Kansas City @ Indianapolis
Indy has been in a lot of close games this year. Unlike previous years where they blew people out during the regular season, then stumble in the playoffs. This year they've kinda stumbled along, still winning games, but not blowing people out. Is it reversed this year? Do they hit the switch in the playoffs and go on a roll? Their defense is one of the main reasons they haven't looked as good. The worst run D in all of football and here comes Larry Johnson. I don't know the approach Indy is going to take offensively, but if their D can't stop LJ, and the Chiefs running LJ keeps Peyton of the field, the Colts might be one and done. I think Peyton and co. have to come out scoring as quick as they can, just to give them more possessions. This one could be a shootout and with the Colts perfect at home, I think I'll go with them in this one. But if KC runs for 200 or so, they could take it.
My prediction: COLTS
Dallas @ Seattle
4 weeks ago, the Cowboys looked like they were going to win the division and get a 1st round bye. Then for some reason, their defense seems to have been beamed to another planet, they lose their last 3 of 4 and limp into the playoffs as a wild card team. Seattle hasn't been much better, losing 3 of their last 4 as well. 2 of those at home where they've been tough the past couple of years. Last year's MVP is healthy and if the 'Hawks can get him tearing through that Dallas D, it could be a long day for the 'Boys. Romo has come back down to earth and looks like the inexperienced QB that he is. Seattle's had some injuries at CB and that could be a plus for TO and Glenn. This game's a coin flipper for me. The Cowboys need to get Barber going and play off that and slow Alexander down. Seattle will have to have a good game from Hasselbeck and get to Romo on D. Somehow I think Parcells will have the 'Boys ready to go in this one.
My prediction: COWBOYS
NY Jets @ New England
Belichick v. Mangini Part III. The Jets split with the Pats this year winning in Foxboro in November (17-14). Since then, the Pats went 6-1, however, the Jets stayed right there going 5-2. The Jets haven't given up more than 14 points in game in 7 of their last 8 games. Pennington (Comeback Player of the Year) has had a nice season, except for maybe his TD-INT ratio (17-16), but it's the Jets D that has gotten them this far and that took out the Pats back in November, sacking Brady 4 times. But this is the playoffs now. The playoffs where Mr. Brady is 10-1 all-time. I think the Pats are still a team to look out for in the playoffs. Just too much experience. The Jets can win with mistake free football, but I think the Pats will get the job done in this one.
My prediction: PATRIOTS
NY Giants @ Philadelphia
The Giants are another team that looked like things would be much different, much better, earlier in the season. They were 6-2 at one point. But after barely squeaking by the Texans of all teams, they finished the year with a 2-6 run. Injuries on defense is a main reason for the collaspe, but inconsistant play out of the offense played a part too. The Giants certainly have the talent offensively with Tiki, Eli, Plaxico, and Shockey, to put points on the board. Play-calling duties were turned over to none other than Kevin Gillbride last week and the Giants rolled up a 38 spot. Tiki with 3 TD's, one more than he had for the previous 15 games. Eagles fans probably thought their season was over when McNabb went down in week 11, but Jeff Garcia saves the season leading the Eagles to a 5-1 mark, winning their last 5, with McNabb down. This is a game I could see going down to the wire. The Giants will need a good performance from Eli. Tiki needs about 25 touches, and their banged up D-line will have to put it on Garcia. Philly will need to have a good game from Westbrook. Stallworth, not really much of a factor in the 2nd half, could be the key for Philly in this one, as well as their secondary against Plaxico, Shockey and Eli. The Giants beat the Eagles earlier this year when the Giants were good, and lost later in the season when the Giants were bad. Philly should probably win this game, but I've got a feeling the Giants are going to pull it out somehow.
My prediction: GIANTS
Indy has been in a lot of close games this year. Unlike previous years where they blew people out during the regular season, then stumble in the playoffs. This year they've kinda stumbled along, still winning games, but not blowing people out. Is it reversed this year? Do they hit the switch in the playoffs and go on a roll? Their defense is one of the main reasons they haven't looked as good. The worst run D in all of football and here comes Larry Johnson. I don't know the approach Indy is going to take offensively, but if their D can't stop LJ, and the Chiefs running LJ keeps Peyton of the field, the Colts might be one and done. I think Peyton and co. have to come out scoring as quick as they can, just to give them more possessions. This one could be a shootout and with the Colts perfect at home, I think I'll go with them in this one. But if KC runs for 200 or so, they could take it.
My prediction: COLTS
Dallas @ Seattle
4 weeks ago, the Cowboys looked like they were going to win the division and get a 1st round bye. Then for some reason, their defense seems to have been beamed to another planet, they lose their last 3 of 4 and limp into the playoffs as a wild card team. Seattle hasn't been much better, losing 3 of their last 4 as well. 2 of those at home where they've been tough the past couple of years. Last year's MVP is healthy and if the 'Hawks can get him tearing through that Dallas D, it could be a long day for the 'Boys. Romo has come back down to earth and looks like the inexperienced QB that he is. Seattle's had some injuries at CB and that could be a plus for TO and Glenn. This game's a coin flipper for me. The Cowboys need to get Barber going and play off that and slow Alexander down. Seattle will have to have a good game from Hasselbeck and get to Romo on D. Somehow I think Parcells will have the 'Boys ready to go in this one.
My prediction: COWBOYS
NY Jets @ New England
Belichick v. Mangini Part III. The Jets split with the Pats this year winning in Foxboro in November (17-14). Since then, the Pats went 6-1, however, the Jets stayed right there going 5-2. The Jets haven't given up more than 14 points in game in 7 of their last 8 games. Pennington (Comeback Player of the Year) has had a nice season, except for maybe his TD-INT ratio (17-16), but it's the Jets D that has gotten them this far and that took out the Pats back in November, sacking Brady 4 times. But this is the playoffs now. The playoffs where Mr. Brady is 10-1 all-time. I think the Pats are still a team to look out for in the playoffs. Just too much experience. The Jets can win with mistake free football, but I think the Pats will get the job done in this one.
My prediction: PATRIOTS
NY Giants @ Philadelphia
The Giants are another team that looked like things would be much different, much better, earlier in the season. They were 6-2 at one point. But after barely squeaking by the Texans of all teams, they finished the year with a 2-6 run. Injuries on defense is a main reason for the collaspe, but inconsistant play out of the offense played a part too. The Giants certainly have the talent offensively with Tiki, Eli, Plaxico, and Shockey, to put points on the board. Play-calling duties were turned over to none other than Kevin Gillbride last week and the Giants rolled up a 38 spot. Tiki with 3 TD's, one more than he had for the previous 15 games. Eagles fans probably thought their season was over when McNabb went down in week 11, but Jeff Garcia saves the season leading the Eagles to a 5-1 mark, winning their last 5, with McNabb down. This is a game I could see going down to the wire. The Giants will need a good performance from Eli. Tiki needs about 25 touches, and their banged up D-line will have to put it on Garcia. Philly will need to have a good game from Westbrook. Stallworth, not really much of a factor in the 2nd half, could be the key for Philly in this one, as well as their secondary against Plaxico, Shockey and Eli. The Giants beat the Eagles earlier this year when the Giants were good, and lost later in the season when the Giants were bad. Philly should probably win this game, but I've got a feeling the Giants are going to pull it out somehow.
My prediction: GIANTS
HR Leaders
Aaron 755, Ruth 714, Mays 660, F. Robinson 586, Killebrew 573
I started out with nothing...and I still have most of it.
