[Bender2]

NFL was supposed to be the week Tony, Dez and Company rested... but that will come about but the rest period will be a little longer--

Sorry Allegra, but Saturday your Texicans are going to ge beat by my Old Dallas Texans--

Big Ben's Stoolers will treat TCU North like the redheaded shepchilren they are--

Gadzooks I don't want the Seahags to win but Sunday they will as it is in the cards, they are playing the Viqueens--

Now, big, your Arron Boy will lead his Cheesehead to a victory over them Godless Deadskins

Monday, the College National Championship will have Alabama kicking the bright orange off Clemson's behind--

[Bender2]

Okay, okay-- When you sober up... get you picks in.

[RitaOK]

For ranking purposes I have to go with Clemson on January 11. After all, Clemson kicked our butt New Years Eve afternoon. (OKLAHOMA)

Those guys are amazons, and lightening quick, with the dispositions of a viper.

[montag813]

TWO 9-7 home teams. LOL.

[Cletus.D.Yokel]

Saturday January 9th
AFC

Kansas City Chiefs
Cincinnati Bengals

Sunday January 10th
NFC

Seattle Seahawks
Washington Redskins

COLLEGE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Alabama

[Impy]

CHIEFS over the Texans, all the way, dangerous team, the Chiefs

I don’t know if Dalton will play, doesn’t seem likely, but the heck with it, BENGALS over the Stoolers

PACKERS over the Deadskins, am I misunderestimating the Deadskins? Perhaps, but that’s better than misoverestimating them.

SEAHAWKS over the Vikings, I’d rather have a road game in WAS but that was never in the cards for Min, this a rematch of game SEA won 38-7 on DEC 6th

I never viewed Clemson as underdogs in the ACC championship game or against Oklahoma last week, but they are this time, they won’t beat ALABAMA.

CHIEFS
BENGALS
SEAHAWKS
PACKERS
TIDE

[big'ol_freeper]

Well my boys are not playing well but I'm thankful the Vicequeens won the right to get murdered by Seattle...

[SevenofNine]

Be honest Bender I don’t have horse in this race I agreed Alabama going make Clemen like El Nino make my state his b***h

And I pick old Dallas Texans

Big Ben going send Vikings to Valleria

[SevenofNine]

I picking Cheeseheads too LOL!

[38special]

The Texans will beat the Chiefs then lose to Denver. Mark it.

[38special]

[Rummyfan]

The playoffs already?! Wow! Somehow managed to make it to the semifinals in my fantasy league so the season wasn't a total disaster despite the Ravens' record. So.... on to the post season!

NFL WILDCARD WEEKEND

Saturday January 9th AFC

No. 5 Kansas City Chiefs at No. 4 Houston Texans 4:35 p.m. ABC & ESPN Chiefs have won ten in a row, led by a staunch defense and steady - emphasis, STEADY - play from Alex Smith. That should be enough against the Texans, who don't have the offensive tools to stay with KC. JJ Watt will have a great game but he can't do it all by himself. Brian Hoyer is not the long-term answer. Can the Texans please get a good QB? CHIEFS!

No. 6 Pittsburgh Steelers at No. 3 Cincinnati Bengals, Saturday 8:15 p.m. CBS Will the Bengals break their playoff winless streak? I'd like their chances a lot more if Andy Daulton were playing... Although the Steelers stumbled down the stretch against the Ravens, and didn't look like world-beaters against the Browns either, they're in the playoffs thanks to a Jets choke against the mighty Bills. Tomlin, Roethlisberger, that great receiver..... I dunno, just can't pick against them. Sorry Marv! STEELERS!

Sunday January 10th NFL

No. 6 Seattle Seahawks at No. 3 Minnesota Vikings, Sunday 1 p.m. NBC Am I wrong to see this one as a laugher? Kudos to the Vikings for winning the division and qualifying for the post-season. Teddy Bridgewater is an up-and-comer. Unfortunately, they're facing a highly experienced post-season team in the Seahawks, and Russell Wilson is playing the best football of his career - witness the dismantling of the Cardinals last week. The Seahags cruise to victory. SEAHAWKS.

No. 5 Green Bay Packers at No. 4 Washington Redskins, Sunday 4:40 p.m. NBC The Redskins are in the playoffs? The Redskins won the NFC East?! The Redskins have a home playoff game? Yes, yes, and yes! A great job by the Burgundy and Gold this year and.... they get the weakest Packers team in years as a reward. Improbably, the Redskins win. REDSKINS!

COLLEGE NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP

Monday January 11th

Alabama vs. Clemson 8:30 p.m. ESPN My head says 'how can anyone score against this Alabama D?' My heart says Go Dabo! Go Clemson! Go ACC! Beat the Evil Crimson Empire and Darth Saban. CLEMSON!

