SportsCrack

NFL Runners-Up Playoff Tournament

This whole thing in no way exists, obviously; I just got the idea because I was getting bored by all the current NFL playoff teams. Not bored in the sense that I don’t want to talk about them, think about them or write about them anymore – I just missed some of the other teams, I guess. So, in the interests of… I don’t know, anyone who cares I guess, let us take a look at the NFL runners up tournament.

The NFL NIT tournament is constructed the same way the normal playoff system is. The number 1 and 2 seeds in each conference get a bye week, 3 plays 6, 4 plays 5 – why am I explaining this, you all get the idea, right?

Since some divisions had two or even three teams that made the playoffs, there will be no ‘division’ winners getting the 3 and 4 seeds since well, that just doesn’t seem right. So, all of the seeds will be determined strictly by their records and tiebreakers will be handled in typical NFL fashion, turning to records against that particular opponent, conference records and all that other good stuff. Also, this whole thing can gauge how much your team sucks, because if they don’t make this tournament, than well, they didn’t have a very good year. Sorry.

After the seeds and games are out of the way, I’m going to pick who I think would win. Yes there will be an upsets – just like in real football! Thus, you may or may not agree with who I think would win any given game. If not, I’m sorry and just say so in the comments -- you can even call me names, I have a pretty thick skin. I made up the scores, too because well, it only seemed right.

Anyway, enough bull-ish rules let’s begin!

First off, the seeds:

AFC

1. Cleveland
2. Houston
3. Buffalo
4. Cincinnati
5. Denver
6. Baltimore

NFC

1. Philadelphia
2. Minnesota
3. Arizona
4. Carolina
5. New Orleans
6. Detroit

Wild Card Round

Baltimore @ Buffalo – Buffalo wins 27-6. Baltimore lost 9 of their last 10 games. In short: They suck.

Detroit @ Arizona – Arizona wins 23-17. This would actually be a pretty good match up. However, Detroit didn’t have a great second half of the season whereas Arizona was consistent throughout.

Denver @ Cincinnati – Cincinnati wins 21-17. Another pretty good match up. However, Denver was 2-6 away from Mile High and as much as Cincinnati underachieved this year, I think they would pull out a win at home.

New Orleans @ Carolina – New Orleans wins 30-16. I’m sorry, but unless Jake Delhomme is QB, I can’t take Carolina too seriously. Even then it's a stretch, especially with David Carr’s white gloves somewhere in the stadium.

All in all nothing too big happens, unless you count the Saints beating the Panthers in Carolina a big event and I do not.

Divisional Playoffs

Cincinnati @ Cleveland – Cleveland wins 34-27. Yes, Cincinnati beat Cleveland in Week 16, but I doubt it would happen again, especially in a ‘playoff.’

New Orleans @ Philadelphia – Philadelphia wins 27-20. If Reggie Bush were healthy, I might have taken New Orleans, but he’s not… so I won’t.

Buffalo @ Houston – Houston wins 27-17. I have nothing logical to say for this one except that if they actually played, I think Houston would win.

Arizona @ Minnesota – Minnesota wins 30-20. Jackson/Peterson/Taylor > Warner/Edge.

Again, nothing too big happens, really.

Conference Championships

Houston @ Cleveland – Cleveland wins 26-17. Cleveland beat Houston during Week 12. They would also do so here, I think.

Minnesota @ Philadelphia – Philadelphia wins 23-20. Philly actually beat Minnesota in Week 8 and I consider them a better team. I did think for a while about this one, though.

No surprises, unless you think Houston would have beat Cleveland. I did not though, so there you go.

Runner Up Super Bowl

Philadelphia @ Cleveland (in Hawaii) – Philadelphia wins 27-24 in OT. This one could have gone either way, but I think Joe Johnson’s blitzing schemes would confuse Derick Anderson enough for the Eagles to win by a field goal in OT.

THE NFL RUNNERS-UP TOURNAMENT WINNER: PHILADELPHIA EAGLES

NFL Divisional Round Preview: Part 1

The NFL Divisional Playoffs, one of the best weekends of the year. Two days chock full of pure football goodness. Not to mention, after it’s all over – we still have next week’s conference championships! This preview will have two parts: Part 1 will deal with Saturday’s games, while Part 2 will deal with, yup; you guessed it – Sunday’s games.

Seattle Seahawks @ Green Bay Packers (Saturday 4:30 EST on FOX)

This is of course the first playoff rematch since the “We’re going to get the ball and we’re going to score” comment by Matt Hasselbeck in 2003. As we all know, Al Harris ended that game with a pick-six.

This time around the Packers are the NFC North champions, one of the hottest teams in the league and have the number two offense in the NFL. The Seahawks are the champions of a weak NFC West, but are coming off an emotional win in the wild card round and have some key veteran playoff experience.

As with most games, there are going to be many keys to this match up. One of which is Ryan Grant and if the playoff pressures will get to him. I’ve since been convinced that he’s a good running back (especially after taking Priest Holmes over him for my final FA pickup thus extending my fantasy losing streak) and I think he’ll continue his fantastic season in this game.

Another key is going to be whether or not Deion Branch plays. By all accounts, he should, but the question is going to be how healthy will he be on Saturday?

Also, don’t forget: This game is being played on the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field. Sorry Seahawks fans, but I’m going to have to take the Pack in this one. Get rid of that Shaun Alexander character and you should do much better next year.

Prediction: Green Bay 30 Seattle 24

Jacksonville Jaguars @ New England Patriots (Saturday 8:00 EST on CBS)

This is another playoff rematch game. The last time the Jags and Pats met in the playoffs was during a Wild Card match up in 2005. It wasn’t much of a game, though, with the Patriots spanking the Jaguars 28-3 in Foxboro.

This time around the rosters are quite different. The Patriots have proved that they can have a functional rushing game when they need too, while the Jaguars rely on their 149.4 yards rushing average per game to make the game more manageable for quarterback David Garrard.

Like last week’s game, the success of Jacksonville’s rushing attack will be key on two fronts: One, they’ll win the time of possession battle (keeping the ball away from the explosive New England offense) and two, take a bit of pressure off of David Garrard who in his first playoff start last week, threw an uncharacteristic two interceptions.

A lot of people are predicting a Jacksonville upset, but I’m afraid I can’t do the same, although it should be a great game.

Prediction: New England 31 Jacksonville 24