Welcome back, sportz freaks! It's been many months since my last post, but with the 2011 NFL playoffs about to begin, I felt it was only fitting to once again post my yearly predictions. This year's playoff pool is loaded with a ton of talented teams, as well as one not-so-talented team. But hey, rules are rules, right? Anyway, there are four intense match ups slated for this weekend, and I'm here to break each one of them down for you and give my prediction as to who will come away victorious. So let's get started, shall we?
NFC: #5 New Orleans Saints (11-5) @ #4 Seattle Seahawks (7-9)
Yes, you read those records correctly. This past Sunday, the Seattle Seahawks became the first franchise in NFL history to make the post season despite a losing record in the regular season. Many complaints have risen as a result, and I could sit here and give my take on the situation. However, the bottom line is that the Seahawks won their division, and under the current rules, that guarantees the birds a playoff spot. An even bigger issue people have with this rule, however, is that not only does Seattle get to play a second season, but they get to host a playoff game. And despite their 7-9 record, a game in Seattle is a huge advantage to the hawks, just as a game in the dome would have benefitted the Saints. The question is, just how much will the noise of Qwest Field affect the defending Super Bowl champions? These two teams met in week 11 in New Orleans, with the Saints cruising to a 34-19 victory. In that game, Seahawks Quarterback Matt Hasselbeck threw for 366 yards and a touchdown. With Hasselbeck slated to return this weekend, the Saints defense may have something to worry about. Matt's counterpart, Drew Brees threw for 382 yards and four touchdowns in that game, despite two interceptions. Clearly, these two quarterbacks are poised to go off on the opposing defenses, but now it's a matter of which team's running game can step up their game. The defending champs will be without leading rusher Chris Ivory, as well as Pierre Thomas for the remainder of the playoffs. That leaves former Heisman (sort of) trophy winner Reggie Bush to carry the New Orleans running game. Marshawn Lynch will be the go-to guy for the Seahawks, though he only accumulated 36 yards on the ground in their first meeting. Can Bush lead the Saints back to the big game? The Seahawks have won their last four home playoff games, so many believe this will be nowhere near as big a landslide as it should be. That being said, I believe Drew Brees is far too great a threat for the Seahawks to handle, and he will light them up for another 300 and a pair of touchdowns. I like the Saints by double-digits.
Prediction: New Orleans 33-14
AFC: #6 New York Jets (11-5) @ #3 Indianapolis Colts (10-6)
So, we meet again. The confident New York Jets are traveling to Indianapolis to take on the Colts in the post season for the second year in a row. Will lightning strike twice in the dome, or can the brash Rex Ryan lead the Jets past Peyton and the Colts? These two squads haven't met since last year's AFC Championship game, where the Colts got the best of New York by a score of 30-17. It's no secret that the Manning-led Colts are far less dominant than they have been in previous years, however. A team that went 13-0 before its first loss last year had to win its last four in a row just to make the post season this time around. The Jets aren't quite as intimidating as they were last season, either. Their defense has dropped in just about every category, and their overall swagger has declined as a result. New York does have two wins against teams in the playoffs this year, with victories against the Pats and Steelers. The Colts, on the other hand, have just one victory against this year's post-season pool, with a 19-9 win over the Chiefs back in week 5. This is opposed to two losses to the Patriots and Eagles. However, the defending AFC Champs appear to have hit their stride at the right time, having won four straight to win the AFC South. It wasn't an easy ride, either, as the Coltd average margin of victory in the past month is just a mere five points. But wins are wins, and the Colts have strung together a nice little streak here as they head into the postseason. The Jets stumbled a bit down the stretch, having lost three of their last five. They did manage to take down the Steelers in Heinz Field, however, as well as capping their season with a beatdown of the Bills at home. So the Jets, having finished one game better than the Colts in the regular season, will have to travel as well. That's t he NFL for ya. The Colts have just managed to get their running game going, and LT proves to be a great threat for Gang Green. Of course, Peyton's experience far outweighs that of Jets' QB Mark Sanchez, although this is Sanchez's second straight postseason trip. I believe the biggest factor in this game will be whether or not the Colts defense can shut down the New York run game and force Mark Sanchez to to go the air. If they can do that, I expect they'll win. If not, the Jets could take this one. But as with the case of Drew Brees, I think Peyton Manning is enough of a playmaker to get the job done. I'll take Indy in a very close contest.
