NFL Divisional Preview: Who Knows, maybe i'll correctly pick a game this week

So, last weekend's Wild Card ending was soul-crushing in so many ways. For the second time in three years, the Packers end their season by losing a game in OT......but the show must go on

Cardinals vs. Saints

Hey, the Cardinals are who we thought they were, The Packers defense took the weekend off and handed it to them. The Saints are struggling but anytime you got Drew Brees at QB you have a chance to light up the scoreboard. Plus both of these teams are equally capable of being utterly incompetent on the defensive end. The Packers and Cardinals may have combined to break a bunch of playoff records last weekend. I wouldn't be shocked to see those same records being broken this weekend. Definitely a lot of potential for an Arena Football Style score.

Saints 70 Cardinals 56

Ravens vs. Colts

Not sure which direction I want to take here. I'm still not sold on the Ravens being Super Bowl bound despite their win over New England. The Colts are way more talented but since their starters haven't gotten serious playing time in almost a month, they probably won't bring their A-game. Colts ain't going all the way but they at least live to see another week.

Colts 28 Ravens 14

Cowboys vs. Vikings

It would be totally sweet if these teams could lose to each other. There is absolutely nothing redeemable or likable about either team and their QBs (Romo and Favre). A match-up between two QBs who horribly under perform in the clutch, either way whoever wins is getting ambushed by the Saints. Since Tony Romo has never held the Packers hostage I will begrudgingly pick him to win his second playoff game.

Cowboys 17 Vikings 10

Jets vs. Chargers

So they Jets have a nice little win streak going and somehow found their way to the second round. They were playing a team from Cincinnati which these days is a victory for the opposing team regardless of it's the NFL (see above), College Football (my body is probably still mad at me for this one) or College Hoops (i've seen Cincinnati's basketball team choke in the clutch twice in the last week in a half while working out at the gym).

In addition to being immensely more talented, the Chargers have played so well, they couldn't lose even if they wanted to. Another advantage for San Diego is they play the weakest team that made it to the second round.

Chargers 35 Jets 21

If you don't learn anything else from It's Always Sunny, You Gotta Let the wild card do his thing: Wild Card Playoff Preview

Well the regular season is over. 17 weeks of action and we are down to 12 teams. 4 of them have the weekend off. The other 8 play for their playoff lives this weekend.

Saturday: Jets vs. Bengals

I would definitely say the Jets are the worst of the playoff bunch. They have been in dysfunctional since a 3-0 start, they have a rookie QB in Mark Sanchez who had a less than stellar season. It looked like they were on the verge of giving up sometime in November. But with last sunday's game the deciding factor between whether the Bengals would face the Texans or Jets, the Bengals got "dominated" and are rewarded with facing an inferior team.

The Bengals, they are the surprise team of the season. Nothing was expected of them, they went through way more adversity than any other team in the league and they have come out the stronger team for it. I'm indifferent towards both teams but i'll probably be pulling for the Bengals in this one. I'd like to see what Carson Palmer can do in a playoff game. His last opportunity was cut to one play due to a gruesome injury. For a couple years it didn't look like he'd get a second chance. The motivation between this second chance and an inferior opponent will lead to a Bengals rout.

Bengals 31 Jets 10

Eagles vs. Cowboys

Personally don't care for either of these teams. The Eagles have played as well as one could for the last decade without actually winning a Super Bowl. Donovan McNabb and Andy Reid have taken a lot of heat for this but outside of the T.O. fiasco this team has been a year-in, year-out playoff contender.

The Cowboys played better down the stretch than they have in the last few years. While McNabb has usually led the Eagles to a playoff win or two before bowing out, he's practically Joe Montana compared to Tony Romo. Unless Romo actually goes through a playoff game without laying an egg and/or losing, I can't in good conscience pick the Cowboys to win a playoff game.

Eagles 28 Cowboys 24

Sunday

Ravens vs. Patriots

Not to high on either team's Super Bowl hopes. The Ravens are more talented than their 9-7 record (but not that much more talented). I thought the Ravens were going to break out with Flacco having another year of experience under his wing.

The Patriots return to the post-season after a brief absence. They had a good season but seem to be missing that killer instinct that they had during their Super Bowl run plus losing Wes Welker to injury doesn't help things. However, i'm applying the reverse Tony Romo principle for this game. Hard to pick against Brady in a playoff game.

