The Chargers were my Super Bowl pick for the AFC back in August. Right now that looks very solid as the Chargers are the second seed in this year’s playoffs and the only team ahead of them pose little threat to the Bolts. The Chargers are the Colts kryptonite, and everybody knows it. They can beat the Colts anywhere and perhaps the NFL’s most talented team can finally come through and win something important.
The Patriots are very vulnerable now only being the third seed in the playoffs and without one of their most valuable players in Wes Welker. He will be the new poster boy when it comes to resting players with nothing on the line. His underneath routes will be missed and the Patriots will have a tougher time with the Ravens making up for his loss. Julian Edelman, a college QB, will be called upon to fill the void. Tom Brady has been playing with broken ribs and a broken finger on his throwing hand. As he turns 33, his body is starting to show the wear and tear of a ten year NFL career. I can see the Patriots losing this weekend, and even more likely the next weekend against the top seeds. The dynasty is over.
The Colts have to be rusty after taking three weeks off between meaningful playing time. They may be healthier but they should have played their starters so they don’t get off to a slow start in their first playoff game. Plus passing up a chance at perfection isn’t fair, to the fans, to the players and to the coaches who have worked so hard. After the troubles they have had in the playoffs, I thought they would have learned better by now.
The Bengals have gone through too much. The loss of a teammate and a family member and the losses on the field are starting to pile up. Unless their offense can really put it together, they may lose to the Jets the first week.
I don’t think the Jets or Ravens are very good and stumbled their way into the playoffs. The Raven’s defense and running game always makes them dangerous and they have the experience. The Jets have a rookie QB but an excellent defense and could make some early noise. The AFC isn’t as deep as the NFC this season but the top three teams are just as good in each league. But that is why they play the games.
You're speaking out of both sides of your mouth. At one point you say, "Plus passing up a chance at perfection isn’t fair, to the fans, to the players and to the coaches who have worked so hard." then you say "He will be the new poster boy when it comes to resting players with nothing on the line."
ReplyDeleteThe goal is not PERFECTION. The goal is winning the Super Bowl. If Manning or Wayne got hurt in Game 15 or 16, this wouldn't even be a conversation.
When the Patriots were playing, nothing was on the line. Perfection or playoffs positioning wasn't riding on a win or loss. For the Colts, perfection was. And because I think he will be a poster boy doesn't mean I agree with it, just that people will bring it up when talking about the matter. It isn't fair to players to pass up a chance at something that hasn't been done since 1972. I count perfection as something on the line and wish the Colts would have played their starters.
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