Conference Championships

Wow, what a great slate of games last weekend! We can only look forward to more action this weekend as the conference championships have a tendency to be a lot more exciting sometimes than the Super Bowl, so off we go:

San Diego @ New England: San Diego pulled off the shocker and beat the Colts at home last weekend, and they did it with their back-up QB and no LT most of the game. Shaun Phillips and Shawne Merriman are absolute beasts on defense and will constantly bring the pressure to Brady on Sunday. They have one of the best CB in the league in Antonio Cromartie and anytime he gets his hands on the ball he can take it to the house. But last weekend Jacksonville executed a picture-perfect game plan on defense against the Pats and all Brady did was go 26-28 for 261 yds. Hard to beat a team when they execute the way New England did last weekend. They are expected to win this game and THEY expect to win this game. The weather shouldn't be a big factor on Sunday as temperatures are expected to be around 25 degrees with some snow flurries but we shall see how the warm-weather Chargers can adapt. A lot points are on the board here so I'm going to go with the underdog in this one. San Diego +13 1/2.

NY Giants @ Green Bay: What else can you say about the Packers? After falling behind 14-0 in the first five minutes of the game due to two Ryan Grant fumbles, the Pack never lost their composure and came back to outscore the Seahawks 42-6 for the rest of the game. Ryan Grant more than redeemed himself with a 201 yd., 3 TD performance. The Packers have all the weapons on offense. Donald Driver is playing his usual, tough physical over-the-middle game and standout WR Greg Jennings have given Favre the deep threat that the Packers have been missing the last few years. Not to mention Grant has established himself as a legitimate running threat. But Green Bay's defense is underrated. Aaron Kampman has had a spectacular year, Linebacker A.J. Hawk is starting to come into his own and the Packer DB's, in particular Al Harris and Atari Bigby are among the hardest-hitting backs in the league. The Giants pulled off the upset of Dallas at home last week and they are playing their best football of the year. Eli Manning is starting to show signs of poise and maturity as a leader and RB Brandon Jacobs will be a load and a half for Green Bay all day. WRs Plaxico Burress and Amani Toomer have stepped up their game in the later part of the season. The forecast for Green Bay is calling for snow on Friday and a high temperature on Sunday of 5 degrees. The cold will probably not affect the Giants like it might some other teams. But the Packers are too tough, too strong and they want that trip to the Super Bowl. I'm taking Green Bay -7.

Good luck and enjoy the games!!

NFL Predictions: Week 17

Happy Holidays to all!! Hope everyone had a great Christmas and I hope that everyone has a very joyful and prosperous New Year!! The regular season winds down this week but some important games will be played so here we go:

New England @ NY Giants: The Patriots go for history on Saturday night as they try to become the first NFL team to go 16-0 in the regular season. Giants coach Tom Coughlin has been mum this week on how much his starters would play in an otherwise-meaningless game for the Giants. Coughlin is in a no-win situation here and he would be crucified by Giant fans and the media if he were to have a key starter injured in this game. If the Pats get up early, look for the quick hook for the Giant starters. New England -13 1/2.

Dallas @ Washington: Dallas is playing for nothing and Washington is playing for their playoff hopes. Dallas has nothing to gain and lots to lose. Washington +9.

Jacksonville @ Houston: The Jags will need to get it geared up for the playoffs. QB David Garrard has carried this team so far and along with Fred Taylor they will continue the trend of solid offensive football and will let their defense do the dirty work. Jacksonville +6.

Pittsburgh @ Baltimore: The Ravens hellish season finally comes to a close and probably the last game that Brian Billick will coach for Baltimore. Pittsburgh -3 1/2.

Detroit @ Green Bay: Green Bay has nothing to play for but some much-needed momentum heading to the playoffs and they need to get that bad taste out of their mouths after the thumping last week by the Bears. Green Bay -4.

Tennessee @ Indianapolis: A must-win game for Tennessee but I still think the Colts have too much fire-power for the Titans. Indianapolis +6.

Good luck, enjoy the games and let's get ready for the playoffs!!

NFL Predictions: Week 14

Some very good games last week and we can only hope for the same this week, so let's get going with this weeks picks:

Chicago @ Washington: The Redskins are coming off a very tough loss to Buffalo on Sunday not to mention trying to deal and copy with the Sean Taylor situation. The Bear MUST win this week to have any chance at all of sneaking into the playoffs and as I have said for two seasons now, they can't win a big game with Rex Grossman at QB. I look for the Redskins to rebound with an inspired performance. Washington -3.

Dallas @ Detroit: Detroit is another team in really a must-win situation. They are struggling to stay ahead of the competition to gain a wildcard spot and this really isn't the game to have to try and do that with. Detroit has been very inconsistent this year and Dallas has been......well.........they have been the best team in the NFC so far this season, as much as it pains me to say that. Dallas -10 1/2.

NY Giants @ Philadelphia: Another game with huge playoff implications and a nasty division rivalry game. The Giants showed me something last weekend with that come-from-behind victory over the Bears. I think that that game might have been a turning point for them, they had a chance to fold like they did last year and didn't. McNabb may be back for the Eagles, but I don't think it really matters. Too much Giant defense. NY Giants +3.

Oakland @ Green Bay: This game scares me a little because the Raiders have showed some life the last few weeks and this is exactly the type of game that you've seen my man Brett throw 5 INT in before. That being said, I think the Packers push towards the playoffs with a big home win. Green Bay -10.

Pittsburgh @ New England: Not a lot of people are giving the Steelers much of a chance against the Pats but remember this: The last two games Brady and the offense have struggled against tough, agressive defenses and there is none tougher or more physical that Pittsburgh. Pittsburgh +10.

San Diego @ Tennessee: San Diego has sprung to life, now can they do it two games in a row. Tennessee has struggled but did pick up a win against Houston last week and need this game to stay in the wildcard hunt in the AFC. I think LT does his magic and the Charger defense keeps Vince Young bottled up. San Diego Pk.

Indianapolis @ Baltimore: The Ravens are 4-8 and will not make the playoffs. They lost a heartbreaker on Monday night to the Pats in a game marred by controversy. They've lost Steve McNair for the rest of the season and their head coach is 96% gone after the season. So what do they really have to play for? I don't think they have the leadership to recover from that devastating loss. Colts -9.

New Orleans @ Atlanta: Probably looked like a great game when the schedule game out. Now Atlanta is just trying to end the season with some positives and New Orleans must win out pretty much to have any shot at making the playoffs. I like New Orleans to pick apart the Falcons secondary in this one. New Orleans -4.

The college bowl season will begin on Dec. 20 and before that date I will have a very special Bowl Selection post where you can get the best info available on the bowl games and their outcomes. Stay tuned for that!! Good luck and enjoy the games.