NFL Wild Card weekend

[Ray Barnes]

Hello everyone, glad to be back after a long hiatus due to what feels like a year of nearly continuous work. If my fading memory is somewhat correct, the games and my predictions are as follows:

San Francisco at Green Bay - if there is a game that practically begs to be watched with a glass or two of port or madeira, this one gets my vote. The 49ers have won their last 6 in a row, and I think have the best chance of an upset on the road. The forecast is for clouds and 11F. Taking the 49ers in a close and hopefully very entertaining game.

San Diego at Cincinnati - Philip Rivers loves to play in the cold, ask anyone in Kansas City. In spite of not having any love for the Steelers, I think the Chargers' winning their last game at home was controversial to say the least. The Bengals have not lost in their own back yard, I think they will keep it going, as karma will come back on San Diego.

Kansas City at Indianapolis - both teams are 11-5, tough to call this, but if the Colts can beat KC on the road, they should be able to handle them at home.

New Orleans at Philadelphia - Given the Saints' lack of success on the road this year, I don't see them beating the Eagles at home, especially if the weather is anything like the Lions game there.

As an aside, I'm concerned the Seahawks may have peaked too soon after their Monday night spectacle about a month ago.

Ray

[Roy Hersh]

Good to see you Ray and welcome back. Great analysis!

Amazed nobody else has taken a shot at this. I am copying my guesses from another website's Forum from earlier this week. Did not see this here until now.


My picks:

KC in an uproar with last gasp before someone else takes them out in next round. = I would've been wrong ... by a point.

Tough to bet against Philly right now and smart money won't, but NO has a way of growing a pair in spots like this. = I would've been right

Although I hate 'em, gotta pick lightning bolts on the road in an unfriendly and frigid OH park. = I would've been right

SF in a close cliff hanger in GB's noisy deep freeze blender. Last game of the weekend, best? = I would've been right


SB faceoff prediction: Denver vs. Seattle

[Ray Barnes]

Thanks for the welcome Roy. I see New Orleans has finally posted its first road playoff win on the road, thanks to a field goal on the last play of regulation. Perhaps the team's decision to change kickers late in the year has helped them in this critical game. That being said, I like Seattle's chances against the Saints next weekend.

If I am correct, if Cincinnati wins on Sunday, then the Colts would be playing in Denver - now that would have some drama.

I am chomping at the bit for the 49ers and Packers, and have the 1999 Smith Woodhouse LBVP ready.

Ray

[Moses Botbol]

two nail biter's yesterday. great games.

I feel like my Patriots have as good a shot as anyone at this point. We need another championship in Boston! Red Sox this season is not enough.

[Ray Barnes]

Well Roy, good calls on today's games and on the weekend. I have to feel for the Bengal fans who shelled out serious coin to sit in a cold rain and watch their team get snookered in the second half. As for the Packers/49ers clash, that was good theater, but again the local fans go home angry, frigid and likely with much lighter wallets. Still a great game.

[Moses Botbol]

Let's hope home field is an advantage next weekend.

[Roy Hersh]

One point separated me from a 4-0 prognostication. I'll take the 3-1 though.

So sick of New England Patriots and that Brady Bunch ... but the Red Sox make me puke even more. Don't care about Celtics, but definitely despise Bruins too. Love Boston otherwise!

[Ray Barnes]

Well Roy, in spite of being a fan of the Patriots, I do not like the severe antipathy between the fans of New York and Boston for and against the teams of those cities. It's hard to criticize 5 Super Bowl appearances in 10 years for the Patriots, notwithstanding they were very lucky to get past the Raiders in 2001/2 due to some flaws in the rules at that time.

Gotta admit, your affection for the city of Boston and dislike of all of its professional teams was pretty funny.

Personally I am hoping for Seahawks and Patriots in February, and cheering for both teams.

Ray

[Moses Botbol]

Gotta admit, your affection for the city of Boston and dislike of all of its professional teams was pretty funny.

I thought you were going to have Zdeno Chára in the guest corner? He likes port wine.

[Ray Barnes]

Don't push your luck. I respect the Patriots but have little or no use for the Bruins. There's a fine line between playing physical and dirty, and the Bruins are not shy about crossing it. Good on Milan Lucic for his success, but that's as far as it goes.

[Roy Hersh]

It's hard to criticize 5 Super Bowl appearances in 10 years for the Patriots,

Who is criticizing them? I am not saying they are bad or don't deserve their wins. I am just sick of seeing them in the big dance!

My team's arch rival is the Denver Broncos, so pure hatred on the level of Yankees/Red Sox, however, I'd be thrilled to see them in the Super Bowl as PM has turned the entire fate of the franchise and done things no other QB in history has achieved.

To be fair, although I live near Seattle (not in it), I've never been a real fan of the Seahawks either. Remember they used to be in my team's division for decades. So no love lost. But again, for better or worse, Pete Carroll has turned this franchise on its head in the course of 4 years and after some terrible years at the end of Matt Hasselbeck's career, no real fan thought their ship could be righted this quickly. Especially not with an unknown young QB named Wilson. So I think they will have their toughest game ... if they win this week ... up against the 49'ers.