New Year, Same Goal: Superbowl or Bust

With the NFL Playoffs starting today, I've been asked multiple times over the last week whether or not I think any of the AFC opponents can beat the Patriots. In short, do I think any AFC team can beat New England? Of course. I'm constantly saying, "any given Sunday." I mean there's a 50-50 chance going into ANY game. If someone were to ask me if I think any AFC team will beat the Patriots, however, that would be a completely different answer. As we all know, I am verrry superstitious so I will try to answer this as specific as possible, while being careful not to jinx anything. 

So really, can anyone beat the Patriots?

Again, any team could walk into Gillette Stadium and hand the Patriots a loss, sending us home to watch the big game from the couch. Since we have home field throughout and since we have a pretty good track-record at home, I think that definitely works to our advantage. I know from personal experience just how loud Gillette can get; the atmosphere will be intense. Will it be enough to throw off the opposing team? Hopefully. We'll either get Cinci, Baltimore, or Indy for the divisional round game. And I don't know about you, but I don't love the idea of playing Baltimore in the postseason, due to past outcomes; I know we beat Cinci pretty bad in week 5, and we could probably do it again, but the Bengals have been on fire lately, and that intensity mixed with a taste for revenge would make for a bit of a different matchup, this time around; and if we get Indy, we have to effectively stop Andrew Luck and Company, again. Say we get past the divisional round and advance to the AFCCG. Again, trying not to jinx anything. But after being humiliated out of the playoffs the past 3 years, nobody in New England wants to feel that way again. And if I'm Brady or Wilfork or Gronk or Nink or Belichick...you get what I'm saying... I'm going to do everything possible to avoid that happening again. If the Patriots really want it as bad as they seem to, I don't think it matters who we face, I  think we get the job done. *knocks on wood*

Hopefully the Patriots have used this bye week as a chance to regroup, refocus, and recharge. During the last 5 games of our regular season, offense took a step back. While I don't think it's something that can't (or won't) be fixed, it was still worrisome as it reminded some fans of our shaky start to the season. I would put about 60% of the blame on our O-Line. Because as we all know, if the quarterback has no time throw and is constantly pressured, and if our running backs aren't being blocked for, everything crumbles offensively. Thankfully, we usually seem to find our rhythm in the second half. The bad thing about that though, is that if we face a good team and get behind in the first half, there really is no guarantee that we catch up. So offense needs to be, no has to be clicking on all cylinders for a full 60 minutes. If defense can keep up their dominant shutdown performance, good. If they can play even better...GREAT. I hope the playoffs bring many turnovers, 3-and-outs, forced fumbles, sacks, and pick-6's for the Patriots' defense (and none of those for the Patriots offense, please!)

For now, I'm focused on wildcard weekend to see what exactly the Patriots are up against. It's actually kind of nice to have a worry free, stress free, football-filled weekend. 

My wildcard weekend picks: 

Arizona @ Carolina: as much as I would like to Arizona come away with the win (love Larry Fitz, don't like Ron Rivera), I have to go with Carolina. Just because I think their defense steps up and makes plays when it matters most. Hopefully I'm wrong, but I'm thinking something like 23-17 Carolina. 

Ravens @ Steelers: even though they're without Le'veon Bell, I think the Steelers find a way to inch by the Ravens. Give me Steelers over Ravens, 31-27. 

Bengals @ Colts: for me, it depends on which Andy Dalton shows up. If it's the Andy Dalton of playoffs past, Colts by a mile; if it's the Andy Dalton we've seen the past few weeks, I think the Bengals just might get their first playoff win in over 20 years. Will Cinci's defense and recent surge of power on offense be enough to win at Lucas Oil Stadium?  I think I'll go with a nail biter, 24-23 Colts. 

Lions @ Cowboys: Cowboys all the way. Their offense is just too much for Detroit's defense, in my opinion. And I don't think the Lions can make up for it, offensively. I could see a close game in the first half, but the Cowboys pulling away late in the 3rd quarter. 34-24, Dallas.

As always, Go Patriots!