In my previous blog, I was 2-0 straight up and 1-1 against the spread. New England dominated Indianapolis with flat footballs. Seattle kicked it around until pulling the game out against Green Bay with a late rally. A lot had to go right for the Seahawks to reach the Super Bowl for the second straight season and ol' Lady Luck was with them.
Late Saturday afternoon, Sunday's big game was listed as a pick-em with an O/U of 47.
New England has spent more than week hearing about how it cheats and how it is an evil empire. It seems the entire country is pulling against the Patriots because the Patriots find ways to win and win a lot. Earlier this season, the Patriots were written off as old and finished. Now, New England is getting the last laugh.
I personally believe Deflate-gate was much ado about nothing. Other pro teams do it, college teams do it, high school teams do it. If the balls were missing that much air, why didn't the officials who handle the balls during the game notice the difference? As long as the ball isn't flat play on.
While Deflate-gate deflected a lot of other attention on New England, Marshawn Lynch did the deflect job for Seattle. All the media could talk and write about the week before the game was Lynch's childish antics at the press conference. Lynch may be one of the most talented running backs in the game, but he is also the game's biggest jerk.
Tom Brady is at the top of his game. If Seattle can't get pressure on him, Brady will dominate the game.
Russell Wilson survived a shaky effort in the NFC Championship Game to go another shot at a world title. Wilson is more mobile than Brady, but he also is more inconsistent.
Seattle's biggest problem is in the secondary three of the four members of the Legion of Boom are banged up. Three of the four -- Kam Chancellor (knee), Earl Thomas (separated shoulder), and Richard Sherman (elbow ligaments) -- are suffering from injuries.
I think Seattle's secondary issues will be the difference in the game. Brady will take advantage of the situation.
Take the Patriots and the over.
Clemson Hoops Continues Improvement
Clemson head coach Brad Brownell continues to amaze with the work he is doing. Last week, the Tigers won their second ACC road game at N.C. State then came home and took care of Boston College to improve to 13-8 overall and 5-4 in the ACC.
The Tigers have received a kick start from junior guard Jordan Roper, who earned a starting spot in practice and then took advantage by averaging 21 points per game against State and BC. Jordan's ability to hit some 3-point baskets has made a major positive impact for Clemson's struggling offense.
Clemson played its finest half of the season at State and built a 21-point lead before allowing the Wolfpack to get within three points in the second half. But the Tigers showed some toughness and poise to pull away for a 68-57 victory over the Pack.
Clemson plays at Florida State and at Miami this week before returning home to face Notre Dame on Feb. 10. Poor free throw shooting cost Clemson the first meeting against Florida State. A split would be good. A two-game sweep would start a big buzz before the Irish come to town.
Is Tiger Woods Finished?
I have been thinking for two years that Tiger Woods would find "it" again. As I write this Saturday afternoon, Woods looks done. Finished. In the tank. The some of the shots he hit on Friday on his way to a career-high 82 were shocking. Woods looked like a 21-handicapper playing at a muni on a Sunday afternoon.
In his seeking of perfection, Woods has lost everything he ever had. He can't hit a fairway. He can't chip. He can't putt. He has reached rock bottom.
Where does he go from here? He should go back to Butch Harmon, but Harmon won't take him back. If he is ever going to be a factor on PGA Tour again, Woods will have to swallow some pride and ask for some help. The problems aren't just physical anymore. Snakes have gotten into his head, and those snakes are difficult to exterminate.
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