Never Have I Ever

For five years I’ve picked every NFL game played. That’s 1280 regular season games, 20 wild card games, 20 divisional games, 10 conference championship games and, thus far, 4 Super Bowls. My statistics are unclear unfortunately, I’ve done a poor job of keeping good records. What record I am sure of is this:

I am 0-4 when picking the Super Bowl.

Super Bowl XL: Seahawks (+4) over Steelers

Seattle was something like 3892-0 against the spread during the 2005-2006 season and Pittsburgh was a six-seed who shouldn’t have been favored. The refereeing was awful as well, handicapping the Seahawks throughout the game. Of the four losing picks, this one I can and will defend. The others…

Super Bowl XLI: Bears (+7) over Colts

OK, this one was stupid. But when Devin Hester returned the opening kick for a touchdown I was on Cloud Nine. Just a few seconds in and I was already up 14-0. This was all before Rex Grossman went all REX GROSSMAN though, and Indianapolis stormed back to deliver Peyton his first ring. Manning didn’t even play all that well, and to this day I believe Dominic Rhodes should have been named the MVP:

Manning 25/38 247 yards 1 TD 1 INT
Rhodes 21 carries 113 yards 1 reception 8 yards 1 TD

Rhode’s touchdown was the turning point of the game too. Down 14-10 he plunged in at the goal line with 3:08 remaining in the first half to give Indy their first lead of the game and momentum going into the locker room. Chicago never recovered, and I never have either. This pick was horrible.

Super Bowl XLII: Patriots (-12) over Giants

From January 31st, 2008:

“In conclusion I honestly think it’s a barnburner. Just an old school, classic Super Bowl whooping.

Patriots 45 Giants 17″

As if I needed another reason to hate Brady, Belichick and the New England Patriots. Look, you can’t blame me for picking an 18-0 team, but I sure was off with that score. I was so convinced that the New England offense would make it a laugher. The Giants front four had another idea, and played incredibly. I, like many analysts, was shocked by Super Bowl XLII, which proved to be one of the greatest upsets in NFL history.

Super Bowl XLIII: Steelers (-7) over Cardinals

Sooooooooooooooooooooooo close! Unbearably close! I was screaming for a pick-six in the closing seconds, praying for a last second cover. Didn’t happen. BUT, for the first time ever I at least picked the winner straight up. Unfortunately, picking NFL spreads is neither horseshoes nor hand grenades and I was wrong for a fourth year in a row.

Maybe this improvement is a sign of good things to come. Maybe this year will be the year!

Super Bowl XLIV: New Orleans Saints vs. Indianapolis Colts

In Week 13 it seemed inevitable that these two teams would meet in Miami come February. The only thing that was uncertain was the name of Joe Robbie Stadium/Pro Player Park/Pro Player Stadium/Dolphins Stadium/Dolphin Stadium/Land Shark Stadium/Sun Life Stadium. The end of the season was rocky for the two number one seeds though, and seemingly everyone questioned their readiness for the post season.

Well, here they are. Neither are undefeated, neither are perfect, but one of them will be crowned Super Bowl champion and receive the 44th Vince Lombardi trophy.

The Super Bowl is exciting and sad at the same time. It is exciting because Super Sunday is where legends are born, where history is written. It is sad because it closes another chapter in our lives, it ends the greatest season of the year: football season. The Super Bowl is also the last chance for anyone to wager on football for months, so it attracts the most casual bettors to bet the game or join a grid pool. More importantly, the Super Bowl brings us phenomenal…

Prop Bets

To seasoned gamblers and/or poker players, prop bets are a way of life. To the average person though, betting the over/under on 1 minute 42 seconds for Carrie Underwood to sing the National Anthem is crazy. To me it’s free money; THE UNDER IS A LOCK.

