Sure, both Tonight Show hosts have infinitely more hair than chrome-domers like Marty and I, but Sports Opinionated has the football predictive skills of Kim, Maria, and Norma. We’ve been trying to sign Triumph, but he’s holding out for more things to poop on.
As you probably read in Deep Outs this week, the writers went 7-5 last weekend and are now 11-13 overall. We’re not exactly proud of that number, but luckily the women who raised us went 5-7 last weekend and stand at 7-17 overall.
This weekend offers more thrills, spills and hopefully two correct picks for me, I need it.
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New York Jets @ Indianapolis -7.5
Ryan’s Perspective
This game has a ton of subplots and psychological factors that could impact the outcome. The Colts might really regret sitting their starters in week 16 if the Jets improbably knock them out the playoffs. This would be after also ruining their perfect season on questionable terms.
On the other hand, the Colts should be motivated to prove they can beat the Jets without a problem, rendering the undefeated debate meaningless.
I’ve spent all week pouring over this game. I had convinced myself that the Colts would win, but the Jets would keep it close. Then a few small pieces of information came together to convince me that the Jets could fall apart faster than Mark McGwire’s reputation.
1. The Bengals & Chargers missed 5 straight FGs against the Jets. That’s pure luck. It won’t continue.
2. Peyton Manning spreads the ball around better than any QB in the league. This limits the impact of the immortal Darelle Revis.
3. The Colts completely shut down the Ravens offense, which is very similar in design to the Jets defense.
4. The Ravens offense is WAY better than the Jets offense.
5. The Colts defence is 10 times scarier when they have a lead.
I’ll take the Colts despite giving up 7.5 points.
Pete’s Perspective
The Colts could have finished off the Jets weeks ago. That was the game Jim Caldwell took out the starters both on offence and defense. The Jets came back to win the game and destroy any hopes that the Colts had for having an undefeated season. That game helped the Jets squeak into the playoffs and left Caldwell being second-guessed by the media, fans and even some members of his own team.
This is where we find out if Jim Caldwell was right.
The goal of every team at the start of the season is to play for a chance at winning the Super Bowl. This weekend the Colts will take another step towards Miami. I have said in the past that the New York Jets seem like a good playoff team. Solid defense, good special teams, a great running attack and a great offensive line. All that being said, they have the tough task of playing the most cerebral quarterback in the NFL. I look to the Jets offence stuttering while facing a more versatile and complex defense (compared to previous Colts defenses) despite missing their 2 best defensive backs (Sanders & Jackson).I will be looking for plenty of Peyton Manning to Dallas Clark passes and Bethea, Hayden, Mathis and Freeney to confuse young Mark Sanchez and of course, look for more drops from Braylon Edwards. Braylon drops more pig skin than a slaughterhouse employee.
The Jets have served me well, helping me during the past 2 weeks. This, however, is where their run ends.
I’ll take Peyton and the Colts and give the 7 & ½ points.
Marty’s Perspective
Man o Man, this one is hard. Straight up, it’s a no brainer. I think the Colts win, and go on to fulfil their destiny as Super Bowl losers. But when you add 7.5 points into the mix, it makes it a whole 'nother ball game.
I look at what the Jets did last week, and compare the matchups. The Chargers have a tough time running the ball, and are a one dimensional offence. Wow, so are the Colts. Actually, the Colts are the only team in the NFL WORSE at rushing the ball than the Chargers were. On defence, the Chargers were good against the pass, but had trouble stopping the run. The Colts? Strong against the pass as well and here is the one difference....They are good against the run, too. Hmmmmm.....
Last week, the Chargers managed to stop the run for the first half, but the Jets just kept on running the ball....and eventually, it was what took the Jets to Indy.
Another difference: Even with the Jets strong defence, Manning has proven in the past he can dissect a defence like a surgeon. I mean, there is a reason why he is the best player in football today. (Damn, that hurt to say!)
For those reasons, this game is a TOUGHIE!
I told my mom last night I was taking the Jets, but I have changed my pick. I have to. I think the Colts win, and win big. I think Manning puts up 2 early scores, and the Jets are just not built to come back when trailing.
My Pick: Colts -7.5
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The Mom’s Perspective
Kim – The Jets. I picked them based on which team had warmer jersey colors.
Maria - Colts! Obviously. I am not interested in the Jets. I don’t know their players and I know a lot of Colts players. I have no time to discuss the (many) reasons why I am picking the Colts. No time.
