The NFL is a strange game. As soon as you think you've figured it out, weird upsets will happen or teams will tank games to rest players and everything gets thrown out the window. This week, 3 of the 4 games are re-matches from last week. Yet, I'm not sure how much those games mattered in the grand scheme of the playoff picture. Here's how I see it breaking down:
Saturday-
NY Jets @ Cincinnati Bengals - In an odd scheduling move, the NFL is making the first playoff game a rematch of the last regular season game. In addition, I don't understand why you wouldn't play both AFC games on one day (Saturday, for example) and both NFC games on the other (Sunday, in this scenario.) Then neither team would have an extra day of rest for their game the following week. Anyway, I'm not exactly sure how to go with this game. The Jets defense is obviously very good, and they demolished the Bengals on Sunday night. However, the Bengals definitely gave up on that game very early on (maybe as early as Chad Ochocinco hurting himself in warm-ups) and I can't imagine that will happen again. Also, Cedric Benson didn't play which drastically changes the Bengals' offense (yes, that sentence hurt to type as a Bears fan.) After doing diligent research (pause... NOT) I'm going with the Jets in a closer game- Jets 23, Bengals 20.
Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys - Another match-up from last week, though this is the one that I look at to go differently. True, the Cowboys have been playing much better. Their defense has dominated and Tony Romo is beginning to look like a very good quarterback. However, I can easily see the Cowboys not staying focused after throttling the Eagles last week. The Eagles know how to get it done in January. We've seen it over and over and over. I have a feeling Andy Reid will do a better job teaching his team how to deal with last week's loss than he taught his kids to say no to drugs. Eagles win- Eagles 27, Cowboys 21.
Sunday-
Baltimore Ravens @ New England Patroits - How will the loss of Wes Welker affect the Patroits? Probably a little, but I'm not willing to throw the towel in on the Patroits just yet. I am skeptical of the way the Patroits have played all year, but I'm going to give them the benefit of the doubt here. Plus, I'm not sure the Ravens have enough of a passing game to attack the Patroits' weakness in the secondary. Patroits 17, Ravens 16.
Green Bay Packers @ Arizona Cardinals - Being a Bears fan, I hate the Packers. Even in a poor season, I love when the Bears beat the Packers (didn't happen this year...) However, as a football fan, I can recongize when a team is on a roll, and the Packers might be the most dangerous team playing in the Wild Card weekend. Their 33-7 thrashing of the Cardinals was a preview into this week's game. It might not be quite so pronounced, but Aaron Rodgers has been impressive and the Packers' defense has been even better. Packers 31, Cardinals 17.
Now that it's down to the Playoffs, I won't be shocked by anything. I mean, the Cardinals went to the Super Bowl last year! If that doesn't scream "Anything can happen" I don't know what would. I know it will be entertaining and I can't wait for it!
3 comments:
No comment on the predictions.
But it drives me crazy that people think the Pats can just insert Julian Edelman, who was Kent State's QB last season, in Welker's place and not miss a beat. That is just stupid. You picked three road teams though...I don't see that happening.
I thought you said "no comment?" Ah well, I'm just looking forward to the games. The pick I'm least in love with that I made is the Eagles over the Cowboys. I can easily see it going the other way.
The Cardinals are hard to figure out because they are so inconsistent. The Packers are far more consistent and have been playing very well.
I agree with your predictions. In fact, I agree so much that I parlaed (I don't know how to spell it) all 4 of your predictions and put 5 whole bucks on it.
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