Week Five Picks

Had I gone by last week's numbers, I would've earned 89 points instead of the 95 points I got doing it my way. And I would've gone 11-3 instead of 12-2. So at this point, I haven't had too much reason to go against my gut, especially when considering what my crunching the Power Rankings would suggest this week:

• 14—Vikings over Rams
  
• 13—Cowboys over Chiefs
• 12—Colts over Titans
• 11—Giants over Raiders
• 10—Eagles over Buccaneers
• 9—Redskins over Panthers
• 8—Steelers over Lions
• 7—Jets over Dolphins
• 6—Bills over Browns
• 5—Jaguars over Seahawks
• 4—Niners over Falcons
• 3—Ravens over Bengals
• 2—Texans over Cardinals
• 1—Broncos over Patriots
  

Yeah, I had a few immediate corrections. See if you can spot the differences:

14 points
New York Giants (4-0) over Oakland Raiders (1-3)
+41/0 : +64/60/+4 : +4/+23

Now that the Raiders have renewed their commitment to being bad, I couldn't feel more confident that the Giants' first loss will not come at home to an opponent from the AFC West.

13 points
Philadelphia Eagles (2-1) over Tampa Bay Buccaneers (0-4)
+15/+5 : +58/53/+5 : 0/+43

A rather soft welcoming back to the regular season for Philly after a week off.

12 points
Minnesota Vikings (4-0) over St. Louis Rams (0-4)
+29/0 : +79/79/0 : 0/+50

Didn't pick the Rams once last year and this year's not looking much better.

11 points
Pittsburgh Steelers (2-2) over Detroit Lions (1-3)
+4/0 : +37/37/0 : 0/+33

Yeah, that'd be a real feel-good story and all, but I'm not betting on Daunte Caulpepper beating the champs.

10 points
Dallas Cowboys (2-2) over Kansas City Chiefs (0-4)
+25/+4 : +68/64/+4 : 0/+43

Part of me wants to believe K.C. is perhaps the most likely of any winless team to break through this week, but in all truth, I can see how the Chiefs remind some people of the 1989 Dallas Cowboys.

9 points
Carolina Panthers (0-3) over Washington Redskins (1-2)
0/+31 : +10/38/+48 : +17/+10

Washington's been in freefall for weeks now while the Panthers are coming back with clear heads and their best shot to get a win yet.

8 points
Baltimore Ravens (3-1) over Cincinnati Bengals (3-1)
+27/0 : +10/6/+4 : +4/-17

I've come to sort of hate myself for not going with the Bengals to get into the playoffs this year, but that's not going to be enough to pick against the Ravens at home one week after their first loss.

7 points
Buffalo Bills (1-3) over Cleveland Browns (0-4)
+10/+30 : +45/15/+30 : 0/+35

I'd vote the other way if it was in Cleveland, but Buffalo's hurting for a win with a coach already on the hot seat. On another note, I'm dying to put on my Browns sweatshirt again.

6 points
Indianapolis Colts (4-0) over Tennessee Titans (0-4)
+34/0 : +42/63/-27 : -21/+8

I originally told B. Doggy I'd max out on the Colts for this one, but Indy's shaky past in Tennessee made me reconsider. Still, Peyton Manning's playing like the playoffs already started and the Titans defense hasn't given me much reason to believe they'll be able to slow him or the Colts down.

5 points
Arizona Cardinals (1-2) over Houston Texans (2-2)
-7/-4 : -20/5/-15 : -11/-13

Ugh. Strikes me as more logical that a rested Arizona team is able to show off their air attack against a Houston team that's not so hot against the pass. I guess.

4 points
New England Patriots (3-1) over Denver Broncos (4-0)
+12/-3 : +6/4/+10 : +13/-6

It's tempting to pick Denver once more after last week's satisfying smackdown of the Cowboys, but I have to believe Bill Belichick can find a way to prevent Kyle Orton from ever getting in sync.

