NFC/AFC Semifinals Picks, Right Here

Nobody ever calls them the Semifinals, they call them the “Divisional Playoffs.” But what’s so divisional about it? We’re dividing the 8 teams that are left into 4, but the winners aren’t NECESSARILY division champions or anything, although all the teams playing this weekend happen to be division 2006 division champions. Let’s just call them the NFC and AFC Semifinals:

Indianapolis at Baltimore (-4)
Everybody in the world thinks that Peyton Manning and the Colts are going to crumble on the road against the great Ravens defense. But I think Tony Dungy says it best: “We never feel we can go anyplace and not move the ball.” That’s the thing, Tony. You’re so right. Your guys are not going to be shut out. All this brings me to the real key to this game, the Ravens offense. That offense is fool’s gold. It’s not that good. I don’t care what you think, it’s not that good. Baltimore had the second-easiest schedule in the AFC, and it’s going to show today. Don’t be surprised. Don’t be frickin’ surprised. Ind 27, Bal 14

Philadelphia at New Orleans (-5.5)
This is the only game that I do not feel confident about. I just feel like the Saints laid some inexplicable eggs this year in games they should have coasted in. I don’t like that attribute. No matter how good a story this team is - and it’s a GREAT story – playing down to your competition is not something that good playoff teams do. The Eagles definitely feel like they’ve already accomplished a lot this year, while the Saints think they have three more games to win. The tightness, the playoff history, the everything, all of it shows up today. The Saints are going to be shocked. Phi 23, N.O. 20

Seattle at Chicago (-9)
This is the easiest game to predict, I think. It will not be very close. I don’t care if Rex Grossman is the quarterback for the Bears, their defense is going to smash the hell out of Seattle. Chi 28, Sea 6

New England at San Diego (-4.5)
Obviously, this game is going to be close. It’s going to probably come down to the fourth quarter. Because the best player on either team is a running back, and not a quarterback, and because San Diego’s quarterback is so inexperienced, I think I have to go with Tom Brady. NE 31, SD 24

Last week’s record against the spread: 2-1 (didn’t pick NYG/PHI game).
Last week's record overall: 2-1