AFC Playoff Outlook, Jaguars Roar

The Playoffs have come and gone and just like the last time Tampa Bay won the NFC south, they get knocked out at home in the first round. Now post season talk will continue for the remaining eight teams while those whose post season ended early will switch their talk to the off season with emphasis on free agency and the draft. Of course I could just jump right in with what I would like to see happen in the off season, but I feel compelled to not only correctly predict this weeks winners, but to also give you a heads up on what two teams will be headed to the Superbowl.

The game to which this week has to be the Jacksonville Jaguars vs. the New England Patriots, as it could very well be the best game in the playoffs. Of course I’m going to go with the underdog in Jacksonville. I believe that the Jaguars will stifle the Patriots passing game and there is no way that New England runs the ball on that dominate defensive line of the Jaguars. You can also expect Fred Taylor and Maurice Jones-Drew to put up big numbers on a very suspect New England rush defense. So when it comes down to it, the Jaguars will move the ball on the ground with Garrard only making plays when he has to. Brady will of course be Brady but on a lesser scale as he throws for two touchdowns but only 200 yards. Jaguars shock Patriots 21-20.

Now with the Jaguars already in the AFC Championship game, we turn our attention to their opponent to which I would like to think is going to be Indianapolis. They get The Sand Diego Chargers at home which is a big swing in their favor. Phillip Rivers is going to crumble under the pressure. You heard that right, he will not be able to handle this hostile environment that he will be headed into this Sunday night. With Rivers not being able to get it done through the air, Tomlinson is going to have to carry the offense and that’s just how Indianapolis wants it. The stuff Tomlinson to just sixty-five yards though he does find the end zone. Manning doesn’t have a repeat performance from San Diego earlier this year as he shreds the defense completing 20 of 35 passes for 275 yards and 3 touchdowns. Joseph Addai has a nice game on the ground with 15 carries for 95 yards and two touchdowns. Indianapolis cruises by San Diego 35-16.

Well, the say third times a charm and for Jacksonville it will be as they defeat Indianapolis in Indianapolis. The Jacksonville defense is the story of the game as they shut down Addai early and then come at Manning with everything they’ve got. Which results in five sacks and three interceptions with two of them being returned for touchdowns. The Colts defense won’t be slouches either as Garrard won’t throw an interception but he will be sacked three times. Jones-Drew and Taylor won’t do much on the ground but they will do just enough as the Jaguars beat the Colts 17-14 to win the AFC Championship and head on to the Superbowl.