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New York Giants vs. New England Patriots: 3 Key Factors To Super Bowl XLVI

Posted by on 1 February 2012, 11:58 pm

Super Bowl XLVI is this Sunday, between the New Giants and New England Patriots at Lucas Oil Stadium, the home of the Indianapolis Colts.

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So, what will I be watching for after kickoff, which is scheduled for 6:30 ET on NBC?

Here are 3 key factors that I will have a close eye on.

1) Rob Gronkowski 

How seriously injured is Patriots tight end Gronkowski’s? The offensive monster suffered, what was later diagnosed as a high ankle sprain, during the AFC Championship Game two weeks ago. Gronkowski got off the plane in Indianapolis last Sunday in a walking boot, but has not been seen in it since. There is no doubt that the 6’7, 265 lbs. Gronkowski is limping a little, but how able he is to take part on Sunday will be a HUGE factor.  Gronkowski broke NFL tight end records in 2011 with his 1327 receiving yards and 17 touchdowns; he is a nightmare for any defense to deal with.

2) The Quarterbacks

Eli Manning threw for 4933 yards, which resulted in 29 touchdowns and 16 interceptions in 2011. While Manning’s numbers don’t quite match Tom Brady’s 5235 yards, 39 touchdowns and 12 interceptions, they both ranked in the top 5 NFL quarterbacks on the season. These two are not new to the big stage, and know their performances will dictate the flow of the game. This is an offensive clash you won’t want to miss. Continue reading ‘New York Giants vs. New England Patriots: 3 Key Factors To Super Bowl XLVI’ »

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2011 NFL Wild Card Weekend: Sorting Out Winners From The Losers, Game By Game

Posted by on 5 January 2011, 7:00 am

The NFL Playoffs start this weekend with the four Wild Card teams traveling to the homes of the bottom two-division winners.

The top two teams in the AFC and the NFC both get a bye, as they will wait to see who their opponents will be in the Divisional Rounds.

Now let’s separate the winners form the losers, by looking at Wild Card Weekend game by game:

Indianapolis Colts vs. New York Jets*

Even thought the Jets have hailed themselves the team to beat, Colts QB Peyton Manning is dynamic and has had the Jets number in the past.

The Jets defense loves to blitz the opposing QB, but won’t work because Manning gets better under pressure. Fact is the Jets defense was better in 2009 and Manning eat them alive in the second half of AFC Championship Game.

The Jets-D needs to figure out how to get back there and fast because the Colts O-line sits atop the NFL. Leadership is one of Manning’s biggest strengths, but it is quite the opposite for Jets QB Mark Sanchez, who floundered in the second half of the season.

The Colts defense’s weakness is stopping the run, so that should take some of the demands off Sanchez, as the Jets will run the ball a lot. LT and Shonn Greene will have to come up big for Game-green, hopefully resting Week 17 will help the tandem get healthy again.

Look for the Jets to use back-up QB Brad Smith to run the Wild Cat to shake-up the Colts-D, but the veteran defense with lots of playoff experience won’t be fooled that much.

Rex Ryan needs to get his head checked and “making it personal” with Manning is just setting up his team to get killed. Ryan just needs to put a foot in his mouth. 

WINNER: COLTS BEAT JETS 28-10

Kansas City Chiefs vs. Baltimore Ravens*

The Chiefs are legitimate again, as Kansas City has football fever but facing the Ravens will be a huge test. The Chiefs ended the season losing at home to the Raiders, which left too many questions on the table.

The Ravens have only gotten better, and RB Ray Rice has finally found his feet towards in the second half of the season. Rice can pound the average Chiefs defense, but the Ravens offense is very balanced all-around and QB Joe Flacco has proven very solid at the helm.

The Chiefs offense relies heavily on the run game, with duo Jamal Charles and Thomas Jones. Ravens defense stops the run better than anyone, so Chiefs will be forced to throw.

QB Matt Cassel is just not reliable as a deep passer and the Ravens are weak defending deep, middle passes. Cassel will have to relay on his arm against playoff teams, and the Chiefs have not defeated a playoff team all season.

Arrowhead Stadium is known to be one of the nosiest and the fans have definitely done their part in 2010, so expect the place to be shaken on Saturday afternoon but it won’t be enough.

WINNER: RAVENS BEAT CHIEFS 21-6

Philadelphia Eagles vs. Green Bay Packers*

Michael Vick, need I say more? Continue reading ‘2011 NFL Wild Card Weekend: Sorting Out Winners From The Losers, Game By Game’ »

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New Orleans Paints The City Like Saints

Posted by on 3 February 2010, 5:10 pm

Who Dat? Who Dat?

