Pigskin Playoff Picks

The gridiron postseason is beginning to take shape as we embark on another fine football Sunday. I am going to make my early predictions for the division and wildcard winners. Parity has always been the NFL’s appeal and this year it is even more pronounced than ever. So many teams are lingering near the .500 mark and there are a few divisions with no standout performers. The Titans, Giants and Lions are probably the three exceptions. Tennessee is undefeated, New York is the reigning SuperBowl champs looking to repeat and Detroit has yet to record a victory in yet another horrendous season. I think the Titans will fall, perhaps today against the Jets at home. I do see the Giants returning to the Superbowl this year, and I honestly think Detroit will tie the 1976 Tampa Bay team for a no-win year.
My AFC breakdown begins in the East where I predict the NY Jets will come in first. The Jets did not topple New England and they have suffered some miserable losses and close calls. However, the Patriots endured too many injuries, especially at quarterback, to repeat as division winners. The Bills began this year as believable challengers. Trent Edwards and the Buffalo offense have not impressed me in the past three weeks. They are solid defensively but cannot compete with the football. Miami has been a surprisingly consistent team but how long can they ride Chad Pennington’s arm? The sneaky wildcat formation wins games, but only a handful. This is not the year for the Dolphins to make the post-season. I’ll take NY to win the division and New England, led by a still talented and balanced team, to earn an AFC wildcard spot.
The North is all but clinched by the Steel City. Pittsburgh is a legitimate SuperBowl contender this year. They do play in a weak division but no one is disputing their record. The Steelers have had to play the NFC East teams and that in itself is no easy task. Defensively, there is little to dislike for Pittsburgh. It is conceivable the AFC title could come down to Pittsburgh vs. Tennessee in what would be a defensive battle like no other.
The Titans are on their way to thwarting the AFC South. Led my Kerry Collins, Tennessee is physical up front and threatening in the backfield. Because this team is not battle tested, I do think they will struggle deep in the playoffs. But, the AFC is overall the weaker division in the NFL and any team can be victorious.
The West is a toss up between San Diego and Denver. If the Colts beat the Chargers tonight, Denver will likely win the west. The Chargers are slowly fading and are beat up defensively. Jay Cutler is the man in Denver but the Broncos defense is just as dismal as the Chargers’. The Broncos allow way too many points of defense. Neither team will make an impact in this post-season.
I like Indianapolis and New England as the wildcard teams. The Colts have underperformed for the most part this season. They play great November games though, and have bounced back to become a playoff team.

In the NFC, the Giants are poised to win the gritty East. The four teams in the division might end up with winning records yet not make the playoffs. The Cowboys have two easy games before the remainder of their schedule poses a challenging deed. I predict Dallas will fall short of the wildcard to the Washington Redskins. Without running back, Felix Jones, the Cowboys will have to find ways to get the ball to Marion Jones and hope for the best. Jim Zorn, if the 6-2 Redskins make the post-season, deserves coach of the year consideration. I didn’t expect the Redskins to even be a possibility for the wildcard this year. The Eagles need to beat New Orleans if they hope to stay alive in the NFC race. Donovan McNabb had four turnovers last week against the Cincinnati Bengals. You cannot do that and expect to be a playoff team.
Green Bay, Minnesota and Chicago all come into week 12 with identical 5-5 records. The Vikings depend too much on the running game and the Bears rely heavily on their stout defense. Therefore, I am going with the Packers to win the NFC North. Aaron Rogers is a great anticipator behind center and he has the weapons in Greg Jennings and company to win the division.
The South is interesting because Carolina is currently posting the best record there. If the Panthers win the division, they will be seated either one or two, depending on the Giants’ finish. But looking at Carolina’s remaining schedule, I see them losing a few games. They travel to Green Bay next week, host Tampa Bay and Denver, and finish with two tough road games in New York and New Orleans. It appears the Bucs have an easier lineup with a home game against the Patriots, and road contests at Carolina and Atlanta before finishing the season with two home games against San Diego and Oakland. Jeff Garcia has proven himself in the past to redeem teams and I foretell a Bucs division crown. Even if Tampa Bay doesn’t win out, they will make the playoffs again this year as the wildcard. Carolina will fall short because Jake Delhomme makes too many mistakes. Jonathan Stewart and DeAngelo Williams are keeping their dapper record.
Arizona is the front runner for the NFC West, and they will win. The Cardinals have explosive receivers and an MVP quarterback. They will be tested today against New York however.
My NFC wildcard picks go to Washington and Carolina.


Parting points: Good songs: Anything by Incubus
Good movies: Almost anything with Steve Martin