Based on my predictions for the Wildcard round, I have have both #3 seeds beating the #6 seed and both #5 seeds beating the #4 seed. Here
are my predictions for the Divisional Round:
(1) Patriots vs (5) Jags: I believe the Pats are the best team in the NFL. Tom Brady and Randy Moss now own the single season records for
passing and receiving TDs, respectively. Wes Welker now holds the record for most receptions in a season as a Patriot. On the season, they've
outscored their opponents by 315 points. There are 11 teams in the NFL that did not even score 315 for the season. But the Pats have looked
more vincible lately. In their first 10 games, only 1 was won by less than 17 points. In their last 6, only 3 were won by more than 3 points. The
Jags are a slug-it-out type of team that I think can give the Pats trouble. They are second in the NFL in offensive rushing and Fred Taylor is on a
5-game streak of 100+ rushing yard performances. Combine David Garrard's mistake-free play (18 TDs to 3 INTs) with their ability to pound the
ball down their opponent's throat, I am going out on a limb and predicting the upset here. Sports talk shows and bloggers alike will endlessly
debate where their perfect regular season and winless post-season place them in NFL history.
(2) Colts vs (3) Chargers: The Chargers are on a roll winning their last 6 regular season games and their first playoff game according to my
prediction. This game will give fans one of the best match-ups of the post-season: Ladainian Tomlinson vs Bob Sanders (the NFL's leading rusher
vs the NFL's best safety and likely Defensive Player of the Year). The Colts have been flying under the radar although they are 13-3 and they
rank second in 5 of the 8 categories used in our Domination Index. If the Pats are the best team in football, the Colts are clearly 1a. The Colts
have held together well through all their injuries. Now we'll see what they can do as a healthy team. I like the Colts to advance.
(1) Cowboys vs (5) Giants: The Giants head into the post-season on an uptick after playing the Pats tough and losing by only 3 points. The
Cowboys, on the other hand, limp into the post-season literally as T.O. has a high ankle sprain, but he is expected to be ready by game time. In
their last 4 games, the Cowboys lost twice and barely beat 2 non-playoff teams. But the Cowboys have the bye week to get healthier. The big
play has hurt the Giants this season and with T.O. and Terry Glenn back from injuries, I expect the Cowboys to get the big play. The Cowboys will
hold serve and advance to the NFC Championship Game.
(2) Packers vs (3) Seahawks: Matt Hasselbeck had numbers (3966 yards, 28 TDs, 12 INTs) that are comparable to Brett Favre's (4155, 28, 15).
While Favre is mentioned as a possible MVP candidate, Hasselbeck has flown under the radar. Marcus Trufant is one of the best CBs in the NFC
and the Seattle WRs are good. But Al Harris and Charles Woodson, the Packers' CBs, are perhaps the best pair of corners and the Packers
receivers are as good as any group of receivers in the NFC. Ryan Grant has emerged as one of the best RBs in the league while Shaun Alexander
has been banged up and disappointing. The Pack will move one step closer to the Super Bowl and Favre will get his 10th chance to get his first
win at Texas Stadium.
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Predictions - Championship Games & Super Bowl XLIII
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In my Divisional Round projections, I went out on a limb and predicted the Patriots would lose to the tough Jaguars to face the defending Super
Bowl Champs in the AFC Championship. In the NFC, I have a rematch of the season's top 2 seeds. Here is how expect these games to play out:
(2) Colts vs (5) Jaguars: The Jaguars have arguably the best pair of RBs in the NFL in Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew. David Garrard has
played virtually mistake-free all season. Reggie Wayne stepped up his game in Marvin Harrison's absence, but Harrison will be healthy for the
game. Dallas Clark is one of the best receiving TEs in the league and Joseph Addai is one of the best RBs. After getting the monkey off his back
last year, Peyton Manning has shown that he can win the big game. The Jags are 0-2 vs the Colts on the season and I expect this game to be
close. However, the Jags will leave the RCA Dome winless vs the Colts this season and the Colts will have the opportunity to defend their
championship.
(1) Cowboys vs (2) Packers: Will Brett Favre's season end in a 10th unsuccessful attempt to win at Texas Stadium? Or will he get his first win
there when it matters the most? Much has been made about the Cowboys struggles in December, but as Wade Phillips likes to point out - this is
the Cowboys team that has tied its record for most wins in the storied history of its franchise. The Cowboys have the highest scoring offense in
the NFC and the Packers have the second best scoring offense and defense in the NFC. The Packers will be healthier for the rematch, but I expect
the outcome to be the same. The Cowboys will get the chance to win their 6th Super Bowl and the speculation will soon begin about Favre's return
in 2008.
Super Bowl XLII - Indianapolis Colts vs Dallas Cowboys:
Another ring? Who will get one? The Defending Champs? Or the franchise, along with San Francisco, that has won the most Super Bowls (5)? I
think the difference in this game will be Dallas Clark. Cowboys safety Roy Williams struggles in coverage and the Colts use Clark well in their
passing game. With Addai running the ball and Harrison and Wayne on the outside, Williams won't have much help. I expect Peyton and Colts
to exploit this matchup. The Indianapolis Colts will head into the 2008 season looking to Three-Peat.
So, I have the Patriots not winning SuperBowl XLII. Feel bad for them? You shouldn't. Bill Belichick and the Pats have the 7th-overall pick in the
2008 draft. The rich will be getting richer. Although I think the Pats are the best team heading into the playoffs, I expect them to meet the wrong
team at the wrong time, but they will most likely be pre-season favorites to win Super Bowl XLIII.
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