Peyton Manning: Fame or Failure?

Peyton Manning has been a hot topic of discussion in break rooms, at water coolers, with friends, with strangers, on sports news, and during in game commentaries for years. There’s been talk about how great a quarterback he is and arguments about how he chokes during the biggest games of his career. Anyone who supports him will talk about his records and highlights while all those that criticize him point to each of his losses in the Playoffs and his failure to achieve a Super Bowl victory. However, it is this writer’s opinion that a game victory is a team achievement, while records reflect the statistics of the player. Regardless of whether Peyton Manning ever achieves a Super Bowl Victory he will most certainly be admitted into the Hall of Fame as one of the greatest Quarterbacks in history.

Peyton Manning has been shattering records since he set foot on a college football field. In 1994, Manning began playing for the University of Tennessee Volunteers during his freshman year. By his sophomore year he had already started to set team records, setting the single season passing yardage record after throwing for 2,954 yards. In 1996, he not only passed his own single season passing record with 3,287 yards, but he also set a new single game passing record with 492 yards. Completing his final year as a senior in Tennessee, Peyton Manning continued to out do himself again by resetting the single game passing record with 523 yards and the Season record with 3,819 yards. He even shattered Andy Kelly‘s (1988-91) and Heath Shuler’s (1991-93) tie of 36 career touchdowns, by finishing his college career with a record smashing 89 passing touchdowns. Peyton Manning left Tennessee holding 2 NCAA, 7 SEC, 33 Tennessee, 10 season, and 7 game records to highlight his college career.

In 1998, the Indianapolis Colts chose to take Peyton Manning as the #1 overall pick in the NFL draft and have been rewarded with one of the best quarterback careers in history. Seemingly without missing a beat, Peyton Manning has continued to break records consistently during his nine year NFL career. He currently holds 10 individual, 5 rookie, and 3 QB-WR tandem NFL records and also has 12 Colts team records, and has received numerous accolades including the 2003 Co-MVP with Steve McNair, 2004 MVP, 2005 Pro Bowl MVP, 2003 and 2004 Bert Bell Award, and several Player of the week and month awards. His team records include Most Passes (575), most completions (326), most yards gained (3,739), and most touchdowns (26) in a rookie season among many other game and season records. Some of his NFL records consist of seven 4,000+ yard seasons, six consecutive 4,000+ yard seasons, nine consecutive seasons with 25+ touchdown passes, 49 touchdowns in one season, season passer rating of 121.1, and 4 games with perfect passer ratings(most of any QB since the rating was created in 1973). With the possibility of several years left in his career, it is possible that Manning will continue to break several more career and season records before his retirement.

It seems that no matter how many records Peyton Manning continues to break, critics continue to concern themselves over Manning’s lack of a Super Bowl title. They often refer to the career of Dan Marino of the Miami Dolphins, pointing to all the records that Mario set, but his own failure to achieve the greatness that comes with the status of a Super Bowl victory; However, Marino has been inducted into the Hall of Fame, and anyone with a little knowledge about football can tell you who Marino was or at least recognize his name in a conversation. Super Bowl victories are the goal and dreams of every player in the NFL, and recognize great teams for their crowning achievement, but not every player on a Super Bowl team is worthy of fame status. Winning a Super Bowl doesn’t gain admittance into the Hall of Fame. Although winning a Super Bowl would help compliment Manning’s stellar career as an NFL Player, his admittance into the Hall of Fame is what will set him aside as one of the greats in NFL history. Regardless, of his success in the Super Bowl, Manning’s record breaking career has already propelled him into greatness. His spectacular play and athleticism on the field has him destined for the Hall of Fame where he will be a legend among legends.

Silver Dragon

Silver Dragons Super Bowl XLI Pick

Super Bowl XLI – Miami, Fl
Dolphin Stadium
February 4, 2007 @ 6:25pm EST



Indianapolis Colts Vs Chicago Bears

The Line – Colts -7 / Bears +7 Over/Under 49.5

The Colts and the Bears will both be making the trip to South Florida to tan in the bright lights of the camera crews and take the center stage in the biggest game of the NFL. Miami is geared up and ready to receive this honor. I know first hand as I have been witness to the preparations for this monumental event. The next two weeks leading up to the game will be filled with a buzz as teams fly in and make their own preparations for the Super Bowl. So with all this excitement, and all this hype, who is going to take the field with confidence? Who is going to have doubts? Who hang their head in defeat at the sound of the final whistle, and who is going to hoist that Vince Lombardi Trophy high above their heads in conquest?

