I think we often try to read too much into a team's last game because it is fresh in our minds. The Rams looked awful in their season ending loss at Detroit, blowing the #1 seed. The Panthers looked dominant disposing of the "Just glad to be here" Cowboys. I think things will be alot different this week in the Dome. FYI: STL is 8-0 SU and 6-1-1 ATS at home. I think they have the biggest home field advantage of any of the 4 teams this week. In terms of matchups, I think the Rams fast defense can contain S. Davis. Opportunistic D will force a couple turnovers. We know the Rams will score, so can Car. keep up, I don't think so. A big key will be blocking the Car front 4. They will give Bulger enough time to exploit a mediocre secondary. All of the intangibles seem to favor the Rams. Note Favs of 7-9.5 are 20-12 ATS in the divisional round since 1976, and the average margin of victory is 19pts. The bottom line is there are several reasons to like the Rams here. The fact that the line opened at 7.5 and is 7 almost everywhere now makes it even better.
Rams 31 Panthers 14
RAMS-7
What Brett Favre has gone through and how he's played is simply awesome. Packers have become this year's feel good story. It seems like we always have a feel good story, see Cubs, Red Sox, Might Ducks, 76ers 01, etc. These teams inevitably become "public teams", then simply overrated. The key is figuring out when they are gonna go south. While revenge was the theme last week,(with 3 teams avenging loses)I think dominance dictates this one. Yes the Packers did rush for 241 yds in that MNF game. That was without S Dawkins and CB Taylor. Eagles still won anyway. With the starting secondary in tact, DC Jim Johnson will have many more options in terms of run blitzes and bringing Dawkins down in the box. You know Favre will take his shots down field, I think he will throw a couple picks. On the other side of the ball, Mcnabb is playing very well right now. I wouldn't overreact to Westbrook being out; Buckhalter and Staley are more than capable. Look for McNabb to take advantage of aggressive GB defensive backs. I think the bye week really helps the Eagles who haven't been off since week 3. The swirling winds at the Linc will make the kicking game important.(Edge Akers) When I put it all together home field, bye, coaching edge, technical edge, and favorable match ups; I can only look one way. Think anything under -7 is fine here. Eagles send Packers packing.
Eagles 31 Packers 17
Eagles-6
Good Luck to All
Gary
Rams 31 Panthers 14
RAMS-7
What Brett Favre has gone through and how he's played is simply awesome. Packers have become this year's feel good story. It seems like we always have a feel good story, see Cubs, Red Sox, Might Ducks, 76ers 01, etc. These teams inevitably become "public teams", then simply overrated. The key is figuring out when they are gonna go south. While revenge was the theme last week,(with 3 teams avenging loses)I think dominance dictates this one. Yes the Packers did rush for 241 yds in that MNF game. That was without S Dawkins and CB Taylor. Eagles still won anyway. With the starting secondary in tact, DC Jim Johnson will have many more options in terms of run blitzes and bringing Dawkins down in the box. You know Favre will take his shots down field, I think he will throw a couple picks. On the other side of the ball, Mcnabb is playing very well right now. I wouldn't overreact to Westbrook being out; Buckhalter and Staley are more than capable. Look for McNabb to take advantage of aggressive GB defensive backs. I think the bye week really helps the Eagles who haven't been off since week 3. The swirling winds at the Linc will make the kicking game important.(Edge Akers) When I put it all together home field, bye, coaching edge, technical edge, and favorable match ups; I can only look one way. Think anything under -7 is fine here. Eagles send Packers packing.
Eagles 31 Packers 17
Eagles-6
Good Luck to All
Gary
