NFL Conference Championships-Who Will Go To The Big Show?

This Sunday it will be decided who will go to the "Big Show" February 6 at Cowboys Stadium. New England and Atlanta, both the top seeded teams, have been eliminated by Wild Card teams NY Jets and Green Bay Packers. What happened? The old adage, "Anything thing can happen on any given Sunday in the NFL", rings true. You have one shot and one shot only when it comes to the playoffs. Lose and you are out. The Patriots had all the advantages going in, but the Jets disrupted Brady and Company just enough to edge them out. The Packers, they outright annihilated the Falcons, but with the way Rodgers has been playing of late, you kind of expected it. The Steelers, they plain and simple know how to win playoff games. The Bears, they will be facing an old rival.

Steelers showed once again in their game with the Ravens there is no quit in them. They will just keep coming at you until you buckle under the pressure. Mark Sanchez better be on his toes this Sunday because the Steelers defense is going to be attacking at every opportunity. If Sanchez sits in the pocket for any length of time he is going to get stuffed and the potential for a game breaking turnover will increase. The Steelers defense is number one against the run. If they succeed at doing what they do best, they will be zeroing in on Sanchez. Ben Roethlisberger and his receivers can burn you at any given moment as was seen in this past Sunday's game. Wallace is Roethlisberger's deep threat, but new comers Brown and Sanders are now on his radar. Hines Ward, he will grin at you like Davy Crockett grinned at the bear and proceed to knock out your lights with a big play.

The Jets have an all around good defense and they are going to need it against Big Ben, who has an uncanny way of eluding sacks and leveraging his way out of tight situations. If the Steelers get anywhere close to the goal line, the Jets will have to contend with the straight ahead power of Mendenhall. I have already mentioned the Steelers will be attacking with an array of blitzes, so the Jets will need to keep Sanchez moving, looking for the quick dump off to the backs and releases to the wide receivers on quick slant patterns. Any kind of mistakes by the Jets will prove to be their undoing with an opportunistic Steeler team.

Aaron Rodgers appears unstoppable. He is passing with accuracy and running for touchdowns when the openings present themselves. He will be facing a tougher Bears defense in this one. It will be difficult for the Packers to establish a run game because the Bears are ranked number two against the run. The Packers will need to come out shooting in the beginning to throw the Bears into confusion and soften up their linebackers, then test the waters for the running game. The Packer defense will be putting pressure on Cutler to raddle him with hopes of forcing a mistake, but will have to be careful of the Bears superior running game.

Jay Cutler is coming off one of his best performances. Like Rodgers, he is passing and running well. Greg Olsen appears to be his main target along with Matt Forte. Cutler will be doing much the same as he did last week, screen passes and quick hits, but will have to watch out for Clay Matthews. Forte will need to play a huge part if the Bears are to succeed, especially in establishing a running attack to assist Cutler. The Bears defense is tough on the run, but unfortunately are weak in the one area they need toughness, the passing game. All I got to say is good luck with that Bears.

In conclusion, every week I have said the Jets have used up their nine lives and are living on borrowed time. Well, this week they will be paying the Piper. When it comes to making mistakes, I see the Jets and Bears as being more proned. It's looking like a Steelers-Packers Superbowl, but in the Bizzaro World of NFL it will be Jets-Bears.

 

Playoffs - Conference Championships

SUN, JAN 23 TIME (ET)

Green Bay 24 at Chicago 20 3:00 PM FOX

Soldier Field

NY Jets 21 at Pittsburgh 27 6:30 PM CBS

Heinz Field

Steelers Beat Ravens Again And Packers Were Near Flawless

All I got to say is, "Wow, what a football game." It was everything you expected out of a Steelers-Ravens game and more. It was a tale of two games. The first half looked as though Baltimore was going to run away with it. Baltimore's defense, Suggs in particular, brutalized Roethlisberger. It ended with the Ravens sporting a two touchdown lead. Then the second half started and from there it was all Pittsburgh in the third quarter, returning like for like on Flacco and capitalizing on Raven mistakes. They traded field goals and then it happened. A huge pass play put the Steelers in striking range and Mendenhall bullied his way for a touchdown and the lead. A personal foul gave the Ravens a ray of hope and the kick return went to mid-field. With a fourth down and the game on the line Houshmandzadeh couldn't put away a near perfect throw from Flacco. Both teams played their hearts out, but somebody had to lose and that somebody was Baltimore, again. Final tally was 31-24.

