The NFL regular season has concluded and the playoffs will begin next week. This year was unique for many reasons. First, two teams (Saints and Colts) started at least 13-0, and each of the teams lost their final 2 games (the Saints lost their final 3). In addition, the first round of the playoffs will feature 3 rematches of Week 17. Finally, Titans running back Chris Johnson became the sixth running back in NFL history to eclipse the 2,000 yard mark in a season. But what hasn’t changed is that once the calendar turns to the New Year, it is playoff time.
The AFC playoff picture looks as such:
The Colts (1) and Chargers (2) will receive byes in the first round.
The Ravens (6) will travel to Foxboro to face the Patriots (3), Sunday at 1PM on CBS.
This game will come down to whether or not the depleted New England offense, with Wes Welker out for the season and Tom Brady dinged up, can still move the ball effectively against the always stout Baltimore defense. In addition, can Joe Flacco be composed well enough in only his second year to take his team deep into the playoffs again. I think that the Raven running game will control the tempo of the game, and the New England offense will not be able to recover from its best receiver’s injury.
My prediction: Baltimore wins 20-10.
The Bengals (5) will host the Jets (4) on Saturday at 4:30 on CBS.
In a rematch of last week’s finale, the Bengals will look to get Chad Ochocinco back healthy. The key matchup will be Jets CB Darrelle Revis, the best corner in the league, against Chad Ochocinco, the Bengals’ top receiver. In addition, it will be a battle of two strong running games, led by Thomas Jones for the Jets and Cedric Benson for the Bengals, with veteran Larry Johnson in the backup role.
My prediction: The Bengals run defense has allowed the team to beat both Pittsburgh and Baltimore twice this year, and will remain stout in this game. Thomas Jones will not have the effect he needs to for the Jets to win the game.
My prediction: Cincinnati 24–New York 20
The NFC Playoff Picture looks like this:
The New Orleans Saints (1) and the Minnesota Vikings (2) receive byes in the first round.
The Philadelphia Eagles (6) will travel back to Dallas to play the Cowboys (3) at 8 PM on Saturday on NBC. The Eagles will look to turn the tide after getting hammered by the Cowboys this past week 24-0. The game quite simply will come down to whether or not the Eagles can stop the Cowboys offense and keep themselves in the game.
My prediction: The Eagles will play better than they did last week, but not quite well enough to beat the Cowboys. Cowboys 31–Eagles 20.
The final game of the weekend is the Green Bay Packers (5) traveling to Arizona to play the Cardinals (4) at 4:40 on Sunday on FOX.
Once again, this game is a rematch of the final week of the season. The Packers crushed the Cardinals, who rested many starters. Green Bay has been one of the hottest teams in football, and the game will come down to whether the Green Bay offensive line can continue to protect Aaron Rodgers, as the o-line has been the achillies heel of the Packers at points this year.
My prediction: The Packers handle the Cardinals 31-13.
Mr. Long,
I was wondering if you watched any of the football game between the Jets and the Bengals on Saturday night. If you did, then I have no clue how you would pick the Bengals to beat the Jets. The Bengals starters played the whole first half and some of the 3rd quarter. At half time, the Jets were winning 27-0 with the Bengals’ starters playing. I do understand that Cedric Benson was not playing, but the running game was far better than their passing game. Also, there is no way that Benson can make up 27 points for a team in a half. Carson Palmer played the whole first half. He was 1/11 with an interception and a QB rating of 1.7. He was totally shut down. Although Palmer’s #1 target fell during warm ups and tweaked his knee a little but, he was running normally during the game. Also, you can’t expect much from a player going up against Darrelle Revis. Revis has held many of the top recievers in the game to under 35 yards, including Randy Moss (twice), Reggie Wayne, Andre Johnson, Marques Colston, Terrell Owens (twice), Steve Smith (CAR), and Roddy White. My final point is that you said the Bengals run defense would shut down Thomas Jones and the Jets rushing attack. In the first half of the game on Sunday, the Jets had over 150 rushing yards. Even if they are able to shut down Thomas Jones, the Jets have several other options including Shonn Greene from your hated Iowa Hawkeyes, Brad Smith in the wildcat, and Danny Woodhead. All of these runners have different styles, as Shonn Greene is a power back, Brad Smith runs the wildcat (with the ability to throw as he was a QB at Missouri), and a quick, elusive back in Woodhead who gets carries every once in a while. I hope you tune in Saturday at 4:30 to watch the J-E-T-S JETS JETS JETS!!!
First of all I appreciate your loyalty to your squad, and I understand why you think they will win. Realistically, there is a great chance that they can win. You will notice that I predicted the game to be very close and defensive. However, I do not think you can take Bengals’ effort last week seriously as their best effort. It is like the Saints in Week 16. They didn’t sit their starters against Tampa, but let down after taking an early lead and lost. However, New Orleans is a lot better than the way they played.
The Jets Bengals game was almost certainly the toughest game to pick, however, and I think it will be an old-fashioned, very interesting game predicated upon the two strong run games.
Alright. I understand where you are coming from. I guess we will just have to wait until Saturday.