A Couple Things...

After predicting the exact games Boston would win in the NBA Finals last year (1,2,4, and 6), the point differential of the Christmas Day Boston/LA game (nine), and the exact point differential of last night's Boston/Cleveland showdown (fifteen), I'm feeling pretty good about a few things.

One thing this means, is that I know the 3 major contenders pretty well. That would mean nothing on its own, of course, but I also happen to be growing more and more confident by the day that this Cavs team isn't just going to win the title this year, but we're "witnessing" (ha!) the beginnings of a dynasty.

I'm aware that it was just one game, but there is no way that Boston team has a shot against The Man this year. The "pundits" talk every day about "where game 7 will be played," referring to who is going to be in first in the East and how whoever is at home in game 7 might be more likely to win the series. The thing these people forget to mention is the fact that there is no way in hell this series is going seven. This Boston "Big Three" (aka, the "Biggest Bullshit Nickname Ever Earned or Unearned") is all softies. They were tougher than the Lakers last year making everyone, including myself, thing that maybe this Celtics team had some guts. What we forgot was that their opponent's gutty factor was less than zero. What was billed as one of the great Finals of all time was secretly full of soft stars that will not be a factor for the next ten years. That finals will be forgotten.

Why do I think Cleveland will become a dynasty? Because when you say LeBron is a type of player we've never seen before, you really mean it. LeBron is a legend in the making, and I don't know how to communicate this in a way that shows I'm not overstating it. My brother and I decided, barring spontaneous combustion, his range of status upon retirement is anywhere from top ten players of all time, to the best ever. The absolute worst he could do is top ten of all time. Somebody please tell me how anyone is beating this person from age 24-30. Anyone saying to themselves right now, "well, he's gone in 2010 anyway," should be ashamed of yourself. I've said what I needed to say.

FOOTBALL!

If my mistake last time was submitting my picks too early, I have pretty well overcompensated for that this week, doing them one hour before the first game. I don't really have an excuse.

Baltimore at Tennessee

All I can say when I think of this game is "ouch." These are possibly the two most painful teams to play in the league, the Steelers also being on that list (who, you will later find out, I believe the winner of this game will play in the next round). Both of these teams have pretty good running games and pretty bad passing games with QBs who are pretty terrible by playoff standards. The Ravens have better receivers and the Titans have better Running Backs. Really, the only way I can separate these two teams is one is at home and the other one isn't.

If you didn't know already, I'm picking the Titans. I love Jeff Fisher and I cannot trust Joe Flacco to win at Tennessee. The only reason I wouldn't pick the Titans to win the Super Bowl is that Kerry Collins is still mediocre at best (absolute best) at the end of the day. Tennessee also has the benefit of people sort of forgetting how good they were this season because they haven't played in a while. All the hype is about Ed Reed (deserved) and Haynesworth will probably score a touchdown today.

Titans over Ravens

Arizona at Carolina

This game is decidedly less interesting. Unless of course you're DeAngelo Williams' mother and love watching him break 50 yard touchdown runs several times during the course of one game. Everybody is being chastised for underestimating the Cardinals in the playoffs, but I'm going to keep doing it because I'm right. Congratulations, you beat a team which was supposed to be the worst in the league with a rookie QB at home. The Panthers MIGHT be the best team in the league (probably not) and ARE the best home team in the league (good thing you won that last game, Giants). Arizona is a pretty good home team and a shitty away team and a pretty mediocre team overall. While playing this game over in my head, I've decided the worst outcome for the Panthers is that Delhomme throws 5 picks and they win by 6.

Panthers over Cardinals

Philadelphia at NYG

Another team whose being over hyped because they shouldn't be here while forgetting the fact that they really should not be here. The Eagles won SUPER unimpressively (spellcheck says that is not a word but it also says "spellcheck" isn't a word), over ANOTHER team that doesn't belong in the playoffs, the Minnesota Vikings. Philly is one of the wussiest teams in the NFL and the Giants are very much the opposite. I can see this game being sort of close, but I cannot see New York losing. I've had enough Philly.

Giants over Eagles

San Diego at Pittsburgh

Instead of being another team who shouldn't be here, San Diego is probably just a team who shouldn't have been there when they were 4-8. All signs sort of point to the Chargers winning. The Steelers really aren't that good this year. Their defense is, of course, great and they have a big name quarterback. The problem is, Ben Roethlisberger is a little bit hurt, and when he's hurt, he's quite hideous. The Steelers also have problems running the ball which is unusual for a Pittsburgh team.

However, I'm basing my entire pick on the fact that the Steelers get so many bullshit wins and I'm sure one more is on its way. This team will NOT make the Super Bowl.

Steelers over Chargers

Now that I'm done with my picks, I can watch pregame for the first game!