NFL Playoff Previews; Day 1
New Orleans at Seattle
When you first look at this match-up, the defending Super Bowl Champs against a 7-9 team that somehow won the division, you think that this game is over before it starts. Add in the fact that New Orleans defeated 7-9 Seattle 34-19 in the regular season just makes the winner seem obvious.
But then again, New Orleans is without running backs Pierre Thomas and Chris Ivory, QB Drew Brees has thrown 20+ interceptions and may be without star wideout Marques Colston. While Seattle has a defense ready to stun New Orleans.
However, even with that I don't like Seattle's chances. Matt Hasselbeck and Charlie Whitehurst have combined to throw 14 TD's and 20 interceptions, while Seattle's running backs haven't quite showed up yet. If Seattle wants to win, Marshawn Lynch must step up.
Plus, Seattle's leading receiver has only caught 2 touchdowns and their second leading receiver only has 30 receptions. In addition, blitzing Hasselbeck and/or Whitehurst should make them vulnerable and force Lynch to play the game of his life.
I don't see that happening, and I think Drew Brees will step up and lead New Orleans to a victory It will be 10-6 at the half, but Drew Brees steps up in half 2 and leads the Saints to a 31-13 victory.
New York Jets at Indianapolis
Last year when these 2 teams met, the Jets tried to blitz Peyton Manning and force one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL into making bad decisions. It didn't work, and the end result was a 30-17 Colts win.
This year Manning has thrown 17 interceptions and he had the Colts at 6-6 with just 4 games to go. However, he has led them on a 4 game win streak and he has the Colts in the playoffs with a rematch of last year's AFC Title game.
LaDainlian Tomlinson has 914 rushing yards and 6 rushing touchdowns, helping New York secure a spot in the playoffs. The Jets have Mark Sanchez at quarterback, but he cannot throw interceptions or Indianapolis has a second round date with Pittsburgh locked up.
The best strategy for the Jets would either be to try the blitz again or play pass coverage and try to get a big play in the secondary. If New York executes their defensive plan, Joseph Addai and Donald Brown both need to step up or Indianapolis may be upset.
I think Sanchez will play a good game, LaDainlian Tomlinson will run for 90 yards, the Jets will execute their defensive plan and a last-second field goal will help them stun the Colts 20-17 and play New England in the second round of the playoffs.
When you first look at this match-up, the defending Super Bowl Champs against a 7-9 team that somehow won the division, you think that this game is over before it starts. Add in the fact that New Orleans defeated 7-9 Seattle 34-19 in the regular season just makes the winner seem obvious.
But then again, New Orleans is without running backs Pierre Thomas and Chris Ivory, QB Drew Brees has thrown 20+ interceptions and may be without star wideout Marques Colston. While Seattle has a defense ready to stun New Orleans.
However, even with that I don't like Seattle's chances. Matt Hasselbeck and Charlie Whitehurst have combined to throw 14 TD's and 20 interceptions, while Seattle's running backs haven't quite showed up yet. If Seattle wants to win, Marshawn Lynch must step up.
Plus, Seattle's leading receiver has only caught 2 touchdowns and their second leading receiver only has 30 receptions. In addition, blitzing Hasselbeck and/or Whitehurst should make them vulnerable and force Lynch to play the game of his life.
I don't see that happening, and I think Drew Brees will step up and lead New Orleans to a victory It will be 10-6 at the half, but Drew Brees steps up in half 2 and leads the Saints to a 31-13 victory.
New York Jets at Indianapolis
Last year when these 2 teams met, the Jets tried to blitz Peyton Manning and force one of the best quarterbacks in the NFL into making bad decisions. It didn't work, and the end result was a 30-17 Colts win.
This year Manning has thrown 17 interceptions and he had the Colts at 6-6 with just 4 games to go. However, he has led them on a 4 game win streak and he has the Colts in the playoffs with a rematch of last year's AFC Title game.
LaDainlian Tomlinson has 914 rushing yards and 6 rushing touchdowns, helping New York secure a spot in the playoffs. The Jets have Mark Sanchez at quarterback, but he cannot throw interceptions or Indianapolis has a second round date with Pittsburgh locked up.
The best strategy for the Jets would either be to try the blitz again or play pass coverage and try to get a big play in the secondary. If New York executes their defensive plan, Joseph Addai and Donald Brown both need to step up or Indianapolis may be upset.
I think Sanchez will play a good game, LaDainlian Tomlinson will run for 90 yards, the Jets will execute their defensive plan and a last-second field goal will help them stun the Colts 20-17 and play New England in the second round of the playoffs.
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