NFC Wild Card Preview

Tom Brady is out to prove how hungry he is for another title

   Whoever thought Tom Brady and the New England Patriots would be down and out this year have another thing coming. Brady had the Pats sitting high at 1st in the AFC East and has been good enough to win ball games. When I say good, I have to mention the fact that he hasn't been great. But who cares? Just because he doesn't have the same stats as Drew Brees or Peyton Manning doesn't mean he isn't a better leader than the two. And if New England makes it to the Super Bowl, it's hard to pick a team that will beat them(The game is being play OUTSIDE in New York). Regardless of what happens to Bill Belichik and his team the rest of regular season, expect them to make a serious playoff run. The Panthers game was a hiccup that doesn't matter in the grand scheme of things. I would actually pick the Patriots if the teams met in the Super Bowl next year and I would be surprised if big time football analysts disagreed with me.

Jason Pierre Paul is proving that he is still an NFL superstar

     The Wild Card spot looks very interesting in the NFC. You have the Detroit Lions, Philadelphia Eagles, Carolina Panthers, San Francisco 49ers have their spots to lose. Because if the season ended tomorrow, that's exactly who we would see play on Wild Card Weekend. New Orleans and Seattle would get 1st round byes, while there are a few more teams looking to sneak in. Those team include the Dallas Cowboys, New York Giants, Arizona Cardinals and Chicago Bears...all of whom are possible candidates to take spots away from those who currently "would" make the playoffs. So, which of these teams present the most legitimate chance at getting a spot? What squad has the easiest schedule and who has the most clutch quarterback of the 3? Is it the Giants, sitting at a lowly 4-6 but only 1.5 games out of the division lead? Or is it the Dallas Cowboys who has an awful defense but looks great on offense when DeMarco Murray is healthy? With Jay Cutler appearing to be healthy and Carson Palmer playing like a 1st year QB, I don't expect it to be either of these teams.


     Surpringly, I believe the NY Giants have what it takes to win the NFC East this year. Based off the inconsistency that Philly has shown all year, it's not at all imaginary. The Eagles have a much harder schedule as they have to play Arizona, Detroit, Dallas, and Chicago at home. Away, they travel must travel to Dallas and to Minnesota. In my personal opinion, I believe that Philadelphia doesn't match up well against any of these teams in November. Their defense has yet to show any dominance and they just won't their 1st home game of 2013. The Eagles going 2-4 over this stretch is very believable if the Eagles play like themselves. In the meantime, New York has to compete against the following teams:

Opponent       Prediction
Dallas                  W
@ Washington     W
@ San Diego       W
Seattle                  L
@ Detroit            W
Washington          W

     Dallas' secondary will get torched and the Giants pass rushers are finally stepping up. Washington can't stop the run OR the pass, San Diego has lost 3 in a row and Detroit doesn't stand a chance against NY if both RBs can't stay healthy. In the beginning of the season, we saw a terrible Giants squad that couldn't win a contest for squat. Big Blue lacked a running game and pass rush, but honestly boast the most legit threat with both aspects of the game going forward. I say all that to say this...I believe the Giants will do the impossible, starting the season 0-5 and making the NFL Playoffs this season. Get ready for a great end to the NFL regular season, as always!