Weekend Rundown

1. College is great. I loved it. When you're there, you want to stay forever, avoid the real world, and hit the weekend kegger. We all know how great it is. You know what's even better than the college lifestyle? $50 million guaranteed. Andrew Luck decided to return for his senior year at Stanford instead of being the No. 1 pick in April's draft and cashing a check that would set up the rest of his life.

Good "Luck" with that decision......Hey-O!

Don't get me wrong, Luck can do whatever he wants and make his own decisions that are best for him and his family. But I don't want to hear about "finishing his engineering degree." That can easily be done at any time. If the NFL wants to give you millions and millions and go down in history as a number one pick, you grab that opportunity unless you're scared to take on the challenge. 

Maybe Andrew Luck and his family see a bigger picture that I don't. However, if I'm a starting Division I QB, my ultimate goal is to be a Pro Bowl, championship-winning NFL QB. That's my a childhood dream so when the NFL comes knocking, I answer the door. I don't say, "Maybe next year."

Luck can still be a great NFL QB. Maybe he'll get drafted into a better opportunity than he would have this year, but that's as unknown as if he'll stay healthy until next year's draft. Good luck topping this season, especially without Jim Harbaugh.....

2. Never have I seen a coach blow up on the scene like Harbaugh. Listening to the bidding war over him by NFL teams the past week, it would seem like he's already won multiple Super Bowl rings. He's already built up by the media to be the "next great head coach." The 49ers seem like a good choice, Harbaugh is from the Bay area, and the team isn't that bad. They should have won their division this year. The problem becomes finding a QB, and, in the meantime, getting something out of the Smiths (Alex and Troy) next year. 

Based on what his brother John is doing in Baltimore and the Stanford turnaround, Jim Harbaugh seems like he will be a dynamic coach. Joining the NFC West also helps a first-year coach.

3. The media circus that Rex Ryan likes to create is entertaining, if nothing else. This week he took another unwarranted shot at Tom Brady. Ryan, discussing today's matchup with the Colts, talked about how no one is like Peyton Manning, no one studies like him. Then he said, "I know Brady thinks he does but I think there's probably more help from Belichick with Brady than there is with Peyton Manning." Why does Rex bother firing him up? That's been proven not to work. He goes out of his way to take a shot at the league's soon-to-be MVP when it's a long shot the Jets will even be around to meet up with the Patriots again. The NFL can always use more rivalry, coach-on-opponent smack. With Rex around, there won't be any shortage of it.

4. When this blog started a year ago one of the first posts were NFL Playoff predictions. Here are my Wildcard predictions:

Saints over Seahawks - For obvious reasons.

Colts over Jets - The key for the Jets is Mark Sanchez, it always is. He plays a little better on the road but you won't see me picking against Peyton Manning at home in the first round anytime soon. 

Ravens over Chiefs - I like the experience the Ravens are bringing to this game. A lot of pressure on the young Chiefs to make something of this miraculous division title. The Ravens went into New England last year and smacked Brady and Belichick in the Wildcard round so I don't see them getting knocked out here by the Chiefs.

Eagles over Packers - Tough call. I'll take the Eagles at home, who rested up last week. Aaron Rodgers has a QB rating of 107 against the blitz so there are plenty of concerns for the Eagles. Rodgers needs this win badly for his career but the Eagles are the wrong matchup for him to get it. Mike Vick wants a playoff win even more and I see a big game from of him. When Vick is rolling, the Eagles might be the best team in the league.

Packers Come Up Short

Wildcard weekend wasn't all that compelling until Sunday afternoon when Warner and the Cards battled Rodgers and the Pack.


Cardinals 51 Packers 45 - OT

The only excellent game of the weekend. It set records for points and yards. Warner was damn near perfect. He finished with the second-highest passer rating in playoff history. 29-33, 389 yds, 5 TDs, 0 INT.

Rodgers nearly equaled Warner and almost had enough to pull out the win, but an early interception, on his first attempt, and late fumble were factors in the loss. A great performance in his first playoff game. He still needs to get it out quicker on some plays.

