The NFL Playoffs kick off tomorrow. Most years with the first four games, the majority are really toss-ups. This is not one of those years. I have a solid prediction on three games. And I have a feeling this may be one of the most uneventul NFL playoffs in quite some time.
Starting in the AFC. Jacksonville at New England. This could only happen to the Patriots. They're playing Miami at home and trailing by 8 points, their backup QB leads them to a TD drive on 4th down with no time left to bring the score within 2 points. They miss the 2-point conversion and lose. The sad truth is New England did themselves a favor because if they had won, they would have drawn Pittsburgh in the first round. Jacksonville is all beat up with Byron Leeftwich and Fred Taylor hurt on offense and three starters on a good defensive front 7 hurting as well. This game will be a joke. Prediction: New England 30-13.
Pittsburgh at Cincinnati. I don't think the Bengals are quite ready for the next step in the playoffs. They have not been playing well lately and how they play this game will reflect a lot on Marvin Lewis as a head coach. Each team won this season on the opposing team's home field. I'm still not sold on the Cincinnati defense. I don't think they have the playmakers that so many other playoff teams have. Seriously, how many football fans can name 3 starters on the Bengal defense? The Steelers are rolling and though I think this will be competitive, count on Jerome Bettis making one or two big runs towards the end, setting the stage for a key Jeff Reed field goal. Expect a big play or two from the Pittsburgh defense or special teams. Prediction: Pittsburgh 27-20.
On to the National Football Conference. Tampa Bay hosting Washington. This game comes down to TB QB Chris Simms. Can he mange this game against a pretty good Washington D? If he doesn't turn the ball over and doesn't try to win the game immediately, I think they're in good shape. I think rookie RB Cadillac Williams will run well here, which means he will have lasted longer than most Cadillacs! Ronde Barber is one of the best cover corners in football and he can neutralize Santana Moss. Meanwhile, middle linebacker Derrick Brooks will not allow Clinton Portis to keep running as well as he has been. BTW, this game features the ex-Giant kicker, Matt Bryant against the ex-Jet kicker, John Hall. I like Tampa here. Prediction: Tampa Bay 23-14.
And of course, the Cardiac Cats at Big Blue. The Panthers and the Giants. If this game was in Carolina, I would give the Giants absolutely no chance. I could see them beating Tampa. I could see them beating Washington. Realistically, not the Panthers. Jeremy Shockey is still hurt. Fred Robbins, Reggie Torbor, and Tim Carter are not playing. Most importantly, superstar linebacker Anopntio Pierce's ankle is still wrapped in a cast. Kevin Lewis, Nick Greisen, and Alonzo Jackson are our starting linebackers and they have a little bigger test against DeShaun Foster than they did last week against Zack "King of the Wild Frontier" Crockett. And the secondary has been so bad, it is off the charts. After Santana Moss, Randy Moss, Doug Gabriel, and Jerry Porter torched them, it's almost scary to think what Keary Colbert (He will get at least 60 yards), Ricky Proehl, and especially Steve Smith will do. So Michael Strahan and Osi Umenyiora have to do what they have not been doing the last 3 weeks. Consistent steady pressure on Jake "Daylight Come and Me Wanta" Delhomme. He usually throws 2 or 3 pop-ups per game. The Giants have got to turn those into interceptions. Will "Butterfingers" Allen? That means you.
On offense, I think Tiki will run well. And our offensive line should be good enough to contain Julius Peppers and Mike Rucker. Eli to Plaxico Burress is a must. Burress is six inches taller than the tallest Panther defensive back. Amani Toomer may do okay. But if Shockey is still hurt, and I think he won't do much this week, Eli Manning has got to complete at least 7 or passes to Burress.
I really think the Giants are too beat up right now. Their time will come. But the Panthers are a very good road team and I think they will force Eli into mistakes, setting up a short field, and the Panthers will take an early lead. The Giants will score a few times as the game goes on, but in the end, they just won't pull it out. Prediction: Panthers 31-21.
1 comment:
if you thought Carolina would win the game, why were you so angry yesterdat when you called me? I need some help here.
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