Ravens at Patriots AFC Divisional Playoff

In the first of two NFL Divisional playoff games being played today,in this AFC game the Baltimore Ravens take on the New England Patriots in Foxboro. This should be a good game that I expect to be competitive and fun to watch. I expect Tom Brady and the Patriots to come out on top due to the fact that the Baltimore defensive secondary is the Raven's weak spot.  My prediction, Patriots 31 Ravens 19

See what the guys from CBS Sports think:

 Pete Prisco and Pat Kirwan preview the AFC Divisional matchup between the Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots.

What Are The Odds; Irish Bookmaker's Super Bowl XLVII Novelty Bet Specials

For all those gamblers out there that just can't get their fix in by voting the point spread, the over/under or which team will be the winner of this Sunday's Super Bowl between the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers, don't worry, you still have time to place a unique wager on the game.

The Irish bookmaker Paddy Power is currently taking a number of Super Bowl XLVII novelty wagers on such things as:

• The predominant color of the first outfit that Beyonce appears in onstage at the Super Bowl half time show -  (odds vary depending on color of dress)
• The first time that all three members of Destiny's Child are on stage together during the Super Bowl half time show - (odds 2/9 on the color of their dresses, 4/1 if they will be wearing hats)
• Will Alicia Keys be wearing a hat at any time during the singing of the National Anthem  (odds1/4) and play piano live along with singing the National Anthem (odds 4/1).
• Will Raven's linebacker Ray Lewis cry during the National Anthem (odds 1/8)
• The number of times 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick kisses his bicep (under 2.5 odds 8/15 - over 11/8)

Paddy Power will be taking bets up until Super Bowl pregame festivities commence (or until they deem otherwise), so if you feel that you have to have "a little skin in the game" to make Super Bowl XLVII interesting and worth your wild to watch or enjoy, than you better place those bets soon.

Who's Going To Win Super Bowl XLVII, Ravens or 49ers?

This coming Sunday the Baltimore Ravens and the San Francisco 49ers will be meeting down in New Orleans to compete in Super Bowl XLVII and the question on everybody's mind isn't about where they're going to be watching the game or who has the best chicken wings, pizza or beer? No, the big question on everyone's mind is who is going to win? Everyone has an opinion but no one has the answer.

That is of course, if you happen to believe two sources that have a fairly reliable track record over the past several years.

For those that are video game devotees and who spend countless hours on their Xbox 360 or Playstation PS3, EA Sports's "Madden NFL 13" has chosen the Baltimore Ravens to narrowly beat the 49ers on Sunday. Back at the home, EA Sports has been running Super Bowl game simulations for the past  nine years and has accurately predicted seven of the past nine Super Bowl Champions. Amazingly in 2009, the simulation between the Pittsburgh Steelers and Arizona Cardinals was just two points off of the exact score.

Closer to home, Princess the prognosticating and somewhat clairvoyant camel of Lacy Township's Popcorn Park Zoo, has also gained a bit of national attention for her stunning track record at picking the winners of not only regular season NFL games but also the Super Bowl over the past several years. In that time span she has chosen the winner of the big game six out of the past seven years.  And this year, Princess is also picking the Ravens to beat the 49ers on Sunday saying, "... I’ve got faith in Flacco, who by the way, is from New Jersey. That Ray Rice, he can run the ball and the defense will do just enough to win!"

I'm going to go out on a limb and take the opposite stand on the game, I say the San Francisco 49ers are going to win this years Super Bowl. I just think that the dynamics of the 49ers's offense with Colin Kaepernick at quarterback, running the triple option will be a little to much for the aging Ravens's defense to overcome. I also think that the San Franciso's defense is superior to Baltimores' and it will keep Joe Flacco off balance most of the game and running back Ray Rice in the backfield more often than not.  

Sunday NFL Divisional Playoff Previews: Texans Vs Ravens, Giants Vs Packers

The Houston Texans will square off against the Baltimore Ravens on Sunday at M&T Bank Stadium while the New York Giants will travel to Lambeau Field to take on the defending champion Green Bay Packers after a big win over the Falcons last week.

Which teams will come out on top and advance to their Conference Championship games? Jason Horowitz and NFL.com's Pat Kirwan break it down.

