NFL playoff preview. 1-7-11

The road to Dallas begins tomorrow. 12 Teams all chasing the Lombardi Trophy.
AFC
New England Patriots- It would be crazy to bet against this Bill Belichick football team. They are playing great offense. Brady has been perfect this season, Special teams are scoring and playing well and their young defense is playing at a championship level. With home field advantage up in Foxbough Mass. They are clearly my favorite to win it all.

Pittsburgh Steelers- Strong threw the air, power running offense and a healthy Troy Pallumalo, smells like a steelers teams poised to make another

Indianapolis Colts- Are on the fence, between being a contender or being a mediocre team that just barley coasted into the playoffs. Riding a 4 game win streak, the Colts are entering this post season a complete underdog, when they are 11 points away from being 14-2. The Colts lost IN Foxborough against the pats by one throw. one drop against dallas. one throw against Philly. and one 61 yard field goal against the Jags. Maybe its bad luck, maybe its not being able to overcome the injurys, maybe Peyton’s lost it since the pic in last years superbowl. Or maybe... Just maybe. They are getting hot and healthy and peaking at the right time..

Kanas City Chiefs- Winning a sloppy divison and being side tracked by Charlie Weis leaving for Florida offence coord job, is there any reason to believe they are a real team?

5.Baltimore Ravens- Joe Flaco, Ray Rice, Ray Lewis, John Harbaugh and co. feel like a team to beat, but can they win on the road against KC, then in NE?

6.New York Jets- Rex Ryan shocked the world last year when upsetting Cincinnati and the Chargers while falling short against Indianapolis in last years playoffs. Their defense isnt as dominate, their offense is off and on. And will need a big day out of RB Ladanian Tomlinson and KR/PR Brad Smith in order to knock off the Colts at home where they are 21-5 ( one loss coming from the Curtis Painter Game against the jets) and 2-0 in the postseason.

NFC
Atlanta Falcons- The Matt Ryan lead offense has done nothing but win games and having Home Field throughout playoffs should really help the young Falcons

Chicago Bears- The monsters of the Midway returned in a big way this season, leading the NFL in defense for the majority of the season. A healthy Urlacher, a excited, confident return man in Devin Hester and a offense that looks like that found their identity are going to have to win a tough 2nd week matchup against a hot Packers team, or the Mike Vick lead Eagles

Philadelphia Eagles- Mike Vick and the philly offense looked untouchable until humbled by the injury depleted, 6-10 Vikings. The question I am wondering is, did the Vikings find the answer or was it just a bad game for the Eagles, we will find out this weekend when they play the young hot Green Bay Packers.

Seattle Seahawks- Going 7-9 and winning the worst division in football has Pete Carroll and his Hawks hosting a playoff game against the injured New Orleans Saints. If there is one thing Pete Carroll is great at, its getting his players ready and motivated for big games.

New Orleans Saints- With injuries and the media telling them they might as well rest their starters and vegas giving them -10 over the Seahawks, i can smell an upset if Seattle jumps out an early start.


Green Bay Packers- Aaron Rogers and the Packers defense are getting healthy and hot for this first time this season at a great time. They will face the Eagles against Mike Vick and the Philly crowd, hopefully they avoid another tragic loss in the postseason like last year against the Cards.