I couldn't stay away from writing about sports. Sorry. Here are my picks for this weekend. Sorry they're kinda late. I'll do a little bit of analysis, but I know you've been hearing the talking heads on the networks break these games down ad nauseam, so I'll keep it brief.
Washington @ Seattle: the Seahawks had the easiest schedule of any team to make the playoffs after playing in by far the NFL's worst division. The Redskins have won four straight and four out of five since the death of their star safety. That said, they have a 36-year-old backup playing quarterback. With few exceptions, back ups are back ups for a reason. He's played well in the last four games, but in the playoffs, on the road with an exceptionally hostile crowd? I wouldn't bet on it.
Pick: Seahawks
Jacksonville @ Pittsburgh: arguably the most interesting game of the weekend. Pittsburgh plays at home, which is a big advantage, given the shittiness of Heinz Field. The Steelers have one of the top defenses in the NFL and can force game-changing turnovers. However, if David Garrard has shown one thing, it's that he can manage the game well and not turn it over. Also, the Steelers have key players injured on both sides of the ball. It's a tough call to pick a visiting team against the playoff-tested Steelers, but I think the Jags can pull off the win in a close game.
Pick: Jaguars
New York Giants @ Tampa Bay: the second most intriguing game of the weekend, for a number of reasons. Eli Manning and the Giants have made the playoffs in each of the last two seasons (on the sneak), but have gone winless in those contests. As a matter of fact, I don't believe they have won a playoff game since their 41-0 romp of the Vikings in '01 (can anybody tell me what happened the next time they took the field?). They showed they could hang on the field with New England until the fourth quarter, but they nicked themselves up in the process. The Buccaneers are 9-7 in a bullshit division, and the G-Men are 10-6 in one of the toughest divisions in the league. I really think this one could go either way, but I personally can't bring myself to trust lil' Manning on the road in a big game.
Pick: Buccaneers
Tennessee @ San Diego: the young, playoff inexperienced Titans are on the road. Vince Young and Lendale White are both hurt. Vince Young is Vince Young. Their backup is Kerry Collins. The Chargers have LaDanian Tomlinson, who has a chip on his shoulder from the last home playoff game he lost. The Chargers no longer have Marty Schottenheimer on the sidelines. Need I say mo'? If the Titans stack the box and put the game in the hands of unjustifiably conceited Phillip Rivers, then maybe, just maybe, it can be close. Either way, the Vince Young/Kerry Collins is turning the ball over at least three times. And if you do that in the playoffs on the road against a team with a great rushing attack, you might as well rest Albert Haynesworth for the Pro Bowl.
Pick: Chargers
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