Out on a Limb
Fantasy Football Predictions

Familiar Faces, Bigger Stakes

The predictions made here each week do not represent the views of everyone on FIC and should not be used for gambling purposes.

Some try blind guesses by having their pets pick the games each week based on which treat they decide to choose. Others make themselves out to have bizarre psychic nicknames. Still more throw darts at a board and pick whoever it lands on. And, yes... there are a few actual experts, but I'm not one of them. Kick off every weekend with "The Mutt" as he tests his skills all season long against a few of our correspondents in the race for the FIC Cup.

Familiar Faces, Bigger Stakes

When the NFL Wildcard Games take place this weekend, three of the four matchups will be rematches from the regular season. Ironically enough, two of the matchups took place in (much like it is now....) Week One of the NFL season, when the Niners visited the Giants and the Packers hosted the Falcons. The AFC North Division rival Steelers and Browns will meet for the third time this season as well in Pittsburgh as well. Only the Jets and Colts left us without a playoff preview this season, but even that's a matchup of former longtime division rivals, not to mention a rematch of one of the greatest playoff upsets of all time in Super Bowl III. The main question that arises is that, when the teams meet on Saturday and Sunday, will the games take a different form than they did earlier in the season? Or can we just expect more of the same?

Indianapolis at New York Jets Last Meeting - Week 15 (2001) Jets 29, Colts 28

The Jets and Colts actually split the season series last season, with the Colts winning big in the Swamp and the Jets eeking out a nail-biter in the RCA Dome. When the two teams meet on Sunday, it will be their first playoff meeting since they met in Broadway Joe's famous guaranteed win in Super Bowl III in 1968.

The Colts seem to have backed into the playoffs due to a weak division, but shouldn't be taken lightly. Marvin Harrison is clearly the best receiver in the game, and should get open enough for 100+ yards and a score against the Jets middle of the road pass defense. Peyton Manning should be able to exploit the Jets secondary and put some points on the board in this one, but the key will be how effective the running game, powered by Edgerrin James and James Mungro, is as the Colts will need to play keepaway from the potent Jets offense.

On the other side of the ball, Chad Pennington has to be wondering what exactly it is that some of the MVP voters wanted from him. While the youngster is displaying exactly the "team player" attitude that the league's last two Super Bowl winning QB's (Tom Brady, Trent Dilfer) showed, his passer rating was 7 points better than League MVP Rich Gannon, and he didn't even receive a vote. This team clearly took off after Pennington took over the reins from former starter Vinny Testaverde, and hasn't looked back since. Expect Pennington and favorite target Laveranues Coles to hook up a couple of times in this one, while Pennington will manage Herman Edwards' flawless gameplan to perfection. Curtis Martin will also play a big part in the end as the Jets should hold off a late charge at home to advance. Jets 34, Colts 24

Atlanta at Green Bay Last Meeting - Week 1 (2002) Packers 37, Falcons 34 (OT)

Neither of these teams are playing their best ball right now, and the Packers had a colossal slip against the Jets last weekend that is the only reason that they're playing this weekend. The Falcons also had a chance to lock up their berth on their own, but used the help that Carolina gave them to advance to the playoffs. They've also both changed a lot since Week One, though.

Michael Vick seemed to catch everyone (especially the Packers) by surprise in Week One when he dominated with the all-around game that he's shown for most of the season, rushing for 72 yards and a score as well as throwing for 209 and a score. In order for the Falcons to even stay in this game, they'll need a similar effort from the suddenly slipping Vick, who has thrown at least one interception in his last five starts. The Dirty Birds simply don't have the all-around personnel to stick with the Packers if this game turns into a turnover-fest in frosty Lambeau.

When the Jets beat the Packers last week, the Cheeseheads blew a shot at a week's rest and two home games to get to the Super Bowl. Instead, their road likely takes them to Philadelphia and/or Tampa Bay if they want to make travel plans for San Diego, assuming that they come through here. Brett Favre is still a dominant force under center (maybe not quite the only player worthy of challenging Rich Gannon for MVP, but he's still great), and should have a much easier time finishing Vick and the Falcons amazing run than they did at the beginning of the year. The Falcons defense won't likely yield another 37 points in this one, but it's a lot harder for opposing teams (especially Dome teams) to move the ball when the calendar hits January in Lambeau. Look for Favre to continue his perfect record when the temperature's below freezing. Packers 27, Falcons 23

Cleveland at Pittsburgh 2002 Meetings: Week 4... Pittsburgh 16, Cleveland 13 (OT) in Pittsburgh.... Week 9... Pittsburgh 23, Cleveland 20 in Cleveland

As always, expect the Cardiac Kids in Cleveland to take this one down to the final minutes. Both teams are solid defensively and move the ball well through the air. While Browns starting QB looked pretty rusty last weekend when he had to replace Tim Couch, he was actually as effective as, if not better than, Couch for most of the year. The team seems to believe that they'll come through when Holcomb is on the field, and it could very well show this weekend when they take on the rival Steelers. Rookie William Green got off to a sluggish start this season, but has been making a lot of noise lately, and proved that he can come up huge in the big game last weekend by tearing the Falcons defense to pieces to the tune of 178 yards and two scores.

The Steelers finished out the year with a huge Monday night win against Tampa Bay and a comeback in a meaningless game with the Ravens last weekend, and Tommy Maddox seems to have recovered his form in time for the playoffs. They do, however, remain one of the least consistent teams in the entire league, and whether that team will show up or the team that looked very lackluster in a 24-6 loss to the expansion Texans (despite outgaining them 422-47), is a mystery. Look for Maddox to turn the ball over more than once in this one, and the Browns should capitalize. It sure is tough to beat the same team three times.... Browns 23, Steelers 20

New York Giants at San Francisco 49ers 2002 Meeting: Week 1... Niners 16, Giants 13 in the Swamp

When the two teams met in September, the Giants actually dominated the offensive play, outgaining the Niners 358-279. San Francisco had high hopes coming into the year, and won a relatively poor NFC West easily, but haven't looked like the force that they were supposed to be at all. They've buckled nearly every time that they faced a playoff team (or hopeful for that matter), posting a 2-5 record against teams with winning records. Talent-wise, this game should be a mismatch that will fall in the Niners favor, but the game's played on the field, and they'll be facing a Giants team that's won four straight.

Jeff Garcia put up another solid, pedestrian, season, passing for over 3,300 yards with a 21/10 touchdown to interception ratio. He and star receiver Terrell Owens have a rapport that is rivaled only by that of Manning and Harrison. Both Garrison Hearst and Kevan Barlow combine to give the Niners the most potent 1-2 punch in the league in the backfield, and the defense continues to improve year after year. Somehow, though, it just doesn't seem like the Niners are ready for Prime Time.

Giants Coach Jim Fassell seems to have pulled another rabbit out of the hat this season. With his team left for dead, and all but eliminated from the playoffs, his team reeled off four straight wins, including the last two over a couple of playoff teams (Colts, Eagles) to sneak into the playoffs. Much like they were two years ago when he led his team all the way to the Super Bowl, the Giants are a team that will give opponents headaches with a strong, balanced offensive attack and a brutal defense. While the Niners are headed to the playoffs for the second straight year themselves, the Giants still hold the edge in experience, and should keep that winning streak going for one more week, setting up a rematch of their regular season finale with the Eagles. Giants 20, 49ers 16

On the Year
Lock of the Week: 5-9-2
Upset Special: 7-10
Game of the Week: 7-9

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