NFL Playoff Picks.

I'm back for another year of playoff picks. 2 years ago I went 7-4 which wasn't that bad until you realize I picked against the Steelers four times and they won the Super Bowl. I don't even remeber how I did last year so it couldn't have been that good. In other words putting any money down based on my insights is a pretty questionable betting strategy.

NFC

Washington Redskins (9-7) vs. Seattle Seahawks (10-6) Saturday 4:30 p.m.

It tells you how bad the NFC is, specifically the NFC west, that the Seahawks have a home field game. They can't run the ball at all and their defense is average at best. But they are still better than the Redskins who got on a late season role and are playing with a lot of emotion after the death of Sean Taylor. I think Seahawk QB Matt Hasselback will be the difference in this lousy game.

Seahawks 27 Redskins 17

NY Giants (10-6) vs. Tampa Bay Bucaneers (9-7) Sunday 1:00 p.m.

The Bucs only beat 2 teams over .500 this year so you have to think they really aren't that good and should lose. Then you notice that the Giants only beat one team over .500 and have Eli Manning at QB and they should lose. Neither one of these teams has a prayer of beating Dallas or Green Bay next week, though the Bucs have the defense to keep things close, so it really doesn't matter but I have to choose. So I am staying with my playoff rule of always betting against Eli Manning who will throw 3 picks in this one, 2 of which will kill scoring drives in the Bucs side of the field.

Bucs 20, Giants 13

AFC

Jacksonville Jaguars (11-5) vs. Pittsburgh Steelers (10-6) Saturday 8:00 p.m.

This should be the best game of the weekend. The Jags are the one team that has to scare the hell out of the Colts and Patriots the most. They can run the ball down anybody's throat and play tough physical defense. Or in other words they play a better version of Steeler football than the Steelers do. Jags QB David Garrard also doesn't make critical mistakes in big moments and has the confidence of his team. Combine that with the fact that the Steelers look tired and banged up and you gotta take the Jags on the road.

Jags 27, Steelers 24

Tennessee Titans (10-6) vs. San Diego Chargers (11-5)

The Chargers are a total enigma. If QB Philip Rivers had any consistency at all I could actually see them beating the Patriots and Colts and winning the Super Bowl but I just don't trust him in pressure situations. I haven't been that impressed wth the Titans though, especially watching barely get by the Colts Sunday night with half the Colts starters on the bench resting. LT will get the Chargers by in this one and if he gets hot may carry them to the Super Bowl because he's that good. Then again they have Norv Turner as a coach so they may get smoked this weekend.

Chargers 31 Titans 14