As the Melo Turns

First of all, let me say that I am dog tired of this whole drama involving Denver Nuggets forward Carmelo Anthony. This is worse than the whole LeBron James free agency extravaganza that took place in the summer. With James, it was the summer and there was no basketball going on and he was arguably the biggest free agent ever. This is going on during the season and every day something different comes about, then you hear the obvious things that everyone knew already. Then Anthony was close to being traded how many times now? It's the NBA's version of 'The Boy Who Cried Wolf'. The 'he said, she said', this source, that source crap gets old. All of that aside, I do have an interest in it because of the magnitude of the player and because the Knicks are within the heart of the rumors.

It's a complicated situation that doesn't seem to be near to a close. There are so many questions that still need to be answered on Anthony's end, on the Nuggets end, and on the end of whichever team (looking more and more like the New Jersey Nets) is willing to trade for him. Is Denver trying to openly spite Anthony? Is Anthony willing to sign an extension with the Nets? Is Anthony 'all in' on eventually being a New York Knick? There is no way to accurately gauge what is going on within the trade rumors, especially when there is a plethora of different rumors every single day.

I'm not particularly sure why Anthony would want to sign his future off to New Jersey when they currently are a poor team who wouldn't stand to get much better with the trade. Of course though, there is the sticky issue of a new CBA agreement, and the money Anthony would potentially pass up by foregoing an extension now.

Of course I'm somewhat biased here as I'm a Knicks fan but I think his best bet going forward would be playing for the New York Knicks. Given the fact that the Knicks are in a somewhat tricky cap situation in this coming offseason, mostly due to Wilson Chandler's cap hold, the Knicks almost have to trade for him if they want him. Ultimately, if the Knicks trade for him they might clear their pantry of role players but the trio of PG Raymond Felton, PF/C Amar'e Stoudemire and Anthony would be a force for years to come.

If I had to make a prediction now on where Carmelo will end up, I'd say he'll be a Knick. Of course, I also swore LeBron would be a Knick. I'm tempered in my thoughts this time as I saw a similar situation play out last summer. Who knows what Melo wants? Does Melo even know what he wants? Who knows anything involving Melo at this stage that isn't speculative? Nobody knows anything. But I know this, tomorrow features another episode of 'As the Melo Turns'.

For the Jets this showdown may be "business", but for me it's personal

As anyone who knows anything about me is well aware of, I'm a diehard football fan. Most of all, I'm a diehard Jets fan. I'm not going to sit here and act like I've been a fan of the Jets since football was invented. I'm a young guy, 'only' 23 years old. That doesn't change the fact that I absolutely love this team, and the fact that I cannot possibly be more emotionally invested in this team. The Jets are my favorite professional sports franchise, and I ride with them to the very end. I watch every second of Jets football I can watch, no matter what. 1-15 Jets? I'll watch. Kliff Kingsbury is starting because 4 QBs on your team are hurt? I'll watch. Chad Pennington's shoulder is spaghetti? I'll watch. My passion for this team is simply off the charts. Through everything, I stick with the team I grew up loving.

The last two seasons for the team have been among the best Jet memories I've had. I am fully aware that I'm not saying much with that statement given what the Jets have done for the last 15 years. Since the hire of head coach Rex Ryan, the culture of the team has changed. The team is far more physical than it was under the previous regime. The team in its entirety is more about physicality and beating you straight forward as opposed to the finesse, the smoke and mirrors that marred the Eric Mangini era.

Ryan definitely has his flaws, both on the field and off it. On the field, sometimes his clock management can be spotty. Sometimes, I think Rex's bravado and general overconfidence can have an adverse affect on a game (see: fake punt in Week 16 for prime example). And sometimes all the talking he does gets absolutely old, but overall the Jets are 23-13 as the Jets coach with two straight playoff appearances and three road playoff wins. I'm extremely appreciative of Rex Ryan and what he has done for my team, as far as the culture and obviously the record. I'm encouraged with the direction the team is headed. Now there are quite a few tough decisions for the offseason but this isn't the time for that. Once the season is over, I can talk about the offseason.

The Jets defeated the Colts last week on a "walk off" field goal, setting up Round Three of New England Patriots vs New York Jets. Round One was a decisive Jets victory backed by an impressive performance from QB Mark Sanchez and saw the defense pitch a second half shutout. Game Two, which pretty much decided the division, saw the Patriots take the Jets behind the woodshed behind Woodhead.

Now it's time for Round Three between the rivals. Ryan has talked all year about what he believes his team is capable of, and how anything short of a Superbowl is a failure. He's mentioned how he isn't here to kiss Belichick's rings and his particular distaste for the Patriots. Well it's safe to say that he certainly isn't alone with that particular sentiment. I'm sure many of the other Jets players, coaches, and staff members feel that way too.

