NFL WildCard Weekend!

"Like Father, Like Son?"

New York Jets @ Cincinnati Bengals

The Cincinnati Bengals have been the NFL’s Cinderella story this season. Riding a tidal wave of emotion since the deaths of wide-out Chris Henry and Vicki Zimmer, the wife of Defensive Coordinator Mike Zimmer, the Bengals have played inspired football all season long. Carson Palmer stepped up and became the leader that Coach Marvin Lewis needed him to be and the Bengals relied heavily on workhorse Cedric Benson’s emergence. Chad Ochocinco, whether he was tweeting, bribing, or donning a snuggie, he entertained fans and did so in the name of sportsmanship.
With a rookie QB-coach tandem such as Mark Sanchez and Rex Ryan, it’s no surprise that the Jets are the lone Big Apple playoff representative. While last Sunday’s debacle may not have much meaning towards this weekend’s game, the Jets’ confidence has to be even higher heading into Cincy. The Jets have Thomas Jones, probably the most underrated tailback in the game, he now boasts five consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. Their power-running game plus a nasty defense are key ingredients to playoff success. Oh, and did I mention that Darrelle Revis is the top shutdown corner in the game.

Jets win 20-13 in frigid Cincinnati.



One MORE BIG Mistake!?!

Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys


The Dallas Cowboys roll into these playoffs with the momentum that they need to end a long, complex playoff drought. On Saturday evening they will be facing the Philadelphia Eagles for the third time this season, a team that they have defeated twice already. They ended the New Orleans Saints undefeated season in the month of December, and even played the San Diego Chargers tough. This game will come down to the intangibles and coaching schemes—and to some level, history. “Those who don’t know history are destined to repeat it.” Remember: The Cowboys have not won a playoff game since 1996 and Wade Phillips is 0-4 in the playoffs throughout his career.
The big knock against the Philadelphia Eagles has been strength of victories, but this is not the crooked BCS system that the NCAA uses, is it? The NFL doesn’t let computers determine the match-ups, the games are played and decided on the field and that is why these teams will face off for a 3rd time. Dallas’ ability to contain Philly’s home-run threat DeSean Jackson was monumental in the regular season, but 5 days was a long time ago and it’s a whole new season, the post-season. Jackson is the Eagles big-play threat and that’s something that this team has lived and died by this season. Yet, this season Donovan McNabb has numerous weapons in his arsenal. If Defensive Coordinator Sean McDermott learned anything from Jim Johnson it should have been this: A Philadelphia Eagle defense thrives off of the blitz and might as well be on the sidelines without it. MEMO: Keep the heat on Tony Romo! If history tends to repeat itself in more ways than one, the winner will come out of the NFC. Each time they have met in the playoffs, the winner went to the Super Bowl.

Eagles survive a thriller in Dallas 23-21.
















The Patriot Act

Baltimore Ravens @ New England Patriots

The Baltimore Ravens, under John Harbaugh once again sneak into the playoffs looking to make some noise. The Baltimore defense has lost its touch and has been playing more on respect and reputation than anything this season. Don’t expect that to intimidate “Terrific Tom” this weekend. Their defense just wasn’t the same this season without former coordinator Rex Ryan. Even with an offense that put up big numbers, “defense wins championships,” and quite frankly, neither team in this game has much of it. Ray Rice and Joe Flacco, both 2nd-year studs have emerged quietly for the Ravens this season. Their first meeting in Foxboro was close and this game will present much of the same on Sunday afternoon.
Even without his top target Wes Welker, the NFL’s newly-crowned Comeback Player of the Year, Tom Brady is ready for the playoffs. Brady brings a career 14-3 record into the playoffs, making him possibly the greatest playoff QB in NFL history. New England’s defense has definitely taken a hit since the days of Richard Seymour, Asante Samuel and Tedy Bruschi, yet they still remain poised. The offense is on the prowl and ready to attack an old Raven D. I’m not sure if Julian Edelman, a former college QB, will make Pats fans forget Welker, but he will certainly give them slot speed. Boy that Bill Belichick sure is something on that April weekend, isn’t he?!

Pats win on respect and the best playoff QB of all-time, 31-27.















We Meet Again!

Green Bay Packers @ Arizona Cardinals

This is the most difficult game to pick this weekend and it should be a good one. The Packers have one of the best QBs in the sport in Aaron “A. Rodge” Rodgers. To go along with that, they have a vicious 3-4 defense that boasts talent all around. Charles Woodson has become a force all on his own in the secondary and most likely will win NFL Defensive Player of the Year. Their LB corps is the best in the NFL right now as well. They get enough push and pressure up front which will be needed to throw Kurt Warner out of his comfort zone early. Mix this with a top flight QB like A. Rodge and this team sexy pick to do damage in a strong NFC.
The Arizona Cardinals were the NFL’s Cinderella of 2008, and nearly pulled off a miraculous upset (Santonio is still CLEARLY! in!) in Super Bowl XLIII thanks to Larry Fitzgerald. Fitzgerald became a household name last January and looks to make another run at the Vince Lombardi Trophy. With little offensive help outside of Fitz and Anquan Boldin, Warner will need to rev up some of that old postseason magic of his. Expect a tight game with constant lead changes; also it should come down to a final possession.

Pack attack Cards to solidify a trip to Minni for a Part III! 30-27 Packers.