Playoffs? You kiddin me? Playoffs?

Haha...have to start with it...sorry...



Here we are, the 2010 NFL postseason. 8 teams will each work to write their own history over the next month as they march towards Super Bowl XLIV. Will the Jets squeak in and surprise everyone? Or do the Patriots make yet another run? Do the Cardinals break all the curses (Madden cover, Super Bowl loser) and ride their high-flying offense to a title? We shall see. I've decided to come up with some analysis and a few picks myself in this inaugural NFL playoff year of Sportsaholic Anonymous. Saturday games first and home teams in CAPS; here we go!



Jets vs. BENGALS

This year is odd in that 3 of week 17's contests are being repeated in the wild card round. This is one of those match-ups. This is an interesting game, in that most pundits don't think the Jets belong after the Colts and the Bengals rolled over for them the last two weeks. Conversely, the Bengals have heart on their side with all the off-the-field tragedy they've suffered over the last season.

Why the Jets will win: The Jets have all of their offensive weapons working together at the right time; from Shonn Greene to Brad Smith, they are showcasing their full potency, riding high into the playoffs. Their coach Rex Ryan is full of bravado and has his team confident after going on a winning streak, claim that they are the "favorites". The Jets are also 5-3 on the road. While that's not stellar, it's still impressive in the AFC East. The Bengals may have rolled over for them last week, but regardless they held Carson Palmer to zero...yes ZERO yards. Despite the fact that the Bengals didn't have to show up last week, it's going to be hard from them to suddenly turn it on. With the death of Chris Henry, they don't have a true deep threat to stretch the field. Chad Ochocinco and Laveranues Coles are possession type receivers at this point in their respective careers. This will allow the Jets to stack the box against Cedric Benson, Larry Johnson, et al, forcing a deja vu of week 17 for Carson Palmer.

Why the Bengals will win: The Bengals are 6-2 at home this year, and had the opportunity to rest their starters last week with Carson Palmer and Chad Ochocinco seeing only limited action, and nothing at all for Cedric Benson. The game last week meant nearly nothing to them, and they are anxious to prove it. They have overcome multiple tragedies this season with both Chris Henry's death and the death of Def. Coordinator Mike Zimmer's wife. They return to the playoffs for the first time since 2005, and want to win it all for them. They have multiple offensive weapons in Ochocinco, Benson, and Palmer; each is capable of having a pro-bowl type game at any time. The Jets had to go for broke last week just to get into the playoffs, and in the process they gave the Bengals some great insight as to their game plan on both sides of the ball. If the Bengals can stop the run, it will force young Mark Sanchez to make decisions on the field, something he hasn't been good at this season as he has the most interceptions of any playoff QB in history. While his USC pedigree is impressive, it didn't prepare him for this so early in his NFL career. The passing game is shakier still, with WR Braylon Edwards having more drops than any other WR in the league this year.

Pick: I have to give the edge to the Bengals. They are going to step up and stop the run game, forcing Mark "Dirty" Sanchez to throw some picks their way. It will be a hard-fought battle, but the turnovers will lose it for the Jets.


Eagles vs. COWBOYS

This is another week 17 repeat. The Eagles fell flat on their faces with the number 2 seed and a playoff bye week on the line. You have to wonder though if Dallas can really beat them 3 times in one season.

Why the Eagles will win: The Eagles have more postseason experience than anyone else in the NFC over the last decade. Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb have done it again and again. Whether they coasted or snuck into the playoffs, they always have turned it on at the right time. They could do it yet again. The Eagles have all of their offensive weapons healthy, with McNabb, Westbrook, and Jackson all on the field with the full playbook available since early this season. Reid also held back a lot of their defensive schemes last week, putting little to no pressure on Dallas QB Tony Romo. You have to expect they'll be bringing it all in this game. They have veteran experience on both sides of the ball, while the Cowboys lack any real postseason experience. The last two appearances by the Cowboys each ended with Tony Romo failures at the end of the game. You have to believe Tony's under a ton of pressure to get over the hump, and it likely will force him into some bad decisions. If it comes down to a Dallas FG for a win, you also have to question whether the Cowboys' kicker-du-jour, Shaun Suisham, has the sand to make a clutch kick. He failed to do so in Washington, which is why he was available in the first place to replace Nick Folk.

Why the Cowboys will win: The Cowboys are looking to get the postseason monkey off their back after having not won a playoff game since 1996. Namely, Tony Romo is looking to establish himself as the winner and franchise QB he believes he is. They get to play at home in their brand new stadium, and Jerry Jones couldn't be prouder. Coach Wade Phillips has found a way to get Felix Jones more effectively involved in the running game, and over the last couple weeks he's making the big plays we expect to see. They absolutely dominated the Eagles last week and are riding high into the playoffs, filled to the brim with confidence. On the other hand, the Eagles could not get anything going last week and were consequently shut-out 24-0. After giving up on the run, McNabb was harassed by the Dallas D and had little time to be effective. He couldn't get the ball to his deep-threat weapon, DeSean Jackson, and as a result couldn't stretch the field. Westbrook has lost a step doesn't seem to be the playmaker he used to be prior to his concussions. While it was a nice run, the Eagles' NFC playoff domination iappears to be all but over.

Pick: While it pains me to even have to pick either team in this game, I have to go with Cowboys. They finally appear to be poised for a real playoff run, and get to start it off at home.


Stay tuned! Sunday's playoff analysis will be up prior to kickoff tomorrow!