More than anyone though, I feel the Jets fanbase HATES the New England Patriots and everything about them. I'm not going to speak for them, as I can only speak for myself. And on my end, I absolutely despise the Patriots. Obviously the fact that they are winning is a small part of the hatred, but everything about that team rubs me the wrong way. From the smug arrogant owner to the QB who whines whenever he gets touched, down to the coach who left us at the 12th hour to go to New England and has won three championships since then (while we've been through four head coaches), everything about them rubs me the wrong way. The fact that this incredible run they have been on for the last 10 years basically started with a fateful hit by Jets MLB Mo Lewis makes it all the more nauseating. Lewis took out then Patriot QB Drew Bledsoe, and Tom Brady took over. And from there, the story tells itself.

I can respect those guys because of how they seemingly ease into any and everything seamlessly. They are a winning franchise, with a winning coach and a winning QB. So while I do hate them with a passion, I'm not a blind fan. I recognize what they have done and why they are a model franchise. And as a result, the exposure they get makes my stomach turn. I'm not trying to say they don’t deserve the admiration and respect they get, far from it. They've been the model of consistency for years now, but the weasel head coach, and the whiny QB, along with the fact that all of this is taking place for a bitter rival in Massachusetts make it difficult to stomach.

Honestly, it hurts. And over the ten year period of dominance all they have done is beat the Jets like they stole something repeatedly. They have owned us for the better part of this decade, and I'm tired of it. The Jets have been a fairly successful franchise over the past ten years, as they have appeared in the playoffs six times. The Jets also have had one home playoff game in that time span, mostly because the Patriots have dominated the AFC East.

Rock bottom for me as a football came during week 13 of this NFL season, as I watched the Patriots run roughshod all over the Jets to the tune of 45-3. I have never been so embarrassed as a Jets fan. As well documented at the top, I’ve seen quite a bit of negative as a Jet fan. There is practically nothing negative as a football fan that I've never experienced. When they say that being a Jets fan "builds character", it's the truth. I can attest to that one.

Honestly that game was the most painful to endure as a Jets fan. I was in a bar full of Jets fans, and midway through the second quarter the game was all but decided, and everyone was dejected. The Jets were tied for the division lead going into the game, and it was probably the biggest regular season game the Jets have ever played in since I became a fan back in 1996. The fact that they lost wasn't the hard part because the Patriots are a damn good team. The fact that they embarrassed themselves, and basically no showed on National television cut deep. It stung like no other loss I've ever experienced, with the possible exception of the 1998 AFC Title Game.

Bottom line, I give the Patriots respect because for all they have represented over the last ten years (even with the cheating scandal and the weasel head coach), as they are epitome of winning. Even with the respect, comes a hatred not matched by any other sports franchises.

All the talk all year from everyone within the team was how the goal was Superbowl or Bust. Go out there and take it. The second step is walking out of Foxboro victorious. Go out there and do the "impossible". Do it for yourselves, do it for the man next to you and do it for me. I'm ready for Sunday, and at 4:30 Sunday we'll see if the Jets are too.

So to the New York Jets players, coaching staff, and everyone who is involved with the team---have the game of your lives. Make yourselves, your fellow employees, the millions of Jets fans in the world and the city proud. Go out there and shock the world. Beat the New England Patriots, and knock the smirk off Tom Brady's face. Make sure he'll hate us even more than he already does. Make sure the fourth quarter of this game won't be a Patriot trash talking fest like it probably was during the week 13 massacre.

For the Jet players, coaches and the like, this may be more business and football than anything else. For me, and a legion of other Jets fans, it's personal. Let's get it. Go Jets.

Thoughts on Wild Card Weekend

-Though I didn't think much of the Seahawks, and actually laughed (and still do laugh) at the idea of a 7-9 team hosting a playoff game, I ate my crow with ketchup. I like it when a team no one expects to do anything ends up shocking the world. I thought the outrage of them making the playoffs was a bit ridiculous. Yes they were basically the skinniest kid at fat camp but the fact of the matter is they won their division. I think the outrage was a bit much honestly. Good for them.

-The Saints defense is terrible. Besides the ridiculous Marshawn Lynch run, one play was a microcosm of their performance. That long touchdown from QB Matt Hasselbeck to WR Brandon Stokley, where Stokley ran down the field unimpeded as four guys chased helplessly while he waltzed into the endzone summed it up.

-Is Reggie Bush really that bad at the running the ball to the point where he can't beat out Julius Jones. It's the worst kept secret in the history of the world that I don't think much of him as a player, but it really makes you wonder about him, where the Saints find the need to give the ball to Jones more than him. Can he really be that bad a runner?

- That Marshawn Lynch run was perhaps the best run I've ever seen in my life when you take all the factors into account. The man broke eight tackles on one play, and made the Saints defense look like a pee wee defense. And Tracy Porter, all I have to say about you is 'C'mon man'. I think he's still flying from that stiff arm.

