Saturday, January 9, 2010

NFL Predictions: Wildcard Weekend

12 of 32 teams still have the Superbowl trophy glistening in their watering eyes as the regular season is over. And why do they want this trophy? Because it proves each year which city in America is truly, albeit temporarily, the greatest. Surely no one doubted the value of Pittsburgh, Indianapolis, Tampa Bay and St. Louis over the last decade.

New York (Jets) at Cincinnati
The Jets absolutely dismantled the Bengals just six days ago but that was in New York. Related, Cincinnati had little reason to play and sat out their over-rated stars (including Chad Eight-Five). Cincinnati fell into the playoffs after hitting phenomenal heights during the first half of the regular season. Since then, they have just crashed and been stripped back down to the team the rest of the NFL is used to seeing. Some games it’s like the Bengals perpetually forget they are not playing two-hand touch football. Like every other weekend in the year, there will be little reason to celebrate in Cincinnati. Jets win.

Philadelphia at Dallas
If Dallas wins this game every Cowboy/Tony Romo fan is going to act like they won the Miss America pageant—confetti, music, tears, hugging the loser, etc. And why shouldn’t they? Dallas hasn’t won a playoff game since 1996 and Donovan McNabb’s Eagles are 6-0 in their first playoff games. Eventually Dallas will have to win a playoff game in the same way that I’ll eventually have to win the lottery, we both just have to lose enough. Actually, I suppose this means I should buy a lottery ticket this weekend—but I wouldn’t bet on my own chances and I wouldn’t bet on the Cowboys. Eagles win.

Baltimore at New England
The Patriots beat the Ravens earlier this year because of two 3rd down-penalties on what would become a game-winning drive. Since then, the Patriots have been beating up on weak teams and losing to playoff teams. The Patriots are old guys, trying to win big games with their old ways. The Ravens are young guys who basically started playing football a couple of days ago. This is a game where the virtue of experience will become the hindrance of age. Ravens win.

Green Bay at Arizona
By coincidence, I am going four-for-four with the visiting team. The Cardinals were the David’s…or Cinderella’s, or whatever of last year’s playoffs. However David only had to fight once. And Cinderella, wait, okay, I don’t know where that metaphor was going but it made sense at some point. Regardless, the Packers have won 7 of their last 8 and ended up only one game behind the Vikings in their division, and that was losing to the Vikings twice. Conversely, the Cardinals get to play teams in the NFC West every year that couldn’t score on the set of “Rock of Love.” The Packers have the momentum, the talent, the benefit of unknown players and the grit developed after duel smackings from Brett Favre, who has now become Clint Eastwood in shoulder pads.

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