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Sports News → The Superbowl

johnny73 2009.02.01 15:13 0 ↑ 0 ↓

 
The Superbowl

Pittsburgh Steelers vs Arizona Cardinals

With the Superbowl arriving in Tampa on the 1st February another NFL season reaches it's climax.

Regular readers will have learnt to disregard my predictions and maybe place a bet or two on the opposition. I take comfort in the knowledge that nobody would have predicted Arizona to defy the odds and reach the promised land.

If we take one lesson home with us today it's that anybody can beat anybody in the NFL.

I could go on and discuss Pittsburgh's stingy defence and Arizona's chameleon like metamorphazis over the last few weeks. I could say big Ben will lead a comfortable Steelers to an easy predictable victory. I could. But I will not.

These playoffs belong to the Arizona Cardinals and Kurt Warner. Week after week they have adapted their defense according to the opposition and when called on they have the arm of Warner and the hands of Larry Fitzgerald to put points on the board. Sure the Steelers can rush Warner and put pressure on his static legs but can they stop his arm from throwing with pin point accuracy?

Where Pittsburgh need to dominate from start to finish to win this game, keeping it tight on defense and then come up with the occasional moment of magic on offense, Arizona have the set up to blow the game wide open at any moment.

Experience would normally be vital, but both quarterbacks have taken the golden ring in the past, Pittsburgh are expected to win and want it real baaadddd. Arizona are playing pressure free football and can play with the freedom of having already superceded their expectations.

This has all of signs of being the most entertaining finale to a season in years. Expect a tight game with the occasional blow out moment. I want the Cardinals to win but I'm willing to sit back and enjoy the ride.
     
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    Sports News → NFL NFC Championship - Philadelphia Eagles vs Arizona Cardinals

    johnny73 2009.01.17 03:47 0 ↑ 0 ↓

     
    NFL NFC Championship

    Philadelphia Eagles vs Arizona Cardinals

    This game should not be happening. It shouldn't be in Arizona and the Eagles shouldn't even be in the playoffs.

    With a portal time machine I'd travel back to the end of week 12 and place a bet on these two making the Championship game. I can guarantee you two things, not a soul on earth predicted this match up and nothing, nothing in the NFL can be guaranteed.

    These teams have faced each other once this season, in week 13 and the Eagles destroyed their opponents 48 - 20. But this post season Cardinals team is not the same outfit. New and refreshing play calls, a defense high on confidence and a revitalized veteran quarterback in Kurt Warner.

    The Eagles entered the post season knowing they could match up to any other team. Despite or perhaps because he was benched mid season, Donovan McNabb has been a revelation in the last few weeks, elsewhere defense and offense have click, with talent finally producing an end result. The big W.

    Of the two teams, the Eagles have a more balanced offense, whilst Arizona have gained success through Warner airing the ball long distances.

    Both defenses have played tight during the post season, but this game is a series of 'ifs' and practically impossible to call. Will both side be affected by the removal of underdogs tags? Will the Arizona defense turn up once more? Can the Eagles fulfill their destiny or will they self destruct yet again?

    The Cardinals have the explosiveness to blow this game wide open, but the Eagles have the established running game and multi layered offense. Both have struggled for consistency in the past.

    On the personal note, it wouldn't feel right for McNabb to finish his career without a Super Bowl ring and this may be his best shot, on the flip side the Cardinals are the fairy tale story of the season, no one expected them to even be in the playoffs. I'll be delighted for either team to win but my head and heart both say Philadelphia will find a way to Tampa Bay.
       
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      Sports News → NFL AFC Championship - Baltimore Ravens vs Pittsburgh Steelers

      johnny73 2009.01.17 03:26 0 ↑ 0 ↓

       
      NFL AFC Championship

      Baltimore Ravens vs Pittsburgh Steelers

      As we have progressed through the playoffs it has become apparent parity and form dictate any team can beat any team. Predictions have become irrelevant. It all comes down to who plays best on the day. Only a psychologist could have a hope in hell of predicting any winner.

