We start the Sunday Wildcard Games with Madison’s Favorite Heartbreak team, the N.Y. Giants at Tampa Bay. The Giants are +3 point underdogs and are coming off their ‘Great Loss’ against the Patriots. The Bucs have been taking the last couple of weeks off to rest QB Jeff Garcia and other starters. The Giants are saying they have some Swagger back after competing with the Patriots last Saturday. Personally I think they played their playoff best last Saturday and they will be tired and flat against the rested Bucs.
The Bucs are +20 in turnover margin and give up only 11 points per game at home. You compare this with the fact that Eli Manning has thrown 20 interceptions and lost 7 fumbles this year and the Giants team has 15 giveaways this past month alone, most in the NFL. Now, the Giants have won 7 straight games on the road this year and they will put pressure on Jeff Garcia. The Giants are the #1 defense in the league in terms of sacks. One of the problems Coach Coughlin incurred during his need to play the Patriots tough last Saturday is the injuries of 3 key starters: (C) Shaun O’hara, CB Sam Madison, and LB Kawika Mitchell. The biggest one, in my opinion, is to O’hara. The Center is the toughest player on a team to replace and outside the QB position actually affects teams, in terms of betting, more than any other position on the field. Look for some problems with protection schemes and possibly a fumble on the exchange if O’hara isn’t able to return.
In the end I like the ability of the Bucs defense to make it a difficult day for Eli, especially in the red zone. CB Ronde Barber is one of the best corners in the game and he will have the job of covering Plexico Burress. Plexico will get his catches, but I don’t expect any huge plays against the Bucs secondary. The running game of the Bucs will eventually wear down the Giants and Old Man Joey Galloway will get his usual 50 yard bomb for a huge play or touchdown to seal the deal.
TAKE THE BUCS -3 at home!
Titans +10 @ Chargers
If you think the Giants have some injury problems you should see the Titans. Vince Young is a game time decision, Lendale White is banged up, (G) Benji Olsen looks like he won’t play, WR Roydell White broke his ankle on Wednesday so he’s out. He was Young’s go to receiver and with Young having problems with his quad it’s going to be interesting how the Titans do in 3rd and 6 or less situations. On the other side of the field you have the Chargers, who have been playing this past month like they did all of last year. They have gotten healthy over the past few weeks and have gotten their swagger back. They have been getting great pressure on the opposing QB’s and L.T. is finding space again in which to run wild.
When these two teams met last month it was a crazy ass hard hitting game. There is no love loss between these two. I expect a bunch of great hits during this game with the Chargers getting the best of the Titans. The Chargers are much healthier and better equipped to handle the intensity of the physicality this game will present. I think it’s going to be very difficult for the Titans to put enough points on the board to win this game. Even though 10 points is a Ton of points, especially for a playoff game, I just see the Chargers releasing some of that pent up disappointment you know they still have from last year’s meltdown against the Patriots on the Titans tomorrow. The Chargers have too much L.T. and their D will make life very hard for either Vince Young or Kerry Collins.
TAKE THE CHARGERS -9.5. Buy down 1/2 point from -10 to remove yourself from the dreaded push.
Talk to you next week–
Bet Ya–
Alikat
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