Shane’s Predictions

Mike’s Predictions

Before the first pitch is thrown or ball is hit… I can tell you with 90% certainty which players will make the team. So… here’s my prediction for the Padres 25-man Opening Day Roster.

There you go… I hope Adrian gets a huge contract, and stays in San Diego… but knowing the Padres past contracts it probably won’t happen. (See: Jake Peavy)

Two Players, Two Sides, One is light, One is dark.

The Players

So the entire show revolves around Good vs. Evil, the balance of nature. Jacob and this other dude, I’m going to call the Smoke Monster for lack of another name. These two remind me of Greek gods, messing with the human race, just to see how human react to situations. Jacob is the good guy, represented in white attire. Seth is the bad guy, represented in black attire.

In LOST, Jacob and the Smoke Monster are playing a game, where many of characters on the island are the game pieces. This game has happened over and over again, but the end result is always the same. The balance of good vs evil is maintained. Jacob is good with this however the Smoke Monster is not and manipulates the game, finding a way around the rules to have Ben kill Jacob (End of Season 5)

The Rules

So like any game of chess there are rules that can’t be violated. The game must be played out and they can not interfere with the game. Jacob has selected his players and Seth has selected his own. Within the seaside cave, several of the main characters had their names written on the cave ceiling, by Jacob. Those players that have died have been crossed out. As the individuals go through their lives they have been met with challenges, where they must choose good or evil, right or wrong. If one of Jacobs characters go evil, they are ‘claimed’. If one of Seth’s players goes good, it tips it the other way. Currently Claire, Sawyer and apparently Sayid have been claimed, by the Smoke Monster.

This brings into question whether Jacob and the Smoke Monster actually manipulate the lives of the characters of if they have free will to make their own decisions. It is pretty safe to say some manipulation has occurred with Jacob visiting most of the main characters, but when it comes to make choices, a common message throughout Lost, are the characters acting on their own? My theory is that they have been manipulated to getting to the island, after all the other candidates have been eliminated, but the decisions made on the island are 100% theirs to own.

Jacob and the Smoke Monster are tired of playing the game, and they are looking for replacements. My theory is it’ll end up being Jack and Sawyer, that replace the two and continue to play their game of good vs evil and life.

Past Games

There have been many instances, of black and white good vs. evil. One of the first episodes Locke and Walt have a discussion about backgammon and checkers. The spoke about how backgammon was the oldest game known. “Two Players, Two Sides, One is light, One is dark.” Chess and Checkers have also been mentioned numerous times throughout the seasons. Lost is a game, just on a larger scale then a 1ft x 1ft board. More like the size of an island.

The weekends games start tomorrow and I’m feeling super anxious and excited to see how they all play out. So 8 teams, left and looking across the board I don’t think many people had both AFC Wild Card and Both NFL Divisional teams winning their games. Road victories are touch, and I think all the road teams have their handsful this weekend.

The Match Ups

#4 Phoenix Cardinals vs. #1 New Orleans Saints
The Cardinals sure know how to put up points, but so do the New Orleans Saints. Both teams are historically relatively new to the playoffs. That given I expect to see another high scoring affair, but the difference in the game will be a mistake, and most likely that will be a turn over giving the other team a short field. I’m liking the Cardinals in this game. Can’t put a finger on it… just a hunch.

#1 Indianapolis vs. #6 Baltimore Ravens
The Colts were the hottest team in the NFL for quite a time, with their perfect record, but they finished the season with 2 losses and a bye. They really haven’t played a game for 3 weeks and because of their #1 ranking they didn’t need to. The Ravens come in hot off a strong defensive win in New England. But when these two teams met in Baltimore earlier in the season, Peyton Manning was able to deliver a game winning drive. Ravens are going to have a difficult time keeping up with the Colts at the RCA Dome. Colts win and host the AFC Championship.

#3 Dallas Cowboys vs. #2 Minnesota Vikings
The Cowboys wiped out the Eagles last weekend in Dallas this time. I was quite surprised, but this week the Cowboys won’t have their go-go dancers, err… cheerleaders rooting them on from their stripper poles. Farve is experienced in the playoff and knows how to handle pressure. I can’t say the same for Tony Romo getting his first playoff win last week. Adrian Peterson might be the key to this game. A healthy dose of AP will keep the Dallas Offense off the field and give Minnesota the advantage. Vikings Win.

#2 San Diego Chargers vs. #5 New York Jets
When I first saw the Jets made the playoffs, I thought of the Jets Chargers Wild Card playoff a few years back where a missed field goal cost the Chargers a win. Seeing the Jets come back into San Diego, my mind goes back to that game again, but these are two very different teams. So everyone’s talking about the #1 defense going against the #4 pass happy chargers offense. Somethings got to give, and I believe its going to be the Jets D. Despite their outstanding secondary, I don’t think they have enough personnel to cover all the Charger receivers. I see Norv, putting Gates in motion to the outside, to expose blitz packages, and think Floyd is going to have a field day. Chargers win and head to Indy.

Another week another set of predictions. Championship games next weekend and then the SuperBowl two weeks later.

The Wild Card match ups this week feature three rematches from the previous week and a divisional match up. They are all teams that are familiar with each other, so there should be a lot of action, and a whole lot of strategy by the head coaches.

The Match Ups

#4 Cincinnati Bengals vs. #5 New York Jets
This is the first of the previous week match ups. The Jets dominated the game last week, but the Bengals were very vanilla, not showing anything. the Jets #1 Defense and Head Coach Rex Ryan will have his handful this week, as the Bengals pull out all the stops, against a weaker New York Jets team. Bengals win and travel to Indy.

#3 New England Patriots vs. #6 Baltimore Ravens
This probably is the toughest game to pick. New England is favored by a field goal, but they are also at home, so that means jack squash. Wes Welker, New England’s Wide Receiver (and former Charger Kick Return Specialist) left the game last week with an ACL and MCL injury. Neither team has been exceptional this year, but I expect the Baltimore defense to dominate and second year quarter back Joey Flacco to take a win, and pack their bags to San Diego.

#3 Dallas Cowboys vs. #6 Philadelphia Eagles
The Cowboys wiped out the Eagles last weekend in Philadelphia. No easy task, but they also beat the Eagles earlier in the season at the new Cowboy Stadium. Philadelphia Andy Reid is nearly perfect in the first round of the playoffs, and Dallas Quarterback Tony Romo has yet to win a play off game, but I expect both of those things to change this weekend. Dallas is getting hot at the right time. Dallas wins.

#4 Phoenix Cardinals vs. #5 Green Bay Packers
Another previous week match up, which the Packers won, easily. I would normally say, who cares about this game, either teams will be eliminated next week, but the Cardinals proved me wrong last year, and found their way to a Super Bowl. For that reason alone, I like the veteran Kurt Warner and the Phoenix Cardinals to send the Pack home, ending their season.

There you have it. If I was in Vegas this is where my bets would fall. I’m anxiously awaiting the results of the games to determine who the Chargers, Colts, Vikings and Saints will match up against in the divisional round.