The Colts

Ranked #3 in overall offense the Indianapolis Colts has been able to average 274.8 passing yards per game (2nd) and 110.1 rushing yards per game (18th). Their defense has been a changed crew as their #17 overall defensive ranking becomes deceiving. Averages say they have been allowing 169.1 passing yards per game (2nd) and 173.0 atrocious rushing yards per game (32nd); However, the Colts rush defense has been transformed in the playoffs holding Chiefs Larry Johnson to 32 rushing yards, Ravens Jamal Lewis to 53 rushing yards, and Patriots Corey Dillon to 48 rushing yards. On the offensive side of the ball Joseph Addai emerged against the Chiefs with 122 rushing yards on 25 attempts and a TD. Adam Vinatieri proved to be a huge pickup going 5 for 5 on field goals against the Ravens with a longest kick at 51 yards. Then Peyton Manning himself rose to defeat his arch nemesis Tom Brady and the Patriots by throwing 27 completions on 47 attempts for 349 yards and a touchdown.

The Bears

Ranked # 16 in overall offense the Chicago Bears have averaged 215.4 passing yards per game(15th) and 119.9 rushing yards per game (15th). The defense that has dominated several opponents, including the #1 ranked offensive Saints, has been ranked # 5 overall. They have allowed 211.8 passing yards per game (11th) and a stingy 99.4 rushing yards per game (6th). Dominating their way into the #1 seed in the NFC, the Bears enjoyed a first round bye before stepping into the playoff battle. The defense took a slow start against the Seahawks, giving up 108 rushing yards and two touchdowns to Shaun Alexander, but holding Matt Hasselbeck to a mere 195 yards and stealing one interception. The sleeping bear was awaken from hibernation in the NFC Championship however, as they contained the Saints through most of the game before demolishing them in the fourth quarter. The Saints run game was nonexistent as Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush combined for only 37 rushing yards. The defense and special teams also recovered four turnovers in this one sided victory. Thomas Jones has been the stand out on the offensive side of the ball. He rushed for two touchdowns in both matchups rushing for 66 yards against the Seahawks and a more impressive 123 yards against the Saints.

The Showdown

That brings us down to the Super Bowl, Colts Vs Bears. Let’s get down to my predictions. Peyton Manning is flying high after overcoming his own personal demons to make this appearance. The Colts as a whole are determined to finish what they started. In their way, stand the Bears. They will not give this game to the Colts willingly, for they too are looking to finish their season as Champions. The question at hand is how will Peyton Manning’s offense stand up to the Bears defense? Quite honestly, I think he will hold up just fine. The Bears may have a fierce defense, but Manning has seen it before…and only a few weeks ago. Let us not forget that Peyton Manning was able to get enough yards against the #1 Ravens defense to allow Adam Vinatieri to pick them apart. I expect he will do the same against the Bears. The Colts will move the ball, and they will score against the Bears, but can the Bears offense respond in turn? Unfortunately for the Bears, I think the Colts #2 pass defense will haunt Rex Grossman for the full 60 minutes! This won’t go unnoticed by Lovie Smith as he will try to take the game out of Grossman’s hands and get Thomas Jones and Cedric Benson to establish a run game. To bad the Colts found their run defense.

Peyton Manning hoists the Vince Lombardi Trophy
Colts are World Champions!!!

Silver Dragon

Cinderella Saints

Seeing as how the Saints have made it to the NFC Championship game and could very well be on their way to the Super Bowl with a win over the Chicago Bears this weekend, I thought it would be interesting to take a look back to a thread I posted on the CBS message board back in September right after the they defeated the Falcons in week 3. I said they could go 10-6 in the regular season and be in the Playoffs...who would have guessed how close I was.

