Well, I managed to go 4 -0 last week though I must say the games were meh pretty much. The NFL Quarterfinals are here and all but one of the division winners made it to this round. I think if Washington had been smart they would have made it a complete 8 for 8.
I was shocked that Andy Reid got picked up so quickly and went to KC. They don't have a QB, but have some other talent. I am very interested in seeing who goes to the Bears. The Bills hired a college coach - not impressed so far. Dallas fired Rob Ryan, Carolina is firing every position coach possible and who knows who is going to coach in San Diego. The Jags hired a new GM and fired the coach after one season. The Browns have hired a no-name, but sometimes these are the best pickups.
The AFC games this weekend are rematches of blowouts earlier in the season and the NFC should have some great games.
On to the picks:
Baltimore Ravens at Denver Broncos
The hottest team in the league will be at home to face a fading power. The Ravens' D looked like it came straight out of 2000, but that was a one week aberration. The Broncos will make life miserable for Joe Flacco and the Ravens' D is simply too old and injured to deal with Manning's attack.
Seriously, does anyone not think that Ed Reed is held together with bubblegum and duct tape at this point? Ray Lewis already has a chair waiting for him at ESPN. Terrell Suggs had the fastest recovery ever from a torn Achilles - that D is DONE.
Pick: Broncos
Green Bay Packers at San Francisco 49ers
Best matchup of the weekend in my mind. If Justin Smith was 100% I'd feel better about this game, but he isn't. I don't trust the Niner QB situation right now. Aaron Rodgers and his aerial acrobats are rounding into form. They need a running game and somehow they will manage.
The Niner's O can be dynamic, but Kaepernick is a still very inexperienced. The Packer D has recovered many of their players and with Clay Matthews back that really improves them. I'm a life-long 49ers fan and not feeling it - these are not the same two teams that met at the beginning of the season.
Pick: Packers
Seattle Seahawks at Atlanta Falcons
In Atlanta I do not Trust. That said, the Seahawks lost their primary pass-rusher last weekend. I want to call the upset, but a D trying to fill that big a gap in the playoffs is asking a great deal on short notice. Seattle is a dangerous team and Atlanta has lived dangerously all season, but I can't call it.
Matt Ryan has tons to prove as do the Falcons in general. If this game is close late I'm not sure they can handle the pressure. Remember they scored TWO points last season in the playoffs. Well, the DEFENSE scored two points. I'm not calling the upset, but I will not be surprised if the Seahawks win this game.
Pick: Falcons
Houston Texans at New England Patriots
Let me start by saying that I am tired of the broken Houston Offense. It is offensive and not taking shots into the endzone against the Patriots is a recipe for disaster. The Texans scored FOUR FGs last week in a pathetic display of offensive ineptitude. Now, let me also admit I have a huge crush on JJ Watt (along with most of Houston). The man is a babyfaced assassin and will beat the crap out of his opponents with a smile on his face.
The Patriots are the Empire for a reason. As long as Lord Brady and Darth Belichick are together then they will rule the AFC East and get to the postseason. Facing a team with 2nd and 3rd string Inside Linebackers will mean a TE feast for Brady.
Pick: Patriots