One of my new years resolutions was to be more active on my website. I mean, why pay for something I’m never going to use? Of course, I’m sure that is the same exact thing every bowflex owner says to themselves after it becomes a glorified clothes hanger. But I want to be better than that. It’s time to change my ways, and there’s no better way to start blogging than during the first day of the NFL postseason. By now, everyone knows that the stage has been set. The intense playoff scenarios we’ve seen since week 3 have come to an end. No more if team x wins, and team y and team z lose, then team a make it in. This. is. it. Since it is wildcard weekend I’ll simply break down the four games that are happening over this weekend, and leave my bye week criticism for next time.
Saturday 3:30: New York Jets @ Cincinnati Bengals
Probably the game I care about the least, but much like sex, even when it’s bad, it’s still good. Neither team has much playoff experience and as for QB vs QB Palmer has rookie Mark Sanchez beat with postseason passes 1-0. as Palmers sole pass to Chris Henry back in ‘05 was his only postseason completion before blowing out his knee.
Which QB needs this more?
Palmer, hands down. Remember back in 2005 when we all thought that the Bengals were soon to be the turnaround team of the decade? Yeah, neither do I. They have been consistently sub par with more people remembering the off field antics rather than on. Carson Palmer also needs to prove that he is worth that cool $100 he got years back… which I’ve always said, he’s not. Also with all that experience and now 30 years of age the Bengal QB is 0-1 in the playoffs (Ravens QB Joe Flacco is already 2-1 in the postseason at the age of 24). Prove me wrong Carson.
My Pick: New York Jets. Yes they snuck into the playoffs due to some week 17 luck but I believe the rematch vs. Cincy from one week ago will carry over into today. I pick the Jets not because I like the offensive tactics of Mark Sanchise and the offense, but rather I fully back Darrelle Revis and the D. If anything, watch the Jet’s run game go off. Time and time again the Jet’s secondary has simply turned off pass happy offenses and today will be no different. Benson will not be able to carry the load on his own, especially if the Bengals have any respect for trying to keep him healthy for the rest of the post season which brings us back to the beginning… Benson won’t matter because the Jet’s will beat them!
Final: Jets over Bengals 23-17
Saturday 7:00 Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys
Not even one week from a humiliating shut out at Cowboys stadium, the Philadelphia Eagles have to head back to Dallas to fulfill their playoff destiny. Should Philly fans be worried? I wouldn’t be… mainly because IT’S DALLAS! Ok, so that’s not really a viable reason to not be worried but lets just look at their team. They haven’t won a playoff appearence since 1996, Wade Phillips continually get’s outcoached week in and week out, thank god they have some talented players, and home field adtvantage simply isn’t what it used to be. Dallas may be the most scrutinized 11-5 team in the history of sports and even after winning the division, many nay-sayers say they won’t go far… I also being one of them. So Philly dropped the ball big time in week 17, who cares… You can’t hide the fact that the Eagles still have one of the most potent offenses since the Greatest show on Turf days. Andy Reid and his Eagles are also a perennial playoff team and the game faces will be on come postseason.
Which QB needs this more?
I would love to say McNabb simply because I just feel bad for the guy now. He continually brings the Eagles to the postseason and yet as soon as he throws an incomplete pass, the team, franchise, fans, coaches, hobbits… are all after his head. He gets beat up by the media, benched by his coach, whispers by his teammates, but he still helps take them to the playoffs almost every year. After mentally massaging McNabbs ego (because I know he will be reading this), I’ll continue with saying Romo does need this more, because as much as McNabb is getting attacked he at least can win playoff games. Yes I know he hasn’t won a superbowl but stay with me… this is only Romo’s third playoff appearance and he has only averaged 58.3 QB rating in those 3 games. Finally who can forget the messed up hold for the game winning kick vs. Dallas, or the final interception thrown to that New York Giants D.
