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The Spectacle Blog
For football fans, wildcard weekend is one of the greatest sports weekends of the year. So I thought I’d take a short break from all the heavy political stuff like CBO scores and debating health care repeal, to offer predictions on the games.
New Orleans at Seattle
This is the closest thing to a lock of the weekend. New Orleans isn’t playing as well as they did last year (and Drew Brees has thrown a surprising number of interceptions), but the 7-9 Seahawks don’t deserve to be in the playoffs and are outmatched by the Saints. Prediction: New Orleans.
Baltimore at Kansas City
Kansas City has a dominant running game, which counts for a lot in the playoffs, and they’re playing at home, where they were 7-1 this year. So I wouldn’t be shocked to see them win. That said, the Ravens have a solid running defense and a more experienced post-season quarterback in Joe Flacco. It’s also worth noting that the Ravens played in a tougher division than the Chiefs, and that the Chiefs record was likely inflated by the fact that they got to play the weak NFC west teams, which accounted for 40 percent of their wins. Despite the tougher schedule, the Ravens (12-4) came away with a better record than Kansas City (10-6). Prediction: Baltimore.
NY Jets at Indianapolis
As a long suffering Jets fan, this is the game that I’m most invested in. For me, the key to this game will be the Jets running game. If Shonn Greene and/or LaDainian Tomlinson have a big day for the Jets, it will take a lot of pressure off of Mark Sanchez and keep Peyton Manning off of the field. The Colts aren’t as good as they were when they beat the Jets in the AFC Championship game last year, but neither is the Jets’ defense. While Darrelle Revis has shut down whichever wide receivers he’s covered, the pass rush has been generally weak this year, and because they’re a blitzing team, that’s opened up a lot of plays in the middle, which has caused problems for the Jets against the league’s elite quarterbacks. Give Manning too much time, and he’ll pick apart the defense, even with fewer weapons than in past years. I hope I’m wrong, but… Prediction: Indianapolis
Green Bay at Philadelphia
This is the most difficult game to call. Both teams are pretty equally matched, and they’ve both been inconsistent and streaky. It’s hard to say which teams will show up. If Michael Vick has one of his crazy games, the Eagles should coast to victory. But I’m going to give the edge to the Packers here, because they ended the season strong (with a near-win against the Patriots with Matt Flynn as their QB, a blowout against the Giants and a gut-check defensive win against the Bears to secure a playoff spot). With Aaron Rodgers back to health, they seem to be hitting their stride at exactly the right time. By contrast, the Eagles ended the season with two duds against the Vikings and Cowboys. Prediction: Green Bay
Clint| 1.7.11 @ 2:10PM
Playoff Odds: Eagles Favored 2.5
Larry| 1.7.11 @ 2:52PM
I think you have the Green Bay/Philly game picked correctly (disclosure: I'm a Green Bay fan). The Packers will have both Cullen Jenkins and Frank Zombo (what a name) back for this game, which will help the Packers defense considerably. The big question will be whether the week off last week helped Michael Vick enough to be dangerous again. If it has, the Packers will have trouble. If not, it will be the Packers that coast to victory.
Clint| 1.7.11 @ 3:14PM
From what we are hearin',
Packers are 3-5 on the road. Eagles got Aikers, Jackson Special Teams.Packers have lost six games by a combined twenty points. All of these games late game collapses or special team miscues.
Pete| 1.7.11 @ 3:15PM
None of this matters. Kraft's boy Goodell has this whole thing dialed in for NE. Watch and learn.
Derek Leaberry| 1.7.11 @ 4:18PM
The first three picks are relatively safe picks with Jets a live underdog. If the Jets pick off Manning twice, they will win. I think they will not and Sanchez will throw two or three picks. The Eagles have looked great until recently while the Packers have surged of late. How did the Packers lose to the hapless Redskins in October? I can't see the Eagles losing three straight home games. Andy Reid may be second to Bill Belichick as head coach in the NFL. Reluctantly, I will pick the Eagles but root for the Packers.
Hunter Baker| 1.7.11 @ 4:45PM
Phil, I was going to do a post to offer my predictions, but mine are exactly the same as yours, so I don't think I'll bother.
LiveFreeOrDie| 1.7.11 @ 5:37PM
Dat dem illiterates > SeaChickens, a no-brainer. 34-10
Ravens > K.C., could be a shut-out. 27-3
Cheese Steaks > Cheese Heads. Can't agree with Phil on this one. The pack will be playing catch-up. The defense won't hold up while the offense will keep it from being a blow-out. Look for Philly to end the game early in the second half with a big lead and switch to the running game and run out the clock. 35-21.
Anyone else care to put up some projected scores?
LiveFreeOrDie| 1.7.11 @ 5:48PM
I forgot the Jets/Colts game. Jets won't be able to stop Peyton and a wide-open playbook. Colts 'D' will get the job done. They are a solid defense especially when Peyton shows the Jets how to manage a game with a 2:1 time of possession ratio. Mark Sanchez won't be able to launch a 4th quarter comeback sans mistakes. Colts, 34-20
Bob K.| 1.7.11 @ 6:39PM
It doesn't matter in the real scheme of things as long as you beat the spread! Lots of people people would not watch the games otherwise. Here is wishing all you gamesters luck and may your pockets be bulging at the end of the weekend!
Now that would be a REAL stimulus to the economy!
Marc Jeric| 1.8.11 @ 2:08AM
It's easy to predict the winners - but how about predicting which teams will cover the spreads?
My predictions:
1) Seattle +10.5;
2) Indianapolis - 2.5;
3) Kansas City +3; and
4) Green Bay +3.
Three dogs and only one favorite - how about that!