NFL Wild Card Weekend Ready to Rumble!!!

              The NFL playoffs where legends are born and memories are made to last forever. This season we have the usual Super Bowl type suspects Tom Brady, Peyton Manning, and Aaron Rodgers joined by the youngsters RGIII, Russell Wilson, and Andrew Luck. Baltimore Ravens Ray Lewis will be playing possibly his last game in Baltimore versus the Indianapolis Colts. Andy Dalton and AJ Green's Cincinnati Bengals have a 2012 divisional round rematch with the Houston Texans. Last but not least Adrian Peterson the greatest running back on the planet faces NFC North divisional rival Green Bay Packers on the frozen tundra of Lambeau Field. Divisional Wild Card round 2013 has all the makings of an unforgettable weekend of NFL football. Time to put the hard hat on and Cleo up with our NFL Wild Card predictions.


Cincinnati Bengals vs. Houston Texans Jan 5th 4:30 pm EST (NBC)

Bengals are on a roll winners of three straight with key wins over Ravens and Steelers to finish the regular season. Last season Andy Dalton and A.J. Green were rookies tasting NFL postseason pressure for the first time. Now that young Bengals have grown some mane lately they are seeking revenge against the Texans. Houston (12-4) enter the playoffs losers of 3 out of 4 regular season games to end the season. Schaub and company are favorites to win at home but a glaring stat reveals the Texans as frauds in BIG games. All four loses are against playoff teams Packers, Patriots, Colts and Vikings. Bengals have a clear shot in this match-up but can they slow the Texans offense?

Prediction: (Houston Texans) Last seasons wild card game was over before it started. This time the Bengals won't fold so easily but the addition of Matt Schaub combined with Arian Foster will have the offense rolling in the 4th Qtr...


Minnesota Viking vs. Green Bay Packers Jan 5th 8:00pm EST (NBC)  

Vikings will travel to face NFC North division rival Green Bay Packers and will be relying heavily on the shoulders, back and knees of Adrian Peterson. In two games this season Peterson has rushed for 409 yards and  2 TD against the Packers. Packers have lost four out of the last six playoff games at Lambeau Field and this time the tundra will be frozen with -10 degree wind chill temps. Aaron Rodgers threw for 365 yards and 4 TD's in week 17 match-up against the Vikings. Packers have won 7 straight home games and nothing makes me think the streak will change.

Prediction: (Packers) Simply have more offensive weapons and week 17 proved this could turn into a shootout. Still have weather concerns as it will be bitter cold forcing Packers to think twice when Vikings pound the football with Peterson. After pondering over the facts there is simply nothing to ponder about after all Packers move onto San Francisco and warmer weather in the next round.


Indianapolis Colts vs. Baltimore Ravens Jan 6th 1:00pm EST (CBS)

Andrew Luck will be the first of three rookie QB's to take the field on Sunday. Colts have been surprising this season Reggie Wayne and Luck have developed a good chemistry allowing the rookie to flourish. Issues still exist with Colts as the defense has allowed 24.2 points per game and the offense has only mustered 22.3 per contest. Teams that allow more points then they can score generally don't make the playoffs and the Colts have been lucky this season. Luck has tossed 18 int's and the Ravens will be hungry to perform as Ray Lewis plays what is reportedly his last game in the NFL. Expect Ray Rice to touch the ball more in this contest as the Ravens ground and pound offense takes flight against the 29th rush defense and Flacco finds open receivers Boldin, Rice and Pitta versus the 21st ranked pass defense.

Prediction: (Ravens) The emotion will be high and the pressure will be fierce Ray Lewis and company will attack the Colts offense all afternoon. No disappointments or upsets here.... hail to #52


Seattle Seahawks vs. Washington Redskins Jan 6th 4:30pm EST (FOX)

Seahawks travel to the Nations Capital Washington D.C. to face off against the Washington Redskins in what could end up as first cross country rival between Robert Griffin III and Russell Wilson. Both rookie signal callers have been excellent this season poise in the pocket and not afraid to mix it up on offense. Two mobile QB's taking the future of the NFL to new levels. Combined RGIII and RW3 have produced 46 TD's and 18 int's. Clearly the two best rookies in the NFL both rely on tough hard nose running backs Redskins Alfred Morris (1613 yds)and Seahawks Marshawn Lynch (1590 yds) ranking 2nd and 3rd among running backs in yards from scrimmage this season. While there are tons of offensive similarities for both teams, the comparisons end on defense where the Seahawks are #1 in the NFL allowing 15.3 pts per game. Brandon Browner returns from suspension and Richard Sherman won his appeal and Seattle's Legion of Boom secondary is the best in the NFL. Winner gets OROY?

Prediction:  (Seahawks) Early week reports mentioned that RGIII was looking to shed the knee brace for the playoffs but he is still hobbled and the latest news has him wearing a knee brace on Sunday. RGIII will need to be 100% in order to beat the #1 defense in the NFL as the Seahawks posses both speed and power on defense.

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Peyton Manning Enters Free Agency

The Indianapolis Colts and Jim Irsay answered the $28 million dollar question regarding Peyton Manning deciding to release Peyton from the Colts.  Releasing Peyton was one of the toughest decisions in Colts history. Peyton and the Colts convincingly came to a mutual agreement to move in separate directions. Addressing the media Peyton showed signs of emotion discussing his appreciation for the fans in Indianapolis and the Colts organization.

