Early Line Out
Bet US.com has an early line on next weeks games (man, that was fast). While home field advantage definitely played a part in this weeks wildcard match ups, Sportsbooks see home turf being a bitch to overcome as these lines are one sided.
Check back this week to see our picks
A Better Day For Grid-X
After a terrible start to the Playoffs, Gridiron Experts gets back in form, calling the Ravens and Eagles to cover the spread. While “know it alls” may say they knew that the 8-8 Chargers and NFC West Division winners were going to knock off the Falcons and Colts, we can only sit back and smile. We even got some trash talk about our picks, but all we can say is: why didn’t you join our playoff pool and win yourself an Authentic Jersey?
Here are the results of our first round of the “Beat the Experts” playoff pool. It’s all part of our plan; it’s like throwing a game of pool to set you up for a $100 game against a ringer!
(click “read more” to see results of the first round) Make sure those who have signed up get your next round playoff picks in before friday 12:00 midnight. Questions will be up soon!
Far Favre Away
After frustrations have blown over and any harsh words said about Pro Bowler Brett Favre have been retracted, feelings still seem to be hurt. There’s no doubt that after blowing the month of December and missing the playoffs, some players on the New York Jets would have some resentment towards Brett Favre and his QB play. Favre threw only 2 touchdown passes in their final 5 games, but had 9 gut wrenching interceptions including 3 in a must win game in week 17. Running Back Thomas Jones ran his mouth after the loss, saying Favre was not playing well and needed to come out of the game. His rant was more due to the frustration of the loss, as he quickly back peddled to the media days later, saying he’s got respect for Brett.
Personally, I was glad to see someone finally speak up about Brett Favre’s performance. There’s no doubt that Favre is a hall of fame quarterback, but in the last 2 years this guy has been getting away with murder when it comes to bad games. Thomas Jones was right when he basically said that they should have benched Favre. Benching a quarterback in the NFL is a funny thing; egos are everything, and at times it almost seems like a coach would rather let his guy play through the problems than deal with the media, even if it costs him a win.
Brett Favre is now saying that he is leaning towards retirement telling the New York Jets to ‘look in different direction’.
Colts Might Have Cap Problems in 09
PFT.com is reporting that 2008 MVP Peyton Manning is due to take up $21.2 million of the Indianapolis Colts salary cap in the ‘09 season. The Colts are projected to be over the massive salary cap, with their gunslinger QB taking up a big piece of the pie. Don’t be surprised if Indianapolis approaches Marvin Harrison about either restructuring his contract or asking him to walk, as cutting Harrison would free up 7 million against the cap. Either way, the Indianapolis Colts have some tough decisions to make this year.
Peyton had to watch his season end from the sidelines last night, never getting a chance to touch the ball in overtime. There were 2 upsets yesterday, with San Diego and Arizona both winning at home, proving that getting to the playoffs by winning their crappy divisions means nothing and that they deserve to be there.
For some reason NBC has Matt Millen on their pre game show, giving his advice and predictions to todays game. Why would anyone want to hear what a guy that built a 0-16 Detroit Lions team has to say? I know NBC likes having ex-players or coaches on the show like the Bus and Collinsworth, but Matt Millen? Really? I’d rather hear what Ronald McDonald has to say! or Krusty the Klown. I wonder if they were told to laugh at his stupid joke? (thanks nate-tron-means)
Gridiron Experts NFL Playoff Predictions
Atlanta Falcons-2.5 at Arizona Cardinals (51 O/U)
Arizona is a one dimensional team that can’t run the ball. The lack of balance will ruin any type of a playoff run, as defensive coordinators will zero in on their passing attack with unique zones to create turnovers. Unless the Cardinals can get a huge lead early on, I see the Falcons dominating this game. Atlanta may have a rookie at quarterback, but Matt Ryan plays like a veteran. Add in a lethal running back and a great defense, and the first playoff game of the weekend should be over by the 3rd quarter. Atlanta 28-17
Indianapolis Colts-1 at San Diego Chargers (52.5)
The Colts have had a very quiet season, going 12-4 without many prime time games; people might be underestimating this team’s potential. Peyton Manning is having another stellar season and should pick apart the Chargers defense. The Chargers are on a hot streak, but with LT and Gates banged up, the only real advantage for San Diego is home field advantage. This should be the best game of the weekend; we see the Colts pulling away in the fourth in a shootout.
Indianapolis 31-27
Baltimore Ravens-3 at Miami Dolphins (37.5)
Defensive battle or turnover nightmare? Both defenses have the ability to control this game from the opening snap with Pro Bowl players on both sides making it difficult to move the ball. Miami may use the Wildcat formation more than usual to keep the Ravens guessing, but in the end we think it’ll be the Ravens passing game that could catch the Dolphins by surprise. Baltimore 20-17
Philadelphia Eagles-3 at Minnesota Vikings (41.5)
The Vikings will need a big day from their offense, as Jim Johnson’s defense is probably the hottest unit heading into the playoffs. After destroying their rival the Dallas Cowboys last week, the Eagles have a lot of confidence heading into Minnesota. Donovan McNabb has a chance to rack up some big passing yards in a dome against a sub par passing defense.