-Reggie Wayne. 1 catch, 1 yard. Does anyone STILL not believe Darrelle Revis isn't the best DB in the sport? If you don't, there's no point of return for you. I think Kanye West and Jay-Z put forth the track 'Monster' with Revis in mind, because that's exactly what he is--a monster.

-I thought the offensive playcalling for the Colts was particularly bizarre. Do I realize the Jets basically dared the Colts to run the ball all night? Yes. The Jets dared the Colts, and particularly Peyton Manning to be patient and I believe they were too patient the entire night. I was surprised that Rex Ryan was so patient and conservative with his playcalling and I was just as surprised that Peyton Manning was SO patient. The Colts can't run the ball, and couldn't run the ball despite the Jets giving the run game to them all night. When they passed the ball, the Jets rarely ever touched Manning, so why they didn't pass more I'll never know. I'm glad they didn't.

-The timeout that Colts coach Jim Caldwell called on the last drive was befuddling. You weren't going to get the ball back. The Jets had control of the clock. The Jets were at the 32 yard line, so the field goal isn't exactly a chip shot. In essence, all the timeout did was give the Jets extra time to think about what play they were going to run. Then Caldwell's explanation after the game made even less sense than the timeout itself. It was something to the effect of "We wanted them to run more plays,". Uh, what?

-Out of any quarterback with good numbers, QB Matt Cassel is probably by far the most unimpressive I've ever seen. Honestly, I expected the Chiefs would get blown out simply because I thought their body of work was unimpressive. I thought the Chiefs were the worst AFC team coming into the playoffs. They beat nobody all year asides from the Chargers, who didn't even make the postseason. The Ravens are simply on a different level. Back on Cassel, the guy just doesn't look like a good quarterback. I've seen some of the Chiefs this year and I've never sat there and thought, "Man, this guy is good," He didn't even crack 100 yards and threw three interceptions on Sunday. He looked like a high school quarterback for the majority of the game. Color me unsurprised.

-I will never understand for the life of me why HB Jamaal Charles doesn't get more carries. This isn't so much about yesterday as it is the just generally speaking with the Chiefs. I understand that the guy is less than 200 LBs, but the man averaged more than SIX yards per carry. He had only nine carries yesterday, and in the last two seasons he has only had 400 carries. I understand you don't want to burn him out but the guy has to get more touches. He's far too explosive to 'spare'. They have to use that guy more.

-I like Andy Reid. I think he's one of the brightest offensive minds in football, and I think his resume backs that claim. However, why is it that in EVERY short yardage situation Reid just HAS to try and get cute. I completely understand that the Eagles don't exactly have the ideal short yardage package. The interior of their line is shoddy and with the loss of Leonard Weaver they don't have anything that even looks like a short yardage back. Even so, at some point when do you just run the ball up the middle with your running back? 2nd and short, 3rd and short you run back to back QB draws with your 180 LB QB? Really? That wasn't a big deal in the game (they did score on that drive) but every time I see that I wonder if Andy Reid is trying to win a beauty pageant or a football game.

-QB Mike Vick going for the jugular on the last play of the game throwing to WR Riley Cooper was a little puzzling. Now if the throw was just a tad deeper, this part of the entry might have a different tint, but why not go with what got you there? WR Desean Jackson, WR Jeremy Maclin, HB LeSean McCoy and TE Brent Celek are the Eagles best skill players. Vick has all of those guys, yet with the season on the line he's throwing jump balls to.....Riley Cooper? Really?

-I'm glad Aaron Rodgers got his first playoff victory. He played a really good game, and I don't think the guy gets credit for how good he is for the simple fact that he doesn't have the playoff success others have. Well, in time he'll get his. He continues to impress.

-The Eagles offensive line should all thank the heavens that Mike Vick is their quarterback. Otherwise, they'd give up an immense number of sacks. They need some tinkering, especially on the interior of the line.

-All in all, three good games and a bad one this weekend. It was a pretty good weekend of football and hopefully next week brings us the same.

NFC Wildcard Game- (5) New Orleans Saints @ ("4") Seattle Seahawks

I really wish I could summon the energy to type out some serious analysis on the game but the fact of the matter is, this game is as one sided as it gets. You have an under .500 team going up against the defending Superbowl Champions who happen to be led by one of the very best quarterbacks in the sport. Regular season record is not necessarily everything when it comes to a playoff team, as there are other factors like how the team ends the season, health, and matchups among other things.

That aside, this Seattle Seahawk team is putrid. They were outscored by 97 points in the regular season. In order to fill this out a little bit, I'll look at some things to watch for this game.

-Does New Orleans play tight? New Orleans is nearly two touchdown favorites, and it is pretty much world renown how they should have no problem winning this game. In this situation, sometimes teams either underestimate their opponent or flat out play tight and keep the opponent in the game. It'll be interesting to see how New Orleans deals with this.

