If last week taught us anything, it's that anything can happen when it comes to the playoffs. In the NFC in Week 17, there were what were effectively 2 playoff games already happening. The Minnesota Vikings had to win to get in, while their opponents, the Green Bay Packers were playing to secure themselves a bye week. Minnesota won, and in a twist straight out of Hollywood, the two teams will meet again this week in the Wildcard round, the Vikings buoyed by their victory.
And while the Packers may have the better record, are the higher seed, and be seen as the better team by many, the momentum is with the Vikings, the team led by the rushing leader and MVP candidate Adrian Peterson. In the two division games between the sides this year, Peterson has 409 yards rushing, two touchdowns and a further receiving touchdown. And despite knowing exactly what he's going to do, the Packers defence - a defence that includes Clay Matthews, BJ Raji and Charles Woodson - cannot figure out a way to stop him. It was Peterson's 27 yard run that set up the winning field goal as time expired a week ago, it was Peterson who ripped the Green Bay defence for an 82 yard touchdown in Week 13 and it was Minnesota who ensured that Green Bay would be playing football this week instead of resting up at home. Christian Ponder was limited in practice this week, but that's almost an irrelevance. The Packers can always rely on Aaron Rodgers, but they have to find a way to stop Peterson.
The regular season series was split 1-1, with both teams winning at home. The Packers were 7-1 at home this year, while the Vikings won just 3 out of 8 on the road. The Vikings haven't won at Lambeau since 2004. But that win was in the NFC Wildcard Round. It's going to be another tough battle of divisional rivals in the playoffs, and it's going to be another great game between the two. The Packers start favourites, but with AD on tap, never count out the Vikings.
The other "pseudo-playoff" game a week ago was the showdown in Landover, where Washington hosted Dallas. The rookie tandem of Robert Griffin III and Alfred Morris tore the Cowboys apart and won the NFC East for the Redskins for the first time since 1999. Their reward, a home playoff game against the 5th seed. Who just happen to be a Seattle Seahawks side who have won more games than they have.
Seattle finished 11-5 for the season, their best mark since going 13-3 and making the Super Bowl in 2005. They went a perfect 8-0 at home and scored 50 points twice. Their third round rookie quarterback Russell Wilson has turned out to be one of the finds and stars of the season, with Marshawn Lynch finding his rushing form again. But going 8-0 at home means they went 3-5 on the road, and stepping into FedEx to face Griffin, Morris and co on a seven game winning streak is going to be no easy game. I do feel that Seattle are the stronger side, but with RG3, the Redskins can never be counted out. Expect a high scoring shootout late on Sunday.
Going into week 17, the playoff teams in the AFC were set. All that was left to figure out was the seedlings. Going into Week 16, Houston were 12-2, and sitting pretty for #1 and home field advantage. They lost to Minnesota, then lost to Indianapolis, finished 12-4 and had thrown away not just home field advantage, but their bye week as well. They go into the playoffs on a 2 game losing streak (where their starters played) and having lost 3 of their final 4. Contrast that with the Bengals who are riding a 3 game win streak, and managed to rest their starters for 3 quarters last week. The Texans should still have enough to beat the Bengals, but momentum has played a big part in Wildcard games in the past.
The final playoff game this weekend is between Baltimore and Indianapolis. It's a funny one because despite being 10-6, the Ravens haven't had a great season. Joe Flacco and Ray Rice have been inconsistent and in Flacco's case, unpredictable. Their defence has been beaten up - Ray Lewis, after being injured for a significant portion of the season has announced he's retiring once the Ravens are eliminated - six of their wins have been by seven points or less, and they've managed to lose five of their last six. The Colts on the other hand have had an 11-5 season, and it's been great. After finishing 2-14 last year, first overall draft pick rookie quarterback Andrew Luck has turned the team around. Despite head coach Chuck Pagano missing a large chunk of the season after being diagnosed with and treated for leukaemia, the Colts won 11 games, including against playoff teams Green Bay, Minnesota and Houston. Luck has made the difference in Indy, and if the ravens don't show up at their best, they will be eaten up by the Colts.
Whatever happens, it's set to be a great weekend of football, with New Orleans on February 3rd firmly in sight!
Saturday Predictions
AFC
#3 Houston over #6 Cincinnati by 7
NFC
#6 Minnesota over #3 Green Bay by 3
Sunday Predictions
AFC
#5 Indianapolis over #4 Baltimore by 6
NFC
#5 Seattle over #4 Washington by 12
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