Archive for January, 2010

A Little Bracketology: Lunardi Has His, I Have Mine (1/26/10)

 

MIDWEST (St. Louis)                                                                                                                 

 

1.  Kentucky (SEC)

16.Campbell (Asun)

 

8. California (PAC 10)

9. Northern Iowa (MVC)

 

4. Temple (A10)

13. Louisiana Tech (WAC)

 

5. Connecticut (Big East)

12. St. Mary’s (WCC)

 

6. Ole Miss (SEC)

11. Dayton (A10)

 

3. Kansas State (Big 12)

14. Pacific (Big West)

 

7. Oklahoma State (Big 12)

10. North Carolina (ACC)

 

2. West Virginia (Big East)

15. Maine (AM East)

 

EAST (Syracuse)

 

1. Villanova (Big East)

16. Morgan State (MEAC)

 

8. Missouri (Big 12)

9. UAB (Conf USA)

 

4. Gonzaga (WCC)

13. Richmond (A10)

 

5. Wake Forest (ACC)

12. Cornell (IVY)

 

6. Georgia Tech (ACC)

11. Siena (MAAC)

 

3. Wisconsin (Big 10)

14. Oakland (Summit)

 

7. New Mexico (MWC)

10. Cincinnati (Big East)

 

2. Texas (Big 12)

 15. Coastal Carolina (Big South)

 

SOUTH (Houston)

 

(Big 12) Kansas 1.

(NEC) Quinnipiac 16.

 

(A10) Xavier 8.

(SEC) Mississippi State 9.

 

(Big East) Pittsburgh 4.

(OVC) Murray State 13.

 

(MWC) BYU 5.

(ACC) Maryland 12.

 

(SEC) Vanderbilt 6.

(CAA) Old Dominion 11.

 

(Big East) Georgetown 3.

(MAC) Central Michigan 14.

 

(ACC) Clemson 7.

(MWC) UNLV 10.

 

(Big 10) Michigan State 2.

(SLAND) Texas AM CC 15.

 

WEST (Salt Lake City)

 

(Big East) Syracuse 1.

(Patrio) Lafayette 16.

 

(ACC) Florida State 8.

(Big 12) Texas AM 9.

 

(SEC) Tennessee 4.

(Southern) Charleston 13.

 

(Big 10) Ohio State 5.

(Big East) Seton Hall 12.

 

(Big 12) Baylor 6.

(SEC) Florida 11.

 

(Big 10) Purdue 3.

(Big Sky) Weber State 14.

 

(Horizon) Butler 7.

(A10) Rhode Island 10.

 

(ACC) Duke 2.

(Sun Belt) Arkansas State 15.

LAST 4 IN- Florida, St. Mary’s, Seton Hall, Richmond

LAST 4 Out- Louisville, Charlotte, San Diego State, Arizona State

NEXT 4 Out- Wichita State, Minnesota, Northwestern, Notre Dame

NEXT 4 Out- Illinois, Texas Tech, Tulsa, Utah State

2010
01/26
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Championship Sunday 09 Preview Podcast

Check it out!  I preview the two games at the links below.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4bmEbrjmGP4 (PART 1) AFC Championship- Jets at Colts

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NvBAPw8ML1w (PART 2) NFC Championship- Vikings at Saints

2010
01/25
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2009 NFL Divisional Playoffs- NY Jets at San Diego

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2010
01/17
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2009 NFL Division Playoffs- Dallas at Minnesota

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2010
01/17
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2009 NFL Divisional Playoffs: Baltimore at Indianapolis

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2010
01/16
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2009 NFL Divisional Playoff: Arizona at New Orleans Try #2

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2010
01/16
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2009 NFL Divisional Playoffs- Arizona at New Orleans

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2010
01/16
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Wild Card Preview- Eagles at Cowboys

With the division on the line last weekend, the Cowboys dominated in a 24-0 shutout of the Eagles.  Dallas swept the season series 2-0.

