Divisional Playoffs - 2008

I was 4 for 4 last week; none too shabby at all.   Of course, the  game I thought would be the closest was a fairly significant  thumping of the  Bucs.  Eli Manning played flawlessly (if not terribly inspired) and at one point went 11 for 11.  The Giants had control through the whole game.  I expected the Seattle game to be closer than it was, and even thought the Redskins might somehow pull it out.  Not a chance.  Seattle got them and then didn't let up.

The two games I expected to be blowouts weren't at all.  Once again, I pledge my undying respect to the Pittsburgh Steelers.  There was no way that they should have hung with the Jags, and yet Pittsburgh  came damned close to beating them.  And could somebody please explain to me how the Chargers could look so weak against a not-so-good looking Tennessee team?  Good defense is a poor explanation for that game, because neither defense looked all that stellar (expect for the Titans against the run).  Still, the Bolts advance.

NFC

Seattle Seahawks (3) at Green Bay Packers (2)

I really have to give the Seahawks credit.  That defense against Washington was just smothering.  I knew Hasselbeck shines in the playoffs, but I thought they would have to generate a running game to beat the 'Skins.  Not so.  They used the short passing game to emulate the run, and dominated because of it.  (That tactic I believe to be the key for several teams this weekend.)

Unfortunately for Seattle, Green Bay throws the long ball.  Favre is having the season of his career and I seriously doubt he will hold anything back this weekend.  As things stand right now, I'd have to give the overall defensive edge to the Seahawks, but the threat to score points in a hurry will keep Green Bay on top.

Seattle - 14, Green Bay -21

New York Giants (5) at Dallas Cowboys

First things first.  If Jessica is in the stands, all bets are on the Giants.

I really don't want to pick an upset here, but it's hard not to.  Even forgetting the throw-away game of week 17, the Cowboys haven't looked good since December 1.  They're not running the ball, and lately haven't been passing all that well either.  T.O. is dinged, Romo is dinged.  And, being more than passingly familiar with Wade Phillips, I'm not certain that he's the right kind of coach to toughen his squad up for a serious playoff struggle.  When the Cowboys are having fun, they win.  Lately, they haven't looked like they're having fun.

The Giants, on the other hand, are best when they get serious.  Last week they looked as serious as a heart attack.  I totally apologize for any early season dissing that I may have leveled at Strahan.  He, and that entire New York front, made Garcia's life miserable last week.  Romo can expect the same ... or worse.  The question for the Giants is again, Eli Manning.  Can he have two solid games in a row?  I think so.  Putting the pressure on Brandon Jacobs has matured Eli's decision making.  No, I don't want to pick an upset, but ...

New York - 27, Dallas -21

AFC

San Diego Chargers (3) at Indianapolis Colts (2)

The Bolts were spectacularly unimpressive against Tennessee.  I truly expected better.  Their defense shows better numbers than Indy's, but they played a surprisingly disorganized game against the Titans.   If they do that again this weekend, Payton will eat them alive.

And in fact, that's exactly what I expect.

San Diego - 17, Indianapolis -31

Jacksonville Jaguars (5) at New England Patriots (1)

This is the game I've been looking forward to for weeks now.  And before it's ever played, I'm already disappointed.

Dear Coach Del Rio,

Kindly remind your players that professional football requires 60 minutes of effort.  Thank you.

Signed, every fan who desires the defeat of the Patriots.

In the second half of last week's game, Jacksonville laid back and gave Pittsburgh the underneath routes.  So what if they only picked up a few yards per throw.  Pittsburgh parlayed that into a lead, and would have won the game except for a phenomenally silly quarterback bootleg by Roethlisberger.   New England has spent their entire season substituting the short pass for lack of a running threat.  If Jacksonville tries that passive defense crap again, they will get blown out.

Now that that rant is out of the way, Jacksonville can win this by attacking the Patriot's weaknesses ...hard! ... as only Jacksonville can.  The teams that came closest to beating the Pats all did it with pressure on Brady, and a heavy dose of the running game.  Nobody runs like the Jags, as a team, that is.  Moss may have a few glory moments.  But if Del Rio has the run game going, the Ego Who Walks Like A Man won't have much chance.

Jacksonville - 24, New England - 21

(My final prediction is that this week I will likely go only 2 for 4.)

Comments

[Mark]

New York plays Dallas very well in Dallas, always has, it is painful for me to concur, in addition, my Dallas Calendar has for "Miss January" one Terry Glenn, who has been on injured reserve all year. He may see some action and Terrell is a go. I can't stomach looking to see who awaits in Feb...

[Jay Stevens]

I'm picking all home teams in this round: Cowboys, Packers, Patsies, and Colts.

As for the Jax-NE game:

--JAX is dinged up
--JAX is playing a short week
--NE has had two weeks' rest
--The Coach-who-shall-not-be-nameed has had two weeks to prepare

NE 38-14.

[dew-r-lite]

My wishful thimking:

bolts over colts
giants beat cowmolesters

Reality

cheaters beat jaguars

close to call

Seattle over Cinderyellas

[Craig]

I'm with you. I like the Jints tomorrow.

[Jay Stevens]

I bow to dew-r-lite.

Perfect prognosticating!

I would have never ever ever ever ever in a million zillion years have picked the Bolts over the Colts. Never.

[dew-r-lite]

It's not quite wulfgar's lofty precedent, but I'll take three of four.