By Huddle Up Sports
As the rock band Styx would sing ” The stage is set. The band starts playing. Suddenly you heart start pounding wishing seceretly” you would’ve played harder in the regular season. We changed the last line, but the point is, you probably could’ve at least played better. Isn’t that right Denver? Isn’t that right Philadelphia? Isn’t that right Mr Owens? Isn’t that right Father Time Favre? All we’re saying is, it should’ve never came down to this for any of you. My God, all you had to do is win one of your last three games Denver. Philadelphia and Mr McNabb, ties against Cincinnati don’t help. Terrell, you should try harder when the chips are down. Don’t give up little fella. I can’t believe you still hold your own destiny! Brett? Where’s the magic? Do you still love the game? Whatever the case, thanks for finally making the final week of the season worth watching. And what a stage it will be! Have a great, safe holiday season. And enjoy this weekend everyone, it doesn’t get any better than this.
By Platinum Plays
What a game to finalize the 2008 NFL regular season. Yes, their’s a playoff spot at stake for the winner of the “Inept Game of the Year” and we will be forced to watch one of these “powerhouses” in the first round of the playoffs and that’s about the best anyone can say of this game. If the NFL dropped both the AFC West and NFC West would anyone really care after their perfomances this year? If one could see this is only a short down period for each of these divisions, I might not be as critical but, it looks like it’s going to be at least a couple of years before these divisions rise from the ashes of the 2008 season.
By Razor Sharp Sports
Week 17 and still plenty of questions left unanswered in the NFL Playoff picture. Of the 12 playoff spots, 7 tickets have been punched (Giants, Panthers, Cardinals, Falcons, Titans, Steelers, & Colts). Only 5 of those teams are locked in to their spot and have nothing to play for. Of the 5 other playoff spots, 11 teams still have a shot at them. This week we have one of the teams from the first group taking on one of the teams in the second group. It is the #1 seed in the NFC, the NY Giants taking on the NFC North leading Minnesota Vikings. The Giants are locked in while the Vikings are fighting for their playoff lives. So how does this one break down.
By the Vegas Steamline
So here we are, the final week of the NFL regular season and even though we have more meaningful games than we usually do in this final week, the question of whether is sit and rest starters for the teams that have locked up playoff spots is still there. Every year this question comes up, “Should this team rest their starters this week?”. Well if you take a look at last year, the 2 teams that played in the Super Bowl, the Patriots and the Giants both played their starters in the final week of the season. As a matter of fact, they played their starters against each other. The Giants had already wrapped up the wildcard but still played their starters, while the Patriots were going for the perfect season. On a opposite note, the Dallas Cowboys, who had the #1 seed locked up in the NFC, played their starters for about a half in the final week and lost 27-6. They then went on to lose their first playoff game to the Giants. So does that mean every team should play their starters. I think each situation is unique. Lets take a look at each of the teams that have to make that decision this week.
By Platinum Plays
Each of these teams have clinched their respective divisions; the Steelers, the AFC North and the Titans, the AFC South. With homefield advantage at stake throughout the playoffs, this game looms large for both teams. If the Steelers can get a road win over Tennessee, they would gain the advantage over the Titans to play all their playoff games at Heinz Field which would be a distinct advantage. The Steelers are coming off a big (13-9) win over division rival, the Baltimore Ravens, which the outcome was ultimately decided on a controversial replay overturn of an official’s call on the field which was ruled a touchdown to give Pittburgh the lead rather than having 4th and inches inside the Baltimore one yard line with a decision to make of either going for the win or playing for overtime. The Titans are coming off a road loss to the Houston Texans and maybe the bigger story coming from this game was not the one point road loss to Houston but, a late injury to Titans defensive line, DT Albert Haynesworth may have a bigger impact than the result of this game. The Titans disdained a late 49 yard field goal and went for it on a 4th and 3 from the Texans 32 yard line but Kerry Collins pass sailed just over the fingertips Justin McCareins fingertips securing the win for the Texans. The decision to forego the field goal was a curious one by head coach Jeff Fisher considering Tennesee’s kicker, Rob Bironas has a strong leg. Now, homefield advantage throughout the playoffs may be as fleeting as the Collins to McCareins pass but, more importantly for the Titans is to have Haynesworth and DE Kyle Vanden Bosch healthy and up to speed for the playoffs.
By Dr. Vegas
It’s hard to ignore the Titans’ 9-0 record. And what’s even more impressive is that that isn’t their best stat. Their 8-1 ATS mark is a huge indicator of the lack of respect Vegas has shown this team. With the exception of their 9-point line going into KC, the Titans have entered the rest of their games as small favorites (or even a dog or pk) of less than 5 points. This is despite the fact that they are winning their games outright by over 11 points per game. Moreover, they are covering the point spread but over 8 points per game.
By The Vegas Steamline
Right now the BCS is spending their Saturday’s watching college football and their Sunday’s in their house of worship, whichever they choose. With just 3 weeks remaining in the regular season, Alabama and Texas Tech are the only 2 remaining undefeated teams in the BCS conferences. They are praying that both will remain perfect and set up the perfect scenario for their BCS Championship game. That will be easier said than done. Alabama still has to face Heisman Trophy winner Tim Tebow and the #4 Florida Gators. Texas Tech still has to face #5 Oklahoma on the road and then take on the Big-12 North Champs (more than likely #12 Missouri) in the Big-12 Championship Game. All it is going to take is one loss by either team to throw things into a real quagmire.
By Dr. Vegas
Here is a game between couple of near-.500 teams looking to break away from the pack. Miami is 3-4 straight up and 4-3 ATS. Denver is 4-3 straight up and 1-5-1 ATS.
The Dolphins have lost their road games by an average of 1 point per game, while the Broncos’ home average - despite a 3-1 home record - is a 0.3 points per game deficit. This is because their three home wins were by 1, 2, and 3 points respectively. Their one home loss was by 7 points, thus skewing the home margin of victory average. And despite their winning record, the Broncos have been outscored 195-173 on the year. The Dolphins are about even, having scored 145 and given up 146 points in 2008.
By Dr. Vegas
Here is a solid NFC South matchup that promises to be a battle. We have two teams that have shown moments of promise, and moments of disappointment. Carolina is a 3-point favorite and the total is 44.5. New Orleans is 3-3 SU and 4-2 against the number, while Carolina is 4-2 SU and 3-2-1 ATS. Both teams want to show that their losses were not representative of their abilities to win.