WEST SEATTLE, Washington, January 09, 2010 (WSFB) – (Saturday’s post is being re-posted due to sheer kickassmanship and 100%ness in winnerability – Editor)

The NFL playoffs start today and the Seahawks, for the second year in a row, will not be participating.  However, today’s firing of head coach Jim Mora, as well as rampant rumors of the potential hiring of Pete Carroll as a replacement (and possibly as president of the franchise), have kept the Hawks in the news.

The fact of the matter is the Seahawks losing season has just added to the local affliction that I call SSAD (Seattle Sports Affective Disorder).   Just in the last few years Seattle sports fans have suffered through a crushing (and some say stolen) Superbowl loss, a Mariners team whose completely incompetent (and eventually fired) GM took them out of contention for any kind of World Series appearance for years and the complete relocation of the only professional Seattle team to ever win a championship, the Seattle Sonics.  Add the struggles of the UW Football program and few would argue that any other major market city has suffered through poor professional team performances more than Seattle fans have.

However, there is hope, and their names are Zduriencik, Sarkisian, Romar and hopefully Carroll.

Jack Zduriencik has made some brilliant moves in this off season.  Sarkisian has re-inspired the Husky faithful and his players alike, setting up for a potential first place finish in the PAC-10 next year.  Lorenzo Romar has his team’s sights set on a high March Madness seed and a shot at the National Title.  While the hiring of Pete Carroll as head coach of the Seahawks is still just a rumor, sometimes a team needs a fresh perspective from the top to reach a higher potential (plus the NFC West is one of, if not the, weakest divisions in the NFL, ripe for the taking).

So while Seattle fans may not have a professional NBA team (thanks to David Stern who essentially let his buddy steal the Sonics away from this town by basically calling Key Arena the Death Valley of NBA venues), there is the potential for a bright 2010 in Seattle sports.  And remember, even if the Hawks, Mariners and Huskies lose in 2010 you still have the Seattle Mist.  Who are the Seattle Mist?  They are the Seattle Lingerie Women Football team.  They went 3-1 last year.  From checking out their homepage I can tell they have very competent WR’s and CB’s, and an impressive LB.  I see a Funblog field trip in the works next year.

And now onto the picks for this weekends NFL playoffs.

Jets – Bengals

Mark “Dirty” Sanchez vs. Carson Palmer.  USC alum vs. USC alum.  The Jets stout running game vs. the Bengals up and coming defense.  The often outspoken Chad Ochocinco vs. stud cornerback of the year Darrelle Revis.  While the Jets whooped up on the Bengals last week it was a must win for the Jets while the Bengals had already clinched.  While the Bengals have had more success this year it’s all about what have you done for me lately in the NFL, and the Jets are too hot to handle in my opinion.  Look for the Jets to run all over the field, and keep a hurting Ochocinco in check all day.  While the Bengals will undoubtedly be playing in the memory of fallen teammate Chris Henry, they won’t be able to stop Dirty Sanchez and co.

Prediction

Jets 31-Bengals 28

Eagles-Cowboys

So it’s no secret here that the WSFB completely supports Jessica Simpson, and while that is not the reason for us taking the Cowboys over the Eagles this weekend it surely doesn’t hurt.  In addition, Jerry Jones is scary as hell, and he constructed this mega arena with the world’s largest LCD which you can probably see from space or something, and it cost him tons of money and he probably expects nothing less than a Superbowl for his time, effort and cash.  If the Eagles do end up beating the Cowboys in their giant stadium, Jerry Jones might reveal himself to be some kind of man-bat and fly down from his suite and kill every Cowboy player and coach on the field.  And since Tony Romo plays for the Cowboys, and Jessica Simpson was in love with Tony Romo, we figure this act might somehow hurt Jessica Simpson as well, and the last thing we want is for Jessica Simpson to get hurt, I mean she already lost her dog to coyotes this year.  The Cowboys beat the Eagles last week to take the NFC East title, and while this will probably be a better game I think history will repeat itself this week as well.

Prediction

Cowboys 21 – Eagles 14

Ravens – Patriots

With Wes Welker out for the year Tom Brady and Randy Moss, along with a suspect defense, will be asked to carry the show for the Pats.  On the other side of the coin toss a couple guys with the first name of Ray will be controlling their own destiny.  If the seemingly eternal linebacker Ray Lewis can bring together the defense, and their spark plug running back Ray Rice can bring down the house with his yardage, the Ravens might just upset the Pats at home.  This game is definitely the most high profile of the four this weekend, and there is a good chance the Ravens might shine through.

Prediction

Ravens 24 – Patriots 21

Packers – Cardinals

Aaron Rogers is the reason the Packers are in the playoffs.  Kurt Warner is basically the reason the Cardinals are there as well.  Both teams are banged up, but the fact that the Packers have two crazy white guys with long hair on defense lends credit to my theory that crazy white guys with long hair will give a team the edge when a lot of the other match ups are somewhat even.  There is a chance that if the Packers win they’ll go onto play the Minnesota Vikings in Minnesota next week, and I’d love nothing more than to see Brett Favre carve up the Packers like a turkey on Thanksgiving.

Prediction

Packers 34 – Cardinals 24