Here are my favorite props for Super Bowl XLIV thanks to Bodog:

MVP: Pierre Garçon (10-1)

If there was an AFC Championship game MVP, Garçon would have won it with 11 catches for 151 yards, a touchdown and the heart of a lion. The MVP award for any sport or game is filled with intangibles, and there is no greater individual intangible than Garçon hoisting the Lombardi trophy while draped with the Haitian flag. Sure Peyton is much more likely to win MVP if the Colts win, but I’m never laying 10-17 where I can take a chance on a hot receiver with a lot of upside and much better odds. The same can be said for Brees. If the Saints win he’s likely a shoe-in for MVP, but he’s also listed as 2-1.

Coin Toss: Tails (-105)

Yes, I’m suggesting you lay $105 to win $100 on a 50/50 bet. So what? Tails never fails. EVER.

Total Receptions for Robert Meachem: Over 2.5 (-145)

Meachem has turned into a quality receiver whom Brees trusts, and although The numbers may say otherwise (he hasn’t recorded three or more receptions in a game since Week 16) I have a really good feeling about this one. Call it a hunch.

Total Tackles/Assists for Jonathan Vilma: Over 6.5 (-140)

In the AFC Championship game, both Calvin Pace (7) and David Harris (11) recorded seven or more total tackles against the Colts. Even Bart Scott added two tackles and he hardly played. Vilma is a beast who roams all over the field and tackles everything in sight.

Will there be a score in the first 7 min 30 seconds of the 1st quarter: Yes (-265)

This would be a bigger upset than the Giants over the Pats.

Will there be a missed PAT: Yes (+800)

This has been the year of the anti-kicker, why not end with an exclamation point. The Colts missed an extra point the last time they traveled to Miami for the Super Bowl too. The now injured Adam Vinatieri was kicking and it was raining, but that’s irrelevant!

How Many Times will CBS show Archie Manning on TV during the game: Over 4.5 (-210)

They should just get rid of the decimal point and make this 45.

How Many Times will CBS show Kim Kardashian on TV during the game: Over 2.5 (-135)

Hopefully it’s in the hundreds.

If any member of the Who smashes their guitar what does the guitar hit first: A Fan (200-1)

Please, please, pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease happen.

Ok where were we?

The game itself is an interesting one. For two weeks everyone has talked about Dwight Freeney ad nauseam, and here’s my take. He’ll play, but he won’t be effective nor will the Saints pay much attention to him. Freeney is a speed guy, he needs to be fully mobile. In order to rush the passer to the best of his ability, he has to be able to spin and swim around tackles and tight ends. He won’t be able to do that with torn ligaments in his ankle.

This hurts the Colts defense, but Raheem Brock isn’t a practice squad guy by any stretch of the imagination. Brock recorded 3.5 sacks during the regular season playing mostly on non-passing downs to give Freeney a breather during the game. And, unlike a Troy Polamalu or an Ed Reed, the Indianapolis defense does not revolve around Dwight Freeney.

The second big story of Super Bowl XLIV is what this game means to the people of New Orleans. From paper bags to popping champagne, the S(ain’t)s are finally playing for it all. Under coach Sean Payton and quarterback Drew Brees this team has reached two NFC Championship games already and now has a once in a life time opportunity. Most of the casual NFL fans that attend the game will be shouting “WHO DAT” and rooting for a Mardis Gras on South Beach. Chad Ochocinco commented earlier that all he sees is, “Black n gold.”

This game means everything for NOLA, but the question at hand is whether or not emotion is enough. Because the Colts boast the third, and most important story of Super Bowl XLIV.

Peyton Manning.

He’s a machine. He’s unstoppable. He’s superhuman. He’s the GOAT. Seriously you can’t name anyone who ever played the position better than Manning is right now. There is no confusing him because he easily reads the defense then makes checks and audibles to the exact right play. All season the Saints defense (ranked 26th) has survived by forcing turnovers. The NFC Championship game is a perfect example, take away the turnovers and the Vikings destroy them. The problem is, Peyton doesn’t turn the ball over. So unless they force the Colt receivers and backs to fumble, the Saints defense is in for a long day.

