Brotherwo's Divisional Selections (Last 6 weeks 20-6-1 77%)

[Brotherwo]

Wildcard Recap: 4-0
Philadelphia -3 Winner!
Baltimore -3 Winner!
Arizona ML (+120) Winner!
7 point teaser--San Diego +9 & Minnesota/Philly O34 Winner!

Last 6 weeks: 20-6-1 (77%)
13-6-1 ATS/ML (68%)
7-0 Teasers (100%)

Baltimore +3<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-comfficeffice" /><o></o>
This game is setting up to be a big blow, hard hitting, low scoring affair. A game which comes down to field possession and that means special teams is huge.
<o> </o>
In their regular season meeting the Ravens would have held the Titans to only 6 points and the win if it wasn’t for a phantom roughing the passer call on 3<SUP>rd</SUP> down. Since that was an early regular season meeting we have to breakdown how these teams evolved.
<o> </o>
On the Ravens side, I think Flacco is much more posed and consistent, he seems as close to unflappable as I’ve seen in a rookie quarterback. His foot work and movement in the pocket is superb. The boy has little emotion which is a great asset to have in a game where emotions are going to be peaking on the defensive side of the ball. The Ravens Defense is peaking, in the last 7 weeks they have only allowed 14+ points once (and that was in the remaining minutes against Dallas).
<o> </o>
On the Titans side, they have been consistent for the entire year. Winning close games against the leagues elite by solid defense and running the ball. However the Titans haven’t played a meaningful game since December 21<SUP>st</SUP> so their offensive cohesiveness might be a little out of whack. When I look at their recent offensive performances (excluding Week 17) against strong NFL teams I am not impressed. Yes, they put up 31 against Pittsburgh but that is more like 24 due to the game ending pick 6. And its more like 17 points if Big Ben could of held on to the ball for more than 1 snap in a row. I am truly doubtful of their offensive capabilities this week.
<o> </o>
If Baltimore holds on to the ball in their own end of the field, the Ravens will be at least within a FG of the Titans. (I'm personally am taking a small bit of ML action which I will not count towards or against my record)
<o> </o>
<o>Notes</o>
-Key players that are banged up on the Titans (Haynesworth, Mawae, VandenBosh). If Mawae ends up out, this is a major loss!
-Tennessee only had 47 yards rushing in their first meeting, stopping speedy Chris Johnson is essential
-Weather should be fine, little breezy


Good luck! :toast:

 

[FearTheRaven]

pretty sure mawae will be out from what I'm hearing.

 

[Brotherwo]

pretty sure mawae will be out from what I'm hearing.

yeah its looking unlikely but in the playoffs players usually push themselves past the point of reasoning, so I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that he takes care of his elbow and sits this one out

 

[FearTheRaven]

yeah its looking unlikely but in the playoffs players usually push themselves past the point of reasoning, so I'm still keeping my fingers crossed that he takes care of his elbow and sits this one out

yeah I'm not sure what I'd want more, mawae trying to play with an injury but still calling solid line audibles, or a backup who is fresh not calling solid line audibles.

 

[Brotherwo]

Mawae Officially out. Yeahaw!

Second-year lineman Leroy Harris is likely to start under center for the Titans. It would be only his second career start as Harris also got the nod in Tennessee's regular-season finale against Indianapolis with Mawae sidelined.

 

[Brotherwo]

:money8:
Won 1st game of the weekend on the Ravens

Raven/Titans Game recap: the Titans offensive line played much better than I expected. Ill admit the Chris Johnson loss in the 2nd half was huge for my wager, LenDale is way to slow for this Ravens defense and the loss may have been the difference in this game. The turnovers isnt something new, this is what the Ravens defense produces week in and week out. Mawae absense was definitely missed (huge bad snap on 4th down in Ravens territory).

IMO... I feel the Ravens could have done more on offense to this Titans defense. They were stuck in a Run on 1st down, Run on 2nd, and pass on 3rd. That made it really easy on the Titans as they stacked the line for early downs. Flacco has an amazing arm, great pocket pressence and Harby should open the play book on early downs for mid range passes. :think2:


Adding 6.5 points
Eagles +11/Over 32
(sorry for the short write up)
Essense of the game is to stop the run. Stop westbrooke and stop the 3 headed monster. Lots of guys in the box, lots of run blitzing which will put a ton of pressure on the secondary. The speed of Steve Smith and Deshawn Jackson should get 5+ catches a piece and YAC is always huge for these guys. Reid spent many hours coming up with ways to get Westbrook the ball out of the backfield and I think he can expose this Giants defense that just isnt the same as last years.

:toast:

 

[Brotherwo]

Adding 6.5 points
Eagles +11/Over 32
(sorry for the short write up)
Essense of the game is to stop the run. Stop westbrooke and stop the 3 headed monster. Lots of guys in the box, lots of run blitzing which will put a ton of pressure on the secondary. The speed of Steve Smith and Deshawn Jackson should get 5+ catches a piece and YAC is always huge for these guys. Reid spent many hours coming up with ways to get Westbrook the ball out of the backfield and I think he can expose this Giants defense that just isnt the same as last years.

:toast:

arty:

 

[G-Lee]

nice young sir - was on it as well

 

[WormyPix]

Great work Brotherwo! It's extremely hard to cap playoffs, and you seem to be doing well. Keep it up. What do you think about the 2nd gm?

 

[Brotherwo]

Great work Brotherwo! It's extremely hard to cap playoffs, and you seem to be doing well. Keep it up. What do you think about the 2nd gm?

ADDING:
Chargers +7 (-115)

 

[Brotherwo]

Great work Brotherwo! It's extremely hard to cap playoffs, and you seem to be doing well. Keep it up. What do you think about the 2nd gm?

ADDING:
Chargers +7 (-115)
too many points in a game where Rothlesberger isnt 100%.

 

[Brotherwo]

Divisional Round
2-1 :toast:

Too bad I had to finish off the weekend with a loser on the Chargers but a winning week none the less.

Steelers/Chargers Recap:
My wager was looking good after Kaeding kicked the FG with 2 minutes left in the 2nd quarter taking a 10-7 lead. At this point the Chargers defense was keeeping the Steelers offense in check and the only opposing score came off of special teams. However this is the point all hell broke loose!

Did the Chargers really only have the ball for seconds in the 3rd quarter?! That opening drive was a back breaker with many long 3rd down conversions ending in a TD. I though we were back on track with the huge Sproles return but 1st play was a tipped pass interception, then punt off helmet of special teams. You cant win when a half is made up of those occurances.

I must applaud the Steelers Defensive line who were incredibly solid all game. Rivers wasnt able to get anything going in the passing game besides the first 3 minutes of the game and last 3 minutes. Huge sacks on Rivers in opportune times. And I also must applaud Rothlesburger, coming back from a concussion I expecting him to be a bit 'off' however his passes were still incredibly accurate. Very surprising to me but hey, bravo Big Ben

Well I cant wait for next Sunday! I like the make up of both games, defensive divisional rivals and than a offensive powerhouse vs the defensive stout eagles. Lets keep the winning up

 

[nd2000]

That punt return turned out to be the difference for Pitt covering. Any time a team gets a special team TD or a TD off a turnover, their chances of covering increase exponentially.