At this point in the football season, all any fan can ask for is a shot at the playoffs. Truth be told, I had assumed, when the season began, that the Green Bay Packers would have a playoff spot wrapped up by now — if not the NFC North title and a first-round bye. But things seldom work out the way we think they will in the NFL (as evidenced by the preseason predictions Scott and I made ndnsports.blogspot.com/2010/09/nfl-prognostications.html).
One of the beautiful things about the NFL playoffs, though, is that it doesn’t matter how you get in. It just matters that you’re in. Since 2000, three wild card teams have won the Super Bowl (2000 Ravens, 2005 Steelers and, sorry, Patriots fans, the 2007 Giants).
So while this season hasn’t lived up to my August optimism, my Super Bowl picks of Ravens-Packers still is alive. That’s more than I can say for Scott’s pick of Ravens-Cowboys.
Green Bay’s playoff picture is pretty simple. A win at Lambeau Field on Sunday against the Bears and they secure a wild card. And I like my team’s chances against the Eagles, Bears or Rams in the first round of the playoffs.
As for the AFC, the Patriots officially ascended to the throne of “team to beat” with their win over the Bills. Now any team in the conference with Super Bowl aspirations will have to win in Foxboro, which is no easy task when Tom Brady is in uniform. The AFC, though, is much stronger and deeper than the NFC, so even home games against the likes of the Jets, Steelers and Ravens are no lock. Even the injury-riddled Colts and upstart Chiefs are no walk in the park.
Sticking to my preseason Super Bowl prediction, here are my revised playoff guesses:
AFC wild card: Chiefs over Jets, Ravens over Colts
AFC divisional: Ravens over Patriots, Steelers over Chiefs
AFC championship: Ravens over Steelers
NFC Wild card: Packers over Bears, Saints over Rams
NFC Divisional: Packers over Falcons, Saints over Eagles
NFC championship: Packers over Saints
Super Bowl XLV: Ravens over Packers
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4 comments:
Sorry Josh but you have NO credibility. You have been very up front about your hatred for the Patriots. If the Pats had a game scheduled vs.Rogers you would pick Rogers to win. Because of that, I can't take any of your picks seriously........Good day
Actually, I've picked the Patriots in 11 of their 15 games this season (twice incorrectly, I might add).
And, to be honest, I think the Patriots will win at least one playoff game. But I had to remain true to my preseason Super Bowl picks, and since a Ravens-Patriots game in the second round seems likely, I had to pick the Ravens.
It's nothing personal, Anonymous. Don't get so angry.
I find it greatly ironic that someone who refuses to identify himself, or herself, can attack the credibility of someone else.
I find it, "greatly ironic" that you 2 guys are actually employed by the Daily News. Your talent level is more suited for a high school newspaper, if that. Just my opinion.
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