Day 6 of 365
Ah yes, can you feel it in the air? As the briskness of winter guides us along from the excitement of Christmas and the promise of the new year, it is time to bask in the greatness that is the NFL Playoffs. In just 3 short days the 2nd best post season offering of the year will be upon us.
Before I get to the matchups and my predictions, here is how I rank the 5 major post seasons in pro sports and why:
5. NASCAR Chase for the Cup.
NASCAR made the effort to make the last few weeks of the racing season interesting, for the most part. The system of restarting the points with the top 12 drivers gives them something to race to win for. BUT, if Jimmie Johnson wins it again, the quasi-sport will be off my list perminently.
4. NBA
Is there anything that is as anti-climatic that goes on for longer than the NBA playoffs? I mean come on! The damn thing lasts for nearly 2 months, and its been rumored for years that the league tries to do what it can to ensure either the Lakers, Celtics, or whatever team Shaq is on makes it to the finals. If they would simply shorten the openinig round to a best-of-5 series they would be making big improvements.
3. NHL
Ok, so the NHL uses the same basic structure as the NBA does for the playoffs, but there is just something about playoff hockey. Maybe its the playoff beards. Maybe its the INSANE crouds that pack the arenas and cheer wildly the entire game for thier team. And don't look for me to be saying how much of an insult it is for "warm weather" teams to be in the playoffs (go Sharks)
2. NFL
The 4 division format has produced better wild card teams in the past several years, as each year since 2006 a team with a Wild Card game has made it to Super Sunday. The two top teams from each conference earn an extra week off. The biggest issue with the NFL playoffs is the week off between the Conferece championship and the Super Bowl. All it is there to do is build hype, and the game usuall suffers for it.
1. MLB
This one is the one that needs such little change its crazy. Some will say go to four divisions per league and eliminate the Wild Card. but the Wild Card race has been one of the most fericely competitive in all of baseball. The 5 game opening round plays like a sprint. The LCS and World Series have been like chess games at times. I will have to admit though, the World Series has been losing my interest the past few seasons, not for lack of power teams, but its the fact that they have not been competitive. The last 7 game series was in 2002, and well... im not going to talk about it.
As for the playoff matchups in the NFL here we go:
NFC
Green Bay @ Arizona
Green Bay takes this one. Its time for Aaron Rodgers to step up and be the QB he is destined to be.
Philidelphia @ Dallas
As much as i HATE to say it, Dallas has the hot hand and I think they will take this one, which will provide a very interesting Divisional Round game one way or another
New Orleans and Minnesota have byes
AFC
New York Jets @ Cincinnati
I dont think that Mark Sanchez has the chops to be a big game NFL QB yet. Ochocinco and his band of striped football players will take the turf at Paul Brown Stadium and put on the type of airel show that they are accustomed to.
Baltimore @ New England
The Ravens are hot right now, and the Patriots have been on the verge of self destruction for weeks now. This game will mark the offical end to the New England dynasty in the AFC. Sorry Bostonians, it will be the end for both the Sox and the Pats this year.
Well folks, thats it for tonight, see you all later on....
