Wild-card analysis

[Cy/MiG]

I'm so excited for the playoffs.

I have to breakdown the matchups now that I'm finally sober (ish 😀)

Baltimore @ Miami

Baltimore:
Pros: Defense, defense, defense. Cause TO's.
Cons: Can't stop the long ball. Flacco is a rookie... in the playoffs... on the road...

Miami:
Pros: Scrappy, fearless, gaining momentum, don't turn it over
Cons: Can't throw the long ball. No one real dynamic offensive threat.

Analysis:

This will be an ugly game.

Ravens can stop the 'Wildcat', no problem. And Miami can't check down deep because Pennington may have an actual noddle for an arm.

However, Ravens live for TO's and Phish set the record for least TO's EVER.

Flacco might be the one turning it over; he's the X factor to this game. He will have to learn to hand it off to his RB's or make the big plays himself.

I expect a low scoring affair.

I want the Phish to win (for selfish reasons), but I can't bet against Ray Lewis and Ed Reed.

Baltimore wins in the 16-13 scoring range.

Philly @ Minny

Philly:
Pros: Hot streak, Westbrook, Jim Johnson's Defensive schemes
Cons: McNabb... and Reid... two minutes to go...

Minny:
Pros: AP, the Williams'
Cons: Tavaris Jackson... and Brad Childress...

This game is SOOOOooo one sided in theory.

There is no way the Eagles should blow this. Minny barely beat the Gints second stringers (including DAVID CARR!!!)

But they are the Eagles.

And the Vikes have AP.

If Minny gets the early lead (and I mean 10+ pts) they might be able to pull this off by grinding it out.

Their gameplan should be simple: AP, Chester; AP, Chester; AP, Chester...

The key is keeping the ball out of TJ's hands for Minny. Because Johnson will blitz the $h!t out of him.

The Iggles on the other hand just have to stop AP and use Westbrook. Spread the field and make sure that you don't have to put the ball in the hands of McNabb with less than 4 minutes to go while behind.

Because we all know how that ends.

I've said it before: If Minny wins this one, they WILL beat sweet Carolina.

But they won't beat Philly, despite their best efforts.

Eagles should win by a TD.

If they play it right the final should read:

Iggles 27, Minny 17.

If they harass TJ then the score could get MUCH worse.

Hotlanta @ AZ

Hotlanta:
Pros: Burner Turner, young and fearless
Cons: Rookie QB in the playoffs, Defense isn't all that good.

AZ:
Pros: Boldin and Fitz
Cons: Don't run or stop the run. A 90 year old Kurt Warner at QB.

Everyone's writing off AZ, but consider these things:

1. AZ is at home
2. Falcons CANNOT stop Boldin and Fitz. CANNOT.
3. ATL's run defense is ranked 20th.
4. Matt Ryan... rookie QB... in the playoffs.

The X factor in this game is QB play for BOTH teams.

If Warner gets hurt or gets butterfingers again, Cards will get pasted.

If Ryan doesn't step up, Cards will light them up.

AZ has a high-octane O.

Atlanta relies on the early lead.

Not a good mix.

Atlanta will need to score early and often and continue to for 4 quarters.

Because Cards are capable of scoring 38.

If Atlanta can kill clock and score (TD's) with Turner, they can probably beat AZ.

If AZ's defense doesn't step up, pressure Ryan and stop Turner as much as possible, this game will go to ATL.

But if ATL doesn't get to Warner, same ending, different winner.

I expect a shootout, high scoring affair.

AZ 31, ATL 28

Because one of the home teams has to win.

Colts @ Bolts

Colts:
Pros: Peyton Manning
Cons: Defense...?

Bolts:
Pros: Rivers coming on strong
Cons: Norv Turner. LDT in the clutch.

How can the NFL let the Bolts in?

*sigh*

Well, this will be the 'game of the week. And it will be a good one.

Two things I see:

1. Colts have won 9 straight. Not good. We all know that sooner or later you will lose.
2. Chargers have won 4 straight, somehow.

This is a recipe for disaster in my mind.

But then I remember that Norv Turner is coaching the Bolts and LDT is not only hurt, but well... in the playoffs, where he NEVER performs.

And that Peyton Manning with 2 minutes left is gold. And Vinatieri WILL make that last kick, if neccessary.

On paper, this should be Colts running away.

Bolts are hurt and had no business beating the Chiefs 2 weeks ago.

But Bolts are Kryptonite to the super Colts.

I don't dismiss SD for one second.

I just think the Colts will lose NEXT week vs. PIT.

Colts 33, Bolts 30 scoring range.

Manning leads the 2 minute drill, Vinatieri nails the kick.

Same old story.

