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Keyboard Quarterback: Wild Card Predictions
Authored by Andrew Perna - 4th January, 2008 - 10:28 pm
While there isn't a real marquee matchup, Ravens vs. Colts, Panthers vs. Bucs, Bears vs. Falcons, and Chargers vs. Patriots are all pivotal games in the standings.
With John Herrera standing to his right dressed in black and appearing not unlike an undertaker, Lane Kiffin sat down at the podium for Sunday's postgame news conference.
Baltimore wants Flacco to be their QB of the future. But the Ravens feel they have no choice but to start him now because Boller and Smith are unavailable. Wrong!
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Here at RealGM Jeff Risdon is our resident ‘picks’ expert (click here to read his Wild Card weekend meteorology), but my performance during last year’s NFL playoffs has earned me another shot at competing with Jeff for prediction supremacy. It will be hard to top the near-perfect record I posted in the KQ last winter (I finished 9-2), but I’m certainly up to the challenge.
Washington at Seattle This is without a doubt the toughest of the four Wild Card matchups to pick. The Washington Redskins are one of the NFL’s hottest teams and have the support of the entire country following the tragic death of Sean Taylor. On the other hand, Seattle has quietly become one of the NFC’s top teams. If Jason Campbell were healthy I think Washington would have a much better shot at winning this game. Nothing against Todd Collins, who has played well, but I don’t think he can get the job done against the surging Seahawks.
What has really surprised me about Seattle is how they’ve won games this season. Matt Hasselbeck has developed great chemistry with his bevy of receivers despite their weak running game. Green Bay is the only playoff team with a lower-ranked rushing attack than Seattle. Washington has enjoyed the resurgence of Clinton Portis, who was expected to share time with Ladell Betts this season, which gives the Redskins the edge on the ground. Despite the loss of Taylor as a safety and a man, the Redskins’ defense has remained tough. However, I think Seattle’s experience and star-power will overcome Washington’s inspirational run on Saturday.
Seattle 27, Washington 13
N.Y. Giants at Tampa Bay Plain and simple, the Buccaneers don’t have the offense to hang with any of the NFC’s five other playoff teams. However, their stingy defense allows them to stay in games each week. Jeff Garcia led the Philadelphia Eagles to a Wild Card victory over the Giants last season, but I think it will be a different story this time around. Garcia isn’t going to make many mistakes, but New York’s experienced defense will take advantage of every opportunity Tampa Bay gives them.
The Buccaneers won the NFC South, the conference’s worst division, despite enduring a myriad of injuries (especially to their running game). Earnest Graham has taken advantage of the opportunity, rushing for nearing 900 yards and 10 touchdowns on just 222 carries for the Bucs. On the Giants’ side, Eli Manning hasn’t faired well in cold weather throughout his career, so he’ll benefit from playing in sunny Florida this Sunday afternoon. If the Giants have a majority of their injured players on the field this game won’t be close.
N.Y. Giants 28, Tampa Bay 14
Jacksonville at Pittsburgh This is by far my favorite matchup of the weekend. The last five games between these two teams have been decided by nine points or fewer, and their battle on Dec. 16 was one of the highlights of a weather-ravaged weekend. Both teams pride themselves on defense and running while also possessing above average passing attacks. Ben Roethlisberger is always a threat to go deep with guys like Santonio Holmes at wide receiver, and David Garrard was one of the league’s most efficient quarterbacks this season. He ended 2007 with 2,509 yards, 18 touchdowns and three interceptions – good enough for a 102.2 QB rating.
If Pittsburgh still had Willie Parker in the backfield I’d give this one to the Steelers, but there’s a reason Najeh Davenport wasn’t getting on the field much when “Fast” Willie was healthy. Jacksonville will take Roethlisberger’s arm out of the game, forcing Davenport to win the game for Pittsburgh. He’s a good running back, but the combination of Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew will make the difference.
Jacksonville 31, Pittsburgh 20
Tennessee at San Diego If only the Titans had a healthier roster. The seven players Tennessee lists on their injury report are among their best performers (including Vince Young, Chris Brown, LenDale White, Roydell Williams and Albert Haynesworth). As of Friday afternoon, only Brown and Haynesworth looked like locks to take the field against San Diego on Sunday which spells trouble for the Titans.
The Chargers were victorious in Tennessee less than a month ago, and I don’t see the result being any different this time around. San Diego seems to be firing on all cylinders heading into this game, and the memories of their collapse against New England last January are still fresh in their minds. Many people think Kerry Collins would be a better option at quarterback for the Titans should Young not be able to play, but that’s a bunch of bologna. Young has a decent track record, and he is much more versatile than Collins. However, it really doesn’t matter against this Chargers’ team. I expect this game to be over well before halftime.
San Diego 30, Tennessee 13
