Playoff Predictions 2008

Having just settled back into the rhythm of school I have a lot of ideas that have not turned into posts yet. In the meantime, the NFL divisional playoffs occur this weekend. I thought I would ease my mind with some thoughts and predictions for the rest of this year’s season.

NFC

Packers vs. Seahawks Favre is going to have a lot to handle with Seattle’s pass rush. Lofa Tatupu is reason alone to be a little more careful throwing the ball. I for one am not as high on Seattle as most of ESPN seems to be. They benefit from playing in a horrible division that sits within a horrible conference. Shaun Alexander is awful and is barely even a part of the offense now.

On the other hand, the Packers have been playing great all season. Ryan Grant become a superstar back out of nowhere, and between his running and Favre’s arm I see the Pack winning this game 31 - 14.

Cowboys vs. Giants Midway through the season I would have said the Cowboys by 21. As it stands today, the Cowboys tanked the last month of the season whereas the Giants are in my opinion the hottest team in the playoffs right now. Eli Manning played less than atrocious (a rarity) in the game against Tampa, and their defensive front will make sure Romo is running around all day. Throw in T.O. and his injury and you have a recipe for disaster.

Still I think the Cowboys will prevail, but barely. 27-21 Cowboys.

Packers vs. Cowboys In the NFC Championship game we all knew was coming, a lot of things will happen. First of all, Favre will hopefully play the whole game, unlike the last meeting with Dallas. Secondly, Ryan Grant will expose the suspect Cowboy rush defense. Green Bay almost won the game earlier in the year with Aaron Rodgers at the helm, which tells me that they have the personnel to get the job done. As long as Ironman does not try to force any bombs and the defense contains the Cowboys just enough, Green Bay wins the game.

Packers 28-24.

AFC

Chargers vs. Colts Last time these two teams met, it was a series of highlights for San Diego…in the first half. Having paid off Adam Vinatieri, the Bolts relaxed during the second half of play and did not bother to score. They squeaked out a victory on the worst night of Peyton Manning’s career.

Unfortunately for LaDanian and company, Peyton Manning is not going to throw five (the last did not count) picks this time around. We all know that Norv Turner was made head coach to secure one playoff victory. Having completed that mission, the Chargers will return home next week. Colts win 34-21.

Patriots vs. Jaguars Instead of beating around the bush with stats and records, let me just give you my true feelings about this game. It is no secret I hate the Patriots. If a genie appeared and granted me three wishes, they would not be for world peace, or for a million dollars. Wish one would ban Bill Belichick (above…sadly) from the league for life. Wish two would have Tom Brady sentenced to ten years in prison. My third would make this game a rematch of last week’s Steelers vs Jaguars game, but with Willie Parker in the backfield sporting a cybernetic super-fibula.

Seeing as I will not be meeting with the aforementioned genie, the Patriots will get caught cheating win 42-24.

Patriots vs. Colts I want to pick the Colts. I really do. I hope that I am completely wrong with this pick. I also will spend no more time than is necessary stating the facts.

Patriots 38-37.

Superbowl XLII

Packers vs Patriots Packer Advantages: 1. Better running game. 2. Better, younger defense. 3. Brett Favre.

Patriot Advantages: 1. Randy. 2. Gene. 3. Moss.

The Patriots cannot run the ball but it does not matter because against the Packer defense they would have trouble anyway. It also does not matter because they have no intention of running the ball ever. They have the most valuable player in the league, Randy Moss (even though they gave the award to someone else). He will make the defense guard him, leaving others free to traverse the field as they please. He will make the play when necessary, and probably have at least one touchdown grab.

On the other hand, the Packers have a lot of motivation. They could be the team to create history by stopping it. They can overthrow the evil empire that has been razing the league for an entire season. They have the defense, the talent, and they have the leader.

And they will do it. Brett Favre will further cement his position as the most universally celebrated quarterback of all time, and take down the Orwellian army known as New England. With tears in his eyes, he will announce his retirement as he hoists the Lombardi trophy into the air. The Packers win 34-31 in an upset victory.

Of course that is just my prediction. Did anyone actually believe I was going to pick the Pats? If the New York Football Giants can nearly take them down, the Packers most certainly have a chance. I am absolutely sure very few people are going to agree with me, so I want to hear your arguments. My posts about the NFL are always the most frequently commented, so do not let that change this time. Go Packers!