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That's Sports
National Football League Playoffs
Tuesday, December 31, 2002
Although my beloved Miami Dolphins did not make the post season after choking for a second straight week, it looks like a great post season in the NFL. The Phins were outcoached the last two games and made some poor decisions to allow the Jets and Pats to even have a chance at the post season. Ce la vie, Miami is out and the playoffs are about to start!The wildcard games kick off on Saturday with the Jets hosting Indy at 4:30p.m. while the late game on Saturday will see the Packers play the Atlanta Falcons. Sunday's match-ups will have Cleveland in Pittsburgh for the 1:00p.m. game and the Giants and Niners will hit the gridiron at 4:30p.m.
My spin this year on the playoffs looks like this.
I think the Jets have one of the hottest teams in the league and may go far into the playoffs. The Jets have too many weapons for Indianapolis to contain. Chad Pennington has been tremendous as QB for the NY AFC team and has numerous targets to hit including Lavernes Coles, Wayne Chrebet and Santana Moss. The Jets offense also has running power with a speedy shifty Curtis Martin in the backfield. The Jet's "O" line has been giving Pennington lots of time tothrow and making some big holes for Martin.
The Colts are just overmatched. QB Peyton Manning is one of the best in the league especially when hooking up with Marvin Harrison. Edgerin James is out of the backfield for the Colts but that pretty much wraps things up for the Colts offense. The Colts defense allowed only 313 points in the regular season but half of those games were in a dome. The Jets will move on to the next round after thumping the Colts.
The other AFC matchup will see Pittsburgh host a lopsided affair against Cleveland.
Tim Couch is out as Brown's pivot with a broken leg and that will pretty much be it for the Browns. William Green had a day with 178 yards but don't look for him to do much against Pittsburgh's defense. The Pittsburgh offense has Tommy Maddox at the hel with Hines Ward and Plaxico Buress as wide-outs and Jerome Bettis in the backfield. Antoine Randel-El is the secret weapon as he can run throw and catch, so the Browns won't know what hit them.
The NFC match-up between Green Bay and Atlanta will be all Packers. Michael Vick, the most talented player in the NFL, will try to get his Falcons into the game but it's not going to happen. The Packers will have the cold, dark Wisconsin night to rely on for help. The Falcons are used to a nice warm dome while the Packers, as sick as it sounds, love the cold weather.
Brett Favre is a pressure QB and has his top receiver, Donald Driver. Ahman Green is capable of running wild if he breaks through with a couple of long runs. Favre didn't have a great game against the Jets which further indicates he will be all gunned up for the Falcons. Favre never has two bad games in a row.
The best game of the wildcard weekend will be the Giants and Forty-Niners. The Giants earned their way in with a win over Philly. The NY football Giants played some spectacular defense led by a "D"-line that all but shut down the Eagles running game last week. Michael Stahan will be after Garcia all day long and the D-line will try to shut down Garrison Hearst.
The G-men have Kerry Collins at the pivot position and although he's not flashy he should get the job done. Rookie Jeremy Shockey and receiver Amani Toomer are favoured targets while Tiki Barber and Ron Dayne pack a great one-two running game.
The Niners have the arm of Garcia and the sheer talent of Terrell Owens that can pull them out of any trouble. Hearst is a solid back if the "O" line can make him a hole but the Niners will have to use a thinking man's approach to the game and can't expect a huge scoring affair. They will have to pick and choose carefully for opportunities to score. Tai Streets will also be a big factor as Owens will be doubled up on all day.
I think the Jets, Steelers, Packers and Niners will advance to the next round. It's much easier for me to look at things now that the Dolphins are out. Tampa Bay and the Raiders will be the best to make deep roads in the playoffs but the Jets are the dark horse to upset.
For the record, I would like to see Tennesee win it all just because they came so close last time.
Gary Patterson was born and raised in Chatham-Kent. He grew up in Thamesville and now lives in Chatham. Patterson was Sports Director at Beaver Communications an Blackburn Radio for over 15 years. Gary is also the track announcer at Dresden Raceway as well as some appearances at Windsor Raceway. He has played all sports inclduing being a mermber of three OBA Championship baseball teams in Thamesville and has also played hockey and football. Gary still plays golf, slo-pitch and ball hockey and well as the odd game of pick up hockey. Patterson is a passionate Miami Dolphin and Michigan Wolverine football fan. Here are few other details about Gary Patterson: Favourite food: steak, chicken wings, chili or Kenny Tharp\'s famous meatloaf; Favourite non alcoholic drink : Diet Coke; Favourite drink: Scotch, Coor\'s Light; Favourite Sports team : Miami Dolphins/Michigan Wolverines/New York Yankees; Favourite Bar : Bru\'s Room Margate Florida/Pompano Beach Florida; Favourite Bartender : Tanya (Margate), Sarah (Pompano); Favourie Vacataion spot : Pompano Beach Florida; Marital Staus : married with chilren Hockey player : Curtis Jospeh/Todd Bertuzzi; Favourite Football player : Retired Dan Marino, Anthony Thomas; Favourite Basketball player : Steve Nash Favourite Baseball player : Derek Jeter; Favourite colour : Blue; Favourite TV Show : CSI Favourite movie : The Sting, Blue Brothers and Field of Dreams; Favourite song Life Been Good To Me ( Joe Walsh); Favourite Band : Tom Petty/Eagles; Favourite type of Dog: Springer Spaniel; Favourite type of Cat : NONE
