A Couple of Playoff Predictions

What up? We've got four great playoff games this weekend and I thought I'd throw in my opinion for some of them.


First off we've got Washington and Tampa Bay. They met up once already this season and Tampa Bay won on a late two point conversion by the Bucs. Personally, I don't think it will be as close of a game this time around. Unlike the other game I'll write about, I don't see any one player on this field being the key to victory. What I do see is that the Bucs have is a (for all intents and purposes) a rookie QB in Chris Simms and a rookie running back in Cadillac Williams.

Compare those two to the Redskins' Mark Brunell and Clinton Portis (here on out known as Sheriff Gonna Getcha). Brunell and the Sheriff are much more experienced players and will have a easier time staying cool if they start off down. Simms and Williams, while good players, aren't experienced in the playoffs and could easily end up in a situation where they are pressing too hard to make things happen. So my pick for this game is Washington over Tampa Bay


The other game I have a feeling about is Carolina against the Giants. There is one player who will be the key to this game and his name is Tiki Barber. Take Tiki Barber out of the equation and the Giants don't have a chance. Eli is not yet the kind of quarterback that can put a team on his shoulders, as I saw when he threw a bunch of interceptions late against the Eagles. While Carolina does have some great players, especially comeback player of the year Steve Smith, none of the Panthers alone could change the outcome of the game.

Tiki, on the other hand, is essential for the Giants' victory. If he has a great game, the pressure will be off of Manning and it will also give the defense a break. That is why my prediction for this game comes with a stipulation. If Tiki Barber is held to less than 120 all purpose yards and a touchdown, the Panthers win this game. If Barber goes for more than 120 all purpose yards, then I think the Giants will take this one. Point being. the key is Barber (speaking of, how come he didn't get a little more respect for the MVP voting.......I know he wasn't tops, but I thought he was pretty important to his team).


The other games are way too hard to read so I'm not going to put my neck out for them. A couple thoughts though. First, I wouldn't mind the Jaguars winning a couple just so I could see the headline "Ernest Goes to the Super Bowl" after Jaqs' Ernest Wilford has a big game in the conference championship. I also wouldn't mind seeing someone like Chad Johnson in the Super Bowl, if only because he could score a touchdown in the Super Bowl and then end up giving out fake Super Bowl rings to everyone in the crowd as a celebration.

That's all I got for this edition of the Sports Chair. If you're enjoying what I'm writing, pass it on to others you know. Later