Well, the regular season has come and gone and it's time for the playoffs. Let's not waste time and get right to the point. First the NFC:
St. Louis Rams - Bob and Weave yourselves right out of the playoffs please. If it weren't for Kurt Warner, we may just declare the Rams our least favorite team in NFL history. A team with more speed and athleticism than any other in history doesn't even deserve to be in the postseason. They lolly-gagged around in the middle of the year and went from 6-0 (bringing silly talks of an undefeated season) to 9-6 quickly and are only in because the Lions are a horrible football team. But all of a sudden the Rams have their swagger back and think they are extremely cool. I'm tired of it so lose early so I don't have to see you any longer. The only problem is that they play New Orleans and then the Giants.
New Orleans Saints - If anyone deserves a playoff win it's the city of New Orleans. For a town that has put with up with Bobby Heberts and more than one Billy Joe (never good), they played way over their heads all year and have an exciting young quarterback in Aaron Brooks. Losing their starting QB and soon-to-be superstar Ricky Williams halfway through the year, they were written off. However, if their defense returns to early season form, the Saints may just figure out a way to get that elusive first playoff win.
New York Giants - We know what you're thinking - "You're kidding right?". Well, we wish we were. They are terrible. Does anyone not realize this? Their out-of-conference schedule included Cleveland, Chicago, Atlanta, Pittsburgh not to mention playing Arizona and Dallas twice during the year. They were terribly fortunate to beat Dallas late and it took tremendous luck just to squeak out a win over Jacksonville in the finale. Mark this down - No team with Kerry Collins as its quarterback will win a playoff game this year. They will be the only team this year to be have a first round bye and homefield throughout and not have a prayer to win a playoff game. By the way, does anyone smell "bust" from Ron Dayne? It smells a lot like burning fat.
Minnesota Vikings - Umm, they have a bye too? What has happened to football? Here's what we see: Culpepper is huge and can change a game by running anytime even though he's not that consistent throwing the ball. Carter is awesome. Plain and simple - one of the best in the game. Robert Smith is great when healthy, and Randy Moss is a girl. Yes that's what we said. He is terrified of any physical contact and only puts forth effort if he's going to make himself look good. As long as he's on the field, we'll have trouble rooting for the Vikes. By the way, their defense sucks.
Tampa Bay Bucs- If their defense steps up, they go to the Super Bowl. King and Dunn can surely get them at least 14 points on offense, and if they can, they will be tough to beat. The Monday Night game against the Rams was one of the best we've ever seen, but it won't be easy. They'll have to win on the road to get a chance to play in a home Super Bowl. It comes down to defense and a consistent Shaun King. If they get both, nobody is better in the NFC.
Philadelphia Eagles- Another interesting team that didn't beat many good teams this year. They took advantage of their last place schedule, but any team with Donovan McNabb at quarterback has a chance to win. Much like the Bucs, if their defense steps up they are going to be a tough team. If the defense lets them down, even the Giants could beat them.
AFC
Indianapolis Colts - Much like the Rams, the Colts don't deserve to be in the postseason. They underachieved all year and got in through the back door thanks to a horrific game from Vinny Testaverde as the Jets lost to the Ravens. Peyton Manning is tough and so is Edgerrin James. Marvin Harrison, however, is not. Much like Moss, we can't remember Harrison getting tackled this year. He either dives onto the turf after a reception or runs straight out of bounds. Toughness wins in the playoffs and the Colts are just a little too "pretty" to win. By the way, their defense sucks too.
Miami Dolphins - Oh wow. Jay Feidler is quarterbacking a playoff team? Much like Kerry Collins, it's obvious that just about anyone can QB and a team can make the playoffs nowadays. The defense if pretty good, but the offense will not do well in the playoffs (although they play Indy first). Overrated = Zach Thomas. Attention everyone - He's not good. So what if he makes a lot of tackles. Count the number he misses. The numbers are eerily similar. Not to mention that his average tackle is made after a gain of 7.8 yards. Just the intensity and toughness you want from your middle linebacker. If you see Thomas make a tackle, chances are it's a first down.
Tennessee Titans - What has happened to Tennessee? Just another ho-hum 13-3 season and nobody seems to care. If the defense struggles, the offense steps up. If the offense can't score, the defense does. Nobody wants to play Tennessee and they'll all have to go to Nashville to do so. Unlike the Rams, Tennessee followed their dream season with another exactly like last year's. No hype, just good football. A true champion. Take a lesson St. Louis. The Titans will be in the AFC Championship game, we'll just have to see if they can outplay the Raiders to go back to the Super Bowl. Speaking of the Raiders...
Oakland Raiders - A last place schedule has given the Raiders a great record, but more importantly they have a load of confidence. Led by amazing years by Rich Gannon and running back Tyrone Wheatley, the Raiders will be very tough to beat as well. A defense that plays well together and knows how to force turnovers is what will help them as they will look to return to the Super Bowl after a long dry spell. It's only a matter of one week to see who the Raiders will get to beat before they travel to Tennessee to play the Titans.
Denver Broncos - We're still not convinced that Denver can win, but who knows? Their defense is not good (at best), but they could put up 35 points any week. They'll need to again, but this time they play Baltimore. No more 100 yard games from Mike Anderson (Baltimore has not allowed one of those on the ground since 1998) so it will all come down to the health of Brian Griese. If he can go, they have a chance, until he gets knocked out by the Raven defense. If Gus Frerotte has to play, the Broncos lose.
Baltimore Ravens - The only team that has a chance to knock out Oakland or Tennesee, but they have one big problem - Trent Dilfer. That's a huge handicap, but their defense is good enough to overcome that. Ray Lewis is awesome and can take over a game from the middle linebacker position. Not many can say that. Jamal Lewis has been running possessed all year, and if they put up 21 points, nobody beats them. If Dilfer plays Dilfer-like and turns the ball over 2+ times, they won't go anywhere. It will take a defensive or special teams score to put them past Oakland or Tennessee.
PREDICTIONS:
Miami over Indy (21-17) and Baltimore over Denver (24-21)
St. Louis over New Orleans (28-20) and Tampa Bay over Philadelphia
(20-10)
Oakland over Miami(27-13) and Tennessee
over Baltimore (13-10)
Tampa Bay over Minnesota (20-17) and St. Louis over NY Giants
(28-14) (yes we said the Rams suck, but look at the two teams
they play)
CONF. CHAMPIONSHIPS - Tennessee over Oakland (17-13) and Tampa Bay over St. Louis (20-16)
SUPER BOWL - Tennessee over Tampa Bay (24-17)