NFL Playoff Preview-Championship Sunday | Fausto's Voice of the People Blog

Well, if I learned anything last week, its that if something seems too easy, its probably not going to work out. I had almost no doubt in picking 3 games last week, even if I went out on a limb by picking the Jags over the Patriots. And of course, the Bolts beat the Colts, the Giants beat the Cowboys, and I looked like an idiot and went 1-3. So I'm now at even .500 after 2 weeks. Luckily, I won't be so stupid this week.

San Diego Chargers at New England Patriots: Well, its a rematch of last years debacle in the AFC Divisional round where Marty Schottenheimer coached his team out of a win again, the Pats beat the Chargers, and then proceeded to go against their squeaky clean image and did the classless act of doing the "Lights Out" dance in the middle of the field. Well, both teams now hate each other, prepping a great matchup in the biggest game of the AFC's season.

The Patriots are once again at full strength, but they are distracted by the Randy Moss battery story. Do I think they'll be distracted? Do I love Red Sox fans? The answer to both the questions is a laugh out loud no. Belicheck has them focused on one thing, and thats kicking the crap out of San Diego. Distraction. Ha.

The Chargers, meanwhile, will probably be without Philip Rivers and Antonio Gates, and LT won't be at full strength. Sure, I like Micheal Turner, but the Chargers will need their best players to beat the Patriots. And Turner and Billy Volek (yes, that Billy Volek) are no Pro-Bowlers. But the defense is healthy, and they are a huge part of this team.

This game also has probably the worst coaching matchup in the history of conference championships: Norv Turner vs. Bill Belicheck. Hmm, who's the better coach? In a recent ESPN Sportsnation poll, 85% of fans said they'd rather have Belicheck. That means the other 15% of America is mentally handicapped or Norv's family.

So it comes down to this: if no team at full strength this year could beat the Patriots, why will a team with Billy Volek be able to? Now, I love the Chargers defense, and their angry and disrespected, but its not looking good. Now, I really want to pick the Pats to lose, because of the stat that no NFL passing yards leader has ever won the Super Bowl the same season, because they'll eventually need to run the ball, and they can't, so they lose. Well, this week is the not the week to pick against them. I bet its close, but there is almost no chance for a Bolts upset.

THE PREDICTION: Patriots 30, Chargers 20.

New Jersey/York Giants at Green Bay Packers: This is a rematch of the week 2 game where the Packers, before they became America's darlings, beat down an unsuspecting Giants team. Brett Favre had an excellent game, with 3 TDs and almost 300 yards. Eli was solid, and the weird thing is, Brandon Jacobs and Ryan Grant had a combined 0 carries. What a difference a season makes.

The Packers are running on emotion right now, trying to win one for Brett Favre one last time. They have looked better than any other team this postseason, and their offense has been extremely balanced. They have almost no injuries, and shouldn't be missing any starters on Sunday.

The Giants have been the playoffs biggest surprise this year. What once lookd like a lost team is now one game away from the Super Bowl. Eli Manning is turning into Payton, and the front 7 is outstanding. I love Osi Umeniora and Strahan. They've always been talented, but never really produced. Until this year. Now, Coughlin has Jersey/A a game away from the Big Game. They may be missing Will Blackmon at CB, but other than that, they are going strong.

Its going to be really, really cold, perfect football weather. The snow will be coming down, and it will be classic Lambeau. If Chris Berman turns off the field heating system again, it could get interesting. The Packers are unbeatable in January in Lambeau, but the Giants are a cold weather team too. And I'm sick of hearing the term "Frozen Tundra", which, yes, is rendundant. Tundra is always frozen.

So can the Giants keep it up? They might. Eli has been a real game manager, and the defense has been great. But Brett Favre is a HOFer, and they have a better running game. This is the game I am really excited about, because snow games are up for grabs. But I really doubt a team with Brett Favre as its QB is going to lose a big game at home. I want to pick the Giants, but the Pack are just a really talented team. I bet it goes like the Seahawks game: Packers dominate.

THE PREDICTION: Packers 24, Giants 7.

So my prediction is the Super Bowl matchup to end all matchups will happen: Packers/Patriots, in Glendale. Its gonna be one he1l of a game.