NFL: "Rematch Weekend"
It's being deemed "Rematch Weekend," as all four divisional round games feature rematches from the regular season. Pittsburgh and Baltimore spilt their season series and as did New England and the NY Jets, Seattle beat Chicago, 23-20 in Week 6 and Atlanta defeated Green Bay, 20-17 in Week 12. So, each team knows their opponent well, but who can use to benefit them the most has yet to be seen.
Last week was a shocker with Seattle winning and the Jets-Colts game had it share of "Holy Crap" (T-shirts) and "C'mon Man" moments. So, this week will be probably be no different. Here's who I like this week.
Divisional Round
Baltimore over Pittsburgh: Some are calling Baltimore-Pittsburgh the best rivalry in the NFL today and I would have to agree. Whenever the Ravens and Steelers get together it's a hard fought, smashmouth football game, where on every play players are trying to knock the snot out of each other. It's an old school rivalry, dominate by defense and keen on running the football. Usually low scoring games and you can forget about anyone rushing for over 100 yds, because it never happens. Both games this season were decided by three points or less and both were dominate by defense. Pittsburgh and Baltimore arguably have the best defenses remaining in the playoffs and don't be surprised if this one ends up being 10-7, 13-10, 16-13, etc...
In this defensive battle, I like the Ravens. They did beat the Steelers once this season, but Pittsburgh didn't have QB Ben Roethlisberger and the other time the Ravens lost by three at home. Neither team wants their season to end, but the Ravens will find some way to win. How? I don't know. It may take a big play on special teams or an Ed Reed pick for the Ravens to win, but it can happen. It will be a hard hitting game and you may want to wear a helmet while you watch.
Green Bay over Atlanta: God only knows who is going to win this game. An argument can be made for both the Packers and the Falcons, but whoever wins I like to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl. If Atlanta wins, they can beat the Bears or Seahawks at home and if Green Bay wins, they can win on the road in Seattle or Chicago. The Packers lost by only three points in their last meeting with the Falcons and Green Bay has not lost by more than four points all year. Falcons QB Matt Ryan is almost unbeatable at home and the Falcons went 7-1 at home this season. Hard to go against, but I like Green Bay because of one word, defense.
Chicago over Seattle: So, who thought we would see Seattle v Chicago in the second round of the playoffs? That's right no one, but hats off to Seattle for winning their division, even though it was at 7-9, and for beating New Orleans last week. The Bears and Seahawks meet early this season and Seattle was able to pull off the upset with a 23-20 victory at Soldier Field. That was in October, it's January now, which means the weather is a tad cold, high of 22 on Sunday, in the Windy City and snow is always in the forecast. Despite the weather and what the Seahawks did last week and against the Bears earlier this season, Chicago will win this time around.
The Bears are a much different team than the one that lost October 17th to the Seahawks. The Bears allowed six sacks, were 0-12 on 3rd downs, Jay Cutler was tackled in the end zone for a safety, and had only 61 yds rushing. Since then the Bears have gone 7-3, including wins against Philadelphia and the NY Jets, in route to a 11-5 record and the NFC North division crown. Seattle will be facing a much tougher defense this week in the Bears and don't expect them to put up 41 points again. The Seahawks may have been lucky to make it to the playoffs and may have been even luckier to defeat the Saints, but their luck runs out Sunday in Chicago. Bears win with defense and look forward to the NFC Championship game next week.
New England over NY Jets: Not sure how I should start off, because you don't want to start out on, oh what's the word? Foot. Speaking of feet anyone hear Wes Welker's press conference this week. He references feet 11 times and even though he will deny doing it on purpose, it almost certainly wasn't. The whole thing started with Jets head coach Rex Ryan apparently having a foot fetish and there are videos of him and his wife talking about feet. Creepy I know.
