NFL Playoffs Week 2

Unfortunately I was late in getting this going, so I wasn't able to post my playoffs picks for
round 1. You are going to just have to take my word for it that I picked all of the games correctly and stand 4-0. I don't like to pick against the spread for these purposes unless I have money on the game, so don't give me any BS about how its easier to pick without a spread. I already know thats the case, but sports wouldn't be fun to watch if we knew who was going to win always beforehand.

A few thougts about last week's games before I make my picks. First, I was surprised at the number of people jumping on the chiefs bandwagon because their first inclination was that Colts run D would not be able to stop Larry Johnson. Intuitively this makes sense, but if you have spent any time actually watching football this year instead of following your fantasy team, you would know that Trent Green was terrible all season, even before he tore his leg in half. For all of the trouble that Peyton manning gets, I will take him at home against Trent Green every day of the week. Not to mention that the Colts have owned the Chiefs since the mid 90's in the playoffs. I remember, because I was born in Kansas City and have been a mild supporter of the Chiefs. Unfortunately I missed the Seattle game, due to family committments, but I am glad Tony Romo blew it. I was never on that bandwagon. I was however, on the "Tony Romo is better than Drew Bledsoe" bandwagon which isn't saying very much. Parcells smartly inserted Romo into the starting lineup during the Cowboys easier stretch in the season to give the kid confidence. He completely imploded late in the year most notable in the utter beatdown laid down by the Saints in Texas Stadium. The Patrios-Jets is not really worht talking about, a matchup of two overrated teams that cruised into the playoffs on the easiest schedules in football. The Eagles-Giants game was also kind of disappointing despite it being close. I was expecting another crazy fourth quarter that seems to always happen when these teams play. Alas, Giants fans have another year of Tom Coughlin and Eli manning running the ship next year this time without Tiki Barber there to bail them out.

Colts over Ravens
I am under the belief that after resting his players prematurely last year, Tony Dungy is trying a different approach this year by making sure his team was not the favorite heading into postseason play. Very wise if you ask me because teams for whatever reason need to tell themselves that they are the underdogs to get themselves motivated. Well Peyton manning still has a lot to prove despite being the best QB in the NFL, because many now see him as a choke artist. As for the Ravens, they made a killing off of luck the entire season, and I am a complete doubter of this team, although I am clearly biased. I find it difficult to root for a team that employs a coke dealer and a murderer that between them only spent 4 months in prison. Then when I watch the Browns blow their only chance at a quality win against the Ravens this year because for of one of the worst play calls of the season, I find it hard to back the Ravens. I mean seriously, they almost lost to the Browns. I think the Colts will throw the ball all day, as running is clearly a bad option against the Ratbirds. Ravens 13 Colts 24

Saints over Eagles
As much as I enjoy pulling for the Eagles, they may have run out of steam here and seriously, how far can Jeff Garcia carry a team? The Saints on the other hand have a dynamic offense that can beat you several different ways, and should look to exploit the Eagles secondary without Lito Sheppard (whooa oh oh oh oh). The Eagles have had a successful offense because of the emergence of Shaun Andrews as one of the best guards inf ootball to run off of which in turn has given Brian Westbrook his best season as a runner and not a receiver. The Saints are playing for a rebuilding city and I am a believer in emotion playing a part fo the game. Drew Brees should be able to spread the field and pick apart the Eagles. We also all know what Reggie Bush can do in the spotlight. Look for at least one game changing play out of him these playoffs. Eagles 10 Saints 28

Bears over Seahawks
The impending disaster that is Rex Grossman couldn't have lucked out any better for their first game of these playoffs. They have already dominated Seattle once this season and Seattle's defense is about 50% as good as last year's team. matt hasselbeck has quickly gone fro pinpoint passer to fear to uncool in the pressure Drew Bledsoe throwing a crucial interception that is returned for a touchdown. Unfortunately Seattle also no longer has the most dominating left side of the line in football and Shaun Alexander has lost some of his prominence. The Bears on the otherhand have a fantastic defense and great special teamss. So long as Lovie doesn't decide to put the game into Rex's hands, they should run the ball all day and live off of Gould field goals. I see this being low-scoring with the Bears surrendering single digit points. Bears 16 Seahawks 6

Chargers over Patriots
This should be the closest game of the weekend solely becayse of Tom Brady being able to run an offense that gives him very little in the way of a supporting cast. He's a good ballplayer and has a great postseason record to back it. The Chargers on the other hand will test his cool since they have the best pass rush defense that I have seen in a few years. Steroids or no steroids, Shaun merriman will not be blocked. The Patriots best chance to win may be to attack the secondary, but they unfortunately have the worst wideouts int he playoffs, even worse than the Rats. While I am not sold on Phillip Rivers, it can be easy to be a QB when you have LDT taking the pressure off of you. Rivers may disappoint later on, but this first game at home will be a Lananian led attack that ultimately wears down the Pats D and sends the Chargers to the next round. Chargers 23 Patriots 20
Enjoy this week's games