Contrary to popular belief, Dallas Cowboy quarterback Tony Romo did not cost his team the game last week when he fumbled the snap on a short field goal late against Seattle. With 1:19 still remaining on the clock, even if Dallas had kicked it, there is no doubt the Seahawks would have marched right down the field and made a game-winning field goal anyway. The referees certainly would have made sure of that.
Besides the obvious, the eight penalties for 74 yards against Dallas compared to only three infractions for 15 yards against Seattle, it seemed that almost every call that could have gone either way went in favor of the Seahawks. If needed, on Seattle's last-minute game-winning drive, one more penalty or non-penalty would have just been lumped with the others that helped decide the one-point game.
As for the controversy over the balls used for kicking being too slick, or as Philadelphia kicker David Akers calls them, "slicker than snot," that is an issue that should be addressed. Kickers and holders have been complaining about the special "K" balls all year, and now Dallas and Cincinnati have been victimized.
ESPN's Ron Jaworski and Mike Ditka both commented on how very slick Romo's ball appeared to be. Maybe we shouldn't go so far as the network's Woody Paige and say that particular football appeared to be "illegal," but it shouldn't have been shiny enough to help light the stadium, either.
DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS
Since 1990, the year that the NFL adopted its current playoff format, rested home teams are 51-13 in the Divisional Playoff round. However, last year two road underdogs won outright and equaled the success of the home favorites. The feeling here is that handicappers should not be influenced by any past Divisional Playoff results when going against the point spread this time around.
Indianapolis at Baltimore - The combination of Indy head coach Tony Dungheap and QB Peyton Manning has produced a 1-4 record on the road in the playoffs. To get some practice at losing, the Colts dropped their last four regular-season road games.
The Ravens have won five consecutive home games, bolstered by their No. 1 rated 3-4 defense that helped them lead the league in turnover differential. This is also a revenge game for the proud city of Baltimore, where the Colts moved away from in the dead of one night in 1984. Prediction: Baltimore -4.
Philadelphia at New Orleans - Statistically, these teams own the two best offenses in their conference. When they played on October 15, the final score was 27-24, as New Orleans kicked the game-winning field goal as time expired. The Saints' league-leading pass offense will not be facing Eagle Pro Bowl cornerback Lito Sheppard, who is injured. Prediction: Philadelphia and New Orleans Over 49 points total.
Seattle at Chicago - When these teams met October 1, Chicago thrashed Seattle 37-6. But Seahawk star running back Shaun Alexander didn't play, and now key Bear defenders Mike Brown and Tommie Harris are done for the season. Chicago gave up an average of 26 points in its last four games. Seattle's combination of head coach Mike Holmgren and QB Matt Hasselbeck is better than Chicago coach Lovie Smith and QB Rex "my play lately has been" Grossman, who committed 25 turnovers this season. Prediction: Seattle +9 and Over 37.
New England at San Diego - Using the same theory, the New England combo of coach Bill Belichick and QB Tom Brady is 11-1 in the playoffs, including three Super Bowl victories. Charger coach Marty Schottenheimer is 5-12 in the postseason, with his last win coming in 1993, while QB Philip Rivers struggled late in the season. Running back and league MVP LaDainian Tomlinson cannot win this game by himself. Prediction: New England +5.
Super Bowl - With preseason choices New England advancing and Dallas not, it's time to make a new pick. Hopefully, New England defeats New Orleans in the Super Bowl.