The Magic Carpet

By Matthew Storey

I usually don't read prognostications from other writers, and don't watch ESPN...

But I always do when I know what the deal is, and want to hear others make fools of themselves.

I've seen Eric Allen (Eagle) and Chris Carter (Eagle/Viking) explain for three consecutive weeks why the Cowboys are not the team we've watched these past years or past weeks. A lot is made about mythology in Sports, and in Politics, and in Economics..

But not by smart people.

Smart people root, fight, fuck, pray just as hard as idiots.

They do so, however, not based upon fantasies or mythology, but upon D-A-T-A.

Not just stats, not just trends. Data. Stats, Trends, Anecdotal.

Anecdotal data is NOT mythology.

Here is the difference.

Anecdotal data is the Observation of Derek Jeter playing Shortstop. Watch him play and you see a guy who impacts Defensively on almost every game he plays, who has a gun and may retire having thrown out more runners from the outfield grass than any SS in history, who might have tracked down pop-ups over a larger range of ground than any SS, who is brilliant on the Double Play.

Statisticians disagree.

None of them ever played the position.

Luckily, for YOU.

Guru did.

Onward.

The NFL Quarterfinals are upon us, and lo and behold, these might be the most impressive Eight NFL teams since the early '90s and the Pre-Cap Era - after a long adjustment period and ahead of an uncapped year, its apparent, the NFL is back on the cusp of a Golden Era.

Thank Asimov!

Here's the breakdown:

Saturday January 16, 2010

Arizona Cardinals (NFC West) #4 Seed (10-6) at New Orleans Saints (NFC South) #1 Seed (13-3)

Arizona is better in every facet, and they will advance.

Baltimore Ravens (AFC North Wildcard) #6 Seed (9-7) at Indianapolis Colts (AFC South) #1 Seed (14-2)

A much more interesting game, between two evenly matched teams.

I like the Colts because their most important players are seasoned, the same reason I like the Chargers.

But on TALENT. Tough one to call.

I made mine.

Sunday January 17, 2010

Dallas Cowboys (NFC East) #3 Seed (11-5) at Minnesota Vikings (NFC North) #2 Seed (12-4)

The Cowboys are better in every phase of the game and will advance.

New York Jets (AFC East Wildcard) #5 Seed (9-7) at San Diego Chargers (AFC West) #2 Seed (13-3)

Despite the stench of being #2 (thanks Steve!), the Chargers are the best team in the NFL, courtesy of an 11 game winning streak and their game against an in-form Cowboy team in which they won and looked like the better squad despite the score (20-17) and the flukish circumstances (Boys missed chippie FG with since-released injured K and failed to register ANY points despite driving down the field relentlessly and going oh-for-final yard.

The Jets are the dominant team of the AFC East present and, a future conqueror of these Chargers.

That ain't now.