PLAYOFFTOWN, U.S.A. – Yesterday started the greatest time of the year for NFL fans (except for Bills fans like me, that is.) The Playoffs are underway and for the 13th straight season the Buffalo Bills are not included (maybe next year.) Speaking of dubious distinctions, my regular season NFL Picks For Rugby Heads finished just above .500, with a record of 28-27. Now I’m looking for something something better; a perfect post season of predictions. You’ll have to trust me that I went 2-0 in last night’s games picking both the Houston Texans over the Cincinnati Bengals and the Green Bay Packers (I have no reason to lie.) For next week’s Saturday predictions however, I will comment on the Saturday blog on RWU in the morning with my predictions for the day’s games. Now on to Sunday’s games, with my Playoff Picks for Rugby Heads:
Indianapolis Colts (11-5) at Baltimore Ravens (10-6): This is it for Ravens middle linebacker Ray Lewis. Lewis announced earlier this week that he will be retiring at season’s end. At the very least, this will be Lewis’ last game at home and possiblyof his game historic 17 year career. On that note, I do not believe this will be the last game for Ray. The Ravens are too good for this young, overachieving Colts team. The return of Ray will bring back what this defense needs, some fear. Colts rookie quarterback Andrew Luck is playing in his first playoff game in his young career and the pressure could be too much for him. Even though Luck and the Colts have the entire country behind them, they just don’t have enough to win. The lack of a running game is going to be the weakness for this team. My Prediction: 31-20 Ravens
Seattle Seahawks (11-5) at Washington Redskins (10-6): This will be the most exciting game of Wild Card weekend. A battle of two rookie quarterbacks, between Seattle’s third round draft pick Russel Wilson and Washington’s first rounder Robert Griffin III. Both of these rookies electrified the NFL this season and will make this game a fun one to watch. The X-Factor of this game is the running back duel between Seattle’s Marshawn Lynch and Washington’s Alfred Morris. Both backs are having great seasons, but Lynch’s experience will help him succeed. I know the Seahawks are not the same team on the road, but their defense along with Lynch will propel them into the Divisional Round. My Prediction: 24-20 Seahawks
My Super Bowl Prediction for Rugby Heads:
Atlanta Falcons (NFC Number 1 Seed) vs Denver Broncos (AFC Number 1 Seed): What do both of these teams have in common? Two quarterbacks that are having stellar seasons; Atlanta’s Matt Ryan and Denver’s Peyton Manning. A lot of people have doubt in the Falcons because with Coach Mike Smith and Matt Ryan, the Falcons are 0-3 in the playoffs, but remember, those three losses have been to the NFC representative of the Super Bowl. I on the otherhand have faith in the Dirty Birds. On the AFC side, Peyton Manning is having an historic season, one that makes him a great MVP and Comeback Player of the Year candidate. This will be a great match-up. The Falcons feature the best offense in the NFL and the Broncos defense is the second highest in points in fantasy according to ESPN in the NFL. In a rematch of the Week 2 battle in the Georgia Dome Denver wins. The Broncos have improved more than the Falcons since. My Prediction: 27-20 Broncos
