Saturday, January 22, 2005

NFL Against the Spread – Online Betting AFC NFC Title Games

First my sincerest apologies to my loyal readers reader for my disappearing act over the last 2 weeks. “Real Life” reared it's ugly, and rather obtuse, head leaving me with little to no extra time (not even for sleep). I actually missed action on last weekends games, something that I rarely do...

But, I have returned and further promise to never let it happen again. In an attempt to win back the hearts of those who have put up with my long winded ramblings all season, I will have a special, “Not Safe For Work” Anna pic posted following this match-up analysis. This will be one that I would not have shared but for my deplorable actions over the last couple of weeks.

Now on to the only reason you are still reading...

NFL NFC Title Game

The Atlanta Falcons (12-5) at The Philadelphia Eagles (14-3)
Against the Spread:  Falcons 8-8-1 | Eagles 10-5-1
Game Time: 3:00 PM ET
Current High NFL Betting Line: Eagles -6 -107
Current Low NFL Betting Line: Eagles -4.5 -120
Over/Under 37u to 37.5u -105 to -116

Anyone who was concerned about there being a little rust on the Eagles wheels breathed a collective sigh of relief almost from the start of the Minnesota game. In what could only be described as methodical, the Eagles shut-down the scoring ability of the Vikings and used a well balanced offensive approach when it was their turn to carry the rock.

RB Brian Westbrook showed his versatlitly, rushing for 70 yards and receiving for another 47, including a touchdown. WR Greg Lewis stepped up when called into action, grabbing a 52 yards pass from McNabb that set up the 7 yard TD for Westbrook.

The Eagles defense stood tall with Jevon Kearse doing his thing at DE and Jeremiah Trotter his at MLB. Although it allowed 385 yards, it kept up the pressure and never let Daunte Culpepper get into a rhythm. They picked him twice and kept his star receivers from making many big plays, a 40 yard reception by Marcus Robinson was the deepest Culpepper was able to complete. Randy Moss, the biggest of those stars, was almost completely held in check, gaining only 51 yards on 3 grabs. The fact the Mike Tice was holding the clipboard didn't hurt the Eagles any either.



The Falcons put on a show for the home team crowd. Vick wowed them with a pair of TD passes and 100+ yard rushing game. RB Warrick Dunn ran for 113 yards and broke off a 62 yard blast to pay dirt.

But the real hero in that game was Allen Rossum, who finished the night with over 150 yards (152, NFL Playoff Record) on 3 punt returns including a 68 yarder for a touchdown.

Atlanta, as a whole, ended the night with a staggering 327 yards rushing. The flip side of that coin is that they only got about 70 yards total through the air. Keep in mind that they were playing against a tired and banged up St. Louis Rams squad that finished the season 8-8. Not exactly a stellar opponent by any stretch of the imagination.

Moving along...

The Eagles showed that they can win without Terrell Owens.

The Falcons showed that they are what they are.

The Eagles are good for a couple of reasons:

The Falcons are not a good passing team. If even moderately contained and forced to pass, Vick is as apt to throw the ball to his opposition as he is to own receivers.

The Eagles have a balanced offense and (despite a very questionable series at the end of the half) a good coaching staff that is aware of what it can and can't do.

Furthermore, the Phili D is tougher than the Atlanta D. The Falcons come with a lot of blitz packages, but then again they ended the season with just one more sack than the Eagles. Add into that a better offensive line and a more well rounded game and the Eagles have it in spades over Atlanta.


My Online Betting Action: The Eagles -5

As Promised:

Anna Kournikova Loves The Eagles
Anna Checks for Scrambling Vicks