"AND NOW......THE PLAYOFFS"

First of all, Happy New Year to everyone reading this. If you are a sports fan like I am, this is a big week. The 2009 NFL regular season has ended, and all eyes are focused on the twelve teams that are still standing---those fortunate few to be involved in the NFL Playoffs. I write a little bit about sports from time to time on the high school level, but I thought I would play NFL prognosticator, and do my best to dissect the teams left. I will let it be known that back in August, when making my predictions on WFGZ Radio, I predicted Minnesota and San Diego....Will I stick to that? Let's take a look!

AFC:
Indianapolis: First of all, I want to say that Wesley Welker's injury for the Patriots proved Jim Caldwell's theory right about resting your starters. It has been a great year for Peyton and Company, but have they been as dominant as their record? I really don't think so. They are going to be tough to beat, but it is doable.

San Diego: Quite possibly, they are one of the most dangerous
teams out there. Defensively, they are very strong and quick, and on offense...they are loaded. I think they probably closed the season playing just as strong as anybody in the NFL.

New England: They might not be as dominant as they were a few years ago, but Brady and Company in the playoffs in January seems like a sure bet. I do think that Welker's injury is going to be a tough one to overcome, but if anyone can overcome it....it's Tom Brady.

Cincinnati: The Bengals stumbled in their final game, though it was quite a meaningless affair. That aside, I think that the fact that there were no Bengals selected to the Pro Bowl, coupled with the fact that the team has rallied around the death of Chris Henry, make this team kind of a sleeping giant of sorts.

New York Jets----I think that Rex Ryan did a great job in getting this team back to the post-season. With that said, I don't really know if their season-ending win against the Bengals was as big as you might think. Regardless of what happens over the next few days, I think that Mark Sanchez is the real deal.

Baltimore: This team has been the surprise of 2009. The first few weeks of the season---they looked unstoppable. Then, the Ravens came crashing back down to earth. They rebounded enough to clinch a spot here, and they should prove to be a tough team to play.

AFC PLAYOFF PICTURE:
Patriots over Ravens
Bengals over Jets

AFC DIVISIONAL PLAYOFFS
Patriots over Colts
Chargers over Bengals

AFC CHAMPIONSHIP
Chargers over Patriots

NFC
New Orleans: A month ago, I thought they were unbeatable. The last three weeks of the season, we have seen enough of their weaknesses. Still, if they get their mojo back, they could be dangerous.

Minnesota: They did fade a little down the stretch, but their final victory against the Giants proved how good a team they can be. Brett Favre is the key. In spite of what they might have said about him just running the offense when he arrived, they haven't been able to get the ground game going as much as they would have liked. In the end, I think # 4 is going to dictate how the Vikings story ends.

Dallas: I am a Cowboys fan, as many of you know. That being said, I am as surprised as anyone with their late-season surge. You just don't see it in Big D. Can they parlay it to their first victory in the post-season since 1996? Stay tuned?

Arizona: If any team can perform well against the odds, it would have to be the Arizona Cardinals. Their run last season is proof of this. I think they are well-suited for another run, and their defense is playing even better than last year.

Green Bay: Aaron Rodgers proved his worth in 2009, and played extremely well. The offensive line rebounded from sloppy play early, and sometimes forced Rodgers to try too hard. Now that they are in the post-season, I think that they've got a good chance this year......and a better one next year.

Philadelphia: What a final week it was for Philly. All they had to do was win and they would have been the number two seed...yet, they fell all the way to # 6 via their loss to Dallas, where they go this weekend! Can they beat the Cowboys, a team they haven't won against this season? I think they can, but I think Dallas is going be ready.......

NFC Playoff Picture:
Dallas over Philadelphia
Arizona over Green Bay

NFC Divisional Playoffs:
New Orleans over Arizona
Minnesota over Dallas

NFC Championship:
Minnesota over New Orleans

and that Super Bowl prediction? I am sticking with it.....Minnesota over San Diego with Brett Favre riding out into the sunset with another ring.....Enjoy the playoffs, and I hope your team wins.....unless they are playing mine!