Divisional Picks

As we saw last week, anything can happen in the playoffs.  So much for the talk about re-working the post season structure to not allow teams under.500 to get in.  The Seahawks proved once again that, just like in high school, anything can happen once you get into the dance.  Different performance measures are important come playoff time.  For quarterbacks, it's about touchdowns and ball security, not yards.  For running backs it's about consistency and ball security.  For defences it's not about yards allowed, it's about explosion plays.  You'll notice that the common denominator is turnovers.  With that in mind, here are my weekly picks.

Take the Steelers to beat the Ravens.  This game will live up to its billing as a hard hitting, tight divisional battle.  As the game moves into the fourth quarter, look for Ben Roethlisberger to make the plays that Joe Flacco doesn't.

Take the Falcons to beat the Packers.  If this game was in a neutral site I would pick the Packers and even now, I have a hard time betting against them considering how well they played last week.  The difference to me is that the Falcons can run the ball very well with Michael Turner and their ability to go no-huddle should neutralize some of the exotic blitzes that Dom Capers likes to dial-up.  This should be the game of the week.

Take the Bears to beat the Seahawks.  The Seahawks won last week because they had their way with the Saints on offence.  The Saints D was weak to begin with and they were without Malcolm Jenkins in that game.  Move to Chicago.  Now, the Seahawks are on the road, against one of the best defences in the NFL coming off a week of rest.  I expect a 22-6 type outcome.

Take the Patriots to beat the Jets.  The Pats are a different beast at home and although the Jets played well last week, I don't see them going into Foxborough and coming away with a win.  That being said, it'll be closer than their last match-up and should provide great entertainment on Sunday evening.

Spread Picks
Steelers (-3)
Falcons (-1.5)
Bears (-10)
Jets (+8.5)