Broadway Joe It's been really fun. You can typically find a handful of good games every week. In fact, it's been so good the last several years, I can't imagine the league not being around next year due to labor woes. It's easy for me to say the owners and players can't afford a work stoppage when you're on top. Then again, they're on top for a reason, and maybe a renegotiation is a part of it getting better.
Anyway, the build up of the season results in the playoffs and my favorite week is the first week, the wild card round. It's where anything can happen. You get two games a day: Eight teams that'll leave it on the field in order to play another week. It's the human spirit at its brink.
New Orleans Saints vs. Seattle Seahawks
Why I Like The Saints
Drew Brees. Score like crazy and are one of the best offensive teams playing against one of the worst defensive teams in the Seahawks. The Saints have been there and veterans like Brees won't allow this team to relax or let their guard down. Because when the Seahawks get beat, they get really smashed. Because New Orleans was better on the road than Seattle was at home.
Why I Like The Seahawks
They are at home and Quest Field is an insane place to play. Probably one of the truest home-field advantages in professional sports. Because New Orleans has more running backs on the IR than they do on their roster. Because the magic behind all those wonderful turnovers taken advantage of by New Orleans a year ago have disappeared. Because the Seahawks have nothing to lose.
Prediction
Saints 31, Seahawks 19
New York Jets vs. Indianapolis Colts
Why I Like The Jets
Because the Colts are riddled with injuries. Their defense is soft and allows too many rushing yards. Because Peyton Manning's had the yips all season and it's killed them week after week. Because I think Rex Ryan is going to coach his team up to win one of these games. Brad Smith.
Why I Like The Colts
Peyton Manning. At home. Against an overaggressive team that loves to blitz; Manning being a quarterback that eats blitzing teams for lunch. Because they're a tad healthier.
Prediction
Colts 23, Jets 21
Baltimore Ravens vs. Kansas City Chiefs
Why I Like The Ravens
Because they went into Foxboro a year ago and took it to the Patriots. Because it's a team built around running the ball and playing defense; the latter they may or may not do as well as they did 10 years ago, but it doesn't matter because they punch you in the mouth enough for you to think they do. Because Joe Flacco's due. Because the Chiefs pooped the bed a week ago. Because the Chiefs are like a 13-year-old with a hooker: They wouldn't know what to do with it if they got it. Ray Rice.
Why I Like The Chiefs
They're 7-1 at home. That fanbase will show up and make life hard on the Ravens. Because they do one thing well -- run the ball -- and can shorten this game and make a close one in the fourth quarter a coin flip. Because the Chiefs have an opportunistic and young defense.
Prediction
Chiefs 19, Ravens 13
Green Bay Packers vs. Philadelphia Eagles
Why I Like The Packers
Mike Vick looks tired and you can gameplan to beat him whereas you can only hope quarterbacks like Aaron Rodgers you hope you can stop. The Pack have the defenders to keep up with the Eagles' receivers. Because the Eagles defense is not very good and they do not run the ball well. Because if you keep the Eagles from the home run, they might get shut out. Aaron Rodgers.
Why I Like The Eagles
Andy Reid is a remarkable coach. DeSean Jackson. They're at home where 50K Philly fans will already be shitfaced at 3 p.m. The Packers are eaten up with injuries.
Prediction
Packers 31,
Eagles 20
