The Good, Bad, and Marty: NFL Wild Card Weekend Preview

To say this football season went by pretty fast is an understatement—it was a flat-out blur.

There were plenty of surprised to keep us busy this season. Obviously, the two biggest shockers were New England going undefeated—well, not that shocking—and Cleveland having a winning season, but missing the playoffs on a technicality—very shocking.

But now the playoffs have arrived, and as usual, everyone has their thoughts on it. So since Trey’s crew can’t make up their minds, maybe I can be the Ultimate Opportunist for a change. Here’s my lowdown on this weekend’s throwdowns!
 

AFC Wild Card

Jacksonville Jaguars vs. Pittsburgh Steelers

Okay, now. Let’s see if I can get the location of this one right. The game’s in Pittsburgh, and the weather is going to be cold. I ain’t a weather guy, but this used to favor the Steelers.

But it appears that the Jaguars have too much momentum to be stopped by a Steelers team that is limping into the playoffs—literally.

Big Ben is hurt. Willie Parker is out. Hines Ward is a game time decision. Not to mention the fact that Troy Polamalu might have a bad hair day, so he may not even play.

The only way I see the Steelers winning is if they can do the same thing they did to Steven Jackson: contain. However, for every good thing one side does, the other side throws it off balance.

Fred Taylor will be the reason that the Jags win this game, and the injuries will be the reason why the Steelers lose. The X-Factor, as usual, will be the weather.

Final Score: Jaguars 34, Steelers 20
 

Tennessee Titans at San Diego Chargers

Who wouldn’t want to take San Diego in this game? Me.

Despite the momentum the Chargers have going into the postseason, the Titans have more motivation. Forget about the Marty Schottenheimer hump. They have to get over the “you guys rock in the regular season, but suck in the playoffs” hump.

It was Philip Rivers at quarterback last year, not Drew Brees. It was LT in the backfield, not some mediocre rookie fortunate to be on the team. It was Antonio Gates at tight end, not some lucky fan.

Marty won with what he was given. Norv Turner is not the same kind of genius as Marty, and everyone knows that.

The Bolts have proven that they can win no matter who is running or throwing the football. But Tennessee is used to being the underdogs, and they are used to playing in hostile territory—or did everyone forget about the Music City Miracle?

Here’s what it comes down to: San Diego has to make it to the Super Bowl this season. That’s the only way anyone will respect them as a franchise and as an organization. But Vince Young is playing hard and Kerry Collins is playing harder.

I’ll take experience over youthful mistakes. LT can’t win them all, and if they win this one, it was a fluke.

Final Score: Titans 24, Chargers 17
 

NFC Wild Card

Washington Redskins at Seattle Seahawks

To say that the Seahawks are taking on water doesn't do them justice.

Their former MVP is nothing more than a shell of his former self. Matt Hasselbeck has had to shoulder the entire load of a mediocre offense. The Seahawks backed into the playoffs on a technicality—they had a two game lead over Arizona to win the division.

Honestly, I wouldn’t be surprised if the Skins come to Qwest Field and take this game. The Seahawks have no true offensive standouts, and their defense, which seemed to play well only when they felt like it, might want to wake up for this one.

Clinton Portis is running better than he has in the past, and the Skins are finding hope in a quarterback that many didn’t think could succeed. But the biggest X-Factor of this one? Washington has to succeed under pressure.

After the loss to the Bills, the Redskins have been practically unstoppable, so I really don’t see how Mike Holmgren will not be cherry-red by the end of this one. To sum it up, Washington wins a shootout, and Sean Taylor will be smiling about it.

Final Score: Redskins 37, Seahawks 21
 

New York Giants at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Everyone in New York, it’s okay to sweat bullets right now.

For the past few months, Big Apple teams have been the butt of everyone’s jokes. The Mets were named the Chokers of ’07. The Yankees collapsed once they got to the playoffs. The Knicks are coming down from the inside. Honestly, these fans need something to cheer about.

Hey! There’s playoff football in the Big Apple this year.

Forget about the fact that Tampa Bay has a dangerous veteran quarterback named Jeff Garcia. Forget about the fact that they have a receiver that many thought was retired in Joey Galloway. Forget about the fact that a man who has haunted your nightmares—Jon Gruden—will be on the other sideline with that evil sinister Chuckie smile.

Forget all that! You guys have Eli Manning...and Brandon Jacobs...and Plaxico Burress. Wait a second. You guys got all that talent and couldn’t even finish the job against New England?

On second thought, New Yorkers—you should be afraid. Considering the two teams who are waiting in the next round—Dallas and Green Bay—there is no way that Eli can pull a Peyton and finish what he started. How many chances do you get to prove your worth?

It’s time for Eli to step up. Question is, can he do it in hostile territory? No need to be on the edge of your seat—the Bucs win this one handily.

Final Score: Buccaneers 30, Giants 10
 

See ya this weekend. I’m outta here!