As we approach the playoffs...

I thought it was time offer my thoughts on where we go from here. As some of you will know (other thread - S/B winner) I picked the Hawks early at 80's. I'm letting this run,but although they are now down to 30's I'm not overly confident I'm afraid. Sorry Hawks fans but I just don't see a QB that small making it long term. There's a reason why you don't draft guys that small at QB....anyway.

There are only 4 teams 'in it' this year for me:

1. Patriots
2. 49's
3. Giants
4. Packers

The Patriots D has been aweful but is improving. Talib has made a difference and they appear to have a running game this year. Everyone know's the Brady / Bull-i-check factor in December and the Playoffs. Pencil them in for the SB and stop giving me bull about Ravens (past it + Wacco Flacco) and Oilers, ooops Texans - unproven and WAY over-rated. Denver is the one that nags a little, but as long as they don't have Homefield thru the playoffs Brady and Co will stop them. I'm a Dolphins fan btw, which makes typing that hurt....badly.

2. The NFC is a different kettle o fish and I believe the S/B winner comes from here for the obvious reasons (i.e. the NFC is just better) but also because it's more competitive at the top end (perhaps that's why it's better - who knows?). So the 49's. I have to agree with Harburgh - Kapernicknicknick has way more ceiling space that Smith. I feel sorry for smith but he's just not got the downfield threat or scrambling ability of K. The gamble, of course, is that K blows up and the 49's get beat early in the P/Offs. Smith will take you to the NFC Champ game, perhaps even to the S/B - but on the whole I think he's just a few steps below where he needs to be. Brave, but correct call by Harburgh imho. The 49's, however, do not have the experience of the Giants and Green Bay.

3. To the Giants. Weird team. The only seem to perform when everyone writes them off. Manning has been garbage of late but the guy is total class. They have had injuries and continue to have injuries, but then who hasn't? At their best they are the best team in the NFC imho. When the pass rush is 'on' it doesn't matter who's in the secondary - my gran could play there and she's dead - you aren't throwing the ball. On the other side Manning is in his pomp (unlike brother P, or indeed Brady for that matter) and as such is capable of destroying teams. Dangerous in knock out football with the real pressure on. The regular season is SO different from the playoffs. I think people miss this point on occassion.

4. The Packers. Hmmm. Same as 2010 - injuries galore. I just don't understand why people are discounting them to get back to the S/B. Look at the way they dismantled the Oilers (Texans) on the road. They are still class and the injury problems are not disimilar to what they suffered in 2012. The defence needed a shot in the arm with the draft anyway. I still like, and believe in this team.

Dis-honerable mention - The dirty birds. Just don't see it folks - sorry.

S/B for me is Patriots (again! Urgh) v Giants or Packers.

GL all