Role Reversal: Championship Weekend

On the heels of last week’s playoff games, two issues need to be addressed.

For starters, the Eagles fell 27-24 to the Saints in New Orleans, but had ample chances to win the game. To say they should have won would take credit away from the Saints, who played a great game and deserved to win. But the Eagles loss did not hinge solely on Andy Reid’s decision to punt on 4th and 15 with 1:56 to play. The thinking being, if they could have pinned the Saints deep in their own end, use their remaining timeouts and force a punt, they would have had a short field to work with only needing a field goal to send the game into overtime. Reid’s other option would have been to go for it on fourth down, where if they don’t convert, the Saints take over already in field goal range. Assuming the defense holds and the Saints extend their lead to six, the Eagles would have had to go the length of the field in less than a minute with no timeouts needing a touchdown to win the game. Reid opted to kick it away, and the rest, as they say, is history. Reid simply made the wrong decision. And why was it the wrong decision?

Because it didn’t work.

For my money, punting was still the right thing to do. Converting a fourth and long to keep a game-winning drive is a one-in-a-million shot, and that lightning already struck the Eagles (remember McNabb to FredEx on 4th and 26?). The bottom line is, if they would have gone for it on 4th and 15 and didn’t make it, Reid would be catching hell for not kicking it away. Instead of burying Reid and the Eagles, let’s commend them for winning six straight, winning the East, and holding it together without Donovan McNabb.

On Sunday, to the surprise of nobody, the Patriots beat the Chargers in San Diego, and celebrated by doing the Shawne Merriman “Lights Out” dance at midfield, which sparked the ire of the ever-classy LaDanian Tomlinson, who took a shot at Bill Belicheck afterwards. Much of the talk has been about the Patriots and how they are the gold standard in the league and should be above this kind of showmanship.

Here’s my question – why is everyone acting like the Patriots are a bunch of choirboys? This is the same team that, two years ago, did the Eagles wing flap every time they made a play. Their coach wouldn’t shake hands with a guy that used to work for him, then he chucked a photographer aside to give him a hug (which was all for show anyway). What, because they’ve won three Super Bowls in the last five years they’re immune to all the trash talk? The guys on this team are no different than guys on other teams.

Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying the Patriots shouldn’t have done what they did. Rewind to last season when the Chargers went to Foxboro and beat the Patriots, snapping their 21-game home winning streak in the process. Word is a bunch of guys from the Chargers were yapping like Clubber Lang in “Rocky III.” The Patriots are a proud bunch, and I bet that had something to do with their reaction last week.

Plus, it’s not like the Chargers didn’t have it coming. Memo to the Chargers – if it’s going to piss you off to see someone come into your house and dance on your field, maybe next time you should win the game.

Complete role reversal for me this weekend. A week ago I was on an 0-4 streak but had the Eagles to fall back on. Last week, I went 4-0, but the Birds lost. Now that I don’t have a dog in the fight, I can actually pick objectively. Sort of.

Sunday, January 21st, 2007

The Match-up: New Orleans (+2.5) @ Chicago
The Skinny: On the surface, it would seem as though a dome team playing in Chicago in January would be at a severe disadvantage. But the Saints are 6-2 on the road this year, and they are balanced enough offensively to challenge the Bears defense. Chicago gave up 100 yards and two touchdowns to Shaun Alexander last week, and Deuce McAllister and Reggie Bush are both capable of taking over the game. Rex Grossman didn’t play half bad last week, and he’ll be tested by an underrated New Orleans defense. The Saints are hands down the best story in the league this year, and I hope they keep it going.
Straight Up: New Orleans
Against the Spread: New Orleans
The Score: Saints 27, Bears 20

The Match-up: New England (+3.0) @ Indianapolis
The Skinny: Really, could it be any other way? The difference is, this version of Patriots-Colts in the AFC title game is that this game is being played indoors, in the friendly confines of the RCA Dome, where the Colts are undefeated this year. Another difference? Adam Vinatieri kicks for the Colts now, and wouldn’t it be ironic of the game came down to a Vinatieri field goal? Look, sooner or later, Peyton Manning is going to have to cash one of these opportunities in, and this may be his best look at it. I think it’s finally his time.
Straight Up: Indianapolis
Against the Spread: Indianapolis
The Score: Colts 31, Patriots 23