Grey Goose must also be one of his favorites.(ravensgab.com)
Playoffs? Playoffs?! Well, they are finally here, with apologies to Steelers fans across the country, who feel as twisted up right now as one of Wes Welker's ligaments. Probably one of the oddest Wild Card rounds in recent memory in the fact that 3 out of the 4 matchups are basically re-runs of Week 17 games. However, there is nothing wrong with a playoff lineup that could potentially bring a Colts-Pats rematch, or providing a Favre-Packers Part III, which could theoretically decide the ultimate fate of the 30th state of the union depending on the result. I don't know if it's coincidental, but it is around this display of postseason testosterone is when I usually get motivated into implementing a workout/marathon-type training regimen, all so that I can show everyone to the gun show, or in this case, the Wizards' locker room (Too harsh?). Anyhoo, I think it's about that time to start picking some gems!
Something tells me this won't happen again. Ever.
(espn.go.com)
Somebody's gonna step out of a big shadow soon.
The Sanchize giving his playoff over-under.
(media.nj.com)
(5) New York Jets vs. (4) Cincinnati Bengals
Going with the under. But c'mon! You have to join me in giving a pat on my own back by picking the Jets to not only be 9-7 this year, but to be the surprise playoff team to come out of the AFC when I made my AFC East predictions in training camp. With all that said, I think is going to end badly for the J-E-T-S. I also think that Rex Ryan is on whatever Mariah Carey was on at the People's Choice Awards for picking the Jets as favorites for the ENTIRE playoffs. I give major cred to the defense, who are #1 in yards allowed and points allowed during the regular season. But do you trust a team being led by a rookie QB on the road who has almost double the INTs (20) as he does TDs (12)? Do you think that the Bengals truly played their A-game on Week 17? Would you trust a team that recently beat the scrubs of meaningful teams like Indy and Cincy while only scoring 7 at home in a loss against Atlanta? Didn't think so. I'll be the 1st guy that tells you that defense wins championships in the NFL, but the league has evolved into a passing-dominant league over the last couple years, making a solid QB more important than ever. The Jets just don't have the QB to carry the team over the top, not with this year's version of Sanchez anyway. Just like the Angels with Adenhart, the Bengals possess angelic motivation not only with late WR Chris Henry, but also with the passing of the wife of defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer this past season. With a Palmer/Ochocinco combo along with a not to shabby defense to go along with the emotion, I just don't see the Bengals rolling over at home to a rookie QB.
Final Score: Bengals 24, Jets 13
Might need that ball on Sunday, Mark.
(thepigskindoctors.com)
(6) Baltimore Ravens vs. (3) New England Patriots
Something tells me this won't happen again. Ever.(espn.go.com)
(6) Philadelphia Eagles vs. (3) Dallas Cowboys
Hmmm, maybe the end of the world is coming after all. The Cowboys closed off the year winning the last 3 games, including the finale against this week's playoff opponent, 24 to zippo. It's hard to even fathom, but Romo might be making that transition into one of the elite, coming off a season in which he threw a career low 9 picks. After beating the Eagles twice and snagging the NFC East crown with an offense that had the 2nd most yards per game while allowing the 2nd least points per game, Dallas maybe the better team in this matchup. With all that said, I don't expect the Eagles to play as atrociously as they did in Week 17. It is my firm belief that this game will go down to the the coaches, Wade Phillips and Andy Reid. Both are prone for one of those random blackout decisions during games, but Reid is 7-0 in playoff openers, and has notched an appearance in 5 NFC Championship games. Wade Phillips not only has the black hole of zero playoff wins hanging over him, but he has lost painfully in crunch-time in his postseason career, topped off with the 'Romo Botched Hold Game' along with the 'The Music City Miracle'. Apparently, it's also a big deal that the proud Cowboy franchise have not won a playoff game since the Clinton administration, pre-Lewinsky (Whoah! Now that's a long time!). I'm expecting more of a grind-it-out to the end game like the 1st matchup this season between the two NFC East rivals, but I'm expecting Wade will ultimately spoil the festivities in the new house at Dallas. Coaches, get your resumes sharpened!
Final Score: Eagles 37, Cowboys 31
Hmmm, maybe the end of the world is coming after all. The Cowboys closed off the year winning the last 3 games, including the finale against this week's playoff opponent, 24 to zippo. It's hard to even fathom, but Romo might be making that transition into one of the elite, coming off a season in which he threw a career low 9 picks. After beating the Eagles twice and snagging the NFC East crown with an offense that had the 2nd most yards per game while allowing the 2nd least points per game, Dallas maybe the better team in this matchup. With all that said, I don't expect the Eagles to play as atrociously as they did in Week 17. It is my firm belief that this game will go down to the the coaches, Wade Phillips and Andy Reid. Both are prone for one of those random blackout decisions during games, but Reid is 7-0 in playoff openers, and has notched an appearance in 5 NFC Championship games. Wade Phillips not only has the black hole of zero playoff wins hanging over him, but he has lost painfully in crunch-time in his postseason career, topped off with the 'Romo Botched Hold Game' along with the 'The Music City Miracle'. Apparently, it's also a big deal that the proud Cowboy franchise have not won a playoff game since the Clinton administration, pre-Lewinsky (Whoah! Now that's a long time!). I'm expecting more of a grind-it-out to the end game like the 1st matchup this season between the two NFC East rivals, but I'm expecting Wade will ultimately spoil the festivities in the new house at Dallas. Coaches, get your resumes sharpened!
