The NFL playoffs have become almost as unpredictable over the last five years as, say, umm, anything. The last time a #1 seed from either conference won the Super Bowl was New England after the 2003 season. Rules and penalty-calling favour the passing game more than at any time in the NFL's history, making passing and the ability to defend the pass (or at least slow it down) far more important than running and the ability to run. Remember last year? Pittsburgh had a mediocre running attack; Arizona had no running attack. But unpredictability is the key. Going into the last two playoffs, the Giants in 2007-2008 and the Cardinals last year looked to be one-and-doners. So they instead went to the Super Bowl, with the Giants winning and the Cardinals losing in the last minute.
Thus, I make my wild-card predictions with absolutely no confidence whatsoever.
New York Jets at Cincinnatti Bengals: The Jets have the league's best rushing attack and #1 rated defense. If it were 1987, they might actually have a better record than 9-7. But it isn't 1987. The Jets did beat the Bengals last week by a ridiculous 37-0, so I'd have to be crazy to pick the Bengals, a Cinderella team for which midnight seems to have already struck. But the Jets have a truly bad quarterback in Mark Sanchez and whoever's backing him up, while Carson Palmer is a better-than-average quarterback for Cincy. For some insane reason, I think quarterback play will swing this game. BENGALS 23, JETS 9.
Green Bay Packers at Arizona Cardinals: Two great passing offenses that taste great together. Green Bay went 7-1 in the second half of the season; Arizona is the defending NFC champ. On paper, Green Bay has a better offense and a better defense. But there's just something I don't trust about GB coach Mike McCarthy. CARDINALS 38, PACKERS 28.
Baltimore Ravens at New England Patriots: Ah, on-paper theories. On paper, Baltimore's point-differential suggests they should be 12-4 or 13-3, or even better. Instead they're 9-7 and only beat the Raiders by 8 to make it into the playoffs. The Patriots have a defense that's gradually played better over the last month of the season. They don't have Wes Welker, but when the Patriots won all those Suepr Bowls, they didn't have Welker, Randy Moss or anyone really comparable (sorry, Deon Branch. How's Seattle, btw?). Frankly, I think the Ravens are whiny losers and I can't stand John Harbaugh's histrionics on the sideline. Tom Brady's going to win this one on muscle memory alone. PATRIOTS 31, RAVENS 19.
Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys: The Cowboys whipped the Eagles 24-0 to claim the NFC East and relegate the Eagles to a 6 seed. By all rights, the surprisingly hot Cowboys should win and go on. But I have no faith in Wade Phillips, Tony Romo or the Cowboys' defense, for that matter. I think this game will turn into a pass-crazy track meet before it's done. Also, the Eagles always seem to play better as underdogs than favourites in the playoffs, and if they're going to melt down, they'll melt down in the NFC conference championship game. EAGLES 34, COWBOYS 21.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.