September 26, 2006 2:53 pm

Are the Saints for real? I, for one, am not ready to jump onto the Saints bandwagon, but after last night the NFL has to take notice. The 2000 season was the last time the Saints had a decent record in the NFL with a 10-6 record and a first place in the NFC West. It was also the last time they made a Playoff appearance. Since then they have gone 7-9 and 3rd in 2001, 9-7 and 3rd in 2002, 8-8 and 2nd in 2003 and 2004. Last year was the worst having gone 3-13 and placing last in the NFC South.

Can you blame the Saints for thier record last year? After Hurricane Katrina left devastation in New Orleans and all down the Gulf Coast. They were forced to play all their home games in distant stadiums. How can you have crowd support when your no where near your crowd? Their first home game was at the Giants Stadium. They called it a Saints home game, painted the field Saints, but the crowd noise was so obviously Giants! Not to mention that back home, homes where in ruins, families were seperated, and an entire string of communities were wiped out.

So here we are in 2006 and still New Orleans is still in disrepair. But the folks of New Orleans are beginning to show signs of life and the repair of the Superdome has only brought more excitement to the community. So the Saints start out the season 2-0 with victories over the Browns 19-14 and the Packers 34-27, but who notices? No one outside of Saints fans, these aren't considered big games or wins. In fact, everyone(and this does include me, I picked the Falcons)expected the Falcons powerful run offense to dominate the Saints. Sports journalist were heard saying all week the the perfect script would be for a Saints Victory, but they picked the Falcons to win feeling it a script that would never be written.

So where are we now?
Drew Brees threw 20/28 for 191 yards
Deuce McAllister had 19 carries for 81 yards/ 4 receptions for 13 yards
Reggie Bush had 13 carries for 53 yards/4 receptions for 19 yards
Devery Henderson had 2 receptions for 15 yards and 1 carry on the end around for an 11 yard TD!
Marques Colston had 7 receptions for 97 yards
and Joe Horn had 3 receptions for 47 yards
All while the Saints Defense held the Powerful Falcon Run game to 117 yards

Saints win 23-3 over the Falcons!!!

So what about the future of the Saints? Could this be a Cinderella year? All the Home games in New Orleans have sold out for the first time in team history! The Fans are in to it! Drew Brees was capable in San Diego with the Chargers, why not the Saints? McAllister looks good, drafting Bush was a huge positive, and Joe Horn has been of the injured list this year. If the Defense can stop Atlanta then they may have hope. So how do they look now? It's very possible they could beat the Panthers next week. Taking the Buccaneers may be easier than everyone thought at the beginning of the year. That's a possible 5-0 start!!! The Eagles will post the next big game on the schedule. Over the next three weeks, is it possible to build enough momentum to win that game, at home I might add?

So could the Saints be Superbowl bound? Well, maybe that's getting a little ahead of things. I wouldn't go that far yet. How about Playoff bound? Does that suddenly seem plausible? I think it's possible for the Saint to go 10-6 this year if thier momentum doesn't change...maybe even 12-4 if they can rise to the task of beating the Steelers and the Giants who are good, but looking a little shakey these last two weeks. Those are both away games too. What do you think? Cinderella Saints or another year for the New Orlean aints?

Silver Dragon

Silver Dragons Conference Champion ATS Picks

Alright, let's make this short and sweet, we already know who I'm picking SU, so let's see how the spread differs my picks.

Saints(+2) Vs Bears - I'm taking the Number One offense in the Saints to upset the tough defense of the Bears. I'm taking the Saints, taking the points, and expecting a straight out win! Saint in Super Bowl XLI.

Over/Under - 43.5 Under

Patriots(+3) Vs Colts - I've taken the Colts to win this game, but I would be crazy to think that it would be an easy win. This game runs down to the wire, and with the ball in Peyton Mannings hands, late in the fourth quarter he will run the clock down and set up Adam Vinatieri for the game winning field goal. Patriots cover the spread.

Over/Under - 47.5 Over

And that will wrap up this weeks ATS and over/under picks. Good luck everyone.

