Don't Follow the Trend...

If betting against the Patriots were a fashion statement right now, it would be plastered all over Ashton Kutcher’s head and Abercrombie & Fitch would be selling it for 45 dollars a pop. Just because it’s the trendy thing to do, it doesn’t mean it’s right, because pretty soon it will be in the back of your closet with your Hammer pants, white leisure suits and snap bracelets.

There have been several trendy teams throughout these playoffs and all of them have failed miserably. There is also one team that keeps chugging along, like a locomotive that is the antithesis of trendy. The New England Patriots is that team that is the locomotive and the Philadelphia Eagles are just the latest team to get caught in the cowcatcher.

Remember in round two when it was trendy to pick the Vikings? They had just come off of a dazzling win over the Packers at home and all of the sudden everyone and their uncle was taking bets on the Vikes. Seems people forgot that Brett Favre put on his Neil O’Donnell mask for the game, their running back was playing with an amputated leg and their Pro Bowl wide receiver was somehow subdued by the security guard that ended up starting in the Vikings secondary. The Vikings proceeded to walk into Philadelphia and get smacked around like the “very capable” Kenny B by Hulk Hogan in old-school WWF. (Do you remember those guys? They were always on Saturday morning. You had to sit through all the matches between the guy who starts in the ring, who was very capable, and the good guy. Then, at the end of the hour, you’d finally get to see the Rockers fight the Legion of Doom for the Tag Team Belt.) If you’re keeping score at home, that’s trend nothing.

The same week as the Vikings fiasco, everyone and their other uncle was parlaying the Vikings game with the Colts game at New England. I must admit, I was sucked into this bet. I didn’t realize Peyton Manning had received the torch FedEx from Dan Marino, so I thought the Colts still had a chance. The Patriots were starting a wide receiver in the secondary along with a guy named Gay! Manning had just set the record for TD passes in a season. If he was ever going to win a big game, this was the perfect set-up. It was like he was holding pocket 10’s and the flop came 3-10-10. There was no way he could mess it up! This is why the Colts became the trendy pick. Who cares if Brady has never lost in the playoffs? Does it matter that the defense has more heart than the Mayo Clinic? Apparently not to the sportswriters. They made the Colts the runaway pick. Alas, after two games the trend still has zero wins.

The Patriots are coming off a win in Pittsburgh against a team that was 15-1. This was not just a regular win. This was the kind of win you dream about. Dismantled them. That was the kind of game that left Roethlisberger feeling like DeNiro at the end of Deer Hunter. It just makes you hope that he’s okay. That’s how bad the Patriots destroyed this team, while the Steelers were at home and the Patriots were playing Wally the Beerman at nickel back in the second half.

The Eagles are coming off a win also. They subdued Mike Vick on a grass field while it was 16 degrees out. Gee Mike, is it tough to run when it’s that cold? So, you had to try to turn into Joe Montana, but let’s face it, you’re no Joe Montana. This was the same Falcons team that blew away the Rams, who were coached by Mike Martz. Do their stats impress you yet? Has anything I’ve said made you want to bet on them?

Then why are the Eagles all of the sudden the trendy pick to win the Super Bowl? Again, it’s just the sportswriters trying to drum up some columns and there can only be so many articles on how Terrell Owens is doing with his ankle. So, someone writes that the Eagles are going to win. And all the sudden, it’s like a Tsunami and it’s consuming everyone. Eventually, if it’s written enough, you begin to believe it’s true. You can only hear that Richard Gere gerbil story so many times before you start to believe it.

But don’t do it. The Eagles are just a mirage. The Patriots are going to win this game, just like they have consistently done in the playoffs since Brady has been there. There are always some sportswriters who want you to read their articles but you don’t have to believe them. As the playoffs have shown so far, the trendy pick is not the correct pick. Go with what you know and don’t bet on the Hula Hoop.

If you do believe the Eagles have what it takes to win, I have a pair of Zubaz and a trucker hat that you may also be interested in.

Final Score – Patriots 28 – Eagles 24