Quick NFL Playoff Predictions

Seahawks 27, Packers 24
Cowboys 30, Giants 21
Patriots 31, Jaguars 20
Colts 35, Chargers 17

My Thoughts on the NFL Playoffs

The NFL playoffs start Sunday and I thought on chime in on it with my 2 cents. Seeing as my squad (the Chicago Bears) have been out of it for a few weeks, I have a fairly unbiased few on the playoffs. As everyone should know, the New England Patriots are rolling into the postseason as the first team to go undefeated in regular season play since the season was expanded to 16 games. The Colts and Cowboys are the other favorites to win the Super Bowl. As for the other teams the Jaguars and Redskins rolled into the playoffs with impressive endings to their seasons. Can any of these playoff teams stop what seems like an inevitable Super Bowl matchup of the Patriots and Cowboys? Tom Brady Vs. Tony Romo, Randy Moss Vs. Terrell Owens, Jessica Simpson Vs. Gisele.

New York Giants @ Tampa Bay Buccaneers
The Giants are coming off a very impressive showing against the New England Patriots where they outplayed them for 3 quarters of the game. Brandon Jacobs has been running great lately and if he can keep that up, the Giants could find themselves in the NFC Championship. Eli Manning has to limit mistakes and Plaxico Burress has to play like the big play receiver he is.

So, I found out today that Tampa has the #2 defense in the NFL. That caught me off-guard. Jeff Garcia has been great leading this team to the playoffs and Earnest Graham has been admirable his the starting RB since Cadillac Williams' season ending injury early on in the season. Still, I just don't believe in Tampa Bay. I'm taking the Giants 24-14.

Washington Redskins @ Seattle Seahawks
No one wants to play the Seahawks in Seattle, since they have the league's loudest crowd. Shaun Alexander looks like a shell of himself, only averaging 3.5 yards per carry this season with only 4 touchdowns. The Seahawks got here with the help of their QB Matt Hasselbeck, who just wrapped up his best season as a pro.

The Redskins are playing for their fallen teammate, Sean Taylor who was killed in his Miami home about a month ago. The Redskins are led by a very strong running game with Clinton Portis and Ladell Betts. Who's going to play QB for the Skins, Jason Campbell or his backup who has yet to lose this season, Todd Collins? Either way, I don't see the Redskins winning this one in Seattle. Seahawks 20-17.

Jacksonville Jaguars @ Pittsburgh Steelers
Easily the best of the Wild Card round match ups. Week 15, these two teams played in Pittsburgh with David Garrard, Fred Taylor & the Jaguars coming out as the victors. David Garrard is playing as good as any QB right now and he's doing that by not making mistakes. Garrard has only thrown 3 INT's this season and has lost only 2 fumbles. The thing for me that separates these two teams is the running game. The Jaguars have the 2nd best running game in the NFL statistically (only behind the two headed beast in Minnesota).

However, Pittsburgh has the #1 defense. On the flip side, they will be without Willie Parker. That's really, really bad for the Steelers. Big Ben is going to have to come out with some fireworks for the Steelers to advance to (likely) New England. Jaguars 31-17.

Tennessee Titans @ San Diego Chargers
This one is easy. Contain LaDanian Tomlinson and this will be a game. Let Tomlinson run free and allow Phillip Rivers to use play action to get himself involved in the game and the Chargers run away with it. I think Vince Young will get a rude awakening to life in the NFL playoffs. But you have to give him a lot of credit for getting the Titans here with very little to work with on offense. Chargers 34, Titans 14.

Well, thats how I think the first round will go. Maybe next week I'll write up another one, but maybe I won't. Anyways, here's how I think the rest of the playoffs will go.

Dallas Cowboys over the New York Giants
Seattle Seahawks over the Green Bay Packers

Dallas Cowboys over the Seattles Seahawks

New England Patriots over the Jacksonville Jaguars
Indianapolis Colts over the San Diego Chargers

New England Patriots over the Indianapolis Colts in a game to be remembered.

New England Patriots 35, Dallas Cowboys 31.