Rex Ryan and the Jets, aka Antonio Cromartie, continue to open their big mouths about this week's game and they better be careful about what they say. If you remember the last time the Jets opened their mouths about the Patriots, they lost 45-3. So, even though Bill Belichick and Tom Brady never answered questions about what they Jets were saying, I think actions speak louder than words. Sunday's game will not be that big of a blowout, but I still like the Patriots to come out with a win. New England is still my pick to win the Super Bowl and they move one step closer on Sunday.
Think Rex Ryan has ever had athletes foot? If he has, he should ask John Madden for some advice.
Last Week: 2-2
Playoffs: 2-2
Overall: 160-100
Last week was a shocker with Seattle winning and the Jets-Colts game had it share of "Holy Crap" (T-shirts) and "C'mon Man" moments. So, this week will be probably be no different. Here's who I like this week.
Divisional Round
Baltimore over Pittsburgh: Some are calling Baltimore-Pittsburgh the best rivalry in the NFL today and I would have to agree. Whenever the Ravens and Steelers get together it's a hard fought, smashmouth football game, where on every play players are trying to knock the snot out of each other. It's an old school rivalry, dominate by defense and keen on running the football. Usually low scoring games and you can forget about anyone rushing for over 100 yds, because it never happens. Both games this season were decided by three points or less and both were dominate by defense. Pittsburgh and Baltimore arguably have the best defenses remaining in the playoffs and don't be surprised if this one ends up being 10-7, 13-10, 16-13, etc...
In this defensive battle, I like the Ravens. They did beat the Steelers once this season, but Pittsburgh didn't have QB Ben Roethlisberger and the other time the Ravens lost by three at home. Neither team wants their season to end, but the Ravens will find some way to win. How? I don't know. It may take a big play on special teams or an Ed Reed pick for the Ravens to win, but it can happen. It will be a hard hitting game and you may want to wear a helmet while you watch.
| Clay Matthews led the Packers with 13.5 sacks this season |
Led by Pro Bowlers, CB Charles Woodsen and LB Clay Matthews, the Packers shutdown Michael Vick and the Eagles last week on the road and will do the same this week. Woodsen, Matthews and Co., shutdown the best quarterback/receiver duo in Matt Ryan and Roddy White, while stopping Michael Turner running the football. The Packers go into and Atlanta and beat the Falcons on their way to the Super Bowl.
The Bears are a much different team than the one that lost October 17th to the Seahawks. The Bears allowed six sacks, were 0-12 on 3rd downs, Jay Cutler was tackled in the end zone for a safety, and had only 61 yds rushing. Since then the Bears have gone 7-3, including wins against Philadelphia and the NY Jets, in route to a 11-5 record and the NFC North division crown. Seattle will be facing a much tougher defense this week in the Bears and don't expect them to put up 41 points again. The Seahawks may have been lucky to make it to the playoffs and may have been even luckier to defeat the Saints, but their luck runs out Sunday in Chicago. Bears win with defense and look forward to the NFC Championship game next week.
New England over NY Jets: Not sure how I should start off, because you don't want to start out on, oh what's the word? Foot. Speaking of feet anyone hear Wes Welker's press conference this week. He references feet 11 times and even though he will deny doing it on purpose, it almost certainly wasn't. The whole thing started with Jets head coach Rex Ryan apparently having a foot fetish and there are videos of him and his wife talking about feet. Creepy I know.
Rex Ryan and the Jets, aka Antonio Cromartie, continue to open their big mouths about this week's game and they better be careful about what they say. If you remember the last time the Jets opened their mouths about the Patriots, they lost 45-3. So, even though Bill Belichick and Tom Brady never answered questions about what they Jets were saying, I think actions speak louder than words. Sunday's game will not be that big of a blowout, but I still like the Patriots to come out with a win. New England is still my pick to win the Super Bowl and they move one step closer on Sunday.
Think Rex Ryan has ever had athletes foot? If he has, he should ask John Madden for some advice.
Last Week: 2-2
Playoffs: 2-2
Overall: 160-100
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