WAS at TB: Now that the playoffs are mercifully here, I no longer have to find something to write about meaningless games between the Lions and Texans. All the games are meaningful, and they all feature exciting matchups...wait a minute. What the hell is this? The Redskins and Bucs? I don't care about either of these teams. And both teams feature awkward-throwing lefthanded quarterbacks. Has there ever been a lefthanded quarterback who didn't have a throwing motion that looked like a drunk playing darts? Edge to Washington, whose lefthanded quarterback is at least half decent. WAS

JAX at NE: Everyone in the media gives the big edge to the Patriots, which scares me. The Pats' problems this year have been well documented. Although the larger problems (Duane Starks) are no longer a factor, there is still that whole issue of whether or not Tedy Bruschi will play. In week 16, the Pats defense was dominant with Bruschi in the game. When he got hurt, they reverted back to a team that could get torched deep by the likes of Vinny Testaverde. Plus their secondary is, on average, the size of a Keebler elf. In any jump ball situation, even a moderately tall receiver has a huge advantage. But they're the champs, and they're at home, and oh yeah, Tom Brady has never lost a playoff game. NE

CAR at NYG: Welcome to the NFC, where even the most uneven, poorly-quarterbacked team can make it to the Super Bowl! Do I go with the Giants, who can't pass the ball, or the Panthers, who can't run the ball? I think the Giants' pass rush gives them the edge. NYG

PIT at CIN: Everyone is picking upset here, even though the Steelers have no defense to speak of and Ben Roethlisberger still throws sidearmed with a broken thumb. The Bengals may still be the same old Bengals (losing their last 2 games of the year), but everyone forgets that the Steelers have an equally ignominious playoff history. Unless they can play some defense, Carson Palmer should be able to win the shootout. CIN

Posted by: Brian at January 10, 2006 2:38 PM