The Road to Super Bowl XLII

Just for the record, XLII stands for 42 for all the Roman numeral illiterate out there…

Anyway, the 2008 NFL Playoff brackets were finalized just hours ago with the Tennessee Titans taking the final seed in the AFC by defeating one of the classiest (if not THE classiest) teams in the league, the Indianapolis Colts. The defending champion Indy team decided to rest their starting players throughout most of the game and didn’t feel the need to run up scores or embarrass their opponent like another AFC powerhouse I have in mind… But this post, unlike millions of others around the net, is not about THAT team… It’s about one of the best times of the year behind Christmas and March Madness: The NFL playoffs. Let’s get down to my predictions and you can feel free to leave comments, or even your picks after the break.

Note to you, the reader: I am in no way an accredited NFL analyst and do not know nearly enough about the game to ever be one, so don’t be a dumby and bet your money away on the following games because of my picks… This is merely for leisure.

– WILD CARD: ROUND ONE –

• Washington Redskins ( 6 seed) at Seattle Seahawks (3 seed)

My Prediction: Seattle. There’s not much to explain there, the ‘Hawks just seem like a better squad to me.

• Jacksonville Jaguars (5) at Pittsburgh Steelers (4)

My prediction/analysis: The Steelers have been playing pretty solid football this season, but so have the Jags. The difference maker in what is sure to be a close battle between the two seems to be the Jaguars’ defense, which ceases to amaze me at times. If you didn’t catch it, I choose Jacksonville.

• New York Giants (5) at Tampa bay Buccaneers (4)

My prediction: Hmm, I don’t know what to really think about this game. I’m torn, but it just seems to me like the Giants have more momentum going into the Wild Card. My guess (not really a prediction in this case) is the Giants.

• Tennessee Titans (6) at San Diego Chargers (3)

My prediction: Vince Young led his team to the playoffs this season in style with the last minute win over the Colts today and I think he will live to see another round of the playoffs this year over the Chargers. Everyone might think I’m crazy for saying this, but I have a good feeling about the Titans redeeming themselves after that game they practically handed to San Diego in the fourth quarter back in week 14.
EDIT: I’ve changed my prediction to San Diego due to the numerous injuries the Titans are suffering at the moment.

Now on to Casey’s Props and High Fives of the Week!

Casey’s Props go out to the Buccaneers, Chargers, Colts, Cowboys, Jaguars, Packers and Steelers for not being pompous asses and resting their starters. Sure, they weren’t going for 16 - 0 this weekend, but I also don’t hate any of those teams like I hate New England. Sorry for being so biased.

Just kidding, no I’m not.

Casey’s High Fives of the Week are awarded to the New York Giants. They could’ve rested their starters and prepared for next week’s playoff game, but instead, they fought to the death to protect their dignity and refused to just let the Patriots walk all over them and into the record books. They put up a hell of a fight and held that perfect season an arms length away from New England for a good chunk of the game. High five, Eli Manning! High five, Michael Strahan! High five, Coach Coughlin!

Round two predictions will come after the Wild Card round unfolds. Stay tuned and try not to flame me in the comments for making bad picks, I’m sensitive haha…