The offseason got off to a big start for the Broncos this week. There are plenty of opportunities to share your thoughts in some of the other blogs and many of you have already done that.
As for me, I’m going to focus on the playoffs over the next few weeks. I’ll break down the upcoming games, make my predictions and hopefully get yours as well.
AFC WILD CARD PLAYOFFS
NEW YORK JETS 23, INDIANAPOLIS 20
The Colts are not what they used to be. Certainly injuries have played a part in that. And those injuries have put a serious dent into Indianapolis’ high-octane offense. Tight end Dallas Clark: out. Wide receiver Austin Collie: done. Running back Joseph Addai: Just coming back after missing half the season.
And the Colts expect to win a playoff game against the Jets? Come on. It won’t happen.
I’m not a huge fan of the Jets’ offense. Mark Sanchez hasn’t shown the ability to put the team on his back. And now his shoulder is, at least, sore.
But the Jets can run the ball, to the tune of 148.4 yards per game, fourth-highest in the NFL during the regular season. That will be a great match-up against the Colts’ porous run defense, which ranks 25th by surrendering 127 yards per game.
It just doesn’t add up for Indy. The Jets win on the road and move on.
BALTIMORE 17, KANSAS CITY 13
The Chiefs’ turnaround this year has been admirable. In fact, it has been down right impressive. But hold the phone just a minute. The Ravens are darn good. You don’t win 12 games by mistake.
While the Ravens’ defense has slipped some, it is still really good. They allow an average of 16.9 points per game (third-best in the NFL), 93.9 rushing yards per game (5th) and 318.9 yards of total offense per game (10th).
One can spin stats many different ways but no matter how you look at it, those are indicative of a top-notch defense. In my opinion, it is a defense that will be able to do enough to at least slow down the NFL’s best rushing attack. Kansas City averages 164.2 yards per game on the ground.
As tough as it is to face the Chiefs at Arrowhead Stadium, the Ravens won’t be intimidated. This is their type of game. The Ravens get it done but it won’t be a work of art.
NFC WILD CARD PLAYOFFS
NEW ORLEANS 37, SEATTLE 6
Really, is there any analysis needed of this game? For a road team, the Saints get the best playoff draw in the history of the NFL. We’ll hear the Saints offer up their best Lou Holtz speech about how dangerous the Seahawks are.
Don’t believe a word of it.
The Seahawks are bad. They have a bad record in a horrendous division. 7-9 in the NFL West? For that, the Seahawks get to host a playoff game. Enjoy it while it lasts, because it won’t be for long.
One and done for the Seabirds. The Saints march on. Expect it to get ugly. Really ugly.
GREEN BAY 30, PHILADELPHIA 24
This is an intriguing first round match-up. Green Bay won the regular season meeting, 27-20, at Lincoln Financial Field. I know, that was way back on September 12, the first game of the year.
I go back and forth on this one. On the one hand, I love the Packers’ offense. With quarterback Aaron Rodgers back, the Packers are a threat to go deep into the postseason, even though the running game is somewhat suspect.
On the other hand, I like the playmaking ability of Eagles’ quarterback Michael Vick, even though he is coming off a game against the Vikings in week 16 in which he lost two fumbles, threw an interception and was sacked six times.
Defensively, both teams have been at least solid, with moments of great play and moments to forget.
In a close match-up such as this, I’ll take the better quarterback. That would be Aaron Rodgers of the Packers. The Pack Attack is back, at least for the first round of the playoffs.
I know, I’m going out on a limb by taking all four road teams to win this week. I think, however, the road teams are the better teams. And the better team usually wins in the playoffs.
What are your predictions? I’d love to have you share them. Thanks for reading and enjoy the games this weekend.
Best,
Mike
Tags: 2011, Baltimore Ravens, Green Bay Packers, Indianapolis Colts, Kansas City Chiefs, Mike Rice, New Orleans Saints, New York Jets, NFL playoffs, Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks, Wild Card Weekend
That’s what in you guys’ circle is called a war, right BB&R, haha.
