Most people today can`t imagine the pre 1980`s NFL. One that had an open try out in Philly by the coach the Mtv generation only knows by him crying at everything from Kurt Warner to Kansas City`s running game. I`ll see the movie eventually, and really like the fact that a blue collar hero really did exist.  The way things are today we are saddled with Koren Robinson the now ex-Viking, Mo Clarett & Adam "pac man" Jones.  The NFL will never be like it was, and the spoiled brats of today can thank those who really gave everything they had just to wear the uniform.     

Both games today are definitely alot tougher picks than the trash yesterday. Plenty of people are praising Pittsburgh and the same old running game as reasons it will win today. I think the defense and passing game will get the Steelers a hard fought win in Cinci today. Carson Palmer and his Bengals have had a nice season, and will be back in the playoffs again, but today the Steelers move on. Can they go into Denver or Indianapolis and win next week? Who knows.  Then the toughest game to pick of the bunch Carolina and ex-Giant defensive coach John Fox at the Giants. Sure Julius Jones recently lit up the Panthers for 192 yards and Tiki Barber is a man posesed this year.  I think the Panthers will pull this out with pressure defense on Eli Manning and possibly a defensive TD or punt return by the great Steve Smith. There`s my picks: Steelers & Panthers. If nothing else both games today will be far better than the clunker last night.

The playoffs kick off today getting the two worst matchups out of the way. The Jaguars will be absolutely over matched in New England. That said I despise the Patsies and would like nothing more than to see them eliminated, but standing gimpy Byron Leftwich out there is just asking to lose. This isn`t like his college days at Marshall where he played with a broken leg and just kept on chuckin the ball to win. By starting him I can`t stand to listen to all the anouncers praise the blitzing of Bellicheck which will be on Leftwich all day. The Jags had a good thing with David Garrard, and playing in freezing cold New England is going to require a sound running game and mobile QB. Meanwhile it will be the same old Patriots from the blitzing D to a variety of short passes and cameo TD catches from inside the 5. My money is on Ashworth. With players like Fred Taylor who will quit in the cold, I`ll just wait till next week to root against New England again. As for Washington vs Tampa Bay...no thanks! This could be a 13-12 snoozer. I think wacky Portis will get loose and young Simms will be blitzed all day long. Maybe Gregg Williams will follow up his statement contract extension as a defensive coordinator with an all out assault. Either way I just don`t think Cadillac & Simms are ready just yet. Don`t get too excited Washington, the glory days are far from back again. 

I did not watch the Cowboys vs Panthers game yesterday, but after seeing the highlights which included several terrible calls Carolina should be very upset. The ejection of Steve Smith looked like something arogant MLB umpires do when they miss a call. Then the absolute worst call of all was after Billy Cundif missed a potential field goal, the zebras stepped in with a late roughing the kicker call. A Carolina challenge that showed Julius Peppers tipped the kick was ignored or they felt the wind in Carolina must have caused the miss. I sure hope they clean situations like that up before the playoffs. Unfortunately it may cost Carolina a trip to the postseason.