Wildcard Round:

AFC

Steelers @ Browns: This is one of two big upsets in the playoffs. On paper, the Steelers
are the better team, but their arrogance in thinking they are a better team than they really
are works against. Big Ben has had a good year but it is not enough to stop a team that
has played with a lot of heart. This is a close game that comes down to the last minute of
the 4th Quarter. Bowns win 17-14.

Jaguars @ Chargers: This game is over before it starts. No way the Chargers, despite
winning their division is able to hold off the Jaguars. Jaguars breeze through this one
winning 27-17.

NFC

Giants @ Buccaneers: The Giants barely squeak into the playoffs and are out in the first
round. Not having Shockey really hurts the Giants offense really limiting Eli's Options.
John Gruden and the rolling Buccaneers win in a 31-10 rout.

Vikings @ Seahawks: A classic pass vs rush game. When it comes down to it, the
Seahawks are a more experienced team in the post season and that experience pays off
with a close win. Seahawks 27-24 in OT

Divisional Round:

Browns @ Colts: The fairy tale is over for Romeo and the Browns are humbled by the
Colts: 41-7.

Jaguars @ Patriots: The Jaguars are #1 in rushing plays and #2 in rushing yards but
ranked 4th in rushing touchdowns. This is the kind of team that can beat the Patriots.
Garrards' inexperience along with falling behind early makes the Jaguars play the game
they can't play in weather they can't play it in. Patriots win 35-17.

NFC

Seahawks @ Packers: As good as the Seahawks looked late in the season, Packers send
them home in for the season win: 31-24.

Buccaneers @ Cowboys: Combine Romo's bum thumb, his playoff inexperience and
Jessica Simpson and you have the recipe for a meltdown. Barber fails to carry the offense
and the Buccaneers get by in a very close game 13-10.

Championship Round

AFC:

Colts @ Patriots: Once again it comes down to this rivalry. Even though the Colts are
heathier than during the regular season, they are tired after a tough game against the
Jaguars the week before. Patriots come away with another close battle as Manning lets
frustration and fatigue get the best of him. Patriots win 27-20.

NFC:
Buccaneers @ Packers: In a game with as much heart as ability, the cold at Lambeau
proves to be too much for the Buccaneers who should go home smiling for as well as
they played at the end of the season. Old Man Favre shines again and earns one more trip
to the Big Show..

 
Superbowl:

Patriots vs. Packers: Imagine the hype surrounding this game. The Packers led by the
record breaking Favre in a season as improbable as it was spectacular playing the New
England Patriots, led by the record breaking Brady and a team that has a chance to
avenge their Super Bowl loss to the Packers in 1995-95 and go 19-0. This game blows
the ratings off the charts as the most viewed program in history. This will be a game that
EVERYONE watches, football fans or not. An offensive shootout. The Arizona
conditions are ideal for the Patriots who hammer the Packers 44-27.

There you go, those are mine and just how I see them. Agree? Disagree? What are yours?

*Edited to reflect week 15 games.

Steelers are a non-issue. Defensive Back Anthony Smith went and ran his mouth and guaranteed a victory on Sunday for the Steelers, and while generally that kind of talk is a bad thing against the Patriots, this time he might be right.

While Pats fans are united in the prayers for 19-0 (after all 16-0 means nothing) the players are a different story. In the big picture, in a season where Brady and Moss are likely to break records, the season means little if the big game at the end of the year is a bust, or worse yet, that they do not make it.

It is for that reason that the Steelers have a legitimate shot on Sunday. Looking at the big picture, Sundays game means almost nothing. The Patriots already have the division locked up. They need 2 wins in the next 4 weeks to lock home field for the playoffs and with games against the Jets, which will have far more meaning for the Pats players, and the 0-12 Dolphins (in the cold of Gilette) another divisional game with more meaning, the Steelers game this Sunday would be a good game to take a break. Why get into a tough smashmouth game of football and risk injury for the post season.

Pride is a tough thing to put aside, but the Patriots have not been playing full out football for the last 2 weeks against the Eagles and the Ravens. Moss was back to running half routes and the play generally looked sloppy. The division was already locked up prior to the Eagles game thanks to the Bills loss earlier that day. So you saw a Patriots team playing at 80% almost lose twice. As much as I wish the Patriots would go full out every game, let’s face it. Bellichick is a big picture coach, Brady is a big picture QB and the whole team is playing big picture ball.

Don’t get me wrong, I would love to Patriots to come out there and put up 60 points on the board but it isn’t going to happen until the Jets game. If the Patriots can come out to an early 2 score lead then they win. That would take Parker out of the game and Big Ben is no match for the Patriots secondary. Big Ben likes to loft the ball, he does not exactly have a “laser rocket arm” and he can be defended/picked easily. He’s tough to tackle so putting pressure is not very fruitful. So contain him (at the same time contain the run) and take away his options and you win that battle and the Pats win. I honestly think the Steelers defense is a bit over rated. If you look at strength of schedule, the Steelers D has had a fairly easy schedule, part of the reason they have been a success. And let’s not forget that all 3 of the Steelers losses are away games. Not a great team on the road.

If the game comes down to a smashmouth brawl, then the Patriots lay back and play like they have the last 2 weeks (conservatively) and the Steelers stop another Patriots win streak. Hopefully it will be a good game to watch.