A Google news search for "respect" and "sports" reveals 4,850 articles. Football players, race car drivers, cheerleaders, hockey players, wrestlers-they're all looking for respect. I guess you have to respect that, right?

Tom Brady and the Patriots claimed no one was respecting them. The Jacksonville Jaguars claimed they were the least respected team in the NFL. Hall of Fame voters didn't show any respect to Jim Rice or Rich Gossage.

New York Giants coach Tom Coughlin felt running back Tiki Barber disrespected him with his postgame comments. As punishment, Coughlin made Barber watch game film of their 23-0 loss to the Panthers (which I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy).

Bode Miller disrespected the sport of skiing by saying that he's "sometimes in tough shape at the top of the course...if you ever tried to ski when you're wasted, it's not easy." What does he think this is, softball?

I know how they all feel. I had a darn good season picking NFL games against the spread. Through 13 weeks I was 102-86-4, the envy of many an online football prognosticator. And then what happened? Over the final four weeks I went a pathetic 20-40-4, to finish 122-126-8. I was disrespected. Mocked. And it was painful. Very, very painful. Rodney Dangerfield knew what he was talking about in his seminal 1981 comedy album, "No Respect."

One week later, a 3-1 weekend in the Wild Card playoffs once again gains me the respect of my peers and readers. Pats over Jags? Check. Panthers and Steelers wins? Check and check. Only the Redskins' victory over the Bucs proved to be a speed bump. And either team could have won that game (and both tried to lose it), so I'll take 3-1 and be thrilled about it.

Now it's on to the Divisional round of the playoffs. A round in which the favorites (almost always the home teams) have gone 19-5 outright over the last 6 years. But against the spread, these favorites went just 13-10-1. In 2003, the favorites went 2-2 at home, and all four underdogs covered or beat the spread. That's the kind of weekend I'm envisioning. It honestly wouldn't surprise me if three road teams won. But I'm only going with two to win outright. But I love all four underdogs this weekend.

Washington at Seattle

There's only one reason I can't pick the Redskins to win this game outright. It has nothing to do with the Seahawks and how they went 13-3 while playing in the worst division in football, or how they also had Houston and Tennessee on their creampuff schedule, or even how they lost to Washington once this season already. Actually, it has nothing to do with the Seahawks at all. I can't pick Washington to win the game because they had 120 yards of offense last week (the worst ever by a team winning a playoff game). And although you've got to think they'll end up with more than that this week, you can never be too sure.

I do think the 'Skins will keep it close, though. And who knows? They could be just a late turnover or a Shaun Alexander temper tantrum away from pulling off the upset.

Spread: Seattle by 9
Pick: Seattle 27, Washington 24

New England at Denver

What can I say? I'm a believer. I believe in Tom Brady, Bill Belichick, and all things Patriots. I don't believe in Jake Plummer, Mike Shanahan, or anything Bronco. Now, I respect everything Denver's done this year, don't get me wrong. I just don't think they'll win this game. Besides, we need to have Patriots-Colts Round 3, don't we? It's what everyone wants...

Spread: Denver by 3
Pick: New England 24, Denver 19

Pittsburgh at Indianapolis

Can everyone stop salivating over the Week 12 Colts 26-7 win over the Steelers for a minute? Just for a minute. After burning Pittsburgh with an 80-yard touchdown pass to Marvin Harrison on their first play from scrimmage, Peyton Manning was just 14-of-24 for 165 yards the rest of the game. They had to settle for three field goals in the first half, and caught the Steelers at one of the low points of their season. Add to that the fact that the Colts haven't played a meaningful game since they lost to San Diego four weeks ago, and I can't understand why everyone thinks this will be a blowout.

Pittsburgh keeps this one close, but the Colts hold on to win.

Spread: Indianapolis by 9