Silver Dragon

Silver Dragons Conference Champion Picks

And so now there are only four. As we look to the Conference Championships this Sunday, January 21, 2007 we can feel the tension mount in anticipation of Super Bowl XLI. Four teams, and only two will be allowed to advance. Only two can make the trip to Miami to battle it out for the covenanted Vince Lombardi Trophy. Only two. So who advances? Who goes home? Who will be standing on the sidelines waiting to take the field before game time and who will be watching it from their big screen at home? I know who I think will be there…who do you think will go?

AFC Championship

New England Patriots @ Indianapolis Colts
Peyton Manning and the Colts have had a continuing problem when faced with Tom Brady and the Patriots. Even in Manning’s best years he’s had issues defeating the Patriots. However, this year neither team seems to be the powerhouse they have been in the past, and I have to feel that the outcome is truly a toss up. So with that being said, and knowing the game will be hosted by the Colts in their undefeated RCA Dome, with a seemingly new and improved defense…I’m going for the home team.
Peyton Manning and Colts finally get that monkey off their back!!!

NFC Championship
New Orleans Saints @ Chicago Bears
Ok, so the Bears have a tremendously fantastic defense entering into the NFC Championship, but give the Saints their credit…they are sporting the NFL’s number #1 offense! With Drew Brees tossing the ball left and right to the likes of Marques Colston, Devery Henderson, and Reggie Bush this offense has been a fantastic this year. Add in the support of a combined running game with Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush, and I think the Saints have what it takes to get points up on the board against the Bears…but can the Bears get points up against the Saints? The Saints defense may not be as good as the Bears, but let’s face it, Rex Grossman has been just plain awful. I’m taking the Saints without a second thought.
Saints March their Cinderella season into the Super Bowl!!!

And there you have it folks, those are my picks for this years Conference Championship…We’ll be seeing the Indianapolis Colts face off against the New Orleans Saints this year from Miami, Fl.

Silver Dragon

Silver Dragons Divisional Playoff ATS

Ok, a quick run down of my calls against the spread. I see some close games this week.

Colts(+4) Vs Ravens - All these games are getting a little tougher to call. I've got the Ravens to win in this game. Thier defense will prove to be just enough to stop Peyton Manning. However, just enough means the Colts will cover.

Eagles(+6) Vs Saints - I've got the Saints marching on to victory in this game, but the Eagles have been hot. I'm not sure I can give six points, so I take the Eagles to cover.

Seahawks(+8.5) Vs Bears - Hmm, I see a pattern building here. I've picked all the home teams to win, but I'm picking all the road teams to cover...is that wise? At this point in the playoffs, I'm expecting all close games. Hawks cover. Due to the weather...I'm going to change this pick!!! I'm going to take the BEARS and I'm going to GIVE THE 8.5

Patriots Vs Chargers(-4.5) - Oh I'm gonna burn for that one. I had to break my pattern, and what better team to do it on than the Chargers. But to be giving 4.5 points to Tom Brady in the playoffs? I'm playing with fire.

Quick and simple. There it is.

Silver Dragon

Silver Dragons Divisional Playoff Picks

Just for anyone who would like to know, there has been a greater percentage of home teams losing during the wild card weekend in the years past. This of course means that the road teams have been in the habit of upsetting the home teams and sending them home for the season before they even have the chance to leave home! That was most certainly not the case this last week as the home teams dominated and went 4-0 in the Wild Card Weekend.

So let the countdown to the Divisional Playoffs begin! By the time I get this message posted we’ll be 119 hours and 31 minutes away from the first scheduled game time. Our AFC and NFC bye week winners have had their time to get ready and we’re all in at game time this weekend! So lets get down and dirty with this weekends Divisional Playoff Picks!!!