Ben Roethlisberger struggled, but got the job done in his usual fashion, hard-nose football. Roethlisberger accumulated 226 yards and two touchdowns. Rashard Mendenhall toughed out 46 yards on the ground and scored two hard fought touchdowns. Wallace and Ward saw very little in the way of big catches, but when it comes to Hines Ward you got to love the way he plays the game, full of enthusiam. He scored one touchdown. Brown and Sanders accounted for the bulk of reception yardage. Pittsburgh's defense kept the Steelers in the game and forced crucial game altering mistakes.

Joe Flacco gave it his best shot. You can't fault him. A potential touchdown pass was dropped at the goal line and a pivotal game saver was muffed at the end that could have put the Ravens in a position to put the game into overtime. He didn't put up big numbers and dropped passes were of no help. Rice was relatively controlled running for only 32 yards with an equal amount of reception yardage. Rice did score one touchdown. Heap topped the receivers with 43 tards and a score. So why was the game so close? It was defense. The Ravens defense had 6 sacks plus 8 hits on Roethlisberger. They scored on one of the strangest looking plays. With the ball laying on the ground after Roethlisberger was hit, everyone was standing around in a fog, until Redding smartly went over, picked it up, and trotted in for the score.

Atlanta and Green Bay were trading touchdown for touchdown to start and then all hell broke loose on Atlanta. Atlanta was making a bid on the goal line when a Matt Ryan attempt fell slightly short of its mark in the end zone and was picked off. The ball was now in the hands of Rodgers who methodically moved down the field for a touchdown. Some plays later, again Ryan was picked off by Tramon Williams, this time returned 70 yards for a score. That was half time and that was it. Green Bay never looked back. Rodgers and Company flat out dominated. Atlanta's misery ended at a 48-21 drubbing.

What can you say? "It's a beautiful day in the Atlantahood, it's a beautiful day in the Atlantahood. Would you be my neighbor?" Mr Aaron Rodgers and the Packers were anything but neighborly with the Falcons. Rodgers put in one of his best performances. He only missed on 5 passes out of 36 attempts. That is one of the best ratios I have ever seen. He threw for 366 yards and three touchdowns adding another on the ground. Four of his receivers had over 75 yards each with Greg Jennings topping out the group at 101 yards. The Packers defense forced four turnovers. Tramon Williams once again shined with two picks, taking one to the house.
 
Atlanta's numbers, well we just won't go there. Matt Ryan and Company were undoubtedly releived to see this one finally come to an end. The empty stadium with four minutes left was an eerie reminder of what just happened. Oh, one highlight worth mentioning was Eric Weems record setting kick off return of 102 yards for a touchdown.

Divisional Playoffs-Couldn't Have Been Scripted Any Better

Is it fate or destiny that is quietly, pretentiously manipulating the way the ball is bouncing? Take for example the closing drive of the Jets against the Colts. Braylon Edwards caught the pass from Sanchez over the middle at which time the defender slapped the ball out of his hands onto the ground. When you look at the replay the Colt defenders didn't even see the loose ball because if they did it would have ended the Jets drive and the game. Did something for that crucial moment cast a shadow over their vision? It was as if a Colt victory was not meant to be. Some mysterious force wanted the Jets to win and dare I suggest it's because a Jets-Patriots confrontation appears more interesting than a Colts-Patriots game when considering their regular season matchups. And Kansas City, the ball just flat out eluded them.

The Jets and Patriots were even in regular season matchups, but that's not saying they are evenly matched. The Patriots had two seasons, the Randy Moss Season and then the rest of the Season. The Jets won their game in the Randy Moss Season. Plus, the loss to the Browns woke up the sleeping giant and since then the Patriots have been unstoppable. True, the Jets defense ranks better in all categories, but weather is the great equalizer. Added to that, they are playing on the Patriots home turf. Brady is nearly invincible at home, especially in the playoffs. The Jets have been living on borrowed time all season. The only thing that can save the Jets in this one is the ball needs to mysteriously bounce their way.

