A great weekend of pro football coming up, four games to start the playoffs,the Wild Card weekend, made even better because the Eagles are involved, defending their world championship. here is my take on all four games..
Eagles at Bears-
I like the birds because they are experienced and on a roll. Chicago has a first-year coach and a quarterback who has never been in a playoff game before. Yes, the bears are home, with their frenzied fans. Yes, Eagle-killer Tony Corrente is the ref. But until someone finally knocks off St. Nick Foles, I can't pick against him.
I'm surprised that the Eagles are the biggest underdogs on the card- up to six points now. Why? Didn't Vegas learn from last season? The bears are good, going 12-4 and winning NFC North. But they also had a relatively easy schedule. One can say that Philly barely made the post-season, thanks in no small way to Chicago beating Minnesota, but the Eagles had to beat the Rams in L.A>, and the tough Texans in Philadelphia, plus defeat the Redskins in Washington, just to get to this game. The Eagles will have their fans at Soldier field as well. They won't surrender their world title without a fight.
No Fog Bowl this time, as the weather is supposed to be nice on Sunday night in the Windy City.
Eagles 23 Bears 20
Seahawks at Cowboys-
Initially I was all over Seattle in this game. plus when I heard Seahawks Coach Pete Carroll is 6-0 all-time in wild card games that made my feeling even stronger. Seattle has been a hot team whereas Dallas , although going 10-6 and winning NFC East, limped into the playoffs.
The Cowboys get the edge for playing at home. Still, their stadium has never been a real home-field advantage. Between RB Elliot and WR Cooper they do have weapons, but if QB Prescott doesn't play well it doesn't matter. I would take Seahawk QB Russell Wilson any day.
Nice to know that even before the Eagles play the Cowboys may be eliminated.
However, for some strange reason, I think Dallas wins. I hope I'm wrong, but call it a gut feeling. Of course, the cowboys will get their due against the Rams next week. But I see them making it to the second round.
Cowboys 27 Seahawks 24
Chargers at Ravens-
The other Los Angeles team has been playing great all season. Now they must again fly east and playing at 1:00 EST on Sunday ( 10:00 am. PST to the Chargers). Baltimore should have the advantage. I just don't think this Ravens team is a juggernaut. I like the quarterback match up of Phillip Rivers.
Chargers 33 Ravens 20
Colts at Texans-
Indianapolis played hard all season, including winning last Sunday night in Tennessee in a do-or-die game. Houston is an up-and-coming squad, with explosiveness on offense and the dynamic duo of Clowney and Watt on defense. Plus a Houston win means a split on the weekend- two home teams win and two road team win.
Texans 34 Colts 16
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