Trace Adams 1/9
1500* - Cincinnati Bengals,
500* - Philadelphia Eagles,
500* - Minnesota Golden Gophers
You can't say that last Sunday night's 37-0 blanking the Jets laid on the Bengals doesn't mean anything, but I honestly don't think it is indicative of what is going to happen on Saturday in Cincinnati.
For me, this game bolis down to two things; # 1- Rookie Quarteback, # 2 - The Road!
You can go on all you want about how the Jets will minmize Mark Sanchez' passes in this game, and how the Jets defense will be the difference, but eventually Sanchez is going to have to throw the pigskin, and I just don't see him engineering a road win in his first playoff start in a hostile environment.
Keep in mind that the Jets closed the season with wins over a pair of teams that mailed it in for the year, in the Colts and the Bengals. You will see a different Cincy team this afternoon in their 1st playoff game since Carson Palmer blew out his knee back in the 2005 season at home against Pittsburgh.
The Bengals have won their last 5 home games, and 6 of 8 overall this season, and while they are on a 1-6 overall spread slide, and a 3-5 home spread slide this year, this is the lowest price they have been asked to cover all season long, and I just don't see them losing this game.
Cincy has been through an awful lot this season with the deaths of Chris Henry, and the loss of defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer's wife. You can assume that all of that emotion is going to be channeled in a positive way today for the Bengals.
The Jets did well to make the postseason, today the reality sets in.
Take the Bengals minus the short chalk.
1500♦ - Cincinnati Bengals
Lest you think that a team that sweeps the regular season pair of games cannot win for a third time in the same season, 12 of the 19 times the scenario has presented itself, the hat trick has been completed. In fact, Pittsburgh won all 3 last season against Baltimore en route to winning the Super Bowl.
That fact bodes well for the Cowboys on Saturday night hosting the Eagles, but with Dallas having not won a playoff game since 1996, and with Philadelphia knowing the route to the championship game oh so well, I don't think it is going to be smooth sailing for the 'Pokes this evening at home.
I do think Dallas is going to eek out the win, but covering the impost is not going to happen.
If you ask me, no team is more dangerous in the NFC than the peaking Cowboys, but I don't see them pitching a 3rd straight shutout.
Philly did not maximize their patented blitzes in last week's loss, so you can assume they will try and rattle Romo's cage with a wide variety of their blitz packages in this one.
The first meeting between the teams saw Dallas win it 20-16 on November 8th in Philadelphia, I think this game will more resemble the first meeting than last last week's 24-0 beatdown.
Eagles plus the points as this game is decided by a field-goal tops.
500♦ - Philadelphia Eagles
One college hoops release for ya, as I like Minnesota to rebound from the beating Purdue put on them earlier this week in West Lafayette.
Minnesota is a perfect 9-0 at the Williams Arena, and 5-2 against the spread in their lined home games. I expect them to take advantage of an Ohio State team that has not been able to get much going in the absence of guard Evan Turner who is sidelined with a back injury.
The Buckeyes are just 4-3 straight up their last 7, and only 1-6 against the spread in that span!
The home team has won the last 4 series meetings, and 6 of the last 7 overall. With Minnesota looking so strong at home this year, no hesitation in laying the points with the Golden Gophers here.
500♦ - Minnesota Golden Gophers
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