The Ravens and Steelers game to me is the game of the week. When these two teams come together it's like the splitting of an atom. The two times they faced off in regular season were very low scoring and decided by the count of a field goal. Pittsburgh took the division even though their records were identical. Baltimore has a grudge to settle. They are tired of being on the short end of the stick when it comes to the Steelers. It will be a hard-hitting defensive battle with alot of blitzing, but if Roethlisberger and Wallace get the opportunity to hook up, watch out. Baltimore will need a stable run game to give Flacco room to work.

Atlanta had a good season this year. Green Bay has been on and off, suffering five of their six losses on the road. Green Bay is tough against the pass, but weak against the run. Atlanta will attempt to take advantage of that fact with Michael Turner. If they are able to establish the run game, Matt Ryan will have the opportunity to pick and choose his targets at his liesure. Still, that will be difficult with a Clay Matthews and Charles Woodson led defense. Atlanta will be vulnerable when it comes to Aaron Rodgers, so Green Bay will be relying heavily on his talents and uncanny ability to find the end zone, whether throwing or running. The Packers have been lacking a consistent run game all season, but it mysteriously showed up with Starks last weekend. The Georgia Dome will be hostile.

It was reported a tremor was registered when Marshawn Lynch ran for his 67 yard fourth quarter  touchdown. Was it the cheering and pounding of the fans or the Saints defensive players hitting the ground that caused it? A different Seattle showed up at Qwest Field last weekend and gave their hometown a show. Despite their losing record, the Seahawks are determined to show they are worthy of being in the playoffs. Lynch will be facing a field of more sure-handed tacklers in the Chicago Bears. Matt Hasselbeck had a revival of past glory. He was deadly accurate with his four touchdowns. Chicago will not be underestimating the enthusiasm of the Seahawks. The Bears have a tough defense with Urlacher leading the way, especially agaist the run. Seattle will be coming after Jay Cutler, so he will have to rely on his ability to move around to find the open receiver and avoid hasty decisions.
 
Playoffs - Divisional Playoffs
SAT, JAN 15 TIME (ET) TV RESOURCES LOCATION

Baltimore 18 at Pittsburgh 20 4:30 PM CBS

Heinz Field

26*

Green Bay 24 at Atlanta 27 8:00 PM FOX

Georgia Dome

SUN, JAN 16 TIME (ET) TV RESOURCES LOCATION

Seattle 23 at Chicago 21 1:00 PM FOX 

Soldier Field

21*

NY Jets 17 at New England 30 4:30 PM CBS

Gillette

19*

Green Bay Sneaks Past Philadelphia And Baltimore Steamrolls Kansas City

The very first play of the Green Bay and Philadelphia game set the tone for its final outcome. From start to finish it was the defense of Green Bay that decided who would move on. It began with a sack and ended with an interception. One question lingers. Did Vick go for it all to soon with less than 40 seconds left? You can't falt him for trying to win, but once that ball is released there is no pulling it back. Tramon Williams made a good catch for an interception, game over, Packers win 21-16. Baltimore just plain set the tone in their confrontation with Kansas City. Once again it was defense, defense, and more defense. Kansa City turned the ball over five times as a result, three of them Matt Cassel interceptions. Flacco got the job done on offense. Baltimore wins persuasively 30-7.

Aaron Rodgers spread the ball around like cream cheese on a warm bagel. He made use of nine different receivers. Jones and Jennings were not his primary targets in this one, it was old veteran Donald Driver and a host of others. Rodgers only accumulated 180 total yards, but made good use of every yard, throwing for three touchdowns. Rookie James Starks ran for 123 yards to balance out the Packer's offensive attack. On the other side, Michael vick did plenty enough to win the game, throwing for a touchdown and running one in. Unfortunately, it was the one errant pass at the end that sealed the Eagles fate, coutesy the defense of the Packers.

Joe Flacco completed 25 passes out of 34 attempts. You would have to say that is a pretty good ratio. Todd Heap was his main target hauling in 10 of those passes for 108 yards. The two touchdowns Flacco threw went to Ray Rice and Anquan Boldin, who made an excellent catch in the middle end zone. Rice and McGahee shared the running assigments combining for 101 yards. McGahee's longest was a 25 yard touchdown run in the fourth quarter, putting an exclamation point on the game. Matt Cassel took it one the chin and just about everywhere else on his body. He was stung for three picks and sacked three times. Jamaal Charles scored the Chiefs only touchdown and that is pretty much it. It was all Baltimore defense.

