Well last weekend was interesting. I went 2-2 on my picks getting Saturday’s games correct and Sunday’s games wrong. And I am pretty sure most people got the New England vs Baltimore game wrong. Who would have thought that Baltimore would dominate like that?
Unfortunately it was one of the more boring playoff weekends that I can remember. The Jets/Bengals game was somewhat close but not very interesting as the Jets controlled the game from the start. The Cowboys/Eagles game was only interesting if you are a Cowboys fan as the Eagles didn’t really show up. I had the game on but was busy doing other things as I couldn’t watch that crap. The Ravens/Pats game was a blowout from the opening gun but not in the way any one imagined. Baltimore opened up a 24-0 lead in the first quarter and ran the ball the rest of the game.
But we were all saved by the Cardinals/Packers game. Although for the first half it was no more interesting than the Ravens/Pats game as the Cards controlled the play. But over the final quarter and a half the Packers came alive and it turned into an amazing game.
I thought the Packers were going to win from the very start and considering some of the calls during the game how the Cardinals didn’t get a roughing the passer penalty on the last play I will never know. But they didn’t and the Cardinals won. Now they head to New Orleans to challenge another team that heavily favors the pass.
So lets look at the matchups:
Arizona @ New Orleans
Everyone is talking about the Saints and how they haven’t really played well down the stretch. But what did they have to play for? Didn’t we all question the Cardinals last year in the same way? They struggled mightily before getting into the postseason and going all the way to the Super Bowl. The Saints are a similar team to last season’s Cardinals and don’t think for a minute that Drew Brees and Darren Sharper won’t have that team ready to play.
The Cardinals played the late game on Sunday which didn’t finish until around 8pm Eastern time. Now they have to play the early game on Saturday in New Orleans….not easy. Everyone thinks this game will be a shootout but I am not so sure. I think Warner throws a couple picks and the Saints take control.
Ravens @ Colts
Another rematch from a few weeks ago. The Colts won that game 17-15 as the Ravens couldn’t put the ball in the endzone. The Colts haven’t had a meaningful game since Thanksgiving and that has cost them in the past. When the starters sat out most of weeks 16 and 17 it started to worry me a bit. Although if the defense got healthy with that week off and the rest the earlier weeks should help them against the Ravens.
The Ravens are coming in with lots of momentum after dominating the Patriots but the Colts aren’t the Pats. They have all their weapons healthy unlike the Patriots last week. And you aren’t going to see an 83 yard touchdown run right away against the Colts defense. But momentum is a powerful thing and the Ravens are confident they can win.
Cowboys @ Vikings
All this talk about how good the Cowboys are playing. Really? Let’s look at it. The won at a New Orleans team that wasn’t playing their best anymore as they had locked up a top 2 seed in the playoffs. Then they won at Washington…wow that is difficult. Then they beat the Eagles twice at home. Sure those were dominating performances. But the Cowboys were built to beat the Eagles this season. The Eagles have been struggling with injuries since training camp and their defense was weakened as was the offensive line.
Add to that the fact that Philly only throws the ball and they played right into the Cowboys hands. But the Vikings have the threat of Adrian Peterson. And then they have Brett Favre. While the Eagles were very one dimensional the Vikings are very two dimensional. Which way does the Cowboys defense focus? Do they shut down Peterson and risk Favre beating them? Or do they shut down the passing game and hope Peterson doesn’t get rolling?
Jets @ Chargers
This game is being discussed the least as I think most people figure the Chargers are too good to lose. I mean they are everyone’s pick to make the Super Bowl. I was reading the Sporting News yesterday and I think it was 5 of the 6 analysts had picked the Chargers to make the Super Bowl. But if I am the Chargers I would rather have seen the Patriots in this game.
The Jets stop the run, they stop the pass, and they run the ball. All the ingredients to win in the postseason no matter what stadium they are playing in. If the Chargers get frustrated early you will see it on Philip Rivers face and in his play. He WILL turn the ball over if the Jets can get out to a good start against him. Personally I think while this isn’t the most interesting game of the weekend right now it might be the best game of the weekend to watch.
I will have my picks later this week (since its already Thursday I don’t think you will have to wait long) so check back then.
