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Christmas Day Gridiron Grid
Cold, Hard Football Facts for December 25, 2006
It was another mediocre Sunday for the Cold, Hard Football Facts in this topsy-turvy season. We went just 3-3 Sunday with our Friday Beer Run picks. Coupled with Minnesota's loss Thursday night, we're just 3-4 this week.
We did have one banner selection: We called Cincinnati-Denver a "statistical dead heat" and predicted a 24-22 Broncos victory. Denver won, 24-23.
Still, were a middling 65-49 (.570) this year picking the toughest and most competitive games each week. And only a miracle can save us now. If we accurately select pretty much every published pick today and next week, we can reach the .600 mark.
Don't count on it.
Here's a look at today's Christmas gifts to the football-loving world.
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8-6 |
Overall Record |
9-5 |
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1-4 |
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2-3 |
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73.8 (6t) |
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80.0 (14) |
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15.36 YPPA (18) |
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15.20 YPPA (20) |
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15.05 YPPS (13) |
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13.45 YPPS (3) |
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13.33 (12) |
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12.67 (10) |
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23.33 (24t) |
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9.67 (8) |
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6.94 (5) |
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7.18 (3) |
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+7 |
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-7 |
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46.5 |
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46.5 |
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The Cold, Hard Football Facts don't tell the entire story for these two teams, both of which have come on strong under backup quarterbacks: Jeff Garcia in Philly and Tony Romo in Dallas.
As a result, this Christmas Day special has become a battle for first place in the NFC East. Dallas has already clinched a playoff spot, but will win the division with a victory today. The Eagles can claim a spot in the playoffs, and gain the inside track on the division title, with a victory.
Dallas is not only at home, but has advantages in most of our Quality Stats.
Prediction: Cowboys 27, Eagles 21
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8-6 |
Overall Record |
6-8 |
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1-4 |
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2-3 |
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79.0 (13) |
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82.7 (19t) |
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17.18 YPPA (8) |
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16.06 YPPA (11) |
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15.36 YPPS (14) |
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19.09 YPPS (29) |
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21.00 (23t) |
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16.33 (19) |
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20.00 (19t) |
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7.67 (5) |
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6.02 (12) |
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5.28 (27) |
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+2 |
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-2 |
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36.5 |
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36.5 |
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The Jets have been one of the surprise stories of the season. Here they are in the stretch run of a brutally competitive campaign in the AFC with their destiny in their own hands: If they win out over Miami and Oakland, they're in the playoffs.
The Dolphins, meanwhile, are lobbying for the title of most inconsistent team in football. One week they lose to the pathetic Packers, the next game they blow out the mighty Bears. One week they shut out the AFC East powerhouse Patriots, 21-0. The next week they suffer a humilating loss by the same exact score to the struggling Bills.
The Cold, Hard Football Facts tell the same story of a team that's really only good on one side of the ball: The Dolphins rank near the bottom of the league in Scoreability and Passing Yards Per Attempt. Their defensive line, meanwhile, ranks among the very best in the league.
The Jets are not impressive in any one category. But they are generally more consistent and more highly rated across the board in all of our " Stats That Matter." Plus, they have something to play for other than pride.
Prediction: Jets 21, Dolphins 17
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