First Round Recap and Divisional Round Preview

Seattle 41, New Orleans 36.
We just witnessed one of the great upsets in NFL playoff history, but that fact has been forgotten. Why? Everyone is still talking about Marshawn Lynch's now legendary 67-yard TD run that effectively won the game for the Hawks. In fact, the run was so epic that it made the Earth shake. Literally. And if you did not jump up and down in euphoria after that stiff arm of Tracy Porter, you are NOT, repeat, NOT a true football fan. That is included with eight, EIGHT broken tackles. It will be on highlight reels for years to come.

NY Jets 17, Indianapolis 16.
No surprise here, honestly. The Colts simply had to deal with too many injuries this year, and the Jets are simply the better team. Mark Sanchez grew up as an NFL quarterback in this game, although he did recieve a little help on the Jets' final drive from the Colts' Jim Caldwell, who will be on the hot seat next season. One immortal quarterback down for Rex Ryan, another one on deck next week.

Baltimore 30, Kansas City 7.
Again, no real surprise in terms of the victor here, but it's surprising how Kansas City unraveled so quickly. Rumors indicate that Head Coach Todd Haley stripped now-former offensive coordinator Charlie Weis of his play-calling duties. The truth is, the entire team, players and coaches, forgot how to play the game Sunday. That all being said, this Chiefs team took a huge step forward this season, and is far ahead of schedule in terms of reaching their ultimate goal: a Patriots-esque dynasty. As for the Ravens, this is their billionth postseason road win in the last couple of years, and it especially felt good for them to do it for the troubled Ed Reed.

Green Bay 21, Philadelphia 16.
It's easy to blame David Akers for this loss, missing two makable field goals that turned out to be the difference in the score. But in all honesty, the entire Eagles team fell apart after the Miracle in the New Meadowlands, losing their last three games. Michael Vick was no longer his electric self, the running game was non-existent, and the defense couldn't make the big stop when necessary. Now, my original NFC favorite is out, and a new one is in: the Green Bay Packers. This team is deep enough and talented enough despite a laundry list of injuries to make it to Dallas. If they beat Atlanta next week, bet on them heading there.


Divisional Round Picks (2-2 last week; won with NYJ and BAL, lost with NO and PHI; 23-25 overall)

Pittsburgh 20, Baltimore 16. (PIT -3)
The best rivalry in the NFL, hands down. No arguments. When these two get together, you will see the most physical, bruising football possible, and this is the way the game is meant to be played. Every single game between these two is a thriller, and this one should be no exception. Both meetings in the regular season were decided by three points, both road wins. Does this bode well for the Ravens? Probably. But if Ed Reed's family problems prevent him from playing, a bigger edge goes to the rested, presumably healthy Steelers. For now, based on the big play abilities of Big Ben and Troy Polamalu, Pittsburgh gets a slight edge.

Green Bay 27, Atlanta 21. (GB +2)
As stated before, the Packers are my new NFC favorite, and they will show why against Atlanta. If the physical defense of Green Bay can stop Atlanta's running game and put the game in Matty Ice's hands, they have an excellent chance of winning. The key here will be if Ryan can make one big play through the air to either Roddy White or Tony Gonzalez. If so, it will give the Atlanta offense confidence it can compete with Aaron Rodgers in a potential shootout. Atlanta's time will come in the Mike Smith-Matt Ryan era, but right now the Pack seem to be on a magic carpet ride.

Chicago 23, Seattle 17. (SEA +10)
A 7-9 team can't possibly make a conference championship game, can it? Well, if you watched the Seahawks last week, they looked like a completely different team than the one that played in the regular season, beating the defending champs. If they can beat New Orleans, they should have the confidence to beat anybody. But this one will not be easy. If a transformed Jay Cutler can shred apart the Seattle defense early, which may be simple for him, is it fair to expect Matt Hasselbeck to duplicate by far the best performance of his career again in this one? This one will be closer than you think, but I believe Seattle's magic runs out at Soldier Field, setting up the oldest rivarly in the NFL for the NFC title game.

New England 31, NY Jets 18. (NE -8 1/2)
Let Rex Ryan do all the smack talking he wants. His Jets are still not any better than the team he brought to Foxboro a few Monday nights ago, only to promptly get embarrassed 45-3. That won't happen again this time, but the Jets simply don't have the firepower to compete with a Tom Brady-led offense. Effectively, the Jets will have to play a game similar to what Seattle played against New Orleans last weekend. If that happens, the Jets can pull off their greatest upset since Super Bowl III. But come on, it's almost impossible to bet against Brady and Belichick in January.

NFL Regular Season Awards Plus First Round Predictions

Hmmm, let's see. Who remembers Week 1 of the 2010 NFL Season as if it were yesterday! Not just me, that's for sure. What exactly do we remember? Kevin Kolb was the Eagles' starting quarterback. Chad Henne was projected to be the next breakout star. The Raiders and Chiefs were expected to finish in the basement of the AFC West. The Cowboys and Vikings were projected to play in the NFC title game. Donovan McNabb was supposed to lead the Redskins back to the playoffs. Peyton Hillis and Arian Foster were probably not selected in any fantasy draft. The Bucs were expected to have the worst record in the NFL. The Jets did not have any scandals involving DUIs, Harrassment suits, and especially feet.



So much changes in this damn league. And that's why we all adore it. Here are the Rant's 2010 NFL Regular Season awards:



MVP: Tom Brady, QB, New England.

Sorry, Michael Vick supporters. Brady has been consistent all year long and has not thrown an interception since dinosaurs roamed the Earth. This even after the trade of his biggest target. Brady is the heart and soul of the Pats, and he arguably had his best season in 2010.