 

[punkrockergirl]

let me take a crack at this

Baltimore @ Miami

Baltimore:
Pros: defense and a tough running game

Cons:rookie quarterback and inconsisten offense

Miami:
Pros:dianamic offense that doesnt make mistakes

Cons: inconsistent, and doesnt play well from behind

Analysis:

this game should be a good one.. should be is the keyword there. the ravens should win this one just beacuse of that defense, but if the dolphins can trick the defense on 3 plays in the game and get points on all of them they stand a chance.. the key for both teams here is dont turn the ball over.. flacco is a rookie who doesnt know what the playoffs are like yet and they may come down on him like a ton of bricks.. but miami has the ability to just fall apart because they arent a fast scoring consistently good offense so if baltimore can get a lead early it could be over for the phins.. i think that the game comes down to 2 interceptions by pennington one of which ed reed will take back all the way

baltimore wins- 34-12




Philly @ Minny

Philly:
Pros: playoff experience, donovan mcnabb, westbrook

Cons: running game isnt there.. andy reid

Minny:
Pros: running game. defensive line

Cons:quarterback

anaylsis: im not sure which team i trust the least in this one because thats what it boils down to. on one hand you have the eagles who can pass all over teams but cant run to save their life, and on the other you have the vikings who can run it down your throat. but cant pass at all.. this game could go either way both offenses could be rolling on all cylinders or both could be anemic.. but i think it comes down to philly's inablilty to throw so i think the vikings win it

vikings win- 13-6



Hotlanta @ AZ

Hotlanta:
Pros: great young offense and good pass rush

Cons: rookie quarterback and weak secondary .

AZ:
Pros: veteran quarterback and great recievers

Cons: running game and defense

analyisis: i think this one is going to be a blowout, even though the cardinals are at home i think their inability to run the ball and control tempo alows the falcons defense to pin their ears back and rush all day. and i think the falcons assert dominance over the cardinals defense with michael turner and some deep throws to roddy white .

falcons win- 42-17

Colts @ Bolts

Colts:
Pros: manning, bob sanders and both defensive ends (freeny and mathis)

Cons: they have a tendency to be streaky and soft run defense

Bolts:
Pros: rivers and lt, and an oppertunistic defense

Cons: a hurt L.t and the worst pass defense in the league

analyasis: this is going to be the game of the weekend, the colts and chargers always have great competitve games aganist each other.. the problem is lt may be hurt for the playoffs again and thats not going to help the bolts chances.. the colts problem is manning always plays poorly aganist the chargers for some reason.. and the bolts will be wearing the powder blues lol.. this game will more than likely be back and forth and come down to who makes the biggest.. or first mistake

chargers win- 28-24

 

[Cy/MiG]

The great thing I'm seeing is that at least 3 of the 4 matchups are toss-ups, IMO.

The only game everyone seems to know the outcome of is BAL-MIA.

Every other game is 50/50 at this point.

I'm loving this.

 

[Dave2112]

Sure, why not? Here's what went down on Wild Card Radio last night with my own Wild Card picks....

Baltimore at Phins

It's an overused phrase, and one usually reserved for QB's, but Ed Reed can change the course of a game with his play alone. He's a true triple threat...he's a cover safety, shutdown corner and blitzing linebacker all in one package.

The Dolphin's Wildcat has been successful...except against Baltimore. They average 6.8 yards per play using against everyone else...and 0.8 yards per play against Baltimore. Ravens do not "play on their heels" when facing exotic offensive packages. This is a downhill defense. Which is what it will come down to.

Baltimore over Miami in the 24-17 range.

Atlanta at 'Zona

I'm feeling a major choke coming on. On paper, this could be close for all the reasons listed. Atlanta is 3-6 in road playoff games. Kurt Warner is 7-1 against Falcons in his career. However, my own gut feeling is that Atlanta pounds the ball down the Cards' throats, which they cannot stop. Michael Turner would be the best NFC RB if not for Adrian Peterson. They allow Matt Ryan to manage the game and not have to win it. And I know I caught some flak for saying this...but I swear to God, Ryan is the second coming of John Elway. Give it a couple seasons and you'll see. He's physical, not afraid to dive over his own offensive line and has that X factor that most out of college lose once they hit the big stage.

Atlanta ends this one by halftime....somewhere around 35-17


Colts at Chargers

Colts. Period. I initially thought Peyton got the AP MVP for the wrong reasons, but the more I think about it....he has half the team he had during those great seasons, and still pulled off 9 straight. Bolts have been a thorn in Peyton's side for years, but not this year. Chargers backed in, they'll back out as quickly. It will be closer than many might think, but in the end, the 4th quarter will decide it, and that's when Peyton shines.

Colts over Chargers 28-24


Iggles at Vikes

Cy/MiG hit it on the head in an earlier post. Stop Westbrook, and stop the Eagles. Minny has the #1 run defense for the third year, with or without Williams. The secondary is underrated and quietly very good. TJ is the X factor, but if he's on, he's a lot better than people think. Back in Week 8, on our show, I predicted Minny would pull it together and win the Norris Division, and they did. I predict they beat Philly. Metrodome is a nightmare location for visiting teams as well. And yes...they will go on to beat Carolina. Then fall to the Giants.

Vikings beat Philly in the 31-21 area.