Well, it’s been a whole year since I last blogged and that blog was about the NFL Playoffs. I figured to ease my way back into the “grind” I would write about the NFL Playoffs. It’s rather fitting, actually, because a local producer has brought a show from Western MA called “The Dukes of Sports” and asked me to host the show with him. We have already discussed much about the current events surrounding the sports world and we shoot our first episode on Monday, January 9. To preface the show I thought I’d give you all my take on this weekend’s games. As I still have just under two hours before the first game kicks off, I thought I’d get it done now. Here goes:
Cincinnati Bengals @ Houston Texans
This is, in my opinion, the game of the weekend. If T.J. Yates is healthy enough (and we’re all assured he is), this will be a matchup of two rookie quarterbacks. While Cincy’s Andy Dalton seems to be the better on paper, Houston’s Arian Foster and Ben Tate will have a significant edge over Cedric Benson and Bernard Scott of the Bengals. Cincy has had the tougher season, having to play the Steelers and Ravens twice this season, while Houston lost their last three regular season games. The two teams did meet in the regular season, with the Texans edging out the Bengals 20-19. In fact, the last time the Bengals beat Houston was in 2005. Unfortunately for the Texans, this doesn’t really mean anything come playoff time. This is Houston’s first trip to the playoffs, and Cincinnati is looking for their first playoff win in 21 years.
My prediction: Cincinnati Bengals win.
Detroit Lions @ New Orleans Saints
If you asked me who would win this matchup 12-14 weeks ago, I’d probably stammer and stutter a minute before picking the Saints. Now, I don’t even think it will be close. QB Drew Brees destroyed Dan Marino’s passing yards in a season record, the defense doesn’t (usually) give up a lot of points and if you follow football even a little you may have heard of a young guy named Darren Sproles (who, on a side note, almost single-handedly beat my fantasy football team in the championship). Yes, the Lions have a good defense with a lot of interceptions, and, say what you will about him, probably the best pass rusher in the game, but their offense has little to back it up.
My prediction: Saints blowout.
Atlanta Falcons @ New York Giants
What are these two teams even doing here? Atlanta looked really good early on Matt Ryan looked as if he finally hit his stride (and good for the BC grad!), Tony Gonzalez is second only to Jerry Rice in career receptions, Michael Turner looked great and the receiving corp was nigh unstoppable. Then the second half of the season started and the limped into the playoffs on the backs of the terrible teams that make up most of the NFC (Packers, Saints and, unbelievably, the 49ers being exceptions). And don’t get me started on the Giants. And I kind of LIKE these teams (save for the Giants lucking out against the Pats in the Super Bowl). Seriously, may be the worst game of the weekend, except it might actually be close. Regardless of who wins, they’re probably going to face the Packers (unless the Lions pull off a miracle), which, more than likely, give the Packers what will essentially be another bye week.
My prediction: Falcons over Giants by a TD.
Pittsburgh Steelers @ Denver Broncos
The Mile High Messiah vs Big Ben. Normally I’d laugh at the matchup explaining how sad it will be that the Steelers will just decimate the Broncos, but now I’m not so sure. Big Ben (I don’t feel like spell-checking his last name) is not 100%, they’ve lost Rashard Mendenhall, and the defense is not as good as it once was. The Broncos on the other hand, despite losing their last three regular season games and only making the playoffs because the “right” teams lost, have a full back who can throw the ball at QB (Tim Tebow), a surprisingly good running game (Willis McGahee), and a very tough D. Their record isn’t reflective of how they played since Tebow took over as QB, which is very good, much to the chagrin of Tebow doubters. With Isaac Redman leading the running game, Big Ben will be forced to throw much more than he’s used to and the Broncos linebackers and corner-backs, lead by Von Miller, will start looking like receivers. I think it will be closer than most people think.
My Prediction: My gut tells me Steelers, but I think I’m going to pick this as the upset of the week and say Broncos by a field goal (probably led by a 4th quarter comeback)
Well, there you have it. Don’t forget to tune in to the Dukes of Sports on channel 13 and the VOD here at sandwichtv.org