The Packers won a couple of decent games this year, beating Dallas and Baltimore, but lost to teams with elite quarterbacks, like Minnesota, Pittsburgh and Arizona. Big Ben threw for 503 yards and wasn't intercepted. Favre's dominance over Green Bay was well-documented. Warner picked apart Dom Capers' 3-4 defense that was ranked second in the league in yards allowed, the most misleading stat in the league.

The Packers defense faltered again in the most meaningful game of the year. It was up-and-down all year, dominating one week then looking like a JV team the next. Losing Kampman and Al Harris earlier in the year certainly hurt, but giving up 51 points in the playoffs is atrocious.

Packer honk - please don't complain about the no-calls for offensive pass interference on Fitzgerald. For a DPOY candidate, Woodson went down like a house of cards on those two plays.

Reasons for the Packer loss:

• Early deficit - Interception and fumble lost led to a 17-0 hole.
• Defense didn't blitz effectively or frequently enough to get to Warner. He will kill you without pressure.
• Forced only one turnover.

Reasons for Cardinals win:

• Warner. Played one of the best games of his storied career. Doesn't matter who he's throwing to.
• Receiving corp. With Boldin out, Breaston, Doucet and other no-names stepped up.
• Rushing attack. Wells ran the ball effectively against the NFL's No. 1 team against the run.
• Defense made just enough plays. Didn't play well, credit Rodgers for that. Made a couple plays to get the W.

 Funniest moment: The back judge falling over while back-peddling when Rodgers missed Jennings deep down the field in overtime. Second place: Rackers attempt at a game-winning field goal. Yikes.

Wildcard Picks

Saturday - 1-9-10

  Jets v. Bengals - 3:30 p .m. NBC

• The least intriguing match-up of the weekend. Last Sunday's beat down makes me very skeptical the Bengals can win this game. As much as I hate picking the Jets and Rex Ryan, the Bengals can't turn it on that much, even at home.
• Nick Mangold came on JRIB yesterday and Calvin Pace went on Rome's radio show today. They're loading up on Jungle Karma.

       Winner: Jets

  Eagles v. Cowboys - 7:00 p.m. NBC

• I've never believed that Romo could win a meaningful game. That changes here. Third time won't be the charm for the Eagles.
• Romo must play well and have time to deliver the ball, but this year the Cowboys get that elusive playoff win. Dallas' defense will be the major factor in the game. Must get pressure on McNabb.
• It's tough to pick against Andy Reid and McNabb, who are 6-0 in playoff openers since 2000. The Cowboys are 0-5 since 1996. If Romo and 'Son of Bum' Phillips don't get a playoff win this year, they will be buried. Especially by me.

     Winner: Cowboys

Sunday- 1-10-10

  Ravens v. Patriots - 12:00 p.m. CBS

• The Ravens could win, but I'm not going against Belichick and Brady at home in the first round. Even without Welker, they will find a way to advance.
• Everyone is wondering how they'll manage without Welker and the Patriots typically feed off that kind of doubt.
• The Ravens are a good team and Ray Rice is one of the league's top backs, but have had trouble closing out close games this year.

      Winner: Patriots

  Packers v. Cardinals - 3:30 p.m. FOX

• All the "experts" are predicting the Packers are the team to make noise in the NFC playoffs. They have looked good, won 7 of last 8. Handled the Cards last week.
• I'm going the other way. I've got Warner coming up big in a game people don't think he will win. That's how it works with Warner. He loses the games he should win and wins the games he should lose. (ex.- beat Minnesota, lose to San Fran.) Warner is known as a big game QB. If he can stay upright and not fumble six times I like Arizona's chances.
• Another reason: I don't trust McCarthy. Possibly went too hard last week while Whisenhunt shut it down. Rodgers is very consistant, but is playing in his first playoff game.

     Winner: Cardinals

I've asked Jevne Sports Journal consultant Josh Jevne to submit his playoff picks for comparison. Not much difference, but makes the Packers game more interesting.

                                                    Zach                                 Josh

Jets/Bengals                             Jets                                    Jets
Eagles/Cowboys                  Cowboys                         Cowboys
Ravens/Patriots                      Patriots                             Patriots
Packers/Cardinals                 Cardinals                           Packers

All Times Central