Patriots 21 Ravens 10

Packers vs. Cardinals

Obviously, this is the game out of the four that I am anticipating the most. This is going to be Aaron Rodgers' debut on the big stage. He's proven to be more than worthy in his two years as a starting QB and I can't wait to see him light up the Cardinals D.

The Cardinals are coming off a crushing Super Bowl loss to the Steelers last year. The Cardinals (well their second string) are coming off a blow out loss to the Packers.

Obviously, the degree of difficulty this Sunday is going to be a lot higher. With Rodgers on one side and Warner on the other, look for lots of yards and points to be accumulated on both sides. This will come down to who can make A stop (not necessarily a lot) of stops on defense and considering the Packers have Charles Woodson and the Cardinals don't that is being reflected in my pick.

Packers 45 Cardinals 35

Partial Game Blog: Packers/Ravens

Alright, so the Packers and Ravens are playing the Monday Night game this week. I was going to do a blog for the whole game but opted for going to the gym instead and didn't get home until late in the second Quarter. I still managed to watch a good portion of the game (it was on a couple of tvs at the gym).....so far i'm happy with what I see, Rodgers looks like he is getting into a rhythm and they've prevented the Ravens from doing anything on offense.

7:26 Didn't know it until the broadcast team mentioned it: This is the First Monday Night Game in December at Lambeau....Find it mildly surprising, it seems like something that would happen more often since the Packers get at least a couple Monday Night Games a Year.....well stranger things have happened

7:28 First play of the second half sees the Baltimore running game going nowhere...they get nothing and they like it

7:28 It seems like Flacco is on the run more often than not....he's been good at not getting sacked but also not doing much beyond that

7:30 Another backing assertion of the Henry Blanco theory....if your a catcher you can still find work somewhere. The Royals interested in Jason Kendall, I wonder how this could go wrong? No wonder why the Royals are always terrible, this is a match in ineptitude heaven

7:32 Speaking of inept offenses, the Ravens just punted Packers ball, 17-0 Pack with 12 minutes left in the third

7:33 Don't do it Brian!!!! I thought he didn't want to talk about interviewing for Notre Dame..and now he's going in tomorrow....you got a few choices....stay in Cincy where you have a chance to win...wait for a better job to open up......go to the coaching vortex that is Notre Dame and see your coaching reputation tarnished

7:37 Aaron Rodgers takes forever to get rid of ball but gets bailed out on a Baltimore penalty

7:39 Rodgers attempts to go to Driver for a pass...Ravens pass interference penalty....third straight play with a penalty...(2 on Baltimore 1 on GB).....does this streak extend to 4?

7:40 No....just a run of the mill incomplete pass

7:42 What started as a 3rd and 6 conversion turns into a Driver fumble....Ravens ball 17-0 Pack 8 minutes left in the 3rd

7:43 ESPN showing back-to-back commercials that I hate a) standard credit card relief that is obvious a scam and that EdConnect college commercial .....i wonder if anyone has noticed that every time the online college commercial shows that the web address that they list is different every time...now back to the game

7:46 Ravens may be getting something together...they've driven to the Green Bay 32

7:48 Packers dodge a bullet as Todd Heap drops a pass inside the Packers 10 followed immediately to a shot of John Harbaugh grimacing on the sideline

7:49 Flacco converts on 3rd and 10.....Heap picks up the Woodson blitz...ball at the Green Bay `5

7:51 Flacco converts on another third down......thats 3 third downs they fail to stop the Ravens on.....Packers are challenging the touchdown...we'll see what happens.....after the commercials

7:55 Challenge was an epic fail...17-7 Packers 3:28 left in third well if its any consolation Baltimore's attempt at a lambeau leap was also an epic fail

7:58 Second straight epic fail averted: Ravens kick it Dietrich-Smith...fumbles it recovered by Pack

7:59 Intercepted off the foot of Driver....Packers need to get better at closing out opponents....this is not looking good

8:02 Flacco goes for the long ball......Williams called for interference...ball at Green Baym 2

8:04 McGahee gets in for the score 17-14 Packers......now if the Packers could NOT TURN THE BALL OVER EVERY PLAY...that would be cool.....two TDs in 30 seconds.....

8:06 Well at least the Packers didn't fumble the psuedo-onside kick

8:07 Congratulations Packers....you managed to get through a play on offense without committing a turnover....now do it again

8:07 Now the next step is NOT letting the ball slip through your hands

8:08 Rodgers to Jennings on 3rd and 10 going into Baltimore territory...the Packers needed that in the worst way.....now the next step is to score a touchdown and put away the game

8:10 Looked like Ray Lewis was trying to take off Greg Jennings' head there...15 yards closer to the end zone.

8:11 Eeeeesshhhh.....both teams have 8 penalties and we aren't even out of the 3rd quarter....I could see this if this was the Lions and Rams....but between two legitimate playoff contenders........no bueno

8:12 And on cue, the Packers are the first to 9 penalties

8:13 The end of a 3rd quarter that I would not like to see repeated any time soon...3 rd and 14 Packers ball...17-14 Packers

8:15 Just showed a promo for the last season of LOST......I can't wait to find out how it ends

but sad that there will be no more LOST after 2010

8:16 Crosby coming in for field goal attempt.....wide right...epic fail....Packers up by 3 but it feels like they're down by 3 TDs......time to cue the YouTube clip of Jim Mora talking about the playoffs

8:19 Packers need to step up on D here.....3 rd and 17.......turning that 3rd down into a 4th is crucial here

8:20 Offensive pass interference...3rd and 27.....negating 47 yard pass...with a side of unsportsmanlike conduct...3rd and 32

8:22 "interesting" decision to run on 3rd and 32...glad its not the Packers doing that...

8:23 Packers have ball with pretty good field position

8:26 For what its worth the Ravens are now the first team since '01 Giants to commit 5 pass interference penalties in a game.......Packers moving towards redemption.....just moved into the red zone

8:28 Rodgers to Finley....TOUCHDOWN!!!!!!!!!!!...24-14 Packers 10:31 left

8:31 Well, we just had our mandatory Packers special teams malfunction....ball at Packers 26...way to build on momentum from TD.....NOT

8:33 Deja-Vu: Another Pass Interference moving ball to the one....one more pass interference penalty and the Packers join the Ravens at 5 interference penalties in a single game

8:34 Flacco gets away with delay of game....So now its legal if you call a time out two seconds after play clock runs down?.....Interesting

8:37 Flacco avoids the sack...only to get PICKED OFF BY WILLIAMS IN THE END ZONE!!!!!!!!!

8:40 A couple straight running plays gets us to 3 rd and 3.......pass play fails...3 and out....Packers punting with 7:12 left

8:41 On the bright side, the Packers avoid another special teams breakdown...Ravens have ball on own 26

8:42 Flacco's turn to turn the ball over two plays in a row....Hawk comes up with a big INT

8:43 Defense is back in a rhythm....good to see Ahman Green get a chance to carry the ball

8:44 Green gets the First Down.....In the words of the broadcast team "old school green bay football"....love the sound of those words

8:46 Anytime the broadcast team is gushing about the Packers...it's a good thing...pretty impressive line of wideouts, Sharpe, Brooks, Freeman, Driver and Jennings...

8:48 In all fairness....its more a result of Gruden reminiscing about his time on the Packers coaching staff in the early-90s

8:52 Two minutes left...Crosby lining up for another field goal attempt...this time its good 27-14 Packers with 1:56 left

8:53 ESPN graphics sometimes make me smarter.....this time is one of those cases.....4th 300-yard (combined penalty) game in NFL history first since 1976......one of the games at Fenway, another at Wrigley.......I almost feel like i'm witnessing part of history.......seriously the last time this happened I wasn't even born

8:57 Ravens in Packers territory...not showing much urgency

8:58 wow Baltimore has an easy schedule coming up....Chicago, Detroit, Oakland.....

8:59 As for Green Bay.....playing the Bears next week...always an intense match-up...the Bears may be terrible this year (5-7) but for Packers-Bears games, always intense regardless of the standings.

9:00 310 penalty yards!! Now tied for 2nd Most in NFL History.....lets go for the gauntlet and break this record

9:01 Clay Matthews finishes of Flacco and co with a sack on 4th and 3.....Matthews has had an epic rookie year....this kid is going to be a star

9:02 Game Over......Packers 27 Ravens 14.......The Packers cut it close with a bad 30 second stretch in the 3rd....but I was impressed with how the defense stepped up to snuff the Ravens comeback attempt and most importantly neutralize the special teams breakdown after Finley's TD.......

That's 4 in a row for the Pack..........Let's stretch this streak to 5 against the Bears on Sunday