Preview: Seahawks vs Falcons - NFC Divisional Game

Will the Ryan/Smith combo get it done and win on Sunday?

• It feels as if this could be the beginning of a possible Super Bowl coach/QB duo or this could be the beginning of the end for one or the other. Coming into this season, this core of Falcons players knew that the regular season would mean nothing. Their goal: Get back to the playoffs and get to the Super Bowl. After their "2 point" performance last year in wild card game at MetLife, the Falcons know if they lose again in the playoff, this core group could see some major changes in a season or two. However, if they can win this game, this could open up the opportunity for a Super Bowl appearance in their "hated rival's" own backyard. This game is a huge barometer for this Falcons organization going forward.

Seattle Secondary vs Atlanta WR's: Who dominates who?

• This will be the matchup most people would and should want to watch. Seahawks very physical, big secondary vs the Falcons big and speedy WR's. With such offensive explosion, can that be the one thing that can even out the physical play of that Seahawks secondary or will that explosion be put on ice. I don't think the Falcons WR's have been tested to handle the physical play all season. As well, this could be a big test for the Seahawks secondary, who haven't had big, quick WR's like this either. 

Can Wilson continue he's amazing play or will the Falcons stop him?

• Russell Wilson can join Joey Flacco and Mark Sanchez as the only QB's to win their first 2 playoffs games as a rookie. However, it seems to be something different about Wilson. He seems to have been here before, I mean the way he carries himself, to the way he's so calm and relaxed when the pressure is on. He played almost like a poised veteran last week against the Redskins and if he plays anything remotely similar to that in this game, then the Falcons could be in for a long afternoon. 

Will the cross-country trip and the start time of this game help or hurt the Seahawks?

• From Seattle, WA to Washington D.C. is 2,329 miles (4,658 round trip). From Seattle to Atlanta is 1,891. All those miles would equal 6,549 miles in a span of 7 days. Not to mention that the game is a 1pm Eastern/10am Pacific start. This could be a dangerous thing for a team that might be a little slow getting into the game. If the Falcons manage to jump out on the Seahawks, that could be domesday for the Seahawks. However, this team was down 14-0 last week and still won, so hey......maybe they can pull off the road upset. Or maybe not...

X-Factors: Seahawks Pass Rush vs Falcons Pass Rush

• With the injuries to Chris Clemons and John Abraham (although he will play), which pass rush can disturb the other's passing attack?

Confidence Picks: Seahawks (12) vs Falcons (21)

• QB: Wilson (5) vs Ryan (6)
• Defense: SEA (1) vs ATL (7)
• Coaching: Carroll (6) vs Smith (8)

Prediction: 23-20, Seahawks

Preview: Packers vs 49ers - NFC Divisional Game

Rodgers vs Kaepernick:

• This will be Kaepernick's first playoff game as a starter. This could be either a good thing (Wilson, Flacco, Sanchez, Yates just to make a few QB's who won their first playoffs starts) or this could be a bad thing for him. Since 2008, QB's making their first playoff starts are 8-7. So for Kaepernick, its almost a 50/50 shot at giving the Niners the win. As for Rodgers, he could make this tough on the Niners faithful. Winning he's last 3 playoff road starts, playing on the road doesn't really phase him, but this will be his first ever game at Candlestick Park. Rodgers, who is a California-native, rooted for the 49ers his entire life until he became a Packer. Now he must beat the team he loves dearly in his heart. Likewise for Kaepernick, born in Wisconsin but raised on the west coast, he also has to play against the team he so loved as a child, the Green Bay Packers. It will be a tough game for both of these QB's, on and off the field.

Can Frank Gore do the the Packers Defense as Adrian Peterson did to them this season?

• If we rank the top 5 RB's in this league from the last 5 years, Gore would be on that list. At least he should be. With that being said, this Packers defense had serious issues with the guy would most, if not all, would say is #1 on that list: Adrian Peterson. Lets not forget that Gore also destroyed this defense up at Lambeau back in September for 112 yards, including the game-sealing TD run. If he can run like that again, this Packers defense will be in for a long evening, which isn't good for the Packers. Period.

Battle of the "3-4" defenses: Who wins?

