And finally the Daunte Culpepper… Joey Harrington… Cleo Lemon of 411Sports J. Yayo Hernandez!
And with that let's take a look at how the playoff seeding looks.
January 6, 2007 Kansas City Chiefs at Indianapolis Colts 4:30 PM on NBC
EM: Colts - Indy in a landslide. I realize their defense is as porous as cheesecloth, but they have Peyton Manning and Marvin Harrison, who always seem to get up for games like this and Peyton is pretty convinced this is his year...there is, of course, the main element and that is fuck Kansas Shitty.
Larry Csonka: Chiefs - I think that I will go with my upset special here. Indy has a ton of tools but they are Swiss cheese when is comes to run defense. While KC isn't exactly a dominant force, if they can not get behind and stick to their run game they will shred the Indy D and force Peyton to beat them. A lot will say that this is what the Colts want, because Peyton is that good, but if he HAS to beat them and come back while he D continues to get tired, he WILL make a mistake. I have KC with the "upset" win here.
JT: Colts - While it has yet again been blatantly obvious that Indy is not going to win (or even get to) the Super Bowl, they will still give it the ol' college try like they do every year. LJ has been a beast for KC, but Trent Green has failed to throw for 200 yards since his return, and Indy I'm sure is a little sick and tired of people like me saying that they just don't have the goods. I actually expect the Colts to win convincingly here.
Bonnette: Colts - KC is just happy to be there, while the Colts really want to win it all (even though they got no shot this year). Larry Johnson will probably have a big day, but it won't matter much as the Colts drop 30+ on the Chiefs and send them packing early. The Chiefs could make it interesting by doing the whole ball control/keep the Colts offense off the field strategy, but in the end I just don't see them being able to hold Manning and Co. down for 60 minutes, or being able to do enough through the air with Trent Green at QB to really pour it on if they get ahead early.
Sat: Chiefs - This is an interesting matchup. Do the high powered Indianapolis Colts run wild on the weak Kansas City defense? Or does Larry Johnson run wild on the very bad Indianapolis defense? I say that Larry Johnson runs like crazy on the Colts in the first half, with the Colts making a run late. This will be very similar to the Steelers/Colts from last year.
Garmer: Chiefs - Let's see it's a battle of the bad defenses against lighting offenses, who's gonna win? Peyton Manning looks determined to show that no matter what the odds, he's going to take this team deep into the playoffs. If he wants to do that, however, the defense has to find a way to stop Larry Johnson, which I don't think is happening. Trent Green is going to have to be in top form if KC plans to keep up with Peyton & co. All it takes is one mistake, and I think Indy is going to do it. KC in an upset.
Pelletier: Chiefs - Let me make sure I understand this. Larry Johnson is the second best running back in the league and the Colts couldn't stop Bea Arthur if she lined up in the back field. That sounds about right to me. Kansas City will pull the upset that isn't really an upset. Hell, even Brady Quinn could quarterback the Chiefs to this big win.
Yayo: Colts - This is a match-up of two teams that stumbled into the playoffs over their last few games. My gut wants me to say Chiefs, but my brain says something totally different. Yes the Indianapolis defense has suffered tremendously this season against the run (which some may say is directly attributable to the loss of Corey Simon early in the season), but their pass defense is second in the league behind Oakland, only allowing 159.2 yards per game. And it's not because teams are passing that much less on Indy (Indy opponents passed 25.9 times per game, the NFL average is 32 attempts). That has to be disturbing for Herm Edwards whose pass offense has been less then stellar since the return of Trent Green. Johnson can score his two long touchdowns but on the other side of the field you have the Colts whose offense is third in the NFL facing a Chiefs defense that is average at best. Look for Peyton to have a big day in a Colts win.
January 6, 2007 Dallas Cowboys at Seattle Seahawks 8 PM on NBC
EM: Seahawks - Seattle, convincingly. On Sunday Night Football a while ago, Al Michaels spent a lot of air time talking about how sports journalists were ready to anoint Dallas QB Tony Romo as the second coming...this right before he had easily his worst game of the season. Dallas will get eaten alive in this game, unless the anointing oil gets brought out again and that seems none too likely. I don't think Seattle will go far, but they ain't goin' out here...
Larry Csonka: Seahawks - And here we have a game I care absolutely nothing for. Dallas is all TO drama and jacking to Romo and Seattle are the guys my boys beat last year. Anyway, Dallas lost to Detroit to close out the year, and that will either piss them off or destroy them. I think Seattle has enough to win the game and hopefully will get some trickery in there with S. Wallace ala Kordell in the old days. Seattle wins in what will either be a boring or barn burner style game, it just depends what teams show up.