My Pick: Philadelphia Eagles. Green man, rejoice. Philly will live to see another day. Too many offensive weapons to shut off and with the playoff experience to follow I can’t see Dallas taking this at all. I also would like to see another “Always Sunny” episode based off the Eagles, so maybe that’s why I will be cheering for them…
Final: Eagles over Cowboys 38-24
Sunday 12:00 Baltimore Ravens @ New England Patriots
The one wildcard game that isn’t a rematch of week 17 shouldn’t bring any surprises. Let’s Quinton Tarantino this and start from the beginning. I like Flacco, he’s a calm cool quarterback that can thread the needle. He makes the cast around him better. I like Ray Rice. He’s a genuine play maker and single-handedly beat me in fantasy football… sigh. Besides the point though, he makes the offense that much more dangerous and when he’s healthy, you better watch out. I used to think he was a poor mans MJD, but this season, he’s earned the right to be his own man. The defense, although having a very not like them down year, is still a force to be recon with. Whom I think is the team that paved the way for making the 3-4 so popular, even on a down year, Ed Reed, Ray Lewis and the rest will still be a force to be reckoned with. After all that has been said, I’m sorry that I’ll have to watch them lose. New England is still better.
Which QB needs this more?
Tom Brady. He has already comeback player of the year, and he will continue to show that he can come from a season ending knee injury and return them to the glory land as he did during his MVP campaign. Joe Flacco is still young, and will have the weapons to get back to the playoffs in the future. He will get his chance, it just won’t be this year.
My Pick: New England Patriots. Ravens have never beaten the Patriots in their entire NFL history. And New England being on an up year isn’t going to help matters. The Patriots have a strong offensive team with all it’s weapons in high gear, and just when you think they can’t bring in anymore weapons, Fred Taylor gets healthy and adds another experienced, and explosive weapon to the line up. Sorry Baltimore, I can’t give this one to you
Final: Patriots over Ravens 30-27
Sunday 3:00 Green Bay Packers @ Arizona Cardinals
Saving the best for last, that’s the way I like it. I think the over/under for this game is 491. I heard they put an air traffic control tower up in the north endzone. I think they A-Rod and Kurt Warner already have thrown for 5 TD passes and the game hasn’t even started yet. Ok, I’m done. But seriously, I cannot wait for this game. As highly regarded as the Green Bay Packer defense is, I believe both offenses are just going to over shadow any defense heroics… unless of course your name is Charles Woodson. Momentum has been viewed very differently by both teams as the Packers seem to thrive on it and as the Cards feel they can succeed without it. Both coaches chose to go about their week 17 match up in different fashions as the Cards chose to bench starters early and keep the playbook reserved, and McCarthy and the Packers chose to ride some of that “momentum” and keep the train rolling until 3/4 through. It’s funny how both worlds are so different and yet so similar at the same time. Warner will have most of his weapons healthy (Boldin is still listed as Questionable) and the banged up DRC and Antrel Rolle are ready to come back and start in that Cardinals D. The Packers have stayed relatively healthy since the low point of losing Al Harris and Aaron Kampman on the same week but replacements have shown they can let their light shine just as bright. Either way, just get ready for a great game.
Bring back the stache A-Rod
Which QB needs this more?
Aaron Rodgers. I don’t even want to beat the dead horse any further into the ground, but I think you know why. I can’t even get through my first post of the year without saying his name. A-Rod has stepped out of Brett Favre’s shadow in almost every way possible now with the exception of the post season. This will be Aarons first start in the post-season and he needs to show that he can win in the playoffs. Again, dead horse. I’m done.
My Pick: Green Bay Packers. As I stated earlier, home field advantage isn’t what it used to be and the Packers are simply the better team. Also if you add in that whole “momentum” thing, then the Packers have that too. If Boldin so happens not to play, this could also play a key factor, because efficiency of Larry Fitzgerald will be put to the test with Charles Woodson setting up camp by him all day. Steve Breaston could potentially have a huge game but I will reiterate that the Packers just have overall the better team, record, momentum, and coach.
Final: Packers over Cardinals 42-30
There you go people! Now, this took longer than I thought and the Jets/Bengals game has already started on me… but I assure you I haven’t tampered with anything and those opinions haven’t changed… although now while watching the game I will add… Jay Feely should be the unsung hero of this game.