Week 19 - 2009 Playoffs

Welcome to week 19 of NFL 2009 season!

Some good games played last week, I ended up 2 for 2 winning my Jets & Arizona picks and losing my New Eng. & Phil. picks

First, I want to give you a couple of little playoff history tidbits here: In the last 6 playoff seasons 2003 - 2008 there has been a home team and/or a bye week team play in the Super Bowl.

2003 - New England { #1 defense AFC & over-all } - Home team adv. & bye week - won SB - - Carolina { #3 defense NFC & #6 over-all } lost SB but had home field 1 time & no bye week.

2004 - New England { #2 defense AFC & over-all } - Home team adv. & bye week - won SB - - Philadelphia { #1 defense NFC & #3 over-all } lost SB but had home field adv and bye week.

2005 - Seattle { #3 defense NFC & #7 over-all } - Home team adv. & bye week - lost SB - - Pittsburgh { #2 defense AFC & #4 over-all } won SB, played all 3 playoff game away & no bye week.

2006 - Chicago { #1 defense NFC & #3 over-all } - Home team adv. & bye week - lost SB - - Colts { #6 defense AFC & #11 over-all } won SB and had home field 2 times & no bye week.

2007 - New England { #3 defense AFC & #4 over-all } - Home team adv. & bye week - lost SB - - NYG { #6 defense NFC & #12 over-all } won SB played all 3 playoff games away & no bye week.

2008 - Pittsburgh { #1 defense AFC & #1 over-all } - Home team adv. & bye week - won SB - - Arizona { #6 defense NFC & #12 over-all } had home field 2 times & no bye week.

Defense can win Games! Be it strong, lucky, skilled or any and all 3, Defense can win Games.

Not a 100 % sure bet, but close. The odds of a better defense team winning and moving on during season, playoffs are in their favor more than not.


My winning picks are in the usual RED...


Saturday Games:

Arizona @ New Orleans - Arizona ranks 4th defense in NFC & 10th over-all among the playoff teams. New Orleans ranks 6th defense in NFC & 12th over-all.

New Orleans has rested they hurt while Arizona has gotten new hurts. Warner & crew played well against GB but their defense was slowly fading as it got further & further into game.

I think we will see a re-new N. O. team and they will give the home fans a little something to cheer about...

Baltimore @ Indianapolis - Baltimore ranks 2th defense in AFC & 3rd over-all among the playoff teams. Indianapolis ranks 5th defense AFC & 7th over-all.

Let me first say that I hope Colts management knows what their doing by what they have done!

Anyways, Baltimore came out fast and played hot against N..Eng. but N. Eng. seemed to be missing alot of alot like motivation, tackles, spunk, drive, etc.

Colts all season had a nick-knack paddy whack for somehow, somewhere pulling wins out of the hat. Hopefully their players are rested and not out of sinc. I stand by them again this week as usual...

Sunday Games:

Dallas @ Minnesota - Dallas ranks #1 defense NFC & #2 over-all among playoff teams. Minnesota ranks #3 defense in NFC & #8 over-all.

Well Dallas has surprise me, they've played really well, much better than I thought they would in the last several weeks. But they head to Minnesota where Mr. Favre is Mr. Perfect.

Dallas defense has gotten stronger in last weeks of play and Minnesota's has been good all along.

Only thing you have to look for is strength of opposing teams and could they be the reason for an improving defense or a seemly strong one. Looking at games for both teams Minnesota has a slight edge in playing stronger teams. I just don't think Dallas can carry it for another week.

N. Y. Jets @ San Diego - Jets rank #1 defense AFC & overall among playoff teams. S.D. ranks #6 AFC & 9th over-all.

Jets looked damn good against Cincinnati and why not they had motivation, defense, etc. and like I said last week I like the way the Jets look - good American football.

San Diego has been on a terror streak these last 11 weeks and alot of people are saying they could win SB. They haven't played the Jets yet!

For the Pro Football U-pickem gang - - Jets 22 - SD 20

See you all later, Knobby