NFL 2016 Playoff Picks

NFC

 

Division Winners:

Redskins

Packers

Panthers

Cardinals 

Wild Cards:

Seahawks

Vikings

AFC

Division Winners:

Patriots

Steelers

Colts

Broncos

Wild Cards:

Jets

Chiefs

 

 

Super Bowl:

Patriots over Seahawks

Battle Tested

After being taken to the brink by a remarkably tough opponent, on the road, in terrible weather conditions, the Giants are Super Bowl bound.

It wasn't pretty, and I credit the 49ers for that, especially their defense. And it took some really heads-up special teams plays by Jacquain Williams and Devin Thomas, off of gaffes by 49ers' punt return man Kyle Williams. But championship teams find a way to win, and this team did exactly that, while minimizing their own mistakes.

I can still hardly believe it, but I've got plenty of time to come to grips with it now - as much as I wish this game could be played tomorrow, the Super Bowl is 13 days away. For now, I'll just say I like the Giants' chances. They open as 3 1/2 point underdogs, but I was more afraid of the 49ers than I am of the Patriots.

The Giants have faced so many challenges this year, and I believe those challenges have toughened them up to become what they have become, over the past 5 games.

What a season it's been...but there is still one more game to win.

Astounding

37-20 over the 15-1 Packers. That's not just a big road win, that's domination.

Watching this team make nothing look easy over their first 14 games, I still almost can't believe what I'm seeing.

In the 2nd quarter in Week 16 against the Jets, the Giants trailed 7-3, when Eli Manning hit Victor Cruz on a 3rd and 10 from the Giants' own 1 yard-line. Since Cruz sidestepped two Jets defenders and went the remaining 99 yards for the TD, the Giants have outscored the Jets, Cowboys, Falcons, and Packers, by a combined score of 118-43. It's as if they were sparked into becoming a completely different team.

Now, on to San Francisco for a rematch. The 49ers are awfully tough, and not to be overlooked. When watching their matchup with the Saints the day before, I was struck by how physical they are, and how well they tackle. I'll be shocked if the NFC Championship is a blowout for either side. But the way the Giants are playing, they can beat anyone.

And a last note - I don't usually get into the "bulletin board material" kind of stuff because at this point in the season, no player needs extra motivation. But I was amazed at what I heard from Vernon Davis when he was interviewed during halftime of Giants-Packers.

Davis was asked if he was rooting for the Packers or Giants. Every time I've previously heard an athlete asked this question, they have been diplomatic and not answered it. But Davis flat out said, he wanted the Giants to win. I understand he likes to play at home, but after what he saw done to the Packers yesterday, as the saying goes, "Be careful what you wish for."

The goal now? Finish it.

Thrill ride continues

Like the motto they have seemed to adopt for 2011-12, I am "All In" with these Giants.

After a nightmare start with one injury after another to key players, they're the healthiest they've been all season.

The offense, after a hiccup against the Redskins and Jets (pre-Cruz 99 yard TD), is back to its explosive self, and now with finally a threat to run the ball well.

The defense is playing as well as it has all season, after Perry Fewell simplified things towards the end of the season after the secondardy had been leaving gaping holes all year. I'd ask, "Where have these adjustments been the first 14 games?" but that would just be nit-picking at this point. All that matters is the present.

I've been critical of Gilbride and Quinn, and super critical of Fewell, but that's in the past, and I'm 100% behind them for this game, and believe they'll each be prepared with a good scheme for their units. And above all, I believe Coughlin will have them ready, down to every detail, to play a competitive game against a Packers team with an almost unstoppable offense...but a defense that can be scored upon.

Will it be enough? We'll see. A playoff run can end suddenly, so I'm going to enjoy it for however long it lasts. But I'm about as confident as I can possibly be in a 9-7 team going on the road to face a 15-1 team as 9 point underdogs.

This team believes, and they have me believing too.

A New Season

It's been a sunny and warm start to January here in the Phoenix area, a symbol of the feeling I've had since the Giants defeated Dallas on Sunday night, punching their ticket to the playoffs and a matchup with Atlanta.

Before we look ahead, I'd like to look back at the season that was. Jerry Reese and Tom Coughlin have done a remarkable job this season in getting this team to the playoffs, considering Coughlin's ability to keep them fighting in spite of the injuries to key players pretty much from the start of camp, and the depth Reese gave this roster even though it seemed the Giants were sitting on their hands and not improving, while the Eagles were building a "dream team" in free agency. But there's something to be said for stability and continuity. Kevin Gilbride has been Eli Manning's coordinator for 4 years now, and was his QB coach before that. Their comfort with each other shows, and Eli has had a season for the ages. (This is somewhat overshadowed by three other quarterbacks, Drew Brees, Tom Brady, and Aaron Rodgers, having even more amazing seasons. A lot of other years, Eli Manning would have been MVP, but I can't blame voters for placing Eli likely a distant fourth this year.)

On defense, I'm still not the biggest Perry Fewell fan, but it seems his unit is starting to peak at the right time, with the secondary finally clamping down after being gashed all season, and the pass rush firing on all cylinders.

If the oddsmakers are any indication, the Falcons and Giants are as evenly matched as it gets. The Giants are a 3 point favorite, and usually the standard in setting the line is to grant 3 points to the team playing at home.

I have no idea what's going to happen Sunday, but I can't wait to find out.