To begin this week, let’s cast our memories back a few seasons.
A team, bolstered by a 6-0 record against one mediocre and two awful divisional opponents, finished 9-7, easily won their division, qualified for the playoffs over several teams with equal or better records, and secured a home playoff game in the first round. I remember there was some discussion about whether this team “deserved” to be in the playoffs, hosting an 11-5 team to boot. The playoff seeding system needed to be overhauled to keep teams like this out and reward better teams, obviously. It was an absolute travesty. Pity flowed freely for poor teams like the 11-5 New England Patriots who were shut out of the postseason. Of course, this same team beat the 11-5 Atlanta Falcons in the first round, went all the way to the Super Bowl, and came within seconds of becoming champs. Also, they were as exciting as hell.
I mean, does anyone remember the 2009 Arizona Cardinals, featuring Kurt Warner and the nigh unstoppable Larry Fitzgerald? I know I do.
I only bring this up because here we are again, with one week left before the playoffs, and not much has changed. The Cardinals could win this week, finishing at 11-5, and still miss the playoffs. Meanwhile, a 10-6 or 9-7 team will win the NFC East, and a 9-7 or 8-7-1 team will win the NFC North. There’s been a lot of talk this week about the poor Cards, and how unfair the playoff seeding system is. It’s a very common narrative that the media loves to trot out to make it seem like they’re doing their due diligence by criticizing the league that they spend most of their time glorifying. With injuries, scheduling quirks, weather anomalies, and other unforeseen circumstances, won-loss records don’t always give an accurate representation of which are the better teams. Don’t believe me? Three years after the Arizona Cardinals became the first 9-7 team to make the Super Bowl, the 9-7 New York Giants, who qualified for the playoffs on the last day of the season, beat the Pats to become Super Bowl champs. I won’t shed too many tears for the teams that don’t make the postseason this year. It’s the NFL; there are always good teams that get left out. If anything, it’s an indicator of the quality of the teams in the league. As a fan of the game, I’m happy about that.
A team, bolstered by a 6-0 record against one mediocre and two awful divisional opponents, finished 9-7, easily won their division, qualified for the playoffs over several teams with equal or better records, and secured a home playoff game in the first round. I remember there was some discussion about whether this team “deserved” to be in the playoffs, hosting an 11-5 team to boot. The playoff seeding system needed to be overhauled to keep teams like this out and reward better teams, obviously. It was an absolute travesty. Pity flowed freely for poor teams like the 11-5 New England Patriots who were shut out of the postseason. Of course, this same team beat the 11-5 Atlanta Falcons in the first round, went all the way to the Super Bowl, and came within seconds of becoming champs. Also, they were as exciting as hell.
I mean, does anyone remember the 2009 Arizona Cardinals, featuring Kurt Warner and the nigh unstoppable Larry Fitzgerald? I know I do.
I only bring this up because here we are again, with one week left before the playoffs, and not much has changed. The Cardinals could win this week, finishing at 11-5, and still miss the playoffs. Meanwhile, a 10-6 or 9-7 team will win the NFC East, and a 9-7 or 8-7-1 team will win the NFC North. There’s been a lot of talk this week about the poor Cards, and how unfair the playoff seeding system is. It’s a very common narrative that the media loves to trot out to make it seem like they’re doing their due diligence by criticizing the league that they spend most of their time glorifying. With injuries, scheduling quirks, weather anomalies, and other unforeseen circumstances, won-loss records don’t always give an accurate representation of which are the better teams. Don’t believe me? Three years after the Arizona Cardinals became the first 9-7 team to make the Super Bowl, the 9-7 New York Giants, who qualified for the playoffs on the last day of the season, beat the Pats to become Super Bowl champs. I won’t shed too many tears for the teams that don’t make the postseason this year. It’s the NFL; there are always good teams that get left out. If anything, it’s an indicator of the quality of the teams in the league. As a fan of the game, I’m happy about that.