It’s the City of New Orleans who is familiar to the Superbowl, playing gracious host to the big game many times.

The patient Saints fans watching as team after team celebrated in their home.

Now, it’s their turn, as the Saints are just days away from playing in their first Superbowl ever.

Who couldn’t cheer for a city who’s undying spirit is on full display, after all the devastation it’s faced?

If your not a Colts fan, the answer is you can’t. To be anything other than awestruck, inspired and a little jealous, but in a good way because loyalty like that becomes contagious.

Easy to forget that the Saints could still lose on Sunday, as Payton Manning’s Colts can rival it with talent.

The Saint’s formula will focus on two main aspects:

Do anything and everything to stop Peyton Manning.

  • The defense must limit Manning to short passes, while not relying on the blitz. Manning is 6’6 feet tall so it is hard to limit his vision by charging him from the sides. Rattle him coming straight up the middle as the Colts love to control the center with their pass game. The Saints coverage of Guarcone, Clarke and Collie is a key reason.
  • Manning is the best liar, as his pre-snap antics on the line allow him to read the defense to the last second on the play clock and gets defenses to fold their cards. The Saints have to beat him at this own game by being inconsistent especially on man to man coverage, mixing up coverage to the point where their uncomfortable.
  • Can’t overlook Joseph Adi by Manning need for attention.
  • The Colts offense need to run the clock when possible because keeping Manning off the field for even seconds can decide the game.

Reggie Bush and Jermon Bushrod

  • Reggie Bush has to have a huge game.  Bush is a functional player who outrun any team both as a running back and a wide receiver.
  • Utilize Bush’s arsenal from the start, to allow openings for Brees to throw long. Brees is a great third down QB and can be relied  under pressure.
  • Saints left tackle, Jermon Bushrod protection of Brees blindside, from the Colts first-class defensive end Dwight Freeney is essential. Freeney is questionable with an ankle injury, but couldn’t imagine him not playing.
  • Saints have to score touchdowns because this is where they have the advantage.

Will the Saints go marching in?

The City of New Orleans will be waiting, no matter what.

Waiting for the champions is only appropriate, and the Saints would love to be the ones to do that.

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Come On And Get Ready….

Posted by on 26 January 2010, 3:05 pm

Are you ready for some football?

Well, start preparing because football is serving the sports word on a silver platter, with a championship game promising to be to a battle.

The New Orleans Saints will take on the Indianapolis Colts on February 7th in Superbowl XLIV in Miami, FL.

Just as the World Series, the two best teams are facing each other. Even orphan fans cannot help their intrigue because it’s the second best possibility to their own team competing.

Over the next two weeks football will get plenty of air-time and on this blog as well. So, I went digging to find some of my favorite memories from Superbowl‘s past.

No, not game highlights, but from the commercials, half-time shows and team shuffles. These minute slots can sell for millions or just be plain out entertainment.  These skits can be as memorable as the game itself. Continue reading ‘Come On And Get Ready….’ »

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Jets Pull Through, Feels Like Deja Vu

Posted by on 18 January 2010, 11:30 pm

Rex Ryan‘s contagious spirit is spreading across NYC, as J-E-T-S, Jets, Jets, Jets are just one win away from the Superbowl.

To even dream that the Jets would be playing the Colts in the AFC Championship was beyond unthinkable and just three weeks ago.

Well, the Jets should already be very proud, because this was long overdue for the ‘other’ team that plays at Giants Stadium.

For Giants fans everywhere it is a sweet reminder of just two years ago.

The Jets have the #1 defense, a young QB who’s becoming a leader, two-headed monster of running backs, last game of the season was against the #1 team and a coach who demands greatness.

Sound familiar?

Also, the 2007 Champion Giants did not have one playoff game at home, neither do the Jets. Both NY teams considered the underdogs by a long shot and surely gives a team something to prove.

Mark Sanchez and Rex Ryan brought life to a hopeless team. The Jets reputation only consisted of failure and disappointment for their loyal fans.

Green jerseys worn on Sundays in New York were commonly that of Eagles fans. The future looked grim.

This season a new coach, along with a rookie QB to once again attempt to find something that clicked. Even Brett Favre couldn’t help. NFL‘s superman QB seemingly lost his swagger wearing a Jets jersey too.

