OK; the wildcard games are finished, and there are 7 playoff games left for the 2009-2010 NFL football season: 8 teams remain so there will be 4 games this weekend January 15th and 16th, 4 teams and 2 games next Sunday the 24th (these are for the AFC and NFC Conference Championships), then 2 teams left for the final game on February 7th, Superbowl 44 (XLIV).
There will also be an 8th game, the Pro Bowl played in between the Conference Championships and the Super Bowl on Sunday, January 31st. The Pro Bowl used to be played a week or two after the Super Bowl, but they changed it this year to be a week *before* the Super Bowl, presumably to get more people to watch and therefore to get better ratings. However, players who were elected to the Pro Bowl but will be playing in the Super Bowl will not be participating in the Pro Bowl lest they get injured. Also, the Pro Bowl is usually played in Hawaii and is sort of just for fun, but this year it'll be played in Florida. I don't particularly agree with them moving the game from after the Super Bowl to before it. We ought to be able to watch all the Pro Bowl players selected for the season in the Pro Bowl, but this year for the first time ever, we won't get that opportunity.
So anyway, here are some statistics/facts about the games coming up this weekend. First, the Schedule in the order the games will be played:
Saturday, January 16:
- Game #1: Coverage starts at 4:30 PM Eastern and will be broadcast on FOX. It is an NFC game featuring the Arizona Cardinals (10-6) vs. the New Orleans Saints (13-3) in New Orleans
- Game #2: Coverage starts at 8:15 PM Eastern and will be broadcast on CBS. It is an AFC game featuring the Baltimore Ravens (9-7) vs. the Indianapolis Colts (14-4) in Indianapolis
Sunday, January 17:
- Game #3: Coverage starts at 1:00 PM Eastern and will be broadcast on FOX. It is an NFC game featuring the Dallas Cowboys (11-5) vs. the Minnesota Vikings (12-4) in Minneapolis
- Game #4: Coverage starts at 4:40 PM Eastern and will be broadcast on CBS. It is an AFC game featuring the New York Jets (9-7) vs. the San Diego Chargers (13-3) in San Diego
This is the weekend we've all been waiting for, folks! The best 8 teams out of the 32 in the NFL, all great teams with good records. The two worst records are the two away teams that won wildcard games last weekend, the New York Jets and the Baltimore Ravens, both at 9-7.
Like last week, I'm predicting once again that the 4 winning teams will be the home teams. Each team is arguably better than its opponent, has a better record, plus they're playing at home.
Only two of these eight teams have won a Super Bowl in the last 10 years: the Indianapolis Colts and the Baltimore Ravens. However, the Arizona Cardinals went to Super Bowl 43 (XLIII) last year, but lost to the Pittsburgh Steelers.
Assuming I'm correct in my picks of home teams winning this weeked, (Minnesota, New Orleans, Indianapolis and San Diego), then I think Minnesota and San Diego will win the Conference Championships next weekend and will go to the Super Bowl. And of course the Vikes will win the Super Bowl for the first time ever!
Go Vikes!
