Divisional Playoffs!

This weekends round of divisional playoffs is the most intriguing in recent memory, as it features rematches in all four games, including a rubber match in the AFC, with divisional games occurring here.  This is the first time in the history of the playoffs.  The only playoff game this weekend which doesn't scream good is the one with the Seahawks obviously, as they will still have a losing record heading into the game against the Bears.

Baltimore at Pittsburgh

This is one of those divisional games which is screaming tight battle, down to the wire, hard hitting, and grind it out football.  Both games earlier in the season were decided by three points.  These rivals are also very much rivals, as the Steelers lead the all time series, 9-8.  The first game also had Pittsburgh without Ben Roethlisberger, who was still serving his four game suspension for violating the league's conduct policy.  Then, the second game was a defensive struggle right up until the end, when Troy Polamalu forced a fumble from Joe Flacco and Pittsburgh scored on their ensuing possession.  I'm expecting something very similar to happen in this game, where Polamalu, or some other member of the Pittsburgh defense makes a big play and Pittsburgh will win and move onto the AFC Championship game.


Pick:  Pittsburgh 17, Baltimore 13

Green Bay at Atlanta

The game earlier this season was in Atlanta, and Green Bay still only lost by three.  Green Bay found a running game with James Starks last week versus a porous Eagle defense.  If Starks can keep that up, Green Bay could run away with this game.  Too bad I think Green Bay found lightning in a bottle last week with Starks.  The Pack will have to rely on Aaron Rodgers arm to get them past Atlanta.  Plus, they'll have to find a way to beat down Michael Turner, and stop the Falcons running game.  Turner is a pounding running back with legs which are very powerful and getting them stopped will be vital.  Green Bay has been on a roll, winning three in a row, and Aaron Rodgers has continued to put up amazing numbers since coming back after his second concussion.  I'm thinking the roles will be reversed this game, as Green Bay kicks the winning field goal with a minute or less remaining.


Pick:  Green Bay 24, Atlanta 23

Seattle at Chicago

Seattle won the earlier meeting of these two clubs 23-20.  Granted, this was before Chicago's bye week, when they really started to get going.  Prior to the bye, Chicago had losses to both this Seattle team and Washington.  Chicago then went 7-2 down the stretch, to win the NFC North and secure the number two seed in the NFC.  Seattle is a tough team to figure out, as they lost three straight heading into week 17, then they won against St. Louis and New Orleans to move on to Chicago.  Seattle could conceivably make another run like they did last week and win with their "us against the world" attitude.  Seattle will need to make Jay Cutler turn into the old Jay Cutler and force him to throw picks like nobody's business in his first playoff start along with stopping Matt Forte, who is having a great third year.  This is Cutler's first playoff start in his career, so that is worth noting, while it is Hasselbeck's 11th.  This could be like Arizona's Super Bowl run in the 2008-09 playoffs, where nobody thinks they will do anything, and they just keep winning.  I'm not expecting Seattle to go to the Super Bowl, but I think they can win again.

Pick:  Seattle 31, Chicago 23

New York Jets at New England

The Jets have been running their mouths the entire week, which is their style, and they may as well say all they can now, before they lose big like they did the last time against the Patriots in New England.  I don't think it will quite be like the 45-3 blowout like it was in December, but I don't think it will be close.  New England is seemingly on a mission like it was in 2007, when it ran out of fuel in the Super Bowl.  This time, they have a much younger defense which is looking better and better as each game progresses, and Tom Brady is performing at maybe the best level of his career.  The Jets barely beat a weakened Colts team last week, and it took a game winning drive at the end to set up a game winning field goal as time expired.  Plus, Bill Belichick wants to continue to rub it in against their division "rivals."  The series has not been close recently, with New England winning 12 of the past 16 meetings.

Pick:  New England 39, New York Jets 10  

Check back next week when I'll preview the Conference Championships.