-While the Saints have one of the best passers in the business, their top two running backs (Pierre Thomas and Chris Ivory) are out for this game, leaving them down to Reggie Bush and Julius Jones. That is a very uninspiring duo, but given the fact that the Seahawks defend against the pass and the run equally poorly, it probably won't matter.

-The Saints need to throttle the Seahawks early. As poor as the Seahawks are, in a game of this magnitude, the crowd can be the great equalizer. The Seahawks boast one of the best "12th men" in the league. Unfortunately they are stuck with the first eleven men they have on both sides of the football

-If the Seahawks are to stand a chance, they must play the game of their life. If that is to happen, they must show something they haven't all year. They must show they have the ability to play like a good team.

Final Thoughts and Prediction:

This is a major mismatch, and the Saints will show why it is with a blowout win.

Saints 34 Seahawks 14

WIldcard Weekend- (6) New York Jets @ (3) Indianapolis Colts

I prayed as hard as imaginable to avoid a situation where my New York Jets would face Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. Unfortunately, all that praying didn't work, and the Jets will see the NFL player that scares me the most. As the Tennesee Titans were driving last week, I was feeling good as I thought the Titans were on their way to sending the Jets to Kansas City. Unfortunately Kerry Collins did his best Rex Grossman and fumbled the snap, and thus the game away to the Colts.

Regardless, before I break into the same rage I was in last week watching it, I will talk about the game itself.

It has been an interesting season for the New York Jets to say the least. Exploits both on the field and off have made for the most interesting season in recent memory for the Jets. Dramatic wins in the last minute of games, the Boston massacre at the hands of the Patriots, "tripgate", and "footgate" have contributed to a wild Jets season.

The Colts have struggled by their standards this season as they needed to win the last four games of the season to get into the postseason, winning the AFC South at 10-6. The Colts have suffered through several key injuries, namely to offensive skill players TE Dallas Clark, WR Austin Collie and RB Joseph Addai.

While Peyton Manning threw for 4,700 yards and 33 touchdowns he also threw 17 interceptions, 11 of them coming in a rough three game stretch against the Cowboys, Patriots, and Chargers where the Colts lost three straight and nearly compromised their playoff chances in the process. This season was probably the most trying season for the Colts in some time, as they dealt with more adversity than they usually do. Normally they have the AFC South division wrapped up by the beginning of December, but clinched in week 17 this season. Peyton Manning went through the worst three game stretch of his career and the Colts dealt with several key injuries. Despite all of that the Colts still made the postseason, and come into the postseason on a four game win streak.

Thoughts on the game:

-Can the Jets offense step up? Can they sustain drives long enough to help themselves and their defense? The Jet offense has been highly inconsistent all season long, but they have been better in recent weeks with good showings in road games against the Steelers and Bears. The Jets have the skill players to get it done, but often times disjointed playcalling from OC Brian Schotteinheimer and inconsistency from second year QB Mark Sanchez adversely affect the offense's production.

-The Jets have lacked a pass rush for the majority of the season as quarterbacks often sat in the pocket with an eternity to throw the ball. Fortunately for the team, they have arguably the best CB tandem in the NFL featuring all world CB Darrelle Revis and CB Antonio Cromartie which have been a significant help in masking the deficiencies in the front seven.

-How often will the Colts exploit the Jets LBs and nickel/dime backs in coverage? That has been a weak point of the Jets defense all year, as teams have consistently gone to that well and the middle of the field has been open 24/7. Dallas Clark being out there would cause major problems as he's an All Pro tight end, but Jacob Tamme has been solid in his absence. He's built in a similar mold, as he's a pass catching tight end with wide receiver like qualities. The Jets have nobody who can handle him in coverage, and nobody is better at exploiting a mismatch than Peyton Manning.

Final thoughts and prediction:

While I truly believe the Jets are the better overall team, the Colts have Peyton Manning, and I don't feel the Jets team is well enough equipped to deal with him.

Colts 27 Jets 23

Thoughts on SB XLIV (Saints- Colts)

NFL Playoffs: Divisional Round

New York Jets @ San Diego Chargers

Thoughts: As much as I want to pick the Jets, and as much as I want to see them win, I see the buck stopping here for the Jets. I see the Chargers 'secondary' weapons being the reason they win the game. By secondary, I'm talking about guys like Darren Sproles, Malcolm Floyd, Legedu Naanee and others. I don't see the Jets letting Philip Rivers throwing to Vincent Jackson and Antonio Gates beat them, so they will force the hands of the complimentary players, and they'll rise to the occasion. While I expect the Jets to hold the Chargers below their offensive averages, and play well, I expect the Jets offense to falter a bit. While they played well last week, there is more that points to that being a fluke than it being a sign. The Jets have a lot of positives for the near and distant future to build on, but the 2009 buck stops in California, as Rivers and company move on to the AFC Championship Game.

