Playoff Predictions

I can't pretend that after this week's games I am not happy. With everything basically settled in the NFC, everyone had their eye on what the Ravens and Jets were going to do with a playoff spot on the line. Win, that is what they are going to do.



So my prediction of the Texans making the playoffs, fail. My dissing of Merril Hoge for saying the Bengals were going to make the playoffs, fail. My prediction that the Ravens still would make the playoffs, win (in your face Hoge!). So with predictions on my mind I might as well put out my thoughts on what is going to happen in next week's games (all of which are rematches of regular season games, 3 from week 17). So I will go through game by game and explain why I think what I think, I am awesome not being allowed to be why I think a team will win/lose.





New York Jets VS Cincinnati Bengals



The first match up of next weekend puts two of the top 5 defenses against one another. With the Jets at 1 and the Bengals at 4 in overall defense. This game will be short of offense with both teams ranking in the bottom of the NFL in passing offense, 26th for the Bengals and 31st for the Jets respectively, (although the Jets finished the year with the league's best rushing attack, Cincy was 9th). Last night Cincy didn't start their best RB in Cedric Benson while NY unleashed hell in a game they needed to win. The Bengals were without the fire we had seen from them for most of the season while the Jets were clearly fighting for their playoff lives, even though Rex Ryan thought they were eliminated two weeks ago.





Prediction: Pain. Each team has a similar game plan. Run the ball and stop the other team. What has me concerned is how injured is Chad Ochocinco? Revis will shut him down if he plays anyway so either way someone is going to have to step up in the passing game. Will Cincy be able to flick a switch and play as hard as they have the other 15 games this season? I am not so sure. Flacco was the first rookie to win a road playoff game last season, Sanchez may be the second. This game is going to be much closer then week 17's match up, however I think it will have the same result with the Jets winning. Jets win 17-14





Philadelphia Eagles VS Dallas Cowboys





Sunday the roles were reversed from last season, The 'Boys downright embarrassed the Eagles like what the Eagles did to them last season. I never knew an injury to a center could be so costly on the offensive side of the ball but there is a huge lack of communication on the line in Philly. Add to that the Cowboys improvement on the defensive side of the ball and McNabb is going to have a lot of issues getting the ball to his play makers. The numbers for the regular season seem equal but again you have to remember how well Dallas has been playing lately. Romo has thrown 5 interceptions since the bye week back in week 6. This was after throwing 4 in his first 5 games. Could Dallas do to the Eagles what Pittsburgh did to the Ravens last season? Take out a division foe for a third time and eliminate them from playoff contention?





Prediction: It may be a surprise to those that know me that I am picking the Cowboys to win and upset in the next round of the playoffs. Clearly this year might be their year, they couldn't win in December (they just won 3 in a row with 2 shutouts) which is a monkey off their back after their recent performances. They haven't won a playoff game in 13 years (they beat Minnesota back in 1996) so maybe they are due. Especially the way the Eagles looked yesterday, it is hard to predict that they will have a complete turnaround to beat the Cowboys. Add to the fact that McNabb has not beaten them in the playoffs ever (0-3). Cowboys win 31-14





Baltimore Ravens VS New England Patriots





A rematch from way back in week 4, this is one game the Pats didn't want to see in the first round. Honestly, they didn't really want to face either wild card team. Both play them hard and the Jets split the season series. The main issue people have with these two teams is their inability to win on the road (the Ravens better the Pats with a 3-5 mark) which may have some people leaning to the Pats. Especially since they never lost at home during the regular season and haven't lost a first round match up with Belichick running things. Both teams are dealing with injuries for some of their primetime players (Welker is out with ACL/MCL injuries, Ed Reed is a question mark with his hip/groin, Tom Brady has a broken ring finger as well as broken ribs) but what has people thinking the Ravens have a chance is not just the injuries. It is that "undeserved" confidence, I only say that because most people think this group of Ravens has no right to be confident. Why? I have no idea. They aren't scared of the Patriots and feel that they're in the same class as them.





Prediction: Now it would be utterly ridiculous for me to just choose the Ravens because they are the team I follow closely. However, I am going to pick them for more then just that reason. The game should be interesting with strength versus strength (Pats are 3rd in total offense with the Ravens 3rd in total defense) but what has me so optimistic is the improvement of the Ravens offense this season. They are the 5th best rushing team in the league, clearly Willis McGahee is fresh after not being used much prior to last week's ownage of the Raiders (16 carries, 167 yards, 3 TDs), and New England isn't exactly a run stopping team. Last week Arian Foster rushed for 119 yards on 20 carries with 2 visits into the end zone. Again that was on the road where New England is not the same team. Hopefully for me the match up will be similar to the week 4 match up with a different result in the final score. Maybe Clayton will be able to redeem himself? Ravens win 28-24


Green Bay Packers VS Arizona Cardinals


Yet another rematch from week 17 which Kurt Warner was the main starter missing from the Cardinals. However this week may be different. It has been confirmed that Anquan Boldin may miss the game with a ankle/knee injury. That isn't definite, let's remember that this is the guy who came back after just 3 weeks away due to a broken jaw. Boldin plays hurt more then any other player besides maybe Ben Rothlisberger. Rodgers-Cromartie is expected to play however one of their defensive line members is expected to be out. Last time I checked, Aaron Rodgers doesn't enjoy being sacked so that injury helps the Packers. After last season, it is hard for a lot of experts and average Joes like me to predict the demise of the Cardinals. However the stat of them being 3-0 at home in the playoffs is a little skewed. I mean, two of those are from last season. Green Bay wasn't overly impressive on the road but at least they managed to be above .500 (5-3) and the Cardinals were one of the only playoff teams with a subpar record at home (4-4). So another Packers win wouldn't be a complete surprise to me. I don't see them doing to the Cards what they did to them last week.

Prediction: All injuries aside, the Cardinals offense is still powerful. The Packers defense however is just as powerful. Charles Woodson is a candidate for defensive player of the year and his shoulder injury isn't anything serious. Warner playing in the game will be a huge difference from last week. When this team is clicking on all cylinders they are one of the best offenses in the NFL. We saw what a decent offense could do to the Packers just two weeks ago in Pittsburgh. Considering that the Cardinals team we saw last week will not be the same who play this week, you have to assume that Whisenhunt will have his boys ready to execute on Sunday. Cardinals win 31-21



As for the bye teams. I don't see either number 1 seed making it out of next weekend. I don't care who they play.

If you aren't down with that then I got two words for ya! Do better! I challenge you to pick them and when I win, you can get me some grapes. Losers! However if I pick wrong, who is going to know? The 12 people that read this? I can live with that. Until we BS again.