So the playoffs are here yet again. Finally the teams that actually wanted to play in the postseason stepped up and won when they needed to.
Going into week 17 the Jets and Ravens had to win to be in and the Eagles only had to win to clinch the NFC East and a first round bye. Well the Jets and Ravens won and will face Cincinnati and New England respectively. But the Eagles…the stinking Eagles…couldn’t score a point and drop from the #2 position all the way to #6 and have to play the Cowboys in Dallas again next weekend.
Which brings me to the next point. Next weekend we get to see 3 games that we saw this past weekend. Eagles at the Cowboys, Packers at the Cardinals, and the Bengals hosting the Jets. And the 4th game, Ravens at Patriots, was played earlier this season as well. So not a single original matchup amongst the 4.
That isn’t always a bad thing but typically that is because division rivals are facing off in the playoffs. Other than the Cowboys/Eagles none of the other games feature division rivals. Sure Ravens/Patriots might be exciting but who wants to see Bengals/Jets or Packers/Cardinals? I mean honestly.
Either way it is the NFL playoffs and we will all be watching.
To start the season I picked Saints/Colts so I will stick with those picks but neither of those teams are playing this weekend.
So who wins….
NY Jets at Cincinnati Bengals
The Jets dominated this past Sunday night and I don’t see that changing next weekend. No I don’t think Mark Sanchez can lead this team deep into January nor can the defense carry them too far. BUT the Bungals have been struggling of late and they will continue to do so. Jets 23 Bengals 17
Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys
Dallas won both games this season including 24-0 just yesterday. The game was closer than the score indicated as the Eagles blew multiple chances with blown plays, dropped passes, and stupid penalties while the Cowboys played an almost perfect game. And winning 3 games over a team in one season is a tough thing to do. I will surely be rooting for the Eagles this Saturday and have faith they can pull out the win but will pick the Cowboys here. Cowboys 27 Eagles 17
Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots
The Patriots are 8-0 at home this season but only 2-6 (one win in England) on the road. Fortunately for them they are playing this game at home. The Ravens barely got into the playoffs but they play a style of football that could see them hang around for a bit, solid defense with a ball control offense. But this defense isn’t as good as last seasons and a good passing team can exploit them. The Pats will. Patriots 31 Ravens 20
Green Bay Packers at Arizona Cardinals
Last years surprise team hosting a team that embarrassed them this past weekend. The Packers, in Arizona, beat the Cardinals 33-7 in a game that didn’t appear to be that close. This is probably the toughest game to pick. Some games the Pack seem like the team to beat and others weren’t nearly as convincing. But the Cardinals were similar this season. Some games looking the defending NFC Champs while at other times looking like the…well…Arizona Cardinals. I see more Cardinals than NFC Champs in this team. Packers 34 Cardinals 24
So there you go…
Jets and Pats
Boys and Pack
