Is this some type of sick joke?
Four games to pick with four home teams getting points and I’m still struggling to select one for my column this week. What is that all about?
I have more disdain for oddsmakers worldwide than the plowman who smiled at me as he dumped snow at the end of my driveway for the third time today.
There’s not much to like about the foursome hosting playoff games this weekend. San Diego, Arizona, Miami and Minnesota have four wins collectively over postseason-bound squads.
It gets worse. If you take away wins against each other (Arizona beat Miami Week 2, Miami bested San Diego Week 5 and Minnesota handled Arizona Week 15), the magnificent four have one victory to their name over a playoff team and that was the Vikings’ Week 17 excuse-me win over the nothing-to-play-for Giants.
That’s the reason underdog bettors aren’t doing summersaults at the opportunity to back the home side Saturday or Sunday.
My favorite play is the Colts on the road against the Bolts. Indy’s offensive line is intact and San Diego’s injury concerns at the skill positions (RB and TE) should concern Charger backers.
But this is an underdogs story and I’m going to deliver the goods.
Philadelphia Eagles at Minnesota Vikings (+3)
Andy Reid’s boys closed out the regular season in dramatic fashion with a 44-6 thumping of division rival Dallas. Meanwhile, the Vikes squeaked by the G-Men’s second unit to (I won’t say earn) collect the NFC North.
Minnesota fans are equally uninspired with their team’s play. As of Friday morning there were still 8,000 seats unsold for Sunday’s contest.
“I’ve been a die-hard Viking fan my whole life,” season-ticket holder Shane Eckes told the Pioneer Press. “We just haven’t been impressed with the Brad Childress era.”
My guess is the fans will eat up those remaining seats and it will be at least close to a sell out. The home field will still be an added edge for the Vikes and Philly will have trouble running offensive plays inside the red zone because of the crowd noise.
The Eagles haven’t been successful this year when they abandon the run and the temptation will be there to forget about running back Brian Westbrook going against Minnesota’s front seven.
The Purple People Eaters finished first in run defense for a third-consecutive year and the stop unit has allowed only two backs (Rams’ Steven Jackson and Packers’ Ryan Grant) to gain over 100 yards on the ground in the last 48 games.
I’m not as low on Tarvaris Jackson as some. Minny’s a better team with him behind center compared to 79-year-old Gus Frerotte. He has the ability to make plays with his right arm or with his legs.
The 10-game benching seemed to do the youngster some good. He came back more confident and deliberate in the pocket.
His two lost fumbles in the Week 16 loss to the Falcons is concerning but you’ve got to take the good with the bad. He ran 76 yards on eight carries in that game and he has only one interception compared to eight passing touchdowns since regaining the starting job.
“T-Jack gets bashed a lot by spectators, but he’s a good quarterback,” teammate Adrian Peterson told reporters. “I’m sure in the future he will start getting the respect he deserves.”
A playoff win would certainly help him gain some of that respect.
Pick: Vikings
Last week: 2-1
Season record: 24-25-2