The next question for Peyton Manning is where he will play next? During the press conference Peyton announced that he had not thought about a destination for next season but was confident of his availability to play. Many rumors have circled with players tweeting and campaigning for Peyton to play in various locations.  From Seattle Washington to Miami Florida NFL franchises are competing for the #1 free agent in NFL history. The top NFL teams seeking the services of the all-time great and future Hall of Fame Quarterback include the Miami Dolphins, Arizona Cardinals, Seattle Seahawks and Kansas City Chiefs.

What about the NY Jets? Eli Manning, Peyton’s brother plays in New Jersey for the NY Giants and both Manning’s competing in the same city is not attractive. The thought process has to be for Peyton to play in his own market away from competing with Eli.

Questions regarding the Redskins, the real problem could be Mike Shanahan in Washington. Will Shanahan be comfortable with scraping the Redskins current offense and relinquishing control? Second do the Redskins want to go after Robert Griffin III and cement the future of the franchise? Watching the Redskins and how they handled the issue with Donovan McNabb should lead Peyton to possibly believe the Redskins are not a good fit.

Kansas City Chiefs are very intriguing; the Chiefs have the cap room and coaching staff that will allow Peyton Manning to flourish. The Chiefs have many offensive weapons running back Jamaal Charles is returning after suffering a season ending injury last season. The Chiefs also have weapons at the wide receiver position Dwayne Bowe, Jonathan Baldwin and Steve Breaston are reliable offensive weapons who could explode with the addition of Peyton Manning. Steve Breaston is one of the best slot receivers in the NFL and having big weapons at the outside wide receiver position is something Peyton can utilize. Historic Arrowhead would be a good place for Peyton to consider over the next week or two.

Seattle Seahawks and Pete Carroll have the pocket book of Paul Allen along with the cap space to make a huge splash after Peyton in free agency. Pete Carroll and John Schneider were the first NFL team to contact Peyton Manning after his release in Indianapolis. The 12^th Man in the Northwest represents the loudest crowd in the NFL providing a huge advantage for Peyton Manning to win in the future. In Seattle Peyton Manning would have an entire media market that stretches from Northern California into Vancouver Canada. Seahawks have the cap space to include Reggie Wayne to making the situation comfortable for Peyton. Peyton will also have the ability to have control most of the offense with Marshawn Lynch at his disposal. “Beast Mode” and Peyton together in Century Link (C-Link) together is a site the Seahawks fans are dreaming of tonight.

Arizona Cardinals winner of 7 out of their last 9 regular season games in 2011 are looking like a prime spot for the Hall of Fame Quarterback. Cardinals have cap room and are not as strapped to Kevin Kolb as many would think. Releasing Kevin Kolb for a healthy Peyton would not be a major decision for Ken Whisenhunt and the Cards front office. Arizona will make a hard push at Peyton and the opportunity for Larry Fitzgerald to catch Sunday, Monday and Thursday night footballs from Peyton should scare the entire NFL. If Peyton is healthy and signs in Arizona expect Reggie Wayne to follow creating a tandem of Fitzgerald and Wayne at wide receiver. The fans in Arizona are rabid feasting Cardinals who can be just as loud as the fans in Seattle. Southwest media market of 1.881 million and the Arizona weather will provide Peyton with a good home.

Miami Dolphins might be the favorite landing spot for Peyton next season. Reggie Wayne is eager to keep Peyton from charting a plane out of Florida. Reggie Wayne might be the biggest selling point here in Miami. Peyton and Wayne have been working out in South Florida. When Peyton departed Indianapolis after his last press conference as a Colt he flew back to Florida. This is a big sign that Peyton feels comfortable in South Beach. Peyton also has a home in the Miami area. On the football side of things the sun has not shine brighter in Miami since the days of Dan Marino. Reggie Bush has turned into a every down back and Brandon Marshall is a NFL top 5 wide receiver. If the only knock against Miami is the fact Tom Brady plays in the same division think again. Peyton never backs away from Tom when it comes to competition.

Outside of Seattle and Arizona the biggest decision for Peyton might be rather to compete against his brother Eli or his arch nemesis Brady. Over the next week or two rumors will continue to swirl until Peyton picks his final NFL destination. What team do you think Peyton will sign with?


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Too Peyton Manning or not Too Peyton Manning? that is the $28 million Dollar Question. Every great folk hero story must come to an end thus is the story of Peyton Manning and the Indianapolis Colts. Coming up in the next two to four weeks the Colts will have to make a franchise altering decision too Peyton Manning or not too Peyton Manning? That is the $28 million dollar question currently facing the Colts.

    

 Many of the NFL’s greatest Quarterbacks have been forced to move on from franchises where they provided epic career moments and Super Bowl victories. San Francisco 49ers fans saw the transition from Joe Montana to Steve Young and the Green Bay Packers survived the handover from Brett Favre and Aaron Rodgers. In the NFL it’s not new to see legends pass on to the next generation of greatness so what makes the Peyton Manning conversation different?

    

  Steve Young and Aaron Rodgers benefitted from being in the team locker rooms, meetings, practices and workouts with Montana and Favre. When the reigns of greatness were passed on Young and Rodgers were veterans not rookies. Allowing the young veterans to learn the system and protocols of the NFL. Steve Young had the locker room presence and guidance of Jerry Rice. Aaron Rodgers benefitted from a receiving corps of Greg Jennings and Donald Driver. The Colts are completely the polar opposite looking to rebuild from the ground up there is no Greg Jennings or Jerry Rice for Andrew Luck to connect with Reggie Wayne is an unrestricted free agent this off season. The worst part would be the fact that Andrew Luck could be on an island in Indianapolis by himself without the presence of a veteran team to help guide the franchise.