nfl weekly predictions: divisional playoffs

seattle at green bay

analysis : the packers are a good team, but they haven't had any convincing wins this year. it seems as though that they weren't challenged in any of their victories, so it's hard to tell how good they are. on the other side, the seahawks do have a quality team, with their biggest susceptibility being a lack of focus. since this is the playoffs, i expect them to be able to concentrate on the matters at hand. in the end, the deciding factor will be the overall playoff experience for the seahawks compared to relative lack of experience for the packers [save for brett favre].

the pick : seattle

jacksonville at new england

analysis : the real reason why people are picking the jaguars to win this game is because they want the jaguars to win this game. yes, the jaguars do have a good running game, and they have a good defense, but the patriots are simply the superior team. against the jaguars, the patriots' offense will be able to do anything they want against the jaguars, and on defense, all they have to do is keep the jaguars' offense in check. while david garrard has had a good season, i expect him to struggle against the patriots defense. and even though he has only thrown three regular season interceptions, i predict that garrard will throw multiple interceptions in this game.

the pick : new england

san diego at indianapolis

analysis : in their regular season meeting, the chargers needed six peyton manning interceptions, a missed 29 field goal by future hall-of-famer adam vinatieri AND two kick return touchdowns just to beat the colts by two points in san diego. that game was also played in bad weather, which is significant since peyton manning is notorious for playing poorly in unfavorable conditions. this week's playoff game will be in the rca dome, which will protect peyton manning from the climate. i expect the colts to easily handle the chargers on both offense and defense.

the pick : indianapolis

ny giants at dallas

analysis : it seems as though that only people in the media believe that the tony romo-jessica simpson 'saga' will distract the cowboys this week; the players and the fans are the ones who are able to keep things in perspective. for me, the more interesting part of the mexican vacation¹ is the presence of jason witten. seriously, what was he doing there? i seriously doubt tony romo invited jason witten to come with him on a weekend getaway with jessica simpson. jason witten must have never been to mexico and when tony romo let it slip out that he was going, he didn't have the heart to not let witten come with him. anyway, the cowboys will be looking to beat the giants for the third time this year, which experts say is difficult to do. but i ask, why? what exactly is the rationale? any advantage that the losing team may gain from the previous two games, the winning team can gain as well. will the losing team be more motivated? i think not. as for the game, the cowboys have been able to exploit the giants secondary and the giants have had difficulty slowing the cowboys early. i'm still not sold on eli manning being a successful playoff quarterback; i'm waiting for the other shoe to drop on the tom coughlin-eli manning combination.

the pick : dallas

¹ surpisingly, this is yet a national lampoon's movie. if and when it is made, i'm sure chevy chase will be available.