We hear it all the time! Don't over-react to just one game! However, I think sometimes we DO have to react to one playoff game. I will make the case that in many ways, the playoffs are a completely different season, and you just never know how a team will play in January. Further, every team is sky high up for every playoff game, so you get much truer data to evaluate teams.
I've heard the logic for backing the Pats this week. "Denver closed -9.5 vs. Indy. Now NE is laying -6! NE is way better than Denver, AND Indy has never stepped up vs. the top teams, they have been crushed in all their other playoff games on the road". This is actually a pretty strong argument. However, the counter argument can be made, "NE was -6.5 vs. Baltimore.....we KNOW Indy is better than Baltimore!".
One of course can make the case than Manning was clearly not right in the Indy game, but let's give Indy some clear credit for a performance that was so much better than we have ever seen from them on the big stage before. One can make the case that THE top 4 QBS made the final four in the NFL........it's clearly a QB league, and with Rodgers injured, INDY has the BEST of those top 4! So if top QBs succeed in the playoffs, getting the BEST one makes a lot of sense. The counter argument of course is that Indy goes 4-12 WITHOUT Luck.
On the Gb/Sea side, I think we likely DO have to react to the current Rodgers. Like Manning, something is clearly wrong.....it won't surprise me to see that "very small tear" in his calf be diagnosed as something far greater......1 hour after GB exits.......
On the Handicapping front, my NBA season package is UP, and we have started the season Strong. I have a 1 star NFL side up, and I will be POURING over props the next few days! It's an exciting team of year, time to build the bankroll prior to the SuperBowl!
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