Thursday, January 03, 2008

NFL Picks: Wild Card Weekend

We are now into the money week of the NFL playoffs. This is when the owners and TV networks cash in on the popularity of the league with an extra week of playoffs. The better teams are off this week on byes. It is a tall order to come out of this round of the playoffs and go on to win the Super Bowl, mainly because a winner this week will go on to play a rested, better team on the road. Pittsburgh won the Super Bowl two years ago as a wild card, but that is the exception rather than the rule. Nonetheless, there will be some good games this week.

Last Week: 12-4
Season: 170-78

AFC

Jacksonville at Pittsburgh (Saturday): These teams last met in December on a snowy day in Pittsburgh. Jacksonville survived a Pittsburgh comeback to win, 29-22. Now, the Steelers are without star RB Willie Parker, and are stumbling to the finish line. The Jags are good enough to make noise in these playoffs. Pick: Jacksonville

Tennessee at San Diego (Sunday): These teams met in November in Nashville, when the Titans gave up a big lead only to lose to the Chargers in overtime. The Chargers started slowly, but finished with the #3 seed in the playoffs. Norv Turner’s job is safe, after all. The Chargers have a habit of losing home playoff games. They win one this week. Pick: San Diego

NFC

Washington at Seattle (Saturday): The Redskins have won their last four games behind backup quarterback Todd Collins, while mourning the death of S Sean Taylor. The Seahawks rolled to another NFC West title. This is the toughest trip in football, with the combination of the Seahawks’ outdoor home field advantage and the long trip to Seattle. Redskins run out of gas. Pick: Seattle

New York Giants at Tampa Bay (Sunday): The Giants gave the mighty Patriots all they wanted for three quarters last week. The Bucs have been in neutral for the last month after clinching the weak NFC South. Tampa Bay puts it together for one game this week, with the return of QB Jeff Garcia. Pick: Tampa Bay

No comments: