NFL Playoff Random Thoughts: Week 1

Happy New Year dear reader. I'm finally over my Cowboys depression, I've finally fought off my fantasy football withdrawals, and gotten over my complete indifference at the terrible Bowl matchups the BCS has given us this year (and it's been terrible), just in time to catch the first week of the 2008 NFL playoffs and fire off these thoughts from a remarkably entertaining weekend of NFL football.

-Seriously, the bowl matchups have been terrible this year. Texas/Ohio St. turned out to be a good game, Utah/Bama was a nice game, and I'm looking forward to Oklahoma/Florida-but most everything else has been pretty damn predictable and dull. The PAC-10 has overperformed a bit, the Big 12 underperformed a little bit, and otherwise these games have been pretty dull for anyone but the gambling degenerate, which fate would have it I just happen to be.

-I've got to admit to being fairly surprised at the Chargers upset of the Colts. It's not a huge upset, but I think most folks had the rolling Colts beating the suddenly rolling Chargers, even in San Diego, especially with LT looking more like Troy Hambrick and Antonio Gates so banged up, I just assumed Peyton Manning would be his jedi self and will that team to victory once again. And like that, Norv Turner should get reprieve-despite an underwhelming 8-8 season.

-And please, don't tell me the Chargers are "better than 8-8" because they had two games "stolen" from them. Until the last 5 weeks, that was the definition of an underperforming team with the definition of a RB on the decline as their face. Thanks for all the memories LT, but the train is nearing the station-and I'd be shocked if the Chargers let Sproles walk (especially after what Michael Turner has shown this year in ATL). Instead, I'd expect Sproles to essentially split time evenly next year.

-Does anyone like the NFL's overtime rules? Except maybe the 2008 Philadelphia Eagles, I can't figure out who does. It's exciting on paper, but less than so in reality.

-Karma is a bitch, huh Chad Pennington? After a nearly flawless 7 INT season despite spare WRs, he throws 4 of them in one game as the Ravens make it look easy against a Dolphins team that was as gimmicky a playoff team as I can remember. The Wildcat was genius no doubt, but Super Bowl teams aren't built on gimmick formations, re-tread QBs, spare WRs, and discipline. Coaching can only take you so far, and if next season started tomorrow Miami would be the first team I'd choose to fall back to the pack, barring a fantastic draft.

-That Ed Reed is a beast, that entire Baltimore defense is a monster. They've been a dominant defense for almost the entirety of the last decade, and while it's only yielded one championship, I definately wouldn't count them out for another. In a playoff field devoid of any extremely potent offense (see: 2007 Patriots), I'm not sure how you could convince me that this years Steelers, Titans, and Ravens arent the Super Bowl favorites other than they're all AFC teams. That said, give me the AFC matchup unseen to win it all this year.

-Derrick Mason is extroardinarily under-rated. I think if he'd spent his career catching passes from Tom Brady or Peyton Manning we'd be talking Hall of Fame.

-All the Minnesota Vikings need is a quarterback. Gus Frerotte and/or Tavaris Jackson simply are not going to win you a Super Bowl, if even a playoff game, even with a studly defense and the stud of all studs in Adrian Peterson. Every piece is in place for that franchise, except a QB-great D, great OL, great RB, nice WR in Berrian......if I'm Minnesota I'm starting my offers at a 1st and a 3rd for Matt Cassel.

-I'm still just not a believer in the Eagles. Westbrook is great, their defense is good, but McNabb is prone to inconsistency and they lack reliable playmakers at WR. DeSean Jackson-much like Santonio Holmes in Pittsburgh-could be that guy if he ever matures, but I just don't think McNabb can win a championship, even with Andy Reid being one of the best coaches in the NFL.

-Kurt Warner, hall of famer or no? Seriously, it's a great debate. He came from nowhere to glory in St. Louis, then languished in mediocrity for a few years in New York tutoring Eli Manning, only to re-emerge and take the Arizona Cardinals-the freaking Arizona Cardinals-to a division title and playoff win. Is he a system quarterback with obvious warts? Of course, but he's got some skins.

-Larry Fitzgerald is freaking amazing. and Anquan Boldin is the closest thing to Michael Irvin since Irvin himself. Andre Johnson, Terrell Owens, and Randy Moss can all claim to be the best WRs in the NFL, but give me Larry Fitzgerald.

-So Edgerrin James wants out of Arizona now. Who does he think wants him?

-It was a nice cinderella story for Atlanta, but it's come to an end. That said they've got the building blocks in Turner, Ryan, and Abraham-now they just need a good draft and a little more seasoning. That's a tough division, and if the Falcons think they can just stand pat and be back next year they're high. A few plays out of the entire season is all that seperates the Saints, Bucs, and Falcons.

-And finally, if you want my picks this week, give me Balt +3 @ Tenn, Ari +10 @ Car, NYG -3 vs. PHI, and Pit -6 vs. SDC.