NFL - Divisional round predictions 2010

Well the wild card weekend lived up to be a very solid set of blow outs and one game that will be remembered for the rest of my life.  I went 3-1 over the weekend.

We saw the Jets beat up the Bengals for the second week in a row, the Cowboys destroy the Eagles for the second week in a row and the Ravens beat up and embarrass the Patriots in New England.  None of these games were a surprise to me at all but the Packers losing to the Cardinals caught me off guard.  But I have to admit after watching the game, it is a game I will remember for the rest of my life.  We saw 96 points and a 2nd half of football that will go down as the most exciting ever…for now.  The question is what will this weekend of football bring us?!?

Super Bowl XLIV takes an economy hit

As soon as the NFL regular season begins, everybody starts to anticipate the Super Bowl and all of its live music and commercials. It doesn’t matter if your team made the playoffs or not, it is one of the largest sporting events on the planet. But this year it might take a hit from the down economy too.

A single 30 second spot cost advertisers less 20 years ago compared to the now quadrupled price today. But according to TNS Media that trend has stopped this year with ads costing less than last year’s ads.

CBS reported charging between $2.5 million and $2.8 million for a 30-second ad during the game this year compared to the $3 million that NBC fetched in 2009.  According to the USA Today CBS is close to selling out its entire 62 ad slots.

The real price will be set when you realize who is actually playing for the Super Bowl title.  Despite the Colts being the favorites on the Super Bowl odds, anything can happen in the National Football League.

In the past 20 years the Super Bowls have produced $2.17 billion in ad sales for the main broadcasters, on behalf of more than 1,400 commercial messages and 210 advertisers.

Believe it or not the leading advertiser is the network itself. They take as much as one-quarter of the commercial time for their own shows.  During last year’s Super Bowl telecast, NBC set aside a record 45 minutes and 5 seconds of air time for their commercials.

Let’s get to the weekend’s games and make some predictions.

Arizona Cardnials at New Orleans Saints - New Orleans
I know Arizona is riding high after their OT victory over the Packers, but I think Brees will have his team ready and pumped.  Look for some points on the board but the Saints will control the final outcome with an even running game to slow down the Cardnials.

Baltimore Ravens at Indianapolis Colts - Indianapolis
I know Baltimore is tough and ready to go, but Peyton Manning is rested and his defense will fluster and confuse the Ravens offense.  The only way the Ravens have a chance is if they can get a solid running attack the entire game…but I do not see that happening.

Dallas Cowboys at Minnesota Vikings - Minnesota
I know, I am pretty much the only damn person calling this victory and being a life long and die hard Viking fan…my heart may get broke again.  But I have a feeling that Romo will get harassed all day and the Cowboys will get zero production from their running game.  I also would like to see Farve exercise his Cowboys demon and finally beat them in the playoffs.

NY Jets at San Diego Chargers - NY Jets
This is my one road team winner for the weekend.  I do not like the Chargers running game and with the defensive backs the Jets have, I think they can control the Chargers attack.  My long time friend Jason is going to kill me for this pick, but it is my gut feeling.

This entry was posted on Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at 21:42 and is filed under Pro Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response or trackback from your own site.

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