Divisional playoffs
Last week 1 – 3
Nope, not a good week last week. Not at all. From the shocker in Seattle, to the stunner in Indianapolis, to the egg laying in Kansas City, only the Packers saved me last weekend, and it took a last minute interception by Green Bay to preserve the victory. This, ladies and gentlemen, is why they play games. Everyone is always ready to award a win to a team before the game even starts. Not so fast, my friends!
Having said all of this, the divisional playoffs take place this weekend. Your Steelers will be coming off their bye week. More on that later. This is the weekend that will sort out the contenders for the conference title games next weekend. Just like last weekend, anything goes. Anything is possible. With that in mind, let’s get straight to it.
Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers
We are going to go in order, just like last week. Game one this weekend is on CBS at 4:30 pm on Saturday. For the eighth time in three years, these two will strap it on. Two years ago, the Steelers pulled off the improbable, sweeping the season series, including the penultimate game in the AFC Championship and the right to go to the Super Bowl. It’s only fitting that these two teams meet again in the playoffs.
There is no mystery here. Division foes. The old Browns versus the Black and Gold. Ali-Frazier III. The rubber match for the right to go to the AFC Championship game. Strap it on, and buckle the chin strap a little tighter, as this will be a 12 round heavyweight title fight. There will be no style points in this game. They might need to call in extra paramedics and EMTs for this one. It’ll be ugly.
The two teams exchanged wins on the other’s turf this year, so you can throw that out the window. However, this is playoff time, so home field needs to mean something for the Steelers this year, who are 5 – 3 at home. This is why you play for home field advantage. A low scoring game is likely to be in the offing. However, there is something to be said for speed. This is where Mike Wallace comes into play. His speed cannot be matched. If Ben is allowed to stay on his feet, those two can do some damage. Hines will be Hines. The offensive line needs to make holes for Rashard Mendenhall. If it does, then I can see him ripping off some yards in chunks.
The team that gives up the fewest big plays wins this game. The major factor is Troy Polamalu. The extra week off helped with his ankle. That is very important. Had this been a case of the Steelers having to go on the road, I would have been doubtful of their chances, due to the health of some key players. But, this is different. The number two seed is that important. This is sure to be low scoring, but I do seem some points on the board in this one. As long as everyone stays healthy, I see the Steelers getting out on top. The other key will be having one more day to rest for the AFC Championship game. Final score, Pittsburgh 17, Baltimore 10.
Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons
This is the second game on Saturday on Fox at 8:00 pm. The dangerous team in these playoffs are the Packers. Despite being a six seed, they are getting warm at the right time. When he is on, Aaron Rodgers is deadly. He has the weapons, too. They are going the long way, just like the Steelers did five years ago, on the road for their playoff tour.
The Atlanta Falcons have home field advantage for the first time in their existence. They have a young team with Matt Ryan at quarterback, Roddy White at wideout, and Michael Turner at running back. They earned their way to the number one seed and now they have to use it to their advantage. They are a quality team and could also do some serious damage in these playoffs. This might be the biggest game nobody is aware of if they are just a casual football fan. Not Sports Beat. I am looking forward to this one.
There is something about this Packers team I like. Green Bay is my second favorite franchise besides the Steelers because of their tradition. If any team can run the table and get to the big dance in Dallas, it’s the Packers. Bearing that in mind, I am riding the wave and taking Green Bay in this one in a potential shoot out.
Final score, Green Bay 28, Atlanta 24
Seattle Seahawks at Chicago Bears
Fox on Sunday at 1:00 pm. Who would have thought (thunk?) that Seattle would have taken out the defending champions and made a trip to Chicago for the divisional playoffs? Well, here they are and they have nothing to lose, again. The Bears are the second seed in the NFC, so the game will be played in the Windy City. However, it is more than a bit unusual that the better, and perhaps more dangerous, team to come out of the NFC North is the Packers.
Chicago did earn their number two seed by winning the division. That cannot not be disputed, much like Seattle won their division with a 7 – 9 record. The Seahawks are now 8 – 9 and still below .500. But, these are the playoffs and it doesn’t matter. The winner moves on and the loser goes home and starts its offseason.
This is one of those games that makes you go hmmmmmmmmm………….
Chicago’s quarterback is Jay Cutler. He is supposed to be some kind of a phenom, yet he makes his share of mistakes that costs his team games. The strength of the Bears is supposed to their defense, but this is not the defense of the 1985 Bears. Not even close. This is almost a pick ‘em game because I am really not convinced of either team. Go with the underdog? Or go with the home team? In the regular season, Seattle did win in Chicago, so that isn’t in question. Another coin flip. Chicago 20, Seattle 17, a field goal late to decide it.
