Playoff Grid: Nicholas Minnix

January 6, 2006 @ 16:00:00

By Nicholas Minnix
Edited by Cory J. Bonini

WILD CARD

American Football Conference

Jacksonville Jaguars at New England Patriots

Jacksonville's playoff spot has been a foregone conclusion since roughly, oh, their bye week, when they were 4-2 and had to face just one team with a winning record the rest of the way. That makes them one of the more overrated 12-4 teams in recent memory. QB Byron Leftwich (ankle) should make his first start in six weeks for the Jaguars, but a rusty signal-caller is not what you want when facing the defending champs. The Patriots won't lose at home - expect QB Tom Brady to boost his perfect postseason record to 10-0.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Cincinnati Bengals

The Bengals march into the playoffs for the first time in 15 years, so forgive the organization and fans if they're just glad to be here. "Here" is Paul Brown Stadium, which may not necessarily give Cincinnati the advantage. Both squads were better as the away team (even against each other), and Pittsburgh fills that role in this matchup. Cincinnati's defense is reeling. Bengals QB Carson Palmer had an electrifying season, but he'll have to pay his dues. Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger already has, and with a running game that boasts the speedy RB Willie Parker and the rumblin' tumblin' RB Jerome Bettis, they should advance.

National Football Conference

Washington Redskins at Tampa Bay Buccaneers

The NFC South champs boast a 6-2 record at home, and one of those victories was a 36-35 squeaker - courtesy of a phantom two-point conversion by FB Mike Alstott - against this week's foe. The Redskins haven't forgotten that crushing defeat. Tampa's defense finished with the better overall numbers, but it's Washington's ferocity on defense (17 turnovers, 17 sacks in their last five games - all wins) that's been hotter. QB Chris Simms isn't the leader that his father was, and his team hasn't been very consistent. The Redskins D should manhandle Simms and company while RB Clinton Portis has a solid day, propelling Washington to a close victory.

Carolina Panthers at New York Giants

The Giants are thrilled to be hosting a playoff game, because they haven't been very good on the road for the most part. Unfortunately for them, they drew an opponent with the best road record (6-2) in the NFC. Carolina should focus on slowing RB Tiki Barber (no one can stop him) and force a shaky QB Eli Manning - making his first postseason appearance - to beat them. The Panthers' core is a battle-tested group, and WR Steve Smith is as good as there is in big games. The Giants, without playmaking MLB Antonio Pierce (ankle), should give up just enough points to lose in the Meadowlands this Sunday.

DIVISIONAL ROUND

American Football Conference

New England Patriots at Denver Broncos

New England's first trip to Denver this season wasn't successful, but they mounted a furious comeback before falling 28-20. The reigning titlists were a different team then, without RBs Corey Dillon and Kevin Faulk, Pro Bowl DL Richard Seymour and LB Tedy Bruschi. Still, the Patriots face an uphill battle against a team that went undefeated at home and hosts their first playoff game since their Super Bowl season in 1998. Denver and QB Jake Plummer, who has learned to limit his mistakes, are more prepared than they were in their previous two appearances. The difference is a defense that is more confident and can force turnovers (36 of them this year, with a plus-20 turnover margin that is second in the NFL). The Broncos win a dramatic one at Invesco Field at Mile High.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Indianapolis Colts

The Steelers come into this tilt on a high note, while the Colts are well-rested but seemingly vulnerable. Big Ben should be healthier than he was in that blowout loss to Indianapolis, and the Colts haven't played a complete game or with a full roster for weeks. Forget all that. The No. 1 seed has had one goal along: win the Super Bowl. Expect the Colts to come out firing on all cylinders and thoroughly dominate a team that simply doesn't have enough weapons (or coaching) to match them offensively or defensively.

National Football Conference

Washington Redskins at Seattle Seahawks

The bye week certainly will aid a somewhat banged up Seahawks roster (who isn't?), but the injuries are minor for a team that boasts the league's best offense. Seattle may not be perfect after the week off, but their offensive line should still overwhelm Washington's defensive line and let this high-octane offense do its thing. QB Mark Brunell and company should have a much more difficult time against an underrated defense led by a good D-Line and rookie standout LB Lofa Tatupu. The Seahawks walk away with this one.

Carolina Panthers at Chicago Bears

Carolina has been a fantastic road team, with a couple of exceptions. One of them was an embarrassing showing at Chicago in Week 11 in which they lost 13-3. The Bears recorded eight sacks (and two interceptions) in that contest, despite the fact that the Panthers had allowed just 20 in all other games combined. I can't tell you how much I love this Bears defense, especially with heart-and-soul SS Mike Brown back in the fold. QB Rex Grossman, back after a valiant recovery, can make plays and direct this offense to muster the points needed to survive another low-scoring affair.

Conference Championship

American Football Conference

Denver Broncos at Indianapolis Colts

A victory against the Patriots may have made this playoff run sweeter for the Colts, but again, that would've merely been icing on the cake. Indianapolis shouldn't annihilate the Broncos as they have in the teams' previous meetings in the postseason, but expect QB Peyton Manning to come up with enough big plays to keep the Colts in the driver's seat. If Denver can't mount any sort of pressure with its blitzes up the middle, look out. Plummer may find himself in a position that he'd prefer to avoid: facing a daunting comeback against a shark-like defense. Indianapolis has enough to handle Denver.

National Football Conference

Chicago Bears at Seattle Seahawks

Seattle was 8-0 at home this season and has great balance, so this seems too easy. The top scoring offense in the league versus the top scoring defense in the league, though, is a priceless matchup. I'm not totally convinced that the Bears will pull this one off, but I've never seen a defense-oriented team that's more to fun to watch. Their corners can handle the Seahawks' receivers one-on-one, leaving the front seven to contend with the NFL's single-season touchdown king and his beastly court of an offensive line. With more heart than brains (I'm a man of conviction and believe that Seattle is always a fraud), I'll take the underdog Bears in a 20-17 type affair.

Super Bowl

Indianapolis Colts vs. Chicago Bears

A near miraculous run could deliver Chicago to the league title game to face what has arguably been the most complete team in the league. QB Rex Grossman (a la 2000 Baltimore Ravens QB Trent Dilfer) leads the Bears to this point, but that's as far as they go. The Colts aren't the 2000 New York Giants, and they've had but one objective since their loss to New England in last year's postseason. Chicago's defense may stifle Indianapolis for a bit, but except a pretty solid performance from the Edge before things begin to open up. Manning's determination, the team's many motivations and yet another playoff game on turf make this Tony Dungy and crew's year to hoist the Lombardi Trophy.

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Nicholas Minnix

KFFL's baseball editor plays in LABR and Tout Wars and won the FSWA Baseball Industry Insiders League in 2010.

The University of Delaware alum is a regular guest on Sirius/XM Fantasy Sports Radio and Baltimore's WNST AM 1570. Follow him on Twitter.

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