Here's the story of a man named Cam Cameron. You may remember Coach Cameron when he was the head coach of the Miami Dolphins in 2007. Well, the Dolphins went 1-15, hired Bill Parcells as their president, and fired Cam Cameron. The one team that lost to Miami, the Baltimore Ravens, hired Mr. Cameron as their offensive coordinator. Since then, the Ravens and Cameron are 22-13, including an appearance in the AFC Championship last year, and headed to the playoffs again. The Dolphins, meanwhile, are sitting at home this offseason with an 18-15 record in two years, and a one-and-done playoff run last year. At this point, it appears that Cam Cameron got the better end of getting fired.
While I'm on the topic of the Fishes, it makes me feel better that rookie QB Pat White will not sustain any permanent damage after a head-to-head collision left him motionless on Sunday. He was down forever, and it really worried me.
Jim Zorn's been out since October, so it didn't surprise me at all when I saw he was fired. Next came the entire coaching staff of the Buffalo Bills, which came as a very small shock. Tom Cable will be next according to speculations, which I didn't think wouldn't happen. Next to go will be Jack Del Rio with the Jags. I haven't heard much about him yet, but after two playoff berths, the Swamp Cats have gone 5-11 and 7-9 consecutively, including dropping their last four. They're blacking out all of their games, so something needs to change. First to go is Del Rio, and they'll be the first team to draft a QB this year. I think Lovie Smith is safe in Chicago right now, but if they don't get to the postseason next year, there will be a change in the Winds. Lastly, Eric Mangini will stay at Cleveland. With a 4-0 finish, including wins over Pittsburgh and Jacksonville, and Mike Holmgren, one of the more respectable men in football, as their President, the Browns will keep the former Patriot DC for the time being.
Alright, off of the coaching carousel and on to a more important subject....THE PLAYOFFS!!!!!
Here are the seedings:
AFC
1. Indy 14-2
2. San Diego 13-3
3. New England 10-6
4. Cincy 10-6
5. J-E-T-S-JETS-JETS-JETS 9-7
6. Baltimore 9-7
NFC
1. New Orleans is 13-3 after dropping 3 straight
2. Minnesota rebounded big against the Giants, they are now 12-4
3. Dallas crushed Philly and is 11-5
4. Arizona 10-6
5. Green Bay 11-5
6. Philly 11-5
So, here's the situation. Wild Card weekend. Four games will be played on the 9th and 10th, all of them rematches of the regular season. 3 of those four were played just last week. 2 of those 3 were meaningless for at least one team, and 1 was not meaningful for either team. That being said, it appears that New England, the J-E-T-S-JETS-JETS-JETS, Green Bay and Dallas will advance if each game turns out how it did in the regular season. I've got different ideas, though.
J-E-T-S-JETS-JETS-JETS AT CINCINNATI (Saturday 1/9, 4:30 ET)
I've become a bandwagon Bengals fan this season, so the fact that they were shut out against the J-E-T-S-JETS-JETS-JETS surprises me. The Bengals are my emotional favorite to win it all, having to deal with the deaths of Mike Zimmer's wife and Chris Henry. They have a test against a J-E-T-S-JETS-JETS-JETS team that has won five of its last six, including the last two against playoff teams (granted, the Colts would've won had they not rested their starters), under Rex Ryan, of whom I am also a big fan. To Cincy's advantage, they will have a home game this time, and they know what to expect of the J-E-T-S-JETS-JETS-JETS coming into this week. To their disadvantage, Chad Ochocinco might not play due to a knee injury he sustained in pregame warmups Sunday night. He's a big leader of the team, and his abscence may cause for another devastating Bengals loss. Cincinnati's last playoff win came in 1991, two decades ago. The J-E-T-S-JETS-JETS-JETS won the only postseason matchup of the two teams. Putting together all of that, plus much more, I've decided on a score: J-E-T-S-JETS-JETS-JETS 28-16.