JT: Seahawks - Am I the only person on the planet (along with Mike Wilbon) that is getting a little sick and tired of all the Tony Romo slobknobbery? He has played well *in the NFC* and is going to the Pro Bowl, but sheesh. Here, let me give you a better quarterback than Tony Romo ...Matt Hasslebeck, the guy he's facing. Hell, he's not even the best QB in that division (haven't seen him rattle off five straight wins). Point is, Holgrem, Alexander, Hasselbeck and co. will be fully prepared for this, and the Cowboys season win end with this game.
Bonnette: Cowboys - A lot of the so-called experts seem to be picking Dallas to go down in flames based on how they finished up the season, but I'm not. I think they went into cruise control/mail it in mode because it looked like they had everything wrapped up already. The pass defense is a concern, and will probably keep them from getting too far, but I think they have enough to keep Seattle down and score enough points with their high powered offense to pull out a W. The X factor here is the weather; if it's bad, you load up on the Seahawks. But since I'm doing this without a forecast, I'm going with Cowpukes (I'm a Skins fan so I hate them) this time around.
Sat: Cowboys - Both teams have not been playing that well as of late. Seattle did win their last game, while Dallas lost to the 3-13 Lions. However, I think that Dallas wakes up and beats Seattle for the road win.
Garmer: Cowboys - As a Dallas Cowboys Season ticket holder I've watched this team all year. I've watched them through the bad, good, and silly. However, I'm not ready to crown this team yet. There is no doubt that this team has defensive problems and a bad offensive line, but for some reason Dallas always plays well against the Seahawks. Cowboys have shown they can stop the run taking away Shaun Alexander, besides you know he's on the Madden cover, so that curse is still on, just kidding. I think this will be a close one and will come down to who doesn't make stupid mistakes, like Romo fumbling the ball by just running around. I can't vote against my team in a wildcard game, especially, when I feel in my heart that they can win this game. Watch out, because Seahawks have Deion Branch, who can totally kill that Cowboy D. Dallas in a close one.
Pelletier: Seahawks - More teams that can't play any defense. This time we have the Dallas Cowboys. Seattle is streaky but Dallas is streakier. The 'Hawks win big. On a side note: Am I the only one who didn't know Tony Romo was of Mexican decent? Or a more pressing question: Am I the only one who didn't know there are Mexicans in Wisconsin?
Yayo: Seahawks - I was also unaware of Tony's ancestry. I wonder what his take on our nation's current immigration policy is? Back to the football, this game is going to be fun to watch as it maybe the last time you get to see Bill Parcells and T.O. share a sideline together. The Seahawks climbed out of the NFC last year to go to the Superbowl and they're playing against a quarterback that has never started in the post-season. A lot of the Seahawks troubles earlier in the season were due to the adjustment of losing Hutchinson, as well as injuries to key skill positions. With the gang back together and fresh from all that time on crutches it will be difficult for the Cowboys to come through.
January 7, 2007 New York Jets at New England Patriots 1 PM on CBS
EM: Patriots - Sadly, NE. As much as I hate to say this, NE will make the Jets suffer over and over again this game. NE is a team on their way out, but the Jets being there has an element of flukiness to it and the Patriots have at least one last hurrah before being shuffled off the stage. On a side note: I happened to be at a New York airport earlier this year, camping in the bar, swilling suds, catching the games, when one of the New York teams was on. It was kind of amusing watching people throw fits, as they do not take losing well. Fortunately for them, they will not have to endure it beyond the first weekend (see next game).
Larry Csonka: Patriots - As much as I dislike them, I think NE will win and probably rather easily. The Jets have flashes of greatness, and while Pennington has played his first full season since Pop Warner, I just don't think he'll have enough to get his team through. Belichick will come up with one of his wacky formulas to take down the broken shoulder and Brady will do enough to get his boys the win.
JT: Patriots - As I've said throughout the season, until they show me that they are truly finished, I will not bet against Brady and company. The Jets did better than expected, but they're still the Jets. Couple that in with the fact that they put a beating on the Pats, and what you have is one vengeful Coach in Bill Billichek. He will make CERTAIN that the team is 100% ready to dominate this game.
Bonnette: Patriots - This Jets/Pats series reminds me of Luke vs. Vader in Empire Strikes Back, with the Jets being Luke and the Pats being Vader. (Yes, I'm a Star Wars geek. Sue Me.) The first game was the early part where Luke looked overmatched but was trying to hold his own, the second game (Jets win) was the middle part where Luke actually got some good shots in and looked to be up to the challenge. Now come's the smackdown, where Vader started pelting Luke with metal objects en route to chopping off his hand and telling who his Daddy was. Look for a Pats blowout victory here.
Sat: Jets - This is an interesting matchup not because of the players, but because of the coaches. In the last matchup, Belichick completely ignored Mangini. Both coaches are going to be very motivated to win and the Jets' magical run continues into the next round.
Garmer: Patriots - The Jets are my favorite AFC team and I'm happy they made the Playoffs, but, I can't say they are going to win this game. Chad Pennington has had one heck of a season and Mangini has this team playing well, but Billy B and Tom Brady are ready to show they aren't done yet. Brady may not have the receiving core he once had, but he always finds a way to get things done in the Playoffs. I'll be pulling for the Jets, but my pick has to go to the Pats.
