NFL Playoff Predictions

I know that most of you do not come to read about sports, but such is life. I am going to post my predictions, anyway. ;)


WASHINGTON at SEATTLE

Joe Gibbs has proven he is one of the best coaches in the game, this season. He has taken a bunch of underachievers and motivated them to play hard and smart. It evidently has paid off well, they made the playoffs. His knowledge of the game has rubbed off on his players and they have responded to Gibbs' system.

But does he have the horses to beat Seattle? I doubt it. Add to that Mike Holmgren is no slouch as a coach either. If Washington were to pull off an upset, it would have to be a coaching coup by Gibbs that would most likely result in Holmgren's firing. And after the Skins' lackluster performance last weekend against Tampa Bay, I just do not see that happening with Seattle's personnel.

Pick: Seattle


NEW ENGLAND at DENVER

New England is the champ, at least until someone else says they are not. Denver has surprised many this year by winning the second seed in the AFC, but the experience factor favors NE. Tom Brady is a winner, Bill Bellichek is a winner. They will be prepared. And although I was not impressed with NE's running attack against Jacksonville and even though they still have key players either out or not at 100%, NE will be prepared.

Pick: New England


PITTSBURGH at INDIANAPOLIS

Pittsburgh looked good at Cincinnati last weekend and they have one of the premier running games in the NFL, that's for sure. But one has to ask some questions about the Steelers.

With all of the Colts' defensive front line back anchored by big guy Corey Simon at DT, will the running game have the same sting as last week?

Will the Steelers' defense be able to contain the weapons that the Colts have?

I have my doubts that Pittsburgh would have won last week had Carson Palmer not gone down on his second snap. Add to that, the Colts have the ability to get up in the score, fast and early. A running game usually does not work well, when a team is behind. The key to the Steeler having any chance in this one, will be how well Roethlisberger plays.

Pick: Indianapolis


CAROLINA at CHICAGO

Two premier defenses with both very hard to score on, will highlight this game. The team that wins will have the big plays at the right times and will control the ball, and the line of scrimmage. Bears won this one earlier in the season, but this is the playoffs. Carolina is looking good, but my question is can Jake Delhomme find a way to put enough points on the board, to outscore the Bears? The Bears aren't known as an offensive powerhouse, either. But they are at home.

Pick: Chicago


Well, these are my picks for this weekend. Now, as always, you are free to pick your own. What do you think?