NFL Playoffs Conference Championship Games

Posted on by georgefattell

Colts vs. Jets: I really don’t see how the Colts lose this game, unless Peyton Manning is injured in the 1st quarter and unable to play the rest of the game. Really, the Jets are lucky to still be in the playoffs. They defeated a superior team in the Chargers, but that won’t happen again. Not to take anything away from the Jets, they have played great football in the playoffs thus far and have exceeded expectations for this season, but they are not nearly as good as the remaining teams in the playoffs imo. I think they would also lose to the Saints or the Vikings if they played either one of them. I predict that the Colts will win by at least 10 points.

Saints vs. Vikings: Now this game is a very tough call because both teams have such strong, well rounded offenses, and each team has a truly outstanding QB. However, I have to give the Saints the edge because of homefield advantage. I would love to see Brett Favre return to the Superbowl, but this time he really has his work cut out for him because Drew Brees seems to be every bit his equal this year and Brees may have even more weapons to draw upon. If Reggie Bush plays as well as did last week vs. Arizona the Vikings are in trouble. We’ll see. I don’t want to discount the defenses either because that is what may decide the game. It may very well come down to which defense slows down the opposing offense the most effectively. I don’t think either will be “shut down”. I see a high scoring game, with the Saints prevailing, say 31-28.

Jets 17 Chargers 14

Posted on by georgefattell

Well, you can always count on some surprises in the NFL Playoffs and we certainly had some some this past weekend. Of course, the biggest surprise, by far, was the Jets defeating the Chargers. I still don’t think the better team won that game, but the Jets played extremely well and deserve all the credit in the world. Hats off to them for a job well done.

To me, this loss highlighted the fact that the Chargers have to acquire a strong running back that they can rely on to average 4 plus yards per carry. That should be their top priority imo. Unforunately, Tomlinson can’t provide that production any longer and it appears his great career may be at an end. He certainly should not be the Chargers starting RB going forward.

I don’t think the Jets can continue their string of upsets next week at Indy. Peyton Manning and the Colts will take note of mistakes made by the Charger and won’t make the same. I expect the Colts to use a more balanced run/pass attack that will produce at least 24 to 28 points and that will be more than enough to ensure victory over the Jets.

NFL Playoffs Rd 2

Posted on by georgefattell

Saints vs. Cardinals: This should be quite a shoot out. I haven’t been all that impressed by the Saints defense this year and I do think the Cardinals will score at least 24 points. OTOH, as Green Bay demonstrated, Arizona has it’s own problems on defense and Drew Brees should be able to riddle the weak AZ secondary with both short and long passes. I think the Saints will score at least 30 points. Of course, the Superdome also gives the Saints another advantage. In the end I think New Orleans just has too much firepower for Arizona and will win a high scoring contest.

Colts vs. Ravens: A classic match-up here pitting a high octane pass oriented offense against a very aggressive defense that is usually capable of disrupting their opponents game plan.

Can’t say that I would be shocked if the Ravens pull off an upset in this game, but I don’t think they will. I have to pick Peyton Manning & Co. to win this game.

Vikings vs. Cowboys: Only a couple of weeks ago I thought the Vikings were the best bet to win the Super Bowl, but that changed as I came to the conclusion that the Cowboys are peaking right now and present a real threat to the Vikings. I think the Cowboys will upset and move on for a rematch with the Saints in New Orleans.

Chargers vs. Jets: The Jets have had a great season and they are a formidable team, especially on defense, but I just don’t think the Jets can score enough to win against the Chargers. This game is similar to the Colts and Ravens. High power offense against high power defense and in this case I think the high powered offense wins. Chargers QB Phillip Rivers and the tall Charger receivers pose a problem that Jets do not have a solution for. I think the Chargers will dispatch the over achieving Jets and move on to a Battle Royale against the Colts.

