Championship Weekend

Packers @ Bears Sun 3:00 FOX
Why the Packers will win:
They are the hottest team in the NFL...it took the Packers committing a franchise-record in penalties to beat them in week 3...they have been playing playoff games since week 16...Aaron Rodgers...they can play in bad weather like the bears...their defense vs. Bears O-Line--advantage Pack...Jay Cutler in a big game...again, did you see Aaron Rodgers last week? He might be Jesus.

Why the Bears will win:
Bears are at home...they are the healthiest team in the NFL...Cutler has been making good decisions...for some reason their defense has frustrated Rodgers this season...Devin Hester...Packers run has to end sometime...everyone is on the Packers...they find ways to win.

The Pick: Packers 23 Bears 17

Jets @ Steelers Sun 6:30 CBS

Why the Jets will win:
Much like the Packers they are on fire...they are playing their best football right now...Sanchez has been (gulp) careful with the football...Tomlinson looks like this is 2006...Bart Scott "can't wait"...they beat them in Pittsburgh already...they have won a ridiculous 4 road playoff games in 2 seasons...Jets seem to just find ways to win all season...they haven't gone since Super Bowl III and they aren't the Cubs.

Why the Steelers will win:
The game is in Pittsburgh...Roethlisberger has 2 rings and is 9-2 in the playoffs...Troy Polamalu...their run defense can make Jets one dimensional...Jets played their Super Bowl last week...Mike Wallace is really fast...the kind of football the Jets like to play--the steelers are better at...the last time the Jets went to the Super Bowl we hadn't landed on the moon yet.

The Pick: Steelers 17 Jets 9

Draftseason.com

Here is my first article for draftseason.com. Check it out!

NFL Divisional Playoffs

After a 3-1 start to the playoffs, we move onto the Divisional round which has plenty of intriguing matchups.

Ravens @ Steelers
-The Steelers are 9-8 vs. the Ravens over their last 15 matchups--including 2-0 in the playoffs. Roethlisberger has been a thorn in the Ravens defense side. On the other hand, the Ravens have the best road record ever in the post season (7-3). Chances are this game will come down to the last drive and who can make one more play than the other. It's going to be tough for Baltimore, but in the end, this is the kind of game they acquired Anquan Boldin for, and with Troy Polamalu's health in question, the Ravens will knock off their arch nemesis.

The Pick: Ravens 16 Steelers 13

Packers @ Falcons
-The Dirty Birds are 20-2 under Matt Ryan at home and defeated Green Bay 20-17 earlier in the season. Ryan has never played in a game this big and it will be interesting to see how he responds under the lights. Overall the Packers match up well and can lock down Roddy White on the outside with Woodson. If they can slow down Turner then Green Bay will have the upper hand. The Falcons will need to do a lot to slow down the Packers offense, despite giving up just 17 points when they played earlier, Rodgers tore them up through the air. James Starks has emerged as a legitimate threat in the running game and that should push the Pack past the Falcons.

The Pick: Packers 27 Falcons 20

Seahawks @ Bears
-This game comes down to the match-up of the Quarterbacks. Jay Cutler, if he manages the game will win it for the Bears. However, we have all seen what Cutler does under pressure in big games. Matt Hasselbeck looked like he was reincarnated dropping dime after dime against the Saints. All this being said, the Bears defense is much better than the Saints defense. Add in the cold weather, Devin Hester, and the fact that we remember the Seahawks were 7-9 (!!!!) in the regular season--and the pick seems obvious...maybe too obvious?

The Pick: Bears 17  Seahawks 9

Jets @ Patriots
- Here it is, Jets-Pats III. Somehow it just seems like this was supposed to happen. I mentioned last week that the Jets defense was built to beat the Colts, and that succeeded. However, the Patriots offense is much more diverse and can beat you in so many ways that it's nearly impossible to defend. It will come down to whether the Jets defense can pressure Brady. They have not done so lately. If the Pats score 20+ can the Jets keep up? Chances are that answer is no. It will be close, but the Pats will score late to put it away.

