NFL Saturday Recap

By Dan Rodgers

I just want to apologize to the Dallas Cowboys and their fans for the lack of faith I had in them. I do want to say I was thoroughly convinced that they can win in the playoffs now with that blow out win over division rival Philly. Not only did the Cowboys win, but they did so over a division foe for the third time this season. Beating a team three times in one season is extremely difficult to thing to accomplish.

AFC Wild-Card:

New York Jets (+2.5) 24 Cincinnati Bengals 14

My prediction: Jets 26 Bengals 17

I would say that I was fairly accurate in my prediction with this game. I said that Mark Sanchez was the difference and I was right. He completed 12 of 15 passes for 182 yards and a touchdown. More importantly, he did not turn the ball over, and he wasn't even close. Sanchez played smart football and handed the ball off like a pro. Thomas Jones had limited action due to injury, but they Jets didn't miss a beat because rookie Shonn Greene ran for 135 yards including a 39-yard touchdown. I also said the defense would have to control Benson, which they absolutely did not. I have to give Benson credit because he is the only one that showed up. He had a phenomenal game breaking the Bengals franchise post-season record for rushing yards in a single game. Carson Palmer was the lesser of the USC quarterbacks as he only completed 18 of 36 passes for 146 yards and a touchdown to ex-Jet Laverneous Coles and an interception to Darrelle Revis.

Simply, the Jets outplayed the Bengals (again) in every aspect of the game. Look for an interesting matchup next week against either the Colts or Chargers.

NFC Wild-Card

Philadelphia Eagles (+4) 14 Dallas Cowboys 34

My prediction: Eagles 30 Cowboys 23

Basically, I expected the Eagles to show up. Plain and simple, they didn't. The Cowboys dominated the entire game on both sides of the ball. Tony Romo looked as good as he's ever looked and even Roy Williams contributed. The Cowboys won their first playoff game since 1996 and have been on fire of recent. They really proved that tonight with their domination over a division rival for the second time in as many weeks. I was correct with a 40-plus yard touchdown but it was to Jeremy Maclin and not DeSean Jackson. Jackson did catch a meaningless three yard touchdown. On a note for next week's games, I love the Cowboys to upset the reeling Vikings. Minnesota has been inconsistent of recent, especially the play of Brett Favre, who thankfully didn't win MVP this year.

Look out later for Sunday's predictions.

Rodgers That

January Football

By Dan Rodgers

My sincerest apologies. It has been quite a while since I've posted, but by now you must be up to date with the NFL playoff situation.

Today the Jets travel to Cincinnati to take on the Bengals. Later the Eagles take a trip to Dallas to battle their division rival. Both games are rematches of week 17. The Jets beat the Bengals and the Cowboys beat the Eagles. Both games were shut outs.

Many people figure Wild-Card Weekend to be a different story in both games. The "experts" seem to think that Cincinnati laid down for New York and that the Jets showed every trick in their book and that the Bengals will be ready. It is also tough to think that the Cowboys can beat the Eagles three times in one season. However, if you remember back to last season, the Steelers reached the Super Bowl by beating the Ravens for a third time in the AFC Championship.

Personally, I believe that if the Jets can stop Cedric Benson they should be able to keep the Bengals in check. However, Mark Sanchez proves to be the wild card pick every week. If he doesn't turn the ball over the Jets are 5-2 when Sanchez doesn't turn the ball over, both of those losses were to Miami and by a combined total of eight points. So if Sanchez can protect the ball and the defense can stop the run, I believe the Jets have a realistic chance to win.

Jets (+2.5) 26 Bengals 17

The Eagles go to Dallas with the hopes of developing some sort of momentum. They've lost the last two to the Cowboys and face them for a third time tonight. I think the Eagles will come out strong because they were shut out last week in Dallas. It is also unbelievably difficult to beat a division rival three times in one season. I like the Eagles to not only cover the spread in this game by also win the game out right. The defense will be ready and their offense will finds way to strike deep. Look for a 40-plus yard touchdown from DeSean Jackson.

Eagles (+4) 30 Cowboys 24

Look back tomorrow because I will have a blurb on the Sunday games.


Rodgers That