NFL Saturday

[JLEW1818]

Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints 3:30 Central, FOX

Baltimore Ravens at Indianapolis Colts 7:150 Central, CBS

[JLEW1818]

The Saints dug their own grave when they sat Brees in Week 17. They would have been better off trying to establish some sort of momentum.

The following teams rested their starters in Week 17 before a playoff game. This chart, which goes back to 2002, when the divisions re-aligned, shows how each squad performed in its initial postseason contest. The asterisks denote teams that had first-round byes, like the Saints.

2009: Saints* - ???
2008: Titans* - Loss SU (straight up), Loss ATS (against the spread)
2008: Colts - Loss SU, Loss ATS
2007: Colts* - Loss SU, Loss ATS
2007: Jaguars - Win SU, Loss ATS
2007: Steelers - Loss SU, Win ATS
2007: Buccaneers - Loss SU, Loss ATS
2006: Eagles - Win SU, Loss ATS
2006: Saints* - Win SU, Loss ATS
2005: Colts* - Loss SU, Loss ATS
2004: Steelers* - Win SU, Loss ATS
2004: Chargers - Loss SU, Loss ATS
2004: Eagles* - Win SU, Win ATS
2002: 49ers - Win SU, Loss ATS

In short, teams resting their starters in Week 17 are 6-7 straight up and 2-11 against the spread in their first playoff game (as long as they're not playing the same team as in Week 17). You may look at that and say, "Well 7-7 straight up isn't so bad!" Wrong. Every single team on that list, save for one, was a favorite. Going 7-7 when you're expected to win isn't exactly a good thing.

The Saints were already struggling before they rested their starters. Meanwhile, the Cardinals are red-hot. They have extensive playoff experience, and Warner, who is secretly one of the best postseason performers in NFL history, will not be rattled in the Superdome.

Arizona is 6-1 against the spread as underdogs this year. I say that improves to 7-1. Not only will the Cardinals cover; I think they win outright.


Since 2005, seven teams have won a road playoff game in Round 1. Those seven teams are a perfect 7-0 against the spread in Round 2. That's amazing.



I'm taking Arizona +7, and Baltimore +6.5

[JLEW1818]

how bout that??

[JLEW1818]

get ready for some more points in this game!!

[JLEW1818]

good god!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

so much for New Orleans offense being rusty

[StoopTroup]

Chicken wings?

Beer?

Remote?

[StoopTroup]

Is Sarah Palin doing color?

[delhalew]

I've always had a soft spot for the Saints. I stayed in Nawlins for a while and visited as a child.

They look awfully good today. That Defense is salty.

[StoopTroup]

BTW J....

Three posts and no responses....nice way to get that post count up. :D

[StoopTroup]

Looks like they broke Warner's helmet already.

[JLEW1818]

except for the 1st offensive play of the game...

man ARI had the chance

[JLEW1818]

BTW J....

Three posts and no responses....nice way to get that post count up. :D

eat my shorts

[StoopTroup]

Man that 17 yarder was awesome.

[StoopTroup]

eat my shorts

Not likely...I'm on a diet. :D

[JLEW1818]

what kinda wings u got?? may I'm loving spicy more and more every day

[StoopTroup]

Skinny wings.

[StoopTroup]

Early "Defense wins Championships" Doucet!

[StoopTroup]

TD CARDINALS!

hlYCVpPo1WQ

[JLEW1818]

good good

i just wanna see another shootout

[ndpruitt03]

First team to 50 wins. We are in for another 4 hour+ game.

[JLEW1818]

LOL, at Arizona's arm tackles

[JLEW1818]

damn.. get ready Matty

[StoopTroup]

Time for some crunches! :D

35! DO IT!

TKg_cdwq9l4&NR=1&feature=fvwp

[RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!]

Matt Leinart is in now. First time I've ever pulled for him, even while he's been a Cardinal. The Saints just have too many people on their team I dislike.

[OklaPony]

What happened with Warner? Is he hurt or just shelled? I've been at work so I haven't been able to watch.

[RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!]

What happened with Warner? Is he hurt or just shelled? I've been at work so I haven't been able to watch.No announced condition, yet.

[StoopTroup]

He just handed the ball off

[StoopTroup]

If Colt would have played instead of Warner....New Orleans would be crying in their beer.

[RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!]

OUr boy Garrett Hartley kicked a long FG for the Saints. Boomer Sooner!

[RUSH LIMBAUGH is my clone!]

Warner is apparently OK, but RBush returned a punt all the way. 45-14 or so lead by the Saints.

[JLEW1818]

well there goes a bill...

I'm now scared to bet against Manning

[StoopTroup]

I'm now scared to bet against Manning

You should have been scared before this game.

[delhalew]

Most folks were taking Zona in this game. The Saints absolutely laid the smack down on them.

[BigEasySooner]

WHO DAT!

[tulsaoilerfan]

Most folks were taking Zona in this game. The Saints absolutely laid the smack down on them.

After watching the Cards d last weekend i don't know how anyone could have picked them to beat the Saints

[StoopTroup]

Yup.

[stoops the eternal pimp]

45 points in back to back games...has to be some kind of first

[JLEW1818]

220 down the ****ter

[ndpruitt03]

Playing against Peyton Manning should almost be illegal.

[delhalew]

Can I ask why you felt the need to pick the Ravens?

[StoopTroup]

You can make bank tomorrow. Take the Vikes and give the points. Double up what you lost today....you'll be fine.

[JLEW1818]

Can I ask why you felt the need to pick the Ravens?

have you seen the Colts in previous playoff performances when getting a bye? 0-3 i think

[delhalew]

have you seen the Colts in previous playoff performances when getting a bye? 0-3 i think

I had to be reminded of that. Last playoff game they won was the Super Bowl...lol.

[stoops the eternal pimp]

yup...but this is a lot better team than those colts teams

[Collier11]

Good thing you didnt take those bets Jlew

[tulsaoilerfan]

have you seen the Colts in previous playoff performances when getting a bye? 0-3 i think

1-3 now and when it comes time for next year's playoffs it will still be a totally useless stat

[ndpruitt03]

The Ravens in recent weeks haven't really thrown the ball well. Flacco threw for 4 TDs and 234 yards against the Bears but against the Raiders and Pats he really didn't do anything. They were running the ball really well, but the Colts pretty much stuffed the run. Forced the Ravens to be pass first and it didn't work.

[StoopTroup]

You can make bank tomorrow. Take the Vikes and give the points. Double up what you lost today....you'll be fine.

BTW JLew....

I told ya what to do. You owe me. :D :pop:

[ndpruitt03]

There's been only one good half in the playoffs this year so far. Outside of that it's been blowout city in the playoffs this year.