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Ok, here's the line up for Wildcard Weekend
Saturday, January 5th
Washington at Seattle-afternoon
Jacksonville at Pittsburgh-late
Sunday, Jan. 6th
NY Giants at Tampa Bay-early
Tennessee at San Diego-afternoon
I'll post my picks soon-don't forget to predict the overall score of each game as well-it counts not only towards that individual award but towards your overall finish, which will be much more consice than it was last year.
Some analysis:
Wash/Sea-we should have a new player, Zenlunatic, who is a hardcore Seattle fan, so his breakdown of this game should be particularly interesting. Washington couldn't get it together in the early half of the season due to injuries and a hobbled Santana Moss and Clinton Portis. But they're now on an impressive winning streak with all their stars healthy and Todd Collins playing very well at QB. Despite (love that word) momentum they have to travel to the northwest to beautiful Qwest field and face the playoff saavy Seahawks. The Seahawk's O-line will have to be tough to open holes for Alexander and Morris against a Wash D-line that held the inept Dallas rushing attack to 1 yard last week. Their secondary also needs to tighten up after yielding 4 TDs to Atlanta. Then again, week 17 games don't mean that much so we probably didn't see the real deal. Matt Hasslebeck and the receiving corps of Branch, Burleson, Engram (and maybe Hackett) are formitible. Seattle needs to have a stellar first half as Washington isn't the greatest catch-up team in the NFL. If not Washington could be on a mission for Sean Taylor and Joe Gibbs.
Jax/Pitts-Many think Jacksonville might have an edge here since their 1-2 run-punch of Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew has been as impressive as their defense. David Garrard has mobility and has been consistantly making long gains in the air, primarily to Reggie Williams, in their last 3 or four games. Pittsburgh, however, has home advantage and a highly ranked defense that, unfortunately, has been giving up a lot of yards recently (so JAX may have the advantage defensively). Their hope and achillies heel is Najeh Davenport now carrying the running back load with Willie Parker out for the season. Playoff tested Big Ben, Santonio Holmes and Hines Ward represent their air attack which has been, somewhat, quiet of late. So the Steelers are, do some degree, stumbling backwards into the playoffs but Roesthlisberger has looked determined since training camp. Don't be surprised if he runs in for a TD or two.
NYG/TB-This game is so evenly matched it's ill. I'm assuming Jeff Garcia will start for the Bucs, though McCown has seen alot of action at QB lately. Ernest Graham looks very potent now leading running corps with a bunch of talented unknowns. Joey Galloway is Tampa's number one air threat and Ike Hilliard can chunk out the yards too. New York's secondary is somewhat suspect but their pass rush makes it stronger than it should be. The key to TB's success will be protecting the QB. Eli Manning played very well against New England last week, but in pressure situations can become too uptight and mechanical. Plaxico Burress is a fanstastic target when things click, but Ronde Barber and the talented Tampa Bay secondary may have something else to say about that. Brandon Jacobs has had a very good year at running back, but Derrick Ward and the TB linebacking corps may relish slamming into such a big target. Look out for Giant sleepers causing damage, such as Toomer and Boss.
Tenn/SD-It won't surpise anyone here who I'm rooting for. The home team has finally gotten things back together and have reclaimed themselves as the Chargers we expected after being blown up in two, particular, early games-including being run ragged by Adrian Peterson-and adjusting to a major coaching change. During the 5 game win streak they carry in Philip Rivers appears to have calmed down and is completing consistant passes to Chris Chambers and Vincent Jackson. LT speaks for himself and Michael Turner is a big load. Even Darren Sproles has gone nuts in SD's running attack, and never forget about Antonio Gates. Managing the game will be the key for both Rivers and Vince Young-Tennessee needs to rely and LenDale White and Young to run the ball, but Young looked a little gimpy on Sunday. The Titans have some ok receivers, even though Roydel Williams is out, but Antionio Cromartie and the two Quentins have been very effective in the San Diego secondary even with Phillips out. Rivers can't manage properly if Albert Haynesworth and extremely tough Tenn D break though, but, on the other hand, if Young is gimpy at all Shawn Merriman, Luis Castillo and others are fast enough to run him into the ground.
Last edited by danlo on Fri Jan 04, 2008 10:40 pm, edited 5 times in total.
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