Packers-Cardinals: Week 17 Outlook

One of the best games of the season is less than three days away.  That’s right, it’s the Green Bay Packers v Arizona Cardinals.  We’ve all heard about it, we all know about it, and we all know how much this matchup means to the NFC Playoff picture.

The Packers, who are currently sitting at 10-5, are heading to the University of Phoenix Stadium with more than a point to prove.  They are already in the playoffs, and that’s old news.  This team will face, however, the strong-headed defense of the Arizona Cardinals, which is relentless and dominates games when an opposing team’s offense is playing at its worst.

Arizona still has a shot at the No. 2 spot in the NFC Playoff picture.  With a decision from head coach Ken Whisenhunt on whether to rest their starters or not, expect Arizona to start the game all guns blazing as they look to gain a considerable lead and then bench their starters for the remaining quarters.

The key for either team to take the win in this game is defense.  Both teams have similar style offenses with a good mixture of run and pass.  Although, with that said, expect this game to play into whichever team’s defense is playing the more dominant style of football.  Green Bay and Dom Capers have the 3-4 transition working perfectly, and Arizona’s defensive penetration is among the best in the NFL. 

Whichever team’s defense gets going early, expect it to take over.

Games with Meaning:

New York Giants at Minnesota Vikings, 1:00PM Sunday on Fox.

It’s all over for New York.  However, they could still throw a spanner in the works of Minnesota, who has been off to a shaky and unpredictable start in the past two games. 

The Giant offense hasn’t been too poor as of late, but it hasn’t been easy on the eye either.  Giant fans are still upset over their final home game loss at the Meadowlands this week, and so is the entire locker room.  The Giants have a chance to redeem themselves and provide a little hope for the future with this game, but nothing more than that.

On the other side, Brett Favre is going through his usual December-to-forget period, and Adrian Peterson is causing more woes in the Viking offense then need be.  If New York puts pressure on Brett Favre and stops Adrian Peterson early, expect the Giants to get a meaningless but impressive win over the Vikings.

Game of the Week:

Philadelphia Eagles at Dallas Cowboys, 4:15PM Sunday on Fox.

It’s hard to argue against how the Eagles are playing right now.  The same can be said for Dallas. 

Donovan McNabb and DeSean Jackson are playing lights out, and it seems that cornerbacks are a mere hurdle for the Eagles wide receivers right now.  Away games aren’t the Eagles’ forte, however, and they could get rattled early in Texas.  If the Eagles score the first touchdown in the game, it would be wise to put some money on them for the win.  Not that I am encouraging gambling, but the Eagles are third in the NFL on points scored right now, and that says a lot for a team that is looking for a long January of football.

Dallas is playing extremely well also.  Tony Romo is finally looking like the guy who is the future of the Cowboys, and Jerry Jones’ smile widens with every game the Cowboys win.  Miles Austin is having a possible Offensive Player of the Year season, and to top it all off, linebacker DeMarcus Ware is fit and healthy and ready to dominate.

Anyone who doesn’t watch this game isn’t a true football fan.  I promise you that you won’t be wasting your time.  This battle always promises a highlight reel for the ages.

Interesting Match Up:

Cincinnati Bengals at New York Jets, 8:20PM Monday on CBS.

Playoff implications are on the line for both teams.  If LaMarr Woodley’s prediction proves correct and the Bengals lay down to stop the Steelers from reaching the playoffs, all hell will break lose.

To cap that off, Chad Ochocinco and Darrelle Revis have exchanged friendly words and are promising a blockbuster event. 

With two great offenses like these colliding, it’s hard to argue against them.

Other Games to Watch For:

New England Patriots at Houston Texans, 1:00PM Sunday on Fox.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Miami Dolphins, 1:00PM Sunday on CBS.

Kansas City Chiefs at Denver Broncos, 4:15PM Sunday on Fox.

 

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2010 NFL Mock Draft 1st Round: Suh or Clausen? Version 2.0

Updated 12/31

Here’s the latest update of my 2010 NFL mock draft. The draft order is based on my season record and playoff projections. Tune in next week for another update of my mock draft, and feel free to comment and tell me what you think of my picks and whether you like your favorite team’s pick.

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Buffalo Bills Take First Step in Turning Around With New GM, Buddy Nix

Hello, and Happy Holidays to all the loyal Bills fans, and readers of my articles! Sorry about the lack of recent posts, but I am back and ready to bring you all the latest news on our Buffalo Bills.

