So the Patriots did it. They finished the season 16-0. Now the question is, can they win just three more games to become the first team ever to finish the season 19-0? Well they have their well deserved week off after a hard fought win against the New York Giants. The Giants aren't as lucky and have to travel to Tampa Bay for their wild card game against the Buccaneers. Hopefully the injuries they sustained in the Patriots game won't hurt them...
The Redskins and the Titans managed to sneak their way into the playoffs with victories this weekend. The Redskins travel to Seattle who rested their starters on Sunday and lost to the lowly Falcons. We'll see if that has any effect on the game this weekend. The Titans go to San Diego to play the Chargers who have won six straight after realizing that they are a much better team when they hand the ball off to LaDainian Tomlinson. It only took Norv Turner ten games to figure that one out...
The best wild card match up is between the Jacksonville Jaguars and the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Jaguars beat the Steelers in Pittsburgh mid-December. Since then the Steelers have lost Willie Parker which throws a wrench into their offensive game plan. The Jaguars have been one of the hottest teams as of late and have a better record than the Steelers, but they have the misfortune of playing in a division with the Colts...
Game of the Week:
Jacksonville (11-5) at Pittsburgh (10-6)- This is a rematch of their December 16th game which the Jaguars won 29-22. In my opinion, even though the Steelers won their division and are the home team, they are the underdogs in this game. Not having Willie Parker really hurts and the Jaguars play the same style of football the Steelers do- smash mouth defense and run first offense. I think the healthier Jaguars will beat the Steelers easily.
Jaguars 31 Steelers 20
Upset Special:
Washington (9-7) at Seattle (10-6)- The Redskins come in riding a four game winning streak. In that streak they beat the playoff bound New York Giants and Dallas Cowboys and knocked the Minnesota Vikings out of playoff contention. The Seahawks are 2-2 in their last four games losing to Carolina and Atlanta. Carolina forced the Seahawks into a one dimensional offense and was able to hold them to ten points. The Redskins defense is considerably better than the Panthers' and should have no trouble replicating their success on defense. Todd Collins is playing well in place of Jason Campbell, he manages the game well, makes smart decisions with the ball, and has made several big pass plays. In three starts, Collins has thrown 5 touchdowns to 0 interceptions. So as long as the Redskins take care of the ball on offense, they should have no problem winning this game.
Redskins 27 Seahawks 17
Ugh Seriously they have to Broadcast this Game?:
New York Giants (10-6) at Tampa Bay (9-7)- The Giants may have gained confidence from last week's game against the Patriots, but not only did they lose the game but they lost 3 more players to injury including their starting center. The Giants have not won a playoff game under Tom Coughlin and they haven't won a road playoff game since 1990. Neither will change this weekend. The Buccaneers are rested and ready to play. Their defense will make Eli Manning uncomfortable all day, and he caves under pressure. He played well against the Patriots until they started blitzing late in the game, then he fell apart. The Bucs will use that to their advantage and should coast to victory.
Buccaneers 24 Giants 14
Best Sunday Game:
Tennessee (10-6) at San Diego (11-5)- The Titans had a 17-3 lead going into the fourth quarter in their regular season game. They managed to squander it and lose 23-17 in overtime. The Titans know they can beat the Chargers, but the Chargers have finally gone back to the formula that won them 14 games last year- hand the ball of to LT and let him do the work. The Chargers should get their first playoff win in a decade if the Titans can't slow down LT.
Chargers 28 Titans 24
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