• Well the Niners defense won round one of these battle at Lambeau. This time around, both defenses have had their share of injuries, but now both teams seem to be getting everything back to together at the right now. Its all about the matchups: Which defense can exploit the other offenses weakness? The defense that can do that, and play physical, smash-mouth defense, will be the ones who wins this battle and the game.

Can the 49ers win this game if they score under 20 points?

• Well they scored 30 points at Lambeau (although 23 of those came from the offense). I believe that this will not be an issue for the Niners. I think they'll get over 20 points and so will the Packers.

X-Factor: Dujuan Harris vs 49ers Defense

• Can Harris take some pressure off Rodgers against this 49ers defense??

Confidence Picks: Packers (11) vs 49ers (15)

• QB: Rodgers (2) vs Kaepernick (8)
• Defense: GB (6) vs SF (2)
• Coach: McCarthy (3) vs Harbaugh (5)

Prediction: 23-20, 49ers

Preview: Seahawks vs Redskins - NFC Wild Card

Rookie QB's: Wilson vs RGIII:

• Before the start of the season, if I was to ask you that one of these QB's would make it to the playoffs, 100% would of said RGIII hands down. However, Russell Wilson has really come from nowhere and could be the future leader of this Seahawks organization. This match-up will also ensure us that a rookie QB will win its first playoff start (5 have completed this feat so far).

Running Attack: Beastmode vs. Alfred:

• Which running attack will have a good game and which running attack will be responsible for winning this game? This very well could be the reason why each team can disrupt the other team's hot defense. These two RB's are the best RB's not named Adrian Peterson this season. Alfred Morris is 2nd in NFL in yards followed by Marshawn Lynch. However, with both defenses being in the top 10 in run defense, getting those yards could be difficult.

Which hot streak will continue?

• Entering this game, the Seahawks won 5 straight game while the Redskins won 7 straight. Well as the saying goes: "Something has to give". These are the NFC's top two hottest teams and for the rest of the conference, its a good thing they'll play each other early. Redskins we're 3-6 and had started to looking forward to the off-season. Well that's until this team caught lighting in a bottle and haven't lose since their bye week. As for the Seahawks, their winning streak started in a huge make or break game  in Chicago. An overtime win against the Bears sparked a December that most Seahawks fans will remember for a long time. As for which streak will last the longest, well remember before December, the Seahawks wasn't a good road team. As for the Redskins, they haven't lost at home since their bye week. I guess we'll find out is playing at home all built up to be or is their is a such thing as a road warrior.

Can the Seahawks Defense slow down RGIII?

• Well its been 3 weeks since RGIII knee injury against the Ravens. Still wearing the knee brace from that injury, will RGIII be restricted by that brace or the brace of the Seahawks D? One of the most physical defenses in the playoffs will have their hands full. Which leads us to the big question: Can RGIII out throw and out run this defense to lead the Redskins to victory or will the Seahawks Defense  unleash the "Legion of Boom" and limit RGIII mobility?

X-Factor: Seahawks Secondary vs Redskins Pass Defense

• Will the Seahawks secondary be though test for RGIII or will the Redskins Pass Defense get to Wilson?

Confidence Picks: Seahawks (6) vs Redskins (17)

Prediction: 21-17, Seahawks

Preview: Vikings vs Packers - NFC Wild Card

Ponder vs Rodgers, part III:

• So far this in the regular season match-ups, it's Ponder 1, Rodgers 1. This is by no way comparing both QB's to one another, but it is to say that in their Week 17 match, Ponder made one more play than Rodgers and thus won the game. The real question, can Ponder somehow play up to or outplay Rodgers in this game? That will be the most important task for the young QB who answered some critics concerns last week in his "career-defining" game. As for Rodgers, well the task is simple: Continue to be the best QB in the league and the Packers should win. Well that could be somewhat difficult if the Vikings D continue to be successful on their blitzing, as they were last week. Can Ponder continue to play mistake-free football, as he has the last 4 weeks of the season or will the greatness of Rodgers be too much for the young QB to match-up with?

Vikings Passing Game vs Packers Rushing Attack:

• Here's the facts on these two: Vikes passing offense is ranked 31st while the Packers are 20th in rushing. The winner of this battle within the battle, will mostly lead their team to victory.