The Pick: Patriots 27 Jets 17

WAY Too Early 2011 Top Ten

 The confetti hasn't even been cleaned off the University of Phoenix Stadium yet where Auburn snuck past Oregon. So when is Auburn-TCU? (insert frown) Here is how I see the preseason top ten for next season.

1. Oklahoma
-Returning QB? Check. Returning stud WR? Check. Defense that grew as the season went on and at the end of the year looked like a national title contender? Check. Oklahoma has as much talent as anyone in the country and they will turn from a young team with potential, to a seasoned team that knows how to win. The Sooners will be the class of the Big 12 and have a great shot at going unbeaten.

2. Alabama
-If there was a playoff, Alabama may very well have won it. Despite losing three games, they were still the scariest team to play. Just ask Michigan State who got annihilated by an angry 'Bama team in the Capital One Bowl. New QB A.J. McCarron is more than capable and RB Trent Richardson will emerge as a heisman front runner. Also, keep an eye on backup EB Eddie Lacy.
 
3. Oregon
-The Ducks were overmatched by Auburn in the national title but there is still a lot to be excited about in Eugene. Some work will need to be done to replace a few starters along the line and receiver Jeff Maehl, but the defense will be even better and LaMichael James and Darron Thomas return to lead the blitzkrieg Ducks offense.

4. LSU
- Les Miles will be returning in 2011 and he will have a loaded team down in Baton Rouge. Jordan Jefferson looked as good as he ever has in a Bowl spanking of Texas A&M, and the defense showed it has play makers beyond the NFL-bound Patrick Peterson. Their running game should be fierce next season behind Stevan Ridley, Richard Murphy, Spencer Ware, and Mike Ford. Reuben Randle should become a star on the outside with an improved Jefferson throwing him the ball.

5. Stanford
-Losing Harbaugh and his intensity will hurt, but having the best QB in the country will help. Luck's decision to come back was surprising. The defense has some young studs like Owen Maricic and Shayne Skov who will give Stanford the ability to not just beat you with their offense but win defensive struggles too. They will also get the added bonus of getting Oregon in Palo Alto.
 
6. Oklahoma State
-This could change depending on the decision of WR Justin Blackmon, but QB Brandon Weeden will return and this is a team that is really coming together. They have yet to get over the Oklahoma hump, but with an improving defense and a high-powered offense the Cowboys could be on the verge of a breakout season and their first BCS berth.

7. Arkansas
-This is not going to be a popular pick around the country. Mallett leaves and people think this team will collapse. Well, America, meet QB Tyler Wilson. He may not have the rocket arm of Mallett but he may be a better overall fit for the Petrino offense. Knile Davis can be an elite runner to balance out the offense and with a defense returning most of it's key players they could be a darkhorse contender. However, they will play at Alabama and at LSU.

8. Florida State
-Today, Robert Smith of ESPN picked them #2 in the country. I won't go quite that high but the Seminoles are definitely on the right track. E.J. Manuel will be a more than adequate replacement of Christian Ponder (as seen by his Chick-Fil-A Bowl performance) and the running game looks like it could bring the Noles the ACC title next season. The defense got better and better under Mark Stoops and with a top recruiting class coming in to add depth they should only improve.

9. South Carolina
-The Gamecocks had their most successful season in their history making the SEC Championship, beating Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Tennessee all in the same season! However, they ended with a thud being squashed by Auburn in the SEC title and Florida State in the Chick-Fil-A Bowl. Marcus Lattimore may be the best running back in the country and the defense will improve with the likely addition of #1 player in the country out of high school Jadaveon Clowney.

10. Penn State
-Someone has to emerge in the Big Ten. Wisconsin will lose a few o-lineman, their quarterback, and a running back. Ohio State, if they don't lose multiple players to the draft, will lose 5 key players to suspension for the first 5 games. Penn State on the other hand brings back their entire defense and every key skill position players except for Evan Royster. The Lions do have Silas Redd and Stephfon (that's not a misspelling) Green ready to take over. The defense will be quality as usual, and the Lions should be the big ten frontrunners.

