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On the first weekend of the NFL Playoffs, things weren't too surprising. Even thought Atlanta was favored, the Cardinals at home with Kurt Warner calling the shots were going to be a tough opponent. Arizona always seems to go under the radar, and rightly so because usually they're not any good and more of a pretender than a real contender anyway. But this year they believed they could play, so no surprise that they won at home. Even though the Colts had won nine straight, the Chargers were actually the hotter team. San Diego has been in a playoff mode for the last month, so it's not very out of the ordinary to think that they could win at home against Indianapolis. The Colts lost to them last year in the playoffs and even without LaDanian Tomlinson for most of the game, San Diego found a way to get it done. Baltimore is playing as well as anybody, and I thought Miami was a little bit phony as a playoff team. The Ravens defense is a good as ever, maybe better than before, but they also believe they can win, even by scoring just a few points. Ed Reed scored again on an interception and the Ravens are going to the second round. And even playing at home, the Vikings seemed a bit out of their league in the post season against the Eagles. Philadelphia is much like San Diego, playing at a playoff level for the last few weeks of the regular season, so now they face the Giants in the second round. The biggest surprise of the Bowl Season might have been Ole Miss's win over Texas Tech in the Cotton Bowl. You figured the Red Raiders would score a bunch of points but Ole Miss? The Reb's under Houston Nutt beat Florida and won a big bowl game on national television and maybe, just maybe could move them into the top half of the SEC. Utah's win over Alabama in the Sugar Bowl leaves them as the only undefeated team in the FBS (Division I). So does that mean they should be declared the National Champs? I've been around too many big time football programs that don't care two hoots about winning a bowl game. Steve Spurrier never cared after the Gators were eliminated from the SEC championship picture and it showed in the bowl game. His famous line was, "Lost the squeeze off," when asked about his time at the Citrus Bowl. Like that mattered. I don't know if Nick Saban has the same attitude but the Utes handled Alabama on the Tide's home turf (New Orleans and the Sugar Bowl.) Utah beat some good teams and was clearly motivated at the Sugar Bowl. I guess they could lay claim to a part of the national championship. Yet another reason for a playoff.
I read that Tiger still isn't hitting full shots but he's planning on coming back for the Masters. Of course, he'll be the favorite and of course, he'll probably win.
I don't care how much money the Yankees spend, it won't guarantee a pennant. The Rays proved that last year.
Florida's win over NC State was a step towards where Billy Donovan wants to take the team. Not that they won but that they were able to hang with a team in the second half when things looked like they were getting out of hand. Last year's team wouldn't have responded like that. We'll see what happens starting this week when they get into conference play. Anything less than making the NCAA's this year will be a disappointment for the Gators.
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