Look for home teams to struggle.
Last week’s 13-3 forecast was a nice way to close out the regular season. Now it is time to turn to the playoffs. After all was said and down last week, the Redskins and Titans did what they had to do to secure the last two postseason spots, leaving Cleveland to ponder a great season that fell one win short.
Home field is one of the fiercest motivators for football players, and it certainly can play big dividends in the playoffs when Mother Nature comes into play. Last year all four home teams won on Wild Card Weekend but I do not look for a repeat. Outside of San Diego, all home teams are in danger of going down and I expect a couple will.
Saturday
Washington (9-7) at Seattle (10-6). The Redskins ride the emotion of their four-game winning streak into arguably the most challenging home venue for this weekend’s four visiting teams. The Seahawks took the week off and will need to feed off the power of their “12th Man” fans to put the Redskins at risk early. The longer Washington can keep the fans out of the game the better their prospects for victory. I think Washington is playing better football right now, is being fueled by the Sean Taylor tragedy, and is not ready to hang up their jerseys just yet. Washington 20 – Seattle 17.
Jacksonville (11-5) at Pittsburgh (10-6). The Jaguars bring their power game back to Pittsburgh, the site of their Week 15 destruction of the Steelers. Few believe Pittsburgh, which has suffered several devastating injuries since then, can correct all the problems needed to handle the equally physical Jaguars. I believe Jacksonville will not be as successful rushing the ball as it was in Week 15 but I expect the outcome will be the same. Jacksonville 24 – Pittsburgh 18.
Sunday
New York Giants (10-6) at Tampa Bay (9-7). The Giants looked extremely impressive in their loss to the perfect Patriots, and if they continue that level of play, they will be difficult to beat in the playoffs. Unfortunately, I do not expect quarterback Eli Manning will achieve the same level of efficiency against the always-tenacious Tampa Bay defense. The Buccaneers have taken the past two weeks off to rest players, certainly not the best way to enter the postseason, but they have the weapons on both sides of the ball and will benefit from New York mistakes to secure the home win. Tampa Bay 23 – New York 17.
Tennessee (10-6) at San Diego (11-5). The most predictable game of the weekend closes out the Wild Card schedule as the Titans carry their battered bodies to the West Coast to face the Chargers in a rematch of their Week 14 matchup. The Chargers came from 14-points down in the fourth quarter to pull out the overtime win in that contest. It will not even be close this week. The Chargers continue to improve while the list of injured Titans continues to grow. Quarterback Vince Young will give it a go, but he will not be 100 percent, and there are too many other pieces injured or out for this rugged team to move on. San Diego 35 – Tennessee 14.
These results will set up some intriguing AFC Divisional matchups with New England hosting Jacksonville and San Diego visiting Indianapolis. In the NFC, Dallas will host Washington and Tampa Bay will pay a visit to Lambeau Field’s frozen tundra in Green Bay.
Final 2007 Fearless Forecaster Regular Season Record
Week 17: 13-3
Season: 171-85
I am a 54-year old sports fanatic currently working as a research analyst and writer for the U.S. government in Germany. I am married and have two sons, both of whom also live and work here in Germany. I became a grandfather for the first time in July 2004, with the birth of a grandson. I was born and raised in Minnesota and am a die-hard Vikings, Twins and Timberwolves fan. My favorite sports are professional and college football, basketball, and baseball, and I am also an avid enthusiast of golf, boxing and tennis. I have lived in Germany for more than 20 years, which has given me a greater appreciation and understanding of more traditional European sports such as soccer, cycling and Formula I racing.