New Orleans at San Francisco: The 49ers haven't hosted a playoff game in a while, so they (and their fans) will be raring to go. Once the game settles down, I think it boils down to San Franciscos ability to score TD's in the red zone. They have struggled all season inside the 20 and if they want to be in this game, they can not settle for FG's when in close. We know the Saints can score. While they will not have the same success moving the football as they did against the Lions, I expect the Saints to have moderate success against a very good and vastly underrated 49er defense. Really, the key is whether the 49er offesnse can keep pace. They need to try and control the clock with Frank Gore and the short passing game. Keep Brees on the sideline as much as possible. At the end of the day, I think its too much to ask to stop the Saints. They are on a big time roll.  Saints 27 49ers 16.

Denver at New England: Tim Tebow picked a great week for him (not so good for Hardy) to actually look like an accomplished NFL QB. While he didnt complete a lot of passes, he was over 30 yards a completion, an NFL playoff high. However beating a banged up Steeler team at home is one thing. Beating Tom Brady in New England, (and with Bill Belichick having two weeks to prepare for an opponent)  is a whole different animal. I suspect the Patriots to put up big numbers in this one. Denver is weak at safety so expect the Patriot TE's (The Gronk/Hernandez) to have huge games. I think Denver can hit some big plays against a suspect New England defense, but nowhere near enough to be competitive in the 4th quarter. Its been a few years since the Patriots won a playoff game, so they will be ready, sharp and focussed from the outset. It was a great run, but I think Tebow time ends here. New England 38 Denver 14.

Houston at Baltimore: The Ravens could not have asked for a better match-up. A young and relatively inexperienced QB, on the road, playing against a defense that plays with tremendous passion and urgency on every snap. If Houston is to have any chance in this game, they can not fall significantly behind. The Ravens are one of the best front running teams in the league and if they get up on you by 10-14 points, it is virtually impossible to come back on them. TJ Yates has to limit his mistakes (really he has to play flawless) and hope that Arian Foster can control the clock with some big runs. Houston's defense is solid, so I expect Flacco to struggle at times moving the ball. But at the end of the day, too much Ray Rice and the Ravens vast experience on defense will carry them through. The Ravens have waited too long for a home playoff game to let this opportunity slip away. Baltimore 24 Houston 10.

Giants at Green Bay. The Giants are another team seemingly on a big time roll. The key to this game will be the Giants ability to put pressure on Rodgers and register sacks. If they don't get to Rodgers with any kind of consistency, he will carve a very average secondary to shreds. I think the Packer defense is much better than the statistics indicate. Yes, they let up a lot of yards through the air, but more often than not it was because teams were way behind (and had to pass on every play) or simply trying to keep pace with the Packer offense. And Green Bay defensively does have a propensity to create interceptions. This is not to say that the Giants wont move the ball. They will and they will score points. While people are drawing similarities between this Giant team and the 2007 Super Bowl team, I don't see a similar playoff run. The Packers were clearly the best team in the NFL and they will ride the arm of the brilliant Aaron Rodgers to the NFC Championship game. Packers 34 Giants 23.

this morning I wake up to ESPN picking the Giants to beat the Packers and nothing was said about Rodgers nor his offense, nor how the Packers defense creates turnovers!!!

now remember this is not my words haha

you're so full of shit!

SF 35....NO 31   bcuz of SF's defense
New England 42...Denver 17
Houston 17...Balt 14   sorry Cayden...call me lol
Packers 38.....NY Midgets 10


B sure your tomatoes arent aimed at me but at OSP hehe

Well not laughing but smiling. The "(not so good for Hardy)" comment. Yea, I know about that.

I think the 49er defense it a big factor in the Saints game. I really want to go with San Francisco. I'll go with your New England pick. Cayden I think your team will win. And when they do I expect a big WOW post out of you. Ravens over the Texans.

I predicted quite a while ago the Pack would return to the Super Bowl this year. Don't get me wrong, it was about week 8 and not really a great prediction. But I don't see any need to change my prediction.

Now having had my say who would you rather go with. My picks or Hardy's. After all he knows all the stats, names, coaches and players. He even knows the kind of grass and number of blades of grass on Hines Field.

This may not be my final word on the picks. Might change later today to a straight Hardy ticket.

That's why they play the game.

Yesterday after work I stopped at the bar .
 I was  talking up Tebow against Brady to a Daddy warbucks friend , who happens to be a big time New England fan .

After a few more than a few drinks , he  asked if I was willing to put my money where my mouth is and bet more than chump change .
 
He offered a minimum bet and 15 points if I took the Broncos.  

I quadrupled his minimum and jumped on the offer , too quick for second thoughts.

 I bet  six months strip club and hobby money on the Broncos .

The strip clubs I can do without , providers I would miss.

 On the  cab ride home  I began to  wonder if I should have stopped at two drinks ?

 







 

I risk 350.00 on the Saints to win 200.00

Hardy5456 I'm counting on your pick don't let me down!

He's a smart gambler so YES i would like his pick for the game.

And JLWest the Saints are 3 points favorites that's why I had to lay 350.00 on the -175 ML

but the money line is indeed NO -175

I will almost never lay those type of odds on any sports  bet as you have to be right 70%, 80% or sometimes even 90% of the time to make a profit over time.

I don't look at gambling as a sprint or as a one time occasion where every thing comes down to "this" bet. I know I am going to make thousands of more bets totaling many millions of dollars over my lifetime so I try not to get too emotionally involved over any one bet.

That said, I like the Saints too, and I think the only way the Saints can win is in a relatively high scoring game, if it becomes an ugly defensive struggle I would have to lean heavily towards the 49rs, but in a shootout, I don't think they can keep up with the high powered Saints. I also like the quality of opponents faced by the Saints, lets face it, with the exception of the Giants and the Ravens, who have the 49rs faced. There only really quality win was over the Giants.

but that's why they play the game, a 7-1 record at home is hard to ignore, but ignore it i will. lol

I think the 49ers can do it at home

Rooting for Denver to take out the pats

I think the ravens are a bit better

As for the GIANTS, They got it done a few years ago under horrible weather conditions (tomorrow the weather will be mild comparaed to then) and they will do it again. The only problem is that this year the Pack has a much, much better QB.

GO GIANTS
XLVI = 4

15 points, you might be alright. You could try and lay some or all of off in the hopes of saving you club money.

Of course, if Tebow wins and covers you would have 1 year of hobby money.

BTW, I have NE and I think they won't cover 15 if that helps. LOL

Hardy won't bet on the NFL, he is smarter that the rest of us.

Did you say $350 to win $200. Did you lay this bet with the Chicago Mob?  Chuckle.

GA explained all that to me one day.

You know of course that your are talking with someone who owns Greek Bonds. Now that's gambling with odds.

I think your probably be alright with your bet as long as you have 3 Benjamin's, 3 twenty's, 1 ten and a five spot in you pocket.  LOL I was just having fun with the post.

Good luck cashorcredit ,

I don't know what to tell you.  Would??

"That's why they play the game".