2008 Playoff Predictions: Wild Card Round

2008 Playoff Predictions:
Wild Card Round

This weekend kicks off football fans’ favorite time of the year: the playoffs. Who will win? Which teams have a better chance to move on and compete in the biggest game in sports? Will Bryant Gumbel finally get fired?

In addition to my picks and analysis, I am joined by Frogster of The Frog Bog Blog who will also be giving his picks for each game. I face some tough competition as he got more NFL matchups right then eight ESPN ‘experts’ did.

Roll the tape please…

Jacksonville Jaguars at Pittsburgh Steelers

The Jags look scary. Maybe not on paper, especially with that middle-of-the-pack defense but looks can be deceiving. Or can they?

One thing that sticks out at me is how little they force fumbles, twenty-third best in the NFL. Sure they make up for it with twenty interceptions, but when you look at Pittsburgh’s turnover ratio this stat comparison is pretty even. Still, this issue might not be a problem if the Steelers have to throw early and often.

Pittsburgh enters the contest without one of the league’s top rushers in Willie Parker. I’m with the talking heads on this; the Steelers will have a tough time winning without him. They will also have a tough time trying to stop a powerful Maurice Jones-Drew and a rejuvenated Fred Taylor.

Jacksonville wins 31-17, and the Steelers heal up in the off-season for another playoff run in 2008.

*Frogster’s Pick: Jacksonville*

NY Giants at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

All week long Eli Manning has been everyone’s binky. Oh look how well he did throwing four touchdowns against the 16-0 Patriots. They also said how good the Giants look now, a gritty team that fights for wins.

Apparently, everyone forgot all about the second half of the fourth quarter. Eli’s meltdown, Tom Coughlin’s poor game management, and the interception sealed the deal for the Patriots. Once again, in a big game this team wilted under pressure.

These are not your father’s Giants.

On Tampa Bay’s side, I think they will mix up the pass and the run as well as a lot of dumps and screens to counter the Giant’s defensive rush. Surely, Gruden watched the tape of the Patriots offensive line get manhandled and will stop that one-sided pressure New York likes to use.

Once again, the Giants go one-and-out losing to the Bucs 29-14. Coughlin gets fired and becomes the coach of the Dolphins.

*Frogster’s Pick: Tampa Bay*

Washington Redskins at Seattle Seahawks

This game really has me wondering because the teams match up so well and we have a weather influence: 42 degrees F, showers, and winds around twenty MPH. No matter who wins the game, this will be low scoring.

Seattle has been going pass-first in the last few weeks and should continue this week verses a banged-up Redskin secondary. You might even see them try and air it out right away to test both their opponent and how strong the wind is. They will have to because Alexander is a shell of his former self and the team doesn’t trust Morris enough yet to be their go-to back.

A lot of people picked Washington because the team has momentum on its side. Hot teams in December generally do go deep into the playoffs, history bears this out. Not this time with Todd Collins under center, even if Chris Cooley and Santana Moss are his targets. If Moss has a big game though, I think the Redskins have a better chance of winning.

Seattle surprises a lot of people and wins 17-14.

*Frogster’s Pick: Washington*

Tennessee Titans at San Diego Chargers

You won’t remember the Titans for this week’s matchup against the Chargers. Forget playing the game, will they have eleven people to start? Thursday the team learned wide receiver Royell Williams, who is tied for team leader in receptions has a broken leg.

Tight end Bo Scaife suffered a lacerated liver in last week’s game. It is up in the air which quarterback will start: Young or Collins. Tennessee is a good team but they are simply undermanned right now because of the injuries.

But then there is Norv Turner on the San Diego sideline, the potential equalizer. He is 1-1 in the playoffs and the offensive rankings of his teams aren’t as good as his reputation says they are. You could say that at least it’s not Marty, but is it really better?

This week it will be. Chargers win 35-10 and make Turner look good…for now.

*Frogster’s Pick: San Diego*

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