PHILADELPHIA AT DALLAS (Saturday 1/9, 8 ET)
Well, Dallas absolutely crash landed the Eagles' hope for a first-round bye and a home game in the playoffs with a 24-0 victory. I have no reason to suspect that this result will be repeated. Firstly, Andy Reid is an absolute wizard of a coach. You don't have a career record above .600 after 11 years for nothing. He is also very experienced in the playoffs, with a 10-7 record entering his 18th postseason game. On the other sideline, Wade Phillips is also a good coach. However, in four tries, he has come up 0-fer in the playoffs. The Eagles are a traditionally good playoff team, making it to 5 NFC Championships and 1 Super Bowl in the past decade. They made a sixth-seed run to the Championship last year, and they're right back where they were to begin last postseason. I can't pick against the Eagles in the first round, nor can I pick for the Cowboys in the postseason. Therefore, my prediction is: Eagles, 34-17.
BALTIMORE AT NEW ENGLAND (Sunday 1/10, 1 ET)
This one will be fun. The regular-season edition of this game happened all the way back in Week 4, with the Patriots coming out on top, defeating the previously undefeated Ravens 27-21. Bill Belichick (15-4 in 14 seasons) and John Harbaugh (2-1 in 1) are two good playoff coaches. Bill is 3-1 in the Super Bowl, and John made it to the AFC Championship as a sixth seed last year. This will be the first postseason matchup between the winningest active NFL coach (not counting Bill Cowher or Mike Shanahan, who might each come out of retirement next season) and one of the game's newer greats. The Patriots have never lost their first playoff game since Coach Belichick and Tom Brady took over, but they will be missing their #1 receiver in Wes Welker. Baltimore won a convincing game against then 6-0 Denver in Week 8 and blew out the Lions 48-3 in Week 14, but lost a possible Super Bowl preview against Green Bay by double digits in Week 13, and only beat Oakland by 8 last week. Ray Lewis is getting ever closer to retirement, and would love to go out on top, so he'll have a monster game. And probably talk a little trash during the week. I really think the Ravens have more to play for here than the Patriots, so I really am leaning their way. But it will be close. Here's what I think: Ravens, 16-13
GREEN BAY AT ARIZONA (4:40 ET Sunday 1/10)
Ken Wisenhunt led the Cards to the Super Bowl last year, but Green Bay is rolling. They were 7-1 in the last half of the season, their only loss being that shootout against Pittsburgh. In the entire season, the Pack only scored less than 20 points once, against the eventual NFC East champs. They beat Dallas 17-7 in Week 10, which turned around their season. In their seven second-half wins, they won 5 by 10 or more. Arizona will play closer than they did on Sunday, but they'll still get blown away. We'll say: Packers, 27-14.
Now that the Wild Card has been decided, here's our playoff picture.
AFC
1. Indy 14-2
2. San Diego 13-3
X3. New England 10-7X
X4. Cincinnati 10-7X
5. J-E-T-S-JETS-JETS-JETS 10-7
6. Baltimore 10-7
NFC
1. New Orleans 13-3
2. Minnesota 12-4
X3. Dallas loses 5 straight playoff games, 11-6X
X4. Arizona 10-7X
5. Green Bay 12-5
6. Philadelphia 12-5
In the divisional round, resilient Baltimore travels to Indianapolis to face the battered Colts, who are much thankful for a home game. The J-E-T-S-JETS-JETS-JETS travel to sunny San Diego for a showdown with the hottest team in the NFL. The hottest team in the NFC, Green Bay, takes a trip to the Vikings, who closed out the regular season with a convincing spanking of the NY Giants. Philadelphia travels to the Superdome to confront a Saints team which hasn't won in over a month. The winners of these games are guaranteed picks 29-32 in the first round of this April's draft, and advance to the conference championships. Let's continue with the matchups at hand here.
