Pump Fake: Just in time for the playoffs

Another NFL season is over. Blood is being sopped up with a gritty sponge. Bones are being reset. Tears have been shed. Wings have been eaten. And now we can all look forward to the playoffs – which seem a little odd, to say the least. I missed my chance to do a full season of “Pump Fake” this year, but I’d like to get in on the playoffs if you don’t mind. And yeah, I took some time off and it might seem weird to go with this as my first entry of 2010 and – suck it. I want to write about football. I’m going to write about football.

SATURDAY

New York Jets v. Cincinnati Bengals
I’m curious to see what answer the Bengals have for the Jets after last night’s thrashing. It’s not like Cincinnati was resting people or playing things close to the chest. They just got their asses beat. Can the Jets keep things going – especially if they’re heading into Cincinnati and especially if, well, they’re the Jets? I say… sure?

Winner: Jets

Philadelphia Eagles v. Dallas Cowboys
Another re-do game. Full disclosure: Dallas is my team. That said, I think if Dallas can win this game, they’re my pick for the NFC for the Super Bowl. Hell, I think they might even be my pick for winning the Super Bowl. They’re playing some good football right now. The defense is solid. Romo is throwing well and keeping INTs to a minimum. And the running and passing game is hitting things hard from all over the place. Still, they have to win this next game. And still, the Eagles are the Eagles. I hate them but that’s only because they’re the Eagles and I like Dallas – they’re still a damn good team. And they have the Cowboys number a lot of the time. It won’t be the same Eagles team as yesterday. The team that didn’t get in Tony Romo’s face. The team that didn’t execute. The Eagles will be playing hard and with something to prove. But so will Dallas. The Cowboys exorcised their December and Philadelphia demons but they still have their playoff ones to contend with. Should be a good game.

Winner: Cowboys

SUNDAY

Baltimore Ravens v. New England Patriots
Ugh. This game hurts my head. No one is scared of the Patriots anymore, it seems. And especially not when Wes Welker is gone. But these guys went 11-5 without Tom Brady last year and that tells you what Bill Bellichik implies with his gruff demeanor: it’s not just about the players, it’s about the plays. I’m not always convinced but the Ravens are so hot and cold this year, I think I’ll just go with the “system” and the home team here.

Winner: Patriots

Green Bay Packers v. Arizona Cardinals
Clearly the Cardinals we saw play the Packers yesterday will not be the same team who takes the field on Sunday. They were playing things close to the chest and seeing what Green Bay was all about. Some observations: Kurt Warner is a veteran, Super Bowl winning QB who led Arizona there last year and, save for one miraculous catch, would have won it; Green Bay QB Aaron Rodgers is a playoff newb and one who gets shaky under heavy pressure. He also looks like Ryan from The Office. What does this tell us? I don’t know and I don’t know who’s going to win this game so I’ll guess…

Winner: Cardinals