Pelletier: Patriots - The Man-Genius? Are you kidding me? Can a guy win a playoff game before we crown him the as the second coming? As much as I hate Belicheck I have to go with the proven winner. The special story ends here for the J-E-T-S.
Yayo: Patriots - Wow! Almost a consensus on this game. The last few games the Jets have been learning how to win games without having to squeak them out. Unfortunately, all those games came against opponents of a lesser caliber. The Patriots will be missing Rodney Harrison for the game which will definitely hurt their run defense against the shifty Leon Washington. But in the past Pennington did not play well at Gillette Stadium and rest assured the Patriots plan to throw stunts and pressure right up the middle and left side of what is still a very inexperienced part of the offensive line. On the flip side the Jets defense have play exceedingly well with the switch to the 3-4 defense, but the Patriots have the luxury of two quality running backs to wear down their defense. Combine that with Tom Brady's exceptional play action skills and you have a recipe for disaster.
January 7, 2007 New York Giants at Philadelphia Eagles 4:30 PM on FOX
EM: Eagles - It's the battle of depleted teams here, but Jeff Garcia is capable of good games and I'm hard pressed to see there's anything left in the tank for a NYG roster that is essentially Tiki Barber + skeleton crew. Tiki can drive Cadillac SUVs in commercials really well, but he can't carry a team through a playoff game by himself. He's retiring and probably needs the rest, so here's to gettin' to the gettin', an early sendoff for Tiki...
Larry Csonka: Eagles - I am not a Manning fan, either Goober or Cletus. Everyone harped on the Manning bowl, they were all on the Giants train and then they started to fall apart and limped into the playoffs. On the other hand Philly was a question mark at the beginning of the season, was looking ok and then Donovan went down and their season was called finished. Tough luck for those people because no one told Jeff Garcia that. The man stepped up as a leader and rallied this team at the end of the season and they put on a run to go into the playoffs with a lot of confidence, something the Giants do not have in my opinion. It will be a close game, but Garcia will lead them through for the win.
JT: Eagles - This one is a no-brainer to me; hardly merits comments to be honest. Just see what I wrote earlier in regards to Garcia. He is on a five game win streak, the team as a whole is on a roll and has their confidence uber-high. The Giants have looked awful lately, and are only in the playoffs because there are so many other teams in the NFC that suck (see: Detroit Lions). These teams are heading in two entirely different directions at the moment, and since I highly doubt I'll have the chance next week, let me go ahead and wish Tiki Barber a happy and healthy retirement.
Bonnette: Eagles - No playoff team is saying 'get me outta here so I can starting leaking to the press just how dysfunctional we really are' like the Giants. Between Shockey, Plaixo, Eli, Strahan, and Tiki (I can't wait to get on daytime TV and smile for all the people out there) Barber, these guys don't want to be there. Look for a competitive first half, followed by a downward spiral that results in a pretty handy Eagles win, maybe by 14 or so. And then the finger pointing will begin in earnest.
Sat: Eagles - If I had to pick a winner last week, I would have picked Philadelphia in a blowout. This matchup could still be a blowout depending on what the coaches for the Giants have in mind. If they run the ball like they did last week, then it is close with Philadelphia winning. If the Giants abandon the run, then Philadelphia blows the Giants out.
Garmer: Eagles - I've had to watch both of these teams come into Texas Stadium and trounce my team, and the Eagles did it in Philly too. Anyway, this is a rivalry game and people shouldn't count out the Giants just yet. I think this is going to be closer than a lot of people expect, especially since the Coughlin's butt is on the line here. I don't think Tiki Barber wants to take an early exit quite yet either. The problem is that the Eagles are on fire, and Garcia has been playing well since he started filling in for McNabb. Eagles keep on like this, they could wind up in the Championship game. Eagles, but it's going to be close.
Pelletier: Eagles - Can you say over confident Philly fans? I can't either. The G-Men don't want to play for Coughlin and that's all that matters. They'll come out flat and the Birds will pick them apart. A sad end to Tiki's career.
Yayo: Eagles - This is a game of polar opposites. The Giants have been horrendous down the stretch while the Eagles, a team many left for dead, has streaked into the playoffs under the leadership of Jeff Garcia. There is no way of really answering this question without knowing which Eli Manning is going to show up. Will it be the same Eli who over the last few weeks has regressed in terms of his NFL quarterbacking ability or the one who has a 111.7 QB rating at Lincoln Financial Field this year. Seeing how his confidence has been dissipated in this stretch and the Eagles resurgence in passing the G-Men for the NFC East crown, I'd say the latter.
And with that we are done. Let's hope this weekend turns out to be a great slate of exciting games and here is hoping to see you next week!