      So here come the Steelers and Ravens battling it out to reach the Super Bowl.

      Pittsburgh were meant to compete in this game, whilst Baltimore have surprised many with rookie quarterback Joe Flacco at the helm.

      Both are tough bang 'em up teams on offense and defense. Running the ball is another similarity. The Ravens in McClain and McGahee have combined for nearly 1600 yards and 17 touchdowns. Parker and Moore for Pittsburgh have gained 1300 plus yards and 10 touchdowns.

      During the regular season Pittsburgh relied on Quarterback Roethlisberger to finish off the job whilst the defense and running backs kept them in the game.

      Baltimore have developed with each game, whilst the running game was evident in regular season and early playoff games, Flacco has gradually been given increased responsibility and now the passing game is a threat.

      The Ravens have the edge in takeaways being plus 13 whilst the Steelers are only plus 4.

      It isn't often a team gets to beat an opponent 3 times during a season, but this is what Pittsburgh will need to do, to put away the Ravens. Both previous contests were tight low scoring games. Each time the experience of Big Ben gave Pittsburgh the edge.

      Predictions mean nothing, especially mine, but I'm going for the steel town.
         
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        Sports News → Divisional Playoffs - Baltimore Ravens vs Tennessee Titans

        johnny73 2009.01.10 16:26 1 ↑ 0 ↓

         
        Divisional Playoffs

        Baltimore Ravens vs Tennessee Titans

        For my final divisional preview it seems to me we couldn't have produced better match ups. Both Baltimore and Tennessee are strongest on defense with double digit records in turnovers. Both have allowed a measly 14/15 points per game.

        Offensively both prefer to run the ball and only go to the air on occasion. The aim would be to manage the clock and tire the opposition defense. At quarterback the Ravens have a rookie in Joe Flacco whilst the Titans have the experienced Kerry Collins. Playing at home will also benefit the No. 1 AFC seeds Tennessee. Early in the season the Titans edge the Ravens 13 - 10.

        This will be a low scoring game with both teams succeeding in running the ball to a certain extent. Expect a lot of punts and field goals. These are two of the top ranked defenses and in Ray Lewis the Ravens have an inspirational leader. Baltimore have less injury concerns and also carry momentum in this game. This will come down to who can handle the pressure best and with a rookie quarterback I worry for Flacco. I'll be expecting Tennessee to edge through.
           
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          Sports News → Divisional Playoffs - Philadelphia Eagles vs New York Giants

          johnny73 2009.01.10 14:04 1 ↑ 0 ↓

           
          Divisional Playoffs

          Philadelphia Eagles vs New York Giants

          Despite the differing routes these two teams have made to the post season it's interesting to note how well they match up to each other.

          Whilst statistics show New York have a better running game and Philadelphia have suceeded through the air both offenses have basically the same average of points gained at 26 points.

          The eagles on paper seem to have a minor edge on defense in both running and passing but again points allowed is essentially the same at 18 points a game.

          So how do the Eagles have a 9 - 6 - 1 record and the Giants a 12 and 4? In one word discipline. Philadelphia are plus 3 in turn overs and whilst they have taken away a massive 29 takeaways they have given up 26 giveaways. This means in close games to often than not they are shooting themselves in the foot, it also indicates if they cut out the mistakes they could beat anybody anywhere. New York on the other hand have kept giveaways below 1 a game and are plus nine in turnovers. Neither statistic should be surprising considering the Giants reliance on running the ball with 2 1000 yard running backs and the Eagles showing most success through the air.

          Of course New York have two factors weighing heavily in their favour, they are the reigning Superbowl Champions and have a home field crowd roaring them on. These teams have met twice this season with one closely contested win each. On each occasion though the away team took the victory.

          So this will be another close contest going down to the wire and going purely with a gut feeling which is normally wrong I'll go with the Eagles.
             
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