NFL Playoff Predictions

All season long I have been providing the Suite Spot faithful with weekly recaps of some relevant information and some well, not as relevant. I have provided my weekly Power of 5, enabling men and yes even women to be one step ahead with NFL knowledge.

Well the regular season is over and there is no reason to live in the past and recap anymore... Without further ado, The Suite Spot brings you its first annual NFL playoff prediction blog.

NFC-

1st round

#1 Giants, bye

#2 Panthers, bye

Wild Card Matchups

#4. Arizona vs. #5 Atlanta-- NFC West Champion Cardinals take on a Falcons team that won two more contests than the Card's during the reg. season. Look for this to be a game fueled with High-Octane offense. Arizona's passing game, and Atlanta's balanced attack will make this an exciting three hours Saturday afternoon. Home field will prove the edge for the Cardinals as I have them winning this one in a close shootout.

Arizona

#3 Minnesota vs. #6 Philadelphia-- If the Eagles show up, they will win this game, if the Philadelphia Soul ( the cancelled Arena Football team, sorry Jaws!) shows up then Minnesota has a chance. Adrian Peterson will need to run over 200 yards for the Viks to have any shot. He won't, Eagles Roll on the road big!

Eagles

Divisional Round

#1 Giants vs. #4 Cardinals- Its unfortunate for Arizona, it really is. Geographically unfortunate that is. This team can't win on the road, and above the mason dixon where temperatures get a bit chilly. Arizona won three games on the road- San Fransisco in September- Warm, St. Louis in a dome, and Kurt Warner's old time haven, and at Seattle staying in the same time zone. They will lose this game for this reason. I don't even need to get into how the GGGG-men are a better team.

Giants

#6 Philadelphia vs. #2 Panthers-- This is where the road ends for the Eagles. The O-line and two-headed Carolina running attack will carry the Panthers to victory. I just can't see a team this consistent losing to a team that is anything but consistent. Sure the Eagles have won when they needed to down the stretch, but they did tie the Bengals. If you can't beat the Bengals in regulation, forget about OT, then you won't beat the Panthers.

Panthers

NFC Championship--

Giants vs. Panthers-- Panthers will avenge their OT loss to the Giants in this one and will do what it takes to beat the GGGG-men. The Giants haven't been the same since Plaxico shot himself in the leg, in doing so he took his team down with them. Panthers will be in the Superbowl.

Panthers

AFC-

#1 Titans, bye

#2 Steelers, bye

Wild Card Matchups--

#5 Colts vs. #4 Chargers-- Two hottest teams in football, adrenaline pumping on both benches. So to me it comes down to your leader and how this adrenaline is used effectively and controlled. Peyton Manning vs. Philip Rivers advantage Manning. Peyton will out duel Rivers in this matchup. Colt DE Dwight Freeney will pressure and disrupt the sloth- ike Rivers in the pocket and Peyton will show off his hall of fame caliber skills.

Colts

#6 Ravens vs. #3 Dolphins-- Defense prevails, and Chad Pennington's arm is as weak or weaker than Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen's bone marrow. Raven's and rookie QB Joe Flacco win this one, in the most boring of any of the wild card weekend matchups.

Ravens

Divisional Round

#1 Titans vs. #5 Colts-- Colts are too hot, winners of 9 straight, and the Titans are underrated. This is going to be a good game, and Keith Bullock and the Titans will be ready. Unfortunately again I think this game comes down to clutch activity and leadership. Peyton vs. Kerry.. Yikes!! Kerry Collins has been great this year, but they won't have enough defense under the hood to stop this attack. Look for Peyton to open the field up and use TE Dallas Clark a lot in this game.

Colts

#2 Steelers vs. #6 Ravens-- Big Ben suffered a concussion on Sunday and should be ready for the game. Who cares! This isn't the year of Big Ben. This is the year of Joe Flacco, and though he doesn't light up the stat sheet. He has plenty of help on defense. Ray Lewis and the best Safety in the NFL, Ed Reed, are going to walk out of Heinz Field on their way to the AFC Championship game to face the old Baltimore Colts. Oh the Irony!

Ravens

AFC Championship--

Colts vs. Ravens-- Unfortunately for Flacco, all good things come to an end, and though they didn't win the division, the Colts will dismember the Ravens and play for their 2nd Superbowl in three years. I can only see how many endorsement deals are waiting on Peyton's agent's desk. If the Ravens are to have a chance, they will need to blister the colts with solid running through the tackles, the colts are too strong on the ends. I don't see this happening . Colts roll!