Prayers finally got answered.

Coach Rex Ryan publicly challenged big, bad Bill Belichick and his Patriots with such confidence his sanity was even questioned by Jets fans.

Days before the game, Jets ticket-holders each received a surprising voicemail from this new coach. Ryan asked the fans to once again, not only cheer louder than ever but to believe again.

Mission accomplished.

For the Colts, advice is they better listen to Ryan.

Ryan and his Jets have heart and nowhere to go but up. As the world watched in 2007, that is the recipe for champions.


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NFL: A Lady's Predictions

Posted by on 16 January 2010, 12:48 pm

Warner, Farve, Lewis, LT, Brees, P. Manning and the Jets. Regardless if your team is playing or not, the match-ups are all dramatic in their own right.

With the games just hours away, NFL fans everywhere cannot help their anticipation.

Here are my playoff picks:
(picks have been carefully picked by both fact and emotion)

Arizona Cardinals vs. New Orléans Saints – Saturday @4:30pm

This game will be a battle where the running games on both sides will be the deciding factor. Both Warner and Brees will pass and be successful at it. Warner is tough, again and Brees tends to struggle at the end of the season which he did again losing the last three regular season games. Brees needs to step it up for the Saints to have a chance and be the Brees from before Christmas.

If Beanie Wells (RB) can get by the Saints defense and put some solid yards on the board and presuming the defense can have another good week, Cardinals will win by a field goal.

GAME: Arizona Cardinals

Baltimore Ravens vs. Indianapolis Colts – Saturday @8:15pm

Manning vs. Lewis but for Baltimore to win safety Ed Reed will have to back Lewis by picking off the pass. Baltimore is hot and needs to start with he same dominance as against the Pats. LB Terell Suggs did not play in the regular season game against the Colts and if he can get to Manning the Colts will be in trouble.

Payton Manning is the main cause for the Colts as their defense, who needed the rest is ranked 24th in running defense and Ray Rice will blast by them if they are not perfect. Payton has not fared well in the playoffs when the Colts are not the Wild Card but history is in the past but it can affect a player’s mentality for the future.

Since I have said from being of the season, the Ravens will make the Super Bowl.
GAME: RAVENS

Dallas Cowboys vs. Minnesota Vikings – Sunday @1pm

Look, my emotions factor in because I am a NYG fan. Obviously, I cannot stand anything Dallas and I think Romo is over-rated.

Regardless, Brett Favre is better than Tony Romo. Favre should tire out the defense by giving the ball to Adrian Peterson and Chester Taylor. Favre cannot get all fancy or start throwing it up for interceptions but the same goes for Romo too.

I have always said that the Cowboys need to run the ball more and then they will win. It worked last week against the Eagles and it is just far more reliable than Romo’s arm. Dallas is on the road which takes the pressure of 100,000+ screaming in your face and the teams seems to enjoy the lack of attention in other stadiums, pressure is off if they lose (till they get back to Dallas).

With Marion Barber coming off an injury, he did practice and is tough as nails of an RB. Barber back-ups are Felix Jones and Tashard Choice which give the Cowboys a three-headed monster that can exhaust any defense.

This will be a RB war and even with Peterson, with Barber healthier Dallas has a slight edge. This one is a close call.
GAME: VIKINGS

San Diego Chargers vs. New York Jets – Sunday @4:40pm

J-E-T-S, the most inspiring underdogs with a coach who has so much heart, you gotta love him. Rex Ryan is the answer the team and Jets fans finally found.

Heading into San Diego, where the Chargers have been quietly dismantling opponents, the Jets have the overall disadvantage. Mainly due to QB Mark Sanchez only being in his first season. Sanchez is great in his first year in NFL but he reminds me of Eli his first year or two. Sanchez needs to hand-off the football to the running game because interceptions need to be avoided at all costs.

The Jets offense can control themselves against the Charger defense. The question remains if the Jets Defense can cover San Diego’s Phillip Rivers and his arsenal of weapons.

The Jets have the #1 defense for a reason but Chargers TE Antonio Gates will be the difference maker because the Jets have to figure out who and how the D is going to cover him. Chargers WR Vincent Jackson will have his hands fill with the NFL’s best cornerback Darrelle Revis all over him. This frees up Gates and lets not forget about Darren Sproles, the LT Electric Glide, Legedu Naanee and Malcolm Floyd (aka. M-80 for his acrobatic moves at the height of 6’5).
GAME: CHARGERS


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