NFL Predix III: Let's try that again

To recap the NFL Postseason so far: Jeremy was right about the Cowboys beating the Eagles, the Jets beating the Bengals, and the Ravens beating the Patriots.  He picked the Packers, Cardinals, Ravens, Cowboys, and Chargers and lost.  So after a sterling 3-1 start, I dropped to 3-5 after the Divisional Playoff Round.

But I am not one to lie in the dust after getting thrown by this bronckin buck.  So let's try this again.

Lamar Hunt Bowl XL

The Indianapolis Colts will host the New York Jets in the battle for the Lamar Hunt Trophy.  This is the first time these two teams have fought for control of the AFC.  The Colts are making their sixth appearance (2-3 overall, 2-1 home), and the Jets are making their third appearance (0-2 overall, 0-2 road).  History favors the Colts.  I also told my oldest friend back in September that the Jets would make it to the Super Bowl.  But my father-in-law is from Indiana, so I'm going to go with the Colts.

George Halas Bowl XL

The New Orleans Saints will host the Minnesota Vikings in the battle for the George Halas Trophy.  These teams have never fought for the Halas either.  The Saints are making their second appearance (0-1 overall, 0-0 home); the Vikings are making their eighth appearance (3-4 overall, 1-3 road).  The Vikings haven't won since 1976.  I told my oldest friend back in September that the Saints would make it to the Super Bowl, so I'm picking them.

Super Bowl XLIV 

The New Orleans Saints will be making their very first Super Bowl appearance.*  The Indianapolis Colts will be making their fourth appearance (second as a midwestern team).  The Colts are 2-1, including 1-0 since moving to Indianapolis.  I'm a little torn, but I gotta pick the team that beat the team that beat my team.  I'm picking the Saints.

*This is ironic because New Orleans has hosted more super bowls than any other city except Miami.

There you have it, folks.  Let's hope that I can break even after this week.

Big Shot Brob

I hate the Lakers, but I love this play:




Kobe misses the short jumper.  Shaq misses the put back.  Horry nails the 3.

NFL Predix II

I did pretty well the last go'round: 3/4.  But really, was it so daring to pick the Cowboys over the Eagles, the Ravens over the Patriots, and the Jets over the Bengals?  I think not.  Now we get into the nitty gritty: the NFL Divisional Playoffs.  Since I missed one of my games, I decided to re-examine my predictions.

Divisional Playoffs

Ravens at Indianapolis - The Colts beat the Ravens in Baltimore during Week 11, 17-15.  This go'round, the Colts are on a 2-game losing streak, and the Ravens are on a 2-game winning streak.  I believe in momentum, and I still believe the Ravens win.

Jets at San Diego - The Jets and Chargers meet for the first time since Week 3 of 2008, which the Chargers won in San Diego 48-29.  The Jets won their third in a row yesterday, but the Chargers have an 11-game win streak going.  All momentum points west.  I'm still picking the Chargers.

Cardinals at New Orleans - Last time, I picked the Packers over the Saints.  Too bad the Packers lost to the Cardinals, so now I have to re-think my predictions.  The Cardinals have won 3 of their last 4, and the Saints have lost their last 3.  The friend of my enemy is my friend, so the Cardinals take it.

Cowboys at Minnesota - The last time these two met in the playoffs was during Wild Card Week 1999 in Minnesota.  The Vikings won that contest, 27-10.  But three years earlier, the Cowboys beat the Vikings during Wild Card Week in Dallas, 40-15.  All-time, the two are even, with 10 wins each.  But the Cowboys are riding a 4-game winning streak, and the Vikings have lost 3 of their last 5.  I still pick the Cowboys.

Conference Championships

Ravens at San Diego - I stand by my prior decision.  Chargers win.

Cowboys at Cardinals - The names have changed, but the results are the same.  Cowboys win this one by 87.

Super Bowl XLI

Cowboys v. San Diego at Paul Tyson Field - Still no contest.  Cowboys all the way.

Current Record: 3-1

The Graduate: 4.5/5

The Graduate is brilliant and funny in so many ways.  And it's the first movie I've ever seen where I actually sat back and thought: "Wow.  That was an amazing shot.  Incredible."

Here's the scene: Benjamin is telling Elaine the truth before Mrs. Robinson can.  He says, "Remember that older woman?  Well, it wasn't just any woman."  Then Mrs. Robinson opens the door, and Elaine turns around.  She looks back at Benjamin, who has a funny look on his face.  At first, Elaine is blurry, but slowly she comes into focus.

At just about the speed it takes her to figure out what the look on Benjamin's face means.

I sat back and thought: "Wow.  That was an amazing shot.  Incredible."

NFL Predix

The NFL season ended last weekend, and now it's time for you to indulge me by reading my football predictions.  Three important qualifications:

1. I know a little less than the average bear about the NFL.
2. I grew up in a distant suburb of Dallas.
3. I'm a big fan of momentum in football.
   

 That said, here are my predictions:

The Wild Card Round

(5) New York* v. (4) Cincinnati - The Jets have won 5 of their last 6, and the Bengals have lost 3 of the last 4.  Jets by 17.

*Isn't it great that I only have to type

"New York" and not "New York Jets"?

(6) Eagles v. (3) Cowboys - The Eagles have won 6 of their last 7, but the Cowboys have won 3 in a row, two by shutout (including last week against the Eagles) and one against the then-undefeated Saints.  Cowboys by 146.

(6) Ravens v. (3) Patriots - Both the Ravens and the Patriots have won 3 of their last 4.  The Ravens won their last game, beating the Raiders when they had to.  The Patriots lost their last game, giving the Texans their first ever winning season.  Ravens by a safety.

(5) Packers v. (4) Cardinals - The Packers have won 7 of their last 8, and the Cardinals lost half of their last 6 games.  The Packers beat the Cardinals in Week 17.  Packers by 6.

Odd note: Jets-Bengals, Eagles-Cowboys, and Packers-Cardinals are all repeats of Week 17.  I wonder how often that's happened.

The Divisional Round

(1) Saints v. (5) Packers - The Saints won their first 13 games, then lost their last 3.  The Packers will be riding a streak of 3 in a row and 8 of their last 9.  Packers will brees by.

(2) Vikings v. (3) Cowboys - The Vikings have lost 3 of their last 5.  The Cowboys will be running a 4-game winning streak.  Cowboys by 4.

(1) Colts v. (6) Ravens - The Colts won their first 14 and lost their last 2.  The Ravens will have won 4 of their last 5, including 2 in a row.  Ravens by a feather.

(2) Chargers v. (5) New York - The Chargers have won 11 in a row.  I don't think the Jets have anything for that.  Chargers win it at Waco High Stadium.

Conference Championship Round

(5) Packers v. (3) Cowboys - I got nothing.  Cowboys by 87.

(6) Ravens v. (2) Chargers - Chargers will have won 12 in a row.  And we all want to see a Super Bowl at Waco High Stadium.  Chargers by 12.

Super Bowl XLIV at Waco High Stadium

It would be even cooler if it were at Paul Tyson Field. Cowboys crush Chargers and embarrass L.T.II.

You heard it hear first, folks.