It isn't too often in this column that I pat myself on the
back. Quite frankly, I don't think I have ever had a reason to. This
week, however, I received an email from a gentleman at www.2nspl.com ,
a website that calculates NFL predictions from various writers across
the country. I had never heard of this website, and it is likely many
people will draw a blank when the site is mentioned. However, according
to the email, I was apparently the first person in the history of the
website ( since 1989 ) to score an 11.5 out of 12 using their scale.
Their system is straight up wins, wins against the spread and
predicting the over/under ( I do not predict the over/under but the
scores that I gave were used ). This had NEVER been done before in the
history of this site. Another email showed that for the first week of
the playoffs, I was the BEST in the COUNTRY using their system. This
includes many national writers ( any fan would know many of them ).
Nobody in the country was better than me last week according to
www.2nspl.com. Sure, it was for only one week, and there is an
excellent possibility that will change after this weekend. I also have
a reputation to keep with this new found status of mine. But I am very
proud of myself, and now I have bragging rights. And you better believe
those rights will be talked about. So, for now, my loyal followers (
all three of you ), you are being honored with more predictions from
the best prognosticator in the country. At least for now. We will see
if next week remains the same. If it does, I promise to let you know.
As always, home team in CAPS.
Denver 9 Baltimore
The temperature is supposed to be 25 degrees in Denver on Saturday, and
I am hearing many people saying the Ravens are going to win this game.
Of course, that is coming from Patriots fans, who clearly want a
possible New England home game next week. It isn't going to happen.
Sure the Ravens are playing better lately, but the Broncos were the
best team in the AFC for the last half of the season. The Broncos got
some rest, Peyton Manning is ready, and unfortnately Ray Lewis' great
career will end here.
Broncos 30-17
SAN FRANCISCO 3 1/2 Green Bay
Some are saying the 49ers are the best team in the NFC. They could be.
But the best team doesn't always win. I have a feeling that the Packers
are going to stay hot in the post season. Their defense isn't great,
but it is enough considering Aaron Rogers is on the offensive side of
the ball, with three really good receivers to go with him. I like Colin Kaepernick, but I am not sure he is good enough to get it done here.
This is his first playoff game, and it will also be his last this year.
I am picking the Packers in a mild upset.
Packers 27-24
ATLANTA 2 1/2 Seattle
The Seahaws are everybody's darlings, and deservedly so. Many are also
picking them to win here, some easily. Not me. I like Seattle, but last
week they beat Washington with a quarterback playing on one
leg. The Falcons are the NFC's number one seed, and they need to act
like it. They got embarassed in the playoffs last year, and if they
lose at home to the number five seed after a bye week, they will be run
out of town. Atlanta MUST win this game, and Matt Ryan needs to show
that he is an elite quarterback. He also MUST win, or he will have the
reputation of being a loser in the playoffs. Seattle is hot right now.
I think the Falcons will cool them off. For their sake, they better.
Falcons 23-20
NEW ENGLAND 9 1/2 Houston
Well the Patriots destroyed the Texans a month ago, so they are going
to do it again. Not so fast. It is very difficult for a team to beat
another twice in one season, and this is no exception. The Patriots are
healthier than last time, but so is Houston. The weather is going to be
fine, so the Patriots have no advantage there. Houston is better than
they played the last time, and they are very capable of winning this
game. They have motivation and confidence. But that doesn't mean they
are going to win. I have heard some calling a blowout, but many saying
it will be a pretty close game. Houston can win, or the Patriots could
totally dominate. I think it is somewhere in between. I think New
England wins the game, but Houston will keep it pretty close.
Patriots 26-21
Record For Last Week: 4-0 ( 4-0 without the spread ). The opening
paragraph states this very clearly.
Jim Poore has been a long time contributor to
Patriots Insider
with his weekly picks column. Let him know what you think. Email him
here:
Get Patriots Insider updates on Twitter Follow @PatriotsInsider
Want to find out what other Patriots fans think? Join them on the Message
Boards
|