(Honorable mention: Vick, Troy Polamalu)



Offensive Player of the Year: Brady

(Honorable mention: Vick, Foster)



Defensive Player of the Year: Clay Matthews, LB, Packers.

In a season in which Green Bay was ravaged by injuries on both sides of the ball, Matthews remained the most consistent on a very good defense. He has been the backbone of the Pack's D and has developed into one of the most feared pass rushers in the NFL.

(Honorable mention: Polamalu)



Coach of the Year: Todd Haley, Chiefs.

Kansas City is far, far ahead of schedule in its rebuilding process. Haley led the Chiefs to their first division title since 2003.

(Honorable mention: Raheem Morris, Bucs and Mike McCarthy, Packers)



Offensive Rookie of the Year: Sam Bradford, QB, Rams

The next Peyton Manning? He put up numbers comparable to Manning's in his rookie season, and his Rams came one win away from their first playoff apperance since 2004. Not bad for a team that went 1-15 last year.

(Honorable mention: Maurkice Pouncey, C, Steelers)



Defensive Rookie of the Year: Ndomakong Suh, DE, Lions

Detroit finally has a true franchise cornerstone to build around the way Barry Sanders was in the 90s. And he's just getting started.

(Honorable mention: Devin McCourty, S, Patriots)



Biggest Surprise, player: Arian Foster, RB, Texans.

The first undrafted player in NFL history to win the rushing title. 'Nuff said.

(Honorable mention: Vick, Darren McFadden, RB, Raiders)



Biggest Surprise, team: Kansas City Chiefs.

Best running game in the NFL, a maturing quarterback, and an outstanding defense. They will be a force for the next few years.

(Honorable mention: Raiders, Bucs)



Biggest Disappointment, player: Carson Palmer, QB, Bengals.

If you need any more proof that Palmer has fallen from elite status to bum in a little over a year, just look at the last offensive play vs. Baltimore last Sunday. TWO, yes, TWO recievers were wide open in the end zone and he didn't see either.

(Dishonorable mention: McNabb, Chad Henne, QB, Dolphins)



Biggest Disappointment, team: Dallas Cowboys.

It was destiny. They were supposed to play in a Super Bowl in their own stadium built for billions by their megalomanical owner. Everything fell apart. The QB got hurt, and the coach was fired mid-season. At least they made strides under Jason Garrett.

(Dishonorable mention: Minnesota Vikings, Houston Texans)



Biggest Surprise, coach: Raheem Morris, Bucs.

One year ago, he was on the hot seat after an awful first season. This year, he led the youngest team in the NFL to 1o wins. Can it be duplicated next year?

(Honorable mention: Tom Cable, Raiders and Lovie Smith, Bears)



Biggest Disappointment, coach: Mike Singletary, 49ers.

He loudly declared he wanted winners two years ago. Too bad his players did not take on the same attitude. Not to mention the Niners were heavily favored to win the awful NFC West. And when the champion of that division is 7-9, you really screwed up.

(Dishonorable mention: Wade Phillips, Cowboys and Josh McDaniels, Broncos)



Breakout star of 2011 (assuming, of course, there is no lockout): Josh Freeman, QB, Bucs.

He grew up as an NFL quarterback almost overnight this season. As long as he doesn't go down the Chad Henne route, the Bucs are in good hands for the next decade.

(Honorable mention: Tim Tebow, QB, Broncos and Andrew Luck, QB, Panthers?)



Sleeper team of 2011: Detroit Lions.

If Matt Stafford can stay healthy, and the defense adds enough complimentary parts around Ndomakong Suh, this team just may make the playoffs in 2011.

(Honorable mention: Carolina Panthers, Houston Texans)



Team that will fall the farthest in 2011: Miami Dolphins.

Chad Henne may not be the real deal. The players have revolted against Tony Sparano. Brandon Marshall's talents are being wasted. Unless there is a complete attitude adjustment, I don't see any improvements by this unit.

(Dishonorable mention: Tampa Bay Bucs, Chicago Bears)



Player that will fall the farthest in 2011: Chad Ochocinco, WR, Bengals?

Maybe the player formerly known as Chad Johnson should stick to his TV work, because I don't see him being an elite reciever anymore.

(Henne, Vince Young, QB, Titans)





Picks for the first round (2-2 last week, 21-23 overall)

New Orleans 35, Seattle 14. (NO -10).

The defending champs are hitting their stride at the right time, and as long as Drew Brees doesn't turn the ball over, New Orleans should have an easy time against the first 7-9 division winner in NFL history.



N.Y. Jets 20, Indianapolis 17. (OT)(NYJ +3).

I honestly think the Jets will get their revenge on Peyton and Co. Saturday night. The Colts are simply not the same team as last year. Two of Peyton's favorite targets, Austin Collie and Dallas Clark, are out for the season. Reggie Wayne is simply good now, not great. The Colts can't run the ball to save themselves. If Rex Ryan's brash talk is backed up by his faithful players, they should be able to squeak by Indy.



Baltimore 24, Kansas City 20. (BAL -2 1/2).

Where have we seen this Baltimore team before? They went into Foxboro last January and embarrased Brady, Belichick, and co. This year, they face an inexperienced, overachieving Chiefs team that contains many players with no postseason experience. Ray Lewis, Ed Reed, Ray Rice and co. know how to win road playoff games. This will be no exception.



Philadelphia 23, Green Bay, 20. (PHI -2 1/2).

Honestly, this game is a toss-up. I won't be surpised if either team wins this one. The big difference between both teams since their Week 1 matchup is that Michael Vick will play the entire game, and the Packers will be without Ryan Grant and Jermichael Finley. For that, I give the Eagles a slight edge.