, FOX
Stay tuned for my picks for next weekend's games. So far I am at .500, 4-4.
No comments:
Post a Comment