Happy New Year

Its a new year and we all have resolutions, some we keep to ourselves and some we voice to others. Most we don't end up keeping, but it is fun to think of what we will strive for. Among my resolutions is to try harder on this blog. While the positive feedback has been great, I will continue to try harder and hopefully write better. In addition, I wanted to say that I had a great New Year's Eve. Two of my buddies threw a party and we all had a great time. Now that that is out of the way......

It is a great time to be a New York football fan. Both teams are in the playoffs for only the fifth time in their respective histories. Of those five time though, this year probably has the slimmest chance of the two franchises meeting in the Super Bowl. As you know, I am a big time Giants fan, but the Jet game this week intrigues me just as much as the Giants. I can promise you that I will be in front of a TV on 1:00 PM on Sunday and will not move away from it until after 7:00 PM.

I will definitely do a much more detailed preview of each New York playoff game later in the week, but here are my initial impressions.

Jets/Patriots

1. Bill Belicheck does not lose to the same team/QB twice in one year.
2. Tom Brady has never lost a playoff game at home.
3. The Jets will be playing the "underdog" card all week and will pull out all the tricks in this game.

Giants/Eagles

1. Which QB will play better? Garcia has been great the second half, but I am not sold on him. Eli has been putrid, but he knows a big game here and the fans will all be back on his side.
2. This is as closely matched two teams as there is in the league. They know each other better than anyone, and have both had their ups and downs. Very tough to call.

Other NFL impressions...

• Shocked that the Chiefs got in. While I don't see them as very dangerous overall in the AFC, the are exactly the team that the Colts did not want to see. Herm will give LJ the ball over 30 times and see how far it gets him. The Colts have not stopped the ball all year, and I don't see it happening here. This will be a shoot out.
• Dallas will not win in Seattle. Not only is Dallas playing poorly at the worst time, but Seattle is the toughest place for a road team to play in the league.
• Already two coaching casualties. Not surprised that each got fired (Mora in Atlanta and Green in Arizona). Both are interesting situations for an incoming coach. A ton of talent on each team, especially offensively...
• I would be surprised if Coughlin was fired no matter what happens in the Giants game this week...

Bowl Impressions

• Great win by Boise St last night. This win, along with George Mason going to the Final Four is reshaping the entire college basketball and football landscape. This win is probably the best thing that could happen for someone who wants a playoff system in place..
• Surprised that Michigan got killed in the Rose Bowl. The extra long lay-off seemed to hurt them. Michigan will be a top five team going into next season, but the school can not be happy with the performance by Lloyd Carr the last few seasons..
• Tied for first in my bowl pool....I still think I gotta run the table to have a chance.
• Go Wake Forest tonight!

STKAFI