With the wildcard weekend looming, I figured I had better weigh in on how I think the games will turn out. So, to achieve this, I didn’t weigh Vegas odds, I didn’t do an in depth team-by-team positional analysis, and I surely didn’t weigh any of the opinions of those “experts” out there. What I did do was dig deep in my closet to find a childhood toy of mine, a well-known toy, which goes by the name of the “Magic 8-ball”.

I asked some questions, and then shook the 8-ball, and here is what I came up with…

“Will the Baltimore Ravens rush for over 150yds as a team on Sunday?”

Answer – “Outlook not so good”

OK then, it looks like the Ravens are going to stumble with the run game vs. the Dolphins, which means that Elvis “has left the building” Grbac will have to throw a lot to keep the offense going. That does not bode well for the Ravens, as they have been prone to make errors in the red zone with their passing game.

“Will the Buccaneers be able to contain Donovan McNabb and keep him in the pocket?”

Answer – “Signs point to yes”

Being that this Magic 8-ball is never wrong, this is a really good sign for Bucs fans. If the Bucs’ defense can keep McNabb in the pocket they greatly increase their chances of winning. The Bucs’ defense has been relatively underachieving all season (ranking 6th overall) and I think their stars are going to step up in this game, Sapp will control the middle run game and harass McNabb, Derrick Brooks will own the middle, Simeon Rice will get pressure, Ronde Barber and Donnie Abraham will provide good coverage, and John Lynch “Mob” will keep make those Eagles’ receivers think twice about coming over the middle.

“Will we see the good Jay Fiedler on Sunday against the Ravens?”

Answer – “It is certain”

Dave Wannstedt just breathed a heavy sigh of relief. No QB has been so bi-polar all season long the way Fiedler has been this year. He was either good on a Sunday or he was bad, there was no middle ground, there was no mediocre performance. That had to be on Wannstedt’s mind this week, but now, once he reads this column, he won’t have to worry.

“Are the rumors true? IS age catching up to the Oakland Raiders late in this season?”

Answer – “No chance”

Ok, Gruden’s patented sneer just eased up… a little. I find it hard to believe that age could come into play for these guys, as the ones mainly in question are fanatical about keeping in shape. I think the playoff atmosphere will have these guys pumped up, the adrenaline will be flowing, and the proverbial hands of time will seem to be wound back a little for guys like Brown, Rice and Gannon.

“Will Jeff Garcia’s play be affected by the December Green Bay climate?”

Answer – “Without a doubt”

I guess anyone’s play will be affected by that weather, but if anyone can put up with it, it would be Garcia. Remember, he played some years here in Canada, where the temperature gets actually just as cold, if not colder here in November than it does in December in Green Bay. Obviously, the temperature in Green Bay is always an interesting storyline, and it will have an extra twist with the ex-CFL QB coming to town to play in it, as Garcia is (or was, I guess) accustomed to such harsh climates.

Now, onto the real questions… the ones that hold weight… the important ones that you all have been waiting for…

“Will the Tampa Bay Buccaneers defeat the Philadelphia Eagles on Saturday?”

Answer – “Outlook not so good”

Ok, so that’s that then. The Bucs will play a spirited game and this one will be close, but in the end, some great play by McNabb will end the Bucs’ season, and maybe Tony Dungy’s tenure there.

"Will the New York Jets defeat the Oakland Raiders on Saturday?”

Answer – “Ask again later”

Uh-oh… Nice time for the Magic 8-ball to pull this stunt. What can I say about this one? Well, without relying on the 8-ball here, I would have to say that my money would be on the Raiders, if I were a betting man. Why? Well, the Raiders are coming off a tough loss to those very Jets and will be looking for revenge, add into that the fact that their experienced stars know what it takes to win in the playoffs, and you have a recipe for success. Better luck next year, Herman Edwards.

“Will the Baltimore Ravens defeat the Miami Dolphins on Sunday?”

Answer – “It is unlikely”

Look for a spirited effort in this game, and with the help of “the good” Jay Fiedler, the Dolphins will win the closest game of the weekend. The defending champs will bring it all on Sunday, but in the end, all their talking will tire them out and the Dolphins will take this one late. Oh yeah, Lamar Smith will NOT gain 100yds on Sunday either.

How correct will SuperZim and his magic 8 ball be? 90-100% 80-90% 70-80% 60-70% 50-60% 40-50% 30-40% 20-30% 10-20% 0-10% Current Results

“Will the San Francisco 49ers defeat the Green Bay Packers on Sunday?”

Answer – “It is decidedly so”

There you have it Niner fans, we WILL win this weekend, and in convincing fashion. I for see the Niners getting good pressure on Favre and stuffing Ahman Green all day, I also see a pick or two by our secondary, and a really big hit on Bill Schroeder. As for the Niners, I see a solid performance by Garcia, and dominant performance by Owens and another stiff-arm by Hearst. This will be the most exciting game of the weekend, and I think it will be one for the ages, so I think we should all just buckle up and get this thing going already…

Hey, don’t take my word for it, consult your local “Magic 8-ball”…

Until Next Time…