Wild Card Bread
The holidays are finally over which means that it’s time for the NFL playoffs. I’m not going to lie, I’m kind of excited. We kick off Wild Card Weekend with two games on Saturday and two more on Sunday. Yippee!
Saturday 4:30 PM
Atlanta (-1 50.5) Arizona
The Falcons have risen from the NFL ashes to make the playoffs. I certainly didn’t see that coming. Even people who fight dogs had to become fans of rookie quarterback Matt Ryan. The NFL Rookie of the Year will lead Atlanta into Arizona as a slight one point favorite. Instead of sweating out an actual team, I’m choosing to sit back and enjoy the fireworks by betting the Over.
Atlanta’s offense was ranked 6th in the league this year. That had just as much to do with Ryan as it did with running back Michael Turner. Turner gained 1,699 yards on the ground, which was the second most in the league. He battered defenses for 17 TD’s.
The dynamic duo of Ryan and Turner should go nuts against a suspect Cardinals D that has given up an average of 33 points in their last six games. The dirty bird will be dancing.
Speaking of those Cards, I look for them to match Atlanta with some scores of their own. Their 424 points this season set a franchise record. Arizona was 11-5 on the O/U this year and quarterback Kurt Warner turned back the clock to put up some impressive stats.
Warner was second in the league in yards (4,583) completions (401), and his 30 TD passes were third most in the league. His top three receivers have split the wealth as Larry Fitzgerald, Anquan Boldin and Steve Breaston all caught for over 1,000 yards.
Atlanta’s defensive starters John Abraham and Jamaal Anderson could both be out with injury, which would benefit Arizona’s offense even more. Kurt Warner could have a very productive day, but his wife still looks like Rod Stewart. Poor guy.
Have I told you lately that I love you?
Saturday 8 PM
San Diego (-1 49.5) Indianapolis
I really don’t like this game. I’ll be rooting for San Diego, but I know how much Mr. Peyton Manning likes to burn me. He can summon the brainwaves from his massive melon to find new and inventive ways to destroy my plays. I don’t trust him. Hopefully Charger’s DB Quintin Jammer gets an opportunity to lay a Jeff Garcia-like hit on Manning. That would make me happy. I’ll take the Over and work on my beer quota for this one.
Sunday 1 PM
Baltimore (-3.5 38.5) Miami
Now this game I like. They can’t make that total low enough. Baltimore defense is still one of the game’s best. They were ranked second in the NFL giving up just 261.1 yards a game and only 15.2 pts. This game is going to be ugly, and these guys will be a huge reason why.
Dolphin’s quarterback Chad Pennington had a nice season and was named as the NFL’s Comeback Player of the Year. But neither he, nor anyone else on the Miami offense has the potential to go too crazy on you. Baltimore’s defense might even outscore Miami’s offense.
On the other side of the ball is the Raven’s rookie quarterback Joe Flacco. He has also had a decent year. Unlike Matt Ryan, I think that Flacco will buckle once he gets a little taste of playoff intensity. I do enjoy this Dolphins team and the turnaround they made. I will be hoping they win. Do it for SBR poster Happy Boy! But for my money, I’m looking for a very low scoring game.
Happy Boy isn’t scared of Ray Lewis
Sunday 4:30 PM
Philadelphia (-3 41) Minnesota
If you bet your hard-earned money on a Tarvaris Jackson led team, everyone will laugh at you. Even your mother. Take Philly and enjoy.