Ralph Wilson Jr. has been the owner of the Buffalo Bills franchise since the inception of the National Football League 50 long years ago. Still today, Buffalo Bills’ loyal fans have yet to see the confetti fall, despite the four consecutive Super Bowl losses that has broken the hearts of every resident in the great city of Buffalo, N.Y.

Now, Ralph Wilson has had enough. A decade away from his 100th birthday, he has stuck with the team through thick and thin, but this season we have seen another side of the normally quiet, behind the scenes owner.

A billboard pleading for the firing of the much hated Dick Jauron must have opened the eyes of our beloved Ralph Wilson Jr; as he was fired within a month. Now, Russ Brandon, the team’s General Manager (who specializes in MARKETING) has been replaced by Buddy Nix, a man with superior experience in scouting and evaluation the talent of up and coming players.

Nix served as a scout for Buffalo in the early ’90s, before becoming the assistant GM of the San Diego Chargers, as well as the director of player personnel, encouraging the team to draft top-tier players such as Shawne Merriman, Drew Brees, LaDanian Tomlinson, Quinten Jammer, Antonio Cromartie, and countless others. I think we all know how that turned out.

Although Nix is not as big a name as newly appointed president of the Cleveland Browns, Mike Holmgren, Nix has a knack for evaluating players and developing a team with players that fit the desired system.

While working with the Bills, he scouted and eventually brought in Buffalo favorites including Pro Bowl corner Antoine Winfield, and our favorite defensive end since Bruce Smith, Aaron Schobel. Additionally, he coached Terrell Owens, during his time at Tennessee Chattanooga, for those of you that like to nitpick.

This may seem like a small step for the Buffalo Bills, but a GM with a high football IQ is what we need. This could easily be the beginning of something new. Something that will bring pride and joy to the city of Buffalo. Something that will make America tune in to Bills’ games, not to see a losing team, but a team feared by all.

I could be wrong, but hey, coming from Buffalo, all you can do is hope!

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Patriots and Bengals Playing to Win? Brady and Ocho Say They Are!

Most of the talk this week was about how the Bengals and Patriots would both fold the tents, and allow the Jets and Texans to have an easy game this week. According to Tom Brady, that just is not going to happen.

In a report from profootballtalk.com, Tom Brady was asked by his Dad is he would be playing the game, Tom did not know. Not wanting to let his Dad down, Brady asked Coach Belichick, and actually got an answer.

Yes !

“You’ll play, don’t worry about that,” Belichick told Brady. “You’ll be playing.”

Now, I know that some of us would be a little skeptical about a statement like that, I mean, look at how the Colts sent an engraved invitation to the Jets for the playoffs. But not the Patriots.

“Close game, blowout, we get behind, I’m expecting to play the whole game,” Brady said.  “I wouldn’t see why we wouldn’t.”

This comes as great news to the teams that are fighting for those final playoff spots in the AFC. Steelers, Broncos, and Ravens fans are all breathing a sigh of relief.

The number three seed in the AFC Playoff race has not yet been decided, as the Bengals and Patriots are both 10-5, and if either loses, while the other team wins, they will have the three seed.

Some people, LaMarr Woodley included has speculated the both the Patriots and Bengals would rest their starters to try and keep the Steelers from the post season. Maybe Belichick wanted to prove that the Patriots are more manly than the Colts.

Or maybe they just don’t like to lose.

Either way, if the Patriots can take care of the Texans, then the path to the playoffs for the Steelers just got a little easier.

Is Cincinnati planning to take out the Jets?

When the Indianapolis Colts decided that their starters getting a months rest was more important than an undefeated season, the Jets were handed control of their own destiny in the playoffs.

Yes, they have the option to sit who they like, when they like, but every time they do this, they end up with an early playoff exit.

Is Cincinnati going to be sitting their starters? Maybe not.

Chad Ochocinco stated that he is going to “escape Revis Island “. Ocho has stated that he is going to do what no other wide out in the NFL could do this season.

For that to happen, Ochocinco is going to have to play the whole game, and is going to have Carson Palmer throwing him the ball.

Maybe Chad was not supposed to say anything, but Ochocinco did, and it could mean that the Bengals are actually going to be playing their starters against the Jets.

If the Bengals and Patriots take out the Jets and Texans, respectfully, then with a win at Miami, Pittsburgh will be back in the playoffs to defend their title.

