Okay, if you picked the Bears—they did not cover! If you picked the Chargers—they did not cover! Although one of two NFL favorites won on Sunday and one of two won on Saturday—none of them covered!What does that mean for next week? I have no idea as far as picking them goes.
Wait, I do have one idea—arm yourself with as much info as you can for next week. Experts will probably prove to be very helpful.
Yesterday, the Colts won by a few field goals (Vinatieri hit all five, giving Indy all 15 of their points). Philadelphia lost to New Orleans by a field goal (that’s all that the Eagles could muster with a little over 3 minutes left to go in yesterday’s game.)
Both of today’s games were decided by splitting or not splitting the uprights. Chicago’s kicker Robbie Gould scored 3 in the fourth quarter to send the Seahawks and Bears into overtime. Gould then hit a 49-yard try in OT to win it.
Adam Vinatieri’s rookie replacement, Stephen Gostkowski, hit a 31-yard try for the Pats with less than 2 minutes left in the game. Then the Chargers drove to within field goal distance, about 52 yards, with less than 10 seconds left. Nate Kaeding tried to tie it up but was short and to the right.
It was a weekend of fantastic playoff football and all of the games were determined by the men with the golden feet. Not one team covered and only two favorites—the Chicago Bears and New Orleans Saints—won. Indy and the Pats were true spoilers.
The stage is set. For the NFC title most would agree that the best two teams are in it. The Saints fly to Chicago’s historic Soldier Field for their contest.
For the AFC title, it’s two teams that many thought would be eliminated. Of course the Patriots and Colts have battled in the playoffs before. In the past, victory has gone to Tom Brady, Bill Belichick and the New England franchise, while disappointment has been the reward for Peyton Manning, Tony Dungee and the Indianapolis Colts. The Patriots will be in the tough home-dome of the Colts.
The question for that one is—could it come down to what everyone has talked about for months—former Pat and New England icon Vinatieri kicking against his rookie replacement Stephen Gostkowski.
There may be only two games scheduled next week, but there’s bound to be enough drama for a full NFL slate.
Technorati Tags: Chicago Bears, Seattle Seahawks, San Diego Chargers, New England Patriots, Indianapolis Colts, Baltimore Ravens, New Orleans Saints, Philadelphia Eagles
