-Saints at Seahawks. I drank the Seahawks Kool-Aid a couple of weeks ago. I stand by that pick. However, if there is one quarterback with the experience, skills, and desire to pull a road upset in the NFC, it's Drew Brees. I'm not sure the Saints have the supporting cast and running game to pull off the upset. Interesting how some young quarterback is going to come of age during this playoff season.
-Colts at Patriots. The Colts are one more opportunity away from breaking through. I still see the Patriots winning, and Tom Brady having a big day against the Colts defense. The Colts' best chance lies in Andrew Luck putting the team on his back and willing them through, like he did last week. Next time they meet in the playoffs, it will be different.
-49ers at Panthers. Two young quarterbacks, but one has a lot more playoff experience. I think Cam Newton will get there someday, but Sunday isn't it. The Panthers win any defensive struggle, but when the score gets over 24 points, it's the 49ers day. Look for Vernon Davis to put up big numbers, and if Kaepernick runs for over 100 yards, the Panthers will have a short postseason visit.
-Chargers at Broncos. Round Three is always the hardest. There are no surprises hanging out for either team here. The Chargers were impressive in how they put the lockdown on the Bengals last week, but Andy Dalton is not Peyton Manning. The Broncos defense needs to execute solidly, and Peyton needs to be Peyton for a Bronco win. The Chargers best hope lies in continuing to force turnovers, usually a tall task against a quarterback of Manning's experience and ability. After last year's disappointment, it's Peyton Manning's turn.
-A note of local interest: Plenty of empty seats last night at North Side Gym for the Plymouth-Elkhart Memorial game. It's been a common theme this year at North Side, one of the great high school venues in the country. Maybe kids have too many options, maybe the presence of great high school games on ESPN, maybe class basketball has decreased interest. Whatever the case, it's sad to see. High School Basketball is Indiana's biggest showcase, but Anderson closed down the Wigwam, and it may be time for something smaller than North Side Gym.
So...am I off base?
On high school basketball, not just kids have too many options, but parents, too. When you and I were growing up 35 years ago, I'm pretty sure you remember the weekend nights prime social activity was at the high school gym, even for the parents. Especially for the parents. What was the competition? The short order lunch counter, three or four fuzzy channels on TV, maybe a movie? Or a doubleheader of live action basketball with people you knew? Easy choice.
ReplyDeleteNY Times had an article on the decline of Hoosier Hysteria:
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/25/sports/farewell-to-wigwam-and-heyday-of-high-school-basketball-in-indiana.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0