NFL Divisional Playoffs Jan. 10-11,2014. Confidence Picks

We had a fun week this last weekend.  We had one very good game.  One out of 4, means we had 25% good games, and 75% not so good. I would have to call the Ravens win over the Steelers a surprise.  Perhaps not an upset. The Interstate match up of the Bengals, and Colts, came off as I suspected.  One would think this would be a big rivalry.  From Paul Brown Stadium in Cincinnati to Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, is a mere 112 mile drive.  Just a bit over 2 hours apart.  But for some reason, that rivalry never seem to materialize.(Just for those who do not know.  Lucas Oil Stadium is also 181 miles from Chicago’s Soldiers Field.   about a 4 hour drive.  I imagine the fans of those two teams would love to see more games between the two….but not very likely.  Before the Colts came to town and the Bengals existed “Da Bears” were Indiana’s HOME TEAM). Had Arizona been totally healthy, I little doubt they would have advanced.  …..But, that is why I picked Carolina. There was little doubt in anybody’s mind the Cowboys, would triumph over Detroit.  Yeah I know some of you will bring up the so-called “CONSPIRACY CALL”.  The way I saw the play the on field reversal was the correct call.  The only problem was the OFFICIALS  failed to talk the call over before announcing it.   BUT how about: who was it Dez Bryant?  Or some Cowboy went onto the field without a HELMET.  That should have been an infraction, but the officials merely told him to go back to the bench.  Not only did he not have a helmet,  but as far as I was concerned it put a 12th man on the field who was neither entering to play, or leaving after a play.  Let me assure you I am not a Cowboys, or Lions fan.  Thus that makes me an “IMPARTIAL OBSERVER”. Now we are down to what we call the Elite Eight. Congratulations to all teams who made it this far.   For those of you who do not know how confidence ranking goes, let me explain If we were playing an office pool,(which we ARE NOT).  The object is to score the most points. To obtain the score YOU rank the teams by how confident you are a team will win its game.  EXAMPLE:  Say this week we have 17 games.  The team you are most confident will win you would assign the number 17 and follow down to the team you are least confident in and assign that number 1.   We use the Monday night game as a TIE BREAKER.  The tie is broken by the closest to the total (that is the COMBINED score of the two participating teams) final score, without going over. If we were playing this is how my sheet would look;  My pick will be in bold Capital letters.  you can use circling, underlining, or highlighting.  I will show my correct points in Bold   This year I am making a change in the scoring.  YOU can adopt the new scoring or continue to use the old scoring. This year we get a negative score for missed games.  We will continue to get a positive score for correct predictions.  EXAMPLE:  LAST YEAR if you scored 1 pt on the first game and you had 15 pt on the second game and was wrong you would still have a Positive 1.  HOWEVER. this year the same scenario would result with a -14 score. I will fill in my picks Friday.  Until then feel free to: Just copy and paste for your own Fun Pool Use.  Or to see if you can beat me. IF YOU SEE I MADE A MIS COPY OF THE GAMES AND TIMES FEEL  FREE TO EMAIL ME AND TELL ME I GOOFED. All Times EST GAME VISITOR SCORE   HOME SCORE CONFIDENCE RUNNING SCORE SATURDAY  01/10/15 16:35   1 Bal. Ravens 31  @ N.E. Patriots 35  3 3/3 SATURDAY 01/10/15 20:15 2 Car. Panthers 17 @ STL. SEAHAWKS 31  4 7/7   SUNDAY 01/11/15 13:05  3 Dal. Cowboys 21  @ G.B. PACKERS 26  1 8/8   SUNDAY 01/11/15 16:40   4 Indy Colts 24  @ DEN. BRONCOS 13  2 6/8  Tie Breaker  (Sunday  2 team total) 52 GAME 4 Actual Score  37 Points Off  +14 Possible Points 10 60%/80% Views: 128

Eli Manning Peyton Manning

It would seem the MEDIA has forgotten who is playing in the SUPER BOWL.   Hey you guys it is  ELI MANNING who is quarterbacking the New York Giants in the BIG GAME. Sure everyone is concerned about Peyton’s future in football.  But really little brother ELI should be the focus of your attention.  It is his moment in the sun.  LET HIM ENJOY IT !!! I could be wrong, but I do not remember Peyton being asked a bunch of questions about ELI when he was preparing to play in the SUPER BOWL.  Shouldn’t real sport journalists, be focused on the game at hand.  I’m pretty sure, by now, Peyton is competent to answer questions about himself after all these years in the spot light. Being a little brother myself, I am perhaps prejudiced.  I love my brother.  But can I enjoy a little attention regarding my accomplishments. Meanwhile, back at the MEDIA rooms, PATRIOT QB TOM BRADY is able to soak up all the glory befitting a SUPER BOWL QB. Please Sports Media.  Enough is Enough.  Give ELI MANNING the same respect as you give TOM BRADY.  Big brother, Peyton, will be around after the SUPER BOWL and will know more about which direction his future will take him. But now is ELI and the New York Giants time.  Just as it is Tom Brady and the New England Patriots time. That Is How I See It. Views: 206