Follow a wild weekend
Updated: 2013-01-06 08:30
By Ron Jaworski(China Daily)
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Hello from the hub of American football. That's what I call my office at the headquarters of NFL Films, located near Philadelphia in Mt Laurel, NJ. Here I am able to review every single play, and from every angle, every week in the NFL.
As a former NFL quarterback, I pay special attention to what is probably the single most important position in all team sports, the NFL QB.
As the NFL begins its playoffs this weekend, with the wild-card games, the quarterbacks will influence my picks for this weekend, as well as for who I think will make it to the Super Bowl.
First, for this weekend's wild-card games:
By the time you read this in China, the first two games will already be in the bag, but for form's sake, I'm tipping Green Bay, led by Aaron Rogers, to be too good for Minnesota and Cincinnati to stun slumping Houston in Houston.
In Sunday's games, Russell Wilson, the rookie QB in Seattle, takes his Seahawks across the country to challenge Robert Griffin lll and the Washington Redskins.
This is a fascinating match-up. I have Wilson at No 12 in my final QB rankings, but that was after a very poor first four games. His rise after that has been greater than any QB in my top 15. His Seahawks put up 150 points in winning their last three games. On the other sideline is Griffin lll, who finished at No 10 in my QB rankings. He is playing on his home field, a real advantage.
However, I think Seattle has better overall balance, especially on defense, and I pick Seattle.
The other game pits the third of the rookie playoff quarterbacks, Andrew Luck of Indianapolis, against veteran quarterback Joe Flacco of Baltimore. The Ravens will be the home team and the forecast is for frigid weather, hovering around the freezing mark in Baltimore.
That could be a factor, and may put more focus on the run game, where I give an edge to the Ravens and Ray Rice, their low-to-the-ground running back. Luck finished No 11 in my NFL QB rankings, and he has been a wonderful leader in helping turn the Colts around from 2-14 a year ago to 11-5 and this chance in the playoffs. But I ranked Flacco at No 8 and when you throw in Rice, the home field, and their veterans on defense, I expect the Ravens to win.
As for the ultimate goal, the Super Bowl, I do not at this time, see any of the teams coming out of the wild-card weekend in the final match-up.
I will be back next week to give you more analysis as the NFL playoffs head towards the second round. Meantime, enjoy the games!
The NFL playoffs are upon us, and to help China Daily readers get a grip on what is happening, popular analyst Ron Jaworski, who played 17 years in the NFL and earned All-Pro honors and a Super Bowl berth with the Philadelphia Eagles, will provide insight into this crucial part of the exciting sport. Jaworski, who works for ESPN and has his own radio shows, will be a regular China Daily columnist. He can be reached at [email protected].
(China Daily 01/06/2013 page7)