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01/18/2005 Archived Entry: "MNQ - 01/18"

Posted by steve @ 06:35 PM EST [Link]

MONDAY NIGHT QUARTERBACK - REALLY LATE EDITION: How about that, all four games right this weekend. Yeah, I know I didn't register my picks ahead of time so my claim is suspect but I was just too lazy to do it last week.

Pittsburgh/NY Jets -- I thought that the Steelers would roll over the Jets but colour me surprised, the boys from New York made it a game. I wouldn't be surprised if Doug Brien was looking for a new job next season. It's never good to leave it up to your kicker to win a game but once it's in his hands, he has to do his job. Is it just me or are teams finally figuring out Ben Roethlisberger? He hasn't had a good game since early December.

St. Louis/Atlanta -- If there was going to be an upset this weekend I figured it would happen in Atlanta. Like many, I agreed that if this game took place in St. Louis, the Rams would win it. The Falcons apparently disagreed and stomped the Rams.

Minnesota/Philadelphia -- Last week it was all that I could do to stop laughing everytime an "expert" expressed concern about the Eagles. They haven't played since the end of the season. They're missing Terrell Owens. The starters haven't played together in a few weeks. Minnesota showed the world something beating the Packers. Whatever. Am I the only one who remembers the Eagles before Owens? You know, the team that made it to the conference finals three years in a row? I'd like to know the real rationale for picking a wildly inconsistent team like the Vikings over the Eagles but I couldn't figure out any of the ones offered publicly.

Indianapolis/New England -- I figured New England would beat Indianapolis soundly but I didn't think Peyton Manning would be held touchdown-less. All you can say is that the Pats have a plan to deal with Manning and it works every year -- don't let him throw clean passes when he has the ball. No need to analyze this game: the Pats owned the Colts on all sides of the ball.

Alright, so what about this weekend.

Atlanta at Philadelphia -- I like Michael Vick but when I match up the Eagles against the Falcons position-for-position I have to give this one to Philadelphia. With or without Owens, the Eagles are a better team. That said, I'm only giving them 6 points.

New England at Pittsburgh -- Or as I like to call it, the real Super Bowl. So New England stomps all over Indianapolis but everyone questions why they're favoured over the Steelers by 3 points in Vegas despite losing to Pittsburgh in Week 8. Well, as I stated above, the Steelers haven't had a strong game in a month while New England only looks more impressive now then they did a month ago -- and they were no slouches then either. I think New England is the team to beat right now so I'm picking them by 5 points.

This week's Cheerleader of the Week goes to Lisa from the Atlanta Falcons. Let me be frank, I don't think the Falcons will be around next week so this is a consolation prize to the team but well-deserved for Lisa. How can you not choose a cheerleader who also happens to have a BA in biology and pre-med.

Replies: 2 comments

Both the Minnesota/Philadelphia and New England/Indiana games turned out the way I imagined, but not by the final scores I would have predicted. I thought the Vikings would be beaten more soundly than they were and that the Eagles would at least give the Patriots a run for their money before losing by a touchdown or so.

Posted by W. James Antle III @ 01/18/2005 08:57 PM EST

The Vikings did lose by 13 points...not inconsiderable, though I can see what you mean.

Posted by Steve Martinovich @ 01/19/2005 01:33 AM EST