Apologies are in order and NFL Playoff Odds

I should pen an open letter to the teams, fans and supporters of Mizzou, West Virginia and Michigan I really didn't think that any of those teams would show up for their respective bowl games. Especially West Virginia after Rich Rodriguez's messy exit and hiring at Michigan after their head coach retired under pressure. And I thought Mizzou would pout after getting shafted out of a BCS berth.
Boy was I wrong.
Michigan finally played like the strong team that they were supposed to be in the preseason and outgunned Florida. I should know better than to pick a Heisman winning QB.
Mizzou took its BCS snub out on Arkansas and ran them out of the Cotton Bowl. Who was that masked man that made the performance of Darren McFadden look so very average. If you had of told me that Chase Daniel would only have 136 yaards passing, I'd have said that the Tigers would have gotten stomped. Instead Tony Temple carried them on his back with a shocking 281 yards and 4 scores to lead the Tigers to a shockingly easy rout of the Hogs.
And finally may I offer a mea culpa to West Virginia who in spite of the departure of their coach and the injury to their top running back Steve Slaton, the Mountaineers ran roughshod on the Sooners who are fast becoming a BCS punch line. Pat White and Noel Devine just kept running and running and running and flat ran the Sooners out of the Fiesta Bowl. The win virtually earned Bill Stewart a head coaching job in Morgantown, and though I think that Stewart is s decent hire it might not have been the best hire. I'm sure that WVA in such a hurry to put the Rodriguez mess behind them but still have some continutity to his succesful tenure grasped at the first thing that looked appealing. I personally think that Terry Bowden would have been a better choice but Mountaineer nation seems pretty enthused by the win and the hire. Best of luck to them.

Time to step it up, step it up. It's Playoff Time!-Chuck D on Janet Jackson's song New Agenda

From 32 to 12 now the fun begins, all teams are legit Super Bowl contenders. No 8-8 backing in thankfully all but 2 of the teams having won at least ten games

Lets look at all 12 teams and the chances that Princess Katie will see their fans in her area the first week of February.



AMERICAN FOOTBALL CONFERENCE (teams listed by playoff seeding)

New England Patriots AFC #1 Seed
Head Coach Bill Belichick 16-0 AFC East Champs
Strengths: The passing game of Tom Brady is simply frightening. The addition of a revitalized Randy Moss has seemed to add octanes to an already potent offense. Brady's 50 touchdown passes, 23 to Moss is only a part of the story. Wes Welker's team record and AFC co-leading 113 catches give Brady a dangerous secondary weapon to throw to. The defense while a bit rubbery can make the big play. Vets Tedy Bruschi and Junior Seau lead a smart savy squad and though he may play a bit on the dirty side at times Rodney Harrison is a big hitting big play force in the secondary
Weaknesses: If the Pats have one, its under utilized running game. Laurence Maroney is a solid running back but has under 1000 yards on the year. The Pats simply have no real use for his talents, but he can be a factor.
Odds on getting to Arizona: 5-2

Indianapolis Colts AFC #2 Seed
Head Coach Tony Dungy 13-3 AFC South Champs
Strengths: The potent offense led by the incomparable Peyton Manning is as good as it gets. Few if any QB's are as prepared as Manning. Reggie Wayne has stepped up nicely in the absence of Marvin Harrison who has been bothered by a knee injury all season. The full season health of Bob Sanders in the Colts secondary has been a real plus.
Weaknesses: The injury bug has bitten and hard, if the Colts want to get through the monsters in the Northeast they need to have all hands on deck.
Odds on Getting to Arizona 3-1

San Diego Chargers AFC #3 Seed
Head Coach Norv Turner 11-5 AFC West Champs
Strengths: When Turner realized that he had a future hall of famer at his disposal the Chargers really got rolling. LaDainian Tomlinson is the heart and sould of the Chargers offense. Philip Rivers is decent but is also smart enough not to force the action.
Weaknesses: The Chargers are playoff jinxed, despite having three sucessive home playoff games they have won none and Norv Turner has little postseason experience.
Odds on getting to Arizona 8-1

Pittsburgh Steelers AFC #4 Seed
Head Coach Mike Tomlin 10-6 AFC North Champs
Stregnths: The defense keeps the rugged Steelers in many a game, and Big Ben Roethlisberger is a savvy QB that does what is needed to get his team in to scoring opportunities. Big Ben's favorite target Hines Ward is always a threat from anywhere on the field.
Weaknesses: This is another team that has been hit haard by the injury bug. This is a team that is dangerously thin at key positions and leaves Tomlin no room poor play. The loss of Willie Parker hampers the once potent running game. Najeh Davenport, while capable in short bursts may not be the long term playoff answer.
Odds on Getting to Arizona 20-1