Green Bay moves on to play Atlanta. They met once in the regular season where the Falcons won in a close game. They will faceoff on Saturday at 8:00 PM. Don't miss this one. Anytime Baltimore and Pittsburgh get together it's going to be a headbanger. Division rivals who ended the regular season with the same win-loss record and Baltimore has a score to settle. Each of their previous confrontations were low scoring and decided by three points. I hope their is plenty of snow on Saturday at 4:30 PM. It would make it all the more interesting. Football and the elements, good old fashion fun the way it was meant to be.

Playoffs Begin-Wild Card Round

Seattle tops St. Louis to go into the playoffs with the first full season losing record in NFL history. The only other time that happened was in the strike shortened 1982 season. Cleveland and Detroit finished at 4-5 and for the record were knocked off in the first round of playoffs. So, what are Seattles chances of making it past the first round? How many times have you won the million dollar lottery? Pittsburgh, New England, Atlanta, and NY Jets all put huge exclamation points on their final games, each scoring over 30 points in their wins. New Orleans fumbled their way into the playoffs and Indianapolis stubbed their toe to victory. Chicago and Baltimore need more offense if they are to survive. The Packers and Eagles futures rest on the arms of Rodgers and Vick.

As I watched the Rams-Seahawks game I saw nothing that would convince me there is even a remote chance for Seattle to survive their meeting with New Orleans on Saturday at 4:30 pm. During said game I kept on hearing the words, "Its tough for a visiting team to win at Qwest Field." Well, the Saints aren't the Rams and anything short of an earthquake can save the Seahawks. If they were to beat the Saints, I will pick them to go to the Superbowl.

The Packers have something the Eagles do not, a relentless defense. The Eagles will need some help from mother nature in the way of rain to even the playing field. Vick would have the advantage on a soggy field with his ability to move and run. Sunday's weather looks to be free of any rain at 4:30 pm. Sorry Philadelphia, you might try a dance or two.

Indianapolis will be hosting the Jets on Saturday at 8:00 pm. The Colts, as of late, have not been the offensively explosive team we are use to seeing. Peyton has struggled through this season missing his compadres Clark and Collie, but has weathered the storm. Manning will be facing the tough defense of the Jets. Addai's return no doubt has given him some comfort along with the addition of old friend Dominic Rhodes. The Jets were razzling and dazzling everyone in the beginning with their last minute shockers in the form of Santonio Holmes. Well, the Jets have sinced used up their nine lives. They will need to blitz and blitz some more to keep Peyton from gaining any rythmn or else it's lights out.
 
Baltimore and Kansas City play on Sunday at 1:00 pm. The Chiefs were whacked by the Raiders in their last game. Not a good way to enter the playoffs against a bruising Raven defense. If Jamaal Charles gets stuffed it's going to be a long frustrating game for the Chiefs. The Ravens will try to establish a running game of their own and if they do that, it will give Flacco the edge he needs to get the job done. Cassel and Flacco are birds of a feather, so it is a tough one to call after all is said and, you will just have to wait for the done.
 
AFC wild-card round SATURDAY, JAN. 8
No. 6 New York Jets 20 (11-5) at No. 3 Indianapolis Colts 30 (10-6)
Lucas Oil Stadium, 8 p.m. ET, NBC
SUNDAY, JAN. 9
No. 5 Baltimore Ravens 23 (12-4) at No. 4 Kansas City Chiefs 21 (10-6)
Arrowhead Stadium, 1 p.m. ET, CBS

NFC wild-card round
SATURDAY, JAN. 8
No. 5 New Orleans Saints 28 (11-5) at No. 4 Seattle Seahawks 23 (7-9)
Qwest Field, 4:30 p.m. ET, NBC
SUNDAY, JAN. 9
No. 6 Green Bay Packers 27 (10-6) at No. 3 Philadelphia Eagles 24 (10-6)
Lincoln Financial Field, 4:30 p.m. ET, FOX

Week Nine NFL Picks-Tampa Bay Leaping To Victory

The Cowboys tipped the ball and the game to the Jaquars as they continue to self destruct their season. The Vikings are hopelessly sinking into a quagmire and Favre continues to get brutalized. Green Bay didn't score a single touchdown in their confrontation with the Jets, but neither did the Jets, not even a field goal. Tampa Bay leaped over Arizona in a close one and the beginning of the year prophecy is looking believable. Oakland and St Louis are looking like the new threat on the block. The Detroit Lions finally got their just reward, a victory. Indianapolis is looking like, Indianapolis. The Bazzaro World of NFL 2010 is getting freakier with every passing weekend. There is a cold wind of change blowing through the the corridors and tunnels of the National Football Leagues stadiums.