• Saturday, January 13, 2007

4:30pm on CBS
Indianapolis Colts @ Baltimore Ravens
This looks to be the first matchup of the season between these two teams. So there isn’t any past games to compare with. And where weather has played a factor with Peyton Manning in the past, it doesn’t look like Baltimore will get any severe weather to speak of at this time. In fact, current forecasts are showing 55 degrees, breezy and mild, and a low chance of rain. Sounds like a nice evening to me. So this matchup is going to come down head to head between two teams fighting for their spot in the AFC Championship game. Peyton Manning will find it hard to move the ball against the rough and tough defense of the Ravens. As a whole, this defense is perhaps the best defense in the NFL. Expect Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes to struggle for any yards they may gain and Reggie Wayne and Marvin Harrison will have to beat their covers in order to give Manning anything to work with. The big question this week will be Jamal Lewis. Can the Colts defense maintain the level of intensity they displayed against Larry Johnson? Or do they revert back to the weak run defense we have all come to know this year. If Jamal Lewis has a big game against this Colts defense, then this game is over and the Colts will miss the Big Game once again. As it stands however, I see the Home team with another win in this game.
Ravens spoil another year for Peyton Manning.

8:00pm on FOX
Philadelphia Eagles @ New Orleans Saints
This game has got my vote for matchup of the week. There are so many possibilities as the Eagles make the trip down to New Orleans. With Andy Reid finally deviating away from the dominate passing game the Eagles have know for years, Brian Westbrook is finally being given his shining moment in the spot light. Always a great running back, in my opinion, Westbrook has been overlooked for years because of his lack of carries. However, with Donovan McNabb out, Reid has began to call more rushing plays and Westbrook has caught fire! So with both the Saints and the Eagles ranked high in Pass Defense, but low in Rush Defense, this game looks to be a foot race to the endzone. Who can run faster? Brian Westbrook or Deuce McAllister? I’m giving the foot race to Brian Westbrook, but I don’t think I’m ready to give him the game. Even with the Eagles highly ranked pass defense, Drew Brees and his number one ranked pass offense will teeter this team over the edge as Marques Colston and Reggie Bush continue to light up the scoreboard.
Saints march on toward their Superbowl dream

• Sunday, January 14, 2007

1:00pm on FOX
Seattle Seahawks @ Chicago Bears
The Seahawks survived an amazing end to a fourth quarter that should have had them home on their couch watching the game this weekend instead of entering into Soldier Field, but that’s just the way the ball drops sometimes. The Bengals discovered it back in Denver several weeks ago, and now Tony Romo and the Cowboys have ended their season on it. So do the Seahawks think they can escape with another win against the Bears this weekend? The Bears defense has proven to be brutal at times this year and have been especially strong against the run. This could prove to be a problem for Shaun Alexander who is a great running back, but a little up and down since his return from injury this year. Only averaging 3.6 yards a carry this year, the Bears defense may be more than he can handle this week. So expect Matt Hasselbeck to struggle with his passing game if they are unable to establish a dominating run game. Hasselbeck has thrown for 18 TDs this year, but has countered that with 15 INTs. However, the Bears offense isn’t a shining star either as they enter into this week. Rex Grossman has just had some down right awful games this year and could very well end the Bears season on turnovers having already chalked up 20 INTs on the year. So if this game is going to be won by the home team, and I expect that it will be, it’s going to be done on the backs of the Bears Defense, but with a little help from the legs of Thomas Jones. This game will be close, and the scoring will be extremely low…that is if the Seahawks don’t turn the ball over a lot.
Bears advance to the next round

4:30pm on CBS
New England Patriots @ San Diego Chargers
The Patriots knew what it would take to defeat the Jets and played their game plan to the letter. Tom Brady cannot be overlooked in any game, especially in the post season. As much as I dislike the Patriots and can’t stand to see them in the playoffs once again, I can’t disrespect Brady. He is truly one of the greatest quarterbacks in the game! Without any true superstars to throw to down the field, Brady can make any receiver his target and make that receiver the star player for that day! Of course, with that being said, Brady is going to have to battle it out on the playing field with an extremely strong Chargers defense to keep pace with another super force of the NFL in LaDainian Tomlinson. LT has been a touchdown scoring machine this year as he has marked 28 TDs on the season. That’s four more touchdowns than Brady has thrown and LT doesn’t have the 12 INTs. Nope, I’m afraid that the Chargers have been ranked the number one team in the NFL for a reason, and winning at home has been what they do best. Brady is going to get picked this week, and LT is going to show the Patriots offense why he is the MVP this year.
Chargers Charge on the Superbowl

All times are Eastern Standard Time

And that wraps it up for this week’s Divisional Playoff games. I do realize that I have picked all home teams this week and being as how the home teams went 4-0 last week, this could be a recipe for disaster in my picks this week, but that is how I see them. Most all of these games could go the other way, but that’s why we enjoy making predictions so much. Good Luck to everyone this week.

