WILDCARD WEEKEND PREVIEW
Before I get into the playoff preview there's a couple of things I want to tell you about. I told you this afternoon the Seattle Seahawks had fired Jim Mora after just one season. There was no scuttlebutt about who the 'Hawks were going to target to fill the vacancy. Late this afternoon it became public knowledge the Seahawks had already interviewed USC's Pete Carroll on Monday & Tuesday. The fact he was interviewed 3 days before Mora was canned tells me they already have a deal in place. Stay tuned.
Craig James might well be the most hated person in the football community down in the Lone Star State. I stated 10 days ago there were rumors down Texas-way that James had political aspirations. Hey, if you're already hated, why not join the club of the most reviled people in the country. James denied this while he was helping trash Mike Leach without a single question posed to him by his employer, ESPN. Sounds like a political type move doesn't it? Today James admitted he was "willing to listen to people interested in his possible run for public office. If a door opens for something new, I'd listen to what they have to say." What a worm, he is definitely political material. He was asked why he was interested in serving his fellow Texans, get a load of his answer, "In American today, it's like we're back in 1765, the people are ready for a revolution, they are looking for new leadership, just like back then." Craig, apparently the Texas public school system & an SMU education dint lern you too dern much, that there revolution yer speakin' of were in 1775, not 1765. Craig's set the bar pretty low already hasn't he?
Wildcard weekend is a repeat of 3 games from last Sunday. There have been 4 matchups in history where playoff teams played each other in the season's last week & then again on Wildcard weekend. Three times the outcome was different from the week before. Only Baltimore & New England didn't play each other last Sunday.
New York Jets at Cincinnati(-3 & 34 1/2)
The Jets spanked the Bengals last Sunday night 37-0 at the Meadowlands to get into the playoffs. The Bengals had nothing to play for & they played like it, the game was worse than the score. The Jets have the #1 rated defense in the league. They led the league in rushing offense but were 31st in passing. The Bengals have the ninth ranked rushing offense but are just 26th in passing. The Bengals barely beat Kansas City to clinch their division in the next to last week of the season. They lost 3 of their last 4 & even with Rex Ryan's big mouth, I just can't ignore a 37-0 beating just 5 days ago. I think Cincy will put 8 guys in the box trying to stop the run & force Jets' rookie QB Mark Sanchez to throw. He hasn't faired too well once the weather got cold & make no mistake about it, it will be cold in Cincinnati tomorrow at 4:30. Like 15 degrees cold. The Bengals are favored by 3 & I'd like to take the Jets, but Ryan's mouth, the playoff reversal trend & frigid weather make me want to watch & not bet.
Philadelphia at Dallas(-4 & 45 1/2)
The Cowboys shutout the Eagles last Sunday 24-0, in fact Dallas has pitched 2 shutouts in a row, skunking the Redskins 17-0 the week before. Wade Phillips is probably coaching for his future with Dallas, they haven't won a playoff game since 1996 & owner Jerry Jones has hinted a playoff victory might be essential. The Eagles had won 5-straight before last weekend & considering Andy Reid's playoff successes, this game is no gimme for Dallas. The Eagles are as healthy as they've been all season. Donovan McNabb has 9 playoff wins, Tony Romo zero. What gets me off this game is injured Eagle center Jamaal Jackson, he blew out his knee last week in the 1st quarter. Wildcard weekend is not the time to break in a new center, he has to make all the line calls, snap the ball in the shotgun formation & face Pro-Bowl nose tackle Jay Ratliffe. The Eagles went on the road 3 times in last year's playoffs & got all the way to the championship game. If Dallas wins this game, getting over their playoff drought, I think they'll wind up in the Super Bowl. But I can't bring myself to bet on a team with an over-stressed coach, an O 'fer at quarterback against a team that has a good history in the playoffs. No bet.