I cannot in good conscious pick against someone who has played so incredibly. While I’ll be wearing my black Reggie Bush jersey and an undershirt that says, “Be a Saint,” I have to part from my rooting interests and bow to the greatness of Peyton Manning.

Colts (-5) 35 Saints 20

MVP: Peyton Manning

Rich Ryan
WSOE Sports

Super Bowl Prediction

I’ve had a rough year of NFL playoff predictions, but hey, everyone has their days. Here is my Super Bowl breakdown -

COLTS/Saints – I feel this game will come down to the quarterbacks. I have said it before and I will say it again: NEVER bet against Peyton Manning if he doesn’t give you a reason to. He systematically manhandled the best defense in the league two weeks ago against the Jets, and the Saints run a similar style of aggressive, hard-hitting defense. Even after falling behind early, Peyton was able to maintain composure (like always) and lead his team to victory. Now he enters Super Sunday, a night in which he already has claimed a championship ring. He quite literally is the heart and soul of this Indianapolis team; his offense boasts a chemistry that is unmatched by any team in the league, largely due to his ability to micro-manage the offense at the line of scrimmage and his teammates’ trust in his judgement. On the other hand, Drew Brees is nothing short of a great quarterback either. He was the most accurate passer in the league this year, and the weapons around him rival those around Manning. Frankly, the only reason Manning and Brees are held to different standards is Peyton’s ring. Like the rest of the Saints franchise, Brees has never gotten this far in the playoffs, and he typically has not been able to replicate his regular season success after week 17. However, if Brees manages to lead his team to victory, we could very well put him and Manning in the same group of elite, historic quarterbacks.

Overall, I believe the Colts are simply too complete a team to bet against. They lost games in the regular season when they didn’t necessarily want to win, while the Saints lost games that they worked hard to win. Unless Manning falls to an injury, this offense will be too potent for the aggressive Saints defense. The Saints do have some intangibles working their way though. They are playing for a ravished city that relies on them for inspiration, Brees will be looking to cement his status as an elite quarterback with a championship, and the team has an underdog status that gives them something to prove. It will be an exciting shootout, but the Colts will win 34-28.

Sean Dolan
sdolan2@elon.edu

Women’s Basketball: Elon Phoenix vs. Appalachian State Mountaineers

Be sure to check out the Elon University Phoenix Women’s Basketball team as they host the Appalachian State Mountaineers tomorrow at 2:00 PM in Alumni Gym. The Phoenix, with a record of 9-14, are coming of a 60-59 victory over conference rival Samford. The Phoenix hope to continue their winning ways against the Mountaineers, who come into this game with a record of 12-9 and on a five game winning streak. The Mountaineers defeated the Phoenix by a score of 85-66 back in January. The game will be called by Eli Kaufman and Brian Dudiak, and can be heard on WSOE 89.3 FM. You can also listen to the game live and read the live blog updates on the website at wsoesports.wordpress.com. Click on the link below for live updates as they happen from Alumni Gym.

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Women’s Basketball: Elon Phoenix vs. Southern Virginia Knights

Be sure to check out the Elon University Phoenix Women’s Basketball team as they host the Southern Virginia Knights tomorrow at 11:45 AM in Alumni Gym. The Phoenix, with a record of 7-13, are coming of a 64-57 loss to the College of Charleston Cougars. The Phoenix will be hoping to snap this two game losing streak against the Knights, who come into this game with a record of 6-11. These two teams last played last year, when Elon defeated the Knights by a score of 74-33. The game will be called by Tom Waterman and Matt Curry, and can be heard on WSOE 89.3 FM. You can also listen to the game live and read the live blog updates on the website at wsoesports.wordpress.com. Click on the link below for live updates as they happen from Alumni Gym.

