ATKOOL

I must say, it has been a very weird week. I've been a bit paranoid...not about the game. The possible end result of who would win the Super Bowl. I had no doubt in my mind that the Steelers would win vs Denver. Steelers injuries was stacked up which was put against them when they would make their Super Bowl picks. All the negative talk going on over @ the Steelers board was something I've been avoiding. I hate being around folks who claim to be a Steelers fan and counting the Steelers out. Some even joined the rest of the Steeler hate crew by saying they wouldn't make it to the playoffs after a quarter of the season had been played. Just one thing after the other. Just got sick of all the negatives and look more at the positives which I hope to be able to bring in this post.

Every year, NFL analysts are always pointing at players who they expect to succeed and players they expect to fail. Example: Andrew Luck is a qb who is going to be the next Peyton Manning. Those kind of guys who have them high expectations....I don't root for to succeed as much as I do for the underdogs: Tim Tebow. I've been defending Tebow all year and taking jabs at Kyle Orton. I was happy when Tebow got the starting job and they began winning. I was rooting for Tebow to succeed because of the story of how every NFL analyst has been taking shots at him. I rooted for Tebow and the Broncos in every single game up until they played the Pittsburgh Steelers.

Been a fan of Pittsburgh Steelers for a fairly long time. From the Kordell Stewart years, Maddox, and of course Big Ben. I must say, Tebow and the Broncos played one helluva football game. One 50 yard pass after another. Still stuck with the game plan despite all of the 50 yarders given up. Certainly did suck to watch everything just not going the Steelers way. Just one thing after the other whether it be with injuries, dropped passes, and so on. Pittsburgh did come back and take it to OT which made the loss much less hurtful than it did at halftime. I began thinking to myself after a good night sleep that maybe it was better for the team. Maybe it was a blessing with all the injuries that the Steelers had sustained along with running back coach in the hospital. It was just one thing after the other. Players playing hurt among other things. It may be better for the team long term with so many guys out and guys playing hurt. It is probably a blessing to let players relax, get healthy, and so on. Better to lose to a qb who I like than lose to Flacco or Brady so the fans would have bragging rights.

With the Steelers out, I'll be rooting for Denver to win it all. LOL! Just for the purpose of hearing his critics afterward. What a story that would be. I have no doubt that Tebow will be able to lead the Broncos to the Super Bowl. Why? It goes along with the story of Suggs bashing Tebow on First Take last week. He is leading Denver to punish and defeat the Ravens for that sin. I'm paranoid enough to believe it!! LOL! Mark my words: Broncos/Ravens AFC championship game. Surprised??Don't be.......STAY JEALOUS!!

The first playoff appearance for the Lions in over a decade. Can the Lions make this story one to remember? We will all find out this weekend when they take on the New Orleans Saints. The part that sucks about playing the Saints is that you have to play at their house. That Dome has been one of the toughest places to win in without question for the past several years. Saints are coming off wins over division rivals to end their season with records broken. The Lions didn't end the season that strong with a shootout loss to the Packers with Aaron Rodgers and other starters on the sidelines. Matt Flynn set game records in that game that Rodgers, Brett Favre, Bart Starr has not been able to achieve. That is impressive, but what does that say about the Lions defense? If they can't stop a backup qb, how can they stop Drew Brees?

Preview: Neither team has a good ground game which means that it is probably going to be a shootout contest. The key in this game will be able to put pressure on Brees to force him to make mistakes. Turnovers will be crucial in this game. The team that has the least amount of mistakes will win this football game. If the turnover margin is even, I figure the most experiences team will win. Of course that means the Saints will beat the Lions. I figure the Saints will win this game because that offensive line has like 3 pro bowlers, Brees has a ton of weapons in the pass game, and Brees is probably the best of any qb in the accuracy category.

Lions have a shot of an upset though knowing that their defense is one of the best in the interception category this year. Who knows? I may end up rooting for the Lions to pull an upset in this one. If the Seahawks can do it last year....certainly the Lions can. Good luck to both teams.......

Note: I picked the Saints to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl in April. Will it happen? I believe they are just as big of a favorite as the Packers. Just an opinion of course. Surprised??Don't be.........STAY JEALOUS!!