Jacksonville Jaguars AFC #5 Seed
Head Coach Jack Del Rio 11-5 AFC Wild Card
Strengths: This is a team that can and will run you into the ground. Vet Fred Taylor and youngster Maurice Jones-Drew are scoring threat from anywhere on the field. The defense is underrated but full of ballhawking potential
Weaknesses: David Garrard is young and the playoffs can be brutal to young QB's
Odds on getting to Arizona 15-1

Tennessee Titans #6 Seed
Head Coach Jeff Fischer 10-6 AFC Wild Card
Strengths: Head coach Jeff Fischer has been to the playoffs and has the wherewithal to keep his realatively young team composed
Weaknesses: Vince Young while showing flashes of potential has regressed from his breakout rookie year, also this team is battling numerous injuries that a young team can ill afford
Odds on getting to Arizona 25-1


NATIIONAL FOOTBALL CONFERENCE

Dallas Cowboys #1 Seed
Head Coach Wade Phillips 13-3 NFC East Champs
Strengths: Start from the potent offense and a defense that seems to make the big play when need be. Tony Romo is maturing into a big play QB and if Terrell Owens is healthy they are a deadly combo. Jason Witten is fast growing into an elite TE and a dependable checkdown for Romo
Weaknesses: This is a team that despite winning 13 games is maddeningly inconsistent. They leave teams in games that they should blow out and have a nasty tendency to mind wander at times.
Odds on getting to Arizona 3-1

Green Bay Packers NFC #2 Seed
Head Coach Mike McCarthy 13-3 NFC North Champs
Strengths: A year after fighting the rumors that he was over the hill Brett Favre has once again reminded football pundits why he is one of the elite QB's As he goes so will the team. Donald Driver is the possession man while young Greg Jennings is a valuable deep threat.
Weaknesses: The emergence of Ryan Grant has covered a serious flaw in the Packers offense and curiously this is a team that doesn't play well in the cold. The fact that they may have to go to Dallas where Favre has never won is also a big hurdle
Odds on getting to Arizona 2-1

Seattle Seahawks NFC #3 Seed
Head Coach Mike Holgren 10-6 NFC West Champs
Strengths: Matt Hasselbeck is one of the most underrated QB's in the game, he has developed into a gutty, savvy QB and if the Seahawks are to make any noise in the playoffs it will be on his play. The defense while not full of big names and big plays can step up when needed.
Weaknesses: The noticeable drop off of Shawn Alexander has hurt a once dominant running game.
Odds on getting to Arizona 12-1

Tampa Bay Buccaneers NFC #4 Seed
Head Coach Jon Gruden 9-7 NFC South Champs
Strengths: A strong Jeff Garcia, battled tested and playoff savvy will be the rock that the Bucs must lean on if they want to get
Weaknesses: This is a young team and the lack of a credible running game (Michael Pittman and Earnest Graham are decent but not gamebreakers) may hurt them if Garcia starts slow
Odds on getting to Arizona 25-1

New York GiantsNFC #5 Seed
Head Coach Tom Coughlin 10-6 NFC Wild Card
Strengths: A hard charging defense led by ageless Michael Strahan and the emergence of Osi Umenyiora and Justin Tuck give the G-Men a real presence. Brandon Jacobs has potential and young Ahmad Bradshaw is developing into a capable backup
Weaknessses: The inconsistent play of Eli Manning is a serious bugaboo. He played well in the season ending loss to the Pats, but one can never be sure if he will play tough or scared and one bad game in January could be a teams last game of the year.
Odds on getting to Arizona 15-1

Washington Redskins NFC #6 Seed
Head Coach Joe Gibbs 9-7 NFC Wild Card
Strengths: A deep team unity after the death of Sean Taylor and the emergence of Todd Collins gave the Skins a fierce closing rush that got them to the playoffs. Clinton Portis is reemerging as an elite back at the right time.
Weaknesses: One has to wonder how long they can ride emotion, the Skins have an tendency to play inconsistent and that is dangerous come playoff time.
Odds on getting to Arizona 20-1

I'll preview the matchups for the Wild Card Weekend tomorrow. Until Next Post Fellow Sports Fans!