Elite Eight.

This weekend we see four playoff games that might, that just might be better then USC/Texas and/or the Superbowl, I'm not entirely sure yet but either way I'm going to preview the matchups and talk smack on people I don't like should be fun.

Da Bears vs. the Panthers

The first time these two teams met Steve Smith, you know the guy who "shared" the Comeback Player of the Year with Roid Rage Teddy B caught fourteen passes. That cannot happen again. I don't care if Carolina only got a field goal out of it. Everytime the ball comes in contact with Steve Smith there is a chance he will take it to the house. The Bears boast a stout Defense, well then blitz Delhomme like you did before, sack him eight times again and force turnovers. If the Bears do not win the turnover battle they loose, it's that simple. In that respect I think a healthy dosage of DeShawn Foster is in order, provided he keeps his feet moving and pounds out the yardage and holds onto the ball. For Chicago their offense has been nothing to really go nuts about but they can put up SOME points, not alot but some. However with a defense that was terrificly underrated last week, I don't think that will happen. The Panthers remind me of the team that should've beat the Pats in the Super Bowl.
Pick: Carolina to advance to the NFC Championship game.

Seattle Seahawks vs. The Washington Redskins

The Skins should be praying all week that they are acctually in the game. That was a touchdown but was bittersweet revenge on the whole "Was Altstott in the end zone?" during their regular season meeting. Seattle is one of the most sound teams I've seen in a while, they remind me of the Eagles of last year except their running game is what the Eagles passing game was...deadly. Now don't get me wrong Hasselback can throw but if Alexander goes over 100 yards it's a gurDAMNtee that the Hawks win and advance, however the Skins have a decent defense and Alexander is going to need help from the line and all kinds of shit. On the other side, a total of twenty five yards of passing is bullshit. Mark Burnell should be banned from QB history for that. That wont win this game. You need to put up points, whether it be with Shawn Taylor spitting at people or who knows. I dont think the DEF is gonna be able to contain Alexander for long, as well as keep the passing game in check. It stays close until the third where the Hawks run away with it.
Pick: Seattle Seahawks to host the NFC Championship game against the Carolina Panthers.

The New England Patriots vs. the Denver Broncos

Denver is finally hosting a playoff game in their new stadium. I would love to see them win, but let's face it the NFL wants to see Indy vs. New England...again. However Indy vs. Denver would be decent too. I seriously think that Denver can steam roll the Patriots but like someone said "it's metaphysical, Tom Brady cannot be beaten in the postseason". One way or another that ends this year. It ends here acctually. Denver is going to give the Pats a dose of two backs, Tatum Bell and Mike Anderson and then hit Rod Smith and Ashley Lelie down the field. Jake Plummer has turned his game around and I think their offense is enough to take care of the Pats Defense. The feat is that this game will become a shoot out with Tom Brady hitting Ben Watson for another fifty four yard rumble. No offense but this isn't Jacksonville, the Pats are going to have to try. I think Denver is going to limit the offense of New England. I say it's really close until Champ picks off Brady and returns it too the house.
Pick: Denver to knock the Pats back down the ladder...finally!

Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Indy Colts

I know some people that think Pittsburgh can hang in this one, it's a lie. Indy has their number ready...run Edge to the left, watch Peyton's MCL and then toss two touchdowns and put your Defense on the field. The Steelers Offense is more so about trick plays and the running game, the Indy Defense has been amazing this year they will smother the running game with Cato June and Dwight Freeny and the trick plays, experince on the DEF comes into play there. As for the Steelers Defense it doesn't match up well with speedy receivers that streak on random whims aka Wanye, Stokely and Harrison. Throw the ball away from that freak with the long hair that went to USC and your good. Indy wins by at least 9 points, at least.
Pick: Indy to host Denver for the AFC Championship game.

This is a good weekened to be a fan of the sport...a good weekend indeed. Now I'm off...the Philadelphia Phillies need me to lead them to a World Series in MlB2k5.