Either way, Sunday just got a LOT more interesting!

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Oakland Raiders: Tic-Tac-Toe, Get Three in a Row

It’s been a good year for those of us who needed to be humbled. Join me because I and others wrote some articles spouting out “high hopes” for the 2009 season, and it’s been a year with a few highs and several lows.

Like a child who wants to get three x’s in a row in tic-tac-toe, some of us would have been happy to see three consecutive victories in 2009. Two wins in a row would have made us happier, too.

So much was invested in JaMarcus Russell that some fans thought that surely he would give us “a very good year.” Nope, it didn’t happen.

Our heads swelled with pride when Bruce Gradkowski injected excitement, passion, and a higher degree of effectiveness in a couple of our games. Then, maybe because we got “a little bit too lifted up,” our “rising star” was injured, not in one knee but in two. Now, tell me, wasn’t that disappointing?

I don’t think it is “off beat” to say that our opponents targeted our rising star, playing hard and dirty to get him out of the game, so to speak. Is that far-fetched?

So, we did get two x’s but they were disabling x’s, representing the injuries of our quarterback.

Well, the beginning of a new year will start and we will get charged up, practiced up, and fired up for the 2010 season.

Will it be tic-tac-toe again, but this time, we yearn for x-x-x and more.

I believe the whole team needs a “major tune up” like changing spark plugs, wires, rotary caps, and a change in the air filter and fuel filter.

Knowing that your car needs a tune up is similar to knowing that the Oakland Raiders need a tune up. When your car mis-fires, won’t crank up in cold weather or hot weather, it stalls at the red light, won’t accelerate properly, you then realize you need a major tune-up. Our team needs a tune up before the 2010 season begins.

Well, the analogy is: Our team mis-fired; it didn’t crank up consistently; and it certainly did not accelerate to give us two consecutive wins for weeks 14 and 15.

How do we tune up our team? Do an assessment and replace any member of the franchise who did not perform properly?

How might this assessment of the entire franchise be done?

A suggestion is to evaluate the performance of “a few good men” and “a few bad men” and strengthen the Oakland Raiders for 2010.

Furthermore, we will stack up the x’s and o’s and we will see the pattern on which we will make our informed decisions.

With the discipline to watch, carefully, as much of the data and performance records of the entire team, we will not tolerate being treated like we have “stupid stamped on our forehead.”

We may be in a game of tic-tac-toe in the NFL, but we still expect, some consecutive x’s (wins)  more often.

This is your review of 2009, and your “prep-pep talk” for 2010.

Happy New Year!

 

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The Top 10 Free Agent Options for the Chicago Bears

After a season that failed to meet expectations in the Windy City, the Chicago Bears find themselves with many holes to fill as free agency approaches. The Bears have a surplus of young talent on offense but lack a proven number one receiver and need help on the offensive line. While on defense the Bears can’t seem to become the dominant unit they once were, and have many positions of uncertainty as the season is coming to a close. So with as much help as they need on their roster, the Bears are bound to be big spenders in free agency this year, and with a big pool of talent coming out they should be able to fill some of their holes on both sides of the ball. So here are my top ten free agent options for the Chicago Bears.

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For Dallas Cowboys, the December Curse Is Over

The curse has to end sometime. Just ask the Boston Red Sox.

Ask all the Chicago Cubs fans who are still crossing their fingers, saying their prayers, and dreaming those dreams.

Even if it hasn’t happened yet, it eventually will.

Most (if not not every) record will be broken. Games that shouldn’t be won will be won. And curses, as mystical and evil as they may appear, will always be lifted.

Don’t look now, Cowboys fans, but that horrible “December Curse” is about to be wiped away.

Sure, your Dallas team has a mediocre 2-2 record in the month of December this season, but that’s nothing to be ashamed about. Two teams that are supposedly better than them, the New Orleans Saints and Minnesota Vikings, are either 2-2 or 1-3.

Misery does love company. But sometimes good teams just run into a muddied road. Sometimes it takes a while to work out the kinks.

But for these inspired and hot Dallas Cowboys, this is more than a disposal of a late-season curse. This is redemption at its finest.

After upsetting the undefeated New Orleans Saints and knocking off the lowly Washington Redskins, the Cowboys are starting to forget about all the bad and instill the good feelings of success at the period of the NFL season when it actually matters.

