The Ultimate Motivational Clip (MUST WATCH)

"Make of your life a dream, and of a dream a reality."



"Rise and shine.

6am and your hand can't make it to the alarm clock before the voices in your head start telling you that it's too early, too dark, and too cold to get out of a bed.

Aching muscles lie still in rebellion, pretending not to hear your brain commanding them to move

A legion of voices are shouting their unanimous permission for you to hit the snooze button and go back to dreamland, but you didn't ask their opinion.

The voice you've chosen to listen to is one of defiance.

A voice that's says there was a reason you set that alarm in the first place. So sit up, put your feet on the floor, and don't look back because we've got work to do.

Welcome to The Grind!

For what is each day but a series of conflicts between the right way and the easy way, 10,000 streams fan out like a river delta before you, Each one promising the path of least resistance.

Thing is, you're headed upstream. And when you make that choice, when you decide to turn your back on what's comfortable and what's safe and what some would call "common sense", well that's day 1. From there it only gets tougher.

So just make sure this is something you want. Because the easy way out will always be there, ready to wash you away, all you have to do is pick up your feet.

But you aren't going to are you?

With each step comes the decision to take another


You're on your way now


But this is no time to dwell on how far you've come. 
You're in a fight against an opponent you can't see


Oh but you can feel him on your heels can't you?


Feel him breathing down your neck


You know what that is?
 That's you...
Your fears, your doubts and insecurities all lined up like a firing squad ready to shoot you out of the sky


But don't lose heart


While they aren't easily defeated, they are far from invincible


Remember this is The Grind


The Battle Royale between you and your mind, your body and the devil on your shoulder who's telling you that this is just a game, this is just a waste of time, your opponents are stronger than you.


Drown out the voice of uncertainty with the sound of your own heartbeat


Burn away your self doubt with the fire that's beneath you


Remember what you're fighting for


And never forget that momentum is a cruel mistress, 
She can turn on a dime with the smallest mistake.


She is ever searching for that weak place in your armor


That one tiny thing you forgot to prepare for


So as long as the devil is hiding the details, the question remains,"is that all you got?", "are you sure?"


And when the answer is "yes". That you've done all you can to prepare yourself for battle THEN it's time to go forth and boldly face your enemy, the enemy within

Only now you must take that fight into the open, into hostile territory

You're a lion in a field of lions


All hunting the same elusive prey with a desperate starvation that says VICTORY is the only thing that can keep you alive


So believe that voice that says " you CAN run a little faster " and that " you CAN throw a little harder " and that " you CAN dive a little deeper" and that, for you, the laws of physics are merely a suggestion.

Luck is the last dying wish of those who wanna believe that winning can happen by accident, sweat on the other hand is for those who know it's a choice, so decide now because destiny waits for no man. And when your time comes and a thousand different voices are trying to tell you you're not ready for it, listen instead for that lone voice in decent the one that says you are ready, you are prepared, it's all up to you now.

So rise and shine."

VIDEO: Pop wants some nasty

San Antonio once again has illustrated to the Association that age is an issue of mind over matter. Under the helm of Gregg Popovich, the Spurs escaped the fiery Golden State Warriors to enter the Western Conference Finals.
With today's heightened level of flash and panache, there's no myth why fans have the attention span of the lightning bolt when watching a Spurs game. They flourish on the fundamentals and hone in on the concept of team play. Coach Pop quietly has cemented himself as one of the top-5 NBA coaches of all-time. I say serenely due to the market the Spurs are in. Coach Pop's coaching methods are the primary force that has allowed San Antonio to stick around for sole long. Of course, great drafting helps as well, but Popovich's sagacity is the nucleus of this unit.
Win or lose against Memphis in this round, you can expect to see some nasty from the Spurs. 

Friday motivation: Steve Jobs

To say Steve Jobs was brilliant still doesn't do him justice. Above is a 1994 clip from Jobs expressing what he feel separates walkers from dreamers. Check it out.
In addition, it's only right I also share Jobs' Stanford commencement speech.

On this Day: Jackie homers

On this day in 1947, Jackie Robinson hit his first major league home run off Dave Koslo of the New York Giants at the Polo Grounds.

Kicker trick shots: MUST SEE Video

World meet Havard Rugland. Harvard Rugland meet World.
Rugland's impressive kicking techniques may be exactly what the Pro Bowl needs.