PHILADELPHIA AT NEW ORLEANS (4:30 ET Saturday 1/16)
After dominating Dallas, the Eagles face a tough task in Drew Brees and the Saints. New Orleans started the season 13-0. Only problem is, they've lost 3 straight. That does a number to momentum headed into the playoffs. On top of that, they've had a first-round bye to extend the length of time since their last win, December 13 at Atlanta (Not to mention that game was 26-23. It took them overtime the week before to defeat a Washington team that finished 4-12. So really, the last time the Saints really looked like the Saints was that 38-17 win over the Patriots in November). They have some very important questions to answer in this game, and if they pull off a victory, especially by more than a touchdown, they'll be my favorite to win it all. But this is a very good Eagles team which is underestimated year after year. I have a hard time picking against them before the NFC Championship. As the Saints are really unproven in the playoffs (1-1 when they made it in 2006, losing to Chicago in the NFC Championship), and certainly not in the position they are in now, I'm not sure what to say. Ironically, their first game was a divisional matchup against the Eagles. Not much has changed with the two teams, except for some more explosiveness from both teams. The 2007 playoff game was a 27-24 Saints win. I can't see this matchup ending the same way it did last time, though. Not having a convincing win in a month and a half does something to the persona of a team. Therefore, I say: Eagles, 37-28.
BALTIMORE AT INDIANAPOLIS (8:15 ET Saturday 1/16)
This will be another good matchup of two really good teams. The Ravens will be working on getting to their second straight AFC Championship, and the Colts are out to prove that 14-0 wasn't a fluke. The Colts will be more than glad to be playing at the RCA...excuse me, at Lucas Oil Stadium after that horrendous snow game in Buffalo. The Ravens have momentum after shocking the world and the New England Patriots on the road in what might easily be another snow game. I have yet to know how Jim Caldwell will do in the postseason, but Peyton Manning is a game-changer. If Ray Lewis keeps him in check, the Ravens will have a chance. Nevertheless, I think Indianapolis will come away with the win in front of the home crowd, indoors, with no snow: Colts, 26-17.
GREEN BAY AT MINNESOTA (1 ET Sunday 1/17)
The Favre Purple Show swept the regular season series between the two teams, but Green Bay is, as I mentioned earlier, the hottest team in the Conference. I think Brett might be thrown a little that he's playing playoff football in a dome against the Pack, but after his first interception he'll be brought back to reality. Aaron Rodgers is becoming if not an elite quarterback, a pretty good one and will keep the Green Bay offense competing. Adrian Peterson definitely has the edge over Ryan Grant, although both are good running backs. With Rookie of the Year Percy Harvin, Sidney Rice, and Bernard Berrian, the Vikes have a solid receiving corps, and Jordy Nelson, Donald Driver, and Greg Jennings form another solid corps for the Pack. At tight end, Donald Lee and Visanthe Shiancoe are both forces to be reckoned with, and Mason Crosby and Ryan Longwell are two of the top kickers in the leauge. I'll give Green Bay the slight edge on defense, and Minnesota the homefield advantage (duh). Basically, coaching is the only thing in question. Mike McCarthy is slightly better than Brad Childress (39-27 vs. 36-29), and is 1-1 in the playoffs (2-1 with the win over Arizona) while Childress is 0-1. We'll have an offensive showdown here, with the win coming in the final seconds. After expert advice gives me the edge on kicker, I'll have to say: Packers, 37-34.
J-E-T-S-JETS-JETS-JETS AT SAN DIEGO (4:40 ET Sunday 1/17)
This would've been a big game if Cincy had beaten the J-E-T-S-JETS-JETS-JETS. Now, though, it'll be a crushing defeat by San Diego. This team scared me when it came to Nashville on Christmas night. It'll scare plenty more before it's done. The J-E-T-S-JETS-JETS-JETS have no match for the modern generation of Air Coryell, and Rivers and the dominant offense of San Diego will prevail over a young team from New York. Final Score: Chargers, 34-13.
As we move on to the championship round, here's what's left.
