Observations and Predictions... The Wild Card
Oh, it's that joyous time of year again. January is here and it's time for the post season. So don your squads jersey (apologies to those whose teams have been eliminated) and get ready for the raucous ride that is the NFL Playoffs. This week provides us with a trio of games that are being replayed from a week ago, although all the games will be more hotly contested.
Let's start with my beloved Dallas Cowboys who host the Eagles in the house that Jerry built. The Boys looked dominant on both sides of the ball last week in blanking the Birds 24-0 last Sunday. That game decided the NFC East crowd as well as home-field for this game. Had the game been in Philly I would have picked the Eagles, but we all know I never pick against my Boys. While I expect the Eagles to blitz a little more (they only blitzed about 40% of the time last week) I think the Cowboys have their number. Romo has been using quick bubble screens, slants and check downs to get rid of the ball when the Eagles come with their vaunted Double A Gap Blitz. The Cowboys are simply bigger along both lines and should be able to wear the Eagles down with their 3-headed monster of a running game. Plus the Cowboys secondary can play man against the speedy Eagles receivers while the Ware, Spencer and Ratliff provide the pressure. A luxury not many teams have. Cowboys win 28-13.
In the other NFC matchup the Packers (who smoked the undermanned Cards last week) stay in Arizona and play the defensing NFC champion Cardinals. I think this matchup will be much closer than the drubbing the Packers placed on the Cards a week ago. Whisenhunt played it very close to the vest and didn't want to reveal any big plays a week early. The Cards have some injury issues, but I think they will blitz more and keep this game close. The sublime Aaron Rodgers should be able to keep the Pack in the game, but I think their lack of big game experience will hurt. Cardinals 27, Packers 24.
Over in the AFC there are two intriguing matchups. The Jets replay the Bengals. This time in Cincinnati. Nothing I saw in the first half (when the Bengals played all their starters) led me to believe the Bengals have a chance to beat the Jets. The Jets simply looked faster and more aggressive on both sides of the ball. Although not as big a blowout as last week, I have the Jets winning 21-10.
The last game on the slate features the Ravens coming to New England to face the Patriots. The Pats suffered a huge loss last week when they lost super-slot receiver Wes Welker for the season (and potentially next season as well). Welker is great at being Brady's security blanket. With that said, the once great Ravens defense is a little overrated. They've struggled all season against big name QB's and that won't change here. The Pats defense on the other hand has played better the last month of the season. They still don't get enough pressure on the opposing QB, but they do play the run well. That will help against the run heavy Ravens. Pats in a squeeker 24-21.
Let's start with my beloved Dallas Cowboys who host the Eagles in the house that Jerry built. The Boys looked dominant on both sides of the ball last week in blanking the Birds 24-0 last Sunday. That game decided the NFC East crowd as well as home-field for this game. Had the game been in Philly I would have picked the Eagles, but we all know I never pick against my Boys. While I expect the Eagles to blitz a little more (they only blitzed about 40% of the time last week) I think the Cowboys have their number. Romo has been using quick bubble screens, slants and check downs to get rid of the ball when the Eagles come with their vaunted Double A Gap Blitz. The Cowboys are simply bigger along both lines and should be able to wear the Eagles down with their 3-headed monster of a running game. Plus the Cowboys secondary can play man against the speedy Eagles receivers while the Ware, Spencer and Ratliff provide the pressure. A luxury not many teams have. Cowboys win 28-13.
In the other NFC matchup the Packers (who smoked the undermanned Cards last week) stay in Arizona and play the defensing NFC champion Cardinals. I think this matchup will be much closer than the drubbing the Packers placed on the Cards a week ago. Whisenhunt played it very close to the vest and didn't want to reveal any big plays a week early. The Cards have some injury issues, but I think they will blitz more and keep this game close. The sublime Aaron Rodgers should be able to keep the Pack in the game, but I think their lack of big game experience will hurt. Cardinals 27, Packers 24.
Over in the AFC there are two intriguing matchups. The Jets replay the Bengals. This time in Cincinnati. Nothing I saw in the first half (when the Bengals played all their starters) led me to believe the Bengals have a chance to beat the Jets. The Jets simply looked faster and more aggressive on both sides of the ball. Although not as big a blowout as last week, I have the Jets winning 21-10.
The last game on the slate features the Ravens coming to New England to face the Patriots. The Pats suffered a huge loss last week when they lost super-slot receiver Wes Welker for the season (and potentially next season as well). Welker is great at being Brady's security blanket. With that said, the once great Ravens defense is a little overrated. They've struggled all season against big name QB's and that won't change here. The Pats defense on the other hand has played better the last month of the season. They still don't get enough pressure on the opposing QB, but they do play the run well. That will help against the run heavy Ravens. Pats in a squeeker 24-21.
Labels: Sports
posted by LEV at
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