Silver Dragon

Silver Dragons Wild Card Weekend ATS

Alright, I'm going to try to make this quick, and just for some extra giggles. I'm going to pick my over/under this week. That's something I haven't done this year.

• Saturday, Januuary 6, 2007
  

Chiefs(+7) @ Colts - Ok, I think this is going to be one of those down to the wire games. Peyton Manning will go off on the Chiefs defense, but Larry Johnson will run up and down the field on the Colts defense all day. Problem here is, Larry Johnson runs and runs and runs till he's worn out. Manning scores quick and hard then goes back to the bench to rest. Manning out lasts L.J. and wins in the final.


(Over 51) - Final score - Chiefs 30 - Colts 35

Cowboys(+3) @ Seahawks - Tony Romo steps back up to the plate and proves the Lions loss was just an off day for the Cowboys and a good day for Detriot. Terrell Owens gets the ball and has nothing to complain about...for right now anyway. Matt Hasselbeck isn't bad, but he isn't great either. Shaun Alexander has a 100+ rushing game, but it isn't enough to steal away with the win.

(Under 46.5) - Final score - Cowboys 24 - Seahawks 17

• Sunday, January 7, 2007
  

Jets(+8) @ Patriots - Patriots traveled to the Jets turf and won early in the season. Then the Jets traveled to the Patriots turf and they won. So here we are at round three and it's in Foxboro. However, this time I don't think Tom Brady and the Patriots will let the Jets steal away with the win. Jets play hard, and don't lie down. They cover the spread, but lose the game.


(Over 37.5) - Final score - Jets 20 - Patriots 24

Giants @ Eagles(-7) - On Dec 17, the Eagles travelled to play the Giants and defeated them by 14 points on thier home field. Now the Giants must travel to Philly and face this team again, and while they're hot as well. The Eagles have won 5 straight to get to this spot in the playoffs and I look for them to dismantle the confused and undiciplined Giants. Tiki Barber will have another 100+ game, but the blame game and inner turmoil amongst the Giants continues.

(Over 46.5) - Final score - Giants 27 - Eagles 38

It's going to be a high scoring weekend this week. Lots of action. Good luck to everyone.

Silver Dragon

In Remembrance of Darrent Williams

Thoughts and Prayers to the Williams Family

As Fans, tragedies like this touch our lives. Someone we've grown to know and love on your favorite team can almost seem like the loss of a good friend. However, we must keep perspective. Where we feel the pain and loss of a sports figure, someone we have loved to watch and cheer on the field, Rosiland Williams has lost her son. The child she gave birth to, cared for, clothed, feed, and raised. His family members have lost family, his friends have lost their companion. We all have the right to morn the lose of Darrent Williams. Just keep in mind, as a fan, imagine your pain x 100. That's what his friends are feeling. Imagine your pain x 1000, that's what his family is feeling. And no one feels the lose of a son more than his mother. We can't even begin to imagine her pain.


Darrent Williams, R.I.P., You were loved, and will be missed.


Rosiland Williams, my heart goes out to you. No mother should ever have to feel so much pain. May God ease your soul and help you find peace.


Silver Dragon

In Memory of Darrent Williams

My prayers go out to all his friends and family, they are surely the most effected by this tragedy. My thoughts also go out to the Bronco organization, it's a tragedy for the program, and I know without a doubt that his team mates were like family to him as well. I know his fans will mourn him. I am one of those. Suddenly, losing a game and playoff contention seems so trivial and unimportant.

R.I.P. Darrent Williams

Silver Dragon

Silver Dragons Wild Card Weekend Picks

The regular season is over and the post-season is upon us. In the AFC the San Diego Chargers and Baltimore Ravens will be enjoying their bye week as they await the winners of the Wild Card Weekend. On the NFC side, the bye week winners are the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints. All four teams are guaranteed their place in the Divisional playoffs as they rest up and prepare. So let’s turn our attention to the teams that will be battling it out this weekend to join them.