Don’t worry about their late-game collapse against the Broncos, their close overtime battle with the weak Kansas City Chiefs, or their near shut-out against the Green Bay Packers.

All that’s left is a home game against a Philadelphia Eagles team that embarrassed them in the season finale a year ago and kept them at home and out of the 2008 playoffs.

Add the fact that they beat this same Eagles squad earlier this season, and you’ve got yourself a deadly mix of revenge and confidence.

Tony Romo is playing some of the best football of his life. Terrell Owens is a long forgotten man, while Miles Austin has done more than replace the play-making ability, while bringing a fresh brand of humility and hunger to the Dallas passing game.

Fresh off of a shut-out, the Cowboys’ defense is playing active and aggressive. Demarcus Ware, originally feared to be out for the season, is as disruptive as ever and will give the Eagles (and playoff opponents) something to plan for.

Keep betting against this Dallas team, and see where it gets you. Because even if they do slip-up and hand the Eagles the NFC East, they still get a crack at putting a run together in the playoffs.

And considering this is a team that no one believes in, that has nothing to lose, and has all the talent in the world to actually pull it off, they just might be the scariest team in the NFC.

That’s a lot for the Philadelphia Eagles to swallow as they go on the road and try to win their division title. And even if they do beat these Cowboys, you can bet your bottom dollar there’s no way they’ll want to have to face them in the playoffs.

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Buddy Nix is the Buffalo Bills’ New GM

Today, December 31st, the Buffalo Bills held a press conference at 2:30 pm to name Buddy Nix their new general manager. While much maligned at first glance by the fan base because he’s not a “big name” from outside, this is NOT a bad move.

Wait, what? He’s been with the Bills this past season! He’s part of the inept Bills front office!

Well, yes, he was here last year in time for the start of the draft. The Bills draft produced two offensive line starters (Eric Wood and Andy Levitre), a Pro Bowl free safety (Jairus Byrd), the most athletic tight end the Bills have had in quite possibly their history (Shawn Nelson) and players who can still develop to be quality contributors.

Sounds like quality production for the head national scout to me.

Buddy Nix has been in Buffalo previously as well. He was a member of John Butler’s scouting department in the 1990s as the Southeast regional scout. He then departed with Butler to San Diego and became the director of player personnel. After Butler’s passing and AJ Smith being named general manager, Nix added the title of assistant general manager to his nameplate.

That’s the time period when the San Diego Chargers became one of the most talented teams in all of football. They’ve found great players in the draft and also evaluated undrafted players well (Antonio Gates anyone?). He was an integral part of that great turnaround by that franchise. The Bills need that.

Among the league, he’s widely considered a great talent evaluator, both at the college and professional level. He sounds determined to build this team through the draft. Every team that is a power in the National Football League is built through the draft.

Yes, pieces are added through free agency. However, the majority of teams get the lynchpins of their offense and defense through the draft. The Bills need to discover their offensive keys through the draft at quarterback and left tackle. That will go a long way to making this team a contender.

So while the knee jerk reaction to the Nix promotion might be disgust, give it a chance. He’s a a quality talent evaluator and a football guy. The Bills need that kind of talent in a leadership role. Now he needs to evaluate the team and get a new head coach in the next few weeks. It will be nothing if not interesting.

So please, Bills fans, be patient. The Bills aren’t as bad as their record suggests, I believe. They need to make serious improvements at a few key spots, namely quarterback, left tackle, and the head coach. Make those improvements and the Bills could be well on their way to a playoff berth. Simply be patient.

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For Oakland Raiders Franchise, Continuity a Must Next Year

Regardless of who says what and regardless of what type of source those people rely upon for their information, to deny that the Oakland Raiders could use some regularity would be absurd.

I mean, changing head coaches so often is obviously not working. The constantly revolving door of players has been detrimental to stability and growth as a unit and as a team.

One thing that should change this offseason is Al Davis’s hard-headedness. It has seemingly brought nothing but hardship to his supposedly beloved franchise.

I say “supposedly beloved” because if he did love it, then maybe he wouldn’t constantly be changing what presently exists. Look no further than your personal relationships for a similar example.  

“Continuity is always important. You always want your mom and your dad to stay together, so to speak, but (change is) a part of life,” Raiders cornerback Stanford Routt said. “I think part of being a man and part of being a professional is dealing with change, because, you know, when you stop changing they say that’s when you die. You’ve just got to roll with the punches.”

