History In The Making-Seahawks Win Big And Colts Just Lose

It was a great start to the Wild and Wooly-Card Weekend. The 7-9 Seattle Seahawks rocked the football world by taking out the New Orlean Saints 41-36. The Seahawks defied all logic. They not only won, but did it convincingly. If that wasn't enough irony, Peyton Manning stood helplessly on the sidelines as the Jets methodically moved down the field in the closing minute. The camera honed in on Manning and then the field of play where Edwards made a sensational catch to seal the Colts fate. All that was left to do was for Nick Folk to put it through the uprights for a 17-16 win, which he did with no time on the clock.

The Seahawks are changing the record books and making history. I guess the statement, "It's tough for a visiting team to win at Qwest Field," is true. Matt Hasselbeck outmatched Drew Brees with four touchdown passes to one and he did it with almost half the attempts. Brees threw the ball sixty times in desparation to Hasselbeck's thirty-five. It was one of Hasselbeck's best performances. Marshall Lynch was held to 55 yds of running going into the fourth quarter and then it happened. Lynch broke free for a 67 yard scamper and his only touchdown of the day. The video will be watched time and time again by Seahawk fans for days to come. He ended up with a total of 131 yards for the day. Seattle's tightend, John Carlson, had only three catches, but two of them were for pay dirt. Stokely and Williams accumulated most of the reception yardage and each had a touchdown.

You could see the agony on Peyton Manning's face after the game ended with the Colts on the short end of the stick. Manning is a true competitor, who doesn't like to accept anything short of perfection. There isn't much offense to talk about in this one. Manning had a decent game, although not one you would usually expect when Manning takes the field. He was 18-26 totaling 225 yards and only one touchdown toss. The rest of the Colts points came on Adam Vinatieri field goals. The offensive highlights came late in the game after the Colts took a two-point advantage. Antonio Cromartie returned the ensuing kickoff 47 yards. The ball was now in the hands of Mark Sanchez. He completed four passes to bring the Jets into Folk's range, but that was not enough. A final pass went in the direction of Braylon Edwards, an ex-Cleveland Brown, going down the right side, who adjusted his stride and leaped into the air to make a spectacular catch. From there it was easy for Folk to put it through the uprights with no time left. Jets win, Colts lose.

Well, that's two picks wrong so far. I wrote in my previous article, "If the Seahawks win, I am taking them to go to the Superbowl." Looks like I am locked in on this one. If the Seahawks play like they did against the Saints, there is no stopping them. Although, the next game won't be at Qwest Field. As for the Jets, I still don't know what to make of them. They will face ex-Cleveland Browns coach Bill Belichick's Patriots next.

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