3 points
Seattle Seahawks (1-3) over Jacksonville Jaguars (2-2)
+11/+22 : +5/11/+16 : -6/-6

While Seattle's still likcing their wounds from the asskicking they took in Indy, they've got two home games before the bye week and could enter it at .500. Hasselbeck's return should help fire up one of the league's most celebrated home-field advantages.

2 points
Atlanta Falcons (2-1) over San Francisco 49ers (3-1)
+14/+7 : +11/7/+18 : +11/-3

I've gone back and forth many times over with this one, but Atlanta gets my vote thanks mostly to their coming off a bye week.

1 point
Miami Dolphins (1-3) over New York Jets (3-1)
+1/+16 : -10/26/+16 : 0/-11

I said last week that you would think I should've learned about picking against the Jets. But then again, that worked out pretty well last week—as did picking the Dolphins. But what's really put me over the top on this one (besides preferring to have the least amount possible riding on a Monday Night game) has to be the orange jerseys. You better recognize.

Week Four Power Rankings

Last year, I finished in second place two straight weeks after first using the numbers from the Power Rankings. Of course, that took until Week 10 and here we are four weeks in and I secured a second consecutive second-place finish last week (out of 15). I went 12-2 for the week with a score of 95 points, just one behind the winner. And I moved to within three points of the leader in the overall standings, sitting by myself in second (out of 17) at 408 points.

My 12-2 mark was matched only by the bro-in-law and Chris Mortensen from the ESPN gurus. Seth Wickersham, Mark Schlereth, and Adam Schefter of ESPN as well as CBS Sports' Pete Prisco all went 11-3. ESPN's Ron Jaworski had the same number right but went 11-2. Merrill Hoge of ESPN as well as Yahoo's Michael Silver and Charles Robinson went 10-4. Yahoo's Jason Cole and ESPN's Mike Golic went 9-5. And Eric Allen brought up the rear last week, going 8-6 last week—which serves him right for being the only dumbass to pick the Detroit Lions.

Now, on the year (numbers in parentheses indicating where the dude stood in the rankings last week):

1. (1) Chris Mortensen, ESPN: 48-14 (.774)
2. (2) Adam Schefter, ESPN: 46-16 (.742)
2. (5) LEV, crazy colored glasses: 46-16 (.742)
2. (5) YOURS TRULY: 46-16 (.742)
5. (2) Charles Robinson, Yahoo: 45-17 (.726)
6. (7) Ron Jaworski, ESPN: 42-16 (.724)
7. (4) Mike Golic, ESPN: 43-18 (.705)
8. (8) Merril Hoge, ESPN: 43-19 (.694)
8. (10) Mark Schlereth, ESPN: 43-19 (.694)
8. (10) Seth Wickersham, ESPN: 43-19 (.694)
11. (8) Jason Cole, Yahoo: 42-20 (.677)
12. (12) Michael Silver, Yahoo: 41-21 (.661)
13. (12) Eric Allen, ESPN: 39-23 (.629)
13. (14) Pete Prisco, CBS Sports: 39-23 (.629)

So I'm off to a much better start than I was a year ago at this point in the season, but hey, the same franchise was occupying that No. 1 spot!:

1. (1) ST. LOUIS RAMS

• Last week: Lost to San Francisco, 35-0 (+11)
  
• Actual Record: 0-4
• My predicted record: 0-4
• My record at predicting their record: 4-0
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: 50
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +50
  
• Links of the Week:

That was fun only betting 11 against them these last couple of weeks, but the Rams are officially this season's Lions. And when I say that, I'm talking winless type bad. Everybody who isn't already hurt is now sick, they won't be getting too many freebies on their schedule, and—just to add the proper final touch of wicked fate—Rush Limbaugh wants to be your new owner.

2. (3) TAMPA BAY BUCCANEERS

• Last week: Lost to Washington, 16-13 (+9)
  
• Actual Record: 0-4
• My predicted record: 0-4
• My record at predicting their record: 4-0
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: 43
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +43
  
• Link of the Week:

Amusing to see someone ask when was the last time Tampa was 15-point underdogs and a commenter tells him to "get used to it baby!" I wanna enjoy Tampa being bad for the rest of the year too.