TONY ROMO'S BACK! Sorry, too soon. Jaguars at Colts
You have to love the Jags. They demonstrate the pride and quality of the type of player who is good enough to make it all the way to the NFL. They played this season with determination and a will not finish in last place, as many expected. I’m waiting for the early-season Colts to return, the giant-slayers who, over a 4-week period, beat the 49ers, Seahawks, and Broncos. They looked good against the Chiefs last week, hopefully a sign of things to come. Winner: Colts
Lions at Vikings
This is a “who cares” game. The Vikes go without Adrian Peterson. I love the Lions. They make me look like a friggin’ genius regularly through their ineptitude. I’m of two minds when it comes to Head Coach Jim Schwartz; he should be fired, because he is terrible, but I hope they keep him, because he’s terrible. Tie
Browns at Steelers
Did you know that the 7-8 Steelers still have a shot, albeit slim, at the playoffs? They’ll play hard. Winner: Steelers
Panthers at Falcons
With their huge win over the Saints last week, Carolina has a shot at a division title and a first-round bye. All they have to do is take care of their own business. Winner: Panthers
Washington at Giants
Completely meaningless game. I can’t even guess at any motivation for the players. Note to the Giants’ organization: fire Coughlin at your peril. Tie
Texans at Titans
A Houston loss will secure for them the number one pick in next year’s draft. As they’ve screwed everything else up this season… Winner: Texans
Ravens at Bengals
The Ravens need to win to have a shot at the playoffs. It’s that simple. However, don’t overlook the Bengals’ motivations in this one. Cincy still has a shot at a first-round bye. That aside, I’d be willing to bet that the prospect of ending Baltimore’s season is all the extra motivation that the Bengals need. Winner: Bengals
Jets at Dolphins
I’m sure that the Jets would love nothing more at this point than to play playoff spoilers, but Miami’s pass rush will be enough to snuff that notion. Winner: Dolphins
Buccaneers at Saints
In theory, the Bucs have the chance to knock the Saints out of the playoffs. I expect New Orleans to prevail at home, though. Winner: Saints
Chiefs at Chargers
The Chargers still have an outside shot at the postseason, while the Chiefs’ playoff seeding is set. San Diego is the obvious choice here. Funny thing about the NFL though: even second-stringers don’t just roll over, and pressure doesn’t always make diamonds. Winner: Chiefs
Rams at Seahawks
Opponents’ defence troubles Seattle, but there’s not much trouble here. Winner: Seahawks
49ers at Cardinals
I thought that the Cards would lose in Seattle last week, based on the fact that Carson Palmer would turn the ball over too many times. I was right about the turnovers, but the Cards’ defence rendered that moot. I don’t like Colin Kaepernick against a really good defence, and I doubt that will change anytime soon. Winner: Cardinals
Broncos at Raiders
Winner: Broncos
Packers at Bears
While I’m testing your memory, do you remember the Packers’ most recent Super Bowl campaign? Aaron Rodgers was forced to sit out a couple of games due to his second concussion of the season, and the Packers needed to win their final two games of the season just to qualify as the 6th seed. Their Week 17 opponent that year: Da’ Bears. For this game, Rodgers is making his first appearance since he suffered a broken clavicle in Week 9. Fortunately for Rodgers, the Packers’ run game should be enough to secure a victory here. Winner: Packers
Bills at Patriots
The Pats are properly motivated here, with a first-round bye at stake. Winner: Patriots
Eagles at Cowboys
I’d have picked the Eagles anyway, with or without Romo, because of the absence of Sean Lee. Winner: Eagles
Stay tuned for my playoff preview later this week.
You have to love the Jags. They demonstrate the pride and quality of the type of player who is good enough to make it all the way to the NFL. They played this season with determination and a will not finish in last place, as many expected. I’m waiting for the early-season Colts to return, the giant-slayers who, over a 4-week period, beat the 49ers, Seahawks, and Broncos. They looked good against the Chiefs last week, hopefully a sign of things to come. Winner: Colts
Lions at Vikings
This is a “who cares” game. The Vikes go without Adrian Peterson. I love the Lions. They make me look like a friggin’ genius regularly through their ineptitude. I’m of two minds when it comes to Head Coach Jim Schwartz; he should be fired, because he is terrible, but I hope they keep him, because he’s terrible. Tie
Browns at Steelers
Did you know that the 7-8 Steelers still have a shot, albeit slim, at the playoffs? They’ll play hard. Winner: Steelers
Panthers at Falcons
With their huge win over the Saints last week, Carolina has a shot at a division title and a first-round bye. All they have to do is take care of their own business. Winner: Panthers
Washington at Giants
Completely meaningless game. I can’t even guess at any motivation for the players. Note to the Giants’ organization: fire Coughlin at your peril. Tie
Texans at Titans
A Houston loss will secure for them the number one pick in next year’s draft. As they’ve screwed everything else up this season… Winner: Texans
Ravens at Bengals
The Ravens need to win to have a shot at the playoffs. It’s that simple. However, don’t overlook the Bengals’ motivations in this one. Cincy still has a shot at a first-round bye. That aside, I’d be willing to bet that the prospect of ending Baltimore’s season is all the extra motivation that the Bengals need. Winner: Bengals
Jets at Dolphins
I’m sure that the Jets would love nothing more at this point than to play playoff spoilers, but Miami’s pass rush will be enough to snuff that notion. Winner: Dolphins
Buccaneers at Saints
In theory, the Bucs have the chance to knock the Saints out of the playoffs. I expect New Orleans to prevail at home, though. Winner: Saints
Chiefs at Chargers
The Chargers still have an outside shot at the postseason, while the Chiefs’ playoff seeding is set. San Diego is the obvious choice here. Funny thing about the NFL though: even second-stringers don’t just roll over, and pressure doesn’t always make diamonds. Winner: Chiefs
Rams at Seahawks
Opponents’ defence troubles Seattle, but there’s not much trouble here. Winner: Seahawks
49ers at Cardinals
I thought that the Cards would lose in Seattle last week, based on the fact that Carson Palmer would turn the ball over too many times. I was right about the turnovers, but the Cards’ defence rendered that moot. I don’t like Colin Kaepernick against a really good defence, and I doubt that will change anytime soon. Winner: Cardinals
Broncos at Raiders
Winner: Broncos
Packers at Bears
While I’m testing your memory, do you remember the Packers’ most recent Super Bowl campaign? Aaron Rodgers was forced to sit out a couple of games due to his second concussion of the season, and the Packers needed to win their final two games of the season just to qualify as the 6th seed. Their Week 17 opponent that year: Da’ Bears. For this game, Rodgers is making his first appearance since he suffered a broken clavicle in Week 9. Fortunately for Rodgers, the Packers’ run game should be enough to secure a victory here. Winner: Packers
Bills at Patriots
The Pats are properly motivated here, with a first-round bye at stake. Winner: Patriots
Eagles at Cowboys
I’d have picked the Eagles anyway, with or without Romo, because of the absence of Sean Lee. Winner: Eagles
Stay tuned for my playoff preview later this week.
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