2009 NFL Playoffs: Looking In/Predictions

 Ahh! A breathe of fresh air. The 2009 NFL Regular Season has come to a close today and here are what the playoff matchups are looking like:

AFC

IND & SD: BYE WEEK

BAL vs. NE     NY/HOU vs. CIN

NFC

NO & MIN: BYE WEEK

PHIL vs. DAL     GB vs. AZ

So for those who don't know me, my name is Jeremy Weiner. I'm a huge sports fan from MA, influenced by our extremely successful sports teams. I plan on writing up these blogs (as many times as I can). Like right now, the NFL season is over. So it's time to make some predictions and you need to tell me what you think.


     Sorry Houston--yes i know it's youre first successful winning season (10-6), but the pieces didn't fall into the right place this year. A bright future is for that young team. But now to business..with the Jets coming into Cincinatti I predict an outcome like this:


NYJ: 20    *CIN: 24


Rex Ryan started off the season running his mouth, leaving voicemails to season ticket holders..the Jets were talking and walking. When reality set in, the whole Jets team shutup and realized they weren't this goldent super bowl bound team they once thought they were. Mark Sanchez' rookie qualities will stand out this game for his first playoff experience. The Cincinatti crowd will rattle the young QB, and I'm predicting 3 INT's thrown by him, due to his league high 20 INTs all season. It will be more of putting his toes in the water to test the temperature rather than overcoming the fact he's leading his team in a playoff game. I mean, the best offensive player for the Jets in my eyes is their kicker, Jay Feely, look for him to kick many, many field goals next Sunday. Ochocinco will step up, and Carson Palmer will be zoned in. I know, Derrell Revis is one of the best cornerbacks in the league, but Ochocinco has something to prove as well. If you're watching this game between the two at this moment, don't mind any of it. It's simple. Cincinatti is already in the playoffs and the NYJ are still fighting for a playoff spot. So trust me, a lot will be different next week.


     The New England Patriots come into the season with the return of their franchise player Tom Brady, after missing the entirety of last year. Matt Cassell did a solid job for the team last year leading us to an 11-5 record. But with Tom Brady back in 09, comeon, we're superbowl bound right? Um..not quite. Tom Brady had a fine year, but his supporting cast wasn't quite there. Key words that stand out are like, Laurence Maroney, Joey Galloway, our secondary, and injuries. Unfortunately a specific injury is really going to screw them over this postseason. Wes Welker. one of their most prominent receivers who lead the league all year in receptions. "Calling Julian Edelman!!" it's time for this rookie to step up into his clones place and perform his best this January.


BAL: 17  *NE: 24

Now this prediction wasn't very easy to come by, a lot has to go right for this to happen. The Patriots rushing game needs to step it up. 1.) With the combination of Taylor/Morris/Faulk, little dump passes need to be initiated to move down the field. I'm not expecting a crazy running game from New England, it will definitely be Tom Brady's day. 2.) Aiken and Edelman will need to make big catches since i'm sure the whole world will know the Ravens will be double teaming Moss all game. 3.) There was a stat shown that the Patriots do not throw to the tight ends a lot. This needs to be set into action. Brady will need to read over the plays to Watson because that will be key. Also Chris Baker at the other end. 4.) Probably the most important key to the game is, the Defense. Which Defense is going to step up Sunday? Baltimore has such a fierce running game with Ray Rice and Willis McGahee, the D Line will need to get in there, and Jerod Mayo will need to be an animal to stop the run. If you remove the run from the Ravens, they should be set. Flacco is a great quarterback, just not many options at the receiving core other than Heap and Mason. Yes. The secondary will need to commit some turnovers, and NE should be winning this game, and staying undefeated at home.
---Oh and P.S. Bill Belichick, now is the time to do a 4th and 2. if the situation is there and the season is on the line, NOW is the time to use your crazy game schemes you have under your sleeve.


Now to the NFC, a conference I'm not very familiar with it since my home team is in the AFC. But the hell with it, i'll still tell you what will happen next week.


The Cowboys and the Eagles will be going at it next weekend. The Cowboys are the number 3 seed, finishing off a pretty successful year, especially with the outbreak of the young receiver Miles Austin. Wade Phillips has taken plenty of heat this year and was probably on the hot seat without a return to the playoffs this year, but he's taken it very well. The Cowboys were known to struggle in December, and they have turned that around by a very surprising victory over the undefeated Saints at that time on their turf. They've proved a lot, but Philadelphia won't go down as easy as they did today.


PHIL:20   *DAL: 31

Looking for Dallas to unload here. They're looking to shut up the media, and they're going to make noise this postseason. Philadelphia is always consistent with their presence in the playoffs but it's starting to get old.  Other than a couple of connections to receiving sensation DeSean Jackson, and some field goals by hall of famer kicker David Akers, the Cowboys defense will show up, and Tony Romo will put the team on his back with Marion Barber, and come out with the win. Jerry Jones will be dancing in his newly built stadium next Saturday Night.




Now finally. Green Bay at Arizona. Arizona has been very unpredictable all year. They will win big games, then lose the games they should be winning. Kurt Warner and Larry Fitzgerald will of course be big impacts in the game, but will the running game be a factor. Green Bays secondary/overall defense is 3rd in the league. Charles Woodsen will be a key factor to look at for this game, and so will Aaron Rodgers. Every year he gets better and better. Both sides will clash and it will be a great game to watch.


*GB: 24   AZ: 16


Enough said with this. Aaron Rodgers will dominate the weak pass D. The Packers will team up on Larry Fitzgerald taking away one of the Cardinals and NFL's most dominant receivers. 


Sorry for yappin on for this long. I'm tired though so i'll leave these predictions here. you guys can either comment here or on my twitter (www.twitter.com/Jerm_Weiner) let me know of my predictions. Agree? Disagree? I wanna hear it.


Thanks for reading my first official sports blog. Expect more to come! Take care.