ALLISON RANKS! says:

We couldn’t have asked for more during week 1 of the playoffs.  After Saturday, I thought I had the win in the bag, but Bulldog pulled out a victory after a questionable TD by the Cardinals.  My sincere hope for week 2 is to go 3-1 and take the trophy home. I’m betting against the old guys this week. Favre and Warner are going down this weekend. 

BULLDOG says:

Trophy? Don’t dust off a spot on your mantle just yet Ms. Ranks! ALLISON is hot on my heels after posting wins last week with the Jets and Cowboys. I was able to grab the lead by hitting on Baltimore, New York and Arizona. (…we all know had Philly held on to that early INT - BALLGAME!…4-1 Bulldog). It’s 3-2 BULLDOG - as we roll into the NFL’s Divisional Playoff Round.

This weekend the Chargers, Vikings, Saints and Colts are home. Will I be able to fend off Ms. Ranks for another week? Let the games begin

DIVISIONAL PLAYOFF ROUND PICKS

        AT              WINNER IS:

ALLISON RANKS!: The Chargers are red-hot right now and haven’t lost in almost 3 months. We’ll see on Sunday just how good Darelle Revis and the Jets run game is. Can they stop Vincent Jackson, Antonio Gates and Malcom Floyd? Can they hold the ball long enough to keep Rivers and crew off the field?…CHARGERS WIN IT.

BULLDOG: My heart says JETS and I’ve changed this pick three times in the past 24-hours. But, I’m going with the most balanced team in the NFL to enjoy some home cooking and advance on to the AFC Championship game. This will be a great game to watch and the Jets will leave a nasty bruise…CHARGERS WIN IT.

           AT               WINNER IS:

ALLISON RANKS!: Superstition won’t allow me to pick the Ravens this week.  That being said Joe Flacco will need to throw for more than 34 yards on his 25th birthday to beat Peyton and the Colts. Hope it’s a happy birthday for Joe (and me). I’m hoping Peyton comes out rusty after the 3 week layoff and the Colts lay down while the Ravens run all over them…COLTS WIN IT.

BULLDOG: Heads or tails? Head or heart? Momentum or rest? Manning or Ray & Ed? I’ve lost sleep over this one all week and it’s only Thursday. Manning is the best QB in football and is machine-like when playing at home. The Colts defense is well rested and will play fast. Indy wants to score early and often in order to negate the effectiveness of the Ravens running game and offensive timing/tempo. The Ravens want to be in the game at halftime then rely on their physicality to put the game away. Everything in my head says to go with Manning and the Colts…so, RAVENS WIN IT! (26-24)

          AT              WINNER IS:

ALLISON RANKS!: Going to say this again, the Cardinals go as far as Kurt Warner will take them… I’ve said that for the past 3 weeks and he’s taken them pretty far up until this point.  I don’t think their defense will be able to stop Brees on Saturday. If this game turns into a shoot-out, Brees arm will carry the Saints over the Cardinals. It might take 510 points in this game alone to get it done, but I think the Saints will prevail…SAINTS WIN IT.

BULLDOG: This game will be a high scoring offensive circus. I’m a huge Warner fan and I believe 100% in his ability to lead Arizona to another Super Bowl. I just don’t think the Cardinals can derail the personal mission that Drew Brees and his Saints are on. New Orleans is going win, or die trying this time around and Brees will be the catalyst. I’m ok with Arizona winning - but - SAINTS WIN IT!

         AT             WINNER IS:

ALLISON RANKS!: Still a believer in the Jessica Simpson-less Tony Romo.  I think Dallas is the more physical team and if the defensive line can get to Old Man Favre, the Cowboys will win this game. Brett Favre has never beaten the Cowboys in the playoffs and is 2-6 against the Cowboys recently. I don’t necessarily believe the past dictates the future, but I do believe Favre will have to play a near perfect game to beat the fierce Dallas D…COWBOYS WIN IT.

BULLDOG: Romo vs. Favre? LOLOLOLOLLOLOLOLOLOLOL - OMG - OMG - LOLOLOLOLLLOLOLOLOL…VIKINGS WIN IT!

Check out our original Playoff Power Rankings (minus the eliminated squads). A decent race is brewing. ALLISON has lost her #’s 3, 7, 9 and 12. I’ve dropped my 4, 7, 8 and 12.  To close for comfort! - BULLDOG

ALLISON RANKS! - Power Rankings Playoff Style!… 

1. San Diego Chargers : The Chargers are red-hot right now and haven’t lost in almost 3 months.

2. Indianapolis Colts: I think Peyton will reinvigorate this Colts team and lead them to a run to the AFC Championship game.

4. Dallas Cowboys: This may be the year the Cowboys show up for the playoffs. Miles Austin has given Tony Romo the confidence he needed to take a huge step forward. The defense has been sensational over the past couple weeks and has pitched consecutive shutouts.

5. Minnesota Vikings : The VikingsMIGHT be the most complete team in the playoff field and have the QB with the most experience. We’ll see how Favre holds up in January. 6. New Orleans Saints: Drew Brees is going to have to put this team on his shoulders and prove that the last few weeks were just a fluke.8. New York Jets: Rex Ryan says the Jets are going to win the Super Bowl. A month ago, Rex said the Jets were out of the playoffs. Which is it Rex?

10. Arizona Cardinals: Going to say this again, the Cardinals will go as far as Kurt Warner will take them. It’s going to be a little bit harder if Boldin can’t go on Sunday.

11. Baltimore Ravens: My beloved Ravens… I think this game is in Flacco’s hands. I’d love to see a fired up, motivated Flacco lead this team to the promise land.

BULLDOG’s ORIGINAL PLAYOFF POWER RANKINGS:

CHARGERS   1) NFL’s most balanced team right now. They’re playing loose, fast, confident football. SD can score on anyone, cover anyone & can run the ball to win. They also play very solid Special Teams. Colt beaters!

SAINTS  2) Brees and his Saints are ready to win. The “D” is rested. The “O” poured 510 pts on the league. These Saints are on a very personal mission. Drew finds his way to the NFC title game - at the very least.  

VIKINGS 3) Brett Favre! The defense is atrocious at times but they’re also relentless at times.The home cooking will be huge for this group. Brett Favre. The running game is playoff worthy and must get cranked up. Brett Favre.

COLTS 5) I won’t dump Manning any lower than 5^th. The Colts are solid and have won close games all season. Playoff tested - they’ll get Cin, NY or Bal at home and should be ready mentally and physically. After that? Poop-in-their-pants!

JETS 6) I’m out on a limb with “Sexy Rexy”. Teams that run the ball with attitude, stop the run with attitude and limit explosive plays - win playoff games. If Sanchez gets dirty the Jets will stay playoff-hot. I like the J…E…T…S  Jets, Jets, Jets - right now

COWBOYS 9) Dallas has rallied and played solid late-season football. They are physical, fast and have been playing “team” ball. They look good right now. They’re hot today - gone tomorrow. I say Nono to Romo!

CARDINALS 10) The Cards don’t lose back-to-back games. They’ll play with passion for the home fans this week. Warner is a big game QB. They’re ticked off about the way The Pack throttled ‘em and they still hunger for league wide respect.

RAVENS 11) The Ravens must play mistake free football to stay alive. Flacco must elevate his game and have a burning desire to beat the big guns - Brady, Manning, Rivers. This group will fight and empty the tank. The question remains - what’s in the tank? The Ravens can win in NE if they refuse to give the game away. If they blink - they go home.

Posted on Thursday, January 14th, 2010 at 9:22 pm.
Categories: Bulldog's Blog.
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