The Gridiron Breakdown: National Championship and NFL Wild Card Games

College Football Playoff National Championship
Alabama vs. Clemson
Monday, January 7
Levi's Stadium - Santa Clara, CA

We've reached the end of the college football season and the two teams left standing are exactly who most of us thought - Clemson and Alabama. Look, fatigue or not, these two programs have been the class of the sport for few years now. Clemson's recent run of success is only surpassed by the absolute dynasty Nick Saban runs for Alabama. These two teams have staged some classic games in the previous three playoffs and this year's chapter should be another good one.

The key match ups are along the lines of scrimmage. Can Clemson handle Alabama's front? They certainly didn't last year. Can Alabama's offensive line stop the rotating onslaught from the Clemson defensive front? The teams with good defensive fronts Alabama played were able to limit the Tide's explosive offense for parts of games before giving up a big play. There's reason to think these match ups balance out over the course of a game. So what gives? The difference is Alabama's offense. They can attack opposing defenses from so many points - outside to in - for me to not give them the ultimate advantage in this game. Couple that with the fact that no team adjusts better over the course of a game than Nick Saban's team.

I expect Alabama to jump out early, but not as far as they did in the semifinal vs. Oklahoma. Clemson will battle back and make it a close half. Alabama pulls away in the third quarter and stands atop college football once again.

Alabama 38, Clemson 24


NFL Wild Card Games
This is an exciting set of wild card playoff games for the NFL. You can make an argument for any one of these teams to win and I expect this postseason will be wildly popular for football fans.

Indianapolis Colts @ Houston Texans
The Colts got hot after a slow start are present a tough challenge for their AFC South rivals in the Texans. Houston may be a little beat up but they have explosive tools on both sides of the ball. Playing at home matters but when it's a division opponent, that is negated due to familiarity. The Colts know exactly where they are playing and who they are playing. The reason I like the Colts here is the Colts offense and the ability to control the ball and the clock. Andrew Luck and company get a big playoff win to extend the remarkable work Frank Reich and staff have done this season.
Indianapolis 24, Houston 20

Seattle Seahawks @ Dallas Cowboys
While no one was watching, Pete Carroll and Seattle rebuilt that defense while Russell Wilson and the offense found balance again. This team fights hard and with confidence. Dallas was in a free fall early this season and to their credit, pulled out of it, won the division, and find themselves hosting a playoff game. The addition of Amari Cooper to the passing game changed so much for the better and was worth the draft pick compensation. Both teams rely on their run game to control the opponent and the clock so expect this one to be a slug-fest won in the trenches. I'm going with Seattle here with the edge given because of the coaching experience on the sideline and the experience on the field.
Seattle 19, Dallas 16

Los Angeles Chargers @ Baltimore Ravens
Chargers' QB Phillip Rivers said the only team that flat out beat his squad this year was the Ravens led by that league-leading defense. Baltimore's D was great in every facet this year. They gambled with a QB change and the insertion of Lamar Jackson provided the spark they needed. Make no mistake though, Jackson has a long way to go as a passer. The Chargers have a great defensive unit of their own and shouldn't be overlooked at all. The key is going to be on their offense though. Rivers and co. will need to manufacture first downs in key situations for them to have a chance. I'm picking the Ravens though being the home team with that great defense to find a way to win a close game.
Baltimore 20, Los Angeles 17

Philadelphia Eagles @ Chicago Bears
The Bears defense is severe in every way. They can take away everything you want to do and that gives their offense more chances and short fields. The Eagles offense with Nick Foles is such a fun thing to watch though. Doug Pederson and his remaining staff put him in great situational match ups and Foles cashes in almost every time. For the Eagles to have any chance, they are going to need that offense to put points on the board and force the Bears to play shootout ball which is not their strength. The Bears defense is so good and being at home gives them the edge they need to knock out last year's Super Bowl winner and advance to the next round.
Chicago 24, Philadelphia 21

Let me know your picks for the National Championship and Wild Card games. As always, thanks for reading and please share with others.