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By Jared “Dirty JC” Curtis
GameDay has enjoyed a wild ride in the regular season and looks forward to the hard fought battles the playoffs will bring. As fans get ready for the final week, GameDay assumes the stars of the teams (already in the playoffs) will participate in a few downs and then hit the pine for the rest of the game. But don’t fret; there are still plenty of teams in the playoff hunt, or playing spoiler, to keep the games interesting. Here are three games to keep an eye on this weekend.
Win and get in or lose and go home. That was the theme last weekend as a handful of NFL teams positioned themselves for the last playoff spots. In East Rutherford, the Cincinnati Bengals all but keeled over and died in a 37-0 loss against the New York Jets. The win sets up a rematch this week between the two teams seemingly headed in opposite directions. After losing six of seven games, the Jets finished the season by winning five of their last six to clinch the final playoff spot in the AFC. It’s the first time since 2006 the Jets have reached the postseason. The Bengals head into the home contest losing three of their last four games and were shut out for the first time since 2001. The Jets finished No. 1 in the NFL in total defense, passing defense, points allowed and rushing offense. As for this week, GameDay predicts a 24-20 Jets’ victory in Cincinnati.
Tony Romo threw two touchdown passes and led the Dallas Cowboys to a 24-0 win over the Philadelphia Eagles last week. The win solidified America’s team as NFC East champions and sets up a rematch this week with the Eagles on Saturday, Jan. 3. While bone-chilling temperatures stretch across the country, both teams should be fine under the roof at the new Cowboys’ stadium. GameDay believes Romo will have another big day to counter the run-pass threat of Donavon McNabb. GameDay predicts the Cowboys win 27-23.
The second day of Wild Card weekend features two interesting match-ups, starting with the Green Bay Packers traveling to the desert to take on the Arizona Cardinals. The Packers are coming off a 33-7 drubbing of the Cardinals, but all that can be forgotten this week. Behind veteran quarterback Kurt Warner, the Cardinals will have what it takes to knock the Packers from the playoffs. Cardinals win 24-20.
This weekend’s contest between the Baltimore Ravens and New England Patriots is the only game that isn’t a rematch from the previous week. But GameDay predicts this game will be the most exciting. New England’s Tom Brady has thrown for 4,398 yards and 28 touchdowns, while Baltimore’s Joe Flacco has tossed 3,613 yards and 21 touchdowns. The Patriots will be without wide receiver Wes Welker, but GameDay says you can never count out Tom Brady. Patriots win 28-24. CV
Wild-Card
Weekend
Saturday, Jan. 9
NY Jets at Cincinnati 3:30 p.m.
Philadelphia at Dallas 7 p.m.
Sunday, Jan. 10
Baltimore at New England 12 p.m.
Green Bay at Arizona 7 p.m.