Surely we don’t want the Raiders to die, but Routt is a perfect example of a young player (26 years old) who has been a pro for only five seasons but is already representing his fourth Raiders coach.

Bruce Gradkowski gave a good example of what works in this league when he recently said, “You see the good teams in this league have the same coaches and they’ve been consistent at quarterback.”

It’s true, too. Look at Peyton Manning, Tom Brady, Carson Palmer, Drew Brees, Phillip Rivers, Donovan McNabb, and Eli Manning with their respective coaches Tony Dungy/Tom Mora, Bill Belichick, Marvin Lewis, Sean Peyton, Norv Turner, Andy Reid, and Tom Coughlin.

Even throw in Ben Roethlisberger with Mike Tomlin and David Garrard with Jack Del Rio.

Can you think of a “good QB” without a consistent head coach?

Joe Montana/Bill Walsh, Dan Marino/Don Shula, Phil Simms/Drew Bledsoe/Chad Pennington/Bill Parcells, Jim Kelly/Marv Levy, Troy Aikman/Jimmy Johnson, Ken Stabler/John Madden, Rich Gannon/Jon Gruden…I could keep going, but I won’t. I feel like Bruce Gradkowski and I have made our point.

Yes, the same Bruce Gradkowski who might not be a Raider next year. Luckily, I recently heard that if the owners and the NFLPA can’t come to an agreement on a player salary cap, then due to the uncapped year, many unrestricted free agents would become restricted free agents for the next two years.

That means that players who would’ve been free to sign with whomever they wanted would be subjected to an environment in which their current teams have a chance to match the offer for up to the next two years. An uncapped year would also allow for teams to franchise two players instead of the typical one in a capped year.

There is no doubt that the current Oakland head coach wants to remain in Oakland. He wants—and in my opinion deserves—another chance to prove that he can turn this franchise around.

The quarterback is a sticky situation in the Raiders franchise. Some think that the guy who received $39.4 million of the owner’s money needs to be stuck with. Others feel that the semi-journeyman Bruce Gradkowski should be voted quarterback of the future. However, it is doubtful that JaMarcus Russell and Bruce Gradkowski could co-exist due to the level of pay for starters in Oakland.

Russell is due to make around $13.5-14 million next season. The former Patriots quarterback Matt Cassell’s franchise tag for New England last year put him at $14.2 million, I believe.

Yet in an uncapped year, maybe the Raiders could afford to keep both. One thing that is unlikely to happen is that Bruce remains with Oakland at the $535,000 salary at which he is currently employed. One good thing that Oakland has working for them is that Gradkowski will be a restricted free agent, so Oakland will be able to match any offer made for him.

Getting back to my main point now, the Raiders need stability. It’s part of the reason Nnamdi Asomugha decided to stay in Oakland after the season; because they kept the same head coach from the previous year.

I’ve said this before and I’ll say it again right now: Since 1967, the Pittsburgh Steelers have had three head coaches. People who live across the country could probably name all of them.

Since Jon Gruden left in 2001, the Raiders have had five head coaches, all of whom almost nobody who’s not a Raiders fan could name. That is an incredible contrast in philosophy.

Jeff Fisher has been a constant on the Tennessee Titans sideline since they switched states, regardless of the outcome to their year. Another good example of good QB/good HC is Jeff Fisher/Steve McNair.

Maybe Tom Cable has done some things that some people don’t agree with. Maybe you don’t see the progress that’s been made under the current system. Regardless, Al Davis had his chance to make a change in January of 2009, and he didn’t.

That is another reason why Lane Kiffin is correct when he says that Tom Cable should be given at least till the end of 2010 to prove he’s worthy as the leader of the Oakland Raiders.

Consistency brings success. If you disagree, then give me some examples.

 

Click here to read Top Five Reasons Al Davis Won’t Drop His Influence.

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Super Bowl 2009: Rivers and Rodgers Will Duel As Chargers Face Packers

Get your popcorn ready.

Better yet, get your comments ready, because here comes the big one:

Green Bay will face San Diego in the Super Bowl.

THIS SEASON.

Bold prediction you might say. Call me a fool will you? Even say I am crazy perhaps?

Go ahead. What is the fun in making a prediction if you know what is going to happen?

I can not name a single team that is locked for the playoffs that does not have a great chance to reach the Super Bowl. I also can not name a single team that is a lock for the Super Bowl. So if everyone is eligible, why not these two?

I will explain why both should finish atop their collective conferences. I look forward to any type of reception I get.