Turnover Battle:

• The Week 13 match-up: Vikings - 2, Packers - 1. The Week 17 match: Packers -1, Vikings - 0. Team that can force the most turnovers, will pretty much win this game. The Packers would love to force young Christian Ponder into a few INT's in this game. There chances of doing this will improve when CB Charles Woodson returns to the lineup after sitting out most of the season with a collarbone injury. The Vikings would love to somehow force Rodgers into a few picks or a strip sack or two.

Vikings CB's vs Packers WR's:

• This will be the most important match-up of the game. If the Vikes secondary can keep the Packers WR's at bay, then they defense will have a great chance at getting to Rodgers. Keep in mind that the Vikings will need Veteran CB Antonie Winfield to play in this game. He's very important to a Vikings Secondary that is very different without his presence in the lineup. The Packers will have leading WR Randall Cobb back for this game (he missed last Sunday's game with an ankle injury). In the 3rd Quarter of last Sunday's game, Winfield missed the 2nd half due to that injured hand. Rodgers got hot..very hot and began torching the Vikes younger CB's. 

X-Factors: Vikings WR's vs Packers Run Defense

• Can the Vikings WR's get 150 yards or more collectively or can the Packers Run Defense hold AP to under 150 rushing?

Confidence Pick: Vikings (17) vs Packers (7)

• QB: Ponder (7) vs Rodgers (1)
• Def: Vikings (4) vs Packers (3)
• Coach: Frazier (6) vs McCarthy (3)

Prediction: Vikings 27, Packers 24

2012 NFL Playoffs Predictions

AFC Division Winners Ravens Patriots Broncos Texans  Wild Card Contenders Steelers Jets Bengals Bills Raiders Chargers AFC Wild Card 6. Jets vs 3. Broncos 5. Steelers vs 4. Texans AFC Divisional Game 5. Steelers vs 1. Ravens 3. Broncos vs 2. Patriots AFC Championship Game 2. Patriots vs. 1. Ravens

NFC Division Winners 49ers Bears Eagles Panthers Wild Card Contenders Packers Saints Lions Cowboys Giants Falcons NFC Wild Card 6. Saints vs. 3. Eagles 5. Packers vs. 4. Panthers NFC Divisional Game 5. Packers vs. 1. 49ers 3. Eagles vs 2. Bears NFC Championship Game 3. Eagles vs. 1. 49ers

2012 NFC North Preview

NFC North

Review are in order of final standings in 2011

1. Packers (15-1): - The Packers did everything almost perfect, winning at will and dominating all opponents they've faced. Well all except one. Lately, when it comes to playoff football, Lambeau Field and Giants: The Packers don't fare so well. Eli's Giants nipped the Packers again in the playoffs and the Packers great season came to an end just like that. Well the question on this team is can the Packers continue their dominate ways as they did last season?
2. Lions (10-6): - Well for Detroit, this is the first time since 1999 they had a winning record and they could play in the playoffs like its 1999. Well yea, the Lions have come a long way from the 0-16 season that plagued them a few seasons ago. Now with a young, talented and dominating core of players, the next step is to win the division and have a home playoff game for the first time in 20 years. Can the Lions repeat their winning season again and contend for the NFC North title in 2012?
3. Bears (8-8): - Well if the NFL had a 10-game schedule, the Bears would have made the playoffs last season. However, they would not do much after that, considering that they lost QB Jay Cutler and RB Matt Forte in the final stretch of the season. 7-3 was the Bears record when Cutler went down and a week later Forte got hurt and the Bears season went with them. The Bears would of have a team that could of made such a playoff run as did the Giants did last year, had they stayed healthy with their star players. The Bears in the off-season gave Cutler a some brand new toys the play with in that offense, including a toy he once had in Denver: WR Brandon Marshall, who should be a huge upgrade for him. Question for the Bears would be: Will this be the year that Cutler finally take the Bears back to the Super Bowl for the first time in 6 years?
4. Vikings (3-13): - The Vikings could look at 2011 with the first 3 games of the season. After having double digit leads in those games going into or in the 4th quarter, the Vikings lost all 3 games and thus lost their 2011 season. Injuries and ineffectiveness helped paved the way for QB Christian Ponder to take over the helm of this team. Well then as the season of hell continue, it got even worse at the end of the season: RB Adrian Peterson blows out his knee the second to the last game of the season. Vikings are at the process of rebuilding, but this rebuild project have been put on hold over the last few years until this season. They must spend this season seeing if the young players they've drafted over the last few years can mesh and produce wins....not give them away. So the main questions for the Vikings is: Will AP be the same RB he was before the knee injury? Will Ponder be able to take the next step to lead this Vikings team to a championship someday? 