[Jim W N]

My analyses and predictions:

KC vs. Houston
KC: On offense, their average passing game will struggle against Houston’s 3rd best pass defense, but their strong 3rd best running game should move and score against Houston’s average run defense.
On defense, KC’s 3rd best defense should stop Houston’s low-tier offense, KC’s 4th best pass defense should especially swallow up Houston’s 4th weakest passing game. Look for KC defense to do some intercepting.

Houston: Houston is among the lowest scoring offenses in the NFL at #22. Their 8th best defense is matched against KC’s 9th best offense. Their only hope is their 4th best pass defense stopping and maybe intercepting if KC decides to pass the ball a lot.

Projected winner: KC

Bengals vs. Pittsburgh
Bengals: The Bengals big offensive weapon, their 3rd-ranked passing game, should do well against Pitts mediocre pass defense. The Bengals scoring edge in the pass could mean the difference in the game. The Bengals have a relatively lousy running game which Pitt’s 6th best rush defense should stop.
The Bengals are the 2nd best scoring defense. Their 5th best pass defense should slow Pitt’s 2nd best passing game. However, Pitt’s strong running game may overwhelm the Bengals relatively weak run defense.

Pitt: Pittsburgh’s 4th strongest offense has its hands full against the Bengals’ 2nd strongest defense. However, Pitt may be able to run against the Bengals’ relatively weak run defense. This should be the exciting matchup to watch.
On defense, Pitt’s greatest challenge is to stop the Bengal’s 3rd best pass offense. They should be able to stop the Bengal’s relatively weak running game.

Projected winner: Bengals

Seattle vs. Vikings
Seattle: Seattle’s big weapon is actually a shield - their top-ranked defense which should stop the Vikings who may be able to score some running the ball.
Seattle’s tough scoring offense is met by an equally tough Viking scoring defense which is strange because the Vikings have allowed mid-to-lousy yardage. The Vikes defense must be really good in the red zone

Vikings: The Vikings’ 5th best defense is their main hope against Seattle, The Vikes’ defense allows mid-to-lousy yardage, so the Vikes defense must be really good in the red zone.
On offense the Vikes are hurting in their passing game but may make some headway in their running game.

Projected winner: Seattle

Green Bay vs. Washington
Green Bay: Their mediocre offense may be able to move and score running the ball against Washington’s 2nd worst run defense.
Their mediocre defense may have some trouble with Washington’s passing game.

Washington: Washington may have a chance with their 6th best passing offense against Green Bay’s mediocre defense. Washington’s sad 3rd worst running offense is matched only by the equally bad Green Bay 4th worst run defense.
Their lower-tier defense may not be able to stop Green Bay’s running game.

This looks like the least exciting game of the bunch.

Projected winner: Green Bay

[Jim W N]

Three interceptions by the #3 KC pass defense in the first half. Thought that might happen (prediction/analysis see post #85).

[Hoodat]

Ever since Harry Reid offered his lousy two cents, the Redskins have been winning. So what's it gonna be, Bender? You're either for Harry Reid, or your not.

[campaignPete R-CT]

Green Bay Packers at No. 4 Washington Redskins, Sunday 4:40 p.m. NBC

typo

late game is FOX

[Jim W N]

I don’t think either of today’s games will be as good as yesterday’s down-to-the-wire Pittsburgh-Bengal matchup. BTW, I was rooting fro the Bengals until I began to see that certain key players looked and acted like a bunch of thugs and low-lifes and the coach seemed unwilling or unable to control some of those guys. Their low-life abuse self-destructed in the end and I’m glad Pittsburgh won. We don’t need football turning into a low-life sport the way hockey seems to have gone IMO.

Here’s my match-up analyses and predictions for today’s games.

Seattle vs. Vikings
Seattle: Seattle’s big weapon is actually a shield - their top-ranked defense which should stop the Vikings who may be able to score some running the ball. Look for Seattle interceptions against the Vikes’ low-tier passing offense.
Seattle’s tough scoring offense is met by an equally tough Viking scoring defense which is strange because the Vikings have allowed mid-to-lousy yardage. The Vikes defense must be really good in the red zone
Vikings: The Vikings’ 5th best defense is their main hope against Seattle, The Vikes’ defense allows mid-to-lousy yardage, so the Vikes defense must be really good in the red zone.
On offense the Vikes are hurting in their passing game but may make some headway in their running game.
Projected winner: Seattle

Packers vs. Washington
Green Bay: Their mediocre offense may be able to move and score running the ball against Washington’s 2nd worst run defense.
Their mediocre defense may have some trouble with Washington’s passing game.
Washington: Washington may have a chance with their 6th best passing offense against Green Bay’s mediocre defense. Washington’s sad 3rd worst running offense is matched only by the equally bad Green Bay 4th worst run defense.
Their lower-tier defense may not be able to stop Green Bay’s running game.
This looks like the least exciting game of the bunch.
Projected winner: Green Bay

[BookmanTheJanitor]

Laces out, Dan