Divisional Playoffs

So, after my awful picks last week some may disregard my picks this week but I mean come on, Cardinals-Falcons? It's like choosing the wrong pair of leather pants. No matter which you pick, it just isn't going to feel right. Also, how couldn't I pick my Indianapolis Colts? They won nine straight! Plus I was picking between the Chargers and Colts, not the Chargers, Colts, and Darren Sproles. I shall take this time to congratulate you Mr. Sproles. I thought you were nasty at Kansas State and I believe you had the best game of your life against the Colts. Here's to you sir, and don't let the Steel Curtain hit you in the ass on your way out.

Now, this week in football should make for some good weekend television. Seeing as I will be spending 12 hours of my Saturday in CVS Pharmacy (yeah it's that awful), I shall miss the possibly the best game of the weekend. The Ravens will be headed to Tennessee to try to knock off the best team in the NFL. While the Ravens played a great game last week it was against the Miami Dolphins. However, I think that the Titans shall squander their opportunity this year to quite possibly the best defense in the playoffs (which Philadelphia could rival). Even though Ed Reed, Todd Heap, and Derrick Mason did not participate in practice this week, they should definitely be ready for Saturday. The biggest factor for the Ravens is rookie Joe Flacco. The Titans are going to pressure him heavily especially with Albert Haynesworth back in the lineup. He doesn't have to do much during the game he just has to do enough to not lose it. That means no stupid throws and knowing when he is going to have to just eat it for a sack. Remember Flacco, you can always get 'em next down or series.

For the Titans, Center Kevin Mawae said that he will not be playing this weekend. According to profootballtalk.com, during an interview on Tuesday, Mawae had ruled himself out for this weekend in hopes that he would be ready for the AFC Championship next week. Are you crazy sir? You are one of the best Centers in the game and you are not going to play in the playoffs against one of the top teams in the NFL because you have a sore elbow? Wah freaking wah. Man up and get out there. Even with Haynesworth back, look for the Ravens to come out on top in tough defensive game. Especially if Ed Reed can play. Ravens 24 Titans 14.

The "Prime Time Game" this week is the Cardinals vs. the Panthers. Where is flex scheduling for this mishap? Anyway, along with their other problems, Wide Receiver Anquan Boldin may be out this weekend for the Cardinals. While Larry Fitzgerald is a great receiver, the combination of the two can be tough to stop. While their play calling was relatively balanced, an increase in third down conversions (40 percent against the Falcons) would help immensely against a dangerous Panthers team that has quietly gone to 12-4 this season. DeAngelo Williams has ran for over 1500 yards and Steve Smith has over 1400 receiving and if Jake Delhomme can play well, the Panthers should win this game decisively. Panthers 30 Cardinals 17.

SUNDAY, SUNDAY, SUNDAY!

The Eagles-Giants game could possibly be the best game of the week (barring the Ravens-Titans game). These teams see each other twice a year in the regular season and always play each other tough, no matter their records. You can be sure that this game will be no different. The Eagles defense is just plain scary right now and with Plaxico Burress out with at umm...self injury, the Giants are going to have to rely on their run game. That shouldn't be too difficult with bruising back Brandon Jacobs. The man is enormous weighing in at a lineman-esque 264 and standing at 6'4. The bigger they are the harder they fall however, especially when 6', 210 Brian Dawkins is plugging the holes. Now I love Bob Sanders, but Dawk is definitely more of a team leader than Sanders. He just turns it on as soon as he steps foot onto the field.

As for the Eagles offense, they can not have the same showing they did last week. While McNabb had 300 yards passing and matched his one touchdown with an interception, the biggest thing they have to change is their running attack. Brian Westbrook, their biggest offensive threat, had 20 carries for 38 yards. I do like that Andy Reid stuck with the run however with 23 total attempts, but these attempts need to be successful against the Giants. Reid has to remember to stick to the run though in order for star rookie wide out DeSean Jackson to be a factor. This game is going to be a tough match up and I feel that the Eagles are going to come out on top. Eagles 23 Giants 17.

And the final game of the week. The Colts...I mean the Chargers are going to be in Pittsburgh for a game that could go one of two ways. It could be a nail biter or the Steelers could dominate. While I did praise Sproles earlier, I do not believe that he can damage the Steelers in the same way he did the Colts. The Steelers defense is better than the Colts hands down and the Chargers running game will sputter at best against the likes of Troy Polamalu, and James Farrior. So who do we give the ball to? Drum please...BIG PHIL! Come on Mr. Rivers, please prove me wrong this week. I would love to eat my words and say that you being an "awful quarterback" are false. But I do not see that happening and I think that the Ravens are going to see the Steelers in the AFC Championship. Steelers 24 Chargers 13.

This football season just gets better and better. From the beginning when Tom Brady was injured, blowing the AFC wide open, to week 17 having an improbable ending for the Philadelphia Eagles, this season has been fantastic. And now, the teams left are highly competitive, which is what the playoffs are all about.