Philadelphia 27-20
Happy New Year!
Every season, teams juggle their rosters around through free agency and the draft to hopefully improve enough to become a playoff contending team. This season, there are seven new faces entering the playoff race, and since it’s been a few years for a couple of these teams, Gridiron Experts takes a look at some of the moves that helped them get there.
Miami Dolphins
2007 season: 1-15
2008 season: 11-5
There’s no doubt that what was accomplished in Miami this season will go down as one of the best turnarounds in NFL history. One of the
hardest parts for Bill Parcells must have been trying to figure out what to do with all of these young players that were drafted in the last couple years that didn’t fit into his system. Trades and cuts were made, but keeping most of this team intact and 
molding it into a cohesive unit is a feat that Bill Parcells, Tony Sparano, and the rest of the coaching staff may not get credit for. Chad Pennington had a great season, capping it off by beating his old team to clinch the AFC East title and a playoff berth. Pennington’s numbers were among his personal best, while his leadership skills were what this team looked up to the most. Who could forget the Wildcat formation, a college type hybrid play that the entire league tried out at least once or twice after a couple of huge wins over the Patriots and Chargers early in the Dolphins season. Of course, nobody could run it better than Ronnie Brown and his army of speedy receivers.
On Sunday this Cinderella story will be put to the test, as the Dolphins go up against the best defense in the league. Baltimore is having a surprise season of their own, but the one thing that never seems to change for the Ravens is their ball hawking defense. While many are still not respecting the Dolphins, this game will be close and could come down to the wire.
Atlanta Falcons
2007 season: 4-12
2008 season: 11-5
Atlanta has shocked many with their playoff berth; not only do they have a rookie quarterback at the helm, they also have a rookie head coach
calling the shots. Free agency and the draft couldn’t have gone better for this rebuilding team. Matt Ryan stepped in from day one, looking calm and cool making all the throws. Ryan’s first pass was a bomb touchdown, opening eyes around the league. Of course signing Michael Turner was brilliant, even he couldn’t have predicted how well his first season would turn out. There are many players on the Falcons that had great seasons, but two that stood out to us were Curtis Lofton, the rookie from Oklahoma, and John Abraham. Linebacker Curtis Lofton was a 2nd round pick who made plays all season, racking up 94 tackles, a sack, and a forced fumble. Lofton was a steal for Atlanta, and he is a potential pro bowler in a few seasons. Then there’s the defensive stud John Abraham, who was somehow snubbed from the Pro Bowl with his 16.5 sacks (career high) and four forced fumbles. Abraham is banged up heading into this weekend’s game; the Falcons will be in trouble if he can’t produce against the Cardinals.
Overall the Falcons had one of the best turnaround seasons we’ve seen in years. Atlanta Falcons fans will have lots to get excited about, as technically this was a rebuilding season.
Carolina Panthers
2007 season 7-9
2008 season 12-4
The Panthers found the missing pieces of their team last off-season, and now look to run the table to the Super Bowl. Carolina
traded their 2009 first round pick, along with their 2nd and 4th rounders, to move up in the ‘08 draft to select Jeff Otah. This 6′6″ monster left tackle from Pittsburgh fell in the draft, and Carolina did everything they could to move up in the draft to grab him. After getting their first choice RB Jonathan Stewart, the Panthers ended their day laughing. There were a handful of free agents that signed with the Panthers that also added to their great season, including returning receiver Mushin Muhammad, but the real success to the Panthers clinching a first round bye was no serious injuries. The Carolina Panthers have had the injury bug over the last few seasons, and fans having been waiting impatiently for the Super Bowl return visit…this could be the year.
Philadelphia Eagles
2007 season 8-8
2008 season 9-6-1
While the stars needed to align for the Eagles to make the playoffs, many could argue that this team deserves to be there after their play over the last 5 weeks.
Donovan McNabb asked for some new weapons to start the 2008 season, but only received one: DeSean Jackson. This rookie wide receiver has dropped a couple big passes and “thrown away” a few scores, but overall looks to be the best receiver Andy Reid has ever drafted. Key word there is drafted, as some one hit wonders have walked through Philadelphia with success. Jim Johnson’s defense has played amazing ball in the last five weeks, and history has shown that no team wins a Super Bowl without a great defense.
There’s still time to join our Playoff Pool !!!!
Where’s The Love In Minnesota?
Yahoo sports is reporting that unless 8000 tickets are bought by tomorrow, the Minnesota Vikings playoff game against the Philadelphia Eagles will be “blacked out” on TV in the Twin City area. The NFL has granted an extension until 3:30 p.m. local time Friday to reach a virtual sellout, but the possibility of a local TV blackout is almost definite. Which begs the question, why are people not interested in the game? Are the ticket prices too much? Or are people’s wallets too empty after the holiday season?
Re-capping Some Of The Best Plays In The 2008 Season
Thanks to ESPN and YouTube
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