NFL International Game

It looks like I’m not going to attend the game between the San Diego Chargers and the New Orleans Saints at Wembley Stadium. The day of the game is also the start of Citrix Summit in Orlando, FL. And although my attendance has yet to be confirmed, it’s likely I’ll have to be there. So probably no first NFL game for me, which is too bad. So in the near future I’ll be looking for someone to buy those tickets.

Going to Florida again also has some good points. The first is that I’ll be meeting my co-workers and friends again. And second, another trip to Newport might be sooner than I planned. And having a chance to meet Kristen again always beats going to a NFL game (although going to a game with Kristen would be even better).

 

My NFL Playoffs prediction

With the regular season done, it’s time to do a little prediction for the playoffs. I haven’t seen any recent games, so I have to rely on journalists and other followers of the NFL.

AFC Wild Card games:
Jacksonville @ Pittsburgh: I like the Steelers defense. But the Jaguars are possibly the strongest contender to Patriots dominance. And they’ve been playing solid football the past weeks. I’ll go with the Jaguars.
(Ladbrokes: Jacksonville -1.5 favorites)

Tennessee @ San Diego: The Chargers have beaten the Titans at Tennessee this season, but also have a very bad playoffs record. However, the Chargers will beat the Titans and go to Indianapolis.
(Ladbrokes: San Diego -7.5 favorites)

NFC Wild Card games:
Washington @ Seattle: Looking at the stats, both teams are about equally good. Washington barely made it to the playoffs, but I think this team might be a surprise. I go with the Redskins.
(Ladbrokes: Seattle -4.5 favorites)

New York Giants @ Tampa Bay: The Giants have two faces. No doubt, if they play like they did against the Patriots then they will beat the Bucs. But I don’t think they can do that twice in a row and I like the Tampa Bay defense. My pick: Buccaneers.
(Ladbrokes: Tampa Bay -2.5 favorites)

AFC Divisional games:
San Diego @ Indianapolis: The Colts have stepped up in a big way after losing key players. I like the way they play the game, especially when things get tough. San Diego has a chance, but I  think the Colts go through.

Jacksonville @ New England: I think the Patriots will end the season 16-1, as I like the chances for the Jags. Don’t get me wrong, I’m impressed with the Patriots and what they bring to the game. But we’ve also seen how you might stop them and I think the Jaguars can do what Baltimore and the Giants couldn’t. Big upset, but I go with the Jags.

NFC Divisional games:
Washington @ Dallas: This one has Dallas written all over it. No way the Redskins can keep up with the Cowboys.

Tampa Bay @ Green Bay: Weather at Lambeau Field will play a huge role. With bad weather, the Packers will beat the Bucs. Without extreme conditions, this might become a close battle. I do like the way Favre has been playing this year, but my feeling tells me Gruden has a masterplan for this game. I go with the upset: Bucs.

AFC Championship:
Jacksonville @ Indianapolis: Nope, the Colts will not sweep the Jaguars this year and go for back-to-back AFC titles. I might be wrong, but the Jaguars are going to the SuperBowl this year.

NFC Championship:
Tampa Bay @ Dallas: Once again, the scoring power of the Cowboys will be too much to handle. Unless Jessica S. shows up, I don’t see how Tampa Bay can win this one. So my NFC Champ will be the Cowboys.

SuperBowl XLII:
Dallas vs. Jacksonville: Interesting matchup, but the AFC will dominate the NFC once again. My prediction: Jacksonville Jaguars.

 

Kudos to the Pats

They’ve done it. Not as easy as I thought, since the Giants made them fight for it. Kudos for achieving a perfect regular season, but it won’t mean a thing if they don’t win the SuperBowl.

 

16-0?

The Patriots can go 16-0 with a win over the New York Giants. Now that the Giants don’t need a win to reach the play-offs, I think they won’t have any trouble getting it. Going undefeated is a major accomplishment, but it won’t mean a thing if the Pats are left empty-handed at the end of the season. And the competition is fierce, especially in the AFC. I think the Jaguars and Colts will be tough to beat during the play-offs, even with homefield advantage for the Pats.

Too bad I can’t see the game. Since my move to London I don’t have access to the channels with NFL coverage.

 

Dolphins finally win one

How ironic would it have been: the Pats going 19-0 and the Dolphins going 0-16? The scenario wasn’t at all unlikely, especially after the Dolphins lost to the Jets last week. But the team that could’ve ruined the perfect season for the Patriots helped the Dolphins. I guess every Dolphins fan has an obligation to support the Ravens for at least a couple of years.

Well, I guess my friend Tino is a happy man right now. Too bad he has to wait until I visit Leiden again to put this one in my face. But then again, 1-15 is not a great accomplishment either.