Head-to-Head: Jags Fighting for Playoff Lives
by Jordan Adams and Drew Mangione - 12/19/2006
Each week two of Doc's Sports gambling aficionados will give their alternating perspectives on the key games and interesting issues in the game at both the college and professional levels. You may not agree, they may not agree, but it should be interesting!
New England Patriots at Jacksonville Jaguars (1 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 24)
Drew: No one really wants to dismiss Tom Brady out when it counts, and surprisingly, this one may just count toward gaining the rights to bye and a second round home game for the Patriots. Of course, it counts for the Jags too. The Jags can't beat sub-.500 teams on the road, but luckily for Garrard & Co., this is a home game against a good team.
Prediction: Jaguars 24, Patriots 13
Jordan: These Jags sure are playing with my emotions. Every week they go from legit AFC contender to flop artist pretender. They are so Jekyll and Hyde I can't tell if they really are this inconsistent or are trying to throw their season down the pipes. However, the lone consistency for this team is their atrocious play away from home. Despite their 1-6 road record they still have a shot at sneaking into the playoffs, however the remaining schedule isn't kind. If they can take out the Pats at home, the momentum and urgency at Kansas City should be high enough to inspire this underachieving team.
Prediction: Jacksonville 26, New England 24
San Diego Chargers at Seattle Seahawks (4:15 p.m., Sunday, Dec. 24)
Drew: A real man admits when he's wrong. I, my friends, have been wrong about a lot of things in life. I once thought it wise to push my car out of a rut in reverse down a hill with the intention of jumping in the door I left open to stop it. However, while a new exhaust saved the day there, I'm exhausted watching just how good the Chargers are and how bad Seattle is.
Prediction: Chargers 38, Seahawks 21
Jordan: Let's see, Frank Gore nearly totaled 500 yards in two games against this Seahawk defense and look who's coming to town. No, it's not Santa, however LT is going to punish Seattle for being naughty and choking against the 49ers last week. The Chargers have the division locked up but are still hunting for home field throughout the AFC portion of the playoffs. They hold their own destiny and by winning out they can secure it. Hasselbeck and Alexander still don't look fully healthy and will continue to be slowed by this fast San Diego defense. Chargers are rolling and it doesn't stop in Seattle.
Prediction: San Diego 31, Seattle 21
What is the best Christmas present you ever received, and the best you ever gave?
Drew: I was 8 years old and I had known for a couple of years that Santa was…well I won't say. My sister re-convinced me, however, and the bearded baron of bounty brought to her house a dissectible dinosaur that could be put back together. I believe. As for the best I gave, my then 27-year-old sister cried when I gave her the EZ Bake Oven she'd never had, but I'm hoping this year's prize for my girlfriend wins out.
Prediction: The trifecta of gifts I purchased gets trumped by the fact that I looked at baby pictures while visiting her family in North Carolina.
Jordan: I've gotten my fair share of presents over the years, but let's just say hopefully (fingers crossed) the Bears can deliver the best gift yet and bring home a title to Chi-town. I witnessed the Bartman drama and I moved here after the Bulls dynasty. I despise the White Sox and, although Chicago pro teams aren't as worse off as Philly or Cleveland, I wouldn't want to chance it any longer. My hopes are up after signing Soriano and others, but you can never count on the Cubbies. The Bears have to get it done or it is another heartbreaker of a season.
Prediction: Chicago gets to South Florida but cannot slow LT and San Diego from surging to the top. Now to baseball season and our loveable losers.
Ohio State at Florida (4 p.m., Saturday Dec. 23)
Drew: Greg Oden is the next Patrick Ewing. I've heard it, but if you look at him, he just might be the first Patrick Ewing. This kid looks older than Moses. He was one of the eight passengers on Noah's Ark. Well, the big man will give Gator fans a taste of what they'll get on the Football field in a few weeks.
Prediction: Ohio State 66, Florida 55
Jordan: Personally I am not a fan of this Florida Gators team. It was refreshing to see some new blood rise to the top last year, but this year I cannot stand their arrogant demeanor on the court. I might be the only person who thinks Joakim Noah is garbage. No jumpshot, no handles and he's about 25 pounds light for the NBA. Top five pick, I think not. I wonder how his backhand is, though? Give me the 40-year-Buckeye Greg Oden. Or, at least he looks older than my father. He is the real deal and so dominant I kind of want to make a phone call to check his birth certificate. He, along with Ron Lewis, Ivan Harris and Daequan Cook could cruise to the elite eight just by showing up. They will be a force to reckon with come March.
Prediction: Ohio State 76, Florida 69.
Los Angeles Lakers at Miami Heat (2:30 p.m., Monday, Dec. 25)
Drew: No Shaq Daddy and the Lake show is much improved. However, Wade is back with a little less Wisdom in his teeth and a little more drive in his belly. The kid will drop 40 and cause Kobe to play selfish. We all know what happens when Kobe gets selfish: the Lakers lose. How many said charges filed in Colorado?
Prediction: Heat 93, Lakers 88
Jordan: Ah, Christmas on South Beach. Maybe we could switch games because I really don't want to watch Dwayne Wade and a washed-up other eleven players pretend to show they are the defending champs. The Lakers are fun to watch but I enjoyed them so much more when Kobe was still struggling to get his knee back and he actually passed the ball. With Shaq out for Miami and Lamar Odom out for Los Angeles this game loses a lot of moxy. This will be the appetizer before the Eagles/Cowboys showdown gets underway.
Prediction: Los Angeles 103, Miami 97