Check out the NFL Playoff Schedule
December 29, 2008
Well, week 17 has come and gone, and with that we know what the NFL playoff schedule will be for the Wild Card week, when the 4-6 seeds fight it out. This should be a great week of football, as there are a number of teams we don’t really know what to make of. So this first week should tell us quite a bit about who is for real, and who is just lucky to be here.
The first game of the 2008 – 2009 NFL playoffs sees The Arizona Cardinals (4 seed) take on the Atlanta Falcons (5 seed). If you were making a list pre-season about the playoff teams, both of these could not have been in your top 10, even 20. Both teams have surprised just about everyone, so this battle of the birds should be pretty exiting. We have to give the edge to the Cardinals, just because Kurt Warner has a bit more experience that Matt Ryan. Ryan has looked very sharp, and looks like he should be great for years to come, but I just don’t see a rookie QB being able to hang with a veteran like Warner. If the Falcons do manage to take this one, Ryan is going to be one of the most talked about young QB’s we’ve seen in a long time.
The next game will see the AFC’s San Diego Chargers take on the Indianapolis Colts. Both of these teams were atop many pundits lists to make the Superbowl, but what a difference a few months makes. The Chargers are lucky to be here at all, as the Chargers were pretty terrible for quite a while. While its easy to pick the Colts, the Chargers have played them enough times to know what to expect from Payton and Co. I think it Colts will end up winning, but don’t be surprised if its a close game decided one again by Adam Vinatieri. The Chargers are also extremely worried about just what is up with LaDainian Tomlinson. They need him to be near 100 percent to have a hope of winning. Philip Rivers is a good QB and all, but he is facing Payton Manning after all. The Chargers need a great running game to have a chance, so a lot depends on Tomlinson.
Sunday we see the Dolphins and Ravens at 1 p.m. and the Vikings Eagles at 4. I think these games should provide some really great football, and both games should be very close. Even though Miami are the #3 seed facing the Ravens as the #6, I have to pick the Ravens, but that is my least confident pick. They have had a stellar defense, and you know the Ray Lewis is going to be coming for Chad Pennington hard. A lot of people have been saying Miami still has a lot to prove because of their easy schedule, but they did look very good against the Jets in what could, and should, be Farve’s last game. Miami has had a great year, I think beyond the expectations of everyone. While Pennington might have an edge over Joe Flacco, I don’t think Miami can beat the Ravens in this one. it should be close but I think the Ravens should pull if out.
The last game of round one is the Vikings and Eagles, in what likely will be the most exciting game of the first round, as far as great football is concerned. Dolphins and Ravens will be close, but I think that these two teams are playing for a lot more. This could be Donovan McNabb’s last year in Philly, and I think he and the team will have a big day. The Eagles downright clobbered what should have been a good Dallas team, even throwing in some trick plays. The again the Vikings have looked good this year, but in my opinion didn’t play as well as the Eagles down the stretch. They lost to the Falcons with the season potentially on the line, and came close to loosing to the Giants in a game they HAD to win but was kind of meaningless to the Giants. I’m picking the Eagles in this one, but it should be a good game. One thing is certain, this game’s not ending in a tie. (Hear that Donovan?)
It looks like the first week of the NFL playoffs looks really good, so it should be fun as heck to watch. Then the real fun starts in the Divisional Round on Jan 10 – 11, when the big boys get to play.
By the way if you are a fan, I suggest that you at least check out what’s available for NFL Playoff tickets. My page has some info on how to find the best tickets. They are a bit pricey, but not as bad as you might think. Watching NFL playoffs on TV at home or at a bar is great and all, but you just can’t beat being there.
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