Who is Tonight's game more important for?

Tonight, in Atlanta (8:00 PM EST, FOX), the next generation of Elite Quarterbacks (sans Joe Flacco) square off in the Georgia Dome. Both Aaron Rodgers and Matt Ryan (aka "Matty Ice," possibly the sickest nickname given to any player, ever) have already enjoyed exorbitant success in their NFL careers. While Ryan is two years younger (25, Rodgers is 27), they have both been starters for their respective clubs for the last three seasons (recall, Rodgers backed up the immortal Brett Favre for the first 3 seasons of his career). Statistically, Rodgers has a clear edge. Here is how their numbers stack up:

Rodgers: 64.4 Completion %, 12,723 Yds, 87 TD, 32 INT, 98.8 rating
Ryan: 60.8 Completion %, 10,061 Yds, 66 TD, 34 INT, 86.9 rating

However, it is worth noting that Ryan is 2-0 in his young career vs. Rodgers, and Rodgers has 16 fumbles in his career as a starter. Ironically, both of these players lost their playoff debut to the Arizona Cardinals. Rodgers last year, on the road, in that absurd 51-45 overtime game in which it was his fumble that was returned for the winning score, and Ryan the year prior to that, in the Georgia Dome, as the upstart Cardinals went on to lose to the Steelers in Super Bowl XLIII.

Overall, both of these young quarterbacks have shown incredible poise and talent. Ryan has a record of 33-13 as a starter, and Rodgers is not far behind with a record of 27-20. Toss out Rodgers' first season as a starter -- in wish he completed 63.6 percent of his passes for 4038 yards, 28 TDs and 93.8 QB rating -- and he is 21-10 as a starter over the last two years. Together, in their young careers, the two have played just three playoffs games, with the only win belonging to Rodgers last week in Philadelphia. Despite this limited sample size, we still hear the questions of "Can they finally win in the playoffs?" When I hear this I think "That has got to be a joke, right?" Ryan lost his playoff debut in his rookie season to a team with a Super Bowl winning quarterback (Kurt Warner) that went on to win the NFC. Rodgers lost his playoff debut on the road, in overtime, to the same Super Bowl winning QB. It's not as if we're discussing John Elway who was 0-3 in Super Bowls 15 years into his career. Chances are, either Ryan or Rodgers will never win a Super Bowl, most quarterbacks never do. But only three years into their career, this talk about not producing when it counts is absolutely absurd.

Now that I have given my 2 cents on that front, I will say this. This game tonight means more for Matt Ryan than it does Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers "finally" got his big playoff win, on the road none-the-less, in Philadelphia. If Ryan loses tonight, he will drop to *gasp* 0-2 in his playoff career. While I may poke fun at analysts who flip their shit over such a stat, it is worth noting that it will be 0-2 at home in the playoffs, whereas he is 20-2 at home in the regular season in his tenure in Atlanta. While I do not believe Falcons fans have anything to worry about, they still have an enormously talented, young roster that is poised for much success over the next several seasons. However, if Matty Ice wants to avoid hearing "Can he win when it counts" all summer long, he needs to win tonight. For Rodgers, the pressure is off. He got his playoff win, courtesy of Mike Vick going all Jay Cutler last Sunday.

Now, what you've all been waiting for, it's time for T-Bred Predictions:

Ravens over Steelers in Heinz Field -- The Ravens are getting hot at the right time. Their offense was scary good last week in Kansas City, and the defense is starting to look like the 2000 Super Bowl team creating turnovers like it's their job. Oh wait, it is their job. And they're doing it.

Packers over Falcons in the Georgia Dome -- The Falcons squeaked out a 20-17 win in week 12, but there were a few questionable calls including some "technical difficulties" that interfered with Mike McCarthy's ability to challenge a key play. Also, the Packers reestablished their running game last week in Philadelphia, something they have struggled with since Ryan Grant went on season-ending IR.

Stay tuned tomorrow morning for T-Bred Predictions on Bears at Seahawks and Jets at Patriots.