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Women’s Basketball: Elon Phoenix vs. College of Charleston Cougars

Be sure to check out the Elon University Phoenix Women’s Basketball team as they host the College of Charleston Cougars tonight at 7:00 PM in Alumni Gym. The Phoenix, with a record of 7-12, are coming of a heartbreaking 71-66 loss to Georgia Southern where the Phoenix erased a 22 point deficit before having their comeback fall just short.  The Phoenix will be hoping to get back on their winning ways against the Cougars who come into the game with a record of 13-6. The game will be called by Tom Waterman and Greg Brzozowski, and can be heard on WSOE 89.3 FM. You can also listen to the game live and read the live blog updates on the website at wsoesports.wordpress.com. Click on the link below for live updates as they happen from Alumni Gym.

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Super Déjà vu

Forty years ago the New York Jets pulled off arguably the greatest upset in the history of professional sports by beating the Baltimore Colts 16-7 in Super Bowl III. The Colts were favored by as many as three touchdowns in some books. That upset is the reason the AFL and the NFL merged, its historical significance is immeasurable.

I just finished watching Super Bowl III in its entirety, and there are some spooky similarities between the 1969 and the 2010 New York Jets (besides the fact that they’re playing the Colts.)

The similarities begin at running back. Like Matt Snell, Thomas Jones is a bit older and a bit banged up. Still, the team relies on him, especially in key short yardage situations like the final fourth down play last week at San Diego. Shonn Greene, like Emerson Boozer, is younger, more physical and offers a spark when he touches the ball. Unlike Boozer, Greene isn’t used to block as much. Instead the Jets lean on their bigs up front to create holes.

That’s where the second similarity comes; the offensive line. Just like in 1969, the current Jets offensive line is top notch. In Super Bowl III Joe Namath was touched just twice, last week Mark Sanchez was sacked only once. A strong and stable offensive front is key to playing physical football, both the 1969 and the 2010 Jets can attest to that.

Although Braylon Edwards is no Don Maynard, he’s still a legitimate deep threat. His speed and athleticism allow Jericho Cotchery, the 2010 version of George Sauer, to chip away at opposing defenses. Like Sauer, Cotchery has great hands and is dependable on third downs. Cotchery has already converted on key third downs in Cincinnati and San Diego this postseason.

You’re probably scratching your head trying to find a similarity between quarterbacks Joe Namath and Mark Sanchez. Well they both fit the dreamy (Yes, I said it) stereotype and they both played for major universities (Namath, Alabama and Sanchez, USC). But what you don’t know, or maybe forget, is that Namath did not attempt a single pass in the fourth quarter of Super Bowl III. Joe threw 19 touchdowns and 17 interceptions in the regular season, and the Jets were contempt with protecting the ball and running the clock. Barring injury, if Sanchez doesn’t attempt a pass in the fourth quarter against the Colts that’s a very good thing.

The strongest similarity between the 1969 and the 2010 Jets is the Ryan influence on defense. Buddy Ryan, the father of current head coach Rex Ryan, was the linebackers coach of the 1969 version of Gang Green. It was his first job as a professional football coach, and he created multiple blitz packages. The Jets defense forced four interceptions in Super Bowl III, three from Tom Moore and one from the legendary Johnny Unitas. All in all, it was the effort on defense that allowed the Jets to pull off such a momentous upset.

Today it remains the same for the Jets, and their defense will dictate their destiny.

This past week has been long. Longer than any other six-day period I can remember. This game is the biggest Jets game of my life. Sure, the 1998 AFC Championship debacle in Denver can be seen as equally important. But I was just 10 years old, and didn’t yet understand the history of this great game. Now I know that these opportunities are scarce, who knows when the Jets will ever reach this stage again.

Some believe that the Jets are playing with house money and have nothing to lose. My closest friends, including my Dad, have asked me to “enjoy the moment.” But it’s hard to take solace in a loss when you’ve come this far. When opportunity is lingering. When greatness is at stake. This team is special, there’s no doubt about that. Over a two week period it has turned doubters and skeptics like myself into believers.

