Sunday, January 02, 2005
NFL Playoffs: Wildcard Round
The AFC-NFC split makes the East-West NBA split of the last five years look competitive. The Eagles, the one supposed juggernaut, are reduced to the very good team they were the last three years: not quite good enough to make it to the big game. Meanwhile, the AFC brags the fourth 15-1 team in history, the 14-2 defending champs, and two other solid teams in San Diego and Indy. Questions abound: Can McNabb lead them there anyways? Will an 8-8 team make the Super Bowl? Is Atlanta for real? Can San Diego pull off an upset? Will Peyton overcome his playoff demons? Is Pittsburgh’s 15-1 record justified? How can I possibly be qualified to write a playoff predictions blog when I haven’t seen more than five games the entire season?
Well the answer to that last question is, I’m not. But I will be watching the NFL playoffs anyways. Playoff football is also fairly predictable, although Carolina’s run last year broke many playoff rules. This year, I see the AFC following the general playoff trends (home teams winning in the early rounds, hot teams building on streaks,) while in the NFC, anything could happen, mostly because all the teams are terrible. Plus, you know I’m picking the Pats in the end no matter what.
St. Louis at Seattle: How do you pick either of these teams? Seattle was one of the most disappointing teams of the year, yet they still end up the four seed with as good a shot as anyone to make the Super Bowl. They have beaten a total of zero good teams this year unless you count beating Carolina in the middle of their 1-7 run. They lost to Dallas at home four weeks ago. They got crushed by the Jets whom the Rams just beat. They made the playoffs through beating Arizona at home by three and barely holding off a Matt Schaub led Falcons squad. They also lost to the Rams twice.
Meanwhile the Rams haven’t won on the road since October 10th (in Seattle), losing each road game by 13 points or more. While they beat Seattle twice, they gave up 150+ yards to Shaun Alexander in each game. Oh yea, they are 8-8! They also benefited from playing Philly’s C team two weeks ago. They also have a coach who is the primary example of my proposed “Madden rule.” Every coach should be forced to play Madden until they are able to properly manage the end of the game. They even have two minute drill mode to focus preparation.
Anyways, if I was totally objective, I would pick St. Louis, but I realize I predicted Seattle would make the playoffs in my last blog entry. Thus I grudgingly say: Seattle 31 St. Louis 27.
NY Jets at San Diego: While the Jets did beat San Diego early in the year, the Chargers have been steadily improving over the entire year, while the Jets appear to be taking steps back. Drew Brees’ dominance is the development of the 2004 season that makes the least sense to this transplant. How is this happening? Is he actually playing well, or is a Kurt Warner syndrome, simply a QB with great weapons around him running the show and getting too much credit? Please explain this to me! Anyways both Schottenheimer and Herm Edwards are not known for their playoff coaching acumen, so we can assume they will cancel each other out. If San Diego’s stiff run D can contain Curtis Martin, this could get ugly.
San Diego 34 NYJ 14
Denver at Indianapolis: Did you know Jake Plummer broke John Elway’s single season yardage record and tied him for most TD passes in a season? This all offense NFL has gotten out of hand. Not that I, or anyone else, minds. This game is a repeat of last year, where Denver beat Indy late in the season and then got smoked in the first round the first of the two Indy “no punt” games. Hopefully Denver’s win will push the line down a little for round one, and then everyone can clean up. I predict another Indy blowout.
Indianapolis 48 Denver 17
Minnesota at Green Bay: The Vikings crashed and burned yet again, but undeservingly made the playoffs at 8-8. They have no rushing offense (only two 100 yard games on the year). Their defense is still suspect. Yet they do have Daunte and Moss. With all the hype surrounding Peyton’s accomplishments, it’s time to give Daunte some respect for his QB line: 39 TDs, 4700 yards, a 70 percent completion percentage and a QB rating of 110. An on fire Culpepper and Moss could push the Vikes over the top. As usual, the NFL has stacked the deck for the Packers by starting their home game later, ensuring a greater chance of snow and cold coming into play. Yet the Favre home magic appears to have slipped a little. Thus, even though GB just beat Minny in Minny, I’m going out on a limb.
Minnesota 24 Green Bay 23
Well the answer to that last question is, I’m not. But I will be watching the NFL playoffs anyways. Playoff football is also fairly predictable, although Carolina’s run last year broke many playoff rules. This year, I see the AFC following the general playoff trends (home teams winning in the early rounds, hot teams building on streaks,) while in the NFC, anything could happen, mostly because all the teams are terrible. Plus, you know I’m picking the Pats in the end no matter what.
St. Louis at Seattle: How do you pick either of these teams? Seattle was one of the most disappointing teams of the year, yet they still end up the four seed with as good a shot as anyone to make the Super Bowl. They have beaten a total of zero good teams this year unless you count beating Carolina in the middle of their 1-7 run. They lost to Dallas at home four weeks ago. They got crushed by the Jets whom the Rams just beat. They made the playoffs through beating Arizona at home by three and barely holding off a Matt Schaub led Falcons squad. They also lost to the Rams twice.
Meanwhile the Rams haven’t won on the road since October 10th (in Seattle), losing each road game by 13 points or more. While they beat Seattle twice, they gave up 150+ yards to Shaun Alexander in each game. Oh yea, they are 8-8! They also benefited from playing Philly’s C team two weeks ago. They also have a coach who is the primary example of my proposed “Madden rule.” Every coach should be forced to play Madden until they are able to properly manage the end of the game. They even have two minute drill mode to focus preparation.
Anyways, if I was totally objective, I would pick St. Louis, but I realize I predicted Seattle would make the playoffs in my last blog entry. Thus I grudgingly say: Seattle 31 St. Louis 27.
NY Jets at San Diego: While the Jets did beat San Diego early in the year, the Chargers have been steadily improving over the entire year, while the Jets appear to be taking steps back. Drew Brees’ dominance is the development of the 2004 season that makes the least sense to this transplant. How is this happening? Is he actually playing well, or is a Kurt Warner syndrome, simply a QB with great weapons around him running the show and getting too much credit? Please explain this to me! Anyways both Schottenheimer and Herm Edwards are not known for their playoff coaching acumen, so we can assume they will cancel each other out. If San Diego’s stiff run D can contain Curtis Martin, this could get ugly.
San Diego 34 NYJ 14
Denver at Indianapolis: Did you know Jake Plummer broke John Elway’s single season yardage record and tied him for most TD passes in a season? This all offense NFL has gotten out of hand. Not that I, or anyone else, minds. This game is a repeat of last year, where Denver beat Indy late in the season and then got smoked in the first round the first of the two Indy “no punt” games. Hopefully Denver’s win will push the line down a little for round one, and then everyone can clean up. I predict another Indy blowout.
Indianapolis 48 Denver 17
Minnesota at Green Bay: The Vikings crashed and burned yet again, but undeservingly made the playoffs at 8-8. They have no rushing offense (only two 100 yard games on the year). Their defense is still suspect. Yet they do have Daunte and Moss. With all the hype surrounding Peyton’s accomplishments, it’s time to give Daunte some respect for his QB line: 39 TDs, 4700 yards, a 70 percent completion percentage and a QB rating of 110. An on fire Culpepper and Moss could push the Vikes over the top. As usual, the NFL has stacked the deck for the Packers by starting their home game later, ensuring a greater chance of snow and cold coming into play. Yet the Favre home magic appears to have slipped a little. Thus, even though GB just beat Minny in Minny, I’m going out on a limb.
Minnesota 24 Green Bay 23
# posted by Marmaniac @ 11:51 PM 