PREDICTION: Chargers 27 Jets 17

Baltimore Ravens @ Indianapolis Colts

Thoughts: I'm hearing a lot of love for Baltimore this week, and rightfully so. They are a very good team. They can run the ball, play defense and they have a QB who's not going to hurt them. That being said, I like Peyton Manning and the Colts here, but the game will be a close one. I think the game will come down to Joe Flacco eventually having to make plays to lead his team, and I don't see that happening. Though I think the Colts defense is very suspect, I've seen very little that makes Joe Flacco reliable in a game where he has to win it on his arm. That is what I think he will have to do, as the Colts will do everything in their power to stop the Ravens strong rushing attack. The Ravens fall a bit short, Manning and the Colts move on to the AFC Title game.

Prediction: Colts 31 Ravens 20

Dallas Cowboys @ Minnesota Vikings

Thoughts: Dallas is coming in riding a wave of momentum, and these teams are polar opposites when it comes to their respective season ends. Minnesota finished losing 2 out of 3, and Dallas has won 4 straight. Minnesota has struggled in making Carolina and Chicago's offenses look like world beaters. The Cowboys defense is dominating, and in that four game winning streak, they kept the Saints to 17, they shut out the Eagles, and Redskins, and held the Eagles in check last week. The Cowboys pass rush has become fearsome with Anthony Spencer, DeMarcus Ware, and Jay Ratliff leading the way. I think Minnesota's pass blocking is a bit suspect, which Favre covers up for with his excellent pocket presence, and quick release. I think when you combine the pass rush with the secondary play, you'll have a vintage Brett Favre playoff performance. That means, expect to see a backbreaking interception in there somewhere. I think Tony Romo is more trustworthy in this spot, given Favre's history, and his play this year has been superb. Romo has silenced a lot of critics along the way and I expect them to be like a public library after this game. I like Dallas.

Prediction: Cowboys 34 Vikings 27

Arizona Cardinals @ New Orleans Saints

Thoughts: I hope the scoreboard operator(s) has plenty of light bulbs. This one is going to be high scoring. I could see either one of these teams winning the game, but it's hard to get a read on the Saints right now. They limped into the gate, losing two out of their last three, and before that really hadn't played all that well. That being said, they still have Drew Brees, they still have that offense, and if last week is any indication, defense to the Arizona Cardinals is clearly optional. Kurt Warner is one of the best postseason Quarterbacks ever, and I don't see this game taking anything away from his numbers as he is going against a very suspect New Orleans defense. I see this one being very "Madden-esque". It's a toss up but I'll go with New Orleans at home.

Prediction: Saints 45 Cardinals 38

Thoughts on Wildcard Weekend

- All the games this weekend were brutal with the exception of the Shootout in the Wild West featuring the Green Bay Packers and Arizona Cardinals.

- 96 points, more than 1,000 yards of total offense, two QBs picking apart helpless defenses. If not for AZ/GB, this entire weekend of football would have been a disaster when it comes to the caliber of the game. And the fact that the game ended in a defensive score is the highest form of irony. The defensive players in this game played like they were stuck in quick sand.

-On the second play of last drive for Green Bay in the Overtime period, how exactly was Bertrand Berry not called for a penalty? He not only hit Rodgers in the face, but he hit him 'late' (according to the NFL standards anyway), and didn't get called for a thing. I could only imagine if that happened to Tom Brady. Berry would probably be banned for life.

- Dos Cuatro> Ocho Cinco

-Kurt Warner had more touchdowns than incompletions. Wow.

-Seeing Neil Rackers miss that field goal at the end of regulation makes me wonder if there ever has been a worse period for kickers. Brutal

-How many garbage calls did they make against Darrelle Revis in that game? That pass interference was a joke, and on the first illegal contact, the wide receiver ran into him and gave him a two handed shove. The refs were a joke during that game.

- It's rare that you see the Patriots look that bad, but the Ravens really kicked them in the teeth. It was an ominous sign when Ray Rice rumbled for an 83 yard TD before the seats even filled up. From minute one to minute 60, the Ravens simply did whatever they wanted with the Patriots. I look forward to the week worth of 'WWWD' (What Would Welker Do), sentiments/excuses.

-I keep hearing how the Ravens over the Patriots is an upset and I don't understand how. They played earlier this season and the Ravens were done in with a couple awful calls. The Patriots haven't been the same team we've come to know all year. They were evenly matched, so where is this "upset"?

- Did the Bengals hand this game to the Jets too? That's all I heard throughout the week leading up to the game, and the Jets kicked the stuffing out of them on Saturday. They pounded the rock, were efficient passing the ball and played great defense. Mark Sanchez was basically spotless in his first playoff game, and Carson Palmer looked completely brutal.

