Get Your NFL Playoff Previews and Predictions Here.

Well this weekend bring us the Divisional Playoffs in the NFL. A lot of these games are highly anticipated rematches of the regular season. Aside from just predicting who will advance to the Conference Championships I would also like to pick these games against the spread. If your new to betting on NFL games (like me) these are much harder because the spreads are always relatively close. I'd like to think that with 8 teams left vying for the Lombardi, we have eliminated all the pretenders; allegedly. Which brings me to the first game. 

PANTHERS (-10) over Cardinals

Now, I know that this isn't the first scheduled T.V game, but I felt I had to lead it off because of that brilliant introduction to the blog. To me the Cards are pretenders. Plain and simple. The wild card victory over Atlanta was expected but still seemed fluky. A flea-flicker jump ball for a TD, and a huge defensive breakdown led to a 72 yard TD. Plus that weird fumble they returned for a TD. Not to mention a hungry home crowd and a rookie QB on the other sidelines. All of that is gone this weekend. Carolina boasts a strong D, an amazing running game and pound for pound maybe the best player in the NFL in Steve Smith.

Finally the Cards were 3-5 on the road and were outscored 151-62 in those games. Carolina is 8-0 at home. The Cardinals can't run the football, Carolina will be able to harass the "King of the Flat Top", Kurt Warner all game.

Prediction: Carolina 34 Cardinals 20

TITANS (-3) over Ravens

This is a very tricky game to pick. The Titans team identity is to run the ball and control the clock. Let Kerry Collins manage the game and score just enough for their stingy D to hold down the opponents' offense. To save myself from typing that exact description all over again, Baltimore is a twin of Tennessee. When they met in Week 5 it was a low scoring and heavily physical affair. I expect more of the same tomorrow. A field goal spread is very dangerous no matter who you pick, but I feel this spread might be based on how well Baltimore handled Miami in what was a great matchup for the Ravens. Yet while the Ravens are the "sexy" pick to go to the Super Bowl, Tennessee is the favorite, playing at home and will unleash their lowest scored upon D against a rookie QB. While Kerry Collins isn't Tom Brady, he is a veteran, and that is what counts this time of year.

Prediction: Titans 20 Ravens 13.

GIANTS (-4) over Eagles

A rematch of a rematch of two NFC Division rivals that featured a series split with both road teams winning games. Trend? Not this week. That Week 15 win for the Eagles was a must just to have a sliver of hope down the stretch. The Eagles found themselves in the postseason because nobody else seemingly wanted to go. (see Oakland 31 Tampa Bay 24) I however tend to look at the entire picture. The Giants realistically had nothing to play for and were in the middle of dealing with Drama even Dallas would appreciate. (see Plaxico aka Harris Smith who shot himself in a night... eerrrr was shot at an Applebee's)

Aside from a 71 yard TD pass last weekend at Minnesota the Eagles offense stunk against a Minny D that was missing two key players on D. So how could I see them moving the ball against a well rested Giants D on the road? I CAN'T. Ex Charger and Reining Super Bowl MVP Eli Manning (somebody wake me up) should be able to move the chains consistently against an Eagles team that I feel will just run out of gas; and not soon enough because Andy Reid's playoff beard is getting nasty.

Prediction: Giants 27 Eagles 14

Chargers (+6) over STEELERS

San Diego... Super Chargers! The 'Bolts come into this game as arguably the best 9-8 team in NFL history and are the hottest team in Football. The Steelers on the other hand are banged up. Big Ben enters this game 2 weeks removed from his 3rd career concussion, Willie Parker isn't the same runner he was before that fractured fibula a year ago. All that plus they face a Chargers D that is on the rise after hiring Ron Rivera to D coordinator. WARNING: THIS STAT MIGHT MAKE YOUR HEAD EXPLODE... Norv Turner is 12-1 in December and January as Chargers Head Coach. His one loss? At undefeated New England last year, with a body double of LT standing on the sidelines, and Philip Rivers ACL resembling chewed up spaghetti.

In a game I feel is gonna be very low scoring, field position is the biggest factor, not the home crowd. The Chargers Darren Sproles is averaging 24 yards a kick return and almost 11 a punt return. The steelers host of returners 20 yards on kickoffs and 6 on punts. The Chargers punter Mike Scifres went video game on the Colts last week pinning them inside the 10 yard line 4 times. Pittsburgh's punter Mitch Berger was released for 3 weeks this season. 

Even without LT, the Chargers and Philip Rivers are in F-U mode to the rest of the league. They have a ton of momentum and even with LT more than likely out I still like them to cover the 6 points. Drum Roll Please......

Prediction: Chargers 16 Pittsburgh 13