The NFL playoffs are set

...and here is Bolivar with his predictions!

Yesterday was the first time in history that I can remember rooting for the Philadelphia Eagles. It was real simple - if Philly knocked off Washington, and Dallas beat St. Louis, then Dallas is in the playoffs. Well, it didn't work out like that - Washington beat Philly, 31-20, and St. Louis beat Dallas, 20-10. The big question is, will Bill Parcells step down as the Cowboys' coach? Will Andy Reid get fired as the Eagles' coach? One year ago, the Eagles were in the Super Bowl - this year they finished 6-10. Not to mention all the controversy surrounding Terrell Owens & Donovan McNabb this year.

I know one thing - Minnesota wasted no time in getting rid of Mike Tice. Talk about controversy this season! Minnesota made one hell of a run towards the last half of the season, but a 9-7 record does not get into the playoffs (which is real strange, considering that, last season, they were 8-8 & got into the playoffs).

How about the Houston Texans? They fired Don Capers this morning, but I wondered how many people in Houston cheered when San Francisco kicked the winning field goal in OT yesterday. Yes, Houston lost, but they also won. They won first pick in the NFL draft next year. Reggie Bush, say hello to your new team.

Other milestones - Dick Vermeil's farewell to football after KC crushed Cincinnati yesterday, Jerome Bettis's possible last game in Pittsburgh, Doug Flutie's last game (loved that drop kick yesterday!), and is Brett Favre calling it quits? Vermeil is one of the greatest coaches of all time, "The Bus" one of the greatest running backs of all time, Flutie's passion for the game cannot be overstated, & Brett - say it isn't so! I would love to see Brett come back & take Green Bay to the playoffs just one more time. Yes, Brett had a rough year, but all of the greats have had tough times at one time or another. Yes, Brett has done it all - NFL MVP, all-Pro quarterback, a Super Bowl ring - but I would love to see Brett do it just one more time. Even if all he does is get them in the playoffs, and then retires after being eliminated in the first round - I am satisfied. Please do not go out this way, Brett.

OK - Bolivar's playoff predictions!!

Jacksonville @ New England

Jacksonville finished 12-4, which is surprising knowing that Byron Leftwich is out for the season. But when you look at how soft their schedule was toward the end of the season - it is not surprising that they made the playoffs. Still, Leftwich is the most underrated QB in the NFL, & his presence is missed. New England, on the other hand, despite losing yesterday with the second-string players in, has won 4 of their last 5 games, and are very tough to beat at home. Bolivar's prediction: New England 24, Jacksonville 10.

Pittsburgh @ Cincinnati

This will be the third time these two teams have met this season. Pittsburgh has playoff experience on their side. Even though Pittsburgh's defense struggled a little bit yesterday, they still have what it takes to get it done. Cincinnati's defense has struggled the last half of the season, & the defense didn't even show up yesterday. Their defense has given up an average of 31 points over the last six games - a terrible statistic. The offense has been great - Carson Palmer has definitely earned his paycheck this year - and Cincinnati deserves to be in the playoffs. That's not enough... Pittsburgh 34, Cincinnati 21.

Washington @ Tampa Bay

Tampa has not been in the playoffs since they won the Super Bowl in 2002. Washington has not been in since 1999. Congrats to both teams. There is a lot of bad blood surrounding this game - Tampa beat Washington, 36-35, a few weeks ago due to a very controversial call by an official. Washington has not lost since. Tampa struggled against New Orleans yesterday. Washington stuck with the game plan & beat Philly yesterday. Both teams have sound, solid defenses, and both will be on display next Sunday. Washington, as I have pointed out, has won 5 games in a row. Next Sunday will be 6. Upset Special #1: Washington 24, Tampa Bay 21.

Carolina @ NY Giants

Around the middle of the season, I predicted a Manning vs. Manning Super Bowl, after the Giants destroyed Washington 37-0. But the Giants have been so inconsistent after that impressive victory. Carolina, on the other hand, is running on all cylinders after crushing Atlanta yesterday. Yes, the Giants are impressive on both sides of the ball - Eli Manning has earned his spot, & Tiki Barber is having a career year. Michael Strahan is the role model for what a defensive leader should be. But Carolina is rolling, and next Sunday will be no different... Upset Special #2: Carolina 21, NY Giants 17.

OK, some words about the top seeds:

Indianapolis - The Colts are the team to beat in the playoffs. Even if New England knocks off Jacksonville this Sunday, NE will have to go to Indy this time instead of the other way around. NE has struggled against Indy in Indy (case in point: Indy 40, NE 21 in Week 12, in a game that wasn't even that close). Pittsburgh was beaten soundly by Indy four weeks ago on Monday Night Football. Indy has crushed Denver two years in a row in the playoffs, with Indy scoring an average of 45 points in those two contests. The past problem the Colts have had - namely, a lack of a good defense - has been solved this year. The only team that can beat Indy, in my opinion, is Indy.

Denver - What a season Denver has had! Do not count Jake Plummer out for MVP consideration. The only team that stands in Denver's way is Indy. I look for those two teams to play in the AFC Championship Game, and even though Denver will come up short, it will be a much better contest than the above-mentioned games. Do not count Denver out by any means.

Seattle - This is Seattle's year. Solid on both sides of the ball. The only team I see that could cause problems for Seattle is Carolina. I still see Seattle making their very first appearance in a Super Bowl.

Chicago - This statement should surprise no one: Chicago is in because of their defense. Their offense is one of the worst, if not the worst, in the NFL. Keep in mind that the Baltimore Ravens won the Super Bowl a few years back with defense. But defense will not be enough against Carolina or Washington, two teams that have solid defenses of their own. Look for Chicago to get eliminated in the second round if they don't get an offense going in the next two weeks.

I can't end this without something for the teams that got left out in the cold: Kansas City (10-6) had the toughest schedule in the NFL this year. I am surprised they finished as well as they did. San Diego (9-7) should be proof that a football game lasts 60 minutes: in 5 of the 7 losses they had, they had the lead in the fourth quarter & couldn't hold on. Dallas (9-7) could not win in the clutch this year. I predicted that losing to Washington in Week 2 would come back to haunt them... need I say more? Minnesota (9-7), despite all obstacles, made one hell of a run towards the playoffs, even without Randy Moss & Dante Culpepper. And Miami (9-7)! For all practical purposes, they were eliminated from playoff contention 6 weeks ago when they were 3-7. What a hell of a six weeks they had! They finished with a winning record & big-time momentum on their side for next season.

Hey Nettiemac - I know you are a fan of the NFL. Care to put any wagers on the playoffs?

In the words of Bobby Darin, "That's All..."

Bolivar "NFL overdosed" Shagnasty