AFC:

San Diego is arguably the hottest team in the AFC. They are playing as well or better than any other team in the league, and with Indy suffering their first loss, there is no longer an “invincible” label on any team.

Phillip Rivers is a touchdown machine, rarely turns it over, and can make any throw at any time. He also gets great protection regardless of which lineman is hurt during a given week. If not for Brees and Manning having stellar years, Rivers would probably be the unanimous MVP.

Rivers is complimented by a slew of talented receivers, including two giants among secondaries. Vincent Jackson (6’5”) and Antonio Gates (6’4”) provide matchup nightmares for any defense, and if you put too many defenders on them, Legedu Naanee and Malcom Floyd will eat the single coverage up all day long.

Running backs LaDanian Tomlinson, Darren Sproles, and Jacob Hester can hit the home run on any play. All three are capable of running the ball as well as being excellent receivers out of the backfield.

Match that red-hot offense with a stalwart defense featuring Shawne Merriman, Shaun Phillips, Larry English, Antonio Cromartie, and Quentin Jammer, and you have a recipe for disaster.

This front seven will eat your QB alive, and if he somehow gets the ball away, this aggressive and opportunistic secondary is ready to pick it off and run it back at any given moment.

The Chargers are averaging 29 points and 360 yards of offense per game. Their defense is allowing 20 points and 326 yards. The Chargers are scoring nine more points and accumulating 30 yards more their opponents.

So we know why they are good football team. Why will they beat their opposition en route to the Super Bowl?

I believe their best competition will come from the Colts, Pats, and Bengals.
Here is why I believe each team to be inferior to the Chargers:

Indy:

I liked the Colts chances if they went 16-0, or at least lost while their starters were playing. Now they have two monkeys on their back. This year’s version of the Colts will not have the chance to prove they know how to rebound from a loss that matters, and they will have to deal with the “Super Bowl or bust” label they branded themselves with when they passed on perfection. I sense a massive collapse brewing in Indy.

Peyton Manning is playing inspired football, but he has not had to go head to head with a team as talented as San Diego in 2009. They are short handed and will have to deal with their first dose of adversity in the playoffs. Sounds like a one-and-done kind of scenario to me.

They are 0-2 against the Chargers in the last two playoff games.

Patriots:

New England is not the smash mouth team they once were, and have not shown they can play with the big boys this season. Their biggest matchups of the season against the Broncos, Colts, and Saints were all losses. The losses to the Jets and Broncos may help them get fired up for whichever team they face in the wild-card round, but I do not see them getting past the divisional round.

They are 2-0 in recent matchups against the Chargers in the playoffs, but those were different teams and different times.

Bengals:

They have had to deal with just about every physical and emotional problem that can hamper a team, and it has not slowed them down. They have talent on each side of the ball and the veterans on this team are hungry for a title.

The difference is that Carson Palmer seems to wait until the game is getting too high pressure before he will start taking over. This will be a “too little too late” problem if he does this against the Chargers. San Diego has the athletic corners to cover OchoCinco, Caldwell, and Coles, as well as the front seven can contain Cedric Benson.

The Bengals lost a 27-24 thriller to San Diego in week 15. This game was supposed to be a tribute to the recent death of receiver Chris Henry. If they can’t win during an emotional regular season game that helped lock the Chargers into the No. 2 seed, I do not think they will beat the Chargers when everything is on the line for both teams.

The Chargers seem to be the team to beat in the AFC, even though they own the second best record. This team is battle tested and hungry. The Colts and Pats already have won trophies this decade, so they will not be able to match the Chargers desire. The Bengals just don’t seem to know how to play an entire game anymore. You cannot always play so-so for three quarters and then win in the waning moments of the fourth.

NFC:

Even if this conference is supposedly the inferior one, each of the six teams already locked in are riddled with talented veterans. There really isn’t one team that stands out as the clear juggernaut, but there are a couple that have been red-hot lately. It is just my humble opinion that the Packers will prevail. Here is why:

Green Bay boasts one of the best offenses in the league. They are averaging 28 points and 380 yards per game (both totals rank fourth in the league). They have failed to break 20 points just once (a 17-7 victory over Dallas). They gave up way too many sacks in the first half of the year, but have made the necessary adjustments and are currently winners of six of their last seven contests.

