NFL Playoffs – Week 2

The playoffs are officially underway and somehow the Jets are STILL around.  How does this happen?  If the Jets make it to the Super Bowl my guess is that the Mayan calendar was off by a couple of years and the end is coming in 2010.  I mean if I would have told you at the beginning of the year that the Jets would be pretty dominant in the first round of the playoffs with a rookie QB behind center and that the Patriots would be embarrassed you would have thought I had lost my mind.  But here we are.  There was plenty of disappointment to go around this first weekend.  The Bengals looked completely unmotivated, the Patriots were booed at home, the Eagles’ DeSean Jackson turned out to be all talk and no action, the Packers went from the second best defense in the league to making Kurt Warner reconsider retirement for a run at MVP, and Charles Barley showed the world that he is much funnier when not trying to read cue cards.  So that leaves us with the winners.  And they all have big challenges ahead this week as they hit the road to take on teams that didn’t get beat up for 4 quarters a week ago.  After week 1 Chad is 2-2 and John is 1-3.

New York Jets vs. San Diego Chargers

Chad:Everyone doubts the Jets and they have turned the lack of respect into big time motivation.  The running game is clicking and so far Sanchez is playing like he belongs as a starter in this league with a round 1 passer rating of 139.4.  And then there is the defense.  Rex Ryan has this defense peaking at the right time, and they are showing signs that they have learned his system and are putting together great games on the field.  Can they keep things rolling?  My guess is no.  The Chargers come in with plenty of their own momentum, with their last loss coming October 19th.  I expect Philip Rivers to come out and take control of this game early.  If not, this could be the end for Norv Turner and I think he knows it.   Chargers

John: Seriously…I’m still waiting for the shock and frustration to wear off.  Last week’s lesson was that the Jets were no joke.  This week’s lesson is that the Chargers are the hottest team in the NFL (sorry ‘Boys). The Chargers pass offense will have troubles against the Jets, however this week we will see the resurgance of the duo in the backfield.  LT and Sproles will be the keys to keeping the Jets defense honest.  The playmaking ability of this backfield is downright scary.  Take that and couple it with a good Chargers run D and the Jets are up against it.    Chargers

Baltimore Ravens vs. Indianapolis Colts

Chad: The Baltimore Ravens were flat out dominant last week.  Every player on the field looked like they were faster and more determined than everyone playing for the Patriots.  Now Peyton Manning and his crew will be lining up across from Ray Lewis and the Ravens defense.  It should be an epic battle.  On the other side of the ball, Joe Flacco and a great running game will be taking on a well-rested Colts D.  Ray Rice and Willis McGahee carried the load last week.  Flacco won the game having only thrown for 34 yards and 1 interception.  He will need to improve upon those numbers in a huge way to beat the Colts.  Will Peyton and the Colts play like they are well-rested or rusty?  My guess is that this will be a great game but the Colts pull it out in the end.  Colts

John: I think this is shaping up to be the ugliest playoff game this year, and its not just because of Flacco’s stats.  This will be a hard fought battle and looks to be a game with only one or two touchdowns.  Even though the Colts beat the Pats by a grand total of 1 point this year, this Colts team is far more complete than the Pats.  Fewer injuries, a better defense, and the time off should put the  Colts in a great position.  I think that the Ravens have a chance but the difference maker for them has to be Flacco.  We’ve seen that the running game and defense can play, but a one dimensional offense doesn’t win championships (or division playoffs). Colts

New Orleans Saints vs. Arizona Cardinals

Chad: Remember the Saints?  They were the story of the first 3/4 of the season, dominating nearly every game they played.  They’d get up big on you quickly and let their defense do the rest.  But in the last part of the season, these Saints have not only struggled, but they have struggled against the worst of the worst.  The question is whether or not they can turn the switch back on for the playoffs.  The defense will have a huge challenge as they try to blitz against the blitz-killer in Kurt Warner.  Warner looked absolutely unstoppable last week, and he will need a repeat performance if the Cardinals want to win.  The Cardinals showed us last week that the defense will give up some big plays in the passing game, and I’m sure Drew Brees was taking notes.  I expect another high-scoring game with turnovers making the difference.  Kurt Warner just doesn’t turn the ball over in the playoffs.  Cardinals

John: This is another example of the craziness of this season.  I mean the Cardinals, again?  Do they have another miracle run in them?  Kurt says ‘Yes!,’ but the defense says, ‘Oh no.’  Can you give up 45 points and really expect to win out?  Against any of the other home teams this week, I would give them little chances.  However, this Saints team has been iffy.  The biggest stand out example is the win against Washington.  I mean Jason Campell is no Kurt Warner, and Arizona’s wide receivers make Washington’s look like a practice squad.  The Saints will be able to score on Arizona, but they just might not be able to stop Arizona from scoring.  It’s the ‘Feel Good Story Part 2′ vs. the ‘Team with a Bag of Doritos on Their Shoulder’.  I guess I’m hungry. Cardinals

Minnesota Vikings vs. Dallas Cowboys

Chad: This is easily the game of the week for me.  Its the big offensive line of the Vikings against the ruthless pass rush of Demarcus Ware and the Cowboys.  It’s Tony Romo against his boyhood hero Brett Favre.  To slow down that Dallas pass rush, Adrian Peterson needs to play a great game.  His punishing running style and fresh legs will need to be a factor.  On the other side of the ball, Tony Romo will need some help as well.  Jared Allen loves to rough up the quarterback, but a rushing attack will keep him from going with a full on pass rush every play.  I think the team that can successfully run the ball will win this game.  I see this as a very close game, so I have to give the edge to the home team in this one.  Vikings

John: Well now, the monkey is off their back and the Cowboys look like a team with swagger and confidence.  Maybe Wade Phillips got some new meds that allow him to feel emotion, or perhaps the lack of bad attitudes (TO, Pacman, etc) have allowed this Dallas team to peak at the right time.  Even if both QBs go off the charts, the run game will be the key.  If Peterson is contained, the non-blitzing Dallas D has a much easier job in coverage.  Likewise if Choice/Jones/Barber can keep Minnesota’s pass rush honest Romo should be able to get comfortable and manage the game the way Phillips wants to.  If Marion Barber doesn’t play, it could really hurt the Cowboys in short yardage situations; I think his status is important to their success.  I’ll go with my gut on this one also (though not out of hunger).  Cowboys