Playoffs,
Giants,
NFC South

 

As the NFL enters the last quarter of its season, who is best suited for a deep playoff run in the months of January and February? The Giants, by all indications look primed for another run at the Lombardi trophy, but will the Plaxico Burress situation hang over like a dark cloud in what has been a reasonably sunny season for the defending champions? Most likely not, with the accession of receiver, Domenik Hixon who had 5 receptions for 75 yards against the Washington Redskins, he will be the best available option for the Giants as they enter their December schedule. Furthermore, second year tight-end, Kevin Boss has solidified himself as an up and coming player in the league. This team has the tools to make a deep run in the playoffs.

The Dallas Cowboys look like they can be a dangerous 5 or 6 seed in the NFC. With Tony Romo back in the fold, it looks like “America’s Team” has not lost a step on both sides of the ball. However, they must stay healthy if they are to make any noise in the playoffs. Furthermore, with reinstatement of Adam Jones on the roster, will he have any impact on the outcome of the Cowboys season? He will depending on the physical game shape he is in. Just remember, when he was with the Tennessee Titans, he made a critical interception against the New York Giants which resulted in a game winning touchdown for the Titans. He has the potential, but he needs to translate it onto the football field.

In the NFC South, in what has been considered the most quietest competitive division in the NFL where the Saints are in last place with a record of 6-6. It will be awful that only 1 maybe 2 NFC South teams will make it in as a wild card entrant. The questions begs should the NFL expand their playoff format to include 8 teams? The answer is, it will dilute the playoff product, thus, staying at 6 playoff teams per conference is the best option available since you have the best in the playoffs. I think when the owners and NFLPA goes back to the negotiation table in 2010, the discussion might heat up for an expansion of playoff seeds.   

The Arizona Cardinals are proving why they will not last long in the playoffs as they were thoroughly dominated by an underachieving Eagles team destined to be out of the playoffs for the third time in four years. Unless the Cardinals can miraculously run the table and finish in the top-2 of the NFC, they will have a future date with a cold weather team, hello New York Giants. It is obvious that Cardinals are not adept to temperatures below the freezing point since they do play in a dome stadium, and where in the Phoenix area at this time of year, the temperatures can go in the high 20s. The Cardinals have the potential to be dominant in the ever weak NFC West division, but before they can be considered in the upper echelon of the NFL, they will have to gain their respect by winning on the road in the cold.   

By the way, has anyone noticed that the 4 out of the top-5 NFL rushers are from the NFC, Adrian Peterson (1311 yards), Clinton Portis (1288 yards), Michael Turner (1208 yards), Thomas Jones (1088 yards), and Matt Forte (1012 yards) this is a testament to the NFC where the bulk of premier NFL quarterback passers are in this conference, led by Matt Ryan, Tony Romo, Kurt Warner, and Eli Manning.

In the AFC, it’s a different story. It seems that the Matt Cassel franchise quarterback talk has come to crashing halt as the Steelers inflicted a heavy dose of blitzes that Cassel has not seen since his high school playing days. If the Patriots are to qualify for the playoffs they will need the likes of Randy Moss and their run game to be more dominant. Once again Moss reverted back to being “Kasper” the ghost during Sunday’s pummeling. He dropped too many balls, and it seems when the weather conditions are not ideal to his liking, and the game is out of hand, Moss tends to go on cruise control.

The Indianapolis Colts are starting to regain their old form that made them dominant the last 5 years. Even with injuries to Bob Sanders, and Gary Brackett, the MVP race has to include the Michelangelo of our time, quarterback, Peyton Manning. It was a rough start early in the season as Manning (who was recovering from knee surgery) was trying to find his grove with his receivers. But now we are seeing the vintage Manning that has made him the most dominant player of this decade. Even though the AFC South reign will come to an end for the Colts, they will be tough out for whoever faces them during wild card weekend.   

Percentages%

8%, that New Orleans Saints quarterback, Drew Brees will win the NFL MVP race, however, it did not help his cause as he threw 2 interceptions in the Saints last 2 drives in their loss against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

10%, that the Detroit Lions will go 0-16. Their win might come and I emphasized the “might”, against the Minnesota Vikings.

12%, that Georgia Bulldogs teammates Matt Stafford, and Knowshon Moreno will opt for the NFL Draft and will be the first 2 selections in late April.

15%, that San Diego Chargers general manager, wished he had franchised running-back and former Charger, and current Atlanta Falcon, Michael Tunrer who sliced and diced his way through the Chargers vanilla defense for 120 yards on Sunday.

20%, that the San Diego Chargers will retain Norv Turner as head coach.

25%, that Philadelphia Eagles quarterback, Donovan McNabb is under center for them in 2009.