We are at the half way point of the season. Week Eight was predictable, but at the same time unpredictable. My picks were 8-5. If Carolina beats the Saints and Seattle beats the Giants this coming Sunday I will not shave for the rest of the season, unless the Browns beat New England and Detroit beats the Jets to keep things in balance, then the deal is off. Come on Mangini, let's see Joshua Cribbs in the wild "Dawg" formation. What can you lose, the game? Or how about a few shots down field to Cribbs, air it out. Think big. Use your imagination. Bill Belichick is coming to town and he now has a running attack to compliment his passing assault.

Putting Ochocinco and Owens on the same team is asking for trouble and that is what the Bengals are in, a heap of trouble. Cincinnati has lost four in a row and in the cellar of the AFC North. Pittsburgh is their next opponent and prime time Monday Night Football is the venue. Will TV celebrities Ocho and Owens, the big O's, shine in the spotlight or will the Steeler defense steal the show? Pittsburgh is coming off a stinging loss and will be looking for redemption. Polamalu verses Palmer, and the winner is Polamalu by a knockout.

Dallas is going to Green Bay. Although the Packers have not been impressive, the Cowboys are less impressive, to put it mildly. The truth of the matter is they have been embarrassing themselves to the extent Cowboy fans are wearing paper bags over their heads. The Cowboys are befuddled, bewildered, and beaten. Sometimes it looks like players have quit on the season and that's where the Cowboys are at. That having been said, Kitna is going to put it together this Sunday, if his receivers don't sabotage his efforts, but will still fall short of victory in the Packers house.

SUN, NOV 7 TIME (ET)

Tampa Bay 21 at Atlanta 20 1:00 PM FOX L

Georgia Dome

Chicago 23 at Buffalo 21 1:00 PM FOX W

Rogers Centre

New England 24 at Cleveland 23 1:00 PM CBS L 

Cleveland Browns Stadium

NY Jets 27 at Detroit 24 1:00 PM CBS W

Ford Field

New Orleans 30 at Carolina 18 1:00 PM FOX W 

Travel Bank of America Stadium

Miami 17 at Baltimore 24 1:00 PM CBS W

M&T Bank Stadium

San Diego 28 at Houston 25 1:00 PM CBS W

Reliant Stadium

Arizona 20 at Minnesota 23 1:00 PM FOX W 

Metrodome

NY Giants 34 at Seattle 15 4:05 PM FOX W

Qwest Field

Indianapolis 31 at Philadelphia 23 4:15 PM CBS L 

Lincoln Financial Field

Kansas City 14 at Oakland 27 4:15 PM CBS W 

Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum

Dallas 24 at Green Bay 27 8:20 PM NBC W 

Lambeau Field

MON, NOV 8 TIME (ET)  

Pittsburgh 28 at Cincinnati 20 8:30 PM

Paul Brown Stadium

Week Seven NFL Picks-Hard Hitting

The Browns, Detroit, and Tampa Bay all lost last Sunday, so the 2010 season is returning to some resemblance of normality. Remember last week I said if those three teams won their games it would only confirm it will be a wacky Bizzaro World season. No apologies are necessary. The Brown's, who entered the season with higher expectations than what their record reflects, have been shredded by offensive injuries. Colt McCoy did a decent job considering the receivers he was left with in the Pittsburgh game. Detroit has been showing a desire to win, but is sabotaged weekly by unfortunate turn of events. Tampa Bay had been looking like a contender, but got clobbered by the Saints. St Louis on-the-other-hand beat San Diego and is in the thick of it in their division.

