Spring Break
Halfway to the Super Bowl
Sean Labar
Issue date: 11/13/08 Section: Sports
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The New York Giants: Congratulations Tom Coughlin, you have done it. You have somehow managed to let both Tiki Barber and Michael Strahan retire; get rid of Jeremy Shockey and lose pro-bowl defensive end Osi Umenyiora for the season. It's all good in New York though, the G-men have come back with a more mature and talented team this year with a second consecutive Super Bowl ring gleaming in the back of their minds. Hats off to the Giants. If they keep up this good play, they will surely secure the No. 1 NFC seed in the playoffs.
The Carolina Panthers: The Panthers finally have a healthy Jake Delhomme/Steve Smith connection. At 7-2, Carolina is playing the best football since its Super Bowl season of 2003. With one of the best quarterback/receiver tandems in the game and a solid running game backed up by DeAngelo Williams, I have the Panthers as my second NFC playoff seed.
Arizona Cardinals: The Cardinals are a huge surprise this season, and nobody in Arizona seems to mind. After 21 years in Phoenix, the Cards seem to have the confidence and composure to land them in their second playoff appearance in team history. Kurt Warner may be old, but he is showing the veteran leadership necessary to move a young team like this forward. After a scary hit just three weeks ago, the Cardinals have receiver Anquan Boldin back on the roster. The Fitzgerald-Boldin combination is tough to stop. I'll take the Cardinals to win the NFC West.
Minnesota Vikings: Still a toss up in the NFC north. As of now, I am going with my gut and picking the Minnesota Vikings over the Chicago Bears. Adrian Peterson is leading the league in rushing yards and simply can't be stopped. This division is still up in the air, and it will be fun to watch it play out.
Washington Redskins: The theme in Washington nowadays seems to be centered on "change," and that is just what the Redskins got. Owner Daniel Snyder finally made a good decision in bringing in first-year coach Jim Zorn, who has used his experience with quarterbacks to hand-mold Jason Campbell. Campbell, who has thrown for nearly 2,000 yards, has been precise and careful with the football. He has proven that he can manage Zorn's high-powered West coast offense. Campbell's ability to run the offense has opened up tremendous opportunities for running back Clinton Portis, who is second in the league in rushing yards. I like the Skins for the top wildcard seed heading into the playoffs.
Dallas Cowboys: Yes, it's bold, but I feel that the Cowboys will get it back together. At the beginning of the season, almost everyone had America's team as the NFC favorite. Losing Tony Romo for just a couple weeks took a huge toll on this team, however, and his health will be vital for the Cowboys the rest of the way. If Wade Phillips can get some production out of T.O. and newly acquired receiver Roy Williams, then I think Dallas stands a legitimate shot for slipping into the playoffs.
The Tennessee Titans: In a city known for country music, the people of Nashville have a lot to be thankful for. The Titans, at a perfect 9-0, are fighting to remain unbeaten this season. There's an old gridiron that says, "defense wins championships." Tennessee is a team powered by fierce defensive play and it will be interesting to see whether it can hold true to the saying. With Chris Johnson and LenDale White creating a thunder/lightning effect in the backfield and veteran quarterback Kerry Collins managing the offense, the Titans have the total package. They are a lock for the No. 1 AFC seed in the 2009 playoffs.
The Pittsburgh Steelers: Mike Tomlin has these boys in check. With a healthy Willie Parker and accurate Ben Roethlisberger, the Steelers are a tough team to contend with. At 6-3, they are still competing with the Ravens for the AFC North, but I feel they will run away with it in the final stretch of the season. The Steelers are my pick for the No. 2 seed.
The New England Patriots: After losing Tom Brady before the season started, no one had faith in the New England Patriots. But how could you sleep on this team? Head coach Bill Belichick has a regular season record of 133-84 and simply knows the recipe for success. The Patriots know what it takes to win and they are doing just that. If Matt Cassel can keep making good decisions, then the New England Patriots will make yet another playoff appearance. I have the Pats as the third seed in the AFC playoffs.
The Denver Broncos: Both the Denver Broncos and San Diego Chargers are fighting for the AFC West's playoff spot. No matter the outcome, neither team has the talent to compete once playoff time rolls around. Ill go with the Broncos to win the division, but it will be a long, tough road for whatever team wins the AFC West come January.
Baltimore Ravens: Though they are competing with the Steelers in the AFC North, the Ravens will still most likely claim a wildcard spot and compete in the playoffs. Rookie quarterback Joe Flacco is making a name for himself in Baltimore and has led the team to a healthy 6-3 record. The Ravens' defense is living up to their reputation--ranking first in the league in rush yards allowed and second in pass yards allowed. If this success continues, I have the Ravens as my No. 5 AFC seed.
The Indianapolis Colts: Though the Colts only have a record of 5-4 and are sitting behind the undefeated Titans in the AFC South, they are playing their best football right now. After beating both New England and Pittsburgh in the last two weeks, the Colts have tons of momentum for the remainder of the season. Peyton Manning is familiar when it comes to the playoffs, and I am confident that he will make another appearance in 2009.
This writer can be contacted at sports@theeastcarolinian.com.
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