Wild Card Playoff Predictions

I did pretty well picking the playoffs last year, even saying at the beginning that the Colts would probably go all the way. This year, I think that I’d be dumb not to say that the Patriots are going all the way. But, but, but! I do believe there’s a CHANCE the Colts could beat them again in the AFC Championship game. Just a chance. But anyway, here we go:

Saturday

Washington at Seattle (-3.5)

Okay, so the Redskins have inexplicably made this late-season playoff run with their best player dead, their quarterback being the guy who replaced ELVIS GRBAC at MICHIGAN, and now we’re asking whether the momentum they’ve gained the past few weeks will matter in the playoffs. I have seen very little of Seattle this year, but one thing I’ve seen is that they can’t run the ball like they used to. With that going against them, and the fact that I see Clinton Portis as one of only six or seven current NFL running backs who actually aren’t interchangeable, “if my line is good than I’m good” type guys, I’m going to go with Clinton for 130 yards and the Redskins for a second-round date with the Cowboys. Washington 20, Seattle 17

Jacksonville at Pittsburgh (-2.5)

Ooh, it’s getting so sexy to pick the Jaguars. The Jaguars won in Pittsburgh a few weeks back, they can threaten the Patriots, they can do this, they can do that. Pittsburgh may have peaked earlier this year, but they’re not going to lose twice to the Jags, right? Roethlisberger won a Super Bowl for a reason, folks, and he’s going to pull this one out. Pittsburgh 27, Jacksonville 17

NY Giants at Tampa Bay (-3)

The questions: Did the Giants really gain momentum by almost beating the Patriots last week? Is it just a coincidence that Jeff Garcia has beaten the Giants in the playoffs with two different teams? Is Eli Manning going to take the next logical playoff step (play awful and lose two years ago, play pretty well at the end and lose a close one last year, and win one this year)? Is there really a bay in Tampa? Can I really be objective about any game involving the Giants? The answers: Yes, yes, yes, no and no. NY Giants 31, Tampa Bay 17

Tennessee at San Diego (-10)

God I think Phil Rivers is awful. Just awful. I so so so so hope that the Titans smash him in the mouth and pull off the upset. But, they probably won’t. They’ll keep it close, will the Titans, but too much LDT at the end. San Diego 23, Tennessee 17