I was 8-6 in Week Six. Even the darts aren't helping in my quest for a perfect week. St Louis is playing Tampa Bay. I am taking the Buccaneers for no particular reason other than playing at home. You might say Jackson could be a factor in favor of the Rams and the Buccaneers running game has been non-existent, but Sunday that will change in what will be a close game. Baltimore should be able to handle the Bills and New Orleans will dominate the Browns mercilessly. Cincinnati at Atlanta and Washington at Chicago are both tough calls, but I am going with the home teams to win. Arizona at Seattle will decide the number one team in the division. Seattle will overcome.

The games to watch this week will be New England at San Diego, Minnesota at Green Bay, and NY Giants at Dallas. San Diego has been hurting itself by continous costly mistakes and New England has a strong offensive attack with the addition of Branch. It will be close and high scoring. New England will prevail with a strong blitz attack. Minnesota is strong all around defensively and offensively and Green Bay has been struggling. If Brett Favre can avoid the one costly pick the Vikings will win. The Giants offense is coming together, but their defense has been stepping up and Dallas is lacking the winning spark. Romo will be harassed and the Cowboys will trip over their own feet again.

This past week was controversial with all the concussions. The cameras can go into slow motion, but the players cannot. Once a player commits themselves there is no turning back and anything can happen. You have people moving in different directions and collisions are inevitable. Receivers and quarterbacks are often in vulnerable positions and you can tell a flagrant head shot from just plain aggressive football. Those should be flagged and fined. I have played football and butted heads on several occassions. That is the nature of the game.
 
SUN, OCT 24 TIME (ET)
Cincinnati 20 at Atlanta 24 1:00 PM W
Georgia Dome
Washington 23 at Chicago 24 1:00 PM L
Soldier Field
St. Louis 20 at Tampa Bay 21 1:00 PM W
Raymond James Stadium
San Francisco 20 at Carolina 18 1:00 PM L
Bank of America Stadium
Buffalo 15 at Baltimore 24 1:00 PM W
M&T Bank Stadium
Philadelphia 21 at Tennessee 24 1:00 PM W
LP Field
Jacksonville 28 at Kansas City 17 1:00 PM L
Arrowhead Stadium
Pittsburgh 30 at Miami 23 1:00 PM W
Sun Life Stadium
Cleveland 17 at New Orleans 34 1:00 PM L
Superdome
Arizona 18 at Seattle 23 4:05 PM W
Qwest Field
New England 28 at San Diego 27 4:15 PM W
Qualcomm Stadium
Oakland 24 at Denver 20 4:15 PM W
Invesco Field at Mile High
Minnesota 27 at Green Bay 24 8:20 PM L
Lambeau Field
MON, OCT 25 TIME (ET)

NY Giants 28 at Dallas 20 8:30 W 

Cowboys Stadium

Wildcard Weekend Starts The Playoffs

The final week of regular season I was 9-7 because of a few shockers or was it a matter of concealing game plans so you don't tip your hand stradegy by a few teams who knew they would meet in the Wildcard Playoffs. Whatever the case, this week looks like repeat weekend except for one and that is the Baltimore at New England game. Philadelphia and Cincinnati were both man handled, that is shutout, zippoed, nada points in their losses and New England was out done by Houston. Baltimore was the only winner out of the bunch. This week is going to be a different story.

Philadelphia will be taking the gloves off this Wildcard Weekend against the Cowboys. Tony Romo is going to be harrassed mercilessly from begining to end. Dallas will not be able to contain Desean Jackson and Philadelphia will be relying more heavily on establishing the running game to set up the passing. On the other hand, Dallas has moved up the rankings to number five. The Cowboys have a run game of their own and a strong receiving squad for Romo to choose from, especially with Witten. The key will be protection, if it isn't there game over, this will go for both sides of the field. This contest will be entertaining.

NY Jets at Cincinnati will be another contentious game. The Bengals are vulnerable and have't been producing the points in any great bunches. Cincinnati will attempt to pound it out with Cedric Benson, who was missing in the last game. The old Carson Palmer will emerge and the number one defense will get stung. The Jets faired better this season than what was expected by getting to the playoffs. The Jets run game is tops with Thomas Jones and will be key to their success in this game. If the Bengals stuff the Jets run game and the burden falls on Mark Sanchez they will get some picks, end of story and the season for the Jets.