Delusional ball

Klieg lights beam through his iris as his shoes cement in hardwood

Sweat gallops down the bridge of his nose reminding him of his bruised sternum

Knees feeble but his mind full of ardor

A wobbling effort towards the 15-foot landmine

Screams, chants and taunts dressed as a trivial distraction 

Everyone feverishly awaiting the outcome of his shots

But he has already painted this ending

The finale scripted by every kid in a gym

Swish, game tied

His rigorous training and preseason sacrifices reliant now on one shot

Immortality or failure 

Just a piece of leather in his palms

A timeout is taken postulating it may amend fate

Silly assessment in his eyes but understandable

30-second break to revive the tension on his shoulders

No words from his coach, just a look as he staggers back out

The pain from his feet thicken as his blisters swell

His fingers numb as he clinches the ball again

No superstitious routine, just a simple heave of the rock

This attempt much more meticulous than his first

His jaded arms rise as he aligns his elbow

Never a fan of observing the trajectory

This one merited a slight glance

The crowd flummoxed over his premature celebration

He walks to his bench as a Giant with his chest broad 

Swish

Game over

Then a tap on his back shoulder

“Hurry up. Practice is about to begin”

Tiger Woods is back at it again (Video)

Just add this to the extensive list of memorable Tiger Woods' commercials. Life (sports world) simply is just better when Woods is relevant.

Behind the Scenes: La Salle's Sweet 16 journey

Great behind the scenes footage of my alma mater, La Salle University.
Next victim, Wichita State.

Passion

Passion

The esoteric feeling that only few discover

Precious and inimitable in makeup

Framed with an impetus like a bolt shot straight from Zeus’ hand

Passion can also be an angelic tide of euphoria accompanied with a stream of zest

It makes its presence noticed and its absence felt

A palpable atmosphere that is created only for certain brand

Lotus eaters and cavaliers feel aloof in this keen realm

Cynics know better than to step foot on this balcony

Wolves in sheep clothing tremble a day spent in our shoes

There is no teetering in this life

You’re either in or a pariah

Passion is an unflinching sacrifice that raises their head like a cobra

Attacking at each and every opportunity that bolsters its conducive future

This is the compass to our ship

Passion is not a noun

It’s our sub conscious

But this inner voice isn’t covered in all white with an incandescent halo

It's an intuitive mindset coated in red

Passion is my garden of Eden and I'm the only Adam in it

Between the legs alley to Blake Griffin (Watch)

This is just unfair.
Kia needs to implore Blake Griffin to do another dunk contest. And LeBron James should seriously consider Magic Johnson's wager. That's all we ask for gentlemen. Is that so hard?

Craziest game-winner EVER (Video)

As a Mt. Vernon native, it hurts me severely to post this clip up, but I must give credit where it is due. Have you ever seen a buzzer beater like this? Seriously!
And to add a little context to this amazing finish, this wasn't your mundane championship game. This was a high school Ali vs Frazier championship showdown. Mount Vernon entered the contest as the seven-time defending champion, but this year's Section 1 Class AA Boys Basketball Championship belonged to their crosstown foe. Congrats to the Huguenots.

BHMonth Spotlight: Jane Bolin

Today's Black History Month spotlight falls on Jane Bolin. Judge Bolin was the first black woman to become judge in the United States, the first to graduate from Yale Law School and the first to join the New York Bar Association. Below is quote by the illustrious judge regarding women's civil rights.

"We have to fight every inch of the way and in the face of sometimes insufferable humiliations."

Here are a few other photos I thought you guys/gals might enjoy.

Embarrassing TV moments (Watch)

It appears 50 Cent fell a dollar short:



It's the little things that matter:



Good composure:

BHMonth Spotlight: Did you know?

As you already know, every week I feature a hidden gem from Black History Month to help shine light on some of the great African-American innovators and trailblazers. But this week I wanted to switch up the flow and share some anecdotes from three eminent sports figures that you may not know.

Olympic sprinter Tommie Smith recalled an incident from his boyhood in which a white child snatched an ice cream cone out of his hand and snarled, "Ni**ers don't eat ice cream." 

Michael Jordan was suspended from school for hitting a white girl who called him a "ni**er" during a fight over a seat on a school bus in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Tiger Woods was tied up in kindergarten by older schoolmates who called him "ni**er."