Baltimore at New England(-3 & 43 1/2)
The Patriots under Belichick are 11-0 at home in the playoffs. Baltimore went to the championship game last year as a wildcard team. The Patriots aren't the same team tho, too many former Pro Bowlers on defense are gone & it showed this season. They lost the league's leading pass receiver, Wes Welker, to a knee injury last week. Tom Brady has a rib injury, a fractured pinkie finger on his throwing hand & a bruised shoulder. The Ravens played in Foxboro earlier this season & lost 27-21. A dropped pass by Mark Clayton at the Pats' three yard line sealed their fate. Unfortunately, the Ravens receivers have continued dropping passes all season, second only to the Chiefs. Only TE Todd Heap has been immune to the 'drops'. He has caught 5 touchdowns in the last 3 games. Derrick Mason caught 73 passes but he had too many dropped passes as well. Ray Rice is a real weapon, 1339 yards rushing & 78 receptions to lead the team. Backup running back Willis MaGahee has also been a factor back with over 500 yards & 12 touchdowns. If Baltimore can run for 150+ yards, they can win this game. But considering Belichick's history as a playoff game planner & their perfect post season home record, I'm taking the Patriots Sunday -3 points.
Green Bay at Arizona(pick 'em & 47 1/2)
Arizona defied the odds by losing the Super Bowl & then making the playoffs the next season, only the 2nd SB loser to accomplish that in the last 10 years. The Cardinals got on quite a roll led by Larry Fitzgerald's record breaking post season. Anquan Boldin will most likely miss this game & that's a big loss for the Cards. The Cardinals' defense is playing better than last year but cornerback Dominique Rogers-Cromartie hurt his knee last week when the Packers pounded them in Arizona 38-10. He is expected to go Sunday, but he needs to be full speed to stay with Green Bay's talented receivers. Green Bay has the 2nd ranked defense in the league, they rounded into shape quickly & are tough to beat. Aaron Rogers has been as hot down the stretch as any QB in the league. Kurt Warner's playoff record is an impressive 8-3. Add it all up & I like the over in this game, I see a shootout coming in the desert. As long as it goes over 47 1/2 points, I don't care who wins.
For picking 8 of the 12 playoff teams way back before the season kicked off, I have to give a pat on the back to, uh, me. Check the archives, but don't check too hard, I picked a Giants-Steelers Super Bowl.
Craig James might well be the most hated person in the football community down in the Lone Star State. I stated 10 days ago there were rumors down Texas-way that James had political aspirations. Hey, if you're already hated, why not join the club of the most reviled people in the country. James denied this while he was helping trash Mike Leach without a single question posed to him by his employer, ESPN. Sounds like a political type move doesn't it? Today James admitted he was "willing to listen to people interested in his possible run for public office. If a door opens for something new, I'd listen to what they have to say." What a worm, he is definitely political material. He was asked why he was interested in serving his fellow Texans, get a load of his answer, "In American today, it's like we're back in 1765, the people are ready for a revolution, they are looking for new leadership, just like back then." Craig, apparently the Texas public school system & an SMU education dint lern you too dern much, that there revolution yer speakin' of were in 1775, not 1765. Craig's set the bar pretty low already hasn't he?
Wildcard weekend is a repeat of 3 games from last Sunday. There have been 4 matchups in history where playoff teams played each other in the season's last week & then again on Wildcard weekend. Three times the outcome was different from the week before. Only Baltimore & New England didn't play each other last Sunday.
New York Jets at Cincinnati(-3 & 34 1/2)
The Jets spanked the Bengals last Sunday night 37-0 at the Meadowlands to get into the playoffs. The Bengals had nothing to play for & they played like it, the game was worse than the score. The Jets have the #1 rated defense in the league. They led the league in rushing offense but were 31st in passing. The Bengals have the ninth ranked rushing offense but are just 26th in passing. The Bengals barely beat Kansas City to clinch their division in the next to last week of the season. They lost 3 of their last 4 & even with Rex Ryan's big mouth, I just can't ignore a 37-0 beating just 5 days ago. I think Cincy will put 8 guys in the box trying to stop the run & force Jets' rookie QB Mark Sanchez to throw. He hasn't faired too well once the weather got cold & make no mistake about it, it will be cold in Cincinnati tomorrow at 4:30. Like 15 degrees cold. The Bengals are favored by 3 & I'd like to take the Jets, but Ryan's mouth, the playoff reversal trend & frigid weather make me want to watch & not bet.