New York Jets at New England Patriots
Okay, here we go, let the games begin. These two know each other just like the Steelers and Ravens know each other. This will be the nightcap on Sunday on CBS. All the talking heads will have been slobbering all over themselves with regards to the Patriots and Tom Brady. Too bad I am not on one of the sports shows, or else I would tell it like it really is. The last time the Patriots won a Super Bowl was six years ago. That must be an eternity for some, a Godsend for others. The last time they were in a Super Bowl, they were upset and shocked by the New York Giants.
Make no mistake, this is a vulnerable football team. That can make mistakes. Cleveland upset them in the regular season, so it can be done. Everyone wants to crown them, again, because they appear unstoppable. Not so fast, my friends. All it takes is proper execution of the game plan. While there is a ton of bravado coming out of New York from Rex Ryan, his players buy into what he is selling and they believe then can get the job done. The last time these teams met, New England won 45 – 3. That won’t happen again.
The key is to put pressure on Brady. He doesn’t like pressure. He believes there should be a halo around him so he cannot be touched. He’s the reason why quarterbacks cannot be hit around the knees. It would be worth the penalty to injure the knee he had taken out a couple of years ago, just to justify that he isn’t above the league like he thinks he is because he’s Tom Brady.
Lest we forget, he has never directed a game winning touchdown drive in the Super Bowl. All three of those Super Bowls were won by field goals, courtesy of Adam Vinatieri, who is now an Indianapolis Colt. None of those three Super Bowls were dominant.
I believe Rex Ryan is going to put together a game plan that not even the genius Bill Belichick will believe. I believe it’s time to reverse the tables and upset New England in their own backyard. No, it won’t be easy, but a changing of the guard is about to take place. It’s too easy to crown a supposed king when you are a talking head. It takes guts to make a bold decision and stick with it. I have called for upsets of New England all year and I am not backing down now. The Jets defense will be prepared for this one and it will be the difference in this game. It will be close and turnovers will decide it. I believe the Jets defense will be good for one, if not more, turnovers. Perhaps a pick and a fumble recovery. Turn those into points and it will decide the ballgame.
Final score, New York Jets 24, New England 21.
Next week, a review of the divisional playoff games and a preview of the conference championship games.
Nope, not a good week last week. Not at all. From the shocker in Seattle, to the stunner in Indianapolis, to the egg laying in Kansas City, only the Packers saved me last weekend, and it took a last minute interception by Green Bay to preserve the victory. This, ladies and gentlemen, is why they play games. Everyone is always ready to award a win to a team before the game even starts. Not so fast, my friends!
Having said all of this, the divisional playoffs take place this weekend. Your Steelers will be coming off their bye week. More on that later. This is the weekend that will sort out the contenders for the conference title games next weekend. Just like last weekend, anything goes. Anything is possible. With that in mind, let’s get straight to it.
Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers
We are going to go in order, just like last week. Game one this weekend is on CBS at 4:30 pm on Saturday. For the eighth time in three years, these two will strap it on. Two years ago, the Steelers pulled off the improbable, sweeping the season series, including the penultimate game in the AFC Championship and the right to go to the Super Bowl. It’s only fitting that these two teams meet again in the playoffs.
There is no mystery here. Division foes. The old Browns versus the Black and Gold. Ali-Frazier III. The rubber match for the right to go to the AFC Championship game. Strap it on, and buckle the chin strap a little tighter, as this will be a 12 round heavyweight title fight. There will be no style points in this game. They might need to call in extra paramedics and EMTs for this one. It’ll be ugly.
The two teams exchanged wins on the other’s turf this year, so you can throw that out the window. However, this is playoff time, so home field needs to mean something for the Steelers this year, who are 5 – 3 at home. This is why you play for home field advantage. A low scoring game is likely to be in the offing. However, there is something to be said for speed. This is where Mike Wallace comes into play. His speed cannot be matched. If Ben is allowed to stay on his feet, those two can do some damage. Hines will be Hines. The offensive line needs to make holes for Rashard Mendenhall. If it does, then I can see him ripping off some yards in chunks.
The team that gives up the fewest big plays wins this game. The major factor is Troy Polamalu. The extra week off helped with his ankle. That is very important. Had this been a case of the Steelers having to go on the road, I would have been doubtful of their chances, due to the health of some key players. But, this is different. The number two seed is that important. This is sure to be low scoring, but I do seem some points on the board in this one. As long as everyone stays healthy, I see the Steelers getting out on top. The other key will be having one more day to rest for the AFC Championship game. Final score, Pittsburgh 17, Baltimore 10.
Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons
This is the second game on Saturday on Fox at 8:00 pm. The dangerous team in these playoffs are the Packers. Despite being a six seed, they are getting warm at the right time. When he is on, Aaron Rodgers is deadly. He has the weapons, too. They are going the long way, just like the Steelers did five years ago, on the road for their playoff tour.
The Atlanta Falcons have home field advantage for the first time in their existence. They have a young team with Matt Ryan at quarterback, Roddy White at wideout, and Michael Turner at running back. They earned their way to the number one seed and now they have to use it to their advantage. They are a quality team and could also do some serious damage in these playoffs. This might be the biggest game nobody is aware of if they are just a casual football fan. Not Sports Beat. I am looking forward to this one.
There is something about this Packers team I like. Green Bay is my second favorite franchise besides the Steelers because of their tradition. If any team can run the table and get to the big dance in Dallas, it’s the Packers. Bearing that in mind, I am riding the wave and taking Green Bay in this one in a potential shoot out.
Final score, Green Bay 28, Atlanta 24
Seattle Seahawks at Chicago Bears
Fox on Sunday at 1:00 pm. Who would have thought (thunk?) that Seattle would have taken out the defending champions and made a trip to Chicago for the divisional playoffs? Well, here they are and they have nothing to lose, again. The Bears are the second seed in the NFC, so the game will be played in the Windy City. However, it is more than a bit unusual that the better, and perhaps more dangerous, team to come out of the NFC North is the Packers.
Chicago did earn their number two seed by winning the division. That cannot not be disputed, much like Seattle won their division with a 7 – 9 record. The Seahawks are now 8 – 9 and still below .500. But, these are the playoffs and it doesn’t matter. The winner moves on and the loser goes home and starts its offseason.
This is one of those games that makes you go hmmmmmmmmm………….
Chicago’s quarterback is Jay Cutler. He is supposed to be some kind of a phenom, yet he makes his share of mistakes that costs his team games. The strength of the Bears is supposed to their defense, but this is not the defense of the 1985 Bears. Not even close. This is almost a pick ‘em game because I am really not convinced of either team. Go with the underdog? Or go with the home team? In the regular season, Seattle did win in Chicago, so that isn’t in question. Another coin flip. Chicago 20, Seattle 17, a field goal late to decide it.
New York Jets at New England Patriots
Okay, here we go, let the games begin. These two know each other just like the Steelers and Ravens know each other. This will be the nightcap on Sunday on CBS. All the talking heads will have been slobbering all over themselves with regards to the Patriots and Tom Brady. Too bad I am not on one of the sports shows, or else I would tell it like it really is. The last time the Patriots won a Super Bowl was six years ago. That must be an eternity for some, a Godsend for others. The last time they were in a Super Bowl, they were upset and shocked by the New York Giants.
Make no mistake, this is a vulnerable football team. That can make mistakes. Cleveland upset them in the regular season, so it can be done. Everyone wants to crown them, again, because they appear unstoppable. Not so fast, my friends. All it takes is proper execution of the game plan. While there is a ton of bravado coming out of New York from Rex Ryan, his players buy into what he is selling and they believe then can get the job done. The last time these teams met, New England won 45 – 3. That won’t happen again.
The key is to put pressure on Brady. He doesn’t like pressure. He believes there should be a halo around him so he cannot be touched. He’s the reason why quarterbacks cannot be hit around the knees. It would be worth the penalty to injure the knee he had taken out a couple of years ago, just to justify that he isn’t above the league like he thinks he is because he’s Tom Brady.
Lest we forget, he has never directed a game winning touchdown drive in the Super Bowl. All three of those Super Bowls were won by field goals, courtesy of Adam Vinatieri, who is now an Indianapolis Colt. None of those three Super Bowls were dominant.
I believe Rex Ryan is going to put together a game plan that not even the genius Bill Belichick will believe. I believe it’s time to reverse the tables and upset New England in their own backyard. No, it won’t be easy, but a changing of the guard is about to take place. It’s too easy to crown a supposed king when you are a talking head. It takes guts to make a bold decision and stick with it. I have called for upsets of New England all year and I am not backing down now. The Jets defense will be prepared for this one and it will be the difference in this game. It will be close and turnovers will decide it. I believe the Jets defense will be good for one, if not more, turnovers. Perhaps a pick and a fumble recovery. Turn those into points and it will decide the ballgame.
Final score, New York Jets 24, New England 21.
Next week, a review of the divisional playoff games and a preview of the conference championship games.
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