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You bet! Maybe against the Packers, maybe not.

But this weekend, our attention is on the four games involving other potential dancers. And there may be some surprises.

Seattle Will Advance
The regular season is over. Everyone is 0-0. That said, I will ignore the Seahawks losing record during the regular season and give them a win during the postseason tourney, though just one.

The Saints are depleted by injuries and travel to a noisy Northwest. While I have the utmost respect for Drew Brees, I don’t think he can do this alone. It’ll be an early exit for New Orleans (who have never won a road playoff game), and the Seahawks will exit the playoffs next week — unless they play the 49ers, who still may have a shot.

Jets Built for Postseason
The Jets were built for January. And even though they travel, like the Saints – the Colts are missing too many weapons. I do think that Manning can win this game almost single-handed, but he won’t

Even with Joseph Addai back in the lineup, the Colts will be one-and-done. And we’ll be able to hear Rex Ryan sound bytes for at least one more week.

More NFL Playoff predictions after the jump >>

Quarterbacks throw.  Receivers catch.  This basic principle is the key to a good performance on the football field.  Unfortunately for the St Louis Rams, when the time came to make a play against the Seattle Seahawks in a game where the winner goes to the playoffs, Danario Alexander did not perform his most basic of tasks:  catching the football.  Did Alexander’s drop cost the Rams the game, and a chance to make the NFL Playoffs?  Well, it sure as hell didn’t help their cause, especially when you consider the 16-6 final score.

To his credit, Alexander was just as distraught as Rams fans were.
Read more »

Tis the season for Christmas greetings, something the sports world loves to take part in.  Take this offering from the Sea Gals, the cheerleading outfit of the Seattle Seahawks — amazingly enough — and their recitation of the The Night Before Christmas. If you’re not feeling the Christmas spirit, this should help, especially if you’re a guy. In fact, if you’re one of those last-second shopping dudes, perhaps you should use the Sea Gals as proper motivation.

It worked for me.  Especially when Rachel shows up.

More sports holiday cheer after the jump >>

The man of the amazing last name, T.J. Houshmandzadeh, looks like a big hit in Seattle. From signing the domes of Mohawk-ed fans to expectations of him leading a Hasselbeck/Seahawks passing game resurrection, while Housh may not be the biggest free agent signing — Haynesworth? Bart Scott? — he’s not far from the top. Further, he might be asked to do more than the other, “better” free agent players above him. Keep in mind just how visible the wide receiver position is; not to mention how much pub a good passing game, led by Matt Hasselbeck, will draw. Especially when he’s throwing to a player with Houshmandzadeh’s natural, made-for-the-camera personality.

Seattle fans already love him, if the lead image says anything at all.

More Housh love in Seattle after the jump >>

We end this NFL Preview excursion with the less-than-appreciated NFC West. Now, I don’t expect the next Super Bowl winner to come out of this division, but there are still some teams that can determine who does.

Seattle Seahawks

Outlook
They’ve been the best team in the NFC West for a few years now. Is this the year the Seahawks relinquish the division crown? Are the rest of the NFC West teams ready to step-up and knock Seattle off? Until I see it, I’m saying no. The Seahawks still have Matt Hasselbeck, a potent defense and the best home field advantage in the NFL. Of course, if they are going to do more than just win the West and lose in the first round of the playoffs, the Seahawks need their offense to step up around their Pro Bowl-level quarterback.

The running game is all new as Shaun Alexander left town after becoming more and more ineffective. Enter free agent Julius Jones and Maurice Morris, Alexander’s replacement last season. If these two are productive, the Seahawks could sneak up on a lot of opponents. The key is keeping Hasselbeck and the defense healthy.

10-6 and the NFC West championship.

Hottest Seahawks Cheerleader
Say hi to Sea Gal Natalie, one of many lookers on the Seahawks cheerleading team.

More NFC West after the jump >>

…And a Packers game broke out.

Run!!! It’s a Wild Goose.

The conditions for the Packers/Seahawks game were insane–making it an awesome game to watch… absolutely brilliant football weather.

Final score:

Green Bay – 42
Seattle - 20

Guess what folks: the Packers are going the NFC Conference Championship.

Hat-tip to never odd or even, who’s following the game at Fark’s thread. Nicely done.

It’s almost kick-off time folks and to celebrate the weekend festivities, I figured celebrating the some of the cheerleaders from each team would be a good way to go. Of course, there are no cheerleaders for the Packers and the Giants, but I think I’ve found a suitable substitution. Since Saturday and Sunday will be devoted to the Playoffs, it would be only right if I gave you my picks as well:

Cowboys/Giants – Cowpokes
Packers/Seahawks – The Pack

Colts/Bolts – Colts (although, I think LT is going to have a big game)
Pats/Jags – As much as it pains me to say, Patriots

I’m feeling Jacksonville, but I think they’ll fall just short like the Eagles and the Ravens during the regular season. Although, I do agree with Housh when it comes to seeing the New England go undefeated. Anyway, enough football. There’s plenty of time for that tomorrow and Sunday.

On with the cheerleaders:

Cowboys/Giants

Kandi of the Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders. More here.

She has a cute smile.

Packers/Seahawks

No explanation necessary.

Sea Gal Tessa. Love them redheads.

Colts/Bolts

Jessica of the Colts Cheerleaders

Carly of the Charger Girls (who, incidentally, have the best cheerleader bio pages. EVER.)

Pats/Jags

Jessica of the New England Patriots Cheerleaders

Danielle of the ROAR of the Jaguars

Well folks, that concludes this week’s IEC. I hope we’ve given a nice appetizer before the weekend feast gets here. Happy NFL Playoff viewing!!!

PS: Over at Busted Coverage, they are taking this idea one step further by pairing the cheerleaders from each team against each to let voters decide whose team has the hotter spirit squad. If you’d like your voice to be heard, mosey on over and let it.