2. (7) KANSAS CITY CHIEFS

• Last week: Lost to New York Giants, 27-16 (+14)
  
• Actual Record: 0-4
• My predicted record: 0-4
• My record at predicting their record: 4-0
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: 43
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +43
  
• Link of the Week:

Sounds a little desperate to me:

As proof they are making an honest effort to find better offensive linemen, the Chiefs worked out a former All-American college wrestler who didn't play football at Kent State or even in high school, for that matter.

4. (8) NEW YORK GIANTS

• Last week: Beat Kansas City, 27-16 (+14)
  
• Actual Record: 4-0
• My predicted record: 4-0
• My record at predicting their record: 4-0
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 41
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +41
  
• Link of the Week:

Fear not, young Eli. For Boomer Esiason has also suffered your horrendously painful plantar fasciitis, and it was only "probably one of the reasons I quit, because my feet were killing me." But Boomer never missed a game for it, and we don't expect you to puss out either.

5. (1) BUFFALO BILLS

• Last week: Lost to Miami, 38-10 (+1)
  
• Actual Record: 1-3
• My predicted record: 1-3
• My record at predicting their record: 4-0
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 10
• Points scored for me with losses: 30
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +40
  
• Link of the Week:

Is it already time to start wondering if Dick Jauron will get fired—in the middle of the season? OK, it's time.

6. (4) NEW ORLEANS SAINTS

• Last week: Beat New York Jets, 24-10 (+6)
  
• Actual Record: 4-0
• My predicted record: 4-0
• My record at predicting their record: 4-0
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 38
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +38
  
• Link of the Week:

After serious statistical consideration, one man concludes "yes, the Saints are for real."

7. (10) CLEVELAND BROWNS

• Last week: Lost to Cincinnati, 23-20 (+10)
  
• Actual Record: 0-4
• My predicted record: 0-4
• My record at predicting their record: 4-0
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: 35
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +35
• Link of the Week:

Now that Braylon Edwards is a Jet, put your hands together Cleveland for your new star receiver ... Mohammed Massaquoi?

8. (14) INDIANAPOLIS COLTS

• Last week: Beat Seattle, 34-17 (+13)
  
• Actual Record: 4-0
• My predicted record: 4-0
• My record at predicting their record: 4-0
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 34
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +34
  
• Link of the Week:

Not that the team looks to be needing much help these days, still plenty of action involving their roster this week, most notable the possible return of one Bob Sanders.

9. (14) DETROIT LIONS

• Last week: Lost to Chicago, 19-14 (+12)
• Actual Record: 1-3
• My predicted record: 0-4
• My record at predicting their record: 3-1
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: 41
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 8
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +33
  
• Link of the Week:

The Lions' old home, site of Wrestle Mania III, for sale.

9. (17) SEATTLE SEAHAWKS

• Last week: Lost to Indianapolis, 34-17 (+13)
  
• Actual Record: 1-3
• My predicted record: 2-2
• My record at predicting their record: 3-1
• Points scored for me with wins: 12
• Points scored for me with losses: 22
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 1
  
• Plus/Minus: +33
• Link of the Week:

Seneca Wallace, take a seat.

11. (11) SAN DIEGO CHARGERS

• Last week: Lost to Pittsburgh, 38-28 (+8)
• Actual Record: 2-2
• My predicted record: 2-2
• My record at predicting their record: 4-0
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 21
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 11
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +32
  
• Link of the Week:

Shawne Merriman got upset about team GM A.J. Smith calling the team "soft," which is too bad for the linebacker because his boss was right. Oh, and Merriman's contract is up at the end of the season too.

12. (5) CAROLINA PANTHERS

• Last week: BYE
  
• Actual Record: 0-3
• My predicted record: 0-3
• My record at predicting their record: 3-0
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 31
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
  
• Plus/Minus: +31
• Link of the Week:

One Panthers fan—who would've predicted them to start the season 0-3, of course—lays out how the rest of the season will go and actually sees them making the playoffs.

