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Friday, January 01, 2010

Who I like

Much last last week's game against Baltimore, I think Sunday's meeting between the Steelers and Miami comes down to the quarterbacks - Ben Roethlisberger vs. Chad Henne.

That should give you a good idea of who I like.

Both secondaries are vulnerable and both QBs should have some success.

But Roethlisberger is, by far, the better QB and has the added bonus of having better receivers to work with.

Ricky Williams is questionable to play for the Dolphins, but is expected to see some time.

Meanwhile, Troy Polamalu is also questionable for the Steelers, but I'd be surprised if he plays.

Take the Steelers, 24-13

© So where will that leave the Steelers?

Here's what I expect to happen in the other meaningful AFC games:
I'm taking Houston over New England, 27-21
I'm taking Baltimore to beat Oakland, 27-13
I'm taking Cincinnati to beat the Jets, 24-17
And I'm taking Denver to beat Kansas City, 21-10

That will mean that Baltimore and Houston claim the two AFC wildcard spots.

7 comments:

Patrick said...

I'm hearing Hines hasn't practiced all week. Think he plays?

It also seems like both Cincy and NE are planning to play starters. If so I think the Steelers make it.

As for the game I'll take the Steelers 27-20.

John Kang said...

With your scenarios, wouldn't the Steelers make the #6 seed?

Dale Lolley said...

No, with a three-way tie between the Steelers-Houston-Denver, Houston is in.

Dale Lolley said...

And yes, Ward practiced. Keisel did not.

Unknown said...

What's your thinking on picking Cincy, Dale?

adamg said...

Belichek has never shown any inclination to take his foot off the gas. Remember those games when he kept Brady in and rolled up the score on hapless opponents? If ever there was a time to pull starters, that was it, but he didn't.

I think NE will beat Houston, and probably rather handily.

I believe Cincy will play hard so as not to embarrass themselves on SNF, but Rex Ryan has faced Marvin Lewis many times and I expect Ryan will bring the house on defense every play. I don't expect this to be a high scoring game at all and could come down to the last possession.

Dale Lolley said...

I think Cinci will get up to play on Sunday night, the only prime time game it has had this season. The Bengals just got snubbed for the Pro Bowl with nobody picked to play.

Even if they rest Carson Palmer, Mark "interception" Sanchez is quarterbacking the other team.