NFL Divisional Playoff Weekend Picks

I remember one office-pool story during the NCAA Men's Basketball Tournament a couple years ago. The winner was a middle-aged woman who picked teams according to the colors of the team's uniforms. If she liked them, they advanced. And since I'm slowly easing myself into becoming a football fan, following a sport which no one else in my family seems to enjoy, I will be doing just that. I just happen to like the colors AND know a few things about football, that's all.

Saturday

Indianapolis at Baltimore:

Two things scare me if I'm Peyton Manning: (1) I've never won that elusive big game, (2) that cocky Baltimore D can feed off the energy of the home crowd. If Manning was at home, where the Colts were 8-0 this season (compared to 4-4 on the road), then the Ravens' defensive maniacs might not have that extra adrenaline boost to compensate for over-confidence. No such luck here. Baltimore wins, 21-17.

Philadelphia at New Orleans:

Here's where the color thing comes into play. Only I'm not picking the Saints because of their gold and black threads. Instead, I'm picking them because of the red, white and blue. So essentially, I'm being cliche and taking the better story, despite Philly's six-game winning streak. Surprisingly, New Orleans was just 4-4 at home this season, while Philly managed a 5-3 road record. In the game with the most potential to become a classic, the high-scoring offense of Drew Brees, Reggie Bush and company will put up just enough to cool off the Eagles, 34-31.

Sunday

Seattle at Chicago:

I think Seattle (9-7 during the regular season), playing in a hostile environment against a staunch Bears defense, is just happy to be in the playoffs. Sure, Shaun Alexander is still capable of getting into the endzone, but the Bears have two ways to win this game -- winning big if Rex Grossman plays well, or winning small if he doesn't. Either way, it'll be the Bears who come out on top. With Grossman putting up 190 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT, Chicago will win, 20-14.

New England at San Diego:

Here's a game for the ages, pitting Tom Brady and the playoff-tested Patriots against the young gun Philip Rivers and the MVP, LaDainian Tomlinson. A resident New Englander, I can't pick against the Pats without some hesitation, since I've seen Tom Brady each week march up the field when it counts the most. But with a so-so group of receivers and without Rodney Harrison to put the big hit on LT after his 6, 7, 8 yard runs, Marty Schottenheimer will finally get that playoff monkey off his back. Chargers will win, 28-24.