NFL Playoff Predictions: Divisional Weekend

Again it's American football on the brain; I'm taking a stab at picking the outcome of this week's encounters. For those playing along at home, Wikipedia is fantastic for helping you understand most NFL teams and terms. If you guys don't give me something to talk about, this'll happen every week for the next three weeks, you know!

New England Patriots at Denver Broncos
Both teams have been crying out for some more respect from the media, but personally I think they've gotten what they deserve. The Broncos snuck under the radar into second place in the AFC, consistently beating poor opponents and making steady progress through their running-back tandem offense and their fierce secondary. In the only clash I saw this year, they struggled to beat Dallas late in the game and were most unimpressive, requiring some field goal misses by the Cowboys to get the win.

New England holds a 10 game playoff win streak, having won the last two Super Bowls and three of the last four. Despite a poor start and being ravaged by injuries early on in the season, the Patriots powered home down the stretch to win the easiest division and then take out the easiest AFC playoff opponent, Jacksonville, last week. They are a more complete team than the Broncos but can still appear a little shaky. Their playoff experience, astute coaching from Bill Belichick and Broncos quarterback Jake Plummer's shakiness will push the Patriots over the line. Pats 31 Broncos 20.

Washington Redskins at Seattle Seahawks
I'm taking the Seahawks in a blowout. The Redskins were pathetic last week, recording only 120 offensive yards, the lowest ever to win a playoff game. They beat Tampa Bay thanks to some big turnovers and a score on defense, but the multiple-pronged Seattle offense will give them more to think about.

The Seahawks' offensive line can run-block for Shaun Alexander and pass-block for Matt Hasselbeck. Any big defensive plays will probably have to come from Redskin safety Sean Taylor, whose effect may be diminished against Seattle coach Mike Holmgren's West Coast Offense style of play unless the 'Skins put "eight in the box". Seahawks 38 Redskins 10.

Carolina Panthers at Chicago Bears
The most intriguing match of them all. The Panthers have looked rejuvenated of late, finally finding a running game from DeShaun Foster to compliment their aerial threats like wide receiver Steve Smith. Carolina's tough defense got them into a Superbowl a few years ago and they looked nearly as threatening against the Giants last week as they did then.

The Bears are an X-Factor this playoffs, with strong defense all season long but an unknown quantity on offense. Starting QB Rex Grossman returned in the past month after a broken leg and on his day, proposes a significant threat to any defense. Unfortunately, I believe Chicago's lack of playoff experience will be the determining factor, particularly if they get behind early. Panthers 24 Bears 17.

Pittsburgh Steelers at Indianapolis Colts
It's hard to believe in miracles when you look at the considerable talent on the Colts team. It took a super-human effort for anyone to beat them this year and the Steelers need everything to click to upset QB Peyton Manning. Steelers QB Ben Roethlisberger has been fantastic in recent weeks, but had Cincinnati's star QB Carson Palmer not been injured last week, I believe the Steelers would already be on the couch. Look for the early leader to control the tempo and run the football a lot. Fingers crossed that it's the underdog Steelers ahead. Indianapolis 31 Pittsburgh 17.