Predictions that Matter

I think the Redskins can take Seattle today. DC's played much better than the Seahawks in recent weeks, and I think Seattle's NFC West schedule has been pretty weak. I'd feel more confident, though, if not for the whole home field advantage thing. That makes it a very close matchup. Still, no reason a 'skins fan shouldn't feel optimistic. As Thomas Boswell writes, "In all, Washington coped with seven games against teams that are in the playoffs and four others against 8-8 teams" wheres "played nine games against teams with a losing record."

(Along these lines, expect me to miss whichever of this evening's debates conflicts with the Redskins game)

Comments

Another reason to back the 'skins: The Sports Guy's instincts told him to back the Seahawks.

One wildcard team always wins on the road. All signs point to Jacksonville, but I agree with MY: take Washington, mostly because Seattle is soooo overrated.

Posted by A different matt | January 5, 2008 3:52 PM

"Along these lines, expect me to miss whichever of this evening's debates conflicts with the Redskins game"

You've got deeply weird priorities.

Posted by Petey | January 5, 2008 3:57 PM

I think football fans in Washington are going to be happy tonight.

Posted by minderbender | January 5, 2008 4:03 PM

The league wants a heart-warming story. As a Hawks fan, it's made we worried that the zebras may try to intervene again (so that their big-market team gets their big-time storyline played out). But check this out.

Posted by ben | January 5, 2008 4:04 PM

The Redskins are an affront to civilization in every way. From their arrogant owner to their offensive nickname to their insufferable fans.

Posted by Miki | January 5, 2008 4:05 PM

Watching any of the first-round playoff games is like fucking a woman to make a baby without telling her that you had a vasectomy: fun but pointless. You see what happens when you shit all over Boston? Boston comes back to bite you in the ass like a bitch. It's the patented Boston bitch butt bite.

Posted by Reality Man | January 5, 2008 4:06 PM

(Along these lines, expect me to miss whichever of this evening's debates conflicts with the Redskins game)

Are you watching TV without a DVR, like an animal? It's the 21st century for God's sake.

(Redskins are at 4:30, Republicans at 7:00 and Democrats at 8:30.)

Posted by Gabriel | January 5, 2008 4:08 PM

yeah Reality Man, it was US who shit all over BOSTON. yup. Just as it's not illegal if the president does it, it's not cheating if Boston does it.

Posted by Ben | January 5, 2008 4:10 PM

Go Skins!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Posted by Democrats Against Hillary | January 5, 2008 4:17 PM

I gotta go with Seattle. If they can get their running game going (a big if) I think they win easily. Seattle is a very tough place to play.
Todd Collins is a career backup and I think he'll struggle if they get behind early.

Incidentally, I got The Worst Call Ever! by Kyle Garlett and Patrick O'Neal for Christmas. It's a great book for every sports fan to keep by the shitter.

Posted by Just Karl | January 5, 2008 4:24 PM

As a Packer fan, I'm pulling for Washington, as they have a much better shot of taking out Dallas than either the Giants or the Bucs. Were I a betting man, I'd take the 'Skins to win and the Jags (surprisingly, the favorites on the road) to cover.

Posted by Aaron S. Veenstra | January 5, 2008 4:24 PM

I mean, if their showing against Dallas last week was any indication, they should be able to handle an inferior Seattle.

Of course, it's really a win-win for me. If they win, then it could mean two great all-NFC East games. And if they lose, we get to see the consummate asshole Chainsaw Dan cry.

Posted by Greg | January 5, 2008 4:32 PM

I'm really torn. Years of living in DC have made me hate the Redskins, but if the Seahawks lose I don't have to hear about football until next August.

Posted by MikeJ | January 5, 2008 4:44 PM

The Republicans are first.

Also, the 'Skins aren't actually good.

Posted by Nicholas Beaudrot | January 5, 2008 5:05 PM

NFW, dude. Hawks rule.

Posted by Traven | January 5, 2008 5:06 PM

Yup.

Jeff Sagarin's rankings show the Redskins as having the 2nd hardest schedule in the league, and the Seahawks the easiest.

Posted by ed | January 5, 2008 5:21 PM

This game is pretty much going how I figured it would. Seattle hasn't gotten a lot of national exposure so people don't realize that they've actually got quite a good defense, which is why I think a lot of professional prognosticators were predicting a Redskins victory.

Posted by Jeff | January 5, 2008 5:43 PM

Backing a team without a quarterback is a dicey proposition.

