Hey all, my name is Gabi Secemski, and I am new to Devilsdaily.com. Jeremy K. has asked me to blog about football and baseball, my sports of choice, to provide some variety among the blogs.  I love both sports and am a fan of the Patriots and NY Mets respectively.  My e-mail is gscempski@yahoo.com if anyone has comments, feedback, etc.  My first blog will be to look at the upcoming AFC and NFC Championship Games, both of which are rematches from week two in the NFL.

 AFC Championship Game: 3PM, Patriots vs. Chargers

This week I am going to be at Gillette Stadium, watching the Pats (hopefully) win and earn another trip the Super Bowl in Glendale, AZ. Since the tickets were expensive, we are sitting in the 300s section (with a much better view from the couch).  In addition, the weatherman has predicted a chilly day with temperatures ranging from 10 to 29 degrees.  Still, nothing tops watching playoff football in person.

While I really wanted to see Colts-Pats, it was not meant to be.  The Colts choked again in the playoffs, last year’s fluke the lone exception.  While most people focus on little brother Eli, it is Peyton who has seven wins in 14 postseason appearances.  In fact, Peyton lost his first three playoff games unlike Eli who won the third time around.  And Peyton did not make the Championship round until 2003, five years after he was drafted first overall in the 1998 NFL Draft.

My last two trips to Foxboro have been productive—a 37-16 pasting of the overrated J-E-T-S in last year’s Wild card round, and a 20-3 whipping of the Colts in 2005.

I am confident that it will be the third positive trip in a row.

I first must talk about this Chargers team. I cannot recall a team talking so much trash without any significant accomplishments.

Philip River mocks Jay Cutler, a superior QB. He talks trash to Colts fans, while reserve Billy Volek led the game-winning drive with Rivers nursing his injury on the sidelines.

Shawne Merriman, whose parents still have not figured out how to spell Shawn, Sean or Shaun, mocks Jabar Gaffney by forgetting his name.  I guess Merriman has a terrible memory, as Gaffney ripped the Chargers for 10 catches, 103 yards and a TD in the Pats 24-21 win in San Diego in last year’s playoffs).  And Jets fans probably dislike Gaffney as well.  He made 8 catches for 104 yards in his first-ever playoff game.

Chargers defensive end Igor Olshansky said, “Bring on the Patriots” and “the Patriots are the ones who should be worried”.

Outside linebacker Shaun Phillips, whose parents are literate, said, “Every game with the Patriots will be very personal.”

We remember how LT trashed the Pats for showing a lack of class for imitating Merriman’s dance after beating them on the road in the divisional round of the playoffs last season. While I do not condone the Pats mockery, however funny it may have been, LT should shut his mouth, considering that Merriman mocked others with his dance.

In addition, Merriman and Luis Castillo, the Chargers best defensive players, have both been suspended by the league for using steroids.

LT should not talk about showing class when he and his teammates show none.

Above all that, the Pats beat the Chargers in San Diego in the 2006-07 playoffs, with Reche Caldwell and Gaffney at wideout.

This year, the Pats are a different yet more experienced team with Randy Moss, Wes Welker and Donte Stallworth at wide receiver.

In week two, San Diego came into New England, fresh off the season-opening victory over the defending NFC Champion Chicago Bears, and got their butts kicked 38-14.

Tomlinson and Rivers’ performances were subpar in that meeting.  LT managed a whopping 43 yards on 18 carries and Rivers threw for 179 yards on 19 of 30, two interceptions, and one fumble.

The 2007 Patriots are the best team right now, and in the opinion of some, other than the 1972 Miami Dolphins players, the best team ever. The Chargers are the ones who should be worried.

The Patriots have not been slowed down on offense the entire year, having scored at least 20 points each week.  Even the “big, bad” Jaguars allowed 31 points to them in last week’s divisional round.

As much as the Chargers love to think they are so tough, Peyton Manning threw for 402 yards and 3 TDs in last week's game.  The Chargers won largely due to the three turnovers they forced.

The Chargers’ defense’ bread and butter has been forcing turnovers all season (30 INTs, 16FFs).  While they lead the league in this category, the Pats have committed the fewer turnovers this season.

League MVP Tom Brady threw 8 INTs during the regular season and playoffs.  None of the Patriots skill players, Maroney, Moss, Welker, Stallworth, Gaffney, Watson and Brady have lost a fumble throughout their perfect season.

The only turnovers from the Patriots were committed by Brady, backup QB Matt Cassel, Ellis Hobbs and Troy Brown. If the Patriots do not turn the ball over, the Chargers have little chance.

I honestly believe that the Patriots will destroy the Chargers, healthy or not. I do not think that the Pats will even keep this close, and will have no problems moving the ball all over the field.

Their defense was shaky last week against the Jaguars, but they will have a game plan for Rivers. The Pats are the team this year, and the Chargers will not stop them.

On the other hand, the Chargers will likely have some new and interesting quotes after the Patriots end their season on Sunday afternoon in Foxboro.

Patriots 34, Chargers 17

 NFC Championship Game, 6 PM: Packers vs. Giants

During the second week, the Packers smacked the NY football Giants ,as referred to by Chris Berman, in the Meadowlands 35-13. At the time, the Giants were 0-2 and people were calling for Coach Tom Coughlin’s job.

Since that loss, the Giants are 12-4, including their playoff wins at Tampa Bay and Dallas.  The Giants are playing very well and have the confidence to go into Green Bay and win, as evidenced by their incredible nine-game road-winning streak.

Eli Manning’s playoff numbers in the two games are:

 32-45, 71.1 comp. %, 348 yards, 7.73 yards/attempt, 4 TD, 0 INT, 123.2 QB Rating

Those are the numbers of a very good QB, which Eli is right now. He will need to continue his strong play in order to upset Green Bay in Lambeau Field.

The Packers were overlooked prior to the season, and they took their division by storm, winning it with a 13-3 record. The Packers continued their roll last week, coming back from an early 14-0 deficit to outscore Seattle 42-6 the rest of the game.  Brett Farve is at the top of his game, and Giants castoff Ryan Grant has been the missing piece, leading the NFL in rushing since week 8.

The defense is very good and young, and is solid against the pass and the run.  They will be able to keep the Giants offense in check, meaning the Giants defense will have to pressure Favre.

The Packers are a team that has few weaknesses.  If they are able to negate the Giants pass rush and protect Brett Farve, they will be successful.  The Giants best chance is to force Farve into mistakes.

The Giants have looked like a complete team the past few weeks, peaking at the right time. However, the Packers are playing well and are at home. The weather could be a factor, as last week it took away the Seahawks speed and pass rushing.  That scenario may play out again.

I think the Packers will protect Farve, and the Giants are playing a defense that is very good. It was a great year for the Giants, but it ends here.

Packers 30, Giants 20

 If these predictions come true, the Super Bowl will be a rematch of 11 years ago, in which Favre won his first and only ring. That would make for a great game, considering Favre's age and determination and Brady's vast regular season and playoff experience in only seven professional seasons, entering the league as a former sixth round draft choice back in 2000 and elevating his game to the likes of John Elway, Joe Montana, and even Brett Favre himself.

Thanks,

GS

• ‹ previous
• 316 of 430
• next ›