Tabulating the Score

  The OTA Predictions started off 2011 with a 2-2 NFL Wildcard Weekend record.  I wasn’t terribly surprised by the Packers/Eagles outcome, but the Colts’ loss caused frustration in the house because Mrs. OTA is a big Peyton Manning fan.

  I will say, however, that I am glad to have been time-stamped and date-stamped on record as having picked the Seahawks’ win.  There is no revisionist history here.

Observations and Ruminations

What Have We Learned This Week?

  There is a reason why they play the game.  How many times does that phrase get brought out after a game like the Seahawks/Saints game?  But it’s deserved after a week of the national media treating the Seahawks like an eight-seed in a six-team tournament.  When NFL segments got into picks throughout the week, the hosts and analysts would just breeze through this matchup that really was not worth discussion to get on to other “real” contests.

  I mean, it’s not like we should take into consideration that a good quarterback might have a stellar performance at least one more time in his career.  We could discount the fact that the stronger defense might leave holes in coverage that the above quarterback could pick apart.  That strong defense of the defending world champions just might not bring it for 60 minutes and at the end allow one of the most impressive runs in NFL playoff history because eight players missed tackles.

 No, this one did not play out “like it should have” on paper.  But the Seahawks did win that game.  It might mean a thing in Sunday’s matchup in Chicago, but for now at least, a team that still has a losing record is alive and well in the NFL playoffs.

Return of the Predictions

  It’s been awhile since we’ve done predictions here at Outside the Arc, so let’s start the new year with some NFL Wild Card picks.

• New Orleans at Seattle   Well, I really hate to pick against my Seahawks … so I won’t.  The Saints have lost another running back and they will be hurting without Pierre Thomas.  Sure Reggie Bush will likely score his first rushing TD of the season, but it won’t be enough.  The NFC West champs, complete with the return of Matt Hasselbeck, will play inspired ball in front of the home crowd. > ‘Hawks 26, Saints 24

• N.Y. Jets at Indianapolis   Is there anything that can make Rex Ryan shutup?  I’d say Kryptonite, but he’s no Superman.  Peyton Manning, on the other hand…

Manning’s skill and ability to control a game + Jets’ secondary issues = another Colts victory over Rex Ryan. >  Indy 38, N.Y. 21

• Baltimore at Kansas City   Baltimore doesn’t seem to garner the same attention that Indianapolis and New England do.  Manning and Tom Brady have something to do with that, as well.  But the Ravens are steady on offense and solid on defense.

  Kansas City has surprised many people this season. They won’t surprise Baltimore, even in Arrowhead. > Ravens 20, Chiefs 13

• Green Bay at Philadelphia   Seriously, does anyone really believe the rumors that Michael Vick is going to be benched for this playoff game?  Barring a traumatic injury or being sacked 8-9 time in the first half, this just isn’t going to happen.

  The way the games have fallen, the league (and networks) have given us as the final game of the weekend what will likely be a shootout.  Vick and Aaron Rodgers both have led their teams well this season and both offenses can score.  The Eagles will score just a little bit more at home and avenge their early season loss to the Packers. > Philly 41, G.B. 38

Observations and Ruminations

What Have We Learned This Week?
• There is no question now (and really never should have been) that TCU can play with the “Big Boys”.  It was a close win, but a win nonetheless.  And though Andy Dalton and the offense get a lot of deserved credit for what the Horned Frogs do on the field, the performance of the defense on New Year’s Day was impressive. A Wisconsin team that had been very hot at the end of the season, scoring 48.2 ppg in their final 7 games (all wins), was held to just 19 points in the Rose Bowl.

  It’s a shame that this school felt the need to ignore geography and join the Big East just to get a chance to play for a national title.

• The Big Ten started off 2011 with a complete thud!  Oh-fer five on Jan.1.   Wow.

  Hey, Nebraska, how inviting does that league look right now?  Well, I suppose with the loss to a mediocre Washington team in a rematch it makes you feel right at home.

  If you’re a Big Ten fan, you have to feel at least a little better about the fact that Ohio State finally got over its fear of the Big Bad SEC and won a bowl game against them for the first time in school history.

• In an effort to make the final week of the season mean more than just a week for playoff-bound teams to rest their starters, the NFL set up the schedule so that all of the Game 17 matchups would be between division rivals.  It was a good decision.

  Yes, there were games in which first-stringers (read here Dallas) took on second- and third-stringers (read here Philadelphia).  But it also gave us the Seattle/St. Louis matchup for a division title and the final playoff spot in the season’s final game.  And likely will bring more intrigue in future seasons if they decide to stick with this format.

7-9 Was All It Took

  I have cheered for the Seahawks for more than 25 years, but I know the difference between a good Seattle team and one that is not so good.  The 2010 Seahawks fall into the latter category.  The losses that have mounted against them in the late part of this season have been documented on this website.

  St. Louis is an up and coming team with a very good rookie quarterback.  They have found momentum as the season has gone on and their coach is doing well with what he has this year.  Everything about this scenario says that the Rams should win this matchup going away.

  And yet…  Seattle 16, St. Louis 6.

  Somehow this Seattle team, complete with a backup quarterback leading what could kindly be described as a miserable offense, managed to come out victorious tonight.  Granted, there was a horrible spot on third down in the fourth quarter that really favored the Seahawks.   And the Rams dropped some very catchable Bradford passes.  But the worst rushing team in the league got yard

  Olindo Mare was 3-3 in field goal attempts, but actually it turned out the Whitehurst to Williams touchdown on the first drive of the game would prove to be the game-winner.

  The Seahawks now own the distinct honor of being the NFL’s first-ever division winner to have a losing record.  And it’s an honor that, for tonight and this week at least, they are happy to have.

  Wild Card Weekend vs. the defending Super Bowl champions in six days… 

The All-Powerful NFC West

My beloved Seahawks are 6-9, have lost 5 of their last 6 (while being outscored 202-128), and lost 7 of their last 9 (and outscored 294-174). And STILL... if they win next Sunday against Sam Bradford and the Rams, Seattle will win their division and grab the #4 seed in the NFC playoffs.

There are many people who are displeased with the fact that a team with a non-winning record will be in the playoffs, but that's just the way that the rules are set up. Deal!