Playoff Picks

I want to get this all out on the record before the NFL playoffs start. In the AFC, the Chargers beat the Jets 27-17. I had faith in Chad Pennington longer than a lot of people, but it expired after that abysmal showing against St. Louis. In the other wild card game, Indianapolis beats Denver 42-7 and John Lynch isn't a factor. In the NFC, St. Louis goes to Seattle and beats the Seahawks for the third time this season. Ditto for Green Bay hosting Minnesota.

In the divisional playoffs, the Chargers, who were probably my favorite team all season, have no answer for Pittsburgh. New England beats Indianapolis again, even though Payton gets 400 yds. passing. I wish there were a way for the Patriots and the Colts both to lose. When TO was still healthy, the Eagles were almost as good as an AFC team. With him gone, the NFC playoffs are wide open, and I think Philadelphia is headed for another crushing disappointment---they've already taken two weeks off, and I expect their game-rhythm to be in a shambles by the time they finally play. St. Louis beats Philadelphia, though Philly wins if the Seahawks get through the wild card round. As for Green Bay at Atlanta, I'm picking the Packers for two reasons: 1) having won 9 of 11, the only team in the NFL on a better run than the Packers are the Steelers; 2) Green Bay better damn well win and prove how inflated Atlanta's regular season record actually was.

When Pittsburgh beat New England in the regular season, Corey Dillon wasn't playing. Also, Bill Cowher's Steelers are to the AFC Championship game what Jim Kelly's Bills were to the Superbowl. That said, induction is irrational, and Pittsburgh is just a better team than New England. Steelers over Patriots by two touchdowns. In the NFC Championship game, if I've been right to this point, St. Louis plays at Green Bay, where KGB sacks Bulger 5 times and the Packers win comfortably (when the Rams played at Lambeau on Nov. 29, Green Bay won 45-17).

Superbowl XXXIX: Pittsburgh's running game is way too much for a Packers defense that tackles poorly. Steelers 34, Green Bay 20.

After the season is over: Marshall Faulk retires, Jerome Bettis retires, Brett Favre doesn't, Mike Holmgren is the head coach of the 49ers, Tom Brady remains drug-free, and Nick Sabin washes out like every other league-jumping egomaniacal college coach.