Colts

Superbowl-- Colts vs. Panthers

Panthers have been too good this season, and I think this is the year they get their franchise's first ring. They are strong on defense, strong on offense, well coached, and have poise, charisma, and this year more will than any other team. It will be an exciting game, and either Deangelo Williams or Jonathon Stewart will walk away with the Superbowl MVP trophy. The team is that strong and will prove it against a tough colts team. Weeks of preparation are better suited to scheme and stop a passing attack, but when you have linemen and RB's who know how to hit holes, that's just a matter of execution. If you can scheme to stop Peyton's attack and execute and grind out the run game you have what it takes to beat this team. Carolina will do this and walk out of Tampa with the Vince Lombardi trophy!!

Panthers

Pandemic is Contagious

Looking for a last minute gift? The Suite Spot recommends the new board game Pandemic as one of the best and most innovative games to come out in years and the perfect unique holiday gift. The players must cure 4 distinct but equally deadly outbreaks that are rapidly spreading across the globe. The great part about this game is that the players have to work together to find the solution, so playing the game is a fun collaborative experience. It's not all roses and sunshine though, each session of Pandemic is a tense and exciting affair. As the disease spreads organically across the board, the players prospects for winning become increasingly bleak. Even better, the game is really easy to pick up and play, takes only about 45 minutes, and provides a wealth of different game play options and tactics despite its simplicity. The game has been difficult to find for quite awhile now, but has recently been put back into wide circulation. Catch this Pandemic at your local game store for about $30, but you might want to get vaccinated first. 

Looks pretty cool, right?

Don't look cool enough? The Suite Spot officially recommends smoking as the cure for a cool deficiency. You can pick up cigarettes in packs of 20 at most local stores for about $5 a pack. Grab some today!

Shine On!

Feeling blue this holiday season? Between the holidays and the economy, everybody is a bit off their game. One other element that could be affecting you just might be Seasonal Affective Disorder. That's the effect that the winter season has on our mood, particularly if it reoccurs each year. A variety of factors could be the root of the problem, from the cold weather to family stress. The most common cause is the lack of light that we all suffer from this time of year due to staying inside and the shorter periods of daylight. One sure fire way to treat the winter blues is to add more light to your life. Particularly effective are full spectrum lamps. These are lights that produce a true white light that closely resembles the sun's rays as opposed to dim yellow incandescent lamps or overly harsh fluorescent bulbs. An additional benefit is that the light simply looks better than regular lamps so you'll find it easier and more pleasant to read or do other household tasks. I've had one as my desk lamp for years now and I swear by it. Ask for one for Christmas or make it a nice gift for a loved one who could use some cheering up. 

The Wrestler

Mickey Rourke stars as what looks to be a cross between Jake "The Snake" Roberts and Randy "Macho Man" Savage in one of the best and most interesting movies of the year. In fact, if it wasn't for The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, The Wrestler would rank as my clear cut most anticipated movie of the season. That said, a flat footed tie with the Brad Pitt vehicle is nothing to be ashamed of. 

Suite Spot Tip: Don't even look at the Bill Simmons review he posted this week as it includes a spoiler early on that is best left unseen, especially for wrestling fans. You already know the movie is going to own, no need for the review!

This kid is never going to have any friends...

There's a very good chance you may have already seen this since it went crazy viral on the 'net yesterday, but I couldn't resist talking about it. It's hands down the biggest WTF news item I've read in a quite some time.

Nice family photo, huh? Happy parents doting on their adorable 3-year old son. His name?

Adolf Hitler Campbell.

That's right. Young Adolf's parents named him after the infamous German leader because "no one else in the world would have that name." Well... that's true. Or they could just be white supremacists.

The Campbell's story hit the newswire after a local supermarket refused to put the young lad's full name on his birthday cake. I imagine that supermarket will make the same refusal should the Campbell's ever order one of Adolf's two sisters a birthday cake there as well. Their names?

JoyceLynn Aryan Nation Campbell and Honszlynn Hinler Jeannie Campbell.

Ain't that America?

The cable-free life

$93.16. That was the total of my last Comcast cable bill.  That was September.

Here I am three months later with NO interest in giving them my business again. 

If you are anything like my friends or family, you're probably wondering what prompted this shocking decision.  Why would a man that has had cable for 25 straight years and still enjoys solid TV programming turn away from this American household staple?

Here goes.

The immediate cause was 18 months of frustrating service with Comcast.  Overpriced PPV movies, channel package realignments, and continual rate increases all coupled with crappy customer service got my goat.  The only thing that kept me hanging on was the fact that neither DirectTv nor At&t U-verse were available at my residence.  They still aren't.

The next factor was the rapidly growing availability of legal, mainstream programming on the web.  Hulu, ABC.com, and other sites started streaming high-quality television episodes with limited commercial interruptions at no cost to viewers.  Oh, and did I mention that its being done with better picture quality than standard definition programming?

The tipping point (thanks Malcom) came when nbcsports.com streamed the Beijing Summer Olympics...live! This opened my eyes.  Why couldn't, and why shouldn't, all content be offered via this medium?!  

Give it another year.