Princess the Camel Picks Super Bowl XLII Winner

The prognosticator of Popcorn Park Zoo, Princess the Camel, made her final prediction for this years NFL season it was reported yesterday in the Asbury Park Press.

After a somewhat successful season picking the winning teams, Princess record stands at an impressive 16 - 5 . 

Of her most publicized picks, the Giants over the Eagles in their NFC Divisional playoff match up and then the Eagle over the Cardinals in the NFC Championship game, Princess picked the losers. 

What was her final prediction of the season ? Princess picked the Pittsburgh Steelers over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLII.

Seems like a safe bet for me, but afer being burned twice by Princess during the playoffs, I think that I'm going with the Cardinals !

More on that tomorrow.

NFL Championship Sunday Predictions

Here are my predictions for the NFL's NFC and AFC Championship games, the winners of which will meet in the Super Bowl on February 1st.

Eagles vs. Cardinals

As stated last week after the game against the Giants, I feel that the Eagles will move onto the Super Bowl with a 24 - 19 victory over the Cardinals in Arizona. However, if Kurt Warner has great game and does not turn the ball over, I can see the results being reversed.

Steelers vs. Ravens

Jersey Joe Flacco's story book year is over after this game. The Steelers have beaten the Ravens handliy twice already this season and I see no reason to think otherwise here. Big Ben will do just enough to NOT lose the game and let the Pittsburgh defense control the game.

Steelers 23 Ravens 13

It should be an all Pennsylvania Super Bowl this year.

AFC Title Game Features Steelers vs. Ravens

Baltimore and Pittsburgh are squaring off to decide to advances to the Super Bowl from the AFC.

NFL - Divisional Playoffs Preview for Jan.10th

The Carolina Panthers have yet to lose a game at home this season. Jason Horowitz and Charley Casserly see if the Arizona Cardinals can put an end to that streak this weekend.

Cardinals vs. Panthers


The Titans meet the Ravens in the AFC playoffs. The Titans allowed the second-fewest points per game in the NFL. The Ravens were thirdin that category.

Titans vs. Ravens

Sports Monday: Eagles Soar 26-14 over Vikings, and More

Eagles beat Vikings, 26-14, in NFC playoffs; Ravens score 17 unanswered points and defeat Dolphins, 27-9, in the AFC; Atlanta's Mike Smith wins AP NFL coach of the year award by one vote; Boston College beats top-ranked North Carolina

Ravens and Rookie QB Embarress Dolphins 27-9:Playoff Recap

Ed Reed and the Ravens defense came up with five takeaways Sunday to win 27-9, spoiling the Dolphins' first playoff game in seven seasons. Jim Nantz and Phil Simms recap the action from Dolphin Stadium.



Rookie quarterback Joe Flacco won his postseason debut against the Dolphins 27-9 on Sunday. Jim Nantz and Phil Simms spoke with Flacco after the game.

NY Times: Inside the Playbook Challenge

If anyone is interested, the New York Times has a neat feature this week, it's called the Playbook Challange.

 If you register with the Times, you will be able to fill out an interactive NFL Playoffs bracket to test your knowledge and skill at picking the NFL playoff games and the eventual winner of the Superbowl. 

 You have too not only pick the winner of each game but  the margin of victory each team will win by.   

After you complete the form you are issued a unqiue "url" that you can email or display to others so that they can follow your picks     

"The New York Times Inside the Playbook Challenge allows you to pick the winners and margins of victory for each round of the N.F.L. playoffs, including the Super Bowl. Save your picks, compare them with other readers and test your N.F.L. savvy against New York Times reporters."

If anyone is interested here is my url:

http://projects.nytimes.com/nfl2009/bracket/57648102

Let me know what you think of my picks and we can compare notes. 

One catch however, registration ends today so don't wait, sign up fast and lets see how well everyone picks the winners of this weekends NFL playoffs and all then all of the games right through to the Superbowl. 

NFL Wildcard Weekend Matchups For Sunday Jan. 4th

AFC Wildcard Matchup Baltimore Vs. Miami

NFC Wildcard Matchup Minnesota Vs. Philadelphia