These are just a few instances I wanted to share from a novel I read in college, The Strange Career of a Troublesome Word by Randall Kennedy. This book is better than any forum/panel I've attended or lecture I've had in class regarding the history of the racial epithet and its impact on today's society. So for those out there looking for a book recommendation, you're welcome. Reading is fundamental kids.

Enjoy the rest of your week. 

Projected All-Star winners: 3-Point & Dunk Contest

Finally a sport that truly embodies what an All-Star Weekend should look like. Yes, there is room for revision in the NBA's All-Star festivities, but the Association ostensibly have the best weekend across all major sports. So with no further ado, my picks for this weekend's competitions.

NBA Three Point Shootout
Contestants:
Ryan Anderson, New Orleans Hornets
Matt Bonner, San Antonio Spurs
Stephen Curry, Golden State Warriors -- MY PICK
Paul George, Indiana Pacers
Kyrie Irving, Cleveland Cavaliers
Steve Novak, New York Knicks

The norm for most players is to lollygag throughout All-Star contests, but the 3-point challenge is usually the one event that players will actually try. Think about it, who misses on purpose? Nonetheless, choosing Stephen Curry to win this is a no-brainer. Curry is the only participant on this list that has a chip on his shoulder. Many thought Curry was a lock to suit up on Sunday for the All-Star game, but we see how that transpired. Because of this, I postulate that Curry will put on a shooting clinic. Curry also has a very quick release which is always an advantage during this shootout. 
And if you're still on the fence about selecting Curry, check out highlights of his father Dell. As my pops would say, "you think his son can shoot; you haven't seen anything yet." Oh yeah, there's also another Curry in that family that plays for Duke and the mom is also a baller (volleyball). A family replete with shooters is all the reasoning I need.

NBA Slam Dunk Contest
Contestants:
Gerald Green (Indiana Pacers) -- MY PICK
Terrence Ross (Toronto Raptors)
James White (New York Knicks)
Eric Bledsoe (Los Angeles Clippers)
Jeremy Evans (Utah Jazz)
Kenneth Faried (Denver Nuggets)

Can you believe once upon a time that this event was the apex of the weekend. How time flies by. I can't knock the NBA for trying to bolster the event. From the timed clock to the putrid spinning wheel, the dunk contest has had some interesting makeovers since its inception. Although the best high-flyers in the league will be watching this event in the stands, I'm confident the above participants will bring some flair to this event. Or at least, I hope so.
Moving on, the obvious choice in this contest is Gerald Green. I still consider his birthday cupcake dunk as top-10 creative jams during the Dunk Contest. Creativity and showmanship are the keys to winning the crowd and this event. And yes, I have seen James White's between the legs free-throw line dunk, but this event features several dunks not one. With that being said, the more experienced contestant gets my vote.

VIDEO: Facial Fridays: Better dunk?

 In the left corner, we have Marcus Lewis from Eastern Kentucky.



And in the right corner, we have Demar Derozan. If Timofey Mozgov keeps this up, his name will turn into a verb.

BHM spotlight: Eddie Robinson

Over 200 players sent to the NFL, one of the most winningest coaches in NCAA football history, and an iconic civil rights trailblazer. These are just a few feats the former Grambling State head coach blessed the sports world with before succumbing to Alzheimer's disease at age 88.
Enter in Eddie Robinson. 
During a time when African Americans were considered inept at every possible leadership position, Robinson shattered a myriad of tumultuous race barriers while stamping his name as one of the first successful black coaches in any sport. It was Roberson's gumption that led Doug Williams (to the right in the  picture above) to become the only African American quarterback to win a Super Bowl. Williams' Super Bowl MVP performance is only one of many prodigious seeds planted in his football garden of prestige.
But what impresses me the most about Robinson is his mentoring and motivating. All of his players persistently boast about his life principles that extended beyond athletics. That defines character and is best compliment any instructor can receive in my eyes.
Thank you for your unflinching efforts Mr. Robinson. 

WATCH: Tribute to Jeffrey Jordan

Michael. Jeffrey. Jordan.
His name rings bells from Chicago to Croatia. In light of his 50th birthday this Sunday, I would like to share the three things I remember Air Jordan for the most.

