Blitzburgh Pick’em: Wild Card Weekend

The regular season is over and the playoffs are finally here. The Pittsburgh Steelers have a first round bye, so this week at Blitzburghblog.com we will be focusing on the 4 games this Wild Card Weekend…and see who we think will be playing in the Super Bowl. (We know it’s early…but what the hell)

Jump for our thoughts and predictions… 

New Orleans Saints @ Seattle Seahawks:

Matt:

This is the first of two disappointing match ups this weekend. I don’t think this will be much of a game this weekend, but you have to love the Saints all week about not looking ahead of this game. Now normally I do think the week-to-week approach is the right way to go about the NFL schedule, but if there is ever a time to get some of your coaches to start pulling tape on the Falcons and the Bears…this is the time.

I know there is nothing automatic in the playoffs, and Seattle is the home team in a very loud building…but this game should be no problem for the Saints. The New Orleans Saints are still the World Champions till someone knocks them out…and it won’t be this weekend.

Brian:

New Orleans has a bye week.

George:

Let’s see…Seattle is one of the worst playoff teams of all time (ranked 30th in DVOA). Who should I pick to win this game? Well, Seattle is third in the league in special teams DVOA, and second in kick return points, so if Leon Washington takes a couple kickoffs back to the house…nah, go with the Saints.

Bam:

Saints win. But closer than everybody thinks. 

New York Jets @ Indianapolis Colts:

Matt:

This is a very interesting game, and not only because it will have huge implications for whom the Steelers play next. This game features two teams that can’t be more different.

On one side you have the soft spoken, but confident Indianapolis Colts. They somehow always find a way to be playing their best football by the time the playoffs roll around, and this year is no different. Peyton Manning has been on fire recently, and has really willed this team into the playoffs. Their running attack isn’t great, but anytime you have to worry about the passing attack of Manning…there are bound to be some exposed running lanes.

The other side of the field you have the loud and cocky New York Jets. I know in a city where you need to compete for your fan’s attention it might help having that “in your face” attitude, and a team should be confident they could win any game. But there was no reason for Rex Ryan to blab on season (and even before the season began) that his team would play in the Super Bowl. This team does have some outstanding offensive and defensive playmakers, but they all seem to have one thing in common…they under-achieve. Looking at this team on paper, they look great but I just don’t trust Mark Sanchez…maybe it was my hatred for him on a collegiate level, but I don’t think he is ready to lead this team to the Super Bowl…yet.

This will be a great game, but in the end a phenomenal game by Peyton Manning gives them the ticket to Pittsburgh.

Brian:

Obviously the closer of the two AFC match ups, I have faith that Indy will beat the New York Jets. I’ve never been sold on the Jets as true contenders, while the Colts will always be in the running with Manning at QB. It’ll be a tight game, especially with all the injuries to the Colts (Who’s Blair White?) but when the chips are down, I always put my money on Manning.

George:

The result will mainly depend on how well or poorly the Jets play, as they have one of the highest variances in DVOA (23.9%) in the NFL. Special teams will be a factor as well.

Bam:

Colts win. Peyton Manning is tough at home no matter who is receivers are and there’s no way I’m betting for Mark Sanchez in a playoff game regardless of last year.

Baltimore Ravens @ Kansas City Chiefs:

Matt: 

This is the second of the two disappointing games, in my opinion. I think the Raven run and pass all over the Kansas City Chiefs. I am very impressed with the Chiefs improvement this year, but there is no way they beat the Ravens.

Brian:

This game shouldn’t even be worth talking about. The Ravens are going to stroll through Kansas City for an easy win.

George:

The Ravens have one of the top defenses in the league, and they have the first chance to stop KC’s rushing attack. The Chiefs’ defense is worse vs. the run, so look for Ray Rice to have a good game.

Bam:

Ravens win. In my book, they are one of the top 5 teams in the whole league, easily. Nice year for Kansas City though. 

