The Chipper’s Top 4

Here we go with the 2012 NFL Playoffs!!!  It’s the start of the 18th Hole on PigSkinGolf and this is where the knuckles get white on the tee box!

And the Predictions are:

Game # 1:  Saturday 4:30 ET  Cincinnati Bengals vs. Houston Texans

The Texans have the most to lose in this game as they’ve blown the # 1 seed and the home field advantage.  There’s a lot of talk that QB Matt Schaub of Texas really isn’t at the level that most elite quarterbacks should be to lead his team to the Super Bowl.  The other parts are complete though when you look at the running game, receiving corp and arguably, one of the best overall defenses in the league this year.  They are at home and they need to take advantage of that quickly to establish the tone.  It’s going to be tough against the Bengal Defensive line as they are quickly becoming a force in the league.  QB Andy Dalton is steady and shouldn’t cause any mistakes.  He’s got good recievers, a stable running game and a stable offensive line.  This will be a close game but the Texans will win it as they get back to the basics and get out of their funk.

Prediction:  Texans  32  Bengals 20

Game # 2:  Saturday 8:00 ET  Minnesota Vikings vs. Green Bay Packers

It doesn’t seem to be a fair fight putting Christian Ponder up against Arron Rodgers.  While Green Bay may not be able to stop another stellar performance from Peterson during this NFC wild-card matchup, it has proved throughout Peterson’s career that his numbers at Lambeau Field often don’t factor into the outcome.The Packers have won five of the six meetings at Lambeau Field in Peterson’s career despite the four-time All-Pro running for an average of 106.2 yards and five touchdowns in those contests.  The Packers hope to get a boost from the return of safety Charles Woodson.  The Packers also get Randall Cobb and a healthy Jordy Nelson. Christian Ponder had a great game last week as he threw for 234 yards and a season-best three touchdowns last week. One area of concern for GB is the Offensive line who have given up a league worst 51 sacks.  The first half will be close, but the Packers will figure out how to slow Peterson down enough to get the W.

Prediction:  Packers 28 Vikings 17

Game # 3:  Sunday 1:00 ET  Indianapolis Colts vs. Baltimore Ravens

This could very well be the final game in Ray Lewis’s career.  The Ravens have struggled quite a bit the last month to be consistant on offense.  They have fought the injury bug as much as any team this year but managed to get the home game in the first weekend.  The emotions will be high on both sides of the field because of Lewis and the Colts head coach Chuck Pagano who spent the last four years as the defensive coordinator of the Ravens.  He may know as much about their personnel as anyone and that could be an advantage.  The Ravens just need to get the ball to Ray Rice and that’s all they should focus on.  Colts rookie QB Andrew Luck is the real deal and the Ravens know it.  A smart kid, with experience beyond his years, Luck will make this interesting but in the end the Ravens get their leader back, in whatever capacity, and it’ll be enough to garner the victory.

Prediction:  Ravens 30 Colts 17

Game # 4:  Sunday 4:30 ET  Seattle Seahawks vs. Washington Redskins

Where do you start with this one.  Two Rookie of the Year candidates with unreal skills go head to head in the Game of the Weekend.  RG III has been dinged up some this season and has missed some time, but the Skins have a stellar running game with rookie Alfred Morris that can pound the defense silly.  While the offenses are very similar, the Seahawks have a decided edge on defense. Seattle yielded an average of 321.6 yards for the league’s fourth-best mark while Washington allowed an average of 390.8 for the NFL’s fourth-worst.  This will be the deciding factor as everyone knows that Defense can travel well and hide cover the errors.  A surprisingly high scoring contest goes to the only road team of the week.

Prediction:  Seahawks 38 Redskins 24

Week # 17 Recap:

Prediction:  Bears 24 Lions 13 Win – This was a lot closer than the Bears wanted, but thanks to the Vikings, the win meant nothing because Da Bears are out.  And to think I was irked when my beloved Broncos traded Cutler away…

Prediction:  Jaguars 21 Titans 20 Loss – This was a Tennessee ass Whoopin!  It may have cost the Jags Head Coach his job too.

Prediction:  Colts 27 Texans 24 Win – Is anyone going to pick Houston next week against the Bengals???  Be careful…..

Prediction:  Raiders 20 Chargers 17 Loss – The Bolts did their best to mess that game up and just about gave it and Norv Turner’s job away at the same time.  Time to clean house in San Diego.  Rumor on the street is that ex Eagles HC Andy Reid is heading to Oakland….in the words of the all universe linebacker Tom Jackson – Bring it on Fat Man!!

Prediction:  Seahawks 34 Rams 13 Win – The Rams put up a good fight, but Russell Wilson is too talented.

Weekly Total:  3 – 2.  Total for the Year:  50 – 35 (not good)

Watch for the Chipper’s Top 5 – Playoff Edition later this week.