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Fun's over for 'Zona; Giants survive
Your gridiron prognosticator underestimated the Cardinals' Jiffy Pop home dome advantage in Arizona, and the Super Chargers are super charged, at home or on the road.
The savvy veteran outdueled the raw rookie in Saturday's first wild-card game. Kurt Warner and the Cardinals defeated Matt Ryan and the Falcons 30-24 in the battle of the birds.
San Diego just can't lose.
After the Broncos' archenemy saddled their AFC West rivals with the ignominious fate of being the only team in NFL history to lead its division from beginning to penultimate end only to lose said division title in the finale (not to mention the loss that sparked the coach's dismissal), the Chargers then channeled last year's unlikely postseason upset of the Colts.
One year ago, the Chargers defeated the then-defending Super Bowl champs 28-24 in an AFC divisional game. They eventually lost to the Patriots in the AFC Championship, and the Patriots eventually lost to the Giants in the Super Bowl.
Last Saturday, however, they defeated the Colts, again, 23-17 in overtime.
I, myself, was 0-for-2 on Saturday. I redeemed my picking prowess on Sunday with a perfect 2-0 afternoon: Baltimore over Miami? Check. Philadelphia over Minnesota? Check.
On to the next round:
Saturday
Baltimore at Tennessee - It seems like forever ago since I picked the New York Jets to spoil the Titans' 10-0 start to the season in Week 12. Since I seemingly have acquired a knack for picking upsets against the Titans, I'll pick another one.
Baltimore, a three-point underdog, will be top dog after this weekend's first playoff game.
In a similarly classic smashmouth, ball-control contest, it will be Joe Flacco, Le'Ron McClain and Ray Lewis and Ed Reed that will live to see another football game.
Baltimore, 17-10.
Arizona at Carolina - The Cardinals won their first playoff game since 1947. Fun's over. They might've been able to slow one running back, but they won't be able to slow two.
DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart are that 1-2 knockout punch.
Carolina, 27-12.
Sunday
Philadelphia at N.Y. Giants - There's a good chance the defending Super Bowl champs go down in their first game of the 2008-09 postseason. After all, it was the Eagles' 20-14 victory Dec. 7 at Philly that started the Giants' 1-3 slide to finish the regular season.
The Eagles, meanwhile, have won five of their last six games.
So, it's possible, but I'm not buying it. The champs win, 24-21.
Oh yeah, this just in, Steve Spagnuolo, that defensive coordinator guy for the Giants, is interviewing for head coaching positions.
San Diego at Pittsburgh - San Diego just can't lose, until now, anyway.
LaDainian Tomlinson has a torn groin and is doubtful to play, or 75 percent certain he won't play.
Darren Sproles, LT's replacement scatback, is 5-foot-5½ and 200 pounds when dipped in concrete.
Antonio Gates, too, is hurt.
Vincent Jackson, the proud product of Northern Colorado in Greeley, is driving drunk, again.
Sorry, Philip, but there's only room for three rivers in downtown Pittsburgh.
Steelers, 24-17.
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