Divisional Playoffs

Will Miracle Meachem propel the Saints to the NFC Championship?

You know how I said the Cowboys couldn’t beat the Eagles three times in one season?  I was wrong.  Apparently they could defeat them 16 times in as season if necessary.  The Ravens crushed the Patriots, avenging the slight given them earlier this year.  The Ravens D forced 3 Tom Brady turnovers in the first quarter alone, and spectators reportedly heard crying coming for the depths of the Patriot sideline for the rest of the afternoon..  The Bengals managed to hold Thomas Jones under 50 yards rushing, but still allowed nearly 200 yards on the ground.  With Ocho Cinco under the thumb of Darrel Revis, the Bengal offense couldn’t manage to keep up falling by 10.  Four more points than the two kicks missed by Graham which Coach Marvin Lewis said cost them the game.  The Cardinals won a low scoring basketball game toppling the Packers 51-45 in overtime, thanks to a little bit of Lambeau bad luck.  A tradition that goes back to Elway and Sharpe‘s Poweraid theft of 98.  An event this analyst remembers all too well.

Saturday’s Games

Arizona Cardinals at New Orleans Saints

The Saints started off the season 13-0, but lost their last three games.  This slide has caused many experts to slot them as the underdogs as the Red Hot Cardinals come off of an impressive win over an equally impressive Packer squad.  The Saints defense was able to force a large number of turnovers early in the season and have failed to do so during their current slide.  However with Boldin likely sidelined again and Fitzgerald in double coverage they are likely to force a few.  Kurt Warner has been accused of throwing it up and letting Fitzgerald make most of his plays for him, if this is true look for Darren Sharper to find a couple fall his way.  Either way a healthy Saints Offense led by Drew Brees and Miracle Meachem will pile up a bunch of points and flimsy Cardinals D:

Saints 38 – Cardinals 31

Baltimore Ravens at Indianapolis Colts

The Ravens fell just short of the Colts in their meeting earlier this season when they were forced to settle for field goals all day long.  Flacco and Rice have exploded the last couple of weeks as they did early in the season and if any team in the AFC can take out the Colts it’s them.  However the Colts are healthy.  They made a point of coming into the playoffs that way.  They are deeper than they have ever been.  Joseph Addai has come alive of late, and Donald Brown and Chad Simpson all capable of making big plays out of the back field and arguably the best receiving core in the league.  The Colts are unlocking under Manning coming off of the bye.  Ray Rice will control most of the game against a week Colts running game, but just like that Monday night against Miami, Peyton will refuse to lose:

Colts 33 – Ravens 27

Sunday’s Games

Dallas Cowboys at Minnesota Vikings

Sidney Rice needs to have a big game to beat the Cowboys.

Every analyst and non-committal fan around the world has jumped on the Cowboy bandwagon of late.  If you look backwards through time, you can actually see them leaping onto it, from the Vikings bandwagon.  The last two halves that mattered, the Vikings combined for over 60 points.  The Cowboys  have been dominate of recent (probably just because I have been picking against them).  Rumors are actually starting to spread of Wade Phillips keeping his job.  That won’t happen.  Sidney Rice will and Vincent Shiancoe will make Favre look  better than ever:

Vikings 48 – Cowboys 27

New York Jets at San Diego Chargers

The Jets have ran rampant this year.  Thomas Jones has put together another pro bowl worthy year, and no one really noticed.  The Chargers have been the hottest team in the league since week 5, and have one of the most well balanced attacks seen in the league.  This game comes down to Phillip Rivers as he must put the game onto Mark Sanchez’s shoulder.  Dirty Sanchez isn’t quite ready to carry a team to a championship, and if the Jets are forced to play catch up, he’s made many the game sealing mistake this season.  Darrel Revis will lock down Vincent Jackson, placing the primary burden on the shoulders of  Antonio Gates.  If Gates can pull the Jets Linebackers off the line of scrimmage, look for Sproles and Little T to combine for 150 yards. If not then Sanchez may be able to play small ball and ride Greene and Thomas to the victory:

Chargers 30 – Jets 17

Tags: divisional playoffs, hampton forecast, nfl

This entry was posted on Saturday, January 16th, 2010 at 10:35 am and is filed under Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.