Championship Week

3-1 last week as all four road teams covered and two won outright (home teams win about 80% of the divisional round typically -- reflecting the extra week off and that they should be better.)

Brady and Belichick best Marty and Rivers (we can't say LT because, well they didn't use him down the stretch) and Peyton (well not so much Peyton but the Colts D and Adam Viniateri) beat the Ravens.

Bot the the Eagles and Seahawks beat the spread while losing by a FG and both teams had the opportunity to win outright.

This week we will take the Colts and the Saints to win outright and against the spread. Peyton will try to get on track against his personal demons, but I Think the Pats lack of speed will be exposed.

As for the Bears, their defense has not been nearly as good as it had been at the start of the season (giving up 20+ the past several weeks) and I still refuse to bet on Rex. Maybe he can get it done with a solid sunning attack and a few well timed deep balls against the Saints D. I think the Saints O-Line will give the two headed running attack lanes to move the ball and provide opportunities for Brees.

Why does Mike Vick (he of the $137 million contract) fly AirTran. And why can't he have someone else carry his dope for him?

Revenge is sweet

Norm turned the tables on Hyman, riding the victories of LSU, Cincinnati and Southern Miss to outpoint his Pigksin nemesis on points. Both of them correctly picked 21 of the 32 bowl games, but it was Norm's better application (or rather not changing the values at all) that enabled him to edge out Hyman and win the College Bowl Challenge.

Now we are left only with the NFL playoffs. Last week all four home teams (and division winners) advanced -- although Dallas of course should have won if their Pro Bowl QB didn't have butterfingers. Still they covered the number as did the Colts even though Peyton struggled.

This week we like the Over (40.5) in the Colts-Ravens tilt. The Colts will score enough to push over the top.

We also like the road dogs of the Pats and Eagles (Chris's upset special) and the Seahawks.

Make it a good week
Jono

The H-Man Commeth

In a shocking, stunning come from behind victory Hyman pulls off an 11 win week in the final showdown while Norm trips up with just 5 wins and Hyman eeks out a one win victory for the overall title. It's a clean sweep in the money positions for Emory Grads as I manage to finish to third.

Meanwhile we should also note that Hyman is leading in the College Bowl Challenge as we go into the final four games. It would be an astonishing double victory if he can continue his hot streak, If I was him I'd tell the wife I was on my way to Vegas to put down some action on the playoff games. Of Course his Super Bowl teams (Panthers and Steelers) did not even make the playoffs,

It also merits noting that Jeff won the previous (Christmas) weekend, and once again got hosed as I was on visiting family and didn't get a chance to do a blog update congratulating him on his victory.

We should also note that now that his daughter Elin has passed the three month stage and James is presumably getting more rest he reeled off successive 10 and 11 week victories over the last two weeks of the season. Only the KC Chiefs had a better run into the playoffs.

Overall this year seems to have been less successful then years past, with a rather high rate of attrition during the season. We'll work on increasing and sustaining participation next year.

Now as we approach the end of the College Bowl Season we have only the NFL Playoffs to get us through the winter until March Madness and Spring training arrive to awaken us from our winter sports hibernation. As always, let the wife select what to watch on TV for a while, banking that good will and Karma for the return of a more active sports programming season.

Weekend viewing guide: At least One home team will lose this weekend. Larry Johnson might gash the Colts sorry run defense but we think the Colts (one of our pre-season Super Bowl picks) will survive. We'll take Dallas over the Seahawks in the Pacific Northwest on Saturday night, with the other three home teams getting the W.

And I wouldn't want to finish without drawing attention to Boise State. How can you not love a team that ties the game wiht under a minute left (on 4th and 18) with a hook and ladder (or is it lateral?). Then goes for two and the win, in overtime, with the Statue of Liberty Play. Two school yard favorites get the SmurfTurfers the Upset W over Bob Stoops.

Happy New Year!