- The entire Eagle team laid an egg, and I'll get that out of the way. That being said, I'd like to give a shout out to the great Donovan McNabb for adding to his playoff lore with a performance for the ages Saturday night. He's such a leader, and is a top QB in the league. On a more serious note, Saturday night was a 60 minute snapshot as to why Philadelphia will never win anything with him under center. He doesn't have the makeup to get it done.

-I guess no one is bashing Tony Romo these days for being overrated, a guy who comes up small, and being the sole reason for Dallas' failures? Regardless he played very well and has done so for basically the entire season as he has been magnificent. McNabb should take some notes from Romo. He certainly could use them.

-What was Mike Jenkins doing lateraling the ball when his team was up 20+ points? Take your INT, make snow angels on the ground and be done with it.

- I think we've seen the last of Brian Westbrook in a Philadelphia uniform.

- What was the point of signing Jeremiah Trotter? I don't get Philly management. They can let Brian Dawkins go, though his price was reasonable but then they sign Mike Vick and Trotter who's been done for about a decade? Really?

- Whoever thought it was a good idea to put Joe Theismann and Joe Gibbs in the booth together needs to be terminated immediately.

Playoffs?!?!?!?!

Wildcard Weekend

New York Jets @ Cincinnati Bengals

Thoughts: I keep hearing how the Bengals laid down for the Jets last week, and I can't help but think that is ridiculous. I don't care how much you may/may not want to play a certain team, you don't lie down, get your collective ass kicked and give that team ultimate confidence going into the playoff game.

That being said, these are two evenly matched teams, with the one glaring difference being that the Bengals have a good QB, and the Jets have one of arguably the three worst in the league.

I'll go with the obvious here for a second. The key to this game is the Jets run offense against the Bengals run defense. If the Bengals let the Jets run anywhere near as effectively as they did last week, the Jets chances increase tremendously. The less Mark Sanchez throws the ball, the better for obvious reasons.

Even with the Jets glaring hole at the QB spot I like the Jets defense and running game to lift the team to a victory, sending them to sunny San Diego for a match up for Philip Rivers and the hot Chargers.

Prediction:
Jets 17
Bengals 13

Baltimore Ravens @ New England Patriots

Thoughts: I like this matchup in Baltimore's favor for a few reasons. One is the revenge they want to inflict on the Patriots after the early season loss, which featured the worst call in NFL history (the roughing the passer where Terrell Suggs stomped on a bug in the general vicinity of Brady). Another is the simple matchup on paper. These teams matchup well, and while you'll never confuse Joe Flacco with a great QB, or the Baltimore passing game for the 1999 Rams, Baltimore is respectable in all aspects of the game. Their defense, which was much maligned early, has come back strong and finished 3rd in the league.

New England lost Wes Welker for the rest of the season, but I don't think the loss is going to hurt them all that much. While the talking heads make Welker out to be the greatest thing since sliced bread, I think his production is more about the role in that offense and what is around him as opposed to him being a world beater. Edelman isn't as good as Welker and that is understood, but the facts are in the two games where Edelman got the majority of the playing time he had 18 catches. Edelman will do enough and not be a liability. Baltimore's secondary is nothing to write home about either so I wouldn't be shocked to see the Patriots spread them out and attack them that way. Oh look, Frank Walker just committed a pass interference penalty as I type this.

The Patriots defense, while it is 4th in the league, is liable in the secondary and I expect the Ravens to take a few shots at them next week. While Brady and Belichick have the pedigree, I expect the Ravens to walk in and win, in the only game that I am confident about this weekend.

Prediction:
Baltimore 24
New England 17

Philadelphia Eagles @ Dallas Cowboys

Thoughts: I think the NFC games are incredibly hard to forecast. The Cowboys beat the Eagles twice this season and held the Eagle offense in check in both meetings, but it's incredibly hard to beat the same team three times in one year, especially when the teams are as evenly matched as these two are.

The Cowboys come in on a roll but I don't buy regular season momentum carrying over into the postseason, but I do buy the change in Tony Romo's style of play. Maybe a playoff win will get the credit Romo the credit that he deserves since he gets bashed more than nearly every other QB in football. 4,483 yards, 26 touchdowns, 9 interceptions later, Romo has put up yet another excellent regular season. The Cowboy defense has been good, but I don't like the matchup of their secondary vs the Eagle WRs. Had it not been for Donovan McNabb doing his best "McNabb in a big game" impersonation, Philly might be at home right now waiting for the next opponent.

As far as the Eagles, I expect the defense to throw the entire arsenal at Tony Romo and the Cowboy offense this week. Last week in the first half, the Eagle defense didn't look good, but the second half they had some success, while McNabb and the offense stalled. The Eagle offense is very reliant on the big play, especially with Desean Jackson scoring a 50+ yard TD seemingly every week. They are very feast or famine. Their running game lacks but that is nothing new.

The Cowboys are probably slightly better and are at home so I like the Cowboys this week. I don't trust McNabb at all in big spots, so I'll take Dallas in a close one.

