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My son, the boy wonder (Waldenious, as he should now be known), has learned to say his first sentence: "Four and Oh." Okay, maybe it's not a complete sentence, but it's a statement...

NFL Playoffs, Week Two Predictions: Toddler Style

by daniel cox (Senior Writer)

43

355 reads

Preview/Prediction

January 10, 2009


My son, the boy wonder (Waldenious, as he should now be known), has learned to say his first sentence:

"Four and Oh."

Okay, maybe it's not a complete sentence, but it's a statement. And a statement is what he made last week going 4-0 with his picks in the first round of the playoffs.

After starting off mediocre and considering giving up the career before it really started, he's bounced back and elevated himself to red-hot status. He's on a Chargers-like streak.

His record on the season stands at 32-21 and not only is he thinking he's the best prognosticator in the world, he's also thinking about expanding into game planning.

I walked in on him this afternoon and this is what I saw. Yes, he had his various stuffed creatures lined up in formation. It's a traditional I-formation but don't be fooled. The kid's progressive. He was talking about spreads and running a quad-option.

You'll notice he puts a lot of credence in the big uglies up front. His offensive line is fierce. Who wouldn't want a T-Rex at left tackle, a massive seal at left guard, and a bear at center? The right side is a little weaker, but with a left side that imposing, the cat lined up in the backfield will have holes all day.

In week's past, it would take hours over the course of days to get Walden focused (and sitting still) to complete his picks.

Friday night, it took him five minutes. He chose with a confidence that told me he'd been up all night considering everything.

If you've missed the last few weeks, the premise is simple.

The way this system works is Dad, that's me, writes the teams on a piece of paper.

Example: "Cardinals at Panthers"

Then I hand my son the crayon and he makes his selection. The selection is determined by how long he lingers and scribbles on one team's name or the other.

Got it? Good, let's begin.

 

Ravens at Titans

In Walden's world, most everyone he spends time with is a titan. His mom and dad, his aunt Kendelle, the grandparents—they're all larger than he is. The titans of his world tell him when to go to bed and when to stop biting someone.

This pick isn't as easy as many are making it. Yes, the raven is dark and ominous, but the titan exerts a lot of control. He picked quickly, but I could tell he'd deliberated for hours.

So once upon an afternoon dreary, while Walden pondered weak and weary...

Walden's pick: Ravens

 

Cardinals at Panthers

A rematch between two animals.

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43 comments Last one added 5 months ago — Leave a Comment

  1. William Blake 6 months ago

    These are hilarious. Agree with all but the Ravens/Titans, but hey, he was 4-0.

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  2. Mark Jones 6 months ago

    I agree with all of them but the Eagles @ Giants game, but that's no problem. Hey, they kid beat me last week! Completely humorous...the highlight of the NFL previews. Keep this up, Daniel...I'm loving it!!!!

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  3. thomas moreland 6 months ago

    ok we are all the same except for ravens i have titans 4-0 t0 3-1 i ll catch him this week. oh heckk titans are my worrisome pick. he got me with the ravens last week. titans are better than miami though! ok im sticking to my guns. if he goes 4-0 again , i really am gonna buy a box of crayola s!, some contact paper and doodle away til it comes to me.!!! lol thomas I can t wait to go head to head the entire year with a 2 year old next season. arghhhhhhhhhhhhhh!lol

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  4. Eric Quackenbush 6 months ago

    I gotta give kudos to Walden, 4-0 last week--that's impressive. He beat me by a game. I went against the kid, and picked the Falcons. Oh well, win some lose some, lol. Who wouldn't want Elmo at quarterback?

    Great picks and analysis this week!

    5 stars, POTD

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  5. thomas moreland 6 months ago

    flacco is due for a sub par interception ridden game lol

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  6. thomas moreland 6 months ago

    all of collins games are sub par lol if he has a better than average game he wins

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  7. Bob Cunningham 6 months ago

    unfortunately, yes, the eagles are a finesse offense.

    but call that defense finesse and they'll pop ya in the f#*$in mouth!!!

    not that i wish that upon your son...

    i'm gonna go now.

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  8. Dan Parzych 6 months ago

    He didn't pick my Eagles! haha. Im interested to see how he does this week.

    And that formation picture cracks me up.

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    • daniel cox 6 months ago

      dan, yeah, it's nothing personal.

      the formation picture is a perfect example of how he spends his time now. you thought that a-11 offense bryn wrote about was creative...

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  9. Nino Colla 6 months ago

    So he's rather set on Elmo as his QB then? Hopefully the offense is build off that line you were talking about. Can't get away from your strengths.

    I read this last week and was cracking up. This week was even better. Great job Daniel and to your son Walden as well.

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    • daniel cox 6 months ago

      nino, thanks. we in the nfl always appreciate visits from the mlbers. i appreciate your kind words.

      and yeah, elmo obviously knows where his bread is buttered. a weak line and that puppet would be toast.

      thanks again!