Norma - I've kinda liked them all the way along. Manning is a pretty good QB, he has some good WRs. I don't think the Jets won last week, I think the Chargers lost.
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Minnesota @ New Orleans -3.5
Ryan’s Perspective
For starters, Sean Payton could outcoach Brad Childress even if he was only allowed 10 men on the field. I’ve rarely seen an offense so adept at exploiting the weaknesses of the opposing defense.
The Saints offense is the 5th most efficient passing and the most efficient running attack in the league. They can adapt to what the defense does poorly. In the Vikings case, their secondary can’t cover. The Saints could blow the top off the Superdome with an aerial display.
For those of you thinking the Vikings offense could do the same to New Orleans defense, think again. The team at Football Outsiders says their game charting shows Jabari Greer as the 2nd best cornerback in the league behind Revis. Greer will definitely be draped over Sidney Rice all game. The Saints also had the 9th best pass defense in the league according to DVOA.
The Saints run defence is definitely susceptible up the middle, but if the Vikings fall behind by more than 7 points, it won’t matter much.
Finally, if you haven’t heard the song Prince wrote for the Vikings, check it out here. The audio player is on the right.
That is the most uninspiring piece of audio garbage I’ve heard in a while. As my wife said when I played it for her, “that’s humiliating”. And she LOVES Prince. This can't be a good karmic sign for the Vikings.
All signs point against the Vikings making it to another big dance. I’ll take the Saints despite giving up 3.5 points.
Pete’s Perspective
The Vikings may (or may not) have ran up the score versus a peaking Cowboys team. I do love how Keith Brooking got mad at the Vikings for throwing that late touchdown, despite the Cowboys calling several time outs to preserve the clock. If you don’t want a team to play their hardest against you Keith, you should stop trying yourselves as well.
The Saints dominated the potent Cardinals and helped put to bed any concerns regarding their defense. Drew Brees and especially Mr. Kim Kardashian looked good in making the Cardinals look like terrible.
No doubt, this could be the game of the playoffs. Well, if it wasn’t for the Packers-Cardinals round 1 game.
The Vikings defense relies on getting pressure on the quarterback and stopping the run. Any team that can block Allen and co. will have a much easier time beating the Vikings. This is what the game will come down to: the Saints O-line vs. the Vikings D-line. The Saints don’t rely on the running game and as such the run-stopping Williams duo won’t factor into the game much.
I just can’t see the Saints O-line blocking effectively versus the terror that is Jared Allen and I think Favre and Co. will be even better this week.
Don’t you think Favre would have been a good fit for the city known as the Big Easy?
I’ll take the Vikings and the 3 & ½ points.
Marty’s Perspective
This one is a no brainer for me.
I find these two teams very equal. They both have great offenses, although the edge would go to the Saints just on the fact that, well, I like that offense more.
The Vikings have a D-Line that could stop a Mack truck in its place. The Saints have a D-backfield that will give up yards, but will also cause turnovers, and are known to just plain Hawk the ball...that right, they are ball hawks.
I consider special teams to be equal. Harvin and Bush are both equally dangerous.
Where the differences come in this game are in Coaching and Home Field Advantage, which both favour the Saints.
I would rather have a garden gnome coaching my team than Brad Childress. Sean Peyton has proven to be a mad scientist with his offense, and will have new formations and plays up his sleeve to give the Vikings fits. And when they connect on these plays, the top might just pop of the Superdome like it’s a bottle of diet Pepsi, and a Mentos breath mint was just dropped in. Not only do the Saints win, but they win big, and the loss is placed squarely on the shoulders of one Brett Favre. 31-14 Saints, 3 picks by Favre.
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The Mom’s Perspective
Kim – The Vikings. I picked them based on which team had warmer jersey colors.
Maria - I’ll pick the Saints because the Vikings got whipped last weekend, they lost last weekend. No wait, not the saints...uh I don't know. I am being pressured to pick the Vikings. What was the vikings vs saints game last weekend? What was the final score? I better look into this. Wait the Saints and Vikings both won last week...I then...obviously, will be pick the Vikings although the Saints have not lost at home.
Norma - I have to go with Favre. I believe he has come this far, he will go to the Superbowl. I sure hope his team is there to back him up.
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Final Words
Here is a summary of our picks
Hopefully the games this weekend will be more entertaining than Chad Ochocinco’s bus trip. I’m still disappointed I didn’t get picked for the ride.
Many of the stats in this article are derived from the publicly available and premium database statistics at FootballOutsiders.com, NFL.com and ColdHardFootballFacts.com
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