NFL PLAYOFF PREDICTIONS

NFC Wildcard
3) Seattle 27, 6) Washington 17
I expect the Redskins' run to come to an end here after yet another long road trip. They have become an incredible story, but this is where the magic of Todd Collins will wear out. Expect Seattle's defense to give him a hell of a time. The Skins' D will play well too, but they won't score enough points on offense. Seattle is an awfully tough place to play, and the Seahawks are a much better team than the Skins.

5) NY Giants 20, 4) Tampa Bay 16
My only concern here is whether the Giants will experience an emotional letdown after going toe-to-toe with the Patriots this last weekend. They are the better team and have won on the road all season long. I like Jeff Garcia and Jon Gruden an awful lot, but I believe they are the product of a bad division. The Giants defense shouldn't have a problem with Tampa's offense, and I think Brandon Jacobs will be the difference in a defensive struggle.

AFC Wildcard
3) San Diego 28, 6) Tennessee 10
To me, this is the biggest lock of the Wildcard round. I know the Chargers are snake bit when it comes to the playoffs, but if they can't win this game, they will never win a playoff game. They have won six in a row, while the Titans have struggled since starting 6-2. Making the playoffs in year two of the Vince Young era is a big accomplishment already. The Chargers are about winning now. Just that fact alone tells me where the two teams are.

4) Pittsburgh 17, 5) Jacksonville 14
Jacksonville is the better team, but I can't see them winning in Pittsburgh twice in a four week span. Everyone seems to be projecting a Jaguars/Patriots matchup already, but I don't think the Jags are there quite yet. They are a remarkable story and will continue to get better as the years go on, but I think Pittsburgh wins a nail biter in this one. This is definitely the best game of the Wildcard round. I expect nothing short of a blood bath in this one!

(Rest of the Postseason: Reasons will come when matchups confirmed)

NFC Divisional
2) Green Bay over Seattle
1) Dallas over NY Giants

AFC Divisional
2) Indianapolis over San Diego
1) New England over Indianapolis

NFC Championship
Green Bay over Dallas (not since Buffalo/Dallas II have both #1 seeds met in the Super Bowl)

AFC Championship
New England (in a nail biter) over Indianapolis

Super Bowl XLII
New England over Green Bay (19-0)