NFL Playoff Outlook

Issue: You failed miserably at that "writing more posts in December" thing, didn't you?

Short Answer: Yes I did.

Reasoning: The holidays are a busy time.  And, when I'm not busy over the holidays, I am very lazy.  Hence the fact that I haven't written a post in over 2 weeks.  I always get ideas, and I even write them down, but then time passes, and I miss my window to write about current events.  No one wants to read a post about an event that happened weeks ago, right?  Plus, blogging (for free, remember) is so easy to put off, and put off, and put off.  Plus, I only have 50+ readers, so there isn't a lot of clamoring going on: "Hey, why hasn't Jason posted on his blog in a while??  I'm really missing reading his posts."  But, I do miss writing sometimes, so, you will have to continue reading...every few weeks or so.

In this post, I will write about, and predict the future of the NFL Playoffs.  How am I qualified to do so?  Well, I'm not, but if an assbag like Chris Berman can do it, then I figure I can too.  But, I will say this: I watch the NFL every weekend, and not just the games on TV.  I follow every game because I am addicted to fantasy football, which also means I am reading about the NFL the other 6 days of the week.  I also won 2 of the 3 fantasy football leagues I was in this year (yes, that is just a shameless plug for me being the best fantasy player on the planet), so, I'm pretty good at this stuff.  Anyway, without further ado, my opinion on the NFL Playoffs:

THE NON-CONTENDERS

• DENVER BRONCOS - Not only do they have to play Pittsburgh in the first round, their quarterback sucks, terribly.  Tim Tebow finds a way to will his team to victory sometimes, but he has no idea how to lead his team to victory the way he should, by playing quarterback.  I wrote about him earlier, and I refuse to bash him like others do, but, alas, he blows.  The Broncos will get embarrassed in round 1.
• ATLANTA FALCONS - Wait, they made the playoffs?  Don't they suck?  Yes, they do.  Matt Ryan was the biggest quarterback fantasy bust of the year (except for when I played him in the first round of the playoffs, and he threw for 4 touchdowns), and Michael Turner wasn't his usual self.  Roddy White and Julio Jones are studs, but the Falcons are just an average team with no chance at a Super Bowl.
• DETROIT LIONS - It's nice to see the Lions back in the playoffs, and it was nice of Matt Stafford to single-handedly win me one of my fantasy leagues.  However, the Lions defense couldn't stop my high school's offense right now, and, by the way, they play the Saints in the first round.  At least the Lions will get to start playing golf next week.
• HOUSTON TEXANS - Not only do they start a rookie QB, but he started the year as a third-string rookie QB, BEHIND Matt Leinart.  Ouch.  They did sign Jake Delhomme off of his couch, and he played well Sunday, but, in the end, the Texans just don't have the punch to beat the top teams.
• CINCINNATI BENGALS - This pains me to write, but it's unfortunately true.  As good as Andy Dalton has been this year, a rookie QB just can't take a team like this to the Super Bowl.  I do think we beat the Texans in the first round, but we don't have the offensive power to score with the Patriots, nor the defensive power to stop them.  I can tell you this though - the Bengals are contenders for the next decade.  There are a lot of good young players on this team, and they will only get better.  Who Dey!

THE TWEENERS

• NEW YORK GIANTS - They have the whole package: a good running game, great receivers, a good quarterback, and a decent defense (they put a lot of pressure on the quarterback).  Remember, they did beat the 18-0 Patriots a few years ago when no one expected them to do anything.  As long as Eli doesn't panic in the pocket and turn the ball over (doubtful at this point), they have a chance to surprise some people.  Remember too that, besides the AFC North, the NFC East is the toughest division in the NFL.  Winning that division is no small feat.  The Giants should be ready to go.  And they get to play the Falcons in the first round.  Might as well have a bye.
• SAN FRANCISCO 49ERS - For two reasons: defense and Jim Harbaugh.  The Niners defense is tough.  Patrick Willis is probably the best linebacker in the NFL.  Jim Harbaugh has Alex Smith believing he is a good quarterback (what can I say, the man is a miracle worker).  I promise you this, no one wants to play this team.  I don't think they can win the Super Bowl, but, at the beginning of the year, no one thought they would even make the playoffs.  Watch out for these guys.
• PITTSBURGH STEELERS - Usually the Steelers would be in the "Contenders" category, but not this year.  Rashard Mendenhall is out.  Ben Roethlisberger is gimpy (and fat and ugly).  The defense is beat up, and James Harrison will probably kill someone soon.  They do get a warm-up game in the first round against the Broncos, which will lead to a game with the Ravens or Patriots, both of whom I think beat the Steelers.  I could be wrong, but I just can't get myself to write about the Steelers as a contender.  I don't want to throw up on my keyboard.

THE CONTENDERS

• NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS - Never has a team with a defense so bad, contended for a Super Bowl.  But, these Patriots can.  Heck, they are the #1 seed in the AFC, so, apparently they are doing something right.  Tom Brady and his offensive weapons (re: Rob Gronkowski, Aaron Hernandez, and Wes Welker) can beat anyone at anytime.  That is, if their defense doesn't give up 100.  I am rooting for them to lose, and lose early (Bengals in round 2????), but it wouldn't surprise me to see them lifting the Vince Lombardi Trophy, once again.
• BALTIMORE RAVENS - Their defense is getting old, but is still the strong suit of their team, and, defense wins championships.  Ray Rice is a great weapon to have, especially when your quarterback pretty much stinks.  I hate the Ravens more than I hate the Steelers, so that is all I am writing.  If they win the Super Bowl I will be pissed.  Really pissed.
• GREEN BAY PACKERS - Duh.  This team is unreal.  Aaron Rogers is already one of the best quarterbacks ever.  I love watching him play.  Their running game isn't great, but, really?  They have Aaron Rogers.  Their receivers are great.  Their defense gives up yards but not points.  The Packers are the team to beat, but, the fact that I still have one team left, means I don't think they win the Super Bowl.  In fact, they may not even get there, because...

THE WINNER

• NEW ORLEANS SAINTS - This team is ridiculous.  Drew Brees is just as good as Aaron Rogers.  Defenses cannot stop the Saints.  Plus, they are a hot team right now.  They are riding high after breaking 6 million NFL records this year.  And, teams that have a first round bye don't do historically well.  The Saints playing in the first round will allow them to stay sharp - perhaps sharper than any of the other teams.  Drew Brees and the Saints will earn their second ring this year, and it will be fun to watch.

There you have it folks!  I have predicted it for you, so there is one thing I can guarantee - it will happen exactly the opposite of the way I said.  That is just the way it goes.  Enjoy the playoffs!!  Who Dey!!