Unfortunately that means a loss tomorrow would be that much more devastating, but as a Jets fan I wouldn’t expect anything less from the football Gods. Still I’ll kneel and pray to the pigskin prophets this evening in hope of an outcome that would be nothing short of a miracle.

Jets (+8.5) 21 Colts 20

To be perfectly honest I haven’t focused a bit on the NFC matchup this week because to me it doesn’t really matter. It’s a classic “stay-away game,” but if you put a gun to my head I’d say because of the Superdome…

Saints (-3.5) 31 Vikings 20

Rich Ryan

Women’s Basketball: Elon Phoenix vs. Georgia Southern Eagles

Be sure to tune into WSOE’s broadcast of the Elon University Phoenix as they host the Georgia Southern Eagles. The Phoenix currently have a record of 7-11, and are hoping to bounce back from a disappointing 61-60 defeat at the hands of the Wofford Terriers. The game will be called by Tom Waterman and Erik Kendall, and you can listen live to the game at WSOE 89. 3 FM and here on the sports blog under the listen live tab. Also, be sure to check out the live blog during the game here at wsoesports.wordpress.com.

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Matt Curry’s AFC and NFC Title Game Breakdown

My pick for the NFC champs this year will be the Minnesota Vikings because of their outstanding defense led by Jared Allen. They held the cowboys to only three points in their last playoff game and the defense will show how good it truly is this weekend when they play the Saints. Look for the defense to attack the Saint’s offensive line and make Brees uncomfortable in the pocket and possibly creates some turnovers in the backfield. The other and possible more significant reason for why they will win the super bowl is that the Vikings have the one two punch of Favre and Peterson. If you stop one, which is hard to do as it is, the other will burn you and it is hard for any team to keep this offense down for the whole game. The key for the Saints is to limit the damage, but look for the Vikings to lead early, and stay on top. The only advantage I will give to the Saints is that they are playing at the Superdome, which to me is the loudest and hardest place to play in if you are the opposing team. Other than that, look for the Vikings to pull out the victory by a score of 31- 17.

The AFC champs will be the New York Jets. Yes, I said it. The Jets will defeat the Colts on the road to make it to the Super Bowl. The reason for this decision is that the Jets have nothing to lose, and the pressure will be completely on the Colts. Peyton Manning is the one who will have to win this game for the Colts because the Jets will take away the running game, and look for the Jets to have great coverage down the field. It will be hard for Manning to get into a rhythm and I think it will cause this offense some trouble. As for the J-E-T-S, Jets Jets Jets, it is key for them to play to their advantage: the running game, and limited use of Sanchez. The running game will be successful this weekend and it will keep Peyton Manning on the sideline, which is the one place the Jets want to see Manning at. In the end, if Sanchez and the Jets can limit the turnovers and maybe create one or two of their own we will see the Jets win 24-21 over the Colts.

Matt Curry
mcurry3@elon.edu

Women’s Basketball Game Photos: Elon Phoenix vs. Wofford Terriers

Photos Taken by Greg Brzozowski

Elon Women’s Basketball: Elon Phoenix vs. Wofford Terriers

Be sure to tune into WSOE’s broadcast of the Elon University Phoenix as they take on the Wofford Terriers on Monday, January 18th at 7:00 PM in Alumni Gym. The Phoenix are coming off a thrilling 63-61 victory over Furman. Calling Monday’s Game will be broadcasters Craig Filazzola and Rich Ryan. Coverage will begin at 6:45 PM, and with opening tip being at 7:00 PM. Be sure to listen to the game on WSOE 89.3 FM or online at wsoesports.wordpress.com.

Click on the link below to see live updates as they occur during the Basketball Game.

Elon Phoenix vs.Wofford Terriers