update: new york vs. san diego

vs.

My prediction:

New York - 21
San Diego - 38

"The Jets won't be big pimpin' up in NYC this week. Chargers by 17, 38-21."

Actual score:

New York - 20
San Diego - 17

Playoff predictions versus the spread:
1-1

Game notes:

Well, I was way off the mark on this one. I figured, hey it's San Diego -- blue skies, sunshine, and 75 degree weather all year round. And then the rains came. Receivers were slipping on routes, balls were slipping out of hands, and my dreams of a shootout went out the window.

After taking the early lead, the Chargers found themselves playing catch up for nearly the entire game. Trailing 17 to 10, the Chargers mounted a strong drive capped off by a pass to Antonio Gates for a TD. Game tied, and off to overtime. I think the success of Antonio Gates really proves one point -- any NBA power forward or center with an ounce of athleticism and speed could dominate in the NFL. Gates has nearly zero ability to run a pattern, but yet managed to pull down six receptions for 89 yards sheerly by using his big body to box out the defender and leap up to make receptions. Can you imagine just throwing Shaq out there? He could be triple teamed, but just have him run out 5 yards, turn around, and throw it up high. It would be like putting a 900 pound man in at goalie in a hockey game. Simply unbeatable.

Anyhow, the game went into OT, and the Chargers had a great chance to win it all and keep their Cinderella story alive. They were driving easily through the Jets D, picking up first downs like Bobby Brown picks up DUIs. Then inexplicably as the Chargers get up around the 30, Marty Schottenheimer decided, eh, who needs another first down. So after driving down the field at will, the Chargers turned into my dad driving on the freeway -- conservative and predicatble. This wasn't even at a chipshot FG distance, mind you. They were holding onto the ball to attempt a 40 yard FG, in the rain, on a slipery field -- hardly a slam dunk. Two rushes up the middle by LaDanian Tomlinson left the team with 3rd and 10. Then perhaps the worst play call of the day -- yet another run, but this time to the right of the field, meaning that the field goal attempt would need to hook to the left in order for the ball to go through. Well, it's not hard to predict what happens next. Nate Kaeding boots the ball dead straight, but of course since the ball is spotted on the far right hashmark, the ball sails wide right. The Jets take over, drive down the field, game over.

The game was actually really fun to watch, especially the part where Jets coach Herman Edwards tore his RB coach a new asshole in the 3rd quarter in full view of the TV cameras. I swear I thought Edwards was going to toss a cup of beer at his assistant coach's head, and then proceed to brawl in the stands. It was that intense. But cooler heads prevailed, the Jets won, and the lesson is reinforced that I should not be wagering on football games.