Raymond Berry candidly discusses his thoughts as this week’s call-in guest for LeftRightAndCorrect.com with Dan Belforti & Friends. Topics include the 2011 Patriots, Tom Brady (”in a class by himself at QB” & “has that fire burning inside him”), Wes Welker, Rob Gronkowski and Aaron Hernandez and Coach Belichick. Also, Raymond revisits his memories of the 1985 Bears vs. the Patriots in Super Bowl XX.

The archived interview can be heard at:

http://traffic.libsyn.com/belforti/Coach_Raymond_Berry_To_Present_Lombardi_Trophy_at_SB46_Belforti_Bros.mp3

Surprise, surprise, we Belforti Bros love ALL 4 favorites this weekend! Even tougher to beat the number by picking more favorites than underdogs historically, but we believe playoff football is a different game to handicap as it’s win or go home. That intensity separates the Great from the Good on the scoreboard more than in regular season games. Look for most of these 4 games to be BLOWOUTS as 4 Great teams are facing 4 Good/Average teams.

Baltimore -7.5 vs Houston – These teams played each other earlier this year with the Ravens winning 29-14 back on Oct 16th. In that matchup, Ray Rice had 161 yards while Arian Foster had 101 yards. Ravens are 8-0 at home this year and have won their last 10 home games in a row outscoring their opp. By 11.2 pts. Balt. has also won their last 3 opening playoff games on the road and this year are finally hosting a home playoff game for this first time since 2006. Houston made the playoffs for the first time in their history and had a nice 31-10 victory over Cincy last week but a home playoff game for Balt plus their great defense gets the win here. Ravens 23 Texans 6

New Orleans -3.5 at San Fran – New Orleans is on a roll having won 9 straight games. They beat Detroit last week 45-28 in New Orleans. Brees has gone over 300 yards last 8 games and the offense has gone over 435 yards the last 7 games including the playoffs. Their opponents have scored 20 or fewer points in 6 of their last 7 reg season games. Saints have struggled on the road in the playoffs going 0-4 and they only average 27 pts on the road vs over 41 at home. SF has had good year making the playoffs for the first time in years. They boast a 7-1 home record and have the #4 def. in the NFL allowing an average of 308.2 ypg. Their 26th ranked offense will be their undoing as they will not be able to trade points with Saints. Saints 27 49ers 10

Pats-13 vs Denver - New England simply has too much to lose to start THIS game late, as they did in their previous two historic comeback games vs Dolphins & Bills. God (Brady) and his teammates will score early and often while defense keeps Baby Jesus (Tebow) in check. Who wants it more?? Clearly the Patriots do as their season would be considered a nightmare if they were to lose their 3rd consecutive playoff game at home (Ravens in 2010 and Jets in 2011) and 4th in a row since their 2007 SB42 loss to GMen. Ain’t gonna happen. Broncos satisfied to have barely and luckily made playoffs and thrilled to have knocked out last years AFC Champion Steelers. The hungrier Patriot dogs will hunt best on Saturday night. Pats 46, Broncos 17.

Green Bay -7.5 vs NY Giants - Packers have been playing half heartedly since clinching the number 1 seed but now will be firing on all cylinders against the over-rated GMen. Although Manning and his WRs have the ability to put up points against the 32nd ranked defense, the GB offense is simply too explosive and will easily outscore any team other than Saints or Pats. Too bad for Packers as those are exactly the two teams they will have to beat to win SB46. Tall order. They’ll be fired up to destroy Giants at home in a blowout. Packers 38 Giants 17

Next Round: Pats over Cinci/Pitt; Balt over Houston/Pitt; Packers over Falcons/GMen; Saints over 49ers

Pats -8 at Wash - Hopefully Pats will get a wakeup call with a slim victory last week vs Indy. Pats have never won in Wash and Brady is 1-5 vs Mike Shanahan. Pats also in tough battle for number 1 or 2 seed with Hou, Balt and Pitt. Pat can clinch AFC East with a win and Jets loss. Wash also lost two players to suspension TE Fred Davis and LT Trent Williams.

Best of the rest

Miami -3 vs Philly - Dolphins won 4 of 5 and outscored opn 139-54

Chi -7 vs KC - This is a battle of two backup QB’s but give edge to Chi who is battling Atl, Det and Giants for widcard berth. Chi D kept them in the game last wk vs Oak but should find sledding easier here with Matt Forte going up against KC 26th rush D. KC played tough vs Pitt but have only scored 25 pts in 4 game losing skid.

Baltimore -6.5 at Cleveland - Hopefully, Balt has learned its lesson of losing games after big wins such as beating Pitt and losing to Tenn and then beating Pitt and losing to Seattle. Balt beat SF 16-6 and had field day sacking Alex Smith. Colt McCoy is 0-6 with a 66.6 passer rating vs AFC North. Ravens #3 D and #3 rush D should shut down Clev running game. Joe Flaco and Ray Rice also have had success vs Browns.

TB -3 vs Car - Only pick if Josh Freeman shoulder is fine. TB back home after two tough rd losses to Tenn and GB. Bucs have lost 5 straight to very good teams and slim playoff hopes are on the line. TB should also expose Carolina’s 28th rush D

As discussed today on a special holiday edition of LeftRightAndCorrect.com with Dan Belforti & Friends, every other Friday at noon on 106.1 FM, Portsmouth Community Radio, the Belforti Bros released their NFL Week 12 Picks vs the spread.

