NFL Divisional Playoff Picks

The NFL Divisional Playoffs are upon us. Many people think this is the best weekend of football in the NFL calendar. Even though I actually like Wild Card weekend better, it is hard to argue the excitement and anticipation of Divisional weekend. You get four huge games over two days, and each of the top seeds in both conferences get into action. One thing to remember, the four top seeds don't always win at home and advance. Since 2000, only twice has all four top seeds won during the Divisional weekend (2002 and 2004). There have been some big upsets in that time. In 2007, both the Giants and San Diego shocked Dallas and Indy. 2006 saw both AFC top seeds (Baltimore and San Diego) go down. In '05, Pittsburgh shocked Indy on their way to the Super Bowl. In 2000, Baltimore beat Tennessee in a grudge match in Nashville. The bottom line is that the top teams fight all year for at least a bye and that home game, but it is proven that those rested top teams can be upset by a hungry and hot team. Before I go on to this week's picks, I just wanted to touch on some issues lingering from Wild Card Weekend:

1) The Cardinals got a nice victory for their franchise and their fans. To ask them to do anything else in these playoffs would be asking way too much.
2) The Falcons had a great season and nothing should take away from what they accomplished.
3) The Chargers-Colts game was one of the best games of the 2008 season so far.
4) I like the sudden death in overtime. I don't care that Peyton Manning didn't get a chance to touch the ball. Keep the rule the same.
5) Phillip Rivers didn't play well at all on Saturday Night. Darren Sproles and Ron Rivera were the MVPs for San Diego
6) Manning, Dungy, and the Colts go out again as a favorite in their first playoff game.
7) Miami had a nice season, but the Ravens are simply better. The NFL really wished they had the Pats in the playoffs and not the Dolphins.
8) Ed Reed is this generations Lawrence Taylor.
9) Andy Reid and Donovan McNabb have been successful in Philly. Just leave them alone. They notched another playoff win together. Eagles at Giants in the Divisional Playoffs-good times.
10) Tavaris Jackson is nothing more then a backup QB in the NFL. He killed the Vikings because Minnesota's defense gave them every chance to take the lead in the 3rd quarter.

Last Week's Record: 3-1
Overall Record: 3-1

TENNESSEE (-2) over Baltimore: A lot of people are jumping all over the Ravens bandwagon. The game these two teams played this season was a street fight. I think Baltimore will play well, but I have to go with Tennessee in this one. I just think that Chris Johnson or Kerry Collins will make one more big play than Joe Flacco or anyone else on the Ravens. I think this game is close, but Collins and company make a play to win at the end. Final Score: Titans-20 Ravens-17

CAROLINA (-10) over Arizona: As I said before, I think Arizona is content with their season. I know they are playing with house money, but I just think that they are walking into a buzzsaw in Charlotte. The Panthers are rested and ready, and I liked how Carolina came back to beat New Orleans in Week 17 and get this home game. I think the Panthers roll big on Saturday Night. Final Score: Panthers-31 Cardinals-20

NEW YORK GIANTS (-4) over Philadelphia: This is a great game. Two big rivals in the Divisional playoffs. I don't think you can take a lot out of Philly's win over the Giants in early December. I think this game is back and forth for awhile, but the Giants will put it away in the fourth quarter. Final Score: Giants-27 Eagles-17

PITTSBURGH (-5) over San Diego: I think this is where San Diego's little run ends. This game will be close, but I think Phillip Rivers will have a tough day against this Steeler defense. The Chargers will be threatening to steal this one late, but I think the Steelers defense makes a play to seal the victory. Final Score: Steelers-23- Chargers-17