Note to the New Orleans Saints: Next time you have to fly across the country to compete in a 'do-or-die' playoff game, don't forget to pack your tooth brushes, clean underwear or your defense for the trip.
Okay, so the Seattle Seahawks pulled off what was probably the upset of the decade, if not the last quarter century. It turns out most of what I thought could be ignored, couldn't be. The earthquake inducing home field was truly a boon, one only the Seahawks took advantage of. The Saints thoroughly missed their running backs. Whether it was the game plan, or just Pete Carroll's enthusiasm, the Seahawks really handed it to New Orleans, and the Saints responded with some of the sloppiest defense seen all year. So now the Seahawks have improved to ... what is still a losing record. But they go on to Chicago nonetheless. And I admit it. Right now I'm liking those plucky birds quite a bit.
Note to the Indianapolis Colts: If you're going to put the game on the line for a last minute Vinatieri field goal, make certain that kick comes at the end of the minute, not the beginning.
There isn't much to say about that game. It played out pretty much as I expected, save the literally last minute heroics from Sanchez. Credit to the sophomore.
Given the way the games went, I'll take my 2-2 and be happy about it. The contests on Saturday weren't exactly enjoyable to watch or even possible to concentrate on fully, given the events in Tucson that day. But all things move on, and this week will hopefully be more amenable to football viewing. This week features divisional rivals in both AFC games, and home field could play a much greater role in the outcomes of all 4 games. We'll just have to see. Before going any further, I want it known that I am not going to be comfortable with, nor would I bet on, any single pick that I'm about to make.
NFC
Seattle Seahawks (4) at Chicago Bears (2)
For your obvious duh-now moment, I offer this. Chicago is a hellavu long way from the friendly confines of the Pacific northwest, and the Seahawks have never been a cold weather team. However, they have got to be riding a serious confidence high, right now. So unless Soldier field gets an unexpected drop from 22 down to -22, the Seahawks will probably weather just fine. It's strange that the question marks in this game are on the Chicago side of the ball. It would be fair to ask if Seattle can stop Julius Peppers, but the fairer question would be, can the rest of the Chcago defense step up if they do? And, as always, the biggest question for Chicago is which Jay Cutler will show up? Jack the Blogger rightly points out that Cutler does poorly in big games. So which one shows up this Sunday? Turnover prone, indecisive Cutler as we've seen most of the latter half of the season, or Pro-bowl Cutler the competitor? I'm thinking the former.
Seattle - 20, Chicago - 14
Green Bay Packers (6) at Atlanta Falcons (1)
Given her time at UGA, my beloved is convinced that southern football fans are warped and will warp any team that plays there. So I am strictly forbidden from rooting or even mildly favoring the Atlanta Falcons at any time. That's not a problem this weekend. They may be undefeated at the Georgia dome, and I will concede that they are possibly the most complete team currently playing in these playoffs. But, Green Bay is on a roll. They seem to get hotter by the week, on both sides of the ball. Even as depleted as their defense has been, they were able to cause no end of problems for Vick and his receivers. As talented as Matt Ryan is, he can't move like Vick can, and Clay Matthews is the energizer bunny of never letting up. I have to give this one to the hottest team, and that would be the Packers.
Green Bay - 31, Atlanta - 24
AFC
Baltimore Ravens (5) at Pittsburgh Steelers (2)
Ouch. This game hurts just thinking about it. If there was a miracle team this year it was the Steelers. They went 3-1 without Ben Rottenbergers. They should have lost several games, until out of no where Troy Polamalu enters the scene and saves the day for the Steelers with a timely interceptiion or much needed tackle. Rothlesberger got his nose broke, and he got decked loopy for lipping off to the wrong defensive lineman. And still they won games. This might be the weekend that crazy luck runs out. These teams are mirrors of each other, with aggression all over, Reed/Polamalu, giants at quarterback, and hard nosed young coaches. It wouldlikely be easier to pick this game by flipping a coin.
Baltimore - 23, Pittsburgh - 21
New York Jets (6) at New England Patriots (1)
If Rex Ryan is stupid enough to believe that this game is between himself and Bill Belichick then he deserves the thumping he's likely about to get. All the talk from the Jets at this point seems like false bravado. I know they're a good team with a stellar bunch of d-backs. But in case no one in New Jersey has noticed, the Patriots are more than Tom Brady. They have Benjarvis Green-Ellis. And no Bobcat fan will ever forget the hurt that Danny Woodhead can put on a team, even a team with a good defense. The Patriots are averaging a full 30+ points a game right now, an average that includes the 45 points they laid on the Jets a month ago. If Rex thinks this game is about him winning, he'd better suit up and play. These Patriots are for real.
(Disclaimer: I still don't like the Patriots, I don't like Bill Belichick and I don't like Tom Brady. But, credit where it's due ... And all this jibber jabber from the Jets is making me dislike them even more than the gang from Foxboro. Put up or shut up, guys.)
New York Jets - 16, New England - 31
I agree with your picks except the Steelers and Ravens. Switch the score. That being said whoever wins will be a wreck after the battle and won't last the next game. Ravens and Steelers really, really dislike each other. Smash mouth football on the level of leather helmets.
Posted by: Craig Moore | January 14, 2011 at 06:52 PM
Glad to see you were mistaken on your predictions for the Hawks/Bears game!
Posted by: Mike | January 16, 2011 at 09:19 PM
So am I. The 'right' Cutler showed up, and now we have another epic show-down between the Bears and the Packers. *That* should be one helluva game.
Posted by: Wulfgar | January 17, 2011 at 11:01 AM
Packers by double digits against the Bears.
Posted by: Craig Moore | January 17, 2011 at 07:05 PM
Go Pack Go!
Posted by: Matthew Koehler | January 18, 2011 at 11:09 AM
Crazy statistic for you: If the Jets win at Pittsburgh next week, Mark Sanchez will have the most road playoff wins in NFL history.
Posted by: Steve T. | January 20, 2011 at 12:45 AM