So, Saturday’s games are finished, and they certainly were interesting. Two teams lost in horrific fashion; the Texans were never in their game, thanks to a five-turnover performance by Brian Hoyer, while the Bengals staged a dramatic fourth-quarter comeback, and had their game seemingly wrapped up before losing in epically ridiculous fashion. Honestly, I can’t decide which is worse, but ultimately, how you lose in the playoffs doesn’t matter. A loss is a loss.
Anyway, I’m on to Sunday.
Sunday
Seattle Seahawks at Minnesota Vikings
The extreme cold expected for this game makes for a real x-factor when trying to determine the outcome. So much of what the Seahawks do on offence depends on Russell Wilson’s ability to move around and make plays in the passing game while on the move. As good as Minnesota’s defence is, I don’t think that they have the pass rush to nullify Wilson, so it will be up to Seattle’s receivers to make plays despite the cold. The Seahawks will sell out to stop Adrian Peterson, so it’ll be up to Teddy Bridgewater to win it for the Vikings. I don’t think he’s up to it. Winner: Seahawks
Green Bay Packers at Washington
This is the toughest pick of the weekend for me. Simply put, the Packers are doomed due to the fact that their receivers, in the absence of injured Jordy Nelson, have not been able to rise to the occasion. James Jones plays well in spurts, but Randall Cobb, and especially Davante Adams, have been massive disappointments this year. The result has been a Green Bay offence that can be shut down by good defences, something that Aaron Rodgers has never experienced before in the pros. Now, here’s the swerve; I think that the Green Bay defence is just good enough, and the Washington defence just suspect enough, to allow Rodgers to work a little magic and pull out a miracle. It’ll be the last one, though, as the Packers will get slaughtered by either of the top two seeds in the NFC. Winner: Packers
Anyway, I’m on to Sunday.
Sunday
Seattle Seahawks at Minnesota Vikings
The extreme cold expected for this game makes for a real x-factor when trying to determine the outcome. So much of what the Seahawks do on offence depends on Russell Wilson’s ability to move around and make plays in the passing game while on the move. As good as Minnesota’s defence is, I don’t think that they have the pass rush to nullify Wilson, so it will be up to Seattle’s receivers to make plays despite the cold. The Seahawks will sell out to stop Adrian Peterson, so it’ll be up to Teddy Bridgewater to win it for the Vikings. I don’t think he’s up to it. Winner: Seahawks
Green Bay Packers at Washington
This is the toughest pick of the weekend for me. Simply put, the Packers are doomed due to the fact that their receivers, in the absence of injured Jordy Nelson, have not been able to rise to the occasion. James Jones plays well in spurts, but Randall Cobb, and especially Davante Adams, have been massive disappointments this year. The result has been a Green Bay offence that can be shut down by good defences, something that Aaron Rodgers has never experienced before in the pros. Now, here’s the swerve; I think that the Green Bay defence is just good enough, and the Washington defence just suspect enough, to allow Rodgers to work a little magic and pull out a miracle. It’ll be the last one, though, as the Packers will get slaughtered by either of the top two seeds in the NFC. Winner: Packers