AFC
Indy rebounds and is 15-2
San Diego dominates, 14-3
XXNew England 10-7XX
XXCincy 10-7XX
XJ-E-T-S-JETS-JETS-JETS 10-8X
XBaltimore 10-8X
NFC
XNew Orleans blows another one, 13-4X
XMinnesota can't hold on, 12-5X
XXDallas 11-6XX
XXArizona 10-7XX
Green Bay has the golden toe, 13-5
Philly keeps going, 13-5
So, we approach a 1-2 finale in the AFC, and a 5-6 battle of the wild in the NFC. All attention is focused in the Midwest for these two games. Let's go.
AFC CHAMPIONSHIP: SAN DIEGO AT INDIANAPOLIS (3 ET Sunday 1/24)
This one's a showdown the media's been wanting since early November. Is San Diego really the best team in the AFC? I didn't believe it until the Titans game. The Chargers will be riding a 12-game win streak into this game, and the young secondary of the Colts will have a hard time matching up with Vincent Jackson, Antonio Gates, and the entire receiving squad of the San Diego Chargers. Norv Turner's been coaching this game much longer than rookie Jim Caldwell of the Colts. For all these reasons and more, my pick is: Chargers, 27-23.
NFC CHAMPIONSHIP: PHILADELPHIA AT GREEN BAY (6:40 ET Sunday 1/24)
The battle of two teams a game away from winning their respective divisions commences Sunday evening at Lambeau field. The Eagles and Packers are two very good clubs, and this game will be fun. The Eagles are looking for their second Super Bowl appearance ever, and under Reid and Donovan McNabb. The Pack, meanwhile, are looking to be one of nine teams to appear in five or more Super Bowls. The first team you think of when the words "Super Bowl" come to mind hosts a consistent contender for the past decade. The explosive offense of McNabb, DESEAN JACKSON, and the Eagles will go up against the fundamental game played by Rodgers, Grant, Clay Matthews, and the Packers. The Pack will play a tough, physical game, and Philly will stay plenty competitive. In the end, DeSean will lift the Eagles to heights only attained once before. It'll be a nail-biter, but the team that will come on top is: Eagles, 42-35.
Before Super Bowl XLIV (It is XLIV, not 44. stupid arabians and their simplified numerals.) an incredibly important (or rather ignorable idiotc) event has to occur pitting the statistical leaders of the NFL against each other. This is so much better the week after the Super Bowl. For instance, DeSean won't be playing so he doesn't have to risk injury before the Big Game. I was looking forward to seeing him playing around and killing some coverages in the meaningless allstar game, but since he has to play in the biggest game of his career the next week, he won't be there. CJ gets 60-80 yards on 8-12 carries, and the AFC wins over the NFC Vikings, 34-28.
Now, to recap:
AFC
Indy: 15-3 after beating Baltimore and losing to San Diego
San Diego: Represents the AFC in the Super Bowl with a 15-3 record. Wins over J-E-T-S-JETS-JETS-JETS and at Indy.
New England: 10-7. One-and-done with loss against Ravens.
Cincy: 10-7. Can't rebound against J-E-T-S-JETS-JETS-JETS in wild card round.
J-E-T-S-JETS-JETS-JETS: 10-8. Rex Ryan's first playoff success in Cincy turns sour when they lose in San Diego.
Baltimore: 10-8 after upsetting Brady and the Pats, and falling hard in Indy.
NFC
New Orleans: At 13-4, the Ain'ts return in a four game slide. They lose to Philly in the Superdome.
Minnesota: The right foot of Mason Crosby sends the Vikes spiraling, they finish 12-5.
Dallas: The Boys get embarrassed the week after embarrassing the team that embarrased them in an embarrassing loss, so they finish 11-6.
Arizona: The Cards stood no chance against the Packers, a 10-7 record ends Kurt Warner's career.
Green Bay: A strong fight is not strong enough. They destroy Arizona, use the heroics of Mason Crosby to win in the Metrodome, but as soon as they come home, are out-flown by the Philadelphia Eagles. 13-6.
Philadelphia: Another 6-seed run ends in ecstasy, as the Eagles turn the tables in Dallas, New Orleans and Green Bay to reach their second Super Bowl. 14-5.
The Super Blog will come nearer that time, so stay interested, my friends.
