On the final day of the year 2014, I was conversing via social media with a friend-of-the-column (who, for the purposes of this exercise I shall dub "P-Dub"), about a playoff confidence pool he was in. He asked me what I thought of his rankings, which caused me to ask myself, "Well, what DO I think?" After finishing my 11+ hour shift on NYE, and after getting some much-needed sleep, I asked myself this question again. Turns out, I already pretty much had my mind made up, a least concerning this weekend's games. That is, of course, to any extent that I could claim to know anything about what will happen in the game between, the free-falling-who's-playing-QB-again? Cardinals and the should-they-even-be-here-crappy-division-winning Panthers.
My picks in Bold:
Saturday
Cardinals at Panthers
When it comes to the Cards, it's like I said two weeks ago: "Ah, what might have been." It's been a great year, but this is the playoffs, and you don't win with Ryan Lindley. You win with Cam Newton. Well, at least this week you do.
Ravens at Steelers
Great rivalry here. I see the Steelers, in the absence of Le'Veon Bell, attacking the Ravens with a pass-heavy game plan, taking advantage of Baltimore's needing to take away the deep pass by exploiting the middle of the field with short passes to the backs, slot WRs, and Heath Miller.
Sunday
Bengals at Colts
With the exception of Andrew Luck, there's not a lot I see that I like about the Colts right now. Cincy wins this with a conservative, power rush-heavy offence and by not allowing big plays on defence.
Lions at Cowboys
So, allow me to talk about Green Bay for a bit. Lions' DT/Deranged Idiot Nadamukong Suh DELIBERATELY stepped on Aaron Rodgers in a depravedly indifferent attempt to injure him. Suh was rightly suspended for one game. The suspension was inexplicably overturned. The Packers should be happy. Why? Because Suh gives the Lions a better chance to win against the Cowboys, and if the Cowboys win, as I expect they will, then Green Bay will be one-and-done in the playoffs, because the Dallas will thump them.
My picks in Bold:
Saturday
Cardinals at Panthers
When it comes to the Cards, it's like I said two weeks ago: "Ah, what might have been." It's been a great year, but this is the playoffs, and you don't win with Ryan Lindley. You win with Cam Newton. Well, at least this week you do.
Ravens at Steelers
Great rivalry here. I see the Steelers, in the absence of Le'Veon Bell, attacking the Ravens with a pass-heavy game plan, taking advantage of Baltimore's needing to take away the deep pass by exploiting the middle of the field with short passes to the backs, slot WRs, and Heath Miller.
Sunday
Bengals at Colts
With the exception of Andrew Luck, there's not a lot I see that I like about the Colts right now. Cincy wins this with a conservative, power rush-heavy offence and by not allowing big plays on defence.
Lions at Cowboys
So, allow me to talk about Green Bay for a bit. Lions' DT/Deranged Idiot Nadamukong Suh DELIBERATELY stepped on Aaron Rodgers in a depravedly indifferent attempt to injure him. Suh was rightly suspended for one game. The suspension was inexplicably overturned. The Packers should be happy. Why? Because Suh gives the Lions a better chance to win against the Cowboys, and if the Cowboys win, as I expect they will, then Green Bay will be one-and-done in the playoffs, because the Dallas will thump them.
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