• 12:16 AM ET  01.10
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Hello.  Hope everyone's week is going good so far and you are as excited about the weekend as I am.  This weekend's football games are shaping up to be great.  So, without any more delay, let's get into the the week to be in the in NFL: Divisional Playoff edition:

Baltimore Ravens @ Tennessee Titans 4:30 ET CBS

This will be a battle of great defenses, with good running games, with so-so QBs.  Of course, you have to give the Ravens the edge on defense.  When you have Ed Reed playing at the level he is right now, you'll have to be given the edge.  And even though the Ravens are being picked as the favorite, you know that Titans coach Jeff Fisher will motivate his team and have them ready to play.  Albert Haynesworth makes his return to the Titans defense so expect the Ravens to test him early.  This is almost an impossible game to pick a winner in, but if Kerry Collins does not have to throw more than 20 passes, I expect the Titans to win.  Plus Collins, the veteran, should have the advantage over the rookie Joe Flacco.  This will be a good, old hard-fashioned slug fest.

Prediction: Ravens 13 Titans 16

Arizona Cardinals @ Carolina Panthers 8:15 ET FOX

This is the biggest mismatch of the divisional round.  The one-dimention Cardinals may have to deal with some rain which will affect their passing game.  Anquan Boldin will be a game-time decision.  The Cards need Edgerrin James to have another big game like he did last week.  They also need to stop DeAngelo Williams and Jonathan Stewart and be able to deal with Steve Smith.  If they can do all of that, they will win.  But the Cards are 0-5 when they play in the eastern time zone this year, and they already lost against the Panthers in Carolina this year, though it was close.  I'm pretty sure the Panthers will win.

Prediction: Cardinals 17 Panthers 34

Philadelphia Eagles @ New York Giants 1:00 ET FOX

Eagles-Giants, Round 3.  (ding)!  Yes these two foes do not like each other much and they split the season series with each team winning on the opponents home field.  I think that will change on Sunday.  Yes the Eagles are hot and Donovan McNabb is playing as well as he has in a very long time, but when you give the Giants two weeks to prepare and get a healthy Brandon Jacobs back, well that spells trouble for the Eagles.  I can see the Eagles winning this game, don't get me wrong, but I think until the defending Super Bowl champs go down, I can't pick against them.

Prediction: Eagles 20 Giants 23

San Diego Chargers @ Pittsburgh Steelers 4:45 ET CBS

In a week 11 rematch, the Chargers are looking for revenge in a city in which they have had some postseason success unlike during the regular season (remember that AFC Championship game in the mid 90s?)  Without L.T., it will be tough, but the Chargers have been in playoff mode for the last five or six games and Darren Sproles is a legit running back.  Their defense has been playing better as of late and they will try to apply as much pressure and get in Ben Roethlisberger's face early and as quickly as possible.  The Steelers need to get a ground game going and if their #1 defense can contain Sproles and force Philip Rivers to throw early and often, the Steelers should be in good shape.  If they don't though, then the Chargers will win the game.  And I will go for the upset though it won't be popular.

Prediction: Chargers 24 Steelers 17

Well that is all I have for this week.  Enjoy the best football weekend of the year and we'll be back with our regular recap next Monday or Tuesday.  Until next time, c ya.

 

 

January 11, 2009  10:55 PM ET

0-4 Great job!

 
January 11, 2009  10:55 PM ET

Wow! 0-4! Great job on the predictions this week!

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