I wonder How Perry Fewell`s interview went today?
we don`t need the best CB in the world, we need a top-flite passrusher, first and foremost, PERIOD!!
The best thing about this rainy day in Nawlins is seeing the Chiefs get served! Now tomorrow night we get to watch a guy that might be our 1st pick of the 2011 draft.
standoftds, we still have the best CB in the world with us..we just need a number 2.. lol.
There is a video on the homepage with Fewell talking about Denver
I want to sign Champ, thats for sure. But it will be impossible to sign the both. It`s not gonna happen. Not in a million years.
Coach Eric is interviewing right now!
yea no doubt, its not going to happen…its just fantisizing..aha..
I’m usually way off, but I predict Vick plays terrible and the Eagles get blown out!
Come on G.B.!!
how bout capers from greenbay as a hc. defense all the way with that guy
This is shaping up to be an interesting game. If Jackson is out then it’ll be a huge blow to the Eagles.
Very impressed with what I heard from Mr. Fewell. Sounds like he has the right attitude to fit in here. I have to say we have a strong list of candidates.
It was cool for the Broncos to release a video showing this process. Not sure if many teams would do such a thing. Allows the fans a bit of an inside look into what is happening with the team.
Off to work. Later Guys.
Video of Studesville is up now
Put that one in the archives, just joking.
BTW, it seems as if everyone is there in those interviews but Pat Bowlen?
And I’m loving every single minute of watching Vick losing and making dejected faces, I hope it lasts for one more quarter and it will be a perfect ending to a great football weekend!
MANDIEGO….
It seems as if Elway and the rest of the organization are starting to give fans more of whats going on inside the organization, something that DEFINITELY lacked when McDaniels was here!! I am loving how open they are being to their fans and are opening up and showing us what’s happening on the inside!!
I was worrying about Bowlen too bay
In your face Vick, one and out, just like I thought, thank you from all the dog lovers out there!
darn it. better luck next year vick. see you guys in the super bowl lol. Man i really wanted vick to make it
yea yea bay…at least he is one of the few NFL players that has payed for is crime…stalworth killed a man, got a way with it, ray lewis killed a man, got a way with it. VIck kills dogs, goes to jail for years….life of a dog apparently is worth more than that of a man….
Yeah boss, he obviously is starting to pull back from the front line more and more, Ellis is now the President so in essence Bowlen is just in ownership anymore without a need or want to be involved in day to day operations, his memory has been reported to be a concern of late and I noticed his speech was not all that smooth in the Elway press conference, a little bit broken up and slurry, there are obviously some health issues holding him back a bit and he has earned it to take a seat back, I have absolutely no problem with that, he can still tell what he wants done behind the scenes but he has chosen not to do it in public anymore. He is probably listening to every word of the interviews and will say his peace about it afterwards in closed doors to Elway, Ellis and Xanders is how I imagine it all goes down.
vick had a good run..always next year
I have always had dogs, they are completely helpless creatures completely depending on man, no way you’ll ever succeed in arguing that it’s better than hurting people bit with me, this is a heinous crime against helpless creatures, a low life way to live, making money on man’s best friends and disposing of them when they no longer can make you money, and the guy was a multi millionaire to start with, this was utterly disgusting human behavior to me. And I can’t believe that you of all people who religiously follow church and everything that goes along with it can even start to discard something like that just because the guy has football talents. I know he paid for his crimes and we are taught to forgive, however stuff like that I can never forget, just me. But we are all different so whatever makes it all work for you, I don’t hold it against you and I am just tickled to death that he is no longer on my TV screen for the rest of the playoffs.
We`ve known for some time now that Mr. Bowlen has been having some memory lapses. Mostly short term from what I hear. Mr. Bowlen, You are in my prayers. I hope things get better for you.
