my first blog, playoffs

Well, here it is, my first blog... and I am going to talk about the NFL playoffs, just because they start Saturday and I am not sure what else to talk about... Most of the time I will probably talk about science, scuba diving, marine life, etc, but I will also be talking about sports from time to time, especially during the football playoffs and baseball season ( I no longer follow basketball since the knicks got rid of all my favortie players, and hockey, well is hockey)...

DISCLAIMER: I am no expert, these are my opinions, please keep in mind and dont take anything I say and use it for personal reasons (ie gambling)...

So here it is, this weekends matchups... In the AFC we have Jacksonville at New England and Pittsburg at Cincinatti... First, I will say that I hate the Patriots... And I don't really know what it is... I just plain down like them... I rooted for them when they played the Rams, but then they kept winning... I guess I hate teams that win all the time and always root for the underdogs... And maybe its that they don't have any rock-star personalities, basically I DON'T LIKE THE NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS... that said, they should beat the Jaguars... not just bc its a warm weather team playing in cold, cold foxboro, but because maybe Byron Leftwich shouldn't be playing, hes good, but this guy Garrard has been playing well... and I just don't think they can hack it against the Pats, as much as don't want them to win... in the other game... its hard to call... the Bengals played and showed they can at least keep up with the best (the shootout at the colts, and theey did beat the Steelers in Pitt)... But Pitt woke up and played their physical style of football, one that the Bengals couldn't handle in the first game... the question here is can the Steelers secondary hold up against the Bengals recievers and can their line get to Palmer... I say yes, and as long the Steelers establish the running game early, this will be a no contest... it will be close, and I think the Steelers will prevail... so this weekend the AFC the Pats and the Steelers both win

Thee NFC is also a tough call... The Skins play at Tampa Bay... the Redskins have been playing good football of late (their defense incredible and Clinton Portis pounding in the running game)... while Tampa has played fairly well all season they did have a few letdowns and I don't think Simms is ready for the playoffs... he will be good for sure, but I think the Skins take this one, much as I'd hate to say it... Now to the Giants-Panthers... First I will say it here, I am a bleed blue and red Giants fan... and perhaps my take on this game will be biased, but all opinions are biased to I don't really care... The Giants have tons of question marks, and the Panthers have a good D... but the Giants will win this in a close game, here is why... Despite Pierce still being out, the Panthers do not have a very good running game, and the safeties won't have to play up as much to protect against the run... which means they can double up on Smith and hopefully prevent the big game that receivers have had against them the last two weeks... Delhomme throws a good number of picks as well, and with a poor running game, the front four of the Giants will be able to bring the pressure, especially Strahan who is more determined than ever and Umenyiora will eat him up... their offense is the question mark here... Manning is probably not ready for the playoffs either, but as long as they establish Tiki early ( who should have been the MVP) and Manning gets one big play to anyone early, it will set the tone, give him confidence and get the crowd involved... And remember the Giants never lose at home... it will be close but the G-men come out on top... so the NFC east prevails this weekend, SKins and Giants...

Tune in next week to see if I was right or not...