2006 Extra Innings NFL Playoff Preview

With the 2006 NFL season wrapped up, Extra Innings takes a look at the upcoming playoffs.

Wild-card Round

Kansas City Chiefs (9-7, 6th seed) at Indianapolis Colts (12-4, 3rd seed)
The Chiefs kind of snuck their way into the playoffs this year, edging out the Broncos on the final weekend. The Colts, a once mighty 9-0, finished the season on a 3-4 skid - keep in mind too, that final win of the 9-0 start was because of a missed field goal on the Bills part. Neither team is really flying too high right now but I'm going to have to go with the Colts on this match-up. I'm not saying they're going to make it very far - this definitely isn't the same Colts team of past years and that defense isn't going to hold up against a possible clash with San Diego.

New York Jets (10-6, 5th seed) at New England Patriots (12-4, 4th seed)
The Jets surprised everyone by following a mediocre 4-4 start with a post-bye-week 6-2 mark. And then, we have the Patriots. Despite winning their fourth straight AFC East title (also their fifth out of the last six years), this New England team doesn't have the full weaponry of past ones. Brady (and I have to give him credit for this one) managed to steer this team to the post-season even though he lacks any form of a number one receiver. I want to say that the Jets will pull the upset in this one but the Pats have been the best post-season team for years now and should get the job done this weekend.

New York Giants (8-8, 6th seed) at Philadelphia Eagles (10-6, 3rd seed)
I'm not even going to dwell on this one. The Eagles have found magic in Jeff Garcia while the Giants might not even be able to find their way to Lincoln Financial Field. The team completely lacks any kind of chemistry, leadership or any reason to even be in the post-season. Garcia is going to have a great off-season after piloting the Eagles over the inept Giants.

Dallas Cowboys (9-7, 5th seed) at Seattle Seahawks (9-7, 4th seed)
Several weeks ago, I would've penciled Dallas in for an quick victory. But, several weeks ago, there was a chance that the Cowboys wouldn't even have to play this weekend. The Cowboys dropped three of their last four, including a loss to the cowardly Lions, and blew a chance to win the NFC East. But, oh wait, the Seahawks lost three of their last four too, falling to Arizona and San Francisco. Neither of these teams are going anywhere but Dallas'll move onto the next round.

Divisional Round
Based upon projected Wild Card results

Indianapolis Colts at Baltimore Ravens (13-3, 2nd seed)
One of the league's worst defenses versus one of the league's best. Peyton's going to have a hard time attacking the Raven's defense. Baltimore looks extremely strong right now and have won their last four straight games. I will say though, the Buffalo Bills prevented the Ravens from scoring an offensive touchdown last weekend. This shouldn't matter though and the Baltimore Ravens will return to the AFC Championship.

New England Patriots at San Diego Chargers (14-2, 1st seed)
Tom Brady and crew are going to have a tough time taking down LaDainian Tomlinson and the rest of the potent Chargers offense. With the presence of steroid-fueled Shawne Merriman, the San Diego defense will be able to match the play of Philip River's offense. (I wonder if Eli Manning ever wishes he had manned-up and stayed in San Diego.) Anyways, the Chargers will notch a meeting with the Baltimore Ravens by shutting down the patchwork Patriots.

Philadelphia Eagles at New Orleans Saints (10-6, 2nd seed)
I can't go against a story like the New Orleans Saints. A rookie phenomenon (actually two: Reggie Bush and Marques Colston), a quarterback finding a new home and a city looking for a second life - how could this team go wrong? Both the Eagles and Saints found new quarterbacks over the past year but it'll be the former Charger that comes up victorious. Saints march on.

Dallas Cowboys at Chicago Bears (13-3, 1st seed)
Rex Grossman isn't working at quarterback. Unfortunately for Chicago, it doesn't seem like Lovie Smith is going to realize that in time. I take back what I said about Dallas not going any further - I'm going to pencil Romo and the 'Boys in for another upset, fueling the false hopes of Romosexuals everywhere.

Conference Championship Round
Based upon projected Divisional results

Baltimore Ravens at San Diego Chargers
What a match-up. This game'll make the previous two round of playoffs pointless but it'll be worth it. The archetypal top-defense-versus-top-offense game should give fans one of the best games of the season. When these two teams played in Week Four, they were only able to muster three touchdowns as Baltimore beat San Diego 16-10. This game should see a different result though as San Diego will solve the Raven's defense and punch their ticket for Miami.

Dallas Cowboys at New Orleans Saints
After last season's 3-13 campaign and the environment of Hurricane Katrina, did anyone ever expect New Orleans to have the season they did in 2006? I surely didn't. But, I do expect them to beat the out-of-place Cowboys. The Saints Super Bowl crusade will be almost complete.

Super Bowl XLI
Based upon project Conference Championship round

San Diego Chargers vs. New Orleans Saints
There are so many story threads that come with this match-up. Two possible MVP candidates - Drew Brees and Philip Rivers - going against each other, Brees against his former team, the fact that the Saints carry the spirits of an entire city with them. This is a tough one. I'd say that the Chargers are a superior team but I feel that the Saints, after getting this far, won't stumble. Look for a full offensive onslaught between the two teams. By winning Super Bowl XLI, the Saints will cement their future in New Orleans.