The Divisional Playoff Round is upon us, and marquee matchups abound this weekend. I'd love to tell you about themes to watch for across the four-game slate, but I really can't tie any of these games together. So, let's just get to the matchups.
Indianapolis at Baltimore
Strength versus strength in the Charm City this weekend as the prolific Colts offense take on the smothering defense of the Ravens. The front seven led by Ray Lewis will crush Joseph Addai and the Pro Bowl-calibre led by Ed Reid for the Ravens should have enough to stop another Peyton Manning barrage through the air. So basically, if Steve McNair shows up and puts his pads on, the Ravens ought to win this game going away as the Colts defense will have no answer for the 1-2 punch of Jamal Lewis and Air McNair.
PREDICTION: Ravens 12, Colts 3.
Philadelphia at New Orleans
Who 'Dey Gon' Beat 'Dem Saints? Well, it's entirely possible it'll be the high-flying Philadelphia Eagles, who did just enough to beat the Giants at home last weekend. Still, Saturday will be the first home playoff game for the Saints in more than ten years and a team that has been mired in futility for decades finally has a legitimate shot at the Super Bowl. It's an opportunity that I, for one, do not see them wasting. From a football standpoint, Brees, Bush, McAllister and Colston should be too much for a depleted Eagle defense to handle, and it seems as if Jeff Garcia's clock may have struck midnight.
PREDICTION: Saints 34, Eagles 28.
Seattle at Chicago
If ever a powerful number one seed could fall at home in their first playoff game, it could be the Chicago Bears. The Seahawks escaped with a win last weekend after the Tony Romo gaffe which you have no doubt 38,451 times on SportsCenter this week, and that team should be a two touchdown underdog to the incredible Bears defense. However, which Rex Grossman will we see on Sunday? Will it be the game manager who led Chicago to some great early season triumphs, or will it be the checked-out clock watcher, the man who admitted to not adequately preparing for his New Year's Eve matchup with Green Bay? Either way, Chicago is in trouble with Rex Grossman at quarterback, but that trouble may not be enough to stop them from advancing to a home date with the Saints in the NFC Championship.
PREDICTION: Bears 17, Seattle 13.
New England at San Diego
Here are some key things to remember going into this weekend's best game:
1a) Tom Brady is the best playoff and clutch quarterback since Joe Montana.
1b) Philip Rivers will make his first NFL playoff start on Sunday afternoon.
2a) Bill Belichick is the best coach in the NFL.
2b) Marty Schottenheimer is 5-12 in the playoffs. He has not won a game since 1993.
3) San Di-aah-go was settled by the Germans in 1903. And they named it, "A Whale's Vagina."
The Chargers still have LaDainian Tomlinson who should be able to run roughshod all over the Patriots defensive corps. But it is hard to discount Brady, Belichick and knowing how to win, especially after the pounding the gave Man-genius and the Jets last weekend.
PREDICTION: Patriots 31, Chargers 28.
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1 comment:
I personally am rooting for the Eagles to get to the NFC Championship game, if not the super bowl. No, it's not because I live in Philly. It's because I hate Eagles fans and want to see them lose in the most heartbreaking manner possible. I think losing a very closely contested championship game might just do it.
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