AFC Matchups
Indianapolis @ New York Saturday, Jan. 4, 4:30 PM ET (Jets by 6)
The Jets are the proverbial “team no one wants to play”. No one really gives them a prayer of making it to the big show, but they very well could bite a couple teams in the ass before landing flopping in the AFC Championship game. I think most people agree that the X factor here is going to be Edge. If he plays big, the Jets are in trouble. The Colts defense always keeps things close, and Pennington, while very accurate, smart and safe with the ball, isn’t a great play-maker. Both teams are very similar, and if Edge steps up I give the edge to the Colts in every facet. They have a better QB, better WRs and a better defense, with a push at RB. However, everything about the Colts is inconsistent on offense, while everything about the Jets is rock steady. The home field advantage is huge here. My gut points to the Colts, but playing on the road with a shaky running game, injured starting WR and alot of dinged up players makes it impossible to predict the upset. Jets win, but the Colts cover.
Cleveland @ Pittsburgh Sunday, Jan. 5, 1:00 PM ET (Steelers by 7½)
Note: This game is 8 point spread in alot of outlets. I coudn’t be less sold on the Steelers chances…well, thats a lie. If Kordell figured prominently then I could be, but still… Anyways, the Browns would be very dangerous if Couch were starting, as well as Holcomb played early, he isn’t the best QB and its never a good thing to shake of the rust in a playoff game on the road. The Browns D will play well, but the Steelers are going to have some success running the ball and pushing it upfield to the WRs on the outside. The Browns otherwise are healthy and have found a running game as of late. Last, but not least, is the clichéd “its hard to beat a team 3 times in a season” factor. In the end, with Maddox getting it back together, Couch out, and a string of unconvincing wins I’m taking Pittsburgh to win and the Browns to barely cover.
NFC Matchups
Atlanta @ Green Bay Saturday, Jan. 4, 8:00 PM ET
(Packers by 6½)
The Packers had better thank the lord that this game is in Lambeau after that egg they laid last week. Have you seen anything so ugly? Driver’s most likely riding the trainers table here and that could hurt Favre’s ability to throw. I don’t expect the snow and cold to help Vick any. The Falcons snuck in the back door and have lost 3 of 4 and seem to struggle on the road and in the cold outdoors. The one-man Atlanta offense has been looking tired lately, and things don’t get much easier in the playoffs. The Packers and Favre have a knack for bouncing back really strong after a poor performance. What could be the most important variable here is if Sharper is able to go for the Pack, he’ll be an asset against Vick and tends to really help hat defense click. On the flipside the loss of Holecek could be huge, making life alot easier on Ahman Green. Packers win and cover.
New York @ San Francisco Sunday, Jan. 5, 4:30 PM ET (49ers by 3½)
Couple of teams with alot of question marks. The Giants offense seems to be clicking well as long as Tiki can hold onto the ball. The 49ers collapse last week doesn’t mean much, but the fact that its a short week might. Both teams are mostly healthy at all the key spots, and the wetaher conditions are going to be nice. Both teams are 5-3 both at home and on the road. Frankly I’m stumped, I don’t have any points to hang my hat on here. Both teams have given me fits all season when it comes to predictions, and both teams have looked like a house of cards all season. I don;t particularly like either team so I can’t even play my biases. This one isn’t even fun to argue about. Both offensive lines are very solid, and both teams should run the ball consistently. OK how about this…the 49ers struggle in the the secondary, especially the nickel, so I’m going to take the Giants to win the upset with Shockey coming up big.
Without a healthy Kendrell Bell, Pitsburgh is not going very far in the playoffs. HE is the complete difference maker in their D.