Fireman Mike’s Fab Five Football Bets – BCS Championship Pick

We all know how hot we’ve been of late, so there’s no real need to elaborate on it. That said, the key is to focus on the next game when you get hot and believe me, that’s all I can think about. The NFL Playoffs -along with the BCS Championship Game- grace us with their presence this weekend and we’ll take full advantage. With a winning percentage of 60% (62-42-3) we’ll keep cashing checks and end the season on a high note. Here we go!…….-Fireman Mike

Bengals +4 @ Texans

This is the hardest game of the weekend -pro or college- to handicap. The Texans play great defense and have some game-changing players on that side of the ball. But the statistic that stands out the most in this matchup is Andy Dalton’s performance in the red zone this season. He hasn’t thrown an interception and has been more than efficient for the entire year. The Bengals haven’t beaten a playoff team yet this season and I don’t expect that to change this weekend.

In the first overtime playoff game under the new format, Houston wins, 19-16, on a touchdown from TJ Yates to Andre Johnson in the back of the end zone, a play that has to be reviewed for three minutes before officially being called a TD. Cincy kicks a field goal on their first possession, only to give up a long drive to Yates and Co. but we’re still in the money since they don’t kick the extra point in OT. We’ll take the point because they’re free!

Saints -10.5 vs. Lions

Vegas caught up with the Lions after a hot start and they’ve failed to cover five out of their last six games and eight of their last eleven. You have to give the Lions all the credit in the world considering they beat the teams they were supposed to this season -something the entire NFC East can’t say, along with a number of other teams in the league- but Detroit was 1-5 ATS against playoff teams and weren’t really in too many of those games. I’m sure by now you know that the Saints are 8-0 SU and ATS this season at home, a statistic that has driven the line up throughout the week. They are arguably playing the best football of any team in the NFL right now and are desperately looking to wash the taste of last year’s ugly first round defeat against Seattle out of their mouths. They’ll do so on Saturday Night and in a big way. The Lions took a step in the right direction this year but the cream also rises in the NFL come Playoff time and Detroit is unfortunately running into a buzzsaw down in NOLA.

New Orleans sends a message with a 49-21 victory over a very good Lions team.

Giants -3 vs. Falcons

First thing’s first: This Giants team is not similar to the 2007 team by any stretch of the imagination. But they can still rush the hell out of the quarterback and create turnovers at a good pace. That makes them extremely dangerous in the playoffs, especially at home against a dome team that doesn’t have a very mobile quarterback. Eli Manning has shown the ability to take the top off NFL defenses and can manipulate the pocket as well as any QB in the league. His talented group of receivers have made all the difference in the world, from Hakeem Nicks to Victor Cruz to Jake Ballard to Travis Beckham, they’ve all made huge plays during an up and down season in New York. The G-Men are trending up at this point and we’ll ride them in the first round, as they’re salivating to get another opportunity to ruin Aaron Rodgers and the Packers’ wonderful little season.

New York exposes the Falcons secondary, opening up holes to run and actually get over 100 yards from Brandon Jacobs as the free-agent-to-be finally show some sack, running north and south for four quarters in a 34-24 Giants victory.

Steelers -9 @ Denver

This is only the second time in NFL history that a road team has been favored by more than a touchdown in the first round of the playoffs. That said, I would take Pittsburgh in this game if they were giving 19 points to the hapless Broncos offense and their fans who like to pretend that there is more than one way to win in the NFL. News flash Denver: You have to throw the ball in order to win in the playoffs! And the option won’t work against the best defensive mind of our generation and a team led by a real quarterback who can actually make all the throws. Can you get the feeling that I’m a little sick of Tebow-Mania? Every few years a player or a team comes around and tries to cheat the game. They do it for a couple weeks, it becomes all the rage because it’s unique and slowly fades away, leaving the organization that allowed it to be tried in the dust. Remember the wildcat? Look at the Dolphins now. Denver is in the same position and better do everything they can to get a quarterback prospect in this upcoming draft, or ride Tebow to a 2-14 record next season and get Matt Barkley to take the short trip from Southern Cal to Denver. If the Broncos somehow win, by all means will I eat crow but I’m almost positive I’ll be ordering filet mignon from Ruth’s Chris on Sunday Night!

Pittsburgh wins big, 27-0, and Tim Tebow is exposed for the fraudulent quarterback that he truly is!

Alabama -2 vs. LSU / OVER 40.5 – BCS National Championship

LSU will have a distinct home field advantage, seeing that this game will be played in New Orleans but I’m taking Alabama and the Over in this game. I think there will be a lot more scoring than people think, based more on good offensive production than defensive breakdowns and it will start early with each team scoring on their opening drive. We’re not going to see anything resembling Baylor-Washington but each team should be in the 20′s when it’s all said and done.

For the entire game breakdown click here but to make it short and sweet……Bama wins their second BCS Championship -Saban wins his third- by a score of 27-23 and we cash in for the final time this year in college football.