We're Still Talking Playoffs!

Last week I went 2-2 picking all four road teams. I can't help it that the Arizona Cardinals' defense decided to show up unexpectedly or that Darren Sproles played larger than life and took down the Colts. The Eagles were a no-brainier considering the Vikings turned the ball over 31 times this year, and the Ravens just have that defense that reminds you a lot of 2000. Keep that in mind throughout this preview.

Ravens at Titans
Chris Johnson isn't bitter about losing out on the Rookie of the Year award, right?
"(Matt Ryan) is a good player, and he played quarterback and did a good job this year,” Johnson said. “But the whole thing is bogus, because people are voting for it that are not on the same field as the people who are playing. “I’m disappointed. I did all I could to win it. I feel I did the best. I feel I did all I could do to win it; it just didn’t come my way.”

So does he carry a vendetta against everyone who has looked passed him this year? Will he come out and prove something against the top rated defense in the league?

These two teams met in Baltimore earlier this year with Tennessee winning 13-10, thanks in large part to a 10 point 4th quarter by the Titans. Chris Johnson only had 44 yards rushing as it was a hard fought defensive battle. Expect anything different this time?

No, well, except the outcome. The Ravens defense is impeccable, much like the 2000 Ravens. That year the Ravens and Titans met in Baltimore and just like this year, the Titans won a defensive battle 14-6. In fact, since 2000, only twice have these two teams met and both scored more than 20 points. Want even more symmetry? The 2000 Titans finished 13-3 and had a first round bye before playing the Ravens at home in the Divisional Round. The Ravens won that year with their stellar defense and the same will be said about this game. Ravens win 24-10.

Cardinals at Panthers
Again, what just happened last weekend? I give all the credit to Arizona for shutting down the rookie quarterback Matt Ryan and stopping the running game of the Falcons but this weekend is a whole other beast. This beast has two heads, DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart. The Panthers averaged over 150 yards rushing per game.

Or if you are into Greek Mythology, you could say that the Panthers have their own version of Cerberus, a three-headed beast that guarded the gates of Hades. The third head would belong to Steve Smith and his amazing abilities. I'd put him above Larry Fitzgerald as top receivers go. They both had over 1400 yards receiving but Smith did it in two fewer games and nearly 20 fewer receptions. Sure Fitzgerald had more TDs, but that is a product of the offense.

I can't make a case for the Cardinals to win this game. Overall the Panthers are better. DeAngelo Williams will have a great game rushing and receiving. I don't see this being much of a contest but it will still be entertaining. Panthers win 43-29.

Eagles at Giants
Possibly the best game of the weekend. The hype surrounding this third divisional game is great. The two teams split the series in the regular season. The Giants limp into the playoffs losing three of four, and could easily be riding a four game skid with Carolina Panthers' kicker, John Karsay's, missed kick in week 16. Giants fans point to the week 17 loss as one that shouldn't count because they sat the starters for most of the game. Hey, it still counts in the record book so I am counting it.

Let's get back into our time machine and go back to 2000 again. The Giants went 12-4 that year and had a first round bye, same as this year. In the Divisional round they matched up against the Eagles at the Meadowlands. Bring it back to now and these two teams are meeting again the the playoffs. It seems as if the Eagles offense is running like a fine tuned machine with Donovan McNabb and Brian Westbrook keeping opposing defenses on their toes. A good balance to any offense is key to victory.

But, the Giants have been here before. They have their own attack with Derrick Ward and Brandon Jacobs. Much like the Panthers, they average over 150 yards rushing per game. The Giants' defense though will be the X-factor. The Vikings got to McNabb several times and even forced a fumble. There is no reason that the Giants can't do the same and pull out the victory. The Giants win 20-10, just like they did 9 years ago.

Chargers at Steelers
I really don't know where to go with this game. The Steelers had the best defense this year and LaDainian Tomlinson is most likely out. On the other hand, the Chargers have Darren Sproles and are suddenly the hottest team in the NFL after knocking off the Colts.
These two teams met earlier this year in a unique 11-10 battle with the Steelers prevailing. In that game, Ben Roethlisberger had 308 yards passing with no TDs or INTs, his third highest total of the season.

Not much has changed since then. The Chargers defense is still soft while the Steelers defense is still the best in the league. Playing in Pittsburgh again in the sub-freezing temperatures can only favor the Steelers. It's strange that the Steelers are only slim favorites at home in this game. Expect Hines Ward to be on the receiving end of some big plays against the weak secondary of the Chargers. There isn't much to this game, I figure it to be one-sided. Pittsburgh walks away victorious 22-12.

I am a fan of statistics and history. Those who don't learn are doomed to repeat it. It looks like we are reliving 2000 all over again.

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