• Saturday, January 6, 2007

4:30pm EST on NBC
Kansas City Chiefs at Indianapolis Colts
Colts advance by a hair in this high scoring game.
The first thing that comes to my attention in this game is the Colts 8-0 record at home. In their dome, they are undefeated and looking to stay that way as they host the Chiefs. Peyton Manning will be on his best game, still hunting his elusive Superbowl appearance. The Colts offensive line will give Manning all day long in the pocket as he systematically picks apart the Chiefs pass defense. Joseph Addai and Dominic Rhodes will get their carries and between the two of them they may break the 100+ yard mark, but I wouldn’t guarantee it. Colts will dominate with their passing game. Don’t count out the Chiefs however. I said this game would be high scoring and I meant it. Look for a 30+ to 30+ game. Where Manning may take to the air all day against the Chief defense, Larry Johnson will shatter 100+ yards against the Colts horrible run defense and probably see the endzone himself about three times. Trent Green won’t see as much success. Having trouble at first with his passing game, it may open up for him late in the game when the Colts defense is sucked tight to the line of scrimmage in a desperate attempt to stop L.J.

8:00pm EST on NBC
Dallas Cowboys at Seattle Seahawks
Cowboys end Seahawks playoffs in their own home
On one hand, the Seahawks stumbled into the playoffs losing three in a row before finally taking a “W” in their last regular season game. Cowboys on the other hand, were looking as if they would have the NFC East before Philadelphia beat them on their home field. Then to follow it up with an awful loss to Detroit who dominated them in the final game of the regular season. On those notes, it made this game a tough one to pick. Neither team looked good finishing their final games. Tony Romo and the Cowboys #5 ranked passing offense should be able to advance the ball over the Seattle defense. If Terrell Owens shows up to play and not pout, the Cowboys should be able to take a lead that even Matt Hasselbeck and Shaun Alexander won’t be able to overcome.

• Sunday, January 7, 2007

1:00pm EST on CBS
New York Jets at New England Patriots
Patriots hold on for a victory
I honestly found this a hard game to pick. When the Patriots visited the Jets early in the season, they defeated the Jets 24-17. Later this year, the Jets came to Foxboro and defeated the Patriots 17-14. Now here we are, round three, back in Foxboro and the only deciding factor I can think of in this matchup is Tom Brady. I don’t like the Patriots, and would love to see them loss, but I’m no fool, I know a great Quarterback when I see one, and Brady is among the best on the field today. The Jets will throw Leon Washington at the Patriots run defense full force and Laveranues Coles and Jerricho Cotchery will look to make the big plays, but in the end I think Tom Brady will be just too much. Brady will find the receivers he needs and Corey Dillon will switch out with Laurence Maroney to establish a run game. That will be enough to finish with a victory.

4:30pm EST on FOX
New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles
Eagles advance over the Giants
After the Giants had stumbled and fell, they somehow find themselves in a playoff spot after winning their final regular season game against the Redskins. That’s reason to celebrate if you’re a Giants fan, but it will be a short lived celebration as the Giants must travel to Philadelphia to take on a red hot Eagles team. Even with their star studded team including Eli Manning, Tiki Barber, Plaxico Burress, and Jeremy Shockey just to name the offense, I don’t see how they could pull it together enough to defeat the Eagles. Undisciplined and unable to get their chemistry to mix without exploding, the Giants are a team that really needs to take a look at their organization this off season. Philadelphia on the other hand taken the bad news of Donovan McNabbs injury and turned it into old news. Jeff Garcia has taken the field by storm. His completion percent has been 61.7% as he’s thrown for 10 TDs and only 2 INTs. Brian Westbrook will continue to pound the yards away on the ground as Reggie Brown and Donte’ Stallworth make the big plays from the air. This one will be all Eagles, all day.

That concludes my Wild Card Weekend Breakdown. Let the Superbowl race begin!

Silver Dragon