Home

Draft

Rankings

Picks

Audio/Video

Ask the Doc

Archive

Picks appear in bold.
 

Green Bay (-3) at Chicago
This pick is a combination of two factors. First, I think that the Packers are the best team in football right now, with the best quarterback left in the playoffs. Second, the Bears have been playing with house money all season long and when everything's on the line, I think they'll lose to the better team this time.

Defensively, Chicago can stop Green Bay as they proved in week 17. The lack of a running game hurts Aaron Rodgers and company, but their short passing game and his accuracy is an extension of it. Because of it, Julius Peppers and the rest of the Bears' pass rush is going to have a hard time getting to Rodgers. In addition, if there is a weakness to Chicago's defense it's the secondary. I just can't see them doing enough to lock down Green Bay's receivers.

On the other side, everyone knows that Jay Cutler is prone to make a mistake or two. He shares the "Favre" gene in that he relies too much on his incredibly strong arm to fit balls into spaces that just aren't there. With the aggressive style of Dom Capers' defense, I think they'll force Cutler into making some mistakes. As much as I think of Cutler and his importance to the Bears' offense, I think Matt Forte will have to have his best game ever, and Mike Martz will have to devise a game plan that features the running game. In the end, I don't think he can suppress his ego long enough to do that.

New York Jets at Pittsburgh (-3.5)
Don't get me wrong, I like the Jets' chances in this game and I went back and forth on it all week long. Both teams have great defenses and more than capable offenses. Once again, though, I think this game comes down to two major points and the Steelers have the upper hand in both areas.

When you compare Ben Roethlisberger and Mark Sanchez, there really isn't much to compare. One is a multiple Super Bowl champion, has won big games at home and on the road with no running game, and is able to get away and capitalize on the opposition's pass rush. The other has won three playoff road games, but it's been more because of his own team's smothering defense and steady running game. All in all, the Steelers have a huge advantage with Roethlisberger at the helm.

The other matchup I'm looking forward to is the chess game between Brian Schottenheimer and Dick LeBeau. I've always thought that the former is underrated and will be a fine head coach one day. He's brought along Sanchez beautifully and has been able to thrive with the few, if not not unreliable, offensive weapons he has available to him. However, he's going against possibly the greatest coordinator, on either side of the ball, in NFL history. Unless there are injury issues, LeBeau rarely comes out of a game in which you feel he was out-coached. With Troy Polomalu getting healthier by the week, I don't think this Sunday against the Jets will be any exception.
 

Wild Card Weekend: 2-2
Overall: 5-3