The Dream

Sometimes dreams can mean crazy things. (Don't worry this won't be Psychology 101 here). You see, dreams can change minds. In this case, that is extremely the case. After Conference Championship Sunday, I was set on the Patriots going 19-0 and winning Superbowl XLII by a score of 38-23. But, 3 nights ago, I had a dream. In this dream I was half watching the Superbowl because I was so set that the Patriots were going to win, that I didn't really care too much about the actual game. (In reality I would still watch the whole game). I remember paying so little attention, that I did not even see the ending. Maybe I should have payed closer attention. A few minutes after the clocks hit 0:00, I sat down and focused in on the Patriots collecting their 4th Lombardi Trophy in 7 years. (Note: The Steelers of the 70's won 4 in 6 years). But, to my surprise, I did not see Tom 'The Ankle' Brady holding the trophy. Instead I saw a somewhat familiar face. This mans last name has seen the promise land before, but never has he actually. This man I am refering to is of course Eli Manning. I saw Eli holding the Lombardi sky-high, while confetti rained down on the celebrating Giants.
Now, I am about 99.9% sure that the Patriots will win this game, but that 0.1% erks me big time. For some reason, I chose the underdogs. Eli somehow goes Brady-like or... brother-like(?) on the Pat's veteran (see: old) defense. Also, that big offensive line doesn't protect Mr. Brady as well as usual, maybe because he was too busy buying Giselle flowers in New York instead of taking them out for steak. (I would like to add that this whole "injured ankle" thing for Brady is a complete and total mind-game in my opinion.) Brady will get hit, and hit hard. He did not look like himself against the Chargers and I think that carries over to this 'Bowl. Tom is infamously known for taking naps before the Superbowl. Well sleep up Tommy Boy, because you're not going to be able to after you see your undefeated season and ring being kicked through an upright with 0:00 left on that precious clock by Mr. Lawrence Tynes, who does it again for the... Geeeeeeee-Men!

Prediction: Giants 27, Patriots 24
MVP: Eli Manning


I would like to finish with this... With all the money that Brady has, why wouldn't he bring Giselle up to Boston. The man went into New York 2 weeks before he played the NEW YORK Giants in one of the biggest Superbowls ever. If Brady was spotted walking around da 'Burgh, I think someone might just call up Kimo Von Oelhoffen to go Tonya Harding on Brady's little ankle.

Conference Championship Predictions

AFC Championship: Chargers @ Patriots

The Chargers? A fantastic job by backups, special teams, and 4th Quarter defense let the Chargers upset the Colts, to move on to the AFC Championship. With LT and Philip Rivers sitting on the bench with injuries, Billy Volek rushed the Chargers down the field to go ahead 28-24. Then, it was the San Diego Defense that secured the rest.

Next up for the Chargers are this little 'ole team called the New England Patriots. The Chargers need LT, Gates and Rivers to ALL be healthy if they want a close game. I expect the Chargers to put up a great fight against the Patriots. It will be a back and forth game for 59 minutes. But one team will charge down the field in the last minute and book their trip to Arizona. That team is the Pats, who will move on with a late field goal.

Prediction: Chargers-28... Patriots-31



NFC Championship: Giants @ Packers

The Giants were able to upset the Cowboys to move on with great play by Eli Manning and physical team defense, despite injury.

The NFC Championship will be a tough contest between 2 surprise teams. No one expected these 2 teams to be here at the start of the season, but here they are. You know Lambo will be cold and loud, as usual. I expect a monumental choke-job by one Eli Manning, leading to a strong victory by the Packers.

Prediction: Giants-13... Packers-34

Season Over

A magnificent comeback fell short Saturday night, as the Steelers' season ended at the hands of the Jacksonville Jaguars. 3 first half INT's by Ben Roethlisberger put the Steelers down 28-10 going into the 4th quarter. But, the Steelers willed themselves back into the game, by completing drives and forcing turnovers to take a 29-28 lead late in the game. Then, some poor coaching decisions, such as 2 point conversion attempts and a bootleg call on 3rd and 6, led to the Jags getting the ball back late, with a chance to win. David Garard had a 40-yard run on 4th down, a play that would have sealed the game for the Steelers. Instead, the Jags kicked a go-ahead FG with 40 seconds left. The Steelers got the ball back with 0 Timeouts left and a fumble by Big Ben sealed the game for the Jags, who held on and snuck away with a win.

Next Weeks Games:

Jaguars @ Patriots: Patriots 37-24... The Pats show that teir late season "slump" was simply childs play. They attack the Jags early, and hold on to advance to the AFC Championship.

Chargers @ Colts: Colts 27-24 (OT)... The Bolts give the Colts a big scare, but Manning leads his crew late in OT to set up (who else?) an Adam Vinatieri FG to move on.

Giants @ Cowboys: Cowboys 31-27... The Giants hit early, but Romo ignores Jessica to comeback and pull out a late win to move on to the NFC 'Chip.

Seahawks @ Packers: Seahawks 28-27... "We want the ball... we're gonna score." And they do to end the Packs great season.

Playoffs

After stumbling to the finish line, the Steelers have ended with a division crown and a 4-seed going into the AFC playoffs. Unfortunately, along with a 4-seed comes a WIld Card matchup with the 5-seed, the hottest team in football, the Jacksonville Jaguars. The Jags are the only team to beat the Steelers at home this season, a week 15 loss, 29-22. The game was looking like a blowout, until the Steelers pulled off a 15 point 4th quarter to come back and tie the game, only to have the defense give up a game winning touchdown drive, capped off by a Fred Taylor touchdown run. The Steelers were outplayed and physically dominated during that game, but many of the mistakes were fundamental problems by the Steelers defense. Unfortunately, the Steelers are pretty banged up, on both sides of the ball. The offensive line has injuries, as does the defensive line and of course the serious injury of RB Willie Parker. Saturday night will prove to be probably the most physical games of the playoffs, as both teams bring tough and gritty defenses and running games to the contest. The country is picking the Jags, the analysts are picking the Jags, I say not so fast, and here is why. The Steelers know the playoffs, especially Big Ben. The Steelers know how to win in the playoffs without having to run the ball... (note 05-06). The Steelers are the underdog, and always play well when playing the underdog. The Steelers are at home. The home field advantage may be the most important element, and that is because of the elements. Fred Taylor has continually expressed his displeasure for the playing surface at Heinz Field, calling it "a lawsuit waiting to happen." Whatever that means is irrelevant, but one thing tp note is that Taylor may hesitate to run if the ground is getting torn up, as it should be with the rain and cold weather playing a large factor. With all these ingredients, with a splash of luck, I think that the Steelers will actually pull out a close game. Expect the Steelers to get some big breaks (remember the divisional in 2004) and pull out the win because of their most consistent player, Jeff Reed.

Prediction: Steelers 20, Jaguars 17


Other matchup predictions:

Redskins @ Seahawks: Seahawks 31-21... A great late push mae for a great, heart-warming story. Unfortunately for the Redskins, having to play the Seahawks isn't a good draw. Hasslebeck throws 3 TD's and has 270 yards passing.

Giants @ Buccaneers: Giants 27-23... The question is, which Giant team will show? If the right one shows up, expect them to win in an entertaining game. Eli gets it down with 3 TD's and 220 yards passing.

Titans @ Chargers... Chargers 33-17... Too many injuries to Tennessee will hurt them as they take on a hot team in San Diego. LT will lead the way with 130+ yards a 2 TD's.