Last week: 3-1 straight up, 1-2-1 against the spread
2015 playoffs: 6-2 straight up, 2-5-1 against the spread
It happens every winter. A storm rolls through that kicks the 24-hour news cycle into overdrive on every local station and sends the populous to the grocery store to hoard bread, milk, and eggs. Here in North Carolina, schools close just based on the threat of snow. Kids get excited, start polishing up their sleds, and eagerly anticipate trudging over to the biggest hill in the neighborhood for hours and hours of fun. More often than not, we’re disappointed when the snow doesn’t fall, the kids end up doing mudslides, and we’re resigned to eating French Toast for the next four days. Alas, today was one of those days, and Sunday could be another. Allow me to explain…
New England (-3.0) @ DENVER
Certainly this game is deserving of Winter Storm Jonas-level hype. In case you haven’t heard, Tom Brady and Peyton Manning will face each other for the 17th time in their illustrious careers, the 5th such occasion in the playoffs. This will likely be the last time, with Manning on the precipice of retirement. To add some spice, multiple Patriots and Broncos players have been trading Twitter barbs all week. Denver’s Antonio Smith called Brady a cry baby and Chris Harris added that diving at Rob Gronkowski’s knees would be the order of the day. Gronk countered with a somewhat suggestive tweet of his own, while Brady chose to take the high road, as per usual.
Quite honestly, I’m torn. On one hand, Brady has owned Manning (11-5 overall, 2-2 playoffs) and Bill Belichick has decidedly more coaching experience and success than Gary Kubiak. On the other, Manning is 3-1 all-time in AFC title tilts. Brady is 6-8 against the Broncos, and has not beaten them in Denver in the postseason. My heart says Denver, my gut says the Patriots. Hopefully we get the game that’s as good as advertised, but I’m forecasting disappointment. Screw it…if the meteorologists can be wrong, why can’t I? Broncos 23, Patriots 21.
Arizona (+3.0) @ CAROLINA
It’s tough to gauge the Panthers based on last week’s outcome. In the first half, they looked like world beaters, worthy of the number one seed in the NFC and a legitimate threat to hoist the Lombardi Trophy. In the second half, they looked “butt-tight” (Cam Newton’s words, not mine). Newton was the subject of criticism from a Seahawks fan for ripping down a 12th Man flag that was hanging at Bank of America stadium, but the real controversy was reserved for the Cardinals-Packers game in Arizona. Carson Palmer looked like a guy who had never won a playoff game, and should feel fortunate that he did given that an undermanned Green Bay team took the Bird Gang to OT. Thanks to referee Clete Blakeman tossing the coin like he was playing conrhole at a barbecue, Aaron Rodgers never saw the ball and the Cardinals advanced. For the record, I’m fine with the NFL’s overtime rules. Maybe Rodgers would have gotten his chance had the Packers defense remembered to cover Larry Fitzgerald.
As for this week, assuming the Cardinals can navigate the weather and show up literally, I’m expecting them to show up figuratively as well. They’ve been the most complete and balanced team all season. But Carolina is undefeated at home, and as my podcast partner says, water finds its level. I backed off the Panthers last week despite picking them in my bracket. I’m doing the same with Arizona this week. Call it a hunch. Panthers 28, Cardinals 24.
2015 playoffs: 6-2 straight up, 2-5-1 against the spread
It happens every winter. A storm rolls through that kicks the 24-hour news cycle into overdrive on every local station and sends the populous to the grocery store to hoard bread, milk, and eggs. Here in North Carolina, schools close just based on the threat of snow. Kids get excited, start polishing up their sleds, and eagerly anticipate trudging over to the biggest hill in the neighborhood for hours and hours of fun. More often than not, we’re disappointed when the snow doesn’t fall, the kids end up doing mudslides, and we’re resigned to eating French Toast for the next four days. Alas, today was one of those days, and Sunday could be another. Allow me to explain…
New England (-3.0) @ DENVER
Certainly this game is deserving of Winter Storm Jonas-level hype. In case you haven’t heard, Tom Brady and Peyton Manning will face each other for the 17th time in their illustrious careers, the 5th such occasion in the playoffs. This will likely be the last time, with Manning on the precipice of retirement. To add some spice, multiple Patriots and Broncos players have been trading Twitter barbs all week. Denver’s Antonio Smith called Brady a cry baby and Chris Harris added that diving at Rob Gronkowski’s knees would be the order of the day. Gronk countered with a somewhat suggestive tweet of his own, while Brady chose to take the high road, as per usual.
Quite honestly, I’m torn. On one hand, Brady has owned Manning (11-5 overall, 2-2 playoffs) and Bill Belichick has decidedly more coaching experience and success than Gary Kubiak. On the other, Manning is 3-1 all-time in AFC title tilts. Brady is 6-8 against the Broncos, and has not beaten them in Denver in the postseason. My heart says Denver, my gut says the Patriots. Hopefully we get the game that’s as good as advertised, but I’m forecasting disappointment. Screw it…if the meteorologists can be wrong, why can’t I? Broncos 23, Patriots 21.
Arizona (+3.0) @ CAROLINA
It’s tough to gauge the Panthers based on last week’s outcome. In the first half, they looked like world beaters, worthy of the number one seed in the NFC and a legitimate threat to hoist the Lombardi Trophy. In the second half, they looked “butt-tight” (Cam Newton’s words, not mine). Newton was the subject of criticism from a Seahawks fan for ripping down a 12th Man flag that was hanging at Bank of America stadium, but the real controversy was reserved for the Cardinals-Packers game in Arizona. Carson Palmer looked like a guy who had never won a playoff game, and should feel fortunate that he did given that an undermanned Green Bay team took the Bird Gang to OT. Thanks to referee Clete Blakeman tossing the coin like he was playing conrhole at a barbecue, Aaron Rodgers never saw the ball and the Cardinals advanced. For the record, I’m fine with the NFL’s overtime rules. Maybe Rodgers would have gotten his chance had the Packers defense remembered to cover Larry Fitzgerald.
As for this week, assuming the Cardinals can navigate the weather and show up literally, I’m expecting them to show up figuratively as well. They’ve been the most complete and balanced team all season. But Carolina is undefeated at home, and as my podcast partner says, water finds its level. I backed off the Panthers last week despite picking them in my bracket. I’m doing the same with Arizona this week. Call it a hunch. Panthers 28, Cardinals 24.