This offense can do it all. Aaron Rodgers has shown he can make every kind of throw, and is deceptively mobile. He has thrown for more than 4,000 yards for the second straight year, and leads all active QB’s in rushing yards. His 29 touchdowns against only 7 interceptions proves he can score at will and take care of the football at the same time.

The offensive line has improved since re-signing veteran right tackle Mark Taucscher, and the running game has been resurgent as a result. Ryan Grant, Ahman Green, and Brandon Jackson are all capable of running up the gut or catching passes out of the backfield, and are averaging a combined 118 yards per game.

If you are looking for a depleted receiving corps, look elsewhere. Green Bay has one of the deepest and most talented group of wideouts. Starters Greg Jennings and Donald Driver are both deep threats who can also make tough catches over the middle. Backups James Jones and Jordy Nelson have become proven targets against the league’s best secondaries, as they usually enjoy single coverage while defenses game-plan around Driver and Jennings.

Second year tight end Jermichael Finley is a matchup nightmare, as he is faster than most linebackers, and is far taller than most safeties. His size and soft hands make him a great target at any point on the field, but he is deadly in the red-zone. Backups Spencer Havner and Donald Lee are both capable, but both lack the big play ability Finley brings to the table.

Green Bay’s defense ranks first in the NFC, and second in the NFL. They are allowing a league low 85 rushing yards per game, and just 205 yards passing. Opposing offenses have averaged just 19 points per game, which ranks ninth in the NFL.

Let me clear this up:

Green Bay is averaging 28 points and 380 yards while their defense is holding opponents to just 19 points and 290 yards.  A differential of 9 points and 90 yards is a very healthy number. Green Bay also ranks first in turnover differential with +22.

The defense is lead by all-pro all-everything captain Charles Woodson. This guy can cover like Deion, pass rush like Strahan, and tackle like Lambert. His aggressive playing style has catalyzed the 3-4 scheme, and led to many opportunities for some otherwise unsung heroes.

The front seven is ferocious. Linemen Cullen Jenkins, BJ Raji, and Johnny Jolly are quickly emerging as one of the best lines in football. All have immense pass rushing abilities, and are quick to stop the run as well. Linebackers Clay Matthews, Nick Barnett, AJ Hawk, Brandon Chillar, and Brad Jones are becoming a fearsome group. All of them have immense run and pass coverage abilities, and can beat the stuffing out of a QB.

The secondary is loaded as well.

Previously mentioned Charles Woodson is having another pro-bowl year, as is safety Nick Collins. They are joined by journeyman Tramon Williams and Atari Bigby. All four can lay out a receiver just as easy as picking off the pass. The loss of all-pro Al Harris stung at first, but Williams has done a standup job filling his cleats.

Coordinator Dom Capers has done a phenomenal job transitioning the team into the new scheme, and they are getting hot just when it really counts. Other than a five-hundred yard passing nightmare courtesy of Pittsburgh, this defense has been playing lights out since mid-season.

So why is this the best team in the conference? It is not because Green Bay is simply superior. It is because each of their opponents are fatally flawed.

New Orleans:

The Saints have proven over the past couple of weeks that they have severe weaknesses. Shut down the run and cover 2 deep, and suddenly the offense looks incomplete. Drew Brees is turning the ball over way too much, and the running backs are all backups at best.

The talented group of wideouts is suddenly inconsistent, since only Meachum seems to get open on a frequent basis. Losses to Dallas and Tampa Bay, coupled with dangerously close calls against Atlanta and Washington have to be recognized as troubling.
The offense has been held to 17 points in the each of the last two games, and both were losses. The defense has become a cause for concern as well as they are just not shutting down opponents the way they were up until midseason.

This team has no proven track record in the postseason, and until they prove us all otherwise, I see no reason to give them the benefit of the doubt, especially with their recent decline on both sides of the ball. They will most likely rest their starters in week 17 and enter the playoffs cold, rusty, and still wondering how tough they are.

Minnesota:

The recent problems between Favre and Childress could not have come with worse timing. The locker room is a divided mess, Adrian Peterson can’t seem to gain more than three yards per carry, and the offensive line, once a mainstay, is falling apart.
Oh, and the secondary just got burned for fourtouchdowns by Jay Cutler. Things look bleak indeed.