1. WILL TO WIN



2. UNPARALLELED PANACHE



3. THE BRAND

Black History Month Challenge

February, one of favorite months of the year. Not only does my mother's birthday fall in this beautiful month, but so does my beloved grandmothers. And on a national scale, there are a litany of events to celebrate. From Valentine's Day to Presidents Day, the shortest month of the year certainly carries a lot of magnitude. But to be candid, those days are only atoms in this abridged month. February is and will continue to be predominately associated with Black History.
As an African-American in today's society, I'm perturbed not by the lack of knowledge of black history amongst all ages, but by most individual's reluctance to want to digest any knowledge or even enhance what they know.
Carter G. Woodson's efforts in 1926 to create Negro History Week wasn't for future generations to only celebrate their ancestry and heritage sporadically. His aspiration was for sagacious individuals to shepard these abandoned accomplishments to younger folks like myself, and for members of all races and creeds to be proud all-year around of their progenitors' labor that molded into to our limitless amount of opportunities. Yes, Black History Month is primarily celebrated and adored by African-Americans, but we are not the only race praising this month. BHM transcends color and is knowledge for everyone. These creations, findings and lessons have no color. The people behind them may be African-American, but if I'm correct, non of these products say "For Colored Only."
I now invite every person reading this post to my Black History Month challenge — don't try to exit the site now lol. It's very simple and only consumes a minute if that of your day. For the rest of this month, I would like you to research a different African-American pioneer, establishment or fact every day. Don't be coy about it either. Share it with your classmates, friends, teachers, mentors or family. Embrace this knowledge and invite others to the challenge.
Every Wednesday, I'll feature a hidden gem in this illustrious month. Today's spotlight falls on Sherman 'Jocko' Maxwell, the nation's first African-American sportscaster. Not only was Maxwell a broadcaster for the Negro Leagues and other various stations, but he also contributed columns and reports for magazines and newspapers such as Baseball Digest.
I've also listed a pretty good article I read on Huff Post about Black History Month being an epic failure. I invite all of you to read it and share your thoughts w/ me by commenting below or via Twitter. 
Good luck with the challenge!

Black History Month Has Been an Epic Failure

Examining Super Bowl XLVII goal-line stand

All it took was the flick of a light switch and Super Bowl XLVII turned into a popcorn thriller. Dicey play-calling and questionable officiating all parts of one of the longer championship games in Super Bowl history. And what a powerful rendition of "America the Beautiful" by the Sandy Hook survivors.
Speaking of performances, I know I wasn't the only dude mesmerized at halftime. Lord please forgive me for my thoughts, but after Beyonce's performance I was left agape and the only suitable response was to do my best interpretation of Johnny Gill (my, my, my....my, my, my) . But let's focus on the football aspect in New Orleans before I ramble on about looking on Ebay for a multiple image projector of Beyonce. "I don't think you're ready for this...."
By now, I'm sure you're heard and read it all about about why the Ravens won or how beneficial the blackout was to the game. So instead of giving you a full-game analysis, I'd like to review over the 49ers last drive-- more specifically, their final four plays. But before I delve into the Ravens goal-line stand, let's clear the airways regarding this power outage.
The prolonged halftime delay DID NOT alter the Baltimore Ravens 22-point lead. No matter how you spin it, a 22-point deficit is still a commanding three score lead. I'll settle for someone saying Baltimore lost a diminutive amount of momentum, but on the nation's biggest sporting stage, a team doesn't deserve to win if they squander that big of a lead. This is America's most watched game of the year with players competing on the highest level on the biggest platform. If that's not enough incentive, then what is.
Furthermore, when the power was restored, the Ravens stopped TE Delanie Walker short of the first down and forced a punt. So this whole postulation that the 49ers would of have been blown out if the blackout never occurred is asinine. The Ravens were fully aware how explosive San Fran is. Scoring 17 points in the span of four minutes didn't provide some esoteric sense of elation for the Niners. They overcame a similar deficit in the NFC Championship to Atlanta and have verified their offense is volatile and can get clicking in the matter of one second.
Moving forward, San Francsico's comeback effort was remarkable, but ultimately fell short due to their loss of identity in the redzone on the final drive.
Mistake number one took place when Frank Gore did not receive any carries at the goal-line. Soon after a Vernon Davis drop, Gore propelled the Niners inside the 10 with a 33-yard run. San Fran's DNA has notoriously been to pound the ball inside. When the game was on the line, bread and butter is always the way to go. Gore finished with over 100 yards and a score; the least you could do is give the rock once to all your all-time leading rusher.
Staying on the topic of the run game, I find it hard to believe the Niners offensive coordinator, Greg Roman, couldn't dial up a running play for the Colin Kapernick. Kaepernick only needs but so much room to take off. If he didn't score, he certainly would of gained some positive yardage. Football is a game of inches, and a yard of two could have changed the whole dynamic of the situation.
And for my final blunder with the Niners' redzone play-calling, I shift my undivided attention to Vernon Davis. No targets for your best receiver when it comes to size, speed and strength is beyond belief. Tight ends are quarterbacks best friend, especially in goal-line situations. Davis did have a costly drop that could of changed the outcome of the game, but ultimately the Niners still marched down. Davis is a flat out game-changer. It is imperative that he is targeted in scenarios like this.
Credit must be given where it is due as well. The Ravens never teetered on their blitz pressure and brought the house on both the two point conversion play and final 49er redzone snap. Baltimore stood by their code, and their relentless pressure on two huge plays ushered them to hosting the Lombardi trophy.

