POWIP Piece of Work In Progress – Former Abode of Dan Collins

Are You Ready For Some Football?

It's Wild-Card Weekend in the NFL, and I know that I am!  There will be some good games this weekend, a couple that are too close to call.  Let's go to the schedule

Saturday, 4:30 pm Eastern on NBC
New Orleans Saints at Seattle Seahawks:  Based on these team's performances this year, this game shouldn't even be close; the Saints should B-B-B-Blowout! the Seahawks (Sorry K.T.).  Of course, there is the Any Given Sunday effect.  Too bad for Seattle that it's Saturday...    Pick: Saints

Saturday, 8:00 pm Eastern on NBC
New York Jets at Indianapolis Colts:  This might be the closest game of this weekend.  Rex Ryan may be one of a few other coaches than Bill Belichick who can put together a scheme on defense to beat the Colts.  But, he has some, er, distractions off the field stemming from his personal life.  Indy finished the season strong, but have a great deal of injuries to key players on both offense and defense; but heretofore #18 has been able to find a way to win.  This game will turn on whether the Jets offense can put any points on the board, and keep the Colts linemen from killing Mark Sanchez, because you know the Colts are going to score.     Pick: Colts

Sunday, 1 pm Eastern on CBS
Baltimore Ravens at Kansas City Chiefs:  This game is very much like the one between the Jets and Colts.  The Chiefs have a pretty darn good offense, and unless Baltimore can keep them off the field they will probably eventually wear down the Raven's defense--the affliction that plagued them towards the end of the regular season.  Both teams should have their full complement on the sidelines.  The Chiefs offensive success centers around their running game; they are nearly last in passing.  But, unfortunately for them, the Ravens are 5th in the NFL against the run and the Chiefs are 14th, so while a very close matchup, the Ravens should be able to run all over Kansas City and stop their run; but if not, well, then there'll be no joy in Balmer on Sunday night.     Pick: Ravens

Sunday, 4:30 pm Eastern on Fox
Green Bay Packers at Philadelphia Eagles:  This game will be much closer than either team's fans will be comfortable with.  As far as the Igglez go, well, there's Mike Vick, the Philly D,  and their always creative coach Andy Reid.  But no one in the city of Brutha-ly love should casually dismiss the Packers.  For a team that the conventional wisdom has always hailed because of their offense, Green Bay has sustained themselves through a season where their feature back, among others, has been injured by quietly playing very solid defense.  Look for the Pack's defense to do a heckuva job containing the Mercurial Vick and force him to win the game with his arm--as well as rack up a surprising number of running yards on a stout Philly defense that will be concerned more with Aaron Roger's phenomenal passing accuracy and quick release.    Pick: Packers.

Well, there are my picks kind reader.  And admittedly, my regular season sooth-saying left much to be desired.  Oh, and full disclosure; I have season tickets to the Ravens, despite the fact that I live adjacent to New York City on Long Island, but truthfully can say that didn't color my assessment.

Tell me your thoughts on the match-ups and what the final results will be, and enjoy the games!  :)

Rocketman

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