Well they damn sure are gonna need big games out of all 3 of them dudes in the picture up top, if we can even begin talking about this seriously. As I have said many times the Patriots D is overrated it can be beat and can most definitely be run on. However they sure do seem to have a knack for forcing mistakes from the opposing QB’s, especially come playoff time, so if Jacksonville’s gonna win this they really need a mistake free game from Garrard, not like last week where I said they would need it but won despite his uncharacteristic mistakes. To beat the Patriots the Jags are gonna have to be perfect because yes the Jags have a solid D but they are hurting and even worse the Patriots are an offensive machine.

The Jags aren’t your normal Floridian team ( and I don’t simply mean that they don’t suck like the Dolphins ) as they are built for these cold weather defensive playoff battles, they can run the ball all day on just about anyone and they won’t let you run anywhere either, the Jags best chance is from lots of wind to make it difficult for Brady to air it out. I have no clue what the weather is supposed to be like and I’m not gonna play weatherman but if it’s windy as hell and Brady can’t throw the deep ball then I really like the Jags chances as New England will not be able to run anywhere on Jacksonville. However if there isn’t a hurricane in New England than I only like their chance to cover the spread, 13 points is too big a spread so for gambling purposes take the Jags you should definitely win but the smartest money is on the Patriots still playing next week.

The Jags biggest problem all year has been the passing game on both sides of the ball. While Garrard does play good mistake free football more often than not he also doesn’t make very many big plays through the air and the D is great at stopping the run but has been way too easily beaten on deep passes and it sure isn’t gonna be easier on them dealing with Brady, Moss and Welker. Look for Brady to go to Welker all day long as he will be lined up in the slot against Terry ” he ain’t my ” Cousins and he will be beating him on repeat. If the Jags can stay physical with Moss and Welker and get pressure on Brady quick, then they can most definitely win this game and win it easily. Problem is I don’t see them being able to slow them down for all 4 quarters and again they aren’t playing the Steelers, they need 4 quarters of shut down D and mistake free, chain moving, point scoring offense anything less simply won’t be enough.

The combo in the back field of Jacksonville will be great to watch as I promise you will see a couple of big plays from each running back ( Fred Taylor and the NFL’s own Oompa Loompa, Maurice Jones-Drew ) but I just can’t see it being enough to match what Brady and the boys will be bringing with them.

Seattle + 8 @ Green Bay

This is the first game of the day on Saturday and I understand it seems like the world is rooting for Favre but come on, no way this game gets the same attention as the Pats Jags game, even if your a Packers or Seahawks fan you have to feel like your waiting for the undercard. A whole lot has been made over the last couple of days about where Mike Holgrem used to coach and who his QB and back up QB’s were but you won’t here that nonsense from me, I mean yeah ok Holgrem probably knows Farve better than any other opposing coach but seriously who didn’t already know this ? I know football players often get a rep for being ” slow ” or ” dimwitted ” but why certain writers like to act like football fans can’t add 2 + 2 is beyond me. Yes we know Holgrem was Farve’s coach when they won the Super Bowl but that was a decade ago and honestly I don’t expect Farve to have to do too much in fact if he has too do a lot then the Packers will be in trouble.

The Packers game plan should be run the ball with Ryan Grant as much as they can and then just when they least expect it run the ball some more. There are many reasons why I say this, the first is the Seahawks have a great pass rush and one of the best cover corners in the game ( Marcus Trufant ) the second is the Packers have Brett Farve aka Captain Gunslinger and the third is combine factors one and two. Ryan Grant came in mid season and really gave the Packers the one thing they were missing and that was a power running game. He seemed to only get better as the year went on and if the Packers are smart they will play ball control and pound the Seahawks upfront as they can be run on. As I have already said I’m nervous about Farve losing it and letting 3 picks loose against anyone, but if he keeps dropping back repeatedly on Saturday you are all gonna see exactly why I was so nervous about it as the Hawks will get to him early and often, Ryan Grant is needed to keep them d-ends playing on their heels.

The Seahawks will be taking the opposite approach as they will basically ignore the running game ( until the Packers have spread the field enough for them ) and will be working with lots of quick short passes. Hasselbeck is a poor man’s Tom Brady I’ve said it before and I’m saying it again, unfortunitly for the Seahawks I think they need the upgrade to beat this Defense. Hasselbeck should move the ball at times and break through for a couple good scoring drives but assuming the PACKERS play the way they should and don’t give Farve too many chances to throw the game away Hasselbeck won’t be able to do enough against this defense. This game should be close in the first half or so but Ryan Grant should run away with the game by mid 4th quarter.