Video: Metta World Peace suspended

Everything old becomes new. It's something about Detroit that brings the best out of Metta World Peace. At least it didn't result in Malice in the Palace part 2-- imagine how that brawl would play out with today's influx of social media.
World Peace was only suspended one game for what appears to be a baby-hook, which I find a bit surprising due to history. Then again, David Stern understands that the Los Angeles Lakers need all the help they can get. And since we're on the topic of Laker fights, let's take a stroll down memory lane. So long ago, but still one of funny not Top 10 moments for one of the greatest Lakers.

Video: Top 2012 Super Bowl commercials

My two personal favorites from this list were the E*Trade and Doritos commercials. Looking forward to see what is in store this year.

Video: Nike's Black History Month tribute

It requires heart to acquire an absence of fear is probably my favorite line from this video. Peep this poetic masterpiece by Nike.  

Watch: What will your Space Jam be?

Advice for the day: Dont stop dreaming...unless your dream is stupid.

This message is approved by the Kid President. 

Watch: Kick off your week with 52

Touching interview by one of the greatest to ever strap on a helmet.
Ray Lewis' inspiring comeback may be headlined as the main catalyst to a Baltimore Super Bowl run, but it was nothing short of a TEAM effort.
The Ravens' locker room is pregnant with men of faith, and their belief alone ushered them into New Orleans.
The more you sweat in training, the less you bleed in battle.

TBT: Attitude Reflects Leadership

Remember the Titans was such a "strong" movie for so many reasons. We can all dwell upon the rigorous training camp conducted by Denzel Washington (Herman Boone) and the flair the team played with on the field, but ultimately football was just the backdrop in this film.
The real message was echoed in Washington and Will Patton (Coach Bill Yoast) learning to coexist with one another. In a time where everything was literally black and white, the two found balance and swallowed their pride. Both Coach Yoast and Boone beat the relentless racial prejudice TOGETHER, showing hope of a future to come in a cruel time. Hat tip to Jerry Bruckheimer for another masterpiece.

AFC/NFC Championship Game forecast

Thank God for the Divisional Round because the NFL Wildcard games were dreadful (outside of the Redskins-Seahawks contest of course). Wildcard weekend should never bare resemblance to a NHL lockout press conference. I know I can’t be the only one that felt like this, but let's shift our concentration to the second round of the NFL playoffs.

What didn’t this past weekend feature? A valiant comeback turned into heartbreak, an upset in Mile High due to an appalling secondary miscue, a breeze by in Foxboro to meet a familiar foe, and a groundbreaking performance (literally) by a young star in his playoff debut. Yeah, it’s a bit of an understatement to say I enjoyed the divisional playoff action.
And for the icing on the cake, my postseason predictions stand at 7-1 with both of my preseason Super Bowl picks alive— Baltimore Ravens and San Francisco 49ers. My record would be much more impressive if I didn’t jump off the Ravens bandwagon (it was a tough decision, but I succumbed to “Golden boy” Peyton Manning’s indomitable season statistics and the Denver Broncos 11-game win streak), but I’m sure those that bleed purple will forgive me. And if you don’t forgive me, kick rocks barefoot I’ll remind you of 13th commandment stated by John Madden, “let he who is without mistake, cast the first football.”
But the past is the past, and I’m ready to move on to my picks for the championship games.

