Here we are a week away from the Divisional Playoffs in the NFL. We had some good games and I am looking forward to four more good games. Let's take a look.
NFC Divisional Game #1
#4 Arizona vs. #1 New Orleans
The Cardinals found themselves in a shootout against the Green Bay Packers this past Sunday. In a barn burner, the Cardinals beat the Packers in Overtime on a fumble returned for a Touchdown, by Carlos Dansby. Final score Arizona 51, Green Bay 45. Kurt Warner posted a Passer Rating of 154.1, which is almost perfect. That is pretty impressive considering the Packers have a stout Defense. With that being said, the Defense that the Cardinals are going to face this weekend is a bit better. The New Orleans Saints were running through their competition, until they ran into the Miami Dolphins. Although the Saints won, the remaining teams on their schedule looked at them as being beatable. The Saints were eventually beaten by Dallas, but the low point was the loss in Overtime to the Buccaneers. The Saints will have their hands full against the Cardinals this weekend. And in an ugly game, I have the Cardinals winning, but just barely. I fully expect the Cardinals to be in the NFC Championship game.
My predictions, Arizona 27, New Orleans 24.
NFC Divisional Game #2
#3 Dallas vs #2 Minnesota
Just like I expected, Dallas manhandled the Philadelphia Eagles 34-14. Usually in a season like the Cowboys are having, in which they beat a Division opponent three times, those team usually go one to either win, or appear in, the Super Bowl. The front seven for Dallas caused Philadelphia all sorts of problems. DeMarcus Ware, Brady James and company were all over Donovan McNabb, all night. That 3-4 Defense is a nightmare for a lot of teams and proved to be an issue for the Eagles resulting in four sacks. Tony Romo and the Offense just flat out ran all over the Eagles. Dallas outplayed Philly and deserved to win. But next week's opponent is better equipped to handle the 3-4 Defense of the Cowboys and will cause matchup problems with their young Offense. The old guy running that Offense doesn't look to bad either. Brett Favre is running the West Coast Offense to perfection. Sidney Rice, Percy Harvin and Vishante Shiancoe all have had great seasons. But the man that is going to decide this game is in the backfield of the Vikings. Adrian Peterson is an all but forgotten man, but the Vikings need to give Dallas a heavy dose of Peterson all game long. I expect Peterson to go for 100 yards. And Favre to throw at least two touchdown passes. I think Romo and company will play well, but come up short.
My prediction Minnesota 27, Dallas 20
AFC Divisional Game #1
#6 Baltimore vs. #1 Indianapolis
This one is a bit of a surprise. Baltimore went to New England and blew out the favorite Patriots. Tom Brady looked like a Rookie QB against that Ravens Defense. But the player that single-handidly dismantled the Patriots was Ray Rice. This guy is turning into a Superstar. He goes about his business without any extra attention being drawn, or any controversy. You've got to love a player like that. The Colts, on the other hand, are coming off of the Bye week and are rested. This bring up the same conversation everyone has every year. Rest vs. Rust. Who is better off? The team that is coming off of the Bye or the team that played Wild Card Weekend. The Colts have not done well coming off of the Bye week, and I expect the trend to continue. But even with that said, I still think that the Colts, although it will be very, very close, will win this game. They are the better team because of Peyton Manning. No disrespect to the Ravens Defense.
My prediction, Indianapolis 30-Baltimore 28.
AFC Divisional Game #2
#5 N.Y. Jets vs. #2 San Diego Chargers
The N.Y. Jets were very impressive against the Cincinnati Bengals going into Cincinnati and beating the favorite Bengals. Mark Sanchez did enough to get his team the victory. The Rookie QB was very poised and looked like he had been there before. Thank goodness for Dustin Keller and Jericho Cotchery, because Braylon Edwards did sell out Sanchez earlier in the game. Edwards would have been lucky to get another pass from me after he dropped a perfectly thrown bomb. But, I think that the Jets' season will be done next weekend. The San Diego Chargers are playing very well now. Phillip Rivers, Darren Sproles, LaDanian Tomlinson, Antonio Gates, Malcolm Floyd and Vincent Jackson are just too much for the Jets. The Jets Defensive scheme is a bit more exotic than the Chargers, but the Chargers run a 3-4 Defense too. I am pretty sure that the Chargers will be accustomed to playing against it, and prepping for the defense that Bart Scott nicknamed the O.C. (Organized Chaos). Shaun Phillips, Luis Castillo, Shawn Merriman and company will have their hands full in the running game but I think that they can handle the Ravens. The Chargers will win, but in a close one. And yes I am ignoring the fact that Baltimore beat San Diego, in San Diego, Week 2 of the NFL season. San Diego hit their stride in the middle of the season and rolled off 10 straight wins, and will win #11 next weekend.
My prediction, San Diego 24, N.Y. Jets 21.
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