Disclosure: The only reason I’m propping my pick is that I’ve been abysmal all year in predicting the correct final score. Just ask PF24X7 owner/operator extraordinaire Tony Lombardi. In fact, just ask Tony what I’m picking the score to be this week. He already knows.
The Fins indeed had no answers for the Ravens D, which just destroyed their game plan. In fact, the Ravens single-handedly transferred the New York debate about Chad Pennington’s talents to Miami. Just like in the Jacksonville game, the Ravens let the Dolphins keep it close early, then, slowly and inexorably, pulled away. The game was over by half time. Here are my Studs and Duds for the week.
Studs
The Defense caused 3 sacks, 4 picks, a fumble, and too many quarterback knockdowns and hurries to count. The Ravens D has a new nickname, courtesy of Fox Sports’ Jason Whitlock – “Perfect Storm.”
Ed Reed: If Derrick Mason is the Ubermensch, what do you call Ed? Simply put, right now, the best ever at his position.
Offensive Line: The Dolphins never laid a glove on Joe Flacco all day. The line pounded the Dolphins until they broke on the Willis McGahee run. Added bonus: Joey Porter was quiet.
Special Teams: Matt Stover made two field goals, and the teams defended their kicks offs and punts well. They also did the very unusual – blocking an extra point. Put all that together with Sam Koch’s 2 punts inside the 5, the Dolphins never had decent field position.
(Minor) Duds
Joe Flacco was Joe Average all day. He was 9 for 23 and threw some really bad balls that should never have left his hands. His QB rating was 59. But…he didn’t get sacked and didn’t get intercepted.
Cam Cameron: Cam had an off game with his play calling, particularly in the early 4th quarter. What was with the long passes, when possession plays would take more time off the clock? It gave the Dolphins a chance to wear down the Ravens in the Florida heat.
Predictions – Divisional Playoff Edition
1) Arizona Cardinals at Carolina Panthers (-10): They say bad things happen in threes. Let’s see…. NFC West team performs poorly on the road. NFC West team comes to the East Coast where their record is even worse. NFC West team plays rested NFC South juggernaut. Uh Oh! I smell a rout.
Panthers 31, Cardinals 13.
2) San Diego Chargers at Pittsburgh Steelers (-6): First of all, props to the Chargers for taking Ravens’ killer Peyton Manning out of the playoffs. I must have had a brain cramp last week when I picked the Indy Irsays to beat the Bolts. Now for this week.
Darren Sproles gained 328 all purpose yards against the Dolts. Great, but the 5’6” Sproles won’t gain a quarter of that against the league’s best defense and special teams. And I’m not even factoring in the Pittsburgh weather. LaDanian Tomlinson is hurt and probably won’t play. No, L.T., no chance. See # 1.
Steelers 28, Cardinals 10
3) Philadelphia Eagles at New York Giants (-4): With the exception of the Redskins game, the Iggles have been Spot On lately. Philadelphia has played the Giants tough in both matches, and knows how to beat the G-Men at home. This is my upset special.
Eagles 17, Giants 13.
4) Baltimore Ravens at Tennessee Titans (-3): The Rodney Dangerfield of the NFL gets no respect. Joe Flacco – no votes for rookie of the year. John Harbaugh – no votes for coach of the year; Ed Reed finishes 3rd in balloting for defensive player of the year.
Who cares at this point? Really?
Two of those “winners” are now home, watering their house plants. We’re in the playoffs.
The Ravens defense will lock down the Titans’ running game and force Kerry Collins to win in the air. It won’t happen. The Ravens offense will pound the out-of-shape middle of the Titans line to allow the Three –Headed Monster to peel off a couple of long runs in the 4th quarter. Derrick Mason will make the Titans sorry they waived him. Titans’ fans are still grinding their teeth over the 2001 playoff loss. The grinding will continue Saturday night.
This isn’t an upset. It’s destiny…….
Ravens 20, Titans 13.
The Festivus Continues……
