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.

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