Over the past three months I've consumed all of the content a television lover could ever ask for:  

• Live broadcasts of the presidential debates and the resulting SNL parodies
• Live college basketball games of my alma mater
• Live NFL games in their entirety and highlights of every almost sport
• Sitcoms, dramas, reality tv, music videos, cartoons, and late night talk shows
• News
• Films

Give it a chance and save yourself some money.  Pay off some of that credit card debt.  Put an extra gift in someone's stocking.  Here, i'll even help! I only ask that you help me find a way to watch my Yankees come September.

The Suite Spot's Guide to a Cable-Free World

• Hulu.com:  NBC, FOX, Comedy Central, FX, and now films.  Try The Office, House, Arrested Development, and It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
• ESPN360.com:  Live college basketball/fooball and NBA.  Stick with the college sports.  The NBA is garbage.
• NFL.com:  Thursday and Sunday Night Football
• ABC.com / CBS.com:  Most of their network shows.  Try Lost and Survivor.
• Netflix.com:  Films, TV Series.   Try The Shield, Weeds, Dexter, The Office
• Sprint Phones:  Discovery Channel, NFL Network, NFL Radio, ABC, Music Videos  

UFC 92 Preview/Prediction

It's the biggest card of the year and the UFC is not being shy about it. The Ultimate 2008 features not one, not two, but three Main Event fights on the card and the Suite Spot is here to break it all down for you:

Quinton "Rampage" Jackson 

vs. 

Wanderlei "The Axe Murderer" Silva

Who is Rampage Jackson?

He was the funny and likable star of The Ultimate Fighter reality show who laid out UFC poster boy Chuck Liddell and was on the precipice of major crossover fame before losing his title last spring and subsequently leading the LAPD on a chase through the streets (and sidewalks) of the city. He's facing 3 years of jail time if convicted. Still, his powerful strikes and devastating slams make him one of the most dangerous men in the world. 

Notable Wins: Chuck Liddell x2, Dan Henderson, Ricardo Arona

Notable Losses: Wanderlei Silva x2, Shogun Rua, Forrest Griffin, Sakuraba

Who is Wanderlei Silva?

They call him "The Axe Murderer". Do you need to know anything else? Wanderlei (pronounced Van-der-lay) is the former PRIDE Middleweight Champion and 2003 Middleweight Grand Prix tournament winner who basically went 6 years without losing a fight in his weight class. Though a darling of the online fight community, he hasn't quite been the same since Mirko Cro Cop practically kicked his head off in late 2006. His lighning fast knockout of Keith Jardine last spring quieted his critics. Another win against Rampage would put him in line for a title shot. 

Notable Wins: Sakuraba x3, Rampage Jackson x2, Hidehiko Yoshida x2, Dan Henderson

Notable Losses: Tito Ortiz, Mirko Cro Cop, Dan Henderson, Chuck Liddell

Breakdown:

Both fighters feature a brutal, aggressive style that begs for a highlight reel knockout. As such, this is probably the most hotly anticipated fight on the card despite not being for a title. Both fighters have something to prove and they'll come out throwing. That said, Wandy holds 2 brutal KO victories over Rampage and that's got to give Jackson pause. Wandy will jump all over any hesitation. 

Silva by knockout in Round 2 

Frank Mir 

vs. 

Antonio Rodrigio "Minotauro" Noguiera

for the Interim UFC Heavyweight Championship

Who is Frank Mir?

He's the former UFC Heavyweight Champion who is back from serious injuries due to a car crash in 2004. He's had trouble getting back into shape but finally looks to be back to the form that snapped Tim Sylvia's arm. He is enjoying increased fame due to his recent win over Brock Lesner and his coaching stint on the most recent season of The Ultimate Fighter. He is one of the worlds great submission fighters, especially for a big man. 

Notable Wins: Tim Sylvia, Brock Lesnar, Tank Abbott

Notable Losses: Brandon Vera

Who is Minotauo Noguiera?

The Interim UFC Heavyweight Champion is probably the greatest fighter in the history of MMA this side of Fedor. "Big Nog" has fought and defeated a who's who of MMA and shows no sign of stopping. He showed his coaching chops and gregarious personality on The Ultimate Fighter so his popularity is at an all time high. There is no one tougher in the cage or more dangerous on the ground. 

Notable Wins: Heath Herring x2, Mirko Cro Cop, Josh Barnett, Dan Henderson, Tim Sylvia, Ricco Rodriguez, Mark Coleman, Bob Sapp

Notable Losses: Fedor Emelianenko x2, Josh Barnett, Dan Henderson

Breakdown: 

The winner of this fight will battle Brock Lesner later this year to unify the Heavyweight belt. Both men would relish that chance. These are the two best submission artists in the Heavyweight division, so this one should probably end up as a battle on the ground. Both guys can submit anyone at anytime so it could be over quickly. The Suite Spot believes; however, that this bout will stretch into the later rounds and Mir's conditioning (though much improved) won't hold up to Nog's legendary motor. 