Prediction: Indianapolis 24-20
AFC: #5 Baltimore Ravens (12-4) @ #4 Kansas City Chiefs (10-6)
Once again, we have a case where a team with a better record traveling to its opponent. The Ravens finished their 2010-2011 regular season with a stellar 12-4 record, as opposed to the Chiefs who finished just 10-6. Kansas City is a fresh face in the postseason, as they haven't been in the playoffs since 2003. The Ravens are far more experienced, having made the postseason four out of the last five seasons. That might lead one to believe that this should be a slaughter. Let's not get carried away just yet. Matt Cassel has had one hell of a season as the Chiefs starter, and with big time play makers such as Jamaal Charles and Dwayne Bowe in their arsenal, Kansas City's offense is nothing to laugh at. The problem with the Chiefs has been their remarkable lack of consistency. Kansas City just might be the most difficult team to figure out in this year's post-season, as one week they will win in grand fashion and another get hammered 31-0 by the Chargers, or 31-10 by the Raiders. The Chiefs are also lacking as far as their strength of schedule. They recorded just one win against a playoff team, that being a 42-24 victory over the lowly Seahawks. The Ravens have beaten the Jets, Saints and Steelers, while losing to the Pats and Steelers. Baltimore poses a great threat in that they are strong both offensively and defensively. With Joe Flacco under center and Ray Rice in the backfield, as well as playmakers Derrick Mason and Anquan Boldin playing receiver, their offense is truly well-rounded. And of course, their defense is as strong as ever. The Chiefs may be able to match them offensively, but their defense may prove to be a problem as they look to stop Rice and company. I think KC will hang with them early, but a costly turnover or two will lead to their inevitable downfall.
Prediction: Baltimore 37-20
NFC: #6 Green Bay Packers (10-6) @ #3 Philadelphia Eagles (10-6)
The last game of the weekend takes place in a familiar location to the postseason, Philadelphia. The Eagles have won their last four Wildcard Weekend home games. Way back in week one, the Packers recorded their first win in Philly in fifty years. The question is, can they do it again? Many may remember that Green Bay was all over the Eagles in their first match up before Michael Vick entered the game and closed the score 27-20 in a game in which they fell just short of a miraculous comeback (which the Eagles are no stranger to this season). Green Bay comes into this game having won three of its last five, including its last two in a row. Three weeks ago, t he Pack's season was pronounced dead, and it was thought that they had no hope of making the playoffs. However, two straight wins as well as some help from some other contenders have paved the path to the postseason once again. In fact, the circumstances surrounding the Packers playoff berth have been so great that many are calling them a team of destiny. The Eagles, on the other hand have lost two straight to Mediocre Minnesota and Dallas, although Kevin Kolb played against the Cowboys. The birds had a shot at gaining a first round bye in which they would have had more than enough time to rest banged up quarterback Michael Vick, as well as DeSean Jackson. That being said, both Vick and Jackson were given an extra six days to rest as they did not play in week 17. The Pack were 3-3 this season against teams that made the playoffs, with wins over Chicago, the Jets, and of course, Philadelphia. Their losses came at the hands of the Bears, Falcons, and Patriots, although Matt Flynn was the quarterback in that one. The Eagles have beaten both the Falcons and Colts this year, with their only loss to a playoff team coming against the Packers. It is clear from this that despite their identical regular season records, Green Bay's Schedule was far more difficult than that of Philadelphia's. Both team's defenses have struggled this season, but the Eagles' 'D' has been just plain bad in recent weeks. Another issue the Eagles face is their offensive line, who have allowed fifteen sacks in the past four weeks. However, the majority of those guys were given week 17 off as well, so perhaps they'll be healthy enough to protect Vick. If not, it's going to be a long day for Philly fans. The key for the Eagles is stopping Aaron Rodgers, which I'm not sure they can do. However, with a healthy O-line, the Pack might have just as difficult a time preventing Vick and Jackson. I think this is going to be a shootout, but I think Michael Vick is too much of a playmaker for the Packers to handle and he will find a way to lead the Eagles to victory.
Prediction: Philadelphia 34-31
Well that does it for this week's edition of Z Money's Sportz Talk. It should be an interesting weekend of games. So sit back, relax, and enjoy as the 2011 NFL Playoffs get started! Tune in next week as I predict the Divisional playoff match ups!
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