Stan Hey: 6-5 Against

Friday 08 January 2010 20:00 EST
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

British sport is losing its battle with the weather but in America nothing stops an NFL game. Older fans go misty-eyed recalling the "Ice Bowl" of 1967 when the Green Bay Packers beat the Dallas Cowboys for the NFL Championship in minus 25C temperatures.

Mercifully, the Packers go to balmy Arizona while Dallas should be mild for the visit of Philadelphia. But Cincinnati, where the Bengals host the New York Jets, and Boston, where New England meet Baltimore, could be bone-chilling.

Freakishly, three of these wild-card games are repeats from last week, all emphatic wins, for Green Bay (33-7); Cowboys (24-0); and the Jets (37-0). But can any be reversed? In previous play-offs involving such re-matches the regular season winners lost five of nine.

Cincinnati rested running back Cedric Benson but he returns to batter at the NFL's best defence. Add the eccentric skills of wide receiver Chad Ochocinco and home advantage and the Bengals (5-6, Bet 365) can win.

Dallas (1-2 Stan James), without a play-off win since 1996, may feel jittery but have greater momentum than the Eagles. The Cardinals-Packers game looks a "points fest" – preference is for Arizona (10-11, Ladbrokes), who rested last week and boast ace receivers Larry Fitzgerald and Anquan Boldin.

The Patriots, without receiver Wes Welker due to injury and with QB Tom Brady said to have damaged ribs, may yield to the Ravens (13-8 Skybet). £10 win each.

*Both Arsenal and Fulham won through to the FA Cup fourth round.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in