PLAYOFFS!!

Week 17 is over, and the playoffs are set. If you look at my last two posts, it seems that my improbable prediction (9.1 percent chance of happening according to Las Vegas) actually came true. In all honestly, I really did think that Houston was going to beat Chicago. Houston was 5-2 at home this season before Sunday (two losses were against Tennessee and Indy) and the matchups against the Bears seemed to favor the Texans. However, my prediction of Oakland beating Tampa Bay, i'll admit, was solely based on optimism for the Philadelphia Eagles to get into the playoffs. It was the breakout performance by Raiders RB Michael Bush (177 yards, 2 td's) that made me look like a genius, and gave the Philadelphia Eagles a chance to grab that last playoff spot.  And did they ever...

  Sunday's Eagles game was one of the most satisfying experiences I have had watching sports in some time. Not just because the Eagles clinched a playoff birth, but that they did it against the Cowboys, in the process knocking Romo, TO, and the rest out of contention for the post-season. There are many things that you can take from the 44-6 spanking from the Cowgirls, but before saying that the Eagles are destined for the Super-Bowl, I'm going to follow my conventional wisdom, and say that the Birds should take it game-by-game. Here are three things that I take out of this game/the season up to this point.

1. The Eagles need to resign Brian Dawkins, Quintin Mikell, Correll Buckhalter, and one of the aging tackle tandem of Jon Runyan and William "Tre" Thomas. All are free agents after this season, and have played a huge role in Philly's playoff push.

2. The Cowboys need to fire Wade Phillips. In the NFL, the head coach needs to have full control of his team. When the owner is on the sidelines talking to the players half the game, and the quarterback exerts his control on the team when he sends the punting unit that the coach sent on back to the bench on 4th down, that's a clear sign.

3. Both Donavan Mcnabb and Andy Reid will be on the Eagles sidelines next year. Mcnabb put up a career high in passing yards with over 3,900, passed for 23 TD's, rushed for 2 more, and played his first 16 games season since 2003. For Andy Reid, his playcalling may be suspect, his time-management may be among the worst in the NFL, but he wins. He's lead the Eagles to the playoffs in seven of the last nine seasons, and since he's been coaching the Eagles, his winning percentage is 3rd among active coaches. Those ahead of him are Bill Belicheck and Tony Dungy. That's pretty elite category.

After week 13, the San Diego Chargers were 4-8, and were one loss away from being eliminated from playoff contention. Four wins later, the last of them the AFC West Division clincher over the Broncos, the Chargers are rolling into the playoffs as the four seed, with a home game against the Colts hanging in the balance.  A great matchup right here. Two of the hottest teams in football playing, and some analysts are saying that the winner of this game will represent the AFC in the Super Bowl. Could be true, but not so fast. Rivers, LT, Sproles, and Gates are indeed dangerous, and Manning is the best player in the NFL, but do not discount the Titans and the Steelers, two teams who have clearly been class of the AFC this year. 

Congratulations to the Ravens, Falcons, and the Dolphins. Three of the worst teams in the league last year, now with rookie coaches, are in the playoffs. Between Miami's Tony Sporano, Atlanta's Mike Smith, and Baltimore's John Harbaugh, it's so tough to tell who has done more for his team, let alone organization. My personal opinion is that it's Sporano. He took a 1-15 team from last year who was destined for a rebuilding year, and led them to an 11-5 record and an AFC East title. Not to mention he did it with not one proven player on offense,  a quarterback who was allegedly finished because he couldn't throw a ball over 40 yards, and a defense that just lost there two long-time leaders (Zach Thomas and Jason Taylor) to trades. 

Predictions and Analysis on Coaching Casualties to come later this week..