*****Note: I had to change my Panthers/Vikings pick due to the injury to Peterson, and the return of Smith. The information I received on those two players was after I posted my picks on 09/16. Thanks***********
With 13 weeks of the NFL in the books, the playoff picture is just about ready to be etched in stone. Three NFC divisions have clinched, 2 of which were no surprise (Dallas in the East and Green Bay in the North) with Seattle winning the West and the NFC South still open because of Tampa Bay’s inability to beat the Texans Sunday. Now Tampa Bay will have to wait one more week since the New Orleans Saints beat the Atlanta Falcons on Monday night. Don’t worry Buc’s fans Tampa will clinch next Sunday. That will leave room for only 2 more teams to hold the 5th and 6th NFC wildcard positions. Who will they be you ask?
This, in my opinion, was one of the easiest decisions I have had to make today. It was harder for me to decide if I should actually wait and post this after tonight’s game to see if the Saint’s actually do win. But then again their playing the Falcon’s and it really doesn’t matter anyway, win or loose, both teams are done for the year.
With that said my fist pick is a no-brainer. The number 5 wildcard position goes to the New York Giants. When they started 0-2 two people began to question the running game or lack there of one. Then they manage to pull off 6 straight wins which put them in a really good position. With key wins against the Redskin’s, Lion’s, Eagle’s, and the Bear’s they solidified a wildcard spot. Even though they have 2 tough games of the remaining three left, look for them to win a least one more. That is assuming the Patriot’s don’t play their starters for the last game of the season. Maybe they pull off two more wins. It will make no difference they are a lock right now anyway. To take this a step further let me say that the Giant’s looked good at times but play a little to inconsistent to make much noise in the playoffs. Look for the Giants to beat Tampa in the first round but lose to Dallas in the second.
My second pick is a little more interesting. My number 6 wildcard position goes to the Minnesota Vikings. With only a 7-6 record they have been playing a lot better in the second half of the season. They have won 4 straight and the defense has stepped up to the challenge. Adrian Peterson has proved he is the next running back to beat. He has become a strong rookie of the year candidate, already a lock and winner in my book. The Vikings are an interesting team, they have improved on both sides of the ball and proved that they are a force to be reckoned with. With 3 more games left against the Bears, Redskins, and Broncos they shouldn’t have much to worry about. If I was a Seattle or Green Bay fan I would be cautious about this team. Even though the Packers have swept the series, this is a much improved team. I think they will beat Seattle in the first round and give the Packers a run for their money in the second round.
I know that there are some Lions, Saints and Cardinals fans not liking my last pick. But unless your team goes 3 and 0 in the next 3 weeks, your not going to make it. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news, but facts are facts.
When the Texans started off the season 2-0 things were looking rather good. Finally, we would have a chance in the hardest division around. The AFC South. But like every good dream you have to wake up and face reality. Injuries were the Texans reality, and they began to take place on a regular basis. What started out so promising, slowly began to fade away. What was once a dream became a nightmare that we couldn't wake up from. With each lose came another injury, and they began to pile up. Most of them at key positions.
To date the Texans have 17 people on the injured list. (9 on offense, 8 on defense) The most in the NFL, but not a record any team would want to be noted for. With that said, the Texans back-ups stepped in to fill the shoes of their fallen teamates. Through the first few games you could see the lack of experience and leadership. We were given a glimpse of the all to familiar Texans of old. Could this be a repeat of what we were used to seeing the previous years? Would we have to wait again and say to ourselves that this is a team being built from the ground up? I don't think so. The back-ups stepped up in a big, big way. They have showed a desire to win and have proven to themselves, to us, that they could do it. The dedication and the heart to win as a team was shown against Tampa Sunday.
Tampa Bay came into Houston with a chance to clinch their division.(without help) and couldn't do it. The Texan's played like they played at the begining of the season, but this time it was with most of their back-ups. This wasn't the Texans of old I was watching, but a much more improved team, that played like a team. Finally! I was the first to write the Texans season off because of all the injuries they have sustained. But when you look back at the positive things that have happened, this is one you could really build off of.
Hello all, my name is P_REZ. I have always been involved in sports. From playing, to coaching, to watching, and betting. I am a native Houstonian. Which means I take Houston sports very seriously! The Astro's, Rocket's, and Texan's (Oiler's) are my favorite Teams! I don't always agree with some of the moves they tend to make (via trades, play calling, moving a franchise) but I do support them. Make no mistake about that! I think I am pretty knowledgeable when it comes to sports. I have written a few blog's and will be writting a lot more in the future (or at least when I think certain things need to be addressed) I'll let you be the judge. So feel free to post a comment on my blog's and let me know what you think. Thanks! T/C until next time......... ..........PEA CE!
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