that 17 weeks just blew by us, didn't they? now a cold snap has taken hold of the whole US of A, and that's totally depressing except for the part that it's time for the best football of the season.
Jets at Bengals
the Jets should exercise caution, despite Rex Ryan's claiming the mantle of favorites. Cincy is favored by 3 based on current lines, and that may as well be the final difference. they kept their cards close to the vest in the final game of the season, roll out a solid D, and have the home crowd on their side, which will no doubt be fired up in memory of Chris Henry. on the Jets' side, its a bit scary to rely on shaky rookie QB Mark Sanchez to win a road game in January. they can run, but you can't be one-dimensional in the playoffs. i'll be a homer of course, but i won't be stunned if they get mauled by the Bengals.
stupid projection: Jets 20, Cincinnati 17
Eagles at Cowboys
i sure hope the Eagles faked out the 'Boys last week, because this is a rematch and it would be humiliating to fall again to their hated NFC East rival. i prefer a knockdown, drag out fight, or a high-scoring can-you-top-this affair. Philly certainly has the horses for that. wait, what i really want is another Romo meltdown. oh please, please, please, football gods.
stupid projection: Eagles 28, Cowboys 27
Ravens at Patriots
the Patriots' luster has faded over recent years - Spygate, Bill Belichick's off-field shenanigans, 18-1, 4th and 2 - and their success arc this decade sort of mirrors the national leadership in the same timeline. consider: they rose to prominence after 9/11, winning three Super Bowls as the Republicans consolidated their power and started a couple of wars and named their playbook to control the American public - what else - the Patriot Act, then nosedived to Earth with allegations of cheating, and culminated with a humiliating loss in Super Bowl XLII that ruined their perfect season. wait, it actually culminated when golden boy Tom Brady blew his knee the season thereafter. okay, maybe it hasn't culminated yet, but the Pats have not been back to the Promised Land since Obama took office and the USA rehabbed its image to the world. will this year be different and buck the trend? (note: reliable slot receiver and All-American white boy Wes Welker is currently preparing to sue Bernard Pollard) not if the Ravens and Stabby McStabby say different. Joe Flacco needs to dial back to his 2008-09 playoff self. but to whom is he gonna throw to? Vegas says the Pats are favored by 3.5. oh well.
stupid projection: Patriots 33, Ravens 24
Packers at Cardinals
i've been playing the Cardinals for so long on Madden 10, that its automatic i'll be rooting for them here. their 10-6 finish isn't that impressive and they've been mostly average statistically. certainly a far cry from the rampaging team i guided in Madden. anyhoo, the Packers have quietly begun to come together and won 7 out of their last 8 heading to this weekend. it would certainly be exciting to watch them exact revenge on Brett Favre later down the line for the two losses he inflicted on them in the regular season. which means they need to survive an indoor battle. that shouldn't be a problem for the Lambeau gang. and oh, since the 'Madden curse' already knocked Troy Polamalu (and the Steelers) out of the playoffs, Larry Fitzgerald got lucky so far, but who knows?
stupid projection: Packers 31, Cardinals 28
Jets at Bengals
the Jets should exercise caution, despite Rex Ryan's claiming the mantle of favorites. Cincy is favored by 3 based on current lines, and that may as well be the final difference. they kept their cards close to the vest in the final game of the season, roll out a solid D, and have the home crowd on their side, which will no doubt be fired up in memory of Chris Henry. on the Jets' side, its a bit scary to rely on shaky rookie QB Mark Sanchez to win a road game in January. they can run, but you can't be one-dimensional in the playoffs. i'll be a homer of course, but i won't be stunned if they get mauled by the Bengals.
stupid projection: Jets 20, Cincinnati 17
Eagles at Cowboys
i sure hope the Eagles faked out the 'Boys last week, because this is a rematch and it would be humiliating to fall again to their hated NFC East rival. i prefer a knockdown, drag out fight, or a high-scoring can-you-top-this affair. Philly certainly has the horses for that. wait, what i really want is another Romo meltdown. oh please, please, please, football gods.
stupid projection: Eagles 28, Cowboys 27
Ravens at Patriots
the Patriots' luster has faded over recent years - Spygate, Bill Belichick's off-field shenanigans, 18-1, 4th and 2 - and their success arc this decade sort of mirrors the national leadership in the same timeline. consider: they rose to prominence after 9/11, winning three Super Bowls as the Republicans consolidated their power and started a couple of wars and named their playbook to control the American public - what else - the Patriot Act, then nosedived to Earth with allegations of cheating, and culminated with a humiliating loss in Super Bowl XLII that ruined their perfect season. wait, it actually culminated when golden boy Tom Brady blew his knee the season thereafter. okay, maybe it hasn't culminated yet, but the Pats have not been back to the Promised Land since Obama took office and the USA rehabbed its image to the world. will this year be different and buck the trend? (note: reliable slot receiver and All-American white boy Wes Welker is currently preparing to sue Bernard Pollard) not if the Ravens and Stabby McStabby say different. Joe Flacco needs to dial back to his 2008-09 playoff self. but to whom is he gonna throw to? Vegas says the Pats are favored by 3.5. oh well.
stupid projection: Patriots 33, Ravens 24
Packers at Cardinals
i've been playing the Cardinals for so long on Madden 10, that its automatic i'll be rooting for them here. their 10-6 finish isn't that impressive and they've been mostly average statistically. certainly a far cry from the rampaging team i guided in Madden. anyhoo, the Packers have quietly begun to come together and won 7 out of their last 8 heading to this weekend. it would certainly be exciting to watch them exact revenge on Brett Favre later down the line for the two losses he inflicted on them in the regular season. which means they need to survive an indoor battle. that shouldn't be a problem for the Lambeau gang. and oh, since the 'Madden curse' already knocked Troy Polamalu (and the Steelers) out of the playoffs, Larry Fitzgerald got lucky so far, but who knows?
stupid projection: Packers 31, Cardinals 28
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