Noguiera retains UFC Interim Heavyweight Title by submission in Round 4. 

"Sugar" Rashad Evans

vs.

Forrest Griffin

for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship

Who is Rashad Evans?

He won season 2 of The Ultimate Fighter and is undefeated in 13 fights. A standout wrestler in college, he knocked Chuck Liddell out cold last spring and is also a PC. 

Notable Wins: Chuck Liddell, Michael Bisping, Stephan Bonnar

Notable Losses: none, but controversially drew with Tito Ortiz (many say Tito should have won)

Who is Forrest Griffin?

He is the winner of the inaugural season of The Ultimate Fighter, thrusting the UFC into the mainstream with his legendary brawl with Stephan Bonner in the finale. He parlayed that notoriety into two straight bouts against the consensus #1 Light Heavyweight fighters in the world (Shogun Rua and Rampage Jackson). Forrest emerged victorious in both meetings, snatching the title in the process. His wry sense of humor and relentless fighting style make among the the most popular fighters in the UFC. 

Notable Wins: Rampage Jackson, Shogun Rua, Stephan Bonnar

Notable Losses: Tito Ortiz, Keith Jardine, Dan Severn

Breakdown:

This is just an amazingly even matchup. Evans possesses superior striking power and wrestling while Forrest has the edge in jiu jitsu and stamina. Both are cabable of formulating great gameplans, but I believe that Griffin's trainer Randy Couture's knowledge of wrestling will negate Rashad's greatest advantage. 

Griffin retains UFC Light Heavyweight Title by split decision. 

It all goes down on December 27th from Las Vegas. Enjoy!

NFL Brief-- Week 15

The Playoffs are around the corner, Christmas and Chanukah are also upon us, and teams are shopping for the final playoff spot as we struggle to shop for that final perfect gift. Small sidebar, instead of the mass population trying to be politically correct every year and using the term holiday season for the month of December, lets just call it Christmakah, it is used by few already, has a good ring to it, and satisfies both affiliations without degrading either. Jewish people do believe in Jesus, as just a carpenter, but I'm sure his carpentry skills could create one hell of a Menorah, and yes Christians he would make the oil burn forever if that would make you happy. To be honest in a recession like we are in now, bring on those loaves of bread and endless fish I've read about, we could use it, the second coming couldn't come at a better time. It would help my 401k, feed the hungry, and he would be able to cure Cancer and AIDS, cancer first because you can't do anything about getting it, AIDS second because you should have listened better in 5th grade. Was that a bit of a tangent? (Yes for those of you who think I don't want a cure, I do! Cancer should come first in my opinion!) Where was I? Oh yeah, Football and Playoffs!

NFC- Giants and Arizona have spots wrapped and put under the tree, yet with the way they are playing they are going to be the first ones opened and returned to the store. The Cardinals got smoked by the Vikings, and the Giants look like a college team without having a real running attack since Brandon Jacobs has been hurt. Carolina is the best team in the NFL and should clinch that division. They will beat the Giants next Sunday night. Minnesota looks good in the NFC North. Leaves two wild card spots. I feel the Eagles will win out and take one by having Tampa or Atlanta taking the other, giving either of those teams the other spot. My guess is Atlanta I know a lot of people think I'm done not to include the Cowboys... but that's my opinion and we'll see how it plays out.

AFC- Pitt, Tennessee have it locked, and Denver is very close to doing the same. Leaves the AFC East and 2 wild cards up for grab. The Colts will take one wild card, also watch out for Peyton's team to pull a Giants of last year and win the Superbowl going in as a wild card. AFC east is a mess, three teams dead-locked at 9-5. so many scenarios so I'll keep it short. The Patriots will make the playoffs by winning the AFC east and not because of who is on the field, but who is on the sideline. Coach Belichick will find a way to get his team back to the playoffs

On to this week's Power of 5--

1. Panthers- defense wins, add a running game and strong O-Line you win a lot
2. Steleers- Gutsy win over the Ravens, even if the refs forgot the rules of what constitutes a TD
3. Giants- much like DMX or an old lady, they are Slippin' Fallin' and they can't get up
4. Colts- Yes they are behind Tennessee in their division, but if the two played, Colts would win
5. Tennessee- Kerry Collins has laid off the bottle for the first 12 weeks, maybe he picked it back up

As always, thanks for reading-- comment, become a follower, get involved, http://the-suite-spot.blogspot.com/

Suite Spot Turns 1000

Thanks to all of our readers... keep it up 2000 will come quicker than 1000 did... we appreciate all your support and we hope to only make visiting this blog more of an experience... thanks again-- Herbie, Beardo, Tooms, Keith... The Suite Spot