2012 NFC North Champion: Chicago Bears

CHI: (11-5)
GB: (10-6)
DET: (9-7)
MIN: (8-8)

2012 NFC East Preview

NFC East

Reviews are in order of final standings for 2011

1. Giants (10-6): - After its week 15 loss at home to the Redskins, this team looked dead in the water. Giving up the lead in the tightly contested NFC East to the Cowboys and having to play a winner-takes all game in Week 17 in Dallas for the division. Mirroring the entrance into the 2007 playoffs (one exception is that this time they played the first game at home vs Falcons) this looked at lot like that season for this Giants team. And it ended like it too, a win against the Patriots in the Super Bowl. I guess one of the things going into this season is the fact that Eli Manning could be going into the prime years of his career. Consistency with both Eli and the Giants have been their issue over the years and now that question comes into the mind this season. Can the Giants dominate a division and successfully defend their championship again, this time knowing what's going to be excepted from this season?
2. Cowboys (9-7): - Another season, Another late collapse. This team seems to bet it hedges on the fact that they know when the end of the year comes, except some big loss at the end that could either: cost this team the division or a playoff spot. However, Tony Romo seem to have a good season but there could be "trust issues" developing between Head Coach Jason Garrett and Romo. If there's one thing you must have over the time is that you must have trust with your QB. In a few late season games last year, showed this issue in the light. This season the main question will be is this Cowboys Era (Romo Era) coming to an end after this season? Will this be the last stand for a Super Bowl or will a huge rebuilding project follow the 2012 season?
3. Eagles (8-8): - The expectations of this team was through the roof and it might of been too much for this team. Coined "The Dream Team" by former back-up QB Vince Young, the title stuck with this team along with the expectations. Well those expectations got even higher, when Michael Vick said that this team is on the cusp of a dynasty. All of that along with the very sudden and tragic death of Andy Reid son will be a huge challenge for this Eagles team. So the question remains: Can this Eagles team finally, in their team history, be the team that wins the Super Bowl in 2012?
4. Redskins (5-11): - Well the first quarter of the 2011 season went well for the 'Skins, winning 3 of the first 4 games. Until reality sat in, and this team lost 6 straight games to pretty much put them in the "wait until next year" list. However, their season may not have been as good as their draft pick in the NFL draft. Getting Baylor sensation Robert Griffith III, there is hope now for the Redskins future. Question for this season: Can RGIII have half the season that Cam Newton had last season? If so, could the Redskins be one of those teams who finished last place in their division to a team that goes to the playoffs?

2012 NFC East Champion: Philadelphia Eagles

PHI: (11-5)

DAL: (10-6)

NYG: (9-7)

WAS: (6-10)

2012 NFC West Preview

NFC West

Reviews are in order of final standings for 2011

1. 49ers (13-3): - Two fumbles keep this team away from going to the Super Bowl in January. A painful way to end what was a great season for this prestige franchise that could be back on the rise after a decade of painful futility. QB Alex Smith may have saved his career with a career season and will be looked upon to make his mark among the great 49ers QB's of the past. However, this team's glaring need of a WR was checked over the off-season with additions of Mario Manningham and Randy Moss. This should make Smith's life a lot easier and make this 49ers offense more dangerous. Can this 49ers team win the Super Bowl this year??
2. Cardinals (8-8): - The 2008 season seem like a 4 decades ago for this team that made to the Super Bowl. Year one of Kolb is complete with the only problem being: He didn't finish the season. With John Skelton as starter, the Cards finished strong last season, winning 5 of 6 games to end the season at .500. One of the questions will remain for this Cards team: Kolb or Skelton? With the 49ers reloading, Rams rebounding, and Seahawks improving, this leaves the Cards with a huge question moving forward. Can the Cards keep winning with Skelton at the helm or will Kolb make a strong move for the starting QB spot in 2012?
3. Seahawks (7-9): - The Seahawks could of had a worse record then this, but because of two huge road wins, which indeed keep this team afloat for the 2011 season. Going into this season, the Seahawks have a problem....their QB situation. Signing Matt Flynn and drafting Russell Wilson, put incumbent Tarvaris Jackson in a familiar position: Having to fight for his starting QB spot again. Something Jackson has done throughout his career. Another thing could be the signing of WR Terrell Owens and how effective he could be during this season. Two key questions lurk for this team: Who will be the lead signal caller in 2012? Will T.O. be effective enough to help a Seahawks receiver core that, all combined ,would still not equal the hall of fame numbers that T.O. has accumulated over his career?
4. Rams (2-14): - After choosing Bradford over R.G.III in the draft, could adding some help for Bradford be enough to help this team gain some wins in 2012. Maybe the addition of new coach Jeff Fisher could be enough to do the trick as well. This team last season had really nobody to count on and was just a bad team overall. However, with a few WR's added to the team and a few draft picks (thanks to the Redskins) may be enough to turn this team around in the next 2-3 seasons. Can the Rams make it to the playoffs in 2012 after finishing last in the division in 2011??

