Hello faithful SportsHollywood readers!
Okay, okay, before you guys start in on me, I freely admit that my NFL picks have been horrible...2-8 so far, so for you betting fans, please forgive me and do the OPPOSITE of what I pick! More on the Conference Championships in a bit.
First off, Mike Tyson. I have to admit that I feel sad for this guy, as I believe he is destined to end up broke and in jail before too long. The latest melee this week at the press conference for his next fight (along with more rape accusations) makes me believe that he is completely out of control. I hope I am wrong about his future, but I think Tyson may be a borderline psychopath.
The Raiders/Patriots game last week was of course topic of conversation in the sports world this week as well. What an entertaining finish in an unbelievable setting. I think the officials made the correct call concerning the fumble/ incomplete pass by Tom Brady because they decided by using the current rules and not interpreting the current rules. I expect the NFL Rule Committee will be examining what constitutes a forward pass in this summer's meetings.
The Packers/Rams game was a bit of a disappointment to me. I thought the Packers would be the best team to knock off the Rams, but boy did they prove me wrong. Brett Favre's play really surprised me as well. I would have thought someone of his experience and grittiness as a player would have been more successful, but I hand it to the Rams defense for confusing and taking advantage of Packer miscues. The Rams had the momentum and once that starts in a big game it is almost impossible to stop.
I've found that when things go your way early, especially in a big game like a playoff game, the momentum really does steamroll. I know it sounds like a cliché but it is true. As a player you are so focused on a big game that when one good thing happens, like the Rams interception for a TD in the 1st quarter last week, it instills an empowering level of confidence that usually creates another big play, and so on and so on. Once that begins for a team it is usually over for the opposition.
In any playoff game you go into it as a player on such an emotional high. When mistakes or miscues happen to your team these mistakes slam you back down to earth...your high emotions crash very hard. This can eat away at your confidence, fill your head with negativity and self-doubt, and before you know it more mistakes occur. It is the job of the coach in these big games to keep the players emotions level and to keep the team doing the same things they did in the games that got them to that point. This is essential if a team is to face adversity and be able to overcome it during a game. Most players and teams can't, as evident in the Packers/ Rams game.
Now for my Conference Championship picks!
AFC - Patriots Vs Steelers
I have no doubt that the Steelers are the lock here. The Patriots had an amazing year but they essentially lost the game last week, and barring any weird or wacky play, they should fall to the Steelers this weekend.
NFC - Eagles Vs Rams
Conventional wisdom says the Rams here. I agree, but for you betting types (I know I don't usually talk point spread!) I would consider taking the Eagles and the 11 points they are getting. After watching him the last couple weeks, I've become a big Donovan McNabb believer and I think he may be enough to keep the Eagles in the game. NcNabb's rushing ability could make him the "X-Factor" in this game.
One last thing on the conference championship games...
I've been lucky enough to play in a couple of them and from my point of view, this game, for the players, is almost bigger than the Super Bowl. With the NFL Conference Championship Game, it is just that, one game, (not best of seven) from being the one to represent your division in the Super Bowl. No one remembers who loses these games, just who wins and goes on to the Super Bowl. There is no second place here, and to play in the conference championship and lose, it is such a dark feeling...to know you were "this close" to going to the Super Bowl.
On the other hand, winning the conference championship is almost better than winning the Super Bowl. You are getting the opportunity to compete for the highest honor in your sport and it does not get any better than that. There aren't really any thoughts of losing or winning at that point, because you know you will have that opportunity to prove yourself as a player and as a team before the entire world. But remember this is coming from a guy who went to the Super Bowl twice and didn't win either time...what else am I gonna say? Hahaha!!
Till next week SportsHollywooders...enjoy the games!
January 23, 2002
edmarinaro@sportshollywood.com