Philadelphia at Dallas(-4 & 45 1/2)
The Cowboys shutout the Eagles last Sunday 24-0, in fact Dallas has pitched 2 shutouts in a row, skunking the Redskins 17-0 the week before. Wade Phillips is probably coaching for his future with Dallas, they haven't won a playoff game since 1996 & owner Jerry Jones has hinted a playoff victory might be essential. The Eagles had won 5-straight before last weekend & considering Andy Reid's playoff successes, this game is no gimme for Dallas. The Eagles are as healthy as they've been all season. Donovan McNabb has 9 playoff wins, Tony Romo zero. What gets me off this game is injured Eagle center Jamaal Jackson, he blew out his knee last week in the 1st quarter. Wildcard weekend is not the time to break in a new center, he has to make all the line calls, snap the ball in the shotgun formation & face Pro-Bowl nose tackle Jay Ratliffe. The Eagles went on the road 3 times in last year's playoffs & got all the way to the championship game. If Dallas wins this game, getting over their playoff drought, I think they'll wind up in the Super Bowl. But I can't bring myself to bet on a team with an over-stressed coach, an O 'fer at quarterback against a team that has a good history in the playoffs. No bet.
Baltimore at New England(-3 & 43 1/2)
The Patriots under Belichick are 11-0 at home in the playoffs. Baltimore went to the championship game last year as a wildcard team. The Patriots aren't the same team tho, too many former Pro Bowlers on defense are gone & it showed this season. They lost the league's leading pass receiver, Wes Welker, to a knee injury last week. Tom Brady has a rib injury, a fractured pinkie finger on his throwing hand & a bruised shoulder. The Ravens played in Foxboro earlier this season & lost 27-21. A dropped pass by Mark Clayton at the Pats' three yard line sealed their fate. Unfortunately, the Ravens receivers have continued dropping passes all season, second only to the Chiefs. Only TE Todd Heap has been immune to the 'drops'. He has caught 5 touchdowns in the last 3 games. Derrick Mason caught 73 passes but he had too many dropped passes as well. Ray Rice is a real weapon, 1339 yards rushing & 78 receptions to lead the team. Backup running back Willis MaGahee has also been a factor back with over 500 yards & 12 touchdowns. If Baltimore can run for 150+ yards, they can win this game. But considering Belichick's history as a playoff game planner & their perfect post season home record, I'm taking the Patriots Sunday -3 points.
Green Bay at Arizona(pick 'em & 47 1/2)
Arizona defied the odds by losing the Super Bowl & then making the playoffs the next season, only the 2nd SB loser to accomplish that in the last 10 years. The Cardinals got on quite a roll led by Larry Fitzgerald's record breaking post season. Anquan Boldin will most likely miss this game & that's a big loss for the Cards. The Cardinals' defense is playing better than last year but cornerback Dominique Rogers-Cromartie hurt his knee last week when the Packers pounded them in Arizona 38-10. He is expected to go Sunday, but he needs to be full speed to stay with Green Bay's talented receivers. Green Bay has the 2nd ranked defense in the league, they rounded into shape quickly & are tough to beat. Aaron Rogers has been as hot down the stretch as any QB in the league. Kurt Warner's playoff record is an impressive 8-3. Add it all up & I like the over in this game, I see a shootout coming in the desert. As long as it goes over 47 1/2 points, I don't care who wins.
For picking 8 of the 12 playoff teams way back before the season kicked off, I have to give a pat on the back to, uh, me. Check the archives, but don't check too hard, I picked a Giants-Steelers Super Bowl.
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