AFC Championship Game
Baltimore Ravens vs New England Patriots
My pick: Spygate Patriots 

Just when my Baltimore followers forgave me lol. Hear me out before you exit the site though. Despite me selecting the Ravens as a preseason favorite, I’ve always been apprehensive of Baltimore’s offense going all the way back to Trent Dilfer. The prowess to explode is always high, but the consistency is Casper (translation- ghost) as I would like to say. And the reason for my trepidation is Joe Flacco.
My best comparison for Flacco is a yo-yo. Great arm, but who knows what to expect on any given Sunday with him. He can throw for 300 yards and 3 TD’s and then combine for only four touchdowns total in the next four weeks. In addition, that bomb to Jacoby Jones should have never taken place. Putrid timing by the safety, but nonetheless, the Ravens were thrown a bone and took advantage of it. But next week’s road show is one that won’t be up for grabs. Ray Lewis and company will have to go into Foxboro and smack the Pats in the mouth.
Where the Patriots and Broncos differ is that Patriots have a litany of weapons. As I mentioned in my tweet this last weekend in regards to Shane Veeren’s standout performance, the Patriots are the best at drafting no-names and turning them into gems. The obvious reason for this of course is the unflappable Tom Brady. But because I’m feeling nice, I’ll let you all in on Brady’s kryptonite. Not really as esoteric as some may think, but here it is. Brady, similar to every other quarterback, doesn’t do well under pressure (told you it wasn't that classified). As I alluded to above, knock down Brady repeatedly and the rest will handle it self. There’s a reason why the Giants have his number on the big stage. Hit him hard and often is the anecdote for success for Baltimore. But because I don’t see this happening, I have chosen Brady to reach his sixth Super Bowl. So much for a rubber match.

NFC Championship Game
San Francisco 49ers vs Atlanta Falcons
My pick: 49ers

Just when you thought the monkey grew into a gorilla on Matt Ryan's back, Ryan motionlessly responded with two big throws in 31 seconds to earn his first playoff victory (La Heim!).  But all good things must come to an end; the Falcons train isn't destined for New Orleans. Russell Wilson torched the dirty birds for 445 total yards last week, and the Falcons welcome in another 400+ yard freak. He goes by the name of Colin Kaepernick and for young player, he plays with a lot panache. Just asked the Packers defense who was burned for 444 yards in his playoff debut.

The 49ers offense is just as explosive as the Falcons with one big difference: Kaepernick’s legs. I’ll hold off on calling him Michael Vick 2.0, but he did break the single-game playoff record for QB rushing yards with 181 yards (previously held by Vick). The scary thing is that Kaepernick doesn’t use his legs unless it’s a last resort. So not only will Asante Samuel have to tackle, but actually attempt to defend. Scary thought right? And I haven’t even mentioned who the young star has running routes for him and in his back field. Good luck with that task Atlanta.

In closing I pinpoint the Falcons offense who hasn’t really faced a stout defenses this entire year. They will Sunday. The 49ers-D is the reason I’ve been high on this team all year long. The verve and electricity they portray is exciting. San Francisco fell short last year due to some costly fumbles against the New York Giants and this weekend will be time to avenge that slip-up.

Watch: Nike = Genius

Just when I thought Tiger Woods' commercials couldn't get any better, Nike proved me wrong. Enter in Heir Apparent.

NFL Divisional Round Forecast

Last week’s wildcard playoff prophecy was on the money; let’s see how I do this week in predicting the scores.

Baltimore Ravens vs Denver Broncos

Ravens- 17 Broncos- 30

Green Bay Packers vs San Francisco 49ers

Packers- 27 49ers- 33

Seattle Seahawks vs Atlanta Falcons

Seahawks- 21 Falcons- 31

Houston Texans vs New England Patriots

Texans- 20 Patriots- 31

TBT: My name is Willie

In light of me seeing Django Unchained this week, I thought it would only be right for me to feature one of the greatest music videos of all-time. Well, not really, but I still find this video to be extremely hilarious. I do on the other hand think that Any Given Sunday was a great movie. So with no further ado, I'd like to introduce you to the 1999 Jamie Foxx.

NFL Wildcard Forecast

My prognostication for this playoff weekend:

Cincinnati Bengals vs Houston Texans

My pick: Texans

And so they meet again. The Texans bashed the Bengals 31-10 in last year’s wild-card game, and I expect Houston to come out on top again in the second outing.