Prediction:
Dallas 27
Philadelphia 21

Green Bay Packers @ Arizona Cardinals

Thoughts: This game is a 50/50 toss up in my opinion. It features two fairly even teams, and two explosive offensive teams. I'm sure the Packers absolutely regret handing the reigns to Aaron Rodgers. Upgrading at QB was the worst thing the Packers could ever do. On a more serious note, Rodgers is one of the best QBs in football. He went for 65% completion percentage, 4,434 yards, 30 touchdowns and 7 interceptions and has proven himself to be one of the very best quarterbacks in the business. I fully expect the Packers to take advantage of Dominique Rodgers Cromartie, considering his penchant to be overaggressive combined with his injury.

The Cardinals defense is about middle of the pack, but on a team featuring an offense like that, an average defense is all that is needed. I think their secondary is suspect and I see Aaron Rodgers having a coming out party (for those who still can't get over Brett Favre or overemphasize wins/playoff wins) of the ages on Sunday. Ryan Grant will be a non factor, so expect Rodgers to toss it around on the Cardinals defense. I don't think they'll be up to the task of stopping him.

The Cardinals offense should put up plenty of points, even without Anquan Boldin. When Warner is in rhythm he's right up there with the game's best. He better be on point Sunday, or the game could get ugly quickly.

In the wildest game of the weekend, I like Green Bay to win a shootout.

Prediction:
Green Bay 38
Arizona 34

Top 10 Sports Memories of the Last Decade (2000-2009)

10. Yankees/Angels ALCS Game 2- October 17, 2009

I notice that a lot of these games happened around my birthday (10/14). This one is on the list simply because of what I was doing while the game was going down. I had just walked into the club and was drinking a little when Alex Rodriguez came to the plate with the Yankees down 3-2, and one out in the bottom of the ninth inning.

Based on what had transpired this past season with Rodriguez and Fuentes’ propensity to implosion, I thought something big was coming. When Rodriguez hit the ball, and it proceeded to barely make it over Bobby Abreu’s glove, the place went CRAZY. Then immediately after the “walk off error” by Maicer Izturis, the DJ proceeded to play a mix of Jay-Z’s “Empire State Of Mind” and Frank Sinatra’s “New York, New York”. That is one of the two times I actually appreciated the song “Empire State of Mind”. The other was, you guessed it, the 2009 World Series ticker tape parade/rally. This was one of those nights, and the Rodriguez homer triggered it.

9. Mike Piazza’s Game winning HR against Braves- September 21, 2001

I'm not a Mets fan, but the feeling I had when Piazza hit this HR isn't matched by many in my years of watching sports. While I understand sometimes the overemphasis of the importance of sports, this game was a getaway of sorts. With all the stuff going on, the tragedy and such the game was a nice way to get away from it all. It was ten days later but the lingering effects were still there, and this was the first professional sports game in New York since the tragedy.

In a city in need of an emotional lift of any kind, Piazza stepped up to the plate with his team down 2-1 in the bottom of the 8th inning with a man on base. He proceeded to homer to center field, and sent chills down my spine and lifted a city in turmoil. That home run was about more than baseball. It was like something straight out of a movie and it almost felt as if a spirit was watching over the Mets that night as they gave the city a well needed jolt.

8. Jets/Dolphins, Monday Night Miracle- October 10,2000

For once, my undying loyalty to the Jets paid off. For the most part, unless Kliff Kingsbury is playing QB, I stick around until the game is over. While I was a young pup at this time, that was still my modus operandi. At 30-7, all I can think was that the game over, and then the unthinkable happened. The Jets were on the giving end of a heartbreaking, gut wrenching defeat. I’ll never forget the look on Jumbo Elliott’s face as he looked up to the Jumbotron after catching the game tying touchdown pass. Honestly, the only reason this one is so far down the list is because I wasn’t old enough at the time to truly recognize the magnitude of the comeback and appreciate it for what it was.

7.Jets/Packers, Win and you’re in regular season finale- December 29, 2002

The game itself was relatively uneventful as the Jets blew the doors off Brett Favre and the Packers, 42-17. The events before, and during the game made the game and the day special for Jets fans. The Jets needed a win and some assistance from the hated Patriots to make the postseason.

They needed the Patriots to beat the then division leader Dolphins, and it didn't look good when the Patriots trailed 21-10 with five minutes left to play. Then the tables turned in unbelievable fashion as the Dolphins folded like a cheap tent. They let the Patriots score 11 unanswered in the last 4 minutes, and proceeded to lose in Overtime. I remember seeing a 'Game Break' on Fox detailing the loss, and being excited. For once as a Jets fan, I had no doubts they were going to win, and they did exactly that setting off a three and a half hour long party in the Meadowlands

6. Yankees/Red Sox- July 1, 2004

I know most remember the game for Jeter diving in the stands and bloodying his face, but the game itself was an incredible game. On a side note, a forgotten nugget in that game is that Nomar Garciaparra was the only active player on EITHER SIDE not to play in the game, and that basically hastened his exit from Boston. In the game itself, it was a hotly contested game, and I'll personally never forget the image of Ruben Sierra huffing and puffing while looking like he was about to collapse, on his way to home plate on the game tying RBI triple on Miguel Cairo. Then John Flaherty, the lightest hitter on the team, came through with the GW RBI 'double' to win it. This was yet another awesome game in the Yankee-Red Sox rivalry.

