Right now I'm annoyed by the fact that I have no choice but to root for the Packers. I'm in no way a fan of the team, but my team is the Arizona Cardinals, and there's a lot of things I'll do before I root for the Seahawks. I have respect for the players on the team, and Marshawn Lynch always cracks me up with his antics in his interviews with the media. But when it comes to the game, they are a really good division rival that I won't ever pick to win.
I'm hoping Andrew Luck shows what got him here. Both he and Brady have a lot on the line- Brady has the pressure on him to win this game and make it to another Super Bowl and he's inspired, which isn't surprising considering the fact that he's getting old in football years and his window is closing. And Andrew Luck has the pressure to show what got him to where he is in the first place and take it even further. I feel like Brady has more pressure due to his veteran status, but Luck still has the pressure of going up against the all time great in the first place. This will be the game to watch in my opinion.
So, I have a question for you guys: Which playoff contenders this year do you think have a shot to make it far in the next post-season IF their teams are able to stay healthy enough and continue the high level of play?
Arizona Cardinals
I've been itching to talk about this one. I know the if's will never be, but they're nice to dream about for the hope of next season. If our QB1 hadn't went down, I think the red sea would have kept the number one seed and home field advantage in the playoffs with a 13-3 record, easily. But, fate wouldn't have it. My team is facing a lot of question marks right now, but I still believe they're thriving under Bruce Arians. The last two seasons have been stellar, and I expect nothing less from my head coach next season. Of course we might be without Fitz, and our beloved DC Todd Bowles recently signed a contract as the Jet's head coach, I think the pieces are still in place for the team to keep moving forward. Bruce Arians has a way of figuring things out, something I've learned these past few seasons.
Dallas Cowboys
I haven't been keeping up much on their contract's recently, but I did see a twitter comment somewhere about both Dez and Murray on the end of their contracts. I had high hopes for Dallas before the season began and it was awful to see them lose in such a fashion, they were primed for a great run, had everything on the line and everything in place for it. Alas, things just didn't work out. All and all, I still think the team can make another post-season run next year. I tip my hat to the Cowboys, probably one of the biggest shockers this year for the majority with average expectations.
Carolina Panthers
Even though they beat my team, our crappy QB3 and made it to the playoffs after a shaky 7-8-1 season, they have the potential to be a threatening team in the playoffs. Cam Newton's mistakes are primarily what killed their momentum, in my opinion. Still, they were great to watch and I really thought they had chances to beat the Seahawks. With the way Cam was playing before he threw the pick-6 which tied the game, he could have had a shot to tie the game up and at least send it into OT. Kam wasn't having that though, sadly. All and all, I don't think this team ended their season on too bad of a note.
Detroit Lions
If their offense and defense can click at the same time, this team can be a serious threat.
Baltimore Ravens
I've always loved watching Joe Flacco in the playoffs, he's a brilliant QB. On their SB run, I had them pegged to win that year before the post-season even started. I love watching this team play, and I think all the pieces are in the right places here. Joe Flacco has his regular season struggles, but he's a different QB in the playoffs and the Ravens will always be my pick to make it far into the postseason whenever it starts.
Cincinnati Bengals
Good enough to get their foot in the door and that's about it, they've never really impressed or wow'd me in any of their one and done post-season appearances. If they can play the way they did in their win against the Bronco's late in the season come playoff time, they would be a dangerous team. But that never seems to be the case with the team.
Pittsburgh Steelers
I'm not a fan but I am able to recognize that they're moving in the right direction after their 11-5 record this year. Big Ben can still play at a high level, and is dangerous when he has a team playing around him. Overall they are a good team, and I think they're going to make it to the playoffs against next year- if they can avoid being a one and done they can make it far, imo.
and last but not least...
Denver Broncos
I don't really have a comment on them- head coach John Fox got fired and went to the Chicago Bears, and Peyton Manning is reportedly weighing out his decisions between retirement and another season. Lot of questions looming for this team.
Phew, that was a lot of typing!