Despite being a 3-seed, the Texans are probably the least dangerous playoff team due to their recent flounders. How could a 12-4 team not be feared heading into the postseason? The answer is simple. They’ve lost the last three of their four games and their Week 6 collapse (42-24) against Green Bay Packers has given them the label of pretenders. Some fans in Texas may even have doubts heading into this one, but stay calm true-Texans, I still believe you’re a threat.

The moment you undermine an opponent is when they’re most volatile. The Texans went from a potential No. 1 seed to completely missing out on a first-round bye all together. This nugget can’t sit well with them and I expect Arian Foster along with Matt Schaub to have a big weekend and usher them past the Bengals. Outside of a New York Giants victory, Cincy's resume appears to be mediocre. My uncle always told me to be careful of the teams that have something to prove, and that statement perfectly illustrates the Texans. They have been attempting to prove themselves this entire year, and Saturday’s contest will be their chance to send a message.

Minnesota Vikings vs Green Bay Packers

My pick: Packers

Speaking of rematches, we have another case of déjà vu in the NFC North. Last week’s game was special; the whole world was excited to watch the Adrian Peterson chase for the single-season rushing record, but in the end, it's last week's news. Key words, last week.

Peterson has scorched the Packers-D for nearly 200-rushing yards (199 last week) in both regular season outings, but I don’t see Peterson’s efforts resulting in a win in this one. This week has to be a team effort, not an "All Day" show.

Aaron Rodgers has quietly had another phenomenal year. If not for the freak comebacks by Peterson and Peyton Manning, Rodgers would be on more MVP radars. The Packers offense can erupt for 40 at any point, and I don’t see the Vikings being able to keep up with the gunslinger and his potent offense. If the Minnesota wants to upset Green Bay at home, the deciding factor will be Christian Ponder. I still view Ponder as an inept quarterback, and this reason alone sways my vote over to the 2011 Super Bowl champs. 

Indianapolis Colts vs Baltimore Ravens

My pick: Ravens

This game was probably the most difficult to decide on, but I ultimately have to give the edge to Baltimore. This is where the rookie sensation’s train ceases. The Colts avidity this year has been unparalleled in large thanks to Chuck Pagano, Bruce Arians and Andrew Luck, but I see the more seasoned unit winning this match-up.

You can’t say enough about how Luck has engineered this team back from a tumultuous 2-14 season last year. Far from a lucky season, but there are a few red flags that may stump Luck in his playoff debut. The first being the interception bug. Luck has thrown 18 picks this year, and the last team you want to commit turnovers against is Baltimore. They feed off of TOs, and it usually results in points on the scoreboard. And the second hiccup that Luck actually has less control over is pressure in the backfield. Luck’s rookie-record 4,374 yards came with a price as he took 41 sacks this season. These two trends will not be the formula for a first-round victory.

Despite the Ravens-D taking a few steps back over the few years, they’re still a tantalizing force. And I'm certain Ray Lewis' retirement announcement will give them a much needed emotional lift. Furthermore, despite his skepticism, I’m going to give Joe Flacco the benefit of the doubt against the Colts. Stay true to the run, and hit them with play action here and there. Run that offensive gameplan and there should be no worries.

P.S. Baltimore was my pre-season Super Bowl pick. San Francisco was my NFC choice. 

Seattle Seahawks vs Washington Redskins

My pick: Seahawks

RGIII vs Russell Wilson. Alfred Morris vs Marshawn Lynch. Two of the hottest teams in the NFL duking it out. Can this game get any better?

Wilson has for the majority of the season has meandered in the shadow in Luck and Griffin, but Sunday will be his day to shine. And with his stout defense by his side, I expect him to leave FedEx field with a win. Although Griffin has impressively only thrown for five interceptions, I expect Seattle pluck a couple of his feathers. The Seahawks led the NFL in fewest points allowed this season and are constantly blitzing. Griffin for the majority of this season has seemed unflappable, but he’s never faced a threat similar to Seattle. And without two healthy knees, Seattle has a bit of advantage on him.

The positive note for the Redskins is that they’re 9-1 in games in which Pierre Garcon played, but Griffin will need more than just him to pull out a victory. The Redskins receivers have dropped a ridiculous amount of passes this year. Sunday will not be the afternoon to have hands like feet.