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  10. Dave Hudgins 6 months ago

    WALDENIOUS!

    ...I love your kid's picks this week and for the Ravens sake, I certainly hope Walden's as hot as last week.

    You sure Dad didn't have any influence?

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    • daniel cox 6 months ago

      dave, thanks for reading.

      i understand your hesitation to believe. if you go back a few weeks, you'll see he's made some outlandish picks and he paid dearly for it. the method has not changed. i give him no influence whatsoever. despite my efforts. he doesn't really understand what i'm saying anyway. he kind of has a mind of his own.

      thanks again. good luck to your ravens!

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  11. Cody Swartz 6 months ago

    Who am I to argue with a kid who goes 4-0 in his picks? What a little genius you have there, diagramming plays with his stuffed animals and everything.

    I like your description of the NFC East matchup. Perfect. And I bet that's how it will be tomorrow.

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    • daniel cox 6 months ago

      cody, exactly. who are you to argue. heh...

      and that east game is going to be a good one. physical. it's going to be good.

      thanks for reading!

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  12. Reuben Cohen 6 months ago

    Your son must be a genius.
    I love it.

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  13. Silver Fox 6 months ago

    Ravens, Panthers, Eagles, and Steelers are my four picks to win this weekend.

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  14. Bryan Hollister 6 months ago

    Elmo is a dancing, laughing, vibrating fool who takes a licking (think thrown across the room the first time he starts vibrating when he's being hugged close) and keeps on ticking.

    Way to go, Walden; you just earned your Pops a POTD nd five stars for your prognosticating prowess.

    That, and you picked the Steelers. Always gotta support my up and coming Steelers fans.

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  15. Jonathan Guario 6 months ago

    Dude i think your right on with your picks Daniel.

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    • daniel cox 6 months ago

      jonathan, thanks, but honestly, it's my son's picks. i don't really bother with that sort of thing.

      thanks though!

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  1. Bernie 6 months ago

    Evidently Jonathan either doesn't believe that Walden actually makes these picks or he just reads down for the pick portions of the article.

    I on the other hand trust in Walden. Although it was probably a good idea to intervene when he grabbed the knitting needle. I had to intervene in a similar situation today between my four year old and a pair of scissors; the kitchen kind, not the rubber handled kind.

    Anyway. Good luck to Walden this weekend...and anyone who takes his knowledge to their bookies.

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    • daniel cox 6 months ago

      bernie, heh. yeah i don't think he noticed that he was reading the picks of an 18-month old. oh well...he had an okay saturday.

      running with scissors is notoriously bad.

      if anyone actually takes walden's picks to the bank...well...may the good Lord help them...

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  2. Jennifer Johnson 6 months ago

    I am in total agreement with Walden. The Ravens have playmakers that might force Collins into a fumble or two.

    What is it about Ed Reed where he turns a nice play (int) into a 80-yard TD run. Will someone in blue tackle him today?

    The Eagles-Giants game should be back and forth. I say the G-men control the time of possession, and force McNabb to find open receivers.

    Eagles do have the edge in the secondary with Brian Dawkins lurking back there, to pounce on a bad throw from Eli.

    Close one here with the Giants ahead where it counts on the scoreboard.

    Thanks Daniel for using such a creative format. Walden we love you!

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    • daniel cox 6 months ago

      jennifer. i notice how you said nothing about that cardinals game. either you thought it was in the bag for the panthers or you had the cardinals and were just afraid of the backlash. being afraid of the backlash doesn't seem to be your style though.

      ed reed is just incredible. bottom line.

      thanks to you jennifer! walden loves all the readers as well!

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    • daniel cox 6 months ago

      i mean, the kid gets more reads on his articles than i do on anything that i actually have to say!

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  3. Lito Santos 6 months ago

    As I type this comment he(Walden) is 1-1. By this time tomorrow he'll be 1-3. We still love you.

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    • daniel cox 6 months ago

      lito, thanks for reading. heh...i notice you edited your comments.

      walden wants a little action on your comments. 1-3? really?

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  4. Sayre Bedinger 5 months ago

    Haha, nice! I love the bit about lining up the stuffed toys in I-formation, that's funny stuff. 1-for-2, let's see if he can bump it up to 3-out of 4 today!

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  5. Jennifer Johnson 5 months ago

    The Panthers made so many mistakes, and give credit to the Cardinals for capitalizing on those turnovers.

    The Cards got 17 points just in the first half off of those belated xmas gifts.

    I thought that the Panthers would shut down the running game, and I sure didn't think Larry Fitzgerald would be as wipe open as he was.

    So much for the bye week and home field advantage... at least for yesterday's games.

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    • daniel cox 5 months ago

      jennifer, you're absolutely right on all points.

      that was kind of fitzgerald's coming out party.

      SIX turnovers...crazy...

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