NFL Playoff Predictions: Which Teams Will Be One and Done in 2011?
The 2011 NFL playoffs are set to begin this weekend with a slew of good games. It's the time of the year where prognosticators throw out their playoff and Super Bowl predictions.
There is always plenty to talk about in the NFL whether it is the draft, free agency or actual games. But the playoffs always carry a special weight with people, especially for those fans whose teams still remain alive.
Even if your team didn't make the playoffs there is a good chance you'll be tuning in for the weekend's games as evidenced by the Seattle—St. Louis game getting the best Sunday Night Football rating of the year—a game that featured two mediocre teams but was a win or go home situation.
So looking forward to the playoffs which teams will continue on into the second round and which will be one and done?
Don't worry you're covered here.
Why Green Bay Will Advance
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The key to the Packers' success rides on the right arm of Aaron Rodgers. Rodgers is generally regarded as one of the best quarterbacks in the game, although he has yet to lead the Packers to a playoff win. We all remember last year's crazy wild card game in which Green Bay lost to Arizona 51—45 in overtime.
This year the Packers have a much better defense than they did a year ago. Green Bay boasts a top five pass defense and a likely Defensive Player of the Year candidate in Clay Matthews.
Everything isn't roses for the Pack though. They don't have a consistent running game and if Philadelphia is able to bottle up Green Bay's receivers the Pack will have a hard time moving the football.
In the end if the Packers are to advance it will be because the passing game is clicking on all cylinders.
Why Philadelphia Will Advance
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Michael Vick had last week off to get some much needed rest heading into the postseason. The Eagles are an explosive offensive team that can put points up in a hurry. DeSean Jackson and Jeremy Maclin combine to form the fastest wide receiver duo in the league.
Toss in Vick and LeSean McCoy and you see why Philadelphia is believed to have a great chance to make a Super Bowl run this year. But first they will have to discard a slightly less explosive Packers team.
Philadelphia's chances in this game—just like in any other—come down to No. 7. If Vick doesn't regain his form from a month or so ago the Eagles will find themselves watching the rest of the playoffs from their homes.
The Eagles are going to need to use the screen game with McCoy to get him the ball early and often to take some of the pressure off of Vick. Keeping Vick upright is ultimately the key for the Eagles in this one.
Who Is One and Done?
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This is easily the hardest game to pick of the week as it could go either way. If these teams were put on a neutral field and had to play 10 times they would probably end up splitting the series.
Unfortunately for the Packers, this game won't be played on a neutral field. And that is largely why the Eagles are going to prevail in this one to send the Pack home in the first round once again.
Without a true running threat Philadelphia can sit back in coverage and let the defensive line do its job.
Losing Ryan Grant in the first game of the season, which took place against these very same Eagles, is why Green Bay is going home early.
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Why New York Will Advance
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Rex Ryan has been telling the media ever since Indianapolis eliminated his Jets last season that New York would win it all this season. There's no doubting Ryan's confidence, which at times comes across as plain foolishness, but there comes a point where you have to put up or shut up.
The Jets are at that point because of Ryan's antics.
Now, New York will have to go into Peyton Manning's house and take the Colts down.
If they are to advance it will be because of LaDainian Tomlinson and Shonn Greene. The pair combined to rush for 1,600 yards, although neither finished the season particularly strong.
Mark Sanchez's sophomore season has gone a bit better than his first, but he will be battling a sore shoulder Saturday which will certainly have an impact on his performance.
The Jets' defense hasn't been as stout as it was during last year's playoff run and the secondary has been exposed at times this season. Keeping the ball on the ground and limiting Manning's chances are the Jets best chance at making it into the next round.
Why Indianapolis Will Advance
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Over the Colts' four—game win streak the biggest difference is that they've gone to the run game more often than in the past. The amount of rushing attempts during the win streak have looked like this: 32, 24, 39 and 25.
The increased focus on the run game has made life easier for Manning as he has adjusted to being without Dallas Clark and Austin Collie for most of the season. Despite the Colts' success running the ball they still possess the NFL's best passing attack.
Manning and his receivers will go up against two of the top corners in the league in Darrelle Revis and Antonio Cromartie. And Manning may not have the luxury of having as successful of a rushing attack this week seeing as the Jets rank third overall in the NFL at stopping the run.
That means it's likely going to be on Manning's shoulders to find weaknesses in Ryan's defensive scheme. It's obvious that New York is going to blitz so the key will be for Reggie Wayne and Pierre Garcon to get separation from the Jets' corners.