13. (8) DALLAS COWBOYS

• Last week: Lost to Denver, 17-10 (+2)
  
• Actual Record: 2-2
• My predicted record: 2-2
• My record at predicting their record: 4-0
• Points scored for me with wins: 25
• Points scored for me with losses: 4
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +29
• Link of the Week:

What's that? Tony Romo didn't know it was fourth down? That'll ease those concerns.

13. (11) MINNESOTA VIKINGS

• Last week: Beat Green Bay, 30-23 (+5)
  
• Actual Record: 4-0
• My predicted record: 4-0
• My record at predicting their record: 4-0
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 29
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +29
  
• Link of the Week:

Congress is now getting involved in the Pat Williams and Kevin Williams saga, which I didn't know was still going on.

15. (6) BALTIMORE RAVENS

• Last week: Lost to New England, 27-21 (-3)
  
• Actual Record: 3-1
  
• My predicted record: 4-0
• My record at predicting their record: 3-1
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 30
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 3
• Plus/Minus: +27
• Link of the Week:

Did last week's loss to the Patriots prove that the Ravens are really just pretenders?

15. (13) OAKLAND RAIDERS

• Last week: Lost to Houston, 29-6 (+4)
  
• Actual Record: 1-3
• My predicted record: 1-3
• My record at predicting their record: 4-0
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 4
• Points scored for me with losses: 23
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
  
• Plus/Minus: +27
  
• Link of the Week:

JaMarcus Russell never had a chance.

15. (19) WASHINGTON REDSKINS

• Last week: Beat Tampa Bay, 16-13 (+9)
  
• Actual Record: 2-2
• My predicted record: 3-1
• My record at predicting their record: 3-1
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 25
• Points scored for me with losses: 10
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 8
• Plus/Minus: +27
  
• Link of the Week:

Big Daddy Drew is apparently not a fan of Daniel Snyder.

18. (14) ATLANTA FALCONS

• Last week: BYE
  
• Actual Record: 2-1
• My predicted record: 2-1
• My record at predicting their record: 3-0
  
• Points scored for me with wins: 14
• Points scored for me with losses: 7
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +21
  
• Link of the Week:

Four of the Falcons next seven opponents will be coming off their bye weeks.

19. (17) PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

• Last week: BYE
  
• Actual Record: 2-1
• My predicted record: 2-1
• My record at predicting their record: 3-0
• Points scored for me with wins: 15
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 5
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
  
• Plus/Minus: +20
  
• Link of the Week:

It was imminent: TV series starring Michael Vick.

20. (20) MIAMI DOLPHINS

• Last week: Beat Buffalo, 38-10 (+1)
  
• Actual Record: 1-3
• My predicted record: 1-3
• My record at predicting their record: 4-0
• Points scored for me with wins: 1
• Points scored for me with losses: 16
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +17
  
• Link of the Week:

Sounds kind of gay to note that the Dolphins will wear their obnoxious orange jerseys for only third time in team history, but Miami won both of the games they previously wore the jerseys for—and both by a single point.

21. (23) CHICAGO BEARS

• Last week: Beat Detroit, 48-24 (+12)
  
• Actual Record: 3-1
• My predicted record: 3-1
• My record at predicting their record: 2-2
• Points scored for me with wins: 21
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 9
• Points taken from me with losses: 1
  
• Plus/Minus: +11
  
• Link of the Week:

Memo to Johnny Knox: Don't pull that shit again.

22. (21) NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS

• Last week: Beat Baltimore, 27-21 (-3)
  
• Actual Record: 3-1
• My predicted record: 3-1
• My record at predicting their record: 2-2
• Points scored for me with wins: 23
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 3
• Points taken from me with losses: 11
• Plus/Minus: +9
• Link of the Week:

I almost forgot that this ode to Josh McDaniels was actually on a Patriots blog.