  Andy Reid has never lost on Wild Card Weekend and the Cowboys have not won a playoff game since 1996.

Cowboys Rush Offense vs. Philadelphia Run Defense

 The Eagles don’t run the ball much.  Dallas is 4th in the NFL against the run.  The Eagles will have to make a decision to start Westbrook or McCoy.  Westbrook doesn’t seem like he’s ready to go in my opinion.  McCoy and fullback Leonard Weaver ran the ball well in the Eagles six game-winning streak without Westbrook.

 Nose tackle Jay Ratliff is an excellent run stuffer.  He is constantly occupying blocker, and his effort is relentless.  It will be interesting to see how the Eagles will control him.  Center Jamal Jackson was lost for the season in week 16 against Denver.  Jackson is a very underrated center, and the Eagles missed him last week as Ratliff was causing havoc in the backfield all day long.

 Advantage- Cowboys

 Cowboys Rush Offense vs. Philadelphia Run Defense

 Dallas uses the trio of Marion Barber, Felix Jones and Tashard Choice.  Barber is the physical back, Jones brings speed and Choice is a solid receiver in the backfield.  The Boys love running on the right side of the offensive line.  Pro-bowl center Andre Gurode and mammoth right guard Leonard Davis leads them on the offensive line.  Right tackle Doug Free has been just fine filling in for an injured Marc Polumbo.

 On defense the Eagles stuff the run with defensive tackles Mike Patterson and Broderick Bunkley.  The Birds rank 9th against the run.  They and the rest of the Eagles defense has to do better than the 179 rushing yards they gave up last week against Dallas

 Advantage- Push  

 Eagles Pass Offense vs. Cowboys Pass Defense

 Wide receiver Desean Jackson is one of the most explosive players in the NFL.  He tied an NFL record with 8 touchdowns over 50 yards.  Rookie Jeremy Maclin has talent, but he’s been somewhat inconsistent.  The two guys to look at are wr Jason Avant and te Brent Celek.

 Donovan McNabb has been the “Daddy Bird” at the quarterback position with all the young talent at wide receiver.  Mcnabb average just over 250 yards per game and has 22 passing touchdowns on the season.

 Mike Jenkins has emerged as a great compliment to Terrance Newman at the cornerback position.  Jenkins is a solid cover guy and Newman has been his consistent self.  The key will be to contain Jackson underneath; don’t let him beat you deep.

 DeMarcus Ware is one of the best 3-4 outside linebackers in football.  One of the premier individual match-ups in this game is left tackle Jason Peters matched up against Ware.

 Advantage- Eagles

 Cowboys Pass Offense vs. Eagles Pass Defense

 Philadelphia, in my opinion, has the best cornerback tandem in the NFL with Sheldon Brown and Asante Samuel.  The pro-bowler Samuel loves to jump routes; he’s tied for the NFL interception lead with 9.  Brown doesn’t take as many risks, but he is a very stout cover corner.      

 Miles Austin has emerged as the number 1 wide receiver in Dallas.  The pro-bowler had 81 receptions for 1,320 yards and 11 touchdowns.  Roy Williams has been a disappointment after being acquired in a trade with the Detroit Lions.  When it’s all said and done, Williams is a very solid 2.

 The Eagles linebackers have struggled against opposing tight ends all day long.  Dallas tight end Jason Witten is one of the premier pass catching tight ends in football.  He should have a field day.

 Pro-Bowl right defensive end Trent Cole is one of the best pass rushers in football.  Defensive coordinator Sean McDermott must figure out a way to get to quarterback Tony Romo with his variety of blitz packages.

 Romo has been magnificent for the Cowboys this season, especially in December where he has been criticized in the past.  Romo is not taking as many chances as he used to, thus not turning the ball over.

 Advantage- Push

 WHO WINS?

