Brad's NFL Picks - The Conference Championship games- 2008-9

by bradley on Jan 17, 2009 1:15 PM MST Comment 10 comments

Brad's Picks was 2-2 last week, incorrect when the Cardinals beat Carolina 33-13 and when the Ravens beat Tennessee 13-10. Brad's Picks was correct when the Eagles beat the Giants at the Meadowlands 23-11 and when Pittsburgh beat the Chargers 35-24.

Brad's Picks is 6-4 in the playoffs and is 167-96-1 on the season.

Home teams didn't do so well last week, going just 1-3. And that was after a bye week for all the home teams. In the playoffs, home teams are 3-5. On the season, home teams are 149-114-1.

There were two coast to coast games last week - both had the visitor going west to east, and the visitor was 1-1. On the season, visiting teams on the other coast are 15-27.

George was just 1-3 last week, and is 125-136-1 on the season.

This Sunday: It was a tough week last week for teams that had enjoyed a bye the week before (1-3). That's the trouble with a first round bye in the playoffs - are you rested or rusted? And the team coming in was victorious the week before, so they're on a high. But that dynamic doesn't play in this round - all the teams had a game last week. But Pittsburgh can enjoy the benefit of having had the previous week off to smooth out the bruises and bumps, so, of those left standing, give an edge to the Steelers.

the 1:00 MST game:

Philadelphia (11-6-1) at Arizona (11-7) - The Vegas line - Eagles by 3.5. These two teams played in Week 13 on Thursday night, and the Cardinals were crushed 48-20. But that was on a short week after a long flight, and this game is in the desert. Cards will get WR Anquan Boldin back, and Larry Fitzgerald is the best receiver in the game right now. Edgerrin James has been providing some rush yardage for the Cards. Cards made their record for the year on the east coast 1-5 with a win at Carolina last week, but they were helped by six turnovers by Jake Delhomme (one lost fumble, 5 INT's). That was on Delhomme's birthday - did he party hardy the night before? Nah, don't think so - just a bad day for Jake. Cards have allowed just 3.5 per carry on the ground in the playoffs. Eagles D got after Eli Manning last week, and they'll need to get after Kurt Warner tomorrow to have a chance to win. Donovan McNabb has 9 TD passes and just one INT since his benching at Baltimore five weeks ago. I think the Eagles are focussed and strong, and I really like Brian Dawkins, their safety, to make at least one big play. I'm taking the Eagles, but this game could go either way. George also likes the Eagles.

the 4:30 MST game:

Baltimore (13-5) at Pittsburgh (13-4) - The Vegas line - Steelers by 6. Division game, so these two teams have met twice this season, and both were close. The first was Week 4 at Pittsburgh. Steelers won 23-20 in OT. The second was Week 15, the Steelers winning on a disputed TD call late in the game. Ravens QB Joe Flacco is the first rookie to win two playoff games. Ben R won a Super Bowl his rookie season. Clearly these two teams are evenly matched, and dislike each other, and you gotta look for a real tough, low scoring game. I'm taking the Steelers to put an end to Flacco's dream season because: Ravens CB Samari Rolle likely won't play (torn groin); LB/DE Terrell Suggs tore ligaments in his shoulder last week, but might play with a harness; and bruising RB Le'Ron McClain has a high ankle sprain. Also, the Steelers had the bye two weeks ago, and that's like having the fresher batteries in the flashlight. Steelers are basically healthy. George likes the Ravens.

This is a Fan-Created Comment on MileHighReport.com. The opinion here is not necessarily shared by the editorial staff of MHR

0 recs | Comment 10 comments

Story-email Email Printer Print

Comments

Brad's Picks is 6-4 in the playoffs and is 167-96-1 on the season.

Oops. Brad’s Picks is 6-2 in the playoffs. Hate it when I do that.

Fear is the mind killer. Fear is the little death that brings total obliteration. I will face my fear. When the fear has gone past, I will turn to see fear’s path. Where the fear has gone, there will be nothing. Only I will remain.

Bene Gesserit saying. (From Dune, by Frank Herbert)

by bradley on Jan 17, 2009 5:24 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

You mean

Brad’s picks ARE 6-2 in playoffs. Come on man the subject is plural so the verb must be! Jk

by robbo650 on Jan 17, 2009 8:19 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Actually....

….since “Brad’s Picks” is the name of a column, the subject is singular.

by bradley on Jan 18, 2009 7:50 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Great post, Bradley

And a great Bene Gesserit saying from one of the great tomes of SciFi. Gotta go – we’re watching the new Battlestar episode….

In Goodman We Trust

by Emmett Smith on Jan 17, 2009 8:05 PM MST reply actions 0 recs

Thanks

The Bene Gesserit are an amazing bunch of women. A shortened version of the quote (from one of the later Dune books): Face your fear or it will climb up your back.

by bradley on Jan 18, 2009 8:40 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

I miss Frank Herbert

The classic era of scifi has passed and I loved those writers.

In Goodman We Trust

by Emmett Smith on Jan 18, 2009 11:23 AM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Have you read

Rendesvous With Rama by Arthur C. Clark? An oldie by now, but tremendous

by bradley on Jan 18, 2009 2:13 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Absolutely loved it

I read all of his I could get my hands on, for decades. Gordon R. Dickson?

In Goodman We Trust

by Emmett Smith on Jan 18, 2009 7:12 PM MST up reply actions 0 recs

Big Ben...

did not win the Super Bowl his rookie year (2004). He took the Steelers to the AFC Championship after a 15-1 season, but they lost to NE. He won the Super Bowl after his his second year (2005), after beating the Broncos in the AFC championship.

by SlowWhiteGuy on Jan 18, 2009 10:59 AM MST reply actions 0 recs