NFL Postseason '05: Round 2

Guys, put your money on me this weekend. I was 1-3 last weekend. That should give you a vote of confidence in my picks.

There were all rematches last weekend, and there are all rematches this weekend. I wonder if that's ever happened, and I wonder how far into the playoffs it got before there were no rematches. There's still a chance for the championship games to be rematches if St. Louis and Philly win, then Pittsburgh and New England win. The Super Bowl has potential rematches in St. Louis/New England (and another championship decided between the two cities just three months after the World Series) and Philly/Pittsburgh. An interesting side story to watch. By the way, revenge "factor": teams seeking revenge were 2-2 last week.

GAME 1: NEW YORK JETS at PITTSBURGH STEELERS (Sat)

Pittsburgh didn't impress me much over the season, until the last game where they played their scrubs and still beat a hot Buffalo team still hoping to make the playoffs. The Jets are going to have a magnificently hard time scoring against the Steeler defense, as the 17-6 loss in week 14 illustrates. So, I pick Pittsburgh here in a score reminiscent of that game.

Pittsburgh 21 NY Jets 10

GAME 2: ST. LOUIS RAMS at ATLANTA FALCONS (Sat)

My former favorite team, the Falcons, had quite the inconsistent year. This team entirely depends on Michael Vick to be at his mobile best to win. The defense gets some kudos now and then, but they did have that awful game against the Chiefs. The Rams surprised me last week, but they played an equally head-scratching team in the Seahawks, so I don't know what to gauge from that win. I was impressed with Bulger, and the problem for him is following the memories of Kurt Warner at his best, so his mistakes are amplified. The Falcons won the regular season meeting 34-17 in Atlanta. I think Vick's legs are going to be on the loose here, and both teams are going to be scoring plenty.

Atlanta 34 St. Louis 24

GAME 3: MINNESOTA VIKINGS at PHILADELPHIA EAGLES (Sun)

Was anyone impressed with the Vikings win at Green Bay last week? How about unimpressed with Brett Favre's four INTs? A lot of questions about the Eagles towards the end, with Terrell Owens going down and the team playing listless football anyway. But, that's exactly why I'm going to pick them here, even though I'm not sold on them completely. There won't be the same mistakes, and even if there are, the Eagles defense should be able to prevent easy TDs. The last game was a 27-16 Eagle win in Philly.

Philadelphia 21 Minnesota 13

GAME 4: INDIANAPOLIS COLTS at NEW ENGLAND PATRIOTS (Sun)

The game everyone wants to see, and it's game number 4 between these two in the last two years. The Patriots have won all, but truly some weird, Boston Red Sox things have happened to the Colts during these games. Here's some other mystical thing that happens with Peyton Manning. Everyone always brings up a record he had against a certain opponent, or bring up some stat where he is lacking, and he seems to find a way to extend his middle finger to that on the next week. I don't know if I necessarily like the vibe going into this game, where everyone wants to pick the Colts, neglecting that the Pats are an excellent team with a wizard coach. We will be seeing a couple of things here. First, Manning attacking Troy Brown. Second, Corey Dillon running all over the place. Here's another bad juju thing: that commercial running for Visa starring the Patriots where Dillon's saying, "Not in our house, not today." Last game was 27-24 Pats in New England. There's so much in the air about this game, I've got to pick Manning here. The secondary for the Pats probably will be better than expected, but it's going to be a torch-fest on both sides. Gotta give respect all around. Probably goes to OT.

Indianapolis 41 New England 38