Green Bay Packers @ Philadelphia Eagles:

Matt:

I think this will be the closest game of the weekend. Philadelphia’s explosive offense clashes against the dominating defense of the Packers. Rodgers and the Packers come in off the must win game, that really wasn’t much of a game. They seem to be clicking on all cylinders right now.

Meanwhile the Philadelphia Eagles look to have peaked a little too early, and now seem to be coming back down to earth. This is still a solid team that can score on any play whether they run or throw the ball, but I think their reason for getting to the playoffs…Michael Vick, will also be their downfall.

I see the Packers blitzing Vick, and forcing turnovers. Philadelphia keeps it close, but in the end…it will be the Packers Defense that secures the win.

Brian:

This should be the most exciting match up of the weekend. The Eagles are explosive on offense, but Clay Matthews and the Packers defense can probably keep pace. For me, this game hinges on Vick. If he’s healthy and plays the whole game, I thing the Eagles pull out a close win. But if he can’t go or if he gets too banged up by the defense (a definite possibility) I’m not betting Kevin Kolb to beat the Green Bay secondary.

George:

In terms of team ability, this is the most evenly matched game of the week. The Eagles should win due to home field, and the Packers’ poor kickoffs, but a big defensive play could swing this game the other way. 

Bam:

Packers win. Andy Reid is bound to make a few terrible coaching decisions and the Mike Vick train is running off the tracks.

STAFF PICKS
Congratulations Bam! Bam won our first annual regular season pick ‘em. 

With all the excitement of the playoffs beginning, I couldn’t help already thinking about the Super Bowl. I think every NFL fan out there has already starting think of possible playoff scenarios. Personally, I have already run through every possible match-up, from “safe” picks (New England vs. Atlanta), to trendy picks (Baltimore vs. Green Bay), ridiculous picks (Seattle vs. Kansas City), and even my dream match up (Pittsburgh vs. Philadelphia). I asked all the writers, whom they see in the Super Bowl right now…and here is what we all think.

(Don’t hold us to any of these picks…anything can happen in the playoffs.)

Brian:

I don’t really see any way the New England Patriots don’t win the Super Bowl. If the AFC games go as I’ve predicted, the AFC’s final four will be among the toughest groups of teams I’ve ever seen in one playoff bracket. It’s going to be quite the battle to see who can last until then end, but I’m picking the Patriots, just like every other pundit in the galaxy. As for the NFC champion, anyone really has a shot to make it (Except Seattle, obviously). I guess I’d wager on the Saints if I had to pick, but believe me, I’m rooting for the Seahawks to actually go on and win. 11-9 could be the new 18-1.

George:

NE over PHI As much as I want to pick the Steelers, New England is the best team right now, and they have home field advantage. It’ll take an upset for someone else to beat them at any point in the playoffs.

Bam:

New England over Green Bay. The Pats defense is bound to struggle at least a little bit during these playoffs, but I can’t say the same thing about the offense. The way the NFL is officiated now, it is nearly impossible to defend against short and intermediate passes which the Pats have perfected. If New England’s strength was in any other facet of the game, I’d like Pittsburgh coming out of the AFC but I just don’t see it happening this year. 

Matt:

I said it this pre-season, and I am sticking with my gut. I think the Super Bowl will be our Pittsburgh Steelers vs. the Green Bay Packers. The Packers are hot right now, and the Defense is scary. They need Rodgers to win, but if he (and the rest of the Packers) stays healthy…they get to the Super Bowl. The Steelers pick was obviously a pre-season wish, but every Steelers fan has to be thinking…it could happen. I think the Steelers have the edge on every AFC team, other than New England. If my wild card predictions are correct, Steelers would host Indy while New England would host Baltimore. If Baltimore somehow wins that game…and the Steelers stay healthy, I think the Steelers get to the Super Bowl. If the AFC Championship is Patriots vs. Steelers, I have to give the Patriots the slight edge. But this is Wild Card Weekend, so for right now I’m picking Steelers vs. Packers…it could happen.