What it comes down to is Manning's ability to find open receivers before the New York defenders get to him. If Manning is able to get the ball out on time Indy will be in the second round.
Who's One and Done?
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We've seen this story before. In fact we saw it just last year during the playoffs. New York's top defense against Indianapolis' offense. Even without Clark or Collie this time around the biggest player still remains and that's Manning.
You can expect a closer game than the prior contest because Sanchez can do a little bit more than he could in his rookie season. But Sanchez's inaccuracy, overall inconsistency and sore shoulder will prevent him from being effective enough for the Jets to win.
The Colts won't abandon the run game and will grind the game out in the confines of their home building.
Ryan has talked his way into making us believe New York is better than they actually are, but that mirage won't last any longer after Saturday's game.
Why Baltimore Will Advance
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The Ravens are battled-tested and used to playing on the road in the playoffs while their opponent is a young team that is new to playing at this point in the season. Kansas City finished last in its division a year ago, but in typical NFL fashion they finished first this time around.
It's a feel good story that Baltimore would like to end on Sunday. In order to do so they are going to need Joe Flacco to come up big.
Flacco finished the regular season with 25 TD passes to just 10 INT's. But until Flacco performs well in a big game the critics are going to continue to pile up.
Luckily, for Flacco, the Ravens bolstered the receiving corps over the offseason with the addition of Anquan Boldin, who had a somewhat disappointing first year in Baltimore. Nevertheless the Ravens still have a solid running game they can rely on if the passing game is struggling game.
Baltimore's experience will be a huge factor in this one and it will be why they advance.
Why Kansas City Will Advance
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In the NFL you have to pass to win games now. No longer is running the football as important as it used to be, yet the Chiefs will hope that their NFL best rushing attack can carry them to a win. Jamaal Charles and Thomas Jones combined to rush for over 2,300 yards during the regular season.
While the KC's ground game will get all the recognition, it's Matt Cassel and the passing attack that will have to get the job done for the Chiefs. Dwayne Bowe is a big receiver who should give the Ravens' secondary fits, but Cassel is going to have to be able to find other receivers if the Chiefs are to win.
Baltimore's defense isn't what it used to be. Ray Lewis and Ed Reed are still very good players it's just that the defense as a whole isn't as dominant. The Ravens finished 21st in the league against the pass and the defense has struggled in the fourth quarter.
If KC can get the ground game going it should open up the passing game, which is exactly what Todd Haley is hoping happens. How effective the Chiefs are when they throw the football will determine if they advance or not.
Who's One and Done?
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The Ravens are the superior football team in this case and have proven they can win on the road in the playoffs. Meanwhile the Chiefs are just getting their feet wet. Cassel is a nice QB who takes good care of the football, but is he a guy that can win you a game in crunch time? We'll find out this weekend.
Baltimore played a much more difficult schedule and still managed to win two more games than KC did. When you compare the two squads one looks like a Super Bowl contender while the other looks like they should be happy to be here.
I'll let you guess who is who.
Bottom line: Flacco is better than a year ago and has more weapons at his disposal. The Ravens will over power the Chiefs en route to the next round.
Why New Orleans Will Advance
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The defending Super Bowl champs ended up as a wild card this season, but like a year ago, their luck has stayed with them. New Orleans will take on the under .500 NFC West champion Seattle Seahawks Saturday afternoon.
The Saints are double—digit favorites heading into Seattle, which pretty much sums up this matchup. With Drew Brees leading the way, the Saints will have their way with the Seahawks' defense. Seattle is ranked 27th overall against the pass this season, which has to have Brees salivating.
New Orleans biggest disadvantage in this one is being on the road, but considering this is a veteran team don't expect them to let down in the playoffs.
Why Seattle Will Advance
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The only way the Seahawks walk away from this game with a victory is if Marshawn Lynch and Justin Forsett have big games on the ground. Seattle needs to win the time of possession battle to stand a chance and the best way to do that is to effectively run the football.
Pete Carroll has yet to name a starting quarterback for this one, although if healthy, Matt Hasselbeck is the best option because of his experience. It's going to be an uphill battle for the over—matched Seahawks and they may have to find solace in the fact that they made the playoffs.
The Saints are just too good.
Who's One and Done?
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The picture above won't be how Seahawk players will look after the Saints are through with them. This game is a mismatch across the board and it will take a complete collapse from the Saints to lose.
These two teams met earlier this season in New Orleans and the score was 34—19 and that was without Reggie Bush in the mix for the Saints.
Enjoy making the playoffs Seattle fans because it will be short lived.
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