23. (24) SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS

• Last week: Beat St. Louis, 35-0 (+11)
• Actual Record: 3-1
• My predicted record: 1-3
• My record at predicting their record: 2-2
• Points scored for me with wins: 11
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 5
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 8
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +8
  
• Link of the Week:

At long last, the Michael Crabtree standoff has ended. But now you ask where he fits on a team that's already 3-1 (and one miracle play away from being 4-0).

24. (22) DENVER BRONCOS

• Last week: Beat Dallas, 17-10 (+2)
  
• Actual Record: 4-0
• My predicted record: 3-1
• My record at predicting their record: 3-1
• Points scored for me with wins: 13
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 6
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
• Plus/Minus: +7
  
• Link of the Week:

Worst thing that could've happened to the Broncos.

25. (25) PITTSBURGH STEELERS

• Last week: Beat San Diego, 38-28 (+8)
  
• Actual Record: 2-2
  
• My predicted record: 4-0
• My record at predicting their record: 2-2
• Points scored for me with wins: 16
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
• Points taken from me with losses: 12
  
• Plus/Minus: +4
• Link of the Week:

The Steelers' fourth quarter numbers so far this season do not resemble their championship form of last year.

26. (25) GREEN BAY PACKERS

• Last week: Lost to Minnesota, 30-23 (+5)
  
• Actual Record: 2-2
• My predicted record: 2-2
• My record at predicting their record: 2-2
• Points scored for me with wins: 11
• Points scored for me with losses: 5
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 1
• Points taken from me with losses: 14
  
• Plus/Minus: +1
  
• Link of the Week:

Aaron Rodgers leads the league in being sacked.

27. (29) ARIZONA CARDINALS

• Last week: BYE
  
• Actual Record: 1-2
• My predicted record: 1-2
• My record at predicting their record: 1-2
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: 2
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 6
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 7
• Plus/Minus: -11
  
• Link of the Week:

It's always a good sign when you're facing a blackout.

27. (30) NEW YORK JETS

• Last week: Lost to New Orleans, 24-10 (+6)
  
• Actual Record: 3-1
• My predicted record: 0-4
• My record at predicting their record: 1-3
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: 6
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 17
• Points taken from me with losses: 0
  
• Plus/Minus: -11
  
• Link of the Week:!
  

All's well that ends well ... for $5000.

29. (27) JACKSONVILLE JAGUARS

• Last week: Beat Tennessee, 37-17 (-7)
  
• Actual Record: 2-2
• My predicted record: 1-3
• My record at predicting their record: 1-3
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: 11
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 17
• Points taken from me with losses: 6
• Plus/Minus: -12
  
• Link of the Week:

Somebody compiled a first-quarter report card for the Jags, if you're into that stuff.

30. (28) TENNESSEE TITANS

• Last week: Lost to Jacksonville, 37-17 (-7)
  
• Actual Record: 0-4
• My predicted record: 3-1
• My record at predicting their record: 1-3
• Points scored for me with wins: 0
• Points scored for me with losses: 8
  
• Points taken from me with wins: 0
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 21
• Plus/Minus: -13
• Link of the Week:

Let the calls for Vince Young begin.

30. (31) CINCINNATI BENGALS

• Last week: Beat Cleveland, 23-20 (+10)
  
• Actual Record: 3-1
• My predicted record: 2-2
• My record at predicting their record: 1-3
• Points scored for me with wins: 10
  
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 17
• Points taken from me with losses: 6
• Plus/Minus: -13
  
• Link of the Week:

Carson Palmer wants to go back to the playoffs—and is sure playing like it.

32. (31) HOUSTON TEXANS

• Last week: Beat Oakland, 29-6 (+4)
  
• Actual Record: 2-2
• My predicted record: 3-1
• My record at predicting their record: 1-3
• Points scored for me with wins: 4
• Points scored for me with losses: 0
• Points taken from me with wins: 13
  
• Points taken from me with losses: 15
  
• Plus/Minus: -24
  
• Link of the Week:

They're still sorting out that running back deal.

