Breaking things down:
Bengals – Jets: Based on what I saw the week before, I wasn’t surprised that the Jets took this one. They’re playing pretty good football right now and are riding a Cinderella high that may take them past the Chargers next week. Maybe? It would be awesome if that were true, actually. The Bengals were banged up and Chris Henry’s death was a terrible blow in an already tragic season for the team.
Cowboys – Eagles: Yeah, I was pretty happy about this game. Dallas is looking pretty good these days. More important, they look like they know it and they look like they can smell the blood in the Super Bowl tank. Philadelphia is a great team with great players and they had no answer for the Cowboys. McNabb and co. looked completely shell-shocked on the sidelines – it made me laugh a bit. Still, no gloating or trash talking. Don’t want to jinx things. (And, yeah, let’s pretend that whole Jerry Jones high-fiving George W. Bush thing never happened…)
Patriots – Ravens: I took the Pats in this one but wasn’t surprised at how pwn’d they were by Baltimore. Without Welker, New England is just another team whose few weapons can’t outweigh their weak O and D lines. The Ravens are grinders and I would never relish playing those dudes in the playoffs.
Cardinals – Packers: Crazy game. I’m glad the Packers forced it into OT, but what a terrible way to lose. Warner looked amazing and I think he’s looking to possibly end his career in a blaze of glory and out-Favre Brett Favre. I’m sort of feeling a Cardinals – Cowboys NFC Championship game, don’t quote me on that though.
(Record: 3-1)
Okay, this weekend will definitely see some upsets happening. Come on! There’s got to be at least one, right?
SATURDAY
Arizona Cardinals v. New Orleans Saints
The Cards are the hot team going into this and Kurt Warner is definitely on a tear. And, as mentioned before, this team was one defensive series away from stealing the Super Bowl from Pittsburgh last year – so they’re probably pretty damn hungry. The week off (and inevitable rustiness) aside, New Orleans did not look like a 13-3 team by the end of the season. They were slumping and very unconvincing. That said, they’re coached by Sean Payton and quarterbacked by Drew Brees. Those are two dudes who should never be dismissed when discussing the Saints chances at anything. If you’re Arizona, you want to get in there and score pretty damn fast and keep the Big Easy off balance. If Brees and the boys settle in and get their groove, it could be a long night.
Winner: Saints
Baltimore Ravens v. Indianapolis Colts
I think this game will be close. It may even involve one of Payton Manning’s (now) signature ridiculously spectacular comebacks. But the Colts will win. I think the two losses at the end of the season and the total clusterfuck surrounding the first one, will make them angry and out to prove something, more than anything else. The Ravens are – as I said – grinders, and QB Joe Flacco doesn’t choke in the playoffs – but he’s no Payton Manning yet.
Winner: Colts
SUNDAY
Dallas Cowboys v. Minnesota Vikings
Part of me thinks that this one is going to be a blowout for the Cowboys. Then another part of me remembers the horseshoe Brett Favre has inserted in a certain part of his anatomy – and yeah, also that Minnesota is damn good team – and you know it won’t be that easy. Having Marion Barber healthy would make things a lot easier for Dallas, but I think the offense and the defense are well oiled machines right now and can shut things down and get in Favre’s face. For Minnesota, they need Adrian Peterson to be a factor in the game or it’s going to be a long night. If he’s not threatening big runs every play, Favre’s not going to be as effective.
Winner: Cowboys
New York Jets v. San Diego Chargers
Man, I’d love the Jets to win this. I really would. I can’t stand the Chargers. They’re one of the few NFL teams I actually despise. It might just be QB Phillip Rivers, though. I don’t know. Dude, leave the trash talking and fight instigating to the rest of your team. You’re the QB. You need to be aloof and focused, like a Buddha or Doctor Manhattan or a cybernetic god. So, yeah, the Jets – can they do it? Maybe? They’re the Cinderella story and that goes a long way – and it’s not like it would suck to play in the San Diego weather right now, right? But the Chargers have a lot of experience in the playoffs. Also, I think Rivers is the right kind of angry to get to the Super Bowl this year if his team stays focused and healthy. Also, they’ve won 11 straight games. Read that sentence again. Yeah. Sure, a bunch of them are against their division (Denver, Oakland, Kansas City) but still. That’s crazy.
Winner: Chargers
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