Capital One Bowl Week Is Rediculous

                                        A hot box of rocks attending the Beef O Brady's Bowl in St. Pete

I love college football and I love to gamble, but I'm going to be honest, I HATE all the bowl games ESPN now sponsors with this stupid Capital One Bowl Week. They are saturating the market with meaning less college football games. Seriously if anyone turned on the horrid Beef O'Brady or what ever the hell its called bowl you know what I am talking about. Don't think there are too many bowls, digest this: From 1902 (First Rose Bowl) until 1971 (when the Fiesta Bowl was created, the last BCS bowl) there were only 10 bowl games, since then, 25 or so bowls have been creating including the BCS Championship Game (played at one of the four BCS stadiums but an entirely different game), with another bowl being added next year.

There are 35 bowls currently in place meaning 70 teams earn a bowl out of a possible 120 FBS teams,
now if my partyland educated math is correct that that is something like 58% of Football Bowl Subdivision making it to the "postseason". I honestly cant see how another bowl can be added and only teams with .500 records being allowed to participate.

Here are two solutions to this ever expanding dilemma, first is cutting the number of bowls and limiting the bowls (with the exception of the National Championship) to being played only on New Year's Day . This could definitely be possibility seeing how it is impossible for the Universities and ESPN to be making money of bowls like the Beef O Brady Bowl. How do we choose which bowls to eliminate, easy just keep the original 10 bowls add maybe 3-5 more for the hell of it and boom you have 15 somewhat meaningful bowls.

The second more sensible solution is add a playoff system, while this will take away all New Year's Day bowls, it will be ten times more exciting than the current layout. Set it up similar to how the FCS runs their playoff, except you can you current four bowl locations to play neutral site games. Start the playoffs right after conference championship weekend. Have 32 teams make the playoffs, auto bids for major conference winners, once eight teams remain play those games 4 games at the Current BCS stadiums (Rose Bowl, Orange Bowl, Sugar Bowl, Fiesta Bowl) with the final four and championship held at one of those four stadiums. While my idea is very rudimentary, it is a jumping off point and is definitely feasible. However it will never work because initially it will not make as much money as the current format does for ESPN and the NCAA.

Regardless of the solution it is only a matter of time, before people stop watching the bowls altogether, I mean even ESPN hosts think the current number of bowls is ridiculous and  no ESPN employee is supposed to bad mouth the Company.

****Tbred Prediction Notre Dame +3 tomorrow against the U, house money*******

You Us We Now

Knicks vs Dwanye Wade and his band of queers tonight. Now this game isn't gettin as much hype as the first meeting in the Garden probably because Knicks faltered in the second half, but I have a good feeling the Knicks show up to play, I'll take them plus +9. Lock it in. #tbredpredictions

Ps. Someone's ass needs to be dropped to night. I'm lookin at you Ronny Turiaf. I wanna see the Heat's child molester looking coach dangling from Amere's legs.

PPs. Can the Knicks bring back those uni's from the late 90s, things were straight thuggin.

Fuck it, we'll do it live

My main man Willy (aka Z) and yours truly, Jimmy T-Bred, will be coming to you live right here on Diner Talk. Based out of Summit, NJ (primarily the Summit Diner), we will also be coming to you live from Fabulous G-Vegas, PA (Gettysburg College) and Partyland (Holy Cross). We will provide you with weekly NFL predictions as well as predictions from other major sporting events across the four major sports. Take 'em to Vegas, the T-Bred's are never wrong. Additionally, we will be blogging about anything and everything that crosses our minds so please feel free to drop us a line if you want to hear the T-Bred's opinions on any matter.

In conclusion, I'd like to give a big shout out to the role models who have inspired us: Ned's Younger Bro from Bros Like This Site, the good fellas at Bro Bible, and all the guys over at Barstool Sports.

EDIT: And of course, how could I have forgotten the best man on 1050 ESPN New York, the one and only Ryan Ruocco.