SD -6 vs Denver - Revenge game for SD who lost to Denver 29-24 earlier in the year. Must win for Chargers who have lost 5 straight and are two games behind Oak. SD had a big game running the ball in last meeting.

Atlanta -9.5 vs Minn - Viking have no Adrian Peterson. Falcons can also exploit week pass D of Minn and Vikings have also allowed ave of 125 rushing yards last 5 games.

NY Jets -9.5 vs Buffalo - Both teams are struggling but Buffalo put two more players on injured reserve this week including leading rusher, Fred Jackson. Both teams are two games behind Pats in their division.

Others

Bengals -7.5 vs Clev - Cincy had two tough losses last 2 weeks vs Pitt and Balt and play Browns who they beat in week 1, 27-17. Browns have a ton of injuries and have only scored 20 pts just once this season

GB -9 at Minn - A complete mismatch with Rodgers vs Ponder. Minn has a host of injuries in their secondary with CB Winfield and S Jamarca Sanford doubtful. Their center is doubtful as well. GB offense is explosive but D has #31 pass defense
Baltimore -8 at Jax - Ravens have been on a roll winning 3 straight outscoring their opponents by 100-38. Their run game should have success vs Jax #19 rush D. Jax off has scored over 13pts once in their 5 game losing streak.

Others

Pitt -3.5 at Arizona - Arizona on 4 game losing streak. Pitt won 4 of 5 games and have #1 D.

Car -2.5 vs Wash - Wash starting John Beck over Grossman and have a host of injuries on lefthand side of off line. Car 4-1-1- vs sprd.
Mark

Dan agrees with above and adds
Dallas Cowboys -13 vs St Louis Rams

Dan Fantasy Stats thru Week 6:
2nd of 25 in Brad’s Yahoo Pigskin Pickem, 49-36 vs spread. Won 2nd place overall in 2010 and 1st place in 2009.
1st of 12 in Steve Jacques RTS NFL Picks vs spread 47-39 and 1st place in Tastes Great division fantasy (7-5)
1st Place of 12 teams (5-1) in Jon Murray’s Tom is My God Fantasy Football League through Yahoo
4th place in Dan Forbes ESPN Fantasy Football League (3-3) - Lost my 1st round pick J. Charles due to injury

Also likes:
Pats-6 vs Cowboys - The Belforti Bros will be there to witness the 31st straight home victory for Living Legend Tom Brady, and 20th for team.
Oakland Raiders-7 vs Cleveland Browns

Mark’s Picks
New York Jets -7 vs Miami - Jets are 2 games behind the Pats and Bills and are coming off a 3 game road losing streak to Oak,Balt and New England. Look for Jets to rebound vs Dolphins who have beaten them 3 in a row and 4 of 5. Revenge is sweet. Matt Moore starts for Dolphins

Oakland -7 vs Cleveland - Oak paying tribute at home to Al Davis and won last week vs Hou 25-20. Oak has KC and Denver after this game and can go on a roll. Oak D is bad but their #2 rush off can make some headway vs Clev #25 rush D. Clev is banged up and Oak wins again for Al Davis

Baltimore -7 vs Hou - Line is a little high but Ravens have romped at home beating Pitt by 28 pts and Jets by 17. Hou will be with WR Andre Johnson and Mario William on D. Schaub has a sore sholder and thigh bruise. Ravens continue to win at home and are a serious AFC contender.

> Mark

Balt -6 at Tenn - Balt might be in for a letdown after big win vs Pitt but have the rush D to hold Chris Johnson in check. Titans D let up 323 yrds vs Jacksonville and S Chris Hope is hurting.

Other picks:
Pittsburgh-14 vs Seattle - A bounce back by AFC Champs at home after humiliating defeat last week vs Balt.

Buf -4 vs Oak - Oakland travels from Oak to Denver and then go cross country to Buffalo. Oak has injuries with three WR’s hurt. Two will not play, Jacoby Ford and Lois Murphy. A third, Bay is quest as are S Michael Huff (groin, Seymour (ribs) and Kevin Boss (knee)

New Orleans -5 vs Chicago - Saints played thier hearts out in opener vs Packers but lost to GB 42-34. Chicago played very well vs Falcons beating them 30-12. Look for Saints offense to be too much vs Chicago D who may be playing without Brian Urlacher due to death of his mom.

Atlanta +3 vs Philly - Much has been made of Philly being the Dream Team with all the free agent pickups. Philly beat the Rams 31-13 but had all kinds of problems protecting Vick. Falcons lost to the Bears 30-12 and cannot afford to lose 2 striaght. Much is being made about Vick returning to Atlanta which we think to fuel Falcons to try even harder.

Other probables:

Pats -7 vs SD - 2011 Patriots could be best of ALL time if their defense matures, can anyone say 19-0? I’d be happy with 18-1 or 17-2 as long as SB 46 champions. SD lost thier starting kicker and stud defensive player Luis Castillo

Colts +2.5 vs Clev - How can a Browns team be favored over anyone after losing to Bengals.

TB +3 at Minn - McNabb threw for 39 yards last week vs SD. Enough said.
Mark & Dan