Green Bay dominated Arizona in their final outing. The Packers are a solid team with all kinds of weapons offensively. Aaron Rodgers manages the offense well and utilizes their strong points. You can't go wrong with targets like Jennings and Driver and Ryan Grant can find the first down marker to keep drives going. The Cardinals defense will have to find a way to disrupt Green bay's rythmn because if they don't, they are in for a frustrating experience. Arizona can produce alot of points themselves with Kurt Warner, but pressure is his Achilles Heal. The Cardinals offensive line will have the major task of protecting Warner.

Now we come to Baltimore at New England. The Patriots will be without a pivatol player in Wes Welker. You cannot replace a key player like Welker. Tom Brady will have to rely on his other receivers to get open. They are going up against a tough Baltimore defense that can be stingy, but has shown vulnerability in past games. The weather in New England will be a major factor and a strong running game in cold weather and a frozen field is a must. Baltimore has Ray Rice for this job. If Lawrence Maroney runs like a mad dog for New England, Brady will get the upper hand.

It is going to be a an exciting start to the playoffs, two games on Saturday and two on Sunday. Purchase all you snacks and drinks ahead of time and get ready to hunker down for some NFL football.

SAT, JAN 9 TIME (ET)
NY Jets 18 at Cincinnati  26 4:30 PM NBC Tickets L
Paul Brown Stadium
Philadelphia 28 at Dallas 27 8:00 PM NBC Tickets L
Cowboys Stadium
SUN, JAN 10 TIME (ET)
Baltimore 20 at New England 24 1:00 PM CBS Tickets L
Gillette Stadium
Green Bay 28 at Arizona  21 4:40 PM FOX Tickets L
U of Phoenix Stadium

The Browns Continue Their Losing Ways

The Dawg Pound was an ugly place to be and it was tricks over treats. The Cleveland Browns deliver another sad performance before the home crowd, final score Packers 31 Browns 3. Maybe you will agree with this assessment, I don't think Mangini wants to win. Is there some grand plan in wanting to lose? No wonder Braylon Edwards was happy to go.

Derek Anderson had a low quarterback rating again of 36.4. Anderson was 12 of 29 totaling 99 yards. All of that adds up to an average of a little over 9 yards a catch. He also threw one interception and fumbled twice. The running game didn't fair much better with a total of 58 yards. They couldn't even manage one touchdown again and out of sixty minutes of effort only one field goal.

Joshua Cribbs had 78 yards of kick and punt returns. Mangini went to him sparingly again, just on one run play and one pass play. Cribbs is the Browns top performer week to week and Mangini needs to use him more often in the offensive scheme, but seems to shy away from it. The big question is why? The answer is in paragraph one.

Cleveland is at Chicago next week. Will anybody in Cleveland be watching this one? Even the diehard fans of the Browns got to be getting quite disgusted. My brother-in-law, who is a ticket holder in the Dawg Pound, wasn't very keen on attending today's game. I think tickets for the home games will be going on sale. Cheap tickets anyone? The Steelers game was very entertaining, lots of touchdowns.

Browns Lose Again-Joshua Cribbs Performs

Week after week I say the same thing. Joshua Cribbs is the Browns top offensive producer and Mangini needs to be more creative in using Cribbs. Yesterday game’s was another example of what Cribbs is bringing to the team.

Joshua Cribbs had a total of 158 yards in kick and punt returns capped off with a return of 98 yards for a touchdown. Added to that was 45 yards of rushing and two pass attempts in which one was picked off. All well, nobody’s perfect. Mangini appears to be using Cribbs in different ways and Cribbs has certainly found his niche in an otherwise weak offensive attack. One player can only do so much.

Derek Anderson again ended the game with a rating of 51. He was 9 for 24 totaling 122 yards. Anderson also fumbled twice and threw an inerception. Jamal Lewis only had 21 yards on 11 carries. Massaquoi had a decent game with 83 yards on 5 receptions. The offense produced a total of 7 points, Cribbs produced the other 7 points. That’s all she wrote.

The Browns play the Packers this Sunday in Cleveland. What can the fans expect? Let's hope the Brown's coaching staff can come up with a game plan to win and hopefully the players will execute. Maybe it will snow and the Browns can do what the Patriots did to the Titans. One thing is for sure, all eyes will be on Joshua Cribbs. Go Josh.