Thursday, January 1, 2009
E.K. NATION'S NFL PLAYOFF PREDICTION GIFT EXCHANGE
In two days the NFL playoffs begin, without the New England Patriots but with the 8-8 San Diego Chargers. Really? Does anyone think the playoffs will be more interesting with a .500 team in there? Something's gotta be done. But hey, can't fault the Bolts; they did all that was necessary to get there. And I think justice was served: San Diego was jobbed out of a win against Denver in Week 2 and that would have bit them reeeeeal hard if they'd lost to the Broncos on Sunday night.
AFC Playoffs: Well, we have Indianapolis at 12-4 going to San Diego to play the Chargers. The Colts really should be able to take care of this one. And Baltimore goes to Miami to play the Dolphins, who won all of one game last season. I just have a feeling about the Dolphins in this one.
In the next round, it would be the Colts at Tennessee and Miami at Pittsburgh. Have the Titans really been a Super Bowl caliber team this year? It just doesn't seem like it, does it? The Colts did just beat Tennessee 31-0 this week, but it was a meaningless game. Nevertheless, I think the Colts have played really well for over two months -- they haven't lost since October, when they fell 31-21 to...the Titans. Hmmmm. I still like Indianapolis. And assuming Ben Roethlisberger is back from that concussion in Week 17, I like the Steelers to defeat Miami.
Which takes us to the AFC Championship game. I have it as being Indianapolis at Pittsburgh. Both teams have played extremely well recently and this one would be a good game. As you can tell I'm not too big on analysis, just predictions, so: the Colts win it, 31-28.
NFC Playoffs: The first round has Atlanta playing at Arizona. As might prove to be troublesome for Baltimore, I think having a rookie quarterback might not be good for a playoff run. Matt Ryan's been outstanding for the Falcons this year, making everyone say Michael Who?, but Kurt Warner has two Super Bowl appearances and two MVP awards. It's going to be tough to shake that experience. The Cardinals win this one, although you could call it an upset. Philadelphia travels to Minnesota in the other game, and I just like the way the Philly fought to get into the playoffs. Granted, if either the Bears or Buccaneers had won on Sunday we wouldn't be discussing the Eagles; they've been a bit fortunate. But they demolished Dallas 44-6 (did you laugh hysterically the way I did when Dallas kicked a field goal trailing 44-3?) and things look strong for them. I'm going with Philly.
In round two it would be Philadelphia at Giants Stadium to take on New York, and Arizona would play Carolina. Carolina's gonna win that one. And the Giants-Eagles game promises to be another good one. I just think home field advantage will win out here, sending the Giants to the NFC Championship.
The Panthers and Giants played a great game in Week 16, taking it to overtime where New York came away the winner. But it's always tought to beat a team in the playoffs after you've beaten them in the regular season. Why would I lean towards the Giants? Well, here's a thought: if the Giants play the Colts in the Super Bowl, it would not only be a matchup of the last two Super Bowl champions, but it would also feature a matchup of brothers at quarterback. Plus, it's the 50th anniversary of the classic Giants-Colts overtime playoff game that propelled the NFL to major status. Could there possibly be any matchup greater than this one, given these two factors? Well, let's not forget about Carolina. I think they showed they can hang with the Giants. Panthers win, 17-14.
Super Bowl XLIII: So I'm going with the Indianapolis Colts and the Carolina Panthers in the 43rd Super Bowl. Again: No analysis, just a prediction. I'll be sure to revise once we actually get to the big game if I need to, but for now, I'm saying the Carolina Panthers will win the Super Bowl 35-23.
AFC Playoffs: Well, we have Indianapolis at 12-4 going to San Diego to play the Chargers. The Colts really should be able to take care of this one. And Baltimore goes to Miami to play the Dolphins, who won all of one game last season. I just have a feeling about the Dolphins in this one.
In the next round, it would be the Colts at Tennessee and Miami at Pittsburgh. Have the Titans really been a Super Bowl caliber team this year? It just doesn't seem like it, does it? The Colts did just beat Tennessee 31-0 this week, but it was a meaningless game. Nevertheless, I think the Colts have played really well for over two months -- they haven't lost since October, when they fell 31-21 to...the Titans. Hmmmm. I still like Indianapolis. And assuming Ben Roethlisberger is back from that concussion in Week 17, I like the Steelers to defeat Miami.
Which takes us to the AFC Championship game. I have it as being Indianapolis at Pittsburgh. Both teams have played extremely well recently and this one would be a good game. As you can tell I'm not too big on analysis, just predictions, so: the Colts win it, 31-28.
NFC Playoffs: The first round has Atlanta playing at Arizona. As might prove to be troublesome for Baltimore, I think having a rookie quarterback might not be good for a playoff run. Matt Ryan's been outstanding for the Falcons this year, making everyone say Michael Who?, but Kurt Warner has two Super Bowl appearances and two MVP awards. It's going to be tough to shake that experience. The Cardinals win this one, although you could call it an upset. Philadelphia travels to Minnesota in the other game, and I just like the way the Philly fought to get into the playoffs. Granted, if either the Bears or Buccaneers had won on Sunday we wouldn't be discussing the Eagles; they've been a bit fortunate. But they demolished Dallas 44-6 (did you laugh hysterically the way I did when Dallas kicked a field goal trailing 44-3?) and things look strong for them. I'm going with Philly.
In round two it would be Philadelphia at Giants Stadium to take on New York, and Arizona would play Carolina. Carolina's gonna win that one. And the Giants-Eagles game promises to be another good one. I just think home field advantage will win out here, sending the Giants to the NFC Championship.
The Panthers and Giants played a great game in Week 16, taking it to overtime where New York came away the winner. But it's always tought to beat a team in the playoffs after you've beaten them in the regular season. Why would I lean towards the Giants? Well, here's a thought: if the Giants play the Colts in the Super Bowl, it would not only be a matchup of the last two Super Bowl champions, but it would also feature a matchup of brothers at quarterback. Plus, it's the 50th anniversary of the classic Giants-Colts overtime playoff game that propelled the NFL to major status. Could there possibly be any matchup greater than this one, given these two factors? Well, let's not forget about Carolina. I think they showed they can hang with the Giants. Panthers win, 17-14.
Super Bowl XLIII: So I'm going with the Indianapolis Colts and the Carolina Panthers in the 43rd Super Bowl. Again: No analysis, just a prediction. I'll be sure to revise once we actually get to the big game if I need to, but for now, I'm saying the Carolina Panthers will win the Super Bowl 35-23.