 I like Philadelphia, although Dallas has won the two meetings during the regular season.  Jackson will have a huge game, and I think the Eagles defense will find a way to get to Romo.

 Prediction- EAGLES 30-24

2010
01/09
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Wild Card Preview- Jets at Bengals

 

Less than a week ago, the Bengals were shut-out by the Jets 37-0.  Palmer was just 1-11, 0 yards passing.  Of course, the Jets were playing for everything, a wild-card spot in the playoffs.  The Jets rank first in the NFL in total defense; opponents average just 252.3 yards per game. 

 Both teams rely on running the football.

 Bengals Run Offense vs Jets Run Defense

 The Bengals rank 9th in the NFL in rushing; the Jets defense is 8th in the NFL against the run.  The only 100 yard rusher the Jets have allowed all year has been Maurice Jones-Drew of the Jaguars.  He had 122 yards on the ground in a week 10 matchup against New York.  Mamouth nose-tackle Kris Jenkins was lost for the year in November, but Sione Piouha has been just fine filling in for Jenkins.  The huge key is MLB David Harris, he is questionable.  He is the best tackler on defense

Benson has rushed for over 100 yards twice against the Ravens, and once against the Packers.  Baltimore was 5th against the ground game, and Green Bay was 1st.  To Green Bay’s credit, Benson’s total came in week 2.  Cincinnati has to get the run game going to win the game, it’s that simple.

 Advantage- Push

 Jets Run Offense vs Bengals Run Defense

 The Jets in my opinion have the best offensive line in football.  They rank 1st in rushing offense at 172.2 yards per game.  They are led by center Nick Mangold and guard Alan Faneca.  The rushing attack is led by Thomas Jones, although rookie Shonn Green has been getting some meaningful carries in the 2nd half of the season.

 The Bengals rank 7th in the NFL in rushing.  Domata Peko will return at defensive tackle after missing the last couple of weeks.  Peko is the best player on the defensive line.  With Peko out of the lineup the past 4 weeks, opponents rushed for over 100 yards in 3 of the 4 weeks.

 Advantage- Jets

 Bengals Pass Offense vs Jets Pass Defense

 The matchup of the game is obviously Chad Ocho-Cinco vs Darrelle Revis.  Revis is a shut-down corner, and he may be the best in the league.  What he’s done this season shutting guys down like Moss, Owens and Andre Johnson has been extraordinary.  Right now, there is a class of three when it comes to the cornerback position; Revis, Asomugha and Bailey.  Revis is one of the main reasons why the Jets rank 1st in the NFL against the pass.  They allow a slim 153.7 yards per game. 

 If Ocho-Cinco is shut down, either Andre Caldwell or Laveranues Coles will have to step-up.  Cincinnati is 26th in the NFL in passing offense.  Carson Palmer will have to be smart with the football.  

 Another match-up to look at is Calvin Pace matched up against Andre Whitworth.  Pace led the Jets in sacks with 8.  It will also be interesting to see how the rest of the line will fare against the ferocious blitz packages designed by Rex Ryan.

 Advantage- Jets

 Jets Pass Offense vs Cincinnati Pass Defense

 Cincinnati has one of the best cornerback tandems in the league with Leon Hall and Jonathen Joseph.  Both had 6 interceptions a piece.  Chinedum Ndukwe is one of the most underrated strong safeties in the league.

 Expect rookie Mark Sanchez to not take too many chances with the football.  I feel that Dustin Keller will be the key receiver in the game.  He will be running underneath allowing Sanchez to make some easy completions.

 Braylon Edwards has been somewhat disappointing during his short tenure with the Jets.  Acquired during the season, Edwards is still having a case of the drops.

 Advantage- Bengals   

 WHO WINS?

 Whoever runs the football better will win this game.  The other factor is Sanchez.  As long as the Jets don’t turn the ball over, they should go into Cincinnati and come away with a win.

 PREDICTION- JETS 16-13

2010
01/09
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