Divisional Playoff Picks!

After a really good Wildcard Weekend, we now set our sights to the Divisional Weekend in the NFL. A lot of people also feel that this is the best weekend of football all year long. You have all the top seeds in action and you have a doubleheader on Saturday and a doubleheader on Sunday. This is a great weekend, but this year you have some really intriguing games. The best four teams in the AFC all year have made it this far and will square off. Baltimore at Pittsburgh on Saturday and Jets-Patriots on Sunday. Those four deserve it and were the best four AFC teams all year long, so it is fitting that they meet up this weekend. In the NFC, you have a dangerous and fun-to-watch Packers team headed to number one seeded Atlanta on Saturday Night. On Sunday, you have the Bears back in the playoffs for the first time since 2006 hosting the surprising Seattle Seahawks. It has all the makings for an interesting and fun football weekend. These games are tough to predict because all the teams got this far for a reason. Usually, you get at least one home team to lose in the divisional round. Here are the upsets-road teams winning- the last few years in this round of the playoffs:

2009: Jets over San Diego

2008: Baltimore over Tennessee, Philly over the Giants, Arizona over Carolina

2007: Giants over Dallas, San Diego over Indy

2006: Indy over Baltimore, New England over San Diego

2005: Carolina over Chicago, Pittsburgh over Indy

2004: No Upsets

2003: Carolina over St. Louis, Indy over Kansas City

2002: No Upsets



For the most part, at least one team and quite frankly two home teams and higher seeds will get picked off this week. It is tough to figure though which team will actually get beat. It is like the NCAA Tournament. You know a higher seed is going down, but it is up to you to figure out which one exactly is going to be the team to lose. With that theory in mind, here we go with the picks for the Divisional Playoffs.............



Wildcard Weekend Record: 1-3

Overall Playoff Record: 1-3

(HOME TEAM IN CAPS)



PITTSBURGH (-2) over Baltimore:
Why I like the Steelers: Everyone is pretty much picking Baltimore to win this close game, but I have been very impressed with Ben Roethlisberger this year. He has a shaky line, but he has been really, really good at times this year. I think this is one of those games that Big Ben puts the Steelers on his back and wins it for them. Mike Wallace has really changed the dynamic of their passing game, and I see Wallace and Big Ben hooking up on some big throws this week. I also like the matchup of the Steelers Defense vs. the Ravens Offense more then the Ravens D vs. the Steelers O. I still don't trust Joe Flacco in a big spot, and the Steelers just seem to have an edge to them and find a way to win these close games against the Ravens.

A Case for the Ravens: They always play the Steelers tough-no matter where the game is played. Their defense is really good, and their offense can grind out a win on the road. There will be no secrets in this game, and the Ravens are a great road playoff team. They can match the physicality of the Steelers.

Final Score: How many times will the CBS announcers (Gumbel and Dierdorf) refer to this game as a "Bloodbath" or "Slugfest?" I'm thinking at least 50 references by halftime. Anyway, this is a great matchup, and I can't wait to watch it. It should be physical from the start, and it should be close. Usually, their games end up with the winner winning by three late. I think the margin in this game will be decided by more than a field goal. Big Ben makes his statement at home in this game. STEELERS-20 RAVENS-10


ATLANTA (-2) over Green Bay:
Why I Like The Falcons: Atlanta is the home team, and they are really good in the dome. Matt Ryan has only lost two games at home as a starter in three years. I just don't see them losing their first playoff game at home. Plus, throw in the fact that the Packers are now the sexy pick in the NFC, and everyone is forgetting that the Falcons won 13 games this year.I love the balance on the Falcons offense, and their pass rush at home can make life miserable for Aaron Rodgers. I just think that Matt Ryan's time might have come. He may not be a household name yet, but after this playoff run, I think he will be.

A Case for the Packers: You have to think the Packers have a great shot to win the game because of Aaron Rodgers and that offense. Their offense is portable and they can throw to win this game. The Packers defense is very good as well, and I can see Clay Matthews and Charles Woodson giving Matt Ryan fits-especially early in the game. The Packers are a legitimate Super Bowl team, and it would fun to see what they can do if they win this game.

Final Score: I would love to see the Packers winning, and I will be rooting for them, but my mind says that Atlanta will do enough to win this game. They are at home, and I would take Mike Smith coaching a big game over Mike McCarthy any day of the week. The Falcons get to the NFC Championship. FALCONS-24 PACKERS-17



Seattle (+10) over CHICAGO:
WHY I LIKE THE SEAHAWKS: I know Seattle isn't great, but after last week haven't we learned our lesson? Although they are a bad road team, 10 points is a lot to give Seattle. They outplayed the Saints last week and put up 41 points. Seattle also went into Soldier Field and defeated the Bears in October 23-20. I know that game doesn't have too much impact on this playoff game, but at least you know Seattle can win there. It is just too many points to trust the pairs, and there is no reason to believe that Seattle can't keep this game close. Throw in a couple of turnovers, and it has the makings of another upset for the Seahawks.

A Case for the Bears: The Bears are a different team than the one that lost to Seattle earlier in the year. They run the ball better, Jay Cutler is more efficient, and their defense is playing really well. They are at home in a playoff game for the first time since 2006, so that should also be a factor. You have to like the matchup from a Bears standpoint, and they should be able to move the ball easily on the Seahawks. The Bears played hard down the stretch and they are due for a big week from their offense.

Final Score: I know a lot of people will pick the Bears, and let's be honest: The Bears SHOULD and probably WILL win this game, but this has all the makings of a close game. The Bears could be rusty, Cutler's first playoff game, Seattle's underdog mentality, and Lovie Smith in a big game could all play a role in making this a wild and fun game on Sunday. The Bears win, but they won't cover. BEARS-27 SEAHAWKS-20


NY Jets (+9) over NEW ENGLAND:
WHY I LIKE THE JETS: A top team usually gets upset on divisional weekend, and with the way the NFL goes why not the Jets over the Pats. A lot of objective fans and analysts are not giving the Jets a chance this week. Everyone saw how the Pats destroyed the Jets at home a month ago 45-3 on that Monday Night. I have to give Rex Ryan credit for game-planning Peyton Manning last week in their win at Indy. I would think that he will do a good job changing up the plan for Tom Brady and Pats this week. I just have this feeling that the Jets are going to make some plays on defense, run the ball effectively, and get a timely play from Mark Sanchez to pull this thing out.

A Case for the Patriots: How about Tom Brady and Bill Belichick at home vs. their bitter rivals? That alone should be enough to back the Pats. Plus, they do have the best team this season, and the Patriots offense has been unstoppable the past eight games. Throw in all the motivation the Pats have after the Jets have talked trash all week long, and the Pats won't be coming out flat. Their defense has played a lot better in the second half, and they look like a classic Super Bowl team. Certain teams have the Super Bowl look, and the Patriots have that look to them right now.

Final Score: The Patriots should win this game, even if it is a lot closer than 45-3. I will be rooting hard for the Pats, but as I have said about the Jets all year: It is Super Bowl or Bust for them. I didn't think they would make the playoffs, and they made it. Before last week I said that the Jets were either going to get eliminated in the first round or go all the way to the Super Bowl. I can't back off that opinion now. For some reason, and I hope I'm wrong, I think the Jets pull off the shocker and win this game in Foxboro. Crazier things have happened, and the Jets move on to the AFC Championship. JETS-26 PATS-24