sports
We've reached the divisional round of NFL playoff football, giving us 2 games on both Saturday and Sunday which makes me very happy and sad at the same time. Though I'm ecsatatic that we get 4 games, I'm a bit depressed to think that this is the last week we get 4 games.
Baltimore Ravens at Pittsburgh Steelers
This may be the best game of the weekend. Both teams are in the AFC North and know each other very well. Both finished with identical records in the regular season with each team getting victories on the opposing team's home field. Not to mention both games were decided by 3 points. It also pits two of the better defenses in the league and the 2 best safeties - Troy Polamalu and Ed Reed. This game is the definition of smash-mouth football. It's going to come down to the running game. Ray Rice, though somewhat disappointing in the regular season has been hot the past few weeks. Can he keep it going? If he can, I see the Ravens pulling off a close one. If Big Ben can connect with Mike Wallace for a score or two, and get Mendenhall going, I see the Steelers winning. It will be loud in Heinz Field and there will be a sea of Terrible Towels twirling in the stands. Tough one to call, but I feel Rice has a good game and Ravens win with a big turnover by the Ravens defense to close out the game.
Pick Six: Playoffs Part II
By Satchmo
Green Bay Packers at Atlanta Falcons
Atlanta has been virtually unbeatable at home this season. Green Bay was the sexy preseason pick to make it to the Super Bowl but they've been hit hard by the injury bug. No Finley? No Grant? No problem. Aaron Rodgers stepped it up last week to log his first playoff W. He did it with the help of rookie running back James Starks. James who?? Exactly! But if Starks can keep the train rolling and the defense with Woodson, Matthews, and Matthews' beautiful hair can douse the flames that is Burner Turner, Packers have a good chance. Is Matty Ice ready to step up to elite status of NFL QBs? I don't think so, at least not yet. He needs another year of seasoning. Woodson shuts down Rowdy Roddy White and gets a key late interception to seal the victory for the Packers. Rodgers and Jennings have big games and the Packers win by two touchdowns leaving future hall of fame TE Tony Gonzalez still searching for his first post season victory.
Seattle Seahawks at Chicago Bears
Who woulda thunk it? The Seahawks shocked the world by beating last year's Super Bowl champs in a shootout to earn the right to play the Bears. This week is going to be a bit different though as the Seahawks are a different team outside of the Emerald City without their raucous fans they call the 12th man (Hey! Didn't they steal that from Texas A&M?). I see Julius Peppers creating all types of havoc in Seattle's backfield and having his way with their rookie tackle Russell Okung who isn't 100%. Seattle has a chance if they can get to Cutler again and get a big game out of special teams star Leon Washington, but Chicago's line has been better lately and has Devin Hester to counter Washington. Did you know that this is Jay Cutler's first post season game, college or pro? Here's thinking he has a good debut. Cutler picks apart Seattle's weak secondary which opens up running lanes for Matt Forte who has a big game both running and receiving. Pete Carrol and Matt Hasselbeck come back down to earth. More champagne Mr. Forte?? I think so. My pick, Da Bears in a rout.
New York Jets at New England Patriots
This is the Patriot's game to lose.
They have the best QB in the league in Tom Brady who hasn't thrown an interception in what seems like forever (11 starts actually which is an NFL record).
They have arguably the best coach in NFL history. They will be playing at home in the cold vs an opposing QB that is used to California weather. To top it all off, they have a Law Firm (BenJarvus Green-Ellis) as their half back! Even with all those variables tilting the balance in their favor, they are beatable. They have a very young defense that can be thrown on. The Jets need to have big games out of LT (who looks reborn in NY) and Sanchez. Sanchez needs to find Keller and Holmes for big chunks of yardage downfield. They also need a huge game out of Brad Smith who is a game changer. The Jets best player is Darrell Revis who will most likely be draped all over Wes Welker. But that leaves Danny Woodhead and their two rookie TEs Gronkowski and Hernandez to run wild. I expect Belichick to exploit the mismatches that Gronk and Hernandez create against the Jets D. And I see Brady picking on Cromartie for all the smack he's been talking. Though the Jets were humiliated by the Pats on Monday Night Football just a month ago, I still think this is going to be a close game. I think that the Pats focus on shutting down LT and Shonn Greene and force Sanchez to throw. Sanchez is too inconsistent to count on at this point of his career. I see the Pats winning in a low scoring game that turns out to be much closer than the final score indicates. 
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