Las Vegas trip

Posted on by georgefattell
The Trump Intl and The Fashion Show mall

Paid a visit to Las Vegas this past weekend. Stayed at the Trump International Hotel and found the hotel quite accommodating. Only in Vegas could a Trump property seem understated and reserved. The hotel does not have a casino and I considered that a positive.

The ever evolving skyline of LV continues to be fascinating. I made a point of visiting the heralded new CityCenter and I must say I was impressed by the dramatic futuristic buildings of the complex.

2010 NFL Playoffs Rd 1

Posted on by georgefattell

Jets vs Bengals: I think the Bengals will win at home. I just can’t see the Jets going very far with their Rookie QB, Mark Sanchez. He may prove me wrong, but rookie QB’s usually don’t go that far inthe playoffs. I expect Cincy to turn up the D a few notches and force Sanchez into a few turnovers. Bengals should win.

Cowboys vs Eagles: Tough game to call, should much closer than last weeks game between these two, but I think Dallas is the hotter team and the home field gives them the advantage they need to beat the talented team from Philly. Cowboys win.

Patriots vs. Ravens: Another tough one. If the Pats still had Wes Welker I would feel comfortable picking them to win, but they don’t and that makes them vulnerable to the Ravens imo. Edelman looks like decent substitute for Welker, but WW cannot be totally replaced at this stage of the season. I think the Ravens will upset the Brady Bunch.

Cardinals vs Packers: The Pack is the better team right now imo and I expect them to defeat Arizona at home. Aaron Rodgers seems to peaking at the right time of the season and he is as valuable as any QB in the league right now.

UFC 108: Post event thoughts

Posted on by georgefattell

The card for UFC 108 looked pretty weak due to the fact that so many fights had to be cancelled within the last few months due to an inordinate string of injuries that forced fighters to pull out. However, a lot of credit should be given to the UFC for putting together what turned out to be decent card that featured some very competitive fights.

The main event, Rashad Evans vs. Thiago Silva, was a very interesting, hard fought contest. Evans won by decision, but he definitely had his hands full with Silva, who came close to knocking Evans out in the third round. I picked Silva to win based on his punching power. Evans, to his credit, used his wrestling ability to take down Silva numerous times in first two rounds and neutralize his striking.

Welterweight Paul Daley and Heavyweight Junior Dos Santos also distinguished themselves win devastating KO’s of their opponents, each in the first round.

Fantasy Football Finale

Posted on by georgefattell

This was my first year participating in my office’s Fantasy Football League and my team actually won the whole thing today! My team, the Warthogs, came in 1st place overall in a 10 team league, which I can honestly say is a performance that exceeded my expectations. Going into the season I was hopeful that I would have a respectable performance and possibly take 2nd or 3rd. It was a long 17 weeks and it wasn’t easy. I’ve never studied so many scouting, injury and weather reports during a football season. I also had a some luck. It was fortunate that none of my players were injured and very rarely did I select players that were shut out during the week(s) that I had them.

A trip to Vegas during the playoffs maybe in order so I can put my football prognosticating ability to the ultimate test.

Visit to West Palm Beach

Posted on by georgefattell

West Palm Beach
I spent my Christmas vacation in West Palm Beach, FL visiting relatives and had a great time. The Palm Beach area has a well deserved reputation for beauty and tranquility. I stayed near the City Place mall complex in WPB and found that an excellent location from which explore the downtown sections of WPB, as well as Palm Beach itself.

High Performance Electric and Hybrid Cars

Posted on by georgefattell

The Audi E-Tron
I have been very impressed recently by the progress that is being made in the development of high performance electric cars and hybrids. There were quite a few of these cars on display a few weeks ago at the 2009 L.A. Auto Show, where I had a chance to see some of them in person. Some, such as the Audi E-Tron and the Fisker Karma, were truly striking. What is also exciting is that some of these vehicles will be hitting the streets soon. The Karma will go on sale within the next year and the E-Tron maybe ready within two years. Of course, these cars will be expensive and produced in small numbers, but the technology they employ should become much more common in the not too distant future.