In the Wildcard round I was 4-0. I finished the regular season 41-19. Here are the picks for the Divisional round;
1. Seattle vs. Green Bay (Sat. 4:30)
Temperatures are expected to be in the 20's for this one. Green Bay comes in rested after the bye week and sporting a 7-1 record at Lambeau this season. With all the hoopla about the Patriots 16-0 season and talk of the Cowboys, Green Bay quietly had a spectacular season that saw the reemergence of QB Brett Favre, the development of his young WRs and the discovery of RB Ryan Grant. Seattle played one of their best games of the year last week in their Wildcard win over the Redskins. They played that game without #1 WR Deion Branch, who is expected back this week. However last week QB Matt Hasselbeck reaggravated his wrist injury as well as a thigh bruise, that could play a role this week. The Seahawks pass first mentality has been paying dividends, but the Packers have possibly the best CB duo in the league Charles Woodson and Al Harris. For those of you that read my blog regularly, you know of my man crush on Al Harris, who finally was recognized this season by Pro Bowl voters, and if you still don't know Harris, he was the guy who returned an INT for a TD in OT the last time these two teams met in the playoffs. Its tough to beat the Packers in Lambeau and its even tougher to beat them there in the playoffs. PICK:Packers
2. Jacksonville vs. New England (Sat. 8)
Temps in the 20's expected for Saturday night. Everyone knows the Patriots won all their games this year, they have won 12 straight at home and 9 straight playoff games at home. Yet, the media particularly, what we are force fed by the world wide leader, is practically telling us the Jags should win this game, Why is there so much Pats hating going on? I agree that Jacksonville is one of the hottest teams right now and their strength is the running game, which despite the Patriots being middle of the road defending the run, have been gashed in some games on the ground. Although, as we saw against the Steelers and the Colts the Patriots give up a lot of yards but they play tough D in the redzone, forcing teams to accept FGs, while they score TDs on offense. The Patriots are going to be focused on stopping the run and will challenge QB David Garrard to beat them through the air. The Jaguars secondary outside of Rashean Mathis is nothing special, and that doesn't get it done against Brady and Co. The Pats passing game will be too much for the Jags. Since the Pats are already lounging in Mercury Morris' backyard if they win out do they get the deed to his house? or maybe he just won't be allowed to talk anymore. PICK: Patriots
3. San Diego vs. Indianapolis (Sun. 1)
The Chargers beat the Colts in November, 23-21 in San Diego, they did almost blow a 23-0 lead but that game, was the game that turned around the Chargers season. The Chargers will live and die with L.T. due to the likely absence of TE Antonio Gates (foot). It looked like Tomlinson was going to cry this week, while addressing the media about how much Gates means to the offense. QB Phillip Rivers will have to rely on WRs Chris Chambers and Vincent Jackson. The Colts swear that WR Marvin Harrison will return from the worst knee sprain in the history of injuries this week. Manning will also get back WR Anthony Gonzalez. The D is led by NFL Defensive POY SS Bob Sanders and his specialty in neutralizing the run, bummer for the Chargers. Playoff time is business time for the Colts, no trips to Mexico for Peyton last week, like Tony Romo. Colts over the Bolts, sets up the potential real SuperBowl Pats vs. Colts. PICK: Colts
4. NY Giants vs. Dallas (Sun. 4:30)
Temps in the 50's expected. The Giants continue their road tour, 8-1 this season, the only loss coming in Week 1 to Dallas. The Giants have been playing over their heads the past two weeks and will need to continue to do so if they want to pull the upset this week. It will be key for Eli Manning to carry over the confidence he gained last week and the Giants can't afford to start the game slowly with 3, 3 and outs like they did last week. It is tough to beat a team 3 times in one season and that's what Dallas must do to advance. The Cowboys come in having struggled down the stretch and with T.O. being doubtful (as of Thurs. he was limited in practice, under the injury reporting system that can mean he put his helmet on and tied his shoes and nothing else.) which dramatically changes the look of the offense if Owens can't play. Without Owens to draw double teams, TE Jason Witten won't see as much space in the middle of the field and WR Patrick Crayton will be expected to produce like a #1 WR. Which Romo will show up this week? the one that started the season on fire or the one who keeps looking up in the stands to see Jessica Simpson, instead of watching the pass rush. The Cowboys are clearly the better team, but without Owens intensity, I think the Cowboys are ripe for an upset. I'm going out on a limb and picking Big Blue. PICK: NY Giants
Check back later in the week for the results.
