It's finally here, the NFL's 32 teams have whittled themselves down to the final 12. Who are the favorites going in to Wild Card Weekend? Will the red-hot teams continue their form, or will we at RSS buck the trend of the Week 17 results? What are our thoughts on the latest coaching carosel? Follow me to answer your quest for knowledge!
Big Kielbasa's Game Of the Week - Philadelphia (11-5) @ Dallas (11-5) - Sat 8:00pm
-While the Cowboys have placed their December blues behind them, they'll need to win in the postseason to put images of the recent past (like Tony Romo's blunder above) behind them. At first glance, what matchup could possibly favor the Cowboys more? They just destroyed the Eagles at home in the last week of the season in a game both teams wanted to win. But, historically Andy Reid and Donovon McNabb have proven time and again they can raise their game in the postseason. And taking last week's one-sided affair out of the picture, these two teams are statistically even. The difference will be the revival of the Dallas running game. With Marion Barber and Felix Jones both healthy, they provide a 1-2 punch that is absent in the Philly backfield. In the end, the Cowboys are able to notch their first postseason win since 1996, but just barely. PICK - Cowboys
Beer Brat's Spotlight Game Of the Week - Green Bay (11-5) @ Arizona (10-6) - Sun 4:40pm
The second of three Week 17 rematches occurs in the desert between Green Bay and Arizona. Not surprisingly, Packer hysteria has swept the country as it seems everyone and their grandmother is picking the Packers to win at Arizona, and then to go farther. But, take off those cheese-stained glasses just a second and look at last week again. Did Green Bay beat Arizona with Kurt Warner at QB? No. Did Arizona have anything to play for last week? No. Does Arizona have an even better defense and running game than last year when they went to the Super Bowl? Yes. So even though the Pack are the hottest team in the NFC, the Cardinals are the ones who've been here before.- PICK-Cardinals
Chorizo's Upset Of the Week - Baltimore (9-7) @ New England (10-6) - Sun 1:00pm
-A week ago, this matchup would have been an easy one, the Patriots coming in the #3 seed with an improving defense, poised for another deep run. Then, Wes Welker blew out his knee in Houston. Some will say Welker's mini-me, Julian Edelman, can pick up right where Welker left off. Umm, against the Ravens? Somehow I doubt it. Don't forget how well the Ravens played the Pats in Foxboro on Oct. 4, losing 27-21. And since that early season contest, Baltimore's stud RB Ray Rice has become one of the top dual-threat weapons in the league. Even though these are the Patriots, and Belichick and Brady can never be counted out, this team is a shadow of its former self...especially on defense, and especially without Welker. PICK-Ravens
Andouille's Under the Radar Game - New York Jets (9-7) @ Cincinnati (10-6) - Sat 4:30pm
-The final Week 17 matchup pits the Jets against the Bengals. Last week the Jets thumped the Bengals to earn their final playoff spot. But, once again, it was hard to tell how much the Bengals put into the game, even though many of their starters played the entire game. Although, keep in mind the Bengals played without leading rusher Cedric Benson (I know, I can't believe I just typed that sentence either). The way Rex Ryan tells it, his team is on par with his Daddy's '85 Bears. Those of us who aren't drunk off of our own quotes in the newspaper realize the Jets are the luckiest team to make the playoffs in history! The Jets are like the annoying cousin you have to invite to your wedding, and you just can't wait for them to leave so the adults can have a good time. Well, thanks to the "Sanchize" throwing more INTs, the Jets won't be around after this week. The Bengals have been through too much this season to be dumped in the first round by the Jets. PICK-Bengals
Extra Toppings -In our extra toppings segment, we'll give you our unbiased take on the latest coaching moves in the NFL.
-Buffalo: To nobody's surprise, the Bills are one of many teams starting over to attempt to lure a big name coach, specifically Bill Cowher. If you were Cowher though, why settle for the Bills' job? With or without TO, there is next to no elite talent anywhere on this team. Expect Cowher to wait and the Bills to settle on the latest hot coordinator desperate for 1 of 32 jobs.
-Carolina: Carolina may have made the smartest decision of anyone by keeping Jon Fox for another season. Don't be surprised to see the Panthers get off to a good start after getting healthy and not having a turnover machine at QB, or Fox staying in Carolina with a new contract.
-Chicago:
Somehow, Lovie Smith saved his job, only at the expense of his two coordinators, Ron Turner and himself. If the Bears can't find someone to give Lovie some fresh ideas on defense and who can stand up to Jay Cutler's pouting on offense, Da Bears are in real trouble. If they don't make the playoffs next year, expect a complete housecleaning from top to bottom.
-Cleveland: Much to the chagrin of many Browns fans, the Mangenius will get another year under new football czar Mike Holmgrenn. In the end, the right choice was made to give Mangini a chance to build on the Browns 4-game winning streak. Maybe in the offseason, Holmgrenn can introduce the forward pass to Brady Quinn and Derek Anderson?
-Houston: Another team smart to stand pat were the Houston Texans. Although they've been maddeningly inconsistent under Gary Kubiak, they finally did break the glass ceiling to finish at 9-7. Another year of improvements, and the Texans should make the playoffs. If not, Kubiak will undoubtedly hit the bricks.
-Kansas City: Perhaps the Chiefs are having the most intriguing offseason by trying to reunite Charlie Weis and Romeo Crennell as offensive and defensive coordinator. Somehow, this feels like Paul McCartney and Ringo Starr getting together to have a Beatles reunion without Lennon and Harrison...it just won't work unless the whole band is there. And in this case, Todd Haley isn't quite capable of filling the shoes of the Hoodie. While these moves look nice to fans, they'll be worth 1-2 wins, max.
-Oakland:
God only knows what Al Davis will do with poor Tom Cable? Will Cable stay? Will Al try to hire a relative? Will Al try to rehire Lane Kiffin or Art Shell, thinking neither have gotten an NFL coaching chance? Will JaMarcus Russell be named player/coach? It's scary, but each of these is a realistic possibility?
-Seattle: The most shocking news is Pete Carroll jumping back in to the NFL replacing Jim Mora Jr. after only one season. First, it's a surprise Mora only got one year, considering the Seahawks are in rapid decline. Second, the Seahawks have made a mockery of the Rooney Rule by "interviewing" Vikings D-coordinator Lezlie Frazier, who deserves better. Third, their decline is all the more reason why it's a stunner that Carroll would leave USC for this job. Why not wait, like Bill Cowher, for a better spot to land in the NFL? Undoubtedly, there has to be more to the story. Maybe Pete's USC empire was finally starting to crumble around him after allegations against Reggie Bush and Joe McKnight are reaching a head? Maybe he couldn't put up with not winning the Pac 10? Whatever the case, you can bet Colin Cowherd will either be dressed in a black veil or a Steve Largent jersey all next week!
-Washington:
Last, but not least, we have the Redskins and their hiring of Mike Shanahan. On paper, it's a completely logical move, but on paper you also realize he's going to coach the Washington Redskins. Skins fans expecting a revival of the Elway dynasty should remember the mediocrity Shanahan finished with in Denver. And those teams had wayyyyy more talent than these Redskins. Unless Jason Campbell becomes a Pro Bowl QB overnight, it looks like Washington is still a couple years away from making it back to the postseason.
Randall's Got His Eye On You...Everyone, it's the playoffs, duh!
That's it for our Hot off the Grill Preview. Stay tuned for our latest updates on the NFL Playoffs and as our coverage of the hardwood kicks into full gear! Until then, enjoy the pigskin, and bye for now!
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