NFL predictions: Super Bowl

Super Bowl

New England (-3) over Atlanta -- Belichick. Brady. Deflate-gate. Basically, pick against the Patriots at your own risk. Still, the Falcons’ high-powered offense and improving defense certainly got people’s attention in beating Green Bay in the conference title game. Much talk as SB LI nears centers on the Patriots trying to control the ball and keep Atlanta’s offense on the sideline. A good idea, except the Falcons don’t need much time to do damage. On paper, this appears to have the makings of a great game. I think both offenses will score points, and both defenses will make big plays and surrender big plays. In the end, I think it’s Atlanta’s time.

Prediction: Falcons 31, Patriots 27

CONFERENCE CHAMPIONSHIPS: 2-0 straight up; 2-0 vs. the spread.

PLAYOFFS: 9-1 straight up; 8-2 vs. the spread.

NFL predictions: Divisional Round weekend

Got off to a good start on Wild Card Weekend — 4-0 overall; 4-0 vs. the spread.
Things get tougher for this weekend’s Divisional Round match-ups.

Saturday

Seattle (+4 1/2) over ATLANTA -- This game will pit Atlanta’s offense (second overall, 425 ypg.) against Seattle’s fifth-best defense (318.7). QB Matt Ryan enjoyed an MVP-caliber season, though the Falcons’ defense was 25th overall. The Seahawks beat up on Detroit last week at home. A better opponent and being on the road — where it was 3-4-1 — will test Pete Carroll’s team. The Seahawks rallied at home late to beat Atlanta 26-24 in Week 6. Prediction: FALCONS 24, Seahawks 23

NEW ENGLAND (-16) over Houston --  Last week, the Texans enjoyed defeating the Raiders, who were led by third-string QB Connor Cook. QB Brock Osweiler played well before the home crowd. Houston boasted the league’s top “D” this season, but Tom Brady & Co. will be beginning their Super Bowl mission in earnest. Texans coach and former Bill Belichick assistant Bill O’Brien will not be feelin’ the love in Foxboro. The Brady-less Pats beat visiting Houston 27-0 in Week 3. Prediction: PATRIOTS 31, Texans 13

Sunday

Pittsburgh (+1 1/2) over KANSAS CITY -- Pittsburgh (seventh-ranked offense, 372.6 ypg; 12th defense, 342.6) had the statistical edge vs. K.C. (20th offense, 343 ypg; 24th defense, 368.5) this season. Plus, the Steelers enter having won eight straight. Andy Reid’s Chiefs showed mettle down the stretch to steal division from Oakland. K.C. was 6-2 both on the road and at home. Host Pittsburgh routed K.C. 43-14 during Week 4. Ben Roethlisberger said he will play despite being in a boot after the Dolphins game. Did you expect otherwise? Prediction: Steelers 26, CHIEFS 17

DALLAS (-4 1/2) over Green Bay — The Packers are on a roll, having won seven consecutive. ‘Boys were second in rushing (149.8 ypg.) and first (83.5) in stopping the run this season. Ezekiel Elliott heads a Dallas running attack that will go against the eighth-best defense (94.7) vs. the run. Aaron Rodgers vs. the 26th-ranked defense (260.4) gives Green Bay a real chance, but the ‘Boys will prevail at Jerry’s Place, where they beat GB 30-16 in Week 6. Prediction: COWBOYS 28, Packers 23

LAST WEEK: 4-0 overall; 4-0 vs. the spread.

NFL MVP: Brady or Ryan?

Most NFL watchers have reduced the 2016 MVP race to two quarterbacks: Tom Brady and Matt Ryan.

I did a mental coin flip and came up with Ryan.

Ryan led the Falcons to an 11-5 record and NFC South title. Without him, they’re likely not even a playoff team.

Ryan completed 69.9 percent of his passes for 4,944 yards, 38 TDs and 7 INTs.

Tom Brady led the Patriots to an 11-1 mark. That was after New England went 3-1 while Tommy sat out his Deflate-gate season-opening suspension.

Brady completed 67.4 percent for 3,554 yards, 28 TDs and 2 INTs.

Should any suspension play a factor in voting? Maybe, though the inflation of balls is a gridiron misdemeanor, at best.

As for talk MVP should be awarded after the postseason, no.  There are two seasons -- the first results in awards, the second results in a Super Bowl appearance and victory.

I'm sure Brady would prefer Super Bowl MVP this time around, anyway.


* * *

A 105-year-old Frenchman set a world record in the 105-plus age category by riding 92 laps, 14.01 miles in one hour.

I'm guessing that record will be harder to break than Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak.

* * *

Hey Derek Jeter …

Your wife Hannah is gorgeous,  beautiful, awesome, hot, sexy.

Does that get me a dinner?

NFL predictions: Wild Card weekend

The 17-week NFL regular season is over. Time to get real with the playoffs beginning with Wild Card Weekend.

Here are one man's predictions for this weekend's games.

Saturday

HOUSTON (-3) over Oakland -- Two teams with QB issues. Raiders lost Derek Carr for the season with a broken leg in Week 16. The Texans benched Brock Osweiler for Tom Savage on Sunday, but Savage suffered a concussion in the game. Who will start? Doesn't matter. The deciding factor here will be Houston's defense -- tops in the NFL at 301.3 ypg. TEXANS 24, Raiders  17

SEATTLE (-7 1/2) over Detroit -- OK, so Seattle might not be quite at the level of their recent Super Bowl teams, but they still have the fifth-ranked defense. Plus, this game offers a clean slate beginning in their raucous house. It doesn't hurt that Detroit is riding a three-game losing streak. SEAHAWKS 31, Lions 17


Sunday

PITTSBURGH (-10) over Miami -- Ben Roethlisberger & Co. weren't guaranteed to be in the playoffs until beating Baltimore in Week 16, but they figure to be a tough out now that they're in. Kudos to the Dolphins for reaching the playoffs in Year 1 under Adam Gaze. I think this game will be competitive, but Steelers will prevail with temps expected in the high 20s. STEELERS 27, Dolphins 16

GREEN BAY (-4) over NY Giants -- Aaron Rodgers won't relax when facing the Giants' D, but New York's offense, a disappointing enigma most of the season, will cost the Giants here. Temperatures expected to be in the teens on Sunday. PACKERS 21, Giants 13

I hate going all chalk and all home, but what can ya do ... except be wrong? LOL