Final Score: Eagles 37, Cowboys 31
Somebody's gonna step out of a big shadow soon.(espn.go.com)
(5) Green Bay Packers vs. (4) Arizona Cardinals
I dont know about you but this feels like one of those games that is ripe for Aaron Rodgers to have that national breakout game, especially with CB Rodgers Cromartie hurt on a defense that is mediocre overall. Interesting to note that Green Bay is 3rd in PPG in the regular season. Granted, it was on a considerably weak schedule, but they have won 7 of their last 8, winning against teams with credentials like Dallas, Baltimore and Arizona and were seconds from victory against the Steelers on the road. In fact, the Packers have a better road record (5-3) than the Cardinals do at home (4-4). The Rodgers-Cromartie injury isn't exactly the end-all, but WR Anquan Boldin is a potential prominent casualty on the other side of the ball, putting all the pressure on Larry Fitzgerald and his nicked-up knee to carry the show. I know that Arizona has the experienced QB and the capacity to pull off a victory. Last year's magical Super Bowl run just can't be ignored, for it shows that Arizona can go gangbusters and just steamroll opposing teams. However, I think the Cardinals are ultimately just too beat up to fight off what the Packers are going to bring to them on Sunday. Look for a well-balanced offensive attack to wear down the Cardinals as the Packers mark up a date with their highly-publicized ex.
Final Score: Packers 33, Cardinals, 21
I dont know about you but this feels like one of those games that is ripe for Aaron Rodgers to have that national breakout game, especially with CB Rodgers Cromartie hurt on a defense that is mediocre overall. Interesting to note that Green Bay is 3rd in PPG in the regular season. Granted, it was on a considerably weak schedule, but they have won 7 of their last 8, winning against teams with credentials like Dallas, Baltimore and Arizona and were seconds from victory against the Steelers on the road. In fact, the Packers have a better road record (5-3) than the Cardinals do at home (4-4). The Rodgers-Cromartie injury isn't exactly the end-all, but WR Anquan Boldin is a potential prominent casualty on the other side of the ball, putting all the pressure on Larry Fitzgerald and his nicked-up knee to carry the show. I know that Arizona has the experienced QB and the capacity to pull off a victory. Last year's magical Super Bowl run just can't be ignored, for it shows that Arizona can go gangbusters and just steamroll opposing teams. However, I think the Cardinals are ultimately just too beat up to fight off what the Packers are going to bring to them on Sunday. Look for a well-balanced offensive attack to wear down the Cardinals as the Packers mark up a date with their highly-publicized ex.
Final Score: Packers 33, Cardinals, 21
The Sanchize giving his playoff over-under.(media.nj.com)
(5) New York Jets vs. (4) Cincinnati Bengals
Going with the under. But c'mon! You have to join me in giving a pat on my own back by picking the Jets to not only be 9-7 this year, but to be the surprise playoff team to come out of the AFC when I made my AFC East predictions in training camp. With all that said, I think is going to end badly for the J-E-T-S. I also think that Rex Ryan is on whatever Mariah Carey was on at the People's Choice Awards for picking the Jets as favorites for the ENTIRE playoffs. I give major cred to the defense, who are #1 in yards allowed and points allowed during the regular season. But do you trust a team being led by a rookie QB on the road who has almost double the INTs (20) as he does TDs (12)? Do you think that the Bengals truly played their A-game on Week 17? Would you trust a team that recently beat the scrubs of meaningful teams like Indy and Cincy while only scoring 7 at home in a loss against Atlanta? Didn't think so. I'll be the 1st guy that tells you that defense wins championships in the NFL, but the league has evolved into a passing-dominant league over the last couple years, making a solid QB more important than ever. The Jets just don't have the QB to carry the team over the top, not with this year's version of Sanchez anyway. Just like the Angels with Adenhart, the Bengals possess angelic motivation not only with late WR Chris Henry, but also with the passing of the wife of defensive coordinator Mike Zimmer this past season. With a Palmer/Ochocinco combo along with a not to shabby defense to go along with the emotion, I just don't see the Bengals rolling over at home to a rookie QB.
Final Score: Bengals 24, Jets 13
Might need that ball on Sunday, Mark.(thepigskindoctors.com)
(6) Baltimore Ravens vs. (3) New England Patriots
Final Score: Patriots 27, Ravens 24
GO PATRIOTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Before I Peace: The Hawk Has Landed In The Hall
(sonsofsamhorn.net)Big congrats to Mr. Andre Dawson, the 33rd Hall of Famer to have ever played for the Boston Red Sox. Was hopin' that you would have company this year, but nobody can predict the joke known as the BBWAA Hall vote. But I give them credit that they knew that you (like Jim Ed last year) were one of the best all-around players in your era who also did it the right way (allegedly). May you soar into baseball immortality!
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