Woo Hoo!!! Just like I thought, Chefs went down and got creamed in the process. Even if they had won, no way they would’ve made it past the Steelers let alone the Pats if it came down to that. And glad to see GB win. Have a soft spot for that team, was my dad’s team (even without old man Favre).
Wow, and for once you (baylin) and me actually agree on something 100%, regarding Vick and the disgusting things he did to those dogs. Never thought I’d see this day. lol
Now lets set up a interview with Gregg Williams.
vick can suck it. I have never liked him. I also think Philly is one of my least favorite cities in the nation. So suck it Philly!!!!
After seeing Bates out coach Williams yesterday i don’t want us to interview him
It is indeed the approach to want misfortune on a franchise due to the illegal, immoral and despicable actions of a player… In light of knowing that Mike Vick would have not spent prison time if indeed not for the financial support he gave, I applaud those who will not forget his actions. Forgiving and forgetting are two very distinctly separate entities. Domestic violence against women and children is in my unforgettable consciousness. We had players in this organization that were known for domestic violence and was even a topic of discussion in the locker room.
I think Bates will be a hot HC canadate in a year or two after haveing the #2 O in Denver and them totally ripping apart Williams D yesterday.
About Williams:
The Saints D ranks 3rd in total D in the league, 3rd against the pass and 3rd against the run also!!!! And has anyone already forgotten Williams’ D defeated Peyton Manning in last year’s SB?
This was just one game and nobody on the coasching staff had that team ready to play starting with the HC.
It was the very defintion of a trap game, it happens to the best of them…
Everyone would be well served to keep that loss in the proper perspective and I am sure our executives aren’t going to make the rush judgements that you guys are making over one game…
The Fewell video was a good watch and not just because I heard “trickle down” being said.
Trap game definition: Playing a 7-9 team in the playoffs, haha.
The videos being shown before the interviews is a brilliant move to re connect with the fan base. It gives us a chance to make a connection with the coach. Just another great sign that proper change is being instituted in regards to PR.
Elway said at his press conference that priority #1 was to reconnect with the fans through transparency and unlike McD who was a snake and I didn’t believe a word of what he said I happen to believe everything Elway says so all this I appreciate a whole bunch but it comes as no surprise to me, we are just starting to do what Elway said we would, and it could help if I could actually watch these videos, they keep shutting on and off on me. Are they working fine with you guys?
That game gives great ammunition to doubts about Williams, warranted or not. Just as some will point out the fact that the Giants D, all but crumbled at the end of the season under Fewell’s command is a distinctive insight to his abilities.
Comcast is a horrible for me. Are you getting videos in the browser or as a pop up?
If it is in a pop up, if, you click away from the video in anyway including, turning up the volume, it will close… Also most anti virus software will automatically close it due to looking at it as a threat.
If it is in the browser, then just refresh the page, could be a temporary bandwith issue.
It`s up to the players to make the plays. Fewells defense is more than capable to get the job done. All year they`ve had a great game plan. It`s obvious you want a offensive minded HC.
anytime, i am attempting at watching a BTV video, i open it, pause it and do something else until the streaming is complete.
If we all go by one game then the game SD lost badly against Cincinnati, the one that got them eliminated from the Division title race, tells us Rivera should be totally set aside, same with Dennison, same with EVERYBODY!
Ok, I’m going to try that.
Yep! All excuses. Your going to have to come up with something better than that.
So what you mean is we need to wait to see who wins the SB and hire their Coordinators? LOL.
I don`t aven feel good about Dom Capers. All I`ve seen out of him as HC is he doe`s good in the regular season but then folds in the playoffs.
that goes without saying… not one of my “wanted” HC’s has been a D minded individual. I stated that “some” people would point out. I don’t fault Fewell for the downside and never said as such. Just as I don’t look at that Seattle game as a true analysis of what Williams is capable of as a DC. If he became our next HC so be it, It is at this time, he does not fit with what I personally would like to see in our HC. I make arguments for and against my opinions. Many arguments are greater than mine, but that does not therefore render my opinion less worthy in and of itself.