GOING UP TOP! - The NFL Playoffs

The Postseason is here! For some of us, it means 11 meaningless games whereby those of us lucky enough to have played well this season (and Seattle) slog it out in the background on the hunt for the Vince Lombardi Trophy. For others, myself amongst them, it is potentially the beginning of the path to glory. My Birds (a meaning that has become ambiguous following my 21st birthday party) are in action as part of Wildcard Weekend - 4 games between seeds 3-6 in the NFC and AFC. Let's make like a rapper and break it down:

Game 1: New Orleans @ Seattle - NFC Seeds 4 & 5.
Key matchups:

Reggie Bush vs Lofa Tatupu - Reggie has a lot of work to do with leading rushers Chris Ivory and Pierre Thomas placed on IR this week. Bush has missed a lot of game time this year and when he has hit the gridiron, has not looked as explosive as he can be. Perhaps his Heisman Trophy was like Samson's hair. Tackles machine Tatupu will lead the defense and if he is on best form, will probably stuff the Saints' rush game

Tracy Porter and Jabari Greer vs Mike Williams - make no mistake, the Saints will score points. The only way Seattle can win this game is if they too fire on offense. Williams has bounced back from being previously rubbish to comfortably lead Matt Hasslebeck's receiving corps this season. Porter and Greer are one of the league's premier CB pairings (although the Bengals' pair were voted No.1 at the start of the season - how'd that turn out?) and will need to deal with Williams' physicality and deep threat to prosper

Jon Stinchcomb vs Chris Clemons - the premier Saints O-Lineman faces off against the premier Seahawks D-Lineman. Why is this matchup so crucial? Because if Clemons can overcome Stinchcomb and disrupt Drew Brees, then the damage that the New Orleans offense can do will be severely limited. Do I think this is likely? No. Do I need to stop asking myself questions and then answering them? Yes.

Prediction: Saints at a canter - let's say 31-13.

Game 2: New York Jets @ Indianapolis - AFC Seeds 3 & 6
Key matchups:

Mark Sanchez vs Dwight Freeney - make no mistake, Freeney's ankle injury and subsequent lack of mobility was one of the prime reasons why the Colts were unable to overcome the Saints in last year's Superbowl. However, this year he is primed and ready and faces a much less potent opponent than Drew Brees. Sanchez continues to frustrate, looking every bit the Sanchise one minute and a bit shit the next. He clearly hasn't got the mental fortitude to lead a side to the Superbowl yet. But he might just get the edge over Freeney in this game.

LaDanian Tomlinson vs Joseph Addai - both of these sides are very centred on the pass, the Colts' love of the deep threat longstanding with Peyton Manning under centre, the Jets' dealings more recent in a hope that Sanchez will one day deliver consistently. Both will look to throw plenty tomorrow night. Where the game will be won and lost is how many extra yards each side can be gained on the ground, thus making the play action pass a more viable option for the respective QB. LT has enjoyed a much improved season since moving from San Diego, whilst Addai has spent a fair bit of time on the sidelines, although has found surprising success on occasion. I actually think the Colts may hold the edge here.

Darrelle Revis vs Reggie Wayne - Revis Island. A lonely place to be marooned on. We all know the Jets have talked a load of bullshit all season and haven't really been all they claimed to be but Revis is still a class act. Wayne has looked good in all circumstances this season, pretty much the only man that Peyton has been able to consistently rely on with such a banged up unit this season. He will once again provide options, provided he manages to stick to Antonio Cromartie for most of the evening.

Prediction: J-E-T-S Jets Jets Jets. 24-16. Don't know why, just don't really feel the Colts deserve to be there given how they've played this season. Don't worry, the Jets will be put out by the Patriots next week, Sanchez still unable to push through to the very top!

Game 3: Baltimore @ Kansas City - AFC Seeds 4 & 5
Key matchups:

Joe Flacco vs Matt Cassel - much as I like to avoid Collinsworth-itis and picking both QB's as a matchup, there is no avoiding it with this game. We have Flacco, a man who typifies solidity, with a good arm, good accuracy and good decision-making skills. Nothing flashy, just a very very good player. Much like Cassel, who suddenly has broken out to show exactly what he can do, keeping the interceptions to a minimum and not overstretching his capabilities. Flacco leads the yards, but then has thrown more often. Cassel has 2 more TD's. The difference is that narrow that whoever has the better afternoon could seal the day.

Ray Lewis vs Jamaal Charles - Charles has had a monster year. With 6.4 yards per carry in the backfield, he has led the NFL and has had to share time with Thomas Jones, whilst still rushing for 1467 yards. The O-Line is excellent, and have protected Charles and Jones superbly. Only a top quality defense, led by an absolute maniac could shut them down. Which is exactly what Ray Lewis and the Ravens' D are. Despite having been around seemingly since the Cold War, Lewis has shown no signs of slowing down, still firing up his colleagues and making huge hits himself. Something has to give.

Anquan Boldin vs Dwayne Bowe - You look at the numbers and you go with Bowe. 15 TD's against Boldin's 7. 1162 yards against 837. But - you look at the two separate receiving units and you see that Bowe is really the only option that the Chiefs have. As well as Boldin, the Ravens have Derrick Mason and TJ Houshmanzadeh, more than capable at making plays. But Boldin is that cut above them and will lead Flacco's offense. You can't really call this one.

Prediction: 21-15 Ravens.

Game 4: Green Bay @ Philadelphia - NFC Seeds 3 & 6
Key matchups:

Nick Collins vs DeSean Jackson - D-Jax is the reason Philly are in the playoffs. Without him and THAT punt return against the Giants in the dying seconds, they would have lost and missed out on the NFC East title. He is a serious threat, both on the end-around run and the deep pass - fortunately he has a QB with a big enough arm to find him downfield. He will match up against Pro Bowl safety Collins, who has picked off 4 passes this year, and has a fantastic engine. He will need it against Jackson.

Clay Matthews III vs Michael Vick - the Eagles' O-Line is terrible. Jason Peters got selected to the Pro Bowl on reputation alone. Matthews WILL have opportunities to get to Michael Vick and he will want to hit him hard, just like he did to Kevin Kolb in Week 1 to hand Vick that opportunity which he took so well. His success is dependent upon how elusive Vick can be out of the pocket and whether he is given enough room by his line to fire some big guns to Jackson and Jeremy Maclin.

Chad Clifton vs Trent Cole - a proper scrap between two top linemen which will dictate the success of the Packers' offense. Aaron Rodgers is a great QB who must be protected to allow the Packers to keep up with the dynamic Philly offense. Points will need to be on the board and Clifton has to compete with one of the best pass rushers in the game in Cole. Green Bay has improved in protecting Rodgers, the better passer of the 2 QBs, this season - but Cole will be one of their tougher opponents

Prediction: Eagles in OT. Don't know how many points will be on the board but I reckon it'll be a good game!

RM