Oh, yeah!!! That late Steelers TD was total vindication for this gambling itch I keep scratching. yes, I did win about $500 yesterday. Nice. My betting budget is up to $1450!
Not nice … Umm, Matt Ryan, go watch Good Will Hunting … It’s not your fault. It’s not your fault. It’s not your fault, son. Atlanta’s defensive coaches (Brian Van Gorder) have some explaining to do—The Packers did not punt!
Okay, on to the last games of the Divisional Round.
(All odds are from Bodog, and home teams in CAPS.)
Seattle Seahawks vs. CHICAGO BEARS
The Seahawks beat the Bears in week 6. Jay Cutler was not very good, albeit he was sacked and pressured all day. I’m not making excuses for Cutler’s play. But, Roberto Garza (RG) did not play, and the offensive line was in flux. The current iteration of the Bears line - Frank Omiyale (LT), Chris Williams (LG), Olin Kreutz (C), Roberto Garza (RG), J’Marcus Webb (LT) - have been together since the bye. Did I mention that, since that bye, the Bears are 7-2. Oh, did I mention that Lance Briggs didn’t play against the Seahawks either?
(Roberto Garza)
Now, some things are still in place: Mike Williams’ size is a problem for the Bears. And, if Marshawn Lynch is in “Beast Mode,” like the ground-shaking TD run against the Saints, the Bears will need to move Chris Harris “into the box.” Moving Harris scares me, because Danieal Manning makes too many mistakes for my liking.
(Mike Williams)
I just heard that Lofa Tatupu, Seahawks starting middle linebacker, has passed his concussion tests and will play against the Bears.
To be perfectly honest, I think the Bears are a much better team, as a whole. However, any one player can be the determining factor to a loss. The players most likely to do this: The QBs. Jay Cutler scares me, as a Bears fan, to death. Jay, you need to understand how important your decision-making is - especially in the red zone. This is the playoffs: All points are good; and punts aren’t that bad.
The Bet:
The Bears are favored (-10), heavily. That line moved overnight. Hmmm? I guess I’m going to take ($200) the Seahawks and the points. I just don’t see the Bears blowing anyone out this time of year. I like the under ($25) on longest FG (+/- 42.5); but, the over ($50) on longest TD (+/- 41.5) sounds too low.
New York Jets vs. NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS
Is this really much of a game? The Patriots beat the Jets in week 13. Wait, The Patriots routed/overwhelmed/pummeled/humiliated the Jets. Anyway you write it, the Patriots and Jets were not playing the same game. Tom Brady is having an amazing season. Brady has thrown only four interceptions all year. Doesn’t it seem like Randy Moss became more of a hindrance to the Pats, than an asset. Moss only ran certain routes; wasn’t a very good blocker, and seemed very predictable, thus, making the Pats offense very predictable. Well, Moss is gone. Not a good thing for the Jets, who brought in Antonio Cromartie to defend him.
(Tom Brady & Bill Belichick)
Speaking of Cromartie, does he not know what happens to players that speak out against the Patriots, Brady and Belichick? Who will Cromartie cover? What about Darelle Revis? Can the Jets find a way to get Revis on Wes Welker for most of the game?
(As an aside, I thought it was interesting to hear my dad talking about how he thought the Jets would beat the Patriots. Either he’s as sage and wise as ever, or senility is kicking in early.)
The Bet:
Patriots are favored (-10). I’m giving ($100) those points. I like ($50) the Patriots 1st half over (+/- 14). I also like the over ($50) on total TDs (+/- 4.5) in the game. And, for fun, I am taking ($50) the over on total rushing yards for Tom Brady (+/- 1.5)
Enjoy the games!
