Super Bowl XLIII -- Sunday February 1st 

Arizona Cardinals Vs. Pittsburgh Steelers -- 6:00 PM Eastern NBC 

At Raymond James Stadium in Tampa Bay

 

Conference Championships Results 

Arizona Cardinals 32, Philadelphia Eagles 25

Pittsburgh Steelers 23, Baltimore Ravens 14

 

Divisional Playoffs Results

Baltimore Ravens 13, Tennessee Titans 10

Arizona Cardinals 33, Carolina Panthers 13

Philadelphia Eagles 23, New York Giants 11

Pittsburgh Steelers 35, San Diego Chargers 24

 

Wild Card Weekend Results

Arizona Cardinals 30, Atlanta Falcons 24

San Diego Chargers 23, Indianapolis Colts 17

Baltimore Ravens 27, Miami Dolphins 9

Philadelphia Eagles 26, Minnesota Vikings 14

 

NFC Seeds

1. New York Giants 12-4 -- The Giants have fared very well considering they lost Strahan and Umenyiora from last year's squad as their D ranks 5th in the league only allowing 18.3 points per game. The offense also has had no misfires despite the multiple Plaxico-gates this year. While I definitely think there is a very good chance this team shoots itself in the foot in the playoffs, however they are very hard to pick against as they are positioned very well as the road to Tampa must run through New York from the NFC side and the Giants have rarely lost a meaningful game these last few years.

2. Carolina Panthers 12-4 --The Panthers might be the most well rounded team in the playoffs with their killer running attack (4th best in the league), decent passing game led by ultimate playmaker Steve Smith, and a pretty decent defense. The Panthers definitely have a very good shot this year to take home the trophy if they continue to play well.

3. Minnesota Vikings 10-6 -- With Adrian Peterson and a pretty decent defense anything can happen in the playoffs but TJ (Tavaris Jackson) will hinder this team greatly. It definitely will be fun to watch Peterson in the playoffs but I would be even more excited if I were a Vikings fan if the Vikes can upgrade at QB in the off season (Matt Cassel? Michael Vick?)as they are running uphill these playoffs with TJ at QB.

4. Arizona Cardinals 9-7 -- The Cardinals should be hosting a shoot out next week as old goes against new in Kurt Warner vs. Matt Ryan. I definitely like Warner's receiving corps much better than Matty Ice's, however the Falcons defense is much better than the Cards D which ranks 29th in the league. The only hope the Cards have these playoffs is Warner's arm and their 3rd best ranked offense in the NFL.

5. Atlanta Falcons 11-5 --Michael Turner and Matty Ice have Atlanta Falcon fans forgetting about their past that has dogged them until now and are looking very optimistically towards the future as they very nearly won their division. I think Matt Ryan's inexperience and the Falcons lack of home field advantage will catch up top them into the playoffs but they should be a dangerous team to face and fun to watch.

6. Philadelphia Eagles 9-6-1 -- The Eagles will be a very dangerous wildcard team to face as they look terrible at times (like versus the Bengals) and look unstoppable at other times (like in their 40+ victory over the Cowboys). Provided Westbrook and McNabb can stay close to 100% this Eagles offense is pretty potent and their aggressive defense also has a lot of teeth as they rank 6th best in the NFL. Definitely should be an exciting game next week in the dome in Minnesotaas 2 of the best running backs in the game will face each other.

 

AFC Seeds

1. Tennessee Titans 13-3 -- I do love the Titans dual running attack of Chris Johnson and Lendale White, however I'm not a fan of Kerry Collins at all. The Titans offense, despite its strong running attack, only ranks in the middle of the pack in the NFL but luckily their defense is ranked #2 in the NFL giving up just over 14 1/2 points per game and keeping the Titans in every game that has mattered this season. The Titans also clinched homefield advantage in the playoffs when they defeated the Steelers in week 16 which is a nice advantage to have in the winter months of the playoffs.