Posted by R Johnston | January 5, 2008 6:01 PM

1:21 in the first half and so far Washington hasn't shown me a single reason to think they even deserve to be in the playoffs. They just missed on a 4th and 1 giving the ball over to Seattle at midfield.

So far the game has looked even more lopsided than the 10-0 score.

Posted by Kent from Waco | January 5, 2008 6:09 PM

Matt, you're about the nastiest jinx there is. Stop making predictions about teams I like.

Posted by Antid Oto | January 5, 2008 6:18 PM

Sorry to wander off topic, but does anyone happen to know if the Democratic debate will be available online? No TV...

Posted by minderbender | January 5, 2008 6:36 PM

HA! 6:50 in the 3rd quarter and it's 10-0 Hawks....

Shaun Springs is getting killed...

Posted by G Davis | January 5, 2008 6:42 PM

Oops...16-0...

;0

Posted by G Davis | January 5, 2008 6:43 PM

Good god, can't type numbers...13-0... ;0

Posted by G Davis | January 5, 2008 6:45 PM

(In Howard Cosell voice) "And what a football game this turned out to be!"

Posted by Dilan Esper | January 5, 2008 7:11 PM

You've got deeply weird priorities.

Huh? Politics is for fun. Sports matter.

Also - I agree with Antid Oto, Matthew's a jinx.

Posted by Al | January 5, 2008 7:41 PM

Sean Taylor was totally there. 35-14=21. I guess he just liked the 'hawks a little bit more.

Posted by Ben | January 5, 2008 7:52 PM

So much for asshole Boswell, the dumbest sportswriter this side of Mike Lupica. Final score, Seahawks 35, Deadskins 14. When are the sportswriters in this town going to get wise and figure out that the Deadskins are doomed as long as the schmuck Danny Snyder owns the team.

Posted by SLC | January 5, 2008 7:55 PM

To answer my own question, you can watch the debate live on WMUR (google it).

Posted by minderbender | January 5, 2008 7:57 PM

AUUUGH. Seriously, Matt, this is clearly all your fault. Next year, just keep it to yourself.

Posted by eebee | January 5, 2008 8:00 PM

Never a doubt!!

Posted by Hawkman | January 5, 2008 8:07 PM

O'm sorry (sort of) for all you Skins fans...been there, done that to be sure!

Go Hawks...

Posted by G Davis | January 5, 2008 8:13 PM

Woot! Go Hawks!

Posted by Jake | January 5, 2008 8:13 PM

Several quick comments to make:

1. I hope that I never have to listen to Cris Collinsworth announce a game again.

2. I hate having to listen to all of this "the hottest team wins" nonsense. The Squacks clinched their division about a month ago. Of course they did not have to play hard for the last three weeks.

3. I hate all of this 12th man rubbish. If I see another flag with a 12 on it, I am going to scream.

4. Regarding Sean Taylor. What happened was tragic and I am sorry that he died. I totally mean no disrespect on this, but I think that it is really tasteless to keep mentioning him and his death (what seems like) every other down. At a certain point, enough is enough. I think there was about 4 times the announcers mentioned that Skins players talked to Sean Taylor's ghost. Umm...that's creepy, not respectful.

5. In the first half, the play that was ruled an incomplete pass was actually a fumble.

6. Terrible game. Poorly executed by both teams. Washington did absolutely nothing until late in the fourth quarter. The Squaks' receivers can't catch. And Matt Hasselbeck, when he is bad, he is really bad.

Posted by Hate the Redskins | January 5, 2008 8:14 PM

Oh for cryin' out loud...must be drunk...can't type letters anymore either!

Posted by G Davis | January 5, 2008 8:14 PM

No fan base is as capable of mass self-delusion as the Redskins fan base. And yeah, it's time to change the name.

Posted by MoeLarryAndJesus | January 5, 2008 8:16 PM

The hawks are a finesse team capable of both greatness and crap play. I was shitting myself in the first half of the 4th quarter and cheering myself silly/hoarse in the second part. The hawks are scrappy and you have to appreciate every win they take. Go hawks!

Posted by Ben | January 5, 2008 8:32 PM

Celts win in DET.

Big baby.

Good things.

Very good for the NBA.

Posted by Andruw | January 5, 2008 10:12 PM

To all you Redskin fans who claimed they would win because they played a harder schedule I have just two words: Todd Collins.

Posted by Col Bat Guano | January 6, 2008 2:06 AM