My record by point value this season, where my only losing percentage right now is also the least possible:

16-point games: 3-0
15-point games: 3-0
14-point games: 3-1
13-point games: 3-1
12-point games: 4-0
11-point games: 3-1
10-point games: 3-1
9-point games: 3-1
8-point games: 3-1
7-point games: 2-2
6-point games: 2-2
5-point games: 3-1
4-point games: 4-0
3-point games: 2-2
2-point games: 4-0
1-point games: 1-3

Division Series Predictions

Now that they finally figured out which mediocre team would do the AL Central proud and give the Yankees a feeble first-round foe, I should make a quick note of how my predictions from the beginning of the season actually panned out. And emphasis here on the quick, because neither of my predicted pennant-winning teams has made the post-season.

Indeed, I once again managed to correctly name only two of the six division winners—the American League and the National League West. I did have four of the eight playoff teams, but like I said, my original World Series prediction for this season became an impossibility months ago.

As far as how many teams finished where I expected, I got a mere 3 out of 14 right in the American League (2/5 in the AL East, 0/5 in the AL Central, and 1/4 in the AL West), while going 5 for 16 in the National League (2/5 in the NL East, 1/6 in the NL Central, and 2/5 in the NL West). So out of 30 teams in Major League Baseball, I correctly predicted the finishes for a little over a quarter of the league—which is about as good as not having submitted any picks at all.

As for the playoffs, I'll change things up a bit this year by doing what I've done for every other sport and compare my predictions to the experts over at ESPN, CBS Sports and Yahoo. Considering the relatively small amount of teams and rounds, I'm not exactly certain one person will reign supreme, but more for the sake of comparison.

Anyway, on to my first-round playoff picks which are, as always, presented in descending order of confidence:



New York Yankees over Minnesota Twins in three games



It's a nice thought, a prolonged farewell to that hideous home known as the Metrodome, but fans of the Twinkies will have to be content with the memories they already have. The banged-up Minnesota squad has already endured more than a week's worth of must-win games just to catch the floundering Tigers, but this series will likely be a quick handing of their ass back to them before beginning play at Target Field next year. Only 187 days away!





St. Louis Cardinals over Los Angeles Dodgers in four games




I'm throwing the Dodgers a game out of pity here, but I'd lean more towards the Cards sweeping L.A. than the series actually going the full five games. As has been said many times over, St. Louis owns the most formidable one-two punch of any rotation in the playoffs while the Dodgers rotation is a bit shaky. And that's not to mention a Los Angeles offense that hasn't just struggled in the second-half of the season, but more notably this past final week when it took them until their final series to lock up a division title many thought they would be the first to clinch.





Colorado Rockies over Philadelphia Phillies in four games




You have good reason to be nervous about Brad Lidge again, and no matter how good Philadelphia's lineup looks on paper (make no mistake, it does look pretty good), Colorado's had enough momentum to probably earn a split at Citizens Bank before going back to Coors Field to close it out. The remarkable turnaround under Jim Tracy has all sorts of shades of Jack McKeon.



Los Angeles Angels over Boston Red Sox in five games




This is the year the Angels finally get over the Beantown hump. Boston has broken the hearts of fans in Anaheim "Los Angeles" many years over, but Mike Scioscia has a team that's ready to get on base and start running against a Red Sox team that isn't going to be able to throw them out. I'm guessing splits for both the first and the second pair of games before the Angels finally send the hometown into a frenzy with a climactic Game Five victory.

Game No. 163 (Act III)

Maybe this is just how they'll always settle the AL Central, with one club never quite being good enough to get away from the Twins and having to play them one last time just to determine who gets knocked out in the first round by an AL East club.




Minnesota Twins over Detroit Tigers




Anyway, this year's the final year of the Metrodome and while the Twins haven't played as dominantly there as they once did in recent post-seasons, my guess is that on Tuesday afternoon, that fugly bubble gets another week of life as Detroit finishes their awful collapse. Somewhat appropriately, the same Twins ball club that had the better season series record but got screwed out of hosting an extra game last season because they lost a coin toss last season in a 163rd game will this year be the very first to benefit from home-field advantage now being determined by more logical items like head-to-head results during the year instead of the flip of a coin.