2. Pittsburgh Steelers 12-4 -- While I'm not a big fan of their coach as he lost me some money in last year's playoffs (just kick the extra point Tomlin!) the Steelers D is the best in the NFL allowing only 13.9 points per game and dominating many teams that they have faced. Provided Big Ben is not injured too badly (he has an extra week to recover thanks to the bye) the Steelers should be a very tough team to beat in the playoffs.

3. Miami Dolphins 11-5 -- As if Bill Parcells didn't already have a ton of my respect he definitely deserves more as he has pulled off a minor miracle turning around this Miami Dolphins team. While the offense hasn't been stellar they do have some teeth, partially thanks to their wildcat formation and other outside of the box thinking. Their defense has been pretty solid all year and should face a very tough challenge against the Ravens next week. One plus is they will be at home which can be huge for a warm weather team like the Fins.

4. San Diego Chargers 8-8 -- While some might feel the Chargers don't belong in the playoffs at 8-8 I'm okay with it despite me not particularly liking the Chargers much at all. In some ways you could say the Hochuli game should have been a win (so they'd be 9-7) and the Chargers definitely deserved it more than the Broncos this season who had a ton of chances to put the division away. Regardless, the Chargers will have a tough test in Peyton Manning and the Colts. The Chargers offense is pretty good but their defense is pretty mediocre so its sets up to be a high scoring game between two teams with a lot of momentum going into the playoffs not to mention a lot of playoff history against each other.

5. Indianapolis Colts 11-4 -- The Colts are definitely the most dangerous wildcard team in the playoffs as we all know what Peyton Manning and company can do when they are on their game. The Colts D has also performed decently well this season ranking 6th in the NFL giving up 18.6 points per game. It definitely should be a very exciting game no matter if the Colts play in Denver or San Diego next week.

6. Baltimore Ravens 11-5 --The Ravens D continues to be a juggernaut but the offense has been pretty inconsistent as usual for the Ravens. The Ravens defense ranks 3rd in the NFL and reminds me a little of how tough they were years back when they won their first Super Bowl. While Flacco has progressed well over the year into a pretty stable QB, the running game has been more impressive as they rnak 4th best in the NFL for the most part led by McClain due to injures it McGahee and Ray Rice. The Ravens will face the Fins next week in Miami.

 

 

 

Yes, you're hearing Jim Mora Sr. soundbites on tv again. Yes its that time of year. The NFL Playoffs is right around the corner and as the schedule is not set yet, most of the teams already are. If you're not an avid fan you might need this guide when these excellent teams start doing battle January 5th on Wildcard Weekend. This article will be updated as a few of the teams involved still have some work to do to make it to wildcard weekend and the actual NFL Playoff Schedule won't be announced until after Week 17.

I'll start with the NFC since it is the more entertaining conference.

#1 Seed--Dallas Cowboys--Thanks to the Bears and a distracted Brett Favre, the Cowboys now have wrapped up the one seed in the NFC. They no longer have to worry about the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field and now have the easiest path to the Superbowl. They have an important game against Washington this week but with TO out with a high ankle sprain I doubt the Cowboys play their starters much past the 2nd half. I expect after their bye week TO will be back (he's a remarkable healer) and they will be playing a wildcard winner perhaps around January 13th.

#2 Seed--Green Bay Packers--The Packers still have a nice seeding and first round by however will have to play in Dallas assuming both teams survive the 2nd week of the NFL playoffs. They will still be tough but Favre is not his best in domes and Dallas should beat them in the 3rd week of the playoffs again assuming no one upsets those teams before then.

#3 Seed--Seattle Seahawks--The Seahawks have quietly had a decent season considering some of their injuries. They don't feel like a dangerous team but at 10-5 they've played good enough most of their games. They are also 7-1 at home which is where they'll play wildcard weekend against most likely the lucky Redskins, but perhaps the Vikings or Saints depending on Week 17. The only fear I have for Seattle is that they might face a team with a lot of momentum and a fearless attitude so it might be quite a game.

#4 Seed--Tampa Bay Buccaneers--The Bucs know they'll be facing the New York Giants who have recently lost Jeremy Shockey, one of their major weapons. The Giants are still a dangerous foe but at home the Bucs should win.

