Back In My Day...

Well, I was going to write about Ohio State upsetting Purdue on Tuesday night, but I think that the game did the talking for itself. Bottom line: when Evan Turner is healthy, he is the best player in the Big 10. Robbie Hummel also deserves a lot of credit for his outstanding first half performance.

Last week, I went 1-3 in picking the NFL playoff games. I think that this week I can better that mark, if only by one game. Here are my picks for the Divisional Round of the NFL playoffs.

AFC Divisional Round
Baltimore vs. Indianapolis

Baltimore was the shocker of last week; however, I really don't know how good the Patriots actually were. Indianapolis, on the other hand, is the real deal. I've been a supporter of their decision to give up the perfect season in hopes of maximizing their playoff productivity. I don't think that Indy will have any problem beating the Ravens at home. Since the game is in a dome, it should be a high scoring game, and that will favor the Colts. Look for Peyton Manning to have a good day.

Final Score: 35-21 Indianapolis


New York vs. San Diego

With all due respect to the Cowboys, I believe that San Diego was the hottest team going into the playoffs. Rex Ryan and the Jets aren't going to do anything to slow down the 'Bolts either. I believe both quarterbacks have a chance to take their team to the Super Bowl; but in Mark Sanchez's case, I mean future Super Bowls. Sanchez has shown some good stuff, but is too young to lead his team to a victory against a team like the Chargers. Remember, New York's win last week was against the Bengals, who had a rollercoaster of a season to say the least. San Diego will keep on rolling here.

Final Score: 31-17 San Diego



NFC Divisional Round
Arizona vs. New Orleans

This game has the potential to be the best one of the weekend. It's been a month since New Orleans' last win, and unless they come out firing on all cylinders, they could be in trouble. Let's remember that the turning point (that is, when everyone started saying "How about them Saints?") was after they beat New England back in November. The Patriots, as it turned out, weren't as good as everyone thought. If the Saints don't get after Kurt Warner and allow him time in the pocket, then they could be done for the season. It should be close, but I'm calling the upset here.

Final Score: 38-35 Arizona


Dallas vs. Minnesota

This is a tough game to call. Dallas is playing very well right now. But Minnesota, when Adrian Peterson doesn't turn the ball over, is very hard to stop as well. I like the experience of Brett Favre over Tony Romo. However, the Vikings need to stop guys like Cowboys TE Jason Witten if they want to win. If the linebackers forget about him, then Romo will look very good in this game. I like Minnesota in a close one.

Final Score: 35-31 Minnesota



- K. Becks

Wild Card Weekend

I had meant to post an entry yesterday to review the National Championship game and give a look back at some of my favorite games of the bowl season. However, due to the fact that the NFL Wildcard games start today, I'm going to have to put that on hold. As for the National Championship, I'm not saying anything that people haven't already said; it was a decent game, but we're left wondering "what if?"

Since the wildcard games start today, I've decided to give my picks for the games. Each week I'll make new picks as we work our way down to two teams. This year's matchups are particularly interesting, especially since many of these teams played each other just last week.

AFC Wildcard
New York vs. Cincinnati

I don't think that Cincinnati should be extremely concerned about last week's performance (other than the fact that they couldn't catch the ball). Carson Palmer needs to have a solid game against the tough Jets passing defense for Cincinnati to win. If he can do that, and Cincinnati can make Jets QB Mark Sanchez look like a nervous rookie in his first playoff appearance, then they will play another week.

Final Score: 24-17 Cincinnati


Baltimore vs. New England

The Patriots are pretty banged up heading into this one. Without wideout Wes Welker (say that one 5 times fast), guys such as Julian Edelman are going to have to step up big time. If the Ravens want to win this one, then RB Willis McGahee is going to need to gouge the Patriot defense much like he did last week against Oakland. The Patriots are 8-0 at home this season, and are also a perfect 7-0 at Gillette Stadium in the playoffs, but I think that the Ravens have the ability to win a close one. This game could be the most interesting of the wildcard weekend.

Final Score: 20-14 Baltimore



NFC Wildcard
Philadelphia vs. Dallas

This is probably the most anticipated matchup of the weekend. We will finally get to see if Tony Romo and Wade Phillips can win in the playoffs. Philadelphia has yet to beat Dallas this season, and trying to do that in Dallas will be no easy task. Time is running out for Donovan McNabb to get his Super Bowl ring, so he is going to need to play much better than he did last week if he wants to keep his season alive. Making Tony Romo revert to his previous late season play will be key for the Philly defense, and I think that they are capable of doing that.

Final Score: 35-33 Philadelphia


Green Bay vs. Arizona

This is my favorite game this weekend. I really don't want to see either team lose, because both have major upsides that are capable of taking them to the Super Bowl. Green Bay is one of the hottest teams in football right now, and QB Aaron Rodgers has been making people in Green Bay say "Brett who?" Arizona faces a tall task in stopping Rodgers, and I just don't see them doing it well enough. This game should be closer than last week's, but the "W" will go to the same team.

Final Score: 34-24 Packers



Like my picks? Think I have no idea what I'm talking about? I'd love to hear your comments. Shoot me an email at aroundthecornsportsblog@gmail.com or post a comment under this entry, and I'll try my best to get back to you in a timely manner. Thanks everyone.


- K. Becks