Also Considered: Mississippi State, Boise State, BYU, Wisconsin, Florida, Nebraska, West Virginia

Way Too Early Heisman Candidates:

Andrew Luck QB Stanford
Trent Richardson RB Alabama
LaMichael James RB Oregon
Landry Jones QB Oklahoma
Ryan Broyles WR Oklahoma
Marcus Lattimore RB South Carolina
Brandon Weeden QB Oklahoma State

NFL Wild Card Playoff Predictions

New Orleans @ Seattle
-Congratulations for finishing tied with the 2nd best record in the NFC New Orleans--you're reward--a trip to 7-9 Seattle. The Seahawks are statistically the worst team to ever make the playoffs. On paper, there is no way the Seahawks match up at all with the Saints. They may slow down the New Orleans offense, but not enough to win the game, and they surely won't score enough points to stay with the Saints. The only hope is that the Saints don't take them seriously. 
-The Pick: Saints 27  Seahawks 13

New York Jets @ Indianapolis Colts
-This rematch of the AFC Championship game from last season is maybe the best overall game of the weekend. The Jets seem to have found their groove again and Peyton Manning once again celebrated a division title last weekend. The Jets went out and got more secondary help to stop Peyton's 3rd and 4th WR's--however with all the injuries the Colts have suffered those moves are moot now. It will come down to turnovers as it normally does, and for one reason or another, Manning has been more liberal with the ball this season.
The Pick: Jets 20 Colts 16

Baltimore Ravens @ Kansas City Chiefs
-The Chiefs looked like crap against the Raiders last week and the Ravens were a form of hot garbage against the Bengals (but did win). Something has seen very off about the Ravens this year, their defense is not the same. Ngata, Lewis, Suggs, and Reed bring it--but beyond that not so impressed. KC has not won a playoff game since steroids were nothing more than an urban legend. Charles will challenge the Ravens defense and the Chiefs defense is better than what people think...however...the Ravens will find a way. Ed Reed will seal the deal.
The Pick: Ravens 26 Chiefs 17

Green Bay Packers @ Philadelphia Eagles
-The Pack are arguably the hottest team in the NFL. The birds have kind of cooled off after being the IT team earlier this year and receiving the publicity after coming back against the Giants. There seems to be a blueprint to slow this offense down, and if Andy Reid does not ride the running game against Green Bay, the Eagles will have their season end much earlier than they would like. Rodgers will rip up the Eagles secondary...too many weapons.
The Pick: Packers 31 Eagles 19

That's right. 4 road teams win. As of today, the Super Bowl Pick is Green Bay (my preseason pick) over New England.

Final Regular Season Record: 166-91

Week 17

Still some to be decided by the last week of the season...as is our winning percentage.

Panthers 17 @ 27 Falcons     ...Dirty Birds still have home field to play for.

Steelers 20 @ 17 Browns     ...Steelers would clinch a 1st rd bye w/win, won't be easy.

Vikings 21 @ 30 Lions      ...The Joe Webb experience continues...but with a loss.

Raiders 29 @ 24 Chiefs    ...Chiefs have nothing to play for in this one.

Dolphins 16 @ 27 Patriots    ...Even though Brady and Co. won't play all game--'Fins have already quit.

Buccaneers 19 @ 37 Saints    ...Nawlins still with a chance to win the division if Falcons lose.

Bills 14 @ 20 Jets         ...Jets need this to feel somewhat good about themselves going into the playoffs.

Bengals 13 @ 41 Ravens    ...Expect the Ravens to open a can on Cincy.

Chargers 38 @ 21 Broncos    ...Broncos will play tough, but they don't have the horses (no pun intended).

Bears 10 @ 17 Packers   ...I see more of a defensive struggle--Packers will do enough.

Titans 10 @ 31 Colts     ...Aaaaand the Colts are in the playoffs...again.

Cowboys 9 @ 24 Eagles    ...McGee vs. Kolb? Ewwww.

Cardinals 23 @ 16 49ers   ....Niners have already checked out.

Giants 21 @ 24 Redskins    ...Speaking of checking out, see ya Tom Coughlin.

Jaguars 14 @ 30 Texans    ...No Garrard and No MJD? No win for Jags.

Rams 13 @ 16 Seahawks   ...No idea what will happen. And with the winner likely getting Nawlins in first
                                              round...does it matter?

Last Week:  9-7
Season:   154-87