#5 Seed--New York Giants--With Shockey out and Plaxico Burress carrying some nagging injuries the Giants are definitely underdogs as they limp into the playoffs. They face the Patriots Saturday night in a meaningless game for the, not quite as meaningless for the Patriots & NFL history. If Tom Coughlin (NY Coach) is smart he rests his starters to get healthy for the game in Tampa. So there is a good chance he plays his starters but either way it will be an uphill battle against a decently solid Tampa Bay team.

#6 Seed--Washington Redskins--By beating the Vikes last week Joe Gibbs has one more shot at the playoffs. They play a tough Dallas team but I expect Dallas to rest their starters for at least half the game. The Skins should win and become the 6 seed giving them a lot of momentum as they will face Mike Holmgren & Seattle during wildcard weekend. If they lose, they need the Vikings and Saints to follow suit to keep their seeding.

UPDATED 12/30: The Skins have won so they are in and the Vikings are out.

Outside looking in--Minnesota Vikings/New Orleans Saints-- The Vikings only need a Redskin loss and need to beat the Denver Broncos to secure the 6 seed. The Saints need both Redskin & Viking losses and a win against the Bears at blistery Soldier Field. Most likely neither are in but you never know.

UPDATE 12/30: The Saints with their loss to Da Bears are out no matter what. With the Skins beating Dallas the Vikings are also toast even though it looks like they will lose as well.

The AFC also has a few interesting scenarios

#1 Seed--New England Patriots--No surprise here as this undefeated team has home-field throughout like Dallas. Surprisingly the bad New England weather might not be the best thing for Brady & Moss as they haven''t been as good in the bad weather this year. They are still the favorite to win it all though.

#2 Seed--Indianapolis Colts--The Colts have wrapped up a first round by but will have to play in New England if both juggernauts aren't upset before then. Bad weather might be more condusive for the Colts D and better running game but we'll have to wait a few weeks to see.

#3 Seed--San Diego Chargers--The hapless Chargers have won their division and look poised to face either the Titans or Browns. Given San Diego's past and Norv Turner's coaching expertise, they will need to play hard on wildcard weekend to advance.

#4 Seed--Pittsburgh Steelers--The Steelers lost Willie Parker and think they will be alright but I believe this has seriously weakened their run first philosophy offense. Parker quietly was leading the AFC in yards before his injury. I expect the Steelers to squeeze out a tight one against the Jaguars only to get slaughtered the week after.

#5 Seed--Jacksonville Jaguars--Jack Del Rio seems like a genius cutting Byron Leftwich before the season but I think this trend ends in Pittsburgh. Garrard has played great at QB and their dual RB attack and tough D is fierce but not playoff caliber.

#6A Seed--Cleveland Browns--The Browns are in a strange role, they have no control of their own destiny due to NFL tiebreaking procedures. If the Titans win the Browns are out, if the Titans tie or lose to Indy the Browns are out

UPDATED 12/30- Tragedy for Crennel as the Titans defeat Jim Sorgi and the Colts practice squad to know the Browns out of contention.

#6B Seed--Tennessee Titans--The Titans have to face the mighty Colts Sunday Night and their playoff lives rest in the balance. Sounds bad but Tony Dungy will most likely rest Manning and the rest of his starters for at least half the game. This leaves the door wide open for the Titans to sneak int the playoffs before the Cursed Vince Young will lose it for them later, possibly in San Diego.

Once the exact times of the games are announced I will update but pretty much the schedule will be:

• NFL Wildcard Weekend (3-6 seeds play)--Saturday January 5th & Sunday January 6th
• NFL Divisional Games (1-2 & remaining teams play)--Saturday January 12th & Sunday January 13th
• NFL Conference Championships (the "final four")--Sunday January 20th
• And then a bye week so the Superbowl can be overly-super-hyped like almost every year
• Super Bowl XLII in Arizona Sunday Night February 3rd. May the best team win.