2012 NFC West Champion: San Francisco 49ers

SF: (11-5)

SEA: (7-9)

ARI: (6-10)

STL: (5-11)

2012 NFC South Preview

NFC South

Reviews are in order of final standings for 2011

1. Saints (13-3): Normally a 13-win season would get you home-field advantage and a 1st-round bye. But last season wasn't normally planned and this Saints team had to travel on the road in order to get back to the Super Bowl. The Saints clearly was the conference's second best team, but was beaten by the actual second-best team, the San Francisco 49ers. This season, with the suspensions of coach Payton and other players, this could be a hard season for one Drew Brees to carry them out of.
2. Falcons (10-6): After being the #1 team in the NFC in 2010, the Falcons fell to Wild-Card status in 2011. This team is a Super Bowl hopeful, but is their Quarterback the same? Matt Ryan hasn't had great success in the postseason and that has to change if the Falcons are looking to go to Super Bowl. The question is, can he make the next step or has he reach the ceiling? The 2012 season is depending on it.
3. Panthers (6-10): One name for sum up their 2011 Season: Cam Newton. Newton by far too the Panthers and the NFL by storm. But can he at least give 60% of what he did last season? If he can, then this team will be something to mess with in the NFC South this year.
4. Bucs (4-12): Talk about a team that went to the doorstep of contending status, to what the heck happened? Yea the Bucs are that team. With a new coaching staff, this team could be in a small rebuild year, but don't worry Bucs fans. This is the NFC South, if history is correct, you'll win the division next season.

2012 NFC South Champion: Carolina Panthers

 

CAR: (9-7)

NO: (9-7)

ATL: (8-8)

TB: (6-10)

Mid-season NFL Playoff Predictions

Well this is the time that we start to look at who's gonna be playing in January and who's "Goin' Fishin" (In the words of NBA Analyst Kenny Smith). I'll do these often as the season progress, but this is my initial one......So here's who I think will be in the playoffs:

AFC

1. Baltimore Ravens

2. New York Jets

3. Houston Texans

4. Kansas City Chiefs

5. Pittsburgh Steelers

6. New England Patriots

With the Ravens big win over the Steelers, thus winning the season series, and beating the Jets earlier this year will help this team retain the #1 seed in the AFC and its up to them to lose it. The Jets should round out the AFC North division, unless the Pats beat them at MetLife this weekend, Texans will win the South by default and the Chiefs as of right now, will win the West, but that could come down the the final two weekends of the season (see schedule on ESPN.com). Steelers and Pats will make two very tough wild-cards for the AFC.

NFC

1. Green Bay Packers

2. San Francisco 49ers

3. New York Giants

4. Tampa Bay Bucs

5. New Orleans Saints

6. Chicago Bears

Green Bay Packers will have the #1 spot....period! However, at #2 things can get interesting as the Giants vs. 49ers match-up this weekend will pretty much decide this seed. Huge game for both teams, but I do believe that the 49ers will put this one out. Tampa Bay will round out the division (only person who still believe that the Bucs can win the NFC South). I know that the Bucs schedule is pretty tough, I still think they can pull out some wins and since they have 2 divisional wins already, that should help them out with tie-breakers. The Saints can easily be the #2, #3, or #4 but I think they would be a wild-card again. Huge win from the Bears yesterday. As they beat the Eagles, Falcons, and Bucs, the Bears put themselves in GREAT position for one of the wild-card and possibly the NFC North.