This is the trend were I will post all my NFL playoff selections. Feel free to agree or disagree. Let's all finish off a great NFL season!!!
10 Units Tennessee Titans -1 -110
A strong defensive duel opens the playoffs. Both teams are sensational at stopping the run: Tennessee is No. 1 in the NFL against the run (80.9 rypg allowed) while the Ravens are No. 6 (96 yrpg allowed). That's more important for Tennessee, as the Ravens have a one-dimensional offense (166 yds rushing pg) behind RB Jamal Lewis. They are well equipped to contain Baltimore's running game, which will put pressure on young Ravens' QB Anthony Wright (9 TDs, 8 INTs). Tennessee clearly has the QB edge with Steve McNair, though he's been banged up with injuries and didn't play last week. The Titans (12-4) average 27 points per game, while the Ravens (10-6) outscore teams 28-15 at home where they went 7-1 SU/4-2-2 ATS. Tennessee's strength is passing (242 yards passing pg) but the Ravens allow 175 passing yds per game (6th in the NFL). Baltimore's defense has been strong the last month, but remember they have struggled against some good passing teams, giving up 34 points to Pittsburgh, 33 to St. Louis, 34 to Cincy, and 41 to Seattle. Look for a close, defensive game and the team with the better QB to advance!!!
7 Units Carolina Panthers UNDER 34 -112
QB Quincy Carter versus Jake Delhomme??? Back in August there was little thought that these two quarterbacks would be matching up in round one! Cowboys owner owner Jerry Jones sees it this way, "It reminds me of the '90 and '91 teams because we've got players in here that we hadn't heard of before that are starting to get a chance to do it in important games." Maybe so, but coming off their surprise season (10-6 SU, 9-6 ATS; R: 4-4 SU, ATS) at least Bill Parcells knows that the learning experiences and development of Dallas has been nothing short of remarkable and if Carter can just squeeze one more error-free performance, another week can be added to the season. It is possible if the defense can continue to hold opposing quarterbacks under 50% in completions and the defense can keep opposing runners under 100 yards, as they did in eleven games, then the dream can continue. Dallas has the No. 1 defense in pro football, while Carolina is ranked 8th. The Panthers (H: 6-2 SU, 2-6 ATS) come to the game pretty healthy after turning back the Giants last week 37-24. This season was a special one for the Panthers, who won several close games to capture the NFC South. Carolina's defense picked off Jesse Palmer four times and recovered one fumble last week and that's their formula for this week, as well: Pressure and turnovers. Offensively, the key for both teams will be in the red zone and both defenses will be counted on for a low scoring game. The 'Boys won 24-20 in November at home giving up 264 yards in the air and 64 on the ground. Not much of a difference here but the Panthers are at home and don't look for a lot of points. 7 of the last 10 Cowboy games have gone UNDER the total, while 3 of the last 4 Carolina games have gone UNDER!!!
Good luck today my friends,
ALLSTAR
10 Units Tennessee Titans -1 -110
A strong defensive duel opens the playoffs. Both teams are sensational at stopping the run: Tennessee is No. 1 in the NFL against the run (80.9 rypg allowed) while the Ravens are No. 6 (96 yrpg allowed). That's more important for Tennessee, as the Ravens have a one-dimensional offense (166 yds rushing pg) behind RB Jamal Lewis. They are well equipped to contain Baltimore's running game, which will put pressure on young Ravens' QB Anthony Wright (9 TDs, 8 INTs). Tennessee clearly has the QB edge with Steve McNair, though he's been banged up with injuries and didn't play last week. The Titans (12-4) average 27 points per game, while the Ravens (10-6) outscore teams 28-15 at home where they went 7-1 SU/4-2-2 ATS. Tennessee's strength is passing (242 yards passing pg) but the Ravens allow 175 passing yds per game (6th in the NFL). Baltimore's defense has been strong the last month, but remember they have struggled against some good passing teams, giving up 34 points to Pittsburgh, 33 to St. Louis, 34 to Cincy, and 41 to Seattle. Look for a close, defensive game and the team with the better QB to advance!!!
7 Units Carolina Panthers UNDER 34 -112
QB Quincy Carter versus Jake Delhomme??? Back in August there was little thought that these two quarterbacks would be matching up in round one! Cowboys owner owner Jerry Jones sees it this way, "It reminds me of the '90 and '91 teams because we've got players in here that we hadn't heard of before that are starting to get a chance to do it in important games." Maybe so, but coming off their surprise season (10-6 SU, 9-6 ATS; R: 4-4 SU, ATS) at least Bill Parcells knows that the learning experiences and development of Dallas has been nothing short of remarkable and if Carter can just squeeze one more error-free performance, another week can be added to the season. It is possible if the defense can continue to hold opposing quarterbacks under 50% in completions and the defense can keep opposing runners under 100 yards, as they did in eleven games, then the dream can continue. Dallas has the No. 1 defense in pro football, while Carolina is ranked 8th. The Panthers (H: 6-2 SU, 2-6 ATS) come to the game pretty healthy after turning back the Giants last week 37-24. This season was a special one for the Panthers, who won several close games to capture the NFC South. Carolina's defense picked off Jesse Palmer four times and recovered one fumble last week and that's their formula for this week, as well: Pressure and turnovers. Offensively, the key for both teams will be in the red zone and both defenses will be counted on for a low scoring game. The 'Boys won 24-20 in November at home giving up 264 yards in the air and 64 on the ground. Not much of a difference here but the Panthers are at home and don't look for a lot of points. 7 of the last 10 Cowboy games have gone UNDER the total, while 3 of the last 4 Carolina games have gone UNDER!!!
Good luck today my friends,
ALLSTAR