Jared Allen has been non-existent recently, EJ Hendersen is gone for the year, and all-pro cover man Antoine Winfield’s age may have finally caught up with him. The only one you can count on right now is old man winter himself, Brett Favre. I do not like their chances if Favre has to deal with the pressure of carrying the team in a win or go home situation. (hint: they are 1-3 in the last 4 contests, all were must win games for playoff seeding…)

This team has little to no recent playoff success, and unless they make some quick fixes, this ship will sink fast. If they face Dallas or Philly in the wild card, look out for a fast exit.

Philadelphia:

The offense can score at will, and the defense is full of talented playmakers that love to eat a QB alive. That being said, all is not well.

Brian Westbrook is playing here and there while recovering from a pair of concussions. No one knows how much if any playing time he will see this postseason. An already injury riddled offensive line just lost their star center.
LeSean McCoy is a fair impression of Brian Westbrook, but I do not want a rookie RB in the playoffs determining my offensive output?

DeSean Jackson really struggled against Champ Bailey, and each of the teams Philly will face in the playoffs have at least one great cover corner.

Philly as a team gave up a lot of plays and points to a so-so Denver team last week, and will face a tough must win game against Dallas on Sunday. They very nearly let San Francisco back into what should have been a blow out win two weeks ago. They allowed massive amounts of offense to the Giants three weeks ago, and came out alive due more to New York’s depleted secondary rather than a great offensive scheme.

Long story short, this is another team that has yet to prove they can win consistently when it matter most. This week will be their biggest test, and how they fare should be an image of what is to come.

Dallas:

The Cowboys have been way too inconsistent to predict correctly, but I will do my best. As they currently stand, they are capable of a deep playoff run. The offense is finally balanced. Romo has tightened the screws and become a much more efficient field general, and Miles Austin is the real deal. As a whole, the offense can attack from any part of the field, and has the receivers to get the deep ball in play.

The defense is coming together at the right time, finally playing the way they were built to. Ware and the front seven are racking up sacks, and the secondary is playing just well enough. No one other than Ware is having a great year save for Keith Brooking, but two linebackers do not a defense make.

Cover corners Terrance Newman, Orlando Scandrick  and Mike Jenkins are all well rounded players, but I want to see how they perform in a must win matchup with Philly this weekend. If they pass that test, great. If not, it could be another decade before Dallas wins a playoff game.

Special teams is a massive concern, especially when it comes time for a field goal. Nick Folk was cut and Shaun Suisham was so inconsistent that he was cut from the lowly ranks of the Redskins.

Dallas has not won a playoff game in the current decade, and until they do, I will keep predicting quick exits in the second season.

Arizona:

This year’s Cardinals squad is full of questions and not so many answers. Kurt Warner is playing great, unless the defense applies pressure. Beanie Wells is running great, unless the defense tackles him. Larry Fitzgerald is catching everything, unless a corner and safety cover him.

Lets face it, this offense is not the dominant well oiled machine we saw last season. Boldin and Breaston are not having the breakout performances we saw in 2008, and so defenses are loading up against Fitzgerald. Beanie Wells is an inconsistent runner in the mold of Adrian Peterson, and fumbles just like him.

The defense is unable to figure out a way to stop the run and the pass, especially the pass. They have been torched for an average of 233 yards per game, ranked 22nd in the NFL. They have allowed just 19 points per game, but only score 24 on average.
The offense has been held to 17 or fewer points four times this season, all losses.
The defense is allowing nearly 350 yards to the opposition, which will not get it done. The offense averages just 354, not nearly enough to outgain the enemy on a consistent basis.

Chalk full of talented playmakers that can’t seem to bring it all together, this Arizona team is in desperate need. They entered the post-season last year on a tumble, and ended up in the Super Bowl, so I am not ruling anything out.

The difference may be that this year’s crop of teams seems a lot deeper, so look out.
It looks like the clock is about to strike midnight on this Cinderella story, turning Kurt Warner into the proverbial pumpkin.

Green Bay has had to deal with a lot of adversity this season, having to bounce back from losing both Favre Bowls as well as being the first team to drop a game to Tampa Bay. They are 6-1 since midseason, and show no signs of slowing down. Their one loss during that stretch, a one point last second disappointment against a Steelers team with their backs against the wall. It was also a non-conference game that had little meaning for the Packers.

This team is battle tested, and might be the NFC’s version of San Diego. I conclude that both will make it to the Super Bowl. If I happen to be correct, I will be happy to write a preview article showcasing which team will emerge victorious.

I would like to thank anyone who gave their time to reading this novel, and look forward to your responses. Happy Holidays to all.

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