Russell Wilson highlights - and NFL Divisional game predictions

[Ray Barnes]

I couldn't resist passing this along. Regardless of how the Seahawks fare in Atlanta this weekend, I think this rookie quarterback's performance has been remarkable, and that he is the only one to play beyond wild card weekend speaks for itself.

http://www.nfl.com/videos/nfl-2012-elit ... ell-Wilson

Last I heard, the Falcons are favored by just 3 points over Seattle - not bad for supposedly a wild card team.

As for the games, I am expecting 3 home wins (Atlanta, New England and Denver) and the Packers over the 49ers. I am however cheering for the Hawks to pull an upset.

[Michael T]

The Falcons have a way of always letting us down in the playoffs.

Mike
Dublin, Ga

[Ray Barnes]

Most of the experts at nfl.com are picking the Seahawks. What cannot be denied is that their top rusher Lynch has a bad foot, and their best pash rusher seriously injured his knee last weekend, thanks to the deplorable field conditions in Washington DC. Last Super Bowl, the Patriots reported that Rob Gronkowski was fine in spite of a bad ankle sprain, and he was a complete non-factor. You may be pleasantly surprised by a Falcons win. If the Seahawks were healthier, I would be picking them for an upset.

[Glenn E.]

WhatIfSports has the Falcons winning 53.1% of the time by an average score of 20-19. The injuries to Clemons and Lynch are included - the simulation had the Falcons winning 52.6% of the time before those injuries. Statistically, that's basically a toss-up. It will probably come down to who has the ball last at the half and at the end of the game. If you can manage the clock right and get an extra possession each half, you should win this type of game.

[Ray Barnes]

If there is a lesson to be learned from the Saturday games, it is that football is not played on paper. Notwithstanding that (IMHO) the Raven defensive touchdown should not have counted due to a missed penalty, I thought the Denver game was very entertaining. As for the Packers' 2nd half collapse against the 49ers, I have no answers.

[Ray Barnes]

Well Michael, the Falcons have finally won in the postseason, congratulations. IMHO, the Seahawks simply gave up too many points, and had no sacks. As for Russell Wilson, he again played very well, and deserves serious consideration for Rookie of the Year. Again, very entertaining.

[Michael T]

I guess a win is a win but that one just about gave me a heart attack. I am having a glass of Taylor LBV now just to get over it.

[Ray Barnes]

That is a fine choice indeed. I've been imbibing with Alexandria Nicole's 2011 Shepherds Mark - a pretty good New World expression of a white Rhone.

[Ray Barnes]

Just as a postscript, my understanding is that on the final scoring play of the Seahawks-Falcons game, is that Carroll in fact did call a time out. That being said, if the purpose of this decision is to "ice the kicker", then I feel quite strongly that the kicker should not have been permitted a practice kick, since this IMHO negated the potential benefit of the time out. The first kick undoubtedly missed as a result of the kicker knowing ahead of time that it wasn't being counted.

There was no violation of any rule here, but I feel the NFL officials need to address this, especially when the game winner is determined by the kick. I am not going to speculate on whether or not the kick would have been successful had there been no practice of it. What does concern me is that there should be, at all possible, no appearance of controversy in the outcome. The opportunity for kicking practice is IMHO unfair to the defence.

This gap in the rules could also have had an effect in the outcome of the Broncos-Ravens game on Saturday. As a Patriots fan, I am not as happy about the team hosting the AFC Championship game as I otherwise would have been, since the Ravens did practice a kick as well.

[Glenn E.]

That being said, if the purpose of this decision is to "ice the kicker", then I feel quite strongly that the kicker should not have been permitted a practice kick,

I agree, but the solution to that problem lies with Pete Carroll and not with the referees. He should have called the time out sooner. And had he done so, any "practice kick" would have been penalized as a delay of game by the offense.

There were far more egregious errors made by the officials in that game. And also far more egregious errors made by the Seahawks coaching staff.

[Roy Hersh]

Agreed. Carroll waited too long. The Seahawks over-achieved this year, given pre-season expectations but show that under Wilson's watch, there is a reason to be very excited for 2013=2014 and hopefully for years to come.

[Tom D.]

I'm not sure where to put my sentiments now, after the Packers wet themselves on a national stage.

I do think the Ray Lewis-Tom Brady matchup will be very compelling. I can't see the Falcons making it through. I refuse to root for SF, just because Harbaugh is such a nutjob/a-hole, although it's hard not to like the team they've put together.

SF vs. NE in the Super Bowl would be a nice game to watch.

[Glenn E.]

It feels like it's New England's to lose at this point, short of another blatant "retiring superstar must win Super Bowl" conspiracy.

[Michael T]

Well Ray, the Falcons did just what I said,only a week later than I said. Can't give up big leads week after week.

[Ray Barnes]

TN: Smith Woodhouse 2000 Late Bottled Vintage Port

Profoundly offputting, barnyard aromas. Showed early promise, but clearly not finishing well, lacking concentration. This is a major dissapointment.

Alright, enough about the Patriots.

As for the wine, opened 48 hours ago, it is quite delightful, with dark cherry flavours, some chocolate and even what feels almost like liqueur. Very nice color too. This is taking the sting off losing a wine wager (the other chap had the 49ers too).

[Glenn E.]

Get ready for the HarBowl!

[Ray Barnes]

Oh, brother.