5. Jets/Chargers AFC Divisional Playoff- January 8, 2004

This game honestly should not even be on this list. Had it not been for Eric Barton going Mortal Kombat on Drew Brees head needlessly and unnecessarily, this game wouldn't be here. That is part of the Jets charm though since in the rare instances they do win, it is never painless. Up 17-10, on a 4th and goal inside the ten, the Jets had the victory before Eric Barton decided to deliver an elbow to Brees’ head, which gave the Chargers new life and they proceeded to force OT. The Jets then got a missed FG from Nate ‘Baby Face’ Kaeding, and proceeded to drive down for the winning FG. As usual with the Jets, after the game is over I felt like I was on the field with them for 60 minutes.

4. Yankees World Series run/subsequent parade- November 2009

Honestly, most of the games were fairly nondescript (save for Game Two of the ALDS, Game Two of the ALCS, Game Four of the WS), but just being old enough to actually appreciate the title, and being there among literally a sea of Yankee fans was an experience I’ll never forget and hope to replicate in the near future.

3. Yankees/D'Backs 2001 World Series Games Four and Five- October 31- November 2, 2001

I’m telling you, the Yankees always make things interesting. This series came on the heels of 9/11, and while the Yankees were outclassed in pretty much every way imaginable the entire series it seemed like it was destined for them to win the series. Regardless, games Four and Five were all kinds of drama. Tino Martinez hitting a two out game tying HR in Game 4, and Scott Brosius hitting a game tying two out, two run HR in Game 5 marked the loudest I’ve ever heard Yankee Stadium. I felt the noise all the way from the Northeast Bronx. Both those home runs gave me the chills, and you had Game Four ending with Derek Jeter hitting a walkoff home run at the very beginning of November. That was an incredible 2 nights of baseball.

2. Giants/Patriots SB XLII- February 3, 2008

As everyone and their mother knows, I loathe the Patriots. I’m also a Giants supporter. I’m a New York kid, so I support all the locals besides the Mets. That being said, this entry is more about the hated Patriots losing their bid for perfection than anything else.

I remember the week before the game, ESPN with ‘fantasy matchups’ of the Patriots vs teams like the 1985 Bears, and had the Patriots “winning”. That kind of stuff just made me say “Can they win the damn game first before we crown them? Good grief,” Lo and behold, The Giants defense put Tom Brady on his back countless times, and Eli Manning drove the troops down the field, in a drive that will go down in football lore, to win the game. And the David Tyree play was probably the most shocking play I have ever seen in my life, considering this guy was cut a year later, and that year had 4 catches. It was great to see someone finally one up Tom Brady, and end the Patriots run for perfection. Thank you Eli Manning. I wonder how Mercury Morris felt?

1. Yankees/Sox Game 7 2003 ALCS- October 16, 2003

This is probably the most heart pumping, exciting baseball game I’ve ever watched. As much as I get tired of the Yankee and Sox centric coverage, I definitely miss the Yankees- Sox ALCS’. They featured fights, great games, great players, and just epic wars. This game itself was epic. The Yankees fell behind 4-0 early, then got two Jason Giambi home runs.

They were trailing 5-2 going into the eighth inning, where Derek Jeter, like he has so many times, got the rally started with a double to right field. Bernie singled him home , Matsui then doubled, setting up a matchup between Jorge Posada and Pedro Martinez, who had a confrontation earlier in the series where Martinez pointed towards his own head as if to say that is where he’d hit Posada. Posada then served a blooper into no man’s land to tie the game and I swear I felt my TV shake. After three innings of impeccable scoreless relief from Mariano Rivera, Aaron Boone stepped up to the plate in the bottom of the 11th inning. He took one mighty swing at one of Tim Wakefield’s knuckleballs, sent Yankee Stadium into hysteria, sent me into my pillow screaming in joy, and sent the Yankees to the World Series.

Honorable mentions-

Jets release Chad Pennington
Jason Kidd traded to Nets- Summer 2001
Jets blow out the Colts 41-0 in 2002 Wildcard Round
LeBron James goes off for the last 25 Cavalier points in Game 5 of ECF vs Detroit
Nets make the finals in 2002
Nets make the finals in 2003
Yankees come back from 0-2 down against Athletics
Jason Giambi's walk off Grand Slam against Minnesota in the rain in 2001